Product Designer (all genders)

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Product Designer (all genders)

Company: GROPYUS

Location: Berlin, Germany

Job Type: Full-time

Category: Product Design / Technology

Date Posted: May 12, 2026

Experience Level: Mid-level (4+ years)

Remote Status: Hybrid

🚀 Role Summary

• Design human-centered digital solutions that connect advanced manufacturing processes with construction execution for multi-story residential buildings.

• Translate complex factory floor and building site workflows into intuitive, user-friendly interfaces and operational processes.

• Collaborate closely with engineering, product management, and research teams to develop and test design solutions directly within live operations.

• Contribute to and maintain the GROPYUS Design Language System, ensuring consistency and scalability across digital products.

• Leverage AI-assisted tools for research synthesis, rapid ideation, and workflow efficiency to enhance individual and team potential in design.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is positioned within a dynamic PropTech/ConTech startup, focusing on the intersection of digital product design and the physical construction industry. The emphasis on "autonomous construction" and "digital factory tools" suggests a need for designers comfortable with complex systems and operational workflows, rather than purely consumer-facing applications.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Lead the design process for specific product areas, from initial concept to detailed execution, ensuring user needs and business objectives are met.

• Conduct user research, including usability and concept testing with real users in live operational environments, to gather actionable insights.

• Develop wireframes, prototypes, and high-fidelity mockups to effectively communicate design solutions and user flows.

• Translate complex technical requirements and operational feedback into clear, intuitive, and tested design outcomes.

• Actively participate in and contribute to the GROPYUS Design Language System, including component governance and token usage.

• Collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams, including product managers, engineers, researchers, and insights specialists, to ensure alignment and successful product delivery.

• Present design work, rationale, and impact to stakeholders across the organization, fostering a shared understanding and buy-in.

• Continuously explore and integrate emerging AI-assisted tools to improve design processes and outcomes.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a hands-on design role with significant ownership, emphasizing direct impact on operational efficiency and user experience within the construction lifecycle. The requirement to test designs in "live operations" is a critical differentiator, suggesting a need for designers who can navigate real-world constraints and feedback loops.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

Experience:

• Minimum of 4 years of proven product design experience, with a preference for experience within a startup or entrepreneurial setting.

• Demonstrated experience in designing responsive digital interfaces and understanding of visual design principles.

Required Skills:

• Expertise in user-centered design methodologies, including usability and concept testing.

• Proficiency in prototyping tools and techniques to create high-fidelity interactive designs.

• Strong understanding of visual design principles, typography, and layout.

• Experience with AI-assisted tools for research synthesis, ideation, and workflow efficiency (e.g., Claude Code, Nano Banana).

• Excellent communication and presentation skills in English.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience within the construction technology (ConTech) or property technology (PropTech) sectors.

• Familiarity with industrial manufacturing processes or complex operational workflows.

• Experience contributing to or maintaining a Design Language System at scale.

📝 Enhancement Note: The explicit mention of AI-assisted tools like "Claude Code" and "Nano Banana" is a key differentiator, indicating a forward-thinking approach to design processes. The B2 German language requirement is non-negotiable and crucial for effective collaboration within the Berlin-based team and with local operations.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A link to your portfolio is the most critical application asset.

• Showcase recent work samples (past 3 years) focusing on final outcomes, high-quality fidelity prototypes, or flow videos.

• Demonstrate clear user interaction and impact; explain what you worked on, why it mattered, and the impact it had.

• Include a range of work to illustrate versatility.

Process Documentation:

• The portfolio should implicitly demonstrate your design process through case studies or project descriptions, highlighting problem definition, ideation, user testing, iteration, and final solutions.

• Emphasis on how designs were tested in "live operations" and the impact derived from these tests.

