Product Designer (m/f/d)

📍 Job Overview

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

Company: pplwise

Location: Vienna, Austria

Job Type: Full-Time

Category: Product Design / GTM Operations (Design Focus)

Date Posted: August 11, 2026

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

Remote Status: Hybrid (4-5 days in office)

🚀 Role Summary

• Spearhead the design and iterative development of functional interfaces for a cutting-edge digital brand protection platform, leveraging AI-driven tools.

• Drive the creation of intuitive user experiences that empower leading brands to combat product counterfeiting, brand abuse, and fake shops within the e-commerce landscape.

• Own the visual and functional aspects of the product, ensuring a cohesive and high-quality user experience that directly contributes to company growth objectives.

• Translate design visions directly into market-ready, functional interfaces through advanced prompting and Claude Code, bypassing traditional, lengthy design cycles.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role, while titled "Product Designer," has significant implications for Go-To-Market (GTM) operations due to its direct impact on product usability and market adoption in a high-growth SaaS environment. The emphasis on AI-driven design and rapid, market-ready implementation suggests a need for operational efficiency in the design process itself, aligning closely with GTM operational principles.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• AI-Driven Interface Development: Design and iterate on user interfaces using Prompting and Claude Code, translating complex data-driven insights into user-friendly tools for digital brand protection.

• End-to-End UX/UI Ownership: Ensure all product tools are highly user-friendly, intuitive, visually appealing, and meet the specific needs of clients in the brand protection sector.

• Rapid Prototyping & Implementation: Focus on building market-ready tools quickly through direct code generation, emphasizing functional output over extensive theoretical wireframing.

• Brand & Visual Consistency: Actively contribute to the overall brand identity and product design, ensuring a unified and aesthetically pleasing appearance that aligns with high usability standards.

• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Work closely with product and engineering teams to translate user needs and business requirements into effective design solutions that support GTM strategies.

📝 Enhancement Note: The core responsibility of using "Prompting and Claude Code" for design implies a streamlined, operations-focused approach to product development. This suggests the company values rapid iteration and direct impact, which are key GTM operational tenets. The role requires not just design skills but also an operational mindset for efficient tool creation.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: While no specific degree is listed, a strong foundation in Design, Human-Computer Interaction, or a related field is implied through the experience requirements.

Experience: Minimum of 3 years of professional experience in a design role, ideally with a focus on SaaS products and user experience.

Required Skills:

• UI/UX Design Expertise: Proven ability to design user interfaces with a keen eye for detail, usability, and overall design quality, especially within SaaS environments.

• AI Design Tool Proficiency: Openness and enthusiasm for working with AI-driven design tools like Claude Code; technical setup and training will be provided.

• Portfolio of Work: A robust portfolio showcasing demonstrable design skills, past projects, and successful implementations is mandatory.

• Brand & Graphic Design Acumen: Ability to contribute to and maintain a consistent brand identity across product interfaces and visual assets.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience with digital brand protection or e-commerce security software.

• Familiarity with rapid prototyping methodologies beyond traditional Figma workflows.

• Understanding of user journey mapping and conversion optimization principles within a SaaS context.

• Experience working in a fast-paced, startup environment with a focus on product-market fit.

📝 Enhancement Note: The requirement for "3 years of professional experience" and a "strong portfolio" indicates a need for candidates who can demonstrate practical application of design principles and a track record of delivering user-centric solutions. The emphasis on AI tools suggests a forward-thinking approach to design operations, requiring adaptability and a willingness to learn new technologies quickly.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Showcase of end-to-end design projects, highlighting the entire design process from concept to final implementation.

• Examples demonstrating innovative use of AI in design, specifically detailing how prompting and code generation were utilized to achieve functional interfaces.

• Case studies that illustrate problem-solving skills, focusing on how design decisions addressed specific user pain points or business objectives within a SaaS context.

• Projects that reflect a strong understanding of UI/UX principles, visual design aesthetics, and brand consistency. Process Documentation:

• Evidence of designing and iterating on user flows and layouts, with a focus on efficiency and direct implementation.

• Documentation of how user feedback and market analysis were incorporated into iterative design cycles to ensure product-market fit.

• Examples of how design contributed to achieving specific business goals, such as increasing user engagement, conversion rates, or customer retention.

• Demonstrations of how design solutions were translated into functional software components with minimal friction.

