Sr. Product Designer (Hybrid in Bangalore)

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Sr. Product Designer (Hybrid in Bangalore) Company: Smartsheet Location: Bangalore, INDIA Job Type: Full-Time Category: Product Design / UX/UI Design Date Posted: October 13, 2025 Experience Level: 6+ Years (Senior) Remote Status: Hybrid

🚀 Role Summary

• Drive the design experience for critical areas of a complex enterprise SaaS platform, focusing on user-centered design principles.
• Lead the end-to-end design lifecycle for major mobile initiatives, from conceptualization to detailed specifications.
• Foster cross-functional collaboration with product management and engineering to deliver high-value features.
• Contribute to and leverage a robust design system to ensure platform consistency and accelerate design velocity.
• Champion inclusive design practices, including accessibility and localization, within the design system and product development.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is positioned as a Senior Product Designer, indicating a need for demonstrated leadership in design strategy and execution. The emphasis on enterprise SaaS and B2B products suggests a focus on complex workflows, scalability, and business impact. The reporting structure to a UK-based Director of Design implies a need for strong remote collaboration and communication skills.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Define and drive the user experience for key modules within Smartsheet's enterprise platform, translating business objectives and user needs into elegant, intuitive solutions.
• Lead the entire design lifecycle for significant mobile product initiatives, including high-level framework creation, conceptual prototyping, detailed UI design, and delivery of comprehensive specifications to engineering.
• Actively collaborate with Product Managers and Engineers to identify product opportunities, refine feature requirements, and ensure the delivery of impactful features that align with business goals and enhance user experience.
• Contribute to the ongoing development and refinement of Smartsheet's design system, ensuring mobile patterns and components are scalable, consistent, and user-friendly across the entire platform.
• Champion a customer-centric approach by utilizing data analytics, user research findings, and direct user feedback to inform design decisions and drive continuous product iteration.
• Operate with a high degree of autonomy, taking full ownership of design projects from initial concept through to successful launch, requiring minimal supervision.
• Uphold and elevate the highest standards of design quality across visual design, interaction design, and overall systems thinking for all product deliverables.
• Advocate for and integrate inclusive design principles, such as accessibility (WCAG compliance) and localization, ensuring these are foundational elements within the design system and product development process.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a blend of strategic design leadership and hands-on execution. The emphasis on "enterprise platform," "major mobile initiatives," and "design system evolution" points to the need for experience in complex, scalable product environments. The expectation of autonomy and high standards suggests a senior-level contributor who can drive projects independently.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

• While no specific degree is listed, a Bachelor's or Master's degree in Design, Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), Computer Science, or a related field is typically expected for senior-level design roles. Equivalent practical experience will also be considered.

Experience:

• Minimum of 6 years of professional experience in product design, with a significant portion focused on complex B2B or enterprise-grade SaaS products.
• Proven track record of successfully leading the end-to-end design process for complex features or products.

Required Skills:

• User-Centered Design (UCD): Deep expertise in the entire user-centered design process, encompassing discovery, user research, journey mapping, persona development, wireframing, prototyping, user testing, and iterative refinement.
• Prototyping & Wireframing: Proficient in creating low-fidelity wireframes and high-fidelity interactive prototypes to effectively communicate design concepts and user flows.
• Design Systems: Strong understanding of design system principles and practical experience contributing to or leveraging existing design systems to ensure consistency, scalability, and efficiency.
• Agile Methodology: Experience working within Agile development environments, collaborating closely with product managers and engineers in iterative sprints.
• Communication & Storytelling: Exceptional verbal and written communication skills, with a proven ability to articulate design rationale, present complex ideas compellingly, and influence product direction to diverse stakeholders.
• Stakeholder Management: Demonstrated ability to build strong, collaborative relationships and effectively influence stakeholders across product management, engineering, marketing, and executive levels.
• Visual Design: Solid understanding of visual design principles, typography, color theory, and layout to create aesthetically pleasing and functional interfaces.
• Interaction Design: Expertise in designing intuitive and efficient user interactions, considering user flows, microinteractions, and information architecture.
• Research & Testing: Ability to plan, conduct, and analyze user research and usability testing to gather insights and validate design decisions.

