Senior Product Designer

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Senior Product Designer

Company: Brightspeed

Location: Charlotte, North Carolina, United States

Job Type: Full-time

Category: Product Design / UX/UI

Date Posted: 2026-09-10

Experience Level: 5-10 years

Remote Status: Hybrid

🚀 Role Summary

• Leads complex UX/UI design projects from discovery through high-fidelity delivery and developer handoff, impacting the website, e-commerce experience, and customer account platform.

• Sets the quality standard for the design team's output, demonstrating excellence in design at all fidelity levels and driving well-reasoned trade-offs between speed, quality, and scope.

• Translates high-level strategic direction into concrete design approaches, proactively identifying and leveraging AI-assisted methods and tools for experience improvement and prototyping.

• Contributes to a team culture of curiosity, quality, and collaboration, acting as a force multiplier by raising the craft of fellow designers through thoughtful critique and knowledge-sharing.

📝 Enhancement Note: The role is designated as Hybrid, suggesting a need for in-office presence a few days a week, likely for collaborative design sessions and team meetings. The emphasis on "setting the quality standard" and "raising the craft" indicates a senior individual contributor role with significant influence on design best practices and team development.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Own end-to-end UX/UI design projects, encompassing discovery, wireframing, high-fidelity design, and developer handoff for critical digital touchpoints including the website, e-commerce platform, and customer account portal.

• Establish and maintain the highest quality standards for all design deliverables, ensuring meticulous and well-organized Figma files that facilitate team collaboration and ongoing maintenance.

• Proactively translate strategic objectives into actionable design solutions, identifying and addressing gaps between high-level goals and detailed execution requirements.

• Leverage AI-assisted design tools and methodologies to explore AI-enabled experiences, create and evaluate prototypes, and enhance the digital user journey.

• Partner with product owners, analysts, and strategists to interpret user data, identify experience gaps, and develop data-informed design recommendations that drive measurable improvements.

• Plan and facilitate user research activities, including usability testing and design reviews, synthesizing findings into clear, actionable insights to champion user-centered decision-making.

• Provide constructive and thoughtful design critique to junior designers, fostering their growth and ownership while maintaining a high bar for design excellence.

• Stay abreast of emerging trends in UX, UI, and e-commerce design, introducing relevant innovations and best practices to the team.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a blend of strong individual execution ("own complex UX/UI design projects end-to-end") and team influence ("raise the craft of the team"). The explicit mention of "AI-assisted methods" and "AI-enabled experiences" signifies a forward-thinking approach to design, requiring candidates to be comfortable with emerging technologies.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: Bachelor's degree in Design, UX, Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), or a closely related field.

Experience: 5+ years of professional experience in UX/UI design, with a strong portfolio showcasing strategic thinking and exceptional craft across complex digital products.

Required Skills:

• Expert proficiency in Figma, including the ability to work within and contribute to established design systems.

• Demonstrated experience utilizing AI within a professional product design process, with the ability to articulate specific examples of its application in design exploration, prototyping, workflow improvement, or AI-enabled experiences.

• Proven ability to independently execute on design projects, from initial brief to final delivery, with strong problem-solving skills and the capacity to ask clarifying questions.

• Excellent articulation of design rationale and critical thinking skills, with the ability to clearly communicate the reasoning behind design decisions.

• Strong collaboration skills and a low-ego approach, demonstrating a genuine investment in the growth and development of team members.

• Experience leading complex UX/UI design projects end-to-end, including discovery, wireframing, high-fidelity design, and developer handoff.

• Ability to make well-reasoned trade-offs between speed, quality, and scope, and communicate these decisions effectively to stakeholders. Preferred Skills:

• Experience in e-commerce, telecommunications, or other high-volume digital consumer product environments.

• Familiarity with front-end development workflows and best practices for developer handoff.

• Hands-on experience with user research platforms such as UserTesting, Maze, or Lookback.

• Background in conversion rate optimization (CRO) or data-driven design experimentation.

• Bilingual proficiency in Spanish.

📝 Enhancement Note: The requirement for demonstrated AI experience is a key differentiator. Candidates should prepare specific examples of how they've integrated AI into their design workflow, focusing on tangible outcomes or exploration. The preference for CRO/data-driven experimentation suggests an emphasis on performance metrics within the design process.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Showcase a minimum of 5+ years of UX/UI design work, demonstrating both strategic thinking and exceptional craft across complex digital products.

