Product Designer, Consultant

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Product Designer, Consultant

Company: Blue Shield of California (Stellarus)

Location: Oakland, California, United States

Job Type: Full Time

Category: Product Design / UX Design

Date Posted: June 09, 2026

Experience Level: 5-10 Years

Remote Status: Hybrid (2 days in office expected)

🚀 Role Summary

• Design innovative digital product solutions that address user needs and pain points within the healthcare spectrum, focusing on user experience and intuitive interfaces.

• Collaborate closely with internal stakeholders, including product managers, engineers, and user researchers, to translate business requirements into compelling and functional product designs.

• Contribute to the definition and design of technology products, ensuring alignment with Stellarus' vision of creating a superior healthcare experience.

• Uphold and embody company values of agility, trust, drive, courage, and service in all aspects of product design and stakeholder interactions.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is for Stellarus, a new entity launched in January 2025 by Blue Shield of California, focused on scaling innovative healthcare solutions. The Product Designer will be instrumental in shaping the digital product strategy for this new venture, requiring a strong understanding of user-centered design principles within the complex healthcare industry. The "Consultant" title suggests a potential for influencing strategic direction and working across multiple projects or teams within the Ascendiun Family of Companies.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Lead the design process from concept to execution for digital products, including user flows, wireframes, prototypes, and high-fidelity visual designs.

• Conduct user research and usability testing to gather insights, validate design decisions, and iterate on product designs based on user feedback.

• Develop and maintain a strong understanding of user needs, healthcare industry trends, and competitive landscape to inform design strategies.

• Create visually appealing and user-friendly interfaces that align with brand guidelines and enhance the overall user experience.

• Collaborate with engineering teams to ensure the feasibility and accurate implementation of designs, providing detailed specifications and assets.

• Present design concepts and solutions to stakeholders, effectively articulating design rationale and impact on user needs and business objectives.

• Contribute to the development of design systems and style guides to ensure consistency and efficiency across digital products.

📝 Enhancement Note: Given the "Consultant" title and the newness of Stellarus, this role likely involves a significant degree of strategic input and problem-solving. The Product Designer will be expected to not just execute designs but also to influence the product vision and strategy, particularly around user experience and innovation in healthcare technology. The emphasis on "solving and supporting user's needs, expectations, and pain points" indicates a deep dive into user research and empathy-driven design.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

• Bachelor's degree in Design, Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), Computer Science, or a related field, or equivalent practical experience.

• High school diploma or GED accepted with equivalent extensive experience. Experience:

• Minimum of 7 years of relevant professional experience in product design, UX design, or a closely related field.

• At least 2 years of direct experience within the digital product development lifecycle, demonstrating a comprehensive understanding of product development stages. Required Skills:

• Product Design: Proven ability to design end-to-end digital products, from conceptualization through to polished execution.

• UX/UI Design: Expertise in creating intuitive, user-centered interfaces, wireframes, prototypes, and user flows using industry-standard tools.

• User Research & Testing: Proficiency in planning, conducting, and synthesizing user research, including usability testing, interviews, and surveys to inform design decisions.

• Visual Design: Strong aesthetic sense and ability to create visually appealing designs that align with brand identity and user expectations.

• Prototyping Tools: Mastery of design and prototyping software such as Figma, Sketch, Adobe Creative Suite, or similar.

• Critical Thinking & Problem-Solving: Ability to analyze complex problems, identify root causes, and develop creative, effective design solutions.

• Communication & Collaboration: Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to articulate design decisions and collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams and stakeholders.

Preferred Skills:

• Motion Design: Experience in designing animations and micro-interactions to enhance user experience and product engagement.

• Human Factors Engineering: Understanding of human-computer interaction principles and how to apply them to product design for optimal usability.

• Healthcare Industry Experience: Familiarity with the healthcare landscape, regulations, and user needs within this sector.

• Agile Methodologies: Experience working in agile development environments, participating in sprint planning and design reviews.

• Design Systems: Experience in building or contributing to design systems to ensure consistency and scalability.

📝 Enhancement Note: The requirement of 7 years of experience with at least 2 in the digital product development lifecycle, combined with the "Consultant" title, suggests this role is for a senior-level individual contributor or a design leader. Candidates should be prepared to demonstrate strategic thinking and experience in influencing product direction. A strong portfolio showcasing end-to-end product design projects is essential.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• End-to-End Case Studies: Showcase at least 3-5 comprehensive case studies detailing your involvement in the entire product design lifecycle, from initial problem definition and user research to final design implementation and impact.

• Problem-Solution Framing: Clearly articulate the user problem or business challenge addressed in each case study, and how your design solution effectively resolved it.

