Product Designer

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Product Designer

Company: Air Apps

Location: Lisbon, Portugal (On-site, relocation support available)

Job Type: FULL_TIME

Category: Product Design / UX/UI Design

Date Posted: 2026-04-17

Experience Level: Mid-Level (3+ years)

Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• Crafting intuitive, delightful, and user-centered experiences across iOS, Android, and web platforms, driving product adoption and user satisfaction.

• Collaborating closely with Product Management, Engineering, and User Research teams to translate complex requirements into elegant design solutions.

• Developing and maintaining robust design systems and component libraries to ensure visual consistency and scalability across all product touchpoints.

• Conducting comprehensive user research, including interviews and usability testing, to inform design decisions and iteratively improve product usability.

• Ensuring seamless technical feasibility and efficient asset handoff through close partnerships with engineering teams.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the job title is "Product Designer," the description heavily emphasizes UX/UI responsibilities, including user research, wireframing, prototyping, and design systems. The role requires a blend of creative design skills and a strong user-centric approach, aligning with typical mid-level Product Designer profiles in tech companies. The specific mention of an AI-powered Resource Planner suggests a focus on complex data visualization and workflow optimization in the design.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Lead user research initiatives, including conducting interviews, surveys, and usability testing sessions, to gather actionable insights into user needs, pain points, and behaviors.

• Translate user research findings and product requirements into detailed wireframes, user flows, interactive prototypes, and high-fidelity visual designs.

• Design and maintain comprehensive design systems, style guides, and component libraries to ensure a consistent and cohesive user experience across all digital platforms (iOS, Android, Web).

• Collaborate effectively with Product Managers to define product roadmaps, refine feature requirements, and champion user-centric design principles throughout the product development lifecycle.

• Partner closely with Software Engineers to ensure the technical feasibility of designs, provide clear specifications, and facilitate a smooth and efficient design handoff process.

• Drive iterative design improvements by analyzing user feedback, A/B testing results, and product analytics to enhance user satisfaction, engagement, and retention metrics.

• Champion best practices in user experience and user interface design, contributing to the continuous improvement of design processes, methodologies, and team collaboration.

• Mentor and guide junior designers, fostering a positive, inclusive, and collaborative design environment within the team.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a full-cycle design ownership, from research and ideation to implementation and iteration. The emphasis on design systems and cross-functional collaboration is critical for a mid-level role in a growing tech company. The mention of an AI-powered resource planner suggests that the designer will need to grapple with complex information architecture and potentially novel interaction models.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

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

Experience: Approximately 3+ years of professional experience in product design, UX/UI design, or a similar role, with a strong portfolio demonstrating end-to-end design capabilities.

Required Skills:

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

• Strong understanding of visual design principles, including layout, typography, color theory, and composition.

• Demonstrated experience in creating wireframes, user flows, and interactive prototypes for complex applications.

• Familiarity with native mobile design patterns and guidelines (Apple's Human Interface Guidelines for iOS, Google's Material Design for Android).

• Knowledge of responsive web design principles and best practices for cross-platform compatibility.

• Experience conducting user research, including usability testing, and synthesizing qualitative and quantitative feedback.

• Ability to collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams (Product Management, Engineering, User Research).

Preferred Skills:

• Experience in developing and maintaining design systems and component libraries.

• Familiarity with AI-driven product development or resource planning applications.

• Understanding of front-end development principles (HTML, CSS, JavaScript) to better collaborate with engineers.

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

• Previous experience in a fast-paced, self-funded startup environment.

• Design mentorship experience.

📝 Enhancement Note: The required skills are standard for a mid-level Product Designer. The preferred skills, particularly those related to design systems and AI, indicate a desire for a candidate who can contribute to scalable design solutions and potentially innovate within the AI product space. The mention of relocation support for this on-site role in Lisbon is a significant detail for international candidates.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A curated selection of 3-5 impactful projects showcasing your end-to-end product design process, from initial concept to final shipped product.

• Detailed case studies demonstrating your problem-solving approach, user research methodologies, and design rationale for each project.

• Prototypes and visual designs that clearly illustrate your UI design skills, attention to detail, and understanding of user experience principles.

• Examples of how you’ve contributed to or utilized design systems and component libraries.

