Product Designer

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Product Designer

Company: Merkle (a dentsu company)

Location: Lisbon, Portugal

Job Type: Full-time

Category: Product Design / UX/UI Design

Date Posted: 2026-05-19

Experience Level: Mid-Level (2-4 years)

Remote Status: Hybrid

🚀 Role Summary

• Core Function: Drive the end-to-end design process for digital products, from concept generation to pixel-perfect implementation, with a strong emphasis on user experience (UX) and user interface (UI).

• Strategic Partnership: Collaborate closely with Product Managers, Engineering, and Research teams to define product strategy, translate business objectives into user-centric solutions, and ensure successful product launches.

• Data-Driven Optimization: Leverage product metrics, experimentation, and optimization approaches to identify areas for improvement in live products and propose data-informed hypotheses for backlog prioritization.

• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Act as a key design contributor within fast-paced, cross-functional teams, effectively communicating design rationale and ensuring accessible, high-quality implementation.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is positioned within Merkle, a prominent digital transformation and customer experience agency within the dentsu network. The Product Designer will be instrumental in developing user-centric digital products and experiences for a variety of clients, requiring a blend of strong design craft, strategic thinking, and collaborative execution within a dynamic agency environment.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Design complex wireframes and user flows, meticulously resolving workflow challenges, data visualization requirements, validation logic, and state management.

• Develop realistic prototypes, including task flows, edge cases, and error scenarios, and align test plans with Research and Product teams to validate design decisions.

• Lead concept generation activities, translating abstract ideas into actionable epics, features, and clear acceptance criteria for development.

• Contribute to product ideation backlogs using insight-led methods, facilitating small-scale ideation workshops to foster innovation.

• Partner with Product Managers on essential product strategy artifacts, such as value propositions, lifecycle views, and the definition of OKRs/KPIs.

• Draft clear specifications and annotations to guide Engineering teams, ensuring pixel-perfect, accessible, and high-quality implementation of designs.

• Identify optimization opportunities in live products by analyzing user behavior and performance data, proposing hypotheses and creating no-regret backlogs for continuous improvement.

• Communicate design rationale effectively to diverse stakeholders, adapting storytelling techniques for different audiences and contexts to build consensus and drive adoption.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a hands-on design role with significant strategic input. The emphasis on "insight-led methods," "product strategy artifacts," and "optimization opportunities" indicates a need for a designer who can contribute beyond pure UI execution, engaging in product discovery and strategic planning.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: [Specific degree requirements are not explicitly stated, but a strong portfolio and relevant experience will be prioritized. A Bachelor's degree in Design, HCI, Computer Science, or a related field is often preferred in such roles.]

Experience: 2–4 years of experience shipping digital products within cross-functional teams, demonstrating a track record of successful product development lifecycles.

Required Skills:

• Strong portfolio showcasing comprehensive UX and UI work across web, e-commerce, and other digital platforms, illustrating end-to-end design capabilities.

• Hands-on experience designing complex end-to-end user journeys and intricate product experiences that solve user needs and business objectives.

• Solid foundation in interaction design principles, visual design aesthetics, including typography, layout, color theory, and human-centered design methodologies.

• Strong proficiency in Figma, including advanced capabilities in prototyping, conducting usability testing, and experience with design systems.

• Working knowledge of accessibility standards (e.g., WCAG) and inclusive design practices to ensure products are usable by a diverse range of users.

• Comfort and agility in a fast-paced environment, with the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously and effectively.

Preferred Skills:

• Hands-on experience designing native mobile applications, particularly within end-to-end e-commerce journeys.

• Familiarity with platform-specific design guidelines, such as Apple Human Interface Guidelines and Android Material Design.

📝 Enhancement Note: The required skills emphasize a blend of foundational design principles and practical tool proficiency, particularly Figma. The preference for e-commerce and native app experience suggests the types of projects the designer might encounter. The explicit mention of "product metrics, experimentation, and optimization" points to a need for a designer comfortable with data-informed decision-making.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Showcase a minimum of 2-3 distinct projects demonstrating end-to-end UX/UI design process, from discovery and ideation through to implementation and iteration.

• Clearly articulate your role and contributions within each project, especially in cross-functional team settings.

