Pessoa Product Designer: Discovery, Research e Service Design

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Pessoa Product Designer: Discovery, Research e Service Design

Company: Pimp My Carroça

Location: São Paulo, Brazil

Job Type: Tempo integral (Contractor)

Category: Product Design & UX Research

Date Posted: 2026-09-17

Experience Level: 2-5 Years

Remote Status: Hybrid (with potential for full remote, but requiring occasional on-site visits in São Paulo)

🚀 Role Summary

• This role is focused on the discovery, research, and service design phases for the Cataki 2.0 project, emphasizing understanding real-world operations and user needs.

• The Product Designer will be instrumental in transforming research findings into actionable product strategies, user journeys, and service blueprints.

• The position requires strong analytical and problem-solving skills to map complex operational flows and identify opportunities for technological enhancement.

• This is a project-based service role with an initial duration of four months, with the possibility of extension based on performance and project evolution.

📝 Enhancement Note: The job description explicitly states this is not a UI-centric role, focusing heavily on the upstream Product Discovery and UX Research aspects. The "Contractor" employment type and partial dedication (16-20 hours/week) indicate a project-based engagement rather than a permanent full-time employee position, which is crucial for candidates to understand.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Plan and execute user research, including interviews, contextual observation, and field studies with waste pickers, cooperatives, internal teams, sponsors, and other stakeholders.

• Map existing operational processes, including actors, tools, rules, data flows, pain points, and dependencies, particularly focusing on the Cataki+ operation.

• Develop comprehensive user journeys and service blueprints for prioritized operational flows to visualize user experiences and service interactions.

• Facilitate ideation and co-creation workshops with various involved parties to gather diverse perspectives and generate innovative solutions.

• Synthesize research findings, organize problems, hypotheses, evidence, and opportunities to inform product strategy and decision-making.

• Create low-to-medium fidelity prototypes to test concepts and gather user feedback on proposed solutions.

• Conduct concept and usability testing to validate designs and gather insights for iterative improvements.

• Identify critical data points and evidence required for the product to effectively support operations and track impact.

• Collaborate with the Product team to prioritize the Minimum Viable Product (MVP) scope and prepare requirements for the development team.

• Document all learnings, decisions, limitations, and open questions to ensure knowledge transfer and project continuity.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities are heavily weighted towards research and strategy, with a clear emphasis on translating qualitative and quantitative data into tangible product and service design recommendations. The requirement to map existing operations and develop service blueprints highlights a need for strong systems thinking and process analysis skills.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: While no specific degree is mandated, a background in Design, Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), Social Sciences, or a related field is beneficial.

Experience: 2-5 years of relevant experience in Product Discovery, UX Research, applied product/service research, or a similar role.

Required Skills:

• Proven experience in Product Discovery methodologies and UX Research techniques.

• Proficiency in conducting user interviews, contextual observation, and field research.

• Ability to map user journeys and create detailed service blueprints.

• Experience with facilitation, ideation, and co-creation sessions.

• Strong capability to translate research insights into product decisions and prototypes.

• Excellent synthesis and communication skills, adaptable to diverse audiences.

• Autonomy and self-direction to navigate environments with evolving processes.

• Sensitivity and ethical approach when researching with vulnerable populations.

• Understanding of accessibility principles, low digital literacy contexts, and limited connectivity challenges. Preferred Skills:

• Experience within the non-profit sector, cooperatives, public services, or social impact organizations.

• Prior work on B2B2C products or field operations.

• Knowledge of circular economy, recycling, or reverse logistics.

• Familiarity with performance indicators, internal tools, and data-driven products.

• Experience with AI tools for prototyping or "vibe coding" (rapid prototyping).

📝 Enhancement Note: The preferred skills strongly suggest that candidates with a genuine interest and prior experience in social impact or environmental initiatives will have a significant advantage. The emphasis on working with vulnerable populations and understanding low-tech environments indicates a need for empathy and practical problem-solving.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Showcase projects where your research directly influenced a product or service decision, demonstrating the impact of your findings.

• Clearly articulate the problem you addressed, the research methodology employed, and the evidence gathered.

• Illustrate how learnings from research led to changes in user flows, prototypes, or strategic decisions.

• Highlight instances where hypotheses were disproven or validated through your research efforts.

