Lead Product Designer

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Lead Product Designer

Company: Findigs

Location: New York, NY

Job Type: Full Time

Category: Product Design / GTM Operations

Date Posted: 2026-06-18T00:00:00

Experience Level: 5-10 Years

Remote Status: Hybrid

🚀 Role Summary

• Lead the end-to-end design of product features and user experiences for both renter-facing and property manager-facing applications, driving innovation in the rental technology space.

• Own significant design surfaces, taking ownership from initial discovery and user research through to the final shipped product, ensuring a cohesive and impactful user journey.

• Contribute to and co-own the company's Figma design system, ensuring its evolution and usability for both design and engineering teams, thereby standardizing and scaling design efforts.

• Integrate AI-assisted design tools and methodologies into the standard workflow, fostering efficiency and pushing the boundaries of design innovation.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is categorized under Product Design with a strong GTM Operations component due to the emphasis on designing for customer-facing applications (renters and property managers) and internal tools, which directly impacts Go-To-Market efficiency and user adoption. The hybrid work model and focus on AI-assisted design also suggest a modern, operations-minded approach to product development.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Own the complete design lifecycle for product features and surfaces, spanning discovery, user research, structural design, visual design, prototyping, iteration, and final handoff to engineering.

• Partner closely with Product Managers and Engineers throughout the sprint cycle, actively participating in sprint planning, backlog grooming, and design reviews to ensure seamless integration of design into development.

• Contribute to the Findigs design system within Figma, focusing on components, design tokens, and comprehensive documentation to maintain consistency and facilitate efficient design and development.

• Conduct and support various user research activities, including moderated user testing, usability sessions, survey design and deployment, and thorough synthesis of findings to inform design decisions.

• Actively utilize and champion AI-assisted design tools (e.g., Figma AI, AI-powered prototyping, research synthesis tools) as an integral part of the daily design workflow to enhance productivity and explore innovative solutions.

• Effectively communicate design work and rationale through asynchronous formats such as written explanations, Loom walkthroughs, detailed Figma annotations, and concise sprint update posts to keep the broader team informed without relying solely on meetings.

• Provide a strong design perspective and advocate for user needs in cross-functional team settings, contributing to strategic decision-making and product direction.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities emphasize a high degree of autonomy and end-to-end ownership, typical of a "Lead" role. The focus on design systems, AI integration, and asynchronous communication highlights a need for operational efficiency and scalability within the design function.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

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

Experience: 5+ years of progressive product design experience, with a strong preference for experience in complex, data-heavy, or multi-stakeholder product environments such as fintech, proptech, or B2B SaaS.

Required Skills:

• Demonstrated end-to-end product design experience, showcased through a robust portfolio exhibiting discovery, structural design, visual design, and shipped product outcomes.

• Proven ability to own a design surface with minimal direction, proactively asking clarifying questions and driving work forward independently.

• Experience contributing to or co-owning a Figma-based design system, including proficiency with design tokens, component variants, and documentation best practices.

• Genuine engagement and practical experience with AI in design workflows, including a proactive attitude towards exploring and pushing AI capabilities further.

• Excellent asynchronous communication skills, with the ability to articulate design decisions, provide feedback on briefs, and collaborate effectively via platforms like Notion or Slack without requiring immediate meetings.

• Demonstrated ability to thrive in fast-moving environments characterized by scope changes and shifting priorities, maintaining productivity and focus.

• Proficiency in user research methodologies, including usability testing, survey design, and qualitative data synthesis. Preferred Skills:

• Experience specifically within the housing, fintech, identity verification, or screening product sectors.

• Prior experience as the primary or sole product designer on a product, managing broad scope with limited immediate design support.

• Advanced Figma skills, including mastery of variables, complex prototyping techniques, plugins, and intricate component architecture.

• Experience collaborating directly with frontend engineers on design-to-code implementation, utilizing tools like Storybook, design tokens, or similar frameworks.

