Senior Product Designer (all genders)

Soji AI UG
Full-time€55k-75k/year (EUR)

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Senior Product Designer (all genders)

Company: Soji AI UG

Location: Germany

Job Type: FULL_TIME

Category: Product Design / User Experience (UX) / User Interface (UI)

Date Posted: 2025-10-13

Experience Level: 5-10 years

Remote Status: Fully Remote (within Germany)

🚀 Role Summary

  • Spearhead the end-to-end user experience (UX) and user interface (UI) design for an AI-powered aviation maintenance platform, translating complex technical processes into intuitive user flows.

  • Develop and maintain a scalable design system that unifies product aesthetics and brand identity across all touchpoints, ensuring consistency and efficiency.

  • Drive user research initiatives to gather critical insights, iteratively refining the product's usability and value proposition.

  • Collaborate closely with product managers and engineering teams to transform innovative ideas into tangible, high-impact features.

  • Define and shape the company's overall visual identity, extending beyond product UI to encompass website, presentations, and marketing collateral.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the role is titled "Senior Product Designer," the description emphasizes a broad scope encompassing UX, UI, visual design, and brand identity. This suggests a highly integrated role where the designer will act as the primary design authority, particularly within a startup environment. The emphasis on "design DNA" and "entrepreneurial mindset" points to a need for a proactive and self-directed individual.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

  • Define and evolve the comprehensive user experience (UX) and user interface (UI) for Soji AI's aviation maintenance product, ensuring a seamless and efficient user journey.

  • Translate intricate technical aviation maintenance processes into clear, intuitive, and user-friendly interfaces that reduce cognitive load and enhance productivity.

  • Develop, implement, and maintain a robust and scalable design system that governs UI elements, interaction patterns, and visual styles across the product and brand.

  • Actively collaborate with product management, engineering, and other stakeholders to ideate, prototype, and deliver impactful product features that align with business objectives.

  • Lead and manage user research activities, including user interviews, usability testing, and feedback analysis, to inform design decisions and validate solutions.

  • Drive the definition and evolution of the company's visual identity, ensuring consistency and impact across the product UI, website, marketing materials, and corporate presentations.

  • Manage individual design projects from conception to completion, effectively balancing creative vision, development speed, and high-quality execution within an agile framework.

  • Champion user-centric design principles throughout the organization, fostering a deeper understanding of user needs and design thinking.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a senior-level expectation for strategic design leadership, encompassing not just execution but also research, system development, and cross-functional collaboration. The emphasis on translating "complex technical processes" and managing "design projects independently" indicates a need for strong problem-solving skills and project management capabilities within the design domain.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: While no specific degree is mandated, a Bachelor's or Master's degree in Design, Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), Computer Science, or a related field is often beneficial for foundational understanding. Equivalent practical experience will be highly valued.

Experience: Minimum of 4 years of dedicated experience in product design, encompassing both User Experience (UX) and User Interface (UI) design principles.

Required Skills:

  • Product Design Expertise: Proven ability to define and execute end-to-end product design strategies, from conceptualization to final implementation.

  • UX/UI Proficiency: Deep understanding and practical application of UX research methodologies, wireframing, prototyping, and UI design principles for complex systems.

  • SaaS Design Experience: Demonstrated experience designing for Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) platforms, with an understanding of B2B user needs and workflows.

  • Design System Development: Experience in creating, implementing, and maintaining scalable design systems for consistency and efficiency across products.

  • User Research Leadership: Ability to independently lead user research initiatives, including planning, execution, and synthesis of findings to drive design decisions.

  • Visual Identity & Branding: Skill in shaping and maintaining a cohesive visual identity for a product and company, including UI, web, and presentation design.

  • Cross-Functional Collaboration: Proven ability to work effectively with product managers, engineers, and other cross-functional teams in an agile environment.

  • Strong Communication Skills: Exceptional verbal and written communication skills in English, with the ability to articulate design concepts clearly and persuasively.

  • Entrepreneurial Mindset: A proactive, ownership-driven approach with the ability to identify opportunities, take initiative, and drive projects to completion with minimal supervision.

