Product Designer
π Job Overview
Job Title: Product Designer
Company: Virtusan
Location: Switzerland (Remote)
Job Type: Contractor
Category: Product Design / UX Design
Date Posted: 2026-08-12
Experience Level: 5-10 Years
Remote Status: Fully Remote
π Role Summary
-
Owns end-to-end product concept and experience design for a longevity ecosystem, translating complex biometric data into actionable user guidance.
-
Conducts comprehensive user research, including interviews, usability tests, and diary studies, to inform design decisions and drive user engagement.
-
Executes high-fidelity designs and prototypes using Figma, with an emphasis on mobile-first design principles for iOS platforms.
-
Focuses on designing for behavior change, ensuring product features foster habit formation and long-term user commitment.
-
Collaborates closely with product and engineering teams to deliver innovative solutions that enhance human longevity.
π Enhancement Note: This role requires a Product Designer who acts as a true owner, proactively identifying opportunities, conducting research, and driving design execution without constant oversight. The emphasis is on accountability for outcomes and measurable impact on user behavior and understanding of their biology.
π Primary Responsibilities
-
Originate and develop new product concepts from inception, moving beyond incremental improvements to create innovative solutions for human longevity.
-
Design complete user journeys that effectively translate complex biometric and health data into clear, motivating, and actionable daily guidance for users.
-
Champion user-centric design principles by conducting thorough user research (interviews, usability tests, diary studies, in-app feedback) and synthesizing findings into actionable design improvements.
-
Create and maintain a deep understanding of user motivations, pain points, and engagement patterns to inform product strategy and design decisions.
-
Execute high-fidelity designs and fast prototypes using Figma, ensuring a clean, efficient, and consistent design process aligned with mobile-first best practices for iOS.
-
Maintain and evolve the design library, ensuring consistency in components, patterns, and interaction models across the application.
-
Collaborate closely with product managers and engineers to ensure seamless implementation of designed features, from concept to launch.
-
Define, track, and analyze key success metrics for designed features, actively testing assumptions and iterating based on data and user feedback.
-
Proactively identify and address design and user experience issues, taking initiative to propose and implement solutions.
π Enhancement Note: The core responsibility lies in driving tangible user outcomesβhabit formation, improved understanding of biology, and sustained engagementβrather than just delivering design assets. This necessitates a strategic approach to user research and a data-driven iteration cycle.
π Skills & Qualifications
Education: While no specific degree is mandated, a strong portfolio and proven experience in product design, UX/UI, or a related field are paramount. Candidates are expected to demonstrate a robust understanding of design principles and methodologies.
Experience: 6 to 7 years of dedicated experience as a Product or UX Designer, with a significant emphasis on end-to-end ownership of product features and mobile application development.
Required Skills:
-
Proven ability to originate and develop new product concepts, showcasing strategic thinking and innovation.
-
Deep expertise in mobile app design, with a strong understanding of iOS patterns, constraints, and best practices for small-screen interactions.
-
Advanced user research capabilities, including the ability to design, conduct, synthesize, and act upon research findings independently.
-
Expert-level proficiency in Figma, coupled with a clean, efficient, and well-documented design process.
-
Demonstrated experience with AI tools to accelerate the design process, including concept generation and workflow optimization.
-
Strong skills in fast prototyping and concept validation, with a track record of using lightweight prototypes to test ideas and iterate based on evidence.
-
Ability to design for behavior change, understanding habit formation principles and how design influences user actions.
-
Excellent written English for crafting natural and integral product design copy.
-
High degree of ownership, with the ability to make well-reasoned independent decisions and drive projects forward without constant direction.
-
Must be based in an EU/UK timezone to facilitate collaboration. Preferred Skills:
-
Experience within the health, wellness, or longevity product sectors.
-
Proven experience in building and designing data products and sophisticated data visualizations.
-
Background in Business-to-Consumer (B2C) product development.
-
Fluency in German to support local market nuances and team communication.
π Enhancement Note: The experience requirement is specific about "end-to-end ownership," indicating a need for candidates who can manage the entire design lifecycle, from ideation and research to execution and post-launch iteration. Familiarity with AI tools is a key differentiator.
π Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements
Portfolio Essentials:
-
Showcase end-to-end ownership of at least one significant product feature or concept, detailing the entire design process.
-
Include original product concepts that demonstrate innovation and strategic thinking, not just refinements of existing products.
-
Provide clear examples of user research methodologies employed, including study design, participant recruitment, synthesis, and how insights directly influenced design decisions.
-
Present complete user journeys, illustrating how complex data (e.g., biometric) is translated into simple, motivating guidance.
-
Feature shipped mobile experiences, specifically highlighting work on iOS platforms and demonstrating an understanding of mobile design constraints. Process Documentation:
-
Detail your approach to defining and tracking success metrics for your design work, showing how you measure impact and iterate based on data.
-
Illustrate your rapid prototyping and concept validation process, explaining how you test assumptions early and efficiently.
-
Demonstrate your understanding of behavior change principles and how your designs actively support habit formation.
-
Highlight your proficiency with Figma, including how you maintain design systems, ensure consistency, and collaborate with development teams.
π Enhancement Note: The portfolio is critical and must go beyond static mockups. It needs to tell a story of ownership, research-driven decision-making, and demonstrable impact on user behavior and product outcomes. The inclusion of AI tool usage and behavior change design is a key expectation.
π΅ Compensation & Benefits
Salary Range: As this is a contractor role based in Switzerland with specific timezone requirements (EU/UK), and considering the 6-7 years of experience and specialized skills in product design, AI tools, and behavior change, a competitive hourly or day rate is expected. Based on industry benchmarks for senior remote contract Product Designers in high-cost-of-living European regions, the estimated range would be between CHF 80 - CHF 120 per hour, or approximately CHF 13,000 - CHF 19,000 per month for a full-time equivalent.
Benefits:
-
Contractor Engagement: Offers flexibility and the opportunity to work on a specific, impactful project.
-
Remote Work: Fully remote position allowing for work-life balance and location independence within the specified timezone.
-
Ownership & Impact: Significant autonomy and the chance to directly influence a product at the forefront of human longevity.
-
Cutting-Edge Technology: Opportunity to work with AI tools and innovative approaches to health and wellness.
-
Equity/Bonus Potential: While not explicitly stated for contractors, high-impact roles often have performance-based bonuses or potential for equity discussions, especially if the contract leads to full-time employment.
Working Hours: The role is expected to be a full-time commitment, aligning with a standard 40-hour work week. However, the remote contractor nature may offer some flexibility in scheduling, provided core collaboration hours within EU/UK timezones are met.
π Enhancement Note: Salary is estimated based on typical contract rates for senior Product Designers in Switzerland, considering the specialized nature of the role (longevity, AI, behavior change) and the requirement for EU/UK timezone residency. Actual compensation will depend on the candidate's experience, specific skill set, and negotiation.
π― Team & Company Context
π’ Company Culture
Industry: Technology (Health Tech / Longevity), Data Analytics, Premium Experiences. Virtusan operates at the intersection of cutting-edge science, technology, and exclusive real-world experiences, aiming to build the operating system for human longevity.
Company Size: Small team, offering significant ownership and impact from day one. This suggests a lean, agile, and fast-paced environment where individual contributions are highly visible and critical.
Founded: Virtusan is a relatively new venture, likely founded within the last 5-10 years, given its focus on modern technology stacks (AI) and the emerging longevity sector. This implies a startup culture focused on rapid innovation and growth.
Team Structure:
-
A small, agile team structure where individuals are expected to take on broad responsibilities and collaborate closely across functions.
-
The Product Designer will likely report to a Head of Product, Lead Designer, or potentially directly to a Co-founder, given the company's size.
-
Cross-functional collaboration will be paramount, working intimately with Product Management, Engineering, and potentially Science/Research leads. Methodology:
-
Data-driven decision-making, with a strong emphasis on user research and metrics to validate design concepts and product effectiveness.
-
Agile development methodologies are likely employed, prioritizing rapid iteration, prototyping, and continuous improvement.
-
A focus on translating complex scientific and biometric data into accessible and actionable user experiences.
Company Website: https://virtusan.com/
π Enhancement Note: The "small team" and "real ownership from day one" aspects indicate a startup environment that values proactivity, self-direction, and a deep commitment to the company's mission. The emphasis on "accountable for outcomes, not just outputs" is a key cultural indicator.
