Senior Product Designer - Warsaw, Poland

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Senior Product Designer Company: Speechify Location: Warsaw, Poland Job Type: Full-Time Category: Product Design / GTM Operations Date Posted: 2025-11-04T10:49:19 Experience Level: 5-10 Years Remote Status: Remote Solely

🚀 Role Summary

• Spearhead the end-to-end product design lifecycle, from ideation and research to prototyping, delivery, and iterative refinement of consumer-facing features.
• Drive the evolution of user experience (UX) and user interface (UI) patterns across Speechify's core platforms, including iOS and Android applications, directly impacting user engagement and retention.
• Strategically rethink and optimize critical user journeys, including onboarding and core user flows, to enhance user adoption, satisfaction, and overall product stickiness.
• Actively influence the product roadmap by leveraging data analytics and customer insights to identify key opportunities for product innovation and growth, aligning design initiatives with business objectives.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is framed as a "Senior Product Designer," but given the emphasis on influencing the product roadmap, user flows, and analytics, it has significant overlap with GTM Operations and Product Operations functions, particularly in understanding user adoption, conversion optimization, and market-driven product development. The focus on consumer-facing products and cross-platform refinement suggests a strong need for understanding user acquisition and retention strategies, which are core to GTM operations.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Pitch, prototype, test, build, ship, and iteratively refine new product features, ensuring alignment with user needs and business goals.
• Lead the enhancement of UX/UI patterns across Speechify’s iOS and Android applications, focusing on intuitive design and seamless user interaction.
• Redesign and optimize onboarding processes and core user flows to improve user comprehension, engagement, and conversion rates.
• Collaborate closely with Product Managers and engineers to translate strategic product vision into actionable design solutions, ensuring feasibility and desired user outcomes.
• Conduct user research, gather customer feedback, and analyze product usage data to inform design decisions and identify areas for improvement.
• Contribute to the development and refinement of design systems and processes, helping to shape the overall design organization and its methodologies.
• Champion a customer-centric approach, actively engaging with users to understand their challenges and incorporate their feedback into the design cycle.
• Maintain a high standard of design craft, paying close attention to typography, information architecture, and micro-interactions to create polished and engaging user experiences.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities clearly indicate a hands-on role with significant strategic input, requiring the candidate to not only execute design but also to influence product direction. The mention of "shipping" and "refining" features implies a fast-paced, iterative environment typical of high-growth startups, where design is tightly integrated with development and product management.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: While no specific degree is listed, a Bachelor's degree in Design, Human-Computer Interaction, or a related field is typically expected for senior roles, or equivalent practical experience.

Experience: 5-10 years of demonstrated experience in product design, with a strong portfolio showcasing research, discovery, prototyping, and successful delivery of consumer-facing products across multiple platforms (iOS, Android, Web).

Required Skills:

• Product Thinking: Ability to understand product strategy, articulate design rationale (what, why, and how), and work alongside Product Managers to identify key opportunities using analytics.
• User Research & Customer-Centricity: Proven experience in conducting user research, gathering and synthesizing customer feedback, and integrating insights into the design process.
• UX/UI Design: Expertise in designing intuitive and engaging user experiences and interfaces for mobile (iOS, Android) and web platforms.
• Prototyping & Iteration: Proficiency in creating interactive prototypes for user testing and iterating on designs based on feedback and data.
• Collaboration & Communication: Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to articulate design ideas clearly, negotiate effectively with cross-functional teams (PMs, Engineers, Execs), and actively solicit feedback.
• Design Craft: Strong command of typography, information design, and micro-interactions, with an understanding of design feasibility across different platforms (iOS, Android, browser).
• Focus & Adaptability: Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced, high-growth startup environment, managing workload and prioritizing tasks efficiently.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience with audio technology or products related to accessibility.
• Familiarity with AI technologies and their application in product design.
• Experience working in a fully remote or asynchronous team environment.
• Knowledge of best practices for designing for learning differences (e.g., dyslexia, ADD).
• Experience in shaping design organizations and refining design processes.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Ideal Candidate" section strongly suggests a candidate who is not just a visual designer but a strategic product partner. The emphasis on "product thinking," "analytics," and "influencing the product roadmap" points towards a need for operations-minded individuals who can connect design decisions to business outcomes and user acquisition/retention metrics.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Comprehensive Case Studies: Showcase 3-5 detailed case studies demonstrating the full design process from problem identification to shipped solution.
• Platform Diversity: Include examples of work across iOS, Android, and potentially web applications, highlighting platform-specific design considerations.
• User-Centric Approach: Clearly articulate how user research, customer feedback, and data analytics informed design decisions and led to tangible product improvements.
• Problem/Solution Framework: For each case study, clearly define the problem statement, the design process undertaken, the proposed solutions, and the impact/outcomes achieved.
• Prototyping & Iteration Evidence: Include interactive prototypes or clear visual evidence of iterative design changes based on testing and feedback.

