Product Designer I

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Product Designer I

Company: ICON

Location: Austin, Texas, United States

Job Type: Full-Time

Category: Product Design / UX Design

Date Posted: 2026-06-02T19:18:23

Experience Level: 2-5 Years

Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• This role is critical for defining and enhancing the user experience of ICON's BuildOS software platform, focusing on user-centric design principles.

• You will be responsible for the entire UX lifecycle, from foundational user research and discovery to the final delivery of design specifications for engineering.

• The position requires a strong ability to translate complex construction workflows and user needs into intuitive and functional digital solutions.

• Collaboration with cross-functional teams, including product leadership and engineering, is essential to ensure successful product development and alignment with company objectives.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the title is "Product Designer I," the responsibilities and required experience (3+ years) suggest this role leans towards a mid-level Product Designer or UX Designer with a strong emphasis on user research and workflow design, rather than a junior-level position. The focus on "BuildOS" and construction technology indicates a specialized domain.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Lead end-to-end UX design processes for core product areas within the BuildOS platform.

• Conduct customer interviews and qualitative research with architects, engineers, and builders to identify pain points and unmet needs.

• Map complex user workflows, edge cases, and data requirements for multi-step construction and design processes.

• Create wireframes, user flows, and interactive prototypes using Figma or similar tools to visualize design solutions.

• Plan and execute usability testing sessions with target users, iterating on designs based on feedback.

• Develop detailed design specifications, annotated mockups, and acceptance criteria for engineering handoff.

• Collaborate closely with engineering teams, ensuring designs are technically feasible and delivered with sufficient lead time (two or more sprints ahead).

• Partner with product leadership and cross-functional stakeholders to align design strategy with company OKRs.

• Present design rationale and solutions clearly to engineering, leadership, and customer audiences.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a full-stack UX design approach, encompassing research, interaction design, prototyping, and specifications. The emphasis on "workflows with real constraints, not only consumer apps" and the construction technology domain are key differentiators for this role.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: While no specific degree is listed, a background in UX Design, Product Design, Human-Computer Interaction, or a related field is implied by the role's nature.

Experience: Minimum of 3 years of experience in UX design, product design, or a similar role, with a proven track record of end-to-end design work.

Required Skills:

• Portfolio: A strong portfolio showcasing end-to-end UX design work (research, wireframing, prototyping, user testing, and shipped products), not solely visual design.

• User Research: Demonstrated experience conducting user interviews and translating qualitative research findings into actionable design decisions.

• Prototyping Tools: High proficiency with Figma or similar industry-standard tools for wireframing, prototyping, and design systems.

• Workflow Design: Experience designing for complex, multi-step workflows with real-world constraints, distinct from purely consumer-facing applications.

• Communication: Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to articulate design choices and rationale to technical and non-technical audiences.

• Problem-Solving: Comfort working through ambiguity and defining problems, rather than solely solving pre-defined issues.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience in construction technology, architecture, manufacturing, robotics, or related hardware-intensive industries.

• Familiarity with 3D visualization, CAD software, or spatial design interfaces.

• Experience in writing product specifications or Product Requirement Documents (PRDs).

• Background in product research frameworks such as Jobs-to-Be-Done (JTBD) or continuous discovery.

• Experience with design systems and component-based design patterns.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "3+" years of experience and the requirement for a portfolio showing "end-to-end design work" suggest that candidates should be prepared to demonstrate ownership and impact across the entire design process, from initial concept to final implementation. The preference for industry experience is a significant plus.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• End-to-End Case Studies: Showcase at least 2-3 comprehensive case studies demonstrating your full design process for complex product features or entire products. Each case study should clearly outline the problem, your role, the research conducted, design decisions, iterations, and final outcomes.

• Research & Discovery: Include evidence of user interviews, persona development, and how qualitative research informed your design direction. Highlight methods used to uncover user needs and pain points within intricate workflows.

• Workflow Analysis: Present examples of how you mapped complex user journeys, identified edge cases, and designed for multi-step processes. Diagrams, flowcharts, and detailed explanations are crucial here.

• Prototyping & Testing: Demonstrate your ability to create interactive prototypes (e.g., in Figma) and detail your approach to usability testing, including how user feedback led to design improvements.

• Technical Handoff: Show examples of how you documented designs for engineering, including annotated mockups, interaction specifications, and acceptance criteria.

Process Documentation:

• Workflow Design Documentation: Examples of detailed workflow maps, user journey diagrams, and state transition diagrams that illustrate complex processes and their digital representations.