π Career & Growth Analysis
Operations Career Level: This role is positioned as a Senior Product Designer, demanding significant autonomy and end-to-end ownership. It's not an execution-only role but one where the designer shapes product strategy and user experience. The expectation is for a candidate who can lead design initiatives from concept to launch and beyond.
Reporting Structure: Likely reports directly to a senior leader such as the Head of Product, Lead Designer, or a Founder, reflecting the small team size and the critical nature of the role.
Operations Impact: The Product Designer's impact is directly tied to the success of the Virtusan app in achieving its mission: building the operating system for human longevity. This means influencing user behavior, improving health outcomes, and driving long-term engagement, which are critical for the company's growth and value proposition.
Growth Opportunities:
-
Deep Specialization: Develop deep expertise in designing for behavior change, health tech, and longevity, becoming a sought-after specialist in a rapidly growing field.
-
Product Strategy Influence: Play a key role in shaping the product roadmap and strategic direction of Virtusan, moving beyond pure design execution to contribute to business goals.
-
Leadership Potential: As the company grows, opportunities may arise for leading design teams, mentoring junior designers, or taking on product management responsibilities.
-
Learning & Development: Exposure to cutting-edge AI tools, complex biometric data, and innovative approaches to user engagement provides continuous learning opportunities.
π Enhancement Note: This role offers a unique opportunity for a designer to have a profound impact on a mission-driven company and to grow their career in a specialized, high-demand sector. The emphasis on ownership and outcomes suggests a path for rapid professional development.
π Work Environment
Office Type: This is a fully remote, telecommute position, with no requirement for physical office presence.
Office Location(s): While the company is Swiss-based, the role is remote and specifically requires candidates to be located within the EU/UK timezone. Applications from outside this region will not be considered.
Workspace Context:
-
Remote Collaboration: The primary mode of interaction will be digital, utilizing collaboration tools like Slack, Zoom, Figma, and potentially others for project management and communication.
-
Tools & Technology: Access to and proficiency with modern design and collaboration tools (Figma, AI tools) is essential. The company will likely provide necessary software licenses.
-
Autonomous Work: The environment is designed for individuals who can manage their own time effectively, maintain productivity, and engage proactively in a remote setting.
Work Schedule: The role is a full-time contractor position, generally expecting 40 hours per week. While remote work offers flexibility, candidates must be available during core EU/UK business hours to facilitate seamless collaboration with the rest of the team.
π Enhancement Note: The strict timezone requirement (EU/UK) is a critical factor for applicants. While remote, asynchronous communication will be part of the workflow, real-time collaboration during European business hours is expected.
π Application & Portfolio Review Process
Interview Process:
-
Initial Screening: Review of resume and portfolio link to assess experience, skills, and alignment with the role's requirements.
-
Portfolio Deep Dive: A dedicated session to walk through the candidate's portfolio, focusing on examples of end-to-end ownership, original concepts, user research, and shipped mobile experiences. Expect to discuss your design process, decision-making rationale, and the impact of your work.
-
Design Challenge/Case Study: Potentially a take-home assignment or live design exercise focused on a specific problem relevant to Virtusan's mission (e.g., translating biometric data, designing for habit change). This assesses problem-solving skills, design execution, and ability to work within constraints.
-
Behavioral & Cultural Fit Interview: Discussion with founders or senior team members to assess ownership, proactivity, collaboration style, and alignment with Virtusan's mission-driven culture.
-
Final Interview: May involve a final discussion with leadership to confirm fit and discuss terms.
Portfolio Review Tips:
-
Highlight Ownership: Clearly delineate your role and contributions in each project. Emphasize where you originated concepts, led research, and drove decisions.
-
Tell a Story: Structure your case studies to narrate the problem, your process, your solutions, and the measurable outcomes or learnings.
-
Show, Don't Just Tell: Use visuals (wireframes, prototypes, user flows, research summaries) to illustrate your points effectively.
-
Focus on Impact: Quantify results where possible (e.g., user engagement increases, task completion rates, behavior change metrics). If quantitative data isn't available, articulate the qualitative impact and learnings.
