Product Designer
📍 Job Overview
Job Title: Product Designer
Company: SwingDev—a hippo company
Location: Warsaw or Remote
Job Type: Full-time Engagement
Category: Product Design / GTM Operations Support
Date Posted: 2026-05-26
Experience Level: Mid-Level (3+ years)
Remote Status: Fully Remote Eligible
🚀 Role Summary
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Design intuitive, accessible internal tools that support critical business operations for Hippo's InsurTech platform, impacting key metrics like handle time, error rates, and throughput.
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Partner closely with Product Managers and Engineers from discovery through to feature shipping, defining problems and exploring innovative solutions.
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Conduct user research, including interviews and shadowing sessions, to gather direct feedback from internal users and ensure designs meet operational needs.
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Leverage advanced design tools like Figma, including components, variables, and auto-layout, alongside LLMs (e.g., Claude) for research, drafting, and prototyping.
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Drive alignment across product, design, and engineering teams through effective facilitation of discussions and open sharing of work, including process and iterative ideas.
📝 Enhancement Note: While the role is titled "Product Designer," the description heavily emphasizes designing internal tools for operations such as claims, underwriting AI, and agent portals. This positions the role as crucial for supporting Go-To-Market (GTM) operations and internal operational efficiency, rather than external-facing product features. The focus on "operational metrics" and "workflow-heavy interfaces" further solidifies this connection to operations.
📈 Primary Responsibilities
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Design and iterate on user-centric internal tools that enhance the daily workflows of Hippo's operational teams, with a focus on measurable improvements within a sprint cycle.
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Collaborate with cross-functional stakeholders (Product Managers, Engineers) to understand complex operational challenges and translate them into effective, scalable design solutions.
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Lead user research initiatives, including conducting interviews and shadowing sessions with internal users, to deeply understand their needs and pain points within their workflows.
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Develop and present a range of design artifacts, including sketches, wireframes, and interactive prototypes in Figma, at the appropriate fidelity to test hypotheses and communicate design intent.
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Facilitate productive design discussions and critiques, fostering a collaborative environment where ideas are openly shared, debated, and refined to achieve optimal outcomes.
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Champion a data-informed design approach, actively seeking and incorporating user feedback and operational metrics to validate design decisions and drive continuous improvement.
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Contribute to the development and maintenance of design systems and component libraries within Figma to ensure consistency and efficiency across internal tools.
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Explore and integrate Large Language Models (LLMs) into the design process and potential product features, such as AI-driven workflows or agent assistance tools.
📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on "shipping features that move real operational metrics (handle time, error rates, throughput)" and designing "data-dense, workflow-heavy interfaces" indicates a strong focus on operational efficiency and the direct impact of design on business processes. This requires a designer who understands operational workflows and can translate complex business logic into intuitive user experiences.
🎓 Skills & Qualifications
Education: While no specific degree is mandated, a strong understanding of design principles, user-centered design methodologies, and user experience (UX) best practices is essential, often gained through formal education, bootcamps, or extensive self-study and practical application.
Experience: A minimum of 3 years of professional experience in product design, with a proven track record of shipping production-level work and demonstrating tangible impact.
Required Skills:
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Portfolio: A comprehensive portfolio showcasing design process, data analysis, and demonstrable impact on shipped products is mandatory.
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Figma Proficiency: Expert-level command of Figma, including mastery of components, variables, auto-layout, and advanced prototyping capabilities.
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Data-Dense Interface Design: Proven ability to design complex, workflow-heavy interfaces such as tables, filters, dashboards, and multi-step flows, often catering to power users.
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User Research: Experience conducting user interviews, shadowing sessions, and implementing lightweight feedback loops to gather actionable insights from users.
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LLM Integration: Familiarity and practical experience using LLMs (e.g., Claude) as part of the design toolkit for research, drafting, and prototyping.
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Project Ownership: Ability to independently manage and drive design projects from conception to completion, with the capacity to seek support from senior designers when needed.
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English Fluency: Professional fluency in English, both written and spoken, for effective communication with international teams and stakeholders.
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Collaboration & Feedback: Strong aptitude for collaborative work, including active participation in design critiques, providing constructive feedback, and receiving it openly.
