Senior Product Designer - Voice AI Agent Setup (f/m/d)*

Parloa
Full_time

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Senior Product Designer - Voice AI Agent Setup (f/m/d) Company: Parloa Location: Berlin Office Job Type: Full-time Category: Product Design / UX/UI Design Date Posted: 2025-07-25T09:56:38 Experience Level: Mid-Senior Level (5-10 years) Remote Status: Hybrid

🚀 Role Summary

  • Lead the design of intuitive interfaces for AI voice agent setup, transforming complex expert tools into accessible solutions for a broader user base.
  • Drive end-to-end product design processes, encompassing user research, ideation, wireframing, high-fidelity UI, and prototyping.
  • Foster strong cross-functional collaboration with Product, Engineering, and AI teams to align on user needs, technical feasibility, and business objectives.
  • Translate intricate AI concepts and technical details into user-friendly interaction models and clear visualizations.
  • Champion UX strategy by conducting user research, synthesizing findings, and contributing to the long-term vision for an AI agent creation platform.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the role is titled "Senior Product Designer," the responsibilities clearly indicate a focus on product strategy and end-to-end design ownership, particularly within the complex domain of AI agent setup. The emphasis on simplifying expert tools suggests a need for a designer adept at handling technical complexity and translating it into user-friendly experiences, aligning with a senior-level contributor who can influence product direction.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

  • Spearhead the design of scalable and user-friendly interfaces for Parloa's AI voice agent setup, transitioning from an expert-focused system to a universally accessible tool.
  • Conduct comprehensive user research, including interviews, usability testing, and competitive analysis, to deeply understand user needs and pain points in AI agent creation.
  • Develop detailed user flows, wireframes, prototypes, and high-fidelity mockups to effectively communicate design solutions and user interactions.
  • Collaborate closely with Product Managers to define product requirements and contribute to the product roadmap, ensuring design solutions align with business goals and user needs.
  • Partner with Engineering teams to ensure the feasibility and successful implementation of designs, providing clear specifications and design assets.
  • Translate complex AI concepts, such as natural language processing (NLP) and machine learning models, into intuitive visualizations and interaction patterns for users.
  • Contribute to the development and maintenance of a robust design system to ensure consistency and scalability across the product.
  • Explore and prototype innovative UX concepts for future product iterations, specifically focusing on "briefing" AI agents similarly to onboarding human team members.
  • Advocate for user-centered design principles and best practices throughout the organization, influencing product decisions with user insights.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a strategic design role focused on a complex, technical product. The emphasis on transitioning from expert tools to broader accessibility, coupled with translating AI concepts, suggests a need for a candidate with experience in B2B SaaS, particularly in technical or developer-facing tools, or complex enterprise software.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

  • Degree in Design, Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), Psychology, Computer Science, or a related field, or equivalent professional experience.

Experience:

  • 6+ years of experience in digital product design, focusing on user experience and interface design.
  • Minimum of 3+ years of experience designing for expert tools, complex systems, technical platforms, developer tools, AI/ML platforms, or enterprise SaaS.
  • Proven track record of successfully designing and shipping digital products that balance the needs of power users with the goal of broader accessibility over time.

Required Skills:

  • Systems Thinking: Ability to conceptualize and design for multi-layered systems with diverse user roles, multiple configuration states, and dynamic inputs, adept at managing both high-level flows and intricate edge cases.
  • Design Mastery: Exceptional interaction and visual design skills, with a strong command of creating clear information hierarchies and intuitive user flows within complex domains.
  • Figma Proficiency: Advanced proficiency in Figma, including deep understanding of components, prototyping capabilities, design system workflows, and collaborative design practices.
  • User Research & Data-Informed Design: Experience conducting or contributing to user research initiatives, usability testing, and leveraging data to drive design decisions.
  • Communication & Influence: Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with a proven ability to articulate design rationale, present findings, and influence stakeholders across product, engineering, and leadership teams.
  • Adaptability & Initiative: Demonstrated ability to thrive in fast-paced, dynamic startup environments with shifting priorities; a self-directed and proactive approach to driving discovery and delivery processes.
  • English Proficiency: Excellent command of the English language, both written and spoken, at a native or bilingual level.

