Product Designer

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Product Designer

Company: BranchLab

Location: Boulder, Colorado, United States

Job Type: Full-time

Category: Product Design / UX/UI Design

Date Posted: April 17, 2026

Experience Level: Mid-Level (2-5 years)

Remote Status: Hybrid (Minimum 3 days in office, Tuesday-Thursday)

🚀 Role Summary

• Lead the complete product design lifecycle, from initial user research and problem definition through to the delivery of polished, production-ready user interfaces (UI).

• Champion user-centric design principles, conducting in-depth user research (interviews, usability testing) to uncover critical insights that drive product strategy and feature development.

• Facilitate collaborative design workshops with clients and internal stakeholders to foster alignment, drive ideation, and map out user journeys.

• Translate complex user needs and business objectives into intuitive, elegant, and technically feasible design solutions that enhance user experience and achieve business goals.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the role is titled "Product Designer," the emphasis on end-to-end ownership, user research, workshop facilitation, and collaboration with product and engineering strongly indicates a need for a candidate with robust UX/UI design skills and a strategic product thinking mindset, rather than purely visual design. The "Healthcare AI" industry context suggests a need for designing complex, data-intensive interfaces.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Own and execute the full product design process: user research, ideation, wireframing, high-fidelity UI design, and collaboration with engineering for implementation.

• Initiate and lead comprehensive user research initiatives, including conducting user interviews, usability testing, and synthesizing findings to inform product direction.

• Design and facilitate interactive workshops with clients and cross-functional teams for discovery, journey mapping, and collaborative ideation sessions.

• Actively contribute to product strategy by defining product requirements and prioritizing features based on user needs, business goals, and technical feasibility.

• Develop intuitive and elegant user interfaces and interaction models that effectively address user pain points and business objectives.

• Create rapid prototypes and iterate on designs quickly in a fast-paced startup environment to validate concepts and gather feedback.

• Collaborate closely with Product Managers and Engineering teams to refine product features, influence the roadmap, and ensure design feasibility.

• Produce high-fidelity, production-ready UI designs with meticulous attention to detail, ensuring visual consistency and adherence to brand guidelines.

• Contribute to the development, maintenance, and evolution of the company's design system to ensure scalability and consistency across products.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a "high ownership mindset" and the need to take ideas from "concept to shipped product." This implies a proactive approach to identifying design opportunities and driving projects to completion, rather than passively receiving assignments. The focus on client exposure and workshop facilitation suggests strong communication and stakeholder management skills are paramount.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: While no specific degree is mandated, a Bachelor's degree in Design, Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), Computer Science, or a related field is often preferred for foundational understanding. However, equivalent practical experience and a strong portfolio are paramount.

Experience: 3+ years of dedicated experience in Product Design, UI/UX Design, or a closely related field, with a proven track record of shipping successful digital products.

Required Skills:

• A strong, compelling portfolio showcasing end-to-end product thinking, user research methodologies, and a diverse range of design projects.

• Demonstrated expertise in conducting user research (e.g., interviews, surveys, usability testing) and translating research findings into actionable product design decisions.

• Proven experience in planning and facilitating design workshops, discovery sessions, and collaborative ideation with diverse stakeholders.

• Exceptional UI/UX craft, encompassing interaction design, visual design principles, and a deep understanding of usability best practices.

• Ability to effectively balance competing priorities: user needs, business goals, and technical constraints to deliver optimal solutions.

• Strong presentation and communication skills, with the ability to clearly articulate design rationale and present ideas effectively to stakeholders at all levels.

• Demonstrated ability to thrive in a dynamic, fast-paced startup environment, embracing ambiguity and adapting quickly to changing priorities.

Preferred Skills:

• Familiarity with leveraging analytics and data to inform design decisions and measure design impact.

• Experience in building, scaling, or contributing to design systems.

• Background or strong understanding of service design principles or design thinking methodologies.

📝 Enhancement Note: The required experience level of 3+ years, combined with the responsibilities of owning the end-to-end process and leading research, suggests this role is for a mid-level designer ready to take on significant ownership and strategic input. The "startup environment" and "high ownership mindset" are critical indicators for candidates to highlight their self-starter capabilities and proactive problem-solving skills.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• End-to-End Case Studies: Showcase 2-3 detailed case studies that illustrate your complete product design process, from initial problem identification and user research through to final UI and post-launch considerations.

• Research & Synthesis: Clearly present your methodology for user research, including examples of interview guides, usability testing plans, and how you synthesized qualitative and quantitative data into actionable insights.

