Product Designer, ArsenalOS

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Product Designer, ArsenalOS

Company: Anduril Industries

Location: Costa Mesa, California, United States

Job Type: Full-Time

Category: Product Design / Operations Technology

Date Posted: 2026-09-02T00:45:40

Experience Level: Mid-Senior Level (5-10 years)

Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• Design and own end-to-end user experiences for the Forge software platform, a critical component of Anduril's hardware production and delivery operations.

• Drive product and design strategy by contributing to roadmap shaping and evangelizing design tenets.

• Execute all facets of the design process, from initial discovery and ideation through prototyping, user testing, and final implementation.

• Leverage strong storytelling abilities to align stakeholders and build consensus around design decisions and user-centric workflows.

• Develop and maintain a scalable design system, creating reusable components for mobile, tablet, and desktop applications tailored for manufacturing environments.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is focused on Product Design within an operational technology context, specifically for a manufacturing and production software platform (Forge). While not a traditional Revenue or Sales Operations role, it heavily intersects with operational efficiency, workflow optimization, and the user experience of those executing physical production and logistics. The emphasis on "ProductionOS" and "ArsenalOS" indicates a focus on the operational backbone supporting Anduril's defense technology products.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Lead the design of user interfaces and interaction models for the Forge platform, ensuring seamless integration into manufacturing and deployment workflows.

• Conduct user research, including on-site visits to manufacturing floors (Gemba philosophy), to deeply understand user needs, pain points, and environmental constraints.

• Translate research findings and stakeholder requirements into compelling design solutions that enhance immersion, efficiency, and consistency across Forge applications.

• Create high-fidelity prototypes, wireframes, and detailed design specifications for engineering implementation.

• Collaborate closely with Product Managers, Engineers, and other designers to define product vision and deliver exceptional user experiences.

• Champion the evolution of the design system, ensuring it supports scalable component creation and maintains high standards of visual and interaction design across diverse platforms and devices.

• Develop and articulate design tenets that guide strategic design work and contribute to a cohesive user experience across the ArsenalOS ecosystem.

• Present design concepts and research findings effectively to cross-functional teams and senior leadership, using storytelling to convey the impact and rationale behind design choices.

• Balance immediate tactical design needs with long-term strategic goals for design system maturity and platform scalability.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a blend of strategic product thinking and hands-on design execution. The emphasis on "on-site research" and "Gemba philosophy" is crucial, indicating a need for a designer comfortable in industrial/manufacturing settings, directly observing and interacting with users in their operational environment. This is a key differentiator from typical software design roles.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: While no specific degree is mandated, a strong foundation in Design, Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), or a related field is implied by the experience requirements.

Experience: 6+ years of professional software design experience, with a proven track record of owning and delivering end-to-end user experiences.

Required Skills:

• 6+ years of comprehensive software design experience.

• Mastery of visual design principles, including layout, color theory, typography, and Gestalt principles.

• Deep expertise in interaction design, with a strong understanding of micro-interactions and animations to enhance user experience.

• Proven ability to create scalable design components for various devices (mobile, tablet, desktop) and diverse environments, including industrial settings.

• Demonstrated experience in developing, implementing, and maturing design systems.

• Proficiency in user research methodologies, particularly on-site research and qualitative data gathering in operational or manufacturing contexts.

• Strong visual design and interaction design craft, with high attention to detail.

• Ability to effectively articulate design decisions, processes, and their impact through clear communication and compelling storytelling.

• Willingness and ability to travel up to 25% of the time. Preferred Skills:

• Familiarity with hardware-related industries such as supply chain, manufacturing, or logistics.

• Advanced knowledge of accessibility standards and their practical application in design solutions.

• Proficiency in industry-standard design and prototyping tools such as Figma, Sketch, or Adobe Creative Suite.

