Senior Product Designer (all genders)

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Senior Product Designer

Company: JustPlay GmbH

Location: Berlin, Germany

Job Type: Full-time

Category: Product Design / UX/UI

Date Posted: October 2, 2026

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

Remote Status: Hybrid (with flexible options)

🚀 Role Summary

• Drive the end-to-end design vision and strategy for a high-impact mobile product used by millions, with a focus on content discovery, player motivation, and engagement design.

• Leverage proven expertise in gamification to create compelling user experiences that foster player loyalty and drive retention within the mobile gaming ecosystem.

• Integrate AI tools and automation workflows to enhance operational efficiency across the digital product development lifecycle, enabling faster and smarter team execution.

• Collaborate closely with product management, engineering, and other cross-functional partners to deliver both innovative long-term concepts and immediate, high-impact improvements.

• Contribute to the refinement and scaling of established design teams and processes, ensuring design quality and consistency across platforms.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the raw input specifies "Senior Product Designer," the description clearly indicates a need for experience in scaling design teams and processes, alongside hands-on design work. This suggests a role that bridges individual contribution with team enablement, fitting a mid-to-senior level with potential for future leadership. The emphasis on AI integration also points towards a forward-thinking operations approach within the design function.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Shape and advocate for the design vision of one of the world's top entertainment apps, from initial concept through to product launch.

• Craft user-centric designs, including detailed wireframes, interactive prototypes, and high-fidelity mockups, specifically for the JustPlay mobile application.

• Develop and refine features that enhance the entire player journey, with a particular emphasis on game discovery mechanisms and loyalty-based gamification strategies.

• Translate user research insights, analytics data, and business objectives into actionable design concepts that drive measurable business outcomes and player satisfaction.

• Support the evolution and maintenance of JustPlay's comprehensive design guidelines and scalable design system to ensure consistency and efficiency.

• Partner effectively with product managers and engineers to translate innovative design solutions into functional products within technical constraints.

• Apply platform-specific best practices for both iOS and Android to guarantee high design quality and seamless user interactions across diverse devices.

• Proactively identify opportunities to streamline design operations by collaborating with cross-functional leaders on the integration of AI and automation technologies.

• Establish and continuously improve effective design processes that can scale alongside team growth and project complexity.

• Stay abreast of the latest mobile gaming trends, player engagement strategies, and the evolving advertising landscape to inform design decisions.

• Foster a high-performing, growth-minded design culture through active mentorship, constructive feedback, and knowledge sharing.

• Champion the value of product design across the organization, educating stakeholders and embedding design-led practices into broader company initiatives.

• Contribute to cultivating a workplace culture that prioritizes craft, collaborative problem-solving, and a commitment to continuous learning and improvement.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities have been expanded to detail the "Hands-On Design," "Collaboration & Strategy," and "Continuous Improvement" sections from the original description. This provides a clearer picture of the day-to-day tasks and strategic contributions expected, emphasizing the blend of individual design execution and team process enhancement. The integration of AI and automation is highlighted as a key responsibility for improving design operations.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: While no specific degree is mandated, a strong understanding of design principles, user psychology, and interaction design is essential, typically gained through formal education (e.g., Bachelor's or Master's in Design, HCI, or related field) or equivalent practical experience.

Experience: 2-3 years of dedicated experience in designing end-to-end mobile product experiences, with a preference for candidates who have worked within the gaming or entertainment sectors. Experience in scaling or refining established design teams and their associated processes is highly valued.

Required Skills:

• Proven expertise in gamification and user engagement strategies, with a demonstrated ability to create compelling and sticky experiences.

• Expert proficiency in Figma for all aspects of the design process, including wireframing, prototyping, and high-fidelity visual design.

• A strong portfolio showcasing impactful mobile design work, clearly illustrating problem-solving approaches, design process, and tangible outcomes.

• Deep understanding of user experience (UX) principles and user interface (UI) design best practices for mobile applications.

• Experience in developing and maintaining design systems, ensuring consistency and scalability across product features.

• Ability to create detailed wireframes and interactive prototypes to effectively communicate design concepts and user flows.

• Fluency in English, both written and spoken, for effective communication with a diverse, international team.

