Product Designer

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Product Designer

Company: HomeStory

Location: United States

Job Type: Full-Time (Contract, 6 months with opportunity for full-time hire)

Category: Product Design / User Experience

Date Posted: April 14, 2026

Experience Level: Early Career (0-2 years)

Remote Status: Fully Remote

🚀 Role Summary

• Drive product design across HomeStory's core platform, encompassing search functionalities, agent matching systems, and loan officer tools.

• Develop compelling marketing materials, landing pages, and co-branded campaigns in collaboration with national lender partners, requiring a strong understanding of B2B2C communication strategies.

• Conduct user research and usability testing to validate design hypotheses and ensure the development of user-centric solutions that address complex mortgage and real estate challenges.

• Create insightful data visualizations to distill intricate financial and property information into digestible formats for diverse stakeholders.

• Contribute strategic design input to new product initiatives, actively participating in product strategy discussions and shaping the future direction of the HomeStory platform.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is explicitly positioned as an opportunity for early-career designers to accelerate their growth. The emphasis on "strategic design input" and "owning problems end to end" suggests a high degree of autonomy and responsibility, even for junior team members. The "AI-first" approach indicates a need for candidates comfortable integrating cutting-edge technologies into their design workflow.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Lead the end-to-end product design process for key features within the HomeStory platform, including user flows, wireframes, mockups, and interactive prototypes for search, agent matching, and loan officer tools.

• Design and iterate on marketing collateral, digital advertisements, and co-branded campaign assets for national financial institution partners, ensuring brand consistency and effective customer acquisition.

• Plan and execute design research methodologies, including user interviews, surveys, and usability testing, to gather actionable insights and inform design decisions.

• Develop clear and compelling data visualizations and dashboards to communicate key performance indicators, market trends, and financial data to internal teams and external partners.

• Collaborate closely with product managers, engineers, and marketing teams to translate business requirements and user needs into intuitive and effective design solutions.

• Actively participate in product strategy sessions, offering design perspectives and contributing to the roadmap for new feature development and platform enhancements.

• Champion a user-centered design approach by advocating for user needs and ensuring designs align with market research and best practices.

📝 Enhancement Note: The core responsibilities highlight a blend of tactical execution (designing specific features and marketing materials) and strategic contribution (input on new initiatives, data visualization). The emphasis on "owning problems end to end" and "strategic design input" suggests that candidates will be expected to contribute beyond just executing design tasks, requiring proactive problem-solving and a strong point of view.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: While no specific degree is mandated, a Bachelor's or Master's degree in Design, Human-Computer Interaction, or a related field is often beneficial for foundational design principles. Equivalent practical experience will be strongly considered.

Experience: 0-2 years of professional experience in product design, UX/UI design, or a closely related role, with a demonstrated ability to translate user needs and business objectives into effective design solutions.

Required Skills:

• Portfolio: A robust portfolio showcasing end-to-end product design process, problem-solving abilities, and visual design skills. Emphasis on case studies demonstrating critical thinking and impact.

• Figma Proficiency: Expert-level command of Figma for wireframing, prototyping, and high-fidelity design.

• AI Tools Integration: Hands-on experience leveraging AI tools within the design workflow, such as Figma AI, Claude (Cowork/Code), Cursor, or similar AI-powered design and coding assistants.

• Responsive Web Design: Proven ability to design for various screen sizes and devices, ensuring a seamless user experience across desktop, tablet, and mobile platforms.

• Communication & Presentation: Strong verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to articulate design rationale and present work effectively to diverse stakeholders, including senior leadership and external partners.

• Feedback & Action Orientation: A thick skin for constructive criticism and a proactive, bias-towards-action mindset to drive projects forward.

Preferred Skills:

• B2B2C or Enterprise Product Experience: Familiarity with designing for complex business-to-business-to-consumer models or enterprise-level software solutions.

• Systems & Component Thinking: Experience in developing and utilizing design systems, component libraries, and style guides for scalable and consistent design execution.

• Prototyping: Advanced prototyping skills beyond basic Figma capabilities, potentially using tools like Principle, ProtoPie, or similar for more complex interactions.

• Visual Design: A strong aesthetic sensibility and a keen eye for visual details, typography, color theory, and layout.

• Design Research & Usability Testing: Practical experience in planning, conducting, and synthesizing findings from user research and usability testing sessions.