Process Documentation:

• Workflow Design: Demonstrate experience in mapping out and optimizing user flows, particularly for onboarding and core feature engagement.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Illustrate how you've worked with PMs and engineers, showing examples of communication and collaboration during the design and development process.
• Metrics & Impact: Quantify the impact of your design work using relevant metrics (e.g., conversion rates, engagement uplift, user satisfaction scores).
• Tool Proficiency: Mention key design and prototyping tools used (e.g., Figma, Sketch, Adobe XD, InVision) and how they facilitate efficient workflow and collaboration.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a senior product designer role in a high-growth startup, a portfolio isn't just a showcase of aesthetics; it's a demonstration of strategic thinking, problem-solving, and measurable impact. The emphasis on "pitch, prototype, test, build, ship, and refine" means candidates must show evidence of shipping features and iterating based on real-world data and user feedback, which aligns with operational efficiency and GTM success metrics.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: For a Senior Product Designer with 5-10 years of experience in a high-growth tech company like Speechify, and considering Warsaw, Poland, a competitive salary range would likely be between PLN 180,000 - PLN 280,000 gross annually. This estimate is based on industry benchmarks for senior design roles in major European tech hubs, adjusted for the cost of living and tech market in Warsaw.

Benefits:

• Competitive Compensation: Includes base salary, potentially stock options or equity in a high-growth startup.
• Impactful Work: Opportunity to work on a product that changes lives, particularly for individuals with learning differences.
• Dynamic Environment: A fast-paced setting where contributions directly shape the company and its products.
• Autonomy & Creativity: Fostering an environment that encourages focus, creativity, and independent decision-making.
• Asynchronous Work Culture: Commitment to an exceptional, efficient asynchronous work environment that values focus and flexibility.
• Cutting-Edge Domain: Involvement in the rapidly evolving intersection of artificial intelligence and audio technology.
• Professional Development: Opportunities to grow within a revolutionary industry and shape the design organization.

Working Hours: Speechify operates a 100% distributed setting with a commitment to exceptional asynchronous work culture. While a standard full-time workweek is typically 40 hours, the emphasis on asynchronous work suggests flexibility in how and when those hours are completed, prioritizing output and collaboration over strict adherence to a 9-to-5 schedule.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range is an estimate. Actual compensation will depend on the candidate's specific experience, skills, and negotiation. The benefits highlight the unique culture and mission of Speechify, emphasizing impact and cutting-edge technology, which are strong selling points for operations-minded professionals seeking to drive significant change.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Technology (Software, AI, Text-to-Speech, Accessibility, Education). Speechify operates in a rapidly growing and impactful sector, leveraging AI to enhance accessibility and learning through its text-to-speech technology. This positions the company at the forefront of innovation in both AI and EdTech/Accessibility. Company Size: Approximately 200 employees globally. This signifies a mid-sized startup environment where individual contributions are highly visible and impactful, yet there are established processes and a growing team structure. Founded: While the founding date isn't explicitly provided, Speechify has achieved significant recognition, including awards from Google and Apple, indicating substantial growth and product maturity.

Team Structure:

• Distributed & Asynchronous: The company operates 100% remotely with no offices, fostering an asynchronous work culture. This requires strong self-management, clear communication, and reliance on digital collaboration tools.
• Cross-functional Collaboration: Designers work closely with engineers (frontend/backend), AI research scientists, and product managers. This implies a need for strong communication and negotiation skills to align diverse technical and product perspectives.
• High-Growth Startup Mentality: The team is composed of individuals from leading tech companies (Amazon, Microsoft, Google) and startups (Stripe, Vercel, Bolt), suggesting a culture of high performance, innovation, and a drive to scale rapidly.

