Product Designer (Milan)

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Product Designer (Milan)

Company: Eight Sleep

Location: Milan, Lombardy, Italy

Job Type: FULL_TIME

Category: Product Design / UX/UI Design

Date Posted: 2026-09-04

Experience Level: Mid-Level (4+ years)

Remote Status: Hybrid (with potential travel)

🚀 Role Summary

• Drive the end-to-end design and evolution of the Eight Sleep mobile application, focusing on creating seamless, intuitive, and data-driven user experiences.

• Collaborate closely with Product, Engineering, Brand, and Research & Development teams to deliver high-quality, engaging features that enhance membership value and support hardware innovations.

• Conduct user research, usability studies, and user interviews to inform design decisions, validate concepts, and iterate on app features for improved user engagement and reduced churn.

• Contribute to the development and maintenance of a robust design system, ensuring consistency across the app and brand touchpoints, while presenting design updates to C-suite leadership.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is positioned as a Product Designer with a strong emphasis on both UX and UI capabilities, operating within a "sleep fitness" company that leverages advanced hardware, software, and AI. The description highlights the need for a generalist who can fluidly move between information architecture, visual design, and interaction patterns, with a focus on shipping real products and iterating based on data. The culture is described as high-intensity, demanding, and focused on impact, with a significant emphasis on 60+ hour work weeks.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Lead the full spectrum of product design for the Eight Sleep mobile app, from information architecture and low-fidelity wireframes to high-fidelity mockups and interactive prototypes.

• Conduct qualitative and quantitative customer research, including usability studies and user interviews, to gather insights that inform design decisions and validate product hypotheses.

• Utilize data from user research and app analytics to iterate on designs, aiming to improve user experience, increase long-term engagement, and reduce customer churn.

• Build, document, and organize UI components within the design library and system to ensure brand consistency and streamline the development process across the mobile application.

• Present design updates, concepts, and research findings clearly and concisely to Product, Brand, and C-suite stakeholders for feedback and approval.

• Act as the subject matter expert for app design patterns and interactions, staying abreast of emerging mobile design trends and best practices to inform future product development.

• Collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams including Engineering, Product Management, and Marketing to ensure the successful launch of world-class products and features.

• Work as part of an interdisciplinary team to deliver captivating user experiences that enhance membership value and support the integration of hardware innovations.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities emphasize a holistic product design approach, blending user-centered design principles with business objectives. The iterative nature of the role, driven by data and customer feedback, is a key theme. The expectation of presenting to C-suite leadership indicates a need for strong communication and strategic thinking skills.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: Bachelor’s degree in a related design field or equivalent practical experience.

Experience: 4+ years of experience in UX and UI design, with a proven track record of shipping live mobile applications.

Required Skills:

• Demonstrated expertise in UX and UI design, with a strong portfolio showcasing live mobile application examples.

• Proficiency in conducting user research, including usability studies and user interviews, to gather actionable insights.

• Ability to translate qualitative and quantitative customer insights into effective design decisions that drive user engagement and reduce churn.

• Experience in creating and maintaining design systems, including building and organizing UI components for consistency.

• Strong understanding of information architecture, visual design, and interaction patterns for mobile applications.

• Proven ability to consider technical implications of design decisions and balance user value with development effort.

• Experience coaching junior designers and collaborating closely with Product Managers and Engineers.

• Exceptional attention to detail, with a high standard for aesthetic quality and simplicity in design.

• Ability to manage the design process independently from end-to-end in ambiguous environments, demonstrating flexibility and a capacity for rapid iteration.

• Confidence in preparing clear agendas and presentations, and effectively presenting design evolutions to C-suite leadership.

• Openness to occasional travel to other office locations (San Francisco, Milan) for in-person collaboration. Preferred Skills:

• Experience building iconic, consumer-facing mobile apps at small to mid-size tech startups, supported by data and positive reviews.

• Experience designing mobile applications for the Android platform.

📝 Enhancement Note: The experience requirement is specific about needing 4+ years with a portfolio of live mobile examples, emphasizing practical, data-validated experience over theoretical knowledge. The "generalist" requirement is further reinforced by expecting proficiency across IA, visual, and interaction design. The bonus points highlight a preference for startup experience and Android design, suggesting a fast-paced, growth-oriented environment.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A comprehensive portfolio showcasing end-to-end product design processes for at least two significant mobile applications, ideally consumer-facing.

