Senior Product Designer - Zagreb, Croatia

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Senior Product Designer

Company: Speechify

Location: Zagreb, Croatia

Job Type: Full-Time

Category: Product Design / UX/UI

Date Posted: 2026-02-08

Experience Level: 5-10 Years

Remote Status: Remote Solely

🚀 Role Summary

• Design and iterate on user-facing features across Speechify's product suite, focusing on enhancing user experience and engagement.

• Lead the refinement of UX/UI patterns for iOS and Android applications, ensuring a cohesive and intuitive user journey.

• Drive product strategy by influencing the product roadmap, leveraging analytics and customer insights to identify key opportunities.

• Contribute to the growth and evolution of the design organization by refining processes and shaping best practices.

• Collaborate closely with product managers, engineers, and executives in a high-growth, remote-first startup environment.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is a Senior Product Designer position at Speechify, a company focused on text-to-speech technology. The role emphasizes a full product design lifecycle, from research and prototyping to shipping and refining features, with a strong focus on consumer-facing products across multiple platforms (iOS, Android, Web). The senior level implies significant autonomy, leadership potential, and a strategic influence on product direction.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Spearhead the conceptualization, pitching, prototyping, testing, building, shipping, and iterative refinement of new product features.

• Define and elevate UX/UI design patterns and systems across Speechify's native iOS and Android mobile applications.

• Re-evaluate and optimize critical user journeys, including onboarding flows and core user experiences, to improve conversion and retention.

• Actively contribute to the product roadmap by providing data-informed design recommendations and strategic input.

• Collaborate with cross-functional teams, including Product Management and Engineering, to ensure successful feature delivery and alignment with business objectives.

• Champion user-centric design principles by conducting user research, gathering feedback, and translating insights into actionable design improvements.

• Maintain high standards of design craft, focusing on typography, information architecture, interaction design, and micro-interactions.

• Explore and integrate innovative design solutions for audio-based user experiences and AI-driven features.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a blend of hands-on design execution and strategic product influence, typical for a Senior Product Designer in a fast-paced startup. Emphasis on refining UX/UI patterns, rethinking user flows, and influencing the roadmap points to a role with substantial impact.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: Bachelor's or Master's degree in Design, Human-Computer Interaction, or a related field, or equivalent practical experience.

Experience: 5-10 years of demonstrable experience in product design, specifically focusing on research, discovery, prototyping, and delivery of consumer-facing digital products across multiple platforms (mobile, web).

Required Skills:

• Product Thinking: Ability to understand product strategy, articulate design rationale (what and why), and work with Product Managers to identify key opportunities using analytics.

• User Research & Customer-Centricity: Proven experience in conducting user research, gathering customer feedback, and integrating insights into the design process.

• UX/UI Design: Expertise in designing intuitive and engaging user interfaces and experiences for mobile (iOS, Android) and web platforms.

• Prototyping & Iteration: Proficiency in creating interactive prototypes for user testing and iterative design refinement.

• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Skill in working effectively with Product Managers, Engineers, and other stakeholders, inspiring and negotiating design solutions.

• Design Craft: Strong command of typography, information design, visual hierarchy, and micro-interactions.

• Communication: Articulate and persuasive communication skills, both written and verbal, capable of explaining design decisions at various levels of detail.

• Focus & Adaptability: Ability to thrive in a high-growth, remote startup environment, demonstrating focus and knowing when to engage deeply or work heads-down.

• Platform Knowledge: Understanding of design and development feasibility for iOS, Android, and browser-based applications.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience with audio-centric products or features.

• Familiarity with AI-driven product development.

• Experience contributing to the growth and structure of a design organization.

• Knowledge of accessibility best practices and inclusive design principles.

📝 Enhancement Note: The requirements emphasize practical experience in delivering consumer products, strong strategic thinking, and the ability to collaborate effectively within a remote, fast-paced environment. The "craft" skills are crucial, alongside the ability to translate analytics into design decisions.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A curated portfolio showcasing a strong track record of designing and delivering successful consumer-facing products across mobile (iOS/Android) and web platforms.

• Demonstrations of the complete design process, including user research, ideation, wireframing, prototyping, UI design, and post-launch iteration.

• Case studies that clearly articulate the problem, your role, the design solutions, and the measurable impact (e.g., user engagement, conversion rates, retention) of your work.

• Examples of how you have utilized analytics and customer feedback to inform design decisions and drive product improvements.

Process Documentation:

• Detailed case studies that walk through the end-to-end design process for specific projects.

