Senior Product Designer (AIR)

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Senior Product Designer (AIR)

Company: JetBrains

Location: Amsterdam, Netherlands; Belgrade, Serbia; Berlin, Germany; Limassol, Cyprus; Madrid, Spain; Munich, Germany; Warsaw, Poland

Job Type: Full-Time

Category: Product Design / UX/UI Design

Date Posted: 2026-06-15T14:53:26

Experience Level: 5-10 years

Remote Status: Hybrid

🚀 Role Summary

• Lead the design vision and strategy for Air, JetBrains' innovative agentic development environment, focusing on intuitive AI integration for developers.

• Craft high-fidelity wireframes, mockups, and interactive prototypes to translate complex technical concepts into user-friendly interfaces for both desktop and web experiences.

• Drive the end-to-end design process for large-scale features, from initial concept and user research to final implementation and iteration, ensuring alignment with product goals and user needs.

• Collaborate extensively with product managers, developers, and UX researchers to define problems, validate solutions, and ensure the seamless integration of AI agents within the developer workflow.

• Contribute to the evolution of JetBrains' design system, ensuring consistency, scalability, and efficiency across all product touchpoints.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is positioned as a Senior Product Designer, implying a need for leadership in design initiatives, ownership of significant product areas, and the ability to guide complex UX/UI efforts. The focus on "Air," an agentic development environment, suggests a deep dive into AI-driven workflows and developer tooling, requiring a strong understanding of programming concepts and the developer mindset. The hybrid work model indicates a blend of in-office collaboration and remote flexibility.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Design and deliver high-quality user interfaces by creating wireframes, mockups, and interactive prototypes that clearly communicate complex AI agent interactions and developer workflows.

• Lead large-scale design initiatives from concept and strategic vision through to detailed execution and final delivery, ensuring user-centricity and business alignment.

• Collaborate closely with Product Managers to define user problems, align on product goals, and translate requirements into effective design solutions that meet both user needs and business objectives for the Air platform.

• Partner with Engineering teams to implement UI/UX solutions, providing detailed design specifications and conducting thorough design reviews to ensure fidelity and usability.

• Work alongside UX Researchers and the Analytics team to conduct user studies, gather insights from behavioral data, and validate design decisions, ensuring solutions are grounded in user needs and performance metrics.

• Contribute to the continuous improvement of design processes and the development of our design system, ensuring visual and functional consistency while enabling flexibility and scalability for new features.

• Communicate design concepts, rationale, and decisions effectively to cross-functional teams, stakeholders, and leadership to foster understanding, alignment, and buy-in.

📝 Enhancement Note: Responsibilities emphasize leadership in design strategy and execution for a novel AI-powered developer tool. The role requires not just execution but also strategic thinking, cross-functional leadership, and a commitment to process improvement within the design team.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: While no specific degree is mandated, a Bachelor's or Master's degree in Design, HCI, Computer Science, or a related field is often preferred for senior roles in this domain. Equivalent practical experience will also be considered.

Experience: A minimum of 5 years of progressive experience in UI/UX design, with a demonstrated track record of leading and delivering complex design projects.

Required Skills:

• Minimum of 5 years of experience in UI/UX design, with a strong portfolio showcasing complex functional interface design.

• Proven ability to create wireframes, mockups, and interactive prototypes to effectively communicate design concepts and user flows.

• Experience in leading large-scale design initiatives from inception through to execution.

• Proficiency in collaborating with product managers, developers, and researchers to define problems and align on solutions.

• Strong communication skills to articulate design concepts and decisions to diverse audiences.

• Experience working with UX Research and Analytics teams to validate design solutions with data and user feedback.

• Ability to prototype, verify, present, and provide clear reasoning for UI/UX solutions.

• Diligence, attention to detail, and a proactive, independent work style with strong time-management skills.

• Fluency in spoken and written English, sufficient for daily communication and technical documentation.

• Ability to work effectively within a team, actively seek feedback, and use it to improve solutions and processes. Preferred Skills:

• Experience designing specifically for developer-focused products or complex technical environments.

