Product designer

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Product Designer

Company: Watershed

Location: San Francisco, California, United States; New York City, NY, United States

Job Type: FULL_TIME

Category: Product Design (Sustainability Technology)

Date Posted: 2026-08-14

Experience Level: 5-10 Years

Remote Status: Hybrid (4 days in-office required in hub locations)

🚀 Role Summary

• Design end-to-end user experiences for Watershed's Sustainability Platform, focusing on modules for measuring climate impact, ESG reporting, and decarbonization initiatives.

• Drive product discovery through deep customer research and data analysis to identify and validate new product opportunities that move key business and product metrics.

• Develop and articulate product vision and strategy for future platform enhancements, aligning with customer needs and market trends in sustainability.

• Collaborate intensively with engineering, product management, and other design disciplines to ensure successful execution and go-to-market readiness.

• Integrate and leverage AI tools throughout the design process and within the product itself to enhance user outcomes and operational efficiency.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is positioned within a high-impact sustainability tech company, demanding strong product sense, strategic thinking, and an ability to translate complex data into intuitive user interfaces. The "Sustainability Platform group" implies a focus on core product functionality related to ESG data management and reporting.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Own the complete design lifecycle for specific Sustainability Platform teams, including user research, ideation, wireframing, prototyping, and high-fidelity UI design for features related to carbon measurement, ESG disclosures, and decarbonization actions.

• Conduct in-depth customer discovery, including user interviews, usability testing, and analysis of product analytics, to uncover pain points and inform iterative design improvements.

• Define and communicate the product strategy and vision for new features and platform capabilities, ensuring alignment with company objectives and customer value propositions.

• Partner closely with Engineering and Product Management to ensure design feasibility, timely execution, and high-quality product delivery.

• Work with Go-to-Market teams (Sales, Marketing, Customer Success) to gather market insights, understand customer needs, and support successful product launches.

• Leverage AI design tools for tasks such as user persona generation, concept exploration, design iteration, and content creation to accelerate the design process and enhance outcomes.

• Contribute to the development and refinement of Watershed's design system to ensure consistency, scalability, and efficiency across the platform.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a blend of strategic product thinking ("vision and product strategy") and detailed execution ("sweating the details," "iterate quickly"). The emphasis on "AI throughout your design process" suggests a forward-thinking team that embraces cutting-edge tools.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: While no specific degree is mandated, a strong portfolio demonstrating equivalent expertise and practical application of design principles is paramount.

Experience: 5+ years of professional experience in software product design, with a preference for enterprise software or complex technical domains.

Required Skills:

• Proven track record of shipping impactful and intuitive product experiences for software applications.

• Strong command of design craft fundamentals, including user-centered design methodologies, interaction design principles, and visual polish.

• Demonstrated ability in systems thinking, understanding complex interconnected components and their impact on user workflows.

• Proficiency in rapid prototyping and iterative design processes, translating user feedback and data into actionable design improvements.

• Experience collaborating closely with product managers and engineers in an agile development environment.

• Customer obsession: demonstrated ability and enthusiasm for engaging directly with users and prospects to deeply understand their needs and challenges.

• Adaptability and a proactive approach to working in a fast-paced startup environment. Preferred Skills:

• Experience in the sustainability, climate tech, or supply chain domains.

• Experience working within enterprise software companies.

• Proficiency in leveraging AI tools for design discovery, synthesis, and execution.

• Experience with product discovery methodologies and driving product strategy.

• Familiarity with ESG reporting frameworks (e.g., CSRD) and carbon accounting principles.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "5+ years" benchmark, coupled with the mention of "enterprise software" and "technical/complex problem spaces," indicates a mid-to-senior level role. The preference for sustainability or supply chain experience suggests that domain knowledge is a significant plus but not a strict requirement, emphasizing the company's willingness to train on domain specifics.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Showcase end-to-end product design ownership for at least 2-3 significant projects, detailing the problem, your process, your role, key decisions, and measurable outcomes.

• Include case studies demonstrating deep user research, problem definition, and iterative design solutions for complex challenges.

• Highlight examples of systems thinking and how you've navigated intricate workflows or data structures within software products.

• Present examples of rapid iteration and how user feedback or data analytics influenced design decisions and product direction.

• Demonstrate proficiency in interaction design craft, with examples of intuitive and efficient user flows. Process Documentation:

• Your portfolio should clearly articulate your design process, from initial problem framing and user discovery through to final execution and post-launch analysis.

