Senior Product Designer

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Senior Product Designer

Company: Arketa

Location: New York City, New York, United States

Job Type: FULL_TIME

Category: Product Design / GTM Operations (Design Systems)

Date Posted: 2026-09-16

Experience Level: Senior (5+ years)

Remote Status: Hybrid (3 days in office)

🚀 Role Summary

• Spearhead the development and refinement of Arketa's comprehensive design system, ensuring cohesion, scalability, and visual excellence across all product surfaces.

• Drive end-to-end product design, from conceptualization through wireframing, prototyping, and high-fidelity visual design for both B2B and consumer-facing features.

• Act as a core design partner to Product and Engineering teams, influencing product strategy and ensuring seamless integration of design solutions.

• Leverage AI tools, such as Claude, to accelerate prototyping, validate concepts, and enhance the speed and efficiency of the design process.

• Contribute to a category-defining product in the rapidly evolving wellness technology space, with significant impact on user experience and business outcomes.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the title is "Senior Product Designer," the responsibilities around owning and revamping the design system, working cross-project, and collaborating closely with Product and Engineering suggest a role that bridges product design with aspects of GTM Operations, particularly in ensuring a consistent and scalable brand experience. The emphasis on AI tools also points to a forward-thinking approach to design operations.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Lead the audit, enhancement, and ongoing maintenance of Arketa's design system, establishing rigorous standards for components, patterns, and visual design language.

• Translate complex B2B workflows and engaging consumer experiences into intuitive and aesthetically pleasing user interfaces.

• Collaborate closely with Product Managers to define feature requirements, user stories, and product roadmaps, ensuring design solutions align with business objectives and user needs.

• Partner with Engineering teams to ensure accurate and efficient implementation of designs, providing clear specifications and ongoing support.

• Develop and maintain detailed wireframes, user flows, interactive prototypes, and high-fidelity mockups for new features and product improvements.

• Utilize AI tools (e.g., Claude) to rapidly iterate on design concepts, build functional prototypes, and expedite the validation of design hypotheses.

• Present design strategies, concepts, and project updates to cross-functional teams and leadership, articulating design decisions and their impact.

• Conduct user research, analyze user feedback, and leverage data (session captures, analytics) to inform design decisions and iterate on existing features.

• Champion design best practices, stay abreast of industry trends, and advocate for user-centered design principles across the organization.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a blend of strategic design system ownership and tactical feature design, emphasizing a proactive and integrated approach to product development. The mention of AI tools indicates a need for designers to be adaptable and embrace new technologies for efficiency.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: While no specific degree is mandated, a strong foundation in design principles is expected, often gained through formal education in Design, HCI, or related fields, or through equivalent professional experience.

Experience: Approximately 5+ years of dedicated experience in product design, with a proven track record of delivering high-quality user experiences across digital products.

Required Skills:

• Demonstrated expertise in end-to-end product design, including user research, wireframing, prototyping, and high-fidelity UI design.

• Proven experience in designing, building, or significantly contributing to a scalable design system.

• Proficiency in industry-standard design and prototyping tools such as Figma (primary), Sketch, or Adobe XD.

• Hands-on experience and active utilization of AI tools (e.g., Claude) for rapid prototyping, concept generation, and workflow acceleration.

• Strong understanding of both B2B enterprise workflows and engaging consumer-facing product design principles.

• Excellent visual design skills with a keen eye for aesthetics, typography, and layout.

• Ability to translate business requirements and user needs into effective and elegant design solutions.

• Strong communication, presentation, and interpersonal skills, with the ability to articulate design rationale and collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams.

• Self-starter mentality with strong organizational skills and the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously in a fast-paced environment. Preferred Skills:

• Experience working in an early-stage or Series A startup environment where design functions may be evolving.

• Mobile and native application design experience.

• A passion for or experience within the fitness, wellness, or small business/studio management industry.

• Experience in building design systems that are not only consistent but also visually distinctive and inspiring.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on "5+ years" and "anchoring senior, but we're open in either direction for the right work" suggests flexibility for candidates with exceptional portfolios, even if slightly outside the stated years of experience. The explicit mention of AI tools like Claude is a critical differentiator for this role.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Showcase a minimum of 2-3 comprehensive case studies demonstrating end-to-end product design process, from problem definition to final solution and impact.

• Clearly articulate your role and contributions within each case study, especially in collaborative environments.

• Highlight specific projects where you owned or significantly contributed to a design system, detailing the challenges, your approach, and the outcomes.

• Include examples of wireframes, user flows, interactive prototypes, and high-fidelity visual designs.

• Demonstrate your proficiency with design tools (Figma, Sketch, Adobe XD) and your experience utilizing AI tools for design acceleration.

• Present projects that showcase both B2B workflow complexity and consumer-facing design elegance.

