Senior Product Designer (Temporary Full Time Position)

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Senior Product Designer (Temporary Full Time Position)
Company: Tidepool
Location: Palo Alto, California, USA
Job Type: Temporary Full-time Category: Product Design / UX/UI Design Date Posted: October 16, 2025
Experience Level: 5-10 Years
Remote Status: Remote Solely (within the United States)

🚀 Role Summary

• Lead end-to-end product design initiatives for Tidepool's Data Management Platform, encompassing both patient and clinician experiences.
• Drive user-centered design solutions by translating complex user needs into intuitive and safe digital products, while considering regulatory and technical constraints.
• Foster strong cross-functional collaboration with product managers, engineers, and quality assurance teams to champion user advocacy and ensure design integrity.
• Develop and maintain a robust design system and component library, promoting consistency and efficiency across the platform.
• Conduct comprehensive user research, including exploratory interviews and usability testing, to gain deep insights into the diabetes community's needs.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role emphasizes a blend of strategic product thinking and detailed execution, requiring a designer who can operate at both high-level feature definition and granular UI detail. The temporary nature of the position suggests a need for immediate impact and a focused contribution over a 6-month period.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Spearhead the design of critical components within Tidepool's Data Management Platform, including patient management dashboards, advanced data visualizations, and device connection workflows.
• Translate high-level problem statements and user needs into detailed design specifications, ensuring alignment with healthcare regulations and technical feasibility.
• Actively partner with product management to define new feature concepts, influence product strategy, and prioritize design focus areas in conjunction with business objectives.
• Plan, execute, and analyze a range of user research activities, from initial exploratory interviews to in-depth usability testing sessions, to inform design iterations.
• Build and manage a comprehensive design system and component library, ensuring consistency and scalability across all product touchpoints.
• Advocate for the user by developing a profound understanding of individuals living with diabetes and the healthcare providers who support them, leveraging this empathy to drive product refinement.
• Collaborate closely with engineering and quality assurance teams throughout the development lifecycle, providing design reviews and feedback to ensure successful implementation.
• Develop deep expertise in various diabetes hardware and software technologies to create impactful and contextually relevant design solutions.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a need for a designer experienced in complex, regulated environments, particularly within healthcare or medical devices. The emphasis on translating "broad need statements" into "meaningful designs" suggests a requirement for strong problem-solving skills and the ability to navigate ambiguity.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: While no specific degree is mandated, a Bachelor's degree in Design, HCI, Computer Science, or a related field, or equivalent practical experience, would be highly beneficial.

Experience: A minimum of 5 years of professional experience in product design, interaction design, or a closely related field such as visual design or experience design.

Required Skills:

• Proven expertise in leading product design projects from concept to completion for both mobile and responsive web platforms.
• Exceptional portfolio showcasing a strong design process, problem-solving abilities, and a track record of shipping successful B2C products/features.
• Fluency in industry-standard design tools, with a specific requirement for Figma.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently on design exploration and execution, while also actively seeking and incorporating feedback.
• Strong understanding of visual design fundamentals, including layout, color theory, typography, and their application in creating intuitive user interfaces.
• Experience with task management systems like Jira for design reviews and providing feedback to engineering teams.
• Ability to create designs at a high strategic level while also handling detailed design tasks.
• Enthusiasm for working within highly technical domains that involve data and hardware constraints.

Preferred Skills:

• Prior experience in the healthcare, wellness, or medical device industry, with a strong preference for diabetes device or application design experience.
• Experience designing for generative AI, LLMs, or machine learning interfaces.
• Proven experience designing complex data visualizations.
• Experience in user research methodologies, including exploratory interviews and task-based usability testing.

📝 Enhancement Note: The job description explicitly states the need for a strong portfolio, emphasizing that applications cannot be considered without one. This underscores the importance of showcasing tangible design work and process. The "nice to have" skills indicate areas where a candidate can differentiate themselves significantly.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A comprehensive portfolio is mandatory for consideration, demonstrating a robust design process applied to mobile and responsive web platforms.
• Include detailed case studies that highlight problem identification, user research, ideation, design solutions, and the impact of those solutions.
• Provide any necessary passwords or access credentials for portfolio review; applications without accessible portfolios will not be processed.
• Showcase experience in translating complex user needs and technical constraints into user-friendly designs, particularly within regulated environments.
• Examples of design system contributions or component library development are highly valued.

Process Documentation:

• Evidence of conducting and documenting user research, including exploratory interviews and usability testing, and how this research informed design decisions.
• Examples of workflow design and optimization, particularly for device connection, data management, or patient-clinician interaction.
• Demonstrated ability to document design decisions and rationale, especially when balancing usability with safety regulations and technical considerations.

📝 Enhancement Note: The requirement for a portfolio is paramount. Candidates should curate it to highlight projects that align with Tidepool's mission, focusing on data-driven design, user empathy in healthcare, and experience within technical or regulated domains.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $64 - $85 per hour.

Benefits:

• This is a benefits-ineligible position due to its temporary, short-term nature.

