Product Designer - Digital Platforms (Real Estate, CRM & AI) (f/m/d) | 80–100% | Hybrid Working Model | Zürich, Switzerland

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Product Designer - Digital Platforms (Real Estate, CRM & AI) (f/m/d)

Company: SMG Swiss Marketplace Group

Location: Zürich, Switzerland

Job Type: Full-time

Category: Product Design / UX/UI Design

Date Posted: 2026-10-06

Experience Level: 5+ Years

Remote Status: Hybrid

🚀 Role Summary

• Design and scale user-centric digital products for real estate professionals and property seekers, focusing on B2C and B2B experiences across web and mobile applications.

• Pioneer and integrate AI-native design methodologies and workflows into the product development lifecycle, from ideation to automated synthesis of user feedback.

• Build, evolve, and maintain scalable, multi-brand design systems leveraging AI for component governance, design token synchronization, and accessibility checks.

• Collaborate closely with Product Managers, Data Analysts, and Engineers to conduct rigorous user research, A/B testing, and data-informed decision-making to optimize acquisition metrics and customer satisfaction.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is positioned as a Product Designer with a strong emphasis on integrating cutting-edge AI technologies into the design process and managing multi-brand design systems. The focus on Real Estate, CRM, and AI indicates a need for a designer who can navigate complex data-driven environments and translate them into user-friendly interfaces that drive lead generation and customer engagement within a digital marketplace context.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Design seamless and intuitive user journeys for listing quality, visibility, and performance optimization across web and mobile platforms, directly supporting key product and business OKRs.

• Integrate active AI tools and workflows into daily design practices, including AI-driven wireframing, generative UI/UX concepts, interactive prototyping, and automated synthesis of user research feedback.

• Develop, evolve, and maintain scalable, multi-brand design systems for SMG Real Estate products, utilizing AI automation for component governance, design token synchronization, accessibility checks, and design-to-code pipelines.

• Partner with Product Managers, Data Analysts, and Engineers to conduct A/B tests, fake door tests, and user research sessions to continuously refine features, reduce user friction, and boost key acquisition metrics.

• Establish AI Design Ops guidelines in collaboration with team members to leverage generative AI tools, enhancing overall product quality and team efficiency.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a proactive approach to AI integration in design, moving beyond traditional UX/UI to embrace AI-driven design operations and methodologies. The emphasis on OKRs, A/B testing, and data-informed decision-making points to a performance-oriented role where design impact is measured quantitatively.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: While not explicitly stated, a Bachelor's or Master's degree in Design, HCI, Computer Science, or a related field is typically expected for this level of role. Relevant certifications in UX/UI design or AI in design are a plus.

Experience: 5+ years of experience as a Product Designer or Senior Product Designer shaping complex B2C digital marketplace or subscription products across Web, iOS, and Android platforms.

Required Skills:

• Proven track record of active AI usage within the design lifecycle (e.g., leveraging AI for UI generation, rapid prototyping, UX research synthesis, and workflow automation).

• Demonstrated expertise in building, documenting, and managing scalable multi-brand design systems, with experience using AI tools to streamline design tokens, component maintenance, and governance.

• Strong background in user-centered design principles, quantitative and qualitative user research methodologies, A/B testing, and data-informed decision-making to optimize conversion funnels and drive key subscription growth metrics.

• Outstanding cross-functional communication and collaboration skills in English, with the ability to work effectively across international, multi-disciplinary engineering and product teams.

• Experience designing for complex digital marketplaces or subscription-based products across Web, iOS, and Android platforms. Preferred Skills:

• Fluency or working proficiency in (Swiss) German.

• Experience with AI Design Ops and establishing design guidelines for generative AI tools.

• Familiarity with design-to-code pipelines and automated accessibility checks.

• Experience in the real estate or CRM technology sectors.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on AI usage and multi-brand design systems is a critical differentiator. Candidates should be prepared to showcase specific examples of how they have integrated AI into their design process and managed complex design systems across different brands or product lines. The preferred German language skill is a significant advantage for roles based in Switzerland.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Showcase a minimum of 3-5 complex B2C digital product design projects, with at least one demonstrating significant application of AI in the design lifecycle (e.g., AI-assisted wireframing, generative design, or research synthesis).

