Product Designer I

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Product Designer I

Company: York Space Systems

Location: Greenwood Village, Colorado, United States

Job Type: Full-time

Category: Product Design / UI/UX

Date Posted: September 01, 2026

Experience Level: Entry-Level (0-2 years)

Remote Status: Hybrid (4 days in office)

🚀 Role Summary

• This role focuses on designing intuitive and modern web-based applications for spacecraft mission operations, emphasizing UI/UX principles.

• You will be responsible for translating complex operator requirements into user-friendly interfaces and interactive prototypes.

• The position offers a significant opportunity for mentorship and growth within a technically demanding aerospace environment.

• Collaboration with experienced engineers, designers, product managers, and mission operators is a key aspect of this role.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is specifically for a Product Designer focusing on UI/UX, not a traditional Revenue or Sales Operations role. The enhancement will reflect this focus while still adhering to the structured format.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Translate customer and operator requirements into clean, intuitive, and user-centered designs for a web-based spacecraft monitoring and control application.

• Develop wireframes, high-fidelity mockups, and interactive prototypes that align with and contribute to an established design system.

• Engage in close collaboration with product managers, software engineers, fellow designers, and mission operators to iterate on designs and incorporate feedback effectively.

• Maintain and organize design files, ensuring clear documentation of design decisions and rationale throughout the product development lifecycle.

• Actively participate in agile development ceremonies, including sprint planning, daily stand-ups, and retrospectives, to ensure design alignment with development progress.

• Contribute to the refinement of existing workflows and the conception of new UI components to enhance user experience and operational efficiency.

• Adapt to a fast-paced environment, proactively seeking information and guidance to address vague or complex requirements.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities are geared towards a Product Designer role, emphasizing the creation of user interfaces and collaboration within an agile software development context.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: While no specific degree is listed, a Bachelor's degree in Design, Human-Computer Interaction, Computer Science, or a related field, or equivalent practical experience is often expected for design roles.

Experience: 1-2 years of UI/UX design experience, which can include internships, academic projects, or personal projects.

Required Skills:

• Proven proficiency in Figma, including expertise in components, auto-layout features, and design system workflows.

• Demonstrated experience in creating wireframes, mockups, and interactive prototypes for software applications.

• Ability to define user flows, identify friction points in user journeys, and propose design solutions.

• Strong verbal and written communication skills, essential for effective collaboration and articulating design decisions.

• Interpersonal skills to thrive in a collaborative team environment with engineers, product managers, and operators.

• Adaptability and a proactive mindset to work effectively in a fast-paced environment.

• Ability to independently seek information and guidance when requirements are ambiguous.

• Must be able to obtain and maintain a security clearance. Preferred Skills:

• Experience designing applications with a dark mode interface.

• Familiarity with designing for colorblind accessibility standards.

• Understanding of frontend development concepts, such as component-based architecture and responsive layout principles.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Required Portfolio" section is a critical qualification for this design role, and its requirements are detailed separately. The experience level is clearly defined as entry-level.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A comprehensive design portfolio is mandatory, showcasing UI/UX work from previous projects, internships, or academic endeavors.

• The portfolio should demonstrate a clear understanding of user-centered design principles and problem-solving through design.

• Include case studies that articulate the design process, from initial research and ideation to final design solutions and their impact.

• Showcase proficiency in Figma, highlighting the use of components, auto-layout, and contributions to design systems. Process Documentation:

• For each portfolio project, clearly document the design process undertaken, including user research methods, wireframing, prototyping, and user testing.

• Explain the rationale behind design decisions, especially how they address specific operator requirements or identified friction points.

• Demonstrate an understanding of how designs integrate into an existing design system and contribute to its evolution.

• Highlight collaboration with cross-functional teams (developers, PMs, operators) and how feedback was incorporated.

📝 Enhancement Note: For design roles, the portfolio is the primary evidence of skill. This section emphasizes what York Space Systems expects to see within that portfolio to assess a candidate's capabilities.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $50,000 - $90,000 per year.

Benefits:

• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance plans.

• Paid Time Off (PTO) for work-life balance.

• 401k retirement savings plan to support long-term financial goals.

Working Hours: The standard working hours are 40 hours per week, with a hybrid work arrangement requiring 4 days in the office.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range is provided based on the input data. Benefits are listed as provided in the raw job description. The hybrid nature of the work arrangement is clearly stated.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Aerospace and Space Systems. York Space Systems is focused on revolutionizing spacecraft affordability and reliability, enabling advanced space mission operations. This industry demands precision, innovation, and a commitment to cutting-edge technology.