• Documentation of user research methodologies and findings, including user interviews, surveys, and usability testing reports.

• Prototypes or interactive mockups that illustrate key user flows and feature interactions.

• Examples of design system components or style guides if applicable to previous roles.

• Evidence of collaboration with engineering and product teams, showcasing how designs were translated into functional products.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a senior role, the portfolio is paramount. It needs to demonstrate not just aesthetic skill but strategic thinking, problem-solving, and a data-driven approach to design, with clear articulation of impact and collaboration.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: Given the Senior Product Designer role, 5-10 years of experience, and location in Zagreb, Croatia, a competitive salary range would typically fall between €45,000 - €70,000 gross per year. This estimate is based on local market data for experienced design professionals in technology sectors, adjusted for the company's growth-stage and remote-first model.

Benefits:

• Competitive salary and performance-based bonuses.

• Opportunity to work on a product with a significant social impact, particularly for individuals with learning differences.

• Autonomy and the freedom to shape product direction and design processes.

• A dynamic and innovative work environment with a focus on asynchronous collaboration.

• Access to cutting-edge technologies at the intersection of AI and audio.

• Professional development opportunities, including potential for leadership growth within the design organization.

• Remote work flexibility, fostering a healthy work-life balance.

Working Hours: Speechify operates with a focus on asynchronous work and high performance, suggesting a standard full-time commitment (approximately 40 hours per week) with flexibility in scheduling to accommodate global team collaboration and individual focus time.

📝 Enhancement Note: Salary is estimated based on industry benchmarks for senior product designers in European tech hubs, considering Speechify's startup nature and remote, global team structure. Benefits highlight the unique impact and growth opportunities.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Technology (Software, AI, Education, Accessibility)

Company Size: Nearly 200 employees, indicating a growing startup with established processes but still agile enough for significant individual impact.

Founded: Speechify was founded with a mission to remove reading barriers, emphasizing its commitment to inclusivity and accessibility from its inception.

Team Structure:

• The company operates as a 100% distributed team with no physical offices, fostering an asynchronous work culture.

• The design team, while part of a larger product and engineering organization, is likely structured to allow for both individual specialization and close collaboration on feature development.

Methodology:

• Data-Driven Design: Emphasis on using analytics and customer feedback to guide product decisions and measure success.

• Iterative Development: A continuous cycle of pitching, prototyping, testing, shipping, and refining features.

• Asynchronous Communication: Reliance on clear documentation and communication tools to facilitate collaboration across different time zones.

• User-Centricity: A core value focused on understanding and serving the needs of users, particularly those with learning differences.

Company Website: Speechify.com

📝 Enhancement Note: Speechify's culture is defined by its mission, its remote-first and asynchronous approach, and its focus on innovation in AI and accessibility. This environment demands strong self-management and communication skills.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: Senior Product Designer. This level signifies a designer who is expected to lead design initiatives, mentor junior designers, and have a substantial impact on product strategy and user experience. The role demands not only strong execution skills but also strategic thinking and the ability to influence product direction.

Reporting Structure: While the exact reporting structure for the design team is not specified, a Senior Product Designer typically reports to a Design Lead, Head of Product Design, or a senior Product Manager. They will work closely with Product Managers and Engineering teams on a day-to-day basis.

Operations Impact: The Senior Product Designer's impact is directly tied to the success and user adoption of Speechify's products. By improving user experience, onboarding, and feature adoption, they directly contribute to Speechify's mission of making reading accessible and its growth metrics (user acquisition, retention, engagement). Their influence extends to shaping the product's direction and the overall design ethos of the company.

Growth Opportunities:

• Leadership Development: Potential to grow into a Design Lead or Managerial role, overseeing a team and driving design strategy for specific product areas.

• Specialization: Opportunity to deepen expertise in areas like AI-driven design, accessibility, or specific platform optimization (iOS/Android).

• Product Strategy Influence: Increasing involvement in long-term product roadmap planning and strategic decision-making.

• Cross-functional Advancement: Potential to move into Product Management or other strategic roles within the company, leveraging their deep understanding of user needs and product development.

• Mentorship: Opportunity to mentor junior designers and contribute to the growth of the design organization.

📝 Enhancement Note: The senior title suggests significant potential for leadership and strategic impact. Growth opportunities are tied to both deepening design expertise and expanding into broader product strategy and management roles within Speechify's expanding remote organization.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Speechify operates as a 100% distributed company with no physical offices. This means the work environment is entirely remote.