• Problem Definition & Ideation: Demonstrate your approach to defining the core problems, exploring multiple design solutions, and iterating based on feedback and user testing.

• UI/UX Craftsmanship: Highlight the quality of your visual design, interaction design, and the usability of your solutions through high-fidelity mockups and interactive prototypes.

• Impact & Results: Quantify the impact of your designs whenever possible, using metrics, user feedback, or business outcomes to demonstrate the value delivered.

Process Documentation:

• Workflow Design: Illustrate how you map out user flows and system interactions, showing a clear understanding of user journeys and task completion.

• Design System Contribution: If applicable, showcase examples of how you've contributed to or utilized design systems, demonstrating an understanding of component-based design and scalability.

• Collaboration & Iteration: Provide evidence of how you collaborate with product and engineering, and how iterative design processes were managed.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a Product Designer role, the portfolio is paramount. It's not just about showcasing pretty screens, but about demonstrating a strategic, user-centered, and iterative design process. Candidates should be prepared to walk through their decision-making at each stage.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: For a Product Designer with 2-5 years of experience in Boulder, Colorado, the estimated salary range is typically between $100,000 - $140,000 per year. This range can vary based on the candidate's specific experience, portfolio strength, and the company's compensation philosophy.

Benefits:

• Competitive Salary: A salary benchmarked against industry standards for similar roles and experience levels.

• Comprehensive Benefits Package: This typically includes medical, dental, and vision insurance, likely with employer contributions, as well as paid time off (PTO) and holidays.

• Equity Opportunities: Potential for stock options or equity grants, allowing employees to share in the company's growth and success.

• Hybrid Work Model: Flexibility to work remotely with a requirement for in-office collaboration on specific days.

• Professional Development: Opportunities for learning and growth, which may include access to training, conferences, or workshops.

Working Hours: Standard full-time working hours are expected, typically around 40 hours per week. The hybrid model suggests flexibility around daily start and end times, with core hours for in-office collaboration and team meetings.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary estimate is based on aggregated data from reputable salary aggregators (e.g., Glassdoor, LinkedIn Salary, Levels.fyi) for Product Designer roles in the Boulder, Colorado area, considering the mid-level experience indicated. The "Equity Opportunities" are significant in a startup environment and should be a key consideration for candidates.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Healthcare AI / HealthTech. BranchLab operates at the intersection of artificial intelligence and healthcare, focusing on commercialization and prediction of health outcomes. This sector demands rigorous, privacy-safe solutions.

Company Size: Small, Agile Team (Startup Environment). This implies a lean structure with fewer layers of management, leading to faster decision-making and a more direct impact for each team member.

Founded: The founding date is not explicitly provided, but the description positions BranchLab as a growing startup focused on building a product from the ground up. This suggests an early-stage company culture.

Team Structure:

• Operations Team: The Product Designer will report to the Creative Director UX & Brand, indicating a dedicated design function within the company.

• Cross-functional Collaboration: Close collaboration is expected with Product Managers, Engineering teams, and Clients. This means the designer will be integrated into product development squads and client-facing engagements.

• Reporting: Direct reporting to the Creative Director UX & Brand, suggesting mentorship and guidance from a senior design leader.

Methodology:

• Data-Driven Design: The company emphasizes applying AI and predicting outcomes, suggesting a strong data-informed approach to product development and design.

• Iterative Development: The "fast-paced" environment and emphasis on shipping quickly and iterating often point to agile methodologies.

• User-Centricity: The core of the role is understanding and translating user needs, underscoring a commitment to user-centered design principles.

Company Website: https://branchlab.com/

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Healthcare AI" context is crucial. It implies that the design challenges will likely involve handling sensitive data, complex workflows, and potentially regulated environments, requiring a thoughtful and rigorous approach to design. The startup size means designers will likely wear multiple hats and have significant influence.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is positioned as a Mid-Level Product Designer. This implies a designer who has moved beyond junior responsibilities and is expected to independently manage design projects, lead user research, and contribute strategically to product decisions. They are expected to mentor junior designers if the team grows.

Reporting Structure: The designer will report directly to the Creative Director UX & Brand. This provides a clear reporting line for guidance, feedback, and career development within the design function.

Operations Impact: The Product Designer will have a significant impact on BranchLab's success by shaping the user experience of its AI-powered healthcare commercialization platform. Their work will directly influence user adoption, client satisfaction, and the overall effectiveness of the product in solving critical healthcare challenges. By translating complex AI capabilities into intuitive interfaces, they will enable better decision-making for regulated organizations.

