Staff Product Designer

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Staff Product Designer Company: VTEX Location: Brazil Job Type: Full-time Category: Product Design / UX/UI Operations Date Posted: August 13, 2025 Experience Level: 5-10 Years Remote Status: Remote OK

🚀 Role Summary

• Lead end-to-end product design processes, from concept to launch, ensuring exceptional user experiences for VTEX customers and end consumers.
• Influence product strategy by translating complex business and user needs into intuitive, high-quality design solutions.
• Mentor fellow designers, fostering a collaborative environment focused on design excellence and innovation.
• Drive product evolution by balancing short-term improvements with long-term strategic vision, identifying and prioritizing opportunities based on user needs and market trends.
• Collaborate closely with Product Managers, Engineers, Researchers, and other stakeholders to deliver consistent and scalable design solutions within a dynamic product ecosystem.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is positioned as a senior individual contributor with significant influence on product strategy and design direction. The emphasis on "Staff" level indicates a need for leadership in design thinking, process improvement, and cross-functional collaboration, aligning with senior operations roles that drive strategic initiatives.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• End-to-End Design Leadership: Own the complete design lifecycle for product initiatives, from initial concept and user research through to high-fidelity prototyping, usability testing, and final implementation.
• Strategic Product Influence: Actively contribute to product roadmaps by articulating a clear UX vision, presenting design strategies, and advocating for user-centric solutions based on research and data.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Partner effectively with Product Management, Engineering, Research, and Marketing teams to ensure design alignment, negotiate technical constraints, and facilitate seamless product development.
• Mentorship and Design Advocacy: Provide guidance and mentorship to junior and mid-level designers, promoting best practices, design system adherence, and continuous skill development within the team.
• User Research and Insights: Plan and execute user research activities with both VTEX merchants (customers) and end consumers to gather actionable insights, define requirements, and validate design decisions.
• Process Innovation and Optimization: Facilitate design sprints, workshops, and brainstorming sessions to drive innovation, solve complex problems, and foster a culture of continuous improvement in design processes.
• Design System Evolution: Contribute to the advancement and implementation of VTEX's Design System, ensuring consistency, scalability, and efficiency across the product suite.
• Performance Monitoring: Implement and monitor product metrics, leveraging data to inform design iterations and measure the impact of design solutions on user behavior and business objectives.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a blend of strategic thinking, hands-on design execution, and leadership. For an operations professional, this translates to managing design workflows, optimizing user journeys within the e-commerce platform, and driving efficiency through design system implementation and AI tool integration.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

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

Experience:

• Minimum of 5 years of progressive experience in interaction design, UX/UI design, or product design within a digital product development environment.
• Proven track record of successfully leading design projects from concept to launch, with a strong portfolio demonstrating impactful digital product work.
• Experience in a senior or lead design capacity, with demonstrated ability to provide technical leadership and mentorship to other designers.
• Background in e-commerce solutions is highly desirable, offering insights into platform complexities and user behaviors within this domain.

Required Skills:

• Interaction Design Expertise: Deep understanding of user-centered design principles, information architecture, and interaction patterns for complex digital products.
• UX/UI Proficiency: Mastery in creating user flows, wireframes, concept mockups, and high-fidelity prototypes using industry-standard design tools.
• Product Design Strategy: Ability to develop and articulate comprehensive product design strategies that align with business goals and user needs.
• Research and Testing: Proficient in planning and conducting qualitative and quantitative user research, including usability testing, user interviews, and requirements gathering.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Strong ability to work effectively with Product Managers, Engineers, and other stakeholders, influencing product roadmaps and negotiating technical decisions.
• Communication and Presentation: Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to present design concepts and rationale compellingly to diverse audiences. Fluency in spoken and written English is essential.
• Problem-Solving: Capacity to translate complex user needs and business requirements into simple, elegant, and user-friendly interface solutions.

