Product Designer (m/f/d)

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Product Designer (m/f/d)

Company: DataGuard

Location: Munich, Bavaria, Germany

Job Type: FULL_TIME

Category: Product Design / UX/UI

Date Posted: 2026-07-24

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

Remote Status: Remote (with potential for hybrid in Munich/Berlin/London/Stockholm/Vienna)

🚀 Role Summary

• Drive end-to-end product design for AI-powered security and compliance workflows, transforming complex user journeys into intuitive experiences.

• Own the complete design lifecycle from user research and persona definition through UX flows to high-fidelity UI and final handoff.

• Collaborate extensively with Product Management and Engineering teams to define scope, prioritize impact, and ensure feasibility.

• Contribute to and evolve the company's design system, aiming for consistency and supporting the transformation into a unified Integrated Management System.

• Leverage modern design and AI tooling to prototype, validate, and continuously improve product direction based on user feedback and data.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role emphasizes not just execution but strategic product thinking, focusing on AI-driven experiences and the transformation of complex B2B workflows within the security and compliance sector. The "m/f/d" designation indicates it is open to all genders. The remote status is confirmed, with specific country requirements (UK, Germany) and office locations suggesting potential hybrid opportunities.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Conduct comprehensive user research, competitive analysis, and data-driven analysis to deeply understand customer needs and inform product decisions.

• Design AI-first, agent-enabled user experiences that fundamentally enhance how users interact with security and compliance tools.

• Develop and maintain user personas, information architecture, and interaction models for complex, multi-step B2B workflows.

• Create high-fidelity UI designs and prepare production-ready assets, ensuring seamless handoff to engineering teams.

• Prototype early and iteratively test designs using various methods, including user feedback loops and AI tooling, to de-risk product direction.

• Contribute to the evolution and expansion of the company's design system, ensuring consistency and scalability across products.

• Document design decisions clearly, providing structured UX rationale and tracking work progress in tools like Jira.

• Collaborate closely with Product Managers to frame problems effectively and with Engineers to ensure technical feasibility.

• Present and demo design work confidently, both synchronously and asynchronously, to internal stakeholders and potentially customers.

• Foster a strong design culture within the team by sharing best practices and advocating for high-quality craft.

📝 Enhancement Note: Responsibilities highlight a blend of strategic product thinking, user-centric design execution, and cross-functional collaboration. The emphasis on AI-driven experiences and complex B2B workflows suggests a need for strong problem-solving skills and adaptability.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: While no specific degree is mandated, a background in Design, Human-Computer Interaction, Computer Science, or a related field is beneficial.

Experience: 3+ years of professional experience in Product Design, specifically within SaaS and/or B2B environments.

Required Skills:

• Proven experience in end-to-end product design, encompassing discovery, UX, and high-fidelity UI.

• Strong portfolio showcasing robust UX thinking, high-quality visual craft, and experience with complex B2B SaaS applications.

• Demonstrated ability to design and manage complex, multi-step workflows, including defining information architecture and interaction models.

• Proficiency in reducing complexity in B2B environments and taking ownership of ambiguous problem spaces.

• Strong product thinking skills, with the ability to challenge problem framing and scope for impactful outcomes.

• Advanced proficiency in Figma and other modern design and prototyping tools.

• Experience with design operations, including documentation and workflow tracking (e.g., Jira).

• Ability to collaborate effectively with Product Managers, Engineers, and customers. Preferred Skills:

• Experience or a strong interest in designing AI-driven product experiences.

• Familiarity with evolving AI capabilities and translating them into tangible user value.

• Experience contributing to or evolving design systems.

• Understanding of security and compliance domains, or a strong aptitude to learn them quickly.

• Experience with user research methodologies and competitive analysis.

📝 Enhancement Note: The requirements emphasize practical experience and a strong portfolio over formal education. The specific mention of "3+ years" and "B2B environments" sets clear expectations for the candidate's background. Interest in AI is a significant plus, reflecting the company's technological focus.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Showcase a minimum of 3-5 significant product design projects, with a clear emphasis on B2B SaaS or complex workflow design.

• For each project, clearly articulate the problem statement, your role and responsibilities, the design process followed, and the final solution.

• Highlight your UX thinking, including user research, information architecture, user flows, and interaction design.

• Demonstrate high-quality visual design craft, including UI design, component design, and adherence to design principles.