Methodology:

• Data-Driven Design: Emphasis on using analytics to pinpoint key opportunities and inform product decisions.
• Iterative Development: A cycle of pitching, prototyping, testing, building, shipping, and refining features.
• Customer-Centricity: Direct engagement with customers and utilization of their feedback as a core part of the design process.
• Agile Product Development: Implied by the fast-paced startup environment and iterative approach.

Company Website: Speechify.com

📝 Enhancement Note: Speechify's remote-first, asynchronous culture is a critical aspect. For operations professionals, this means a strong emphasis on process documentation, clear communication protocols, and self-discipline. The diverse talent pool from top tech companies suggests a culture that values expertise and innovation.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This Senior Product Designer role is positioned at a mid-to-senior level within the design function. For operations professionals, this translates to a role with significant autonomy, strategic influence, and the opportunity to shape processes and product direction. The responsibilities of influencing the roadmap and refining design org processes suggest a path towards design leadership or senior individual contributor roles with broader operational impact.

Reporting Structure: While not explicitly detailed, senior designers typically report to a Head of Design, Design Director, or potentially a VP of Product. In a remote, asynchronous environment, direct reporting lines are important for clear communication channels and performance feedback.

Operations Impact: The impact of this role extends beyond aesthetics; it directly influences user acquisition, engagement, retention, and conversion rates through optimized user flows and features. By making reading more accessible, the role contributes to Speechify's mission, which has downstream effects on customer lifetime value and market penetration. The focus on analytics and roadmap influence means design decisions are tied to business outcomes, a key concern for GTM operations.

Growth Opportunities:

• Product Leadership: Potential to grow into a Lead Product Designer role, managing a small team or a significant product area.
• Strategic Influence: Deeper involvement in product strategy, roadmap planning, and defining the future direction of Speechify's offerings.
• Process Improvement: Opportunity to contribute to and lead initiatives that refine the design organization's processes, tools, and methodologies.
• Industry Expertise: Deepen expertise in AI, audio technology, and accessibility design, becoming a subject matter expert.
• Cross-Functional Development: Gain broader experience by working closely with engineering, product management, and marketing teams, understanding the full GTM lifecycle.

📝 Enhancement Note: The growth opportunities here are not just about climbing a design ladder but about expanding influence into product strategy and operational efficiency, which is highly attractive to operations-minded individuals seeking to make a broader business impact.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Speechify operates as a 100% distributed company with no physical offices. This means the work environment is entirely remote, emphasizing digital collaboration and asynchronous communication.

Office Location(s): The role is based in Warsaw, Poland, but the company is fully remote. This implies that while the role is advertised in a specific location, the candidate will work from their own remote setup (home office).

Workspace Context:

• Remote & Asynchronous Focus: The workspace is designed for effective remote collaboration, relying on digital tools for communication, project management, and design.
• Tools & Technology: Access to industry-standard design and collaboration tools is paramount. The nature of the work implies a need for reliable internet and a conducive home office setup.
• Team Interaction: Opportunities for interaction will be primarily through digital channels (Slack, video calls, project management platforms). The asynchronous nature means communication is thoughtful, documented, and often scheduled.

Work Schedule: While a standard 40-hour workweek is implied for full-time employment, Speechify's emphasis on an "exceptional asynchronous work culture" suggests flexibility. This allows team members to manage their work hours in a way that maximizes productivity and aligns with global team collaboration needs, rather than a rigid 9-to-5 structure.