• Demonstrate your ability to synthesize complex information and present it concisely. Process Documentation:

• Evidence of planning and executing research initiatives, including research plans and ethical considerations.

• Examples of mapped user journeys, process flows, or service blueprints for complex systems.

• Documentation of facilitated workshops, co-creation sessions, and the outcomes achieved.

• Records of concept and usability testing, including methodologies, participant feedback, and iterative design changes.

• Clear articulation of how data and evidence were collected and utilized to inform product development.

📝 Enhancement Note: The portfolio review emphasizes the impact of research and synthesis over visual polish. Candidates should be prepared to walk through the "why" and "how" of their research process and demonstrate concrete outcomes, not just aesthetically pleasing designs.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: As this is a project-based role with partial dedication (16-20 hours/week) and the location is São Paulo, Brazil, a typical range for a freelance/contract Product Designer with 2-5 years of experience in this market would be approximately R$ 5,000 - R$ 10,000 per month, depending on experience and negotiation. This translates to an hourly rate of R$ 62.50 - R$ 125.00.

Benefits:

• Travel expenses for necessary on-site visits in São Paulo will be reimbursed separately.

• The opportunity to work on a project with significant social impact and contribute to a mission-driven organization.

• Potential for continuity and further engagement after the initial four-month project, based on performance and project needs.

• Flexibility in working hours, with a partial dedication requirement.

Working Hours: Estimated 16-20 hours per week, with flexibility in scheduling, though occasional in-person meetings in São Paulo may be required.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary estimate is based on typical freelance rates for Product Designers in São Paulo, Brazil, for part-time engagements of this nature. It's crucial for candidates to confirm the exact compensation structure and reimbursement policies with Pimp My Carroça.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Social Impact, Non-profit, Technology (App Development), Circular Economy. Pimp My Carroça operates at the intersection of social innovation, community development, and technology, aiming to improve the livelihoods of recyclable material collectors.

Company Size: While not explicitly stated, the mention of a "movement" and a project like Cataki suggests a dynamic, potentially lean organization with a strong community focus. It's likely to be a mission-driven environment.

Founded: The movement was founded in 2012, and the Cataki app was launched in 2017, indicating a history of innovation and a commitment to its mission.

Team Structure:

• The Product Designer will likely work within a project team for Cataki 2.0, which may include Product Managers, Developers, and other stakeholders from the Pimp My Carroça movement.

• Collaboration will be cross-functional, involving operational teams, waste pickers, cooperatives, and potentially external partners or sponsors.

• The reporting structure is likely to be project-based, with clear lines of communication for project deliverables and decision-making. Methodology:

• Emphasis on user-centric design, with a strong focus on understanding the needs and realities of waste pickers.

• Data-driven decision-making, utilizing research findings and evidence to guide product development.

• Collaborative and participatory design approaches, involving stakeholders in the ideation and validation process.

• Agile and iterative development, with a focus on delivering an MVP and adapting based on learnings.

Company Website: [Pimp My Carroça Website - assumed from domain] (Note: The provided URL was for jobs.smartrecruiters.com, not the company itself. A placeholder is used here.)

📝 Enhancement Note: The company's mission is central to its culture. Candidates should demonstrate an understanding of and passion for social impact, community engagement, and empowering marginalized groups. The "movement" aspect suggests a less corporate, more grassroots operational style.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is positioned as a specialized, project-based contributor, likely at an intermediate level (2-5 years of experience). It offers deep involvement in the early stages of product development (discovery, research, design) rather than broad operational management.

Reporting Structure: The Product Designer will report to the project lead or Product Manager responsible for Cataki 2.0. Direct collaboration with other project team members and stakeholders from the Pimp My Carroça movement is expected.

Operations Impact: The role's primary impact is on shaping the future direction and functionality of the Cataki 2.0 platform. By ensuring the product addresses real operational needs and user challenges, the designer directly contributes to the movement's mission of increasing waste pickers' income and recognition.

Growth Opportunities:

• Skill Deepening: Opportunity to significantly deepen expertise in Product Discovery, UX Research, Service Design, and working with vulnerable user groups in complex operational environments.

• Impactful Projects: Gain experience working on a high-impact social innovation project with a tangible societal benefit.

