UX Product Designer, Homes.com

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: UX Product Designer, Homes.com Company: CoStar Group Location: Arlington, VA, United States Job Type: FULL_TIME Category: Product Design / User Experience Date Posted: 2025-09-19 Experience Level: Mid-Level (3+ years) Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• Drive the end-to-end design process for Homes.com, encompassing strategy, user flows, prototyping, and visual design to create elegant and polished software solutions for homebuyers.
• Collaborate closely with product managers, researchers, engineers, and marketing leads within a high-functioning, agile product team to architect world-class user journeys and deliver innovative digital products.
• Leverage diverse research techniques, including surveys, interviews, observations, and data analysis, to deeply understand customer needs and translate insights into user-centered design decisions.
• Champion design excellence by setting high standards for usability and aesthetic appeal, ensuring a seamless and engaging experience for millions of unique monthly visitors to Homes.com.
• Actively contribute to and influence the evolution of CoStar Group's emerging design system, promoting flexible solutions and best practices in interaction design across platforms.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the job title is "UX Product Designer," the core responsibilities and required skills strongly align with a dedicated product designer role focused on user experience within a digital marketplace. The emphasis on collaboration with product managers and engineers, along with direct contribution to product strategy and user journeys, indicates a significant product-centric aspect to this UX role, rather than a purely UX research or UI design focus.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Lead the entire design lifecycle for key product initiatives, from initial concept and strategy development through user flow mapping, interactive prototyping, and final visual design execution.
• Foster strong, collaborative partnerships with cross-functional stakeholders, including product management, engineering, user research, and marketing teams, to ensure cohesive product development and successful feature launches.
• Conduct and analyze user research, employing a variety of qualitative and quantitative methods, to gather actionable insights that inform design decisions and validate user-centered solutions.
• Define and maintain high standards for visual design and interaction design, balancing user needs with business objectives and aesthetic appeal to create intuitive and engaging user experiences.
• Translate complex user needs and business requirements into clear, effective design deliverables such as wireframes, user flows, mockups, and interactive prototypes for review and iteration.
• Contribute to and enhance the company's design system, creating reusable components and patterns that ensure consistency, scalability, and efficiency across the Homes.com platform.
• Mentor and elevate the design team's capabilities by sharing expertise and leading initiatives in user testing methodologies, design research, and interaction design best practices.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a senior-level contribution to design strategy and execution. The mention of "leading a design effort" and "contributing to our emerging design system" suggests a role that not only executes design but also influences and shapes the design practice and its foundational elements within Homes.com.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited, not-for-profit university or college in Design, Human-Computer Interaction, Computer Science, or a related field.

Experience:

• A minimum of 3 years of progressive experience in product design, human-computer interaction (HCI), usability, user interface (UI) design, and/or visual design within a digital product environment.
• Demonstrated experience working within an Agile development framework, collaborating effectively with cross-functional teams in iterative product cycles.
• A proven track record of commitment and successful contributions to prior employers, reflecting reliability and dedication.

Required Skills:

• Exceptional design sensibility and a keen eye for detail, with the ability to elevate designs from a functional state to a polished, market-leading standard.
• Strong proficiency in sketching, wireframing, and creating interactive prototypes to effectively communicate and test design concepts.
• Expertise in industry-standard design and prototyping tools, specifically Sketch and Invision, for creating high-fidelity mockups and interactive user flows.
• Deep understanding of best practices for interaction design across multiple platforms and device types, ensuring consistent and intuitive user experiences.
• Robust problem-solving abilities coupled with strong critical thinking skills to address complex design challenges and user needs.
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills, essential for working effectively within a multidisciplinary team and presenting design solutions.

Preferred Skills:

• Proven experience in developing and maintaining a comprehensive Design System, including establishing guidelines, components, and best practices.
• Experience in defining and tracking key product metrics, understanding how design decisions impact user engagement and business outcomes.
• Aptitude and enthusiasm for working with data, information architecture, and presentation concepts, collaborating with data-driven colleagues.
• A genuine interest in the real estate industry, which can provide valuable context and insights for designing user experiences in this domain.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "3+ years" requirement positions this role at a mid-level, where candidates are expected to lead design efforts and contribute to foundational elements like a design system, not just execute tasks. The preference for data analysis and real estate interest suggests a desire for designers who can connect design decisions to business impact and industry nuances.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A comprehensive portfolio showcasing a strong track record of successful product design projects, demonstrating expertise in user-centered design principles and execution.
• Evidence of leading design efforts from conception through to final delivery, highlighting strategic thinking, user flow development, and visual design capabilities.
• Case studies that clearly articulate the problem statement, design process, user research methodologies employed, and the final solution's impact.
• Demonstrations of prototyping skills, providing interactive examples that illustrate user journeys and interaction design.
• Examples of contributions to design systems or style guides, showcasing an understanding of consistency, scalability, and component-based design.

