Product Designer (Mid to Senior Level)

Tria Federal
Full-time

πŸ“ Job Overview

Job Title: Product Designer (Mid to Senior Level)

Company: Tria Federal

Location: Remote (United States)

Job Type: Full-Time

Category: Product Design / Human-Centered Design

Date Posted: February 25, 2026

Experience Level: Mid to Senior Level (3-5+ years)

Remote Status: Fully Remote

πŸš€ Role Summary

  • This role focuses on integrating user-centered design principles and practices into the software development lifecycle for digital products supporting Federal government value-based care programs.

  • The Product Designer will be instrumental in bridging the gap between user needs, business requirements, and technical implementation within a SAFe Agile framework.

  • Key responsibilities include conducting user research, synthesizing findings, and translating them into actionable design artifacts such as wireframes, mockups, and prototypes.

  • The role requires a proactive designer capable of navigating ambiguity, contributing to strategic discussions, and owning design projects from conception through delivery.

πŸ“ Enhancement Note: While the job title is "Product Designer," the description heavily emphasizes UX design, human-centered design, and user research. Given the context of supporting federal government digital products, the operations aspect lies in the structured, process-driven approach to design and development, ensuring user needs are systematically incorporated into product decisions. The "Mid to Senior Level" experience combined with the SAFe Agile framework suggests a need for both execution proficiency and an understanding of scaled agile workflows.

πŸ“ˆ Primary Responsibilities

  • User Research & Synthesis: Conduct user research activities, including interviews and usability testing, within defined problem spaces to understand user needs and behaviors. Synthesize research findings into clear, actionable insights and product design recommendations.

  • Design Artifact Creation: Translate user and business requirements into tangible design artifacts such as wireframes, user flows, mockups, and interactive prototypes to visualize and communicate design solutions.

  • Agile Collaboration: Partner closely with Product Management and Engineering teams within a SAFe Agile framework to clarify requirements, ensure a shared understanding of user needs, and contribute user-centered perspectives during backlog refinement and planning sessions.

  • Design Implementation & Quality Assurance: Collaborate with development teams to ensure accurate implementation of design intent and visual specifications, acting as a design advocate throughout the development process.

  • Continuous Discovery & Improvement: Support continuous discovery efforts by actively participating in research sessions, analyzing user feedback, and surfacing opportunities for product enhancements and process optimizations.

  • Stakeholder Communication: Present design concepts, research findings, and rationale to internal teams and stakeholders to build alignment, gain buy-in, and foster clarity on design decisions.

  • Design System Contribution: Contribute to the maintenance and evolution of design systems and reusable UI components to ensure consistency, efficiency, and scalability across digital products.

  • Proactive Design Exploration: Leverage low-fidelity sketches and wireframes to socialize ideas early, clarify complex needs, and facilitate team alignment on design direction.

πŸ“ Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a structured approach to design, emphasizing collaboration within an Agile framework (SAFe Agile) and the systematic translation of research into design artifacts. This aligns with operations principles of process efficiency, clear communication, and iterative improvement.

πŸŽ“ Skills & Qualifications

Education:

Experience:

  • 3–5+ years of progressive experience in UX design, product design, human-centered design, or related roles supporting digital products.

  • Demonstrated experience working within Agile development environments (Scrum, Kanban, or SAFe).

  • Previous experience working in Federal government, healthcare, CMS, or other regulated environments is strongly preferred.

Required Skills:

  • User Research Expertise: Experience conducting and synthesizing user research activities (e.g., interviews, usability testing, surveys).

  • Interaction Design (IxD) Proficiency: Strong foundation in interaction design principles, translating user needs into intuitive and effective user experiences.

  • Wireframing & Prototyping: Ability to translate user needs and requirements into wireframes, user flows, mockups, and interactive prototypes.

  • Agile Methodologies: Experience collaborating effectively with product managers and developers in Agile environments.

  • Communication & Presentation: Strong verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to clearly present design concepts, rationale, and findings to diverse audiences.

  • Problem-Solving: Ability to execute well-defined tasks independently and contribute to more complex problem-solving with support.

