Product Designer at Metropolis

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Product Designer

Company: Metropolis

Location: New York, New York, United States

Job Type: Full-Time

Category: Product Design / UX/UI Design

Date Posted: May 12, 2026

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

Remote Status: Hybrid (4 Days in Office)

🚀 Role Summary

Drive the complete product design lifecycle, from initial user research and conceptualization through high-fidelity prototyping and seamless developer handoff for innovative features within the "Recognition Economy."
Translate complex user needs and physical-digital interactions into intuitive and elegant design solutions, ensuring a cohesive experience across various platforms and environments.
Actively contribute to the evolution and maintenance of the company's design system, upholding a high standard of visual consistency and user experience.
Leverage product analytics and direct customer feedback to identify user pain points, validate design hypotheses, and iteratively enhance existing product functionalities.
Collaborate cross-functionally with Product Management and Engineering teams to define product requirements, ensure technical feasibility, and deliver exceptional user-centered design outcomes.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is focused on bridging the gap between digital interfaces and physical-world experiences, a key differentiator for Metropolis. Candidates should highlight experience in designing for scenarios where users transition between mobile apps and physical locations, such as parking garages, retail, or hospitality venues. The emphasis on the "Recognition Economy" suggests a need for designs that are anticipatory, personalized, and seamless.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

End-to-End Feature Design: Own the entire design process for assigned product features, encompassing user research, wireframing, user flow mapping, high-fidelity mockups, and interactive prototyping.
User Research & Validation: Conduct tactical user research, including usability testing, in-depth interviews, and surveys, to gather insights and validate design decisions. Translate research findings into actionable design improvements.
Cross-Functional Collaboration: Partner closely with Product Managers to define product strategy and requirements, and with Engineers to ensure technical feasibility and successful implementation of designs.
Design System Management: Contribute to the development, maintenance, and enforcement of the company's design system, ensuring consistency in visual language, components, and interaction patterns across all digital products.
Data-Driven Iteration: Proactively analyze product analytics, user feedback, and performance metrics to identify areas for improvement and iterate on existing features to enhance user satisfaction and engagement.
Physical-Digital Journey Mapping: Design and optimize user touchpoints that extend beyond the screen, ensuring fluid and intuitive transitions for users interacting with Metropolis's services in the physical world.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a strong emphasis on user-centric design, iterative development, and cross-functional teamwork. Candidates should be prepared to demonstrate how they've managed the full design process and used data to inform their decisions. The unique aspect of designing for physical-digital integration requires specific examples of how users navigate between app and real-world experiences.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: Bachelor's degree in Design, Human-Computer Interaction, Computer Science, or a related field, or equivalent practical experience.

Experience: 3+ years of professional experience in UX/UI Design or Product Design, with a strong portfolio showcasing shipped products.

Required Skills:

Expertise in Design Tools: Proficient in industry-standard design and prototyping software, with expert-level skills in Figma.
End-to-End Design Process: Demonstrated ability to manage the entire design lifecycle from discovery and wireframing to high-fidelity prototyping and final developer handoff.
User Research & Testing: Proven experience conducting user research, usability testing, and interviews to gather insights and inform design decisions.
Physical-Digital Design: Demonstrated experience designing seamless end-to-end user journeys that effectively bridge digital interfaces with physical environments.
Design System Contribution: Experience contributing to or maintaining design systems, ensuring visual and interactive consistency.
Stakeholder Communication: Ability to clearly articulate design rationale and decisions to diverse stakeholders and a growth mindset for receiving constructive feedback.
Product Analytics: Familiarity with using product analytics tools to identify friction points and drive iterative improvements.

Preferred Skills:

Advanced Prototyping: Experience with advanced prototyping tools like ProtoPie for creating complex, logic-based prototypes.
B2B2C SaaS Experience: Prior experience in a B2B2C SaaS or technology-driven environment with a significant consumer-facing impact.
AI Tool Integration: Familiarity with AI-first code editors like Cursor for leveraging AI in the design and development process.
Mobility/Real Estate Tech: Experience within the mobility, real estate, or hospitality technology sectors.