• Experience in a high-growth startup environment where the design function is actively maturing and evolving.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on AI, async communication, and design systems points towards a candidate who is not only a skilled designer but also operationally minded and adaptable to modern, efficient workflows. The preferred skills highlight a desire for candidates who can hit the ground running and contribute to scaling a growing design function.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Showcase end-to-end product design processes, from initial problem definition and user research to final UI/UX design and measurable shipped outcomes.

• Include case studies that demonstrate your ability to tackle complex problems, particularly those involving data-heavy applications, multi-stakeholder needs, or B2B SaaS platforms.

• Highlight your contribution to or ownership of design systems, detailing component architecture, token usage, and documentation practices within Figma.

• Feature examples of how you've integrated AI tools into your design workflow to enhance efficiency, explore solutions, or improve user outcomes.

• Demonstrate strong visual design and interaction design skills, presenting polished and user-friendly interfaces. Process Documentation:

• Clearly articulate your design process for each case study, detailing the steps taken, methodologies employed (e.g., user interviews, usability testing, A/B testing), and the rationale behind key decisions.

• Document your approach to collaborating with Product Managers and Engineers, including how you manage feedback, iterate on designs, and ensure smooth handoffs.

• Provide evidence of your contributions to design systems, including examples of component creation, style guide updates, and how you ensure consistency across products.

• Illustrate how you leverage asynchronous communication tools (e.g., Notion, Slack, Loom) to document and share design progress and decisions effectively.

📝 Enhancement Note: The portfolio requirements are heavily weighted towards demonstrating process, system thinking (design systems), and modern workflow integration (AI, async communication), aligning with the operational demands of a fast-growing startup.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $170,000 - $195,000 per year.

Explanation: This range is provided directly by the company and aligns with typical compensation for Lead Product Designer roles in New York City, considering the experience level (5-10 years) and the specific demands of a hybrid work environment in a high-growth startup.

Benefits:

• Pre-IPO Equity: Opportunity to gain significant value as the company grows and potentially goes public.

• Unlimited Paid Time Off (PTO): A flexible policy that trusts employees to manage their time effectively, promoting work-life balance and preventing burnout.

• Health Benefits: Comprehensive medical coverage to ensure employee well-being.

• 401(k) Matching: Up to 4% matching on retirement contributions, providing a valuable long-term financial benefit.

• Monthly Gym Stipend: Encourages physical wellness and provides a tangible perk for fitness.

• Daily Lunch: Provided at the office, fostering team cohesion and convenience for employees working on-site.

Working Hours: The role operates on a hybrid schedule, requiring 3-4 days in the office per week, with core collaboration days on Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday at the NoHo office. Standard full-time hours (approximately 40 hours per week) are expected, with flexibility managed through the unlimited PTO policy.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range is explicitly stated and falls within the expected market rate for a senior design role in NYC. The benefits package is comprehensive, with a strong emphasis on growth potential (equity) and employee well-being (unlimited PTO, wellness perks). The hybrid requirement is clearly defined.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Proptech / Fintech. Findigs operates at the intersection of property technology and financial technology, aiming to streamline and de-risk the rental process for both property managers and renters. This positions the company within a rapidly evolving and data-intensive sector.

Company Size: The description implies a small, high-ownership design team, suggesting the company itself is likely in a growth phase, potentially ranging from Series B to Series C funding rounds given the $78M funding mentioned. This size offers opportunities for significant impact and direct access to decision-makers.

Founded: The company was founded to address inefficiencies in the rental market, aiming to create a seamless, high-trust experience. The $78M funding indicates a strong market validation and a growth trajectory focused on scaling operations and product impact.

Team Structure:

• The design team is described as "small, high-ownership," implying a close-knit group where individual contributions are highly visible.

• The role reports to the VP of Product, indicating a clear reporting line and potential for mentorship from senior leadership.

• Collaboration is expected to be tight with Engineering and customer-facing teams, reflecting a cross-functional operational approach to product development. Methodology:

• Data-Driven Product Development: The emphasis on a "data-backed product" and "precision" suggests that decisions are informed by analytics and user data.

