Product Designer

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Product Designer

Company: Pogo Technologies

Location: Brooklyn, Ohio, United States

Job Type: FULL_TIME

Category: Product Design / UI/UX

Date Posted: 2026-05-22T21:08:06

Experience Level: Mid-Level (1-4 years)

Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• Lead product design and creative direction for a new B2B consumer insights platform and an existing consumer app with 3 million users.

• Design core product experiences end-to-end, from early exploration through launch and iteration, focusing on polished and delightful user interfaces.

• Establish and evolve the company's design language, systems, and culture from the ground up.

• Collaborate closely with engineering and Go-To-Market (GTM) teams in a fast-paced, startup environment.

• Drive product roadmap definition and contribute to the strategic vision of the product.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is positioned as the second Product Designer, implying significant individual contribution and the opportunity to heavily influence design direction. The focus on "consumer insights product" and "B2B platform" suggests a need for understanding complex data visualization and enterprise-level user experience. The mention of "AI technology" and "LLMs" indicates a forward-thinking product and a need for designers familiar with emerging tech.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Design user interfaces and user experiences for both a B2B platform and a consumer-facing application, ensuring consistency and scalability.

• Translate complex data and AI capabilities into intuitive and visually appealing interfaces that build user trust.

• Meticulously craft visual elements including layout, typography, spacing, color palettes, motion design, and micro-interactions to enhance user delight and product polish.

• Contribute to defining the product strategy and roadmap, with a particular emphasis on shaping the future of the design system.

• Proactively identify and implement creative solutions to deliver high-quality design work within the constraints of a dynamic startup environment.

• Work cross-functionally with engineering, product management, and GTM teams to ensure seamless product development and successful launches.

• Iterate on existing product features based on user feedback, data analytics, and evolving business requirements.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibility to "Help define the product roadmap" signifies a strategic, not just execution-focused, role. The emphasis on "sweating the details" (layout, typography, etc.) points to a high bar for visual design quality. The need to "ship high-quality work in a fast-paced, often ambiguous, startup environment" highlights the importance of agility and pragmatic decision-making.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: Bachelor's degree in Design, Human-Computer Interaction, or a related field is preferred, but equivalent practical experience will be strongly considered.

Experience: 1-4 years of professional design experience, with a proven track record of designing software products. Experience in a startup environment or designing AI interactions is a significant plus. Experience designing enterprise-grade products is also highly valued.

Required Skills:

• Proficiency in Figma for end-to-end product design, rapid prototyping, and efficient workflow ("escape velocity design").

• Strong understanding of UI/UX principles, with a high bar for visual design quality, including layout, typography, spacing, and color theory.

• Ability to design and implement design systems, ensuring consistency and scalability across products.

• Experience in crafting polished interfaces with attention to detail in motion design and interactions.

• Demonstrated ability to work cross-functionally with engineering and GTM teams.

• Strong product intuition and a knack for creating simple, clear, and user-friendly experiences.

• Experience using Large Language Models (LLMs) such as ChatGPT or Claude within a design workflow.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience designing for B2B platforms or enterprise-grade software.

• Experience with AI interaction design.

• Familiarity with user research methodologies and incorporating user data into design decisions.

• Background in defining product roadmaps and strategic product thinking.

• Familiarity with design inspiration platforms like Mobbin.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "full-stack designer" requirement implies a need for a candidate who can own the entire design process, from ideation to production-ready assets. The emphasis on using LLMs in the workflow suggests a modern, tech-savvy approach to design. The "Calculated Speed" value mentioned later in the description reinforces the need for efficient, iterative design practices.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Showcase end-to-end design projects that demonstrate your process from problem definition to final solution.

• Include examples of B2B or complex software product design, highlighting user flows and interaction design.

• Provide detailed case studies demonstrating your ability to define and implement design systems, including style guides and component libraries.

• Highlight projects where you've incorporated user data or feedback to iterate and improve designs.

Process Documentation:

• Clearly articulate your design process, from initial research and ideation to wireframing, prototyping, user testing, and final handoff.

• Explain how you collaborate with cross-functional teams (engineering, product, GTM) during the design process.

• Detail your approach to problem-solving, especially in ambiguous or fast-paced startup environments.

• Showcase how you've managed design trade-offs and made pragmatic decisions to meet deadlines while maintaining quality.