Preferred Skills:

• Design Systems: Experience in contributing to or evolving Design Systems to ensure consistency and scalability across a product portfolio.
• E-commerce Domain Knowledge: Familiarity with e-commerce platforms, merchant workflows, and consumer shopping behaviors.
• AI Tools for Design: Experience leveraging AI tools to enhance design processes, generate ideas, or improve efficiency.
• Agile Methodologies: Understanding of Agile development processes and experience working within cross-functional, iterative teams.
• Data Analysis & Metrics: Ability to interpret product metrics, conduct effort/impact estimations, and use data to inform design decisions.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Staff" designation implies a need for strategic leadership and mentorship, alongside deep technical expertise in interaction design. Candidates should be prepared to demonstrate how they've influenced product direction and mentored junior team members.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Impactful Case Studies: Showcase 3-5 detailed case studies demonstrating end-to-end product design ownership, from problem definition and user research to solution implementation and measurable outcomes.
• Strategic Thinking: Highlight instances where you influenced product strategy, identified key opportunities, and drove design initiatives that aligned with business objectives.
• Problem-Solving: Present complex problems you've solved, detailing your design process, rationale, and the trade-offs made.
• User-Centricity: Clearly articulate how user needs and research insights informed your design decisions and led to improved user experiences.
• Collaboration Evidence: Include examples or descriptions of how you collaborated with product managers, engineers, and researchers, and how you managed feedback and iterative development.
• Technical Proficiency: Demonstrate your proficiency with design tools (e.g., Figma, Sketch, Adobe XD) and your ability to create user flows, wireframes, interactive prototypes, and high-fidelity mockups.

Process Documentation:

• Workflow Design: Provide examples of how you've mapped and optimized user workflows for clarity and efficiency within digital products.
• Usability Testing Protocols: Showcase your approach to planning, conducting, and analyzing usability tests to gather actionable feedback.
• Design System Contributions: If applicable, include examples of your contributions to design systems, such as creating new components, updating guidelines, or ensuring compliance.
• Cross-functional Alignment: Demonstrate how you've documented and communicated design decisions to ensure alignment across engineering, product, and other relevant teams.

📝 Enhancement Note: A strong portfolio is crucial for this role, emphasizing not just visual design but strategic thinking, problem-solving, and the ability to drive product impact through design. Operations candidates should focus on showcasing process efficiency, data-driven decision-making, and cross-functional collaboration in their portfolio.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: Given the location (Brazil) and the "Staff" level experience requirement (5+ years), a competitive salary range would be estimated between BRL 150,000 to BRL 250,000 annually. This range is based on industry benchmarks for senior product design roles in major tech hubs in Brazil, considering the company's global presence and the specialized nature of e-commerce platform design.

Benefits:

• Annual profit-sharing program and equity eligibility, aligning incentives with company performance.
• Comprehensive health, dental, and life insurance with national coverage provided by VTEX.
• Annual budget allocated for professional development in Tech, supporting continuous learning and skill enhancement.
• Language development incentive program (English, Spanish, Portuguese), aiding in communication and global collaboration.
• Flexible meal allowance to support daily needs.
• Extended parental leaves and child-care assistance, promoting work-life balance and family support.
• Flexible work schedule and a remote-first culture, offering autonomy and convenience.
• Financial assistance to build an effective work-from-home setup, ensuring a productive remote environment.
• Wellness program to support employee health and well-being.
• Access to free shipping on over 1000 VTEX stores, a unique perk for employees.

Working Hours: The role is based on a standard 40-hour work week, with a flexible work schedule and a remote-first culture, allowing for adaptable working hours to accommodate personal needs and optimize productivity, common in global tech organizations.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary estimate is based on publicly available data for senior tech roles in Brazil and VTEX's employee compensation policies. The benefits package is extensive, focusing on professional growth, well-being, and work-life integration, which are key considerations for operations professionals seeking stable and supportive employment.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: E-commerce Platform / Digital Commerce Technology. VTEX operates in a highly competitive and rapidly evolving digital commerce landscape, requiring agility, innovation, and a deep understanding of market trends. Company Size: Over 1,300 employees globally, with a significant presence in 25 locations across 16 countries. This size indicates a robust, established organization with ample resources and a global reach, offering opportunities for diverse project involvement and cross-cultural collaboration. Founded: 2000. With over two decades of experience, VTEX has a mature understanding of the e-commerce market and a proven track record of growth and adaptation, positioning it as a stable yet innovative employer.

