Product Designer

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Product Designer

Company: Anduril Industries

Location: Costa Mesa, California, United States

Job Type: Full-time

Category: Product Design / UX/UI Design

Date Posted: 2026-05-27

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

Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• Design and own end-to-end user experiences for a critical software platform (Forge) that accelerates hardware production and delivery.

• Contribute to product strategy and roadmap development, influencing key design decisions for manufacturing and operational workflows.

• Develop and mature a scalable design system, creating reusable components for diverse environments (mobile, tablet, desktop) and ensuring consistency across platforms.

• Conduct on-site user research (Gemba philosophy) within manufacturing and production settings to deeply understand user needs and environments.

• Collaborate with cross-functional teams and stakeholders, using storytelling to drive alignment and evangelize design decisions.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is situated within the ProductionOS team, a part of ArsenalOS, focusing on the Forge platform. The core mission is to enhance the efficiency and immersion of user experiences for hardware production and delivery, directly impacting Anduril's broader objective of rapid, high-quality hardware deployment. The emphasis on on-site research and design system development suggests a need for a designer who can bridge the gap between complex software interfaces and the realities of a manufacturing floor.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Lead the design process from discovery and ideation through prototyping, testing, and final implementation for Forge applications.

• Shape the product roadmap by contributing strategic design thinking and advocating for user-centered solutions.

• Create compelling visual and interaction designs, including micro-interactions and animations, to enhance user engagement and efficiency.

• Develop and maintain a robust design system, ensuring scalability and consistency across various devices and physical work environments.

• Champion design best practices and evangelize design tenets to foster a user-centric approach within the engineering and product teams.

• Conduct on-site research and user interviews on manufacturing floors to gather direct insights and inform design decisions.

• Collaborate closely with Product Managers, Engineers, and other stakeholders to ensure seamless integration of design solutions.

• Balance immediate tactical design needs with long-term strategic design system goals.

• Present and articulate design rationale, process, and impact effectively to diverse stakeholder groups.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a significant degree of autonomy and influence for the Product Designer, requiring them to not only execute design tasks but also to contribute to strategic product direction and actively shape the design system. The requirement for on-site research and understanding of manufacturing environments is a key differentiator for this role.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: While no specific degree is listed, a Bachelor's or Master's degree in Design, HCI, or a related field is often implied for senior design roles.

Experience: 6+ years of professional software design experience, with a strong focus on visual and interaction design.

Required Skills:

• 6+ years of software design experience.

• High attention to detail and mastery of visual design craft.

• High attention to detail and mastery of interaction design craft, including micro-interactions and animations.

• Proven ability to conduct and leverage user research, particularly in physical or manufacturing environments.

• Strong portfolio demonstrating multimodal experiences across desktop, tablet, and mobile platforms.

• Excellent storytelling skills to effectively communicate design rationale and build stakeholder alignment.

• Experience in developing and implementing scalable design systems and reusable components.

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

• Ability to travel up to 25% of the time for on-site research and collaboration.

Preferred Skills:

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

• Advanced knowledge of visual design principles: layout, color theory, typography, and Gestalt principles.

• Understanding and application of accessibility standards in design.

• Experience working in fast-paced, mission-driven environments.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on "multimodal experiences" and "scalable components for various devices and environments" points to a need for a designer who can think holistically about the user journey across different form factors and contexts, particularly in industrial settings. The "Gemba philosophy" for research is a significant indicator of the practical, hands-on nature of the user understanding required.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Demonstrations of end-to-end product design processes, from initial problem definition to final shipped product.

• Case studies showcasing the development and implementation of design systems, including examples of reusable components and their impact on consistency and efficiency.

• Examples of multimodal user experiences designed for different devices (desktop, tablet, mobile) and environments.

• Projects that highlight strong visual design, interaction design, and micro-interaction skills.

• Evidence of user research methodologies and how insights were translated into design solutions.

Process Documentation:

• Showcase a structured design process, including problem definition, user research, ideation, wireframing, prototyping, user testing, and iterative refinement.

• Illustrate how design systems were built, maintained, and scaled to support evolving product needs.

• Demonstrate the ability to create and implement design tenets and best practices.

• Provide examples of how design work was aligned with product roadmaps and business objectives.