• Highlight experience in building or significantly contributing to a scalable, multi-brand design system, detailing its structure, governance, and how AI tools were used for maintenance or scaling.

• Include case studies that clearly articulate the problem, your design process, user research methodologies employed, A/B testing results, and quantifiable impact on key metrics (e.g., conversion rates, user engagement, lead generation).

• Demonstrate proficiency in user-centered design principles, user journey mapping, wireframing, prototyping, and usability testing, with a focus on data-informed iteration. Process Documentation:

• Detail your approach to user research, including methodologies for gathering qualitative and quantitative data and how this data informed design decisions.

• Explain your process for collaborating with Product Managers, Engineers, and Data Analysts, emphasizing communication strategies and feedback loops.

• Provide examples of how you have used A/B testing or other experimental methods to validate design hypotheses and optimize user flows for improved performance.

• Illustrate your process for contributing to or managing design systems, including documentation, component governance, and integration with development workflows.

📝 Enhancement Note: The portfolio is paramount for this role, especially the demonstration of AI integration and design system management. Applicants should be ready to articulate their design process in detail, focusing on measurable outcomes and their ability to work within a hybrid, cross-functional, and international team environment.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: Based on industry benchmarks for a Senior Product Designer with 5+ years of experience in Zürich, Switzerland, specializing in digital platforms with AI integration, the estimated annual salary range is CHF 110,000 - CHF 145,000. This range can vary based on the candidate's specific experience, skill set, and the final negotiation.

Benefits:

• 6 weeks of holidays per year (with the option to buy 10 extra days).

• 40-hour work week with flexitime (capped at 45 hours), offering a good work-life balance.

• Hybrid work setup with flexibility to work remotely, supporting a modern work arrangement.

• Generous parental leave: 18 weeks for maternity and 6 weeks for paternity/adoption, demonstrating a commitment to family support.

• SBB Half-Fare Card and first-class travel between SMG offices in Switzerland, facilitating easy commuting and inter-office mobility.

• Gender-neutral pay and transparent career paths, promoting fairness and clear growth opportunities.

• Choice of hardware: Mac or Windows laptop, and iPhone, Samsung, or Pixel mobile, allowing personalization of work tools.

• An inclusive and innovative environment where diverse voices are valued and contribute to product development.

Working Hours: The standard work week is 40 hours with flexitime, allowing for a degree of schedule flexibility, capped at 45 hours. This structure supports efficient work delivery while accommodating personal needs within a hybrid model.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary estimate is derived from industry salary aggregators for Senior Product Designers in Zürich, considering the specialized skills in AI and digital marketplaces. The benefits package is comprehensive and competitive, reflecting SMG's commitment to employee well-being and work-life balance.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Digital Marketplaces & Technology. SMG operates leading marketplaces across real estate, automotive, general classifieds, and finance & insurance, positioning itself as a significant player in the European digital economy. The company is focused on simplifying people's lives through innovative digital products.

Company Size: SMG Swiss Marketplace Group is a large organization with operations spanning six countries. This implies a robust structure with dedicated teams for various functions, offering opportunities for collaboration with a diverse set of professionals and access to substantial resources.

Founded: The exact founding date of SMG Swiss Marketplace Group is not provided, but its portfolio includes established brands like Homegate and ImmoScout24, suggesting a history of growth and consolidation within the digital marketplace sector.

Team Structure:

• The Product Design team for SMG Real Estate is distributed across six countries (Switzerland, Serbia, Vietnam, France, Germany, and India), indicating a global, potentially remote-first or hybrid, collaborative structure.

• The role involves close collaboration with Product Managers, Engineers, Data Analysts, and Sales teams, highlighting a cross-functional team approach essential for agile product development.

• Reporting lines are likely within a product-focused hierarchy, with potential for mentorship from senior design leads or a Head of Design. Methodology:

• Data-Driven Product Development: Emphasis on A/B testing, user research, and data analysis to inform design decisions and measure impact on key metrics.