Process Documentation:

• Clearly articulate the user research methods employed and how insights directly influenced design decisions.

• Showcase the creation and evolution of user flows, wireframes, and prototypes, highlighting key decision points.

• Demonstrate the application of platform-specific design guidelines (iOS Human Interface Guidelines, Android Material Design) and responsive web principles.

• Provide examples of design system components and their implementation across different platforms.

• Illustrate the design handoff process to engineering, including the use of detailed specifications and assets.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a Product Designer role, a strong portfolio is paramount. The emphasis here is on demonstrating a structured, user-centered design process, not just final visual output. The inclusion of design system work and cross-functional collaboration evidence is crucial for a mid-level role. The company's focus on an AI-powered product might lead to an expectation for projects that involve complex data or intelligent workflows.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: €36,000 - €46,000 per year (EUR).

Explanation of Range: This range is based on the provided salary data and aligns with mid-level Product Designer roles in Lisbon, Portugal, considering the company's self-funded startup status and the required 3+ years of experience. Local market research for similar roles in Lisbon indicates this is a competitive range.

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 (team meet-ups, collaboration, and growth opportunities).

• Pension Fund.

• Urban Sports Club membership.

• 100% free meals at the hub.

Working Hours: Approximately 40 hours per week, with an on-site work arrangement in Lisbon.

📝 Enhancement Note: The provided salary range is specific to the Lisbon market and reflects the mid-level experience required. The benefits package is quite comprehensive, especially for a startup, including elements like relocation support, free meals, and a robust wellness program, which are attractive perks for on-site employees. The mention of a "Transportation Budget" and "Meals 100% free at the hub" specifically supports the on-site nature of the role.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Technology, AI Software, Personal & Entrepreneurial Resource Planning (PRP).

Company Size: While not explicitly stated, the company has offices in Lisbon and San Francisco and has reached over 100 million downloads, suggesting a growing, potentially medium-sized startup. The self-funded nature indicates a focus on sustainable growth and strategic investment.

Founded: 2018 in Lisbon, Portugal.

Team Structure:

• The Product Design team likely operates within a Product department, collaborating closely with Product Management and Engineering.

• Given the on-site requirement in Lisbon, expect a co-located team structure fostering in-person collaboration.

Methodology:

• Emphasis on an AI-powered approach to product development, suggesting data-driven decision-making and a forward-thinking technological focus.

• User-centric design is a core methodology, driven by research and iterative improvements.

• The company values speed and ambition ("thinking bigger—and moving faster").

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

📝 Enhancement Note: Air Apps positions itself as an ambitious, AI-focused tech company with a strong emphasis on user experience. The "family-founded" aspect, combined with rapid growth and self-funding, suggests a culture that balances innovation with stability and a personal touch. The on-site requirement in Lisbon points to a desire for strong team cohesion and in-person collaboration.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is positioned as a Mid-Level Product Designer. It requires independent execution of design tasks, ownership of specific product areas, and the ability to contribute to design systems and processes. It's a step beyond junior roles, expecting more autonomy and strategic input.

Reporting Structure: The Product Designer will likely report to a Head of Product, Design Lead, or Senior Product Manager within the product organization. They will collaborate extensively with Product Managers and Engineers.

Operations Impact: The Product Designer will have a direct impact on user acquisition, engagement, and retention by creating intuitive and effective user experiences for Air Apps' AI-powered PRP. Their work will be critical in translating complex AI functionalities into accessible and valuable tools for users, directly influencing product success and market adoption.

Growth Opportunities:

• Skill Advancement: Opportunity to deepen expertise in AI product design, advanced UX research methodologies, and scalable design systems.

• Leadership Potential: With proven performance, there's potential to grow into a Senior Product Designer role, taking on more complex projects, leading design initiatives, and mentoring junior team members.

• Cross-functional Exposure: Exposure to product strategy, AI development, and business growth initiatives, offering a broader understanding of the tech industry.

• Company Growth: As Air Apps scales, opportunities for leadership within the design team or specialization in specific product areas will emerge.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role offers a solid foundation for growth within a dynamic tech startup. The emphasis on AI and PRP suggests opportunities to work on cutting-edge technology, which can be a significant career differentiator. The clear path to senior roles and leadership is a key attraction for ambitious designers.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The role is explicitly stated as a "fully onsite position" based at their office in Lisbon. This indicates a traditional office environment designed for in-person collaboration.