• Include case studies that illustrate your ability to handle ambiguous problem spaces and drive meaningful outcomes. Process Documentation:

• Provide examples of how you have documented design decisions, including UX rationale and clear handoffs to engineering.

• Showcase experience with workflow tracking tools such as Jira for managing design tasks and progress.

• Include examples of how you have contributed to or evolved design systems, detailing improvements in consistency and pattern extension.

• Demonstrate how you use prototyping and user feedback loops to validate and refine design decisions.

📝 Enhancement Note: The portfolio is critical for this role, serving as the primary evidence of a candidate's capabilities. Emphasis is placed on demonstrating a strategic approach to problem-solving, end-to-end design ownership, and the ability to articulate process and impact.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: Based on Munich, Germany, and the mid-level experience requirement (3+ years), a competitive salary range for a Product Designer in the tech sector would typically fall between €60,000 - €85,000 annually. This can vary based on specific experience, skills, and negotiation.

Benefits:

• High degree of flexibility with tailored working hours.

• Choice of work location, supporting remote or hybrid arrangements.

• Comprehensive benefits package including health and family support.

• Employee accelerator programs for professional development.

• Bi-annual feedback cycles for continuous growth.

• Personal training budget for skill enhancement.

• Secure, future-focused role in a growing scale-up.

• Opportunities for advancement along expert or leadership paths.

Working Hours: 40 hours per week, with flexibility in scheduling to accommodate individual needs and work-life balance.

📝 Enhancement Note: Salary is an estimate based on industry benchmarks for Product Designers in Munich, Germany, with 3-5 years of experience. The benefits package is robust, emphasizing flexibility and professional development, which are attractive to experienced designers.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Security & Compliance Technology (SaaS). DataGuard operates within a rapidly expanding market driven by increasing cyber threats and stringent regulatory requirements.

Company Size: Over 200 team members worldwide, indicating a scale-up environment that balances growth with established processes. This size typically allows for more direct impact and less bureaucracy than very large enterprises.

Founded: DataGuard was founded to address the evolving security and compliance landscape, likely with a vision to leverage technology, including AI, to simplify these complex areas for businesses.

Team Structure:

• The Product Design team likely operates within a Product department, working closely with Product Managers and Engineering teams.

• Reporting structure is likely flat, with designers reporting to a Head of Product Design or similar leadership role, emphasizing autonomy.

• Cross-functional collaboration is a key aspect, involving close partnerships with Product Managers for problem framing and Engineers for feasibility and implementation. Methodology:

• Data-driven product decisions are central, leveraging user research, analytics, and customer feedback.

• Workflow planning and optimization are core to the role, aiming to simplify complex compliance processes.

• Automation and efficiency are key drivers, particularly with the integration of AI into product design.

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

📝 Enhancement Note: DataGuard positions itself as a purpose-driven company focused on protecting individuals behind data, using AI to innovate in the security and compliance space. The culture appears to value autonomy, rapid decision-making, and a collaborative, flat hierarchy.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is positioned at a Mid-Level (2-5 years of experience), requiring demonstrated expertise in end-to-end product design, strong UX thinking, and visual craft. It's a position where individuals are expected to own significant parts of the product lifecycle and contribute strategically.

Reporting Structure: The Product Designer will likely report to a Head of Product Design or a Senior Design Lead, working within a Product Management and Engineering framework. Close collaboration with Product Managers is expected.

Operations Impact: The Product Designer will directly influence the usability and effectiveness of DataGuard's AI-powered security and compliance solutions. Their work will impact customer adoption, satisfaction, and the company's ability to simplify complex regulatory processes, thereby contributing to revenue growth and market position.

Growth Opportunities:

• Expert Path: Deepen specialization in AI-driven design, complex workflow optimization, or design systems, becoming a subject matter expert.

• Leadership Path: Progress into Senior Product Designer roles, Lead Designer positions, or even management roles overseeing design teams as the company scales.

• Skill Development: Utilize personal training budgets and accelerator programs for advanced training in AI tooling, UX research methodologies, and leadership skills.

• Cross-functional Exposure: Gain experience working with diverse teams across Product, Engineering, Marketing, and Customer Success, broadening business acumen.

📝 Enhancement Note: The role offers a clear growth trajectory, catering to both individual contributor experts and those aspiring to leadership roles within the design function. The emphasis on AI and complex B2B workflows provides unique opportunities for skill development.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: While the role is remote, DataGuard has offices in Munich, Berlin, London, Stockholm, and Vienna. This suggests a potential for hybrid work arrangements if desired and feasible, offering a blend of remote flexibility and in-person collaboration opportunities.

