Principal Product Designer & Product Manager

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Principal Product Designer & Product Manager

Company: ButterflyMX

Location: United States

Job Type: FULL_TIME

Category: Product Design & Management (with a focus on AI-Accelerated Product Development)

Date Posted: March 31, 2026

Experience Level: 8-12 years (Principal Level)

Remote Status: Fully Remote

🚀 Role Summary

• Lead the strategic vision and execution of product development, integrating both Product Design and Product Management disciplines to drive substantial business outcomes through AI-accelerated workflows.

• Own the end-to-end product lifecycle, from initial discovery and user research to final implementation and success metric definition, ensuring a balance between user needs, business objectives, and technical constraints.

• Champion human-centered design principles while proactively leveraging AI tools to innovate and optimize design and development processes, fostering a new model of integrated product team collaboration.

• Drive significant impact by defining and refining product strategy, user experience, and technical feasibility across hardware and software touchpoints, with direct reporting to the Head of Design.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is highly unique, blending traditional Product Design and Product Management with a forward-thinking approach to AI integration. The emphasis is on a holistic ownership of product creation, not merely wearing two hats. This implies a need for a candidate who can think strategically about business models, user needs, and technical execution simultaneously, with a strong bias for action and innovation in an AI-driven landscape. The "Principal" title suggests a high level of autonomy and influence.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Drive substantial business outcomes by strategically balancing user needs, business objectives, and technical constraints across integrated hardware and software product touchpoints.

• Lead comprehensive discovery efforts, encompassing in-depth user research, thorough market analysis, and insightful competitive intelligence to inform product strategy and roadmap.

• Establish and monitor key success metrics that effectively span the entire product experience, providing clear visibility into performance and impact.

• Collaborate closely with engineering, business development, and executive leadership teams to align on product and design direction, confidently presenting concepts, rationale, and data-driven insights.

• Lead the end-to-end design and product management process for significant product features, ensuring a cohesive and exceptional user experience across web, mobile, and tablet platforms.

• Facilitate dynamic design sprints, immersive workshops, and collaborative sessions to foster innovation and alignment among diverse cross-functional stakeholders.

• Cultivate and maintain robust cross-functional relationships, ensuring technical feasibility without compromising the core product vision and user experience.

• Actively champion human-centered design methodologies while strategically leveraging cutting-edge AI tools to accelerate and enhance all facets of the design and development workflows.

• Uphold and evolve design standards, contributing actively to the company's design systems to ensure consistency, quality, and scalability across all customer touchpoints.

• Partner effectively with engineering and Quality Assurance (QA) teams throughout the development lifecycle to guarantee product and design excellence and timely delivery.

• Serve as a strong advocate for user-centered design principles and best practices, embedding them into the daily operations and strategic planning of product teams.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a need for a candidate who can operate at a strategic level, influencing business outcomes, and at a tactical level, driving the execution of product features. The emphasis on "substantial business outcomes" and "success metrics" points to a strong focus on ROI and measurable impact, a key characteristic of successful Product Operations and GTM-aligned roles. The integration of AI is not just a tool but a core part of the methodology, requiring a forward-thinking approach.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: While no specific degree is mandated, a Bachelor's or Master's degree in Design, Product Management, Computer Science, Business, or a related field is often beneficial for roles at this level, providing a foundational understanding of user experience, technical architecture, and business strategy.

Experience: 8-12 years of progressive experience in a hybrid Product Design and Product Management capacity, with a proven track record of successfully bringing complex products to market. This experience should demonstrate a deep understanding of the entire product development lifecycle, from ideation to launch and iteration.

Required Skills:

• 8-12 years of hybrid product design and product management experience, substantiated by a strong portfolio showcasing work across multiple platforms (web, mobile, hardware interfaces).

• Deep understanding of current and emerging AI/ML capabilities and their transformative potential in reshaping product development workflows and user experiences.

• Exceptional sense of ownership and meticulous care for product quality, combined with a high degree of personal agency to proactively identify and resolve issues.

• Fluency in modern design tools (e.g., Figma, Sketch, Adobe Creative Suite) and advanced prototyping methods (e.g., InVision, Principle, Framer).

• Strong analytical and quantitative skills, with demonstrated experience in leveraging data for informed decision-making and strategic product adjustments.

• Excellent visual design, written communication, and verbal communication abilities, capable of articulating complex ideas clearly and persuasively to diverse audiences.

• Demonstrated comfort with ambiguity and a proven ability to bring clarity and structure to complex, undefined problems through systematic approaches.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience with hardware-software integration projects.

• Familiarity with agile development methodologies and their application in fast-paced environments.