• Data Visualization: Experience in designing effective data visualizations and dashboards that communicate complex information clearly.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on a portfolio that "shows you can think through a problem, not just style one" is a critical differentiator. Candidates should prepare case studies that clearly articulate the problem, their design process, the rationale behind their decisions, and the measurable impact of their solutions. Explicit mention of AI tools like Figma AI, Claude, and Cursor indicates a strong preference for candidates who are early adopters and proficient in leveraging these technologies to enhance productivity and creativity.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Problem-Solving Focus: Case studies must clearly articulate the problem statement, the user needs, and the business objectives addressed. Demonstrate how you moved from understanding the problem to delivering a solution.

• Process Documentation: Detail your design process for at least 2-3 projects. This should include research methodologies, ideation techniques, wireframing, prototyping, user testing, and iteration phases.

• Systemic Design: Showcase examples of designing with a systems-level approach, such as contributing to or utilizing design systems, component libraries, and style guides. Illustrate how you ensured consistency and scalability.

• AI Integration Examples: Include at least one project where AI tools were integral to your workflow, explaining how they helped you iterate faster, explore more options, or achieve better results.

• Stakeholder Collaboration: Highlight instances where you presented designs to stakeholders, gathered feedback, and incorporated it into the final product.

Process Documentation:

• Workflow Design: Provide examples of how you've mapped out user flows and designed intuitive workflows for complex user journeys within a digital product.

• Iteration & Optimization: Demonstrate a track record of iterating on designs based on user feedback, data analysis, and usability testing to optimize user experience and achieve business goals.

• System Implementation: Showcase experience in contributing to or implementing design systems and component libraries to ensure brand consistency and design efficiency across a platform.

📝 Enhancement Note: The portfolio is paramount for this role, especially for an early-career designer. The requirement for "hands-on experience with AI tools" means candidates should be prepared to discuss how they integrated these tools into their design process and what benefits they yielded. Specific examples of using AI for research assistance, content generation, or even code-level suggestions would be highly valuable.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $60,000 - $80,000 per year. This range is an estimate based on the provided information and common compensation benchmarks for Product Designers with 0-2 years of experience in the United States, considering the contract nature of the role and potential for full-time conversion. The final compensation will be adjusted based on demonstrated skills and experience.

Benefits:

• Contract-to-Hire Opportunity: This 6-month contract offers a clear path to potential full-time employment, providing stability and long-term career prospects.

• Remote Work Flexibility: Enjoy the freedom and autonomy of a fully remote work environment, allowing for a better work-life balance and the ability to work from anywhere in the United States.

• Portfolio Building Experience: Gain invaluable experience working on high-impact projects that reach millions of users and major bank partners, significantly enhancing your professional portfolio.

• AI-Centric Workflow: Be at the forefront of design innovation by leveraging cutting-edge AI tools as an integral part of your daily workflow, fostering continuous learning and skill development.

• Strategic Impact: Contribute to product strategy and decision-making, ensuring your work has a tangible influence on the company's direction and success.

Working Hours: Approximately 40 hours per week. While the role is full-time, the remote nature may offer some flexibility in daily scheduling, allowing for asynchronous collaboration and personal time management, provided core working hours and deadlines are met.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range is explicitly stated and adjusted for skill/experience. The benefits focus on the unique aspects of this role: the contract-to-hire pathway, the high-impact nature of the work, the remote flexibility, and the explicit emphasis on AI integration as a career-accelerating factor. The "Work that ships" benefit highlights the tangible impact of the designer's contributions.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: FinTech / Real Estate Technology (PropTech). HomeStory operates at the intersection of financial services and real estate, aiming to streamline the home buying and selling process through technology and strategic partnerships with major financial institutions. This context suggests a data-driven, customer-centric, and partnership-oriented environment.

Company Size: The specific size is not provided, but the mention of partnerships with "some of the biggest banks in the country — Chase, SoFi, Pennymac, Citizens" implies a company that is either well-established, has significant traction, or is rapidly growing to support such large-scale collaborations. This suggests an environment that requires professionalism, scalability, and robust processes.

Founded: The founding date is not specified, but the company's mission to "make that experience better" and its partnerships indicate a focus on innovation and disruption within a traditionally complex industry.

Team Structure:

• Cross-Functional Pods: Likely organized into small, agile teams comprising Product Managers, Designers, Engineers, and potentially Marketing or Business Development specialists, working on specific product areas or initiatives.

• Direct Collaboration with Leadership: The role emphasizes working directly with the team and bank partners, suggesting a flatter hierarchy where early-career designers can interact with and learn from senior members and external stakeholders.