• Hands-on experience with programming concepts and/or working directly with AI technologies.

• Familiarity with designing for both native desktop applications and web-based experiences.

• Experience contributing to or managing a design system for scalability and consistency.

📝 Enhancement Note: The requirement for "complex functional interfaces" and experience with "programming and AI" highlights the specialized nature of this role. The emphasis on "fast-moving environment" and "evolving priorities" points towards a need for adaptability and resilience in candidates.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Showcase at least 2-3 significant projects demonstrating end-to-end UI/UX design ownership, ideally for complex software or developer tools.

• For each project, clearly outline your role, the problem statement, your design process (research, ideation, prototyping, testing), key design decisions and their rationale, and the final outcomes or impact.

• Include examples of wireframes, high-fidelity mockups, and interactive prototypes. Interactive prototypes are highly valued for demonstrating user flow and interaction design.

• Demonstrate experience in designing for complex functional interfaces, highlighting how you managed intricate workflows and user interactions.

• Provide evidence of collaborating with cross-functional teams (PMs, Engineers, Researchers) and how you incorporated their feedback and technical constraints into your designs. Process Documentation:

• Your portfolio should implicitly or explicitly detail your approach to user research, problem definition, ideation, and iterative design.

• Highlight how you validated design solutions through user testing, data analysis, or other feedback mechanisms.

• Showcase experience in working with or contributing to design systems, demonstrating an understanding of consistency, scalability, and component-based design.

• Include examples of how you have improved design processes or contributed to team efficiency.

📝 Enhancement Note: A strong portfolio is critical. Candidates should be prepared to articulate their design process, justify their decisions with data and user insights, and demonstrate their ability to handle complexity within a developer tool context. Emphasis should be placed on projects that show impact and collaboration.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: For a Senior Product Designer with 5-10 years of experience in a hybrid role in major European tech hubs like Berlin, Amsterdam, or Munich, a competitive salary range could typically fall between €70,000 - €100,000 annually. This range can vary significantly based on the specific city, candidate experience, and JetBrains' internal compensation structure.

Benefits:

• Comprehensive health insurance coverage.

• Generous paid time off and holidays.

• Opportunities for professional development, including conferences, workshops, and training.

• Contribution to professional growth and skill enhancement in cutting-edge AI and developer tool design.

• Hybrid work model offering flexibility between office collaboration and remote work.

• Potential for stock options or performance-based bonuses (subject to company policy).

• Access to JetBrains' suite of powerful developer tools.

• Relocation assistance may be available for candidates moving to one of the listed office locations.

Working Hours: Standard full-time working hours, likely around 40 hours per week. The hybrid nature of the role allows for some flexibility in scheduling, with core hours expected for team collaboration and meetings.

📝 Enhancement Note: Salary estimations are based on industry benchmarks for senior design roles in comparable European tech markets and the provided experience level. JetBrains is known for offering strong benefits packages to attract and retain top talent.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Software Development Tools, Artificial Intelligence, Developer Productivity. JetBrains operates at the cutting edge of software engineering, creating tools that empower developers. The "Air" project specifically targets the emerging field of agentic development environments, blending AI with traditional software development.

Company Size: JetBrains is a significant player in the software development tool market, employing over 2,000 people globally. This size suggests a stable, well-resourced company with established processes, yet also a dynamic environment with opportunities for impactful contributions.

Founded: JetBrains was founded in 2000, giving it over two decades of experience and a deep understanding of developer needs. This longevity implies a culture focused on quality, innovation, and long-term product vision.

Team Structure:

• The Product Design team likely operates within a matrix structure, collaborating closely with dedicated Product Management and Engineering teams for specific product areas like "Air."

• Designers are expected to work cross-functionally, liaising with UX Researchers, Data Analysts, and potentially Marketing.

• The "Air" product team itself will include Product Managers, Software Developers (backend, frontend, AI specialists), and UX/UI Designers.

• Reporting lines would likely lead to a Head of Design or a Design Lead responsible for the "Air" product. Methodology:

• JetBrains emphasizes a data-driven approach, using UX research and analytics to inform design decisions and validate hypotheses.

