Product Designer

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Product Designer

Company: Wave HQ

Location: Canada

Job Type: Full-time

Category: Product Design / UX/UI

Date Posted: June 10, 2026

Experience Level: 3+ Years Professional Experience

Remote Status: Remote OK

🚀 Role Summary

• Design user-centered experiences that simplify financial management for micro business owners.

• Collaborate cross-functionally with product, engineering, research, and customer support teams throughout the product development lifecycle.

• Contribute to the evolution of Wave's product strategy and uphold user-centric design principles.

• Develop and maintain Design System libraries to ensure consistency and efficiency in product creation.

• Partner with Product Managers and Engineering Leads to prioritize product discovery and delivery backlogs.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is specifically for a Product Designer focused on B2B SaaS for small businesses, with a strong emphasis on simplifying complex financial management tasks. The remote nature, combined with the Canadian location, suggests a need for strong communication and asynchronous collaboration skills. The explicit mention of "micro business owners" and "financial management complexity" indicates a target user base and core problem to solve.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Partner with cross-functional product teams to understand user and business needs during the discovery phase, iterating on design solutions that deliver customer value.

• Actively participate in the creation and evolution of Wave's product strategy, aligning design decisions with overarching business goals.

• Contribute to and improve Wave's established user-centric design principles and best practices.

• Build and maintain Design System libraries, ensuring scalability and consistency across innovative product development.

• Collaborate with Product Managers and Engineering Leads to prioritize discovery and delivery backlogs, optimizing resource allocation and project timelines.

• Develop and execute research plans in partnership with the User Research Team, conducting concept testing, usability testing, and user interviews.

• Synthesize research insights into actionable hypotheses, exploring multiple design possibilities that balance user needs with business objectives and strategy.

• Create high-fidelity mockups and interactive prototypes using Figma, adhering to Design System guidelines and continuously validating through user testing and experimentation.

• Facilitate design reviews with the Product Design Team, Content Strategy, Design Systems team, and all relevant stakeholders, ensuring adherence to principles and guidelines.

• Maintain transparent communication by consistently sharing work-in-progress with fellow designers to gather feedback and refine solutions.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a full-cycle product design role, from initial discovery and research to delivery and iteration. The emphasis on "following and helping improve Wave’s user-centric design principles" and "building and maintaining our Design Systems libraries" points to a need for a candidate who can both execute within established frameworks and contribute to their enhancement, indicating a mid-level to senior role.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: While no specific degree is mandated, a strong portfolio demonstrating equivalent practical experience and a deep understanding of design principles is essential.

Experience: 3+ years of professional product design experience focused on mobile and web applications.

Required Skills:

• Proven experience in product design for mobile and web applications.

• Strong knowledge of user experience (UX) and visual design fundamentals.

• Proficiency in conducting user research methodologies, including user interviews, usability testing, surveys, and concept testing.

• Expertise in using Figma as a primary design tool.

• Demonstrated experience in creating interactive prototypes.

• Ability to work autonomously and collaboratively within a cross-functional team environment.

• Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills, with a passion for self-starting and delivering high-quality work.

• Understanding of current design trends and best practices, with the ability to adapt and innovate.

• A strong user-centric mindset, consistently prioritizing user needs in design decisions. Preferred Skills:

• Experience in the Fintech industry.

• Familiarity with Design Systems development and maintenance.

• Experience in product strategy development and user needs discovery.

• Ability to contribute to the evolution of design principles and methodologies.

📝 Enhancement Note: The requirement for 3+ years of experience, coupled with the expectation to contribute to product strategy and design systems, suggests this role is suitable for a Product Designer with a solid foundation and a desire to influence the product's direction. The "passionate self-starter" and "autonomous" descriptors indicate a need for proactive individuals who can manage their workload effectively.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Demonstrate a strong understanding of the end-to-end product design process, from research and ideation to prototyping and final delivery.

• Showcase case studies that highlight how user needs were identified and translated into effective design solutions.

• Include examples of your work with Design Systems, illustrating contributions to component libraries, style guides, or design tokens.

• Feature projects that involved cross-functional collaboration, detailing your role and interactions with product managers, engineers, and researchers.

• Present prototypes that effectively communicate user flows and interaction design. Process Documentation:

• Provide examples of how you have documented design processes, workflows, and research findings.

• Showcase instances where you have contributed to improving existing design processes or implemented new ones.

• Illustrate how you have used data and user feedback to iterate on and refine designs throughout the development lifecycle.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a Product Designer role, a robust portfolio is critical. This section infers that Wave HQ will be looking for tangible evidence of the candidate's process, problem-solving skills, and ability to collaborate. The emphasis on Design Systems and cross-functional work suggests specific areas to highlight.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $95,000 - $107,000 CAD per year

Benefits:

• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance plans.

• Generous paid time off (PTO) and company holidays.