• Meticulous attention to detail and a strong commitment to delivering high-quality, polished design work. Preferred Skills:

• Background in loyalty or rewards platforms, understanding the mechanics of incentivizing user behavior.

• Direct experience within the mobile gaming industry, with an awareness of player motivations and engagement loops specific to games.

• A deep understanding of current mobile gaming trends, player demographics, and the broader advertising landscape within the mobile ecosystem.

• Familiarity with AI tools and automation techniques relevant to product development and design workflows.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Job Requirements" from the input have been structured into formal "Education," "Experience," "Required Skills," and "Preferred Skills" sections. The experience level has been refined based on the 2-3 year requirement and the "scaling teams" aspect, suggesting a mid-senior individual contributor role. Specific operations-adjacent skills like "AI tools" and "automation" have been included in preferred skills due to their mention in the responsibilities.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A comprehensive portfolio demonstrating end-to-end mobile product design experience, with a clear focus on solving user problems and driving business objectives.

• Case studies should highlight your specific contributions to user engagement, gamification, and retention strategies.

• Visuals should include wireframes, user flows, interactive prototypes, and final UI designs, showcasing your Figma proficiency.

• Evidence of how your design decisions led to measurable outcomes (e.g., increased player retention, higher engagement rates, improved discovery metrics).

• Examples of how you've contributed to or maintained design systems and guidelines. Process Documentation:

• Showcase your ability to document and articulate design processes, particularly those related to user research, ideation, prototyping, and user testing.

• Demonstrate experience in establishing or improving design workflows, highlighting how you’ve increased efficiency or quality.

• Provide examples of how you've incorporated data analysis and feedback loops into your design process for continuous improvement.

• Illustrate your approach to cross-functional collaboration, including how you communicate and integrate design within product development lifecycles.

📝 Enhancement Note: This section is tailored to a design role but framed through an operations lens, focusing on process, efficiency, and measurable impact, which are core to Revenue Operations and Sales Operations. The emphasis on "end-to-end," "measurable outcomes," and "process documentation" aligns with operational best practices.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: For a Senior Product Designer in Berlin with 2-5 years of experience, particularly in the tech/gaming sector, a competitive salary range would typically fall between €60,000 - €85,000 per year. This estimate accounts for the cost of living in Berlin, the seniority of the role, and the specialized skills required (gamification, mobile gaming, Figma expertise).

Benefits:

• Work-Life Balance & Flexibility: Flexible working hours, options for remote work or hybrid arrangements, catering to digital nomads, occasional office visitors, or regular office-goers.

• Mental Health Support: Free personal coaching services through partner OpenUp.

• Professional Development: A personal development budget of up to €2,000 per year for training, conferences, and workshops.

• Language Tutoring: Free German and English language tutoring via Preply.

• Germany-Based Benefits: 25 vacation days, a Wellhub gold subscription, a monthly Deutschland-Ticket for public transport, and a monthly €50 tax-free internet contribution.

• State-of-the-Art Equipment: Provision of necessary technical gear (MacBook or Windows).

• Relocation Package: Support for visa processing for eligible candidates.

• Berlin Office Perks: Ergonomic setup, free daily lunch, and a dog-friendly office environment.

Working Hours: Standard full-time working hours are assumed to be approximately 40 hours per week, with flexibility offered in terms of scheduling to accommodate different working styles and personal needs.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range is an estimate based on typical compensation for a Senior Product Designer in Berlin, Germany, factoring in the specified experience level and industry. The listed benefits are directly extracted and organized for clarity. The "working hours" are inferred from the "Full-time" employment type.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Technology / Mobile Gaming / Entertainment. JustPlay operates within the rapidly evolving mobile gaming sector, focusing on a "rewarded gaming" model that aims to create a more sustainable and user-centric ecosystem. This context implies a fast-paced environment driven by user acquisition, retention, and monetization strategies.

Company Size: The description suggests a growing company, likely in the scale-up phase, with a team across 20+ countries and 25M+ downloads. This implies a structure that balances the agility of a startup with the resources and backing of a larger entity (NCSoft). Operations professionals here would likely experience a dynamic environment with opportunities for significant impact.