📝 Enhancement Note: The required skills emphasize practical application and a portfolio demonstrating shipped products. The "Physical-Digital Design" requirement is critical and should be a focal point for candidates. Preferred skills indicate a desire for candidates who can push the boundaries of design tools and understand complex SaaS ecosystems.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

Demonstrated Impact: Showcase 2-3 comprehensive case studies detailing your design process, problem-solving approach, and the measurable impact of your work on user experience and business goals.
Physical-Digital Integration: Include specific examples of designs that bridge digital interfaces with physical environments, illustrating how users navigate these transitions seamlessly.
End-to-End Ownership: Present projects where you owned the entire design process from conception to delivery, highlighting your contributions at each stage.
Tool Proficiency Showcase: Clearly demonstrate your expertise in Figma and any advanced prototyping tools used (e.g., ProtoPie), including interactive prototypes if possible.
Design System Contribution: If applicable, include examples of your contributions to design systems, showcasing component design, style guides, or pattern libraries.

Process Documentation:

User-Centric Workflow: Document your typical design workflow, emphasizing user research methodologies, iterative design processes, and how user feedback is integrated.
Cross-Functional Collaboration: Detail how you collaborate with Product Managers and Engineers, including your handoff process and methods for ensuring design fidelity.
Problem-Solving Approach: Clearly articulate your problem-solving framework for tackling complex design challenges, especially those involving physical-digital interactions.
Metrics & Iteration: Explain how you use product analytics and user feedback to identify opportunities for improvement and measure the success of your design iterations.

📝 Enhancement Note: The portfolio requirements are highly specific, emphasizing tangible results and the unique challenge of designing for physical-digital integration. Candidates should prepare to walk through their case studies, explaining their decision-making process and the impact of their designs, especially concerning the "Recognition Economy" concept.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $165,000.00 - $175,000.00 USD Annually

Benefits:

Comprehensive Healthcare Benefits
401(k) Plan
Short-term Disability Coverage
Long-term Disability Coverage
Basic Life Insurance
Lucrative Stock Option Plan
Bonus Plans

Working Hours: Standard full-time workweek, with an expectation of 40 hours, but with flexibility for project needs. The role requires 4 days in the office per week.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range is competitive for a mid-level Product Designer in New York City. The comprehensive benefits package, including stock options and bonus plans, suggests a company that invests in its employees and offers significant potential upside. The explicit 4-day in-office requirement is a key factor for candidates considering hybrid work arrangements.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Technology, Artificial Intelligence, Real Estate Tech, Mobility, Hospitality

Company Size: 201-500 Employees (based on typical Greenhouse ATS scaling)

Founded: Metropolis is a rapidly growing startup aiming to pioneer the "Recognition Economy." The company's focus on AI and real-world applications suggests a culture of innovation, ambition, and a drive to solve complex, tangible problems.

Team Structure:

Design Team: Likely composed of UX/UI designers, Product Designers, and potentially researchers, working collaboratively to ensure a cohesive user experience across all Metropolis products.
Cross-Functional Squads: Product Designers will be embedded within product teams, working closely with Product Managers, Engineers, and potentially data scientists or AI specialists.
Reporting: The Product Designer will likely report to a Design Lead, Head of Product, or a similar senior role within the product organization.

Methodology:

Agile Development: Expect a fast-paced, iterative development environment common in tech startups, utilizing agile methodologies.
Data-Informed Design: A strong emphasis on using product analytics and user feedback to guide design decisions and measure success.
AI Integration: A core focus on leveraging AI to create "instinctive and magical" experiences, likely influencing design approaches and tool selection.
Physical-Digital Integration: A unique methodological focus on designing for seamless transitions between digital interactions and real-world environments.