Team Structure:

• Product Design Team: Works at the intersection of strategy, technology, and creativity, focusing on delivering consistent, high-quality user experiences across VTEX's digital product ecosystem.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Designers work closely with Product Managers, Engineers, and Researchers, forming integrated teams focused on specific product areas or initiatives.
• Reporting: Staff Designers typically report to a Design Lead, Head of Product Design, or a similar senior leadership role within the product organization.

Methodology:

• Agile & Iterative Development: VTEX likely employs agile methodologies, emphasizing iterative development, continuous feedback, and rapid prototyping to adapt to market changes and user needs.
• Data-Driven Design: Decisions are informed by user research, A/B testing, product metrics, and market analysis to ensure solutions are effective and impactful.
• Design System Centricity: A strong emphasis on leveraging and evolving a Design System to ensure consistency, efficiency, and scalability across the VTEX platform.

Company Website: www.vtex.com

📝 Enhancement Note: VTEX's culture is described as "challenge-driven" and "unstoppable," suggesting an environment that values ambition, innovation, and resilience. For operations professionals, this means adapting to fast-paced environments and contributing to strategic growth initiatives.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: Staff Product Designer. This is a senior individual contributor role, representing a significant level of expertise and influence within the design and product development function. It signifies a move beyond execution to strategic leadership, mentorship, and driving design vision. Reporting Structure: The Staff Product Designer will report to a senior design leader, such as a Design Manager or Head of Product Design. They will collaborate closely with Product Managers and Engineering Leads, acting as a key partner in product strategy and execution. Operations Impact: The role has a direct impact on the usability, efficiency, and overall success of VTEX's e-commerce platform. By designing intuitive user experiences, the designer contributes to increased merchant adoption, customer satisfaction, and ultimately, revenue growth and operational efficiency for VTEX and its clients.

Growth Opportunities:

• Leadership in Design: Potential to grow into leadership roles such as Principal Product Designer, Design Lead, or Head of Product Design, managing teams and setting strategic design direction.
• Specialization: Opportunity to deepen expertise in specific areas of e-commerce design, UX research, design systems, or emerging technologies like AI in design.
• Cross-Functional Mobility: As a senior figure, there's potential to move into Product Management or other strategic roles within the organization, leveraging a deep understanding of user needs and product development.
• Industry Influence: Contribute to the broader design community through speaking engagements, publications, or leading industry initiatives related to e-commerce design and composable commerce.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Staff" designation is a clear indicator of a career path that emphasizes leadership, strategic contribution, and deep domain expertise, mirroring the progression seen in senior operations roles that manage critical business functions and drive strategic change.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: VTEX operates with a "remote-first culture," complemented by physical office spaces in various locations. This hybrid approach allows for flexibility while maintaining opportunities for in-person collaboration. Office Location(s): VTEX has 25 locations in 16 countries across Latin America, North America, Europe, and Asia. Specific presence within Brazil would be key for local candidates but the remote-first nature allows for broader talent acquisition.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Spaces: While remote-first, the company likely fosters digital collaboration tools and potentially physical co-working spaces or offices that encourage team interaction and brainstorming.
• Technology Stack: Employees are equipped with the necessary tools and technology to work effectively remotely, including financial assistance for home office setups. Access to sophisticated design and collaboration software is standard.
• Team Interaction: Opportunities for interaction with design, product, and engineering teams through regular virtual meetings, workshops, and dedicated communication channels.

Work Schedule: The "flexible work schedule" coupled with a "remote-first culture" suggests a results-oriented environment where employees have autonomy over their working hours, as long as deliverables are met and collaboration with global teams is maintained. This aligns well with the demands of complex operations and design tasks that may require focused, uninterrupted work periods.