📝 Enhancement Note: Given the unique AI-driven design approach, portfolios should emphasize the candidate's ability to leverage these tools effectively. This means showcasing not just the final designs, but the process of using prompts and Claude Code to achieve those results, demonstrating operational efficiency in the design workflow.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: EUR 50,000 - 60,000 per year.

Benefits:

• Full-time Employment: Stable employment within a growing and profitable SaaS company.

• Hybrid Work Model: Flexibility to work from home while maintaining strong team collaboration through 4-5 days in the Vienna office.

• AI-Native Tooling: Opportunity to work with cutting-edge AI design tools, enhancing professional skill sets.

• Direct Impact: See the tangible results of your design work on a product serving hundreds of clients and contributing to significant ARR growth.

• Professional Development: Exposure to modern product design methodologies and the chance to elevate skills in AI-driven design.

Working Hours: Approximately 40 hours per week, with flexibility inherent in a hybrid work model.

📝 Enhancement Note: The stated salary range of EUR 50,000 - 60,000 per year is competitive for a mid-level Product Designer in Vienna, Austria, especially considering the specialized AI skills required. This range reflects the company's investment in talent for a role critical to its growth trajectory. The hybrid model with a mandate for office days indicates a balanced approach to team collaboration and individual focus, common in operational efficiency strategies.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Technology, specifically Digital Brand Protection and SaaS. The company operates in a high-growth market driven by increasing e-commerce and AI-generated fraud.

Company Size: pplwise is a growing, profitable, and self-funded company with a clear objective to scale from €1.5M ARR to €10M ARR within 3-5 years. This suggests a dynamic, agile environment with opportunities for significant impact.

Founded: The company was founded with the vision of developing software for digital brand protection, aiming to become a leading platform in the DACH region. This foundation emphasizes innovation and market leadership.

Team Structure:

• The design role likely operates within a lean product team, collaborating closely with product management and engineering.

• Expect a flat hierarchy with direct access to leadership, fostering quick decision-making and agile development cycles.

• Cross-functional collaboration is essential, particularly between design, development, and GTM teams to ensure product-market fit and successful adoption. Methodology:

• AI-Driven Development: A core methodology involves using AI tools like Claude Code for rapid interface creation and iteration, moving away from traditional, time-consuming design processes.

• Iterative Product Building: Focus on delivering market-ready features quickly, gathering feedback, and iterating to refine the product based on real-world usage and client needs.

• Data-Informed Design: While the primary tool is AI prompting, design decisions are informed by the growing market need for digital brand protection and the company's business objectives.

Company Website: https://pplwise.com/

📝 Enhancement Note: The company's self-funded, profitable, and growth-oriented nature suggests a culture that values efficiency, direct impact, and innovation. For a designer, this means a role where their contributions are highly visible and directly tied to business outcomes, aligning with GTM operational goals of driving revenue and market share.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is positioned as a Mid-Level Product Designer, requiring 2-5 years of experience. It offers significant autonomy and ownership, allowing the designer to shape the product's user experience and visual identity.

Reporting Structure: The Product Designer will likely report to a Head of Product or a similar leadership role within the product development team. The emphasis on direct ownership and minimal management oversight suggests a collaborative, rather than hierarchical, reporting relationship.

Operations Impact: The designer's work has a direct and measurable impact on the company's revenue growth. By creating intuitive and effective interfaces for a critical SaaS product, they enhance customer acquisition, retention, and overall product adoption, directly contributing to the company's ARR targets. The speed and efficiency of the AI-driven design process are operational advantages that accelerate market entry and iteration.

Growth Opportunities:

• AI Design Specialization: Become an expert in AI-native design workflows, a rapidly evolving and highly sought-after skill set in the tech industry.

• Product Ownership: Grow into a more senior design role with greater product strategy influence and potentially lead design initiatives for new features or product lines.

• Cross-Functional Leadership: Develop skills in collaborating with GTM teams, understanding market needs, and translating them into design solutions that drive business growth.

• Startup Environment Experience: Gain invaluable experience in a high-growth, agile startup, learning to adapt quickly and contribute to scaling operations.

📝 Enhancement Note: The growth path is strongly tied to embracing the AI-driven operational model of design. Success in this role means not just being a proficient designer, but also an efficient operator who can leverage new technologies to accelerate product development and GTM success.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The role is based in Vienna, Austria, with a hybrid work arrangement requiring 4-5 days in the office per week. This indicates a commitment to in-person collaboration and team cohesion.