Company Website: metropolis.io

📝 Enhancement Note: Metropolis is positioning itself as a leader in the "Recognition Economy," a concept that emphasizes AI-driven personalization and seamless physical-digital integration. This suggests a culture that values innovation, cutting-edge technology, and a strong focus on user experience that feels both intuitive and magical.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is positioned as a mid-level Product Designer (2-5 years of experience). It involves significant ownership of features and requires the ability to work independently while collaborating effectively with cross-functional teams. The role is pivotal in translating the company's vision into tangible user experiences.

Reporting Structure: The Product Designer will report into a Product or Design leadership role, likely working within agile product teams consisting of Product Managers, Engineers, and potentially other designers. The hybrid work model (4 days in office) suggests a strong emphasis on in-person collaboration and mentorship opportunities within the team.

Operations Impact: The Product Designer's work will directly influence how users interact with Metropolis's services in both digital and physical spaces, impacting customer satisfaction, adoption rates, and the overall success of the "Recognition Economy" vision. Their designs will be critical in making the company's AI-powered solutions feel seamless, intuitive, and valuable to both consumers and real estate partners.

Growth Opportunities:

Design Leadership: Potential to grow into a Senior Product Designer role, taking on more complex projects, mentoring junior designers, and influencing design strategy.
Specialization: Opportunity to deepen expertise in specific areas such as AI-driven design, physical-digital interaction design, or design systems.
Product Strategy Influence: As the company scales, there will be opportunities to contribute more significantly to product strategy and roadmap planning.
Cross-Functional Mobility: Potential to move into Product Management or other product-focused roles within the growing organization.

📝 Enhancement Note: The growth path for a Product Designer at Metropolis appears strong, with opportunities for increased responsibility, specialization, and strategic influence. The company's rapid growth and innovative focus suggest a dynamic environment where designers can make a significant impact and advance their careers.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Metropolis has an "office-first" model, requiring team members to be on-site at least four days a week. This indicates a preference for in-person collaboration, spontaneous ideation, and a strong team culture fostered through physical proximity.

Office Location(s): The primary office is located in New York City, a major hub for technology and design. This location offers access to a vibrant professional community and ample opportunities for networking and talent acquisition.

Workspace Context:

Collaborative Spaces: Expect a workspace designed to encourage collaboration, with meeting rooms, common areas, and potentially open-plan desks that facilitate interaction.
Technology Stack: Access to industry-standard design tools (Figma, prototyping software) and potentially specialized AI tools, alongside robust engineering and IT support.
Team Interaction: The 4-day in-office policy ensures regular face-to-face interactions with colleagues, fostering stronger working relationships and a sense of team cohesion.

Work Schedule: While the core work is full-time (approximately 40 hours/week), the emphasis on in-person collaboration suggests a structured work week. However, the nature of product design often allows for some flexibility in task management, provided deadlines and team needs are met.

📝 Enhancement Note: The 4-day in-office requirement is a defining characteristic of the work environment. This setup is designed to maximize collaboration and organic interactions, which can be highly beneficial for design teams. Candidates should be comfortable with this hybrid structure and willing to engage actively in the office setting.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

Initial Screening: A brief call with a recruiter to assess basic qualifications, cultural fit, and interest in the role.
Portfolio Review & Design Challenge: This is a critical stage. Expect to present your portfolio, discussing your process, decision-making, and impact on specific projects. A practical design challenge, potentially focused on a physical-digital interaction scenario relevant to Metropolis, may be given.
Cross-Functional Interviews: Interviews with Product Managers and Engineers to assess collaboration skills, technical understanding, and ability to articulate design rationale.
Hiring Manager / Leadership Interview: A discussion with the hiring manager or a senior design/product leader to evaluate strategic thinking, leadership potential, and overall fit with the company culture.