Working Hours:

• This is a full-time position, typically expected to be 40 hours per week.
• The role is designated as remote, allowing for flexibility in work location within the United States.

📝 Enhancement Note: The hourly rate is competitive for a senior-level design role in the Palo Alto/Bay Area, even for a temporary position, reflecting the specialized skills required. The lack of benefits is a common trade-off for short-term contracts and should be factored into overall compensation expectations.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Healthcare Technology / Non-profit Software Development. Tidepool operates within the intersection of health tech and non-profit missions, focusing on improving lives through accessible diabetes data. Company Size: While not explicitly stated, Tidepool is a 501(c)3 nonprofit, which typically implies a lean, mission-driven team structure. The mention of working with teams around the world suggests a distributed workforce. Founded: 2013. Tidepool has a history of developing free software tools for the diabetes community, indicating a stable, established organization with a clear purpose.

Team Structure:

• The Senior Product Designer will work within a cross-functional product team, collaborating closely with Product Managers, Engineers, and Quality Assurance professionals.
• The role emphasizes collaboration with healthcare professionals and patients, suggesting an outward-facing team dynamic grounded in user needs.

Methodology:

• A strong emphasis on user-centered design, with a mandate to develop deep empathy for people with diabetes and their care providers.
• Design processes are expected to balance usability with safety regulations and technical constraints, indicating a methodical and compliant approach.
• Collaboration is key, with a focus on translating broad needs into meaningful designs and influencing product strategy through user insights.

Company Website: https://tidepool.org/

📝 Enhancement Note: Tidepool's nonprofit status and mission-driven culture suggest an environment where impact and user well-being are prioritized. The emphasis on collaboration and empathy points to a team that values shared purpose and open communication.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is for a Senior Product Designer, indicating a mid-to-senior level of experience. The responsibilities involve leading design projects, influencing product strategy, and mentoring/collaborating with other team members.

Reporting Structure: The designer will likely report to a Design Lead, Head of Product, or a similar senior product role, working within a product pod alongside a Product Manager and Engineering team.

Operations Impact: The designer's work will directly impact the usability and effectiveness of Tidepool's Data Management Platform, influencing how people with diabetes manage their health and how clinicians provide care. This has a direct impact on patient outcomes and the efficiency of healthcare delivery.

Growth Opportunities:

• While this is a temporary 6-month role, it offers significant opportunities to deepen expertise in health tech design, specifically within the complex domain of diabetes management.
• Exposure to regulatory environments (FDA submissions) and working with sensitive health data provides valuable specialized experience.
• The chance to contribute to a mission-driven organization can be personally rewarding and build a strong addition to one's portfolio.
• Potential for extension or future opportunities within Tidepool or the broader health tech sector based on performance and organizational needs.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a temporary role, "growth" is primarily measured by portfolio enhancement, skill specialization, and potential for future engagement. Candidates should view this as an opportunity to tackle a challenging, impactful project within a respected organization.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: This is a fully remote position, allowing employees to work from home. Office Location(s): While the company headquarters is in Palo Alto, CA, this role is remote and open to candidates located within the United States.

Workspace Context:

• The work environment is collaborative and global, with team members working from various locations.
• Expect regular virtual meetings and communication via digital collaboration tools (e.g., Slack, Jira, Figma).
• The focus is on asynchronous and synchronous communication to support a distributed team.

Work Schedule:

• Full-time, 40 hours per week.
• While remote, maintaining consistent availability during core working hours for collaboration is expected. Flexibility in daily schedule may be possible, but alignment with team needs is crucial.

📝 Enhancement Note: A remote-first environment requires strong self-discipline, communication skills, and proficiency with remote collaboration tools. Candidates should be comfortable working autonomously and proactively engaging with their team.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A review of your resume and, critically, your portfolio. Applications without a portfolio will be disqualified.
• Portfolio Review & Discussion: Expect to walk through selected case studies from your portfolio, explaining your design process, rationale, and the impact of your work.
• Design Challenge/Exercise: A practical design exercise may be given, focusing on a problem relevant to Tidepool's platform, to assess your problem-solving skills and design approach.
• Cross-Functional Interviews: Meetings with Product Managers, Engineers, and potentially other stakeholders to assess collaboration style, technical understanding, and cultural fit.
• Final Interview: A discussion with senior leadership to finalize the decision.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select 2-3 projects that best demonstrate your skills in user-centered design, problem-solving, data management, and ideally, healthcare or technical domains.
• Showcase Your Process: Clearly articulate your design thinking, from user research and ideation to prototyping, testing, and iteration. Explain why you made certain design choices.
• Quantify Impact: Whenever possible, include metrics or outcomes that demonstrate the success of your designs (e.g., improved usability, increased engagement, positive user feedback).
• Address Constraints: Highlight how you navigated technical limitations, regulatory requirements, or complex data challenges in your projects.
• Accessibility: Ensure your portfolio is easily accessible and well-organized. Provide any necessary passwords or instructions upfront.