📝 Enhancement Note: For this role, a portfolio should heavily emphasize practical application and tangible outcomes. Given the focus on manufacturing environments, case studies demonstrating how design improved efficiency, reduced errors, or enhanced user understanding in complex operational settings would be highly advantageous. The ability to showcase the creation and evolution of a design system is critical.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $146,000 - $194,000 USD per year.

Benefits:

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

• Top-tier benefits for full-time employees, including health insurance, recovery support, and other comprehensive offerings.

• (Specific details on other benefits are available on the company's careers page)

Working Hours: Full-time, typically around 40 hours per week. The nature of the role may require flexibility to meet project deadlines, especially given the on-site research component and the mission-driven environment.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range provided is a base salary estimate. The mention of "highly competitive equity grants" indicates that a significant portion of the total compensation will be equity-based, a common practice in technology and defense companies like Anduril. The benefits are described as "top-tier" and available at "little to no cost," suggesting a generous employee benefits package.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Defense Technology. Anduril Industries is a prominent player in the defense technology sector, focused on modernizing military capabilities with advanced technology, AI, autonomy, and advanced networking.

Company Size: Large (likely hundreds to thousands of employees, based on typical growth trajectory for companies like Anduril). This size indicates a structured, yet dynamic environment with opportunities for collaboration across various specialized teams.

Founded: Anduril was founded to address the need for rapid technological advancement in defense, aiming to bring the agility and innovation of Silicon Valley to military applications.

Team Structure:

• The ProductionOS team operates within the broader ArsenalOS umbrella, focusing specifically on software that streamlines hardware production and delivery.

• The Product Designer will likely collaborate closely with Product Managers, Software Engineers (front-end and back-end), QA engineers, and potentially hardware engineers.

Methodology:

• The company emphasizes bringing 21st-century innovation to defense, implying a culture of rapid iteration, data-driven decision-making, and a focus on impactful outcomes.

• The ProductionOS team utilizes the "Forge" platform, a home-grown system, indicating a commitment to building proprietary solutions.

• The adoption of the "Gemba" philosophy for on-site research highlights a commitment to understanding real-world user workflows and environments to inform design.

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

📝 Enhancement Note: Anduril's mission-driven nature in the defense sector suggests a culture that values impact, innovation, and speed. The internal development of platforms like Forge and Lattice OS points to a strong engineering and product culture. The "Gemba" research methodology is a significant cultural indicator, emphasizing firsthand observation and understanding of operational realities.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is positioned as a Mid-Senior Product Designer, indicated by the 6+ years of experience requirement. It offers a significant level of ownership and influence over critical product areas.

Reporting Structure: The Product Designer will report to a design lead or manager within the ProductionOS team or the broader ArsenalOS structure. They will collaborate closely with Product Managers and Engineering Leads.

Operations Impact: The Product Designer's work on the Forge platform directly impacts the speed, efficiency, and quality of Anduril's hardware production and delivery. This has a direct effect on the company's ability to fulfill its mission and scale its operations, making the role highly impactful.

Growth Opportunities:

• Skill Specialization: Deepen expertise in designing for manufacturing and complex operational environments, as well as advanced design system development.

• Leadership Potential: Progress into Senior or Lead Product Designer roles, mentoring junior designers and taking on larger product initiatives.

• Cross-Functional Leadership: Influence product strategy and development processes beyond pure design execution, potentially taking on product management responsibilities or contributing to broader operational efficiency improvements.

• Industry Exposure: Gain unique experience in the defense technology sector, a rapidly evolving field with significant technological advancements.

📝 Enhancement Note: The role offers a clear path for growth within Product Design, with opportunities to specialize in industrial UX/UI and design systems. The impact on a mission-critical platform like Forge provides significant visibility and potential for career advancement within Anduril or the broader defense technology industry.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: This is an on-site role, requiring the designer to work from the Costa Mesa, California office.

Office Location(s): Costa Mesa, California, United States. This location is within the vibrant tech and manufacturing ecosystem of Southern California.

Workspace Context:

• The role involves working within a hybrid environment, with significant time spent on-site in the office and also requiring travel to manufacturing floors for research.