📝 Enhancement Note: Given the role's emphasis on "shaping our design culture from the ground up" and being one of the early designers, the portfolio should ideally showcase not just execution but also strategic thinking, process definition, and the ability to influence design direction. Demonstrating how they've "laid the foundations for our design language, systems, and culture" will be key.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: Based on industry benchmarks for Product Designers with 1-4 years of experience in Brooklyn, Ohio, a competitive salary range is estimated to be between $75,000 - $110,000 annually. This estimate considers the company's offering of "above-market salaries & equity" and the "Calculated Speed" value which may imply a higher hourly reward for dedicated effort.

Benefits:

• Above-market salaries and equity (stock options).

• Unlimited Paid Time Off (PTO).

• A minimum of 20 days of vacation per year.

• Opportunity to shape design culture and processes from the ground up.

• Work on cutting-edge technology involving AI and consumer insights.

• Collaborative environment with strong product thinkers across all departments.

• Quick feedback loops for design iterations.

Working Hours: While the company states they "expect more than 9 to 5" due to the startup stage and encourages "raw hours," they also emphasize trust in team members to create flexible schedules that accommodate productivity and external priorities. The standard is likely around 40 hours per week, with flexibility.

📝 Enhancement Note: The explicit mention of "above-market salaries & equity" and "raw hours make an impact at our current stage" suggests a compensation structure that rewards significant contribution and dedication. The PTO policy, with a minimum of 20 days, is a strong perk designed to mitigate potential burnout from extended hours.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Technology / Software / Data Analytics / Consumer Insights

Company Size: Small to Medium-sized (implied by "second Product Designer" and "early team members"). Likely between 20-100 employees, growing rapidly.

Founded: The exact founding date is not provided, but the rapid growth and early-stage product development suggest a relatively young company, likely founded within the last 5-10 years.

Team Structure:

• The design team currently consists of one Lead Product Designer and this role, making it a very small, hands-on team.

• Cross-functional collaboration is central, with designers working closely with engineering and Go-To-Market (GTM) teams.

Methodology:

• Data-Driven Decisions: The company values "what we're seeing in the data" and "user data" to inform product decisions and pivots.

• Calculated Speed & Experimentation: A core value is "Calculated Speed," encouraging rapid iteration, weekly shipping, and a culture of experimentation. Priorities may shift quickly based on learning.

• Empirical Learning: Quick feedback loops allow for rapid validation and iteration on designs, moving from design to user feedback in hours, not months.

Company Website: joinpogo.com

📝 Enhancement Note: The company culture is characterized by speed, experimentation, and a deep obsession with product. The small team size means individuals will have significant autonomy and impact, but also require self-direction and comfort with ambiguity. The "product thinking" obsession is a key differentiator.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is positioned as a Mid-Level Product Designer. As the second designer, the individual will have substantial influence and responsibility, acting as a key contributor to product strategy and design system development. The potential for growth into a Senior Product Designer or Design Lead role is significant as the company scales.

Reporting Structure: The designer will report to the Lead Product Designer, who has prior experience at notable tech companies (Figma, Slack, Glean). This provides an excellent opportunity for mentorship and learning from an experienced designer.

Operations Impact: The product designer will have a direct and significant impact on the success of Pogo's consumer insights platform and consumer app. Their work will shape user acquisition, engagement, and retention for a product used by large global companies and millions of consumers. They will be instrumental in defining the user experience that drives adoption and perceived value of the company's AI and data technology.

Growth Opportunities:

• Design System Leadership: Opportunity to co-lead the development and evolution of Pogo's design system, establishing standards and best practices.

• Product Strategy Influence: Directly contribute to product roadmap decisions and influence the strategic direction of the company's core offerings.

• Mentorship & Learning: Learn from an experienced Lead Product Designer with a strong background in leading design at successful tech companies.

• Skill Specialization: Potential to specialize in areas like enterprise UX, AI interaction design, or complex data visualization as the product matures.

• Leadership Potential: As the company grows, there will be opportunities to take on more leadership responsibilities, potentially managing junior designers or leading specific product initiatives.

📝 Enhancement Note: The role is not just about executing designs but about building the design function itself. The candidate will have a unique opportunity to define processes, culture, and foundational design elements, making it an attractive role for ambitious designers looking to make a significant impact early in a company's growth trajectory.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The job is listed as "TELECOMMUTE" with derived "On-site" status, indicating a preference for an on-site presence in Brooklyn, Ohio, despite the initial "TELECOMMUTE" classification. This suggests a hybrid or primarily office-based work environment.

Office Location(s): Brooklyn, Ohio, United States. This location is a suburb of Cleveland, offering a specific regional context for the work environment.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Hub: The office environment is expected to foster close collaboration between designers, engineers, and GTM teams, supporting the company's value of "product thinking" for everyone.

