Product Designer

RebelDot
Full-timeβ€’Cluj-Napoca, Romania

πŸ“ Job Overview

Job Title: Product Designer

Company: RebelDot

Location: Cluj-Napoca, BraΘ™ov, Oradea, Romania

Job Type: FULL_TIME

Category: Product Design / UX Design

Date Posted: 2026-08-11

Experience Level: 5-10 years (Senior)

Remote Status: Hybrid

πŸš€ Role Summary

  • End-to-End UX Ownership: Spearhead the entire UX process from user research and complex workflow analysis to the delivery of polished, user-centric designs.

  • Complex Product Design: Tackle intricate product challenges, focusing on turning business objectives and user needs into intuitive and seamless experiences.

  • AI-Augmented Design Workflow: Integrate agentic AI tools (e.g., Claude, Figma Make, Lovable, Codex, MCP connectors) to enhance exploration, synthesis, and prototyping speed while maintaining design quality.

  • Cross-Functional Collaboration & Client Engagement: Work collaboratively with product managers, engineers, and directly with clients across diverse verticals, requiring adaptability and strong communication skills.

  • Design System Stewardship: Contribute to and leverage robust design systems, ensuring scalability and consistency of components, tokens, and patterns.

  • Mentorship & Design Leadership: Actively mentor junior designers, share best practices, and contribute to the evolution of RebelDot's design culture and internal processes.

πŸ“ˆ Primary Responsibilities

  • Lead the complete UX lifecycle, from initial user research and defining complex user flows to creating wireframes, interactive prototypes, and preparing dev-ready handoffs.

  • Drive design strategy by challenging assumptions, asking critical questions, and ensuring both user needs and business goals are met with clarity and precision.

  • Leverage AI tools within the design process to accelerate research synthesis, ideation, validation, and prototyping, ensuring efficient yet high-quality output.

  • Collaborate closely with product managers and engineering teams to ensure designs are technically feasible, strategically aligned, and deliver meaningful user value within project timelines.

  • Engage directly with clients in workshops and conversations, acting as the UX voice to shape project vision, define problems, and guide solutions effectively.

  • Develop, maintain, and advocate for scalable design systems, treating them as a product that empowers the entire team.

  • Mentor and provide constructive feedback to other designers, fostering their growth and contributing to a culture of continuous learning and improvement.

  • Adopt a consultant's mindset, focusing on outcomes, guiding stakeholders towards better decisions, and effectively managing pushback and simplification.

  • Demonstrate strong self-management skills, knowing when to seek guidance, when to make independent decisions, and how to navigate ambiguity to keep projects moving forward.

  • Adapt design approaches and workflows to suit the specific needs and rhythms of various business verticals and client engagements.

  • Contribute to the advancement of internal design processes, methodologies, and team-wide initiatives aimed at enhancing efficiency and upskilling the team.

πŸŽ“ Skills & Qualifications

Education:

  • While no specific degree is mandated, a strong portfolio demonstrating equivalent practical experience and a deep understanding of UX principles, design thinking, and modern design methodologies is essential. Experience:

  • Minimum of 5 years of dedicated UX design experience, with at least 1-2 years in roles requiring close collaboration within cross-functional teams.

  • Proven track record of successfully designing and shipping complex products and integrated systems.

  • Demonstrated experience in defining UX strategy, information architecture, and creating scalable design patterns across diverse digital ecosystems. Required Skills:

  • End-to-End UX Design: Mastery of user research methodologies (interviews, surveys, usability testing), information architecture, wireframing, prototyping, and interaction design.

  • AI Tool Fluency: Practical experience and comfort using agentic AI tools (e.g., Claude, Figma Make, Lovable, Codex, MCP connectors) to augment the design process.

  • Design Systems: Deep understanding of building, maintaining, and scaling design systems, including component libraries, design tokens, and pattern definition.

  • Cross-Functional Collaboration: Proven ability to work effectively with Product Managers, Engineers, and other stakeholders, translating complex requirements into actionable design solutions.

  • Communication & Facilitation: Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to articulate complex design concepts simply, lead workshops, and facilitate productive discussions.

  • Consultative Approach: Ability to understand business objectives, challenge assumptions, and guide clients and internal teams towards optimal design and product decisions.