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Initiative & Proactivity: A self-starter attitude, capable of identifying issues, proposing solutions, pushing back on vague briefs, and advocating for better approaches.
Preferred Skills:
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Experience designing for internal tools, operational dashboards, admin panels, agent consoles, claims tools, or CRMs.
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Experience designing AI-powered features, including chatbots, agent assistance tools, AI-driven workflows, or LLM-in-the-loop interfaces.
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Familiarity with the US home insurance industry, claims processes, or insurance operations, or a strong, demonstrated curiosity to learn these areas.
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Experience working with US-based stakeholders and managing communication across different time zones.
📝 Enhancement Note: The explicit mention of "LLMs daily" and "Claude sits next to Figma" indicates a strong emphasis on integrating AI tools into the design workflow. Candidates should be prepared to discuss their experience and comfort level with these technologies. The requirement for "3+ years shipping production work" signifies a need for practical, hands-on experience rather than purely conceptual design skills.
📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements
Portfolio Essentials:
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Demonstrated Process: Your portfolio must clearly articulate your design process, from problem definition and user research through to solution development and iteration.
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Impact Metrics: Showcase how your designs have positively impacted key operational metrics (e.g., reduced handle time, fewer errors, increased throughput) and business outcomes.
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Figma Mastery: Highlight examples that demonstrate your expertise in Figma, including the effective use of components, variables, auto-layout, and advanced prototyping.
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LLM Integration Examples: If possible, include case studies or specific examples of how you've leveraged LLMs in your design process or in product features.
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Workflow Design: Provide evidence of designing complex, data-dense, and workflow-heavy interfaces for internal or operational tools.
Process Documentation:
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Problem Framing: Clearly define the operational problems you set out to solve, including the context, user needs, and business objectives.
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Solution Exploration: Detail the exploration of different design solutions, including wireframes, prototypes, and user testing iterations.
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Implementation & Iteration: Describe how your designs were implemented and how you incorporated feedback and data post-launch to drive further improvements.
📝 Enhancement Note: The requirement for a portfolio is non-negotiable ("A portfolio is required to be considered!"). Candidates should prepare to present detailed case studies that not only showcase visual design but also the strategic thinking, research methodology, and measurable impact of their work, particularly concerning operational efficiency.
💵 Compensation & Benefits
Salary Range: 14,000 - 17,000 PLN + VAT per month (on a B2B contract).
Benefits:
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Employment Flexibility: Choice of employment form (B2B contract is common in Poland).
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Remote Work: Fully remote work arrangement with flexible working hours.
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Time Off: Non-service days, 6 Personal Development days, and 4 Voluntary Non-service days.
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Health & Wellness:
- Private medical care package for you and your family, including dental and orthodontic care.
- Group life insurance.
- Access to psychotherapists and psychologists for online support.
- Home physiotherapy services.
- 50% reimbursement for Multisport card and meditation apps.
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Development & Equipment:
- Provided Apple gear (MacBook) and a monitor.
- 50% reimbursement for courses, conferences, books, and certificates.
- Free access to private language lessons (English is a requirement, so this might be for other languages or advanced English training).
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Lifestyle & Convenience:
- Cafeteria platform with a monthly allowance for personal spending.
- Nanny services for parents.
- Concierge services for personal assistance with everyday tasks.
- Access to a chill room with table football and a PlayStation 5.
- Free snacks, ice cream, and a catered Friday lunch in the office (for those who choose to visit).
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Team & Social: Regular team-building events, including annual offsites, Christmas parties, post-work gatherings, and an annual workation (e.g., #WinterEscapeMonth in Cyprus).
Working Hours: Flexible working hours are offered, with the expectation of being available in the afternoons 2-3 days a week for calls, and occasional evening calls to accommodate US time zones. The standard working week is typically 40 hours.
📝 Enhancement Note: The salary is specified for a B2B contract, which is common in Poland and implies the candidate will be operating as an independent contractor. The benefits package is extensive, reflecting a strong focus on employee well-being, professional development, and work-life balance. The flexibility in working hours is balanced by the need for US time zone overlap.
🎯 Team & Company Context
🏢 Company Culture
Industry: InsurTech (Insurance Technology), specifically the Polish branch of Hippo Insurance, focusing on making home insurance smarter and more proactive through technology.
