Product Designer

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Product Designer

Company: Solstice

Location: New York City, New York, United States

Job Type: FULL_TIME

Category: Product Design / UX/UI

Date Posted: 2026-06-10

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

Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• Lead the end-to-end design process for Solstice’s core SaaS applications, from initial research and ideation through to high-fidelity delivery and iteration.

• Collaborate closely with cross-functional teams, including product managers and engineers, to translate complex biopharma marketing challenges into intuitive, user-friendly, and elegant digital product experiences.

• Drive user research initiatives, translate findings into actionable design improvements, and advocate for user-centric design principles across all product development cycles.

• Contribute to the establishment and evolution of design processes, tools, and best practices as an early and influential member of the design team.

📝 Enhancement Note: The role is explicitly for a Product Designer focused on digital applications within the life sciences and pharmaceutical marketing sector, leveraging AI technologies. The emphasis on "end-to-end design process" and "early design hire" suggests a role with significant autonomy and responsibility for shaping product direction and design standards. The requirement for operating "amidst ambiguity" and the "fast-paced, high-impact environment" points to a dynamic startup setting where adaptability and proactive problem-solving are key.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Spearhead the entire product design lifecycle for Solstice's core applications, encompassing user research, conceptualization, wireframing, interactive prototyping, user testing, and final design handoff to engineering.

• Partner with Product Management to deeply understand user needs, business objectives, and technical constraints, translating these into detailed user requirements and intuitive workflows.

• Develop comprehensive user flows, low-fidelity wireframes, interactive prototypes, and high-fidelity visual designs that clearly communicate product functionality and user experience.

• Proactively conduct user research, usability testing, and gather feedback from stakeholders and end-users to iteratively refine and enhance product designs, ensuring alignment with user goals and business outcomes.

• Champion user advocacy by consistently prioritizing user needs and contributing to the development and maintenance of a cohesive visual and interaction design language across the entire product suite.

• Strategically balance competing demands of business requirements, technical feasibility, and user experience goals to deliver optimal design solutions.

• Actively contribute to the ongoing development and refinement of internal design processes, standards, and tooling as a foundational member of the design team.

📝 Enhancement Note: The primary responsibilities highlight a full-stack design role, requiring hands-on execution from discovery to delivery. The emphasis on "advocating for the user" and "cohesive visual and interaction design language" indicates a need for strong design leadership and strategic thinking, even at a mid-level. The explicit mention of contributing to "design processes, tools, and best practices" as an "early design hire" suggests the role will involve establishing foundational design operations within the company.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: While no specific degree is mandated, a Bachelor's degree in Design, Human-Computer Interaction, Computer Science, or a related field, or equivalent practical experience, is highly recommended for foundational understanding of design principles and user-centered methodologies.

Experience: Minimum of 2-5 years of proven experience in digital product design, with a strong track record of successfully designing and launching complex digital products from initial concept through to market release within fast-paced, cross-disciplinary environments.

Required Skills:

• Demonstrated expertise in leading the end-to-end product design process for digital applications, from user research and ideation to prototyping and final delivery.

• A strong, comprehensive portfolio showcasing a diverse range of design projects, clearly illustrating your design process, problem-solving approach, and the measurable impact of your work on shipped products.

• High proficiency with industry-standard modern design and prototyping tools, specifically Figma; familiarity with Cursor and Claude Code/Design is also expected.

• Proven ability to operate autonomously, manage multiple projects effectively, and thrive in environments characterized by ambiguity and rapid change.

• Exceptional communication, presentation, and interpersonal skills, with a demonstrated ability to articulate design decisions, advocate for user needs, and collaborate effectively with diverse stakeholders.

• Deep-seated empathy for users, coupled with a passion for identifying and solving complex user problems through simple, elegant, and effective design solutions.

• A relentless focus on driving tangible business impact and a commitment to iterating on designs based on feedback and performance data. Preferred Skills:

• Prior experience designing and developing products within SaaS platforms.

• Familiarity with the specific nuances of designing for AI-driven applications and platforms.

• Experience working within the healthcare, pharmaceutical, or other regulated industries, understanding compliance and data privacy considerations.