• Live examples of shipped mobile applications are mandatory, with accompanying data or case studies demonstrating user impact, success metrics, or lessons learned from failures.

• Clear documentation of the design process, including problem definition, user research methodologies, wireframing, prototyping, UI design, and iteration based on feedback.

• Evidence of contributions to or creation of design systems, including examples of UI components and their application for consistency.

• Case studies that illustrate the ability to balance user needs with technical constraints and business objectives. Process Documentation:

• Detailed case studies that outline the user research conducted, the insights derived, and how these insights directly informed design decisions and product iterations.

• Examples of iterative design processes, showcasing how feedback (qualitative or quantitative) led to design improvements and enhanced user experiences.

• Documentation of collaboration with Product Managers and Engineers, demonstrating how design concepts were translated into feasible product features.

• Artifacts that show the development and application of design systems, including style guides, component libraries, and examples of their implementation to drive consistency.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on a portfolio with live mobile examples and data proving success or failure is critical. This indicates a strong preference for designers who can demonstrate tangible impact and learn from their work, rather than just presenting polished concepts. The requirement for process documentation highlights the need for a structured and thoughtful approach to design.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: Based on industry benchmarks for a Product Designer with 4+ years of experience in Milan, Italy, a competitive salary range would typically fall between €55,000 - €80,000 annually. This estimate considers the cost of living in Milan, the company's focus on high performance and innovation, and the responsibilities outlined for this role. Specific compensation will be determined by the candidate's experience, qualifications, and demonstrated impact.

Benefits:

• Eight Sleep Pod: Employees receive their own Eight Sleep Pod product.

• Health Insurance: Comprehensive health, vision, and dental insurance coverage for employees and their dependents.

• Supplemental Life Insurance: Additional life insurance coverage.

• Flexible Paid Time Off (PTO): A flexible approach to time off, allowing employees to manage their personal needs.

• Commuter Benefits: Support for daily commuting expenses.

• Paid Parental Leave: Generous paid leave for new parents.

• Equity Participation: Every full-time team member receives equity, with periodic refreshers based on performance.

• Continuous Equity Investment: Equity grows with the company's success, aligning employee rewards with business achievements.

• Accelerated Career Growth: Opportunities for rapid pay increases based on accumulated experience and demonstrated impact.

Working Hours: The company operates with a high-intensity, fast-paced mindset, often requiring 60+ hours per week from team members who are deeply invested in the mission. While a standard workweek might be considered 40 hours, the culture clearly indicates expectations for significant dedication and extended hours.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range is an estimate for Milan, Italy, based on publicly available data for similar roles and experience levels. The provided benefits are extensive, with a unique offering of the company's core product and a strong emphasis on equity and performance-based compensation growth, aligning with the company's high-performance culture. The working hours explicitly mention a demanding schedule.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Technology (Hardware, Software, AI) with a focus on Health & Wellness (Sleep Fitness). Eight Sleep is a pioneer in the "sleep fitness" movement, integrating technology to optimize sleep for enhanced performance.

Company Size: The job description implies a growing, yet still relatively small and agile team, characteristic of a mid-stage startup or a fast-growing tech company. The mention of a "small but growing design team" and operating "like a high-performance team" suggests an environment where individual contributions are highly visible and impactful.

Founded: Eight Sleep was founded with a mission to fuel human potential through optimal sleep, aiming to redefine rest and recovery through technology. This mission drives their product development and company culture, emphasizing innovation and cutting-edge solutions.

Team Structure:

• The design team is described as "small but growing," indicating an opportunity for individuals to shape its direction.

• Designers work within interdisciplinary teams, collaborating closely with Product, Engineering, Brand, and R&D.

• There is a direct reporting line to C-suite leadership for design updates, suggesting a flat hierarchy where design has significant visibility and influence.

• The company emphasizes a collaborative approach, but within a high-performance, demanding framework. Methodology:

• Data-Driven Design: A core methodology involves using qualitative and quantitative customer insights, usability studies, and app analytics to inform design decisions and measure success.