• Include examples of complex wireframes, user flows, and high-fidelity prototypes that highlight problem-solving capabilities.

• Present case studies that detail your approach to user research, usability testing, and how you incorporated feedback into design iterations.

• Demonstrate experience with design systems, including how you utilized or contributed to them to ensure consistency and scalability.

Process Documentation:

• Provide examples of how you have translated user needs and business requirements into design specifications and annotations for engineering teams.

• Illustrate your methodology for concept generation, ideation workshops, and backlog contribution.

• Showcase instances where you partnered with Product Management on strategy artifacts like value propositions or OKRs/KPIs.

• Include examples of how you identified optimization opportunities in live products and proposed data-driven hypotheses.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a Product Designer role, particularly in an agency setting like Merkle, the portfolio is paramount. It needs to demonstrate not just aesthetic skill but a strategic, problem-solving approach to design, supported by clear process documentation and a focus on measurable outcomes.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: Based on industry benchmarks for Product Designers with 2-4 years of experience in Lisbon, Portugal, a competitive salary range is estimated to be between €30,000 and €45,000 annually. This range accounts for the cost of living in Lisbon, the demand for skilled design professionals, and the mid-level experience required.

Benefits:

• Generous Paid Time Off: 25 vacation days annually.

• Community Engagement: 2 additional volunteering days to support personal passion projects.

• Wellness Support: 3 extra wellness days, plus access to a Mental Health First Aider and an Employee Assistance Program.

• Comprehensive Health Coverage: Health insurance, with the option to extend coverage to family members.

• Technology Access: Cutting-edge technology and the latest IT tools provided.

• Flexible Work Environment: Agile and flexible working hours.

• Hybrid Work Model: A blend of remote flexibility and in-person collaboration, with an expectation of 1 day per week (or 4 days per month) in the office.

• Global Mobility: Digital nomad policy available.

• Professional Development: Focus on career development with full access to Dentsu Academy, the global online learning platform.

• Office Amenities: Free breakfast every second Wednesday of the month, foosball, ping-pong, and a generally vibrant work atmosphere.

• Employee Perks: Employee discounts and a referral bonus program.

• Company Events: Regular team and company events to foster connection and camaraderie.

Working Hours: Full-time employment with agile and flexible working hours, complemented by a hybrid work arrangement. The standard workday is typically 8 hours, but the flexible nature allows for adaptation.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary estimate is based on research from reputable salary aggregators for UX/Product Designers in Lisbon, adjusting for the specified experience level. The benefits package is comprehensive, reflecting a modern employer that values employee well-being, professional growth, and work-life balance.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Advertising, Marketing, Digital Transformation, Customer Experience (CX), Technology Integration. Merkle operates within the dynamic agency sector, leveraging technology and data to create impactful customer experiences for a diverse client base, backed by the global reach of dentsu.

Company Size: Merkle is part of the larger dentsu network, which has over 70,000 employees globally. Merkle itself has over 16,000 employees across 30+ countries, indicating a large, established, and globally connected organization. This size offers stability, extensive resources, and opportunities for international collaboration.

Founded: Merkle was founded in 1988, and dentsu's legacy dates back much further to 1900 in Japan. This long history signifies stability, deep industry expertise, and a culture of continuous innovation and adaptation.

Team Structure:

• Operations Team Aspect: The Product Design team likely functions as a specialized unit within Merkle's broader digital transformation or creative service lines. It will include other designers, potentially UX researchers, and will work closely with Product Managers, Engineers, and Strategists.

• Reporting Structure: The Product Designer will likely report to a Design Lead, Head of Design, or a Director of Product/Experience within their specific Merkle division or client-facing team.

• Cross-functional Collaboration Patterns: Expect close, daily collaboration with Product Managers to define requirements and strategy, with Engineers for implementation oversight, and with Researchers to validate user needs and design solutions. Collaboration will also extend to strategists, data analysts, and client stakeholders.

Methodology:

• Data Analysis and Insights Methods: The team emphasizes data-driven design, using product metrics, A/B testing results, user analytics, and qualitative research insights to inform all design decisions and identify optimization opportunities.

