Product Designer - Boltline

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Product Designer - Boltline

Company: Stoke Space

Location: Kent, Washington, United States

Job Type: Full-Time

Category: Product Design / GTM Technology

Date Posted: August 19, 2026

Experience Level: Mid-Level (4+ years)

Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• Design and evolve the Boltline software platform, a critical tool for aerospace manufacturing and hardware development, focusing on traceability and efficiency.

• Collaborate with cross-functional teams, including product managers, engineers, and end-users, to translate complex requirements into intuitive and effective user interfaces.

• Take end-to-end ownership of design features, from initial problem framing and ideation through to shipped implementation and post-launch validation.

• Contribute to the growth and refinement of an early-stage design system, ensuring a unified and consistent user experience across the platform.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the role is explicitly "Product Designer," the context of Boltline—a software platform for aerospace manufacturing with traceability—strongly suggests a focus on complex technical B2B SaaS. This role will likely require a deep understanding of user workflows in manufacturing environments, data visualization, and potentially industrial design principles integrated into the software. The emphasis on "traceability" and "validation" points towards a need for rigorous information architecture and clear data presentation, aligning with GTM (Go-To-Market) technology enablement aspects.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Partner with product managers, engineers, testers, and Stoke Space end-users to refine requirements and design complex Boltline features.

• Collaborate with a small team of senior designers to create a unified, consistent user experience and shared product vision.

• Take end-to-end ownership of features, from problem framing through shipped implementation.

• Break down ambiguous product problems into concrete, scoped design work that engineering can execute against.

• Surface trade-offs and roadblocks early, and make defensible calls on scope, sequencing, and quality under schedule pressure.

• Move quickly from ideas to polished designs in Figma, iterating through fast feedback loops with the product team and stakeholders.

• Validate implemented designs through early release feedback, usability studies, and end-user interviews.

• Help shape and expand the early-stage design system as the product grows.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a full-cycle product design process, emphasizing ownership and rapid iteration. For operations professionals, this translates to understanding how design decisions impact process efficiency, data integrity, and user adoption within a manufacturing context. The focus on "traceability" and "validation" within Boltline is key, as it directly relates to operational compliance and quality control in high-stakes industries.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: Bachelor's degree (formal education in Design, Interaction/UX Design, or HCI preferred).

Experience: 4+ years of hands-on product design experience, with demonstrated growth in craft or scope over your career.

Required Skills:

• Portfolio showcasing strong UI and interaction design skills for complex or technical products.

• Deep Figma expertise and ability to build clean, scalable systems and prototypes.

• Proven ability to deliver high-quality work in fast-moving environments with evolving needs.

• Experience running user tests and translating insights into clear, evidence-based design decisions.

• Ability to clearly explain design decisions and collaborate effectively with engineering, product, and other partners.

• Experience working effectively in a highly collaborative small design team.

• Strong communicator adept at working closely with stakeholders and keeping everyone aligned.

• Self-directed and curious, with the ability to dig into technical details and ramp up quickly. Preferred Skills:

• Experience with complex systems, manufacturing, or industrial software.

• Knowledge of aerospace/manufacturing industries.

• Familiarity with front-end development technologies.

• Experience designing early-stage B2B software products.

• Background in user research methodologies.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on complex, technical products and B2B software design is crucial. Candidates should highlight experience in domains where data integrity, process adherence, and robust workflows are paramount, mirroring the needs of an operations-focused product. Figma proficiency is a hard requirement, indicating the primary tool for design and prototyping.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Showcase a minimum of 4 years of product design experience, with clear examples of features owned end-to-end.

• Demonstrate strong UI and interaction design skills applied to complex or technical products, highlighting problem-solving and user-centric solutions.

• Include case studies that detail your design process, from problem framing and requirements gathering through to iteration, prototyping, user validation, and shipped implementation.

• Highlight your ability to build clean, scalable design systems and prototypes using Figma.

• Present evidence of how you have translated user research and usability study insights into concrete design decisions. Process Documentation:

• Detail your approach to breaking down ambiguous product problems into actionable design tasks for engineering.

• Illustrate how you manage trade-offs, identify roadblocks, and make defensible scope decisions under schedule pressure.

• Provide examples of your rapid iteration cycles and how you incorporate feedback from product teams and stakeholders.

