Lead Product Designer - AirHelp Mobile App

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Lead Product Designer - AirHelp Mobile App

Company: AirHelp

Location: Gdańsk, Pomeranian Voivodeship, Poland

Job Type: Full-Time

Category: Product Design / UX/UI

Date Posted: April 24, 2026

Experience Level: Mid-Senior Level (5-10 years)

Remote Status: Hybrid (2 days/week in office)

🚀 Role Summary

• Lead the end-to-end product design for a high-impact mobile application, driving innovation and user engagement in the travel technology sector.

• Utilize a hypothesis-driven approach, leveraging AI tools and rapid prototyping to validate concepts and accelerate development cycles.

• Focus on enhancing critical user journeys, such as the day-of-flight experience and post-flight engagement, to foster long-term user relationships.

• Collaborate closely with cross-functional product and engineering teams to translate user needs and business objectives into scalable, production-ready designs.

• Contribute to product strategy by identifying new opportunities and leading initiatives from ideation through execution, influencing the app's future direction.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is positioned as a Design Lead within a mobile-focused product team. The emphasis on "owning the journey," "defining how the product works," and "raising the bar for design" indicates a significant level of autonomy and strategic input, typical for a Lead or Senior Product Designer role. The explicit mention of AI tools (Cursor, Claude) and a hypothesis-driven mindset suggests a modern, agile product development environment.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Own the complete product design lifecycle for the AirHelp mobile app, from initial problem definition and ideation through to shipped outcomes and iterative improvements.

• Champion a hypothesis-driven product development process, framing user problems clearly, aligning stakeholders quickly, and prioritizing rapid testing and learning.

• Leverage AI tools (e.g., Cursor, Claude) for early-stage prototyping and flow development, treating prototypes as the foundational step for production-ready designs.

• Drive user validation through direct user interaction, quick testing methodologies, and data analysis to inform and adjust product direction continuously.

• Translate validated concepts and user insights into meticulously crafted, production-ready designs, paying close attention to clarity, edge cases, and overall system alignment.

• Balance the need for speed in exploration with a commitment to high design craft, refining solutions in Figma to deliver polished and scalable outcomes.

• Manage both day-to-day product improvements and larger strategic initiatives, adeptly prioritizing tasks based on evolving business needs and user impact.

• Contribute actively to overall product strategy by identifying unmet user needs and business opportunities, and leading initiatives from concept to successful execution.

• Elevate the design practice within the team by promoting systems thinking, facilitating knowledge sharing, and providing mentorship to fellow designers.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities clearly outline an end-to-end design ownership. The focus on "hypothesis-driven mindset," "prototyping early using AI tools," and "validating through real usage" points to an agile and data-informed design process. The expectation to "balance speed and craft" and "own both day-to-day improvements and larger strategic initiatives" highlights the need for pragmatic decision-making and strategic prioritization.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

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

Experience: Proven track record of 5-10 years in product design, with a significant portion focused on native mobile application design and development. Experience in a lead or senior capacity is essential.

Required Skills:

• Demonstrated expertise in end-to-end mobile product design, including user research, information architecture, interaction design, and visual design.

• Proficiency in industry-standard design and prototyping tools, with a strong emphasis on Figma.

• Experience in leveraging AI tools (e.g., Cursor, Claude) for design exploration and rapid prototyping.

• Strong understanding of mobile UX principles and best practices for iOS and Android platforms.

• Ability to think strategically and operate with a hypothesis-driven product development mindset.

• Proven ability to translate user needs and business goals into effective, scalable design solutions.

• Exceptional communication, presentation, and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to influence cross-functional teams.

• Experience working collaboratively with engineering teams to ensure successful implementation of designs.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience in the travel technology or SaaS industry.

• Knowledge of A/B testing methodologies and data analysis for design optimization.

• Experience in mentoring junior designers or leading design initiatives.

• Familiarity with user research methodologies and usability testing.

• Understanding of mobile app architecture and technical constraints.

📝 Enhancement Note: The experience level is inferred from the "Lead Product Designer" title and the "5-10 years" estimation provided in the AI data. The emphasis on AI tools and hypothesis-driven development suggests a need for candidates comfortable with modern design workflows. The requirement for strong communication and cross-functional collaboration is critical for a lead role in a hybrid, distributed team.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Showcase end-to-end product design case studies for mobile applications, highlighting your role and contributions.

• Demonstrate the application of a hypothesis-driven approach, including how you defined problems, formed hypotheses, and tested solutions.

• Include examples of rapid prototyping and the use of AI tools in your design process.

• Present detailed explorations of user flows, interaction design, and visual design, with a clear rationale behind your decisions.

Process Documentation:

• Provide examples of how you conducted user research and translated findings into design decisions.