Office Location(s): The office is located at Rechte Wienzeile 29/6, 1040 Wien, Austria, providing a central and accessible workspace in Vienna.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Hub: The office environment is designed to foster collaboration, allowing for spontaneous discussions, brainstorming sessions, and team alignment, crucial for rapid product development.

• Modern Tools & Technology: Access to the latest AI design tools (Claude Code) and other necessary software for efficient design and development workflows.

• Team Interaction: Regular opportunities to interact with product managers, engineers, and potentially GTM stakeholders, facilitating a holistic understanding of the product and its market.

Work Schedule: The standard work schedule is approximately 40 hours per week. The hybrid model allows for flexibility in structuring the work week, balancing focused individual work with collaborative team activities.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on 4-5 days in the office for a hybrid role suggests a company culture that values in-person synergy for problem-solving and innovation, a common operational strategy in fast-paced tech environments. This also implies an office setup conducive to collaborative design sessions.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A review of your application, focusing on your resume and portfolio to assess core UI/UX skills and AI design readiness.

• Portfolio Deep Dive: A session dedicated to walking through your portfolio, discussing specific projects, your design process, and how you leveraged tools (especially AI) to achieve outcomes. Be prepared to articulate the operational efficiency of your design choices.

• Technical/Design Challenge: You may be asked to complete a small design task or discuss a hypothetical scenario, focusing on your approach to problem-solving, AI tool utilization, and rapid iteration.

• Team/Culture Fit Interview: An opportunity to meet with team members and discuss your work style, collaboration preferences, and alignment with the company's innovative and efficient culture.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Highlight AI Integration: Clearly demonstrate how you've used or are willing to use AI tools like Claude Code in your design process. Show the "before" (prompt) and "after" (functional interface) where possible.

• Focus on Impact & Efficiency: Quantify your achievements. Instead of just showing pretty designs, explain the problem solved, the process used, and the measurable impact (e.g., improved conversion, reduced design cycle time).

• Showcase SaaS Experience: If applicable, highlight projects involving SaaS products, demonstrating an understanding of user flows, dashboards, and enterprise software design.

• Visual Storytelling: Present your work clearly and concisely. Use visuals effectively and be prepared to articulate your design rationale and the operational benefits of your solutions.

Challenge Preparation:

• Understand the Domain: Familiarize yourself with digital brand protection, e-commerce fraud, and the challenges faced by businesses in this space.

• AI Tool Familiarity: Even if new to Claude Code, understand the principles of prompt engineering and AI-assisted content generation. Think about how design prompts could translate into functional UI elements.

• Problem-Solving Framework: Be ready to apply a structured approach to design challenges, focusing on understanding the core problem, brainstorming solutions, and evaluating them based on user needs and business objectives.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process will likely assess not only design talent but also operational agility and adaptability to new technologies. Candidates should prepare to discuss how their design process contributes to the company's rapid growth and efficiency goals.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Claude Code: Central to the design process for generating functional interfaces directly from prompts. Proficiency or strong willingness to learn is key.

• Prompting Techniques: Advanced skills in crafting effective prompts to guide AI design tools.

• Figma (Potentially): While the job description de-emphasizes traditional Figma workflows, understanding its principles or having experience with similar design tools for conceptualization or refinement might be beneficial.

Analytics & Reporting:

• While not explicitly mentioned, familiarity with analytics tools (e.g., Google Analytics, Mixpanel, Amplitude) used to track user behavior and product performance would be advantageous for understanding user experience impact. CRM & Automation:

• Understanding of CRM systems and workflow automation principles can help in designing user interfaces that integrate seamlessly with business processes and support GTM operations.

📝 Enhancement Note: The explicit mention of "Claude Code" and "Prompting" as primary tools highlights a significant shift in the design workflow. Candidates must be prepared to demonstrate aptitude and enthusiasm for these AI-native technologies, which are integral to the company's operational efficiency in product development.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Innovation & Agility: Embracing new technologies like AI to drive rapid product development and stay ahead in a dynamic market.

• Efficiency & Impact: Valuing speed and effectiveness in design and development, with a clear focus on delivering market-ready solutions that have a direct business impact.

• Ownership & Autonomy: Empowering individuals to take full responsibility for their work, fostering a culture of self-management and proactive problem-solving.

• Data-Driven Decision Making: While AI is a tool, the underlying design decisions are informed by market needs, client feedback, and business growth objectives.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-Functional Synergy: A collaborative environment where designers work closely with product managers and engineers to ensure seamless integration of design into the development lifecycle.