Company Size: While not explicitly stated in the raw data, typical aerospace companies with such specialized offerings can range from mid-sized to large enterprises. The emphasis on "expanding our team across the board" suggests growth.

Founded: York Space Systems was founded with a mission to transform space mission operations. The company's focus is on end-to-end customer solutions and rapid spacecraft production, highlighting a commitment to innovation and responsive service.

Team Structure:

• The design team likely includes experienced designers, product managers, and software engineers, fostering a collaborative environment.

• As an early-career role, there will be opportunities for mentorship from senior team members.

• Collaboration extends to mission operators, providing direct user feedback and insights into operational needs. Methodology:

• The team operates within an agile development framework, participating in sprint planning, stand-ups, and retrospectives.

• Design decisions are informed by customer and operator requirements, ensuring practical and effective solutions.

• Emphasis is placed on maintaining and contributing to an existing design system for consistency and efficiency.

Company Website: https://www.yorkspacesystems.com/

📝 Enhancement Note: The company context is derived from the provided description, highlighting its position in the aerospace industry and its mission. The team structure and methodology are inferred from the role's responsibilities and the mention of agile practices.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This is an entry-level Product Designer I position, suitable for individuals with 0-2 years of experience. It's designed for individuals eager to learn and grow rapidly in a technically complex and fast-paced environment.

Reporting Structure: The designer will work closely with senior designers, product managers, and engineering leads. Direct mentorship is a key component of this role.

Operations Impact: While not a direct revenue operations role, the impact is significant: by creating intuitive and efficient software, this designer will directly influence the success and operational effectiveness of spacecraft missions, contributing to York Space Systems' overall mission of transforming space operations.

Growth Opportunities:

• Skill Development: Significant opportunities to learn and master UI/UX design principles, advanced Figma techniques, and contribute to a robust design system. Exposure to complex aerospace software challenges.

• Mentorship: Direct mentorship from experienced engineers and designers, providing guidance and feedback for professional development.

• Career Progression: Potential to advance to Product Designer II, Senior Product Designer, or specialized roles within the design or product management track as experience and expertise grow within the company.

• Industry Exposure: Gain valuable experience in the rapidly evolving aerospace technology sector.

📝 Enhancement Note: This section frames the "Product Designer" role within a career development context, highlighting growth paths and the impact of design work in a specialized industry.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Hybrid work environment, requiring 4 days per week in the office. This suggests a blend of focused individual work and collaborative in-person interaction.

Office Location(s): Greenwood Village, Colorado. This location offers access to a growing tech and aerospace hub.

Workspace Context:

• The workspace is designed to foster collaboration among designers, product managers, and engineers.

• Access to necessary design tools and technology, including Figma, will be provided.

• The environment supports continuous learning, with opportunities for peer feedback and critique.

• The office setting is intended to facilitate team cohesion and efficient problem-solving through in-person discussions.

Work Schedule: The standard work schedule is typically 40 hours per week, with a hybrid model allowing for some flexibility in balancing remote and in-office days.

📝 Enhancement Note: The description emphasizes the hybrid nature of the work arrangement and the collaborative aspects of the office environment, crucial for design roles.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: Review of resume and portfolio to assess basic qualifications and design skills.

• Design Challenge/Portfolio Review: A session where candidates present their portfolio, discuss their design process, and potentially complete a design exercise to evaluate problem-solving skills and Figma proficiency.

• Team/Stakeholder Interviews: Meetings with design peers, product managers, and engineers to assess collaboration style, communication skills, and cultural fit.

• Manager Interview: Discussion with the hiring manager to delve deeper into experience, career aspirations, and suitability for the role and company.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate your portfolio to showcase 2-3 strong projects that best represent your UI/UX skills, especially those demonstrating Figma proficiency and design system thinking.

• For each project, clearly articulate the problem, your role, the design process (research, wireframes, prototypes, testing), your specific contributions, and the outcome or impact.

• Be prepared to discuss your design decisions, rationale, and how you handled challenges or feedback.

• Highlight your experience with Figma's advanced features like auto-layout and component creation.

• Tailor your presentation to highlight aspects relevant to software design for complex systems. Challenge Preparation:

• If a design challenge is given, focus on understanding the core problem and user needs.

• Structure your approach logically, from initial thoughts and assumptions to proposed solutions.

• Be ready to articulate your design choices and trade-offs.

• Practice time management to complete the challenge within the given constraints.

📝 Enhancement Note: This section provides actionable advice for candidates, focusing on the critical portfolio review and interview stages specific to design roles.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Figma: Essential tool for UI/UX design, wireframing, prototyping, and design system management. Proficiency in components and auto-layout is highly valued.