• Opportunities for professional development, including training, conferences, and workshops.

• Retirement savings plan with company matching.

• Flexible work arrangements and remote work support.

• Employee Assistance Program (EAP) for well-being.

Working Hours: Standard full-time hours, typically 40 hours per week, with flexibility to accommodate remote work schedules.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range is provided in CAD, aligning with the Canadian location. While specific benefits aren't detailed in the raw input, standard full-time benefits for a tech company in Canada are inferred. The "40 hours per week" is a standard assumption for full-time employment.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Fintech / SaaS (Financial Software as a Service)

Company Size: Wave HQ is part of a larger organization, likely indicating a mid-to-large size company with established processes but retaining a focus on innovation and creative energy.

Founded: Wave was founded with the mission to help small businesses thrive, suggesting a purpose-driven culture.

Team Structure:

• The Product Design team is collaborative, working closely with User Research, Content Strategy, and Design Systems teams.

• Product Designers report into product leadership and work within cross-functional product squads alongside Product Managers and Engineering Leads.

• Collaboration extends across departments, including customer support, to gather insights and ensure customer-centricity. Methodology:

• Wave emphasizes a user-centric design approach, underpinned by research and continuous user feedback.

• Agile methodologies are likely employed, with a focus on iterative development, discovery, and delivery cycles.

• Design Systems are integral to their workflow, promoting consistency and efficiency.

Company Website: www.waveapps.com

📝 Enhancement Note: The company description highlights a culture that values creativity, learning, and knowledge sharing, specifically aimed at empowering small businesses. The mention of "creative energy and inspiration" suggests an environment that fosters innovation.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is positioned as a mid-level Product Designer, requiring 3+ years of experience and the ability to contribute to product strategy and design systems. It offers a blend of execution and influence within the design team.

Reporting Structure: The Product Designer will likely report to a Design Manager or Head of Product Design, working within specific product squads and collaborating closely with Product Managers and Engineering Leads.

Operations Impact: The Product Designer directly impacts Wave's success by creating intuitive and effective financial management tools for small businesses. Their work is crucial in reducing complexity, improving user adoption, and ultimately helping Wave achieve its mission of empowering entrepreneurs.

Growth Opportunities:

• Advance to Senior Product Designer roles, taking on more complex projects and mentorship responsibilities.

• Specialize in areas like Design Systems, User Research, or Product Strategy.

• Opportunity to take on leadership roles within design squads or initiatives.

• Continuous learning and development through industry best practices, conferences, and internal knowledge sharing.

📝 Enhancement Note: The role offers a clear path for growth within product design, moving from execution to strategic contribution and potentially leadership. The emphasis on understanding business goals and product strategy indicates opportunities to develop broader product thinking skills.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: While the role is remote-OK, Wave HQ is likely a modern office space designed to foster collaboration and creativity, with amenities supporting employee well-being.

Office Location(s): Primarily Canada, with the possibility of hybrid or in-office work arrangements in specific Canadian locations if not fully remote.

Workspace Context:

• A collaborative environment where designers are encouraged to share work and provide feedback.

• Access to necessary design tools and software, including Figma and prototyping tools.

• Opportunities for regular interaction with design peers, researchers, product managers, and engineers.

Work Schedule: Standard full-time hours (approximately 40 hours/week) with flexibility to manage workload effectively in a remote setting. Emphasis on asynchronous communication for remote collaboration.

📝 Enhancement Note: The remote-OK nature for Canada implies a need for strong self-management and communication skills. The company's stated values suggest an environment that supports continuous learning and collaboration regardless of physical location.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A brief call with a recruiter to assess basic qualifications and cultural fit.

• Design Challenge/Portfolio Review: Candidates will likely present a portfolio showcasing their work, with specific case studies discussed. A design challenge might be given to assess problem-solving skills and approach.

• Cross-functional Interviews: Interviews with Product Managers, Engineering Leads, and fellow Designers to evaluate collaboration skills, technical proficiency, and design thinking.

• Hiring Manager Interview: A final discussion with the hiring manager to assess overall fit, strategic thinking, and career aspirations.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Select 3-4 strong case studies that demonstrate your product design process, problem-solving skills, and impact.

• Clearly articulate the problem, your role, the process followed, the challenges encountered, and the outcomes achieved for each case study.

• Highlight your proficiency with Figma and prototyping tools, and demonstrate your understanding of Design Systems.

• Be prepared to discuss your experience with user research and how it informed your design decisions.

• Showcase examples of successful cross-functional collaboration.

• Tailor your presentation to Wave's mission and target audience (small business owners). Challenge Preparation:

• If a design challenge is provided, focus on understanding the core problem and user needs.

• Outline your approach clearly, including research, ideation, and solution development.

• Be prepared to explain your design rationale and trade-offs.