• Emphasis on Collaboration: The description implies close collaboration with product strategy, marketing, and user experience functions, requiring strong interpersonal and communication skills.

Methodology:

• AI-First Approach: Core to the company's operations, AI is embedded in design, development, and decision-making processes. Designers are expected to leverage AI tools extensively.

• Data-Driven Decision Making: The nature of FinTech and partnerships with large banks necessitates a strong reliance on data to inform product decisions, measure impact, and optimize user experiences.

• Agile Product Development: Given the fast-paced nature of tech startups and the need to adapt to market demands and partner feedback, an agile development methodology is highly probable.

Company Website: https://www.homestory.com/ (This is an assumption based on typical company website structures; actual URL may vary)

📝 Enhancement Note: The company's positioning as a disruptor in the real estate and mortgage space, partnering with major banks, suggests a culture that values innovation, efficiency, and strong execution. The "AI-first" mantra is a critical cultural element that will shape the day-to-day work and expectations for designers.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is positioned as an "Early Career" (0-2 years) Product Designer. It's structured as a significant growth opportunity, not merely a support function. The emphasis is on "owning problems end to end" and providing "strategic design input," indicating that responsibilities will quickly expand beyond basic task execution, offering a steep learning curve.

Reporting Structure: The designer will likely report to a Lead Product Designer, Head of Product, or a Product Manager. The emphasis on direct collaboration with "our team and our bank partners" suggests frequent interaction with various stakeholders, including potentially senior leadership and external client teams.

Operations Impact: The designer's work will have a direct and significant impact on the user experience of millions of individuals navigating one of life's most significant financial transactions. Their designs will influence customer acquisition for bank partners, agent/lender efficacy, and the overall perception of HomeStory as a trusted platform. This role offers the chance to see designs ship at scale and directly affect business outcomes.

Growth Opportunities:

• Accelerated Skill Development: The opportunity to work on complex problems with large partners using cutting-edge AI tools will rapidly enhance design skills, systems thinking, and strategic product input.

• Portfolio Enhancement: This role is explicitly designed for portfolio building, offering end-to-end ownership of projects that can be showcased to future employers.

• Potential Full-Time Conversion: Successful performance in the contract role can lead to a full-time position, offering long-term career stability and deeper involvement in the company's growth.

• Exposure to FinTech & PropTech: Gaining experience in these high-growth industries, particularly with a focus on AI integration, provides valuable industry expertise and marketability.

• Strategic Thinking & Product Strategy: Direct involvement in product strategy discussions will foster development in areas beyond pure design, such as market analysis, business modeling, and competitive positioning.

📝 Enhancement Note: The role is framed as a "portfolio-building role, not a support role," which is a crucial distinction for early-career professionals. This implies that even within a 6-month contract, significant ownership and impact are expected, providing a substantial foundation for future career advancement.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Fully Remote. This indicates a distributed workforce, relying heavily on digital communication and collaboration tools.

Office Location(s): United States. This broad geographic scope allows for talent acquisition across the country, but also means that team members will likely be spread across multiple time zones.

Workspace Context:

• Digital Collaboration Hub: The primary workspace will be digital, utilizing tools like Slack, Zoom, Figma, and project management software. Effective asynchronous communication and digital collaboration are key.

• AI-Augmented Workspace: Expect a work environment where AI tools are integrated into daily workflows for design, research, and potentially coding assistance, making it an innovative and efficient space.

• Cross-Functional Interaction: Designers will frequently interact with product managers, engineers, marketing specialists, and potentially client teams from partner banks, fostering a dynamic and collaborative atmosphere.

Work Schedule: Approximately 40 hours per week. While core hours may be expected for team meetings and synchronous collaboration, the remote, contract nature might allow for some flexibility in structuring the workday, focusing on task completion and meeting deadlines rather than strict adherence to a 9-to-5 schedule.

📝 Enhancement Note: The remote nature of the role necessitates strong self-discipline, proactive communication, and proficiency in digital collaboration tools. The "AI-first" approach will also shape the workspace by integrating AI assistants into the daily workflow, potentially automating routine tasks and freeing up time for more strategic design challenges.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A review of your resume and portfolio to assess basic qualifications and experience.

• Portfolio Presentation & Discussion: Candidates will likely present 1-2 key projects from their portfolio, detailing their process, problem-solving approach, and the impact of their designs. Expect questions about your design rationale, your experience with AI tools, and how you handle feedback.

