Senior Product Designer - Zurich, Switzerland

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Senior Product Designer

Company: Speechify

Location: Zurich, Switzerland

Job Type: Full-Time

Category: Product Design / User Experience

Date Posted: 2026-02-28

Experience Level: Mid-Senior (5-10 years)

Remote Status: Fully Remote

🚀 Role Summary

• Drive the end-to-end product design lifecycle, from ideation and research to prototyping, testing, and final delivery of consumer-facing features.

• Specialize in refining and enhancing user experience (UX) and user interface (UI) patterns across Speechify's native iOS and Android applications, ensuring a cohesive and intuitive user journey.

• Lead the redesign of critical user flows, including onboarding and core feature interactions, to improve user engagement and retention.

• Play a pivotal role in influencing the strategic product roadmap, leveraging data and user insights to identify key opportunities for innovation and improvement.

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

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is specifically for a Senior Product Designer focused on the user-facing applications (iOS, Android, Web, Chrome Extension) of Speechify's text-to-speech technology. The emphasis is on end-to-end product design ownership and influencing the product strategy, rather than specialized UX research or UI development. The "remote solely" designation, coupled with the company's distributed nature, indicates a strong focus on asynchronous communication and self-management.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Conceptualize, pitch, prototype, and iterate on new product features, ensuring alignment with user needs and business objectives.

• Conduct user research, including customer interviews and usability testing, to gather insights that inform design decisions and validate hypotheses.

• Develop high-fidelity interactive prototypes and detailed design specifications for engineering handoff across iOS, Android, and web platforms.

• Collaborate closely with Product Managers to define product requirements, analyze user data and analytics, and pinpoint key areas for optimization.

• Partner with engineers to ensure the successful implementation of designs, providing clear guidance and resolving design-related challenges during development.

• Craft and maintain a consistent design system, including typography, iconography, and interaction patterns, to ensure brand consistency and scalability.

• Contribute to the continuous improvement of design processes, tools, and methodologies within the design team.

• Champion a customer-centric approach, advocating for user needs throughout the product development lifecycle.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities outlined lean heavily into the "delivery" aspect of product design, requiring the candidate to not only conceptualize but also to see features through to launch and iteration. The mention of influencing the product roadmap and shaping the design org suggests a strategic component beyond typical execution-focused designer roles.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: While no specific degree is mandated, a strong portfolio demonstrating equivalent practical experience in product design or a related field is essential.

Experience: 5-10 years of professional experience in product design, with a proven track record of delivering successful consumer-facing products across multiple platforms (iOS, Android, Web).

Required Skills:

• End-to-End Design Ownership: Demonstrated ability to lead the entire product design process, from initial research and discovery through prototyping, user testing, and final delivery.

• Product Thinking & Strategy: Ability to understand and articulate product strategy, identify key user opportunities through analytics and customer feedback, and contribute to roadmap development.

• UX/UI Expertise: Proficient in designing intuitive and engaging user interfaces, with a strong understanding of UX principles, information architecture, and interaction design across mobile and web platforms.

• Prototyping & Wireframing: Skilled in using industry-standard tools to create wireframes, user flows, interactive prototypes, and high-fidelity mockups.

• Customer-Centricity: Experience conducting user interviews, usability testing, and leveraging customer feedback to drive design decisions.

• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Proven ability to work effectively with Product Managers, Engineers, and other stakeholders in a fast-paced, remote environment.

• Communication Skills: Articulate and persuasive communicator, capable of explaining design rationale, presenting ideas clearly, and writing with attention to detail.

• Platform Familiarity: Understanding of design feasibility and best practices for iOS, Android, and web browsers.

Preferred Skills:

• Audio/TTS Experience: Curiosity and understanding of audio-centric products and text-to-speech technology.

• Design Systems: Experience in creating and maintaining design systems.

• Data Analysis: Comfort working with analytics tools to inform design decisions.

• Micro-interactions: Skill in designing subtle yet impactful micro-interactions to enhance user experience.

• Typography & Information Design: Strong aesthetic sensibility and expertise in visual hierarchy and information presentation.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Ideal Candidate" section provides a detailed breakdown of required skills, emphasizing practical experience and strategic thinking over formal education. The 5-10 year experience level suggests a need for a candidate who can operate autonomously and mentor others.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Comprehensive Case Studies: Showcase 3-5 detailed case studies demonstrating experience across the full product design lifecycle (research, discovery, prototyping, testing, delivery) for consumer-facing products.