• Agile & Iterative Design: Continuous refinement of features based on user feedback and performance data, with a focus on rapid prototyping and iterative improvements.

• AI-Native Design Integration: Pioneering AI tools and workflows into the design process to enhance efficiency, creativity, and product quality.

• Design System Management: Maintaining and evolving scalable, multi-brand design systems to ensure consistency and efficiency across products.

Company Website: https://www.swissmarketplace.group/

📝 Enhancement Note: The company's culture appears to be forward-thinking, data-centric, and globally collaborative. The emphasis on AI integration suggests a commitment to innovation and staying at the forefront of design technology. The distributed team structure requires strong communication and remote collaboration skills.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is positioned as a Product Designer with significant responsibility, likely equivalent to a Senior Product Designer or lead contributor within the SMG Real Estate division. The scope includes shaping products, managing design systems, integrating AI, and directly impacting business OKRs.

Reporting Structure: The designer will likely report to a Product Lead or Head of Design for the Real Estate vertical, working in close partnership with Product Managers and Engineering leads. Collaboration will extend across various departments, including Data Analysis and Sales.

Operations Impact: The designer's work directly influences customer acquisition, retention, and satisfaction by creating seamless user experiences for property seekers and listers. The role is critical in generating high-quality leads and improving the performance of digital marketplaces, thereby contributing directly to revenue generation and market leadership.

Growth Opportunities:

• Specialization in AI Design: Deepen expertise in AI-native design methodologies, becoming a go-to person for generative AI tools and AI-driven UX research within the organization.

• Design Leadership: Potential to grow into a Lead Product Designer role, mentoring junior designers, shaping design strategy for specific product lines, or overseeing the evolution of the design system.

• Cross-functional Advancement: Opportunities to move into Product Management or UX Research leadership roles, leveraging a deep understanding of user needs and product strategy.

• Industry Expertise: Develop specialized knowledge in the real estate tech and digital marketplace sectors, becoming a valuable asset in a high-growth industry.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role offers a strong foundation for career growth, particularly for those interested in the intersection of AI, design systems, and digital marketplaces. The global nature of the team also provides exposure to diverse working styles and market perspectives.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The job is advertised as a Hybrid Working Model, indicating a blend of remote work and in-office presence. SMG maintains offices in Zürich, Switzerland, suggesting that the in-office component will likely be at their Thurgauerstrasse 36 location.

Office Location(s): The primary office location for this role is Thurgauerstrasse 36, 8050 Zürich, Switzerland. The company also has offices in Serbia, Vietnam, France, Germany, and India, facilitating international collaboration.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Environment: The hybrid model encourages collaboration through scheduled in-office days and virtual tools for remote team members. Expect regular interactions with cross-functional teams.

• Technology & Tools: Access to modern design software, AI tools, and robust collaboration platforms will be provided to support design workflows in both remote and office settings.

• International Exposure: Working with a globally distributed team fosters a dynamic environment where diverse perspectives and working styles are common.

Work Schedule: The standard work week is 40 hours with flexitime, capped at 45 hours. This allows for flexibility in managing work hours to accommodate personal schedules and project demands, especially within a hybrid setup.

📝 Enhancement Note: The hybrid model in Zürich, coupled with a globally distributed team, suggests a work environment that values flexibility, autonomy, and effective remote collaboration. Candidates should be comfortable working across different time zones and using digital tools to maintain strong communication channels.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening Call (Video 30 min): A preliminary conversation to assess basic qualifications, motivation, and cultural fit. Be prepared to discuss your interest in SMG and the role.

• Meeting the Hiring Manager / Portfolio Review (Video 60 min): A deeper dive into your experience and portfolio. Be ready to walk through 2-3 key projects, explaining your design process, decision-making, and impact. Highlight your AI experience and design system work.

• Case Study / Design Challenge (Video 60 min): You will likely be given a design problem or challenge to solve, possibly involving AI integration or a design system component. Prepare to present your approach, rationale, and proposed solution.

