Product Designer (1-year FTC)

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Product Designer (1-year FTC)

Company: FE fundinfo

Location: Germany

Job Type: CONTRACTOR

Category: Product Design / UX/UI

Date Posted: 2026-09-11

Experience Level: Mid-Level (2-5 years implied)

Remote Status: Hybrid (with option for full remote within Germany)

🚀 Role Summary

• Designing intuitive user experiences and interfaces across a diverse digital product landscape for a leading fintech platform.

• Modernizing existing applications and building user-centric journeys with a focus on a consistent design system.

• Collaborating closely with Product Owners, business stakeholders, development teams, and global UX colleagues.

• Contributing to brand development and communication, ensuring a modern, consistent, and customer-focused brand experience.

• This is a fixed-term contract (1 year) covering maternity leave.

📝 Enhancement Note: The role is described as a Product Designer with a focus on UX research and UX design. Given the emphasis on wireframes, user flows, prototypes, and user research, this role clearly falls within the Product Design and UX/UI category. The "1-year FTC" and maternity cover aspect indicate a contract position, and the location in Germany with hybrid/remote options points to a specific work arrangement. The implied experience level is mid-level, suitable for someone with 2-5 years of focused experience.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Crafting wireframes, user flows, interactive prototypes, and intuitive interfaces that effectively balance user needs, business objectives, and technical constraints.

• Spearheading user research initiatives, including conducting interviews, usability testing, surveys, and discovery sessions, and translating research findings into actionable design insights.

• Developing and maintaining robust design libraries, reusable components, patterns, and guidelines to ensure a cohesive and consistent user experience across Dericon’s digital product suite.

• Iteratively refining designs based on user feedback, usability testing results, stakeholder input, and data-driven insights to continuously enhance product experiences.

• Partnering strategically with Product Owners, Engineering teams, business stakeholders, and global UX colleagues to ensure design alignment with product roadmaps and facilitate seamless implementation.

• Championing a modern, consistent, and customer-focused brand experience across both digital and physical touchpoints, with a strong emphasis on accessibility and inclusive design principles.

📝 Enhancement Note: The raw job description lists specific responsibilities such as "Creating wireframes, user flows, interactive prototypes and intuitive interfaces..." and "Planning and conducting user research...". These are expanded upon with action verbs and industry-standard terminology to provide a clearer picture of the day-to-day activities and strategic contributions expected from a Product Designer in this context. The emphasis on "balancing user needs, business requirements and technical feasibility" and "translating findings into actionable design insights" highlights the core of a UX-centric role.

✅ Skills & Qualifications

Education: While no specific degree is mandated, a Bachelor's or Master's degree in Design, Human-Computer Interaction, Psychology, or a related field is often preferred for advanced UX roles. A strong portfolio demonstrating relevant skills and experience will be paramount.

Experience: A minimum of 2-5 years of progressive experience in UX research, UX design, or a hybrid research and design role is required. Experience within the Fintech or financial services industry is a significant advantage.

Required Skills:

• Proven experience in UX research methodologies, including user interviews, usability testing, surveys, and persona development.

• Demonstrated expertise in UX design, including wireframing, user flow mapping, and interactive prototyping.

• Strong proficiency in industry-standard design and prototyping tools such as Figma, Sketch, Adobe XD, or similar.

• Hands-on experience in creating and maintaining design systems, component libraries, and style guides to ensure design consistency and scalability.

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to effectively collaborate with cross-functional teams, including Product Owners, Engineers, and business stakeholders.

• Experience working within an Agile development environment, understanding iterative design processes and sprint cycles.

• A strong portfolio showcasing a range of UX/UI design projects, research initiatives, and demonstrable impact on product outcomes.

• Commitment to inclusive design principles and accessibility standards (e.g., WCAG). Preferred Skills:

• Experience in visual design, including UI design principles, typography, and color theory.

• Familiarity with financial data platforms or the Fintech industry.

• Experience with user journey mapping and service design principles.

• Basic understanding of HTML/CSS and front-end development principles to facilitate collaboration with engineers.

• Experience with A/B testing and data analysis to inform design decisions.

📝 Enhancement Note: The provided requirements mention "experience in UX research, UX design or a hybrid research and design role, with a strong portfolio demonstrating your approach and impact," and "strong proficiency in Figma, Sketch or similar design tools." These have been elaborated to include specific methodologies (user interviews, usability testing), deliverables (personas, journey maps), and a broader range of relevant tools. The emphasis on a portfolio is crucial for design roles and is highlighted as a key requirement.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A curated collection of UX/UI design projects that clearly articulate your design process from research to final implementation.