Preferred Skills:

  • Background or strong interest in conversational interfaces, Artificial Intelligence (AI), Machine Learning (ML), or automation tooling.
  • Experience designing configuration tools, script interfaces, or workflow builders.
  • Familiarity with voice technologies or the telephony ecosystem.
  • Experience contributing to or developing design systems within a scaling team environment.
  • Basic understanding of AI systems, APIs, or scripting languages.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Systems Thinker" and "Technical Fluency" requirements are critical for this role, indicating a need for a designer comfortable with technical depth and complex logic. The preference for AI/ML, conversational interfaces, and workflow builders strongly suggests that candidates with experience in these specific domains will have a significant advantage.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

  • Showcase end-to-end product design projects that demonstrate a strong understanding of user-centered design principles and problem-solving methodologies.
  • Present case studies that highlight complex systems, expert tools, or technical platforms, detailing the design process from research to final implementation.
  • Include examples of user research, usability testing, and how data was incorporated into design decisions to drive product improvements.
  • Demonstrate proficiency in interaction design, information architecture, and visual design, with a focus on clarity, usability, and scalability.
  • Highlight projects where you've translated technical concepts into intuitive user interfaces and workflows.
  • Provide examples of your work with design systems, component libraries, and prototyping tools (especially Figma).

Process Documentation:

  • Clearly articulate the design process followed for each portfolio project, including discovery, ideation, wireframing, prototyping, user testing, and iteration.
  • Document the rationale behind design decisions, explaining the trade-offs considered and how user needs and business goals were balanced.
  • Showcase wireframes, user flows, interactive prototypes, and high-fidelity mockups to illustrate the design solutions.
  • Detail any user research methodologies employed and the key insights derived that informed the design direction.
  • Explain how you collaborated with cross-functional teams (Product, Engineering) throughout the design lifecycle.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a Senior Product Designer role, especially one involving complex technical systems, it's crucial for the portfolio to not just show finished products but to clearly articulate the "why" behind design choices. Demonstrating a structured design process, understanding of technical constraints, and evidence of user research impact are key differentiators.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

  • Based on industry benchmarks for Senior Product Designers in Berlin, Germany, with 6-10 years of experience in complex SaaS or technical platforms, a competitive salary range would typically be between €70,000 to €95,000 annually. This estimate accounts for the specialized nature of designing for AI agent setup and the required technical fluency.

Benefits:

  • Deutschland Ticket (public transport pass)
  • Urban Sports Club membership
  • Job Rad (company bicycle leasing)
  • Nilo Health (mental health and well-being support)
  • Weekly sponsored office lunches
  • Competitive compensation package
  • Equity package (stock options)
  • Flexible working hours
  • 28 vacation days per year
  • Workation opportunities
  • Access to a training and development budget for continuous professional growth
  • Regular team events, game nights, and other social activities

Working Hours:

  • The role is full-time, with flexible working hours. This flexibility allows operations professionals to structure their workday around core collaboration times while accommodating personal needs and optimizing productivity, particularly important for deep work and complex problem-solving.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range is an estimation based on typical compensation for similar roles in Berlin, Germany, considering the experience level and specialization. Actual compensation may vary based on individual qualifications, interview performance, and company-specific compensation structures, including equity.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Software / Artificial Intelligence (AI) / Conversational AI / SaaS Company Size: Over 400 employees. This indicates a growing startup with established processes but still retaining a dynamic, agile environment where individual contributions can have a significant impact. For operations professionals, this means opportunities to contribute to process refinement and growth initiatives. Founded: 2018. Founded by Malte Kosub and Stefan Ostwald, Parloa has experienced rapid growth, particularly with its recent $120 million Series C investment, positioning it as a leader in its field.

Team Structure:

  • The company boasts a diverse team of over 40+ nationalities, fostering a rich, multicultural work environment.
  • The culture is described as having flat hierarchies, encouraging open communication and direct collaboration across departments.
  • As a Senior Product Designer, you'll likely work within a product team structure, collaborating closely with Product Managers, Engineers, AI Specialists, and potentially other Designers.

Methodology:

  • Parloa leverages Generative AI, Natural Language Processing (NLP), and Machine Learning to automate customer service.
  • The company is focused on creating intelligent voice and chat solutions that enhance customer service efficiency and transform contact centers into value centers.
  • Design and development likely follow agile methodologies, emphasizing iterative development, continuous feedback, and rapid iteration based on user insights and market needs.