Process Documentation:

• Portfolios should detail the design process followed for each project, including how user research and data analysis informed design decisions.
• Clear articulation of how wireframes, user flows, and mockups were used to communicate design intent and gather feedback.
• Documentation of any user testing, usability studies, or A/B testing conducted and how the results influenced design iterations.
• Examples of how design solutions were implemented and integrated within an Agile development workflow.

📝 Enhancement Note: The explicit requirement for a portfolio is critical for this role. Candidates should focus on showcasing not just the final visual output but the entire process, including research, ideation, iteration, and measurable outcomes, especially demonstrating how they've contributed to design systems or improved user flows.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: For an on-site UX Product Designer with 3+ years of experience in Arlington, VA, the estimated salary range is typically between $90,000 - $130,000 annually. This estimate is based on industry benchmarks for mid-level design roles in the Washington D.C. metropolitan area, considering the cost of living and demand for skilled UX professionals.

Benefits:

• Comprehensive healthcare coverage: Medical, Vision, Dental, and Prescription Drug plans.
• Life, Legal, and Supplementary Insurance options for enhanced personal security.
• Virtual and in-person mental health counseling services, supporting employee well-being.
• Commuter and parking benefits to ease daily travel to the office.
• 401(K) retirement plan with company matching contributions to support long-term financial goals.
• Employee Stock Purchase Plan, offering an opportunity to invest in the company's growth.
• Generous Paid Time Off (PTO) to promote work-life balance and employee rejuvenation.
• Tuition reimbursement program to support continuous learning and professional development.
• On-site fitness center or reimbursed fitness center membership costs, promoting physical health.
• Access to CoStar Group’s Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion Employee Resource Groups, fostering an inclusive environment.
• Complimentary gourmet coffee, tea, hot chocolate, fresh fruit, and other healthy snacks provided in the office.

Working Hours:

• Standard full-time working hours, typically 40 hours per week.
• The role is based in Arlington, VA, and requires in-office presence Monday through Friday, indicating a traditional on-site work arrangement.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range is an estimate for a mid-level UX Product Designer in the specified location. Actual compensation may vary based on specific experience, skills, and negotiation. The benefits package is extensive and highlights CoStar Group's commitment to employee well-being and professional growth.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: CoStar Group operates within the Commercial and Residential Real Estate Information, Analytics, and Online Marketplaces sector. Homes.com specifically focuses on the residential real estate portal market, aiming to disrupt and lead through innovation in property search and agent experiences. This industry context means a data-driven approach, a focus on market trends, and a need for digital solutions that cater to both consumers and professionals.

Company Size: CoStar Group is a large, established global company, indicated by its S&P 500 and NASDAQ 100 listings. This implies robust infrastructure, significant resources, and a structured corporate environment. For operations professionals, this often translates to opportunities for impact within a large ecosystem, access to advanced tools, and clear career paths, though it may also mean navigating larger organizational structures.

Founded: CoStar Group was founded over 35 years ago, establishing a long history and deep expertise in real estate information. Homes.com, while part of this established entity, is presented as a newer, rapidly growing initiative aiming for market leadership. This blend of established stability and startup-like dynamism can offer a unique work environment.

Team Structure: The UX Product Designer will be part of a "high-functioning and highly collaborative product team." This team likely includes Product Managers, Engineers, Researchers, and potentially other Designers. The reporting structure would typically place the designer under a Design Lead or Head of Product/Design, working closely with Product Managers on specific product roadmaps. Collaboration is emphasized as a core requirement, suggesting a team that works interdependently and shares ownership.

Methodology: The team operates within an Agile environment, which is standard for fast-paced technology companies. This involves iterative development cycles, regular feedback loops, and close collaboration between design, product, and engineering. The emphasis on user research, data analysis, and improving design practices suggests a methodology that is both user-centric and data-informed, with a continuous improvement mindset.

