Product Designer II

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Product Designer II
Company: Cox Enterprises
Location: Irvine, CA & Atlanta, GA, United States
Job Type: Full-Time
Category: Product Design / UX/UI
Date Posted: May 12, 2026
Experience Level: 2-5 Years
Remote Status: Hybrid

🚀 Role Summary

• This role is integral to the AI transformation within the Kelley Blue Book (KBB) brand, focusing on designing user-centric digital experiences.
• You will be responsible for the end-to-end product design execution, from user research and ideation to prototyping, delivery support, and post-release validation.
• A key aspect involves leveraging AI-powered tools and contributing to an established design system to ensure consistency and quality across digital products.
• Collaboration is paramount, working closely with product managers, software engineers, and other stakeholders in an agile environment to deliver high-quality user interfaces and experiences.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the job title is "Product Designer II," the core responsibilities and required skills align strongly with a UX/UI Designer role, particularly one focused on digital product development within a technology-driven organization. The emphasis on AI transformation and specific tool mentions like Figma and Claude Enterprise indicates a modern, forward-thinking design practice.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Support cross-functional teams in designing key experiences for the Kelley Blue Book (KBB) brand, with a specific focus on an AI transformation initiative.
• Provide design guidance and ensure delivered experiences maintain a high level of quality and user satisfaction.
• Create comprehensive design artifacts, including wireframes, high-fidelity mockups, and interactive prototypes, to effectively communicate design concepts and user flows to development teams.
• Present design work to peers and business leaders, articulating design rationale, decisions, and trade-offs to build alignment and gather feedback.
• Apply and contribute to existing design systems, style guides, and UX standards to ensure consistency, scalability, and maintainability across all digital experiences.
• Actively research and stay current with industry trends, emerging technologies (especially in AI), and best practices in UX, UI, and product design.
• Champion user-centered design methodologies and advocate for data-informed decision-making throughout the product development lifecycle.
• Collaborate closely with product managers and software engineers within an agile or iterative delivery framework to ensure accurate implementation of designs.
• Utilize and explore AI-powered tools within the design workflow for ideation, prototyping, and workflow acceleration.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a blend of core UX/UI design tasks with a strategic focus on AI integration and design system contribution. The expectation to present work to leadership and collaborate with engineering teams underscores the need for strong communication and technical understanding.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

• Bachelor's degree in Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), Graphic Design, Industrial Design, Computer Science, or a closely related discipline.
• Alternatively, a Master's degree with up to 2 years of relevant experience, or 6 years of equivalent experience in a related field without a degree.

Experience:

• A minimum of 2 years of professional experience in UX, UI, Product Design, or a related field.
• Demonstrated experience with end-to-end product design execution across one or more shipped digital products, encompassing user research, discovery, concept ideation, prototyping, delivery support, and post-release validation.

Required Skills:

• Figma Proficiency: Advanced experience using Figma for design, prototyping, and collaboration within a shared design system.
• AI-Powered Design Tools: Experience utilizing AI tools for design tasks such as prototyping, ideation, or workflow acceleration.
• Prototyping & Wireframing: Proven ability to create wireframes, high-fidelity mockups, and complex, interactive prototypes to convey user flows and design intent.
• Design Systems: Experience applying and contributing to design systems, style guides, and UX standards to ensure consistency across digital products.
• Agile Collaboration: Demonstrated experience working collaboratively with product managers, software engineers, and other roles within an agile or iterative development team.
• User-Centered Design: Strong understanding and application of user-centered design principles and methodologies.
• Portfolio: A robust portfolio showcasing relevant UX/UI work that clearly demonstrates problem-solving skills, design thinking, and successful product outcomes.

