Product Designer

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Product Designer

Company: Nortal

Location: Estonia

Job Type: OTHER

Category: Product Design / UX/UI

Date Posted: 2026-08-31

Experience Level: 2-5 Years

Remote Status: Remote OK

🚀 Role Summary

• Spearhead the design of user interfaces, from initial concept and user flows through to high-fidelity mockups, ensuring a seamless transition to development for complex digital products.

• Champion user-centered design principles by deeply understanding user needs and translating them into intuitive and empowering digital experiences, particularly within large-scale systems.

• Foster strong collaborative relationships with cross-functional teams, including service designers, product owners, and engineering, to ensure cohesive product development and delivery.

• Actively contribute to the continuous improvement of design processes, including conducting UX/UI reviews, supporting user testing, and ensuring adherence to established design systems and accessibility standards.

• Leverage a strong understanding of stakeholder management to navigate complex project requirements, facilitate discussions, and communicate the creative vision effectively to diverse audiences.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "OTHER" employment type is unusual for a Product Designer role. It's recommended to confirm the exact employment structure (e.g., full-time, contract) with the hiring company. The role's focus on systems a country depends on, and its mention of AI, suggests a significant impact and forward-thinking approach.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Design comprehensive user interfaces, encompassing conceptualization, user flow mapping, wireframing, and the creation of high-fidelity mockups and interactive prototypes.

• Collaborate closely with product owners, service designers, and development teams to translate business requirements and user needs into effective digital solutions.

• Coordinate with the broader cross-functional design team to ensure consistency, share best practices, and provide constructive feedback on design iterations.

• Support the planning and execution of user testing sessions, gathering valuable feedback to iterate on designs and validate user-centered approaches.

• Conduct thorough UX/UI reviews of developed software increments, identifying areas for improvement and ensuring alignment with design specifications and user experience goals.

• Ensure strict adherence to project-specific requirements, design system guidelines, and accessibility standards (WCAG 2.1 Level AA) throughout the design lifecycle.

• Provide design support to the sales team by creating compelling visuals and articulating design solutions for potential clients and proposals.

• Actively explore and integrate emerging technologies, such as AI, into design workflows to enhance efficiency and product innovation.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a blend of individual design contribution and cross-functional collaboration, with a strong emphasis on process adherence and quality assurance (UX/UI reviews, accessibility). The inclusion of sales support indicates a client-facing or consultancy aspect to the role.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: While no specific degree is listed, a Bachelor's degree in Design, Human-Computer Interaction, Computer Science, or a related field is often preferred for Product Designer roles. Equivalent practical experience will also be considered.

Experience: Minimum of 3 years of professional experience in designing digital products within a technology, IT, or consulting context.

Required Skills:

• Proven experience in designing user interfaces (UI) and user experiences (UX) for digital products.

• Expert proficiency with design and prototyping tools, with a strong emphasis on Figma.

• Demonstrated ability to manage stakeholder expectations and facilitate productive discussions across complex and high-stakes projects.

• Experience working effectively within cross-functional teams, including collaboration with research, engineering, data analysis, and business stakeholders.

• Strong communication skills, capable of clearly articulating creative vision, concepts, ideas, and solutions verbally and in writing.

• Practical experience in implementing barrier-free designs, adhering to accessibility standards such as WCAG 2.1 Level AA.

• Proficiency in both spoken and written Estonian and English. Preferred Skills:

• Experience in consulting or agency environments, showcasing adaptability to various client needs and project types.

• Familiarity with design systems, including experience in their development or significant contribution to their implementation.

• A demonstrated curiosity and interest in exploring the application of Artificial Intelligence (AI) within design processes.

• Experience with user research methodologies and translating research findings into actionable design decisions.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on Figma, stakeholder management in complex environments, and WCAG 2.1 compliance are critical for this role. The preference for consulting/agency experience and AI curiosity suggests a dynamic, client-oriented environment with a focus on innovation.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A comprehensive portfolio showcasing a minimum of 3 years of impactful digital product design work, with a focus on user-centered solutions.

