Product Designer

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Product Designer

Company: Sama

Location: Portugal

Job Type: CONTRACTOR

Category: Product Design / GTM Operations

Date Posted: 2026-09-14

Experience Level: 3-5 Years

Remote Status: Fully Remote

🚀 Role Summary

• This role is a hybrid of Product Design and GTM (Go-To-Market) Operations, focusing on creating seamless user experiences within a SaaS platform and ensuring brand consistency across customer-facing materials.

• You will own the end-to-end design process for key product features, translating user needs and business objectives into intuitive and engaging interfaces.

• A significant component involves collaborating with marketing and sales teams to develop assets that support customer acquisition and retention, such as landing pages, sales decks, and campaign visuals.

• The position requires an entrepreneurial mindset, comfort with ambiguity, and a strong bias for action, fitting for a contractor role within a growing startup environment.

📝 Enhancement Note: The role is defined as a Product Designer but explicitly includes responsibilities traditionally associated with GTM Operations, particularly in marketing and sales collateral design. This hybrid nature suggests a need for a candidate who can bridge product development with commercial success through design. The contractor status and compensation structure (retainer + project-based) further emphasize a project-oriented, results-driven approach.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Lead the end-to-end product design lifecycle for assigned features, from initial discovery and user research through to final delivery and iteration.

• Develop wireframes, user flows, high-fidelity mockups, and interactive prototypes to effectively communicate design concepts and solutions.

• Conduct user research and usability testing to gather insights, validate design decisions, and ensure a user-centered approach.

• Collaborate closely with Product Managers and Engineering teams to ensure designs are technically feasible and aligned with product strategy.

• Contribute to the development, maintenance, and evolution of the company's design system to ensure consistency, scalability, and efficiency across all product touchpoints.

• Design marketing collateral, including landing pages, advertisements, and campaign assets, ensuring alignment with the product brand and overall visual storytelling.

• Support the sales team by creating design assets for presentations, one-pagers, and other collateral to enhance sales effectiveness.

• Maintain brand cohesion and a consistent user experience across the digital product, website, and all sales-related materials.

📝 Enhancement Note: Given the "part time/contract basis" and the emphasis on both product and marketing/sales design, the responsibilities are structured to reflect a dual focus. The "ownership" of design areas implies a high degree of autonomy expected from the candidate.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: While no specific degree is mandated, a background in Design, Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), or a related field is highly beneficial. Equivalent practical experience will be strongly considered.

Experience: 3-5 years of professional experience in Product Design, with a strong preference for experience within SaaS companies and start-up environments. Experience in marketing design, branding, or motion graphics is also highly valued.

Required Skills:

• Proven experience in end-to-end product design, including user research, wireframing, prototyping, and high-fidelity mockups.

• Proficiency in Figma or equivalent industry-standard design and prototyping tools.

• Strong portfolio showcasing user-centered design principles, a solid visual design aesthetic, and successful product implementations.

• Experience designing for responsive web and/or mobile applications.

• Understanding of design systems, component-driven design, and their application in creating scalable solutions.

• Ability to collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams, including Product Managers and Engineers.

• Experience designing marketing materials and ensuring brand consistency across various channels. Preferred Skills:

• Experience with motion graphics and animation in design.

• Familiarity with user research methodologies and usability testing frameworks.

• Background in branding and visual identity development.

• Experience working in fast-paced, agile start-up environments with limited structure.

• Understanding of Go-To-Market (GTM) strategies and how design supports sales and marketing objectives.

📝 Enhancement Note: The experience level "2-5" from the AI data is refined to "3-5 Years" based on the explicit requirement of "3–5 years of professional experience" in the job description. The educational requirement is inferred to be flexible given the emphasis on portfolio and experience in startup environments.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A comprehensive portfolio demonstrating a strong command of user-centered design principles across the entire design lifecycle, from discovery to delivery.

• Case studies that clearly articulate the problem, your design process, the solutions you implemented, and the measurable impact on user experience and business goals.

• Examples of designing for SaaS products, highlighting your understanding of B2B user needs and workflows.

• Visual design examples that showcase a strong aesthetic, brand consistency, and an ability to create engaging marketing and sales collateral.

• Evidence of designing responsive web and/or mobile applications, demonstrating adaptability across platforms. Process Documentation:

• Showcase your ability to translate user needs, business goals, and technical constraints into elegant and effective design solutions.