  • Self-Direction & Ownership: Strong ability to self-manage workload, prioritize tasks, and drive projects forward independently, especially in ambiguous environments.

Preferred Skills:

  • Experience in defining and executing UX strategy.

  • Foundational knowledge of usability testing principles, heuristics evaluation, and accessibility standards (WCAG).

  • Experience working directly with clients in a consulting or agency environment.

  • Exposure to and comfort with workshop facilitation for ideation and strategy sessions.

  • A proactive approach to mentorship and a desire to contribute to team growth.

πŸ“ Enhancement Note: The requirement for AI fluency suggests that candidates should be prepared to discuss specific examples of how they've integrated AI tools into their workflow to improve efficiency, explore more design possibilities, or accelerate validation processes. This is a key differentiator for this role.

πŸ“Š Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

  • Comprehensive Case Studies: Showcase 2-3 in-depth case studies detailing your end-to-end UX ownership on complex projects. Each case study should clearly articulate the problem, your process, the solutions, and the measurable impact.

  • Process Documentation: For each case study, highlight your UX methodology, including user research techniques, ideation methods, wireframing, prototyping, and user testing. Demonstrate how you navigated complexity and edge cases.

  • System Design Examples: Include examples of your work with design systems, showcasing your understanding of component libraries, design tokens, and pattern creation/usage.

  • AI Integration Showcase: If possible, dedicate a section or integrate within case studies how you utilized AI tools to enhance your design process, research synthesis, or ideation.

  • Collaboration & Communication Evidence: Demonstrate instances where you collaborated effectively with cross-functional teams and clients, perhaps through workshop outputs or communication artifacts.

Process Documentation:

  • Candidates are expected to detail their systematic approach to user research, including planning, execution, and synthesis.

  • The portfolio should illustrate how designs are iterated upon based on feedback, testing, and evolving business requirements, emphasizing a lean and agile workflow.

  • Demonstrate proficiency in translating business goals and user needs into logical, scalable, and technically feasible design solutions.

πŸ“ Enhancement Note: Given the emphasis on complex workflows and AI integration, the portfolio should not just present final screens but heavily focus on the process and thinking behind the design decisions, including how AI tools were leveraged to overcome challenges or improve efficiency.

πŸ’΅ Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

  • Based on industry benchmarks for Senior Product Designers with 5-10 years of experience in Romania, particularly in tech hubs like Cluj-Napoca, BraΘ™ov, and Oradea, the estimated salary range for this position is between 12,000 RON and 20,000 RON gross per month. This range can vary based on the candidate's specific experience, portfolio strength, and negotiation. Benefits:

  • Competitive Salary: As outlined above, reflecting senior-level expertise.

  • Hybrid Work Model: Flexibility to balance remote work with in-office collaboration.

  • Professional Development: Opportunities for continuous learning, skill enhancement, and access to industry conferences and training.

  • Mentorship Programs: Structured opportunities to mentor others and receive mentorship from senior team members.

  • Design Culture: A collaborative environment focused on innovation, continuous improvement, and knowledge sharing.

  • Project Variety: Exposure to diverse client projects across multiple business verticals.

  • Standard Romanian Benefits: Including paid annual leave, healthcare contributions, and other statutory benefits.

Working Hours:

  • Standard full-time working hours, typically around 40 hours per week. RebelDot likely offers flexibility within this structure to accommodate project needs and individual work rhythms.

πŸ“ Enhancement Note: The salary estimate is based on market data for senior UX/Product Design roles in Romania, considering the company's location in major tech cities and the senior nature of the role. It's crucial for candidates to research current market rates for their specific experience level and location within Romania.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏒 Company Culture

Industry: Technology / Digital Product Development / Consulting

Company Size: RebelDot is a growing company, likely falling within the 50-250 employee range based on typical teamtailor ATS usage for such roles. This size offers a balance of established processes and the agility to effect change.

Founded: RebelDot was founded in 2014, indicating a decade of experience in the industry, suggesting a stable and experienced organization with a developed understanding of client needs and product development lifecycles.

Team Structure:

  • Design Team: The role implies a dedicated design team, likely comprising UX designers, UI designers, and potentially researchers. The senior designer will play a key role in mentoring and shaping this team's practices.