Company Website: https://www.costargroup.com/ and https://www.homes.com/

📝 Enhancement Note: The company's established presence combined with the aggressive growth strategy for Homes.com suggests an environment where innovation is encouraged, but within a framework of established business practices. Understanding CoStar's broader market position is crucial for understanding the scale and impact of the Homes.com product.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is positioned at a mid-level, typically requiring 3+ years of experience. It signifies a step beyond junior designer roles, where individuals are expected to take ownership of significant design challenges, contribute to product strategy, and influence design practices. It’s a crucial stage for developing leadership capabilities in design execution and team collaboration.

Reporting Structure: The UX Product Designer will likely report to a Design Lead, Senior Design Manager, or potentially a Director of Product Design. They will work in close partnership with Product Managers and Engineering Leads on specific product features and roadmaps. This structure allows for direct mentorship from senior design leaders while fostering strong working relationships with product and engineering counterparts.

Operations Impact: The impact of this role is directly tied to the success of Homes.com, a key strategic initiative for CoStar Group. By creating intuitive and engaging user experiences, the designer will contribute significantly to user acquisition, retention, and overall platform engagement. Their work will directly influence how millions of users interact with the Homes.com platform, impacting conversion rates, user satisfaction, and ultimately, the company's market position and revenue generation.

Growth Opportunities:

• Specialization: Opportunity to deepen expertise in specific areas of UX design, such as user research, interaction design, or design systems.
• Leadership: Potential to grow into a Senior UX Designer role, leading larger design initiatives, mentoring junior designers, and taking on more strategic product responsibilities.
• Cross-functional Expertise: Develop a strong understanding of product management, engineering processes, and market dynamics within the real estate tech sector.
• Design System Contribution: Play a significant role in building and scaling a design system, a highly valuable skill set in the industry.
• Advancement within CoStar: The success of Homes.com could lead to opportunities within other CoStar Group brands or divisions, leveraging acquired experience and network.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "growth opportunities" are framed around developing specialized design skills, taking on leadership responsibilities within the design discipline, and potentially expanding influence across the broader CoStar Group ecosystem, reflecting a typical career trajectory for successful product designers in large tech companies.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The position is based in Arlington, VA, and is described as "in office Monday through Friday." This indicates a traditional, on-site work environment with a clear expectation of full-time physical presence in the office, fostering in-person collaboration and team cohesion.

Office Location(s): The primary office location mentioned is Arlington, VA. This area is a significant business hub within the Washington D.C. metropolitan area, known for its accessibility and concentration of technology and government-related companies.

Workspace Context: Working in an on-site environment at a company like CoStar Group generally means access to modern office amenities and a structured professional setting.

• Collaborative Environment: The emphasis on a "highly collaborative product team" suggests that the workspace will be designed to facilitate interaction, with shared spaces, meeting rooms, and potentially open-plan areas that encourage communication and brainstorming.
• Tools and Technology: Employees will have access to the necessary hardware, software (including design tools like Sketch and Invision), and IT support required for their roles. This includes robust network infrastructure and potentially specialized equipment for design and prototyping.
• Team Interaction: Being on-site allows for spontaneous interactions, informal feedback sessions, and easier participation in team activities or design critiques, which are crucial for a collaborative design process.

Work Schedule: The standard work schedule is full-time, expected to be 40 hours per week. The explicit requirement for Monday-Friday in-office presence suggests a structured work week, with a focus on team presence and collaboration during core business hours.

📝 Enhancement Note: The mandatory on-site presence is a key factor for candidates to consider. It suggests a preference for direct, in-person collaboration, which can be beneficial for design team synergy and rapid iteration, but may not suit individuals seeking remote flexibility.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process: The interview process for a UX Product Designer at CoStar Group typically involves multiple stages designed to assess skills, experience, and cultural fit:

1. Application Screening: Initial review of resume and portfolio to ensure basic qualifications are met.
2. Hiring Manager/Recruiter Screen: A preliminary conversation to discuss background, motivations, and alignment with the role and company culture.
3. Design Challenge/Portfolio Review: Candidates are usually asked to present their portfolio, discussing specific projects, their design process, problem-solving approaches, and the impact of their work. This may include a specific design exercise or case study presentation.
4. Team Interviews: Meetings with potential peers and cross-functional collaborators (Product Managers, Engineers, other Designers) to assess collaboration skills and technical understanding.
5. Final Interview: Often with senior leadership (e.g., Head of Design/Product) to evaluate strategic thinking, overall fit, and long-term potential.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Select Projects: Choose 3-4 of your strongest, most relevant projects that best showcase your skills in product strategy, user flow design, prototyping, and visual execution for digital products.
• Tell a Story: For each project, clearly articulate the problem you were solving, your specific role and contributions, the methodologies you employed (research, ideation, testing), the challenges encountered, and the final outcomes or impact (quantifiable where possible).
• Highlight Process: Emphasize your design process, showing how you moved from understanding user needs to iterating on solutions. Include sketches, wireframes, user flows, and interactive prototypes.
• Showcase Design System Contribution (if applicable): If you have experience building or contributing to a design system, dedicate a section to it, explaining its structure, components, and benefits.
• Prepare for Questions: Anticipate questions about your design decisions, how you handle feedback, how you collaborate with engineers and PMs, and how you measure success.