• Direct Feedback Loops: Openness to constructive feedback, facilitating rapid iteration and continuous improvement of both the product and individual skills.

• Knowledge Sharing: A culture that encourages sharing insights and best practices, particularly around new AI design methodologies and their application.

📝 Enhancement Note: The company's values emphasize a modern, efficient, and impact-driven operational culture. For a designer, this means being comfortable with ambiguity, embracing rapid iteration, and understanding how design directly contributes to business goals and operational success.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Adapting to AI-Native Design: Transitioning from traditional design tools and workflows to an AI-driven approach using prompting and Claude Code can be a learning curve.

• Balancing Speed with Quality: The emphasis on rapid, market-ready implementation requires maintaining high standards of UI/UX and visual design without sacrificing speed.

• Defining AI Design Best Practices: As an emerging field, establishing and refining best practices for AI-assisted product design within the company will be an ongoing process.

• Communicating Complex Data Visually: Designing intuitive interfaces for a complex domain like digital brand protection, especially with AI-generated outputs, presents a unique challenge in clarity and usability.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• AI Design Mastery: Become a pioneer in AI-driven product design, developing highly specialized and in-demand skills.

• Product Strategy Influence: Grow to have a significant impact on the product roadmap and strategic direction, leveraging design insights.

• Cross-Functional Expertise: Deepen understanding of GTM operations, product management, and engineering through close collaboration.

• Industry Leadership: Contribute to shaping the future of design within the rapidly evolving digital brand protection SaaS market.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges presented are inherent to working at the forefront of AI-driven product development. Embracing these challenges is key to unlocking the significant growth opportunities available in this role, particularly in developing operational expertise in next-generation design processes.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "How would you approach designing a new feature for our brand protection platform using AI prompting, considering user experience and rapid deployment?" (Prepare to outline a process, not just the final design.)

• "Describe a time you had to balance speed of delivery with design quality. How did your approach impact the outcome?" (Focus on operational efficiency and decision-making.)

• "How do you see AI tools like Claude Code changing the future of product design, and what are the potential operational benefits and challenges?" (Demonstrate forward-thinking and understanding of workflow impact.) Company & Culture Questions:

• "What interests you most about working with AI-native design tools in the digital brand protection space?" (Show genuine curiosity and alignment with the company's mission.)

• "How do you typically collaborate with engineering and product teams on a daily basis? How would you integrate into our rapid iteration cycle?" (Highlight your collaborative and operational approach.)

• "How do you measure the success of your designs, especially in a fast-paced environment?" (Focus on metrics and tangible business impact.) Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Narrate the "Why" and "How": For each project, explain the problem, your thought process, the specific AI tools/prompts used, and the resulting impact. Focus on the operational efficiency gained.

• Showcase Iterations: If possible, show how your designs evolved based on feedback or new insights, demonstrating agility.

• Quantify Results: Whenever possible, use numbers and data to illustrate the success of your design solutions (e.g., "improved user task completion by X%," "reduced design cycle time by Y hours").

• Be Ready for a Mini-Challenge: Prepare to quickly sketch or describe a design solution for a given problem, demonstrating your on-the-spot problem-solving skills.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation should focus on demonstrating not just design talent, but also an operational mindset, adaptability to AI tools, and a clear understanding of how design contributes to business growth and efficiency.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Product Designer position:

• Submit your application through the provided link on Ashby.

• Tailor Your Resume: Highlight your 3+ years of design experience, any SaaS product work, and explicitly mention your interest and/or experience with AI design tools and rapid iteration.

• Curate Your Portfolio: Ensure your portfolio prominently features projects demonstrating UI/UX skills, brand design, and ideally, any experience with AI-assisted workflows or a strong conceptual understanding of how to apply them. Focus on showcasing process and impact.

• Prepare Your Narrative: Be ready to articulate your design process, your understanding of the digital brand protection market, and your enthusiasm for AI-driven design during interviews. Practice walking through your portfolio with an emphasis on operational efficiency.

• Research pplwise: Understand their mission, product, and growth trajectory. Consider how your design skills can directly contribute to their goal of reaching €10M ARR.

⚠️ Important Notice: This enhanced job description includes AI-generated insights and operations industry-standard assumptions. All details, particularly regarding salary, benefits, and specific tool requirements, should be verified directly with pplwise during the application process.