Preferred Skills:

• Enterprise SaaS Experience: Prior experience designing for enterprise-grade collaboration, work management, or similar complex business software platforms.
• Accessibility (WCAG): Familiarity with accessibility standards (e.g., WCAG) and experience designing inclusive interfaces.
• Localization: Understanding of localization principles and how to design for internationalized products.
• Content Design: Experience or understanding of content design principles and their integration into UI/UX.
• Mobile Design: Specific experience designing for mobile applications, understanding platform-specific patterns and constraints.

📝 Enhancement Note: The requirement for 6+ years of experience and a strong portfolio in complex B2B/enterprise products is a key differentiator. The emphasis on "deep expertise" in the UCD process and "proven ability to drive design strategy" suggests that candidates will be evaluated not just on their design skills but also on their strategic thinking and leadership potential. The "Bonus Points" are strong indicators of desired niche experience.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Showcase a minimum of 2-3 complex B2B or enterprise SaaS projects that demonstrate your end-to-end product design capabilities.
• Include projects that highlight your ability to translate intricate business requirements into user-friendly and effective solutions.
• Present case studies that clearly articulate the problem, your role, the design process undertaken, key decisions made, and the measurable impact of your solutions.
• Demonstrate experience with mobile initiatives if applicable, showcasing design for different form factors and user contexts.
• Feature examples of your contribution to or utilization of design systems, illustrating how you ensured consistency and scalability.

Process Documentation:

• For each portfolio project, clearly outline the design process followed, detailing methodologies used (e.g., UCD, Agile sprints, design thinking).
• Provide insights into how user research and testing informed your design iterations and decisions.
• Illustrate your approach to collaborating with product managers and engineers, including how you managed feedback and technical constraints.
• Showcase your ability to document design specifications and handoff artifacts to development teams effectively.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a Senior Product Designer role, the portfolio is paramount. It should not only display visual and interaction design skills but also strategic thinking, problem-solving ability, and a deep understanding of the end-to-end product development lifecycle within a complex enterprise context. The emphasis on B2B/enterprise products and design systems is crucial.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

• For a Senior Product Designer in Bangalore, India, with 6+ years of experience, the estimated annual salary range is approximately ₹2,000,000 to ₹3,500,000 (INR). This range can vary based on specific experience, skill set, and the company's compensation philosophy.

Benefits:

• Health and Wellness: Comprehensive health insurance coverage (medical, dental, vision), potentially including wellness programs and stipends.
• Retirement Savings: Contributions to provident fund (PF) or similar retirement savings plans as per Indian regulations.
• Paid Time Off: Generous vacation days, sick leave, and public holidays, allowing for work-life balance.
• Professional Development: Opportunities for continuous learning, including access to training resources, workshops, conferences, and potentially tuition reimbursement for relevant courses.
• Hybrid Work Environment: Flexibility to work from home and in the office, promoting a balanced work-life arrangement.
• Stock Options/Equity: Potential for stock options or equity grants, aligning employee success with company growth.
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP): Support services for personal and professional challenges.
• Performance Bonuses: Potential for performance-based bonuses tied to individual and company achievements.

Working Hours:

• Standard full-time working hours are typically 40 hours per week.
• Given the hybrid nature and international reporting structure, there may be a need for some flexibility to accommodate meetings across different time zones (e.g., UK). The role is based in Bangalore, India.

📝 Enhancement Note: Salary estimation for Bangalore is based on industry benchmarks for senior-level design roles in tech companies, considering the cost of living and market demand in India. Benefits are typical for established tech companies in India, with a focus on holistic employee well-being and professional growth. The mention of reporting to a UK-based director highlights the need for flexible scheduling for global collaboration.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Software / Technology (specifically, Work Management and Collaboration Software) Company Size: Smartsheet is a well-established public company with over 3,000 employees globally. This indicates a structured environment with established processes, but also opportunities for impact due to its scale. Founded: 2005. Smartsheet has a significant history in the market, suggesting a mature product and a company culture that values innovation and customer success.