Challenge Preparation:

• Understand the Product: Familiarize yourself with Homes.com and its competitors. Identify potential user pain points or areas for improvement.
• Design Exercise: If a specific design challenge is provided, focus on understanding the prompt thoroughly. Plan your approach, allocate time for different stages (ideation, sketching, wireframing, UI), and be prepared to present your rationale.
• Think Aloud: During any live design exercises, verbalize your thought process, demonstrating how you approach problems, make decisions, and consider different solutions.
• Focus on User Needs: Always ground your design decisions in user needs and business objectives.

📝 Enhancement Note: The portfolio review is a critical gate. Candidates should treat it as a presentation, not just a review. They need to demonstrate not only their design skills but also their strategic thinking, problem-solving approach, and ability to articulate the "why" behind their design choices.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Sketch: A primary tool for vector-based UI design, wireframing, and creating high-fidelity mockups. Proficiency is essential for creating pixel-perfect designs and interactive prototypes.
• InVision: Used for prototyping, collaboration, and design handoff. Essential for creating interactive user flows, gathering feedback, and communicating designs to development teams.
• Prototyping Tools (e.g., Figma, Adobe XD, ProtoPie): While Sketch and InVision are specified, familiarity with other leading prototyping tools can be beneficial, especially for more complex interactions or advanced animations.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Data Analysis Tools (e.g., Google Analytics, Mixpanel, Amplitude): While not explicitly listed as required for the designer, an understanding of how to use or interpret data from these tools is highly valued for informing design decisions and measuring impact.
• Data Visualization Tools (e.g., Tableau, Looker): Familiarity with how data is presented and visualized can help designers understand user behavior patterns and performance metrics.

CRM & Automation:

• While not directly used by UX designers, understanding the role of CRM systems (like Salesforce) and marketing automation platforms in a business context can provide valuable insights into user journeys and data flow across different departments.

📝 Enhancement Note: Proficiency in Sketch and InVision is a hard requirement. Designers should be prepared to discuss their experience with these tools and how they leverage them for efficient and effective design workflows. Understanding analytics tools is a strong plus, indicating a data-informed design approach.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values: CoStar Group emphasizes innovation, customer focus, and continuous improvement. For a UX Designer, this translates to:

• User-Centricity: A commitment to deeply understanding and advocating for the user's needs throughout the design process.
• Data-Driven Decisions: Utilizing data and research to inform design choices and measure their effectiveness, rather than relying solely on intuition.
• Collaboration and Teamwork: A "we not me" mindset, valuing collective success and open communication across functional teams.
• Excellence and Quality: Striving for high standards in both usability and aesthetic appeal, delivering polished and impactful design solutions.
• Adaptability and Learning: Embracing new challenges, staying current with design trends and technologies, and contributing to the evolution of design practices.

Collaboration Style: The culture fosters a highly collaborative environment, particularly within product teams. This means:

