Product Designer

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Product Designer

Company: Air Apps

Location: London, England, United Kingdom

Job Type: FULL_TIME

Category: Product Design / UI/UX

Date Posted: 2026-04-17

Experience Level: 2-5 Years

Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• Design intuitive and delightful user experiences across iOS, Android, and web platforms, ensuring a seamless user journey.

• Collaborate closely with Product Management, Engineering, and User Research teams to translate complex requirements into elegant, user-centered designs.

• Develop and maintain robust design systems and component libraries to ensure visual consistency and scalability across all product interfaces.

• Own the end-to-end design process, from initial concept ideation and user flow mapping to final visual design and pixel-perfect execution.

• Advocate for user experience best practices and contribute to the continuous improvement of design processes, tooling, and team culture within a fast-paced environment.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is explicitly stated as "fully onsite" in Lisbon, Portugal, despite the provided location data indicating London, UK. The company also mentions supporting relocation efforts. The salary range is provided in EUR, further supporting a European base. For clarity, the output will reflect the Lisbon onsite requirement with relocation support, while acknowledging the initial location data.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Conduct comprehensive user research, including interviews and usability testing, to deeply understand user needs, identify pain points, and uncover behavioral patterns.

• Translate research insights into actionable design artifacts such as wireframes, user flows, prototypes, and high-fidelity mockups.

• Build and evolve design systems and component libraries, ensuring adherence to established guidelines and fostering a cohesive brand identity across all digital touchpoints.

• Partner with Product Managers to define product strategy, refine requirements, and influence roadmap decisions based on user-centric insights.

• Collaborate closely with Engineering teams to ensure technical feasibility, provide clear design specifications, and facilitate a smooth asset handoff process.

• Iterate on designs based on user feedback, A/B testing outcomes, and product analytics to drive measurable improvements in user satisfaction, engagement, and retention.

• Champion user experience best practices throughout the organization and actively contribute to the enhancement of design processes, tools, and team collaboration.

• Provide mentorship and guidance to junior designers, fostering a collaborative and inclusive design environment that encourages skill development and shared learning.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities listed are typical for a mid-level Product Designer role, emphasizing user research, design system management, and cross-functional collaboration. The inclusion of "Mentorship and guidance to less experienced designers" suggests a potential for leadership or senior-level contributions within the design team, even if not explicitly a senior title.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: Bachelor’s degree in Design, Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), or a related field.

Experience: Approximately 3+ years of professional experience in product design, with a strong portfolio showcasing end-to-end design projects.

Required Skills:

• Proficiency in modern design and prototyping tools such as Figma, Sketch, or Adobe XD.

• Solid understanding of visual design principles, including layout, typography, color theory, and an exceptional eye for detail.

• Experience in developing and maintaining design systems and component libraries for consistent UI application.

• Familiarity with native mobile design patterns (e.g., Human Interface Guidelines for iOS, Material Design for Android) and responsive web design principles.

• Demonstrated experience in conducting user research, usability testing, and applying qualitative and quantitative feedback to inform design decisions.

• Strong understanding of product strategy and the ability to translate business requirements into user-centered design solutions.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience with A/B testing methodologies and utilizing analytics to drive design iterations.

• Ability to create compelling visual narratives and effectively present design concepts to stakeholders.

• Experience in mentoring or guiding junior designers.

• Familiarity with agile development methodologies and design sprints.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "3+ years of experience" combined with mentorship responsibilities points to a mid-level to potentially senior-associate Product Designer role. The emphasis on design systems and cross-functional collaboration aligns with common requirements for product designers in tech companies aiming for scalable and consistent user experiences.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A comprehensive portfolio showcasing a range of UX/UI design projects, demonstrating the full design lifecycle from research to final implementation.

• Case studies that clearly articulate the problem, your design process, your specific contributions, the challenges faced, and the measurable impact of your solutions.

• Examples of design systems, component libraries, or style guides that highlight your approach to creating scalable and consistent user interfaces.

• Prototypes or interactive designs that effectively demonstrate user flows and interaction design principles.

Process Documentation:

• Demonstrations of your user research methodologies and how you synthesize findings into actionable design strategies.

• Examples of wireframing and prototyping processes, showing progression from low-fidelity concepts to high-fidelity mockups.

• Documentation of how you collaborate with engineering and product teams, including design handoff processes and feedback loops.

• Evidence of iterative design processes, showcasing how user feedback and data were used to refine and improve designs over time.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a Product Designer role, the portfolio is critical. The emphasis on case studies, design systems, and research integration is standard. The requirement to show how insights were synthesized and how iterative improvements were made is key to demonstrating a strategic and data-informed design approach.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: €36,000 - €46,000 per year. (Note: This is an estimate based on the provided EUR salary range, adjusted for a mid-level Product Designer in Lisbon, Portugal, considering cost of living and industry benchmarks. For London, UK, this range would typically be higher.)