📝 Enhancement Note: The company specifically requests "recent Work Samples (not full case studies)" but then emphasizes "Clear Impact" and explaining "why it mattered, and the impact it had." This suggests a preference for concise, outcome-oriented presentations of design work that clearly articulate the problem, solution, and measurable results, rather than lengthy, detailed process narratives.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

Benefits:

• Unlimited contract with 30 vacation days.

• Flexible, hybrid work arrangement with options for remote work.

• Ability to work from abroad for up to 40 days per year.

• Flex hours to accommodate personal priorities.

• Company pension scheme.

• Language courses (English/German).

• Employee discounts with selected sustainable brands.

• External partnerships for mental health support (anonymous private/group sessions).

• Virtual Shares Program, allowing participation in company success.

• Opportunity for significant ownership and impact across organizational levels.

Working Hours:

• Full-time, with an estimated 40 hours per week. The role offers flexible hybrid work and flex hours, allowing for adaptability.

📝 Enhancement Note: The benefits package is robust, emphasizing work-life balance, professional development, and employee well-being, aligning with a progressive startup culture. The "Unlimited contract" and "Virtual Shares Program" are significant incentives. The salary estimate is based on industry benchmarks for similar roles in Berlin.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Technology / Construction (ConTech/PropTech), Timber Construction, Manufacturing.

Company Size: The description implies a growing, dynamic startup environment, likely scaling from a seed or Series A stage. The mention of employees from "over 50 countries" suggests a diverse and international workforce.

Founded: GROPYUS is a relatively new company, focused on modernizing construction with technology and sustainability. This implies a culture of innovation, rapid iteration, and a mission-driven approach.

Team Structure:

• The Product Designer will work closely with a Product Manager who advocates for the user and expert engineers.

• Collaboration extends to design, product management, research and insights, and engineering teams.

Methodology:

• Focus on human-centered design principles applied to complex industrial and construction workflows.

• Integration of advanced manufacturing and digital tools.

• Data-driven decision-making, with an emphasis on testing designs in "live operations" and gathering direct user feedback.

• Use of AI-assisted tools to enhance research, ideation, and efficiency.

Company Website: https://gropyus.com/

📝 Enhancement Note: GROPYUS aims to disrupt the traditional construction industry by integrating technology, sustainability, and industrialization. The company culture is likely fast-paced, innovative, and collaborative, with a strong emphasis on user impact and cross-functional teamwork.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is for a mid-level Product Designer (4+ years of experience). It offers significant ownership and the opportunity to take on greater responsibility as the technology evolves within the company.

Reporting Structure: The designer will report to a Product Manager and work closely with engineers. The emphasis on "ownership at all organizational levels" suggests direct access to leadership and influence beyond immediate team tasks.

Operations Impact: The Product Designer will directly influence how construction is executed through their designs, bridging the gap between digital tools and physical construction methods. Their work will have a tangible impact on operational efficiency, project outcomes, and the company's mission to create sustainable and affordable housing.

Growth Opportunities:

• Skill Development: Opportunity to deepen expertise in designing for complex operational systems, advanced manufacturing, and the unique challenges of the ConTech/PropTech industry. Exposure to AI-assisted design tools offers further specialization.

• Responsibility Expansion: As the company and its technology evolve, there will be opportunities to take on more significant product ownership and potentially lead design initiatives.

• Leadership Potential: Contributing to the Design Language System and influencing design culture can pave the way for future leadership roles within the design team.

• Industry Exposure: Gaining experience in a mission-driven startup revolutionizing a major industry.

📝 Enhancement Note: The role offers a strong growth trajectory for a designer eager to make a tangible impact in a rapidly evolving industry. The emphasis on ownership and direct testing in live operations provides unique learning and development opportunities not typically found in more established, less hands-on design roles.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Hybrid work model. The company has an office in Berlin, but the arrangement allows for significant flexibility.

Office Location(s): Berlin, Germany. This is a major tech hub, offering a vibrant professional environment.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative environment where designers work closely with product managers and engineers.

• Access to modern design tools and AI-assisted technologies.