• The company fosters a culture of continuous improvement, encouraging designers to refine processes, contribute to the design system, and seek feedback to enhance solutions.

• A strong focus on developer empathy and understanding complex technical workflows is central to their product development.

• Agile methodologies are likely employed for product development, requiring designers to be adaptable and responsive to evolving priorities.

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

📝 Enhancement Note: JetBrains has a reputation for building high-quality, sophisticated tools for developers. The culture is likely to be technically oriented, valuing deep expertise, rigorous problem-solving, and a commitment to craftsmanship. The "Air" project represents a significant investment in future developer productivity through AI.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is classified as a Senior Product Designer. It signifies a level of expertise and responsibility beyond mid-level, where individuals are expected to lead significant design efforts, mentor junior designers, and contribute strategically to the product's direction. The "Senior" title suggests autonomy and the ability to influence design direction and processes.

Reporting Structure: The Senior Product Designer will likely report to a Design Lead or Head of Product Design for the "Air" project or a broader product group. They will work collaboratively with Product Managers and Engineering Leads, acting as a key design voice within these cross-functional teams.

Operations Impact: The Senior Product Designer will have a direct and significant impact on the usability, intuitiveness, and overall success of the "Air" agentic development environment. By translating complex AI functionalities into seamless user experiences, they will influence developer productivity, adoption rates, and the perceived value of the product. Their work will be instrumental in shaping how developers interact with AI in the future of software development.

Growth Opportunities:

• Specialization: Deepen expertise in designing for AI-driven tools, agentic systems, and developer workflows.

• Leadership: Progress into a Design Lead or Managerial role, overseeing design strategy and teams for specific product areas.

• Cross-functional Influence: Expand influence across product strategy, research methodologies, and design system governance.

• Skill Development: Opportunities to learn new design techniques, explore emerging AI technologies, and contribute to the broader JetBrains design community.

• Mentorship: Opportunity to mentor junior designers and contribute to their professional growth.

📝 Enhancement Note: The Senior title and the innovative nature of the "Air" project offer substantial growth potential in a rapidly evolving field. Candidates can expect to build a strong portfolio in AI-driven product design and gain experience in leading impactful initiatives.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: JetBrains maintains modern office spaces in its various global locations. These offices are designed to foster collaboration and provide a comfortable, productive environment for employees. Given the hybrid nature, expect well-equipped workspaces with meeting rooms, quiet zones, and collaborative areas.

Office Location(s): The role is available in Amsterdam (Netherlands), Belgrade (Serbia), Berlin (Germany), Limassol (Cyprus), Madrid (Spain), Munich (Germany), and Warsaw (Poland). This wide distribution offers flexibility for candidates based in or willing to relocate to these European tech hubs.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative: The hybrid model encourages in-office days for team brainstorming, design critiques, and direct interaction with PMs and Engineers, fostering a strong sense of team cohesion.

• Tool-Rich: Employees will have access to industry-standard design and development tools, including JetBrains' own powerful suite of IDEs and potentially specialized AI/ML platforms.

• Innovation-Focused: The "Air" project implies a fast-paced, experimental environment where new ideas are encouraged, and designers are empowered to explore novel solutions.

Work Schedule: A standard full-time work schedule (approx. 40 hours/week) is expected, with the flexibility to balance in-office and remote work days. Core hours will likely be established for essential team collaboration and meetings.

📝 Enhancement Note: The hybrid setup in multiple European locations suggests a company that values work-life balance while ensuring robust team collaboration. Candidates should be prepared for a dynamic environment characteristic of innovative tech product development.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A review of your resume and portfolio by a recruiter or design lead to assess fit with the role's requirements.

• Portfolio Presentation & Discussion: You will likely be asked to present a selection of your best work, detailing your design process, decisions, and outcomes. Be prepared to discuss your experience with complex interfaces, AI, and developer tools.