• Experience in the PropTech or Smart Building industry.

• Knowledge of user research methodologies beyond usability testing, such as ethnography, diary studies, and generative research.

• Experience with design system development and maintenance.

📝 Enhancement Note: The requirement for a "strong portfolio showcasing work across multiple platforms" is critical. For this hybrid role, the portfolio should ideally demonstrate not only exceptional design craft but also strategic product thinking, problem-solving abilities, and evidence of driving business impact. Candidates should be prepared to articulate the "why" behind their design decisions and how those decisions contributed to product success and business goals. The emphasis on AI suggests candidates who can articulate their experience with AI tools or their strategic thinking around AI's role in product development.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Showcase a minimum of 3-5 significant product initiatives, with a clear emphasis on projects that demonstrate the applicant's ability to blend product design strategy with product management execution.

• For each project, clearly articulate the problem statement, the target audience, the business objectives, your specific role and contributions, the design and development process followed, and the measurable outcomes achieved.

• Include examples that highlight the integration of hardware and software components, demonstrating an understanding of the complexities involved in a full-stack product offering.

• Demonstrate proficiency in leveraging AI tools or methodologies within the product development lifecycle, explaining how AI enhanced efficiency, creativity, or strategic decision-making.

Process Documentation:

• Prepare to discuss your approach to user research, including methodologies for gathering insights and translating them into actionable product requirements and design specifications.

• Be ready to explain your process for defining product strategy, including roadmap planning, prioritization frameworks, and stakeholder alignment.

• Detail your workflow for managing design sprints and collaborative workshops, emphasizing techniques for fostering cross-functional input and achieving consensus.

• Outline your approach to defining and tracking success metrics for product features and overall product strategy, demonstrating an understanding of KPIs relevant to user engagement, business growth, and operational efficiency.

• Discuss your experience with design systems, including how you contribute to and leverage them for consistency and scalability.

📝 Enhancement Note: The portfolio is paramount for this role, serving as the primary evidence of a candidate's ability to operate effectively at the intersection of Product Design and Product Management, especially with the AI component. Applicants should curate their portfolio to explicitly demonstrate this hybrid capability, focusing on strategic thinking, problem-solving, and measurable business impact rather than just aesthetic execution. The emphasis on AI integration requires clear examples of how AI was used practically in their work.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: Based on industry benchmarks for Principal-level Product Designers/Product Managers with 8-12 years of experience in fully remote US-based roles, particularly those with a focus on AI and hybrid functions, the estimated annual salary range is $170,000 - $230,000. This range can vary based on specific experience, demonstrated impact, and the candidate's location within the United States.

Benefits:

• Comprehensive Medical, Dental, and Vision plans, with ButterflyMX covering 80% of the premium. Coverage begins on day one.

• 401(k) plan with a company match to support long-term financial planning.

• Generous Paid Time Off: 10 paid holidays, 20 vacation days, 5 sick days, and 3 floating holidays, offering a robust work-life balance.

• Company-paid Basic Life and Accidental Death and Dismemberment Insurance (100% coverage).

• Company-paid Short and Long Term Disability insurance (100% coverage), providing financial security.

• Paid Family Leave to support employees during significant life events.

• Employee Assistance Program (EAP) offering confidential support for personal and professional challenges.

• Quarterly self-care stipends to encourage employee well-being and prevent burnout.

• Access to a suite of optional benefits, including FSAs (Healthcare and Dependent Care), HSA, Commuter Benefits, and supplemental insurance options (Supplemental Life, AD&D, Hospital Indemnity, Legal, Accident, Critical Illness, Pet, and Personal Liability Insurance).

Working Hours: A standard 40-hour work week is expected, consistent with full-time employment. However, given the remote nature and the demanding responsibilities of a Principal-level role, flexibility is often inherent, with an emphasis on output and achieving objectives rather than strict adherence to hourly tracking.

📝 Enhancement Note: The estimated salary range is based on data from reputable compensation survey sites (e.g., Levels.fyi, Glassdoor, LinkedIn Salary) for Principal Product Designer/Product Manager roles in the US, considering the remote aspect and the specialized nature of the hybrid responsibilities and AI focus. The benefits package is robust, with a significant emphasis on employee well-being and financial security, reflecting a commitment to attracting and retaining top talent.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Technology, specifically within the PropTech (Property Technology) sector, focusing on smart building access solutions. ButterflyMX operates in a growing market driven by demand for convenience, security, and operational efficiency in real estate.

