Product Designer

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Product Designer

Company: IFS

Location: Colombo, Western Province, Sri Lanka

Job Type: Full-time

Category: Product Design / UX/UI

Date Posted: 2026-08-02

Experience Level: 2-5 Years

Remote Status: Hybrid

🚀 Role Summary

• Drive end-to-end product design for critical enterprise software features, focusing on user experience for essential workers in field service, asset management, manufacturing, and supply chain industries.

• Lead user research initiatives, including planning, conducting interviews, synthesizing findings, and translating insights into actionable design directions.

• Design and integrate AI-driven features, demonstrating strong AI literacy, including prompt design, understanding AI capabilities, and identifying opportunities for meaningful user outcome improvements.

• Contribute to and advocate for the IFS design system, proposing reusable components and patterns to ensure consistency and efficiency across the product suite.

• Collaborate closely within a cross-functional squad of engineers and product managers, actively participating in decision-making and problem framing to deliver production-ready designs.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role emphasizes a deep understanding of user needs within complex operational environments and a forward-thinking approach to integrating emerging technologies like AI into enterprise software design. The "Moment of Service™" focus highlights the critical nature of the software for end-users.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Own the complete design lifecycle for defined feature areas, from initial problem framing and user discovery through to the delivery of production-ready Figma files, with a clear rationale for all design decisions.

• Proactively plan and execute user research activities, including user interviews, Jobs-to-be-Done (JTBD) analysis, and journey mapping, ensuring findings directly inform design direction.

• Design AI-driven features, considering prompt design, AI capabilities and limitations, fallback mechanisms, and human-in-the-loop interactions to mitigate risks and enhance user outcomes.

• Actively contribute to the IFS design system by developing and proposing reusable components and patterns, promoting consistency and efficiency across the product portfolio.

• Present design thinking and research findings to stakeholders with confidence, effectively handling pushback with evidence-based arguments and clear rationale.

• Collaborate within cross-functional squads, making informed design decisions alongside engineers and product managers, rather than merely executing predefined briefs.

• Ensure designs adhere to WCAG 2.1+ accessibility standards from the outset, and account for edge cases, error states, and real-world data complexities beyond the "happy path."

• Track quantitative signals (e.g., task success rates, support ticket volume) alongside qualitative insights to drive iterative design improvements and measure product impact.

• Continuously explore and share learnings, experiments, and best practices regarding AI advancements and emerging technologies with the broader design team.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a proactive, ownership-driven approach to product design, extending beyond UI creation to encompass research, strategy, and AI integration. Emphasis on "real decisions" and "evidence, not just conviction" points to a mature design practice.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: While specific educational requirements are not detailed, a strong portfolio showcasing relevant design experience and problem-solving skills will be paramount.

Experience: A minimum of three years of comprehensive end-to-end product design experience is required, demonstrating ownership from discovery through to shipped product.

Required Skills:

• End-to-End Product Design: Proven ability to manage the entire design process for feature areas, from problem framing to production-ready deliverables.

• User Research Proficiency: Capability to independently plan, conduct, and synthesize user interviews, JTBD analysis, and journey mapping to derive clear design direction.

• Figma Expertise: Strong command of Figma for visual design, prototyping, and creating production-ready assets.

• AI Literacy & Application: Understanding of AI capabilities and limitations, with experience in prompt design and designing AI-driven features, including human-in-the-loop interactions.

• Design Systems Contribution: Experience or strong understanding of contributing to design systems by creating reusable components and patterns.

• Accessibility Standards: Deep understanding and practical application of WCAG 2.1+ accessibility standards in design.

• Cross-functional Collaboration: Proven ability to work effectively within cross-functional squads alongside engineers and product managers, influencing decisions.

• Data-Informed Design: Ability to track and utilize quantitative signals (task success, support tickets) to iterate and improve designs.

• Stakeholder Communication: Confidence in presenting design thinking and rationale to stakeholders, handling feedback constructively.

Preferred Skills:

• AI Feature Shipping Experience: Direct experience shipping AI-driven features, including prompts, fallbacks, and human-in-the-loop mechanisms.

• Design Tokens & System Design: Familiarity with design tokens and advanced concepts of designing for a comprehensive system.

• Quantitative Data Analysis: Exposure to and habit of using quantitative signals like task success rates, funnel data, or A/B test results to inform design.

• Enterprise Software Design: Prior experience designing for complex enterprise software environments, particularly in field service, asset management, manufacturing, or supply chain.

📝 Enhancement Note: The qualifications emphasize practical, hands-on experience and a strategic understanding of design's role in complex business environments. The preference for candidates who have "shipped AI-driven features" suggests a focus on tangible results and forward-thinking innovation.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Showcase end-to-end design projects demonstrating ownership from problem framing through to shipped product.