• Cross-functional Integration: Designers work closely with Product Managers and Engineers, participating actively in feature planning, development sprints, and problem-solving sessions.
• Open Communication: Encouraging direct and constructive feedback among team members, including designers, PMs, and engineers, to refine designs and processes.
• Shared Ownership: A sense that everyone on the product team shares responsibility for the success of the product, fostering a shared sense of purpose.
• Design System Collaboration: Working with other designers and developers to build, maintain, and evolve a shared design system, ensuring consistency and efficiency.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "we not me" mindset is a crucial cultural indicator. Candidates should be prepared to demonstrate how they work collaboratively, support team goals, and contribute to a positive, shared team environment, rather than focusing solely on individual accomplishments.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing User Needs with Business Goals: A common challenge in product design is finding the optimal balance between creating exceptional user experiences and meeting business objectives, such as driving conversions or increasing engagement metrics.
• Rapid Iteration and Fast-Paced Environment: Homes.com is positioned as a fast-growing, disrupting force. Designers will need to be comfortable with rapid iteration, quick turnarounds, and adapting to evolving priorities in a dynamic market.
• Scalability of Design System: As Homes.com grows, the design system will need to scale effectively. Contributing to and managing this growth presents a significant challenge and opportunity.
• Driving Adoption of Best Practices: Elevating team practices in user testing and research requires proactive effort and the ability to influence colleagues, which can be challenging in any team environment.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Advanced Design Skills: Opportunity to hone skills in complex interaction design, advanced prototyping, and user research methodologies through hands-on project work.
• Industry Expertise: Deepen knowledge of the real estate technology sector, understanding market dynamics and user behaviors within this specific domain.
• Design Leadership: Potential to take on leadership responsibilities, mentor junior designers, and contribute to design strategy and process improvements.
• Professional Development: CoStar Group offers tuition reimbursement and internal training, supporting continuous skill enhancement and career advancement.

📝 Enhancement Note: Identifying potential challenges and framing them as growth opportunities demonstrates foresight and a proactive approach. Candidates should think about how they would tackle these challenges and what skills they would develop in the process.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you had to balance conflicting user needs with business objectives. How did you approach it, and what was the outcome?" (Focus on your process for stakeholder management and decision-making.)
• "How do you ensure your designs are user-centered throughout the product development lifecycle, especially in an agile environment?" (Highlight your use of research, testing, and iterative feedback loops.)
• "Walk me through a project where you significantly contributed to or built a design system. What were the key components, challenges, and benefits?" (Showcase your understanding of design system principles and implementation.)
• "Imagine you're tasked with improving the home search experience on Homes.com. What would be your first steps, and what key metrics would you focus on?" (Demonstrate your strategic thinking and data-driven approach.)

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What excites you about Homes.com and CoStar Group's mission in the real estate industry?" (Show you've researched the company and understand its market position.)
• "How do you approach collaboration with product managers and engineers? Describe a situation where you had to influence a technical decision based on design needs." (Highlight your teamwork and communication skills.)
• "What does a 'we not me' mindset mean to you in a team context?" (Prepare to share examples of collaborative success and how you contribute to team goals.)
• "How do you stay updated on the latest UX trends and best practices?" (Show your commitment to continuous learning.)

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure: Organize your portfolio presentation logically: Introduction to the project, Problem Statement, Your Role/Contributions, Design Process (Research, Ideation, Wireframing, Prototyping, Testing), Final Solution, and Outcomes/Impact.
• Storytelling: Craft a compelling narrative for each project, focusing on the journey and the impact. Use visuals (sketches, flows, mockups) to support your story.
• Quantify Impact: Whenever possible, use data to demonstrate the success of your designs (e.g., "increased conversion by X%", "reduced task completion time by Y%").
• Be Prepared for Deep Dives: Anticipate detailed questions about your design decisions, the trade-offs you made, and how you validated your solutions. Be honest about challenges and what you learned.
• Enthusiasm and Passion: Convey your passion for design and your excitement about the Homes.com product and mission.

📝 Enhancement Note: Candidates should prepare to not only present their work but also to articulate the "why" behind their design choices, their problem-solving methodology, and their ability to collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams. Demonstrating an understanding of Homes.com's business and user base will be highly beneficial.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this UX Product Designer position:

• Submit your application through the provided link on the CoStar careers portal.
• Portfolio Customization: Tailor your portfolio to highlight projects that demonstrate leadership in design strategy, user flow creation, prototyping, and visual design, particularly for digital marketplaces or consumer-facing platforms. Showcase any experience with design systems.
• Resume Optimization: Ensure your resume clearly articulates your 3+ years of experience, highlights key skills in UX design, prototyping (Sketch, Invision), and Agile methodologies. Use action verbs and quantify achievements where possible to demonstrate impact.
• Interview Preparation: Practice presenting your portfolio, focusing on storytelling, articulating your design process, and explaining the impact of your work. Prepare for behavioral questions related to collaboration, problem-solving, and working in an Agile environment.
• Company Research: Thoroughly research CoStar Group and Homes.com. Understand their market position, mission, and recent developments. Be prepared to discuss why you are a good fit for their culture and how your skills align with their goals.

⚠️ Important Notice: This enhanced job description includes AI-generated insights and operations industry-standard assumptions for a UX Product Designer role. All details should be verified directly with CoStar Group before making application decisions.