• Process Visualization: Illustrate your design process, including user flows, wireframes, interactive prototypes, and high-fidelity mockups, demonstrating your approach to iterative design.

• Impact & Metrics: Quantify the impact of your designs whenever possible, using relevant metrics such as improved user engagement, conversion rates, task completion times, or user satisfaction scores.

• Systemic Thinking: Demonstrate an understanding of how individual product designs fit into a larger ecosystem or design system, showing consistency and scalability.

Process Documentation:

• User Research Synthesis: Provide examples of how you synthesize user research findings into actionable design insights and product requirements.

• Iterative Design Documentation: Document your iterative design process, showing how feedback from testing and stakeholders was incorporated to refine designs.

• Collaboration Artifacts: Include examples of design documentation shared with cross-functional teams (e.g., detailed annotations, style guides, user journey maps) that facilitated smooth implementation.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a Product Designer role, especially one with a "Consultant" designation, the portfolio is paramount. It should not just be a collection of visually appealing screens but a narrative that demonstrates strategic thinking, problem-solving abilities, and a deep understanding of user-centered design methodologies. The emphasis should be on showing how you arrived at the solution and the impact it had.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

• The estimated salary range for this Product Designer, Consultant position in Oakland, CA is between $123,090 and $208,320 per year.

• This range is based on industry benchmarks for senior-level Product Designers in the Bay Area, considering the experience level (5-10 years) and the typical compensation for consultant-level roles in the tech and healthcare sectors. Factors such as specific skills, interview performance, and the exact scope of responsibilities within Stellarus will influence the final offer. Benefits:

• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance plans.

• Retirement savings plan (e.g., 401(k)) with company matching.

• Generous paid time off (PTO), including vacation, sick leave, and holidays.

• Opportunities for professional development, training, and continuing education.

• Potential for bonuses or other performance-based incentives.

• Wellness programs and resources to support employee health and well-being. Working Hours:

• Standard full-time work hours are approximately 40 hours per week.

• The role is hybrid, requiring approximately 2 days per week in the Oakland office, with flexibility managed by the hiring manager based on business needs.

📝 Enhancement Note: The provided salary range is an estimate based on AI analysis of similar roles, experience levels, and geographic location. Actual compensation may vary. The benefits listed are typical for a large organization like Blue Shield of California and are designed to attract and retain talent in competitive fields like product design.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Healthcare Technology / Health Insurance. Stellarus operates within the innovative healthcare solutions space, aiming to disrupt the status quo with modern, scalable offerings. This industry demands a focus on user trust, data security, regulatory compliance, and a deep understanding of patient and provider needs.

Company Size: Blue Shield of California is a large, established health insurance provider. Stellarus, as a newer entity within the Ascendiun Family of Companies, likely operates with a more agile, startup-like culture while leveraging the resources and stability of its parent organization. This blend offers a unique environment for innovation.

Founded: Blue Shield of California was founded in 1939. Stellarus was launched in January 2025, indicating a recent strategic initiative to drive innovation. This history provides a foundation of stability and a commitment to improving healthcare.

Team Structure:

• The Product Designer will report to the Director of UX Research & Product Design, indicating a focused design leadership structure.

• The role involves close collaboration with product managers, engineering teams, and user researchers, suggesting a cross-functional, agile team environment.

• The "Consultant" aspect may imply interaction with various teams or projects across the Ascendiun Family of Companies, requiring strong stakeholder management. Methodology:

• User-Centered Design: The core methodology will revolve around deeply understanding user needs and pain points to drive product development.

• Agile Development: The team likely operates within an agile framework, emphasizing iterative design, rapid prototyping, and continuous feedback loops.

• Data-Driven Decisions: Design choices will be informed by user research, analytics, and stakeholder input to ensure alignment with business objectives and user needs.

Company Website: https://www.blueshieldca.com/ (Stellarus-specific site may be under development or internal).

📝 Enhancement Note: Stellarus is positioned as an innovation arm, suggesting a culture that values experimentation, forward-thinking, and rapid iteration. The company's values (agility, trust, drive, courage, service) are crucial for understanding how decisions are made and how teams collaborate.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This is a senior-level Product Designer role, potentially functioning at a consultant or lead individual contributor level. It requires a proven track record in end-to-end product design, strategic thinking, and the ability to influence product direction. The scope involves designing complex digital solutions within the healthcare sector.

Reporting Structure: The role reports directly to the Director of UX Research & Product Design. This provides direct access to design leadership and opportunities for mentorship and strategic alignment. Collaboration with product management and engineering teams is also a key aspect of the day-to-day reporting and workflow.