Company Size: Part of Hippo Insurance, a fast-growing InsurTech product company. SwingDev itself likely comprises a significant portion of Hippo's Polish operations, suggesting a substantial team size focused on product development and operations.
Founded: Hippo Insurance (parent company) is a modern InsurTech player. SwingDev, as its Polish branch, was established to leverage local tech talent. The company emphasizes a "culture fit" and hiring "mature, companionable people" who inspire and support each other.
Team Structure:
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You will be the solo Product Designer for Hippo's internal tools, working within a tight team of approximately 9 people.
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This team structure suggests a high degree of autonomy and direct impact for the designer.
Methodology:
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Data-Driven Design: Emphasis on using data to drive design decisions and measure impact on operational metrics.
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Agile & Iterative: Work involves shipping features within a sprint cycle and continuous iteration based on feedback.
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Collaborative & Open: Weekly design critiques are standard, encouraging open sharing of work, ideas, and even mistakes.
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User-Centric: Regular user interviews and shadowing sessions with internal users are integral to the design process.
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LLM Integration: Daily use of LLMs as part of the design toolkit is a key operational methodology.
Company Website: swing.dev
📝 Enhancement Note: The company culture is described as "people-centric," "mature," "companionable," and "trust-based," with an emphasis on enjoying the work and fostering positive relationships. This contrasts with a purely transactional or highly corporate environment, suggesting a more human-centered approach to operations and team dynamics.
📈 Career & Growth Analysis
Operations Career Level: This role is positioned as a Mid-Level Product Designer (3+ years experience) with significant autonomy, acting as the sole designer for a critical area of internal tools. This offers a unique opportunity to gain deep expertise in operational design and impact.
Reporting Structure: You will report to a Director of Design (Michał) and work closely with a Staff Designer (Mikołaj) who provides support. The core team is approximately 9 people, indicating a potentially flat or agile organizational structure within the product development function.
Operations Impact: The role has a direct and significant impact on operational efficiency. By improving internal tools for claims, underwriting, and agent portals, the designer will directly influence how Hippo operates, potentially leading to substantial cost savings, improved customer service, and faster processing times. This is a key aspect of GTM operations support.
Growth Opportunities:
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Skill Specialization: Deepen expertise in designing complex operational workflows, data-dense interfaces, and AI-powered features.
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Leadership Potential: As the sole designer for this area, there's an opportunity to develop ownership and influence, potentially leading to senior or lead design roles within specialized operational tool domains.
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Mentorship: Access to support from Staff Designers and Directors provides opportunities for learning and career guidance.
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Industry Exposure: Gain valuable experience in the InsurTech industry and learn about US insurance operations.
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Process Refinement: Contribute to evolving the design processes and methodologies within SwingDev, particularly regarding LLM integration and internal tool design.
📝 Enhancement Note: The "solo Product Designer" aspect for internal tools offers a clear path to becoming a subject matter expert in operational design. Growth opportunities are likely tied to the impact achieved and the ability to take on more complex challenges within the internal tool ecosystem or potentially expand into other operational areas.
🌐 Work Environment
Office Type: While the company is "remote but not Slack-only" and offers free snacks/lunch in the office, the primary arrangement is remote. The office environment seems to be a space for optional collaboration, team events, and amenities rather than a mandatory daily workspace.
Office Location(s): SwingDev has an office presence in Warsaw, Poland, which is available for those who prefer an in-office or hybrid setup. However, the role is explicitly eligible for fully remote work.
Workspace Context:
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Remote-First Culture: The emphasis on remote work implies a well-established infrastructure for remote collaboration, communication, and team engagement.
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Tooling: Standard issue Apple gear (MacBook) and monitors are provided. Daily use of Figma and LLMs is expected.
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Collaboration: While remote, the culture fosters active communication through Slack, weekly design crits, and team events, emphasizing a connected, albeit distributed, team.
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Pet-Friendly: The team is "unapologetically a pet-friendly team," indicating a relaxed and inclusive atmosphere.
Work Schedule: Flexible working hours are offered, with the requirement to be available in the afternoons 2-3 days a week and for occasional evening calls to sync with US teams. This allows for personal flexibility while ensuring crucial cross-time zone collaboration for operational needs.
