Senior UX / Digital Product Designer (Mensch)

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Senior UX / Digital Product Designer (Mensch)

Company: Taikonauten GmbH

Location: Berlin, Germany

Job Type: Full-time

Category: UX/Product Design, Digital Product Development

Date Posted: March 06, 2026

Experience Level: Senior (5-10 years)

Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• Lead end-to-end digital product development lifecycles, from initial problem definition and discovery through to validation and delivery, ensuring strategic alignment and operational excellence.

• Drive user-centric design strategies, translating complex business objectives and genuine user needs into intuitive and impactful digital products and services.

• Provide senior-level strategic guidance and hands-on execution in UX and visual design, setting high-quality standards across all project phases within a dynamic agency environment.

• Spearhead the structuring of ambiguous problem spaces, formulating hypotheses, and defining project scopes to ensure clarity and actionable outcomes for cross-functional teams and clients.

📝 Enhancement Note: The job title "Senior UX / Digital Product Designer (Mensch)" emphasizes a human-centered approach and a senior level of expertise, indicating a need for a candidate who can not only design but also lead and consult. The company's focus on "digital transformation, product innovation, and acceleration" suggests a fast-paced, forward-thinking environment where strategic thinking and operational execution are equally valued.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Take full ownership of the UX and Product Design process, from initial discovery and problem framing through to final delivery and ongoing validation.

• Structure and clarify ambiguous or complex problem statements, defining project scope, formulating testable hypotheses, and establishing clear objectives.

• Contribute expert insights and a consultative approach in client interactions, effectively advocating for user-centered design principles and strategic product decisions.

• Develop robust UX concepts and information architectures, mapping out comprehensive user journeys and end-to-end flows for digital products and services.

• Translate client requirements and user insights into detailed, testable UX specifications and design documentation.

• Plan, execute, and synthesize findings from qualitative research methods, including user interviews, usability testing, and design thinking workshops.

• Synthesize research insights into actionable recommendations that inform product strategy and design decisions.

• Conceptualize and craft visually high-quality UI designs, including the development and maintenance of design systems.

• Facilitate workshops for project initiation, strategic goal definition, and prioritization sessions with clients and internal teams.

• Articulately present and defend UX and design decisions to diverse stakeholder groups, ensuring buy-in and alignment.

• Collaborate closely with development teams throughout the implementation phase to ensure design integrity and successful product realization.

• Independently structure and manage complex project phases, ensuring timely delivery and adherence to quality standards.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a blend of strategic consulting and hands-on design execution, typical for senior roles in agency settings. The emphasis on "structuring unscharfer Problemstellungen" (structuring unclear problem statements) and "Argumentative Vertretung von UX- und Designentscheidungen" (argumentative representation of UX and design decisions) points to a need for strong leadership, communication, and problem-solving skills beyond pure design execution.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: While not explicitly stated, a Bachelor's or Master's degree in Design, Human-Computer Interaction, Computer Science, or a related field is typically expected for senior-level product design roles. Equivalent practical experience will also be considered.

Experience:

• Extensive, long-term experience in UX and Product Design.

• Multiple years of agency experience, managing concurrent projects and diverse client portfolios.

Required Skills:

• Deep expertise in strategic UX conception and user-centered design methodologies.

• Proficiency in user research, including planning, execution, and synthesis of qualitative and quantitative data.

• Demonstrated ability to derive and validate data-based hypotheses for product improvements.

• Exceptional UI design skills with a high standard for visual quality, including layout, typography, and design systems.

• Strategic understanding of digital strategy, service design, and product innovation frameworks.

• Advanced proficiency in Figma for wireframing, prototyping, and UI design.

• Strong workshop facilitation skills, including problem framing, ideation, and prioritization.

• Excellent stakeholder management and communication abilities, with the capacity to articulate and defend design decisions.

• Systemic thinking and structured problem analysis capabilities.

• High degree of self-organization, self-management, and personal accountability.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience with complex B2B or enterprise-level platforms.

• Data analysis experience, including web analytics and conversion optimization.

• Familiarity with agile frameworks such as Scrum or SAFe.

• Basic understanding of technical architecture (APIs, frontend structures).

• Experience in building or scaling design systems.

• Experience with AI tools and AI-supported processes.

• International project experience.

📝 Enhancement Note: The distinction between "Erfahrung & Kompetenz" (Experience & Competence) and "Arbeitsweise & Haltung" (Working Style & Attitude) is crucial. It highlights that Taikonauten values not only technical skills but also a proactive, self-driven, and resilient mindset, essential for managing dynamic agency projects. The explicit mention of AI tools indicates a forward-looking approach to design processes.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A comprehensive portfolio showcasing end-to-end digital product development projects, demonstrating your ability to navigate the entire design lifecycle.