• Demonstrate a clear design process, highlighting problem definition, user research, ideation, wireframing, prototyping, UI design, and user testing.

• Include case studies that detail the challenges faced, the design decisions made, and the measurable impact of your solutions, using data and metrics where possible.

• Showcase proficiency with design tools, particularly Figma, and illustrate how these tools were leveraged to achieve project goals.

• Present examples of collaboration with cross-functional teams, illustrating your role within a team and your ability to integrate different perspectives. Process Documentation:

• Provide evidence of your ability to document design processes, workflows, and decision-making rationale.

• Highlight experience in contributing to or adhering to established design systems and style guides.

• Demonstrate understanding and application of accessibility standards (e.g., WCAG 2.1) in your design process and deliverables.

• Illustrate how you have supported user testing and incorporated feedback to refine and improve product designs.

📝 Enhancement Note: For this role, the portfolio should strongly emphasize the end-to-end design process, ability to manage complexity, and adherence to standards. Case studies demonstrating impact and collaborative problem-solving will be highly valued.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: 3100-3700 EUR gross per month (full-time). This range is an estimate based on the provided information and industry benchmarks for experienced Product Designers in Estonia. Final compensation will be determined by the candidate's specific experience and skill set.

Benefits:

• Comprehensive Health Insurance: Extended health coverage to support employee well-being.

• Sports Initiatives: Opportunities and potential support for physical fitness and active lifestyles.

• Remote-First Work Environment: The flexibility to work from where you are most productive, promoting work-life balance and autonomy.

• Professional Development: Access to a team of strong senior designers for weekly work reviews and active support for experimenting with AI in design.

• Supportive Culture: A low-hierarchy environment fostering collaboration and inspiration among tech experts.

Working Hours: The role is advertised as full-time, implying a standard work week. However, the "remote-first" approach suggests potential flexibility in daily working hours, allowing for productivity optimization. A typical full-time schedule in Estonia is 40 hours per week.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range is specific and provided. The benefits highlight a strong focus on employee well-being, professional growth through mentorship and AI experimentation, and flexibility. The "remote-first" approach is a key perk for work-life balance.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Technology & IT Services, with a strong focus on digital transformation and public sector solutions across Europe, the Middle East, and North America. Nortal specializes in building complex, mission-critical digital systems.

Company Size: Nortal is a significant player in its field, indicating a large organization with established processes and a broad reach. This size often means opportunities for diverse project exposure and career development.

Founded: Founded in 2005, Nortal has a history of innovation and growth, establishing itself as a leader in digital transformation. This longevity suggests stability and a deep understanding of evolving technological landscapes.

Team Structure:

• The Product and Experience (GPX) team is a dedicated unit focused on design and innovation services. It likely comprises various design disciplines, including service design, UX/UI design, and potentially research.

• This role reports into a design leadership structure, with close collaboration expected with product management and delivery teams within specific business accounts.

• Cross-functional collaboration is a core element, involving close partnerships with service designers, product owners, and development teams to deliver integrated digital solutions. Methodology:

• Nortal emphasizes an AI-first delivery approach, suggesting a strong focus on leveraging AI for efficiency and innovation in their projects.

• The design process likely incorporates user-centered methodologies, iterative development, and a commitment to high-quality, impactful digital solutions.

• There's a clear emphasis on continuous learning and experimentation, particularly with AI tools and techniques, fostering an environment of proactive improvement.

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

📝 Enhancement Note: Nortal's focus on large-scale, impactful digital systems (e.g., for countries) and its "AI-first" approach are key differentiators. The company culture appears to be collaborative, supportive, and innovation-driven, with a strong emphasis on professional growth and modern technologies.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is positioned as an experienced Product Designer, likely mid-level, requiring 3+ years of dedicated experience. It involves significant autonomy in design execution and a key role in shaping product direction within projects. The position requires the ability to manage complexity and stakeholders, indicating a level of seniority beyond junior roles.