• Tools & Technology: Access to modern design tools, likely including Figma, and the latest AI technologies will be integral to the daily workflow.

• Team Interaction: Opportunities for direct interaction and brainstorming sessions with a small, dedicated team, including the Lead Product Designer and founders, are inherent to the startup culture.

Work Schedule: While the company expects "more than 9 to 5" and emphasizes "raw hours," they also promote flexibility. This implies a results-oriented environment where individuals can manage their schedules, provided they meet project demands and deliver high-quality work efficiently. The company encourages time off to recharge.

📝 Enhancement Note: The discrepancy between "TELECOMMUTE" and "On-site" derived status needs clarification. Assuming it's an on-site or hybrid role, the environment is likely fast-paced and highly collaborative, typical of an early-stage startup. The emphasis on flexibility within a demanding schedule is a key aspect of their work arrangement.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A review of your resume and portfolio to assess foundational skills, experience, and alignment with the role's requirements.

• Portfolio Presentation & Discussion: A deep dive into selected portfolio projects. Be prepared to walk through your design process, rationale, challenges, and outcomes. Focus on how you addressed the specific needs of the project and the impact of your design.

• Cross-functional Interview: Discussion with engineering and GTM team members to assess collaboration style, communication skills, and ability to work in a fast-paced, ambiguous environment.

• Founder/Leadership Interview: A conversation with one or more of the company's co-founders to discuss your product intuition, cultural fit, and long-term vision for design at Pogo.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Show, Don't Just Tell: Use visual aids and case studies to illustrate your process, not just describe it.

• Focus on Impact: Quantify your achievements whenever possible. Highlight how your designs solved problems, improved metrics (e.g., user engagement, conversion rates), or contributed to business goals.

• Demonstrate Process: Clearly articulate your design thinking, from problem definition to user research, ideation, prototyping, testing, and iteration.

• Highlight Startup Fit: Include projects that show your ability to work efficiently, make trade-offs, and deliver results in fast-paced or ambiguous situations. Showcase your experience with Figma and LLMs.

• Design System Examples: If you have experience building or contributing to design systems, showcase these elements prominently.

Challenge Preparation:

• Design Exercise: Be prepared for a design challenge or take-home assignment that tests your ability to solve a problem quickly and effectively, often within a limited scope. This might involve designing a new feature or improving an existing one.

• "Calculated Speed" Mindset: Approach any challenge with an understanding of the company's value for speed and iteration. Show how you can deliver a high-quality, well-reasoned solution rapidly, acknowledging potential future iterations.

• LLM Integration: Be ready to discuss how you leverage AI tools like ChatGPT or Claude in your design workflow to enhance efficiency and ideation.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process emphasizes practical application, strategic thinking, and cultural fit. The candidate's ability to articulate their design process, demonstrate impact, and showcase comfort with rapid iteration and ambiguity will be critical. The portfolio must clearly reflect the "full-stack designer" expectation and experience with modern tools and AI.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Figma: This is the core design tool and a critical requirement. Proficiency should extend to advanced features for prototyping, design systems, and collaborative workflows.

• Prototyping Tools: While Figma has robust prototyping capabilities, familiarity with other tools like InVision, Principle, or ProtoPie might be beneficial for specific interaction designs.

• LLMs (ChatGPT, Claude): Actively using AI models for design ideation, content generation, research synthesis, or other workflow enhancements is a required skill.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Product Analytics Tools: Familiarity with tools like Amplitude, Mixpanel, or Google Analytics for understanding user behavior, tracking key metrics, and informing design decisions.

• Data Visualization Tools: While not explicitly mentioned, the nature of a "consumer insights product" suggests that exposure to or ability to work with data visualization principles and tools would be advantageous.

CRM & Automation:

• Project Management Tools: Experience with tools like Jira, Asana, or Trello for managing design tasks, tracking progress, and collaborating with engineering teams.

• Communication Tools: Proficiency in Slack or similar platforms for real-time cross-functional communication.

📝 Enhancement Note: The explicit mention of Figma and LLMs (ChatGPT, Claude) as required skills indicates these are central to the role's daily operations. The focus on analytics suggests a data-informed design approach is expected.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Calculated Speed: Prioritizing rapid iteration, weekly shipping, and experimentation over lengthy, complex processes. Making pragmatic decisions and taking calculated risks.

• Product Obsession: A deep commitment to product thinking and user experience across the entire organization, not just within the product team.