Company Size: ButterflyMX is a growing company, likely falling within the 50-200 employee range based on typical growth trajectories for successful tech startups that have achieved significant installation numbers like 20,000+. This size typically offers a dynamic environment with opportunities for significant individual impact.

Founded: Founded in 2015, ButterflyMX has established itself as a prominent player in the smart access control market, demonstrating a strong track record of innovation and market penetration within a relatively short period.

Team Structure:

• The Product Design and Product Management functions are likely integrated, with this Principal role reporting directly to the Head of Design. This suggests a collaborative structure where design leadership is deeply involved in product strategy.

• The broader product team will include engineering (software and hardware), QA, marketing, sales, and customer support, requiring strong cross-functional collaboration.

Methodology:

• Data Analysis and Insights: A core methodological approach, emphasized by the requirement for data-driven decision-making and establishing success metrics. This implies a culture that values quantitative validation of product strategies and design choices.

• Workflow Planning and Optimization: The role specifically calls for optimizing AI-accelerated workflows, indicating a focus on process improvement, efficiency, and innovation in how products are built.

• Automation and Efficiency Practices: Leveraging AI tools and a strong sense of ownership to streamline processes and enhance productivity will be key operational tenets.

Company Website: https://butterflymx.com/

📝 Enhancement Note: The company's mission and solution highlight a focus on practical innovation that delivers tangible benefits (lower operating costs, improved tenant satisfaction). The culture emphasizes collaboration, ownership, and a forward-thinking, "ai-forward" mindset, which directly aligns with the unique requirements of this role. The emphasis on being a "community of collaborators" and "thinking big and doing small" suggests a culture that values both strategic vision and diligent execution.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is at a "Principal" level, signifying a senior individual contributor with significant autonomy and influence. It's positioned above Senior roles, indicating a need for strategic leadership, deep expertise, and the ability to mentor others. The hybrid nature of the role (Product Design + Product Management + AI Integration) offers a unique growth trajectory, developing expertise in a cutting-edge, interdisciplinary field.

Reporting Structure: Reporting directly to the Head of Design, this position offers high visibility and direct access to senior leadership. This proximity can accelerate learning and provide opportunities to influence broader product and design strategies. The role is expected to have significant influence over product direction and development processes.

Operations Impact: The impact of this role is expected to be substantial, directly contributing to "substantial business outcomes." By bridging design craft with product strategy and leveraging AI, this individual will shape the future of ButterflyMX's product offerings, influencing customer acquisition, retention, operational efficiency, and overall market competitiveness. The role is positioned to pioneer new product development models within the company.

Growth Opportunities:

• Product Leadership: Potential to grow into a Director or VP level role overseeing product design, product management, or a combined AI-driven product innovation function.

• Specialization: Deepen expertise in AI-accelerated product development, becoming a recognized leader in this emerging field within the PropTech industry.

• Mentorship & Team Building: Opportunity to mentor junior designers and product managers, and potentially help build and shape future product teams based on the new AI-integrated model.

• Strategic Influence: Continued involvement in high-level strategic planning, influencing the company's long-term product vision and technological direction.

📝 Enhancement Note: The Principal title and direct reporting line to the Head of Design indicate a significant opportunity for growth and impact. The hybrid nature of the role itself is a growth opportunity, allowing for the development of a rare and valuable skill set at the intersection of design, strategy, and emerging AI technologies. Candidates should be prepared to articulate how their past experiences have prepared them for this level of leadership and strategic influence.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: This is a fully remote position, meaning the primary work environment will be a home office. ButterflyMX supports a distributed workforce, indicating established practices for remote collaboration and communication.

Office Location(s): While the role is remote, the company is US-based, and candidates must be authorized to work in the US. The company's headquarters is likely in the US, and there may be a primary physical office, but the role itself does not require on-site presence. Given the "America/Chicago" timezone derived, it's possible the company has a significant presence or leadership based in that region, which can influence meeting schedules.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Environment: Despite being remote, the culture emphasizes collaboration. This means utilizing digital collaboration tools (e.g., Slack, Zoom, Miro, Asana) effectively for brainstorming, feedback sessions, and project management.

• Operations Tools & Technology: Access to modern design and product management software, including advanced AI tools for design assistance, research analysis, and workflow automation, will be standard.

• Cross-Functional Interaction: Opportunities for interaction with engineering, marketing, sales, and executive teams will be frequent, facilitated through virtual channels.

Work Schedule: The standard work schedule is likely based on a 40-hour week, but with the flexibility inherent in remote work. Employees are generally expected to be available during core business hours for their region or the company's primary operating hours to facilitate synchronous collaboration. The emphasis is on productivity and delivering results rather than strict time-tracking.