Preferred Skills:

  • Aviation Industry Familiarity: Prior experience or a strong, demonstrated genuine curiosity and willingness to learn about the aviation industry, specifically in maintenance operations.

  • AI/ML Product Design: Experience or a keen interest in designing products that leverage Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) capabilities.

  • Global Collaboration Experience: Experience working effectively within distributed, international teams across different time zones and cultural backgrounds.

  • Agile/Scrum Methodologies: Familiarity with agile development processes and how design integrates within sprint cycles.

  • Motion Design/Animation: Basic understanding or experience with motion design principles to enhance user interface interactions.

📝 Enhancement Note: The requirements clearly indicate a need for a versatile designer capable of handling both strategic and execution-level tasks. The emphasis on "SaaS or complex systems" and "aviation and AI" points towards a candidate who can quickly grasp intricate domain challenges and apply design thinking to solve them. The "entrepreneurial mindset" is a critical qualifier for success in a startup environment.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

  • Case Studies: Present detailed case studies showcasing your involvement in the end-to-end product design process for at least 2-3 significant projects. Focus on projects related to SaaS, complex systems, or B2B applications.

  • Problem Definition & Solution: Clearly articulate the problem(s) you addressed, your design process, the challenges encountered, and how your design solutions met user needs and business objectives.

  • UX/UI Deliverables: Showcase a range of deliverables including user flows, wireframes, interactive prototypes, high-fidelity UI designs, and any user research findings or usability testing reports.

  • Design System Contribution: If applicable, include examples of your contributions to or development of design systems, demonstrating an understanding of scalability and consistency.

  • Visual Design & Branding: Highlight examples of your work in visual design, brand identity development, or UI theming, showcasing your aesthetic sensibility and ability to create a distinct look and feel.

Process Documentation:

  • Workflow Design: Demonstrate your ability to map out complex user workflows and design intuitive interfaces that simplify these processes.

  • Iterative Design: Show evidence of how you incorporated feedback (from user research, stakeholders, or testing) into design iterations to improve the final product.

  • Tool Proficiency: Clearly indicate the design tools used for each project (e.g., Figma, Sketch, Adobe Creative Suite, etc.) and any prototyping or research tools employed.

  • Impact & Metrics: Quantify the impact of your designs where possible, using metrics related to user engagement, task completion rates, conversion improvements, or user satisfaction.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a Senior Product Designer role, especially in a startup, the portfolio is paramount. It needs to demonstrate not just aesthetic skill but also strategic thinking, problem-solving capabilities, and the ability to manage complex design challenges autonomously. Highlighting the process, research, and impact is crucial for a senior-level evaluation.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: €55,000 - €75,000 per year This range is based on the provided salary data for a Senior Product Designer in Germany. The exact compensation will depend on the candidate's experience, skills, and specific qualifications, as well as their alignment with the company's growth stage and funding.

Benefits:

  • True Ownership & Impact: Gain significant responsibility from day one, with your contributions directly influencing the product, team, and company direction.

  • Global Team, Global Mindset: Collaborate with an international team across diverse time zones and cultures, fostering a rich and inclusive work environment.

  • Fast Growth, Real Development: Benefit from structured quarterly development talks and ample opportunities for professional growth and advancement within a rapidly expanding company.

  • Startup at the Right Stage: Experience the dynamism of an early-stage startup where your work is visible and impactful, balanced with the maturity and support structures necessary for success.

  • Radical Transparency: Work in an environment that prioritizes open communication, shared decision-making, and high trust, minimizing silos and fostering collaboration.

  • A Mission That Matters: Contribute to a meaningful mission of improving aviation safety and efficiency through innovative AI technology, impacting global operations.

  • Remote Work Flexibility: Enjoy the flexibility of a fully remote position, allowing for a better work-life balance and the ability to work from anywhere within Germany.

Working Hours: Approximately 40 hours per week. While the role is remote, flexibility may be expected to accommodate collaboration with international team members across different time zones.

📝 Enhancement Note: The provided salary range is a good starting point. The benefits list is extensive and highlights key aspects of startup culture (ownership, transparency, fast growth) alongside the mission-driven nature of the company. The "remote within Germany" detail is important for compliance and tax considerations.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Technology (AI, Aviation Software), founded in Germany and Singapore. Soji AI operates at the intersection of cutting-edge Artificial Intelligence and the critical aviation sector, aiming to modernize legacy processes.