• Quantify the impact of your designs where possible, using metrics related to user engagement, conversion rates, task completion, or customer satisfaction. Process Documentation:

• Within case studies, clearly outline your design process, including user research methodologies, ideation techniques, prototyping strategies, and iteration cycles.

• Detail how you approached design system development or enhancement, including component creation, documentation, and adoption strategies.

• Explain how you collaborated with Product and Engineering teams, illustrating your workflow and communication methods.

• Showcase how you leveraged data, user feedback, and AI tools to inform and validate design decisions.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a role emphasizing design system ownership and AI tool integration, the portfolio should explicitly detail these aspects. Candidates should be prepared to discuss the evolution of a design system and their specific contributions, as well as how they've integrated AI into their workflow for efficiency and innovation.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: The estimated annual base salary for this role is between $165,000 and $185,000 USD. This range is dependent on the candidate's experience, qualifications, and overall fit for the role.

Benefits:

• Competitive Salary and Stock Options: Reflecting the value and impact of the role within a growing Series A company.

• Unlimited PTO: A flexible policy designed to encourage rest, recharge, and personal well-being, balanced with team alignment and responsibilities.

• Comprehensive Health Insurance: Including medical, dental, and vision coverage.

• Fitness Class Reimbursement: Supporting employee wellness and fostering connections within the wellness industry.

• Parental Leave Policy: Providing support for new parents.

• Ownership and Opportunity for Advancement: Significant potential for growth and leadership within a category-defining company.

Working Hours: While the role is hybrid with 3 days required in the NYC office (Monday, Wednesday, Friday), standard full-time working hours are expected, typically around 40 hours per week. Flexibility may be afforded, but consistent engagement and contribution are key.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range is explicitly provided, and the benefits package highlights key perks relevant to tech professionals, especially in a startup environment. The Unlimited PTO policy is notable, and the Fitness Class Reimbursement directly ties into Arketa's industry.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Technology, specifically SaaS for the Fitness and Wellness sector. Arketa aims to be the operating system for modern wellness businesses, enabling them to scale beyond in-person classes through a hybrid model.

Company Size: Early-stage, Series A funded company. This implies a dynamic, fast-paced environment with opportunities for significant impact and growth.

Founded: Arketa was founded to address the need for better digital tools for fitness and wellness studios, empowering entrepreneurs to manage and grow hybrid businesses.

Team Structure:

• The design team is small and fast-moving, working as core partners with Product and Engineering, not as a separate service function.

• Designers are expected to present their work and outcomes in team-wide check-ins.

• This role is cross-project, meaning the designer will have broad visibility and influence across the entire product, rather than being confined to a single product area or "pod." Methodology:

• Design decisions are driven by a combination of user needs, business goals, data analysis, session captures, and customer interviews.

• There's an expectation of rapid iteration and leveraging AI tools for efficiency.

• The culture values ownership, proactive contribution, and moving fast without sacrificing craft.

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

📝 Enhancement Note: The company's mission to make wellness more accessible and empower entrepreneurs is central to its culture. The emphasis on a small, impactful team and a hybrid work model in NYC shapes the day-to-day experience for employees. The "You Should Apply If" and "You May Not Want to Apply If" sections provide direct insight into the desired culture and pace.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This is a Senior Product Designer role, indicating a high level of autonomy, strategic input, and responsibility. The role is positioned as a leader in design system development and a key contributor to overall product strategy and user experience.

Reporting Structure: The designer will work closely with Product and Engineering teams, acting as a core design partner. Direct reporting lines are not explicitly stated but are likely to be to a Head of Product, Design Lead, or CTO, given the company's stage.

Operations Impact: The designer's impact will be broad, influencing the user experience across multiple features and surfaces. A key outcome will be the enhancement of the design system, which directly impacts product consistency, development efficiency, and brand perception. Success is measured by improvements in product quality, user satisfaction metrics, and potentially development velocity due to a robust design system.

Growth Opportunities:

• Design System Leadership: Opportunity to build and own a critical design asset from a foundational stage to a mature, scalable system.

• Broad Product Influence: Gain exposure to and shape diverse product areas, leading to a comprehensive understanding of the Arketa platform.

• AI Integration Expertise: Become a leader in leveraging AI tools for design within the company, setting new standards for efficiency and innovation.

• Early-Stage Impact: Contribute significantly to a category-defining product, with potential for rapid career advancement as the company scales.

• Mentorship (Potential): As the design function matures, opportunities to mentor junior designers may arise.

📝 Enhancement Note: The role offers significant growth potential by allowing the designer to shape a core product asset (design system) and influence the product holistically. The emphasis on AI tools positions this as a forward-thinking role for individuals looking to stay at the cutting edge of design technology.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Hybrid work model with a requirement to be in the New York City office on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. This suggests a collaborative office environment designed for in-person interaction, team meetings, and focused work.