• Iterative Development: The team is expected to "iterate, refine, and obsess over the details," shipping products and then continuously improving them based on feedback.

• Holistic Product Design: Design responsibilities encompass the full spectrum from information architecture to visual and interaction design, without rigid silos.

• High-Performance Culture: Operations are conducted with intensity, speed, and a relentless focus on execution and impact, mirroring the mindset of top performers.

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

📝 Enhancement Note: The company culture is heavily emphasized as being extremely high-performance, demanding, and mission-driven, with a focus on "sleep fitness" and cutting-edge technology. This is not a typical 9-to-5 environment, and candidates should be prepared for a demanding workload and intense focus on results. The design team's structure suggests significant autonomy and visibility.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is positioned as a mid-level Product Designer, requiring 4+ years of experience. It offers significant ownership over the app experience, suggesting a trajectory towards senior or lead design roles within the company. The expectation to coach junior designers also points towards leadership potential.

Reporting Structure: The Product Designer will report into a design lead or manager (not specified but implied by "small but growing design team") and will regularly present to C-suite leadership. This provides exposure to executive decision-making and strategic planning.

Operations Impact: The role has a direct impact on the core product experience, influencing user engagement, retention (reducing churn), and overall membership value. By shaping the mobile app, the designer contributes to the success of Eight Sleep's ecosystem, which includes hardware and AI innovations.

Growth Opportunities:

• Design Leadership: With experience and demonstrated impact, there's potential to grow into a Senior Product Designer or Design Lead role, guiding strategy and mentoring junior team members.

• Skill Specialization: While the role emphasizes a generalist approach, deep expertise in specific areas like mobile-first design, data-informed UX, or design systems can be further developed.

• Cross-Functional Advancement: Experience in a fast-paced, innovative tech company like Eight Sleep can open doors to product management, UX research leadership, or strategy roles within the broader tech industry.

• Impact on Iconic Brand: Contributing to the growth of a company recognized by Fast Company and TIME offers a unique career highlight and significant professional development.

📝 Enhancement Note: The growth path is clearly tied to high performance and demonstrated impact within a demanding environment. The opportunity to influence a growing design function and present to executives offers significant career acceleration potential for the right candidate.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The role is based in Milan, Italy, and is described as "Hybrid." This suggests a combination of in-office work for collaboration and on-site presence, balanced with flexibility. Occasional travel to other office locations (San Francisco, Milan) is also expected.

Office Location(s): Milan, Lombardy, Italy. There is also mention of potential travel to San Francisco.

Workspace Context:

• The workspace is likely to be dynamic and fast-paced, reflecting the company's high-performance culture.

• Collaboration is a key aspect, with designers working closely with Product, Engineering, and Brand teams.

• The environment fosters rapid iteration and a focus on shipping products, suggesting efficient workflows and readily available design tools.

• As part of a growing team, there's an opportunity to shape the workspace and contribute to its evolution.

Work Schedule: The company operates with a demanding schedule, where team members often put in 60+ hours a week due to their deep commitment and the mission's demands. While a standard 40-hour week might be the baseline, the culture explicitly points towards a significantly higher time commitment being the norm for those who thrive there.

📝 Enhancement Note: The hybrid nature of the role combined with expected travel indicates a need for adaptability and strong self-management. The explicit mention of high working hours is a significant factor for potential candidates to consider.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: Review of resume and portfolio to assess alignment with required skills and experience, particularly focusing on live mobile app examples and demonstrated impact.

• Portfolio Presentation & Design Challenge: Candidates will likely present their portfolio, discussing their process, design decisions, and user impact. A design challenge may be given to assess problem-solving skills, design thinking, and ability to iterate under pressure.

• Cross-Functional Interviews: Meetings with Product Managers, Engineers, and potentially Brand stakeholders to evaluate collaboration style, technical understanding, and communication skills.

• Leadership Interview: Discussion with C-suite or senior leadership to assess strategic thinking, cultural fit, and alignment with the company's mission and high-performance values.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Highlight Live Products: Prioritize showcasing projects that have been shipped and are live in app stores. Clearly articulate your specific role and contributions.