• Workflow Planning and Optimization Strategies: Design workflows are likely structured around agile methodologies, focusing on iterative development, rapid prototyping, and continuous feedback loops to ensure efficiency and alignment with project goals.

• Automation and Efficiency Practices: While not explicitly stated for designers, the broader company culture at Merkle and dentsu embraces technology and efficiency, suggesting an environment where designers are encouraged to leverage tools and processes that streamline workflow and enhance output.

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

📝 Enhancement Note: Merkle's position as a leading agency within dentsu means the Product Designer will work on diverse, high-impact projects for major brands. The culture likely balances creative freedom with pragmatic, data-informed decision-making, a hallmark of successful digital transformation agencies.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is at a Mid-Level. It requires demonstrated experience in shipping digital products and a solid understanding of UX/UI principles, interaction design, and visual design. The designer is expected to work independently on complex tasks, contribute strategically to product ideation, and collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams. They are beyond entry-level but not yet leading large teams or defining overarching design strategies for multiple product lines.

Reporting Structure: The Product Designer will typically report to a Design Lead, Senior Product Designer, or a Product Manager who oversees the product's strategic direction. They will be part of a team of designers and work closely with engineering and product management counterparts.

Operations Impact: The Product Designer's impact is direct and significant, shaping the user experience of digital products. This influence translates into key business outcomes such as increased user engagement, improved conversion rates, enhanced customer satisfaction, reduced support costs, and ultimately, driving revenue growth for clients through effective and intuitive digital solutions.

Growth Opportunities:

• Operations Skill Advancement: Opportunities to deepen expertise in specific areas like e-commerce UX, native mobile app design, accessibility, or advanced prototyping techniques. Potential to lead design efforts on larger or more complex client projects.

• Learning & Specialization: Access to Dentsu Academy provides a structured path for continuous learning, with courses on emerging technologies, design trends, and leadership skills. The agency environment also offers exposure to various industries and client challenges, fostering broad skill development.

• Leadership Potential: With proven performance and a desire to grow, opportunities may arise to move into Senior Product Designer roles, Design Lead positions, or even management roles overseeing design teams, focusing on mentorship and strategic design direction.

📝 Enhancement Note: The career path for a Product Designer at Merkle can lead to both deep specialization in design craft and broader strategic leadership within the agency's digital transformation offerings. The hybrid structure and digital nomad policy also offer flexibility in how and where one pursues these growth opportunities.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The role is designated as Hybrid, indicating a blend of remote work and in-office collaboration. Merkle promotes an environment that combines flexibility with the benefits of in-person teamwork.

Office Location(s): The primary office location is Lisbon, Portugal, specifically at Edifício IDB, Praça José Queirós, nº 1, 3º andar, 1800-237 Lisboa. This location serves as a hub for collaboration and in-person team activities.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Environment: The hybrid model, with a requirement for 1 day per week in the office, is designed to foster in-person collaboration, brainstorming sessions, and team-building activities, which are crucial for creative problem-solving in design.

• Operations Tools and Technology: The office is equipped with "Cutting Edge Technology & Latest IT tools," ensuring designers have access to the necessary hardware and software to perform their roles effectively, including Figma and other relevant design and collaboration platforms.

• Team Interaction Opportunities: The office environment provides opportunities for spontaneous interactions, mentorship from senior colleagues, and a shared sense of team culture, complementing remote work.

Work Schedule: Full-time employment with "Agile and Flexible working hours." This allows designers to manage their schedules effectively, balancing project deadlines with personal needs, while still ensuring availability for team collaboration and client meetings.

📝 Enhancement Note: The hybrid work model and flexible hours are key features of the work environment, catering to modern professional preferences while maintaining the collaborative synergy essential for design work. The emphasis on "software-house environment" suggests a focus on development and tech-driven solutions.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Process Step 1 (Application & Portfolio Review): Initial screening of applications, with a strong emphasis on reviewing the candidate's portfolio. Be prepared to showcase projects that demonstrate your UX/UI process, problem-solving skills, and design rationale.

• Process Step 2 (Hiring Manager/Team Interview): A conversation with the hiring manager or a senior member of the design team. This stage will likely delve deeper into your experience, approach to design challenges, and understanding of human-centered design principles.