Operations Impact: The Product Designer will have a significant impact on the success of Stellarus' digital products by ensuring they are user-friendly, effective, and meet the evolving needs of healthcare consumers and providers. Their designs will directly influence user adoption, satisfaction, and ultimately, the scaling of innovative healthcare solutions.

Growth Opportunities:

• Leadership Development: Opportunity to influence product strategy and mentor junior designers as Stellarus grows.

• Skill Specialization: Deepen expertise in healthcare UX, complex system design, or emerging design technologies.

• Cross-Functional Exposure: Gain experience working across different functions within the Ascendiun Family of Companies, broadening understanding of the healthcare ecosystem.

• Innovation Impact: Be at the forefront of developing new healthcare solutions, contributing to meaningful advancements in the industry.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Consultant" title suggests significant autonomy and the potential for leadership without direct reports initially. Growth could involve moving into a Senior Product Designer, Lead Designer, or even a managerial role as Stellarus scales and its design team expands.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The role is hybrid, with a requirement for approximately 2 days per week in the Oakland office. This suggests a collaborative office environment designed for intentional in-person interaction, team meetings, brainstorming sessions, and creative work.

Office Location(s): Oakland, California. This location is in the heart of the San Francisco Bay Area, offering access to a vibrant tech and innovation ecosystem.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Spaces: The office is likely equipped with meeting rooms, whiteboarding areas, and open spaces conducive to teamwork and design thinking.

• Technology Access: Employees will have access to necessary hardware, software, and network infrastructure to support design work, both in-office and remotely.

• Team Interaction: The hybrid model encourages focused in-office time for deep collaboration, team building, and knowledge sharing, while remote days allow for focused individual work.

Work Schedule:

• Standard 40-hour work week with flexibility managed by the hiring manager.

• The hybrid model requires specific days in the office for collaboration, balanced with remote work for focused tasks.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on "purposeful in-person collaboration" suggests that office days will be structured for high-value interactions, not just desk work. Candidates should be prepared to be engaged and contribute actively during their in-office days.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

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

• Portfolio Review & Design Challenge: A session with the hiring manager and/or senior designers to present your portfolio. This may include a practical design challenge or a deep dive into past projects, focusing on your problem-solving process and design rationale.

• Stakeholder Interviews: Meetings with cross-functional partners (e.g., Product Management, Engineering) to assess collaboration skills and understanding of product development.

• Final Interview: A conversation with Director-level leadership to discuss strategic thinking, leadership potential, and overall fit with Stellarus' vision.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Tell a Story: Frame each case study as a narrative, clearly outlining the problem, your process, the proposed solution, and the measurable impact.

• Show, Don't Just Tell: Use visuals (wireframes, prototypes, final designs) to illustrate your design concepts and decision-making.

• Highlight Your Role: Clearly define your specific contributions and responsibilities within each project, especially in team-based scenarios.

• Focus on Process: Emphasize how you approach design challenges, including user research, iteration, and collaboration.

• Quantify Impact: Wherever possible, include data and metrics to demonstrate the success of your designs.

Challenge Preparation:

• Understand the Context: Research Stellarus, Blue Shield of California, and the healthcare innovation landscape to inform your approach.

• Practice Design Thinking: Be ready to articulate your process for tackling ambiguous problems, identifying user needs, and generating solutions.

• Prepare for "Why": Be ready to explain the rationale behind every design decision you present.

📝 Enhancement Note: The portfolio review is a critical stage. Candidates should prepare to discuss their design decisions in detail, demonstrating not only their aesthetic skills but also their strategic thinking and ability to solve complex user problems within a business context.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Design & Prototyping: Figma, Sketch, Adobe Creative Suite (Illustrator, Photoshop, XD), InVision, Axure RP.

• User Research: UserTesting.com, Optimal Workshop, Lookback, SurveyMonkey, Google Forms.

• Collaboration: Jira, Confluence, Slack, Microsoft Teams, Miro, Mural.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Google Analytics, Adobe Analytics, Mixpanel, Amplitude (understanding how to design for trackable metrics).

• Tableau, Power BI (for understanding data dashboards and reporting). CRM & Automation:

• While not a direct tool for Product Designers, understanding CRM systems (e.g., Salesforce) and marketing automation platforms can provide context for user journeys and data flow.

📝 Enhancement Note: Proficiency in industry-standard design tools like Figma or Sketch is essential. Experience with user research platforms and collaborative tools used in agile development environments will also be highly valued. Understanding how designs contribute to data collection and analysis is increasingly important for product designers.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Agility: Embrace rapid iteration, flexibility, and quick adaptation to changing requirements and user feedback.