Founded: Launched in 2020, JustPlay is a relatively young company, combining startup ambition with the stability of a global gaming powerhouse. This suggests a culture that values innovation, rapid iteration, and a focus on tangible outcomes.

Team Structure:

• The design team is likely growing and evolving, with a need for individuals who can both contribute hands-on and help refine team processes.

• Collaboration is emphasized across product managers, engineers, and other stakeholders, indicating a cross-functional team structure common in tech companies.

• The broader company team is diverse, with members from over 30 nationalities, suggesting an international and inclusive work environment. Methodology:

• Data-Driven Design: The role involves transforming research insights and analytics into actionable design concepts, indicating a data-informed approach to product development.

• Process Optimization: There's a clear focus on establishing and improving design processes, including the integration of AI and automation for efficiency.

• Agile Iteration: The "startup" mentality and focus on shipping work that reaches millions suggest an agile development methodology, with rapid iteration and continuous improvement.

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

📝 Enhancement Note: Company context has been synthesized from the "About us" section and general knowledge of the tech/gaming industry. The emphasis is on how the company's stage and industry influence the work environment for operations-focused roles. The mention of AI integration is particularly relevant to operations.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This Senior Product Designer role is positioned at a mid-to-senior individual contributor level. It requires a blend of expert design skills and the ability to influence and improve team processes. The emphasis on scaling design teams and integrating AI/automation suggests potential pathways into design leadership, operations management within design, or specialized roles focusing on design systems or design technology.

Reporting Structure: The role involves close partnership with product managers and engineers. Direct reporting is likely to a Head of Design, Design Lead, or potentially a Director of Product, depending on the team's current structure. Mentorship responsibilities also imply a senior position within the team hierarchy.

Operations Impact: The Senior Product Designer is expected to drive "business impact through design," ensuring player interactions contribute to JustPlay's growth and mission. This means design decisions are directly tied to key operational metrics such as user acquisition, retention rates, engagement levels, and ultimately, revenue generation through the rewarded gaming model. The integration of AI and automation further highlights the role's contribution to operational efficiency.

Growth Opportunities:

• Design Leadership: Opportunities to grow into a Design Lead or Manager role, taking on more responsibility for team strategy, mentorship, and process development.

• Specialization: Deepen expertise in specific areas like gamification, loyalty programs, AI-driven design, or advanced design systems.

• Cross-functional Advancement: Potential to move into product management or operations roles by leveraging a deep understanding of product development and user engagement.

• Skill Development: Utilize the generous personal development budget (€2,000/year) for specialized courses, certifications, or conferences in design, UX, gamification, or AI.

📝 Enhancement Note: This section interprets the role's seniority and potential trajectory within an operations framework. The "Operations Impact" highlights how design contributes to core business and operational goals, a key consideration for operations professionals. Growth opportunities are framed around both traditional design progression and potential moves into operations-adjacent fields.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: While the role offers flexible and remote options, there is a physical office presence in Berlin. The description mentions "occasional office visitors, or regular office-goers," suggesting a hybrid model where employees can choose their level of office engagement. The Berlin office offers specific perks, indicating it's a hub for collaboration and team interaction.

Office Location(s): The primary location mentioned is Berlin, Germany. Specific details about office accessibility or amenities are not provided beyond general perks.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Environment: The emphasis on cross-functional partnerships and fostering a culture of craft and collaboration suggests a dynamic and interactive workspace, whether in-person or virtual.

• Tools and Technology: Access to state-of-the-art equipment (MacBook or Windows) is provided, ensuring designers have the necessary tools to perform their jobs effectively. The integration of AI tools points towards a modern tech stack.

• Team Interaction: Opportunities for direct interaction with product managers, engineers, and other design team members are integral to the role, fostering knowledge sharing and collective problem-solving. The Berlin office offers perks like free daily lunch to facilitate this.

Work Schedule: Full-time employment with flexible working hours is offered. This allows for adaptability in scheduling, accommodating personal needs while ensuring project deadlines and collaborative needs are met. The focus on outcomes suggests a results-oriented work environment.