• The office environment is likely to be collaborative and fast-paced, characteristic of a growing technology company.

• Access to relevant design tools (Figma, Sketch, Adobe Suite) and potentially prototyping facilities will be available.

• The designer will interact daily with engineers and product managers, fostering a close-knit, cross-functional working dynamic.

Work Schedule: Standard full-time hours (approx. 40 hours/week) are expected, with potential for flexibility based on project needs and the demands of on-site research and travel.

📝 Enhancement Note: The expectation of on-site work in Costa Mesa, combined with up to 25% travel to manufacturing facilities, defines a dynamic work environment. This blend requires adaptability and a willingness to engage directly with the operational realities of the business.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A recruiter will likely conduct an initial call to assess basic qualifications, experience, and cultural fit.

• Portfolio Review: A dedicated session where the candidate presents their online portfolio, discussing specific case studies, design process, and impact. Be prepared to articulate the "why," process, and impact of your work.

• Design Challenge/Exercise: A practical exercise may be given, potentially involving a hypothetical problem related to manufacturing workflows or design system components. This might be a take-home assignment or a live collaborative session.

• Stakeholder Interviews: Meetings with Product Managers, Engineering Leads, and potentially other designers to assess technical skills, problem-solving abilities, and collaboration style.

• Hiring Manager Interview: A final conversation with the hiring manager to discuss the role in depth, team dynamics, and long-term vision.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Highlight Relevant Projects: Prioritize case studies that showcase end-to-end design processes, design system development, and experience with complex interfaces or industrial/manufacturing contexts.

• Tell a Story: Structure your portfolio presentations around a narrative: the problem, your process, your solutions, and the measurable impact. Use visuals effectively.

• Showcase Design Systems: Dedicate a section or specific case study to your experience with creating, implementing, or evolving design systems. Detail the components, their scalability, and their contribution to efficiency.

• Emphasize On-Site Research: If you have experience with user research in physical environments or manufacturing settings, highlight this. Explain how you gathered insights and how they informed your designs.

• Articulate Impact: Quantify the impact of your designs whenever possible (e.g., improved efficiency by X%, reduced error rates by Y%, increased user satisfaction).

Challenge Preparation:

• Understand the Context: Research Anduril's mission, products (especially Forge and Lattice OS), and the defense technology industry.

• Focus on Process: Be ready to explain your design process, including how you handle ambiguity, gather requirements, and iterate based on feedback.

• Design System Thinking: Prepare to discuss how you would approach building or contributing to a design system for industrial applications.

• Problem-Solving: Think through potential design challenges related to manufacturing workflows, data visualization in production, or mobile interfaces for shop floor use.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on storytelling, design systems, and on-site research in portfolio review tips is crucial. Candidates should be prepared to discuss their process in detail and demonstrate how they translate complex user needs from physical environments into effective digital solutions.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Design & Prototyping: Figma, Sketch, Adobe Creative Suite (including Photoshop, Illustrator, After Effects for motion graphics). Figma is often a strong preference for collaborative design systems.

• User Research: Tools for user interviews, usability testing, and potentially heatmapping or session recording software.

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

Analytics & Reporting:

CRM & Automation:

• Not directly applicable to this design role, but awareness of how design impacts downstream CRM and automation processes is a plus.

📝 Enhancement Note: Proficiency in Figma, Sketch, or Adobe Creative Suite is essential. The ability to work with and contribute to design systems is paramount. Experience with tools that support user research and collaboration within an engineering team is also highly valued.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Mission-Driven Impact: A strong focus on contributing to a significant mission (defense technology) and seeing the tangible impact of one's work.

• Innovation & Speed: A culture that encourages rapid iteration, embracing new technologies (AI, autonomy), and delivering solutions quickly.

• Excellence & Detail: High standards for product quality, visual fidelity, and interaction craft, particularly relevant for a design role.

• Collaboration: A strong emphasis on working effectively across disciplines (design, engineering, product) to achieve common goals.

• Pragmatism: A practical approach to problem-solving, grounded in understanding real-world constraints and user needs (as evidenced by Gemba research).

Collaboration Style:

• Highly cross-functional and iterative, with designers working closely with engineers and product managers throughout the development lifecycle.

