Product Designer II

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Product Designer II

Company: Optimizely

Location: United States

Job Type: Full-Time

Category: Product Design / UX/UI Design (Internal Tools & Infrastructure)

Date Posted: May 08, 2026

Experience Level: Mid-Level (2-5 years)

Remote Status: Remote Eligible (US-based)

🚀 Role Summary

• Focus on designing the core interfaces for Optimizely's AI platform, "Opal," specifically for internal tools and infrastructure powering AI operations.

• Translate complex technical concepts (e.g., prompts, models, latency, cost, evaluation metrics) into clear, usable, and scalable user interfaces for engineers and internal operators.

• Develop expertise in systems thinking to design configuration interfaces for agents and workflows, as well as evaluation, experimentation, monitoring, and observability surfaces.

• Collaborate closely with AI engineers, Product Managers, and senior designers to define and ensure consistency of system primitives like agents, workflows, artifacts, and evaluations.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the title is "Product Designer II," the description heavily emphasizes designing internal tools and infrastructure for an AI platform ("Opal"). This role is less about customer-facing product UI and more about the foundational systems that enable AI development and operations. It requires a strong aptitude for systems thinking and comfort with technical concepts, positioning it closer to a Technical Product Designer or UX Engineer role within an operations-focused context.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Design intuitive configuration interfaces for AI agents and workflows, encompassing setup, editing, and version control processes.

• Develop user-friendly interfaces for evaluation and experimentation, enabling teams to effectively analyze system performance and output quality.

• Create robust monitoring and observability tools that provide clear insights into latency, cost, error rates, and usage patterns.

• Translate abstract technical concepts (models, prompts, pipelines, metrics) into tangible UI elements and understandable language for technical and non-technical stakeholders.

• Produce comprehensive design artifacts, including user flows, wireframes, and high-fidelity mockups, primarily utilizing Figma.

• Partner with engineering teams to rapidly prototype design concepts and iterate based on feedback derived from real-world usage and usability testing.

• Contribute to the definition and consistent application of system primitives (agents, workflows, artifacts, evaluations, environments) across the Opal platform to ensure a cohesive user mental model.

• Develop and advocate for design patterns related to configuration, observability, AI safety, and operational control within the platform.

• Conduct and participate in usability sessions with internal users, systematically incorporating feedback to refine designs and improve user experience.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities clearly indicate a focus on internal tooling and infrastructure for an AI platform. This involves designing for complex technical systems and requires a blend of UX design skills with an understanding of technical operations, data flows, and system architecture.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: Specific educational requirements are not detailed, but a background in Design, Human-Computer Interaction, Computer Science, or a related field is generally expected for this level of product design.

Experience:

• 2 to 4 years of professional experience in designing digital products, with a strong emphasis on developer tools, internal platforms, or complex systems interfaces.

Required Skills:

• Systems Thinking: Demonstrated ability to understand, model, and design complex interconnected systems.

• Figma Proficiency: Expertise in using Figma for wireframing, prototyping, high-fidelity design, and component-based design systems.

• UI/UX Design: Strong foundation in user interface and user experience design principles, applied to complex application design.

• Prototyping & Wireframing: Skill in creating interactive prototypes and detailed wireframes to communicate design concepts effectively.

• Technical Collaboration: Comfort and proven experience working closely with engineers, translating technical requirements into design solutions.

• Clear Communication: Ability to articulate design decisions, technical concepts, and user needs clearly and persuasively to technical and product partners.

• Data-Heavy Interface Design: Experience designing interfaces that present and manage significant amounts of data, performance metrics, or configuration options.

Preferred Skills:

• Developer Tools Design: Experience specifically designing for engineers or technical users.

• Internal Platform Design: Prior work on internal enterprise software or operational tools.

• AI/ML Concepts: Familiarity with artificial intelligence or machine learning concepts, workflows, or tooling.

• Experimentation Platforms: Experience designing interfaces for A/B testing, experimentation, or performance analysis tools.

• Observability Tooling: Understanding of and experience designing for system monitoring, logging, and observability solutions.

• Component-Based Design: Experience creating and maintaining design systems or component libraries for scalability and consistency.

• Usability Testing: Experience planning and conducting user research and usability testing sessions.