• Demonstrate Impact with Data: For each project, include metrics, user feedback, or case studies that prove the success or highlight learnings from the design's performance. Quantify impact wherever possible.

• Showcase Process Iteration: Illustrate how you moved from initial concepts to final designs, detailing the research, testing, and iteration steps. Emphasize how user feedback influenced your decisions.

• Explain Technical Considerations: Be prepared to discuss the technical feasibility of your designs and how you collaborated with engineers to find practical solutions.

• Tell a Story: Structure your portfolio presentation to tell a compelling narrative about the problem, your design solution, and the resulting impact.

Challenge Preparation:

• Understand the User & Business: Be ready to quickly grasp the user's needs and the business goals for any given design challenge.

• Focus on Process: While a polished final design is good, demonstrating a clear, logical, and user-centered design process is often more valuable.

• Communicate Your Thinking: Articulate your thought process clearly, explaining your assumptions, decisions, and trade-offs.

• Be Adaptable: Show flexibility and a willingness to iterate based on feedback or new information provided during the challenge.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process is designed to thoroughly assess not only design skills but also the candidate's ability to thrive in a demanding, data-driven, and collaborative environment. The portfolio is a critical component, requiring tangible proof of impact and a well-documented process.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Design Software: Proficiency in industry-standard design and prototyping tools such as Figma, Sketch, Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator), and prototyping tools like InVision or Principle. Figma is highly likely to be a core tool given its prevalence in modern design teams.

• Wireframing & Prototyping Tools: Tools for creating low-fidelity wireframes and high-fidelity interactive prototypes to visualize user flows and test concepts.

• Design System Management: Tools and methodologies for building, maintaining, and scaling design systems.

Analytics & Reporting:

• User Analytics Platforms: Familiarity with tools like Amplitude, Mixpanel, Google Analytics, or similar platforms to track user behavior, measure feature adoption, and identify areas for improvement.

• A/B Testing Tools: Experience with or understanding of how to leverage A/B testing to validate design hypotheses and optimize user experiences.

• Data Visualization Tools: Ability to interpret data presented in dashboards or reports to inform design decisions.

CRM & Automation:

• While not directly a designer's primary tool, an understanding of how CRM systems (e.g., Salesforce) and marketing automation platforms influence user journeys and data collection can be beneficial.

• Familiarity with project management tools like Jira or Asana for collaborating with engineering and product teams on task tracking and workflow management.

📝 Enhancement Note: While specific tools aren't listed, the role's requirements strongly imply proficiency in leading design software (likely Figma), prototyping tools, and a solid understanding of analytics platforms for data-driven design. The ability to work with design systems and collaborate effectively with engineering via project management tools is also crucial.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• High Standards & Relentlessness: A core value is operating with intensity, a "mamba mentality," and a commitment to delivering flawless execution without compromise. This means pushing limits and striving for the top 1%.

• Mission-Driven Passion: Deep passion for Eight Sleep's mission of "sleep fitness" and transforming how people sleep and live is essential.

• Impact & Ownership: Every role is an opportunity to create cutting-edge technology and have a direct impact on the business. Team members are empowered to own their projects and see tangible results.

• Continuous Improvement & Iteration: A culture of constantly refining, iterating, and obsessing over details to improve the product and user experience.

• Collaboration & C-Suite Visibility: While intense, there's a strong emphasis on cross-functional collaboration and presenting work directly to C-suite leadership, fostering transparency and alignment.

Collaboration Style:

• Interdisciplinary: Designers work as part of integrated teams with Product, Engineering, Brand, and R&D.

• Fast-Paced & Direct: Collaboration is likely to be efficient, direct, and focused on achieving rapid progress and shipping high-quality products.

• Data-Informed: Design discussions and decisions are heavily influenced by user research, data analytics, and measured outcomes.

• Feedback-Oriented: The iterative nature implies a culture where feedback is actively sought, given, and incorporated into designs.

📝 Enhancement Note: The company culture is heavily emphasized as demanding and high-performance, requiring a strong sense of ownership, passion for the mission, and a commitment to continuous improvement. Candidates must be comfortable with a fast-paced, results-oriented environment.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Demanding Workload: Consistently working 60+ hours per week requires exceptional time management, resilience, and a deep commitment to the mission.