• Platform Diversity: Include examples of work on mobile (iOS, Android) and web platforms.

• Problem/Solution Framing: Clearly articulate the user problem or business challenge, the design process undertaken, and the resulting solution and its impact.

• Visual Design & Interaction: Highlight strong UI craftsmanship, including typography, information design, and examples of thoughtful micro-interactions.

• Data-Informed Design: Where possible, demonstrate how user analytics or customer feedback informed design decisions and led to measurable improvements.

Process Documentation:

• User Flow & Wireframes: Include examples of user flows and wireframes that illustrate the structure and logic of your designs.

• Prototyping Examples: Provide links to interactive prototypes or detailed descriptions of the prototyping process and tools used.

• Testing & Iteration: Detail how user testing was conducted and how feedback was incorporated to iterate on designs.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a Senior Product Designer role, the portfolio is paramount. It should not only showcase aesthetic skill but also a deep understanding of product strategy, user-centered design methodologies, and the ability to drive tangible business outcomes through design. The focus on "delivery" implies a need for examples of shipped products.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: CHF 100,000 - CHF 140,000 annually. This estimate is based on industry benchmarks for Senior Product Designers in Zurich, Switzerland, considering the company's growth stage and the specific responsibilities outlined. It accounts for the high cost of living in Zurich and the competitive market for experienced design talent. The range reflects varying levels of experience within the 5-10 year bracket and the candidate's specific skill set and impact.

Benefits:

• Competitive Compensation: A strong base salary and potential for equity or performance-based bonuses.

• Impactful Work: The opportunity to work on a product that changes lives, particularly for individuals with learning differences.

• Growth Environment: A dynamic and innovative setting where contributions directly shape the company and its products.

• Autonomy & Focus: A culture that fosters creativity, independence, and deep work.

• Exceptional Asynchronous Work Culture: Support for effective remote collaboration and communication.

• Professional Development: Access to resources and opportunities for continuous learning and skill advancement in a rapidly evolving tech domain (AI and audio).

Working Hours: Approximately 40 hours per week, with flexibility to accommodate asynchronous work and personal needs. The emphasis is on output and impact rather than strict adherence to hours.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range is an estimate based on typical compensation for a Senior Product Designer in Zurich. Benefits are derived from the provided "What we offer" section, tailored to operations professionals.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Technology / Software / AI / EdTech (specifically Text-to-Speech)

Company Size: Approximately 200 employees. This means Speechify is a growing startup, offering opportunities for significant impact and direct influence, but also requiring adaptability and a hands-on approach. For designers, it implies a chance to shape processes and have a direct line to leadership.

Founded: Speechify was founded to address the barrier reading presents to learning, leveraging technology like text-to-speech. This mission is central to its culture and product development.

Team Structure:

• The design team is part of a larger, 100% distributed organization.

• Designers collaborate closely with Product Managers, Engineers (frontend, backend, AI researchers), and executive leadership.

Methodology:

• Data-driven decision-making is encouraged, with designers working alongside PMs to analyze metrics and identify opportunities.

• Iterative design and development processes are expected, with an emphasis on shipping, testing, and refining features.

• Asynchronous communication is a core practice, requiring clear documentation and proactive communication.

Company Website: [Speechify Company URL - Please insert actual URL here if available]

📝 Enhancement Note: Speechify's mission-driven nature and distributed work model are key cultural aspects that influence how design work is conducted and how teams collaborate. The company's focus on AI and audio positions it at the forefront of emerging technologies.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This is a Senior Product Designer role, indicating a level of autonomy, strategic input, and mentorship potential. The position is expected to handle complex design challenges and influence product direction.

Reporting Structure: Designers typically report to a Design Lead or Head of Design, working closely with Product Managers and engineering teams. In this fully remote setup, direct interaction with leadership on product strategy is likely.

Operations Impact: The design team's impact is directly tied to user acquisition, engagement, retention, and overall product success. By improving the user experience of Speechify's text-to-speech products, designers contribute significantly to the company's mission and revenue growth.

Growth Opportunities:

• Leadership Development: Potential to grow into a Design Lead or Manager role, mentoring junior designers and shaping the design team's strategy and processes.