📝 Enhancement Note: The fully remote and asynchronous nature is a defining characteristic. Candidates must be comfortable with self-management, proactive communication, and leveraging digital tools to their fullest extent. This environment can be highly productive for those who thrive on autonomy and focused work.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A review of your application, resume, and portfolio by the recruitment team. Focus on demonstrating relevant experience and a strong portfolio.
• Hiring Manager Interview: A discussion focused on your background, experience, and alignment with the role's responsibilities and Speechify's mission. Be prepared to articulate your design philosophy and approach.
• Design Challenge/Portfolio Review: This is a crucial stage. You will likely present a portfolio of your work, discussing specific case studies. Expect to detail your process, decision-making, and the impact of your designs. A practical design challenge or a deep dive into a specific case study may be included.
• Cross-functional Interviews: Interviews with Product Managers and Engineers to assess collaboration skills, ability to communicate technical requirements, and cultural fit within the team.
• Final Interview: Potentially with a senior leader (e.g., Head of Product or CEO) to discuss strategic alignment and overall fit.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate for Impact: Select 3-5 of your strongest, most relevant case studies that showcase your end-to-end design process and measurable outcomes.
• Tell a Story: For each case study, clearly articulate the problem, your role, your process, the solutions you designed, and the results achieved (quantify whenever possible).
• Highlight Process: Emphasize your approach to research, user testing, iteration, and collaboration with PMs and engineers.
• Showcase Platform Skills: Include examples demonstrating your proficiency in designing for iOS, Android, and potentially web.
• Be Ready to Defend Decisions: Understand the "why" behind every design choice and be prepared to discuss trade-offs and alternatives considered.
• Focus on Business Outcomes: Connect your design work to business objectives like user growth, engagement, retention, and conversion.

Challenge Preparation:

• Anticipate Design Problems: Prepare for challenges related to user onboarding, feature enhancement, or optimizing existing user flows for Speechify's core products.
• Think Strategically: Consider how your design solutions align with Speechify's mission and business goals.
• Outline Your Process: Be ready to walk through your thought process, from initial understanding of the problem to proposed solutions.
• Practice Communication: Rehearse explaining complex design ideas clearly and concisely, especially in a remote setting.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process emphasizes a deep dive into your practical experience and strategic thinking, not just theoretical knowledge. A strong portfolio that demonstrates tangible results and a clear, repeatable design process is essential for success, aligning with operations' focus on measurable outcomes.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Design & Prototyping: Figma, Sketch, Adobe XD, InVision (candidates should highlight proficiency in at least one, with Figma being a strong industry standard).
• Collaboration & Communication: Slack, Zoom, Google Meet, Microsoft Teams (essential for remote, asynchronous teams).
• Project Management: Jira, Asana, Trello, Monday.com (for tracking tasks, sprints, and project progress).
• User Research Platforms: UserTesting.com, Maze, Hotjar, SurveyMonkey (for gathering feedback and analyzing user behavior).

Analytics & Reporting:

• Product Analytics: Google Analytics, Mixpanel, Amplitude, Firebase Analytics (crucial for understanding user behavior and making data-driven decisions).
• Data Visualization: Tableau, Power BI, Looker (useful for presenting data insights to stakeholders).

CRM & Automation:

• While not directly a designer's primary tool, understanding CRM principles (e.g., Salesforce, HubSpot) and how they integrate with product usage data can be beneficial for understanding the broader GTM funnel.
• Automation Tools: Zapier, IFTTT (for understanding workflow automation principles, even if not directly used in design).

📝 Enhancement Note: Proficiency in design and prototyping tools is a given. More importantly for this role, demonstrating an understanding of and ability to leverage product analytics tools is key. Operations professionals often work closely with data, and a designer who can proactively use data to inform their designs and articulate impact is highly valued.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Mission-Driven: A strong commitment to Speechify's mission of making reading accessible, especially for those with learning differences. This value drives purpose and impact.
• Innovation & Drive: A culture that embraces new ideas, technological advancements (AI, audio), and a proactive approach to problem-solving.
• Customer-Centricity: Prioritizing user needs and feedback as a cornerstone of product development and design.
• Collaboration & Respect: Working effectively with diverse, global teams in a remote setting requires mutual respect, clear communication, and a willingness to collaborate.
• Focus & Efficiency: In a high-growth startup, the ability to focus on key priorities and execute efficiently is highly valued.

Collaboration Style:

• Asynchronous First: Communication is primarily asynchronous, requiring clear, concise, and well-documented interactions.
• Cross-Functional Partnership: Close collaboration with Product Managers and Engineers, involving active participation in roadmap discussions, sprint planning, and feedback sessions.
• Feedback Culture: An environment where constructive feedback is shared and received openly to drive continuous improvement in both product and processes.
• Data-Informed Discussions: Design and product decisions are supported by data and user insights, fostering objective and productive discussions.