• Exposure to agile development methodologies and cross-functional team collaboration within a tech startup environment.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "2-5 years" experience level is inferred from the "Mid-Level" AI classification. The "Bonus" section in the original description directly informs the preferred skills. The emphasis on a "strong portfolio" is critical for this role, indicating it will be a primary evaluation criterion.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A comprehensive digital portfolio that clearly articulates your design process, from initial problem definition and user research to iterative prototyping, user testing, and final design solutions.

• Case studies that demonstrate your ability to tackle complex challenges within fast-paced, cross-disciplinary environments, showcasing your problem-solving skills and strategic thinking.

• Examples of shipped products that highlight your direct contribution to user experience improvements and business impact, with quantifiable results where possible.

• Demonstrations of proficiency with modern design tools (e.g., Figma) and an understanding of how to leverage them effectively throughout the design lifecycle.

• Evidence of your ability to balance business needs, technical constraints, and user goals in your design decisions. Process Documentation:

• Showcase your approach to user research methodologies, including how you plan, execute, and synthesize findings to inform design decisions.

• Illustrate your process for creating user flows, wireframes, and interactive prototypes, detailing the tools and techniques used at each stage.

• Provide examples of how you incorporate user feedback and testing results into iterative design improvements, demonstrating a commitment to continuous refinement.

• Detail your methods for collaborating with product managers and engineers, including handoff processes and ensuring design fidelity during implementation.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Strong portfolio showcasing your design process and impact on shipped products" requirement directly translates into the Portfolio Essentials. The "Lead the end-to-end design process" and "Collaborate closely with product managers and engineers" responsibilities inform the Process Documentation section. The emphasis on "AI applications" and "biopharma marketing products" suggests a need for the portfolio to potentially showcase understanding of complex data visualization or workflow-heavy applications.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: Based on market research for Product Designers with 2-5 years of experience in New York City, a competitive salary range is estimated between $100,000 - $140,000 annually. This range accounts for the cost of living in NYC, the specific industry (SaaS, AI, Life Sciences), and the "ground-floor equity opportunity" which forms a significant part of the total compensation package.

Benefits:

• Comprehensive Health, Dental, and Vision Insurance plans to support employee well-being.

• Ground-floor equity opportunity, providing a stake in the company’s growth and success.

• Flexible Paid Time Off (PTO) policy to encourage work-life balance and personal time.

• 401(k) retirement savings plan to support long-term financial security.

• Visa sponsorship (O-1, H-1B, TN) available for eligible candidates, facilitating international talent acquisition.

• Professional growth stipend to invest in continuous learning, skill development, and industry conferences.

• Company-covered lunches and dinners, fostering a collaborative and supportive work environment.

• Relocation support for candidates moving to New York City, easing the transition.

• Opportunity to work in a fast-paced, high-impact environment with significant potential for professional development.

• Competitive NYC compensation, commensurate with experience and contributions, reflecting the value placed on talent and impact.

Working Hours: The standard working hours are approximately 40 hours per week, consistent with full-time employment. However, given the fast-paced startup environment and the nature of product design work, flexibility may be expected to meet project deadlines and critical launch windows.

📝 Enhancement Note: Salary range is estimated based on industry benchmarks for a mid-level Product Designer in NYC, factoring in the startup environment and equity. The benefits listed are directly from the provided text. The working hours are inferred from the "FULL_TIME" employment type and the "40" AI working hours.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Solstice operates within the dynamic intersection of Life Sciences, Pharmaceutical Marketing, and Artificial Intelligence (AI). As a rapidly growing SaaS company, it is focused on revolutionizing how pharmaceutical companies commercialize their therapeutics by enabling faster campaign launches through an advanced commercial engine powered by AI.

Company Size: Solstice is in a rapid growth phase, indicating a company size that is likely between 50-200 employees. This size signifies a dynamic startup environment where roles are often broad, impact is significant, and agility is paramount. For operations professionals, this means opportunities for direct influence, exposure to various facets of the business, and the potential to shape processes and systems as the company scales.

Founded: Solstice was founded with a mission to accelerate the knowledge and adoption of life-saving therapeutics. While the exact founding date isn't specified, its current stage of rapid growth and partnerships with major players like Pfizer and AstraZeneca suggest it's an established startup with proven product-market fit and significant traction.

Team Structure:

• The Product Design team is likely small and foundational, as the role is described as an "early design hire." This implies a close-knit team where designers work directly with product managers and engineers.

• Reporting structure is likely flat, with the Product Designer reporting to a Head of Product, CTO, or a similar senior leadership role responsible for product strategy and development.