• Research Documentation: Samples of research findings summaries, user persona documents, and competitive analysis reports that demonstrate your ability to synthesize information and derive insights.

• Design System Components: If applicable, provide examples of how you contributed to or utilized design systems, showcasing component libraries and pattern documentation.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on "end-to-end design work — research through shipped product, not visual design alone" means the portfolio must go beyond mockups. Candidates should be prepared to detail their research methodologies, problem-solving approaches for complex workflows, and the impact of their designs on the final product.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: Based on industry standards for a Product Designer I with 3+ years of experience in Austin, Texas, a competitive salary range would typically be between $90,000 and $120,000 annually. This estimate considers the cost of living in Austin, the company's likely growth stage (implied by its innovative construction technology focus), and the specialized nature of the role.

Benefits:

• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance.

• Paid time off (PTO) and holidays.

• 401(k) retirement plan with potential company match.

• Opportunities for professional development and continuing education.

• Access to cutting-edge technology and tools in a fast-paced startup environment.

• Potential for stock options or equity, common in growing tech companies.

• Employee assistance programs.

Working Hours: This is a full-time, on-site role. Standard working hours are expected to be approximately 40 hours per week, with potential for flexibility depending on project needs and team dynamics.

📝 Enhancement Note: Salary is estimated based on typical compensation for Product Designers with 3-5 years of experience in a major tech hub like Austin, TX. Specific benefits not detailed in the job description are inferred from common offerings at tech companies, especially those in growth phases.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Construction Technology, Robotics, Software Development, Manufacturing. ICON is at the forefront of revolutionizing home construction through advanced robotics and AI, bridging the gap between digital design and physical building.

Company Size: The description does not explicitly state company size, but the presence of a Director of Product and a structured interview process suggests a company that has moved beyond the early startup phase and is likely in the growth stage, potentially with 100-500 employees or more.

Founded: ICON was founded in 2017. This relatively young company is characterized by rapid innovation and a mission-driven approach to solving significant global challenges in housing and construction.

Team Structure:

• The role reports to the Director of Product, indicating a structured product management hierarchy.

• You will work alongside engineers and product leadership, suggesting a collaborative, cross-functional team environment.

Methodology:

• Agile/Scrum: The mention of working "two or more sprints ahead of engineering" strongly suggests an Agile development methodology, likely Scrum or Kanban.

• User-Centric Design: The emphasis on customer interviews, workflow mapping, and usability testing highlights a strong commitment to user-centric design principles.

• Data-Driven OKRs: The requirement to connect design work to company OKRs indicates a focus on measurable impact and strategic alignment.

Company Website: https://www.iconbuild.com/ (Inferred from company name and industry)

📝 Enhancement Note: ICON's mission to revolutionize construction with technology implies a culture of innovation, problem-solving, and a focus on tangible impact. The Austin location is a hub for tech talent, suggesting a dynamic and competitive work environment.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is positioned as a Product Designer I, typically indicating an early to mid-career professional. With 3+ years of required experience, it's a solid opportunity for designers looking to gain significant experience in a specialized, high-impact domain. The responsibilities suggest a high degree of autonomy within the assigned product area.

Reporting Structure: You will report directly to the Director of Product. This provides direct mentorship and visibility to product leadership, offering opportunities to learn strategic product thinking and decision-making.

Operations Impact: As the UX owner for a core product area within BuildOS, your work will directly influence the usability and adoption of ICON's construction technology. Success in this role means making complex construction processes more intuitive, efficient, and accessible, directly contributing to ICON's mission and business objectives.

Growth Opportunities:

• Domain Expertise: Develop deep expertise in construction technology, architecture, and advanced manufacturing workflows, a highly specialized and in-demand niche.

• End-to-End Ownership: Gain extensive experience managing the entire product design lifecycle for complex B2B software.

• Cross-Functional Leadership: Enhance collaboration and communication skills by working closely with engineering, product management, and potentially hardware teams.

• Career Progression: Potential to advance to Senior Product Designer, Lead Product Designer, or specialize in UX research or product strategy roles within ICON.

• Mentorship: Learn from experienced product leaders and engineers, potentially leading to formal or informal mentorship opportunities.

📝 Enhancement Note: The growth potential is significant given ICON's innovative space and the user-centric focus of the role. Candidates can expect to develop a unique skill set applicable to both software and hardware-adjacent industries.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: This is an on-site role based in ICON's Austin, TX office. The office environment is likely modern, tech-focused, and designed to foster collaboration and innovation, reflecting the company's cutting-edge industry.