• Case studies that clearly articulate the problem, your role, the design process, key decisions, and the measurable impact or outcomes achieved.

• Examples of strategic UX conception and how you translated business goals and user needs into product solutions.

Process Documentation:

• Showcase your ability to structure and document complex problem spaces, including clear problem framing, scope definition, and hypothesis generation.

• Provide examples of detailed user journeys, information architectures, and end-to-end flows that illustrate your conceptualization skills.

• Include evidence of your user research process, detailing methodologies used, insights gathered, and how these informed design iterations and recommendations.

• Illustrate your experience with workshop facilitation, including agendas, activities, and outcomes achieved.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a senior UX/Product Designer role, the portfolio is paramount. It should not only display visual design skills but also the strategic thinking, problem-solving capabilities, and process management expertise required to lead complex digital product initiatives from conception to delivery. Demonstrating experience with AI tools and their integration into workflows would be a significant advantage.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: Based on the Senior experience level (5-10 years) and the location in Berlin, Germany, a competitive salary range for a Senior UX/Digital Product Designer typically falls between €65,000 and €90,000 gross per year. Factors such as specific expertise, portfolio strength, and negotiation will influence the final offer.

Benefits:

• Passionate colleagues in an open company culture with flat hierarchies, fostering collaboration and idea exchange.

• Opportunities for professional and personal development, with both encouragement and challenges provided.

• Significant scope for personal responsibility and the implementation of your own ideas.

• Flexible and family-friendly working hours to support work-life balance.

• A dedicated team actively contributing to a socially and environmentally conscious future.

Working Hours: The role is full-time, with an estimated 40 hours per week. The company offers flexible and family-friendly working hours, suggesting some adaptability within the standard work week.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range is estimated based on industry benchmarks for senior design roles in Berlin, Germany, considering the company's industry (digital product development agency) and the provided experience level. Benefits are directly extracted from the job description, highlighting a supportive and growth-oriented work environment.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Digital Product Development, Consulting, Technology, Finance, FinTech, Mobility, Industrial & Manufacturing. Taikonauten operates at the intersection of these sectors, leveraging digital transformation to drive innovation and product development for established organizations.

Company Size: While not explicitly stated, the mention of "flacher Hierarchie" (flat hierarchy) and a "leidenschaftliches Team" (passionate team) suggests a medium-sized agency, likely between 50-200 employees, allowing for close collaboration and individual impact.

Founded: The founding date is not provided, but the company's focus on digital transformation implies a modern, forward-thinking organization established to address contemporary business challenges.

Team Structure:

• The UX/Product Design team likely consists of experienced designers with diverse specializations, forming a core part of interdisciplinary project teams.

• Reporting is likely to a Design Lead or Head of Product, with a direct line to project managers and client stakeholders.

Methodology:

• Taikonauten emphasizes a user-centric approach, integrating robust user research and data analysis to inform design decisions and validate product concepts.

• Workflow planning and optimization are key, focusing on structured problem-solving and efficient design processes from discovery to delivery.

• Automation and efficiency are likely encouraged, with an openness to AI tools and technologies that enhance design workflows and product outcomes.

Company Website: http://taikonauten.com

📝 Enhancement Note: The company name "Taikonauten" (derived from "Taikonaut" - Chinese astronaut) evokes a sense of exploration and pushing boundaries, aligning with their mission of digital innovation and transformation. Their focus industries suggest a B2B orientation, requiring designers to understand complex business needs and enterprise-level solutions.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is positioned at a Senior level, signifying a high degree of autonomy, expertise, and responsibility. A Senior UX/Product Designer is expected to lead projects, mentor junior team members, and contribute to the strategic direction of digital product development initiatives. The "Mensch" aspect implies a focus on holistic product thinking and human-centered design leadership.

Reporting Structure: The Senior Designer will likely report to a Head of Design, Design Director, or a Senior Project Lead. They will work closely with Project Managers, fellow Designers, Developers, and directly with client stakeholders, including product owners and business leaders.

Operations Impact: The role has a direct impact on the success of digital products by ensuring they are user-centric, strategically aligned with business goals, and technically feasible. The designer's contributions will influence user adoption, customer satisfaction, and ultimately, the business outcomes and ROI of the digital solutions developed for clients.

Growth Opportunities:

• Specialization: Deepen expertise in specific areas like service design, AI-driven UX, or complex enterprise platform design.

• Leadership: Progress into Lead Designer, Design Manager, or Head of Product roles, managing teams and influencing broader company strategy.

• Consulting: Develop advanced consulting skills, taking on more strategic client advisory roles and shaping digital transformation roadmaps.

• Mentorship: Guide and mentor junior designers, contributing to the team's overall skill development and fostering a culture of continuous learning.