• Open communication and feedback loops are encouraged, particularly concerning design decisions and system improvements.

• Emphasis on storytelling and clear articulation to ensure alignment and buy-in from diverse stakeholders.

📝 Enhancement Note: The culture at Anduril, particularly within a team like ProductionOS, likely values individuals who are proactive, adaptable, and passionate about contributing to a high-stakes mission. The blend of cutting-edge technology with practical operational needs requires a designer who can balance strategic vision with hands-on execution.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Bridging Software and Hardware: Designing software experiences that seamlessly integrate with and support physical hardware production and workflows.

• Complex Environments: Adapting designs for the unique, often challenging, physical environments of manufacturing floors.

• Balancing Tactical vs. Strategic: Managing immediate design requests for the Forge platform while also contributing to the long-term evolution of the design system.

• Cross-Functional Alignment: Ensuring consistent understanding and buy-in on design decisions across engineering, product, and operations teams.

• On-site Research Logistics: Navigating the practicalities of conducting research in an active production environment, including safety and access considerations.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Deep Dive into Manufacturing UX: Gain specialized expertise in designing for industrial, high-throughput production environments.

• Design System Mastery: Become a key contributor to and leader within a sophisticated, evolving design system.

• Product Strategy Influence: Develop a stronger understanding of product development cycles and contribute more significantly to strategic roadmapping.

• Industry Exposure: Learn about cutting-edge defense technology and its application in real-world scenarios.

• Mentorship: Opportunities to learn from experienced designers and product leaders within the company.

📝 Enhancement Note: The primary challenge lies in translating complex operational requirements and the realities of a manufacturing floor into intuitive and efficient digital experiences. This role offers a significant opportunity to develop expertise in a niche but critical area of product design.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you had to design for a complex physical environment. How did you approach understanding the user and their context?" (Focus on Gemba-like research and adaptation).

• "Walk me through the process of developing a design system. What were the key considerations, and how did you ensure its adoption and scalability?" (Highlight component design, documentation, and collaboration).

• "How do you balance delivering quick tactical design solutions with building long-term, scalable design assets?" (Discuss prioritization, impact assessment, and strategic thinking).

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What interests you about Anduril's mission and the defense technology industry?" (Research Anduril's impact and technological focus).

• "How do you see your design philosophy aligning with our emphasis on rapid innovation and operational efficiency?" (Connect your approach to their values).

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure: Begin with an overview of your role and the project's goals. Then, detail the problem, your research process (especially any on-site or contextual research), your design solutions (wireframes, mockups, prototypes), and finally, the impact and learnings.

• Highlight Design System Contributions: If you have specific projects where you built or significantly contributed to a design system, dedicate time to explaining its architecture, key components, and benefits.

• Visuals are Key: Use high-quality mockups, interactive prototypes (if possible), and clear diagrams to illustrate your points.

• Articulate Your "Why": For every design decision, be prepared to explain the rationale behind it, referencing user needs, business goals, or design principles.

• Practice Your Narrative: Rehearse your presentation to ensure it flows smoothly, stays within the allotted time, and effectively communicates your expertise and problem-solving abilities.

📝 Enhancement Note: Candidates should be ready to demonstrate not just their design craft but also their strategic thinking, user empathy, and ability to operate effectively within a mission-driven, fast-paced environment. The on-site research aspect is a critical differentiator to prepare for.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Product Designer position:

• Submit your application through the Anduril Industries careers portal via the provided Greenhouse link.

• Portfolio Customization: Tailor your portfolio to highlight projects demonstrating end-to-end design processes, design system development, and experience with complex environments. Emphasize any work related to manufacturing, industrial settings, or multimodal experiences.

• Resume Optimization: Ensure your resume clearly articulates your 6+ years of software design experience, focusing on achievements related to visual design, interaction design, and design system contributions. Use keywords from the job description.

• Prepare Your Narrative: Practice presenting your portfolio case studies, focusing on your process, design rationale, and measurable impact. Be ready to discuss your experience with on-site research and working in industrial contexts.

• Company Research: Thoroughly research Anduril Industries, its mission, products (Forge, Lattice OS), and the defense technology landscape. Understand the company culture and values to articulate your fit.

⚠️ 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.