Benefits:

• Apple hardware ecosystem for work.

• Annual Bonus.

• Top-tier Health and Life Insurance.

• Transportation Budget.

• Coverflex benefits package (meal allowances, well-being, etc.).

• Childcare support.

• Air Conference attendance for team collaboration and growth.

• Pension Fund.

• Urban Sports Club membership.

• Meals 100% free at the hub.

Working Hours: Approximately 40 hours per week. While the role is on-site, a degree of flexibility might be expected depending on project deadlines and team collaboration needs.

📝 Enhancement Note: The provided salary is in EUR, which aligns with the company's Portuguese origins and the clarification of the role being onsite in Lisbon. The listed benefits are quite comprehensive and reflect a strong employee value proposition, especially for a startup environment. The "On-site" status in Lisbon is confirmed by the company's description stating "This is a fully onsite position, based at our office in Lisbon."

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: AI-powered Software / Personal & Entrepreneurial Resource Planning (PRP). Air Apps is positioned in the rapidly growing AI and productivity software market, aiming to revolutionize how individuals and entrepreneurs manage their resources. This focus implies a culture of innovation, rapid iteration, and a strong emphasis on user-centric AI solutions.

Company Size: Self-funded with over 100 million downloads worldwide, but specific employee count isn't provided. This suggests a company that has achieved significant scale and market traction organically, likely with a lean and agile operational structure. The "family-founded" aspect hints at a potentially close-knit, mission-driven culture.

Founded: 2018 in Lisbon, Portugal. This indicates a relatively young company that has experienced rapid growth and global reach from its inception. The dual presence in Lisbon and San Francisco suggests an international outlook and a blend of European and North American business perspectives.

Team Structure:

• The design team likely operates within a broader product development structure, working closely with Product Management and Engineering.

• The role involves collaboration with cross-functional teams, implying a matrixed or project-based team structure where designers are embedded within product squads.

Methodology:

• Product Development: Likely follows agile methodologies with a strong focus on user feedback loops and iterative development.

• AI Integration: A core aspect of the product, suggesting a data-driven approach to feature development and user experience design.

• User-Centric Design: Emphasized throughout the role description, indicating that user needs and pain points are central to the product development process.

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

📝 Enhancement Note: The company's mission to create an AI-powered PRP and its global reach with 100 million downloads indicate a significant product-market fit and a focus on scalable technology. The "family-founded" aspect and self-funded status can imply a culture that values long-term vision and autonomy.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: Mid-Level Product Designer. This role requires around 3 years of experience and involves ownership of design projects, contribution to design systems, and user research. The mentorship aspect suggests potential for growth into a Senior Designer or Lead Designer role.

Reporting Structure: While not explicitly stated, the Product Designer will likely report to a Head of Design, Design Lead, or Product Lead. They will work collaboratively with Product Managers and Engineers, indicating a cross-functional reporting or project-based matrix structure common in tech companies.

Operations Impact: The Product Designer's impact is directly tied to shaping the user experience of an AI-powered resource planner. Success in this role will drive user adoption, engagement, and retention, directly influencing the product's market success and the company's mission to change how people plan, work, and live. By creating intuitive and effective interfaces, the designer enables users to leverage the AI capabilities, thereby contributing to the overall value proposition and business objectives.

Growth Opportunities:

• Skill Specialization: Deepen expertise in areas like AI-driven UX, mobile-first design, or advanced design system management.

• Leadership Development: Progress to a Senior Product Designer or Design Lead role, taking on more complex projects and mentoring junior team members.

• Product Strategy Influence: Grow to have a significant voice in product strategy and roadmap decisions through user advocacy and data-driven design insights.

• Cross-Functional Expertise: Develop a broader understanding of product management, engineering, and AI development through close collaboration.

• International Exposure: Work within a globally-focused company with offices in different regions, offering diverse perspectives and potential for international project involvement.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "approximately 3+ years of experience" clearly places this role at a mid-level. The inclusion of mentorship responsibility is a strong indicator of potential leadership growth. The company's focus on AI and its global presence offer unique growth avenues beyond traditional product design.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The role is explicitly "fully onsite" in Lisbon, Portugal, with support for relocation. This suggests a dedicated office space designed for in-person collaboration. The company also has an office in San Francisco, indicating an international operational footprint.

Office Location(s): Lisbon, Portugal (primary for this role) and San Francisco, USA. The Lisbon office is where the day-to-day collaboration and team interaction will occur.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Environment: The onsite requirement emphasizes close collaboration with Product Management, Engineering, and User Research teams, fostering a dynamic and interactive work atmosphere.