📝 Enhancement Note: The growth opportunities are inferred from the "Senior" title and the agency context, which typically offers diverse project experiences and pathways for advancement into leadership or specialized consulting roles. The company's emphasis on professional development supports these growth trajectories.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The role is on-site in Berlin, suggesting a physical office environment. Given the company's collaborative culture and focus on innovation, this is likely a modern, well-equipped workspace designed to foster creativity and teamwork.

Office Location(s): The primary office is located in Berlin, Germany. Specific details about office amenities or accessibility are not provided but can be assumed to be standard for a professional agency environment in a major European city.

Workspace Context:

• The workspace is expected to be collaborative, with opportunities for spontaneous interaction and knowledge sharing among designers, developers, and project managers.

• Access to industry-standard design tools, particularly Figma, and potentially other prototyping, research, and collaboration software, is a given.

• The environment will encourage active participation in team discussions, design critiques, and workshops, fostering a strong sense of collective ownership.

Work Schedule: While full-time (approximately 40 hours/week), the "flexible and family-friendly working hours" indicate a degree of autonomy in managing one's schedule, allowing for effective time management in balancing project demands with personal life.

📝 Enhancement Note: The on-site requirement, coupled with flexible hours, suggests a hybrid approach or a strong emphasis on in-person collaboration for brainstorming and client-facing activities, while allowing for personal schedule management.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: Review of CV, portfolio, and any introductory materials. This stage assesses foundational skills, experience, and alignment with the role's core requirements.

• Portfolio Presentation & Discussion: A more in-depth session where candidates present selected case studies from their portfolio. This will involve discussing their process, decision-making, problem-solving approach, and impact. Expect questions on how you handle ambiguity and stakeholder management.

• Team/Colleague Interview: Meeting with future colleagues to assess cultural fit, collaborative style, and technical alignment. This is an opportunity for you to ask detailed questions about team dynamics, workflows, and projects.

• Final Interview: Potentially with a senior leader or partner, focusing on strategic thinking, long-term vision, and overall fit with Taikonauten's mission and values.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select 2-3 projects that best showcase your end-to-end product design process, strategic thinking, problem-solving skills, and visual design execution. Tailor your selection to highlight experience in relevant industries (Finance, FinTech, Mobility, Industrial).

• Tell a Story: For each case study, clearly articulate the problem, your specific role and contributions, the methodologies you employed (research, ideation, design, testing), key challenges faced, design decisions made, and the quantifiable outcomes or impact.

• Highlight Process: Emphasize your ability to structure ambiguous problems, conduct user research, synthesize insights, and iterate based on feedback. Demonstrate how you collaborated with stakeholders and development teams.

• Showcase Visual & UI Skills: Ensure your visual design and UI work are presented professionally, including high-fidelity mockups, prototypes, and any design system elements.

• Address AI Integration: If you have experience with AI tools in design workflows, be prepared to discuss it.

Challenge Preparation:

• Be ready for a design exercise or a discussion around a hypothetical problem relevant to Taikonauten's client base. Focus on your structured approach, problem-framing, and strategic thinking rather than just a polished visual output.

• Prepare to articulate your design philosophy, your approach to balancing business needs with user needs, and how you drive quality and innovation in your work.

• Familiarize yourself with Taikonauten's work and client industries to better understand their context and challenges.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process emphasizes a comprehensive evaluation, from technical skills and portfolio to cultural fit and strategic thinking. The inclusion of a "Mensch" aspect in the title suggests that interpersonal skills and a human-centered approach will be heavily scrutinized.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Figma: Explicitly mentioned as required, indicating its central role in wireframing, prototyping, UI design, and potentially design system management.

• Prototyping Tools: Beyond Figma's capabilities, other tools like InVision, Axure, or Adobe XD might be used for more complex interactions or specific project needs.

• Design Systems: Tools and methodologies for creating, maintaining, and scaling design systems will be essential.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Web Analytics Platforms: Tools such as Google Analytics, Adobe Analytics, or similar platforms for understanding user behavior and product performance.

• A/B Testing Tools: Platforms like Optimizely or VWO for experimentation and conversion rate optimization.

CRM & Automation:

• While not directly a UX/Product Designer tool, a basic understanding of CRM systems (e.g., Salesforce) and marketing automation platforms might be beneficial, especially when designing features that interact with these systems or for understanding business context.

• User Research Platforms: Tools for conducting remote usability testing, surveys, and interviews (e.g., UserTesting.com, Maze, SurveyMonkey).

📝 Enhancement Note: The explicit mention of Figma is a key indicator of the primary design tool. The "Preferred Skills" section also hints at the need for familiarity with data analysis tools and potentially agile project management software, crucial for end-to-end product development in an agency setting.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• User Centricity: A deep commitment to understanding and serving user needs as the foundation for all design and product decisions.