• High Design Bar: A strong emphasis on design quality, polish, and attention to detail in all aspects of the product.

• Collaboration & Transparency: Working closely with engineering and GTM teams, valuing open communication and shared understanding.

• Data-Informed: Utilizing user data and analytics to guide product decisions and validate design effectiveness.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-functional Integration: Designers are expected to work hand-in-hand with engineers and GTM teams, acting as integral members of product development squads.

• Feedback Loops: Embracing quick, iterative feedback from users and colleagues to refine designs and product direction.

• Shared Ownership: A culture where everyone is encouraged to think like a product owner, fostering a sense of collective responsibility for product success.

📝 Enhancement Note: The company's values are clearly articulated and directly influence the day-to-day work environment. The emphasis on "Calculated Speed" and "Product Obsession" are key cultural pillars that candidates should be prepared to embrace.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Ambiguity and Rapid Pivots: Navigating a fast-paced startup environment where priorities can shift quickly and problems may lack clear-cut solutions.

• Limited Design Resources: Working as one of only two designers, meaning less specialized support (e.g., dedicated user researchers) and a need for self-sufficiency.

• Balancing Speed and Quality: The "Calculated Speed" value requires constant balancing between shipping quickly and maintaining a high standard of design quality and long-term product vision.

• Enterprise vs. Consumer Design: Designing for both a sophisticated B2B platform and a large consumer app, requiring an understanding of distinct user needs and design considerations.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Design System Leadership: Opportunity to significantly shape and grow the company's design system, a high-impact project.

• Mentorship under Lead Designer: Direct learning from an experienced designer from companies like Figma, Slack, and Glean.

• Exposure to AI/LLM Design: Gaining hands-on experience designing with cutting-edge AI technologies.

• Strategic Product Influence: Contributing directly to product roadmap and strategy discussions, offering a broader business perspective.

• Rapid Iteration Experience: Developing agility and efficiency in design processes through frequent product launches and feedback cycles.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges presented are typical of early-stage startups but are framed as opportunities for growth and skill development, particularly in areas like adaptability, strategic thinking, and leadership.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you had to make significant design trade-offs to meet a tight deadline. How did you approach it, and what was the outcome?" (Focus on "Calculated Speed" and pragmatic decision-making).

• "How would you approach designing an AI-powered feature for our consumer insights platform? What are the key considerations for user trust and interaction?" (Assess understanding of AI interactions and B2B context).

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What excites you most about Pogo's mission and our approach to product development?" (Gauge research and cultural alignment).

• "How do you stay current with design trends and emerging technologies like AI and LLMs?" (Assess continuous learning and proactive engagement).

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure: For each project, clearly present the problem, your role, the process, the solution, and the impact. Use visual storytelling.

• Impact Metrics: Quantify the success of your designs with data whenever possible. If direct metrics aren't available, discuss anticipated impact or user feedback received.

• Figma & LLM Showcase: Explicitly mention and, if possible, demonstrate how you utilized Figma's advanced features and LLMs within your workflow for specific projects.

• Design System Contribution: If applicable, dedicate a section to showcasing your contributions to design systems, highlighting component libraries, style guides, and governance.

• Startup Mindset: Frame your problem-solving approach with an understanding of rapid iteration and the need for pragmatic solutions, aligning with the "Calculated Speed" value.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation should focus on demonstrating alignment with Pogo's core values (Calculated Speed, Product Obsession) and showcasing practical experience with their expected tools and methodologies (Figma, LLMs, rapid iteration).

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Product Designer position:

• Submit your application through the provided link for Pogo Technologies.

• Portfolio Customization: Tailor your portfolio to highlight projects demonstrating end-to-end design for software products, ideally B2B or complex platforms. Explicitly showcase your Figma proficiency and experience integrating LLMs into your design workflow.

• Resume Optimization: Ensure your resume clearly articulates your 1-4 years of design experience, emphasizing achievements and skills relevant to UI/UX, design systems, rapid iteration, and cross-functional collaboration. Use keywords like "Figma," "LLMs," "B2B design," and "design systems."

• Interview Preparation: Practice articulating your design process, rationale, and impact with specific examples. Be ready to discuss how you embody "Calculated Speed" and your approach to working in a fast-paced, ambiguous startup environment. Prepare to present a case study showcasing your full-stack design capabilities.

• Company Research: Thoroughly research Pogo Technologies, their product, and their stated values. Understand their focus on consumer insights, AI, and their "Calculated Speed" methodology to demonstrate genuine interest and cultural fit.

⚠️ 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.