• Tools and Technology: Access to an Apple hardware ecosystem for work, implying a standardized and high-quality technology setup.

• Team Interaction: Frequent in-person interaction with colleagues, promoting spontaneous idea sharing, problem-solving, and team cohesion. The "Air Conference" is mentioned as a dedicated event for team connection and growth.

Work Schedule: The stated working hours are approximately 40 per week. While the role is onsite, the fast-paced nature of a startup and the need for cross-functional alignment might lead to occasional requirements for flexibility to meet project deadlines.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "fully onsite" aspect in Lisbon is a critical detail, especially given the initial location data pointing to London. The company's willingness to support relocation further underscores the Lisbon focus for this specific role. The provided benefits like free meals and a transportation budget enhance the onsite work experience.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screen: likely a brief call with HR or a recruiter to assess basic qualifications, cultural fit, and salary expectations.

• Portfolio Review & Design Challenge: A session where candidates present their portfolio and discuss their design process, problem-solving approach, and impact. This may be followed by a focused design exercise or case study presentation.

• Cross-functional Interviews: Meetings with Product Managers, Engineers, and potentially other designers to evaluate collaboration skills, technical understanding, and design sensibility.

• Final Interview: Potentially with a senior leader (e.g., Head of Product or CEO) to discuss overall fit, strategic thinking, and long-term vision.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Wisely: Select 3-4 strong projects that best represent your skills and experience relevant to this role (mobile, web, AI-informed design).

• Tell a Story: For each project, clearly articulate the user problem, your role, your design process, key decisions, challenges, and quantifiable outcomes. Use visuals effectively.

• Highlight Design Systems: If you have experience building or contributing to design systems, showcase this with examples of components and their application.

• Demonstrate Research: Show how user research and data informed your design choices and led to impactful solutions.

• Tailor to Air Apps: Research Air Apps' product and mission. Frame your portfolio discussions to show how your skills can contribute to their AI-powered PRP.

Challenge Preparation:

• Understand the Product: Familiarize yourself with Air Apps' current product offerings and target audience.

• Practice Design Exercises: Be prepared for typical UX/UI challenges, such as redesigning a feature, solving a specific user flow problem, or creating a new component.

• Think Aloud: During any design exercise, articulate your thought process, assumptions, and decision-making rationale clearly.

• Focus on Process: Demonstrate a structured approach to problem-solving, even if you don't complete the entire task.

• Showcase AI Thinking: Consider how AI could enhance user experiences within your design solutions, aligning with Air Apps' core technology.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Application Disclaimer" about AI-generated assistance is a crucial point for candidates. It indicates a strong emphasis on original work and honesty in the application process. This should be a key consideration for portfolio preparation and any assessments.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Design & Prototyping: Figma, Sketch, Adobe XD (proficiency in at least one required). Figma is often the industry standard for collaborative design.

• Design Systems: Experience with building, maintaining, or contributing to design systems and component libraries.

• User Research Tools: Familiarity with tools for conducting user interviews, surveys, and usability testing (e.g., UserTesting.com, Lookback, Maze, SurveyMonkey).

Analytics & Reporting:

• Product Analytics: Experience using tools like Google Analytics, Mixpanel, Amplitude, or Pendo to track user behavior, engagement, and retention metrics.

• A/B Testing Tools: Familiarity with platforms for running A/B tests to validate design hypotheses and measure impact.

CRM & Automation:

• While not directly a CRM role, understanding how product design impacts user journeys within a CRM or similar platform context can be beneficial.

• Collaboration Tools: Proficiency in tools like Slack, Jira, Asana, Trello for team communication and project management.

📝 Enhancement Note: The explicit mention of Figma, Sketch, and Adobe XD highlights the expected technical skills. Experience with user research tools and product analytics platforms is also critical for a data-informed design approach, which is clearly valued by Air Apps.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Innovation & Speed: Driven by the mission to build an AI-powered PRP and move faster, encouraging bold ideas and rapid execution.

• User-Centricity: A deep commitment to understanding and serving user needs, ensuring that designs are intuitive, delightful, and solve real problems.

• Ambition & Passion: Seeking individuals who are passionate about the company's mission and driven to make a significant impact.

• Collaboration & Family Spirit: As a "family-founded" company, there's likely an emphasis on teamwork, mutual support, and a shared sense of purpose.

• Data-Driven Decision Making: Using research, analytics, and A/B testing to inform design choices and measure success.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-functional Integration: Close partnerships with Product Management, Engineering, and User Research are essential, requiring open communication and shared ownership.