• Demonstrate your experience in creating and maintaining design systems, including component libraries and style guides, for consistency and scalability.

• Provide examples of how you have collaborated with Product Managers and Engineers to bring designs to life, highlighting your understanding of agile development workflows.

• Illustrate your approach to user research and usability testing, detailing how insights informed your design iterations and improved user outcomes.

📝 Enhancement Note: Given the role's blend of product and GTM design, the portfolio requirements are specified to reflect both aspects. The emphasis on "end-to-end design," "design systems," and "measurable impact" are key indicators for operations-minded candidates.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

• Retainer: $1,500 USD per month.

• Project-Based Compensation: Additional compensation will be provided based on the scope, complexity, and involvement required for specific projects. Project fees will vary. Benefits:

• Remote work: Enjoy the flexibility of working from anywhere within Europe, with a specific focus on Portugal.

• Growth Opportunities: Significant potential for professional development and advancement as the company expands.

• Professional Coaching Access: Access to professional coaching through the Sama app.

• Regular Training and Development: Opportunities for continuous learning and skill enhancement. Working Hours:

• The role is described as part-time/contract, with an AI-derived estimate of 40 hours per week, suggesting a full-time equivalent expectation for project delivery, though flexibility is implied. The specific weekly commitment will likely vary based on project scope.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary structure is a hybrid model: a fixed monthly retainer for general availability and ongoing work, supplemented by project-based fees. This is common for contract roles where workload can fluctuate. The retainer amount of $1,500/month for a contractor with 3-5 years of experience in Portugal suggests a part-time commitment or a rate that is below the market average for full-time, experienced designers in Western Europe. Research for Portugal suggests a monthly salary for a Product Designer can range from €2,500 to €4,500+ (approx. $2,700 - $4,900 USD), depending on experience, location within Portugal, and company type. The $1,500 retainer might be for a limited number of hours or a base availability fee, with significant additional earnings expected from project work.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: B2B SaaS (Software as a Service) platform focused on professional development and employee coaching. The company operates in the future of work and corporate development space.

Company Size: While not explicitly stated, the mention of a "growing team" and a "contract basis" role suggests a dynamic, potentially early-stage or rapidly scaling startup environment. The presence of a design system and cross-functional teams implies a degree of established operational maturity.

Founded: The founding date is not provided, but the company's mission to "build the future of work" and its focus on a user-friendly app (sama.io) indicate a forward-thinking, tech-centric organization.

Team Structure:

• The Product Design role will likely be part of a Product or Engineering team, collaborating closely with Product Managers and Engineers.

• There is also a strong emphasis on cross-functional collaboration with Marketing and Sales teams, indicating a highly integrated GTM approach.

• As a contractor, you will be expected to operate with a high degree of autonomy within these collaborative structures. Methodology:

• The company emphasizes a user-centered design approach, incorporating user research and usability testing to inform product development.

• There's a clear focus on building and leveraging a design system for consistency and efficiency.

• The mention of "limited structure and processes" suggests an agile and adaptable operational methodology, common in startups, where individuals are empowered to define and improve processes.

Company Website: sama.com

📝 Enhancement Note: The company culture is described as entrepreneurial, autonomous, and action-oriented, with a tolerance for ambiguity. This is typical for startups aiming for rapid growth and innovation. The "think like owners" mentality is a key cultural indicator.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is positioned as an experienced individual contributor (Product Designer) with a dual focus on product and GTM support. It offers the opportunity to gain broad experience across different design disciplines within a growing company.

Reporting Structure: As a contractor, you will likely report to a Design Lead, Product Lead, or Head of Product, with direct collaboration across Product Management, Engineering, Marketing, and Sales.

Operations Impact: The role has a direct impact on user engagement with the core product and on the effectiveness of customer acquisition and retention efforts through marketing and sales collateral. Your work will be critical in shaping both the user experience and the company's external brand perception.

Growth Opportunities:

• Skill Expansion: Deepen expertise in SaaS product design while also developing skills in marketing design, branding, and visual storytelling.

• Process Improvement: Contribute to defining and refining design processes within a less structured startup environment, potentially leading to more formal roles.

• Portfolio Development: Build a robust portfolio with end-to-end product design case studies and impactful GTM design examples.