📝 Enhancement Note: As a fully remote role, success will depend on the candidate's ability to self-manage, maintain strong communication, and thrive in a virtual team setting. The derived timezone "America/Chicago" might suggest that candidates in or willing to align with Central Time Zone hours could have an advantage in real-time collaboration.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A recruiter or hiring manager will review applications and portfolios, focusing on alignment with the hybrid role requirements, experience level, and AI familiarity.

• Design/Product Challenge: Candidates may be asked to complete a take-home design or product strategy exercise related to ButterflyMX's domain, potentially incorporating AI elements. This assesses problem-solving skills, strategic thinking, and execution capabilities.

• Portfolio Presentation & Deep Dive: A session where the candidate presents their portfolio, walking through key projects, explaining their strategic rationale, design decisions, and the impact achieved. This is a critical stage to assess hybrid capabilities.

• Cross-Functional Interviews: Meetings with engineering leads, other product team members, and potentially executive leadership to evaluate collaboration style, technical understanding, and cultural fit.

• Final Interview: Likely with the Head of Design or a senior executive to discuss overall vision, leadership potential, and final alignment with the company's strategic goals.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select projects that best showcase your dual expertise in design and product management, with a clear emphasis on your role in driving strategy and business outcomes.

• Highlight AI Integration: For each relevant project, explicitly detail how AI tools or concepts were utilized, the problem they solved, and the benefits they provided.

• Structure for Impact: For each case study, clearly outline the challenge, your solution, your process, and the quantifiable results (business metrics, user impact). Use visuals effectively.

• Tell a Story: Present your work as a narrative, focusing on the "why" behind your decisions and the lessons learned. Be prepared to discuss trade-offs and difficult decisions.

• Demonstrate Adaptability: Show examples of how you've navigated ambiguity and complex problems, especially in evolving technological landscapes like AI.

Challenge Preparation:

• Understand the Business: Thoroughly research ButterflyMX's products, target markets, competitors, and business model.

• Embrace AI: Think critically about how AI can solve specific problems within the PropTech space or enhance the user experience of ButterflyMX's offerings.

• Focus on Outcomes: For any hypothetical product challenge, frame your solutions around measurable business and user outcomes.

• Showcase Process: Be prepared to articulate your thought process, research methods, and decision-making criteria clearly and concisely.

📝 Enhancement Note: Given the unique nature of this role, the interview process will likely heavily scrutinize the candidate's ability to think holistically and operate effectively across disciplines. The portfolio presentation is where candidates can truly differentiate themselves by demonstrating their strategic product thinking alongside their design craft, with specific examples of AI integration.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Design & Prototyping: Figma (highly probable given industry trends), Sketch, Adobe Creative Suite, InVision, Principle, Framer. Proficiency in at least one core design tool and a prototyping tool is essential.

• Product Management & Collaboration: Jira, Asana, Trello, Monday.com for project management and workflow tracking. Confluence for documentation.

• Communication: Slack, Microsoft Teams for real-time messaging and team collaboration. Zoom, Google Meet for video conferencing.

• AI & ML Tools: Familiarity with AI-powered design tools (e.g., AI assistants for ideation, content generation, image editing), AI for user research analysis, and potentially AI platforms for predictive analytics or workflow automation. Specific tools may vary, but a conceptual understanding and willingness to adopt new AI technologies are key.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Google Analytics, Mixpanel, Amplitude for product analytics and user behavior tracking.

• Tableau, Power BI, Looker for data visualization and dashboard creation.

CRM & Automation:

• Salesforce, HubSpot (or similar CRM) for understanding customer data and sales/marketing interactions.

• Automation tools for workflows (e.g., Zapier, Make) might be relevant for process optimization.

📝 Enhancement Note: The technology stack emphasizes modern, cloud-based tools common in agile tech companies. A strong candidate will not only be proficient in the core design and PM tools but also demonstrate an aptitude for learning and integrating new AI technologies that can enhance productivity and innovation in product development.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Customer Delight: A core value, implying a strong focus on understanding and meeting user needs, particularly tenants and property managers, through exceptional product experiences.

• Ownership: A critical trait expected from this Principal-level role, meaning taking full responsibility for product outcomes, proactively identifying issues, and driving solutions.

• Community of Collaborators: Emphasizes teamwork and cross-functional partnership. This role will need to build strong relationships and work effectively with diverse teams.

• Speak Up: Encourages open communication, constructive feedback, and sharing ideas to improve products and processes.

• Think Big and Do Small: Balances ambitious vision with practical, iterative execution, a hallmark of effective product development.