Challenge Preparation:

• Familiarize yourself with Tidepool's mission and existing products (Tidepool Web, Mobile, etc.).
• Practice articulating your design process concisely and persuasively.
• Be prepared to discuss how you approach user research, design systems, and collaboration in a remote, cross-functional setting.
• Consider how you would approach designing for users with chronic conditions and the importance of safety and accuracy in health tech.

📝 Enhancement Note: The portfolio is the most critical component of the application. Candidates should invest significant time in ensuring it is polished, relevant, and clearly communicates their value proposition for this specific role.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Figma: Essential for all design and prototyping work. Proficiency is a hard requirement.
• Jira: Used for task management, design reviews, and engineering collaboration.
• Design System Tools: Experience in building, maintaining, or contributing to design systems.

Analytics & Reporting:

• While not explicitly listed as a design tool requirement, an understanding of how to interpret and leverage data analytics and user feedback to inform design decisions is crucial.

CRM & Automation:

• Not directly applicable to the designer role, but awareness of how design integrates with user journeys and platform functionality is beneficial.

📝 Enhancement Note: Proficiency in Figma is non-negotiable. Experience with Jira is also a stated requirement, indicating the need for designers to be integrated into the development workflow.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Mission-Driven: A strong commitment to improving the lives of people with diabetes.
• User-Centricity: Deep empathy for users and a dedication to understanding their needs.
• Collaboration: Working effectively across disciplines and geographies.
• Impact: Focusing on creating meaningful contributions through design.
• Data-Informed: Using data and research to guide design decisions.

Collaboration Style:

• Highly collaborative, with a strong emphasis on cross-functional teamwork between design, product, and engineering.
• Open communication and feedback loops are encouraged to ensure alignment and drive product excellence.
• Remote collaboration tools and practices are integral to the team's workflow.

📝 Enhancement Note: Candidates should demonstrate an understanding of and alignment with Tidepool's mission. Empathy for users and a collaborative spirit are key cultural indicators to highlight.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Designing for a regulated healthcare environment, balancing usability with safety and compliance requirements.
• Translating complex technical data and device interactions into intuitive user experiences.
• Working within a temporary role, requiring rapid integration and immediate impact.
• Contributing to a mission-critical platform where design errors can have significant consequences for users' health.
• Adapting to a remote-first, globally distributed team structure.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Gaining specialized expertise in health tech design, particularly for chronic conditions like diabetes.
• Deepening experience with design systems and component libraries in a real-world application.
• Enhancing skills in user research within a regulated and sensitive domain.
• Developing proficiency in collaborating effectively within a remote, cross-functional team.
• Contributing to a product that has a tangible positive impact on a large community.

📝 Enhancement Note: Candidates should view challenges as opportunities to showcase their problem-solving skills and adaptability. Highlighting how they would overcome these specific challenges will be a strong differentiator.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you had to balance user needs with strict regulatory or technical constraints. How did you approach it, and what was the outcome?"
• "Walk us through a complex data visualization you designed. What was the challenge, your design process, and the impact?"
• "How do you approach building or maintaining a design system for a product with diverse user groups (patients and clinicians)?"
• "Describe your process for conducting user research for a new feature. What methods would you use for Tidepool's platform?"
• "How do you ensure your design remains user-centric while collaborating with engineering and product management who may have different priorities?"

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What interests you about Tidepool's mission and working in the diabetes space?"
• "How do you foster empathy for users, especially when you may not personally share their lived experience?"
• "Describe your ideal collaborative relationship with product managers and engineers."
• "How do you handle constructive criticism on your designs?"

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure Your Narrative: For each case study, clearly outline the problem, your role, your process, the solution, and the results. Use a consistent framework.
• Focus on Impact: Emphasize the "so what?" of your design decisions – how did it benefit the user or the business?
• Be Prepared for Deep Dives: Expect questions about specific design choices, trade-offs, and your reasoning.
• Showcase Figma Skills: Be ready to articulate your use of Figma features, components, and prototyping capabilities.
• Address Limitations: If a project had constraints or didn't achieve all its goals, be honest and explain what you learned.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation should focus on demonstrating empathy, strategic thinking, strong design process, and collaborative capabilities, all framed within the context of health tech and Tidepool's mission.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Senior Product Designer position:

• Submit your resume and a link to your comprehensive design portfolio through the application portal.
• Portfolio Customization: Ensure your portfolio prominently features projects that align with Tidepool's mission, showcasing your experience in user-centered design, data visualization, and complex technical environments. Highlight any healthcare or regulated industry experience.
• Resume Optimization: Tailor your resume to highlight experience in product design, user research, Figma, Jira, and any relevant healthcare or diabetes technology experience. Use keywords from the job description.
• Prepare Your Narrative: Practice articulating your design process and key project outcomes clearly and concisely, ready for portfolio walkthroughs and interview discussions.
• Company Research: Thoroughly research Tidepool's mission, products, and values. Understand the challenges faced by people with diabetes and their care teams.

⚠️ Important Notice: This enhanced job description includes AI-generated insights and operations industry-standard assumptions tailored for a design role within a mission-driven organization. All details should be verified directly with the hiring organization before making application decisions.

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