• Specialization: Deepen expertise in AI-driven product design, audio UX, or accessibility within the text-to-speech domain.

• Cross-Functional Influence: Expand influence on product strategy, marketing, and business development through strong collaboration and demonstrated impact.

• Continuous Learning: Access to industry trends, new technologies (AI, audio), and opportunities to share knowledge within a distributed team.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Senior" title implies a path beyond individual contribution, with potential for leadership, strategic input, and specialization within Speechify's unique domain. The remote nature fosters opportunities for self-directed growth and learning.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: 100% Distributed/Remote. Speechify has no physical office, fostering a fully remote work environment.

Office Location(s): Employees are located globally. For this role, being based in or near Zurich, Switzerland, may offer timezone alignment for certain collaborative sessions, but the primary mode of work is asynchronous.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Environment: While remote, the culture emphasizes collaboration through digital tools, regular check-ins, and clear communication channels.

• Tools & Technology: Access to standard design and collaboration software necessary for remote work (e.g., Figma, Slack, Zoom, project management tools).

• Team Interaction: Opportunities for interaction through virtual meetings, design critiques, and cross-functional project work.

Work Schedule: The role operates on an approximately 40-hour work week, but with significant flexibility. The emphasis is on asynchronous work, allowing individuals to structure their day to maximize productivity and align with global team members where necessary. This requires strong self-discipline and time management skills.

📝 Enhancement Note: The fully remote and asynchronous nature of Speechify dictates the work environment. Candidates must be comfortable working independently, managing their time effectively, and utilizing digital tools for all aspects of collaboration and communication.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A brief call with a recruiter to assess basic qualifications, cultural fit, and interest in Speechify's mission.

• Portfolio Review & Design Challenge: A session where you present your portfolio, discuss your process, and potentially complete a focused design challenge or case study discussion related to Speechify's product.

• Team Interviews: Meetings with Product Managers and Engineers to assess collaboration skills, technical understanding, and approach to problem-solving.

• Executive/Leadership Interview: A final discussion with senior leadership to evaluate strategic thinking, alignment with company values, and overall fit.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Tell a Story: For each case study, clearly articulate the problem, your process, your role, the solution, and the impact (quantified where possible).

• Show, Don't Just Tell: Use visuals (sketches, wireframes, prototypes, final designs) to illustrate your design thinking and execution.

• Highlight Impact: Focus on how your design work solved a user problem or contributed to business goals. Metrics are key.

• Demonstrate Process: Explain your methodologies, research techniques, and how you iterated based on feedback.

• Tailor to Speechify: Understand Speechify's mission, product, and target audience. Show how your skills and experience align.

Challenge Preparation:

• Understand the Product: Deeply explore Speechify's iOS, Android, and web applications. Identify areas for improvement or new feature opportunities.

• Think Strategically: Be prepared to discuss not just how you would design something, but why – tying your decisions back to user needs and business objectives.

• Focus on User Flows: Practice mapping out complex user journeys and identifying potential friction points.

• Consider Technical Constraints: Be mindful of platform-specific capabilities and limitations (iOS, Android, web).

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process is designed to assess a candidate's full-stack design capabilities, strategic thinking, and ability to thrive in a remote, mission-driven environment. A strong portfolio and clear articulation of design process are critical.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Design & Prototyping: Figma (highly probable, given industry trends), Sketch, Adobe Creative Suite (Illustrator, Photoshop).

• User Research & Testing: UserTesting.com, Maze, Lookback, or similar platforms for remote usability testing and feedback collection.

• Collaboration & Communication: Slack, Zoom, Google Workspace (Docs, Sheets, Slides), potentially Notion or similar for documentation.

• Project Management: Jira, Asana, Trello, or similar tools for tracking design tasks and progress.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Proficiency in interpreting data from analytics platforms (e.g., Amplitude, Mixpanel, Google Analytics) to inform design decisions.

CRM & Automation: While not a primary design tool, an understanding of how user data flows from CRM and marketing automation systems can be beneficial for context.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the specific stack isn't listed, the role implies proficiency in modern, collaborative design tools like Figma, alongside a suite of remote collaboration and user research platforms.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Mission-Driven: A deep commitment to Speechify's mission of removing reading barriers and empowering learners.