• Excellence & Quality: A drive to achieve the highest standards in design, strategy, and execution, with a keen eye for detail and visual polish.

• Collaboration & Openness: Fostering a transparent and supportive environment where ideas are shared freely, feedback is constructive, and teamwork is paramount.

• Innovation & Exploration: A proactive approach to exploring new technologies (like AI), methodologies, and creative solutions to drive digital transformation for clients.

• Responsibility & Ownership: Encouraging individuals to take initiative, own their projects, and contribute beyond their defined roles.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-functional Integration: Designers work intimately with strategists, developers, and project managers, ensuring a unified approach to product development.

• Client Partnership: A consultative and collaborative style with clients, building trust and working together to achieve shared goals.

• Feedback Culture: An environment that encourages constructive critique and open dialogue to continuously improve designs and processes.

• Knowledge Sharing: Active participation in sharing insights, best practices, and learnings within the team, potentially through internal workshops or design critiques.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Mensch" in the job title strongly suggests that human-centered values, empathy, and strong interpersonal skills are core to the company culture and expected from team members.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Navigating Ambiguity: Effectively structuring and driving forward projects with unclear initial problem statements or complex requirements, a common agency challenge.

• Balancing Stakeholder Needs: Managing diverse expectations from clients, internal teams, and end-users to arrive at optimal product solutions.

• Maintaining High Standards: Upholding rigorous design quality across multiple, concurrent projects with varying deadlines and client demands.

• Adapting to New Technologies: Staying abreast of and integrating emerging tools and methodologies, such as AI in design workflows, to maintain a competitive edge.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Skill Deepening: Opportunities to refine expertise in specific design disciplines, such as advanced UX research, interaction design for complex platforms, or AI-driven design.

• Industry Exposure: Working with a diverse range of clients across finance, FinTech, mobility, and manufacturing provides broad industry knowledge and experience.

• Consulting Skills: Developing strategic advisory capabilities and client management skills through hands-on project experience.

• Mentorship Programs: Potential to receive mentorship from senior leaders or to mentor junior designers, fostering leadership growth.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges are framed to highlight opportunities for growth, emphasizing the company's commitment to professional development and the dynamic nature of agency work.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you had to structure a highly ambiguous problem. What was your process, and what was the outcome?" (Focus on problem framing, hypothesis generation, and structured approach).

• "How do you balance competing business goals with genuine user needs in your design process?" (Highlight user-centricity, ethical considerations, and negotiation skills).

• "Walk us through a complex digital product you designed from discovery to delivery. What were the key decisions, and what was the impact?" (Prepare a detailed case study from your portfolio, emphasizing your end-to-end involvement and measurable results).

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What interests you about Taikonauten's work in industries like Finance or Mobility?" (Research their clients and recent projects, and connect your skills/interests).

• "How do you contribute to a collaborative team environment, especially in a hybrid or agency setting?" (Share examples of teamwork, communication, and feedback exchange).

• "How do you see AI impacting the future of UX/Product Design, and how have you experimented with AI tools in your work?" (Demonstrate curiosity and practical application).

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Context is Key: For each case study, clearly set the stage – what was the client, the problem, and the business context?

• Your Role & Process: Be explicit about your responsibilities and the design methodologies you employed (research, ideation, prototyping, testing, iteration).

• Decision Rationale: Explain why you made certain design choices, linking them back to user insights, business goals, or strategic objectives.

• Show, Don't Just Tell: Use visuals effectively – mockups, user flows, research summaries, prototypes. If possible, provide interactive elements.

• Quantify Impact: Whenever possible, present metrics or qualitative feedback that demonstrate the success or impact of your design solutions.

📝 Enhancement Note: Preparation should focus on demonstrating not only design skills but also strategic thinking, leadership potential, and the ability to thrive in a client-facing, fast-paced agency environment. Highlighting experience with AI tools is a plus.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Senior UX / Digital Product Designer position:

• Submit your application through the provided link on join.com, including your CV and a direct link to your portfolio or personal website.

• Curate Your Portfolio: Select 2-3 of your strongest projects that best showcase your end-to-end digital product development experience, strategic thinking, and visual design capabilities. Tailor your selections to highlight relevant industry experience if possible.

• Craft Your CV: Ensure your CV clearly outlines your years of experience, key responsibilities, and achievements, using keywords from the job description (e.g., UX Design, Product Development, User Research, Figma, Stakeholder Management).

• Prepare Your Narrative: Practice presenting your portfolio case studies, focusing on your process, decision-making, and the impact of your work. Be ready to discuss your experience with structuring ambiguous problems and your approach to user-centric design.

• Research Taikonauten: Familiarize yourself with Taikonauten's website, their client portfolio, and their approach to digital product development. Understand their values and industry focus to better tailor your application and interview responses.

⚠️ 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.