Company Size: This information is not explicitly provided but described as a "funded, revenue-generating startup." This suggests a team size that is likely growing, perhaps ranging from 20-100 employees, offering a dynamic and agile work environment.

Founded: Soji AI UG was founded in 2020. This indicates a relatively young company with established products and customer traction, positioned for significant growth.

Team Structure:

  • The design function is likely integrated directly with product and engineering, typical for a startup aiming for rapid iteration and close collaboration.

  • Reporting lines will likely be direct to a Head of Product, CTO, or CEO, depending on the current organizational structure.

Methodology:

  • Data-Driven Design: Emphasis on user research and feedback loops to inform design decisions, moving beyond subjective preferences.

  • Agile Development: Design processes are expected to be integrated into agile sprints, requiring flexibility and rapid iteration.

  • Systemic Thinking: Focus on building scalable design systems and workflows that support long-term product evolution.

Company Website: https://soji.ai

📝 Enhancement Note: The company's description as a "funded, revenue-generating startup" implies a balance between the agility of an early-stage venture and the stability of having market validation. The dual headquarters in Germany and Singapore suggest a global outlook and potential for diverse team composition. The focus on revolutionizing an old industry with AI is a strong differentiator.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is classified as "Senior," indicating a level of autonomy, experience, and responsibility beyond junior or mid-level positions. A Senior Product Designer is expected to lead design initiatives, mentor junior team members (if any), and contribute significantly to product strategy.

Reporting Structure: The Senior Product Designer will likely report to a Head of Product, CTO, or potentially a CEO in very early-stage structures. This position is central to product development, bridging user needs with technical feasibility and business goals.

Operations Impact: The designer's work will have a direct and measurable impact on the usability, efficiency, and adoption of Soji AI's aviation maintenance platform. By creating intuitive interfaces and streamlined workflows, they will directly contribute to reducing aircraft downtime, improving safety, and enhancing operational efficiency for customers, thereby driving revenue and market competitiveness.

Growth Opportunities:

  • Design Leadership: Potential to grow into a Lead Product Designer or Head of Design role as the company scales, managing a design team and setting the overall design vision.

  • Product Strategy Influence: Increased involvement in product strategy discussions, contributing design perspectives to roadmap planning and feature prioritization.

  • Domain Expertise: Deepen expertise in the aviation maintenance industry and AI applications, becoming a subject matter expert in a niche but critical field.

  • Cross-functional Skill Development: Opportunities to expand skills in areas like product management, user research strategy, and even brand marketing through close collaboration.

  • Mentorship: Opportunity to mentor junior designers and contribute to building and refining the company's design culture and processes.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Senior" designation and startup environment suggest a high degree of autonomy and potential for rapid career progression. The emphasis on "ownership" and "impact" means that performance can lead to significant advancement opportunities, including leadership roles, especially as the company scales.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Fully Remote. The position is designated as "TELECOMMUTE," allowing the successful candidate to work from anywhere within Germany.

Office Location(s): While the company has headquarters in Germany and Singapore, this specific role is remote within Germany. This offers flexibility and avoids the need for relocation for candidates based in Germany.

Workspace Context:

  • Remote Collaboration Tools: Expect extensive use of digital collaboration tools (e.g., Slack, Zoom, Miro, Figma) to facilitate communication and teamwork across distances.

  • Autonomous Work Environment: The role requires self-discipline and strong time management skills to work effectively in a remote setting.

  • Cross-functional Interaction: Opportunities for regular interaction with product, engineering, and potentially customer success teams, ensuring alignment and shared understanding of user needs and product goals.

Work Schedule: The standard working hours are approximately 40 hours per week. While remote, there may be a need for flexibility to attend meetings or collaborate with team members in different time zones, particularly with the Singapore office.

📝 Enhancement Note: The fully remote nature within Germany is a significant perk, offering flexibility. However, candidates should be prepared for the demands of remote collaboration and potential adjustments for international team interactions. The focus on "radical transparency" suggests an open and communicative remote culture.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

  • Initial Screening: A review of your CV and portfolio to assess alignment with the role's requirements and experience level.