• Emphasize how you gather requirements, synthesize research, and collaborate with cross-functional teams (Product, Engineering).

• Include examples of how you define success metrics for your designs and how you measure their impact on user behavior and business objectives.

• Showcase your approach to utilizing AI tools to enhance various stages of the design process.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a role emphasizing end-to-end ownership and complex problem-solving, the portfolio must not only display aesthetic skills but also a robust, strategic design process. The inclusion of "AI tools" and "complex problem spaces" suggests a need for projects that demonstrate how technology was leveraged to solve intricate user needs.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $183,750 - $241,500 USD per year.

Benefits:

• Equity participation in a growing company.

• Comprehensive health insurance (medical, dental, vision).

• 401(k) retirement savings plan.

• Unlimited paid time off (PTO) policy, encouraging work-life balance.

• Generous paid parental leave.

• Specialized programs including fertility support and mental health resources.

Working Hours: Standard full-time working hours (approximately 40 hours per week), with flexibility expected to meet project deadlines. The role requires 4 days per week in the office for hybrid locations.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range is competitive for a senior Product Designer role in major tech hubs like San Francisco and New York. The extensive benefits package, including unlimited PTO and specialized health programs, reflects a company culture focused on employee well-being and retention. The mandatory 4-day in-office requirement for hybrid roles is a key detail for candidates.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Environmental Technology / Sustainability Software. Watershed operates at the intersection of enterprise software and climate action, providing a critical platform for companies navigating complex ESG reporting and decarbonization efforts.

Company Size: Watershed is a rapidly growing startup, indicated by its expansion into multiple international offices and its focus on hiring driven team members. This implies a dynamic, fast-paced environment where individual contributions have a significant impact.

Founded: Founded with a mission to help companies manage their climate and ESG data, Watershed has quickly attracted major clients, suggesting a strong product-market fit and an ambitious growth trajectory.

Team Structure:

• The Sustainability Platform group likely consists of dedicated product teams, each with a Product Designer, Product Manager, and Engineering lead/team.

• Designers are expected to partner closely with Product and Engineering, suggesting a collaborative and integrated team structure.

• Cross-functional collaboration extends to Go-to-Market teams (Sales, Marketing, Customer Success) to ensure product success. Methodology:

• Data-driven decision-making is core, with responsibilities including utilizing "product analytics" and "customer feedback" to iterate designs.

• A strong emphasis on "product-building" and "mission-oriented" work.

• Regular design critiques ("weekly jams and crits") foster continuous improvement and skill development.

• Strategic integration of AI is a key methodological approach for both product development and design processes.

Company Website: https://watershed.com/

📝 Enhancement Note: Watershed's client list (Airbnb, Carlyle Group, FedEx, Visa) indicates its significant traction and the enterprise-level nature of its solutions. The company culture appears to value hard work, mission alignment, and a collaborative approach to product development, all within a startup context.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is for a seasoned Product Designer, likely at a Senior or Lead level, given the 5+ years of experience requirement and the expectation to "own design end-to-end" and "drive deep discovery." The scope includes significant product strategy and vision contribution.

Reporting Structure: The Product Designer will report into a Design leadership role, likely a Head of Design or Design Manager, within the Sustainability Platform group. They will work closely with Product Managers and Engineering leads on their respective teams.

Operations Impact: As a Product Designer at Watershed, your work directly impacts the ability of major global companies to measure, report, and reduce their environmental impact. This role offers the opportunity to drive tangible change in one of the most critical areas of global business strategy and sustainability.

Growth Opportunities:

• Specialization: Deepen expertise in sustainability and ESG data, becoming a domain expert in a rapidly growing and critical field.

• Leadership: Potential to grow into a Senior or Lead Designer role, mentoring junior designers, and influencing design strategy across multiple product teams.

• Product Strategy: Develop advanced skills in product discovery, strategy development, and cross-functional leadership, potentially transitioning into product management or other strategic roles within the company.

• Skill Enhancement: Continuous learning opportunities through collaboration, design crits, and the integration of AI tools into the design workflow.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on "product ownership," "vision," and "strategy" suggests clear pathways for career advancement beyond individual contributor roles, especially within a growing startup. The sustainability domain itself offers unique growth opportunities due to increasing market demand.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Watershed maintains hub offices in major cities (San Francisco, New York, London, Mexico City) and satellite offices, indicating a commitment to physical collaboration. The role is hybrid, requiring 4 days per week in the office.

Office Location(s): San Francisco, California; New York City, NY. These are major tech hubs with vibrant ecosystems.