Preferred Skills:

  • Figma Proficiency: Strong design system skills and extensive experience with Figma for design and prototyping.

  • Design Systems: Experience in creating, maintaining, or contributing to design systems and reusable component libraries.

  • Federal/Healthcare Domain Knowledge: Previous experience working in Federal government, healthcare, CMS, or regulated environments.

  • SAFe Agile Framework: Deeper understanding and practical application of the SAFe (Scaled Agile Framework) methodology.

  • Visual Design Principles: Solid understanding of visual design principles, typography, and layout.

πŸ“ Enhancement Note: The requirement for a "Position of Trust" clearance is a critical qualification for federal roles, indicating a need for background checks and adherence to strict security protocols. The emphasis on Figma and design systems points to a need for efficient, scalable design practices, common in structured operational environments.

πŸ“Š Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

  • A comprehensive portfolio or work samples are required to demonstrate experience in user research, interaction design, and digital product delivery.

  • Portfolio should showcase a clear understanding of the design process, from discovery and research to ideation, prototyping, and final design execution.

  • Examples should highlight how user needs were identified and translated into effective design solutions.

Process Documentation:

  • Portfolio pieces should ideally illustrate the application of design methodologies, such as human-centered design or user-centered design principles.

  • Showcase the ability to document design decisions and rationale, especially when collaborating within Agile frameworks.

  • Include examples of how research findings were synthesized and used to inform design iterations and product strategy.

  • Demonstrate proficiency in creating and utilizing design artifacts (user flows, wireframes, prototypes) that facilitate clear communication and alignment.

πŸ“ Enhancement Note: For a Product Designer role, especially within a government context, the portfolio is a critical tool for demonstrating process adherence and impact. It's not just about the final output, but the methodology and iterative improvements made along the way, which directly relates to operational efficiency and effectiveness in design.

πŸ’΅ Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

Benefits:

  • Top-tier benefits package: This typically includes comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance.

  • Retirement Savings Plan: Often includes a 401(k) with employer matching contributions.

  • Paid Time Off (PTO): Generous vacation, sick leave, and paid holidays.

  • Professional Development: Opportunities for training, conferences, and certifications to enhance skills.

  • Remote Work Stipend: Potential for a stipend to support home office setup and connectivity.

  • Life and Disability Insurance: Standard coverage options.

Working Hours:

  • Standard full-time hours, typically 40 hours per week.

  • Flexibility may be offered in terms of daily start and end times, provided work is completed and collaboration with teams across different time zones is managed effectively.

πŸ“ Enhancement Note: The salary range is an estimate based on typical compensation for a Mid to Senior Product Designer in the US market, considering the company's industry (government contracting) and the remote work arrangement. Actual compensation will depend on the candidate's specific experience, qualifications, and the company's internal compensation structure. The "top-tier benefits package" is a strong indicator of a company that invests in employee well-being, a key aspect of operational sustainability.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏒 Company Culture

Industry:

Company Size:

Founded:

Team Structure:

  • The Product Designer will join Tria's "Human Experience practice," suggesting a dedicated design and research team.

  • This practice likely operates within a larger Product or Engineering organization.

  • The designer will collaborate closely with Product Management, Engineering, and potentially UX Research leadership.

  • Reporting structure will likely be to a Design Lead or Director within the Human Experience practice.

Methodology:

  • The company operates within a SAFe Agile framework, indicating a structured, scaled approach to agile development that emphasizes alignment, collaboration, and continuous delivery.

  • Design integration into the software development lifecycle is a key operational process.

  • Emphasis on human-centered design and user research as foundational elements for product decisions.

  • Focus on leveraging emerging technologies like AI to solve complex government challenges.

Company Website: https://triafed.com/

πŸ“ Enhancement Note: The company's focus on federal government clients implies a culture that values mission-orientation, adherence to process, and security. The use of SAFe Agile suggests a need for structured communication and workflow management. The "Human Experience practice" indicates a commitment to design as a critical operational function.

πŸ“ˆ Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level:

Reporting Structure:

Operations Impact:

Growth Opportunities:

  • Design Specialization: Opportunity to deepen expertise in specific areas of UX/Product Design, user research methodologies, or design systems.