  • Design Challenge/Case Study: You may be asked to complete a take-home design challenge or present a case study from your portfolio that demonstrates your problem-solving approach, design process, and ability to translate complex requirements into user-centered solutions.

  • Hiring Manager Interview: A discussion with the hiring manager (likely a Head of Product or CTO) to delve deeper into your experience, design philosophy, and fit with the company culture.

  • Team/Cross-functional Interview: Meetings with potential colleagues from product and engineering to assess collaboration skills and cultural fit.

  • Final Interview: Potentially a discussion with a co-founder or senior leadership to finalize the decision.

Portfolio Review Tips:

  • Highlight Process and Rationale: Don't just show the final designs; explain your thought process, the problems you were solving, the research you conducted, and the rationale behind your design decisions.

  • Focus on Impact: Wherever possible, quantify the success of your designs with metrics related to user engagement, conversion, efficiency improvements, or customer satisfaction.

  • Tailor to the Role: Emphasize projects that showcase experience with complex systems, SaaS, B2B products, or anything related to aviation/AI if applicable.

  • Showcase Versatility: Include examples that demonstrate your skills across UX research, UI design, interaction design, and potentially visual branding.

  • Clarity and Conciseness: Ensure your portfolio is well-organized, easy to navigate, and clearly articulates your contributions and impact.

Challenge Preparation:

  • Understand the Domain: If a design challenge is given, take time to understand the aviation maintenance context and the specific problem Soji AI is trying to solve.

  • Demonstrate User-Centricity: Focus on identifying user needs and pain points within the given problem space.

  • Articulate Trade-offs: Be prepared to discuss design trade-offs, constraints, and how you would prioritize features or solutions.

  • Showcase Your Process: Clearly outline your steps, from initial understanding and research to ideation, prototyping, and iteration.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process will likely be thorough, emphasizing not only design skills but also problem-solving, communication, and cultural fit within a startup. A strong portfolio that clearly articulates process and impact is essential.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

  • Design & Prototyping: Figma (highly probable given industry trends and collaborative remote work), Sketch, Adobe Creative Suite (Illustrator, Photoshop).

  • Collaboration & Communication: Slack, Zoom, Microsoft Teams, Google Workspace.

  • Project Management: Jira, Asana, Trello, or similar agile project management tools.

  • Design System Management: Tools integrated with Figma/Sketch or dedicated platforms.

Analytics & Reporting:

  • Product Analytics: Tools like Amplitude, Mixpanel, or Pendo for understanding user behavior within the application.

  • User Feedback: Platforms for collecting user feedback and managing research insights.

CRM & Automation:

  • While not directly managed by the designer, an understanding of how CRM and automation tools (e.g., Salesforce, HubSpot) might interact with the product's user experience could be beneficial.

📝 Enhancement Note: Proficiency in modern collaborative design tools like Figma is almost a given. Experience with user analytics platforms is also increasingly important for designers to measure the impact of their work. Familiarity with agile project management tools is crucial for seamless integration into the development workflow.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

  • Ownership & Impact: A deep sense of responsibility for outcomes and a drive to make a tangible difference. Expectation that individuals will take initiative and see tasks through to completion.

  • Global Mindset & Inclusivity: Valuing diverse perspectives and experiences, and fostering a collaborative environment that transcends geographical and cultural boundaries.

  • Growth & Learning: A commitment to continuous improvement, both for the company and its employees, with an emphasis on learning from challenges and seeking development opportunities.

  • Radical Transparency: Openness in communication, decision-making processes, and sharing information, fostering an environment of trust and mutual respect.

  • Mission-Driven: A collective passion for the company's mission to revolutionize aviation maintenance through AI, understanding the significance of their work.

Collaboration Style:

  • Cross-functional Integration: Designers are expected to work closely and collaboratively with product managers, engineers, and potentially sales/marketing teams, breaking down traditional silos.

  • Feedback-Oriented: An open culture for giving and receiving constructive feedback to drive continuous improvement in product design and team processes.

  • Agile & Iterative: A dynamic approach to teamwork, adapting quickly to changing priorities and embracing iterative development cycles.