📝 Enhancement Note: The remote-first approach with flexible schedules is a key aspect of VTEX's work environment, appealing to professionals who value autonomy and work-life integration, common in operations roles that require deep focus and self-management.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A brief call with a recruiter to assess basic qualifications, cultural fit, and interest in the role.
• Portfolio Review & Presentation: A deeper dive into the candidate's portfolio, often with a presentation of 1-2 key case studies, focusing on design process, problem-solving, and impact.
• Hiring Manager Interview: Discussion with the hiring manager (likely a Design Lead or Head of Design) to evaluate strategic thinking, leadership potential, mentorship capabilities, and alignment with team goals.
• Cross-functional Interviews: Meetings with Product Managers, Engineers, or other key stakeholders to assess collaboration skills, technical understanding, and ability to integrate design within the product development lifecycle.
• Design Challenge/Exercise (Potential): Candidates might be asked to complete a take-home design challenge or participate in a live design critique session to assess practical skills and problem-solving approaches.
• Final Interview: A final discussion, potentially with a more senior leader, focusing on overall fit, vision, and long-term contributions.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Tell a Story: Structure your case studies to tell a clear narrative: the problem, your role, the process, the solution, and the impact (quantified where possible).
• Showcase Strategic Thinking: Emphasize how you influenced product strategy, conducted research, and made key design decisions that drove business results.
• Highlight Collaboration: Demonstrate how you worked with cross-functional teams, managed feedback, and navigated trade-offs.
• Focus on Impact: Quantify your achievements whenever possible (e.g., increased conversion rates, reduced task completion time, improved user satisfaction scores).
• Tailor to VTEX: Research VTEX's products and understand their customer base (merchants and end consumers) to contextualize your work.

Challenge Preparation:

• Understand the Context: If a design challenge is given, thoroughly understand the problem statement, target users, and business goals.
• Design Process Focus: Clearly articulate your thought process, research methods, and decision-making rationale.
• Efficiency & Scalability: Consider how your solutions are efficient, scalable, and aligned with the principles of composable commerce.
• Presentation Skills: Prepare to present your work clearly and concisely, addressing potential questions about your approach and solutions.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process is designed to assess not only design skills but also strategic thinking, leadership potential, and collaborative capabilities, mirroring the comprehensive evaluation of operations professionals in senior roles.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Design & Prototyping: Figma (highly probable given industry trends), Sketch, Adobe Creative Suite (Illustrator, Photoshop), InVision, Axure RP. Candidates are expected to be proficient in at least one primary design and prototyping tool.
• Collaboration & Communication: Slack, Microsoft Teams, Zoom, Google Workspace (Docs, Sheets, Slides). Essential for remote collaboration and cross-functional communication.
• Project Management: Jira, Asana, Trello. For tracking design tasks, sprints, and project progress within the product development lifecycle.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Web Analytics: Google Analytics, Adobe Analytics. To understand user behavior on e-commerce platforms.
• Product Analytics: Mixpanel, Amplitude. For in-depth analysis of user interactions and feature adoption.
• Data Visualization: Tableau, Power BI (less common for designers, but useful for understanding data). To interpret and present performance metrics.

CRM & Automation:

• CRM: Salesforce, Hubspot (for understanding sales/marketing context, though not direct design tools).
• Integration Tools: Understanding of APIs and how different systems connect is beneficial, especially in a composable commerce environment.
• AI Tools: Mentioned as a preferred skill, suggesting potential use of AI-powered design assistants, content generation tools, or data analysis aids.

📝 Enhancement Note: Proficiency with modern design tools and collaboration platforms is essential. Familiarity with analytics tools and an understanding of how design impacts key business and operational metrics (like conversion rates, task completion, and user satisfaction) is highly valued.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• User-Centricity: A core value focused on deeply understanding and advocating for the needs of VTEX's merchants and end consumers in every design decision.
• Innovation & Agility: Embracing new ideas, technologies (like AI), and methodologies to continuously improve product experiences and processes in a fast-paced market.
• Collaboration & Transparency: Fostering open communication and strong partnerships across product, engineering, and other departments to ensure alignment and shared success.
• Excellence & Ownership: Taking pride in delivering high-quality, polished, and effective design solutions, owning projects from start to finish, and driving for impactful results.
• Continuous Improvement: A commitment to learning, adapting, and refining design processes, skills, and product outcomes based on feedback and data.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-Functional Integration: Designers are integrated into product teams, working closely with Product Managers and Engineers throughout the development cycle.
• Design Critiques: Regular design review sessions are likely held to provide constructive feedback, share learnings, and ensure design quality and consistency.
• Knowledge Sharing: Encouragement of sharing best practices, case studies, and industry trends within the design team and across relevant departments.
• Feedback Loops: Establishing clear channels for receiving and giving feedback to ensure continuous improvement in both design output and team dynamics.

