Staff Product Designer - Emerging Products

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Staff Product Designer - Emerging Products Company: Okta Location: Toronto, Ontario, Canada Job Type: Full-Time Category: Product Design / GTM Operations Date Posted: 2026-01-06 Experience Level: 5-10 Years Remote Status: Hybrid

🚀 Role Summary

• Drive product strategy and roadmap definition in collaboration with Product Management and Engineering for Auth0's cutting-edge Emerging Products team.
• Design user experiences across a spectrum of interfaces, including SDKs, CLIs, APIs, and web applications, catering to technical audiences.
• Simplify intricate identity and authorization workflows into intuitive, scalable, and user-friendly design patterns.
• Contribute to and evolve Okta's design system, while actively experimenting with novel design patterns for emerging use cases in AI and identity security.
• Leverage both qualitative and quantitative data to validate design decisions, measure impact, and drive continuous improvement in product development.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the primary function is Product Design, the role's focus on "Emerging Products," "developer platforms," and "B2B SaaS" with an emphasis on "workflows," "scalability," and "data validation" strongly aligns with Go-To-Market (GTM) and Revenue Operations principles. The designer will be instrumental in shaping the user adoption and developer experience of new features, directly impacting GTM success and revenue generation for these nascent products. The "Staff" level designation implies a significant influence on product direction and mentorship, which are key GTM operational considerations.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Partner closely with Product Management and Engineering teams to define product roadmaps, bringing clarity and strategic direction to ambiguous, frontier problems within identity and security.
• Design end-to-end user experiences for technical audiences, encompassing SDKs, CLIs, APIs, and web interfaces, ensuring seamless integration and developer adoption.
• Translate complex identity and authorization concepts (e.g., AI + Identity, Fine-Grained Authorization, Cross-App Access) into elegant, usable, and scalable design patterns.
• Contribute to the enhancement and evolution of Okta's existing design system, while proactively experimenting with and proposing new patterns for emerging use cases.
• Collaborate with UX Research to conduct usability testing, gather user feedback, and translate insights into actionable design improvements and product iterations.
• Utilize qualitative and quantitative data, including user feedback and usage analytics, to validate design decisions and rigorously measure the impact of new features.
• Actively participate in design critiques, sharing work early and often, and fostering a collaborative environment across product, engineering, and design teams.
• Champion and contribute to the overall design culture at Okta, aiming to elevate the standard for craft, collaboration, systems thinking, and impactful product design.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities clearly indicate a strategic role in product development, which is integral to GTM strategy. The emphasis on "translating technical or abstract problems into usable solutions" and "designing for technical audiences" highlights the need for a deep understanding of the target market and their operational workflows, directly impacting product adoption and customer success.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: Bachelor's degree in Design, HCI, Computer Science, or a related field, or equivalent practical experience.

Experience: 6+ years of experience in product design, with a strong emphasis on developer platforms, B2B SaaS, or technical tools.

Required Skills:

• Proven expertise in Product Design, encompassing UI/UX and visual design craft, with a strong portfolio showcasing systems thinking and end-to-end product ownership.
• Demonstrated experience designing for technical audiences, including SDKs, APIs, developer tooling, or security products.
• Ability to translate highly technical or abstract problems into simple, elegant, and usable solutions.
• Comfort and proficiency in navigating ambiguity and thriving in fast-moving, experimental environments.
• Exceptional communication and storytelling skills, with the ability to articulate design decisions and align diverse stakeholders.
• Experience with design systems, including contribution to and evolution of their components and patterns.
• Proficiency in conducting usability testing and leveraging qualitative and quantitative data to inform design decisions.
• Strong collaboration skills, with a track record of working effectively within cross-functional teams.

Preferred Skills:

• Familiarity with front-end development technologies such as React, NextJS, HTML/CSS/JS.
• Familiarity with emerging AI technologies (e.g., v0, LLM prompting, Figma Make) and their application in user experience design.
• Experience leveraging AI tools within the design process, with a keen awareness of ethical and privacy considerations.
• Experience in the identity and access management (IAM) or cybersecurity domains.