  • Leadership Potential: As the designer gains experience and demonstrates strong project ownership, opportunities may arise to lead design initiatives, mentor junior designers, or take on more strategic roles within the Human Experience practice.

  • Domain Expertise: Develop specialized knowledge in Federal government programs, healthcare IT, and value-based care, becoming a valuable asset in these complex domains.

  • Cross-functional Skill Development: Enhance collaboration and communication skills by working extensively with Product Managers, Engineers, and stakeholders in a SAFe Agile environment.

  • Emerging Technology Exposure: Potential to work on projects leveraging AI and emerging technologies, expanding skill sets into future-forward areas.

πŸ“ Enhancement Note: The "Mid to Senior Level" designation suggests a role that moves beyond task execution to strategic contribution and project ownership. The growth opportunities are framed around developing specialized operational expertise within the federal/healthcare domain and advancing within a structured design practice.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type:

Office Location(s):

Workspace Context:

  • Collaboration Tools: Heavy reliance on digital collaboration platforms (e.g., Slack, Microsoft Teams, Zoom) for communication and virtual meetings.

  • Design Software: Access to and proficiency with design and prototyping tools like Figma is expected.

  • Agile Ceremonies: Participation in virtual SAFe Agile ceremonies (e.g., sprint planning, backlog refinement, daily stand-ups, reviews) is a daily operational component.

  • Cross-functional Interaction: Regular interaction with distributed teams, requiring strong asynchronous communication skills and proactive engagement.

  • Security Protocols: Adherence to company and government security protocols for remote work and data handling is paramount.

Work Schedule:

  • Standard full-time hours (approx. 40 hours/week). While remote, maintaining availability during core business hours for team collaboration and participation in Agile ceremonies is essential. Some flexibility may be possible, but consistent engagement is key.

πŸ“ Enhancement Note: The remote nature necessitates a strong emphasis on digital collaboration tools and self-management. The integration into SAFe Agile ceremonies means the work schedule, while potentially flexible in start/end times, requires consistent availability for structured team interactions.

πŸ“„ Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

  • Initial Screening: A recruiter or HR representative will likely conduct an initial screening call to assess basic qualifications, experience, and cultural fit.

  • Portfolio Review & Technical Interview: Candidates will be asked to present their portfolio, walking through selected projects. This session will focus on design process, problem-solving approach, user research methods, and collaboration skills. Expect detailed questions about design decisions and trade-offs.

  • Hiring Manager Interview: A discussion with the hiring manager to delve deeper into experience, role expectations, and alignment with team dynamics.

  • Team/Cross-functional Interview: Interviews with peers (other designers, product managers, engineers) to assess collaboration style, communication, and ability to integrate into the team.

  • Final Interview/Offer: Potentially a final interview with senior leadership, followed by an offer.

  • Background Check & Clearance: Due to the federal nature of the role, a thorough background check and the process for obtaining a "Position of Trust" clearance will be a significant part of the post-offer stage.

Portfolio Review Tips:

  • Curate Select Projects: Choose 3-4 projects that best showcase your skills in user research, interaction design, and problem-solving within a product context. Prioritize projects relevant to government or regulated environments if possible.

  • Tell a Story: For each project, clearly articulate the problem, your role, the process you followed, the challenges you faced, your solutions, and the impact of your work (quantifiable results are a plus).

  • Focus on Process: Emphasize your design thinking, how you identified user needs, how you iterated based on feedback, and how you collaborated with stakeholders. This demonstrates your operational approach to design.

  • Highlight Figma & Design Systems: If applicable, showcase your proficiency with Figma and any experience with design systems, as these are preferred skills.

  • Be Prepared for Questions: Anticipate questions about your decision-making, trade-offs made, how you handle feedback, and how you would approach specific challenges within Tria's context.

Challenge Preparation:

  • While not explicitly mentioned, some companies may include a small design exercise or case study. Prepare to articulate your approach to a given design problem, focusing on research, ideation, and solution definition.

  • Be ready to discuss the SAFe Agile framework and how design integrates into it.