Preferred Skills:

• Accessibility Standards: Experience producing design work that adheres to accessibility standards, such as WCAG (Web Content Accessibility Guidelines).
• Design System Adherence: Proven ability to apply and adhere to an established design system or component library to maintain design consistency and quality.
• Stakeholder Presentation: Experience presenting design work to internal stakeholders, effectively explaining design approaches, decisions, and trade-offs.
• Specific Tool Experience: Familiarity with tools like Claude Enterprise, Figma Make, MCPs, and Claude Skills.
• Peer Collaboration: Experience working within a multi-designer team, actively receiving and incorporating design feedback from peers.
• Industry Experience: Previous experience working within the automotive industry.

📝 Enhancement Note: The requirements emphasize practical application and tool proficiency. The mention of specific AI tools like Claude Enterprise and Figma Make suggests the company is at the forefront of adopting new design technologies. The portfolio is critical; it must showcase not just aesthetics but also the thought process behind the designs and their impact.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Case Studies: A minimum of 2-3 detailed case studies demonstrating the full product design lifecycle for shipped digital products. Each case study should highlight your specific role, the problem addressed, your design process, key decisions made, and the measurable impact or outcome.
• Problem-Solving Focus: Showcase how you identified user needs and business requirements, and how your design solutions effectively addressed these.
• Systemic Thinking: Include examples of how you applied or contributed to design systems, style guides, or component libraries to ensure consistency and scalability.
• AI Tool Integration: If possible, include examples or descriptions of how you've leveraged AI tools within your design process to enhance efficiency or outcomes.
• Visual Communication: High-quality visual presentation of wireframes, mockups, and interactive prototypes, demonstrating your craft and attention to detail.

Process Documentation:

• User Research & Discovery: Examples of user research methodologies employed (e.g., interviews, surveys, usability testing) and how insights were translated into design requirements.
• Design Iteration: Documentation of design iterations, showing how feedback from stakeholders, users, and engineers influenced the final design.
• Delivery Hand-off: Evidence of clear communication and hand-off processes with development teams, ensuring accurate implementation of designs.
• Post-Launch Analysis: Examples of how designs were validated post-launch through data analysis or user feedback, and any subsequent iterations based on performance.

📝 Enhancement Note: The portfolio is the primary tool for demonstrating capabilities. Candidates should focus on presenting their problem-solving process and the impact of their designs, rather than just the final visuals. Highlighting experience with design systems and AI tools will be particularly advantageous.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

• The anticipated base salary range for this position is $107,200.00 - $160,800.00 USD per year.
• The final salary offered will be determined by factors such as the candidate's ultimate work location, their specific knowledge, skills, and abilities, and overall experience.
• This role may also be eligible for additional compensation, potentially including an incentive program.

Benefits:

• Competitive Compensation: Includes a strong base salary and potential for incentive bonuses.
• Work-Life Balance: Flexible time-off policies and accommodating work schedules are emphasized.
• Comprehensive Healthcare: Multiple healthcare options are available for individuals and families, including medical, dental, and vision insurance.
• Retirement Planning: A generous 401(k) retirement plan with up to an 8% company match.
• Mental Health & Wellness: Access to mental health support, counseling services, and virtual wellness resources like CALM.
• Family Support: Up to 10 days of subsidized child, senior, and pet care through Care.com.
• Paid Time Off: Seven paid holidays annually, plus up to 160 hours of paid wellness leave.
• Additional Paid Leave: Bereavement leave, time off to vote, jury duty leave, volunteer time off, military leave, and parental leave.

Working Hours:

• This is a full-time position, typically expected to involve around 40 hours per week.
• The role offers a hybrid work arrangement, allowing for a flexible balance between remote work and in-office collaboration. The specific schedule will be discussed during the interview process.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range is competitive for a Product Designer II role in the US, especially considering the potential for higher cost-of-living locations. The benefits package is robust, with a strong emphasis on work-life balance, health and wellness, and family support, which are attractive aspects for experienced professionals.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Automotive Technology & Media (specifically digital platforms like Kelley Blue Book). Company Size: Cox Enterprises is a large, privately held media and automotive services company. Cox Automotive, a division, operates numerous well-known brands in the automotive space. This scale implies significant resources, established processes, and opportunities for impact across a wide user base. Founded: Cox Enterprises was founded in 1898, indicating a long history and stability, while Cox Automotive is a more recent consolidation of various automotive businesses, bringing together innovation with established market presence.