• Technical/Design Challenge: This could involve a design exercise (e.g., a small feature design, problem-solving scenario) to evaluate your practical skills, problem-solving approach, and ability to think critically under pressure.

• Cross-functional Interviews: Interviews with Product Managers, Engineers, and potentially other Designers to assess collaboration skills, technical understanding, and cultural fit.

• Final Interview: A discussion with a senior leader (e.g., Head of Design, VP of Product) to finalize the decision.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Wisely: Select projects that best showcase your senior-level capabilities, complex problem-solving, and experience relevant to developer tools or AI. Aim for 2-3 in-depth case studies.

• Tell a Story: For each project, clearly articulate the problem, your unique contribution, your design process, the challenges faced, how you overcame them, and the measurable impact of your design.

• Highlight AI/Complexity: If you have experience with AI products or designing for highly complex functional interfaces, make sure this is prominent. Explain how you managed complexity and ensured usability.

• Demonstrate Process: Show your thinking – include sketches, user flows, wireframes, prototypes, and user research insights. Explain why you made certain design choices.

• Be Prepared to Debate: Be ready to discuss your design decisions and defend them with logic, user data, and an understanding of technical constraints.

Challenge Preparation:

• Understand the Domain: Research JetBrains, their products, and especially the "Air" project. Understand the challenges of designing for AI and developer productivity.

• Practice Design Exercises: Work through common UI/UX design problems, focusing on breaking down complex issues, ideating solutions, and articulating your process.

• Focus on Collaboration: Be ready to discuss how you work with PMs and engineers, how you handle feedback, and how you ensure alignment.

• Articulate Impact: Think about how you measure the success of your designs and how you communicate that impact.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process emphasizes practical skills, strategic thinking, and collaborative ability. A strong, well-articulated portfolio is paramount, as is the ability to discuss complex design challenges and solutions related to AI and developer tooling.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Design & Prototyping: Figma (highly probable, industry standard), Sketch, Adobe Creative Suite (Illustrator, Photoshop). Experience with advanced prototyping tools for creating interactive and complex user flows.

• Design System Management: Tools and methodologies for contributing to and utilizing design systems (e.g., Storybook, Zeroheight).

• Collaboration Platforms: Jira, Confluence, Slack, Microsoft Teams for project management and team communication.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Familiarity with using analytics tools (e.g., Google Analytics, Amplitude, Mixpanel) to understand user behavior and validate design decisions.

• Experience interpreting data to inform design choices and measure the impact of UI/UX changes. CRM & Automation:

• While not a direct CRM role, understanding how user data is managed and how design impacts conversion funnels and user engagement is beneficial.

• Familiarity with automation concepts within design workflows or product features.

📝 Enhancement Note: Proficiency in industry-standard design tools like Figma is essential. Experience with design systems is a significant advantage. An understanding of how design integrates with product analytics and user data is also highly valued.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Craftsmanship & Quality: A deep commitment to building high-quality, robust, and elegant solutions, reflecting JetBrains' reputation for excellence.

• User Empathy: A strong focus on understanding and addressing the needs and pain points of developers, particularly in the context of complex AI integrations.

• Collaboration & Openness: Encouraging open communication, constructive feedback, and cross-functional teamwork to achieve shared goals.

• Innovation & Curiosity: A drive to explore new technologies, experiment with novel approaches, and stay at the forefront of AI and developer tool design.

• Data-Informed Decisions: Valuing evidence-based design, using research and analytics to guide decisions and measure impact.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-Functional Integration: Designers are expected to be integral members of product teams, working closely with PMs and Engineers throughout the development lifecycle.

• Iterative Feedback: A culture of continuous feedback, where designs are regularly reviewed and refined based on input from peers, stakeholders, and users.

• Knowledge Sharing: Encouraging the sharing of best practices, insights, and learnings within the design team and across the organization.

📝 Enhancement Note: The culture likely emphasizes technical expertise, rigorous problem-solving, and a collaborative spirit geared towards building exceptional developer tools. Curiosity about AI and its application in software development will be highly valued.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Designing for AI: The primary challenge will be translating the capabilities and complexities of AI agents into intuitive, controllable, and trustworthy user experiences for developers.