• Experience working within defense technology or similar high-stakes, complex industries.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "6+ years" requirement suggests a mid to senior-level designer. The emphasis on "multimodal experiences" and "scalable components for various devices and environments" points to a need for versatility and an understanding of how designs translate from digital interfaces to physical workflows and hardware interactions. "No prior defense experience necessary" is a significant point, indicating that domain knowledge can be acquired on the job.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A comprehensive online portfolio is mandatory, showcasing a breadth of multimodal user experiences.

• Demonstrate end-to-end design ownership, from initial problem definition and user research through to final design execution and implementation considerations.

• Include case studies that highlight your process for tackling complex design challenges, particularly those involving operational workflows, manufacturing environments, or hardware integration.

• Showcase your ability to develop and evolve design systems, including examples of reusable components, style guides, and how you've ensured consistency and scalability.

• Provide examples of your visual design and interaction design craft, with a focus on micro-interactions and animations that enhance usability and efficiency.

• Clearly articulate the "why" behind your design decisions, detailing your process, research methodologies, and the measurable impact of your work on user outcomes and business objectives. Process Documentation:

• Your portfolio should implicitly or explicitly demonstrate proficiency in documenting design processes, including:

  • User research synthesis and insights generation.

  • Ideation and concept development methodologies.

  • Prototyping and user testing frameworks.

  • Design system development and governance.

  • Collaboration protocols with engineering and product teams.

  • Strategies for balancing tactical and strategic design initiatives.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a Product Designer role, especially one with a strong operational technology focus, the portfolio is paramount. It needs to go beyond just visual aesthetics and demonstrate a robust design process, problem-solving capabilities, and an understanding of how design impacts efficiency in complex environments like manufacturing. The "multimodal experiences" requirement suggests showcasing designs for different form factors and contexts.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $166,000 - $220,000 USD per year.

Explanation of Range: This range is an estimate provided by the company and is based on a variety of compensation factors, including but not limited to work experience, education, critical skills, and business considerations. It reflects a competitive offering for a mid-to-senior level Product Designer in the Costa Mesa, California area, given the specialized nature of the role and the defense technology industry.

Benefits:

• Highly competitive equity grants as part of the total compensation package.

• Top-tier benefits for full-time employees, offered at little to no cost to employees.

• Comprehensive benefits package designed to support employee health, recovery, and overall well-being.

• Specific details on health insurance, retirement plans, paid time off, and professional development opportunities are available through their "Explore Our Benefits" portal.

Working Hours: Standard full-time work week, typically 40 hours per week, with potential for flexibility depending on project needs and team collaboration schedules.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range is explicitly stated. The benefits listed are high-level; candidates should expect a robust package typical of tech companies in competitive markets, with a strong emphasis on equity and comprehensive health coverage. The "little to no cost" phrasing for benefits is a significant perk.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Defense Technology. Anduril Industries is a prominent player in this sector, leveraging advanced technology to transform military capabilities.

Company Size: Anduril Industries is a rapidly growing company, indicating a dynamic and fast-paced work environment. The company size suggests a structure with established processes but also room for innovation and individual impact.

Founded: Anduril was founded with the mission to bring 21st-century innovation to the defense industry, emphasizing speed, advanced technology (AI, autonomy, computer vision), and a modern business model.

Team Structure:

• The ProductionOS team is part of the broader ArsenalOS initiative, responsible for software supporting hardware production and delivery.

• This role is within the ProductionOS team, focusing on the Forge platform.

• Collaboration will extend to the central Product Design team, fostering shared best practices and knowledge exchange.

• Cross-functional collaboration is key, involving Product Managers, Engineers, and other stakeholders in the product development lifecycle. Methodology:

• Agile Development: Likely employed for software development, with iterative design and development cycles.

• User-Centric Design: Strong emphasis on understanding and addressing user needs through research and testing.

• Design System Driven: Commitment to building scalable, reusable components for consistency and efficiency.

• Gemba Philosophy: Direct on-site engagement with users in their operational environment to gather insights and inform design.

