Product Designer

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Product Designer

Company: Zefir

Location: Paris, Ile-de-France, France

Job Type: FULL_TIME

Category: Product Design / Go-To-Market Operations Support

Date Posted: 2026-06-19

Experience Level: Mid-Senior (3-8 years)

Remote Status: Hybrid (Flexible remote work options available)

🚀 Role Summary

• Lead end-to-end product design processes for AI-powered home sales experiences, encompassing user research, ideation, prototyping, and iterative delivery.

• Design intuitive UX and pixel-perfect UI, focusing on user flows, wireframes, and high-fidelity mockups for a scalable and visually coherent platform.

• Drive continuous design improvement by measuring impact through tools like Hotjar and Amplitude, and iterating based on data-driven insights and NPS scores.

• Foster a strong design culture by contributing to and maintaining the company's design system and participating actively in team rituals.

• Collaborate closely with Product Managers, Engineers, and Operations teams to ensure design feasibility, strategic alignment, and seamless implementation of AI-driven features.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the title is "Product Designer," Zefir's description of their AI autopilot for home sales and the emphasis on "orchestrating local brokers, portals, buyers, and documents" suggests a strong need for a designer who understands Go-To-Market (GTM) dynamics and the operational complexities of a real estate marketplace. The role will likely involve designing not just for end-users (buyers/sellers) but also for internal operations teams and partner agents, requiring a blend of product design and GTM operations support thinking.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Spearhead the entire product design lifecycle, from initial user research and discovery phases through to ideation, rapid prototyping, user testing, and final delivery and ongoing iteration.

• Develop thoughtful user experiences (UX) and pixel-perfect user interfaces (UI), creating comprehensive user flows, wireframes, and high-fidelity mockups that are both scalable and visually consistent, ensuring they are development-ready.

• Actively measure the impact of design decisions by defining and tracking key success metrics using analytics tools like Hotjar and Amplitude, and user feedback mechanisms such as NPS, to continuously refine and optimize designs.

• Engage in close cross-functional collaboration with Product Managers, Software Engineers, Operations specialists, and other key stakeholders to ensure design solutions are technically feasible, strategically aligned, and seamlessly integrated into the product.

• Contribute to the evolution and maintenance of the company's design system, creating reusable components and patterns, and actively participating in design team rituals, including design reviews, retrospectives, and knowledge-sharing sessions.

• Bridge the gap between technological capabilities, business objectives, and product strategy, making informed design decisions that balance engineering constraints with desired business outcomes and support the company's overarching strategic goals.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibility to "design smart systems and intuitive tools that make their daily work more efficient" for partner agents implies the need to design for internal operational workflows and B2B user experiences, which is a critical component of GTM operations.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

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

Experience: 3–8 years of experience in product design, with a proven track record of building and shipping impactful products, preferably within fast-growing environments, high-growth startups, or tech-driven/marketplace products where design directly influences business outcomes.

Required Skills:

• Proven experience in leading end-to-end product design processes, from user research and discovery to ideation, prototyping, and iterative delivery.

• Exceptional skills in crafting user flows, wireframes, and high-fidelity mockups, with a strong eye for detail and a focus on scalable, visually coherent UI.

• Proficiency in using product analytics and user feedback tools such as Hotjar, Amplitude, and NPS for data-driven design iteration.

• Demonstrated ability to collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams, including Product Managers, Engineers, and Operations.

• Experience in contributing to and maintaining design systems, creating reusable components, and adhering to design standards.

• Strong product sense and the ability to think from first principles to solve complex problems with intuitive and impactful user experiences.

• Technical curiosity and an understanding of system trade-offs, with the ability to collaborate seamlessly with engineers.

• Fluency in English for all professional communication, rituals, and documentation. Preferred Skills:

• Experience designing AI-powered experiences or a strong, hands-on interest in applying AI to product design.

• Background in tech-driven or marketplace products, particularly in real estate or related industries.

• A quantitative and iterative mindset, with a focus on measurable outcomes and fast feedback loops.

• Experience operating with a high degree of autonomy, initiative, and ownership.

