Lead Product Designer- Costa Rica

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Lead Product Designer - Costa Rica

Company: Very LLC

Location: San Jose, Costa Rica

Job Type: FULL_TIME

Category: Product Design / GTM Strategy

Date Posted: 2026-06-08

Experience Level: 5-10 Years

Remote Status: Remote Solely

🚀 Role Summary

• Lead the end-to-end product design lifecycle, encompassing strategy, UX/UI design, interactive prototyping, user research, data visualization, and design systems.

• Drive product design from the initial conceptualization, working through ambiguity with clients and engineering teams to successfully launch tangible products.

• Integrate AI tools and methodologies into the design workflow, focusing on enhancing patterns, building fluid design-to-code experiences, and maintaining human judgment.

• Own design quality assurance (QA) for shipped products, ensuring they accurately reflect the intended craft and functionality.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is specifically for a Product Designer who operates beyond just creating artifacts, focusing on delivering launched products. The emphasis on "running the full arc" and "shipping a launched product" indicates a need for a candidate who can manage projects from inception to completion, handling client interactions and ambiguity throughout. The integration of AI is a key differentiator, suggesting a forward-thinking approach to design tools and processes.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Conduct discovery workshops and client alignment sessions to define project scope and strategic direction for new product initiatives.

• Facilitate user feedback loops with clients and their end-users to iterate on designs and ensure market fit.

• Partner closely with engineering teams throughout the development lifecycle to ensure seamless implementation of design specifications.

• Develop and maintain design systems to ensure consistency, scalability, and efficiency across product offerings.

• Apply design thinking principles to complex, ambiguous problems, driving clarity and actionable solutions for clients.

• Ensure design QA processes are robust, validating that shipped products meet high standards of craft and functionality.

• Explore and integrate AI-powered design tools and workflows to enhance productivity and explore new design possibilities.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a senior-level individual contributor role that requires significant client-facing interaction and strategic input. The mention of "running discovery workshops" and "partnering closely with engineering" signifies a hands-on approach to project leadership within the design domain.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: While no specific degree is listed, a Bachelor's degree in Design, Human-Computer Interaction, or a related field is typically expected for this level of experience. Equivalent practical experience will also be considered.

Experience: 5-7 years of progressive product design experience, with a strong portfolio demonstrating successful product launches and end-to-end design ownership.

Required Skills:

• UX and UI Design: Proficiency in creating intuitive user experiences and visually appealing interfaces.

• Interactive Prototyping: Ability to create functional prototypes to test and communicate design concepts.

• User Research: Experience conducting user interviews, usability testing, and synthesizing findings into actionable design insights.

• Data Visualization: Skill in presenting complex data in clear, understandable, and actionable visual formats.

• Design Systems: Deep understanding and experience in building, maintaining, and scaling design systems.

• Client Communication: Exceptional verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to articulate design decisions and influence stakeholders.

• Problem-Solving in Ambiguity: Proven ability to navigate unclear requirements and evolving business needs to deliver effective design solutions.

• Self-Direction & Ownership: Demonstrated ability to manage one's own workload, take initiative, and drive projects to completion independently.

• AI Integration: Experience or demonstrated interest in integrating AI tools and methodologies into personal design workflows. Preferred Skills:

• IoT and Connected Product Design: Experience designing for hardware-integrated software experiences.

• Front-End Development Fundamentals: Familiarity with React, HTML, and CSS, with the ability to understand and collaborate on implementation (training is available).

• Data-Heavy/Analytical Product Design: Experience designing complex analytical tools that make data accessible and actionable.

• Agentic/AI-Driven Product Design: Understanding of designing for systems that exhibit autonomous behavior or advanced AI capabilities.

📝 Enhancement Note: The required skills emphasize a blend of technical design proficiency, strong soft skills (communication, ownership), and adaptability to new technologies like AI. The preferred skills point towards specific industry or technical areas that would be advantageous.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Demonstrated ability to take a product from concept to launch, showcasing the entire design journey.

• Case studies that highlight problem definition, user research, design iterations, and final shipped product outcomes.

• Examples of how design decisions were influenced by client business objectives and user needs.

• Showcase of design systems thinking, including examples of reusable components and their impact on efficiency.

• Inclusion of work that demonstrates comfort with ambiguity and how challenges were navigated.