📝 Enhancement Note: The requirement for 6+ years of experience, combined with designing for developer platforms and B2B SaaS, points to a senior-level role where strategic thinking and operational impact are paramount. The preference for front-end development familiarity and AI technology knowledge suggests a forward-thinking approach, critical for emerging product success and GTM strategy alignment.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A robust portfolio showcasing a minimum of 6 years of product design experience, with a strong emphasis on end-to-end product ownership and systems thinking.
• Case studies demonstrating the ability to translate complex technical problems (e.g., identity, authorization, developer tools) into elegant and usable solutions.
• Examples of contributions to or creation of design systems, illustrating an understanding of scalable UI patterns and component-based design.
• Projects that highlight collaboration with Product Management and Engineering, demonstrating an ability to influence roadmaps and drive product direction.
• Demonstrations of how qualitative and quantitative data were used to validate design decisions and measure product impact.

Process Documentation:

• Evidence of experience in defining and refining workflows for technical users, such as developers or IT administrators.
• Examples of how complex identity and authorization concepts were simplified into intuitive user flows and interfaces.
• Documentation or case studies showcasing iterative design processes, including user research, prototyping, testing, and refinement.
• Portfolios that illustrate an understanding of designing for both SDKs/APIs and web interfaces, demonstrating a holistic approach to user experience.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a Staff-level Product Designer, especially in an "Emerging Products" team, the portfolio is critical. It must not only showcase design craft but also strategic thinking, problem-solving for technical audiences, and an understanding of how design impacts product adoption and scalability – key GTM operational metrics. The ability to demonstrate process and system thinking is essential.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $159,000 - $191,000 CAD annually.

Benefits:

• Comprehensive Health, Dental, and Vision Insurance.
• RRSP (Registered Retirement Savings Plan) with a company match.
• Healthcare Spending Account.
• Telemedicine services for convenient healthcare access.
• Generous Paid Time Off (PTO) and Parental Leave policies.
• Equity participation (where applicable).
• Bonus eligibility.

Working Hours: Standard full-time hours are assumed to be approximately 40 hours per week, with flexibility often afforded to design professionals to manage project timelines and creative processes effectively.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range provided is specific to Canada. The benefits package is comprehensive, reflecting a commitment to employee well-being and long-term financial security, which are important considerations for attracting and retaining senior talent in competitive tech markets.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Technology, Software (Identity & Access Management, Cloud Security, Developer Platforms). Okta is a leader in the identity space, providing critical infrastructure for secure digital interactions.

Company Size: Okta is a large, established public company with a significant global presence. As of recent data, it employs thousands of individuals worldwide. This scale implies robust processes, opportunities for impact across large user bases, and structured career paths.

Founded: Okta was founded in 2009. Its growth has been substantial, positioning it as a major player in the enterprise software and cloud security market, with Auth0 being a key acquisition enhancing its developer platform capabilities.

Team Structure:

• The design team at Okta is described as "distributed," indicating a global presence with designers working across various time zones.
• Collaboration is emphasized, with designers sharing work early, providing feedback, and working closely with Product Managers and Engineers.
• The "Emerging Products" team within Auth0 is focused on innovation and scaling new identity and security capabilities, suggesting a dynamic and forward-thinking environment.
• At the Staff level, there's an expectation to mentor other designers and set patterns, indicating a leadership and influence component within the team.

Methodology:

• Design processes involve close partnership with Product and Engineering to define roadmaps and tackle ambiguous problems.
• Emphasis on translating abstract technical concepts into usable experiences.
• Use of asynchronous tools (Loom, Figma comments) for efficient communication in a distributed team.
• Iterative design approach involving usability testing, data validation, and continuous learning.
• A strong focus on design systems and systems thinking to ensure scalability and consistency.