📝 Enhancement Note: The company's values and collaboration style are heavily influenced by its remote, asynchronous nature and its mission. Candidates should demonstrate an ability to thrive in this environment, valuing autonomy, clear communication, and a shared purpose. This aligns with the operational need for structured processes and effective remote teamwork.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing Innovation with Scalability: As Speechify grows, ensuring that design innovations can be scaled across platforms and user bases while maintaining performance and usability.
• Remote Collaboration Dynamics: Effectively collaborating and building strong relationships within a 100% remote, asynchronous team requires proactive communication and adaptation.
• Rapid Iteration & Prioritization: The fast-paced startup environment demands quick decision-making and the ability to prioritize effectively across multiple potential features and improvements.
• Staying Ahead of AI Advancements: Integrating cutting-edge AI technologies into user-friendly product experiences while managing technical complexities and user expectations.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Deep Dive into AI & Audio Tech: Gaining specialized knowledge in a rapidly evolving technological domain.
• Accessibility Design Expertise: Becoming a leader in designing inclusive products for diverse user needs, particularly those with learning differences.
• Product Strategy Influence: Developing strategic thinking and contributing significantly to the product roadmap and company direction.
• Remote Work Best Practices: Mastering effective communication, collaboration, and productivity in a fully remote setting.
• Cross-Functional Skill Development: Broadening understanding of engineering, product management, and GTM strategies through close collaboration.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges presented are typical of high-growth tech companies, particularly those in innovative sectors like AI and accessibility. The growth opportunities are substantial, offering a chance to develop specialized skills and gain significant strategic influence, which is attractive for career progression in operations-adjacent roles.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you influenced a product roadmap with data and user insights. How did you present your findings, and what was the outcome?" (Focus on analytical skills, communication, and impact.)
• "How would you approach redesigning the onboarding flow for Speechify to improve user activation and retention?" (Demonstrate user-centric design thinking, process mapping, and metric-driven goals.)
• "Walk us through your process for a complex consumer-facing feature you designed from concept to launch. What were the biggest challenges, and how did you overcome them?" (Showcase end-to-end design capabilities, problem-solving, and iterative refinement.)

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What interests you most about Speechify's mission, and how do you see your design skills contributing to it?" (Connect personal values to company mission, especially regarding accessibility.)
• "How do you approach collaboration in a fully remote, asynchronous environment? What are your strategies for effective communication and feedback?" (Highlight self-management, proactive communication, and asynchronous collaboration skills.)
• "How do you measure the success of your design work beyond aesthetics? What metrics do you typically track?" (Demonstrate a data-driven approach and focus on business outcomes.)

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure Your Narrative: For each case study, clearly define the problem, your role, the process, key decisions, challenges, and measurable results.
• Quantify Impact: Use numbers and data to demonstrate the effectiveness of your designs (e.g., X% increase in conversion, Y% reduction in drop-off).
• Show, Don't Just Tell: Use visuals, prototypes, and user flows to illustrate your design solutions and process.
• Be Concise and Engaging: Practice your presentation to be clear, articulate, and engaging within the allotted time.
• Prepare for Q&A: Anticipate questions about your design decisions, trade-offs, and alternative solutions.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation should focus on demonstrating not just design skills but also strategic thinking, data literacy, and effective collaboration within Speechify's unique remote and mission-driven culture. This aligns with the expectations for operations roles that require strong analytical and communication abilities.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Senior Product Designer position:

• Submit your application and resume through the Speechify careers portal.
• Portfolio Customization: Ensure your portfolio prominently features case studies that highlight your experience with consumer-facing products, multi-platform design (iOS/Android), user research, and measurable impact, aligning with Speechify's mission and product suite.
• Resume Optimization: Tailor your resume to emphasize keywords such as "product design," "UX/UI," "prototyping," "user research," "analytics," "customer-centricity," and "cross-functional collaboration." Quantify achievements wherever possible.
• Interview Preparation: Practice articulating your design process, product thinking, and how you leverage data to drive decisions. Prepare to discuss specific case studies in detail and how your work aligns with Speechify's mission.
• Company Research: Thoroughly research Speechify, its products, mission, and recent achievements (e.g., awards). Understand their target audience and the impact of their text-to-speech technology, particularly for users with learning differences.

⚠️ 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.

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