Office Location(s): The office is located in NoHo, New York City. This is a vibrant and accessible area within Manhattan, likely offering good amenities and transport links.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Environment: The hybrid model and emphasis on cross-functional partnership suggest an environment that encourages direct interaction, brainstorming, and shared problem-solving.

• Tools and Technology: Access to standard design tools (Figma, etc.) and an expectation to leverage AI tools like Claude. The company is investing in technology to drive efficiency and innovation.

• Team Interaction: Regular team-wide check-ins and close collaboration with Product and Engineering are integral to the work style.

Work Schedule: Standard full-time hours (approximately 40 hours/week) are expected, with the hybrid model dictating specific in-office days. While the company offers Unlimited PTO, the expectation is that work is completed efficiently and effectively.

📝 Enhancement Note: The hybrid model in a prime NYC location caters to professionals who value in-person collaboration but also desire some remote flexibility. The office environment is likely geared towards fostering innovation and teamwork, aligning with the startup's mission.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

1. Initial Screening: A review of your application, resume, and portfolio to assess basic qualifications and alignment with the role.

2. Portfolio Presentation & Discussion: A session where you present your portfolio (likely focusing on 2-3 key case studies), discussing your process, contributions, and specifically your experience with design systems and AI tools. Expect in-depth questions about your design rationale and impact.

3. Cross-Functional Interviews: Meetings with Product Managers and Engineering leads to assess collaboration style, technical understanding, and ability to integrate design into the development workflow.

4. Design System Deep Dive: Potentially a dedicated session focusing on your design system philosophy, experience, and how you would approach Arketa's system.

5. Final Interview: Likely with a senior leader (e.g., CTO, Head of Product) to discuss strategic alignment, cultural fit, and overall vision for the role.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Highlight Design System Expertise: Dedicate a significant portion of your presentation to your experience with design systems. Showcase specific components, documentation, and strategies for adoption.

• Demonstrate AI Tool Integration: Clearly explain how you've used AI tools like Claude in your workflow. Provide examples of prototypes built with AI, speed improvements, or innovative solutions derived from AI assistance.

• Quantify Impact: Wherever possible, use metrics to demonstrate the success of your designs and design system contributions (e.g., reduction in design/dev time, increase in user satisfaction, consistency improvements).

• Showcase B2B & Consumer Balance: Ensure your portfolio reflects your ability to handle both complex business workflows and user-friendly consumer interfaces.

• Tell a Story: For each case study, clearly articulate the problem, your role, your process, the solution, and the outcome.

Challenge Preparation:

• Design System Audit Exercise: Be prepared to discuss how you would audit Arketa's current design system and what your initial recommendations would be.

• Prototyping Challenge: You might be asked to quickly prototype a specific feature or concept, potentially using AI tools, to demonstrate your speed and ideation capabilities.

• Collaboration Scenario: Be ready to discuss how you would handle design disagreements or align stakeholders with differing opinions.

• Strategic Thinking: Prepare to discuss your vision for the design system and how it supports Arketa's business goals and mission.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on design systems and AI tools is paramount. Candidates should be ready to articulate their strategic approach to both, not just their execution. The interview process will likely probe deeply into these areas.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Figma: The primary tool for UI design, wireframing, and prototyping. Proficiency is essential.

• Sketch / Adobe XD: Experience with these as alternative design tools is beneficial.

• Prototyping Tools: In-depth knowledge of Figma's prototyping capabilities, and potentially other specialized tools.

• AI Tools: Active and proficient use of AI tools such as Claude for building working prototypes and accelerating the design process.

Analytics & Reporting:

• User Research Platforms: Experience with tools for user interviews, surveys, and usability testing.

• Product Analytics Tools: Familiarity with tools like Amplitude, Mixpanel, or similar for understanding user behavior and tracking product metrics.

• Session Replay Tools: Experience with tools like Hotjar or FullStory to analyze user interactions.

CRM & Automation: While not directly a design tool, understanding the CRM and automation platforms Arketa uses (likely for marketing and sales operations) can provide context for B2B workflows. (Specific tools not listed, but general awareness is helpful).

📝 Enhancement Note: Figma is the cornerstone, but the explicit mention of AI tools like Claude is a critical requirement. Candidates should be prepared to discuss their practical application of these tools in a design context.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Mission-Driven: A strong belief in making wellness more accessible and empowering entrepreneurs.

• User-Centric: Commitment to understanding and solving user needs through thoughtful design.

• Ownership & Accountability: Taking responsibility for outcomes and driving projects to completion.

• Collaboration: Working effectively with Product and Engineering to build cohesive solutions.

• Efficiency & Speed: Ability to move fast, iterate quickly, and leverage technology (including AI) to achieve goals without sacrificing craft.