-
Demonstrate Research & Iteration: Showcase how user research informed your design decisions and how you iterated based on feedback and data.
-
Include Mobile & AI: Ensure examples demonstrate strong mobile design skills and, if applicable, how AI tools were leveraged in your process.
Challenge Preparation:
-
Understand the Mission: Research Virtusan's focus on longevity, health tech, and behavior change.
-
Practice Data Translation: Be prepared to brainstorm how to translate complex data (e.g., sleep patterns, genetic predispositions, activity levels) into simple, actionable user guidance.
-
Behavior Change Frameworks: Familiarize yourself with common behavior change models (e.g., Fogg Behavior Model, BJ Fogg's Tiny Habits) and how they can be applied in product design.
-
Figma Proficiency: Be ready to demonstrate your Figma skills, including component systems, prototyping, and potentially collaborative workflows.
-
Articulate Rationale: Be prepared to clearly explain the "why" behind your design choices, linking them back to user needs, business goals, and design principles.
π Enhancement Note: The interview process heavily emphasizes portfolio quality and the ability to articulate a strong, research-backed design process with a focus on measurable outcomes and ownership. Be ready to "own" your portfolio and the design challenge.
π Tools & Technology Stack
Primary Tools:
-
Figma: The core design tool for UI design, prototyping, and maintaining design systems. Expert-level proficiency is mandatory.
-
Claude Design (or similar AI Design Tools): Expected to be used for accelerating design processes, concept generation, and potentially content creation within designs.
-
Prototyping Tools: Integrated within Figma or potentially other specialized tools for rapid concept validation.
Analytics & Reporting:
-
In-app Analytics: While not a direct responsibility, the designer needs to understand how to define and interpret success metrics tracked via analytics platforms (e.g., Amplitude, Mixpanel, Google Analytics) to measure the impact of their designs.
-
User Feedback Platforms: Tools for collecting and analyzing qualitative feedback (e.g., surveys, in-app feedback widgets, customer support logs).
CRM & Automation:
-
User Research Platforms: Tools for participant recruitment, scheduling, and potentially conducting remote usability tests (e.g., UserTesting.com, Lookback).
-
Project Management Tools: Likely tools like Jira, Asana, or Trello for collaboration and tracking design tasks within sprints.
π Enhancement Note: The explicit mention of "Claude Design" (likely referring to Anthropic's AI capabilities integrated into design tools, or a similar emerging AI design assistant) signifies a focus on leveraging AI for design efficiency and innovation. Proficiency in Figma is non-negotiable.
π₯ Team Culture & Values
Operations Values:
-
Ownership: A strong emphasis on taking full responsibility for one's work, from conception to outcomes, and proactively driving initiatives forward.
-
Outcome-Oriented: Focus on measurable results and impact, particularly concerning user behavior change and achieving longevity goals, rather than just task completion.
-
Data-Driven: Decisions are informed by user research, analytics, and evidence, fostering a culture of continuous learning and iteration.
-
Scientific Rigor: A commitment to translating complex scientific and biometric data into accessible and effective user experiences.
-
Agility & Speed: Operating in a lean startup environment requires adaptability, quick decision-making, and the ability to iterate rapidly.
Collaboration Style:
-
Cross-Functional Integration: Close collaboration with product management and engineering is essential, requiring clear communication and a shared understanding of goals.
-
User-Centricity: The user's needs and behaviors are at the forefront of all design and product decisions.
-
Direct Communication: In a small team, direct and transparent communication is key, with an expectation of proactive engagement and feedback exchange.
-
Innovation & Experimentation: A culture that encourages exploring new ideas, experimenting with AI tools, and pushing the boundaries of what's possible in longevity tech.
π Enhancement Note: Virtusan likely values individuals who are not only skilled designers but also proactive problem-solvers and strategic thinkers who are deeply aligned with the company's mission to improve human longevity. The culture is likely one of high performance, innovation, and shared ownership.
β‘ Challenges & Growth Opportunities
Challenges:
-
Translating Complexity: The primary challenge will be translating intricate biometric and scientific data into simple, intuitive, and motivating user experiences that drive real behavior change.
-
Behavior Change Design: Effectively designing for habit formation and sustained engagement is a complex challenge that requires deep user understanding and psychological insight.