• Network Expansion: Build connections within the social impact sector, the circular economy space, and the technology development community in Brazil.

• Potential for Future Engagements: Successful completion and performance could lead to further project-based work or potentially other roles within Pimp My Carroça or its network.

📝 Enhancement Note: This is a contract role, so traditional "career ladder" growth might be less defined. However, the learning and impact opportunities are significant for professionals looking to specialize in UX for social good or complex service design.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The role is primarily remote, with requirements for occasional in-person meetings in São Paulo. This suggests a hybrid or flexible work model.

Office Location(s): The primary office location for necessary in-person meetings is São Paulo, Brazil, specifically at Rua Padre Justino 653.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Environment: Expect a collaborative, mission-driven environment where input from various stakeholders, including end-users (waste pickers), is highly valued.

• Tools & Technology: While not UI-focused, the role will involve using research tools, prototyping software, and potentially collaboration platforms. Access to necessary software will be expected.

• Team Interaction: Regular virtual meetings and occasional in-person sessions will facilitate interaction with the project team and movement members.

Work Schedule: Partial dedication (16-20 hours/week) allows for flexibility, but requires proactive time management to meet project milestones and research schedules. The work involves field visits, which may require some pre-planning around these specific activities.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "hybrid" nature implies a need for self-discipline and strong remote communication skills, balanced with the ability to engage effectively in person when required. Candidates should be comfortable with environments where processes might still be forming.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: Likely a review of your CV and portfolio to assess alignment with the required skills and experience.

• Portfolio Presentation: A key stage will involve presenting a project where your research significantly impacted a product or service decision. Be prepared to detail the problem, methodology, evidence, changes implemented, and lessons learned.

• Skills Assessment: Interviews will likely probe your understanding of Product Discovery, UX Research methodologies, and your approach to working with diverse user groups.

• Cultural Fit & Mission Alignment: Expect questions to gauge your passion for social impact, your understanding of the challenges faced by waste pickers, and your ability to work autonomously in a mission-driven organization.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Focus on Impact: Prioritize projects that clearly demonstrate how your research led to tangible improvements or strategic shifts. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your case studies.

• Process Over Polish: Emphasize the "why" and "how" of your research process. Detail your methods for user interviews, contextual observation, and synthesis. Visual design quality is secondary to the depth of your research and insights.

• Evidence Presentation: Show how you collected and interpreted evidence. Highlight specific user quotes, data points, or observations that drove your recommendations.

• Problem/Solution Framing: Clearly define the problem you were trying to solve and how your research informed the proposed solutions or decisions.

• Adaptability: Be ready to discuss how you adapted your research approach based on the specific context, including challenges related to accessibility, low literacy, or connectivity.

Challenge Preparation:

• Research Scenarios: Be prepared to discuss how you would approach research for specific scenarios related to waste collection, cooperative operations, or impact tracking.

• Service Design Thinking: Understand how to map complex service interactions and identify points of friction or opportunity.

• Ethical Considerations: Reflect on the ethical considerations of conducting research with vulnerable populations and how you would ensure respectful and beneficial engagement.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process heavily emphasizes the candidate's ability to demonstrate real-world impact through research and synthesis. A strong narrative around a research-driven product decision will be crucial.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Prototyping Tools: Figma, Sketch, Adobe XD, or similar for low-to-medium fidelity prototypes.

• Research & Synthesis Tools: Miro, Mural, Dovetail, Notion, or similar for mapping journeys, service blueprints, and organizing research findings.

• Collaboration Tools: Slack, Zoom, Google Meet for communication and virtual meetings.

• Data Analysis Tools: While not explicitly a data analyst role, familiarity with basic data interpretation from surveys or analytics platforms can be beneficial.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Familiarity with how products track user behavior and operational metrics, even if not directly performing the analysis.

• Understanding of how research insights can inform the definition of key performance indicators (KPIs) for the product. CRM & Automation:

• Not directly implied, but understanding how user data is managed and how feedback loops can be automated would be a plus.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis is on research and design tools rather than complex analytics platforms. The core requirement is proficiency in tools that facilitate discovery, mapping, and prototyping.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Mission-Driven: A strong commitment to the social mission of empowering waste pickers and promoting recycling.

• Empathy & Respect: Deep understanding and respect for the challenges and dignity of waste pickers and vulnerable communities.