• Include case studies detailing user research methodologies (interviews, JTBD, journey mapping) and how findings translated into design decisions.

• Highlight contributions to design systems, showcasing reusable components or patterns developed.

• Present examples of AI-driven feature designs, explaining the rationale, prompt design, and consideration of AI capabilities/limitations.

• Demonstrate application of WCAG 2.1+ accessibility standards within your designs.

• Include examples of how quantitative data (task success, support tickets) influenced design iterations. Process Documentation:

• Detail your approach to problem framing and defining design challenges.

• Explain your user research process, from planning to synthesis and design translation.

• Illustrate your collaboration process within cross-functional teams (engineers, PMs).

• Describe how you integrate AI considerations and accessibility into your design workflow.

• Show how you contribute to or utilize design systems effectively.

📝 Enhancement Note: A strong portfolio is crucial for this role, acting as tangible proof of the candidate's ability to own complex design problems, conduct rigorous research, and integrate advanced concepts like AI and accessibility within a systematic approach.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: Based on industry benchmarks for experienced Product Designers in Colombo, Sri Lanka, with a hybrid work model, an estimated annual salary range would be LKR 3,000,000 - LKR 6,000,000. This range accounts for the specified experience level (2-5 years) and the demand for specialized skills in enterprise UX and AI integration.

Benefits:

• Flexible Work Arrangements: Options for hybrid work to support work-life balance.

• Opportunities for Professional Development: Access to resources and training to stay current with AI and design trends.

• Impactful Work: The chance to design solutions that solve real-world problems for critical industries.

• Global Exposure: Being part of a billion-dollar international company with a diverse workforce.

• Inclusive Culture: Working in an environment that celebrates diversity and promotes an inclusive workforce.

Working Hours: Standard full-time hours, likely around 40 hours per week, with flexibility offered through hybrid work arrangements.

📝 Enhancement Note: Salary estimation is based on general market data for Product Designers in Sri Lanka, adjusted for experience level and the hybrid work arrangement. Specific benefits beyond flexibility are inferred from the company description and typical offerings for international tech companies.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Enterprise Software (AI-driven solutions for Field Service, Asset Management, Manufacturing, Supply Chain).

Company Size: 7000+ employees, a billion-dollar revenue company. This indicates a well-established, globally recognized organization with significant resources and established processes, yet with a dynamic and innovative approach driven by AI.

Founded: IFS is a mature company, though the founding date isn't specified, its "billion-dollar revenue" status suggests decades of operation and growth.

Team Structure:

• The role is part of a "cross-functional squad" including engineers and product managers, indicating an agile, team-oriented structure focused on specific product areas.

• Design operates within a larger "wider design team," suggesting opportunities for collaboration, knowledge sharing, and contribution to a central design system.

• The company emphasizes global diversity and inclusion, implying a multicultural and collaborative environment. Methodology:

• AI-Driven Innovation: A strong focus on leveraging AI technology internally and in product solutions, driving a culture of continuous technological advancement.

• User-Centricity: Emphasis on designing for users whose work "actually matters," indicating a deep commitment to understanding and solving real-world operational challenges.

• Agility & Collaboration: The company culture is described as agile, collaborative, and focused on getting things done.

• Data-Informed Iteration: Encouragement to use both qualitative and quantitative signals to drive design improvements.

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

📝 Enhancement Note: IFS positions itself as a forward-thinking enterprise software provider deeply invested in AI. The culture appears to balance the stability of a large organization with a commitment to innovation, diversity, and user impact, particularly within operational contexts.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is positioned as a mid-level Product Designer (2-5 years of experience). It requires significant autonomy in research and design execution, as well as the ability to influence product decisions and contribute to strategic discussions about future interface paradigms. The scope includes end-to-end ownership of feature areas and a forward-looking focus on AI and emerging technologies.

Reporting Structure: The Product Designer will work within a cross-functional squad alongside engineers and product managers. They will also likely report into a Design Lead or Manager, and be part of a broader Design team where they can share learnings and receive mentorship.

Operations Impact: The Product Designer's impact is direct and significant. By improving the usability and effectiveness of enterprise software for essential workers (engineers, technicians, planners), they directly contribute to operational efficiency, task success rates, reduced support costs, and ultimately, the customer's ability to "be their best when it really matters." The focus on AI and future interfaces also positions this role to influence the long-term strategic direction of IFS's product offerings.

Growth Opportunities:

• Specialization: Deepen expertise in designing for complex operational industries (field service, asset management, manufacturing, supply chain) or become a specialist in AI-driven UX.

• Design System Leadership: Grow into a role responsible for evolving and managing the IFS design system.

• Strategic Design Influence: Progress to senior or lead design roles where you can shape product strategy and mentor junior designers.