📝 Enhancement Note: The "remote but not Slack-only" statement suggests that while remote is preferred, there's an appreciation for in-person interaction when possible, especially for team cohesion and specific events. The flexibility is a key aspect of the work environment, catering to individual needs while maintaining operational alignment.
📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process
Interview Process:
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Application Submission: Submit CV and a mandatory portfolio.
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One-Way Interview: Record a 20-minute asynchronous interview.
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Recruiter Call: Initial screening call with a Recruiter.
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Recruitment Task: A practical assessment designed to evaluate design skills and problem-solving abilities.
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Design Lead Interviews: Interviews with Michał (Director of Design) and Mikołaj (Staff Designer) to assess technical skills, process, and fit.
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Final Stage: Interviews with Marcin and Alicja for final evaluation.
Portfolio Review Tips:
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Mandatory Requirement: Ensure your portfolio is polished, comprehensive, and clearly demonstrates your design process, research methodology, and quantifiable impact.
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Show, Don't Just Tell: Use case studies to walk through your problem-solving approach, design decisions, and the resulting outcomes. Highlight how you moved operational metrics.
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Figma & LLM Focus: Be prepared to discuss specific examples of your Figma expertise (components, variables, auto-layout) and your practical application of LLMs in design.
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Internal Tools Experience: If you have experience with internal tools or operations-heavy products, highlight these projects prominently.
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Authenticity: Share your process, including half-formed ideas and mistakes, to demonstrate transparency and a learning mindset.
Challenge Preparation:
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Task Focus: The recruitment task will likely assess your ability to handle complex operational problems, design data-dense interfaces, or integrate AI concepts.
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Process Articulation: Be ready to clearly articulate your thought process and design strategy during any task or interview stage.
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Stakeholder Simulation: Practice how you would communicate design rationale and trade-offs to PMs and Engineers, focusing on operational impact.
📝 Enhancement Note: The multi-stage interview process, including a one-way interview and a recruitment task, indicates a thorough evaluation methodology. The portfolio is the primary gatekeeper, so candidates must invest significant effort into its preparation, focusing on operational impact and technical proficiency.
🛠 Tools & Technology Stack
Primary Tools:
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Figma: The core design tool, used extensively for wireframing, prototyping, UI design, and component management. Expertise in its advanced features (components, variables, auto-layout) is critical.
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LLMs (e.g., Claude): Integrated into the daily workflow for tasks such as design research, drafting concepts, generating text for interfaces, and prototyping.
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Collaboration Tools: Slack is used for daily communication, team interaction, and sharing memes.
Analytics & Reporting: While not explicitly listed for the designer, the role's output directly impacts operational metrics, suggesting the use of internal analytics dashboards and reporting tools to track feature performance (e.g., handle time, error rates, throughput).
CRM & Automation: Experience with or understanding of CRM systems and workflow automation tools might be beneficial, given the focus on internal operational tools within an InsurTech context.
📝 Enhancement Note: Proficiency in Figma and practical experience with LLMs are non-negotiable technical requirements. Candidates should be prepared to discuss specific use cases and demonstrate how these tools are integrated into their design workflow.
👥 Team Culture & Values
Operations Values:
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Impact-Driven: A strong focus on delivering tangible improvements to operational metrics and business outcomes.
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Collaboration & Trust: A culture where team members inspire and support each other, fostering open communication and psychological safety.
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Empathy & Positivity: A human-centered approach to interactions and problem-solving, maintaining a positive outlook even on complex projects.
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Continuous Learning: Encouragement to share knowledge, learn from mistakes, and stay updated with new technologies like LLMs.
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Ownership & Initiative: Taking proactive steps to identify and solve problems, and advocating for impactful solutions.
Collaboration Style:
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Open Communication: Frequent use of Slack, regular team calls, and weekly design critiques.
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Cross-Functional Partnership: Close collaboration with Product Managers and Engineers to define problems and co-create solutions.
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Feedback-Oriented: A culture of giving and receiving honest feedback to improve work.
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Remote Connectivity: Maintaining team cohesion and engagement despite being a remote team, through active participation and team events.