Growth Opportunities:

• Design Leadership: As BranchLab grows, there will be opportunities to take on more senior design responsibilities, potentially leading design initiatives or managing a small team of designers.

• Specialization: The unique domain of Healthcare AI offers opportunities to specialize in designing for complex data, privacy-sensitive applications, or specific user personas within the healthcare commercialization space.

• Strategic Influence: The role encourages direct contribution to product strategy and roadmap decisions, offering a chance to grow as a product thinker and strategist.

• Cross-functional Expertise: Working closely with product and engineering will foster a deeper understanding of product development lifecycles and technical constraints, enhancing overall product development acumen.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on "building and shaping a product from the ground up" and "high ownership" points to significant growth potential for individuals who are proactive and driven. This isn't a role for someone who wants to just execute; it's for someone who wants to influence and build.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Hybrid. The company has an office in Boulder, CO, and requires a minimum of three days per week in the office (Tuesdays-Thursdays). This suggests a blend of focused remote work and collaborative in-office days.

Office Location(s): Boulder, Colorado. This location is known for its strong tech and startup ecosystem, offering a vibrant environment for innovation.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Environment: The hybrid model, with designated in-office days, is designed to foster collaboration, spontaneous ideation, and team cohesion. Expect to work closely with colleagues on-site.

• Tools & Technology: The company will likely provide access to modern design and collaboration tools necessary for product design, user research, and project management.

• Team Interaction: In-office days will facilitate direct interaction with product, engineering, and design teams, fostering a strong sense of team presence and shared purpose.

Work Schedule: The role is full-time, with a hybrid arrangement requiring specific days in the office. While core business hours will apply, the startup environment may sometimes necessitate flexibility to meet project deadlines or client needs.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "minimum 3 days in the office (Tues-Thurs)" is a specific requirement. Candidates must be willing and able to adhere to this hybrid model and be located within a commutable distance to Boulder, Colorado.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Application Submission: Submit your resume and a link to your portfolio. A strong portfolio is critical for moving forward.

• Portfolio Review & Screening: The design team will review your portfolio for relevant experience, end-to-end thinking, and UI/UX craft. Expect an initial screening call to discuss your background and fit.

• Design Challenge/Case Study Presentation: You will likely be asked to complete a design challenge or present a detailed case study from your portfolio. This will assess your problem-solving skills, design process, and ability to articulate your rationale.

• Cross-functional Interviews: Interviews with Product Managers and Engineers to assess collaboration style, technical understanding, and ability to work effectively in a cross-functional team.

• Hiring Manager/Creative Director Interview: A final interview with the Creative Director UX & Brand to discuss your experience, career goals, and cultural fit.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select 2-3 of your strongest, most relevant projects that demonstrate end-to-end product thinking, user research, and problem-solving. Tailor your selection to healthcare AI if possible.

• Tell a Story: For each project, clearly articulate the problem, your role, your process, your key decisions, and the outcomes. Use visuals effectively to support your narrative.

• Highlight Process: Emphasize your user research methodologies, ideation techniques, iteration cycles, and how you translated insights into solutions.

• Quantify Impact: Whenever possible, include metrics, user feedback, or business results to demonstrate the value and effectiveness of your designs.

• Be Prepared to Discuss: Anticipate questions about your design choices, challenges faced, and how you collaborated with others.

Challenge Preparation:

• Understand the Domain: Research BranchLab, its mission in healthcare AI, and the general landscape of healthtech product design.

• Focus on Process: If given a challenge, prioritize demonstrating a structured, user-centered design process rather than just a polished UI.

• Time Management: Be mindful of any time constraints and allocate your time effectively across research, ideation, design, and presentation.

• Articulate Rationale: Be ready to clearly explain the "why" behind every design decision you make.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on "end-to-end product thinking and research-driven design" in the requirements means your portfolio must go beyond just visual mockups. Candidates need to demonstrate how they identify problems, conduct research, and iterate based on findings.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Design & Prototyping: Proficiency in industry-standard design tools such as Figma, Sketch, or Adobe XD is essential for wireframing, UI design, and prototyping. Figma is increasingly becoming the industry standard for collaborative design.

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

• Collaboration Tools: Experience with project management and communication tools like Jira, Asana, Slack, and Notion is expected for team collaboration.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Analytics Platforms: Familiarity with web and product analytics tools (e.g., Google Analytics, Mixpanel, Amplitude) for data-informed design is preferred.