• Skills-Based Assessment/Challenge: A design exercise or a case study may be given to evaluate your problem-solving skills, design thinking, and ability to apply your knowledge under timed conditions. This might involve designing a specific feature or solving a hypothetical user problem.

• Team/Stakeholder Interviews: Interviews with potential team members (e.g., product managers, engineers) and possibly hiring managers to assess cultural fit, collaboration style, and strategic thinking.

• Final Interview: Potentially with senior leadership to discuss overall fit and long-term potential.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Showcase Process, Not Just Polish: Clearly articulate your thought process, the problem you solved, your design decisions, and the outcomes. Use visuals to support your narrative.

• Highlight AI Integration: Dedicate a section or specific project to demonstrating your hands-on experience with AI design tools. Explain how you used them and the benefits gained.

• Quantify Impact: Whenever possible, include metrics and data to demonstrate the impact of your designs (e.g., increased conversion rates, improved user satisfaction, reduced task completion time).

• Tailor to HomeStory: Research HomeStory's mission, target audience, and partnerships. Frame your case studies to show how your skills and experience align with their needs, particularly in FinTech, real estate, and AI-driven solutions.

• Prepare for "Point of View" Questions: Be ready to articulate your opinions on design trends, AI in design, and how you approach challenging stakeholder feedback.

Challenge Preparation:

• Understand the Problem Deeply: Before jumping into solutions, take time to ask clarifying questions and ensure you fully grasp the problem statement and constraints.

• Focus on Core Design Principles: Demonstrate strong UX fundamentals, user-centered design thinking, and a clear problem-solving methodology.

• Leverage AI Tools (If Permitted): If the challenge allows, consider how AI tools could assist in research, ideation, or even content generation to speed up your process.

• Structure Your Presentation: Clearly outline your approach, your design choices, and your rationale. Be prepared to defend your decisions and discuss potential trade-offs.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process is likely to heavily scrutinize the candidate's portfolio and their ability to articulate their design process, especially concerning AI tool utilization. Candidates should be prepared to discuss their "point of view" and how they handle feedback, as these are explicitly mentioned as desired traits.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Figma: The core design tool for wireframing, prototyping, and high-fidelity UI design. Expect proficiency in its advanced features, including auto layout, components, and collaboration tools.

• AI Design Assistants: Figma AI, Claude (Cowork/Code), Cursor, or equivalent AI tools for accelerating design tasks, content generation, research synthesis, and potentially code assistance.

• Prototyping Tools (Potentially Advanced): While Figma covers basic prototyping, additional tools like Principle, ProtoPie, or similar might be used for more complex animations and interactions.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Data Visualization Tools: Experience with tools that can help create digestible data visualizations. This might include built-in Figma plugins, Tableau, Looker, or similar platforms, depending on how data is integrated into the design process.

• User Analytics Platforms: Familiarity with understanding user behavior data from platforms like Google Analytics, Mixpanel, Amplitude, or similar, to inform design decisions.

CRM & Automation:

• CRM Systems (Understanding): While not a primary design tool, understanding how designs integrate into CRM systems (like Salesforce) used by sales/lender teams is beneficial.

• Marketing Automation Platforms (Understanding): Awareness of how marketing materials are deployed through platforms like HubSpot or Marketo, to ensure designs are feasible for campaign execution.

📝 Enhancement Note: The explicit mention of AI tools like Figma AI, Claude, and Cursor is a strong indicator of the expected technology stack. Candidates should be prepared to demonstrate their proficiency and creative application of these tools. Understanding how design outputs integrate with broader marketing and sales technology stacks is also advantageous.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• AI-Driven Innovation: A commitment to leveraging AI as a core component of the design and product development process, fostering continuous exploration of new technologies and methodologies.

• User-Centricity: Deep empathy for users navigating significant life events (home buying/selling) and a dedication to creating intuitive, supportive, and empowering digital experiences.

• Impact & Ownership: A culture that values individuals who take ownership of problems from start to finish, drive tangible results, and contribute meaningfully to the company's strategic goals.

• Collaboration & Transparency: Open communication, constructive feedback, and a willingness to work closely with cross-functional teams and external partners to achieve shared objectives.

• Bias for Action: A proactive approach to problem-solving and execution, encouraging quick iteration, learning from mistakes, and moving projects forward efficiently.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-Functional Partnership: Designers are expected to work seamlessly with product managers, engineers, and marketing teams, actively participating in discussions and contributing their expertise.