• Include detailed case studies that illustrate your end-to-end project ownership, from initial problem definition and user research through wireframing, prototyping, high-fidelity design, and successful developer handoff.

• Highlight projects where you leveraged AI-assisted methods or explored AI-enabled experiences, clearly articulating the problem, your approach, the tools used, and the outcomes.

• Demonstrate expertise in Figma, showcasing well-organized files, component usage, and contributions to or adherence to design systems.

• Present examples of data-informed design decisions, including how you interpreted user data, conducted A/B tests, or utilized analytics to drive design improvements. Process Documentation:

• For each case study, clearly outline the discovery and research phase, including methodologies used and key insights gained.

• Detail your wireframing and prototyping process, explaining tool choices and how prototypes were used for validation.

• Document your approach to high-fidelity design, including the application of design systems and accessibility considerations.

• Explain your developer handoff process and how you ensured design integrity during implementation.

• Showcase how you planned and facilitated usability testing or other validation methods, and how feedback was incorporated.

📝 Enhancement Note: The portfolio is critical for this role, serving as the primary evidence of both craft and strategic capability. Emphasis should be placed on demonstrating a structured design process, clear articulation of problem-solving, and quantifiable results where possible. The AI component must be a prominent feature in at least one case study.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: Based on industry benchmarks for Senior Product Designers in Charlotte, NC, with 5-10 years of experience, the estimated salary range is $110,000 - $145,000 annually. This range considers the cost of living in Charlotte and the specialized skills required, including AI integration in design.

Benefits:

• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance plans.

• Life insurance coverage.

• Employee Assistance Program (EAP) for confidential support.

• 401K plan with a company match, supporting long-term financial planning.

• Generous paid time off (PTO) policy.

Working Hours: Standard full-time position, approximately 40 hours per week. Occasional additional hours may be required to meet project deadlines.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range is an estimate based on market data for similar roles in the specified location and experience level. Actual compensation may vary based on candidate qualifications, specific experience, and internal equity. The job description notes occasional additional hours, typical for project-driven roles.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Telecommunications, Internet Service Provider (ISP). Brightspeed is focused on accelerating the upgrade of copper to fiber optic technologies, bringing faster and more reliable internet service to underserved markets.

Company Size: Brightspeed is a significant player in the telecommunications sector, formed from significant acquisitions and investments, indicating a dynamic and growing organization.

Founded: While not explicitly stated, Brightspeed is a relatively new entity formed from acquisitions, suggesting a culture that is building and evolving its processes and systems.

Team Structure:

• The Senior Product Designer will be part of the Consumer Group, specifically within the Product Design/UX/UI team.

• This role will likely report to a Design Manager or Director, with close collaboration with Product Owners, Content Strategists, Engineers, and Analysts.

• The team emphasizes a hybrid work model, balancing in-office collaboration with remote flexibility. Methodology:

• The design team likely employs a user-centered design process, integrating user research, data analysis, and iterative prototyping.

• Expect a blend of Agile methodologies for product development and a strong emphasis on design critique and knowledge sharing.

• The integration of AI-assisted methods suggests an openness to leveraging technology for enhanced design exploration and efficiency.

Company Website: http://brightspeed.com/

📝 Enhancement Note: Brightspeed's mission to upgrade rural broadband infrastructure provides a strong sense of purpose. The company culture appears to value innovation, customer experience, and a modern approach to work, as evidenced by their hybrid model and investment in AI.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This is a Senior individual contributor role within the Product Design function. It requires a high degree of autonomy, strategic thinking, and the ability to influence design direction and mentor junior team members. The role is a critical force multiplier, elevating the overall design output.

Reporting Structure: The Senior Product Designer will report to a Design Manager or equivalent leadership within the Consumer Group's product design team. They will work closely with cross-functional teams, including product management, engineering, and marketing, to drive product development.

Operations Impact: This role directly impacts the company's customer-facing digital experiences, including the website and e-commerce platform. By improving user experience and conversion rates through thoughtful design and AI integration, the Senior Product Designer will contribute significantly to customer acquisition, retention, and overall business growth.

Growth Opportunities:

• Skill Advancement: Opportunities to deepen expertise in AI-assisted design, user research methodologies, and conversion rate optimization.