• Data-Informed Decisions: While the role is design-focused, insights from data and analytics will likely inform design choices and strategy.

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

📝 Enhancement Note: Anduril operates in a high-stakes, technology-driven industry. The culture is likely to be innovative, fast-paced, and mission-oriented. The integration of advanced AI and autonomy into military systems suggests a strong emphasis on cutting-edge technology and engineering excellence. The "ProductionOS" and "Forge" context points to a focus on operational efficiency and scaling complex manufacturing processes.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is positioned as a mid-to-senior Product Designer. The responsibilities involve significant autonomy, strategic contribution, and ownership of complex user experiences within a critical operational software platform. This level typically entails mentoring junior designers and influencing product direction.

Reporting Structure: The Product Designer will likely report to a Design Lead or Manager within the ProductionOS team or the central Product Design group, with close collaboration with Product Managers for Forge.

Operations Impact: The impact of this role is directly tied to the efficiency, throughput, and quality of Anduril's hardware production and deployment. By improving the Forge user experience, this designer will directly contribute to accelerating the delivery of critical defense technology, thereby impacting Anduril's ability to fulfill its mission.

Growth Opportunities:

• Design Leadership: Potential to grow into a Senior Product Designer, Lead Product Designer, or Design Manager role, taking on more strategic responsibilities and team leadership.

• Specialization: Opportunity to deepen expertise in operational technology design, manufacturing workflows, or design system architecture.

• Cross-Functional Mobility: Experience in a defense technology company can open doors to various roles within product development, program management, or operations strategy.

• Skill Development: Continuous learning opportunities through challenging projects, collaboration with experts, and potential for training or attending industry events.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role offers a unique opportunity to apply product design principles within an operational technology context, which is highly valuable in industries focused on complex physical products and supply chains. The growth potential is significant, moving from individual contribution to strategic leadership within a rapidly expanding, mission-driven company.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: On-site. The role requires a consistent presence at the Costa Mesa, California office.

Office Location(s): Costa Mesa, California, United States. This location is Anduril's headquarters, suggesting a vibrant and central hub for its operations and teams.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Spaces: Anduril likely provides modern office spaces designed to foster collaboration, with meeting rooms, breakout areas, and open-plan workspaces.

• Technology Access: Access to cutting-edge design tools, hardware, and development environments necessary for creating and testing multimodal experiences.

• Manufacturing Floor Access: While based in an office environment, the role necessitates regular visits to manufacturing floors and production facilities, requiring adaptability to different physical environments.

Work Schedule: A standard full-time schedule (approximately 40 hours/week) is expected, with emphasis on delivering high-quality work. Flexibility may be available, but the on-site nature and collaborative requirements mean consistent availability during core business hours is crucial.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "on-site" requirement is critical. The role demands physical presence, not just for office collaboration but also for the crucial "on-site research" component. This implies a need for a designer who is comfortable and effective in both traditional office settings and industrial/manufacturing environments.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A recruiter will likely review your application and resume, assessing alignment with basic qualifications and experience.

• Portfolio Review: A core part of the process will involve a deep dive into your online portfolio. Be prepared to walk through 2-3 case studies that best represent your skills in visual design, interaction design, process, and impact, particularly in complex or operational contexts.

• Design Challenge/Exercise: You may be given a design challenge or exercise, potentially simulating a problem related to manufacturing workflows or operational efficiency, to assess your problem-solving skills and design approach.

• Stakeholder Interviews: Interviews with hiring managers, product managers, engineers, and potentially other designers to assess your technical skills, collaborative abilities, communication style, and cultural fit.

• On-site Visit (Potentially): Given the travel requirement and Gemba philosophy, an on-site visit to their Costa Mesa office might be part of the later stages to experience the environment and meet more team members.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Focus on Process: Clearly articulate your design process for each case study, emphasizing how you identified problems, conducted research (especially any on-site or operational research), ideated solutions, tested them, and iterated.