• Feedback Integration: A culture where feedback from peers, stakeholders, and users is welcomed and actively incorporated into the design process to refine solutions.

• Knowledge Sharing: A collaborative environment that encourages the sharing of insights, best practices, and learnings, particularly around AI tool usage and design strategies.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "AI-first" mantra is not just a toolset but a cultural value. Candidates should demonstrate an enthusiasm for AI and how it can fundamentally change design processes and outcomes. The emphasis on "owning problems end to end" and "strategic design input" suggests a culture that empowers individuals and values proactive contribution.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Navigating Complex User Journeys: Designing for the intricate and often stressful process of buying or selling a home requires a deep understanding of user needs and the ability to simplify complex workflows.

• Balancing Partner Needs with User Experience: Collaborating with large financial institutions means balancing their brand requirements and strategic goals with the needs and expectations of the end-user.

• Leveraging AI Effectively: Integrating AI tools into a design workflow requires continuous learning, experimentation, and strategic application to ensure they enhance, rather than hinder, the creative process.

• Designing for Scale: Creating designs that are not only user-friendly but also scalable to reach millions of users and integrate with major partner platforms.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Mastering AI in Design: Deepen expertise in leveraging AI tools for research, ideation, prototyping, and even content creation, becoming a leader in AI-augmented design.

• FinTech & PropTech Industry Insight: Gain specialized knowledge in the rapidly evolving real estate and mortgage technology sectors.

• Strategic Product Development: Develop skills in product strategy, market analysis, and business impact assessment through direct involvement in new product initiatives.

• End-to-End Project Ownership: Build a robust portfolio and gain comprehensive experience in managing design projects from conception to launch at scale.

• Stakeholder Management: Enhance communication and negotiation skills through regular interaction with internal teams and major external partners.

📝 Enhancement Note: The primary growth opportunity lies in becoming proficient with AI in design and gaining experience in a high-impact FinTech/PropTech environment. The challenges are framed as opportunities for skill development and strategic contribution, aligning with the role's focus on growth.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Tell me about a time you used AI tools to significantly improve your design process or outcome." (Prepare a case study focusing on AI integration, detailing the tool, the problem, your approach, and the quantifiable benefit.)

• "How would you approach designing a new feature for [e.g., agent matching, loan officer dashboard] given limited user data initially?" (Focus on your process for problem definition, hypothesis generation, lean UX methods, and how you'd plan for data collection.)

Company & Culture Questions:

• "Why are you interested in HomeStory and our AI-first approach?" (Research HomeStory's mission, partnerships, and the specific benefits of their AI strategy. Connect it to your own career interests.)

• "How do you envision AI transforming product design in the next 3-5 years?" (Showcase your forward-thinking perspective and understanding of AI's potential impact on the design industry.)

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Focus on the "Why" and "How": For each presented project, clearly articulate the problem, your design process, the rationale behind your key decisions, and the resulting impact.

• Showcase AI Integration Clearly: Dedicate specific slides or talking points to demonstrating how you used AI tools in your workflow for that project. Explain the specific tools, how they helped, and the outcomes.

• Be Prepared for Deep Dives: Anticipate questions about specific design choices, trade-offs, user research findings, and how you handled challenges or feedback.

• Practice Your Narrative: Ensure your presentation flows logically and tells a compelling story about your problem-solving abilities and design impact. Keep it concise and engaging.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview preparation advice strongly emphasizes demonstrating practical experience with AI tools and articulating a clear design strategy rooted in problem-solving and user understanding. Candidates must be ready to discuss their "point of view" and how they approach collaboration and feedback.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Product Designer position:

• Submit your application through the provided application link on Workable.

• Portfolio Customization: Tailor your resume and portfolio to highlight experience relevant to HomeStory's mission, FinTech/PropTech industry, and especially your hands-on experience with AI design tools and responsive web design.

• Case Study Selection: Carefully select 2-3 portfolio case studies that best demonstrate your problem-solving process, end-to-end ownership, and impactful design work, ensuring at least one highlights AI tool integration.

• Prepare Your Narrative: Practice articulating your design process, rationale, and the impact of your work for each case study, focusing on how you can contribute to HomeStory's AI-first strategy.

• Research HomeStory: Familiarize yourself with HomeStory's products, partnerships, and company mission to articulate your interest and align your responses with their strategic goals during interviews.

⚠️ 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.