• The culture encourages open sharing of work and feedback, fostering a dynamic and interactive workspace.

Work Schedule:

• Full-time, estimated 40 hours per week.

• Flexible hybrid work and flex hours provide significant autonomy in managing one's schedule, balancing work with personal life and other commitments.

📝 Enhancement Note: The hybrid and flexible work environment is a key perk, designed to support employee well-being and productivity. It requires self-discipline and strong communication skills to ensure seamless collaboration across distributed team members.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Application: Submit CV and a link to your portfolio.

• Portfolio Review: The portfolio is the most critical asset. Expect it to be reviewed for recent work, clear impact, and versatility.

• Interviews: Likely to involve discussions about your design process, specific project experiences, problem-solving skills, and how you've handled challenges. Expect to discuss your experience with user testing, design systems, and AI tools.

• Case Study/Design Challenge: Potentially a practical exercise to assess your design thinking and execution skills, possibly focusing on a real-world problem relevant to GROPYUS's operations.

• Cultural Fit: Interviews will likely assess your alignment with GROPYUS's values of curiosity, collaboration, ownership, and adaptability.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Focus on Impact: Clearly articulate the problem you solved, your role, the solution, and the measurable impact. Quantify results whenever possible.

• Showcase Process: While recent samples are preferred, briefly explain your thought process, key decisions, and iterations.

• Highlight Versatility: Include a range of projects that demonstrate your skills across different design challenges.

• Visual Polish: Ensure prototypes and flow videos are high-fidelity, polished, and easy to understand.

• Provide Access: If password-protected, include the password.

Challenge Preparation:

• Be prepared to discuss how you would approach designing for complex operational workflows in construction or manufacturing.

• Think about how to integrate AI tools effectively into design and research processes.

• Practice articulating your design decisions and rationale, especially in the context of user needs and business objectives.

• Understand GROPYUS's mission and business model to tailor your responses and demonstrate alignment.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on "recent Work Samples (not full case studies)" but also "Clear Impact" suggests a need for concise, outcome-driven presentations. Candidates should be ready to articulate the "why" and "impact" of their designs succinctly, demonstrating their ability to deliver value quickly.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Design & Prototyping: Figma, Sketch, Adobe Creative Suite, or similar industry-standard tools.

• Prototyping Tools: InVision, ProtoPie, or built-in Figma/Sketch prototyping capabilities.

• Design Systems: Experience contributing to and working within established Design Language Systems.

• AI-Assisted Tools: Explicitly mentioned: Claude Code, Nano Banana, and similar tools for research synthesis, ideation, and workflow efficiency.

Analytics & Reporting:

• While not explicitly mentioned, a Product Designer at GROPYUS would likely interact with analytics platforms (e.g., Google Analytics, Mixpanel, Amplitude) to understand user behavior and product performance.

CRM & Automation:

• Less directly relevant for a Product Designer, but understanding how user data flows from CRM or other business systems into the product can be advantageous.

📝 Enhancement Note: The explicit mention of AI-assisted tools is a significant requirement. Candidates should be prepared to discuss their experience and curiosity with these technologies, demonstrating how they can leverage them to enhance their design output and efficiency.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Curiosity & Collaboration: A core value, encouraging asking questions, exploring solutions together, and fostering a feedback-rich environment.

• Ownership: Taking responsibility for one's work and contributions, driving initiatives from inception to completion.

• Design Excellence & Growth: A commitment to high-quality design, continuous learning, and a "feedback-first" culture to improve skills and outcomes.

• User-Centricity: Designing solutions that are intuitive, human-centered, and directly address the needs of users in operational contexts.

• Pragmatism & Data-Driven Approach: Applying analytical, data-driven thinking to solve problems effectively, especially through testing in live operations.

• Adaptability & Resilience: Thriving in a fast-changing environment and maintaining focus and progress despite challenges.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-functional and highly collaborative, with designers working closely with Product Managers, Engineers, and Researchers.