📝 Enhancement Note: The experience requirement of 2-4 years, combined with the need for systems thinking and technical collaboration, positions this as a mid-level role. The "Why You Will Love Working Here" section suggests a focus on shaping new categories of tooling, indicating a growth opportunity for designers interested in foundational AI infrastructure.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A portfolio showcasing strong systems thinking, demonstrating an ability to design for complexity and interconnectedness.

• Examples of simplifying complex workflows and technical concepts into clear, usable interfaces.

• Specific case studies related to designing dashboards, configuration tools, or data-intensive interfaces.

• Evidence of collaboration with technical teams and the translation of technical requirements into effective design solutions.

Process Documentation:

• Design artifacts should clearly illustrate user flows for complex processes such as agent setup, workflow orchestration, and performance evaluation.

• Case studies should detail the iterative design process, including user research, prototyping, and feedback incorporation from technical stakeholders.

• Visualizations or documentation of how design decisions addressed specific technical constraints or system primitives.

📝 Enhancement Note: Given the role's focus on internal AI infrastructure and systems, a portfolio that emphasizes systems design, technical problem-solving, and the ability to translate complex technical ideas into user-friendly interfaces will be crucial. Demonstrating experience with component-based design and a structured approach to problem-solving will be highly valued.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

As this is a US-based role with remote options, and the specific salary range is not provided, a typical mid-level Product Designer II salary in the US technology sector can range from $110,000 to $150,000 annually, depending on experience, specific location (if hybrid/on-site), and negotiation. For remote roles, salaries are often benchmarked nationally or against major tech hubs.

Benefits:

• Work on cutting-edge AI infrastructure and tooling.

• Close collaboration with AI engineers and product teams.

• Opportunity to define interaction patterns for emerging technologies.

• A team culture that values clarity, speed, and thoughtful design.

• Flexible work setup with options for NYC office presence or full remote within the U.S.

Working Hours:

• A standard full-time work week is implied, typically around 40 hours.

• The "Flexible work setup" and remote options suggest flexibility in scheduling, allowing for effective collaboration across different time zones and personal work preferences, while still meeting project deadlines and team synchronization needs.

📝 Enhancement Note: The provided text mentions "Flexible work setup with NYC or remote options across the U.S." and "Work on the systems that power AI, not just the outputs." This suggests a forward-thinking benefits package and a unique opportunity for designers focused on infrastructure rather than end-user applications. Salary estimates are based on industry benchmarks for similar roles in the US tech sector.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Software / Technology (specifically, Digital Experience Optimization and Marketing Technology - MarTech). Optimizely is a leader in this space.

Company Size: Over 1500 employees ("Optimizers") globally. This indicates a well-established, mid-to-large-sized tech company with established processes but still agile enough for impactful individual contributions.

Founded: Optimizely was founded in 2010. This suggests a company with a history of innovation and growth, evolving from its initial product to a comprehensive platform.

Team Structure:

• The role involves close partnership with AI engineers, Product Managers, and senior designers within the "Opal" AI platform team.

• This implies a cross-functional, collaborative structure common in modern tech companies, focusing on product development sprints and agile methodologies.

Methodology:

• The team is focused on building and designing for an AI platform, suggesting an iterative, data-driven approach to development.

• Emphasis on "clarity, speed, and thoughtful design" points to an agile development process with a strong commitment to user experience, even for internal tools.

• Design processes will likely involve close collaboration with engineering for rapid prototyping and user feedback loops with internal operators.

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

📝 Enhancement Note: Optimizely's industry position as a MarTech leader and their mission to help businesses unlock digital potential are key context. The "Opal" platform represents a strategic move into AI-powered infrastructure, making this role central to the company's future. The emphasis on internal tools for AI means the culture likely values technical depth, innovation, and cross-functional collaboration.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This is a "Product Designer II" role, typically considered a mid-level position. It signifies an individual contributor role with increasing responsibility for complex design challenges and a growing influence on product strategy and system definition. For this specific role, it involves designing foundational AI infrastructure, which is a high-demand and specialized area within product design.

Reporting Structure: The role explicitly states partnership with AI engineers, Product Managers, and senior designers. This indicates a collaborative reporting structure where the designer is integrated into a product team, reporting to a Design Manager or Lead who oversees multiple product design initiatives.

Operations Impact: The design of Opal's internal tools and infrastructure directly impacts the efficiency, scalability, and effectiveness of Optimizely's AI development and operational teams. By creating clear, usable interfaces for complex systems, this role enables faster iteration, better quality control, and more efficient utilization of AI resources, ultimately contributing to the company's ability to deliver innovative AI-powered features and maintain its leadership in the MarTech space.