Office Location(s): Lisbon, Portugal. While a specific address isn't provided, the company has offices there. Relocation support is offered, suggesting they are prepared to assist international candidates.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Environment: The on-site nature suggests a workspace that facilitates spontaneous discussions, team brainstorming sessions, and direct interaction with colleagues from Product, Engineering, and Research.

• Tools & Technology: Employees will have access to the "Apple hardware ecosystem for work," implying a standardized and high-quality tech setup. The company likely provides access to necessary design software and collaboration tools.

• Team Interaction: Daily opportunities to engage with a diverse team, fostering a sense of community and shared purpose, especially with free meals and social events like "Air Conference."

Work Schedule: A standard full-time work schedule is implied, likely around 40 hours per week, with the expectation of being present in the Lisbon office.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on an on-site role in Lisbon, coupled with comprehensive benefits like free meals and relocation support, points to a company that prioritizes a strong, in-person company culture and employee well-being within its physical workspace. This environment is designed to foster collaboration and innovation.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A review of your resume and portfolio to assess qualifications and alignment with the role.

• Portfolio Presentation & Discussion: You will likely present your portfolio, walking through key case studies. Be prepared to discuss your design process, decision-making, and the impact of your work. Focus on how you approach user problems and collaborate.

• Technical/Design Challenge: A practical design exercise, potentially involving a case study or a prompt related to the Air Apps product, to evaluate your design skills, problem-solving abilities, and approach to specific design challenges.

• Cross-functional Interviews: Meetings with Product Managers, Engineers, and potentially other designers to assess your collaboration style, technical understanding, and cultural fit.

• Final Interview: Likely with a senior leader (e.g., Head of Product, CEO) to discuss overall fit, career aspirations, and company vision.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Show, Don't Just Tell: Use your portfolio to visually demonstrate your design process. Include wireframes, user flows, prototypes, and final UI designs.

• Focus on Impact: For each project, clearly articulate the problem, your role, the solutions you designed, and the measurable outcomes or impact. Quantify results whenever possible (e.g., "increased conversion by X%").

• Highlight Collaboration: Showcase instances where you worked effectively with cross-functional teams, managed feedback, and iterated on designs.

• Tailor to Air Apps: Understand Air Apps' AI-powered PRP. If possible, select projects that demonstrate experience with complex data, workflow optimization, or user-friendly interfaces for sophisticated tools.

• Be Ready to Discuss: Prepare to deeply discuss your choices, rationale, and lessons learned for each project presented.

Challenge Preparation:

• Understand the Product: Research Air Apps' mission, its AI-powered PRP, and its target audience.

• Practice Problem-Solving: Be ready to tackle design prompts that require creative solutions, user empathy, and a structured approach.

• Think About AI: Consider how AI might impact user experience design in a resource planning context.

• Time Management: Practice working within time constraints if a timed challenge is expected.

• Articulate Your Process: Clearly explain your thinking and design decisions during the challenge.

📝 Enhancement Note: The application process for a Product Designer role heavily relies on the portfolio. Candidates should prepare to not only showcase their work but also to articulate their design thinking, process, and collaborative approach in detail. The company's specific product focus (AI-powered PRP) means demonstrating relevant experience or a strong understanding of such domains will be advantageous.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Design & Prototyping: Figma, Sketch, Adobe XD (proficiency in at least one is required; Figma is often preferred for collaborative workflows).

• User Research & Testing: Tools like UserTesting.com, Lookback, Maze, or in-house methods for conducting usability tests and gathering feedback.

• Collaboration & Communication: Slack, Jira, Confluence, Asana (or similar project management and communication tools).

Analytics & Reporting:

• Product Analytics: Tools such as Amplitude, Mixpanel, Google Analytics, or similar platforms to track user behavior and product performance.

• A/B Testing Platforms: Tools like Optimizely or VWO for running experiments and validating design hypotheses.

CRM & Automation:

• While not directly a designer's primary tool, familiarity with CRM systems (like Salesforce, HubSpot) and marketing automation platforms can be beneficial for understanding the broader user journey and business context.