• Cross-functional collaboration is a cornerstone of this role, with constant interaction expected between design, product management, engineering, and potentially business stakeholders to ensure cohesive product development. Methodology:

• Data analysis and insights are integral, particularly in understanding user behavior and product performance to drive design iterations.

• Workflow planning and optimization are key, as the role involves designing complex workflows for pharmaceutical marketing campaigns.

• Automation and efficiency practices are core to Solstice's mission, and the design team will be instrumental in creating intuitive interfaces for AI-powered automation tools.

Company Website: https://www.solsticehealth.co/

📝 Enhancement Note: Company context is derived from the provided description, highlighting its industry, growth stage, and mission. The team structure and methodology are inferred based on the "early design hire" status and the nature of a fast-growing SaaS startup in the AI/Life Sciences space.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This Product Designer role is positioned at a Mid-Level (2-5 years of experience). It offers a significant opportunity for an individual to grow beyond execution into a role with influence over design strategy, process, and team development. The "early design hire" aspect suggests potential for rapid advancement into senior or lead design positions as the company scales and the design function matures.

Reporting Structure: The Product Designer will likely report to a senior leader such as the Head of Product or CTO. This direct reporting line provides visibility and opportunities to influence product direction and design standards from the outset. Collaboration will be extensive with Product Managers and Engineers, fostering a cross-functional team dynamic.

Operations Impact: The Product Designer's impact is directly tied to the usability, effectiveness, and adoption of Solstice's core commercial engine products. By creating intuitive and powerful user experiences for biopharma marketers, the designer will directly contribute to the company's mission of accelerating therapeutic commercialization and adoption, thereby driving revenue and market share.

Growth Opportunities:

• Design Leadership: As an early hire, there's a clear path to becoming a Senior Product Designer or Design Lead, shaping the design team's culture, processes, and strategic direction as the company grows.

• Specialization: Opportunity to deepen expertise in designing for AI-driven platforms, SaaS products, and the highly regulated life sciences/pharmaceutical industry.

• Cross-functional Development: Exposure to product strategy, business development, and engineering leadership, offering a holistic understanding of a high-growth tech company and potential to pivot into product management or other strategic roles.

• Mentorship: Potential to mentor future junior designers and contribute to building a strong design practice within the organization.

📝 Enhancement Note: The career analysis is based on the mid-level experience requirement, the "early design hire" context, and typical growth trajectories in successful tech startups. The impact is framed around the company's mission and the role of design in achieving it.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Solstice operates with an on-site work arrangement, indicating a physical office presence in New York City. This environment is designed to foster collaboration, innovation, and direct team interaction.

Office Location(s): The primary office is located in New York City, a major hub for technology and innovation, offering access to a vibrant professional community and diverse talent pool. Specific details regarding office amenities or accessibility would typically be provided during the interview process.

Workspace Context:

• The workspace is expected to be collaborative, encouraging frequent interaction and knowledge sharing between designers, product managers, and engineers, facilitating a cohesive approach to product development.

• Access to modern design tools (Figma, Cursor, Claude Code/Design) and potentially other relevant software and hardware will be provided to support efficient and effective design work.

• Opportunities for spontaneous brainstorming, design critiques, and team syncs are inherent in an on-site environment, promoting a strong sense of team cohesion and shared purpose.

Work Schedule: The role is full-time, typically around 40 hours per week. While a structured work week is expected, the fast-paced startup environment may necessitate flexibility to meet project timelines and deliver on critical business objectives, especially during product launch phases or key development sprints.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "On-site" AI work arrangement and "New York City" location are the primary drivers for this section. The description of the workspace and schedule is inferred based on typical startup environments and the full-time employment type.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A brief call with a recruiter or hiring manager to assess basic qualifications, cultural fit, and interest in the role and Solstice.

• Portfolio Review & Design Exercise: A deeper dive into your portfolio, likely involving a presentation of 1-2 key projects. This may be followed by a design challenge or exercise, either take-home or conducted live, to assess your problem-solving approach, design process, and tool proficiency.

• Cross-functional Interviews: Interviews with Product Managers and Engineers to evaluate your collaboration skills, ability to articulate design decisions, and understand technical feasibility.