• Process Step 3 (Design Challenge/Case Study): Candidates may be asked to complete a take-home design challenge or present a detailed case study from their portfolio. This assesses practical skills, design thinking, and communication abilities. Prepare to discuss your process, decisions, and outcomes.

• Process Step 4 (Cross-functional/Cultural Fit Interview): An interview with potential collaborators (e.g., Product Managers, Engineers) to assess teamwork, communication style, and cultural alignment with Merkle's values.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Tactical Advice: Curate your portfolio to highlight 3-5 of your strongest, most relevant projects. For each project, clearly define the problem, your role, the process you followed, your key contributions, and the measurable outcomes or impact. Use visuals effectively, but ensure the narrative explains your thinking.

• Case Study Structure: Structure your case studies to tell a compelling story: Problem -> Research/Discovery -> Ideation -> Design Solutions (Wireframes, Prototypes, UI) -> Testing/Iteration -> Final Outcome/Impact. Emphasize your decision-making process and how you addressed challenges.

• Metrics Presentation: If possible, quantify the impact of your designs using metrics such as conversion rate improvements, user satisfaction scores, task completion rates, or reduction in error rates. Clearly state the source of these metrics.

• Company-Specific Considerations: Research Merkle and dentsu's work, client portfolio, and stated values. Tailor your presentation to demonstrate how your skills and approach align with their focus on digital transformation, customer experience, and data-driven solutions.

Challenge Preparation:

• Exercise Format: Be prepared for challenges that might involve analyzing a brief, sketching out initial concepts, creating wireframes, or discussing design trade-offs for a given scenario.

• Time Management: If a timed exercise, allocate time wisely across different stages (understanding, ideation, execution, refinement). Practice communicating your thought process clearly and concisely within the given timeframe.

• Stakeholder Communication: For presentation-based challenges, practice articulating your design strategy, rationale, and proposed solutions clearly and persuasively. Be ready to answer questions and defend your design choices with logical reasoning and user-centric principles.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process for a Product Designer role at an agency like Merkle will heavily weigh the portfolio. Candidates must be prepared to articulate their design process, justify their decisions with data and user-centric reasoning, and demonstrate their ability to collaborate effectively within a fast-paced, client-focused environment.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Figma: The core design and prototyping tool. Proficiency is essential for wireframing, UI design, prototyping, and collaboration. Experience with its advanced features like components, variants, and auto layout is expected.

• Prototyping Tools (within Figma or standalone): For creating interactive prototypes to test user flows and gather feedback.

• Design Systems: Experience using, contributing to, or building design systems to ensure consistency, scalability, and efficiency across projects. This might involve tools like Storybook or specific Figma plugins.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Web Analytics Platforms (e.g., Google Analytics, Adobe Analytics): Understanding how to interpret data from these platforms to identify user behavior patterns and optimization opportunities.

• A/B Testing Tools (e.g., Optimizely, VWO): Familiarity with the principles and application of A/B testing to validate design hypotheses and measure performance improvements.

• Data Visualization Tools: Ability to interpret dashboards and reports that present product metrics and user data, potentially using tools like Tableau or Power BI if integrated into client projects.

CRM & Automation:

• CRM Systems (e.g., Salesforce, Microsoft Dynamics): While not a primary design tool, understanding how user journeys might interact with CRM data or sales processes can be beneficial for context.

• Project Management & Collaboration Tools: Proficiency with tools like Jira, Confluence, Asana, or Trello for managing tasks, documenting processes, and collaborating with development teams.

📝 Enhancement Note: The explicit mention of Figma is critical. Candidates should be prepared to demonstrate deep expertise in this tool. Familiarity with how design decisions impact analytics and optimization efforts is also a key differentiator for this role.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Data-Driven and Pragmatic: Balancing creative craft with practical considerations of scope, time, and resources. Decisions are informed by evidence and aimed at achieving tangible results.

• Ethical and Responsible Design: A commitment to user well-being, privacy, and responsible use of AI and design tools. This involves creating inclusive, accessible, and trustworthy experiences.

• Collaboration and Partnership: Working closely with PM, Engineering, and Research teams is paramount. A proactive approach to communication and alignment is valued.