Reporting Structure: The Product Designer will likely report to a Design Lead or Head of Design within the Global Product and Experience (GPX) team. They will work closely with Product Owners and Development Team Leads, fostering a collaborative, rather than strictly hierarchical, reporting dynamic within project teams.

Operations Impact: The Product Designer's impact is directly tied to the success of digital products and systems, particularly those with significant user bases or societal importance. By creating user-centered, accessible, and effective designs, they contribute to increased user adoption, satisfaction, efficiency, and ultimately, the achievement of business and organizational goals. The role also supports sales efforts, directly influencing business development.

Growth Opportunities:

• Specialization: Deepen expertise in specific design areas like AI-driven design, accessibility, or complex system design, potentially leading to senior or lead specialist roles.

• Leadership: Progress into a Senior Product Designer or Design Lead position, mentoring junior designers, overseeing design strategy for larger projects, and contributing to team process improvements.

• Cross-functional Expertise: Develop broader skills in product management, service design, or even AI implementation, opening doors to more holistic product roles or strategic positions.

• AI Innovation: Become a key contributor in exploring and implementing AI within Nortal's design and delivery frameworks, a high-demand and evolving area.

📝 Enhancement Note: The growth trajectory for this role is strong, particularly with Nortal's emphasis on AI and complex projects. The opportunity to influence design strategy and mentor others makes it attractive for career advancement.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: While Nortal promotes a "remote-first" approach, this implies that the company is set up to support remote work effectively. This doesn't necessarily mean there isn't an office, but that remote work is the default and fully supported. It suggests a modern, distributed team structure.

Office Location(s): The primary location derived is Estonia. Nortal has a global presence, so while the role is based in Estonia and supports remote work, there may be opportunities for collaboration with international teams or occasional travel to other Nortal offices or client sites depending on project needs.

Workspace Context:

• The workspace is designed to be flexible and productive, accommodating remote employees through digital collaboration tools and established remote work policies.

• Access to industry-standard design tools, particularly Figma, is a given. The company also actively supports experimentation with AI tools, providing resources for learning and application.

• Opportunities for interaction with a sharp, inspiring team of tech experts and senior designers are facilitated through regular virtual meetings, design reviews, and collaborative platforms, fostering a sense of community despite the remote setup.

Work Schedule: The "remote-first" policy suggests a high degree of flexibility in working hours, allowing designers to structure their day to maximize productivity. While full-time commitment is expected (40 hours/week), the emphasis is on output and effectiveness rather than strict adherence to a 9-to-5 schedule. This flexibility is crucial for managing complex projects and personal well-being.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "remote-first" aspect is a significant perk, offering flexibility. The environment is likely digitally collaborative and supportive of experimentation, especially with AI, which is a key differentiator for Nortal.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A review of your application, resume, and portfolio to assess foundational skills and experience against the core requirements. Be prepared to highlight your most relevant projects.

• Hiring Manager/Team Interview: A discussion focusing on your experience, design process, stakeholder management skills, and understanding of user-centered design principles. Expect questions about past projects and how you've handled complex challenges.

• Design Challenge/Portfolio Review: This is a critical stage. You'll likely present a case study from your portfolio, detailing a challenging project, your approach, and the outcome. Alternatively, a practical design exercise might be given to assess your problem-solving and design execution skills in real-time or as a take-home assignment.

• Final Interview: May involve meeting with senior leadership or other key stakeholders to assess cultural fit, strategic thinking, and alignment with Nortal's values and AI-first approach.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select 2-3 of your strongest projects that best demonstrate your end-to-end design process, problem-solving skills, and impact, especially those involving complex systems or high-stakes decisions.