• Tenacious: A drive to overcome challenges and see projects through to successful completion.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-Functional Integration: The role is inherently cross-functional, requiring seamless collaboration with engineering, marketing, sales, and executive teams.

• Process Review & Feedback: A culture that likely encourages regular feedback loops and iterative refinement of both product design and development processes.

• Knowledge Sharing: As a distributed team, effective knowledge sharing through documentation, internal presentations, and collaborative platforms is crucial for alignment and collective growth.

📝 Enhancement Note: The company's stated values directly align with the requirements of a senior, hybrid role. Candidates should be prepared to demonstrate how they embody these values in their work, particularly "Ownership," "Community of Collaborators," and "Think Big and Do Small," alongside their technical and strategic skills. The "ai-forward" mention in the culture description is a significant indicator of the company's direction.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Bridging Disciplines: Successfully integrating the strategic, analytical aspects of Product Management with the craft and user-centricity of Product Design, especially within an AI-accelerated framework.

• Navigating Ambiguity: Operating in a new, undefined space of AI-integrated product development requires comfort with uncertainty and the ability to create structure.

• Balancing Innovation with Scalability: Implementing novel AI-driven workflows while ensuring they are scalable, maintainable, and consistent with design system principles.

• Cross-Functional Alignment: Ensuring buy-in and effective collaboration from engineering, business, and executive teams on a new approach to product development.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• AI in Product Development: Gaining hands-on experience and deep expertise in applying AI tools and methodologies to product design and management.

• Strategic Product Leadership: Developing advanced skills in product strategy, market analysis, and business model innovation at a senior level.

• Cross-Functional Mastery: Enhancing collaboration and communication skills across diverse professional disciplines.

• Industry Trends: Staying at the forefront of innovation in PropTech and the broader AI landscape.

• Mentorship: Potential to mentor and guide junior team members, solidifying leadership capabilities.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges presented are inherent to a pioneering role. Candidates should view these not as obstacles but as opportunities to demonstrate their problem-solving skills, adaptability, and strategic thinking. The growth opportunities are significant, positioning this role as a critical step for someone looking to lead in the future of product development.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you had to balance conflicting user needs, business objectives, and technical constraints. How did you arrive at a solution, and what was the outcome?" (Assesses strategic trade-offs, problem-solving, and impact)

• "How do you envision AI transforming the product development lifecycle for a company like ButterflyMX? What are the biggest opportunities and risks?" (Assesses forward-thinking, AI understanding, and strategic vision)

Company & Culture Questions:

• "Based on your research, what do you see as ButterflyMX's biggest product opportunities in the next 3-5 years, and how would you approach them as a Principal Product Designer/Manager?" (Assesses research, strategic thinking, and role alignment)

• "Our culture values 'Ownership,' 'Community of Collaborators,' and 'Think Big and Do Small.' Can you provide specific examples from your career that demonstrate how you embody these values?" (Assesses cultural fit and behavioral alignment)

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Narrative Focus: Structure your presentation around compelling stories for each project, emphasizing the problem, your role, your process, and the quantifiable results.

• AI Integration Spotlight: Dedicate specific slides or segments to clearly explain how AI was leveraged in your projects, the challenges it addressed, and the value it created.

• Show, Don't Just Tell: Use visuals, mockups, prototypes, and data charts to illustrate your points effectively.

• Be Prepared for Questions: Anticipate questions about your design decisions, trade-offs, challenges faced, and the impact of your work.

• Connect to ButterflyMX: Where possible, draw parallels between your experience and ButterflyMX's products and challenges to demonstrate relevance.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation should focus on demonstrating a holistic understanding of product development, a sophisticated grasp of AI's potential, and strong evidence of driving business impact. Candidates need to be ready to articulate their strategic thinking and how they apply it in practice, using their portfolio as concrete evidence.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Principal Product Designer & Product Manager position:

• Submit your application through the provided link on Ashby.

• Tailor your resume: Highlight experience and skills directly relevant to hybrid product design and product management, emphasizing AI integration, strategic thinking, and quantifiable achievements. Use keywords from the job description.

• Curate your portfolio: Ensure your portfolio prominently features projects that showcase your ability to blend design craft with product strategy, including clear examples of AI tool usage and demonstrable business outcomes. Prepare to present this strategically.

• Research ButterflyMX thoroughly: Understand their mission, products, target market, and company values. Prepare thoughtful questions for the interviewers that demonstrate your engagement and strategic thinking.

• Practice your portfolio presentation: Rehearse walking through your key projects, articulating your process, rationale, and impact, with a specific focus on how you've integrated AI into your work.

⚠️ 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.