• Familiarity with first-principles thinking to identify leverage points and create unique solutions.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on "hands-on builders, people who love to prototype, test, and get things done rather than wait for perfect conditions" suggests a preference for proactive, execution-oriented designers. The requirement to "balance engineering constraints with business outcomes" points towards a need for strategic thinking that aligns design with GTM and business objectives.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Showcase end-to-end product design case studies demonstrating your process from problem definition to solution and impact.

• Highlight projects that involved user research, ideation, wireframing, prototyping, UI design, and user testing.

• Include examples of how you've used data (e.g., Hotjar, Amplitude, NPS) to inform design decisions and iterate on solutions.

• Present designs for complex systems or workflows, ideally those that improved efficiency or conversion rates.

• Demonstrate experience with design systems, including contributions to or utilization of component libraries. Process Documentation:

• Clearly articulate your personal design process, emphasizing how you approach discovery, ideation, validation, and iteration.

• Provide examples of how you've collaborated with engineering and product management to bring designs to life, detailing communication strategies and problem-solving approaches.

• Showcase how you define and measure success for your designs, linking them to business objectives and user outcomes.

📝 Enhancement Note: Given the company's focus on AI and marketplace operations, portfolios demonstrating experience with designing for complex workflows, B2B tools, or marketplace dynamics will be highly valued. The ability to show how designs directly contributed to efficiency gains or conversion improvements will be critical.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: €65,500 - €75,500 per year (based on input data)

Benefits:

• Competitive salary package.

• BSPCE (Stock Options) with monthly vesting after year one, over a 4-year period, providing long-term equity.

• Comprehensive healthcare plan with Alan, covering team members, their partners, and children.

• Swile meal card (€11 per worked day) to support daily expenses.

• Swile mobility card (€42/month) to encourage sustainable transportation.

• Regular team events (Monthly Mixers) and company-wide All Hands meetings to foster connection and celebrate achievements.

Working Hours: Assumed to be standard full-time hours, approximately 40 hours per week, with flexible remote work options.

📝 Enhancement Note: The inclusion of a salary calculator on Zefir's website indicates transparency and a data-driven approach to compensation, aligning with the company's operational principles. The BSPCE offering is a significant component for long-term incentive alignment.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: PropTech / AI / Real Estate Technology. Zefir is disrupting the European home sales market by building an AI autopilot that manages the entire sales and purchase journey end-to-end, leveraging AI agents to orchestrate brokers, portals, buyers, and documentation.

Company Size: Zefir is a growing startup, having raised over $55 million from top-tier investors like Sequoia Capital. This indicates a dynamic, fast-paced environment with significant growth potential.

Founded: The founding date is not explicitly stated, but the significant funding suggests a relatively young but rapidly scaling company.

Team Structure:

• The Product Team is focused on creating the first fully AI-based real estate experience in Europe, combining automation with human expertise.

• The team operates at the intersection of strategy, craft, and iteration, designing AI agents for high-impact, high-friction moments in the buying and selling journey.

• They also build tools for partner agents to enhance their daily work, indicating a clear understanding of the B2B operational needs within their ecosystem. Methodology:

• Data-driven and pragmatic approach to product development, aiming for real outcomes rather than just features.

• Focus on designing AI agents that anticipate user needs and automate complex processes.

• Emphasis on iterative design, rapid prototyping, and continuous refinement based on user feedback and performance metrics.

Company Website: https://www.zefir.fr/

📝 Enhancement Note: The company's mission to create an "AI autopilot for home sales" indicates a strong focus on automation, efficiency, and leveraging technology to solve complex, high-friction problems within the real estate sector. This operational focus will likely permeate the design team's work.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is positioned as a Mid-Senior level Product Designer (3-8 years of experience). The responsibilities suggest a significant degree of autonomy and ownership, with the expectation to lead design processes and contribute strategically.

Reporting Structure: The Product Designer will work closely with Product Managers and Engineers, and contribute to the overall design culture. The exact reporting line is not specified but implies a collaborative team environment.

Operations Impact: The Product Designer will have a direct impact on the user experience for both buyers/sellers and partner agents, influencing conversion rates, operational efficiency, and the overall success of Zefir's AI-driven platform. Designing tools for partner agents directly supports the operational backbone of their GTM strategy.