• Cross-functional Leadership: Develop skills in leading design efforts within product squads and influencing product roadmaps.

• Continuous Learning: Opportunities to stay at the forefront of AI and emerging technology trends in design through internal knowledge sharing and potentially external conferences.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role offers a clear path for growth within a specialized area of enterprise UX, with opportunities to influence product direction and leverage cutting-edge technologies. The emphasis on independent work and strategic thinking suggests a fast track for motivated individuals.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: IFS embraces a hybrid work model, balancing the benefits of in-office collaboration with the flexibility of remote work. This suggests a modern office setup designed to facilitate teamwork and innovation when employees are present.

Office Location(s): The primary location specified is Colombo, Western Province, Sri Lanka. IFS operates globally, so opportunities for interaction with international teams are likely.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Spaces: The office environment is likely equipped with collaborative areas conducive to team meetings, brainstorming sessions, and cross-functional squad work.

• Tools & Technology: Access to standard design software (Figma), project management tools, and potentially internal collaboration platforms. The company's focus on AI suggests exposure to related technologies.

• Team Interaction: Opportunities for regular interaction with engineers, product managers, and fellow designers, fostering a supportive and knowledge-sharing environment.

Work Schedule: While a standard full-time schedule is expected, the hybrid model offers flexibility. This allows designers to manage their time effectively, balancing focused individual work with collaborative team activities, which is crucial for deep design thinking and iterative processes.

📝 Enhancement Note: The hybrid work environment at IFS aims to provide flexibility while ensuring opportunities for meaningful in-person collaboration, critical for a cross-functional design role.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: Review of resume and portfolio to assess core qualifications and alignment with the role's requirements, particularly end-to-end design experience and AI literacy.

• Portfolio Presentation & Discussion: A session where the candidate presents selected case studies from their portfolio, detailing their process, rationale, and impact. This will likely involve deep dives into research, design decisions, AI considerations, and collaboration.

• Cross-functional Interview: An interview with engineers and product managers from the squad to assess collaboration style, problem-solving approach, and technical understanding.

• Design Leadership Interview: Discussion with a Design Manager or Lead focusing on design philosophy, contribution to design systems, and strategic thinking about future interfaces.

• Final Interview: Potentially with a hiring manager or senior leader to discuss cultural fit and overall alignment with IFS's mission.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select 2-3 projects that best showcase your end-to-end design process, ownership, and impact. Prioritize projects that align with enterprise software, complex operational challenges, or AI integration.

• Tell a Story: For each project, clearly articulate the problem, your role, the research conducted, design decisions made (and why), the challenges faced, and the measurable outcomes or impact.

• Highlight AI & Accessibility: Explicitly call out your approach to designing AI-driven features and integrating accessibility standards.

• Showcase Collaboration: If possible, describe how you worked with engineers and PMs, and how your contributions influenced the team's decisions.

• Prepare for Deep Dives: Be ready to discuss specific design choices, research findings, and your rationale in detail.

Challenge Preparation:

• Hypothetical Design Challenge: Be prepared for a hypothetical design challenge that might involve framing a problem in the field service or asset management domain, or exploring how AI could enhance a specific operational workflow.

• Process Walkthrough: Practice articulating your design process clearly and concisely, focusing on efficiency, user-centricity, and data-driven iteration.

• Stakeholder Communication: Prepare to explain your design decisions and rationale to a mixed audience (technical and non-technical), demonstrating your ability to handle pushback with evidence.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process is designed to assess not just design craft but also strategic thinking, research capabilities, collaboration skills, and a forward-looking perspective on technology, particularly AI. A well-prepared, impact-focused portfolio is key.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Figma: The core tool for visual design, prototyping, and delivering production-ready files. Proficiency is essential.

• User Research Tools: Experience with tools for conducting user interviews, usability testing, and potentially survey platforms (e.g., UserTesting, Maze, SurveyMonkey).

• Collaboration Platforms: Familiarity with tools like Jira, Confluence, Slack, or Microsoft Teams for cross-functional team communication and project management.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Analytics Platforms: Exposure to tools that track user behavior and product metrics (e.g., Google Analytics, Amplitude, Mixpanel) to inform design iterations.

• Data Visualization Tools: Ability to interpret data presented in dashboards or reports, even if not directly creating them.

CRM & Automation:

• While not directly a CRM role, understanding how design impacts user journeys within CRM or other enterprise systems is beneficial.

• Familiarity with how design decisions can support automation workflows and improve data quality within enterprise applications.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on Figma is clear. Proficiency in research and collaboration tools is expected, and an understanding of how design interfaces with analytics and enterprise systems will be advantageous.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Impact-Driven: A strong focus on solving real-world problems for users in critical industries, ensuring software "gets things done" and makes a positive impact.