Workspace Context:

• The San Francisco and New York offices are described as "hub offices," suggesting they are central to company operations and culture.

• The hybrid model implies a blend of focused individual work (potentially remote) and collaborative team sessions, brainstorming, and in-person design critiques in the office.

• Employees will have access to standard office amenities and likely a modern tech stack to support their work.

Work Schedule: While a standard 40-hour work week is implied, the startup environment and the nature of product development often require flexibility to meet critical deadlines or support global customer needs. The 4-day in-office expectation is a firm requirement for these locations.

📝 Enhancement Note: The hybrid requirement means candidates must be comfortable commuting to the San Francisco or New York offices four days a week. This setup aims to balance the benefits of in-person collaboration and team building with the flexibility of remote work.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Conversations: 1-2 interviews focused on understanding Watershed, the candidate's experience, and career interests.

• Skill/Experience Interview: For a Product Designer, this will likely be a portfolio review. Candidates should be prepared to walk through their most relevant projects, detailing their process, contributions, and outcomes. Expect questions about systems thinking, interaction design, and how they approach complex problems.

• Interview Panel: A virtual or in-person panel interview with cross-functional team members (e.g., Design, Product, Engineering) to assess technical skills, cultural fit, and strategic thinking.

• Transparency: Watershed emphasizes a transparent process with no surprises.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Storytelling: Structure your portfolio around compelling narratives that clearly articulate the problem, your unique contribution, the design process, and the impact of your work.

• Process Depth: Detail your methodology, including user research, ideation, iteration, and collaboration. Show how you arrived at your solutions.

• Impact Metrics: Quantify the success of your designs whenever possible using relevant metrics (e.g., user engagement, task completion rates, conversion improvements, customer satisfaction).

• AI Integration: Be prepared to discuss how you've used AI tools in your design process, highlighting efficiency gains or novel approaches.

• Company Fit: Tailor your presentation to highlight experiences and skills most relevant to Watershed's mission and the specific challenges of designing enterprise sustainability software.

Challenge Preparation:

• While not explicitly detailed, expect potential challenges or case studies that assess your ability to:

  • Analyze a complex problem space (e.g., a specific ESG reporting challenge).
  • Propose design solutions and articulate their rationale.
  • Demonstrate systems thinking in a design context.
  • Communicate your ideas clearly and persuasively.

• Practice articulating your design strategy and how it aligns with business objectives.

📝 Enhancement Note: The portfolio review is the critical step for this role. Candidates should select projects that best showcase their enterprise software design experience, systems thinking, and ability to drive measurable outcomes. Highlighting AI tool usage will be increasingly important.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Design & Prototyping: Figma is the industry standard and highly likely to be the primary tool. Candidates should be proficient in its advanced features for collaboration, prototyping, and design system management.

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

• Analytics & Data Tools: Experience with product analytics platforms (e.g., Amplitude, Mixpanel, Google Analytics) and data visualization tools is beneficial for understanding user behavior and iterating on designs.

• AI Design Tools: Proficiency with AI-powered design assistants for ideation, content generation, and workflow optimization (specific tools may vary but general familiarity is key).

Analytics & Reporting:

• Familiarity with tools that help track key performance indicators (KPIs) related to user engagement, feature adoption, and business impact. CRM & Automation:

• While not directly a designer's tool, understanding how CRM systems (e.g., Salesforce) and automation platforms integrate with the product can provide valuable context for designing user workflows.

📝 Enhancement Note: Proficiency in Figma is almost a given for modern product design roles. The emphasis on AI tools suggests that candidates who can demonstrate practical application of these technologies in their design workflow will have a distinct advantage. Understanding how data informs design decisions is crucial.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Mission-Driven: A strong commitment to the company's mission of enabling sustainability and decarbonization. This translates to a desire to build products that have a real-world positive impact.

• Customer Obsession: A deep focus on understanding and solving customer problems, driving user research and iterating based on feedback.

• Product Ownership: Taking responsibility for the success of the product, from conception through execution and beyond.

• Collaboration & Transparency: Working effectively across teams, sharing knowledge, and maintaining open communication.

• Innovation: Embracing new technologies like AI and pushing the boundaries of what's possible in sustainability software.

• Execution & Speed: A startup mentality focused on moving fast, iterating quickly, and delivering results.

Collaboration Style:

• Highly collaborative, with designers working hand-in-hand with Product Managers and Engineers.

• Regular design critiques ("jams and crits") foster a culture of constructive feedback and continuous improvement.