• Team Fit Meeting (Onsite 60 min): An in-person meeting at the Zürich office to assess team dynamics, collaboration style, and cultural alignment. This is an opportunity to ask in-depth questions about team workflows and company culture.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select projects that best demonstrate your AI integration skills, design system expertise, and ability to drive measurable results in B2C digital marketplaces.

• Tell a Story: For each project, clearly articulate the problem statement, your role, the design process (emphasizing user research and data), your specific contributions (especially with AI), and the quantified outcomes.

• Highlight AI & Design Systems: Explicitly showcase how you've used AI tools in your workflow and detail your experience with building, maintaining, or scaling design systems, including any AI-driven aspects.

• Quantify Impact: Use metrics (conversion rates, lead generation improvements, user satisfaction scores) to demonstrate the tangible business value of your designs.

Challenge Preparation:

• Understand the Context: If a case study is provided beforehand, thoroughly analyze the problem within the context of digital real estate marketplaces and potential AI applications.

• Focus on Process: Emphasize your systematic approach to problem-solving, user research, ideation, and solution validation.

• AI Integration: Be prepared to discuss how AI could be leveraged to solve the challenge or enhance the proposed solution.

• Presentation Clarity: Practice presenting your solution concisely and persuasively, highlighting your design rationale and potential impact.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process is structured to evaluate both technical design skills and the ability to integrate advanced technologies like AI. A strong portfolio showcasing relevant experience and a well-articulated approach to design challenges will be crucial for success.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Design & Prototyping: Figma (highly likely, industry standard), Sketch, Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator), InVision, Axure RP.

• AI Design Tools: Generative AI platforms for ideation and content creation (e.g., Midjourney, Stable Diffusion, ChatGPT for UX writing), AI-powered design assistants for workflow automation.

• Design System Management: Tools for component libraries, design tokens, and documentation (e.g., Storybook, Zeroheight, or custom solutions).

Analytics & Reporting:

• Web Analytics: Google Analytics, Adobe Analytics.

• Product Analytics: Mixpanel, Amplitude, Pendo.

• A/B Testing Platforms: Optimizely, VWO (Visual Website Optimizer), Google Optimize.

CRM & Automation:

• CRM Systems: Salesforce, HubSpot (likely used by Sales teams, understanding integration is beneficial).

• Project Management & Collaboration: Jira, Confluence, Asana, Trello, Slack, Microsoft Teams.

📝 Enhancement Note: Proficiency in modern design tools like Figma is essential. The role specifically calls for experience with AI tools in the design lifecycle and managing design systems. Familiarity with analytics and A/B testing platforms is crucial for data-informed design. Understanding CRM systems is beneficial for context within the sales and lead generation funnel.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Better Together: Emphasizes collaboration, teamwork, and shared success across diverse, international teams. This means actively contributing to discussions, sharing knowledge, and supporting colleagues.

• Aim High: Encourages ambitious goals, innovation, and pushing boundaries. For a designer, this means seeking novel solutions, embracing new technologies like AI, and striving for excellence in product design.

• Act Responsibly: Promotes ethical conduct, accountability, and sustainable practices. In design, this translates to user privacy, accessibility, and creating products with a positive societal impact.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-functional Integration: A highly collaborative approach is expected, working closely with Product Managers, Engineers, Data Analysts, and Sales teams to ensure alignment and deliver cohesive product experiences.

• Open Communication: Encourages open dialogue, constructive feedback, and transparent communication, especially within a distributed, hybrid team environment.

• Data-Informed Discourse: Design discussions are likely to be grounded in user research, A/B testing results, and performance data, fostering a data-driven decision-making culture.

📝 Enhancement Note: The company's core values—Better Together, Aim High, and Act Responsibly—should be reflected in how candidates approach their work and interactions. Demonstrating an understanding of these values and how they apply to a product design role, especially one involving AI and international collaboration, will be key.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• AI Integration Complexity: Navigating the rapidly evolving landscape of AI tools and effectively integrating them into established design workflows and design systems while ensuring ethical considerations and quality control.