• Agile & Iterative Design: The mention of sprint planning, fast feedback loops, and iterative design implies an agile development methodology.

• AI Integration: The explicit requirement to use AI-assisted design tools points to a forward-thinking approach to leveraging technology for operational efficiency and design innovation.

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

📝 Enhancement Note: The company culture is presented as innovative, collaborative, and focused on impact within the proptech/fintech space. The "small team, big impact" ethos suggests a fast-paced environment where individuals can drive significant change.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This is a "Lead" Product Designer role, indicating a senior individual contributor position. It requires not only strong design execution but also the ability to mentor, contribute to strategic direction, and own significant product areas. This level typically involves guiding junior designers and influencing product strategy.

Reporting Structure: The role reports directly to the VP of Product. This provides a clear line of communication to senior leadership and an opportunity to influence product strategy at a high level. It also suggests that the design function is closely integrated with product management.

Operations Impact: The role's impact is directly tied to improving the user experience for both renters and property managers, which is critical for customer acquisition, retention, and overall platform adoption. By designing seamless application flows and efficient internal tools, this role directly contributes to the operational efficiency of Findigs' clients and the company's own GTM success.

Growth Opportunities:

• Design Leadership: Potential to grow into a Design Manager role as the design team expands, taking on more direct management responsibilities.

• Product Strategy Influence: Opportunity to deepen involvement in product strategy, contributing to roadmap planning and defining the future direction of Findigs' platform.

• Specialization: Develop deep expertise in Proptech/Fintech design, AI-assisted design workflows, and design system management.

• Cross-functional Skill Development: Enhance collaboration and communication skills by working closely with product, engineering, and customer-facing teams in a high-growth startup environment.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Lead" title and direct reporting to the VP of Product suggest significant growth potential, not just in design execution but also in strategic influence and potential leadership within the growing company.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The role operates on a hybrid schedule, requiring 3-4 days in the office per week at their NoHo, New York City office. This indicates a traditional office environment with a focus on in-person collaboration, balanced with remote flexibility.

Office Location(s): The primary office is located in NoHo, New York City. This area is known for its vibrant atmosphere and accessibility, which can be appealing for employees.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Hub: The office serves as a central point for core collaboration days (Monday, Tuesday, Thursday), fostering team synergy and spontaneous idea exchange.

• Modern Tools & Technology: Expect access to standard design software (Figma) and potentially other collaboration and AI tools utilized by the company.

• Cross-functional Interaction: The hybrid model and emphasis on collaboration mean ample opportunities to interact with product managers, engineers, and potentially customer success or sales teams, providing diverse perspectives and fostering a holistic understanding of the business.

Work Schedule: A hybrid schedule with 3-4 days in the office is specified. While core collaboration days are set, the remaining days offer flexibility. Standard full-time hours are expected, but the "Unlimited PTO" policy suggests a culture that prioritizes results and well-being over strict adherence to hours, allowing for operational agility in managing personal time.

📝 Enhancement Note: The hybrid model is clearly defined, emphasizing the importance of in-office collaboration for core team functions while allowing for some remote flexibility. The NoHo location adds a desirable element to the physical workspace.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A review of your resume and portfolio to assess qualifications and experience.

• Recorded Interviews: Utilize Brighthire.ai for recorded interviews, allowing interviewers to focus on the conversation. Candidates will have the option to opt out of recording if preferred. Prepare to articulate your design process, decision-making, and impact clearly.

• Design Challenges/Case Studies: Expect to present your portfolio and potentially work through a design challenge or discuss a specific case study in depth, focusing on your end-to-end process, problem-solving skills, and ability to integrate AI and design systems.

• Cross-functional Interviews: Meetings with Product Managers and Engineers to assess collaboration style, technical understanding, and alignment with team dynamics.

• Leadership Interview: Likely a final interview with the VP of Product or other senior leaders to discuss strategic thinking, leadership potential, and cultural fit.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate for Impact: Select 3-4 strong case studies that best represent your end-to-end design capabilities, focusing on complex problems and shipped products. Prioritize projects that demonstrate your experience with data-heavy applications or B2B SaaS.