Portfolio Review Tips:

Storytelling: Frame your case studies as narratives, clearly defining the problem, your role, your process, the challenges, your solutions, and the measurable outcomes.
Focus on Physical-Digital: Dedicate significant time to explaining your approach to designing for seamless transitions between digital interfaces and physical environments. Use visual aids to illustrate these transitions.
Figma & Prototyping Mastery: Be prepared to demonstrate your proficiency in Figma and any advanced prototyping tools. If possible, provide interactive prototypes that showcase complex interactions.
Data & Impact: Clearly articulate how you used data and user feedback to inform your designs and how you measured the success of your solutions. Quantify impact whenever possible.
Cultural Alignment: Be ready to discuss how your design philosophy and approach align with Metropolis's vision of the "Recognition Economy" and its emphasis on creating "instinctive and magical" experiences.

Challenge Preparation:

Deconstruct the Problem: If given a design challenge, take time to understand the core problem, the target users, and the business objectives.
Ideate & Sketch: Quickly generate multiple solutions, sketching them out to explore different possibilities before diving into detailed design.
Prioritize & Justify: Focus on a few key solutions, clearly justifying your design choices based on user needs, business goals, and feasibility.
Consider Physical-Digital: For Metropolis, always consider how the digital solution integrates with the physical world and user actions within it.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process is designed to thoroughly assess a candidate's design skills, problem-solving abilities, and collaborative potential, with a strong emphasis on their portfolio and the unique challenges of physical-digital design. Candidates should prepare to articulate their process and impact with concrete examples.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

Figma: The core design and prototyping tool. Expect to use it extensively for wireframing, UI design, and creating high-fidelity interactive prototypes.
Prototyping Tools: While Figma is primary, proficiency in advanced tools like ProtoPie (or similar) for complex logic-based prototypes is a significant plus.
Design System Tools: Tools or processes used for managing and maintaining design system components and documentation.

Analytics & Reporting:

Product Analytics Platforms: Experience with tools like Amplitude, Mixpanel, or similar platforms for tracking user behavior, identifying trends, and measuring feature adoption.
Data Visualization Tools: Familiarity with tools that help visualize data and user insights for reporting and presentation.

CRM & Automation:

CRM Systems (Indirect): While not a direct CRM role, understanding how design impacts CRM data and user journeys within a B2B2C context is beneficial.
Project Management Tools: Familiarity with tools like Jira, Asana, or Trello for managing design tasks and collaborating with engineering teams.
AI-First Code Editors (Preferred): Experience with tools like Cursor, which leverage AI to assist in coding and design implementation, is a plus.

📝 Enhancement Note: Proficiency in Figma is non-negotiable. The mention of ProtoPie and AI-first code editors like Cursor indicates a desire for designers who are at the forefront of design technology and can leverage advanced tools to create sophisticated experiences. Understanding how design integrates with analytics and project management workflows is also crucial.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

Innovation & Pioneering: A drive to build new technologies and pioneer the "Recognition Economy," creating "instinctive and magical" experiences.
User-Centricity: A deep commitment to understanding and solving user problems, ensuring that technology serves human needs.
Collaboration & Inclusivity: A value placed on teamwork, open communication, and ensuring all voices are heard to achieve the best outcomes.
Craftsmanship & Quality: A dedication to high standards in design, execution, and user experience.
Growth Mindset: Encouraging continuous learning, embracing feedback, and adapting to new challenges and technologies.

Collaboration Style:

Cross-Functional Integration: Designers are expected to work closely and collaboratively with Product Managers and Engineers, fostering a shared understanding of goals and challenges.
Iterative & Feedback-Driven: A culture that embraces iterative design processes, actively seeking and incorporating feedback from peers, stakeholders, and users.
In-Office Synergy: The 4-day in-office policy promotes organic interactions, spontaneous problem-solving sessions, and a strong sense of team camaraderie.
Transparent Communication: Open dialogue about design decisions, challenges, and progress is encouraged.