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

📝 Enhancement Note: Okta's culture emphasizes collaboration, innovation, and a strong focus on technical excellence. The "Emerging Products" team likely operates with a blend of structured product development and experimental agility, appealing to designers who enjoy shaping the future of technology.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: Staff Product Designer. This is a senior individual contributor role, typically 2-3 levels below senior leadership. It signifies deep expertise, significant influence on product strategy, and the ability to mentor and set technical direction for others. In a GTM context, this role is crucial for shaping the usability and adoption of new products, directly impacting revenue potential.

Reporting Structure: While not explicitly stated, a Staff Product Designer typically reports to a Design Manager or Director of Product Design. They will work closely with Product Managers and Engineering leads within the Emerging Products team.

Operations Impact: This role has a direct impact on the success of new product initiatives. By designing intuitive and effective experiences for technical audiences (developers, IT professionals), the designer directly influences product adoption rates, developer satisfaction, and ultimately, the revenue generated by these emerging products. Their work on SDKs, APIs, and developer tools is foundational to the GTM strategy for Auth0's new capabilities.

Growth Opportunities:

• Technical Specialization: Deepen expertise in cutting-edge areas like AI + Identity, fine-grained authorization, and developer experience.
• Leadership & Mentorship: Grow into a recognized leader within the design organization, mentoring junior designers and influencing design standards across Okta.
• Strategic Influence: Further develop the ability to shape product roadmaps and define the future direction of identity and security solutions.
• Cross-Functional Leadership: Expand influence across Product, Engineering, and potentially Marketing/Sales teams by championing user-centric design principles.
• Potential for Management: With demonstrated leadership and mentorship, there could be a path towards design management roles in the future.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Staff" level designation is key here. It implies that candidates are expected to operate with a high degree of autonomy and strategic input, directly contributing to the operational success of new product launches and their GTM strategies.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Hybrid. The role requires in-person attendance for the first week of employment for onboarding at the Toronto office. Beyond that, a hybrid model is implied, allowing for a mix of remote and in-office work.

Office Location(s): Toronto, Ontario, Canada. This is a major tech hub, offering opportunities for collaboration within the local tech community.

Workspace Context:

• The design team is described as "distributed," suggesting a culture that supports remote collaboration tools and practices.
• The Toronto office likely provides a collaborative environment for team members in the region, facilitating in-person brainstorming and team cohesion.
• Access to modern design tools and technology is expected, aligning with Okta's position as a leading tech company.
• Opportunities for interaction with product management, engineering, and potentially other designers within the Auth0 division.

Work Schedule: Standard full-time hours (approx. 40 hours/week) are expected, with the understanding that design work often requires flexibility to meet project deadlines and creative demands. The hybrid model allows for managing personal and professional commitments effectively.

📝 Enhancement Note: The hybrid nature of the role, combined with the distributed design team, suggests a modern work environment that values flexibility while still recognizing the importance of in-person connection for specific milestones like onboarding.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: HR or Recruiter review of application and resume, focusing on relevant experience and qualifications.
• Hiring Manager Interview: Discussion with the hiring manager to assess fit, experience, and alignment with the role's strategic objectives. Portfolio review may begin here.
• Design Portfolio Review: A dedicated session where candidates present their portfolio, walking through 2-3 key case studies that demonstrate their skills, process, and impact. This is a critical stage for a Staff-level designer.
• Cross-Functional Interviews: Meetings with Product Managers and Engineering Leads from the Emerging Products team to assess collaboration skills, technical understanding, and ability to work within a product development lifecycle.
• Design Team Interview/Critique: An opportunity to meet with other designers, present work, and engage in a design critique, assessing craft, systems thinking, and cultural fit.
• Final Interview/Executive Interview: Potentially a final conversation with a Director or VP to discuss overall fit, strategic thinking, and leadership potential.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select 2-3 projects that best represent your experience with developer platforms, B2B SaaS, and complex technical problems. Prioritize projects that showcase end-to-end ownership and systems thinking.
• Tell a Story: For each case study, clearly articulate the problem, your role, the process you followed (research, ideation, design, testing), the challenges you faced, and the impact of your solutions (metrics, user feedback).
• Highlight Systems Thinking: Emphasize how your designs integrate with or contribute to design systems, ensuring scalability and consistency.
• Showcase Technical Aptitude: Demonstrate your understanding of technical audiences and your ability to design for SDKs, APIs, or developer tools.
• Quantify Impact: Wherever possible, use data (user metrics, adoption rates, conversion improvements) to illustrate the success of your designs.
• Be Prepared for Data-Driven Questions: Expect questions about how you use qualitative and quantitative data to validate designs.