• Multi-Brand Design System Management: Maintaining consistency and scalability across multiple distinct brands (Homegate, ImmoScout24, Flatfox) within the SMG Real Estate portfolio, requiring careful governance and communication.

• Hybrid & Distributed Team Collaboration: Ensuring seamless communication, alignment, and productivity across different time zones, cultures, and work arrangements (remote vs. office).

• Balancing Innovation with Business Goals: Finding the optimal balance between exploring cutting-edge AI design methodologies and meeting immediate business objectives like lead generation and conversion rates.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• AI Design Specialization: Opportunity to become a subject matter expert in AI-driven design, attending workshops, certifications, and conferences focused on AI in UX/UI.

• Design Leadership Track: Potential to grow into senior or lead design roles, taking on more strategic responsibilities, mentoring junior team members, and influencing design direction.

• Cross-Disciplinary Learning: Exposure to AI development, data analytics, and real estate market dynamics, broadening understanding of the broader business context.

• Global Exposure: Working with international teams provides insights into different market needs, design trends, and collaboration strategies.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges presented are inherent to a role at the forefront of technology integration within a large, distributed organization. Successfully navigating these will provide significant opportunities for professional growth and skill development.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you used AI tools to significantly improve a design workflow or outcome. What was the impact?" (Focus on specific AI tools, your process, and quantifiable results.)

• "How would you approach designing a new AI-powered feature for a real estate listing platform to enhance lead quality?" (Outline your design process, research methods, and how AI plays a role.)

• "Walk us through your experience building or managing a multi-brand design system. How did you ensure consistency and scalability, and what role did AI play (if any)?" (Detail your system's architecture, governance, and any automation used.)

• "How do you balance user needs with business objectives (like OKRs) in your design process, particularly when integrating new technologies like AI?" (Discuss your approach to prioritization, data analysis, and stakeholder alignment.) Company & Culture Questions:

• "What interests you about SMG Swiss Marketplace Group and our role in the European digital marketplace landscape?" (Research SMG's brands and market position.)

• "How do you embody our company values – Better Together, Aim High, Act Responsibly – in your daily work as a designer?" (Provide specific examples related to collaboration, innovation, and ethical design.)

• "Describe your experience working in a hybrid or remote international team. What strategies do you use to stay connected and productive?" (Highlight communication skills and adaptability.) Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure for Impact: Organize your portfolio to highlight AI integration and design system contributions prominently. Use clear headings and concise descriptions for each project.

• Quantify Everything: For each case study, clearly state the problem, your role, the solution, and—most importantly—the measurable results achieved. Use charts or graphs for data visualization.

• Show, Don't Just Tell: For design systems, provide visual examples of components, tokens, and documentation. For AI integration, show mockups or prototypes demonstrating the AI-enhanced features.

• Be Ready for Deep Dives: Anticipate detailed questions about your design decisions, research methodologies, and problem-solving approaches. Be prepared to defend your choices with data and user insights.

📝 Enhancement Note: Candidates should prepare specific examples demonstrating their proficiency with AI in design, their ability to manage complex design systems, and their data-driven approach to problem-solving. Understanding SMG's business and values will be critical for demonstrating cultural fit.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Product Designer position:

• Submit your application through the provided link on jobs.smartrecruiters.com.

• Tailor your CV: Highlight your 5+ years of experience in B2C digital marketplace/subscription product design, with a strong emphasis on AI integration in the design lifecycle and experience with multi-brand design systems. Quantify achievements wherever possible.

• Curate your Portfolio: Ensure your portfolio showcases 2-3 strong projects demonstrating AI usage, design system contributions, and quantifiable impact on key metrics. Be ready to present this during the interview process.

• Prepare for AI-focused Questions: Anticipate questions about your experience with generative AI tools, AI-driven design workflows, and how you approach integrating AI ethically and effectively into product design.

• Research SMG Swiss Marketplace Group: Understand their various brands (Homegate, ImmoScout24, Flatfox, etc.), their market position, and their company values to articulate your interest and cultural fit effectively.

⚠️ 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.