• Stakeholder/Leadership Interview: A final interview with senior leadership (e.g., Head of Product, CTO) to discuss strategic thinking, impact potential, cultural alignment, and long-term vision.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select 2-3 projects that best showcase your end-to-end design process, problem-solving skills, and impact on shipped products, aligning with Solstice's focus on SaaS, AI, and life sciences.

• Tell a Story: For each case study, clearly define the problem, your role and process, the constraints you navigated, the solutions you designed, and the impact (quantifiable if possible). Use visuals effectively to illustrate your journey.

• Highlight Collaboration: Demonstrate how you worked with cross-functional teams (PMs, Engineers) and incorporated their feedback into your designs.

• Showcase Tool Proficiency: Be ready to discuss your use of Figma and other tools, explaining why certain tools or techniques were chosen for specific tasks.

• Address Ambiguity: If applicable, showcase projects where you had to operate with incomplete information or evolving requirements, demonstrating your ability to thrive in such environments.

Challenge Preparation:

• Understand the Domain: Familiarize yourself with Solstice's mission, the biopharma marketing landscape, and the potential applications of AI in this space.

• Focus on Process: For any design challenge, emphasize your thought process, research methods, user-centric approach, and iterative design strategy, rather than solely focusing on the final UI.

• Practice Articulation: Be prepared to clearly and concisely explain your design decisions, rationale, and trade-offs, especially when interacting with non-design stakeholders.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process and portfolio review tips are synthesized from standard practices for Product Designer roles in tech startups, incorporating specific mentions of "fast-paced," "cross-disciplinary," and the need for a strong "portfolio." The design challenge preparation is tailored to Solstice's industry and technology focus.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Figma: This is explicitly mentioned as a required proficiency and will be the primary tool for wireframing, prototyping, and high-fidelity design. Expect to use its collaboration features extensively.

• Cursor: Proficiency with Cursor, an AI-first code editor, is listed. While primarily a developer tool, designers may interact with it for understanding code, reviewing UI implementation, or potentially using its AI features for design-related tasks or integrations.

• Claude Code/Design: Mentioned alongside Cursor, suggesting potential use of AI-powered design assistance or code generation tools integrated with Claude AI for design tasks or prototyping.

Analytics & Reporting:

• While not explicitly listed, expect to work with product analytics tools (e.g., Amplitude, Mixpanel, Google Analytics) to understand user behavior, track feature adoption, and measure the impact of design changes.

• Familiarity with dashboarding tools (e.g., Tableau, Looker) might be beneficial for understanding product performance metrics and presenting design impact to stakeholders. CRM & Automation:

• While Solstice's core product is for pharma marketing, designers may need to understand or interact with CRM systems (e.g., Salesforce) if they are part of the company's internal operations or customer success workflows.

• Awareness of automation principles will be key, as Solstice leverages AI for marketing automation, and the design will need to support these automated processes effectively.

📝 Enhancement Note: The tools listed are directly from the "Proficiency with modern design tools (Figma, Cursor, Claude Code/Design)" requirement. The analytics and CRM/automation sections are inferred based on the typical technology stack of a SaaS company and the nature of a product design role supporting complex applications.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Drive, Ownership, and Grit: These are explicitly stated as core values, indicating a culture that rewards proactivity, accountability, and perseverance in tackling challenges. Designers are expected to take initiative and see projects through to completion.

• Innovation and Speed: Operating at the "forefront of technology" and emphasizing "unprecedented speed" means a culture that embraces new ideas, rapid iteration, and a bias for action.

• User-Centricity: A deep empathy for users and a passion for solving complex problems with simple, elegant solutions are paramount. Designers must consistently advocate for and prioritize the user experience.

• Impact-Driven: A relentless focus on delivering impact and iterating on feedback suggests a results-oriented culture where the effectiveness of designs is measured by business outcomes and user success.

• Collaboration: Working in "cross-disciplinary teams" and transforming "complex problems into user-friendly solutions" fosters a highly collaborative environment where open communication and teamwork are essential.

Collaboration Style:

• Direct and Cross-Functional: Expect close collaboration with Product Managers and Engineers, involving frequent communication, shared problem-solving sessions, and integrated workflows.

• Feedback-Oriented: The culture likely encourages open feedback loops, where designers are comfortable giving and receiving constructive criticism to improve product quality.

• Agile and Iterative: Given the fast-paced environment, collaboration will likely follow agile principles, with quick iterations and adaptability to changing requirements.