Team Structure:

• Cross-Functional Teams: Designers work as part of agile teams, collaborating closely with Product Managers, Software Engineers, UX Researchers, and potentially other specialized designers.
• Reporting: The Product Designer II likely reports into a Design Lead or Manager within the Engineering/Product Development function.
• Collaboration: Emphasis on collaborative design processes, design critiques, and shared ownership of product success.

Methodology:

• Agile/Iterative Development: The team operates within an agile framework, focusing on iterative design and development cycles.
• User-Centered Design: A strong commitment to understanding and addressing user needs through research and data-informed decisions.
• Design System Driven: Adherence to and contribution to a centralized design system to ensure consistency and efficiency.
• AI Integration: A forward-looking approach to incorporating AI tools and capabilities into both the design process and the end-user experience.

Company Website: https://www.coxenterprises.com/ | https://www.coxauto.com/

📝 Enhancement Note: Cox Enterprises' long history combined with Cox Automotive's focus on digital innovation creates a unique environment. The culture likely values both stability and forward-thinking, with a strong emphasis on customer experience and technological advancement, particularly in the digital automotive space.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: Product Designer II typically represents an individual contributor role with a moderate level of experience. This level is expected to independently handle significant design tasks, contribute to design strategy, and mentor junior designers. It sits between an entry-level designer and a senior or lead designer.

Reporting Structure: The role is part of the Engineering / Product Development group, likely reporting to a UX Design Manager or Director. Collaboration will be extensive with product management and engineering teams.

Operations Impact: As a Product Designer II, your work directly influences the user experience of key Cox Automotive brands like Kelley Blue Book. By designing intuitive, effective, and engaging interfaces, you contribute to customer satisfaction, user adoption, conversion rates, and overall brand perception, which in turn impacts revenue and market share. The focus on AI transformation suggests an opportunity to shape the future of digital interactions within the automotive sector.

Growth Opportunities:

• Skill Specialization: Deepen expertise in specific areas like AI-driven design, accessibility, or interaction design.
• Leadership Development: Progress to a Senior Product Designer role, taking on more complex projects, leading design initiatives, and mentoring junior team members.
• Cross-Brand Exposure: Opportunities to work on different brands within the Cox Automotive portfolio.
• Continuous Learning: Access to training, conferences, and internal workshops focused on emerging design trends and technologies.
• Management Track: Potential to move into a Design Manager or Lead role, overseeing design teams and strategy.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role offers a solid foundation for career growth within a large, stable organization. The emphasis on AI and design systems provides avenues for specialization in high-demand areas. The path to senior roles and potential leadership positions is clear within Cox Automotive's structure.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The role is designated as "Hybrid," meaning a combination of remote work and in-office presence. This suggests a modern workplace that balances flexibility with the benefits of in-person collaboration. Office Location(s): Positions are available in Irvine, CA (217 Technology Dr) and Atlanta, GA. These are significant tech and business hubs, offering access to talent and resources.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Spaces: The office environment likely includes collaborative workspaces designed for team meetings, brainstorming sessions, and design critiques.
• Technology Access: Access to industry-standard design software, hardware, and internal tools necessary for effective product design.
• Team Interaction: Opportunities for informal and formal interactions with design peers, product managers, and engineers, fostering a dynamic and supportive work atmosphere.
• Hybrid Flexibility: Support for working from home on designated days, allowing for focused individual work and personal flexibility.

Work Schedule: The standard work schedule is likely Monday to Friday, with the specific in-office days determined by team needs and manager guidance, aligning with the hybrid model. The role requires travel up to 15% of the time, likely for team meetings, stakeholder presentations, or user research.