• Showcase your process for iterating on designs based on user feedback and data analytics.

• Illustrate your collaboration process with product managers and engineers, demonstrating how you ensured design feasibility and implementation quality.

• Document your approach to balancing speed and design craft, and how you managed multiple priorities effectively.

📝 Enhancement Note: A strong portfolio is critical for design roles, especially at the lead level. The emphasis on end-to-end ownership, hypothesis-driven development, and AI tools necessitates that portfolios reflect these specific skills and methodologies. The ability to demonstrate process and impact is key.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: Given the "Lead Product Designer" title, experience level (5-10 years), and location in Gdańsk, Poland, a competitive salary range would typically fall between PLN 15,000 - PLN 25,000 gross per month. This range can vary based on the candidate's specific experience, skill set, and negotiation.

Benefits:

• Personal development plans tailored to career growth.

• Access to internal workshops for continuous learning.

• Mentorship opportunities to foster skill development.

• Language classes to enhance communication skills.

• Team events to promote camaraderie and company culture.

• Choice of flexible benefits: Gym pass, personal development fund, childcare support, transport subsidies, or travel subsidies.

• Global workstyle flexibility, allowing up to 2 weeks of remote work from anywhere per year.

Working Hours: Standard full-time working hours are expected, approximately 40 hours per week, with a hybrid work arrangement requiring 2 days per week in the office.

📝 Enhancement Note: Salary is estimated based on industry benchmarks for Lead Product Designers in Poland, considering the specified experience level and the cost of living in Gdańsk. The provided benefits are comprehensive and align with modern tech company offerings, emphasizing professional growth and work-life balance.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Travel Technology / Consumer Software. AirHelp operates in a dynamic sector focused on improving the air travel experience for passengers, leveraging technology to streamline processes and advocate for passenger rights.

Company Size: AirHelp is a well-established, growing company. The description implies a significant user base (nearly one million downloads in under eight months) and a global presence with multiple office locations. This suggests a company with the resources and ambition to invest in its product and design capabilities.

Founded: While the founding date isn't explicitly stated, the company's significant growth and app download numbers indicate it's a mature, successful organization in the travel tech space.

Team Structure:

• The design team operates within "product and engineering tribes," suggesting a cross-functional, agile structure.

• The Lead Product Designer will likely report to a Head of Product, Design Director, or similar leadership role, working closely with Product Managers and Engineering Leads.

Methodology:

• Data-Driven Decision Making: The role emphasizes using real user behavior and data to guide product direction and improvements.

• Hypothesis-Driven Development: Problems are framed as hypotheses to be tested, indicating an experimental and iterative approach.

• Agile & Rapid Iteration: The focus on speed, rapid prototyping, and continuous improvement points to an agile development methodology.

• Systems Thinking: A key expectation is to apply systems thinking to design, ensuring scalability and coherence across the product.

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

📝 Enhancement Note: The company culture is described as having "Culture of Autonomy," "Growth Investment," and a "Culture That Cares," with a mission that is "proud of." This suggests an environment that values individual contribution, professional development, and a supportive atmosphere. The hybrid model indicates a balance between in-office collaboration and remote flexibility.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is a "Lead Product Designer," signifying a senior individual contributor role with significant design leadership responsibilities. It requires not just execution but also strategic thinking, problem definition, and the ability to influence product direction. The position is pivotal in shaping the user experience of a core product.

Reporting Structure: The Lead Product Designer will likely report to a higher-level design or product leader (e.g., Head of Design, Director of Product) and work in close partnership with Product Managers and Engineering Leads within their designated product tribe. This structure allows for both strategic alignment and day-to-day execution.

Operations Impact: The impact of this role is substantial. By owning the mobile app's design, the Lead Product Designer directly influences user engagement, retention, organic growth, and overall customer satisfaction. Success in this role contributes directly to AirHelp's mission of simplifying air travel and increasing passenger rights advocacy, which can translate into increased claim volume and customer loyalty.

Growth Opportunities:

• Design Leadership: Potential to grow into a Design Manager or Head of Design role, leading larger teams and defining broader design strategy within AirHelp.

• Product Strategy: Deepen involvement in product strategy, potentially moving into a Product Owner or Product Lead role focused on specific areas of the business.

• Specialization: Develop expertise in specific areas like AI-driven design, complex mobile architecture, or user behavior analysis within the travel tech domain.

• Cross-Functional Mobility: Opportunities to leverage design leadership skills in other product-focused roles as the company grows.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Lead" title implies a path for career progression beyond this role, either deeper into design leadership or broader into product management, given the strategic nature of the responsibilities. The explicit mention of "Growth Investment" suggests a commitment from AirHelp to support this advancement.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: AirHelp operates a hybrid work model, indicating that while the role is based in one of their offices (Gdańsk), a significant portion of the work can be done remotely. This suggests a modern office setup designed to facilitate collaboration when teams are present.