• Innovation & Forward-Thinking: Commitment to leveraging AI and emerging technologies to stay at the forefront of enterprise software.

• Collaboration & Agility: Working effectively in cross-functional squads, embracing agile methodologies, and fostering a "getting things done" attitude.

• User-Centricity: Deep empathy for users and a dedication to understanding their needs and challenges to build effective solutions.

• Diversity & Inclusion: Valuing different perspectives and fostering an inclusive environment that reflects the global customer base.

Collaboration Style:

• Squad-Based: Highly collaborative within small, cross-functional teams (design, engineering, product management) to drive product development.

• Evidence-Based Decision Making: Relying on user research, data, and clear rationale to guide design choices and handle stakeholder discussions.

• Knowledge Sharing: Encouragement to share learnings, best practices, and experiments, particularly around AI and design trends, within the wider design team.

📝 Enhancement Note: IFS fosters a culture that values tangible impact, technological innovation, and collaborative problem-solving. The design team is expected to be proactive, data-informed, and adept at working within agile, cross-functional structures.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Designing for Complex Operations: Understanding and designing for the intricate workflows and high-stakes environments of field service, asset management, manufacturing, and supply chain.

• Integrating AI Meaningfully: Moving beyond superficial AI features to design AI-driven experiences that genuinely improve user outcomes and address risks.

• Future-Proofing Interfaces: Anticipating how AI, ambient computing, and other emerging technologies will change user interaction paradigms and designing for this evolution.

• Balancing Design System & Innovation: Contributing to a robust design system while also pushing boundaries and exploring new interface concepts.

• Managing Stakeholder Expectations: Effectively communicating complex design rationale and future-facing ideas to diverse stakeholders.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Deep Dive into AI UX: Opportunities to become an expert in designing AI-powered enterprise solutions.

• Industry Domain Expertise: Gaining in-depth knowledge of critical operational industries.

• Design System Evolution: Contributing to the strategic development of IFS's design system.

• Emerging Technology Exploration: Staying at the forefront of interface design trends related to AI and ambient computing.

• Mentorship: Potential to receive mentorship from experienced design leaders and to mentor junior designers as you grow.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role presents a unique opportunity to tackle complex design challenges at the intersection of enterprise operations and cutting-edge AI, offering significant learning and growth potential.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you owned an end-to-end product design process. What was the problem, your approach, and the outcome?" (Focus on problem framing, research, decision rationale, and impact.)

• "How would you approach designing an AI feature for a field service technician? Consider prompt design, potential risks, and how you'd measure success." (Demonstrate AI literacy and practical application.)

• "Imagine our current interface paradigms become obsolete by 2030 due to AI. How would you begin to explore what comes next?" (Showcase forward-thinking and speculative design skills.)

• "How do you balance contributing to a design system with the need to innovate and design unique solutions?" (Discuss your approach to reusability vs. specific feature needs.) Company & Culture Questions:

• "What do you know about IFS and the industries we serve? How does that influence your design approach?" (Research IFS, their products, and the target user base.)

• "How do you collaborate with engineers and product managers to make design decisions?" (Highlight your experience in cross-functional squads and evidence-based communication.)

• "How do you ensure your designs are accessible and inclusive?" (Detail your understanding and application of WCAG standards.) Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Select Impactful Projects: Choose 2-3 projects that best showcase your end-to-end ownership, research skills, AI/future tech thinking, and collaboration.

• Structure Your Narrative: For each project, clearly define the problem, your role, your process (research, ideation, iteration), key decisions, challenges, and measurable outcomes.

• Be Ready for Deep Dives: Prepare to answer detailed questions about your research methods, design rationale, trade-offs considered, and how you measured success.

• Articulate AI/Future Vision: Clearly explain your thought process for integrating AI or addressing future interface challenges within your presented work.

📝 Enhancement Note: Preparation should focus on demonstrating ownership, a robust research methodology, strategic thinking about AI and future interfaces, and effective collaboration within a product team.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Product Designer position:

• Submit your application through the provided link on SmartRecruiters.

• Curate your Portfolio: Select 2-3 strong case studies that highlight your end-to-end design process, user research capabilities, AI integration experience, and contributions to design systems. Tailor your portfolio to showcase relevant enterprise UX challenges.

• Optimize Your Resume: Ensure your resume clearly outlines your years of experience, specific skills (Figma, user research, AI literacy), and achievements, using keywords from the job description. Quantify your impact where possible.

• Prepare Your Presentation: Practice walking through your portfolio case studies, focusing on storytelling, clear articulation of your process, design rationale, and measurable outcomes. Be ready to discuss your approach to AI and future interface design.

• Research IFS: Understand IFS's mission, its products, the industries it serves, and its commitment to AI. Consider how your design philosophy aligns with their values and culture.

⚠️ 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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