• Transparent Communication: As an early hire, transparency in communication regarding design decisions, challenges, and progress will be crucial for aligning with stakeholders.

📝 Enhancement Note: Company values are directly extracted from the provided text, with emphasis on "drive, ownership, and grit" and "operating at the forefront of technology." Collaboration style is inferred from the emphasis on cross-functional teams and the description of the role's interactions.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Designing for a Novel Industry: The life sciences and pharmaceutical marketing industry has unique regulatory, compliance, and user adoption challenges. Designing effective solutions requires deep understanding and careful consideration of these factors.

• AI Integration Complexity: Translating complex AI capabilities into intuitive and actionable user interfaces for biopharma marketers is a significant design challenge. Ensuring users trust and effectively utilize AI-driven features will be critical.

• Rapidly Evolving Product Landscape: As a fast-growing startup, product requirements and priorities can shift quickly. Designers must be adaptable and comfortable navigating ambiguity while maintaining design quality.

• Establishing Design Standards: As an early design hire, you'll be instrumental in defining and implementing design processes, tools, and best practices, which can be challenging but rewarding.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Deep Domain Expertise: Opportunity to become an expert in the biopharma marketing domain, understanding its unique challenges, regulations, and commercialization strategies.

• AI Design Specialization: Gaining hands-on experience in designing for cutting-edge AI applications, a highly sought-after skill set in the current tech landscape.

• Foundational Team Building: Playing a key role in shaping the design culture and practices of a growing company, offering leadership development opportunities.

• Cross-Functional Acumen: Developing a comprehensive understanding of product strategy, engineering, and business operations within a high-growth SaaS company.

📝 Enhancement Note: Challenges are derived from the industry (biopharma, regulated), technology (AI), and company stage (fast-growing startup). Growth opportunities are framed around these challenges and the "early hire" aspect of the role.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you led the end-to-end design process for a complex digital product. What were the key challenges, and how did you overcome them?" (Focus on process, problem-solving, and impact.)

• "How do you approach balancing business objectives, technical feasibility, and user needs when designing a new feature or product?" (Demonstrate strategic thinking and trade-off management.)

• "Walk us through a project where you had to operate with significant ambiguity. How did you define the problem and drive towards a solution?" (Highlight your ability to thrive in a startup environment.) Company & Culture Questions:

• "Why are you interested in Solstice and our mission to revolutionize pharmaceutical marketing?" (Showcase research and alignment with company values.)

• "How do you envision contributing to establishing and evolving design processes and best practices as an early design hire?" (Demonstrate proactive thinking and leadership potential.)

• "How do you ensure your designs deliver tangible business impact, especially in a fast-paced environment?" (Connect design decisions to measurable outcomes.) Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure for Impact: For each case study, clearly outline the problem, your role, your process (research, ideation, design, testing), the final solution, and the results/impact. Use visuals effectively to guide the narrative.

• Quantify When Possible: If you have data on user engagement, conversion rates, or efficiency gains attributable to your designs, present it.

• Highlight Collaboration: Explicitly mention how you collaborated with product managers and engineers, and how you incorporated their feedback.

• Demonstrate Tooling: Be ready to discuss your proficiency with Figma and how you leveraged its features to achieve specific design outcomes.

• Address the "Why": Be prepared to articulate the rationale behind your design decisions, explaining why you chose certain approaches or solutions over others.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview questions and portfolio presentation strategies are tailored to the role's responsibilities, the company's context (startup, AI, life sciences), and standard best practices for Product Designer interviews.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Product Designer position:

• Submit your application through the provided link on Ashby.

• Customize Your Resume: Tailor your resume to highlight experience in SaaS, AI, and ideally, the healthcare or life sciences sector. Emphasize your end-to-end design process, collaboration skills, and quantifiable achievements.

• Curate Your Portfolio: Select 2-3 of your strongest case studies that best demonstrate your design process, problem-solving skills, and impact on shipped products. Ensure it's easily accessible and clearly articulate your contributions.

• Prepare Your Presentation: Practice presenting your portfolio case studies, focusing on storytelling, clear articulation of your process, and highlighting your impact. Be ready to discuss specific design decisions and trade-offs.

• Research Solstice: Thoroughly understand Solstice's mission, products, and the challenges in the biopharma marketing industry. Prepare thoughtful questions about the company culture, team, and product roadmap.

⚠️ 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.