• Balancing Innovation with Execution: The need to build cutting-edge technology while also shipping products rapidly and iteratively presents a constant challenge.

• Navigating Ambiguity: Thriving in "open-ended ambiguous environments" requires strong self-direction, problem-solving skills, and the ability to define solutions.

• Maintaining High Standards: Upholding a "top 1%" standard across design, execution, and collaboration in a fast-paced setting demands continuous focus and dedication.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Advanced Design Skills: Opportunities to hone UX/UI skills, design system development, and data-informed design practices within a cutting-edge tech product.

• Leadership Exposure: Direct interaction with C-suite leadership and potential to mentor junior designers offer significant leadership development.

• Product Strategy Input: Contributing to the strategic direction of a key product in a rapidly growing and innovative company.

• Industry Recognition: Working on products recognized by Fast Company and TIME provides a strong resume builder and exposure to best-in-class product development.

📝 Enhancement Note: The primary challenge is the intensity and demanding nature of the work environment. Growth opportunities are significant for those who can meet these challenges, offering accelerated career progression and high-impact work.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you had to balance conflicting priorities between user needs, technical constraints, and business goals. How did you approach it, and what was the outcome?" (Focus on demonstrating trade-off analysis, collaboration, and data-driven decision-making).

• "How do you approach designing for user engagement and retention in a mobile app? Can you share an example from your portfolio where your design directly impacted these metrics?" (Prepare a case study that quantifies impact on engagement or churn reduction).

• "Imagine we're launching a new feature for our app that aims to [hypothetical goal]. Walk me through your process for designing this feature, from initial concept to post-launch iteration." (Be ready to outline your design process, research methods, and how you'd measure success). Company & Culture Questions:

• "What excites you most about Eight Sleep's mission and our 'sleep fitness' approach? How does this align with your personal or professional values?" (Research the company's mission, values, and recent news; connect your passion to their goals).

• "Our culture is described as high-performance and demanding, often involving 60+ hour weeks. How do you approach working in such an environment, and what are your strategies for maintaining effectiveness and well-being?" (Be honest about your capacity for intense work while highlighting your commitment and efficiency).

• "How do you ensure consistency and quality across a product's design, especially when working with a growing design system and collaborating with multiple teams?" (Discuss your experience with design systems, cross-functional collaboration, and quality assurance). Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure: Begin with a brief overview of your role and the project's goals. Then, dive into the problem statement, your research and ideation process, key design decisions, and the final solution. Conclude with the impact and lessons learned.

• Quantify Impact: Wherever possible, use numbers and data to demonstrate the success of your designs (e.g., "increased conversion by X%", "reduced task completion time by Y%", "received Z% positive feedback").

• Show Iteration: Highlight how user feedback, A/B testing, or analytics led to design changes. This demonstrates a learning mindset.

• Technical Collaboration: Briefly mention how you worked with engineers and product managers to ensure feasibility and successful implementation.

• Be Prepared for Deep Dives: Anticipate questions about specific design choices, research methodologies, and challenges faced.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation should focus on showcasing not only design expertise but also an understanding of the company's unique culture and mission. Candidates should be ready to discuss their process, impact, and how they handle demanding environments.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Product Designer position:

• Submit your application through the provided link on Ashby.

• Portfolio Customization: Tailor your portfolio to highlight your most relevant mobile app design experience, emphasizing live products and quantifiable user impact. Ensure it clearly demonstrates your UX/UI generalist capabilities and experience with data-driven iteration.

• Resume Optimization: Update your resume to reflect your 4+ years of experience in UX/UI design, using keywords like "Product Design," "Mobile App Design," "User Research," "Design Systems," and "Data-Driven Design." Quantify achievements wherever possible.

• Prepare Your Narrative: Practice articulating your design process, key decisions, and the impact of your work. Be ready to discuss your experience in high-performance environments and your passion for Eight Sleep's mission.

• Research Eight Sleep: Thoroughly understand Eight Sleep's mission, products, company values, and recent achievements. Be prepared to discuss how your skills and aspirations align with their innovative approach to "sleep fitness."

⚠️ 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.