• Highlight Impact: Quantify the impact of your designs whenever possible. Did your work improve efficiency, reduce errors, increase throughput, or enhance user satisfaction? Use metrics.

• Showcase Multimodal Design: Include examples that demonstrate your ability to design for different devices (desktop, tablet, mobile) and contexts, especially those relevant to industrial or manufacturing settings.

• Design System Expertise: If you have experience with design systems, dedicate a section or case study to your contributions, showing how you created, maintained, or scaled them.

• Storytelling: Weave a narrative around each project. Explain the context, your role, the challenges, your solutions, and the outcomes. Make it engaging.

• Visual & Interaction Craft: Ensure your portfolio clearly showcases your mastery of visual design principles and your skill in crafting nuanced micro-interactions and animations.

Challenge Preparation:

• Understand the Context: Familiarize yourself with Anduril's mission, products (especially ArsenalOS and Forge), and the defense technology industry.

• Operational Efficiency Focus: Prepare to think about how design can improve efficiency, reduce errors, and streamline workflows in manufacturing or production environments.

• Problem-Solving Framework: Have a structured approach to tackling design problems: define the problem, research, ideate, prototype, test, iterate.

• Communication: Practice articulating your thought process clearly and concisely, as you'll need to explain your design choices effectively.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process will heavily scrutinize the portfolio and the candidate's ability to articulate their design process and impact. The emphasis on "on-site research" and "manufacturing environments" means candidates should highlight any relevant experience or demonstrate a strong aptitude for understanding and designing for such contexts.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Design & Prototyping: Figma, Sketch, Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, After Effects for animations). Proficiency in at least one of these is essential. Figma is increasingly becoming an industry standard for collaborative design and design system management.

• User Research Tools: Tools for conducting user interviews, surveys, and usability testing (e.g., UserTesting.com, Maze, Dovetail).

• Collaboration Tools: Jira, Confluence, Slack, Google Workspace for team communication and project management.

Analytics & Reporting:

• While not a primary responsibility, familiarity with how design impacts user behavior metrics tracked via analytics platforms (e.g., Amplitude, Mixpanel) could be beneficial. The design team will likely work with data analysts to understand user engagement and performance. CRM & Automation:

• Not directly relevant to the Product Designer role in this context, but understanding how the Forge platform integrates with or impacts broader operational systems might be a plus.

📝 Enhancement Note: Proficiency in Figma is highly sought after for modern product design roles due to its collaborative features and robust design system capabilities. Experience with animation tools like After Effects is valuable for demonstrating micro-interaction design skills.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Mission-Driven: A strong commitment to Anduril's mission of transforming military capabilities through technology.

• Innovation & Speed: A culture that values rapid iteration, technological advancement, and bringing solutions to market quickly.

• Excellence & Rigor: High standards for technical execution, design craft, and product quality, especially given the critical nature of defense technology.

• Collaboration: Emphasis on teamwork and cross-functional cooperation to achieve complex goals.

• Adaptability: A dynamic environment that requires flexibility and the ability to thrive amidst rapid change.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-Functional Integration: Designers work closely with Product Managers and Engineers throughout the product lifecycle.

• Open Communication: Encouragement of direct and honest feedback to foster continuous improvement.

• Data-Informed: While design is an art, decisions are often informed by user research, data analytics, and stakeholder input.

• Iterative Design: A culture that embraces iteration, learning from feedback, and refining solutions over time.

📝 Enhancement Note: Anduril's culture is expected to be demanding yet rewarding, attracting individuals who are passionate about technology, innovation, and making a significant impact. The "Gemba" philosophy implies a culture that values direct observation and understanding of real-world operations.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Designing for Complex Environments: Creating intuitive user experiences for manufacturing floors and production settings, which can be noisy, physically demanding, and have unique constraints.