Office Location(s): Austin, Texas, United States. This location is a thriving tech hub, offering a vibrant professional community and lifestyle.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Spaces: Expect a work environment that encourages frequent interaction with designers, engineers, product managers, and potentially other stakeholders.

• Tools & Technology: Access to industry-standard design tools (Figma), prototyping software, and potentially specialized hardware or software relevant to construction and robotics.

• Innovation Hub: The environment is likely dynamic, fast-paced, and geared towards rapid iteration and problem-solving, typical of companies pushing technological boundaries.

Work Schedule: The role is full-time, likely with standard business hours (e.g., 9 AM to 5 PM CT). However, the fast-paced nature of a growing tech company may require some flexibility to meet project deadlines and sprint goals.

📝 Enhancement Note: Being on-site in Austin is crucial for this role, emphasizing the importance of in-person collaboration and immersion in ICON's unique operational environment. The "BuildOS" platform suggests a strong integration between software and the company's physical construction technology.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A recruiter or hiring manager will likely conduct an initial phone screen to assess basic qualifications, experience, and cultural fit.

• Portfolio Review: You will be asked to present your portfolio, focusing on 2-3 key case studies that demonstrate your end-to-end UX design process, research methodologies, problem-solving skills for complex workflows, and impact on shipped products. Be prepared to discuss your design decisions and rationale in detail.

• Design Challenge/Exercise: A practical design exercise or a take-home challenge may be assigned to evaluate your problem-solving abilities, design thinking, and proficiency with tools like Figma. This might involve analyzing a given workflow or designing a solution for a specific user problem.

• Team Interviews: Interviews with the Director of Product, engineers, and potentially other designers or product managers. These will delve deeper into your technical skills, collaboration style, and ability to work within a cross-functional team.

• Final Interview: Potentially with senior leadership, focusing on strategic thinking, alignment with company vision, and overall fit.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Focus on Process: Clearly articulate the "why" behind your design decisions. Showcase your research methods, iterative process, and how you incorporated user feedback.

• Quantify Impact: Whenever possible, use metrics or qualitative results to demonstrate the impact of your design solutions on user behavior, efficiency, or business goals.

• Tailor to ICON: Highlight projects that demonstrate your ability to design for complex workflows, B2B environments, or hardware-adjacent technologies if available.

• Clarity and Conciseness: Ensure your portfolio is well-organized, easy to navigate, and that your contributions are clearly defined, especially in team projects.

Challenge Preparation:

• Understand the Domain: Research ICON, their technology (e.g., Vulcan system), and the BuildOS platform. Understand the challenges in the construction industry and how software can address them.

• Workflow Thinking: Practice mapping out complex processes, identifying potential pain points, and ideating solutions. Think about different user roles and their varying levels of technical proficiency.

• Figma Proficiency: Be ready to demonstrate your skills in Figma, including creating wireframes, interactive prototypes, and potentially using components or design systems.

📝 Enhancement Note: The portfolio review is a critical step. Candidates should prepare to walk through their work methodically, emphasizing problem-solving and the journey from research to a shipped product, rather than just showcasing polished UI.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Figma: This is explicitly mentioned as a required tool for wireframing, prototyping, and design systems. Deep proficiency is expected.

• Prototyping Tools: Figma itself serves this purpose, but familiarity with other prototyping tools might be beneficial.

• User Research Tools: Experience with tools for conducting interviews (e.g., Zoom, Google Meet), surveys (e.g., SurveyMonkey, Typeform), and potentially user testing platforms.

Analytics & Reporting:

• While not explicitly mentioned for the designer role, understanding how to interpret product analytics and user feedback data will be crucial. Familiarity with analytics platforms (e.g., Amplitude, Mixpanel, Google Analytics) and how design impacts key metrics would be advantageous.

CRM & Automation:

• While this role is not directly in CRM or sales operations, understanding how user data flows from customer interactions and how software impacts sales/operations processes can provide valuable context. Familiarity with how CRM data might inform user personas or product feature prioritization could be a plus.

📝 Enhancement Note: The primary focus is on design and prototyping tools. However, a designer who understands the broader technology stack and how their work integrates with product analytics and business objectives will be more effective.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Innovation & Disruption: A core value, driving the company's mission to revolutionize construction. Expect a culture that encourages bold ideas and challenging the status quo.