Company Website: https://www.parloa.com/

📝 Enhancement Note: The company's rapid growth, significant funding, and focus on cutting-edge AI technology suggest a fast-paced, innovative environment. The emphasis on diversity and flat hierarchies indicates a collaborative and inclusive culture, appealing to professionals who value teamwork and direct impact.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: Senior Product Designer. This level implies significant autonomy, ownership over complex product areas, and the expectation to mentor junior team members. The role requires strategic thinking, end-to-end design execution, and the ability to influence product direction.

Reporting Structure: While not explicitly stated, a Senior Product Designer often reports to a Head of Product, Design Lead, or a Director of Product. The flat hierarchy suggests direct access to leadership and cross-functional teams.

Operations Impact: The role has a direct impact on the core product offering, specifically shaping the user experience of creating and managing AI voice agents. By making the setup process more intuitive and accessible, this role directly contributes to customer adoption, satisfaction, and the overall success of Parloa's platform in democratizing AI voice agent creation. The design decisions will influence how easily businesses can leverage Parloa's technology, thereby driving revenue and market penetration.

Growth Opportunities:

  • Leadership Development: Potential to grow into a Lead Designer or Design Manager role as the company scales, overseeing design strategy and team growth.
  • Specialization: Deepen expertise in AI-driven product design, conversational interfaces, and complex system design.
  • Cross-functional Mobility: Opportunities to collaborate on product strategy and contribute to broader business initiatives.
  • Mentorship: Opportunity to mentor and guide junior designers, sharing best practices and fostering design talent within the organization.
  • Product Ownership: Increased ownership and influence over product features and strategy, potentially leading design for new product areas.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Senior" title and the company's growth trajectory suggest significant opportunities for career advancement. The role is positioned to be highly impactful, influencing core product strategy and user experience in a rapidly evolving AI market.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Parloa offers both office-based and hybrid work options, with offices located in the heart of Berlin and Munich. The offices are equipped with adjustable desks, social areas, and amenities like fresh fruits, cereals, and drinks, designed to foster collaboration and well-being.

Office Location(s): Berlin, Germany and Munich, Germany. These are major tech hubs in Europe, offering a vibrant ecosystem for innovation and talent.

Workspace Context:

  • The environment encourages collaboration, with dedicated social areas and a culture of regular team events.
  • As a hybrid role, individuals can expect a mix of focused individual work (potentially remote) and collaborative sessions (in-office or virtual).
  • Access to modern office facilities and a supportive team environment contributes to a productive and engaging work experience.
  • The tech stack mentioned (React, TypeScript, NodeJS, etc.) indicates a modern, developer-friendly environment where design and engineering work closely.

Work Schedule:

  • Flexible working hours are provided, allowing for personal scheduling adjustments. This is beneficial for operations roles that require focused analytical time or collaboration across different time zones.

📝 Enhancement Note: The hybrid model and flexible hours are key benefits for professionals seeking work-life balance. The presence of offices in major German tech cities provides options for those who prefer in-person collaboration.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

  • Initial Screening: A brief call with a recruiter or hiring manager to assess basic qualifications and cultural fit.
  • Design Challenge/Portfolio Review: A session to present your portfolio, discuss past projects in detail, and potentially complete a take-home design challenge or a live design exercise. This will focus on your process, problem-solving skills, and ability to translate complex requirements into elegant solutions.
  • Cross-functional Interviews: Meetings with Product Managers, Engineers, and potentially AI specialists to evaluate your collaboration skills, technical fluency, and understanding of the AI domain.
  • Final Interview: Likely with a senior leader (e.g., Head of Product, CEO) to discuss strategic vision, leadership potential, and overall alignment with Parloa's mission.

Portfolio Review Tips:

  • Focus on Impact: For each project, clearly articulate the problem you solved, your specific contributions, the design process followed, and the measurable impact of your design solutions (e.g., improved conversion rates, increased user engagement, reduced task completion time).
  • Showcase Complexity: Highlight projects that demonstrate your ability to handle complex systems, expert tools, or technical domains. Explain how you simplified intricate concepts for users.
  • Detail Your Process: Walk through your design methodology, from user research and ideation through to prototyping and iteration. Explain the rationale behind key design decisions.
  • Figma Expertise: Be prepared to discuss your Figma workflow, component usage, and how you leverage it for collaboration and efficiency.
  • AI/Technical Understanding: If applicable, discuss any projects or experiences related to AI, ML, conversational interfaces, or technical platforms.