📝 Enhancement Note: Metropolis values a culture of innovation, collaboration, and user-centricity. The emphasis on building something entirely new ("Recognition Economy") suggests a team that is passionate, forward-thinking, and dedicated to pushing technological boundaries. The 4-day in-office policy underscores the importance of in-person teamwork and connection.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

Bridging Physical & Digital: The primary challenge is designing seamless, intuitive experiences that elegantly connect digital interfaces with complex physical-world interactions, ensuring users feel understood and supported across different environments.
Scaling Design Systems: As Metropolis grows, maintaining and scaling the design system to accommodate new features and product lines while ensuring consistency will be an ongoing challenge.
AI Integration Complexity: Effectively integrating AI into user experiences in a way that feels natural, beneficial, and not intrusive requires careful design and iterative validation.
Rapid Growth Environment: Adapting to a fast-paced startup environment, managing multiple projects, and evolving processes as the company scales can be demanding.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

Cutting-Edge Technology: Opportunity to work with and shape the application of advanced AI technologies in real-world scenarios.
Industry Leadership: Contribute to defining and building the "Recognition Economy," a potentially transformative new market.
Mentorship: Access to experienced product leaders and engineers for guidance and skill development.
Advanced Tooling: Exposure to and training on advanced design and AI tools like ProtoPie and Cursor.
Career Advancement: Clear pathways for growth into senior design roles, leadership positions, or specialization within the product organization.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role offers significant opportunities to tackle complex, cutting-edge design challenges. The growth potential is tied to the company's ambitious vision and rapid expansion, providing a dynamic environment for professional development.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

"How would you approach designing a seamless checkout experience for a user who is physically arriving at a parking location, having previously booked through our app?" (Focus: Physical-Digital Journeys, User Flow Mapping)
"Describe a time you used product analytics or user feedback to significantly improve a product feature. What was your process, and what were the results?" (Focus: Data-Driven Design, Iteration)

Company & Culture Questions:

"What excites you about Metropolis's vision for the 'Recognition Economy' and how do you see design playing a role in it?" (Focus: Vision Alignment, Passion)
"How do you approach collaboration with engineers and product managers, especially in a hybrid work environment?" (Focus: Teamwork, Communication, Hybrid Work)

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

Structure Your Narrative: For each case study, clearly state the problem, your specific role and responsibilities, your design process (research, ideation, prototyping, testing), key decisions made, challenges encountered, and the final outcome/impact with metrics.
Highlight Physical-Digital: Dedicate specific slides or sections to illustrating how your designs bridge the gap between digital and physical experiences. Use mockups that show this transition clearly.
Showcase Figma & Prototyping: Be prepared to demonstrate your Figma skills live or through screen recordings of interactive prototypes. Explain the complexity and logic behind your prototypes.
Quantify Impact: Wherever possible, use data to demonstrate the success of your designs – e.g., increased conversion rates, reduced support tickets, improved user satisfaction scores.
Connect to Metropolis: Frame your experiences and skills in the context of Metropolis's mission and values. Show how your approach aligns with their goals.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview questions will heavily focus on practical application, problem-solving, and the ability to translate complex concepts into user-friendly designs, particularly in the physical-digital space. Preparing specific examples and articulating your process clearly will be key to success.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Product Designer position:

Submit your application through the provided link on Greenhouse.
Customize Your Resume: Tailor your resume to highlight your experience in UX/UI design, product design, Figma proficiency, user research, and any experience with physical-digital integrations or B2B2C SaaS. Use keywords from the job description.
Curate Your Portfolio: Ensure your portfolio clearly showcases 2-3 strong case studies that demonstrate your end-to-end design process, problem-solving skills, and measurable impact. Pay special attention to projects that illustrate physical-digital journey mapping.
Prepare Your Presentation: Practice walking through your portfolio case studies, focusing on clear storytelling, articulating your design decisions, and demonstrating your proficiency with Figma and prototyping tools. Be ready to discuss your approach to the "Recognition Economy."
Research Metropolis: Understand the company's mission, products, and the "Recognition Economy" concept. Prepare thoughtful questions about the team, culture, and design challenges.

⚠️ 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.

Product Designer