• Showcase your methods for validating implemented designs through user feedback and testing.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a role like this, the portfolio is paramount. It needs to demonstrate not just aesthetic design skills but a robust, repeatable process for tackling complex technical challenges. Operations professionals should focus on showcasing how their design work directly contributes to process efficiency, data accuracy, and user adoption within a business context, especially for B2B or industrial software.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

• Level 2: $85,470 - $128,205 USD per year

• Level 3: $106,785 - $160,230 USD per year

📝 Enhancement Note: The provided salary ranges indicate a mid-level to senior individual contributor role. The wide range suggests flexibility in hiring for different levels of experience within the "4+ years" guideline, allowing for adjustment based on candidate’s proven impact and specific skill set. The salary is competitive for a Product Designer role in the Seattle metropolitan area, considering the tech and aerospace industry presence. The company has provided specific ranges, which is excellent transparency.

Benefits:

• Equity: Stock options for all regular, full-time employees.

• Comprehensive benefits program: Subsidized medical, dental, and vision insurance.

• Company-paid life and disability insurance.

• 401(k) plan with employer match.

• Paid Time Off (PTO): 4 weeks annually.

• Holidays: 10 days, including an end-of-year closure.

• Paid Family/Parental Leave.

• On-site gym or monthly wellness stipend (location dependent).

• Dog-friendly offices.

Working Hours: Standard 40 hours per week, with an emphasis on efficient work within those hours given the fast-paced environment.

📝 Enhancement Note: The benefits package is robust, with a strong emphasis on employee ownership (equity) and comprehensive health and wellness support. The inclusion of paid family leave and a wellness stipend/on-site gym are attractive perks for a demanding role. The PTO is standard for the industry.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Aerospace, Space Technology, Manufacturing Software (SaaS)

Company Size: The job description doesn't explicitly state company size, but the mention of a "small product design team" and "early-stage design system" implies a growing startup environment, likely in the range of 50-250 employees.

Founded: Stoke Space was founded in 2017. This indicates a company that has moved past the initial seed stage and is likely in a growth phase, focusing on product development and market penetration.

Team Structure:

• The Product Design team is described as "small" and "collaborative," working closely with Product Management and Engineering.

• Design operates with end-to-end ownership, suggesting a lean, agile structure where designers are empowered.

• Collaboration is key, with a need for strong communication and alignment across departments. Methodology:

• Agile product development methodology is implied through "fast feedback loops," "rapid iteration," and "shipping features."

• User-centered design principles are central, with emphasis on user testing, feedback, and validation.

• Data-driven decision-making is expected, with designers turning "insights into clear, evidence-based design decisions."

Company Website: https://stokespace.com/

📝 Enhancement Note: Stoke Space is operating in a high-stakes, rapidly evolving industry. The culture likely values innovation, technical excellence, and a strong sense of mission. The "small team" aspect means designers will have significant impact but also face the challenges of building processes and systems from the ground up. This environment is ideal for proactive, self-starting individuals who thrive in dynamic settings.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This Product Designer role is positioned as a mid-level to senior individual contributor. The "4+ years" experience requirement and the potential for Level 2 or Level 3 designation suggest a focus on taking ownership of significant features and contributing to strategic design direction.

Reporting Structure: While not explicitly stated, Product Designers typically report to a Design Lead, Head of Product, or CTO in smaller organizations. Given the "small team" context, direct collaboration with senior leadership is likely.

Operations Impact: The Boltline platform is designed to streamline and provide traceability for complex hardware development, directly impacting the efficiency, quality, and speed of manufacturing operations for both Stoke Space and its customers. A Product Designer in this role directly influences the effectiveness of these critical operational processes by creating intuitive and powerful software tools.

Growth Opportunities:

• Skill Advancement: Opportunity to deepen expertise in designing complex technical products, industrial software, and early-stage B2B SaaS platforms.

• Design System Development: Play a key role in shaping and expanding an early-stage design system, influencing design consistency and scalability.

• Industry Expertise: Gain in-depth knowledge of aerospace manufacturing processes, supply chain, and hardware development workflows.

• Leadership Potential: As the team grows, there may be opportunities to take on more senior responsibilities, mentor junior designers, or lead specific product areas.

• Cross-Functional Leadership: Develop strong collaboration and communication skills, influencing product strategy and engineering execution.