• Open communication and sharing of work are encouraged to foster a collective design approach.

• Emphasis on constructive feedback to drive continuous improvement.

📝 Enhancement Note: The company culture is built around innovation, collaboration, and individual impact. Candidates should demonstrate an alignment with these values, showcasing their ability to work effectively in a dynamic startup environment and contribute to a mission-driven organization.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Designing for Complexity: Translating intricate industrial manufacturing and construction workflows into intuitive digital experiences presents a significant design challenge.

• Bridging Digital & Physical: Effectively connecting digital interfaces with physical operations and ensuring designs are practical and implementable in real-world construction sites.

• Rapid Iteration in a Startup: Adapting to fast-paced development cycles and evolving business needs within a growing startup.

• User Adoption in a Traditional Industry: Encouraging adoption of new digital tools and processes within a sector that may be more accustomed to traditional methods.

• Leveraging AI Effectively: Integrating AI-assisted tools in a meaningful and ethical way that genuinely enhances design outcomes and efficiency.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Industry Expertise: Gaining deep knowledge in the ConTech/PropTech sector, understanding the unique challenges and opportunities in modernizing construction.

• Advanced Design Skills: Developing expertise in designing for complex operational systems, industrial applications, and integrating AI into the design workflow.

• Product Ownership: Opportunities to take on greater ownership of product areas and influence strategic direction.

• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Enhancing skills in working with diverse teams (engineering, product, research) to deliver integrated solutions.

• Design System Contribution: Deepening understanding of Design System principles and scalability.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges are directly linked to the innovative nature of GROPYUS's mission. Overcoming these challenges will provide substantial growth opportunities for a designer looking to specialize in a high-impact, emerging field.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "How would you approach designing a digital tool for managing prefabricated timber components on a construction site, considering potential connectivity issues and varied user tech-savviness?" (Focus on user research, iterative testing, and pragmatic solutions.)

• "Describe a time you had to translate a highly complex technical process into a simple, user-friendly interface. What was your process, and what was the outcome?" (Highlight problem-solving, user advocacy, and impact.)

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What interests you most about GROPYUS's mission to revolutionize the construction industry?" (Show genuine interest in the company's vision and sustainability goals.)

• "How do you approach collaboration with engineers and product managers, especially when there are differing opinions on design direction?" (Emphasize communication, empathy, and data-driven advocacy.)

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure: For each selected project, clearly state the problem, your role, the solution, and the measured impact.

• Conciseness: Focus on the most impactful recent work. Use visuals (screenshots, flow videos) effectively.

• Storytelling: Frame your projects as narratives that demonstrate your problem-solving skills and user-centric approach.

• Q&A Readiness: Be prepared to answer detailed questions about your design decisions, challenges faced, and how you iterated based on feedback.

• AI Integration: If applicable, highlight how you've used AI tools within your projects.

📝 Enhancement Note: Expect interview questions to probe your ability to apply design thinking to real-world operational challenges in the construction sector, your comfort with AI tools, and your collaborative spirit within a startup environment. Prepare to articulate the "why" and "impact" of your design work clearly and concisely.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Product Designer position:

• Submit your application through the provided link on the Greenhouse platform.

• Portfolio Customization: Curate your portfolio to highlight recent work (last 3 years) that showcases high-fidelity prototypes, clear user impact, and versatility. Ensure it demonstrates your ability to translate complex workflows into intuitive designs.

• Resume Optimization: Tailor your resume to emphasize your 4+ years of product design experience, experience with design systems, user testing, and proficiency with AI-assisted tools. Clearly state your English and B2 German language proficiency.

• Interview Preparation: Practice articulating your design process, problem-solving approach, and the impact of your work. Prepare to discuss your experience with collaborative environments and your interest in GROPYUS's mission.

• Company Research: Thoroughly research GROPYUS's website, mission, and values. Understand their approach to sustainable construction and digital innovation to demonstrate cultural fit and strategic 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.