• Continuous Improvement: A desire to enhance existing systems (like the design system) and learn new approaches.

Collaboration Style:

• Core Partner Approach: Designers are integrated into the product development lifecycle from the outset, working hand-in-hand with Product and Engineering.

• Transparent Communication: Expectation to show work, present updates, and share insights in team-wide forums.

• Data-Informed Decision Making: Collaborative discussions informed by user data, analytics, and customer feedback.

• Iterative Design Process: A culture that embraces feedback and iteration to refine designs.

📝 Enhancement Note: Arketa values individuals who are proactive, mission-aligned, and comfortable in a dynamic startup environment. The emphasis on collaboration and data-driven decision-making is key to how the team operates.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Revitalizing a Design System: The existing design system needs significant attention. This presents a challenge to audit, refine, and build out comprehensive components and guidelines, requiring strategic thinking and execution.

• Broad Product Scope: Working across many features and surfaces simultaneously can be demanding, requiring strong prioritization and organizational skills.

• Early-Stage Environment: The absence of a fully established design organization or senior design mentor means the role requires a high degree of self-sufficiency and initiative.

• Balancing Speed and Craft: The need to move fast while maintaining high design quality and a cohesive user experience.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Design System Mastery: Deepen expertise in building and scaling design systems, which is a highly valuable skill in the industry.

• Holistic Product Understanding: Gain broad exposure to various product areas, enhancing overall product strategy and design capabilities.

• AI Design Innovation: Become a pioneer in applying AI tools to the design process within a growing company, leading to cutting-edge skill development.

• Startup Growth Experience: Directly contribute to and benefit from the growth trajectory of a Series A company, potentially leading to future leadership roles.

• Cross-Functional Acumen: Develop strong collaborative relationships and strategic understanding across Product and Engineering departments.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is ideal for someone who thrives on building and defining processes, rather than inheriting them. The challenges are significant but directly tied to substantial growth and learning opportunities.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe your process for auditing and revamping an existing design system. What are the first steps you would take at Arketa?"

• "How would you balance the need for speed in a startup environment with maintaining high design quality and a cohesive user experience?"

• "Walk me through a project where you successfully leveraged AI tools to accelerate your design process or achieve a better outcome. What were the specific tools and your approach?"

• "How do you prioritize design efforts when working across multiple features and product surfaces simultaneously?"

• "Describe a time you had to advocate for a design decision that was met with resistance. How did you handle it, and what was the outcome?" Company & Culture Questions:

• "What excites you about Arketa's mission to make wellness more accessible?"

• "Based on the job description and our website, what do you see as the biggest opportunities and challenges for design at Arketa?"

• "How do you typically collaborate with Product Managers and Engineers? Can you give an example of a successful cross-functional partnership?"

• "What is your experience working in a hybrid or remote-first environment, and what are your expectations?"

• "What are your thoughts on the 'Unlimited PTO' policy, and how do you ensure accountability within such a framework?" Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure: Begin with a high-level overview of your career and key strengths, then dive into 2-3 detailed case studies. Conclude with a summary of your approach to design systems and AI tools.

• Design System Focus: Dedicate a segment to your design system experience. Clearly outline its components, principles, and impact. If possible, show how you'd approach Arketa's system.

• AI Tool Demonstration: Integrate examples of AI tool usage naturally within your case studies. Explain the specific problem solved, the tool used, and the resulting efficiency or innovation.

• Quantify Impact: For each project, state the business or user outcome clearly, using metrics where available.

• Articulate Rationale: Be prepared to explain the "why" behind every design decision, from high-level strategy to pixel-level choices.

• Engage: Ask thoughtful questions about Arketa's product, users, and design challenges.

📝 Enhancement Note: Candidates should prepare to speak extensively about their design system experience and practical application of AI tools in design. Demonstrating an understanding of Arketa's business and mission will be crucial for cultural fit.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Senior Product Designer position:

• Submit your application through the provided link on Ashby.

• Portfolio Customization: Tailor your portfolio to prominently feature your experience with design systems and your hands-on use of AI tools like Claude. Ensure case studies clearly demonstrate your process, impact, and ability to handle both B2B and consumer design challenges.

• Resume Optimization: Update your resume to highlight your 5+ years of relevant product design experience, emphasizing achievements in design systems, AI integration, cross-functional collaboration, and delivering user-centered solutions. Use keywords from the job description.

• Interview Preparation: Practice articulating your design philosophy, process, and portfolio through mock presentations. Prepare thoughtful questions for the interviewers about Arketa's product, users, and design challenges.

• Company Research: Thoroughly research Arketa's mission, product, target audience, and recent funding rounds. Understand their competitive landscape and how their platform empowers wellness entrepreneurs.

⚠️ 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.