📝 Enhancement Note: The company culture prioritizes "mature, companionable people" and a "culture of trust, empathy, and positivity." This suggests a workplace where interpersonal skills and a collaborative, supportive attitude are as valued as technical proficiency, especially for a designer working closely with internal operational teams.
⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities
Challenges:
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Solo Designer Responsibility: Being the sole designer for a complex area of internal tools requires strong self-management, prioritization skills, and the ability to wear multiple hats.
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Data-Dense Interfaces: Designing effective user experiences for complex, workflow-heavy interfaces can be challenging, requiring meticulous attention to detail and user flow optimization.
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AI Integration Nuances: Designing with and for AI (LLMs) presents new challenges in terms of user expectations, error handling, and ethical considerations.
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US Time Zone Sync: Aligning work and meetings with US stakeholders requires careful scheduling and communication management.
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Balancing Autonomy with Support: Effectively leveraging the support from Staff Designers while driving independent project ownership.
Learning & Development Opportunities:
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Deep Operational Insight: Gaining in-depth knowledge of InsurTech operations, claims processing, and underwriting workflows.
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Advanced Design Skills: Mastering complex interface design, LLM integration, and Figma's advanced features.
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Cross-Functional Leadership: Developing skills in facilitating discussions and driving alignment across diverse teams.
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Career Progression: Potential to grow into a Senior Product Designer role or specialize further in operational tool design.
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Industry Exposure: Understanding the nuances of the US market and InsurTech landscape.
📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges presented are opportunities for growth. Successfully navigating these will equip a designer with highly sought-after skills in operational design, AI integration, and cross-functional leadership, making them a valuable asset in the GTM and operations space.
💡 Interview Preparation
Strategy Questions:
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"Describe a time you designed an internal tool that significantly improved an operational process. What metrics did you track, and what was the outcome?" (Focus on impact, metrics, and process).
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"How do you approach designing for complex workflows with dense data? Walk us through your process for a specific example." (Focus on methodology, Figma skills, and problem-solving).
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"How have you used LLMs in your design process or in product features? What were the benefits and challenges?" (Focus on LLM integration experience and critical thinking).
Company & Culture Questions:
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"What interests you about designing internal tools for an InsurTech company like Hippo?" (Demonstrate research and genuine interest).
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"How do you approach giving and receiving feedback in design critiques?" (Assess collaboration and openness).
Portfolio Presentation Strategy:
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Structure for Impact: Organize your portfolio around 2-3 key projects that showcase your end-to-end design process, focusing on operational impact.
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Quantify Everything: Clearly present the "before and after" state, highlighting the operational metrics you influenced (e.g., "Reduced average handle time by 15%").
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Figma/LLM Deep Dive: Be prepared to share screen and walk through specific Figma files or discuss the practical application of LLMs in a case study.
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Tell a Story: Frame each project as a narrative – the problem, your approach, the challenges, the solution, and the measurable results.
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Q&A Readiness: Anticipate questions about your design decisions, trade-offs made, and how you'd handle edge cases or future iterations.
📝 Enhancement Note: Be ready to discuss how your design work directly contributes to business objectives and operational efficiency. The emphasis on "moving metrics within a sprint" suggests a need for designers who can deliver value quickly and iteratively.
📌 Application Steps
To apply for this Product Designer position:
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Submit your CV and your mandatory portfolio through the provided application link.
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Portfolio Customization: Tailor your portfolio to highlight experience with internal tools, data-dense interfaces, operational metrics, and LLM integration. Ensure it clearly demonstrates your design process and impact.
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Resume Optimization: Weave in keywords from the job description, such as "Figma," "LLM," "internal tools," "operational metrics," "user research," and "prototyping," to align with ATS scanning and recruiter review.
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Interview Preparation: Practice articulating your design process, problem-solving approach, and quantifiable achievements. Prepare specific examples for behavioral and strategy questions.
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Company Research: Understand SwingDev's culture, Hippo's mission in InsurTech, and the importance of internal tools for operational efficiency. Research the interviewers on LinkedIn if possible.
⚠️ 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.
Application Requirements
Requires 3+ years of production experience with a strong portfolio and expert-level Figma skills. Must be comfortable with data-dense interfaces and the use of LLMs in the design process.