📝 Enhancement Note: The hybrid model is a key feature, offering flexibility. Candidates should be prepared for some in-office presence, especially for collaborative activities, and occasional travel. The specific office locations are in major metropolitan areas.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A recruiter or hiring manager will review applications and resumes, with a strong emphasis on the submitted portfolio.
• Portfolio Review: Candidates will likely present their portfolio to a panel of designers and/or product managers. This is a critical stage where the depth of your design thinking, problem-solving skills, and execution craft will be assessed. Be prepared to walk through 2-3 key case studies in detail.
• Design Challenge/Exercise: You may be given a design exercise or a take-home challenge to assess your approach to a specific problem, your use of tools, and your ability to articulate design decisions.
• Team/Stakeholder Interviews: Interviews with Product Managers, Engineers, and potentially other designers to assess collaboration skills, communication style, and cultural fit.
• Final Interview: A final interview with a hiring manager or senior leader to discuss overall fit, career aspirations, and potentially provide a final overview of the role and team.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Tell a Story: Structure your case studies as narratives. Clearly define the problem, your process, your solutions, and the impact.
• Highlight Your Role: Be specific about your contributions, especially in team projects. Use "I" when describing your direct actions and "we" when referring to team efforts.
• Show, Don't Just Tell: Use visuals effectively. Include sketches, wireframes, user flows, mockups, and interactive prototypes. Explain why you made certain design choices.
• Quantify Impact: Whenever possible, use data and metrics to demonstrate the success of your designs (e.g., increased conversion rates, reduced task completion time, improved user satisfaction scores).
• Address AI & Design Systems: Explicitly mention and showcase your experience with AI tools and design systems, as these are key requirements.

Challenge Preparation:

• Understand the Brief: Carefully read and understand the requirements of any design challenge. Ask clarifying questions if needed.
• Time Management: Allocate your time effectively between understanding the problem, ideation, design execution, and presentation preparation.
• Articulate Rationale: Be ready to explain your design decisions and trade-offs clearly and concisely, as you would in an interview.
• Focus on Process: Even if the output is limited, demonstrating a sound design process is often more important than a perfect final deliverable.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process is designed to thoroughly evaluate both design skills and collaborative capabilities. The portfolio presentation is likely the most crucial step, so candidates should invest significant time in preparing it.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Figma: The core tool for UI design, wireframing, prototyping, and collaboration within design systems. Advanced proficiency is expected.
• AI-Powered Design Tools: Experience with tools like Claude Enterprise, Figma Make, or similar AI assistants for ideation, content generation, or workflow optimization.
• Prototyping Tools: Beyond Figma's capabilities, familiarity with dedicated prototyping tools may be beneficial.

Analytics & Reporting:

• While not explicitly listed as a primary responsibility, understanding how to interpret user data and analytics (e.g., Google Analytics, Adobe Analytics) to inform design decisions is valuable.
• Familiarity with A/B testing concepts and how design impacts performance metrics.

CRM & Automation:

• Less directly relevant for a Product Designer, but understanding how user data flows from CRM systems (like Salesforce, though not mentioned) into product experiences can be advantageous.
• Awareness of automation principles in user workflows.

📝 Enhancement Note: Figma is the central tool. The emphasis on AI tools is a significant differentiator, suggesting the company is leveraging advanced technologies. Candidates should highlight any experience with these specific AI platforms or similar AI design assistants.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• User-Centricity: A deep commitment to understanding and solving real user problems, evidenced by a strong portfolio and interview responses.
• Collaboration: Valuing teamwork, open communication, and constructive feedback exchange among peers and cross-functional partners.
• Quality & Craftsmanship: A dedication to delivering high-quality, polished, and well-executed designs.
• Innovation: Embracing new technologies and methodologies, particularly AI, to drive product and process improvements.
• Data-Informed Decisions: Utilizing data and user research to guide design choices and measure impact.