• Projects illustrating the integration of AI tools or design for AI-driven features. Process Documentation:

• Detailed descriptions of design processes used for specific projects, from discovery to implementation.

• Evidence of user research methodologies and how findings informed design decisions.

• Examples of collaboration workflows with engineering and client teams.

• Documentation of how design QA was conducted and integrated into the product lifecycle.

📝 Enhancement Note: A strong portfolio is critical for this role, serving as the primary evidence of a candidate's ability to deliver tangible results. The emphasis is on shipped products and the process behind them, rather than just polished mockups.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: USD $64,000 - $107,000 per year, commensurate with experience.

Regional Adjustment: Since the role is based in Costa Rica, the salary range is likely benchmarked against local market rates for senior design roles, with the USD figure reflecting the company's compensation structure for international remote employees.

Benefits:

• Health Insurance Stipend: $1000 USD/year to assist with health insurance costs.

• Cell/Internet Stipend: $100 USD/month for communication and connectivity expenses.

• Home Office Equipment Stipend: $600 USD/year to support a productive remote workspace.

• Continuing Education Stipend: $2,500 USD/year after the first year of employment, for professional development.

• Company-Provided Equipment: Loaned MacBook Pro and other necessary equipment.

• Variable Compensation: Potential for up to 15% based on performance.

Working Hours: 40 hours per week, with flexibility inherent in a remote, distributed team environment.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range appears to be a blend of US-based benchmarks and adjustments for the Costa Rican location. The benefits package is designed to support remote work and professional growth, which is typical for distributed technology firms.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Technology Consulting / Product Development. Very LLC specializes in helping clients move commercial, industrial, and consumer products from pilot to production rapidly, often involving connected devices and AI.

Company Size: The input does not specify company size, but the structure suggests a mid-to-large sized firm with established processes and client relationships, capable of winning contracts with well-known brands like Vizio, Peloton, and iHeart Radio.

Founded: The founding date is not specified, but the company has received workplace awards and certifications, indicating a mature and established organization.

Team Structure:

• The design team likely operates as a core component of client-facing project teams, working in close collaboration with project managers, engineers, and client stakeholders.

• As a "Lead" Product Designer, this role implies a senior individual contributor with potential to mentor junior designers or lead design efforts on specific engagements.

• The company operates on a fully distributed model, fostering a culture of asynchronous communication and self-management. Methodology:

• Emphasis on "the grind" and "doing hard things well" suggests a results-oriented, problem-solving culture.

• Client obsession is a core tenet, driving technical choices by business impact.

• Iterative design and rapid prototyping are implied by the need to move products from pilot to production quickly.

• A proactive approach to adopting and integrating AI into workflows is a key part of their methodology.

Company Website: http://www.verytechnology.com

📝 Enhancement Note: Very LLC positions itself as a firm that tackles challenging projects for prominent clients, emphasizing results and client success. The culture appears to be one of high performance, collaboration within a distributed setting, and a commitment to innovation.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This is a Senior Product Designer role, positioned as a lead individual contributor. It requires significant autonomy, client management, and the ability to drive projects from ambiguity to launch. It’s a role for experienced practitioners who can operate independently and influence project direction.

Reporting Structure: While not explicitly stated, a Lead Product Designer typically reports to a Design Manager, Director of Design, or potentially a Head of Product/Technology within client engagements. In a distributed structure, reporting lines might be more matrixed, focusing on project leads and functional heads.

Operations Impact: The Product Designer's impact is directly tied to the success of client products. By delivering well-designed, user-centric, and technically sound solutions, they contribute to client satisfaction, product adoption, business outcomes, and Very LLC's reputation for delivering impactful solutions. Their work directly influences the user experience and perceived value of the products they help build.

Growth Opportunities:

• Technical Specialization: Deepen expertise in specific areas like AI-driven design, data visualization, or complex connected product systems.

• Client Leadership: Grow into roles that involve leading design strategy for larger or more complex client engagements.

• Mentorship: Potentially mentor junior designers as the team grows, contributing to the development of design talent within Very LLC.

• Process Improvement: Contribute to refining and evolving Very LLC's product design methodologies, especially concerning AI integration and remote collaboration.

📝 Enhancement Note: The growth path for a Lead Product Designer at a firm like Very LLC often involves increasing project complexity, client responsibility, and potentially taking on leadership or mentorship roles within the design function.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Fully distributed/remote. The company emphasizes remote work and has clients across various sectors.