Office Location(s): No physical office locations. Employees work from their chosen locations globally, with this specific role based in Zagreb, Croatia.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Virtual Environment: The workspace is digital, relying on collaboration tools for communication, project management, and design feedback. This fosters an asynchronous work culture, demanding strong written communication and self-discipline.

• Tools & Technology: Access to modern design software, project management platforms, and communication suites will be provided to facilitate effective remote work.

• Team Interaction: While remote, opportunities for virtual team building, brainstorming sessions, and design critiques will be integral to staying connected and aligned.

Work Schedule: The company emphasizes an asynchronous work culture, meaning there's a degree of flexibility in daily scheduling. However, full-time commitment (approx. 40 hours/week) is expected, with core hours or overlap times likely designated for essential real-time collaboration and meetings with global teams.

📝 Enhancement Note: The remote-first, asynchronous nature is a defining characteristic. Candidates must be comfortable with self-management, digital collaboration, and flexible scheduling.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A review of your application, resume, and portfolio to assess your qualifications and experience against the role requirements.

• Portfolio Presentation & Discussion: A session where candidates present their portfolio, discussing key projects, design process, problem-solving approaches, and impact. Expect detailed questions about your role, decisions, and outcomes.

• Design Challenge/Exercise: Potentially a take-home assignment or a live design exercise focused on a specific problem relevant to Speechify's products, assessing your product thinking, design skills, and approach to problem-solving.

• Cross-functional Interviews: Meetings with Product Managers, Engineers, and potentially other designers or leadership to assess collaboration style, communication, and cultural fit.

• Final Interview: A discussion with senior leadership to evaluate overall fit, strategic thinking, and alignment with Speechify's mission and values.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Showcase Impact: Quantify your achievements whenever possible. Use metrics (e.g., increased conversion, improved retention, higher user satisfaction) to demonstrate the value of your design work.

• Tell a Story: For each case study, clearly articulate the problem, your process, your specific contributions, the challenges faced, and the final outcome.

• Highlight Process: Demonstrate your understanding of the end-to-end design process, from user research and ideation to prototyping, testing, and iteration.

• Tailor to Speechify: Emphasize projects relevant to consumer-facing apps, AI, accessibility, or audio experiences. Show you understand their mission.

• Clarity and Conciseness: Ensure your portfolio is well-organized, easy to navigate, and that your explanations are clear and to the point.

Challenge Preparation:

• Understand the Product: Thoroughly research Speechify's existing products, user base, mission, and competitive landscape.

• Think Strategically: For any design challenge, focus not just on the UI but also on the underlying user needs, business goals, and potential impact.

• Embrace Constraints: Be prepared to work within potential constraints (e.g., technical limitations, tight deadlines) and demonstrate how you would navigate them.

• Communicate Your Thinking: Clearly articulate your assumptions, design decisions, and rationale throughout the process.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process will heavily weigh your portfolio and your ability to articulate your design process and impact. Be prepared to discuss your contributions to product strategy and how you leverage data and user feedback.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Design & Prototyping Software: Figma, Sketch, Adobe XD (Figma is increasingly the industry standard for collaborative, remote design).

• Prototyping Tools: InVision, Principle, ProtoPie (for more advanced interactions).

• User Research Platforms: UserTesting.com, Maze, Lookback, or internal tools for usability testing and feedback collection.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Product Analytics: Mixpanel, Amplitude, Google Analytics (for understanding user behavior and feature usage).

• Data Visualization: Tableau, Looker, or internal dashboards for reporting on key metrics.

CRM & Automation: (Less directly used by Product Designers, but awareness is beneficial)

• CRM: Salesforce, HubSpot (for understanding customer data context).

• Project Management: Jira, Asana, Trello, Notion (essential for tracking tasks, sprints, and team progress in a remote environment).

• Communication: Slack, Zoom, Google Meet (for real-time and asynchronous communication).

📝 Enhancement Note: Proficiency in modern collaborative design tools like Figma is highly expected. Familiarity with product analytics platforms is crucial for a data-informed design approach.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Mission-Driven: A strong commitment to Speechify's mission of making reading accessible, with a particular focus on supporting individuals with learning differences.

• Innovation & Drive: A culture that encourages pushing boundaries, experimenting with new technologies (AI, audio), and maintaining a high level of productivity.

• Customer-Centricity: Placing the user at the forefront of all design and product decisions, actively seeking and incorporating user feedback.