• Show, Don't Just Tell: For each case study, clearly outline the problem, your role, your process (research, ideation, iteration, testing), the solutions you designed, and the tangible outcomes or impact achieved. Use visuals effectively.

• Highlight Design System Contributions: If you have experience with design systems, dedicate a section or case study to your involvement, showcasing component design, token usage, and documentation.

• Emphasize AI Integration: Clearly articulate how you've incorporated AI-assisted design tools into your workflow and the benefits it brought to the process or outcome. Be ready to discuss your perspective on the future of AI in design.

• Async Communication Examples: Be prepared to discuss how you document and communicate your design work asynchronously, perhaps by referencing examples of your work in Notion or Slack.

Challenge Preparation:

• Understand the Business: Research Findigs' mission, target users (renters, property managers), and the competitive landscape in proptech/fintech. Understand the core problems they are solving.

• Process Focus: Be ready to discuss your systematic approach to design problems. How do you define scope? How do you prioritize? How do you measure success?

• AI & Design Systems: Prepare to discuss your philosophy and practical application of AI in design and your experience with building or maintaining design systems.

• Communication: Practice articulating your thoughts clearly and concisely, both verbally and in writing, as async communication is highly valued.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process emphasizes practical application, process documentation, and modern workflow integration (AI, async communication). The portfolio review is critical and should showcase end-to-end ownership and systemic thinking.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Figma: The core design tool, with a strong emphasis on design system components, variants, tokens, and variables.

• AI-Assisted Design Tools: Including Figma AI, AI-powered prototyping tools, and AI for research synthesis. Expect to use these as a standard part of the workflow.

Analytics & Reporting:

• While not explicitly listed for designers, expect to work with data from analytics platforms (e.g., Amplitude, Mixpanel, Google Analytics) to understand user behavior and inform design decisions. Designers will likely need to interpret dashboards and reports. CRM & Automation:

• Collaboration & Documentation Tools: Slack for real-time communication, Notion for documentation, project briefs, and async updates, Loom for video walkthroughs and asynchronous design presentations.

• Frontend Engineering Collaboration: Potential exposure to tools like Storybook for design system implementation and understanding design-to-code handoffs.

📝 Enhancement Note: The technology stack is heavily focused on Figma and modern AI-driven design tools, alongside essential collaboration and documentation platforms. This reflects an emphasis on efficiency, scalability, and contemporary design practices.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Precision & Data-Driven Decisions: Reflects the company's mission to make renting "smarter, more predictable decisions" and the emphasis on data in the product. Operations professionals are expected to support this with accurate and well-researched designs.

• Efficiency & Automation: The integration of AI into the design workflow underscores a value placed on streamlining processes and leveraging technology for operational gains.

• Transparency & High Trust: Central to Findigs' mission, this value likely translates to open communication, clear documentation, and a commitment to equitable user experiences for both property managers and renters.

• Builder Mentality: The call for "builders, thinkers, and problem-solvers" suggests a culture that encourages initiative, ownership, and a hands-on approach to tackling challenges.

Collaboration Style:

• Asynchronous First: A strong preference for async communication (written rationale, Loom, Notion, Slack) to ensure information is accessible and to reduce meeting overhead.

• Cross-functional Partnership: Close collaboration with Product and Engineering is essential, requiring designers to be active participants in sprint cycles and cross-functional discussions.

• Design System Co-ownership: Collaboration with Engineering to maintain and evolve the design system, fostering a shared understanding and ownership of UI components and standards.

📝 Enhancement Note: The culture emphasizes operational efficiency, data-driven decision-making, and collaborative problem-solving, particularly through asynchronous communication, aligning well with the needs of a scaling tech company.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing User Needs with Business Goals: Designing for two distinct user groups (renters and property managers) with potentially competing needs, while aligning with Findigs' business objectives.