  • Reporting: The Senior Product Designer will likely report to a Head of Design, Design Lead, or potentially a senior Product Manager, depending on the project structure.

  • Cross-Functional Integration: Expect to work closely with dedicated Product Managers and Engineering teams (front-end and back-end developers) on a daily basis. Client collaboration is also a significant component.

Methodology:

  • Agile & Iterative: RebelDot likely employs agile methodologies, emphasizing iterative development and continuous feedback loops.

  • Data-Informed Design: While user-centricity is paramount, expect decisions to be informed by data, user research, and business analytics.

  • AI Integration: A forward-thinking approach that incorporates AI tools to enhance efficiency, exploration, and synthesis within the design and development process.

  • Client-Centricity: A strong focus on understanding and meeting client business objectives and user needs through effective product design.

Company Website: https://careers.rebeldot.com

πŸ“ Enhancement Note: The company's founding date and growth trajectory suggest a mature yet dynamic organization. The emphasis on AI and cross-functional work indicates a modern approach to product development.

πŸ“ˆ Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: Senior Product Designer. This level signifies a high degree of autonomy, expertise, and responsibility. The individual is expected to lead design initiatives, mentor junior team members, and influence product strategy, moving beyond execution to strategic contribution.

Reporting Structure: Typically reports to a Design Lead, Head of Design, or a Senior Product Manager. May also have informal reporting lines or advisory roles to project teams.

Operations Impact: This role has a direct impact on the success of digital products by ensuring they are user-friendly, valuable, and aligned with business objectives. The designer's work influences user adoption, engagement, conversion rates, and ultimately, client satisfaction and revenue generation.

Growth Opportunities:

  • Lead Design Roles: Progression to Lead Product Designer, Head of Design, or Director of Product Design positions, managing larger teams and strategic design initiatives.

  • Specialization: Deepen expertise in specific areas like UX strategy, design systems architecture, AI in design, or user research leadership.

  • Consulting Expertise: Develop advanced client-facing skills, becoming a key consultant for strategic product vision and design.

  • Internal Process Improvement: Lead initiatives to refine and innovate RebelDot's design processes, tools, and methodologies.

  • Cross-Disciplinary Learning: Opportunities to gain deeper insights into product management, engineering, and business strategy through close collaboration.

πŸ“ Enhancement Note: The emphasis on mentorship and contributing to design culture suggests that RebelDot values internal growth and knowledge sharing, providing a strong foundation for career advancement within the company.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Hybrid. This model allows for a blend of focused individual work (potentially remote) and collaborative team sessions (in-office).

Office Location(s): Cluj-Napoca, BraΘ™ov, Oradea, Romania. This offers geographical flexibility for candidates within these regions.

Workspace Context:

  • Collaborative Spaces: Offices likely feature modern co-working spaces designed to foster collaboration, brainstorming, and team interaction.

  • Tooling: Access to industry-standard design software (Figma, Sketch, Adobe Creative Suite) and potentially specialized AI design tools. Reliable internet and necessary hardware will be provided.

  • Team Interaction: Regular opportunities for face-to-face interaction with design peers, product managers, and engineers, facilitating seamless communication and problem-solving.

  • Client Engagement: The role involves direct client interaction, which may occur remotely or in person, depending on project needs.

Work Schedule:

  • The hybrid model allows for flexibility in structuring the work week, with a typical expectation of core hours for team collaboration and availability. The focus is on delivering results rather than strict adherence to a 9-to-5 schedule.

πŸ“ Enhancement Note: The hybrid nature of the role in multiple Romanian cities suggests a company that embraces modern work practices, offering flexibility while ensuring opportunities for in-person collaboration crucial for complex design projects.

πŸ“„ Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

  • Initial Screening: A brief call with HR or a recruiter to assess basic qualifications, cultural fit, and salary expectations.

  • Portfolio Review & Technical Interview: A deep dive into your portfolio with a senior designer or design lead. Expect to walk through 1-2 complex case studies, explaining your process, decision-making, and the impact of your work. This stage will heavily assess your UX methodology and AI tool integration.

  • Cross-Functional Interview: A session with a Product Manager and/or Engineering Lead to evaluate your collaboration skills, understanding of technical constraints, and ability to translate business goals into design solutions.