Challenge Preparation:

• While not explicitly mentioned, be prepared for potential design exercises or scenario-based questions related to designing for emerging technologies, ambiguous problems, or complex identity workflows.
• Practice articulating your design process and decision-making rationale clearly and concisely.
• Be ready to discuss your thoughts on the current state and future of identity and AI in technology.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on a "portfolio that demonstrates systems thinking and end-to-end ownership" and the requirement to "translate highly technical or abstract problems into usable, elegant solutions" are key indicators of what the hiring team will scrutinize. Candidates should prepare to speak extensively about their process and impact.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Design & Prototyping: Figma (highly probable, given industry standards and company use of design systems), Sketch, Adobe Creative Suite.
• Collaboration & Communication: Loom (explicitly mentioned for async video), Slack, Microsoft Teams, Zoom.
• Project Management: Jira, Asana, Trello (used in conjunction with Product and Engineering).

Analytics & Reporting:

• Experience using analytics platforms (e.g., Google Analytics, Mixpanel, Amplitude) to gather insights on user behavior and feature adoption.
• Familiarity with data visualization tools for presenting findings.

CRM & Automation:

• While not directly a CRM role, understanding how design impacts user onboarding and adoption within a SaaS environment is beneficial. Familiarity with tools that track user journeys and engagement.
• Experience designing for platforms that may integrate with various APIs and backend services.

📝 Enhancement Note: The explicit mention of Figma and Loom suggests these are core tools. A Staff Product Designer is expected to be proficient in industry-standard design and collaboration tools and capable of using data to inform their work.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Innovation & Experimentation: The "Emerging Products" team inherently values exploring new technologies and approaches, particularly in AI and identity.
• Collaboration & Transparency: The design team emphasizes sharing work early, providing feedback, and working closely with other functions.
• User-Centricity & Empathy: A core value is translating complex technical concepts into usable and elegant solutions for users, especially developers.
• Systems Thinking & Craftsmanship: Contributing to and evolving the design system, and maintaining a high standard of design execution.
• Data-Driven Decision Making: Using both qualitative and quantitative data to validate design choices and measure impact.
• Continuous Learning: Staying abreast of emerging technologies and design trends.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-Functional Partnership: A strong emphasis on working hand-in-hand with Product Management and Engineering to define strategy and execution.
• Asynchronous Communication: Utilizing tools like Loom and Figma comments to maintain effective communication across distributed teams and time zones.
• Iterative Feedback Loops: Encouraging early and frequent sharing of work for constructive critique and improvement.
• Mentorship and Knowledge Sharing: At the Staff level, contributing to the growth of other designers and sharing best practices.