Office Location(s): The role is based in Gdańsk, Poland, with opportunities to work from AirHelp offices in Barcelona, Berlin, Kraków, or Warszawa. The hybrid setup requires 2 days per week in the office, allowing for in-person collaboration and team building.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Hub: Office space is likely designed to foster collaboration, with meeting rooms, breakout areas, and potentially open-plan workstations conducive to team interaction on designated office days.

• Technology Enabled: Access to necessary design tools, software, and potentially hardware for prototyping and development will be provided. The company's embrace of AI tools suggests a forward-thinking approach to technology adoption.

• Cross-Functional Interaction: The hybrid model means opportunities for spontaneous design discussions and problem-solving with product managers, engineers, and other stakeholders when in the office.

Work Schedule: The standard working hours are approximately 40 hours per week, with the flexibility inherent in a hybrid model. While specific hours may vary, the focus is on delivering outcomes and meeting project deadlines, allowing for some personal flexibility around core working times.

📝 Enhancement Note: The hybrid model requires candidates to be comfortable with both remote work and in-office collaboration. The office locations suggest a global company with a distributed workforce, emphasizing the importance of strong communication and asynchronous work practices.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A review of your resume and portfolio by the recruiting team to assess qualifications and alignment with the role.

• Hiring Manager Interview: An in-depth discussion with the hiring manager (likely a Design Director or Head of Product) focusing on your experience, design philosophy, leadership style, and how you approach product challenges.

• Portfolio Presentation & Design Challenge: A session where you present 1-2 key case studies from your portfolio, demonstrating your process, strategic thinking, and problem-solving skills. This may also involve a take-home design challenge or an on-the-spot problem-solving exercise related to the AirHelp app.

• Cross-Functional Team Interviews: Meetings with key stakeholders, including Product Managers and Engineering Leads, to assess collaboration skills, technical understanding, and cultural fit.

• Final Interview: Potentially with a senior leader or executive to discuss overall strategic alignment and long-term vision.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Focus on Impact: Clearly articulate the problem you solved, your specific role, the process you followed, and the measurable outcomes (e.g., increased engagement, conversion rates, user satisfaction).

• Showcase Process: Detail your design thinking, from user research and ideation to prototyping (especially with AI tools) and iteration. Explain why you made certain decisions.

• Highlight Leadership: For a Lead role, demonstrate how you influenced direction, mentored others, and contributed to product strategy.

• Tailor to AirHelp: Research the AirHelp app and company. If possible, include a speculative redesign or a critique of a specific feature that shows your understanding of their product and users.

• Clarity and Conciseness: Ensure your portfolio is well-organized, visually appealing, and easy to navigate. Use clear language and compelling visuals.

Challenge Preparation:

• Understand the Product: Thoroughly familiarize yourself with the AirHelp mobile app's current functionality, target audience, and competitive landscape.

• Think Strategically: Be prepared to discuss product strategy, identify user pain points, and propose innovative solutions that align with business goals.

• Embrace AI & Speed: Practice articulating how you would use AI tools and rapid prototyping to explore solutions quickly and efficiently.

• Communicate Your Thinking: Clearly articulate your thought process, assumptions, and rationale behind any design decisions or proposed solutions.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process is likely to be multi-stage, typical for a lead role in a tech company. The emphasis on portfolio and design challenges underscores the hands-on nature of the position, while cross-functional interviews highlight the collaborative aspect.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Figma: The core tool for UI design, prototyping, and collaboration, expected to be used extensively.

• AI Design Tools: Proficiency with tools like Cursor and Claude (as mentioned) for rapid idea generation, prototyping, and potentially code assistance.

• Prototyping Tools: Beyond Figma, experience with other advanced prototyping tools might be beneficial for specific use cases.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Mobile Analytics Platforms: Familiarity with tools like Amplitude, Mixpanel, or Firebase Analytics for tracking user behavior, engagement metrics, and conversion funnels.

• Data Visualization Tools: Experience with tools that allow for the interpretation and presentation of user data to inform design decisions.

CRM & Automation:

• Project Management Tools: Proficiency in tools like Jira, Asana, or Trello for managing design tasks, sprints, and cross-functional workflows.

• Collaboration Platforms: Tools such as Slack or Microsoft Teams for real-time communication and team coordination.

📝 Enhancement Note: The explicit mention of Figma, Cursor, and Claude indicates the primary tools required. A strong understanding of mobile analytics is crucial for validating designs and iterating effectively. Familiarity with project management and collaboration tools is essential for working within agile, cross-functional teams.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Autonomy & Ownership: AirHelp fosters a culture where individuals are trusted to manage their work and drive initiatives independently. This means taking responsibility for outcomes and proactively seeking solutions.