📝 Enhancement Note: VTEX's culture emphasizes being "unstoppable together," suggesting a highly collaborative and results-oriented environment. For operations professionals, this translates to a culture that values teamwork, shared responsibility, and a proactive approach to problem-solving.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Complexity of E-commerce Ecosystem: Navigating the intricate needs of a diverse range of merchants and end consumers within a composable commerce platform requires deep understanding and strategic design.
• Balancing Short-term vs. Long-term Goals: Effectively managing competing demands, delivering incremental improvements while also shaping the future vision of the product.
• Cross-functional Alignment: Ensuring consistent design vision and execution across multiple product teams and stakeholders with varying priorities.
• Rapid Technological Evolution: Keeping pace with advancements in e-commerce technology, AI, and design tools to maintain a competitive edge.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Advanced Design Methodologies: Opportunities to explore and implement cutting-edge design techniques, user research methods, and UX strategies.
• Industry Conferences & Training: Access to resources for attending relevant industry events, workshops, and online courses to enhance skills in UX/UI, product strategy, and e-commerce.
• Mentorship Programs: Formal and informal mentorship opportunities with senior design leaders and peers to foster career growth and skill development.
• Exposure to Global Markets: Working on products used by a global customer base provides exposure to diverse user behaviors and market nuances.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges presented are typical for senior roles in dynamic tech environments and offer significant opportunities for professional development, skill acquisition, and strategic impact, mirroring the growth potential in advanced operations roles.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "How would you approach designing a new feature for VTEX's checkout process to improve conversion rates for merchants?" (Focus on process, user research, metrics)
• "Describe a time you had to influence product strategy with a design-led insight. What was the outcome?" (Highlight strategic thinking, collaboration, impact)
• "How do you balance the need for rapid iteration with maintaining design consistency and quality?" (Showcase process management, design system thinking)
• "How do you leverage user research to inform your design decisions, especially when dealing with conflicting stakeholder opinions?" (Emphasize research methodology, communication, negotiation)

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What excites you about VTEX and its mission in the e-commerce space?" (Research VTEX's composable commerce model and market position)
• "How do you approach mentorship and contributing to a design team's growth?" (Demonstrate leadership and team collaboration skills)
• "How do you stay updated on the latest trends in UX/UI design and e-commerce technology?" (Showcase continuous learning and industry awareness)
• "Describe your experience working in a remote-first or hybrid environment." (Highlight self-management, communication, and collaboration strategies)

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure: Begin with a high-level overview of your role and the project's goals.
• Problem & Solution: Clearly articulate the user problem and your proposed design solution.
• Process & Rationale: Detail your design process, research methods, key decisions, and the rationale behind them.
• Impact & Metrics: Quantify the impact of your design solution, referencing relevant metrics or user feedback.
• Collaboration: Briefly mention how you collaborated with cross-functional teams.
• Conciseness: Be mindful of time limits and focus on the most impactful aspects of your work.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation should focus on demonstrating strategic thinking, a robust design process, strong communication skills, and a clear understanding of how design contributes to business objectives and operational efficiency, much like preparing for a senior operations role.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Staff Product Designer position:

• Submit your application through the provided link on Greenhouse.
• Portfolio Customization: Ensure your portfolio prominently features case studies that highlight end-to-end design leadership, strategic influence, problem-solving, and measurable impact. Tailor your presentation to VTEX's context in composable commerce.
• Resume Optimization: Update your resume to emphasize your 5+ years of experience in interaction design, leadership in design projects, cross-functional collaboration, and any e-commerce relevant experience. Use keywords from the job description such as "end-to-end design," "product strategy," "mentorship," and "user research."
• Interview Preparation: Practice articulating your design process, presenting case studies effectively, and answering behavioral questions related to leadership, collaboration, and problem-solving. Be ready to discuss your experience with design systems and AI tools.
• Company Research: Thoroughly research VTEX, its products, its market position, and its company culture. Understand their "composable commerce" approach and how design plays a role in delivering value to merchants and end consumers.

⚠️ 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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