Office Location(s): While the role is based in Costa Rica, the company operates globally with clients in the US and potentially other regions. The "Remote - Costa Rica" designation indicates the candidate must reside and be legally authorized to work within Costa Rica.

Workspace Context:

• The work environment is highly autonomous, requiring strong self-discipline and time management skills to succeed in a remote setting.

• Collaboration will primarily occur through digital tools, requiring proficiency in video conferencing, project management software, and collaborative design platforms.

• The company provides home office stipends and equipment to ensure a functional and productive remote workspace.

• The culture values "doing hard things well," suggesting a challenging yet rewarding environment where impactful work is the norm.

Work Schedule: A standard 40-hour work week is expected, but the remote nature allows for some flexibility in daily scheduling, provided client and team needs are met, and communication across time zones is managed effectively.

📝 Enhancement Note: The remote-first nature of Very LLC means candidates must be comfortable with asynchronous communication, self-management, and leveraging digital tools for all aspects of collaboration and project execution.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

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

• Portfolio Review & Discussion: A deep dive into your portfolio with a hiring manager or senior designer. Expect to discuss your process, design decisions, challenges faced, and outcomes achieved for specific projects.

• Skills & Scenario-Based Interview: Technical questions and scenario-based challenges to evaluate your problem-solving skills, design thinking, and ability to handle ambiguity. This may involve discussing how you'd approach a hypothetical client problem.

• Client/Team Collaboration Simulation: Potentially a session involving discussions about client interaction, collaboration with engineering, and how you would run discovery or alignment sessions.

• Final Interview: A discussion with senior leadership to assess cultural fit, strategic thinking, and overall suitability for the role and company ethos.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Focus on Shipped Products: Prioritize projects where your work resulted in a launched product. Clearly articulate your role and contribution.

• Tell a Story: For each case study, outline the problem, your approach, the challenges, your solutions, and the measurable impact or outcome.

• Showcase Ambiguity Navigation: Highlight projects where requirements were unclear or evolved, and demonstrate how you managed this complexity.

• Demonstrate Design Systems Thinking: Include examples of how you've built or utilized design systems, explaining their benefits.

• Integrate AI Insights: If possible, showcase how you've leveraged AI in your design process or designed for AI-driven features.

• Prepare for Q&A: Be ready to answer detailed questions about your design choices, reasoning, and trade-offs.

Challenge Preparation:

• Practice Articulating Your Process: Be able to clearly explain your design methodology, from discovery to delivery.

• Prepare for Hypothetical Scenarios: Think about how you would approach a client brief with limited information or evolving requirements.

• Research Very LLC: Understand their client base, their stated values ("the grind," "doing hard things well"), and their approach to AI.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on "shipping products" and "handling ambiguity" means interviewers will probe deeply into your real-world experience and your ability to deliver results under less-than-ideal circumstances.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Design & Prototyping: Figma (highly probable given industry standards), Sketch, Adobe Creative Suite (Illustrator, Photoshop), InVision, Axure RP.

• AI Integration Tools: Specific AI tools for design assistance, image generation, UX research synthesis, or code generation (candidates are expected to be exploring these).

• Collaboration & Project Management: Slack, Jira, Asana, Trello, Google Workspace.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Tools for user behavior analytics (e.g., Google Analytics, Mixpanel, Amplitude) to inform design decisions and measure impact.

• Data visualization tools (e.g., Tableau, Power BI, Looker) if designing data-heavy products. CRM & Automation:

• While not directly a designer's tool, understanding how design integrates with CRM (e.g., Salesforce) and marketing automation platforms can be beneficial for GTM-aligned product design.

📝 Enhancement Note: Proficiency in industry-standard design tools like Figma is essential. Experience with or a strong willingness to learn and integrate AI design tools is a key expectation for this role.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Client Obsessed: Prioritizing client success and business impact in all design decisions. This translates to understanding client goals deeply and designing solutions that directly address them.

• Clear Communicator: Valuing transparent and effective communication with both technical and non-technical stakeholders, ensuring alignment and shared understanding.

• Quality-Driven: Maintaining high standards for design craft, usability, and reliability, ensuring that shipped products are polished and functional.

• Ownership Mindset: Taking full responsibility for design outcomes, from initial concept through to successful implementation and iteration.