• Leadership Development: Potential to take on lead roles for larger projects, mentor junior designers, and contribute to strategic design initiatives.

• Cross-functional Exposure: Gaining experience across various product areas within the Consumer Group, understanding broader business objectives.

• Industry Influence: Staying at the forefront of design trends, particularly in AI and telecommunications, can position the designer for future leadership roles within the industry.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Senior" title implies a trajectory towards leadership or deep specialization. The emphasis on AI integration suggests a growth path focused on emerging technologies within the design field.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Brightspeed HQ is located in a modern office building in Charlotte, NC (Vantage South End - East Tower). The role is designated as Hybrid.

Office Location(s): 1120 S Tryon St, Charlotte, NC 28203. This location is part of a vibrant business district, offering amenities and accessibility.

Workspace Context:

• The hybrid model suggests a collaborative environment where designers can work together in person, fostering brainstorming and critique sessions.

• Access to modern design tools and technology, including Figma and potentially AI-powered design software.

• Opportunities for direct interaction with product managers, engineers, and other stakeholders to ensure alignment and effective design execution.

Work Schedule: The standard work schedule is approximately 40 hours per week, with flexibility inherent in the hybrid model. Occasional additional hours may be necessary to meet project deadlines.

📝 Enhancement Note: The hybrid nature of the role indicates a balance between in-person collaboration and individual focused work. The Charlotte HQ location suggests a professional and amenity-rich work environment.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A review of your resume and portfolio by a recruiter or hiring manager to assess basic qualifications and experience.

• Portfolio Review & Design Challenge: A dedicated session where you present your portfolio, focusing on 2-3 key projects that demonstrate your strategic thinking, craft, and experience with AI in design. A design exercise or challenge may be given, either pre-interview or during the interview, to assess your problem-solving and design process.

• Cross-functional Interviews: Meetings with Product Managers, Engineers, and potentially other designers to evaluate your collaboration skills, technical understanding, and cultural fit.

• Manager/Director Interview: A final discussion with leadership to assess strategic alignment, leadership potential, and overall fit for the team and company.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select projects that best showcase your end-to-end design process, strategic thinking, AI integration, and impact. Prioritize quality over quantity.

• Tell a Story: For each project, clearly articulate the problem, your role, the design process, key decisions, challenges faced, and the measurable outcomes or impact.

• Highlight AI Integration: Dedicate specific sections or clear call-outs within case studies to demonstrate how you've used AI in your design workflow, focusing on the "why" and "how."

• Showcase Figma Expertise: Ensure your Figma files are well-organized and demonstrate proficiency with design systems, components, and collaboration features.

• Quantify Impact: Wherever possible, use data and metrics to illustrate the success of your designs, such as improvements in conversion rates, user satisfaction, or task completion times.

Challenge Preparation:

• Understand the Brief: If given a design challenge, thoroughly read and understand the problem statement, target users, and desired outcomes. Ask clarifying questions.

• Focus on Process: Demonstrate your design thinking process, not just the final solution. Show your research, ideation, wireframing, and iteration steps.

• AI Integration: Consider how AI could be applied to solve the challenge or enhance the user experience, even if not explicitly required by the prompt.

• Time Management: Allocate your time effectively to cover all necessary stages of the design process within the given timeframe.

• Presentation: Be prepared to present your solution clearly and concisely, articulating your rationale and design decisions.

📝 Enhancement Note: Candidates should be prepared to deeply discuss their portfolio, especially regarding AI integration and strategic decision-making. The design challenge will likely assess their ability to apply their skills to a real-world problem relevant to Brightspeed's business.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Figma: The core design tool for wireframing, prototyping, and high-fidelity design. Expertise in advanced features, components, and design systems is essential.

• AI-Assisted Design Tools: Proficiency with tools that leverage AI for design exploration, content generation, or workflow automation (specific tools may vary, but familiarity with the concept is key).

• Prototyping Tools: Beyond Figma's capabilities, experience with dedicated prototyping tools for more complex interactions may be beneficial.

Analytics & Reporting:

• User Analytics Platforms: Familiarity with tools like Google Analytics, Adobe Analytics, or similar platforms to interpret user behavior data.

• User Testing Platforms: Experience with tools such as UserTesting, Maze, Lookback, or Hotjar for conducting usability tests and gathering qualitative feedback.