📝 Enhancement Note: The growth path here is tied to the product's evolution and the company's expansion. A successful designer will become indispensable by mastering the complexities of the domain and contributing to the platform's strategic direction, potentially leading to senior or lead design roles as the company scales.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The role is explicitly "On-site" in Kent, Washington. The mention of "dog friendly offices" suggests a more relaxed, startup-oriented office environment.

Office Location(s): Kent, Washington, which is part of the Seattle metropolitan area, a hub for aerospace and technology companies.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Environment: The role emphasizes working closely with a small design team, product managers, and engineers, suggesting an open and interactive workspace.

• Tools & Technology: Designers will primarily use Figma for UI and prototyping. Access to other relevant design and collaboration tools is expected.

• Team Interaction: Frequent communication and feedback loops with cross-functional teams are integral to the daily workflow.

Work Schedule: A standard 40-hour work week is implied. However, the fast-paced environment and the nature of building a rocket and its supporting software may require flexibility and dedication, typical of startup cultures. The focus is on efficient output rather than strict adherence to hours.

📝 Enhancement Note: The on-site requirement suggests a company culture that values in-person collaboration and synergy, which can be beneficial for complex problem-solving in design and engineering. The "dog friendly" aspect adds a touch of startup culture, balancing professionalism with a more relaxed atmosphere.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A recruiter or hiring manager will likely review your resume and portfolio to assess basic qualifications and fit.

• Portfolio Review: Expect a dedicated session to walk through your portfolio. Be prepared to discuss your process, design decisions, and the impact of your work on specific projects, especially those involving complex technical products.

• Design Challenge/Exercise: A practical exercise may be given to assess your design thinking, problem-solving skills, and proficiency in Figma. This could involve designing a feature, critiquing an existing interface, or solving a specific user problem related to manufacturing traceability.

• Cross-Functional Interviews: Interviews with Product Managers and Engineers to assess collaboration skills, technical understanding, and communication effectiveness.

• Team/Cultural Fit Interview: Discussion with other designers or team members to evaluate how you fit within the small, collaborative design team and the broader company culture.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select 2-3 of your strongest projects that best showcase your experience with complex technical products, UI/interaction design, and your end-to-end design process.

• Focus on Process: Clearly articulate the problem, your role, your design process (research, ideation, iteration, validation), and the outcome/impact of your work. Use visuals to support your narrative.

• Highlight Technical/B2B Experience: Emphasize projects that involved intricate data, complex workflows, or B2B SaaS applications, as this is directly relevant to Boltline.

• Demonstrate Figma Proficiency: Show examples of design systems, scalable components, and interactive prototypes built in Figma.

• Quantify Impact: Where possible, include metrics or results that demonstrate the positive impact of your design solutions (e.g., improved efficiency, reduced errors, increased adoption).

Challenge Preparation:

• Understand the Domain: Research aerospace manufacturing, supply chain traceability, and the challenges of industrial software.

• Practice Figma: Be ready to design and prototype quickly in Figma. Understand how to build reusable components and create clear user flows.

• Articulate Trade-offs: Prepare to discuss the trade-offs you considered in your design decisions and why you made specific choices.

• Communicate Effectively: Practice explaining your thought process clearly and concisely, as if presenting to both technical and non-technical stakeholders.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process will heavily scrutinize the candidate's ability to handle complex technical domains and translate them into user-friendly software. A strong portfolio that clearly demonstrates a systematic approach to design challenges, especially in B2B or industrial contexts, will be critical for success.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Figma: Explicitly required for UI design, prototyping, and building design systems. This is the core design tool.

• Prototyping Tools: Figma's built-in prototyping capabilities are key. Advanced prototyping skills may be beneficial.

Analytics & Reporting:

• While not explicitly mentioned for designers, understanding how design impacts user behavior and business metrics is important. Familiarity with analytics platforms (e.g., Google Analytics, Mixpanel, Amplitude) and how to interpret user data would be advantageous. CRM & Automation:

• Not directly relevant to the designer role, but understanding how B2B SaaS platforms integrate with CRM systems or support sales/customer success workflows could provide valuable context.

📝 Enhancement Note: The primary technical requirement is deep expertise in Figma. The company is likely looking for designers who can not only create interfaces but also build and maintain a scalable design system within Figma, which is a crucial element for efficient product development in a growing company.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Mission-Driven: A strong focus on the company's mission of enabling a thriving space economy.