  • Mentorship & Culture Fit: An interview focused on your approach to mentorship, team collaboration, and alignment with RebelDot's company values and culture.

  • Final Interview: Potentially with a senior leader (e.g., Head of Design) to discuss strategic thinking, leadership potential, and overall fit.

Portfolio Review Tips:

  • Structure Your Case Studies: Clearly define the problem, your role, the process (research, ideation, design, testing), your specific contributions, the challenges faced, and the measurable outcomes. Quantify impact whenever possible.

  • Highlight AI Integration: Explicitly showcase how you used AI tools. Detail the tools, the specific tasks they assisted with (e.g., generating research summaries, exploring design variations, drafting copy), and the benefits realized.

  • Demonstrate Complex Problem-Solving: Focus on projects with intricate workflows, edge cases, or challenging user journeys. Explain how you broke down complexity into manageable design solutions.

  • Showcase Design System Expertise: If applicable, include examples of your contributions to or usage of design systems, explaining your rationale for component design and pattern application.

  • Prepare for Questions: Anticipate questions about your design philosophy, how you handle feedback, your approach to accessibility, and your strategies for collaborating with non-designers.

Challenge Preparation:

  • While not explicitly mentioned, be prepared for potential design challenges. These could range from a take-home assignment to a live design exercise during an interview. Focus on demonstrating your problem-solving process, efficiency, and ability to articulate your thinking under pressure.

πŸ“ Enhancement Note: The emphasis on AI tools and complex workflows means candidates should be ready to articulate their strategic use of these elements and demonstrate how they contribute to efficiency and innovation in design.

πŸ›  Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

  • Design & Prototyping: Figma (highly probable due to industry trends and AI integrations), Sketch, Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator).

  • AI-Augmented Design: Claude, Figma Make, Lovable, Codex, MCP connectors, or similar agentic tools for research synthesis, ideation, content generation, and workflow automation.

  • User Research Platforms: Tools for surveys, interviews, and usability testing (e.g., UserTesting.com, Maze, Hotjar, SurveyMonkey).

Analytics & Reporting:

  • Familiarity with analytics platforms like Google Analytics, Amplitude, or Mixpanel to understand user behavior and product performance.

  • Experience with dashboarding tools (e.g., Tableau, Power BI, Looker Studio) for visualizing data and communicating insights. CRM & Automation:

  • While not core to the design role, understanding how design impacts CRM systems (like Salesforce) or marketing automation platforms (like HubSpot) can be beneficial for context.

  • Familiarity with project management tools such as Jira, Asana, Trello, or Monday.com for task tracking and collaboration.

πŸ“ Enhancement Note: Proficiency in Figma is almost a given. The key differentiator here is the explicit requirement for AI tool fluency, which candidates should highlight prominently.

πŸ‘₯ Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

  • User-Centricity: A deep commitment to understanding and advocating for the user's needs and experience.

  • Excellence & Craftsmanship: A drive for high-quality design, attention to detail, and continuous improvement of design skills.

  • Collaboration & Transparency: Open communication, knowledge sharing, and working effectively within cross-functional teams.

  • Innovation & Adaptability: Embracing new technologies (like AI), methodologies, and approaches to solve complex problems.

  • Ownership & Accountability: Taking responsibility for design outcomes and driving projects to successful completion.

  • Efficiency & Pragmatism: Balancing ideal design solutions with practical constraints, client goals, and project timelines.

Collaboration Style:

  • Integrated Teams: Design is not siloed but integrated into product development teams, working hand-in-hand with PMs and Engineers.

  • Proactive Communication: Regular check-ins, design reviews, and open channels for feedback.

  • Workshop Facilitation: Using collaborative sessions to align stakeholders, brainstorm ideas, and define product direction.

  • Mentorship & Peer Support: A culture where designers support each other's growth through knowledge sharing and constructive feedback.

πŸ“ Enhancement Note: RebelDot appears to foster a culture that values both high-quality design execution and effective teamwork, with a forward-looking stance on adopting new technologies like AI.

⚑ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

  • Navigating Complexity: Designing for intricate workflows and diverse business verticals requires strong analytical skills and the ability to simplify complex systems without losing critical functionality.