• Tell a Story: For each case study, clearly articulate the problem, your role, the design process (research, ideation, iteration), key decisions, and the quantifiable results or learnings. Use visuals effectively to support your narrative.

• Highlight Process & Collaboration: Emphasize your design methodology, how you work with cross-functional teams, and how you manage stakeholder expectations. Showcase your proficiency with Figma.

• Address AI Curiosity: If you have explored AI in design, be ready to discuss your findings, experiments, or ideas, even if it's preliminary.

• Accessibility & Standards: Ensure your portfolio clearly shows your understanding and application of accessibility standards like WCAG 2.1.

Challenge Preparation:

• Understand the Context: If given a design challenge, ask clarifying questions to fully grasp the problem, target users, and constraints.

• Think Aloud: During live exercises, articulate your thought process, assumptions, and trade-offs.

• Focus on Process: Demonstrate a structured approach to problem-solving, even if you don't reach a final polished solution.

• Presentation Skills: Practice presenting your case studies concisely and engagingly, focusing on impact and lessons learned.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process will heavily weigh your portfolio and ability to articulate your design process and impact. Be prepared for a practical assessment of your skills and your enthusiasm for AI in design.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Figma: Essential for UI design, prototyping, and collaboration. Proficiency is a must.

• Prototyping Tools: While Figma offers robust prototyping, familiarity with other tools like InVision, Adobe XD, or Sketch may be beneficial.

• User Research Tools: Experience with tools for user surveys, interviews, and usability testing (e.g., Maze, UserTesting.com, SurveyMonkey) is advantageous.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Web Analytics: Familiarity with tools like Google Analytics or similar platforms to understand user behavior and product performance.

• Data Visualization: Understanding how to interpret data and potentially use tools for creating dashboards (e.g., Tableau, Power BI, Looker) to inform design decisions.

CRM & Automation:

• Design System Management: Experience with platforms or methodologies for managing and evolving design systems.

• Collaboration Platforms: Proficiency with tools like Slack, Microsoft Teams, Jira, Confluence for team communication and project management.

• AI Tools: While not explicitly required, an interest in exploring AI tools for design assistance, content generation, or workflow automation is encouraged.

📝 Enhancement Note: Figma is the primary tool. A broader understanding of the digital product development ecosystem, including analytics and collaboration tools, is expected. The company's push for AI means familiarity with or curiosity about AI-powered design tools is a significant plus.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Impact-Driven: A strong focus on creating meaningful, empowering, and impactful digital experiences that serve users and achieve significant organizational goals, especially in critical systems.

• User-Centricity: Deep empathy for users and a commitment to understanding and addressing their needs through thoughtful design.

• Innovation & AI-First: A proactive embrace of new technologies, particularly AI, to drive efficiency, enhance creativity, and deliver cutting-edge solutions.

• Collaboration & Low Hierarchy: A culture that values teamwork, open communication, and mutual support among colleagues, fostering a flat organizational structure where ideas can flow freely.

• Excellence & Quality: A dedication to high standards in design execution, adherence to best practices (like accessibility), and continuous improvement through peer reviews and learning.

Collaboration Style:

• Highly collaborative, with designers working closely alongside product managers, engineers, and service designers to ensure holistic product development.

• Emphasis on open feedback loops and constructive critique through regular design reviews, fostering a culture of shared learning and continuous improvement.

• Knowledge sharing is encouraged, particularly around new technologies like AI, and best practices in design and user experience.

📝 Enhancement Note: Nortal's culture appears to be a blend of high-performance, innovation, and strong team support. The "AI-first" and "low-hierarchy" aspects are key cultural drivers that shape collaboration and problem-solving.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Designing for Complex Systems: The opportunity to work on large-scale, mission-critical systems requires a deep understanding of user needs, technical constraints, and the ability to maintain consistency across intricate user journeys.