• Trust: Foster an environment of open communication, reliability, and accountability in design decisions and collaborations.

• Drive: Demonstrate initiative, a proactive approach to problem-solving, and a commitment to delivering high-quality, impactful designs.

• Courage: Be willing to challenge assumptions, propose innovative solutions, and advocate for user needs, even when it requires taking calculated risks.

• Service: Focus on designing solutions that genuinely improve the healthcare experience for users, embodying a commitment to user well-being and satisfaction.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-Functional Integration: Work seamlessly with product management, engineering, research, and other stakeholders to ensure unified product development.

• Constructive Feedback: Actively participate in design critiques, provide and receive constructive feedback, and foster a culture of continuous improvement.

• Knowledge Sharing: Contribute to a collaborative environment by sharing insights, best practices, and design patterns within the team and organization.

📝 Enhancement Note: The company values are central to the culture. Candidates should be prepared to discuss how they embody these values in their design work and interactions, particularly agility and a service-oriented approach in the healthcare context.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Navigating Healthcare Complexity: Designing for a highly regulated and complex industry with diverse user needs (patients, providers, administrators) requires deep empathy and strategic thinking.

• Balancing Innovation and Stability: Introducing new, disruptive solutions while ensuring reliability and trust for a large organization like Blue Shield of California.

• Hybrid Work Integration: Effectively collaborating and maintaining strong team cohesion in a hybrid work environment, ensuring seamless communication and design alignment.

• Scaling Design Systems: Developing and scaling design systems that support a growing portfolio of innovative healthcare products.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Healthcare UX Specialization: Opportunities to become an expert in user experience for healthcare, a highly specialized and in-demand field.

• Innovation Leadership: Participate in the development of cutting-edge healthcare solutions, contributing to significant industry advancements.

• Cross-Company Exposure: Learn from and contribute to different entities within the Ascendiun Family of Companies, gaining a holistic view of the healthcare ecosystem.

• Mentorship: Access to senior design leadership for guidance and career development.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges presented are common in the healthcare tech space and offer significant opportunities for professional growth. Highlighting how one would approach these challenges will be key during the interview process.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you had to design for a complex user base with conflicting needs. How did you approach it, and what was the outcome?" (Focus on user research, segmentation, and prioritization).

• "How do you balance user needs with business objectives and technical constraints in your design process?" (Demonstrate strategic thinking and pragmatic problem-solving).

• "Walk us through your process for designing a new feature from scratch. What are the key steps you take?" (Highlight your end-to-end design methodology). Company & Culture Questions:

• "What excites you about Stellarus and its mission to innovate in healthcare?" (Showcase your understanding of the company's vision and your alignment with it).

• "How do you embody our core values of agility, trust, drive, courage, and service in your work?" (Prepare specific examples).

• "Describe your experience working in a hybrid or remote team environment. How do you ensure effective collaboration?" (Address the hybrid work model and collaboration strategies). Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure Your Narrative: For each case study, clearly state the problem, your role, the process, the solution, and the impact.

• Highlight Key Decisions: Be prepared to deep-dive into specific design choices and explain the rationale behind them.

• Showcase Iteration: Present how you incorporated feedback and iterated on designs to improve outcomes.

• Quantify Results: Use data and metrics to demonstrate the success of your designs whenever possible.

• Be Concise: Respect the interviewer's time by being clear and to the point, focusing on the most impactful aspects of your work.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interviewers will be looking for not just design skills but also strategic thinking, problem-solving abilities, and a cultural fit with Stellarus' values. Be prepared to discuss your process and impact in detail, using specific examples from your portfolio.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Product Designer, Consultant position:

• Submit your application through the provided Oracle Cloud link.

• Curate Your Portfolio: Select 3-5 of your strongest case studies that best represent your end-to-end product design experience, focusing on healthcare or complex digital products if possible. Tailor your case study descriptions to highlight problem-solving, user empathy, and measurable impact.

• Optimize Your Resume: Ensure your resume clearly articulates your 7+ years of experience, with specific emphasis on your 2+ years in the digital product development lifecycle. Use keywords relevant to product design, UX, user research, and the healthcare industry. Quantify achievements where possible.

• Prepare Your Presentation: Practice walking through your portfolio with a focus on storytelling, design rationale, and impact. Be ready to discuss your process, challenges, and how you embody the company's values.

• Research Stellarus & Blue Shield of California: Understand their mission, vision, values, and the current landscape of healthcare innovation. Prepare thoughtful questions about the role, team, and company direction.

⚠️ 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.