Team Structure:

• The Design team is likely structured with specialized roles (e.g., Product Designers, UX Researchers, UI Designers, Content Designers) and potentially organized by product areas or platforms.
• As a Senior Product Designer, you will report to the Director of Design (based in the UK), indicating a distributed leadership model.
• Collaboration will be crucial, working closely with Product Managers, Engineers, and potentially Marketing and Sales teams to ensure a cohesive product experience.

Methodology:

• Smartsheet emphasizes a customer-centric approach, using data and user feedback to drive design decisions.
• The company operates within an Agile development framework, promoting iterative development and close team collaboration.
• Design system contribution and utilization are core to maintaining consistency and efficiency across the platform.
• A focus on inclusive design (accessibility, localization) is a stated organizational value.

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

📝 Enhancement Note: Smartsheet's established nature as a public company in the competitive work management space means the design team likely operates with a strong focus on user experience, scalability, and business impact. The hybrid model and international reporting structure are key aspects of the work environment.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: Senior Product Designer. This level signifies a high degree of autonomy, strategic contribution, and the ability to mentor junior designers. The role involves leading design for significant product areas and influencing product direction. Reporting Structure: You will report to the Director of Design, who is based in the UK. This implies a need for strong self-management, asynchronous communication skills, and the ability to navigate cross-time zone collaboration. You will also work closely with Product Managers and Engineers locally in Bangalore. Operations Impact: As a Senior Product Designer, your impact will be directly tied to the usability, efficiency, and adoption of Smartsheet's core platform and new mobile initiatives. By creating intuitive and powerful user experiences, you will contribute significantly to customer satisfaction, retention, and the overall success of the product in the competitive enterprise SaaS market. Your work will influence how businesses manage their work, directly impacting Smartsheet's revenue and market position.

Growth Opportunities:

• Design Leadership: Potential to grow into Lead Product Designer roles, managing specific product areas or leading design for larger initiatives.
• Specialization: Opportunity to deepen expertise in areas like design systems, accessibility, content design, or user research.
• Mentorship: As a senior member, you'll have opportunities to mentor junior designers, developing leadership and coaching skills.
• Cross-functional Mobility: Potential to move into roles with broader product strategy influence or even product management, leveraging your deep understanding of the user and product.
• Global Exposure: Working with a UK-based director and a global team provides valuable international work experience and exposure to diverse perspectives.

📝 Enhancement Note: The senior level implies expectations of strategic thinking beyond just execution. The global reporting structure is a significant factor influencing day-to-day work and requires specific communication strategies. Growth opportunities are presented with a focus on advancing within the design discipline or leveraging design expertise for broader product roles.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Hybrid. This means a blend of remote work and in-office collaboration. The specific frequency of office days may vary. Office Location(s): Bangalore, India. This location is specified as the primary work hub for this role, despite the Director of Design being in the UK.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Environment: The Bangalore office will likely foster collaboration with local product, engineering, and potentially other design team members. Expect a dynamic workspace designed for teamwork.
• Tools & Technology: Access to industry-standard design tools (e.g., Figma, Sketch, Adobe Creative Suite) and collaboration platforms will be provided.
• Cross-functional Interaction: Regular interaction with Product Managers and Engineers in Bangalore will be integral to the design process, requiring strong communication and teamwork skills. The hybrid model necessitates effective virtual collaboration tools and practices.

Work Schedule:

• The standard work week will be approximately 40 hours.
• Due to the reporting structure to the UK, some flexibility may be required to attend meetings that fall outside standard Indian business hours but align with UK business hours, particularly during the transition periods.