📝 Enhancement Note: The work environment details are synthesized from various parts of the job description, focusing on how the physical and virtual aspects support collaboration and productivity, relevant to operations professionals who often manage distributed or hybrid teams.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

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

• Portfolio Review & Discussion: A dedicated session to walk through your portfolio, discussing your process, design decisions, and the impact of your work. Be prepared to articulate your approach to gamification, user engagement, and mobile design challenges.

• Skills-Based Challenge: Potentially a design exercise or case study, either take-home or timed, to evaluate your problem-solving abilities, design thinking, and proficiency in Figma. This might involve addressing a specific product challenge related to player motivation or content discovery.

• Cross-Functional Interviews: Meetings with product managers, engineers, and other stakeholders to assess your collaboration style, communication skills, and ability to integrate design within the broader product development lifecycle.

• Cultural Fit & Values Alignment: Discussions to gauge your alignment with JustPlay's values, such as their focus on craft, collaboration, continuous learning, and data-driven decision-making.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select 3-5 of your strongest, most relevant projects that showcase end-to-end mobile design, gamification, and impact. Tailor your selection to highlight experience with content discovery and player motivation.

• Structure Your Case Studies: For each project, clearly articulate the problem, your role and process, the solutions you designed, and the measurable outcomes achieved. Use visuals effectively to tell the story.

• Highlight Gamification & Engagement: Explicitly detail how your designs incorporated gamification mechanics and drove user engagement and retention. Quantify results wherever possible.

• Showcase Figma Proficiency: Be ready to discuss your Figma workflow, component usage, and any contributions to design systems.

• Demonstrate Operations Thinking: Explain how your design process contributes to efficiency, scalability, and business objectives. If you have experience integrating AI/automation into design, highlight that.

Challenge Preparation:

• Understand the Product: Familiarize yourself with the JustPlay app, its target audience, and its rewarded gaming model.

• Focus on Core Responsibilities: Anticipate challenges related to gamification, player motivation, content discovery, and user engagement.

• Think About AI Integration: Consider how AI tools could be applied to enhance design processes or user experiences within the app.

• Practice Articulation: Be prepared to clearly and concisely explain your design decisions, rationale, and potential impact.

📝 Enhancement Note: This section provides actionable advice for candidates applying for this design role, framed with an operations perspective on process, efficiency, and impact. The advice is specific to the role's requirements, such as gamification and AI integration.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Figma: Expert proficiency is a mandatory requirement for all aspects of design, including wireframing, prototyping, and visual design.

• Prototyping Tools: While Figma is primary, familiarity with other prototyping tools might be beneficial for specific workflows or sharing.

• Design System Management Tools: Experience with tools or methodologies for managing and scaling design systems.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Analytics Platforms: Familiarity with mobile analytics platforms (e.g., Amplitude, Mixpanel, Firebase Analytics) to understand user behavior, track key metrics, and inform design decisions.

• Data Visualization Tools: Ability to interpret data presented in dashboards and reports to extract actionable insights for design improvements.

CRM & Automation:

• Project Management Tools: Proficiency in tools like Jira, Asana, or Trello for managing design tasks, tracking progress, and collaborating with engineering teams.

• AI & Automation Tools: Familiarity with AI tools and automation workflows that can streamline aspects of the product development and design lifecycle. This could include AI-assisted design tools, workflow automation platforms, or AI for user research analysis.

📝 Enhancement Note: The tools are derived directly from the job description and common industry practices for product designers. The inclusion of "AI & Automation Tools" is specifically to align with the operational aspects mentioned in the role's responsibilities.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Craftsmanship & Quality: A strong commitment to detail and delivering high-quality, polished design work is paramount.

• Collaboration & Cross-Functional Partnership: Emphasis on working closely with product managers, engineers, and stakeholders to achieve shared goals.

• Data-Driven Decision-Making: Utilizing user insights and analytics to inform design strategies and measure impact.

• Continuous Learning & Growth: Encouraging personal development, staying current with industry trends, and fostering a growth mindset.

• Efficiency & Innovation: A drive to improve processes, integrate new technologies like AI, and find smarter ways of working.

Collaboration Style:

• Integrated Teamwork: Designers are expected to be embedded within cross-functional product teams, working collaboratively from concept to launch.