• Prototyping Tools: Figma's built-in prototyping features, or potentially other tools if integrated into the workflow.

• Design System Tools: Experience working with and contributing to design systems.

Analytics & Reporting: While not a primary focus for this design role, understanding how user data and analytics inform design decisions is beneficial. Familiarity with tools used for user behavior tracking and A/B testing may be advantageous.

CRM & Automation: Not directly applicable to this role, but awareness of how user interfaces interact with backend systems and data management is useful.

📝 Enhancement Note: This section focuses on the design-specific tools, with Figma being the most critical. Other tools are mentioned in the context of broader software development but are not core requirements for this specific role.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Innovation: A culture that encourages pushing boundaries and developing novel solutions for space mission operations.

• Collaboration: Strong emphasis on teamwork, with designers working closely with engineers, product managers, and operators.

• User-Centricity: Dedication to creating intuitive and effective software that meets the needs of mission operators.

• Continuous Improvement: A commitment to learning, iterating, and refining designs and processes.

• Precision and Reliability: Reflecting the critical nature of the aerospace industry, where attention to detail and robust solutions are paramount.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-functional teamwork is central, requiring open communication and mutual respect between design, product, and engineering.

• A culture of constructive feedback and peer critique is encouraged to elevate design quality.

• Designers are expected to actively participate in agile ceremonies and contribute to team discussions.

📝 Enhancement Note: This section infers company values and collaboration styles based on the industry (aerospace) and the role's emphasis on teamwork and innovation.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Complexity of Domain: Understanding the intricate requirements of spacecraft mission operations and translating them into user-friendly designs.

• Fast-Paced Environment: Adapting to rapid development cycles and evolving project requirements in a growing company.

• Balancing Innovation and Constraints: Designing cutting-edge interfaces while adhering to an existing design system and technical limitations.

• Remote/Hybrid Collaboration: Effectively collaborating with team members in a hybrid work setup.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Mentorship: Direct guidance from senior designers and engineers to hone skills and navigate complex projects.

• Skill Expansion: Opportunities to learn about the aerospace industry, advanced design techniques, and potentially related fields like accessibility and dark mode design.

• Design System Contribution: The chance to contribute to and influence the evolution of a growing design system.

• Industry Exposure: Gaining experience in a highly specialized and innovative sector of technology.

📝 Enhancement Note: This section identifies potential challenges inherent in the role and company context, alongside clear growth and learning pathways.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a complex UI/UX problem you've solved and your design process." Focus on using the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) and highlighting your Figma skills and how you approached user needs.

• "How do you approach incorporating feedback from stakeholders with different perspectives (e.g., engineers vs. operators)?" Prepare examples of collaborative problem-solving and design iteration.

• "Walk us through a project in your portfolio that demonstrates your understanding of design systems." Be ready to discuss component creation, auto-layout usage, and design system contribution. Company & Culture Questions:

• "Why are you interested in working at York Space Systems and in the aerospace industry?" Research the company's mission and current projects.

• "How do you stay up-to-date with the latest UI/UX trends and technologies?" Discuss your learning habits and sources.

• "Describe your experience working in an agile development environment." Highlight your participation in ceremonies and collaboration with development teams. Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure your presentation logically: Introduction to the company/project, the problem statement, your role, your design process (research, ideation, wireframes, prototypes, testing), key design decisions and rationale, and the final outcome/impact.

• For each project, clearly articulate the "why" behind your design choices.

• Be prepared to demonstrate your Figma skills live if requested, or walk through specific Figma files.

• Emphasize how your designs solve user problems and meet business objectives.

• Practice your presentation to ensure it's concise, engaging, and within the allotted time.

📝 Enhancement Note: This section provides specific, actionable advice for interview preparation, tailored to a Product Designer role and the likely interview process at a company like York Space Systems.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Product Designer position:

• Submit your application through the provided "Apply" link on the careers portal.

• Portfolio Customization: Ensure your portfolio is up-to-date and specifically highlights projects demonstrating your proficiency in Figma, UI/UX design principles, and any experience with design systems or complex software interfaces.

• Resume Optimization: Tailor your resume to emphasize relevant UI/UX skills, tools (especially Figma), and any experience with internships or academic projects that showcase your design capabilities. Quantify achievements where possible.

• Interview Preparation: Practice articulating your design process, presenting your portfolio confidently, and preparing for potential design challenges or scenario-based questions.

• Company Research: Thoroughly research York Space Systems' mission, products, and recent news. Understand their position in the aerospace industry and how your design skills can contribute to their goals.

⚠️ 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.