• Collaboration: Emphasis on working together across disciplines to achieve shared goals.

• Ownership: Empowering individuals to take responsibility for their work and drive outcomes.

• Efficiency & Speed: A need to move quickly and iterate effectively in a fast-paced startup environment.

• Technical Excellence: High standards for design and engineering quality, especially given the industry.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-functional Integration: Designers work hand-in-hand with product managers and engineers, acting as a bridge between user needs and technical implementation.

• Feedback-Oriented: A culture of rapid feedback loops and iterative design.

• Transparent Communication: Openly discussing trade-offs, roadblocks, and design decisions with stakeholders.

📝 Enhancement Note: The values point to a dynamic, mission-focused startup environment. Designers are expected to be proactive, collaborative, and comfortable with ambiguity and rapid change. The emphasis on "traceability" and "validation" within the product suggests a company that values rigor and accuracy in its operations and software.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Complexity of Domain: Designing for aerospace manufacturing and complex hardware development requires deep understanding of technical processes and terminology.

• Early-Stage Product: Building out a design system and platform from an early stage involves ambiguity and the need to establish best practices.

• Balancing Speed and Quality: The fast-paced environment requires delivering high-quality designs rapidly, necessitating strong prioritization and trade-off management.

• Stakeholder Alignment: Ensuring all stakeholders (engineering, product, end-users) are aligned on design direction for a complex product.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Deepen Industry Expertise: Become an expert in aerospace manufacturing software and its operational impact.

• Shape a Design System: Contribute significantly to the growth and maturity of the Boltline design system.

• Mentorship: Opportunity to learn from senior designers and potentially mentor junior team members as the team grows.

• Cross-Functional Impact: Develop strong strategic influence by working closely with product and engineering leadership.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role offers significant challenges and rewards. Overcoming the complexity of the domain and contributing to a foundational product in a cutting-edge industry are prime growth drivers. The opportunity to build and scale a design system is particularly valuable for career development.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you had to design a complex feature for a technical or B2B product. What was the problem, your process, and the outcome?"

• "How do you approach breaking down ambiguous product requirements into actionable design tasks for engineers?"

• "Tell me about a situation where you had to make difficult trade-offs on scope or quality under schedule pressure. How did you decide and communicate that?"

• "How do you ensure consistency and scalability in your design work, especially when contributing to or building a design system?"

• "Walk me through your process for conducting user research or usability testing, and how you translate those insights into design decisions." Company & Culture Questions:

• "What interests you about Stoke Space and our mission in the space economy?"

• "How do you see your skills contributing to the development of the Boltline platform?"

• "Describe your experience working in a small, collaborative design team. What is your preferred working style?"

• "How do you stay self-directed and curious, especially when diving into new technical domains?" Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure: Organize your portfolio presentation logically: Problem/Goal -> Your Role -> Process -> Solution -> Impact/Results.

• Narrative: Tell a compelling story for each project, focusing on the challenges, your decision-making, and the learning.

• Visuals: Use high-quality mockups, wireframes, prototypes, and any relevant user research artifacts.

• Figma Focus: Be ready to demonstrate your Figma skills, perhaps by showing how you built components or a prototype.

• Q&A Readiness: Anticipate questions about your decisions, trade-offs, and how you handle feedback.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interviewers will be looking for evidence of a strong design process, problem-solving ability, collaboration skills, and a deep understanding of how to design for complex technical users. Be prepared to articulate your thought process and defend your design decisions with data and user insights.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Product Designer position:

• Submit your application through the provided link on the Stoke Space careers page.

• Portfolio Customization: Tailor your portfolio to highlight at least two projects demonstrating your experience with complex technical products, B2B SaaS, or industrial software. Emphasize your end-to-end design process and Figma proficiency.

• Resume Optimization: Ensure your resume clearly outlines your 4+ years of relevant experience, specific design skills (UI, interaction, Figma, user research), and achievements in previous roles. Use keywords from the job description.

• Interview Preparation: Practice articulating your design process, explaining your portfolio projects, and preparing for behavioral and situational questions related to collaboration, problem-solving, and working in fast-paced environments.

• Company Research: Familiarize yourself with Stoke Space's mission, the Boltline platform's purpose (aerospace manufacturing traceability), and the company's culture as described in the job posting.

⚠️ 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.