• Autonomy & Focus: Empowering individuals with the freedom to manage their work and achieve deep focus, balanced with the need for effective collaboration.

• Asynchronous Collaboration: Valuing clear communication, documentation, and respect for different working styles and time zones.

Collaboration Style:

• Virtual & Asynchronous: Collaboration primarily occurs through digital channels, emphasizing clear written communication, detailed documentation, and asynchronous feedback loops.

• Cross-Functional Partnerships: Designers are expected to work seamlessly with Product Managers and Engineers, acting as key partners in the product development lifecycle.

• Feedback Culture: An environment where constructive feedback is openly exchanged to improve designs and processes, fostering continuous learning and adaptation.

• Data-Informed Decision Making: Collaboration heavily relies on shared data and insights to align on priorities and validate design choices.

📝 Enhancement Note: The company values align with a remote, mission-driven, and results-oriented culture. Candidates should demonstrate an ability to thrive in such an environment, valuing autonomy and effective digital collaboration.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing Innovation with Scalability: Continuously innovating new features while ensuring they scale effectively across multiple platforms and maintain design consistency.

• Remote Collaboration Dynamics: Navigating the complexities of asynchronous communication and maintaining strong team cohesion and alignment without physical proximity.

• Rapid Growth Environment: Adapting to the fast pace of a high-growth startup, where priorities can shift and new challenges emerge frequently.

• User Needs for Diverse Abilities: Designing for a broad range of users, including those with specific learning differences, requiring deep empathy and rigorous user research.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Advanced Design Skills: Opportunity to hone skills in areas like interaction design for audio, AI-driven product experiences, and advanced prototyping.

• Product Strategy Involvement: Gaining deeper exposure to product roadmap planning, market analysis, and strategic decision-making within a rapidly scaling tech company.

• Leadership & Mentorship: Potential to take on leadership responsibilities, mentor junior designers, and influence the growth of the design organization.

• Industry Trends: Staying at the forefront of advancements in AI, accessibility, and audio technology through hands-on product development.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges are typical of a senior role in a fast-growing, remote tech company, offering significant learning opportunities in product strategy and leadership.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you significantly influenced a product roadmap based on your design insights. What was your process, and what was the outcome?" (Focus on using data, user research, and strategic thinking.)

• "How do you approach designing for accessibility and inclusivity, especially for users with learning differences like dyslexia or ADHD?" (Highlight your user-centricity and empathy.)

• "Walk us through a complex consumer-facing feature you designed from concept to launch. What were the biggest challenges, and how did you overcome them?" (Showcase your end-to-end process and problem-solving skills.)

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What excites you about Speechify's mission, and how does your design philosophy align with it?" (Connect your passion to their purpose.)

• "How do you contribute to a positive and productive remote team culture, especially in an asynchronous environment?" (Showcase your collaboration and communication skills.)

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure: Organize your presentation logically: Introduction to Speechify & Role -> Project Overview -> Problem Statement -> Your Role & Process -> Key Design Decisions & Rationale -> Challenges & Solutions -> Impact & Outcomes -> Learnings.

• Storytelling: Weave a narrative that highlights your problem-solving journey and the impact of your design.

• Visuals: Use clear, high-fidelity mockups and prototypes. Show, don't just tell.

• Data & Metrics: Integrate quantitative data to support your claims about user impact.

• Conciseness: Be mindful of time. Practice to ensure you can cover your most impactful projects effectively within the allotted time.

📝 Enhancement Note: Prepare to deeply discuss your portfolio, demonstrating strategic thinking, user empathy, and the ability to drive measurable impact in a remote, fast-paced setting.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Senior Product Designer position:

• Submit your application through the Speechify careers portal via the provided link.

• Portfolio Customization: Ensure your portfolio is up-to-date and showcases 2-3 of your most relevant and impactful projects, particularly those involving consumer-facing products, mobile apps, or innovative user experiences. Highlight projects that demonstrate your process, problem-solving skills, and measurable outcomes.

• Resume Optimization: Tailor your resume to highlight your experience in product design, UX/UI, prototyping, user research, and cross-functional collaboration. Use keywords from the job description and quantify your achievements.

• Cover Letter (Optional but Recommended): Craft a concise cover letter that expresses your enthusiasm for Speechify's mission and this specific role, and briefly touches on why you are a strong fit, referencing your portfolio and relevant experience.

• Company Research: Thoroughly research Speechify's products, mission, values, and recent news. Understand their target audience and the impact of their text-to-speech technology, especially concerning accessibility.

⚠️ 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.