-
Startup Environment: Working in a small, fast-paced startup means adapting to evolving priorities, managing ambiguity, and potentially wearing multiple hats.
-
Remote Collaboration: Maintaining strong communication, alignment, and team cohesion in a fully remote setting requires proactive effort.
Learning & Development Opportunities:
-
Specialized Domain Expertise: Gain deep knowledge in the burgeoning fields of longevity science, health tech, and data-driven wellness.
-
AI-Augmented Design: Hone skills in utilizing AI tools to enhance the design process, from ideation to iteration.
-
Product Strategy & Ownership: Develop a strong understanding of product strategy, business goals, and how design directly contributes to company success.
-
Impactful Work: Contribute to a product with a profound mission, directly impacting users' health and longevity.
π Enhancement Note: This role presents significant challenges that are also opportunities for growth. The ability to navigate complexity, drive behavior change, and thrive in a dynamic startup environment will be key to success and professional development.
π‘ Interview Preparation
Strategy Questions:
-
"Describe a time you originated a product concept from scratch. What was the process, and what was the outcome?" (Focus on your ideation, research, and validation process.)
-
"How do you approach translating complex data (e.g., biometric, scientific) into simple, actionable user guidance? Walk us through an example." (Demonstrate your ability to simplify complexity and focus on user benefit.)
-
"Our mission is to build the operating system for human longevity. How would you, as a Product Designer, contribute to this mission beyond just UI/UX execution?" (Showcase strategic thinking and understanding of the broader impact of design.) Company & Culture Questions:
-
"What excites you most about Virtusan's mission and the longevity space?" (Demonstrate genuine interest and alignment with the company's vision.)
-
"Describe your experience working in a small, fast-paced team with a high degree of autonomy. How do you stay organized and ensure accountability?" (Highlight your ownership mentality and ability to thrive in a startup environment.)
-
"How do you ensure your designs drive measurable behavior change and user engagement?" (Focus on your understanding of habit formation and your process for tracking impact.) Portfolio Presentation Strategy:
-
Start Strong: Begin with your most relevant and impactful projects that showcase end-to-end ownership and original concepts.
-
Narrate Your Process: For each project, clearly articulate the problem, your research methodologies, your design decisions (and the rationale behind them), and the outcomes achieved.
-
Highlight User Research: Dedicate time to explaining your user research process and how it directly informed your design solutions.
-
Showcase Mobile Expertise: Clearly present your mobile design work, emphasizing your understanding of iOS patterns and constraints.
-
Discuss AI Tool Integration: If applicable, explain how you've leveraged AI tools to enhance your design workflow.
-
Be Prepared for Questions: Anticipate questions about your design choices, alternative approaches, and how you handle feedback or challenges.
π Enhancement Note: Interview preparation should focus on demonstrating ownership, strategic thinking, a deep understanding of user behavior, and proficiency with modern design tools (Figma, AI). Be ready to articulate your process and the impact of your work with specific examples.
π Application Steps
To apply for this Product Designer position:
-
Submit your application through the provided link on join.com, ensuring your resume and portfolio are easily accessible.
-
Portfolio Customization: Tailor your portfolio to highlight projects demonstrating end-to-end ownership, original concept development, robust user research, and shipped mobile (iOS) experiences. Emphasize any work related to health, wellness, data visualization, or behavior change.
-
Resume Optimization: Ensure your resume clearly states your years of experience (6-7 years) and explicitly mentions your expertise in Product Design, UX Design, Mobile App Design, Figma, and User Research. Highlight achievements related to driving user engagement or behavior change.
-
Timezone Alignment: Clearly state your location within the EU/UK timezone in your application or cover letter.
-
Company Research: Familiarize yourself with Virtusan's mission, values, and the longevity industry to articulate your genuine interest and strategic alignment during interviews.
-
Prepare for Portfolio Walkthrough: Be ready to present your portfolio in detail, focusing on your process, decision-making, and the impact of your work, particularly concerning behavior change and data translation.
β οΈ 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
Candidates must have 6 to 7 years of experience in product or UX design with a strong portfolio demonstrating end-to-end ownership and mobile app expertise. Proficiency in Figma, user research methodologies, and the ability to design for behavior change are essential requirements.