• Balancing Tactical vs. Strategic Design: Juggling immediate design needs for ongoing development with long-term goals for design system maturity and platform evolution.

• Stakeholder Alignment: Effectively communicating and aligning diverse stakeholders with varying priorities and technical understandings.

• Rapidly Evolving Technology: Staying abreast of advancements in AI, autonomy, and defense technology that may influence product design.

• Travel Requirements: Adapting to up to 25% travel, which requires flexibility and effective time management.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Deep Dive into Operational Technology: Gaining specialized knowledge in manufacturing, supply chain, and logistics software design.

• Advanced Design System Work: Contributing to and potentially leading the evolution of a complex, scalable design system.

• Exposure to Cutting-Edge Defense Tech: Working with and designing for advanced AI, autonomy, and sensor fusion technologies.

• Mentorship: Opportunities to learn from experienced designers, engineers, and product leaders within Anduril.

• Industry Conferences: Potential to attend design and technology conferences to stay current and network.

📝 Enhancement Note: The primary challenges revolve around the unique context of designing for operational technology in a defense setting, requiring adaptability and a willingness to engage directly with users in their work environments. Growth lies in mastering these unique challenges and advancing within a leading defense tech company.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you had to design for a complex operational environment. What were the challenges, and how did you approach them?" (Focus on your process, research, and adaptation to constraints.)

• "How would you approach designing a new feature for a manufacturing workflow system like Forge? Walk us through your process." (Demonstrate your end-to-end design thinking, from problem definition to solution.)

• "Tell me about a time you had to influence stakeholders who disagreed with your design direction. How did you use storytelling or data to gain alignment?" (Highlight your communication and persuasion skills.)

• "How do you balance the need for a robust, scalable design system with the urgency of delivering tactical design solutions for product roadmaps?" (Show your understanding of strategic design thinking and prioritization.) Company & Culture Questions:

• "What interests you about Anduril's mission and the defense technology industry?" (Connect your passion to their mission.)

• "How do you stay updated on design trends and new technologies, especially those relevant to operational technology or industrial applications?" (Show your commitment to continuous learning.)

• "Describe your experience with on-site user research or working directly with users in their operational environments. What did you learn?" (Emphasize your adaptability and user empathy.) Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Curate Selectively: Choose 2-3 projects that best showcase your skills relevant to this role (operational context, design systems, multimodal experiences, end-to-end ownership).

• Structure Your Narrative: For each project, follow a clear story: Problem -> Your Role -> Process (Research, Ideation, Design, Testing) -> Solution -> Impact (Metrics!).

• Emphasize the "Why": Clearly explain the rationale behind your design decisions at each stage.

• Showcase Visual & Interaction Detail: Be prepared to zoom in on specific UI elements, micro-interactions, and animations to demonstrate your craft.

• Design System Deep Dive: If a project involved a design system, be ready to discuss its architecture, your contributions, and how it facilitated efficiency.

• Practice Your Pitch: Rehearse your presentation to ensure it flows well, stays within time limits, and highlights your key strengths.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation should focus on demonstrating a strong design process, an ability to design for complex, operational environments, and effective communication skills. The portfolio is your primary tool, so meticulous preparation for presenting it is essential.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Product Designer position:

• Submit your application through the provided link on Greenhouse.

• Tailor Your Resume: Highlight experience with 6+ years in software design, specific skills in visual and interaction design, design system development, and any experience with operational technology, manufacturing, or complex environments. Use keywords from the job description.

• Prepare Your Portfolio: Ensure your online portfolio is up-to-date, showcases relevant multimodal experiences, and clearly articulates your design process and impact. Be ready to present 2-3 key case studies.

• Research Anduril Industries: Understand their mission, products (especially ArsenalOS and Forge), and the defense technology landscape. Familiarize yourself with their company values and culture.

• Practice Your Interview Answers: Prepare for behavioral questions, design process discussions, and specific questions about your portfolio and experience with operational challenges.

⚠️ 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.