• Collaboration: A belief in working together, involving diverse stakeholders in the design and decision-making process.

• Innovation & Adaptability: Willingness to experiment, learn, and adapt in a dynamic environment with evolving processes.

• Impact-Oriented: Focus on creating measurable positive change and improving livelihoods.

Collaboration Style:

• User-Centric: All collaboration revolves around understanding and serving the needs of the end-users.

• Participatory: Encourages active participation from all team members and stakeholders in problem-solving and idea generation.

• Transparent: Open communication regarding research findings, decisions, and project progress.

• Iterative: Embraces feedback and continuous improvement throughout the project lifecycle.

📝 Enhancement Note: Candidates should highlight their ability to work empathetically, collaborate effectively across different user groups, and remain focused on the overarching social mission of the organization.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Working with Vulnerable Populations: Navigating research with individuals facing socio-economic challenges requires sensitivity, trust-building, and ethical considerations.

• Complex Operational Environments: Understanding and mapping the intricacies of waste collection operations, cooperatives, and informal economies can be challenging.

• Evolving Processes: Working in an environment where processes are still being defined requires adaptability, proactivity, and comfort with ambiguity.

• Limited Resources/Connectivity: Designing solutions that are accessible and usable for individuals with limited digital literacy, low-end devices, or unreliable internet access.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Specialized UX for Social Impact: Gain deep expertise in applying UX principles to solve real-world social and environmental problems.

• Service Design Mastery: Develop advanced skills in mapping and designing complex service ecosystems.

• Cross-Cultural Collaboration: Enhance abilities in communicating and collaborating with diverse user groups and stakeholders.

• Contribution to a Meaningful Cause: The intrinsic reward of contributing to a project that directly benefits marginalized communities and promotes sustainability.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges presented are unique and require specific skill sets beyond standard UX design. Candidates should demonstrate an understanding of these challenges and how they would approach them.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time your user research led to a significant change in a product or service. What was the problem, your approach, the evidence, and the outcome?" (Focus on impact and methodology).

• "How would you approach mapping the operational flow of a waste cooperative, considering limited digital literacy and potential language barriers among members?" (Tests research planning and empathy).

• "Imagine we want to introduce a new feature for tracking recycling impact. What research methods would you use to understand user needs and potential adoption challenges?" (Tests product discovery and problem-solving). Company & Culture Questions:

• "What interests you about Pimp My Carroça's mission and the Cataki project specifically?" (Assesses mission alignment).

• "How do you approach building trust and rapport when researching with individuals from vulnerable or marginalized communities?" (Assesses empathy and ethical approach).

• "Describe your experience working in environments with evolving processes or less defined structures." (Assesses adaptability and autonomy). Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Storytelling: Structure your portfolio presentation as a narrative. Clearly define the problem, your role, the steps you took, the insights you uncovered, and the impact of your work.

• Focus on Research: Dedicate significant time to explaining your research process, user insights, and how they directly informed your design recommendations or product decisions.

• Visual Aids: Use visuals like journey maps, service blueprints, low-fidelity prototypes, and key research findings to support your story, but ensure the narrative remains central.

• Quantify Impact: Wherever possible, use data or evidence to demonstrate the tangible results of your research and design interventions.

• Be Prepared for Questions: Anticipate questions about your methodology, decision-making rationale, and how you handled challenges during the project.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview preparation emphasizes demonstrating research rigor, empathy, and the ability to translate insights into actionable product strategy, aligning with the role's focus on discovery and service design.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Product Designer position:

• Submit your application through the provided link on jobs.smartrecruiters.com.

• Tailor your resume: Highlight experience in Product Discovery, UX Research, Service Design, and any relevant social impact work. Use keywords from the job description.

• Curate your portfolio: Select 1-2 strong projects that best showcase your research-driven decision-making and impact. Prepare to present these projects with a clear narrative focusing on the research process and outcomes.

• Prepare for the portfolio presentation: Practice explaining your research methodology, key findings, and how they influenced product decisions. Be ready to discuss the challenges and learnings.

• Research Pimp My Carroça: Understand their mission, the Cataki project, and the context of waste pickers in Brazil to demonstrate genuine interest and cultural alignment.

⚠️ 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.

---