• Growth & Learning: The company invests in personal development through workshops, mentorship, and language classes, emphasizing a commitment to continuous improvement and skill enhancement for its employees.

• Collaboration & Care: While autonomous, the culture also values supportive peer relationships, team events, and a shared sense of purpose around the company's mission.

• Pragmatism & Speed: The emphasis on moving fast, using AI tools, and balancing craft with delivery suggests a culture that values efficiency and practical execution.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-Functional Integration: Close collaboration with product managers, engineers, and potentially data analysts is expected, requiring clear communication and shared understanding of goals.

• Hypothesis & Iteration: The team likely engages in regular discussions about user problems, hypotheses, and test results, fostering a culture of collective problem-solving.

• Feedback-Driven: Openness to giving and receiving constructive feedback is crucial, particularly in design reviews and sprint retrospectives, to ensure continuous improvement.

📝 Enhancement Note: The company values are strongly aligned with a modern tech environment that prioritizes individual contribution, continuous learning, and efficient execution within a supportive team structure. The blend of autonomy and collaboration is key.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Scaling Design: Effectively scaling the design system and user experience across a rapidly growing user base and evolving feature set.

• Balancing Speed & Quality: Continuously meeting the demand for rapid feature development while maintaining a high standard of design craft and user experience.

• Data Interpretation: Translating complex user data and analytics into actionable design insights and product improvements.

• Cross-Cultural Communication: Collaborating effectively with distributed engineering and product teams across different time zones and cultural backgrounds.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Advanced Design Leadership: Opportunities to hone strategic thinking, mentorship, and cross-functional influence skills.

• AI in Design: Deepen expertise in leveraging emergent AI technologies for design exploration, prototyping, and workflow optimization.

• Product Strategy: Gain deeper insights into business strategy, market analysis, and product roadmap planning within the travel tech sector.

• Industry Exposure: Potential to attend industry conferences or participate in workshops related to mobile UX, AI in design, or product management.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges presented are typical for a lead role in a fast-paced tech company with a popular mobile app. The growth opportunities are directly tied to the responsibilities of a lead position and the company's commitment to employee development.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you owned the end-to-end design of a mobile feature or app. What was your process, what challenges did you face, and what was the outcome?" (Focus on your process, hypothesis testing, AI tool usage, and impact metrics.)

• "How do you balance the need for speed in product development with maintaining high design quality and craft?" (Emphasize your pragmatic approach, judgment, and understanding of when to iterate vs. when to ship.)

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What excites you about AirHelp's mission and the mobile app specifically?" (Research the company's mission, values, and recent product developments.)

• "How do you approach working in a hybrid environment and collaborating with distributed teams?" (Highlight your communication skills, autonomy, and experience with remote collaboration tools.)

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure Your Narrative: For each case study, clearly define the problem, your role, the process (emphasizing hypothesis-driven methods and AI tools), your solutions, and the measurable impact.

• Show, Don't Just Tell: Use visuals, interactive prototypes, and clear explanations to convey your design thinking and execution.

• Be Ready for Deep Dives: Expect questions about specific design decisions, trade-offs, and how you handled feedback or challenges.

• Connect to AirHelp: If possible, tailor one case study or your presentation to address a specific challenge or opportunity within the AirHelp app, showcasing your proactive thinking.

📝 Enhancement Note: Preparation should focus on demonstrating leadership, strategic thinking, a modern design process (including AI and hypothesis-driven work), and strong collaboration skills, all tailored to AirHelp's context.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Lead Product Designer position:

• Submit your application through the provided link on Workable.

• Curate Your Portfolio: Select 1-2 of your strongest mobile product design case studies that best showcase your end-to-end design process, leadership, and experience with hypothesis-driven development and AI tools. Ensure each case study clearly articulates the problem, your approach, your specific contributions, and the measurable outcomes.

• Tailor Your Resume: Highlight keywords from the job description, such as "Lead Product Designer," "Mobile UX," "Figma," "AI Tools," "Prototyping," "Product Strategy," "Hypothesis-driven," and "Cross-functional collaboration." Quantify your achievements wherever possible.

• Prepare for the Interview: Research AirHelp, its mission, and its mobile app thoroughly. Practice articulating your design philosophy, leadership style, and how you would tackle challenges specific to AirHelp’s product. Be ready to present your portfolio case studies and discuss your experience with user research, data analysis, and collaboration.

• Understand the Hybrid Model: Be prepared to discuss your comfort level and strategies for working effectively in a hybrid environment, balancing remote work with in-office collaboration.

⚠️ 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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