• Problem Solver: Embracing complexity and ambiguity as opportunities to innovate and find creative, effective solutions.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-functional Integration: Working closely with engineering, product management, and client teams to ensure a cohesive product development process.

• Feedback-Driven: Actively seeking and incorporating feedback from clients, users, and internal teams to refine designs.

• Transparent Communication: Utilizing digital tools effectively for clear and consistent communication, particularly in a distributed environment.

• Agile & Iterative: Embracing a process that allows for rapid iteration and adaptation based on feedback and evolving requirements.

📝 Enhancement Note: The company culture is geared towards high-performing individuals who can operate autonomously, collaborate effectively across disciplines, and deliver tangible results for clients, with a strong emphasis on communication and problem-solving.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Navigating Ambiguity: The primary challenge is working with clients who may have undefined problems or evolving requirements, requiring strong strategic thinking and facilitation skills.

• Remote Collaboration: Effectively collaborating and building strong relationships with clients and internal teams across different time zones and geographical locations.

• Balancing Craft and Launch: Ensuring high-quality design execution while meeting tight deadlines and the practicalities of product development and launch.

• Integrating New Technologies: Staying ahead of the curve with AI and other emerging technologies, and effectively integrating them into design workflows and product offerings.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• AI in Design Mastery: Opportunity to become a leader in leveraging AI for product design, shaping the company's approach in this rapidly evolving field.

• Client Engagement Expertise: Gaining extensive experience working with diverse clients and industries, honing client management and strategic consulting skills.

• Broad Product Exposure: Working on a variety of products across different sectors (commercial, industrial, consumer) offering diverse design challenges and learning experiences.

• Cross-Disciplinary Learning: Opportunities to learn from and collaborate with expert engineers and problem-solvers within Very LLC.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role offers a significant opportunity for growth by tackling complex, ambiguous problems for high-profile clients, with a particular focus on emerging technologies like AI, in a fully remote, results-driven environment.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you had to design a product with very ambiguous requirements. How did you approach it, and what was the outcome?" (Focus on your process for defining the problem, gathering information, and iterating towards a solution.)

• "How do you ensure your design decisions are aligned with a client's business objectives and drive measurable impact?" (Prepare case studies that demonstrate ROI or business value.)

• "Walk us through your process for integrating AI tools into your design workflow. What are the benefits and drawbacks you've observed?" (Be ready to discuss specific tools and your approach to ethical AI integration.) Company & Culture Questions:

• "What interests you about Very LLC's approach to 'doing hard things well' and working with clients in the 'grind'?" (Relate this to your own work ethic and passion for problem-solving.)

• "How do you maintain high design quality and craft while working under tight deadlines for product launches?" (Discuss your strategies for efficient yet effective design execution.)

• "How do you ensure effective communication and collaboration with engineering teams and non-technical stakeholders?" (Provide examples of successful cross-functional partnerships.) Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure Your Case Studies: For each project, clearly define the problem, your role, your process (discovery, research, ideation, prototyping, testing, iteration), the challenges you faced, the solutions you implemented, and the results/impact.

• Quantify Impact: Wherever possible, use metrics and data to demonstrate the success of your designs (e.g., user engagement, conversion rates, task completion times).

• Highlight Ambiguity & AI: Specifically call out projects where you dealt with uncertainty or integrated AI, explaining your strategic approach.

• Be Prepared for Deep Dives: Anticipate detailed questions about your design decisions, trade-offs, and the reasoning behind your choices.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process will heavily scrutinize your ability to deliver tangible results, manage complexity, and integrate new technologies like AI, all within a client-focused, remote work environment.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Lead Product Designer position:

• Submit your application through the provided link on the Very LLC careers portal.

• Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your 5-7+ years of experience in product design, focusing on shipped products, client work, and any experience with AI integration or complex problem-solving.

• Curate your portfolio to showcase 2-3 strong case studies demonstrating your end-to-end design process, ability to handle ambiguity, and successful product launches. Ensure it clearly articulates your role and the impact of your work.

• Prepare to discuss your experience with design systems and your approach to collaborating with engineering and client teams.

• Research Very LLC's values and client work to articulate your understanding and alignment during interviews.

⚠️ Important Notice: This enhanced job description includes AI-generated insights and industry-standard assumptions. All details should be verified directly with the hiring organization before making application decisions.

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