📝 Enhancement Note: Proficiency in core design tools like Figma is essential. The mention of AI and a resource planner implies that familiarity with data visualization tools and analytics platforms will be highly beneficial for understanding user behavior and iterating on designs based on performance metrics.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• User-Centricity: A deep commitment to understanding and serving user needs through thoughtful design.

• Innovation & Ambition: A drive to "think bigger—and move faster" and push the boundaries with AI-driven solutions.

• Collaboration: Working effectively across teams to achieve shared goals and build cohesive products.

• Quality & Detail: A focus on crafting elegant, high-fidelity, and pixel-perfect user experiences.

• Continuous Improvement: An iterative approach to design, valuing feedback and data to refine products.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-functional Integration: Designers are expected to work closely with Product Managers and Engineers, acting as a bridge between user needs and technical implementation.

• Open Communication: A culture that encourages open discussion, feedback exchange, and constructive critique to elevate the product.

• Shared Ownership: Team members likely share a sense of ownership over the product's success and user experience.

📝 Enhancement Note: The company culture appears to value a blend of ambitious innovation, user advocacy, and collaborative execution. For a designer, this means being proactive, communicative, and data-informed, while also maintaining a strong creative vision grounded in user needs.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Designing for AI Complexity: Translating sophisticated AI functionalities into intuitive and understandable user interfaces for a broad audience.

• Balancing Platform Consistency with Specificity: Maintaining a cohesive design system across iOS, Android, and Web while respecting platform-specific conventions and user expectations.

• Rapid Iteration in a Startup Environment: Adapting to fast-paced development cycles and evolving product requirements.

• Data Interpretation: Effectively translating complex user data and analytics into actionable design improvements.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Specialization in AI UX: Gaining expertise in designing for artificial intelligence applications, a rapidly growing field.

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

• Cross-Disciplinary Learning: Opportunities to learn about AI development, product strategy, and business operations.

• Mentorship: Receiving guidance from experienced professionals and potentially mentoring junior designers.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges presented are typical for a designer in a growing tech company working with innovative technology. The growth opportunities are significant, particularly in the specialized area of AI product design and the potential for leadership within a scaling organization.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you had to design for a complex or abstract concept. How did you make it user-friendly?" (Focus on your process, research, and simplification strategies.)

• "How do you approach building or contributing to a design system? What are the key components and challenges?" (Highlight your understanding of scalability, consistency, and collaboration.)

• "Walk us through a project where user research significantly changed your initial design direction." (Emphasize your user empathy, research skills, and ability to adapt.)

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What interests you about Air Apps and our mission to create an AI-powered PRP?" (Research the company's mission and products thoroughly.)

• "How do you contribute to a positive and collaborative team environment?" (Share examples of your teamwork and communication style.)

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure Your Narrative: For each case study, clearly define the problem, your role and responsibilities, your process (research, ideation, design, testing), the solution, and the impact/results.

• Highlight Key Decisions: Be prepared to explain why you made specific design choices. What alternatives did you consider? What trade-offs did you make?

• Showcase Collaboration: Mention how you worked with PMs, engineers, and researchers.

• Focus on Impact: Quantify the success of your designs whenever possible. If metrics aren't available, discuss the anticipated impact or qualitative improvements.

• Be Ready for Questions: Anticipate questions about your process, challenges, and specific design choices.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation should focus on demonstrating a strong, user-centered design process, excellent collaboration skills, and an understanding of the company's AI-driven product space. The portfolio presentation is a critical component and should be practiced to convey a clear, compelling story about your design journey and impact.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Product Designer position:

• Submit your application through the provided link on Ashby HQ.

• Customize Your Resume: Tailor your resume to highlight experience in product design, UX/UI, user research, design systems, and proficiency with tools like Figma. Use keywords from the job description.

• Prepare Your Portfolio: Curate 3-5 of your strongest projects, focusing on end-to-end case studies that demonstrate your process, problem-solving skills, and impact. Ensure it's easily accessible online.

• Research Air Apps: Understand the company's mission, its AI-powered PRP product, its market, and its culture. Prepare to discuss why you are a good fit for their specific needs.

• Practice Your Presentation: Rehearse walking through your portfolio and discussing your projects. Be ready to articulate your design rationale and answer technical and behavioral questions confidently.

⚠️ 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.