• Case studies that detail the problem statement, your role, the research methodologies employed, design challenges faced, solutions developed, and the measurable impact of your design decisions.

• Demonstrations of wireframes, user flows, interactive prototypes, and final UI designs, showcasing your technical proficiency with design tools.

• Evidence of your contribution to or creation of design systems, component libraries, or style guides, highlighting your understanding of design consistency and scalability.

• Examples of user research conducted, including methodologies used and how insights were translated into design improvements. Process Documentation:

• Showcase your ability to document design processes, from user research synthesis to iterative design refinement.

• Provide examples of how you have contributed to or managed design system documentation, ensuring clarity and usability for development teams.

• Illustrate your approach to collaborating with engineering teams, including how design specifications are handed off and how feedback loops are managed.

• Demonstrate your understanding of Agile methodologies and how design processes integrate within sprint cycles and product roadmaps.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a Product Designer role, a portfolio is critical. This section details what a strong portfolio should contain, focusing on process, impact, and technical skills. It emphasizes showcasing the entire design lifecycle and collaboration, which are key aspects of effective product design within a team.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: Based on the location in Germany, the fixed-term nature of the contract, and the implied mid-level experience (2-5 years), a competitive salary range for a Product Designer on a 1-year FTC would likely fall between €50,000 - €70,000 per annum, potentially higher depending on specific experience and negotiation. This estimate considers the cost of living in Germany and industry benchmarks for contract roles in the Fintech sector.

Benefits:

• Generous annual leave: 30 days plus half-days on December 24th and 31st.

• Special occasion leave: Allocated for significant life events such as weddings, bereavements, moving, and family emergencies.

• Performance-based bonuses: Including summer, marriage, Christmas, and anniversary bonuses.

• Comprehensive insurance: Group accident insurance for peace of mind.

• Flexible working arrangements: Versatile/hybrid working options.

• Professional development: Extra leave for professional development (Bildungsurlaub) and access to a sabbatical option.

• Learning resources: Full access to Cashcalc, FE Analytics, and LinkedIn Learning for continuous skill enhancement.

• Community engagement: Participation in the company's Community Day initiative.

Working Hours: Standard full-time hours are implied, likely around 40 hours per week. The hybrid working arrangement offers flexibility in how these hours are structured between office and remote work.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range is estimated based on publicly available data for Product Designers in Germany, considering the contract duration and the Fintech industry. The benefits are directly extracted from the job description and presented clearly. The "40 hours" is a standard assumption for full-time employment in Germany.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Financial Data Provider / Fintech. FE fundinfo operates at the intersection of financial services and technology, providing data-driven insights and solutions to the investment industry. This context implies a fast-paced, data-centric, and innovation-driven environment where precision and reliability are paramount.

Company Size: FE fundinfo is described as a "leading financial data provider" with a "skilled team" and "international environment." While an exact number isn't provided, the scope of their operations across the UK, Europe, and Asia-Pacific suggests a medium-to-large enterprise, likely with hundreds or thousands of employees, indicating robust infrastructure and established processes.

Founded: The founding date of FE fundinfo is not explicitly stated, but its position as a "leading provider" implies a history of growth and established market presence. The company's journey likely involves evolving from a specialized data service to an integrated platform, reflecting a commitment to innovation and adaptation within the financial technology landscape.

Team Structure:

• The Product Design function is part of a broader Product and Engineering organization, working closely with Product Owners and development teams.

• There are "global UX colleagues," suggesting a distributed design team structure where collaboration across geographies is key.

• The role reports into a Product Owner or Design Lead, with close interaction with business stakeholders and development teams. Methodology:

• Data-Driven Design: Emphasizes using user research, usability testing, and data insights to inform design decisions and measure impact.

• Agile Development: The team operates within an Agile environment, requiring iterative design processes, close collaboration with development, and adaptability to changing priorities.

• Design Systems & Reusability: A strong focus on building and maintaining design systems and component libraries to ensure consistency, efficiency, and scalability across products.

• User-Centricity: Prioritizing user needs and experience throughout the design and development lifecycle.