• Leadership Potential: For high-performing contractors, there may be opportunities for increased project scope, longer-term engagement, or even a transition to a full-time role as the company scales.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "growth opportunities" are framed around skill development and portfolio enhancement, which are crucial for a contractor role. The potential for increased scope or a transition to full-time employment is a common trajectory for successful contractors in growing companies.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: This is a fully remote position, with the primary work location being Portugal, but open to candidates across Europe.

Office Location(s): While remote, the role is tied to Portugal, suggesting potential alignment with European time zones and operations. The company is open to candidates across Europe.

Workspace Context:

• Flexibility: Work from your preferred location, offering a high degree of autonomy.

• Technology: Access to modern design tools like Figma is expected, and the company provides its own coaching app.

• Collaboration: While remote, expect frequent virtual collaboration through digital tools with product, engineering, marketing, and sales teams.

Work Schedule: As a contractor, the work schedule is expected to be flexible but project-driven. While an AI-derived estimate suggests 40 hours/week, actual hours may fluctuate based on project demands. Clear communication regarding availability and deadlines will be crucial.

📝 Enhancement Note: The remote nature and the specific mention of Portugal as a primary location suggest the company may have some operational or legal ties to the region, or it's a convenient hub for talent acquisition. Candidates should be mindful of time zone alignment for effective collaboration.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: Review of application, resume, and portfolio to assess basic qualifications and experience.

• Portfolio Presentation/Review: A dedicated session where you will walk through selected case studies from your portfolio, explaining your design process, rationale, and outcomes. Be prepared to discuss your contributions to both product and GTM design.

• Skills Assessment: Potentially a design challenge or a discussion focused on problem-solving specific to product or marketing design scenarios. This might involve evaluating your approach to a hypothetical problem or critiquing an existing design.

• Cross-functional Interviews: Discussions with Product Managers, Engineers, and potentially Marketing/Sales stakeholders to assess collaboration skills, communication, and cultural fit.

• Final Interview: May involve a deeper dive into your entrepreneurial mindset, autonomy, and ability to thrive in a less structured environment.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select 3-4 strong case studies that best represent your skills in both product design (SaaS preferred) and marketing/sales collateral design.

• Focus on Process & Impact: Clearly articulate the problem, your design process, your specific contributions, the tools used, and the measurable results or impact achieved. Quantify where possible.

• Highlight GTM Integration: Explicitly show how your design work supports business objectives, particularly in marketing and sales contexts.

• Showcase Figma Proficiency: Ensure your prototypes are interactive and your Figma files demonstrate organized layers and component usage if requested.

• Tell a Story: Present your case studies as narratives that demonstrate your problem-solving abilities and your impact.

Challenge Preparation:

• Understand the Business: Research Sama's product (sama.io), target audience, and mission.

• Design Thinking: Be ready to discuss your approach to design problems, from user empathy to ideation and testing.

• Lean/Agile: Prepare to discuss how you work within agile methodologies and with limited structure.

• GTM Awareness: Consider how design contributes to lead generation, conversion rates, and brand perception.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on a contractor role and a startup environment suggests that interviewers will heavily scrutinize the candidate's ability to be autonomous, proactive, and results-oriented. The portfolio review will be critical, so candidates should prepare to defend their design decisions and demonstrate tangible impact.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Figma: This is explicitly mentioned as a required proficiency for design and prototyping. Candidates should be experts in its features, including collaborative editing, component libraries, prototyping, and design system integration.

• Design Systems: Understanding and experience in creating, contributing to, or utilizing design systems is crucial for maintaining consistency and scalability.

• Prototyping Tools: Beyond Figma, familiarity with other prototyping tools that facilitate interactive user flows and testing would be advantageous.

Analytics & Reporting:

• While not explicitly listed for the designer, understanding how design impacts user behavior metrics (e.g., conversion rates, engagement, task completion) is essential. Familiarity with analytics platforms (like Google Analytics, Mixpanel, Amplitude) from a design perspective is a plus. CRM & Automation:

• Experience with design tools that integrate with or support CRM and marketing automation platforms (e.g., designing landing pages for HubSpot, Mailchimp) would be beneficial for the GTM aspect of the role.

📝 Enhancement Note: The explicit mention of Figma positions it as the core design tool. The "design system" requirement highlights the need for a structured approach to design, which is a hallmark of efficient operations.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Entrepreneurial Mindset: Taking ownership, acting like an owner, and proactively identifying and solving problems.