Growth Opportunities:

• Deepen expertise in AI-driven product design and its application in regulated industries like real estate.

• Develop skills in designing for complex marketplaces and B2B operational tools.

• Opportunity to significantly influence the product roadmap and design system of a rapidly growing, well-funded startup.

• Potential to grow into a Design Lead or Manager role as the company scales.

• Gain experience in a cross-functional environment, bridging product, engineering, and operations.

📝 Enhancement Note: The role offers a unique opportunity to shape the design of AI-powered experiences in a high-friction industry, providing significant learning and growth potential for ambitious designers. The emphasis on "bridging tech, business, and product strategy" suggests a path towards more strategic product roles.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Zefir has an office located in Le Peletier, Paris (9th arrondissement), which serves as a hub for collaboration, but offers flexible remote work options.

Office Location(s): Paris, France (9th arrondissement).

Workspace Context:

• A hybrid work model allows for a balance between in-office collaboration and remote flexibility, catering to modern work preferences.

• The office environment in Paris likely fosters a dynamic and collaborative atmosphere typical of European startups.

• Access to modern design tools and technology is implied, supporting the creation of high-fidelity mockups and prototypes.

• Opportunities for direct interaction with product, engineering, and operations teams to ensure cohesive development.

Work Schedule: Flexible, with standard full-time hours expected, allowing for remote work arrangements that can support focused work and deeper engagement with design challenges.

📝 Enhancement Note: The hybrid model and flexible remote options indicate a company culture that trusts its employees and values work-life balance, which is increasingly important for attracting top talent in operations and design roles.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Application Submission: Submit your CV and a portfolio that highlights relevant design projects.

• Initial Screening: Review of application and portfolio to assess fit with role requirements.

• Hands-on Exercise/Case Study: Candidates will likely be given a design challenge or asked to present a case study from their portfolio, focusing on problem-solving, design process, and impact. This is a critical step for evaluating practical skills.

• Cross-functional Interviews: Discussions with Product Managers, Engineers, and potentially Operations stakeholders to assess collaboration, communication, and strategic thinking.

• Final Interview: May involve discussions with leadership to assess cultural fit and long-term potential.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Showcase End-to-End Process: Clearly articulate your design journey for 2-3 key projects, from problem identification and user research to ideation, prototyping, UI design, and measuring impact.

• Highlight Data-Driven Iteration: Demonstrate how you used data (e.g., analytics, user feedback, A/B testing) to inform design decisions and iterate on your solutions. Quantify impact where possible.

• Emphasize AI and Marketplace Experience: If you have experience designing for AI-powered features, marketplaces, or complex operational workflows, make sure this is prominent.

• Detail Collaboration: Explain how you worked with engineers, product managers, and other stakeholders. Highlight your communication and problem-solving approach.

• Design System Contribution: If applicable, showcase any contributions to or extensive use of design systems.

• Clarity and Storytelling: Present your work clearly and concisely, telling a compelling story about the problem, your solution, and the outcomes.

Challenge Preparation:

• Be prepared to discuss your design process and how you approach ambiguity.

• Think about how AI can be leveraged to solve user problems in the real estate domain.

• Consider how to design for both end-users (buyers/sellers) and professional users (agents/operations).

• Practice articulating your design decisions and their business rationale.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on "hands-on exercises, case studies, or discussions about specific examples of your previous work" is crucial. Candidates should prepare to deep-dive into their portfolio, articulating not just what they designed, but why, and what the measurable impact was.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Design & Prototyping: Figma, Sketch, Adobe Creative Suite (implied as industry standard).

• User Research & Feedback: Hotjar, Amplitude, NPS tools (explicitly mentioned).

• Collaboration: Slack, Jira, Confluence (standard for tech teams).

Analytics & Reporting:

• Amplitude (for product analytics).

• Hotjar (for user behavior analysis, heatmaps, recordings).

• NPS (Net Promoter Score) tools for customer feedback. CRM & Automation:

• While not explicitly mentioned for the designer role, Zefir's platform likely integrates with or utilizes CRM and automation tools to manage leads, client interactions, and sales processes. The designer may be tasked with improving interfaces for these systems.