  • Understand Tria Federal's mission and its role in supporting federal agencies.

πŸ“ Enhancement Note: The emphasis on portfolio review and the "Position of Trust" clearance are critical operational aspects of the application process. Candidates must be prepared to demonstrate their design process rigorously and understand the security requirements inherent in federal contracting.

πŸ›  Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

  • Figma: Strongly preferred for UI design, wireframing, prototyping, and collaboration. Experience with its advanced features, component libraries, and design system capabilities is highly valued.

  • Prototyping Tools: Proficiency with tools beyond Figma for interactive prototyping (e.g., InVision, Axure, Adobe XD, though Figma is the primary focus).

  • Wireframing Tools: Tools used for creating low-fidelity wireframes and user flows (Figma, Sketch, Balsamiq).

Analytics & Reporting:

  • Familiarity with analytics platforms (e.g., Google Analytics, Adobe Analytics, Heap) to understand user behavior and inform design decisions, though direct usage may be limited for a pure designer role.

CRM & Automation:

Collaboration & Project Management:

  • Atlassian Suite (Jira, Confluence): Highly probable tools for managing Agile workflows, tracking user stories, documenting requirements, and collaborating on project details within a SAFe Agile framework.

  • Communication Platforms: Slack, Microsoft Teams, Zoom for daily communication, virtual meetings, and team alignment.

  • Version Control (for Design Assets): Understanding principles of organizing and managing design files, especially within a team setting.

πŸ“ Enhancement Note: The explicit mention of Figma and the indirect inference of Jira/Confluence highlight the technology stack that underpins efficient design operations within an Agile, government-contracting environment. Proficiency in these tools is crucial for seamless workflow integration.

πŸ‘₯ Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

  • Mission-First Mindset: A strong commitment to the company's mission of supporting veterans, service members, and civilians, and advancing critical government missions. This translates to prioritizing impact and effectiveness.

  • User-Centricity: A deep focus on understanding and serving the end-user, ensuring that design decisions are grounded in user needs and research.

  • Collaboration & Teamwork: Emphasis on working effectively across diverse teams (design, product, engineering, stakeholders) to achieve shared goals.

  • Agile & Iterative Approach: Embracing agile principles for flexibility, continuous improvement, and efficient delivery cycles.

  • Integrity & Trust: Essential for working with federal government clients, requiring ethical conduct, transparency, and reliability.

  • Innovation & Growth: A forward-looking attitude, open to exploring new technologies and continuously developing skills.

Collaboration Style:

  • Cross-functional Integration: Designers are expected to be deeply integrated with product managers and engineers, participating actively in Agile ceremonies and discussions.

  • Constructive Feedback: A culture that encourages seeking and providing constructive feedback to improve designs and processes.

  • Data-Informed Decision Making: While design is creative, decisions are expected to be informed by user research, data, and stakeholder input.

  • Proactive Communication: Given the remote nature, proactive and clear communication is vital for maintaining alignment and addressing potential roadblocks.

πŸ“ Enhancement Note: The company's values, particularly the "mission-first mindset" and "integrity & trust," are critical operational tenets when working with federal clients. The collaborative style emphasizes structured communication and iterative processes, aligning with operational best practices.

⚑ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

  • Navigating Ambiguity: Federal projects can often have complex requirements and evolving scopes. Designers must be comfortable working with incomplete information and shaping requirements.

  • Balancing User Needs with Constraints: Federal programs may have stringent regulatory requirements, legacy systems, or budget limitations that necessitate creative trade-offs between ideal user experiences and practical implementation.

  • Remote Collaboration: Maintaining strong team cohesion, clear communication, and effective design reviews within a fully remote, distributed team requires discipline and robust processes.

  • Security & Compliance: Adhering to strict federal security protocols and compliance standards (like those required for a "Position of Trust" clearance) adds an operational layer to daily work.

  • Integrating Design in Scaled Agile: Effectively embedding design within a SAFe Agile framework requires understanding its ceremonies, roles, and workflows, and advocating for design's place in each stage.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

  • Deepen Federal/Healthcare Domain Expertise: Gain specialized knowledge in government-specific workflows, regulations, and user groups, becoming an expert in this niche.