  • Knowledge Sharing: Encouraging the sharing of best practices, insights, and learnings across the team to foster collective growth and innovation.

📝 Enhancement Note: The company's stated values (ownership, global mindset, growth, transparency, mission) are characteristic of modern, forward-thinking tech startups. These values directly influence how teams collaborate and how individuals are expected to contribute.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

  • Designing for a Niche Industry: Understanding the specific complexities, regulations, and user workflows within aviation maintenance, which may be unfamiliar.

  • Balancing Innovation with Legacy Systems: Designing for an industry that may have entrenched processes and a degree of resistance to change, requiring a blend of cutting-edge solutions and practical usability.

  • Remote Collaboration Dynamics: Effectively collaborating and building strong relationships with a global, remote team, ensuring clear communication and alignment.

  • Startup Pacing: Adapting to the fast-paced, often unpredictable nature of a startup environment, where priorities can shift quickly.

  • Defining a New Design DNA: Establishing and evolving a comprehensive design system and visual identity for a company that is still defining its brand presence.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

  • Deep Industry Expertise: Gaining specialized knowledge in aviation maintenance and AI applications within this sector.

  • Leadership Development: Opportunities to grow into leadership roles, manage design projects, and potentially mentor other designers.

  • Advanced Design Methodologies: Exploring and implementing cutting-edge design strategies and tools relevant to complex enterprise SaaS.

  • Cross-functional Skill Enhancement: Broadening understanding of product management, engineering challenges, and business strategy through close collaboration.

  • Contribution to Company Growth: Playing a pivotal role in shaping a product and company from an early stage, offering immense satisfaction and learning.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges are inherent to working in a startup within a specialized industry, but they also present significant opportunities for professional development and impactful contributions.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

  • "Describe a time you had to translate a highly complex technical process into a simple, intuitive user interface. What was your approach, and what were the outcomes?" (Focus on process, user research, and measurable impact.)

  • "How would you approach building a design system from scratch for a growing SaaS product? What are the key components and considerations?" (Assess understanding of scalability, consistency, and collaboration.)

Company & Culture Questions:

  • "What interests you most about Soji AI's mission and the aviation maintenance industry?" (Demonstrate genuine interest and research into the company and sector.)

  • "How do you embody an entrepreneurial mindset in your design work and collaboration?" (Provide examples of taking ownership and driving initiatives.)

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

  • Structure Your Case Studies: For each project, clearly outline the problem, your role, your process (research, ideation, design, testing), the solution, and the impact/results.

  • Quantify Impact: Use data and metrics to demonstrate the success of your designs. If direct metrics aren't available, discuss potential impact or user feedback.

  • Explain Design Decisions: Be ready to articulate the 'why' behind your design choices, linking them back to user needs and business goals.

  • Showcase Versatility: Present a range of work that highlights your UX, UI, and visual design skills, as well as your ability to handle complex challenges.

  • Practice Your Narrative: Rehearse your presentation to ensure it's clear, concise, and engaging. Be prepared for questions and discussions.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation should focus on demonstrating not just design skills but also strategic thinking, problem-solving abilities, and a cultural fit for a fast-paced, transparent, and mission-driven startup. The ability to articulate process and impact is paramount for a senior role.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Senior Product Designer position:

  • Submit your application through the provided link on join.com.

  • Customize Your Resume: Tailor your resume to highlight experience relevant to SaaS, complex systems, UX/UI design, design system development, and any aviation/AI exposure. Use keywords from the job description.

  • Prepare Your Portfolio: Ensure your portfolio is polished, showcases 2-3 strong case studies demonstrating your process and impact, and is easily accessible online.

  • Research Soji AI: Understand their mission, product, target market, and recent news. Prepare thoughtful questions about the company, product, and team culture.

  • Practice Your Pitch: Be ready to articulate your experience, design philosophy, and why you're a great fit for Soji AI's culture and the specific role during interviews.

⚠️ 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

The role requires 4+ years of experience in product design, ideally in SaaS or complex systems, along with strong communication skills in English. A genuine curiosity about aviation and AI, as well as an entrepreneurial mindset, are also essential.