• Open Communication: A culture that encourages open feedback, knowledge sharing, and proactive communication to resolve challenges.

• Process-Oriented: A focus on establishing and refining effective design processes that support efficient product development and high-quality outcomes.

📝 Enhancement Note: This section extrapolates cultural values and collaboration styles based on the company's description, the role's responsibilities, and general tech industry best practices, with a specific nod to operations-minded values like efficiency and process.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing Player Delight and Business Growth: Designing experiences that are both highly engaging for players and drive key business metrics (retention, monetization) within the rewarded gaming model.

• Scaling Design Processes: Evolving and refining design workflows to support a growing product and user base, while potentially integrating new technologies like AI.

• Staying Ahead of Trends: Keeping pace with the rapidly evolving mobile gaming landscape, player expectations, and emerging design technologies.

• Cross-functional Alignment: Effectively communicating design vision and rationale to diverse stakeholders with varying technical and business perspectives.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Specialized Training: Utilize the €2,000 annual development budget for courses in advanced gamification techniques, AI in design, UX research, or mobile platform best practices.

• Industry Exposure: Attend relevant conferences and workshops to network with peers and learn about cutting-edge design and gaming trends.

• Mentorship: Benefit from working with experienced product managers and engineers, and potentially mentor junior designers as the team grows.

• Impactful Projects: Work on features that directly influence millions of users, providing significant professional growth and a strong portfolio builder.

📝 Enhancement Note: Challenges and growth opportunities are framed to be relevant to a senior role within a dynamic tech environment, with a focus on continuous improvement and strategic problem-solving, aligning with an operations mindset.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "How would you approach designing a new gamification feature to increase daily active users for an app like JustPlay, considering our rewarded gaming model?" (Focus on process, metrics, and user motivation).

• "Describe a time you had to balance conflicting stakeholder feedback on a design. How did you navigate this, and what was the outcome?" (Focus on collaboration, communication, and decision-making).

• "How have you used data or user research to inform or change a significant design decision in a past project?" (Focus on data-driven approach and problem-solving).

• "Where do you see AI having the most impact in the product design process, and how might we leverage it at JustPlay?" (Focus on innovation and operational efficiency). Company & Culture Questions:

• "What interests you most about JustPlay's mission and our rewarded gaming model?" (Show genuine interest and understanding of the business).

• "How do you contribute to fostering a collaborative and growth-minded team environment?" (Highlight your teamwork and mentorship qualities).

• "Describe your experience with scaling design processes or contributing to design systems." (Demonstrate an understanding of operational efficiency in design). Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Tell a Story: For each case study, clearly articulate the "why" – the problem and business context – before diving into the "what" and "how."

• Quantify Impact: Whenever possible, present metrics and data that demonstrate the success of your designs (e.g., X% increase in retention, Y% lift in engagement).

• Explain Your Process: Be ready to detail your thought process, from initial research and ideation to final execution and iteration.

• Highlight Gamification Expertise: Specifically call out how your designs leverage gamification principles to drive player behavior and loyalty.

• Showcase Figma Skills: Be prepared to discuss your Figma workflow, component usage, and any contributions to design systems.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview questions are crafted to probe for operations-relevant skills like strategy, data-driven decision-making, process improvement, and collaboration, in addition to core design competencies.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Senior Product Designer position:

• Submit your application through the provided link on Ashby.

• Tailor your Resume: Highlight experience with mobile product design, gamification, user engagement, and any work in the gaming or entertainment industries. Use keywords from the job description, such as "Figma," "end-to-end design," "player motivation," and "AI tools."

• Curate Your Portfolio: Select 3-5 of your strongest mobile design projects that demonstrate your expertise in gamification, user engagement, and driving measurable business outcomes. Ensure your portfolio clearly showcases your Figma skills and design process.

• Prepare Your Portfolio Walkthrough: Practice presenting your portfolio case studies, focusing on the problem, your solution, your process, and the impact of your work. Be ready to discuss how your designs contribute to operational goals like retention and engagement.

• Research JustPlay: Understand their rewarded gaming model, target audience, and recent product developments. Prepare thoughtful questions about their design challenges, team culture, and how they leverage data and technology (including AI) in their product development.

⚠️ 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.