Office Location(s): Munich, Berlin, London, Stockholm, Vienna. The remote nature allows candidates in the UK and Germany to apply.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Environment: The company culture emphasizes collaborative, eye-level communication, suggesting an environment where ideas are shared freely and cross-functional input is valued.

• Tools & Technology: Access to modern design and AI tooling, including advanced Figma capabilities, is expected. The company is undergoing a digital transformation, implying a focus on up-to-date technology stacks.

• Team Interaction: Opportunities for direct partnership with Product, Marketing, Customers, and AI capability teams ensure that designers are connected to the broader business impact of their work.

Work Schedule: Flexible working hours are offered, accommodating the needs of remote employees and promoting work-life balance. A standard 40-hour work week is expected, but the scheduling is adaptable.

📝 Enhancement Note: The hybrid-friendly office locations and flexible working hours indicate a modern approach to work environment, catering to remote employees while providing options for in-office engagement.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A review of your application, focusing on your resume and portfolio to assess alignment with the required skills and experience.

• Portfolio Presentation & Discussion: A session where you will present your portfolio, discussing your design process, problem-solving approach, and the impact of your work. Expect questions about your UX thinking, visual craft, and experience with complex workflows or AI.

• Skills Assessment/Design Challenge: This may involve a practical exercise, such as a case study or a design problem, to evaluate your design thinking, problem-solving skills, and ability to articulate solutions.

• Team/Hiring Manager Interviews: Conversations with the hiring manager and potential team members to assess cultural fit, collaboration style, and deeper technical fit.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Structure Your Narrative: For each project, clearly outline the problem, your role, the process, your decisions, and the outcomes. Use a storytelling approach.

• Showcase Process, Not Just Polish: Highlight your journey, including research, ideation, iteration, and how you overcame challenges.

• Quantify Impact: Wherever possible, use metrics or qualitative feedback to demonstrate the impact of your designs.

• Tailor to the Role: Emphasize projects that showcase experience with B2B SaaS, complex workflows, or AI-driven design, as these are key requirements for DataGuard.

• Prepare for AI Discussions: Be ready to discuss your thoughts on AI in design and how you envision leveraging it.

Challenge Preparation:

• Understand DataGuard’s mission and products, particularly in security and compliance.

• Be prepared to think critically about user problems in a B2B context.

• Practice articulating your design rationale clearly and concisely.

• If a challenge involves AI, consider how it could be integrated to solve user problems efficiently.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process likely involves multiple stages, with a strong emphasis on the portfolio review. Candidates should prepare to articulate their design process, problem-solving strategies, and the tangible impact of their work, particularly in relation to B2B SaaS and AI.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Figma: Advanced proficiency is a stated requirement for UI design, prototyping, and collaboration.

• Jira: Expected for workflow tracking, task management, and collaboration with engineering teams.

• Prototyping Tools: Beyond Figma, other modern prototyping tools may be utilized for specific needs.

Analytics & Reporting:

• While not explicitly listed, experience with analytics platforms (e.g., Google Analytics, Mixpanel, Amplitude) to inform data-driven design decisions would be beneficial.

• Tools for user research and feedback collection are also likely used. CRM & Automation:

• Familiarity with CRM systems (though not directly a design tool, understanding the user context of sales/customer data can be helpful in B2B).

• Experience with AI tooling and platforms for design ideation, generation, or workflow automation is a strong plus.

📝 Enhancement Note: Figma and Jira are explicitly mentioned as key tools. Candidates should be prepared to demonstrate proficiency in these and highlight any experience with AI design tools or platforms that enhance the design workflow.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Purpose-Driven: A strong commitment to protecting individuals behind data and doing genuine good in the digital world.

• Autonomy & Trust: Employees are given the freedom, trust, and tools to perform their best work.

• Efficiency & Impact: Focus on shipping what is worth shipping, prioritizing impact and meaningful customer/business outcomes.

• Continuous Improvement: A culture of raising the bar on product quality and design craft.

• Beginner's Mindset & Growth: Valuing humility, a willingness to learn, and an appetite for personal and team development.

Collaboration Style:

• Eye-level Communication: Encourages open, direct, and respectful interaction among team members, regardless of hierarchy.