📝 Enhancement Note: The hybrid nature and the specific mention of "Hybrid in Bangalore" are key. The role requires comfort with both remote autonomy and in-office collaboration. The time zone difference with the reporting manager is a critical factor for daily work and requires proactive communication strategies.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A recruiter will likely review your application and resume, focusing on experience, skill alignment, and portfolio.
• Portfolio Review & Design Exercise: You will present your portfolio to one or more members of the design team. This may be followed by a design exercise or case study presentation, evaluating your problem-solving skills, design process, and ability to articulate your work.
• Stakeholder Interviews: Interviews with Product Managers and Engineers to assess collaboration style, technical understanding, and ability to work within an Agile framework.
• Hiring Manager Interview: A discussion with the Director of Design (potentially via video call) to assess strategic thinking, leadership potential, cultural fit, and alignment with the team's vision.
• Final Round: May involve a broader team discussion or a final interview with a senior leader.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select 2-3 of your strongest B2B/enterprise SaaS projects that best represent your skills and experience relevant to Smartsheet's platform.
• Tell a Story: For each project, clearly articulate the problem statement, your specific role and contributions, the user research and design process, key challenges and solutions, and the measurable outcomes or impact.
• Highlight Process: Emphasize your UCD methodology, how you iterated based on feedback, and your collaboration with cross-functional teams.
• Showcase Design System Work: If you have experience with design systems, be ready to discuss how you contributed to or leveraged them.
• Prepare for Questions: Anticipate questions about your design decisions, how you handle disagreement, your approach to accessibility, and your understanding of enterprise product challenges.

Challenge Preparation:

• Design Exercise: If a design exercise is given, focus on understanding the prompt thoroughly. Outline your approach, consider user needs, business goals, and technical constraints. Think aloud and explain your rationale clearly.
• Case Study Presentation: Practice presenting your portfolio case studies concisely and engagingly. Focus on the "why" behind your design choices and the impact achieved.
• Stakeholder Collaboration: Be ready to discuss how you collaborate with PMs and Engineers, manage differing opinions, and ensure successful product launches.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process for a senior role will likely be rigorous, focusing heavily on strategic thinking, process, and impact, not just aesthetics. A well-prepared, tailored portfolio presentation is critical for success.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Design & Prototyping: Figma (highly probable given industry trends and Smartsheet's use of collaborative tools), Sketch, Adobe Creative Suite (Illustrator, Photoshop).
• Collaboration & Communication: Slack, Microsoft Teams, Zoom, Google Workspace.
• Project Management: Jira, Confluence (common in Agile environments for tracking and documentation).

Analytics & Reporting:

• Familiarity with analytics platforms (e.g., Google Analytics, Mixpanel, Amplitude) to understand user behavior and inform design decisions.
• Experience with data visualization tools or dashboards for reporting on design impact.

CRM & Automation:

• While not a direct CRM role, an understanding of how product design integrates with CRM (e.g., Salesforce) and automation platforms (e.g., Zapier, Marketo) for B2B SaaS products can be beneficial for context.

📝 Enhancement Note: Proficiency in Figma is a strong expectation for modern product design roles. Experience with design system tools and collaboration platforms is also key. While direct experience with analytics is not explicitly stated as a requirement, understanding how to leverage data for design decisions is crucial for senior roles.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Customer Focus: A strong emphasis on understanding and serving the needs of business customers, driving user-centric solutions.
• Collaboration: Valuing teamwork and cross-functional partnership to achieve common goals, especially between Design, Product, and Engineering.
• Innovation & Improvement: Encouraging new ideas, continuous learning, and iterative improvement of products and processes.
• Quality & Craftsmanship: Maintaining high standards for design execution, from visual polish to interaction clarity and system integrity.
• Inclusivity: Commitment to designing for all users, embracing accessibility and localization as core principles.

Collaboration Style:

• Partnership: Working closely with Product Management to define product strategy and roadmap, and with Engineering to ensure successful implementation.
• Open Communication: Encouraging direct and honest feedback within the design team and across departments.
• Data-Driven: Using insights from user research and product analytics to guide discussions and decisions.
• Agile Cadence: Participating actively in Agile ceremonies (stand-ups, sprint planning, retrospectives) to ensure smooth workflow and rapid iteration.