• Scaling a Maturing Design Function: Contributing to the growth and formalization of the design team and its processes within a high-growth startup environment.

• Integrating AI Effectively: Ensuring AI tools are used strategically to enhance, not replace, core design thinking and problem-solving, and keeping pace with rapid AI advancements.

• Navigating Fast-Paced Environment: Adapting to a dynamic startup culture where priorities can shift, requiring agility and resilience.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• AI in Design Mastery: Deepen expertise in leveraging AI for research synthesis, content generation, prototyping, and design exploration.

• Design System Leadership: Gain experience in scaling and managing a comprehensive design system, potentially leading its evolution.

• Proptech/Fintech Domain Expertise: Develop specialized knowledge in the intricacies of the rental and property management technology landscape.

• Strategic Product Influence: Grow from an individual contributor to a key influencer in product strategy and roadmap development.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges are typical of a lead role in a growing startup, offering significant opportunities for professional development and the chance to shape key aspects of the product and design function.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a complex, data-heavy product you've designed from end-to-end. What were the key challenges, and how did you approach them?" (Focus on process, problem-solving, and user-centricity.)

• "How do you approach collaborating with Product Managers and Engineers in an agile, async-first environment? Provide an example of a time you successfully influenced a technical or product decision." (Highlight communication skills, partnership, and negotiation.)

• "Walk me through your process for contributing to or co-owning a design system. What are the critical components of a successful design system, and how do you ensure its adoption and maintenance?" (Demonstrate systemic thinking and collaboration with engineering.) Company & Culture Questions:

• "What interests you most about Findigs' mission to improve the rental process, and how do you see design contributing to that mission?" (Showcase research and alignment with company values.)

• "How do you view the role of AI in product design, and how have you integrated it into your workflow? What are its potential benefits and limitations?" (Assess forward-thinking approach and practical AI application.)

• "Describe your experience working in a fast-paced startup environment. How do you manage shifting priorities and ambiguity?" (Evaluate adaptability and resilience.) Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure Your Narrative: For each case study, clearly define the problem space, your specific role and contributions, the design process undertaken (research, ideation, iteration, testing), the final solution, and the measured impact. Use visuals generously but ensure they support your narrative.

• Highlight Process & Rationale: Emphasize why you made certain design decisions, referencing user research, data, or business goals. Show your thought process, not just the final screens.

• Showcase Design System and AI Integration: Dedicate specific points or even a separate section to demonstrate your proficiency with Figma design systems and your practical use of AI tools. Be ready to discuss the technical aspects of design systems if relevant.

• Practice Asynchronous Delivery: Prepare a concise summary or Loom video that can serve as an introduction or follow-up, showcasing your ability to communicate effectively in async formats.

📝 Enhancement Note: Preparation should focus on demonstrating end-to-end ownership, strategic thinking, operational efficiency (AI, async), and a strong understanding of the company's mission and market.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Lead Product Designer position:

• Submit your application through the provided job link on jobs.lever.co.

• Curate Your Portfolio for Impact: Select 3-4 of your strongest end-to-end design case studies, prioritizing complex, data-heavy projects or those in B2B SaaS, Proptech, or Fintech. Ensure each case study clearly demonstrates your problem-solving process, user research integration, and measurable outcomes.

• Optimize Your Resume for Operations: Highlight quantifiable achievements, experience with design systems, AI tool usage, and cross-functional collaboration. Use keywords such as "Product Design," "UX/UI," "Figma," "Design Systems," "User Research," and "AI-Assisted Design" naturally throughout your resume.

• Prepare Your Portfolio Presentation: Practice articulating your design process, decisions, and the impact of your work. Be ready to discuss your contributions to design systems and your experience with AI tools. Prepare to explain how you communicate asynchronously and collaborate effectively with product and engineering teams.

• Research Findigs Thoroughly: Understand their mission, target audience (renters, property managers), business model, and recent funding. Familiarize yourself with their existing product and identify potential areas for design improvement or innovation. This will help you tailor your responses and demonstrate genuine interest.

⚠️ 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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