Challenge Preparation:

  • Understand Parloa: Research Parloa's product, target audience, and competitive landscape. Familiarize yourself with their existing platform and the challenges of designing for AI agent setup.
  • Practice Articulation: Be ready to clearly and concisely explain your design process, rationale, and the impact of your work. Practice presenting your portfolio projects.
  • Problem-Solving: Anticipate potential design challenges related to complex configurations, user onboarding for technical products, and translating AI capabilities into user-friendly features.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process is likely to be thorough, assessing not only design skills but also strategic thinking, collaboration, and technical understanding. A well-prepared portfolio that clearly demonstrates problem-solving for complex systems is crucial.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

  • Figma: The primary tool for UI design, wireframing, prototyping, and collaboration. Advanced proficiency is expected.
  • Prototyping Tools (within Figma or standalone): For creating interactive prototypes to test user flows and gather feedback.

Analytics & Reporting:

  • Product Analytics Tools (e.g., Mixpanel, Amplitude, Heap): While not explicitly mentioned for the designer, understanding how to interpret user behavior data and analytics will be crucial for making data-informed design decisions.
  • User Feedback Platforms: Tools for collecting and analyzing user feedback from surveys, interviews, and usability testing.

CRM & Automation:

  • CRM (e.g., Salesforce, HubSpot): Understanding how customer data flows and how design impacts CRM integration can be beneficial.
  • Project Management Tools (e.g., Jira, Asana): For tracking design tasks, collaborating with engineering, and managing project timelines.
  • Internal AI/ML Platforms: Familiarity with how AI models are configured and managed will be advantageous.

Parloa's Tech Stack (for context): React/Redux, TypeScript, NodeJS, Inversify, NestJS, Lerna, Koa, Jest, Kubernetes, Docker, MongoDB, Redis. While designers are not expected to code these, understanding the underlying technologies can aid in design feasibility and collaboration.

📝 Enhancement Note: Proficiency in Figma is paramount. Familiarity with product analytics and user feedback tools will greatly enhance a designer's ability to contribute effectively to data-driven product development.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

  • User-Centricity: A commitment to deeply understanding user needs and translating them into intuitive and effective product experiences.
  • Innovation: Driving forward the capabilities of AI in customer service through creative design and technological advancement.
  • Collaboration: Working effectively across diverse teams (Product, Engineering, AI) to achieve shared goals.
  • Simplicity & Scalability: Designing solutions that are both easy to use and capable of scaling with the company's growth and increasing product complexity.
  • Data-Driven Decision Making: Utilizing research and analytics to inform design choices and measure product success.
  • Ownership & Accountability: Taking responsibility for the design process and the impact of design solutions.

Collaboration Style:

  • Cross-functional Integration: Strong emphasis on working closely with Product Managers for requirement definition and strategy, and with Engineers for seamless implementation.
  • Open Feedback Culture: Encouraging constructive feedback exchange within the design team and with other departments to continuously improve the product and processes.
  • Knowledge Sharing: Actively sharing insights from user research, design explorations, and best practices to elevate the entire team's capabilities.
  • Agile Methodologies: Likely employing agile principles for iterative design and development, fostering adaptability and responsiveness to change.

📝 Enhancement Note: The company's culture appears to value innovation, collaboration, and a user-focused approach, common in successful tech startups. A designer who can thrive in this environment, contribute to a shared vision, and adapt to a fast-paced, evolving landscape will be well-suited.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

  • Simplifying Complexity: The primary challenge is translating sophisticated AI agent setup processes into an intuitive and accessible user experience for a wide range of users, moving beyond expert-only tools.
  • Balancing Technical Depth with Usability: Designing interfaces that accommodate intricate AI configurations while remaining user-friendly requires a nuanced approach to information architecture and interaction design.
  • Navigating Rapid AI Advancements: Staying current with the fast-evolving AI landscape and incorporating new capabilities into the product design seamlessly.
  • Cross-functional Alignment: Ensuring consistent understanding and alignment on user needs, technical feasibility, and product vision across Product, Engineering, and AI teams.
  • Scaling Design Systems: Developing and maintaining a design system that supports a growing product and diverse user needs effectively.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

  • Deep Dive into AI & Conversational Design: Gaining specialized knowledge in designing for AI, NLP, and voice interfaces.
  • Exposure to Cutting-Edge Technology: Working with generative AI and machine learning technologies that are at the forefront of customer service innovation.
  • Product Strategy Influence: Opportunities to shape the product roadmap and contribute to the strategic direction of Parloa's platform.
  • Professional Development Budget: Access to training, conferences, and resources to enhance design skills and industry knowledge.
  • Mentorship: Learning from experienced professionals within the company and potentially mentoring junior designers.