📝 Enhancement Note: Proficiency with modern design and prototyping tools is essential. Experience with analytics platforms like Amplitude and Hotjar is critical for demonstrating the ability to iterate based on data, a key requirement for this role. Understanding how design integrates with operational tools is also beneficial.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Steep Mountains Are Steep: A commitment to setting ambitious goals and working diligently to achieve them, reflecting a drive for high performance.

• Ride Reality: Embracing challenges and adapting flexibly to changes, indicating resilience and a proactive approach to problem-solving.

• Play for the Front of the Jersey: Prioritizing team success over individual recognition, fostering a collaborative and selfless work environment.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-functional integration is key, with close collaboration expected between design, product, engineering, and operations.

• Emphasis on clear communication, empathy, and alignment through thoughtful design and storytelling.

• Active participation in team rituals like design reviews and retrospectives suggests a culture of constructive feedback and continuous improvement.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Operating Principles" are core to Zefir's culture and directly inform how team members are expected to work and collaborate. Designers should align their approach with these values, demonstrating a team-oriented, resilient, and goal-driven mindset.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Designing for a novel AI-driven real estate platform requires navigating ambiguity and defining user experiences for cutting-edge technology.

• Balancing the needs of diverse user groups (home buyers, sellers, partner agents, internal operations) within a single platform.

• Translating complex AI capabilities into intuitive and trustworthy user interfaces.

• Contributing to a rapidly evolving product and design system in a high-growth startup environment.

• Ensuring designs are scalable and adaptable to new features and market expansions across Europe. Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Gain deep expertise in AI product design and its application in the PropTech sector.

• Develop advanced skills in marketplace design and B2B tool creation.

• Opportunity to shape product strategy and influence the direction of a well-funded, innovative company.

• Potential for leadership growth within the design team as Zefir scales.

• Exposure to diverse European markets and regulatory environments.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges presented are opportunities for significant professional growth, particularly for designers interested in emerging technologies and complex operational environments.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• How would you approach designing an AI-powered pricing tool for real estate agents?

• Describe a time you had to balance competing stakeholder needs in a design project. How did you achieve alignment?

• Walk me through a complex workflow you've designed. What were the key challenges, and how did you simplify it for the user? Company & Culture Questions:

• How do Zefir's operating principles ("Steep Mountains Are Steep," "Ride Reality," "Play for the Front of the Jersey") resonate with your work style?

• How do you see AI impacting the future of real estate sales, and how would you design for that future?

• What are your thoughts on designing for both end consumers and business partners/operators? Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure your presentation around 2-3 key case studies. For each, clearly define the problem, your process, your role, the solution, and the measurable impact.

• Be prepared to discuss your design decisions at a granular level, explaining the "why" behind your choices.

• Highlight how you used data and user feedback to iterate and improve your designs.

• Demonstrate your understanding of the business context and how your designs contribute to Zefir's GTM strategy and operational efficiency.

• Be ready to discuss your experience with design systems and collaboration tools.

📝 Enhancement Note: Candidates should prepare to articulate their design process with a focus on outcomes and operational impact, showcasing their ability to translate complex problems into intuitive, data-informed solutions.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Product Designer position:

• Submit your application through the provided link on Ashby.

• Curate Your Portfolio: Select 2-3 of your most impactful product design case studies that best represent your skills in UX/UI, AI design, data-driven iteration, and cross-functional collaboration. Tailor your presentation to highlight how your work aligns with Zefir's mission and operating principles.

• Optimize Your Resume: Ensure your resume clearly outlines your 3-8 years of relevant experience, highlighting achievements and responsibilities that align with the job description, particularly any experience with marketplaces, AI products, or improving operational efficiency through design.

• Prepare Your Presentation: Practice walking through your portfolio case studies, focusing on articulating your design process, the problem you solved, your solution, and the measurable impact. Be ready to discuss how your designs align with business strategy and user needs.

• Research Zefir: Thoroughly understand Zefir's business model, their AI-driven approach to home sales, their target markets, and their operating principles. Prepare to discuss how your design philosophy aligns with their company culture and GTM strategy.

⚠️ 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.

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