Growth Opportunities:

• Specialization: Deepen expertise in designing for AI/ML platforms, developer tools, and complex systems interfaces. This is a rapidly growing field with significant career potential.

• Leadership: Progress to Senior Product Designer roles, taking on more complex projects, mentoring junior designers, and influencing design strategy at a higher level.

• Cross-functional Acumen: Develop strong collaboration skills with engineering and product management, crucial for leadership roles in product development.

• Impactful Projects: Contribute to the core infrastructure of a cutting-edge AI platform, offering significant portfolio-building opportunities and industry recognition.

📝 Enhancement Note: The role offers a unique opportunity to work on the "systems that power AI," which is a high-growth and specialized area. This provides a clear path for career advancement into senior technical design roles or specialized AI/ML design leadership.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Optimizely offers a hybrid work environment with the option for on-site work in NYC or a fully remote setup across the U.S. This flexibility caters to diverse working styles and preferences.

Office Location(s): While the primary focus is remote across the U.S., the mention of NYC suggests a physical office presence where collaboration might occur for those in the region. Specific office details are not provided but are common for larger tech companies.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Environment: The emphasis on partnering with engineers and product managers suggests a highly collaborative and communicative environment. Design sessions, whiteboarding (virtual or in-person), and feedback loops are likely common.

• Tools and Technology: Designers will be equipped with industry-standard tools like Figma. Access to engineering prototypes and potentially internal testing environments will be crucial for iterating on designs.

• Team Interaction: Regular team meetings, design critiques, and cross-functional syncs will facilitate knowledge sharing and problem-solving. The "One Optimizely" spirit points to a culture of inclusivity and mutual support.

Work Schedule: A standard full-time schedule (approximately 40 hours/week) is expected. The flexibility offered by remote work and the company's culture likely allow for some adaptability in daily hours, provided project deadlines and team synchronization needs are met. This is conducive to deep work sessions required for complex system design.

📝 Enhancement Note: The hybrid/remote flexibility is a significant aspect of the work environment, appealing to a broad range of candidates. The focus on internal tooling for AI infrastructure suggests a dynamic and technically engaged workspace.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

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

• Portfolio Review & Design Exercise: Candidates will present their portfolio, focusing on systems thinking and complex problem-solving. A design exercise, potentially a take-home challenge or a live collaboration session, will assess design skills and technical aptitude.

• Hiring Manager/Team Interviews: Interviews with the hiring manager, Product Manager, and key engineers to discuss experience, collaboration style, and approach to designing technical systems.

• Final Round: May involve a presentation of a design exercise or case study, and discussions with senior design or product leadership.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Highlight Systems Thinking: Clearly articulate your thought process for designing complex, interconnected systems. Use diagrams, flowcharts, and case studies that demonstrate this.

• Showcase Technical Problem-Solving: Include projects where you translated technical concepts or constraints into user-friendly solutions for technical audiences.

• Demonstrate Figma Proficiency: Ensure your portfolio showcases high-quality work created in Figma, including component usage and design system thinking.

• Focus on Complexity: Prioritize projects that involved designing for intricate workflows, data-heavy interfaces, or internal tools. Explain the "why" behind your design decisions.

• Quantify Impact: Wherever possible, include metrics or outcomes demonstrating the positive impact of your designs (e.g., improved efficiency, reduced errors, faster task completion).

Challenge Preparation:

• Understand the Context: Research Optimizely, their "Opal" platform, and the challenges of designing for AI infrastructure.

• Practice Systems Design: Prepare to discuss how you would approach designing interfaces for agent configuration, workflow orchestration, and observability.

• Articulate Technical Concepts: Be ready to explain how you would simplify complex technical ideas for various users (engineers, operators).

• Figma Skills: Ensure you are comfortable with Figma's advanced features for rapid prototyping and collaboration.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on "systems thinking," "technical concepts," and "internal tools" means candidates should tailor their portfolio and interview preparation to showcase these specific skills, rather than general customer-facing UX.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Figma: The core design tool for wireframing, prototyping, and high-fidelity mockups. Proficiency is a strict requirement.

• Prototyping Tools: Figma's built-in prototyping capabilities, or potentially other tools for more advanced interactive prototypes.

Analytics & Reporting:

CRM & Automation:

• Not directly relevant for this design role, but understanding how internal tools integrate with broader company systems might be a plus.