• Navigating Stakeholder Expectations: Managing diverse stakeholder needs and expectations in high-risk, complex projects requires strong communication, negotiation, and influencing skills.

• Integrating AI into Design Workflows: Experimenting with and effectively integrating AI tools into established design processes presents a learning curve and the challenge of identifying the most impactful applications.

• Maintaining Accessibility Standards: Consistently applying WCAG 2.1 AA standards across complex digital products requires diligence and a thorough understanding of accessibility principles.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• AI in Design Specialization: Actively participate in Nortal's AI-first initiatives to become proficient in leveraging AI for design tasks, gaining a competitive edge in the market.

• Mentorship from Senior Designers: Benefit from weekly work reviews and guidance from a team of strong senior designers, accelerating skill development and career progression.

• Exposure to Diverse Projects: Work on a range of digital transformation projects for clients across different sectors and regions, broadening your experience and portfolio.

• Continuous Learning: Opportunities to attend industry events, workshops, and potentially pursue certifications related to UX/UI, accessibility, or emerging technologies.

📝 Enhancement Note: The role offers significant challenges related to complexity and innovation, which are directly tied to substantial growth opportunities, particularly in the emerging field of AI in design.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you designed a complex digital product or system. What were the biggest challenges, how did you approach them, and what was the outcome?" (Focus on your process, stakeholder management, and impact.)

• "How do you ensure user-centered design principles are integrated into your work, especially when balancing business requirements and technical constraints?" (Highlight your empathy, research methods, and decision-making rationale.)

• "Tell me about a situation where you had to manage conflicting stakeholder expectations. How did you navigate it, and what was the resolution?" (Demonstrate your communication, negotiation, and problem-solving skills.)

• "What is your approach to ensuring design compliance with accessibility standards like WCAG 2.1 AA?" (Show your understanding of accessibility principles and practical application.) Company & Culture Questions:

• "What interests you about Nortal's 'AI-first' approach, and how do you see AI potentially impacting product design?" (Show your curiosity and forward-thinking mindset.)

• "Describe your ideal team environment. How do you contribute to a collaborative and low-hierarchy culture?" (Align your values with Nortal's stated culture.)

• "How do you approach collaboration with engineers, product managers, and service designers?" (Highlight your cross-functional teamwork experience.) Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure is Key: For each case study, follow a clear narrative: Problem -> Your Role -> Process -> Solution -> Impact/Learnings.

• Quantify Impact: Whenever possible, use metrics (e.g., conversion rates, user satisfaction scores, task completion times) to demonstrate the success of your designs.

• Showcase Figma Skills: Be ready to discuss specific features or workflows you used in Figma to achieve your design goals.

• Be Prepared for Deep Dives: Anticipate detailed questions about your design decisions, trade-offs, and how you handled feedback.

• Enthusiasm for AI: Weave in your interest in AI and how you envision it enhancing design processes or product outcomes.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview will heavily focus on practical application, problem-solving, and cultural fit. Be ready to demonstrate your design process, stakeholder management, and genuine interest in innovation, particularly AI.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Product Designer position:

• Submit your application through the provided link on the Nortal careers site.

• Tailor Your Resume: Ensure your resume clearly highlights 3+ years of experience in digital product design, proficiency with Figma, experience with accessibility standards (WCAG 2.1), and stakeholder management skills. Use keywords from the job description.

• Curate Your Portfolio: Select 2-3 of your strongest, most relevant case studies that showcase your end-to-end design process, problem-solving abilities, and impact. Ensure these highlight your work with Figma and collaboration.

• Prepare Your Presentation: Practice walking through your portfolio case studies, focusing on storytelling, clear articulation of your process, and quantifiable results. Be ready to discuss your approach to complex projects and stakeholder management.

• Research Nortal: Understand Nortal's mission, their work in digital transformation, their "AI-first" approach, and their focus on building impactful systems. This will help you tailor your answers and demonstrate genuine interest.

⚠️ 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.