  • Balancing Stakeholder Needs: Effectively mediating between user needs, business objectives, technical constraints, and client expectations.

  • AI Integration Mastery: Staying ahead of the curve in leveraging AI tools effectively and ethically within the design process, while maintaining human judgment.

  • Remote/Hybrid Collaboration: Ensuring seamless communication and cohesive design output in a hybrid work environment across multiple locations.

  • Mentorship Demands: Balancing individual design contributions with the responsibility of mentoring and developing junior designers.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

  • AI in Design Workshops: Opportunities to deepen expertise in using cutting-edge AI tools for design.

  • Advanced UX Strategy Training: Formal or informal training in strategic design thinking and product visioning.

  • Client Management Skills: Developing consulting and stakeholder management expertise through direct client engagement.

  • Design System Leadership: Opportunities to take on more responsibility in the development and governance of design systems.

  • Industry Conferences & Certifications: Support for attending relevant design and technology events.

πŸ“ Enhancement Note: The role presents a significant opportunity for growth by tackling complex design problems with the aid of advanced AI tools, while also developing leadership and client-facing skills.

πŸ’‘ Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

  • "Describe a complex product or system you designed. What were the key challenges, how did you approach them, and what was the outcome?" (Focus on process, problem-solving, and impact).

  • "How do you integrate AI tools into your design workflow? Can you provide a specific example of how AI helped you achieve a better outcome or greater efficiency?" (Be ready to detail tools, tasks, and results).

  • "How do you balance user needs with business goals and technical feasibility when designing a product?" (Demonstrate strategic thinking and negotiation skills).

  • "Walk me through your process for developing or contributing to a design system. What are the key considerations for scalability and maintainability?" (Highlight your system thinking). Company & Culture Questions:

  • "What interests you about RebelDot and this particular role?" (Research their projects, values, and recent news).

  • "How do you approach mentoring junior designers? Can you share an example of a time you helped a designer grow?" (Showcase leadership and collaborative spirit).

  • "Describe your ideal team collaboration environment. How do you ensure effective communication in a hybrid setting?" (Align with their described culture).

  • "How do you stay updated with the latest trends in design and technology, especially concerning AI?" (Demonstrate continuous learning). Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

  • Narrative Arc: Structure your presentation around compelling stories for each case study, highlighting the journey from problem to solution.

  • Visual Clarity: Use high-quality visuals, clear annotations, and concise explanations. Ensure your AI integration is visually or textually evident.

  • Interactive Elements: Be prepared to zoom into specific screens, flows, or components. If presenting live, use interactive features of your tool.

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

  • Be Ready to Discuss: Anticipate questions about your design choices, alternative solutions considered, and the specific role of AI in your process.

πŸ“ Enhancement Note: Candidates should prepare to articulate not just what they designed, but why, and critically, how they leveraged AI tools to enhance their process and outcomes. This is a key differentiator for this role.

πŸ“Œ Application Steps

To apply for this Product Designer position:

  • Submit your application through the RebelDot careers portal via the provided link.

  • Curate Your Portfolio: Select 2-3 of your most relevant and complex case studies. Ensure they clearly demonstrate your end-to-end UX process, AI tool integration, design system experience, and cross-functional collaboration. Quantify results where possible.

  • Tailor Your Resume: Highlight keywords from the job description such as "UX Design," "Product Design," "User Research," "AI Tools," "Design Systems," "Figma," "Mentorship," and "Cross-functional Collaboration." Emphasize your years of experience and senior-level contributions.

  • Prepare Your Narrative: Practice walking through your portfolio case studies, focusing on storytelling, your problem-solving approach, and the strategic use of AI tools. Be ready to articulate your design philosophy and mentorship style.

  • Research RebelDot: Understand their company mission, values, client verticals, and recent projects. This will help you tailor your application and interview responses to demonstrate cultural fit and genuine interest.

⚠️ Important Notice: This enhanced job description includes AI-generated insights and operations industry-standard assumptions. All details should be verified directly with RebelDot before making application decisions.


Application Requirements

The role requires at least 5 years of UX experience, including a strong foundation in design systems, usability testing, and cross-functional collaboration. Candidates must demonstrate proficiency with AI-driven design tools and possess a consultant's mindset for navigating complex workflows.