• Rapidly Evolving Landscape: The AI and agentic development space is fast-moving; staying abreast of technological advancements and adapting designs accordingly will be crucial.

• Balancing Complexity and Usability: Creating interfaces that are powerful enough for experienced developers and AI agents, yet simple enough to reduce cognitive load and maintain flow.

• Cross-functional Alignment: Ensuring seamless integration and clear communication between design, product management, and engineering on a novel product.

• Defining the Future: Contributing to defining the user experience for a new paradigm in software development.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• AI Design Specialization: Gaining deep expertise in designing for AI-powered products and agentic systems.

• Industry Leadership: Contributing to shaping the future of developer tools and AI integration within software development.

• Advanced Design Skills: Refining skills in complex interface design, interaction design, and potentially contributing to advanced prototyping techniques.

• Mentorship: Opportunities to mentor junior designers and contribute to the growth of the design team.

• Exposure to Cutting-Edge Technology: Working directly with AI researchers and engineers on groundbreaking technology.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role presents a unique opportunity to work on the forefront of AI in software development. The challenges are significant but come with immense potential for professional growth and impact.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you led a complex design initiative from concept to launch. What were the key challenges and how did you address them?" (Focus on leadership, process, and problem-solving.)

• "How would you approach designing an interface for an AI agent that needs to communicate its reasoning and potential risks to a developer?" (Assess your approach to AI explainability and user trust.)

• "Imagine you need to design a collaborative workflow for multiple AI agents and human developers. What would be your key considerations?" (Evaluate your understanding of multi-agent systems and collaborative design.)

• "How do you balance the need for powerful, complex functionality with the goal of maintaining simplicity and reducing cognitive load for users?" (Demonstrate your UX principles and trade-off analysis.) Company & Culture Questions:

• "What interests you about JetBrains and specifically the 'Air' project?" (Show your research and genuine enthusiasm for AI and developer tools.)

• "How do you contribute to or improve design processes within a team?" (Highlight your proactive approach and focus on efficiency.)

• "Describe your experience working in a fast-moving environment with evolving priorities. How do you adapt?" (Showcase your resilience and flexibility.)

• "How do you incorporate user research and data into your design decisions?" (Emphasize your data-informed approach.) Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure: Organize your presentation logically, typically starting with an overview of your role and the project's goals, followed by your process, key decisions, challenges, and outcomes.

• Narrative: Tell a compelling story for each project. Focus on the "why" behind your design choices, not just the "what."

• Visuals: Use high-quality visuals of your work. Ensure prototypes are functional and easy to navigate.

• Focus on Impact: Quantify the impact of your designs whenever possible (e.g., improved conversion rates, reduced user errors, increased user satisfaction).

• Be Ready for Deep Dives: Prepare to answer detailed questions about your process, rationale, and any trade-offs you made.

📝 Enhancement Note: Be prepared to discuss your experience with complex systems, AI concepts, and the unique challenges of designing for developers. Your portfolio should be a clear demonstration of your senior-level capabilities and strategic thinking.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Senior Product Designer position:

• Submit your application through the provided link on the JetBrains careers page.

• Portfolio Customization: Curate your portfolio to highlight 2-3 key projects that best demonstrate your experience with complex functional interfaces, ideally in developer tools or AI-related products. Ensure each project clearly outlines your role, process, decisions, and impact.

• Resume Optimization: Tailor your resume to emphasize your 5+ years of UI/UX design experience, leadership in design initiatives, and any relevant experience with programming, AI, or developer-focused products. Use keywords from the job description.

• Interview Preparation: Practice articulating your design process, problem-solving approach, and rationale for design decisions. Prepare to discuss your experience with collaboration, user research, and working in dynamic environments. Rehearse presenting your portfolio case studies.

• Company Research: Thoroughly research JetBrains, their product philosophy, and the "Air" project. Understand their commitment to developer productivity and innovation in AI. Consider how your values and skills align with their culture.

⚠️ 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.

---