Collaboration Style:

• Team-Oriented: Designers are expected to work closely with product managers and engineers, participating actively in agile ceremonies and design reviews.
• Feedback Culture: A willingness to give and receive constructive feedback to elevate the quality of the work.
• Knowledge Sharing: Encouraging the sharing of best practices, design patterns, and learnings across the design team and broader organization.
• Process Improvement: An openness to refining design processes and workflows for greater efficiency and effectiveness.

📝 Enhancement Note: The culture appears to foster collaboration, innovation, and a strong user focus. Candidates who can demonstrate these values through their portfolio and interview responses will be well-aligned.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• AI Integration Complexity: Navigating the evolving landscape of AI in design, balancing its potential with user experience and ethical considerations.
• Design System Evolution: Contributing to and maintaining a robust design system for multiple brands while accommodating new features and technologies.
• Cross-Functional Alignment: Ensuring consistent design vision and execution across diverse teams with varying priorities.
• Balancing Speed and Quality: Delivering high-quality designs within agile timelines.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• AI Design Specialization: Opportunities to become an expert in using AI tools for design, potentially shaping internal best practices.
• Advanced UX/UI Training: Access to courses, workshops, and conferences focused on cutting-edge UX/UI techniques and emerging technologies.
• Mentorship: Potential to be mentored by senior designers or to mentor junior designers, fostering leadership skills.
• Industry Exposure: Working with established brands like Kelley Blue Book provides valuable experience in the automotive and digital media sectors.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role provides significant opportunities to grow in specialized areas like AI-driven design and design systems, which are highly relevant in today's market. The challenges are tied to innovation and large-scale product development.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you used AI tools to accelerate your design process. What were the benefits and limitations?"
• "How do you approach balancing the need for a consistent design system with the need for unique brand experiences?"
• "Walk us through a complex user flow you designed. What were the key decision points and trade-offs?"
• "How do you ensure your designs are accessible and meet WCAG standards?"
• "Describe your process for collaborating with product managers and engineers in an agile environment."

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What interests you about Cox Automotive and the Kelley Blue Book brand specifically?"
• "How do you stay current with industry trends in UX/UI and AI?"
• "Describe your experience working in a hybrid or remote team environment."
• "How do you handle constructive criticism or disagreement on design decisions?"

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure: Organize your presentation logically, starting with an overview of your experience and then diving into 2-3 detailed case studies.
• Narrative: Frame each case study as a problem, your process, your solution, and the outcome.
• Visuals: Use high-quality visuals that clearly illustrate your design artifacts at each stage.
• Impact: Quantify the impact of your designs whenever possible.
• AI & Design Systems: Explicitly call out your experience with AI tools and design systems within your case studies.
• Conciseness: Be mindful of time and focus on the most impactful aspects of your work. Prepare concise talking points for each slide.

📝 Enhancement Note: Be prepared to discuss your experience with AI tools and design systems in detail. The interview will likely assess not only your design skills but also your ability to collaborate, communicate effectively, and contribute to a forward-thinking team.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Product Designer II position:

• Submit Your Application: Navigate to the Cox Careers portal and submit your application, ensuring all required fields are completed accurately.
• Portfolio Customization: Tailor your portfolio to highlight projects that demonstrate your experience with Figma, AI-powered design tools, design systems, and end-to-end product design execution. Prioritize case studies that showcase problem-solving and measurable impact.
• Resume Optimization: Ensure your resume clearly outlines your relevant experience, specifically mentioning skills like UX/UI design, product design, Figma, AI tools, and agile methodologies. Use keywords from the job description.
• Interview Preparation: Practice articulating your design process, rationale, and impact for your portfolio case studies. Prepare answers to common behavioral and situational interview questions, focusing on collaboration, problem-solving, and your experience with AI and design systems.
• Company Research: Familiarize yourself with Cox Automotive, the Kelley Blue Book brand, and their digital presence. Understand their market position and any recent innovations, particularly in AI. Research their company values and culture to align your responses.

⚠️ 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.