  • Master SAFe Agile for Design: Develop advanced skills in applying design principles and practices within the SAFe framework, contributing to process optimization.

  • Advanced User Research Techniques: Expand expertise in conducting research within regulated environments and for complex user populations.

  • Design System Leadership: Contribute to or lead the development and governance of design systems, enhancing scalability and efficiency.

  • Mentorship & Leadership: Opportunities to mentor junior designers, lead design initiatives, and grow into more senior or leadership roles within Tria Federal.

πŸ“ Enhancement Note: The challenges highlight the operational complexities of working in the federal sector and remote environments. The growth opportunities are geared towards developing specialized operational expertise and advancing within a structured career path.

πŸ’‘ Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

  • Design Process & Methodology: Be prepared to walk through your end-to-end design process for a specific project. Expect questions like: "Describe a time you had to conduct user research with limited resources," or "How do you balance user needs with technical constraints?" Emphasize your structured approach and how you gather requirements.

  • Collaboration & Communication: "How do you collaborate with product managers and engineers in an Agile environment?" or "Describe a situation where you had to present a design recommendation that faced resistance." Focus on your communication strategies and ability to build consensus.

  • Problem-Solving & Impact: "Tell me about a complex design problem you solved. What was your approach, and what was the outcome?" Be ready to discuss how you measure the impact of your designs.

  • Federal/Government Context: If you have prior experience, be ready to discuss it. If not, be prepared to articulate how you would approach designing for a government audience with specific needs and constraints.

Company & Culture Questions:

  • Research Tria Federal's mission, values, and recent projects. Understand their commitment to veterans and federal agencies.

  • Be prepared to discuss how your values align with Tria's mission-first approach and emphasis on integrity.

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

  • Structure Your Narrative: For each project, clearly outline the problem, your role, your process (research, ideation, testing, iteration), your solutions (showcasing wireframes, prototypes, final designs), and the impact/outcomes.

  • Highlight Process Over Polish: While polished visuals are good, interviewers will focus more on your thought process, problem-solving skills, and how you arrived at your solutions.

  • Quantify Impact: If possible, include metrics or data that demonstrate the success of your designs (e.g., increased task completion rate, reduced error rate, improved user satisfaction).

  • Demonstrate Figma Proficiency: If showcasing Figma work, be ready to discuss your use of components, variants, auto-layout, and prototyping features.

  • Practice Your Delivery: Rehearse your presentation to ensure it's concise, engaging, and covers all key aspects within the allotted time.

πŸ“ Enhancement Note: Interview preparation for this role requires a strong emphasis on demonstrating a structured, process-driven approach to design, proficiency with key tools like Figma, and an understanding of the unique operational context of federal government work and remote collaboration.

πŸ“Œ Application Steps

To apply for this operations position:

  • Submit your application through the Tria Federal careers portal via the provided link.

  • Portfolio Customization: Tailor your portfolio to highlight projects that demonstrate your user research capabilities, interaction design skills, and experience with Agile methodologies. Emphasize projects that show a structured problem-solving approach and clear documentation of your design process.

  • Resume Optimization: Ensure your resume clearly outlines your 3-5+ years of relevant experience, specifically mentioning UX design, product design, human-centered design, and any federal/healthcare sector experience. Use keywords from the job description such as "SAFe Agile," "Figma," "User Research," and "Interaction Design."

  • Interview Preparation: Thoroughly review your portfolio and prepare to discuss your design process, decision-making, and collaboration skills. Practice articulating your experiences in response to common behavioral and situational questions, focusing on how you contribute to efficient and effective product development.

  • Company Research: Gain a deep understanding of Tria Federal's mission, values, and its role in supporting federal agencies. Familiarize yourself with the importance of "Position of Trust" clearances for federal roles.

⚠️ 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.

Application Requirements

Candidates must have 3-5+ years of experience in UX/Product Design supporting digital products and the ability to obtain a U.S. Federal Position of Trust clearance. Preferred experience includes working in Federal government, healthcare, or regulated environments, along with strong skills in user research execution and design system utilization via Figma.