• User-Centricity: A core belief in understanding and advocating for the user, ensuring that all design solutions are rooted in user needs and provide genuine value.

• Continuous Improvement: A mindset focused on identifying opportunities for optimization in live products and embracing iterative design processes.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-functional Integration: Designers are expected to be active participants in cross-functional teams, contributing to discussions beyond just design tasks, and ensuring design is integrated early and often into the product development lifecycle.

• Process Review and Feedback: An open culture for reviewing designs, sharing feedback constructively, and iterating based on input from peers, stakeholders, and user research.

• Knowledge Sharing: Encouraging the sharing of best practices, learnings from projects, and insights into new design tools and methodologies within the team and broader organization.

📝 Enhancement Note: Merkle's culture, as part of dentsu, emphasizes a progressive approach to DEI and a commitment to shaping society through people-centered transformations. For a designer, this means contributing to work that is not only effective but also ethical and inclusive.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing Craft with Speed: In an agency environment, designers often face tight deadlines and the need to deliver high-quality work quickly. Developing effective time management and prioritization skills is key.

• Client-Specific Constraints: Working with diverse clients means adapting to different brand guidelines, technical limitations, and stakeholder expectations, requiring flexibility and strong communication to navigate these.

• Integrating AI and New Technologies: Staying abreast of and effectively integrating emerging technologies like AI into design workflows and product solutions, while maintaining ethical considerations.

• Demonstrating Measurable Impact: Quantifying the success of design interventions and clearly linking them to business objectives like revenue growth or user engagement can be challenging but is crucial for demonstrating value.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Operations Skill Advancement: Opportunities to specialize in areas like advanced UX research, service design, motion graphics, or enterprise-level design systems.

• Industry Exposure: Access to a wide range of client projects across various industries provides broad exposure and rapid skill development. Participation in industry conferences and workshops is likely encouraged.

• Mentorship and Leadership: Potential for mentorship from senior designers and leadership opportunities, including leading design initiatives, managing junior designers, and influencing product strategy.

📝 Enhancement Note: The agency setting presents unique challenges and growth paths. Designers here often develop a broad skill set rapidly due to diverse project exposure, while also needing to maintain a high level of efficiency and adaptability.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you had to balance user needs with business constraints. How did you approach it, and what was the outcome?" (Focus on your problem-solving, negotiation, and product strategy contribution).

• "How do you incorporate product metrics and user feedback into your design process? Can you provide an example?" (Showcase your data-driven approach and iterative design capabilities).

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What interests you about Merkle and dentsu, and how do you see your design philosophy aligning with our values?" (Research their recent work, client successes, and DEI initiatives).

• "How do you approach collaboration with Product Managers and Engineers? Describe a challenging collaboration and how you resolved it." (Highlight your teamwork and communication skills).

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Process Improvement Case Study: Select projects that clearly illustrate a problem, your analytical and creative process, your specific contributions, and the positive impact achieved. Use storytelling to engage the interviewer.

• Metrics Presentation: Be ready to present the quantitative results of your designs. If exact metrics are unavailable, discuss how you would measure success and what KPIs are relevant.

• Interactive Demonstration: Be prepared to walk through your Figma files or prototypes, explaining your design decisions and user flows in real-time. Show your comfort with the tools and your ability to articulate your designs.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation should focus on demonstrating not just design skills but also strategic thinking, collaborative ability, and a data-informed, user-centric approach, all within the context of an agency environment.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Product Designer position:

• Submit your application through the provided Workday link.

• Portfolio Customization: Ensure your portfolio is tailored to showcase UX/UI work relevant to digital products, e-commerce, and complex user journeys. Highlight your process, problem-solving skills, and outcomes.

• Resume Optimization: Update your resume to clearly list your years of experience, key skills (Figma, UX/UI, prototyping, accessibility), and achievements using keywords from the job description.

• Interview Preparation: Practice articulating your design process, decision-making rationale, and project outcomes. Prepare specific examples for behavioral and situational questions.

• Company Research: Thoroughly research Merkle and dentsu, understanding their client work, company culture, and values, especially their commitment to DEI and digital transformation.

⚠️ 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.

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