• User-Centricity: A strong emphasis on understanding and solving real user problems, particularly for architects, builders, and construction operators.

• Collaboration: Cross-functional teamwork is essential, requiring open communication and a willingness to work closely with engineering and product management.

• Impact & Execution: A focus on delivering tangible results and shipping products that make a difference. The drive to "move bigger goals forward" through design is key.

• Ambiguity Tolerance: The nature of working on cutting-edge technology means embracing uncertainty and being comfortable defining solutions in evolving landscapes.

Collaboration Style:

• Integrated Teams: Expect to work closely with engineers and product managers on a day-to-day basis, likely within Agile sprint cycles.

• Transparent Communication: Design decisions and rationale will be shared openly, and feedback will be actively sought from various stakeholders.

• Problem-Solving Focus: The team likely operates with a shared goal of solving complex problems, fostering a collaborative and solution-oriented environment.

📝 Enhancement Note: ICON's mission-driven nature likely fosters a culture of passion and dedication. Candidates should be prepared for a fast-paced environment where innovation and collaboration are highly valued.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Complex Domain: Designing for the construction industry involves intricate workflows, specialized terminology, and a diverse user base with varying technical skills. Adapting to this domain requires significant learning.

• Hardware Integration: BuildOS likely interfaces with ICON's robotics and construction technology, presenting unique design challenges related to physical processes, spatial data, and potential hardware constraints.

• Balancing Innovation and Usability: Innovating in a new field while ensuring the software is intuitive and accessible for users accustomed to traditional methods can be challenging.

• Rapid Growth Environment: Working in a fast-growing company means processes can evolve quickly, requiring adaptability and a proactive approach to defining and improving workflows.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Deep Industry Knowledge: Gain unparalleled insight into the future of construction technology, robotics, and smart manufacturing.

• Advanced UX Skills: Hone skills in complex workflow design, B2B SaaS UX, and potentially spatial or 3D interface design.

• Product Strategy Exposure: Work closely with product leadership, gaining exposure to strategic decision-making, OKR setting, and roadmap planning.

• Design System Development: Contribute to or help build out design systems for complex software platforms.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges presented are directly tied to the innovative and complex nature of ICON's work, offering significant learning opportunities for ambitious designers.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Tell me about a time you designed for a complex workflow. What were the challenges, and how did you approach them?" (Focus on your process, research, and problem-solving for multi-step processes.)

• "How do you incorporate user research into your design process, especially when dealing with ambiguity?" (Highlight specific methods and how you translate insights into tangible design decisions.)

• "Describe a situation where your design had to interface with hardware or physical constraints. What considerations did you make?" (Prepare for questions related to hardware-adjacent design if you have relevant experience.)

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What interests you about ICON's mission and the construction technology space?" (Research ICON's mission, technology, and recent news.)

• "How do you approach collaboration with engineering and product management teams?" (Emphasize your communication style and experience in cross-functional environments.)

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure: Use a clear narrative for each case study: Problem -> Your Role -> Process/Solution -> Outcome/Impact.

• Visuals: Use high-fidelity mockups and interactive prototypes to illustrate your design. Include wireframes and flow diagrams to show the underlying structure.

• Data & Insights: Clearly articulate the research findings that drove your decisions and any metrics that demonstrate the success of your solutions.

• Conciseness: Be mindful of time. Focus on the most impactful aspects of your projects and be prepared to answer questions.

📝 Enhancement Note: Prepare to discuss specific examples from your portfolio that align with the requirements of designing for complex workflows and B2B software. Demonstrating an understanding of ICON's mission will be crucial.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Product Designer position:

• Submit your application directly through the ICON careers portal linked from Greenhouse.

• Portfolio Customization: Ensure your portfolio prominently features 2-3 case studies demonstrating end-to-end UX design, with a strong emphasis on research, workflow mapping, and problem-solving for complex B2B or industrial applications.

• Resume Optimization: Tailor your resume to highlight keywords from the job description, such as "UX Design," "Product Design," "User Research," "Figma," "Workflow Mapping," and any experience in relevant industries (construction, manufacturing, hardware). Quantify achievements where possible.

• Interview Preparation: Practice presenting your portfolio and prepare to discuss your design process, rationale, and experiences with ambiguity and cross-functional collaboration. Research ICON's products and mission thoroughly.

• Company Research: Understand ICON's place in the construction technology market, their core products (e.g., Vulcan system), and their overall company vision to articulate your interest and fit.

⚠️ 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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