• Iterative Feedback: A culture that embraces continuous feedback and iterative improvement of designs based on user input and performance data.

• Mentorship and Knowledge Sharing: An environment where experienced designers guide and support less experienced team members, fostering collective growth.

• In-person Collaboration: The onsite requirement in Lisbon promotes spontaneous discussions, whiteboard sessions, and a strong team dynamic.

📝 Enhancement Note: The company's description highlights "thinking bigger—and moving faster" and being a "family-founded company." These points suggest a culture that balances ambitious goals with a supportive, close-knit team environment. The emphasis on AI and user impact points to a mission-driven culture.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing AI Complexity with Usability: Designing intuitive interfaces for an AI-powered product that might involve complex functionalities or learning curves for users.

• Cross-Platform Consistency: Maintaining a cohesive user experience across diverse platforms (iOS, Android, Web) while respecting platform-specific conventions.

• Rapid Iteration in a Startup Environment: Adapting quickly to changing priorities, user feedback, and market demands in a fast-paced startup setting.

• AI Ethics and Trust: Designing AI features responsibly, ensuring transparency, fairness, and building user trust in AI-driven recommendations and planning.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• AI in Design: Gaining hands-on experience with designing for AI-powered applications and understanding the nuances of human-AI interaction.

• Product Strategy Influence: Developing a deeper understanding of product strategy and contributing to high-level product decisions.

• Design System Mastery: Becoming an expert in building and scaling robust design systems for a growing product suite.

• Mentorship and Leadership: Developing leadership skills through guiding junior designers and contributing to the growth of the design team.

• International Exposure: Working in a global company with offices in different regions, offering diverse perspectives and potential for cross-cultural collaboration.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges are framed around the specific context of an AI-powered product and a startup environment. The growth opportunities are tied to skill development in emerging areas like AI design and leadership, which are attractive for career progression.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Tell me about a time you had to design a complex feature for a mobile app. What was your process, and what was the outcome?" (Focus on research, problem-solving, and impact.)

• "How would you approach designing a new feature for our AI-powered PRP? What research would you conduct first?" (Demonstrate understanding of user-centricity and AI product context.)

• "Describe your experience with design systems. How do you ensure consistency and scalability?" (Highlight your systematic approach to design.)

• "How do you balance user needs with business goals and technical constraints?" (Show your pragmatic approach to design trade-offs.)

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What interests you about Air Apps and our mission to build an AI-powered PRP?" (Show you've researched the company and are aligned with its goals.)

• "How do you see your design philosophy aligning with our 'think bigger—and move faster' culture?" (Connect your work style to the company's values.)

• "What are your thoughts on AI's role in personal and entrepreneurial planning?" (Demonstrate forward-thinking and understanding of the product domain.)

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Start with the 'Why': Begin each case study by clearly stating the problem you were solving and the project's goals.

• Show, Don't Just Tell: Use visuals (mockups, prototypes, user flows) to illustrate your process and solutions.

• Quantify Impact: wherever possible, use data and metrics to demonstrate the success of your designs (e.g., increased conversion, reduced errors, improved satisfaction).

• Be Prepared for Deep Dives: Anticipate questions about your specific contributions, design decisions, and challenges encountered.

• Practice Your Narrative: Rehearse your presentation to ensure a smooth flow, clear articulation, and confident delivery. Be ready to discuss your work without relying heavily on notes.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview preparation advice focuses on demonstrating both design craft and strategic thinking, with a specific emphasis on understanding and contributing to an AI-driven product. The "Application Disclaimer" about AI-generated assistance should be kept in mind when preparing responses.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Product Designer position:

• Submit your application through the provided link on Ashby.

• Craft a compelling portfolio: Ensure your portfolio highlights 3-4 of your strongest projects, clearly detailing the problem, your process, your role, and the measurable impact. Tailor your examples to showcase experience with mobile, web, and ideally, AI-influenced design.

• Optimize your resume: Highlight relevant experience and skills using keywords from the job description, such as "Product Design," "UX/UI," "Figma," "Design Systems," and "User Research." Quantify achievements where possible.

• Prepare for the interview process: Research Air Apps thoroughly, understand their product and mission, and anticipate questions about your design philosophy, collaboration style, and experience with AI.

• Practice your portfolio presentation: Rehearse walking through your case studies, focusing on storytelling, clear articulation of your design decisions, and demonstrating the impact of your work. Be ready to discuss your process and answer in-depth questions.

⚠️ Important Notice: This enhanced job description includes AI-generated insights and industry-standard assumptions. All details, especially regarding the specific office location and any AI-related application requirements, should be verified directly with Air Apps before making application decisions. The company's explicit disclaimer about AI-generated application materials is critical.