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

📝 Enhancement Note: Information on company size and founding is inferred from descriptions like "leading financial data provider" and "integrated platform." The team structure and methodology are derived from the responsibilities and collaboration requirements mentioned in the job description, aligning with typical structures in tech and fintech companies.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is positioned as a Mid-Level Product Designer (implied 2-5 years of experience). It requires a solid understanding of UX research and design principles, proficiency in design tools, and the ability to work independently within a team. The responsibilities include owning specific design tasks, contributing to design systems, and collaborating across departments, indicating a level of autonomy and project ownership beyond an entry-level position.

Reporting Structure: The Product Designer will likely report to a Design Lead, Head of Product, or a Product Owner. They will work closely with Product Owners, business stakeholders, and global UX colleagues, indicating a collaborative and cross-functional reporting dynamic rather than a strict hierarchical structure for daily tasks.

Operations Impact: The Product Designer's impact is directly tied to enhancing the user experience of FE fundinfo's digital products, particularly the Dericon platform. Successful design contributions will lead to increased user satisfaction, improved product adoption, greater efficiency for financial professionals using the platform, and a stronger, more consistent brand identity. This directly influences customer loyalty and the company's market position in the competitive fintech landscape.

Growth Opportunities:

• Skill Specialization: Opportunity to deepen expertise in specific areas of UX research (e.g., advanced qualitative methods, quantitative analysis) or UI design (e.g., complex interface design, animation).

• Design System Leadership: Potential to take on more responsibility in evolving and managing the design system, becoming a subject matter expert.

• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Experience working with diverse international teams, providing exposure to different markets and product strategies.

• Career Progression: Potential to move into Senior Product Designer roles, UX Lead positions, or specialized areas like UX Strategy or Research Lead, depending on performance and career aspirations within FE fundinfo or the broader industry.

• Learning & Development: Access to LinkedIn Learning and professional development leave supports continuous skill enhancement.

📝 Enhancement Note: The career level is inferred from the explicit responsibilities and the general experience expectation for such a role. The growth opportunities are standard for a mid-level designer in a tech company, focusing on skill development, leadership potential, and broader industry exposure.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The role offers a hybrid working model, allowing for flexibility between remote work and in-office collaboration. The Frankfurt am Main office serves as a hub for in-person interaction. This model aims to balance individual focus with team synergy.

Office Location(s): The primary office location mentioned is Frankfurt am Main, Germany, which serves as a base for hybrid work. The company also operates internationally, suggesting a global presence.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Environment: The hybrid model encourages collaboration, with opportunities for in-person meetings, workshops, and knowledge sharing within the Frankfurt office.

• Tools & Technology: Access to industry-standard design tools (Figma, Sketch), design system resources, and learning platforms (LinkedIn Learning) is provided to facilitate effective work.

• Team Interaction: Regular interaction with Product Owners, development teams, and global UX colleagues is expected, fostering a dynamic and interconnected work environment.

Work Schedule: A standard full-time work schedule (implied 40 hours per week) is expected, with flexibility offered through the hybrid working arrangement. This allows designers to manage their time effectively while ensuring project deadlines and team collaboration needs are met.

📝 Enhancement Note: The work environment details are derived from the "Hybrid working is possible from our Frankfurt am Main office" and the general description of an "international environment where design, product and engineering teams work closely together."

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A review of your CV and portfolio to assess qualifications and alignment with the role's requirements.

• Hiring Manager/Team Interview: A discussion focused on your experience, design process, problem-solving skills, and cultural fit. Expect questions about your portfolio projects.

• Design Exercise/Case Study: You may be asked to complete a short design challenge or present a deep dive into one of your portfolio projects, demonstrating your approach to a specific problem.

• Stakeholder/Cross-functional Interview: An opportunity to meet with Product Owners, developers, or other key stakeholders to assess collaboration skills and understanding of business needs.

• Final Interview: Potentially with a senior leader to discuss overall fit and long-term potential.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Selectively: Choose 3-5 of your strongest, most relevant projects that showcase your skills in UX research, UX design, and UI design.

• Tell a Story: For each project, clearly articulate the problem, your role and responsibilities, your design process (research, ideation, iteration, testing), the challenges you faced, and the impact of your solutions. Use visuals effectively.

• Highlight Impact: Quantify results where possible (e.g., "improved conversion rates by X%", "reduced task completion time by Y%"). If quantitative data isn't available, focus on qualitative feedback and user satisfaction improvements.

• **Show