• Cross-functional partnerships are essential for successful product development and go-to-market strategies.

📝 Enhancement Note: The company culture values individuals who are not only skilled designers but also passionate about the mission, proactive problem-solvers, and effective team players. The "startup" aspect implies a need for self-starters comfortable with ambiguity and rapid change.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Complexity of Domain: Translating complex climate science, ESG regulations, and supply chain dynamics into intuitive and actionable user interfaces.

• Enterprise-Scale Problems: Designing for large organizations with diverse user roles, intricate data requirements, and established workflows.

• Balancing Strategy and Execution: Effectively contributing to long-term product vision while also delivering high-quality designs on tight timelines.

• AI Integration: Staying ahead of the curve in leveraging AI tools effectively and ethically within the design process and the product itself.

• Pace of a Startup: Adapting to rapid growth, evolving priorities, and the demands of a fast-moving market.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Domain Expertise: Becoming a recognized expert in the rapidly evolving fields of sustainability, climate tech, and ESG reporting.

• Advanced Design Skills: Honing skills in complex systems design, strategic product thinking, and leveraging cutting-edge AI tools.

• Cross-Functional Leadership: Developing leadership capabilities through close collaboration with Product, Engineering, and Go-to-Market teams.

• Mentorship: Opportunities to learn from experienced designers and product leaders within a growing organization.

• Industry Exposure: Working with leading companies and contributing to solutions for one of the most critical challenges of our time.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges presented are significant but also represent substantial growth opportunities. Candidates who thrive in complex, mission-driven environments and are eager to learn will find this role particularly rewarding.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you had to design a solution for a highly complex or technical problem space. How did you approach it?" (Focus on systems thinking, research, and iterative process.)

• "How do you balance user needs with business objectives and technical constraints in your design process?" (Showcase strategic thinking and trade-off management.)

• "Walk us through a product strategy you helped shape or define. What was your role, and what was the outcome?" (Highlight your ability to think beyond UI and contribute to product vision.)

• "How do you leverage data and user research to inform your design decisions? Provide a specific example." (Demonstrate a data-driven approach.)

• "How have you used AI tools in your design workflow? What were the benefits and limitations?" (Prepare to discuss practical applications.) Company & Culture Questions:

• "Why are you interested in working at Watershed, specifically in the sustainability sector?" (Connect your values and career goals to the company's mission.)

• "Describe your ideal team dynamic and how you contribute to a collaborative design culture." (Showcase your teamwork and communication skills.)

• "How do you handle constructive criticism on your designs during critiques?" (Demonstrate openness to feedback and growth.)

• "What are your thoughts on the importance of hybrid work, and how do you ensure productivity and collaboration in such an environment?" (Address the 4-day in-office requirement.) Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Selectivity: Choose 2-3 projects that best represent your end-to-end design capabilities, systems thinking, and impact, ideally related to complex software or enterprise solutions.

• Narrative Flow: Structure each case study as a story with a clear beginning (problem), middle (process, decisions, challenges), and end (solution, impact, learnings).

• Highlight Your Role: Be explicit about your contributions, especially in team projects.

• Visuals: Use clear, high-quality mockups, wireframes, and prototypes. Show the evolution of your designs.

• Quantify Impact: Whenever possible, present metrics that demonstrate the success and value of your designs.

• AI Integration: Be ready to discuss where and how AI tools were used in the showcased projects.

• Q&A Preparedness: Anticipate questions about your process, decisions, and challenges.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process is designed to assess not just design skills but also strategic thinking, problem-solving abilities, and cultural fit. A well-prepared portfolio presentation that clearly articulates process and impact is crucial for success.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Product Designer position:

• Submit your application through the provided link on Ashby.

• Portfolio Customization: Ensure your portfolio prominently features projects that demonstrate your experience in enterprise software design, systems thinking, and end-to-end product ownership. Highlight any experience with complex data or technical problem spaces.

• Resume Optimization: Tailor your resume to include keywords from the job description, such as "product design," "enterprise software," "systems thinking," "interaction design," "product strategy," and "AI tools." Quantify achievements where possible.

• Interview Preparation: Practice articulating your design process, decision-making rationale, and project outcomes. Prepare specific examples for behavioral questions and be ready to discuss your approach to collaboration and problem-solving.

• Company Research: Thoroughly research Watershed, its mission, its clients, and its impact in the sustainability sector. Understand the challenges and opportunities within climate tech and ESG reporting to demonstrate genuine interest and 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.