📝 Enhancement Note: The culture seems to prioritize both individual contribution and collaborative effort, with a clear focus on driving innovation in a technical domain. For a GTM operations perspective, the emphasis on user-centricity and data-driven decisions is crucial for successful product launches.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Designing for Ambiguity: The "Emerging Products" team tackles frontier problems, requiring designers to create solutions without established precedents or clear user behaviors.
• Technical Complexity: Translating highly technical concepts (AI, fine-grained authorization, identity protocols) into intuitive user experiences for developers.
• Balancing Innovation with Scalability: Developing new features that are both cutting-edge and designed for future growth and widespread adoption.
• Distributed Team Collaboration: Effectively communicating and collaborating with team members across different time zones and locations.
• Influencing Technical Stakeholders: Gaining buy-in for design decisions from engineering and product teams who may have different priorities or technical perspectives.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Deep Dive into AI & Identity: Gain unparalleled expertise in the intersection of Artificial Intelligence and Identity & Access Management.
• Mastering Developer Experience Design: Hone skills in designing for SDKs, APIs, and developer tooling, a critical area for B2B SaaS growth.
• Design Systems Leadership: Contribute to and influence the evolution of a mature design system at a large tech company.
• Mentorship Programs: Opportunities to mentor junior designers and learn from senior design leaders.
• Industry Conferences & Training: Access to resources for professional development in design, technology, and product development.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges inherent in an "Emerging Products" team offer significant growth opportunities for a designer looking to push boundaries in areas like AI and developer experience, which are increasingly important for GTM strategies in the B2B tech space.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you had to design for a highly technical audience with limited direct user interaction. How did you approach understanding their needs and validating your designs?" (Focus on empathy, research methods, and iterative validation).
• "Walk us through a complex problem you solved using systems thinking. How did your solution integrate with existing design systems or workflows?" (Highlight your ability to think holistically and contribute to scalable design).
• "How would you approach designing a new feature for AI-driven security, considering potential ethical implications and user trust?" (Demonstrate awareness of emerging tech challenges and responsible design practices).
• "Imagine we're developing a new API for fine-grained authorization. What are the key design considerations for making this accessible and powerful for developers?" (Showcase your understanding of API design principles and developer needs).

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What excites you most about Okta's mission and the Emerging Products team's focus?" (Research Okta's vision and Auth0's role in it).
• "How do you contribute to a positive and productive design culture, especially within a distributed team?" (Emphasize collaboration, feedback, and mentorship).
• "Describe a situation where you had to align diverse stakeholders on a design direction. What was your approach, and what was the outcome?" (Showcase your communication and influencing skills).

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure: Begin with a brief overview of your background and career goals, then dive into 2-3 carefully selected case studies.
• Case Study Depth: For each case study, clearly articulate:
  • The Problem: What was the business or user challenge?
  • Your Role & Scope: What were your specific responsibilities?
  • The Process: Detail your research, ideation, prototyping, and testing phases. Use visuals to illustrate your journey.
  • The Solution: Showcase the final designs and explain the rationale behind key decisions.
  • The Impact: Quantify the results (e.g., increased adoption, improved conversion, positive user feedback) or describe qualitative outcomes.
• Highlight Systems: Explicitly point out how your work contributes to or utilizes design systems.
• Technical Audience Focus: Emphasize your understanding of designing for developers or technical users.
• Q&A Readiness: Be prepared to answer in-depth questions about your choices, process, and the impact of your work.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview preparation should focus on demonstrating strategic thinking, problem-solving for complex technical challenges, and a strong understanding of how design impacts product adoption and business outcomes within a GTM context.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Staff Product Designer position:

• Submit your application through the Okta careers portal via the provided URL.
• Curate Your Portfolio: Select 2-3 of your strongest case studies that best highlight your experience with developer platforms, B2B SaaS, complex technical problems, and end-to-end product ownership. Ensure these showcase systems thinking and data-informed decision-making.
• Tailor Your Resume: Optimize your resume to emphasize your 6+ years of product design experience, key skills in UI/UX, systems design, and experience with technical audiences. Use keywords from the job description such as "developer platforms," "B2B SaaS," "systems thinking," and "AI technologies."
• Prepare Your Presentation: Practice presenting your portfolio case studies, focusing on clear storytelling, articulating your process, and demonstrating the impact of your design decisions. Be ready to discuss your approach to ambiguous problems and technical complexity.
• Research Okta & Auth0: Understand Okta's mission, its position in the identity market, and Auth0's specific focus on developer platforms. Familiarize yourself with their existing products and design language if possible.

⚠️ 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.

---