📝 Enhancement Note: Figma is explicitly mentioned as a required tool. The role's nature implies familiarity with or the ability to quickly learn tools related to AI development, system monitoring, and configuration management, even if not directly using them for design.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Clarity and Speed: A balance between thoughtful, well-researched design and the agility required in a fast-paced tech environment.

• Thoughtful Design: Commitment to high-quality, user-centered design principles, even for internal and technical users.

• Collaboration: Strong emphasis on working effectively with cross-functional teams, particularly engineers and product managers.

• Innovation: Being at the forefront of AI technology and building foundational tools for future development.

• Data-Driven: Using feedback and performance metrics to inform design decisions and iterate on solutions.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-functional Integration: Designers are embedded within product teams, working closely with engineers and PMs on a daily basis.

• Iterative Feedback Loops: Expect frequent design reviews, usability testing with internal users, and close collaboration with engineers for rapid prototyping and implementation feedback.

• Knowledge Sharing: A culture that encourages sharing best practices, design patterns, and insights across the design team and with other departments.

📝 Enhancement Note: The company culture is described as dynamic and evolving, with a strong emphasis on the "One Optimizely" spirit of collaboration and continuous improvement. For this role, the values translate to designing robust, user-friendly systems that empower technical teams.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Designing for Complexity: Translating highly technical AI concepts and intricate system logic into intuitive and manageable user interfaces.

• Balancing User Needs: Catering to the specific needs of engineers and internal operators, who may have different expectations and technical proficiencies than external customers.

• Defining New Paradigms: Helping to establish best practices and design patterns for a nascent category of AI infrastructure tooling.

• Rapidly Evolving Technology: Keeping pace with advancements in AI and ensuring design solutions remain relevant and effective.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• AI/ML Specialization: Gain deep expertise in the design of AI/ML platforms and infrastructure.

• Technical Acumen: Enhance understanding of software engineering principles, system architecture, and AI concepts through close collaboration.

• Industry Trends: Stay at the forefront of MarTech and AI innovation.

• Mentorship: Opportunities to learn from senior designers and engineers within a leading tech company.

📝 Enhancement Note: The primary challenge and growth opportunity lie in pioneering design for a new frontier in AI infrastructure, offering a unique learning curve and significant career development.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you designed a complex system or internal tool. What were the key challenges, and how did you approach them?" (Focus on systems thinking, problem-solving, and iteration).

• "How would you translate a technical concept like 'model latency' or 'prompt engineering' into a user interface for an engineer?" (Assess ability to bridge technical and design domains).

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What interests you most about designing internal tools for an AI platform like Opal, as opposed to a customer-facing product?" (Gauge understanding of the role's unique focus).

• "How do you approach collaboration with engineers and product managers?" (Assess teamwork and communication skills).

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure: Organize your presentation logically, starting with the problem, your approach, your design process, key decisions, and the outcomes/impact.

• Focus on Systems: For each project, explicitly highlight how you approached systems thinking, managed complexity, and translated technical requirements.

• Figma Showcase: Demonstrate your Figma skills by showing interactive prototypes, component usage, and how your designs are structured for maintainability.

• Explain Your "Why": Articulate the rationale behind your design choices, supported by user research, technical constraints, or business goals.

• Be Prepared for Technical Questions: Anticipate questions about your understanding of AI concepts, developer tools, or system design principles.

📝 Enhancement Note: Preparation should focus on demonstrating a strong understanding of systems design, technical problem-solving, and the ability to communicate effectively with engineers. Candidates should be ready to discuss their process for tackling complex, internal-facing design challenges.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Product Designer II position:

• Visit the Optimizely careers page and submit your application through the provided link.

• Portfolio Customization: Ensure your portfolio prominently features projects showcasing systems thinking, design for technical users, and the ability to simplify complex workflows. Tailor your case studies to highlight relevant technical concepts if possible.

• Resume Optimization: Update your resume to emphasize experience with developer tools, internal platforms, Figma, and cross-functional collaboration with engineering teams. Use keywords like "systems thinking," "AI/ML," "observability," and "workflow orchestration."

• Interview Preparation: Practice articulating your design process, especially how you translate technical requirements into user-friendly interfaces. Prepare to discuss your experience with Figma and your approach to collaborative design.

• Company Research: Familiarize yourself with Optimizely's mission, their "Opal" platform, and their culture. Understand their position in the MarTech and AI space.

⚠️ 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.