CRM & Automation:

• While not directly a CRM role, understanding how product design impacts user adoption within a broader customer journey managed by CRM systems is beneficial.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "preferred qualification" of "Familiarity with analytics and data-informed design" suggests that candidates who can demonstrate how they use data to guide their design decisions will have a significant advantage. Figma is likely the primary tool, given its prevalence in modern design workflows.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Ownership: A strong sense of personal responsibility for projects and outcomes, taking ideas from conception to completion.

• Collaboration: Working effectively with cross-functional teams (product, engineering, clients) to achieve shared goals.

• User-Centricity: A deep commitment to understanding and advocating for the user, ensuring their needs are at the forefront of design decisions.

• Rigor & Precision: Particularly relevant in healthcare AI, this implies a meticulous approach to design, ensuring accuracy, reliability, and adherence to standards.

• Adaptability: Thriving in a fast-paced startup environment, being open to change, and iterating quickly based on feedback and new information.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-functional Integration: The designer will be an integral part of product development squads, working hand-in-hand with Product Managers and Engineers.

• Client Engagement: Direct interaction with clients through workshops and feedback sessions is expected, requiring strong communication and relationship-building skills.

• Feedback Culture: An environment where constructive feedback is welcomed and used for continuous improvement of both the product and individual skills.

📝 Enhancement Note: The company's mission in "healthcare AI" and "predicting health outcomes" suggests a culture that values accuracy, ethics, and a deep understanding of complex systems. The "fast-paced startup environment" also implies a culture that is agile, iterative, and embraces change.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Designing for Complexity: Translating intricate AI capabilities and healthcare data into intuitive and user-friendly interfaces presents a significant design challenge.

• Balancing Stakeholder Needs: Effectively managing and aligning the diverse needs and expectations of users, product teams, engineering, and clients.

• Navigating Ambiguity: As a startup, processes may be evolving, requiring designers to be comfortable with ambiguity and proactively define solutions.

• Rapid Iteration: The need to ship quickly and iterate often requires efficient design processes and the ability to make decisions with incomplete information.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Domain Expertise: Deepen understanding and expertise in the healthcare AI and commercialization domain, becoming a specialist in designing for this critical industry.

• Strategic Product Development: Gain hands-on experience in shaping product strategy and roadmap decisions within a growing startup.

• Design System Growth: Contribute to the evolution of a design system, understanding its impact on scalability and brand consistency.

• Cross-functional Skill Enhancement: Develop stronger communication, collaboration, and strategic thinking skills through close work with product and engineering.

📝 Enhancement Note: The primary challenge will be translating complex, regulated healthcare AI concepts into usable and trustworthy interfaces. This requires not only strong design skills but also a willingness to learn and understand the domain deeply.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you had to design for a complex or regulated industry. What were the key challenges and how did you address them?" (Focus on your process, research, and how you handled constraints.)

• "How do you approach balancing user needs with business goals and technical limitations when designing a new feature?" (Highlight your prioritization framework and negotiation skills.)

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What interests you about BranchLab's mission in healthcare AI and commercialization?" (Demonstrate you've researched the company and understand its impact.)

• "How do you contribute to a collaborative team environment, especially in a hybrid setting?" (Emphasize your communication style and experience with cross-functional work.)

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure: Organize your presentation around 2-3 key case studies, dedicating sufficient time to each.

• Narrative: Tell a compelling story for each project, focusing on the problem, your role, your process, your decisions, and the results.

• Visuals: Use high-quality mockups, prototypes, and diagrams to illustrate your points.

• Interaction: Be prepared for interactive discussions and questions throughout your presentation.

• Conciseness: While detailed, be mindful of time and focus on the most impactful aspects of your work.

📝 Enhancement Note: Be ready to discuss your experience with data-informed design and how you've used analytics or user feedback to iterate on designs. This is a key preferred qualification and will likely be a focus during interviews.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Product Designer position:

• Submit your application through the provided link on Ashby.

• Portfolio Customization: Ensure your portfolio prominently features 2-3 detailed case studies that showcase your end-to-end product design process, user research, problem-solving, and impact. Tailor the presentation to highlight relevant experience for a healthcare AI startup.

• Resume Optimization: Update your resume to clearly articulate your years of experience, key responsibilities, and achievements using keywords from the job description (e.g., "Product Design," "User Research," "UI/UX," "Prototyping," "Workshop Facilitation," "Startup Environment"). Quantify your accomplishments where possible.

• Interview Preparation: Practice articulating your design process, decision-making rationale, and project outcomes. Prepare to discuss specific examples of user research, collaboration, and how you've handled ambiguity.

• Company Research: Thoroughly research BranchLab's mission, products, and the healthcare AI industry. Understand their challenges and how your design skills can contribute to their success.

⚠️ 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.