• Autonomy & Structure Tolerance: Thriving in environments with less defined processes and taking initiative.

• Bias for Action: A "doer" mentality, prioritizing execution and moving forward with tasks and projects.

• Curiosity: A strong desire to learn, explore new ideas, and understand user needs and business challenges deeply.

• Detail-Oriented: Meticulous attention to detail in design execution and process.

• Openness & Trustworthiness: Fostering a transparent and reliable working relationship.

• Commitment: Dedication to delivering high-quality work and achieving project goals.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-functional Integration: Seamless collaboration with Product, Engineering, Marketing, and Sales teams to achieve shared objectives.

• Proactive Communication: Regularly sharing updates, seeking feedback, and raising potential issues.

• Team Player: Working effectively with others towards common goals, supporting team members, and contributing to a positive team dynamic.

📝 Enhancement Note: The values are heavily weighted towards a startup mentality—self-starters who are comfortable with ambiguity and driven by results. This is critical for a contractor role where direct oversight may be limited.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Navigating Ambiguity: Working in a startup environment with "limited structure and processes" requires adaptability and the ability to define your own workflows.

• Balancing Product & GTM Needs: Effectively switching between deep product design thinking and the demands of creating marketing and sales collateral.

• Remote Collaboration: Maintaining strong communication and collaboration with distributed teams across different time zones.

• Project Scope Management: Managing workload and expectations effectively within a contract framework, balancing retainer availability with project-specific demands.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Broad Design Exposure: Gain experience across the full spectrum of design, from user interface and user experience to marketing and branding.

• Startup Operations: Learn how design functions within a fast-paced, scaling startup, contributing to process definition.

• Networking: Build relationships with professionals in Product, Engineering, Marketing, and Sales within a growing company.

• Professional Coaching: Utilize the company's coaching services for personal and professional growth.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges are framed as opportunities for growth, aligning with the company's value of tackling new challenges head-on. The learning opportunities are specifically tied to the unique environment of a startup and a hybrid design role.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you owned end-to-end product design for a significant feature. What was your process, and what was the outcome?" (Focus on your process, decision-making, and impact.)

• "How do you approach balancing user needs, business goals, and technical constraints in your designs?" (Demonstrate your strategic thinking and problem-solving skills.)

• "Can you walk us through a complex design system you've worked with or helped build? What were the key components and challenges?" (Highlight your understanding of scalability and consistency.)

• "How would you approach designing a landing page for a new feature to maximize conversion for a B2B SaaS product?" (Showcase your GTM design thinking.) Company & Culture Questions:

• "What interests you about Sama and our mission to build the future of work?" (Research the company thoroughly and connect your values to theirs.)

• "Describe your experience working in a startup environment with limited structure. How do you thrive in such settings?" (Emphasize your autonomy, bias for action, and comfort with ambiguity.)

• "How do you handle feedback on your designs, especially from non-designers like Product Managers or Sales representatives?" (Demonstrate your collaborative and receptive approach.) Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

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

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

• Visual Clarity: Ensure your presentation slides are clean, visually appealing, and easy to follow, reflecting your design skills.

• Be Ready for Deep Dives: Anticipate questions about specific design choices, trade-offs, and alternative solutions you considered.

• Showcase GTM Examples: If you have marketing/sales collateral in your portfolio, be prepared to explain the strategic intent and design rationale behind it.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview preparation focuses on demonstrating a blend of strong product design skills, GTM awareness, and the cultural fit required for a startup contractor. The portfolio is the central piece of evidence.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this operations position:

• Submit your application through the provided link on Workable.

• Curate Your Portfolio: Select 3-4 high-impact case studies that showcase your end-to-end product design experience within SaaS, alongside any relevant marketing or sales collateral design. Ensure each case study clearly outlines the problem, your process, your specific contributions, and the measurable outcomes.

• Tailor Your Resume: Highlight keywords from the job description, such as "Product Design," "SaaS," "Figma," "Design Systems," "User Research," "Marketing Design," and "Startup Experience." Quantify achievements where possible.

• Prepare Your Presentation: Practice walking through your portfolio case studies concisely and compellingly, focusing on your process, rationale, and impact. Be ready to discuss your entrepreneurial mindset and ability to work autonomously.

• Research Sama: Understand their product (sama.io), mission, and target audience. Familiarize yourself with their brand and visual identity to demonstrate your alignment.

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

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