• Customer-Centricity: Prioritizing user needs and feedback in all design and product decisions.

• Innovation & Intuition: Encouraging creative problem-solving, embracing new ideas, and trusting one's instincts backed by data.

• Drive & Impact: A proactive approach to work, focusing on delivering tangible results and making a significant contribution.

• Collaboration: Valuing teamwork, open communication, and the ability to negotiate and inspire across different disciplines.

• Autonomy & Focus: Respecting individuals' ability to manage their work effectively and dedicate focused time to complex tasks.

Collaboration Style:

• Asynchronous First: Communication and collaboration are designed to work effectively across different time zones, relying on clear documentation, well-structured messages, and proactive updates.

• Cross-Functional Partnership: Designers work in tight-knit pods with PMs and Engineers, fostering a shared sense of ownership and rapid iteration.

• Constructive Feedback: An environment where design critiques are encouraged as a way to improve work, with a focus on constructive dialogue.

📝 Enhancement Note: Speechify's values are deeply intertwined with its mission and its distributed work model. Designers are expected to be self-starters who can collaborate effectively in a remote setting and are driven by the impact of their work.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Navigating a Fast-Paced Startup: Adapting to rapid changes, shifting priorities, and the need for quick decision-making in a high-growth environment.

• Balancing Innovation with Scalability: Designing features that are both innovative and scalable across multiple platforms and user segments.

• Remote Collaboration Nuances: Mastering effective communication and collaboration techniques in a fully distributed setting, ensuring alignment and understanding without in-person interaction.

• Defining and Measuring Design Impact: Clearly articulating and quantifying the impact of design decisions on user behavior and business metrics.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Cutting-Edge Tech: Gaining experience at the intersection of AI, audio technology, and accessibility, a rapidly advancing field.

• Product Strategy Influence: Opportunity to significantly shape the product roadmap and user experience of a widely adopted application.

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

• Continuous Skill Enhancement: Exposure to new design tools, methodologies, and best practices in a dynamic tech company.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges are typical of a senior role in a fast-growing startup, especially one operating remotely. The growth opportunities are significant, offering a chance to be at the forefront of technological innovation.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you influenced a product roadmap. What was your process, and what was the outcome?" (Focus on strategic thinking, data utilization, and collaboration with PMs).

• "How do you approach user research for a product that has millions of users, but also specific segments with unique needs (e.g., users with dyslexia)?" (Highlight customer-centricity, research methodologies, and empathy).

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What excites you about Speechify's mission, and how does it align with your personal values?" (Demonstrate genuine interest in the company's purpose).

• "How do you handle disagreements with Product Managers or Engineers regarding design decisions?" (Showcase collaboration, negotiation, and data-driven argumentation skills).

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure for Impact: Begin with your most relevant and impactful projects. For each, clearly state the problem, your role, the solution, and the quantifiable results.

• Showcase Your Process: Don't just show final screens; explain your thinking, sketches, wireframes, prototypes, and user testing insights.

• Be Ready for Deep Dives: Anticipate questions about specific design decisions, trade-offs, and challenges you faced.

• Connect to Speechify: Explain how your past experiences and skills can directly benefit Speechify's product and mission.

📝 Enhancement Note: Preparation should focus on demonstrating strategic thinking, user empathy, strong collaboration skills, and the ability to execute effectively in a remote, mission-driven environment. Your portfolio is your primary tool to showcase these capabilities.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Senior Product Designer position:

• Submit your application through the provided link on Greenhouse.

• Curate Your Portfolio: Select 3-5 of your strongest case studies that best demonstrate your end-to-end design process, platform experience (iOS, Android, Web), and impact on consumer-facing products. Ensure each case study clearly outlines the problem, your role, the design solution, and measurable outcomes.

• Tailor Your Resume: Highlight experience in product strategy, user research, UX/UI design for mobile and web, cross-functional collaboration, and any experience with AI, audio, or accessibility products. Use keywords from the job description.

• Prepare Your Portfolio Presentation: Practice walking through your portfolio, focusing on clear storytelling, articulating your design rationale, and being ready to discuss your process and decision-making in detail.

• Research Speechify: Understand their mission, products (iOS, Android, Chrome Extension, Web App), target audience, and recent achievements. Be prepared to discuss why you are passionate about their work.

⚠️ 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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