📝 Enhancement Note: Smartsheet's stated values around "achieving anything," "empowering teams," and "creating space" suggest a culture that encourages initiative and impact. The emphasis on collaboration, customer-centricity, and continuous improvement aligns well with a senior design role in a growing SaaS company.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Complexity of Enterprise SaaS: Designing for a broad range of business users with diverse needs and varying technical proficiencies within a complex platform.
• Balancing Innovation with Legacy Systems: Evolving the platform while maintaining backward compatibility and supporting existing user workflows.
• Global Collaboration: Effectively collaborating with a distributed team, particularly with a manager in a different time zone, requiring strong asynchronous communication and self-management.
• Design System Evolution: Contributing to and maintaining a design system that scales across a growing product suite and diverse user needs.
• Driving Design Vision: Influencing product direction and advocating for user-centered design in a fast-paced, cross-functional environment.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Advanced Design Skills: Opportunities to refine expertise in areas like complex interaction design, enterprise UX patterns, and scalable design systems.
• Strategic Product Thinking: Developing a deeper understanding of business strategy and how design contributes to overall company objectives.
• Leadership & Mentorship: Gaining experience in leading design initiatives and mentoring junior designers, building leadership capabilities.
• Industry Trends: Staying abreast of emerging trends in SaaS design, collaboration tools, and user experience best practices.
• Cross-Cultural Collaboration: Enhancing skills in working effectively with international teams and navigating different work cultures.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges highlight the complexities inherent in designing for large-scale enterprise software and working within a global, hybrid environment. The growth opportunities are framed around developing both technical design expertise and broader strategic and leadership skills.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a complex B2B product you designed. What were the biggest challenges, and how did you navigate them?" (Focus on your process, problem-solving, and strategic approach.)
• "How do you ensure your designs are user-centered and meet business objectives simultaneously?" (Highlight your UCD process and ability to balance competing priorities.)
• "Walk us through your experience with design systems. How have you contributed to or leveraged them?" (Be ready to discuss scalability, consistency, and efficiency.)
• "How do you approach collaboration with product managers and engineers, especially when there are differing opinions?" (Emphasize your communication, negotiation, and partnership skills.)
• "Describe a time you had to advocate for a design decision based on user research or data." (Showcase your ability to influence and justify your work.)

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What interests you about Smartsheet and our mission?" (Research Smartsheet's product, market position, and company values.)
• "How do you approach inclusive design, including accessibility and localization?" (Demonstrate your commitment to designing for all users.)
• "Describe your ideal work environment and how you thrive in a hybrid setting." (Align your response with Smartsheet's hybrid model and collaborative culture.)
• "How do you manage your workload and prioritize tasks when working autonomously?" (Highlight your organizational skills and self-motivation.)

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure is Key: For each case study, follow a clear narrative: Problem -> Your Role -> Process -> Solution -> Impact.
• Focus on the 'Why': Don't just show what you designed, explain why you made those choices.
• Quantify Impact: Whenever possible, present metrics or outcomes that demonstrate the success of your designs.
• Be Ready for Deep Dives: Anticipate detailed questions about your process, your design decisions, and how you handled specific challenges.
• Practice Your Pitch: Rehearse your presentation to ensure it's concise, engaging, and within the allotted time.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation should focus on demonstrating strategic thinking, a robust UCD process, strong collaboration skills, and a deep understanding of enterprise product design challenges. A well-rehearsed portfolio presentation is crucial.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Sr. Product Designer position:

• Submit your application through the Smartsheet careers portal via the provided link.
• Tailor Your Resume: Highlight experience with B2B/enterprise SaaS products, complex design challenges, and your specific contributions to projects, using keywords from the job description (e.g., User-Centered Design, Design Systems, Agile, Stakeholder Management).
• Curate Your Portfolio: Select your most relevant B2B/enterprise SaaS case studies. Ensure each project clearly outlines the problem, your process, your role, and the impact. Prepare to present these compellingly.
• Prepare for Remote Collaboration: Be ready to discuss your experience working in hybrid environments and collaborating with distributed teams across different time zones.
• Research Smartsheet: Understand their product, market, and company culture. Prepare thoughtful questions for the interviewers to demonstrate your engagement and interest.

⚠️ Important Notice: This enhanced job description includes AI-generated insights and industry-standard assumptions relevant to a Senior Product Designer role in Bangalore. All details should be verified directly with Smartsheet during the application and interview process.