• Cross-functional Integration: Close partnerships with Product, Engineering, Marketing, and Customer Success ensure a holistic approach to product development.

• Process Review & Feedback: A culture that likely embraces constructive feedback and iterative refinement of processes and designs.

• Knowledge Sharing: Encouraging the sharing of best practices and learning from each other to elevate the team's collective expertise.

📝 Enhancement Note: DataGuard's culture appears to be a blend of a mission-driven startup with the professionalism of a growing scale-up. Emphasis is placed on individual contribution, collaborative problem-solving, and a commitment to continuous learning and improvement, particularly in the context of AI and complex B2B challenges.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Designing for Complexity: Translating intricate security and compliance workflows into simple, intuitive user experiences requires deep empathy and strong problem-solving skills.

• AI Integration: Effectively leveraging emerging AI capabilities to create genuinely valuable user experiences, rather than just adding AI for its own sake.

• Ambiguous Problem Spaces: Taking ownership of and defining solutions for problems that may not have pre-defined scopes or clear paths.

• Balancing Craft and Speed: In a fast-paced environment, maintaining high design quality while ensuring timely delivery.

• Evolving Design System: Contributing to a design system that supports a unified Integrated Management System requires strategic thinking and attention to detail.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• AI Design Specialization: Deepen expertise in applying AI to product design challenges, becoming a leader in this emerging field.

• Complex B2B Workflow Mastery: Develop advanced skills in understanding and designing for intricate enterprise-level processes.

• Design System Leadership: Contribute to or lead the evolution of a critical design system that underpins the company's product suite.

• Personal Training Budget: Utilize allocated funds for courses, workshops, or conferences to gain new skills or certifications.

• Mentorship & Leadership: Grow through mentorship programs and opportunities to take on more responsibility, potentially leading to senior or management roles.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges presented are inherent to innovative tech companies working with complex domains like AI and compliance. The growth opportunities are substantial, offering paths for both specialized expertise and leadership development.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you turned a complex workflow into a simple user experience. What was your process and what was the outcome?" (Focus on problem framing, user research, design iteration, and measurable impact.)

• "How would you approach designing an AI-first, agent-enabled experience for a security compliance task?" (Demonstrate understanding of AI's potential, user needs, and how to translate AI capabilities into practical value.)

• "How do you balance collaborating with Product Managers and Engineers when there are differing opinions on scope or feasibility?" (Highlight your communication skills, negotiation tactics, and ability to find common ground for optimal outcomes.) Company & Culture Questions:

• "What excites you about DataGuard's mission to protect the people behind the data?" (Show genuine interest and alignment with the company's purpose.)

• "How do you contribute to fostering a strong design culture within a team?" (Discuss your proactive approach to sharing knowledge, advocating for best practices, and mentoring others.)

• "How do you measure the success and impact of your design work?" (Prepare to discuss metrics, user feedback, and business outcomes tied to your designs.) Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Tell a Story: Structure your portfolio presentation as a narrative for each project, guiding the interviewer through your thought process.

• Focus on Impact: Clearly articulate the business and user value your designs delivered. Quantify results where possible.

• Showcase Your Process: Be prepared to discuss your methodology, why you made specific design decisions, and how you iterated based on feedback or data.

• Highlight Collaboration: Provide examples of how you worked with cross-functional teams to achieve project goals.

• Be Ready for AI/B2B Specifics: Prepare to discuss your experience or ideas related to AI-driven design and complex B2B workflows.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation should focus on demonstrating strategic thinking, problem-solving abilities, collaborative skills, and a deep understanding of user-centered design principles, particularly within the context of B2B SaaS and AI.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Product Designer position:

• Submit your application through the provided link on Ashbyhq.com.

• Curate Your Portfolio: Select 3-5 of your strongest projects that best showcase your B2B SaaS, complex workflow, and AI-related design experience. Ensure each project clearly outlines the problem, your role, process, decisions, and outcomes.

• Tailor Your Resume: Highlight keywords and experiences relevant to product design, UX/UI, Figma, AI-driven design, B2B environments, and complex workflows. Emphasize achievements and quantifiable results.

• Prepare Your Presentation: Practice walking through your portfolio, focusing on storytelling, articulating your design process, and demonstrating the impact of your work. Be ready for questions about your approach to AI and complex B2B challenges.

• Research DataGuard: Understand the company's mission, products, and target market (security & compliance). Familiarize yourself with their culture and values to articulate your 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.