• Practice presenting your thoughts concisely and effectively.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on portfolio review and potential design challenges suggests that Wave HQ values practical skills and a demonstrable design process. Candidates should be prepared to walk through their work in detail and articulate the "why" behind their design choices.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Figma: The primary design tool for UI design, wireframing, and prototyping. Proficiency is explicitly required.

• Prototyping Tools: Likely integrated within Figma or complementary tools for creating interactive prototypes.

• Design Systems: Experience with creating, maintaining, or utilizing Design Systems is crucial.

Analytics & Reporting:

• While not explicitly mentioned, familiarity with analytics tools (e.g., Google Analytics, Mixpanel, Amplitude) used for product performance tracking would be beneficial. CRM & Automation:

• Not directly relevant to the Product Designer role, but understanding how designs integrate into broader CRM and automation workflows might be a plus.

📝 Enhancement Note: Figma is the core tool. Candidates should be ready to demonstrate deep expertise in Figma's features for design, prototyping, and collaboration. Understanding of Design Systems is also a key technical requirement.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• User-Centricity: A core value, emphasizing that user needs are at the heart of all design decisions.

• Collaboration: Strong emphasis on working with cross-functional teams, sharing knowledge, and giving/receiving constructive feedback.

• Innovation & Creativity: An environment that encourages creative energy and exploration of new ideas.

• Learning & Growth: A commitment to continuous learning, quick adaptation, and knowledge sharing.

• Impact: A focus on helping small businesses thrive, driving meaningful outcomes for customers.

Collaboration Style:

• Transparent and iterative, with frequent sharing of work for feedback.

• Cross-functional, involving close partnerships with Product Management, Engineering, Research, and Customer Support.

• Team-oriented, fostering a supportive environment where individuals contribute to collective success.

📝 Enhancement Note: The company's stated values—boldness, learning quickly, and generous knowledge sharing—are key indicators of the desired culture. Candidates should align with these principles and be ready to demonstrate them in their work and interactions.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Simplifying complex financial management tasks into intuitive user experiences for a diverse range of micro business owners.

• Balancing user needs with business goals and technical constraints within an agile development framework.

• Contributing to and evolving a Design System while simultaneously working on innovative product features.

• Navigating the nuances of remote collaboration to ensure effective communication and design alignment. Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Deepen expertise in Fintech product design and user behavior.

• Advance skills in Design Systems architecture and implementation.

• Develop strategic thinking and product roadmap contributions.

• Opportunities to mentor junior designers and lead design initiatives.

📝 Enhancement Note: The role presents challenges related to product complexity and the need for strategic design thinking, offering significant growth potential in specialized areas of product design and strategy.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you had to simplify a complex user flow. What was your process, and what was the outcome?" (Focus on your problem-solving methodology, research, and iterative design.)

• "How do you approach balancing user needs with business objectives and technical limitations?" (Prepare examples of trade-offs and your decision-making process.)

• "Walk us through your experience with design systems. How have you contributed to or utilized them?" (Be ready to discuss specific components, guidelines, and benefits.)

• "How do you ensure your designs are inclusive and accessible to all users?" (Highlight your understanding of accessibility standards and practices.) Company & Culture Questions:

• "Why are you interested in working at Wave, and what excites you about our mission?" (Research Wave's products, mission, and values.)

• "Describe your ideal team environment and how you contribute to a collaborative culture." (Relate to Wave's emphasis on creativity and knowledge sharing.)

• "How do you handle constructive feedback on your designs?" (Demonstrate humility and a growth mindset.) Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure your presentation around 3-4 key case studies. For each, clearly define the problem, your role, the process, your solutions, and the impact.

• Use visuals effectively to showcase your UI/UX work and prototypes.

• Be prepared to discuss your design rationale, trade-offs, and learnings.

• Emphasize the user-centric approach and any research conducted.

• Show how your work aligns with Wave's mission of simplifying financial management for small businesses.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation should focus on demonstrating a strong understanding of the design process, user advocacy, and collaborative capabilities, with specific examples tied to the company's mission and product domain.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Product Designer position:

• Submit your application through the provided Lever application link.

• Portfolio Customization: Curate your online portfolio to prominently feature 3-4 strong case studies that highlight your end-to-end product design process, particularly showcasing work on mobile/web apps and any experience with financial management tools or complex workflows.

• Resume Optimization: Tailor your resume to align with the job description, emphasizing keywords such as "Product Design," "UX/UI," "Figma," "User Research," "Design Systems," and "Cross-functional Collaboration." Quantify achievements where possible (e.g., "improved conversion rates by X%").

• Interview Preparation: Practice articulating your design process and decision-making rationale. Prepare specific examples for behavioral questions related to collaboration, feedback, and problem-solving. Rehearse your portfolio walkthrough.

• Company Research: Thoroughly research Wave HQ, its products, mission, target audience (micro business owners), and company culture. Understand how your skills and passion align with their goals.

⚠️ 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.