📝 Enhancement Note: The role offers significant opportunities for growth in a high-demand field (AI/ML design). The challenges are intrinsic to innovation in a complex technical domain, providing a strong learning curve and the chance to build a unique skill set.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

  • Vision & Simplification: "How would you approach transforming a complex, expert-focused AI agent setup process into an intuitive experience for non-technical users? What are the key design considerations?" (Preparation: Think about progressive disclosure, guided workflows, visual metaphors, and progressive reveal of complexity.)
  • AI Translation: "Describe a time you had to design for a technically complex domain or translate abstract technical concepts (like AI/ML) into user-friendly interfaces. What was your process and what were the outcomes?" (Preparation: Use a STAR method approach, focusing on a specific project where you demonstrated technical fluency and user empathy.)
  • Collaboration & Influence: "How do you collaborate with Product and Engineering teams, especially when there are differing opinions on design direction or technical feasibility? How do you influence stakeholders?" (Preparation: Prepare examples of successful cross-functional collaboration and conflict resolution, emphasizing data-driven arguments and user advocacy.)

Company & Culture Questions:

  • Parloa's Mission: "What excites you about Parloa's mission to make AI voice agent creation accessible to everyone? How does your design philosophy align with this?" (Preparation: Research Parloa's website, mission statement, and recent news. Connect your passion for user-friendly technology to their goals.)
  • Startup Environment: "How do you adapt to fast-paced startup environments with shifting priorities? What is your approach to managing ambiguity?" (Preparation: Highlight your adaptability, proactivity, and ability to thrive under pressure, providing examples of how you've navigated change.)
  • Design System: "What is your experience with building or contributing to design systems, especially in a scaling team? How do you ensure consistency and scalability?" (Preparation: Discuss your understanding of design system principles, component libraries, and governance.)

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

  • Narrative Structure: Frame each project as a story: the problem, your role, the process, the solution, and the impact.
  • Highlight Decision-Making: For each design choice, explain the rationale, the user research or data that supported it, and any trade-offs considered.
  • Demonstrate Process: Show your iterative process, including early sketches, wireframes, user flows, prototypes, and final UI. Explain why you chose specific methods.
  • Emphasize Collaboration: Mention how you collaborated with Product, Engineering, and other stakeholders throughout each project.
  • Quantify Impact: Wherever possible, use metrics to demonstrate the success of your designs (e.g., increased engagement, reduced errors, improved efficiency).
  • Speak to Complexity: Clearly articulate how you handled the complexity of the domain and translated technical concepts into user-friendly experiences.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interviewers will be looking for a designer who can not only execute visually but also think strategically, communicate effectively, and collaborate seamlessly within a technical and fast-paced environment. Demonstrating a deep understanding of user needs and the ability to translate complex AI concepts will be key.


📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Senior Product Designer position at Parloa:

  • Submit your application through the provided link on Greenhouse.
  • Portfolio Customization: Tailor your portfolio to highlight projects demonstrating experience with complex systems, expert tools, or technical platforms. Showcase your process for simplifying complex domains and translating technical concepts into user-friendly interfaces.
  • Resume Optimization: Ensure your resume clearly articulates your 6+ years of product design experience, with a specific focus on the 3+ years in expert tools or complex systems. Use keywords from the job description like "Systems Thinker," "Interaction Design," "Prototyping," and "AI Systems." Quantify achievements wherever possible.
  • Interview Preparation: Practice articulating your design process, rationale, and the impact of your work. Be prepared to discuss your experience with Figma extensively and to present case studies that highlight your problem-solving skills in complex technical environments.
  • Company Research: Thoroughly research Parloa's mission, product, and recent achievements. Understand their focus on AI and conversational interfaces, and be ready to discuss how your skills and experience align with their goals and culture.

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

Application Requirements

Candidates should have 6+ years of experience in product design, particularly with expert tools and complex systems. Strong skills in interaction and visual design, along with a basic understanding of AI technologies, are essential.