CRM & Automation:

• While not a direct CRM role, understanding how design impacts e-commerce and customer account platforms implies a need to understand CRM principles and how user data is managed and utilized.

• Familiarity with front-end development workflows and tools used for developer handoff (e.g., Zeplin, Avocode, or Figma's developer inspect features).

📝 Enhancement Note: Figma expertise is paramount. The emphasis on AI-assisted design tools indicates a need for candidates to be adaptable and forward-thinking regarding technology adoption. Understanding the interplay between design and analytics/user feedback is crucial.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Quality & Craft: A commitment to producing exceptional, well-reasoned, and high-fidelity design outcomes.

• User-Centricity: Championing user needs and perspectives throughout the design process, informed by research and data.

• Collaboration & Knowledge Sharing: Fostering a team environment where ideas are freely exchanged, constructive critique is welcomed, and collective growth is prioritized.

• Innovation & Adaptability: Embracing new technologies, such as AI, and staying ahead of industry trends to continuously improve digital experiences.

• Execution Excellence: Delivering on projects with confidence, making sound trade-offs, and ensuring meticulous attention to detail.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-functional Integration: Working closely with product management, engineering, content, and analytics teams to ensure cohesive product development.

• Constructive Critique: Engaging in thoughtful design reviews, providing and receiving feedback that elevates the quality of work for all team members.

• Mentorship & Support: Actively contributing to the growth of junior designers through guidance, knowledge sharing, and supportive feedback.

• Data-Informed Decision Making: Integrating user data and research findings into design discussions and strategic planning.

📝 Enhancement Note: The values emphasize high standards, continuous improvement, and a collaborative spirit. The "force multiplier" aspect suggests a culture that values individuals who can elevate those around them.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing Speed and Quality: Navigating the demands of a growing company to deliver high-quality designs efficiently, making well-reasoned trade-offs.

• Integrating AI Effectively: Identifying and implementing AI-assisted design workflows that genuinely enhance the design process and user experience, rather than just adopting new technology for its own sake.

• Driving Design Strategy: Translating high-level business goals into concrete, user-centered design strategies and advocating for user needs in cross-functional discussions.

• Mentoring and Team Elevation: Effectively guiding and developing junior designers while maintaining personal execution responsibilities.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Advanced AI in Design: Opportunities to explore and implement cutting-edge AI tools and techniques for design ideation, generation, and optimization.

• E-commerce & Telecommunications Specialization: Deepening expertise in the specific challenges and opportunities within these industries.

• Design Leadership: Developing skills in project leadership, strategic planning, and team mentorship through hands-on experience and potential formal training.

• Data-Driven Experimentation: Enhancing skills in conversion rate optimization (CRO) and A/B testing to continuously refine digital product performance.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges are typical for a senior role in a growing tech company, emphasizing the need for strategic thinking and adaptability. The growth opportunities are aligned with current industry trends, particularly AI and data-driven design.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a complex UX/UI project you led end-to-end. What were the key strategic decisions you made, and what was the outcome?" (Focus on problem definition, user needs, and impact.)

• "How have you leveraged AI in your professional product design process? Please walk us through a specific example, including the tools used, your approach, and the results." (Be ready to discuss your AI experience in detail.)

• "How do you balance the need for design quality with project timelines and business constraints? Provide an example of a trade-off you had to make." (Demonstrate your understanding of real-world project management.)

• "How do you approach translating high-level business goals into concrete design solutions? What steps do you take?" (Show your ability to bridge strategy and execution.) Company & Culture Questions:

• "What interests you about Brightspeed and our mission to expand internet access?" (Research the company's mission and recent news.)

• "How do you contribute to a team culture of quality, curiosity, and collaboration?" (Highlight your mentorship and teamwork skills.)

• "Describe your experience working in a hybrid environment. How do you ensure effective collaboration with remote and in-office team members?" (Address your adaptability to the work arrangement.)

• "How do you stay current with industry trends in UX, UI, and AI in design?" (Show your commitment to continuous learning.) Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure Your Presentation: Begin with an overview of your role and the project's objectives. Clearly define the problem you were solving.

• Walk Through Your Process: Detail your research, ideation, wireframing, prototyping, and high-fidelity design stages. Explain why you made certain decisions.

• Showcase AI Integration: Explicitly point out where and how AI was used, the benefits it provided, and any challenges encountered.

• Highlight Metrics and Impact: Quantify your achievements whenever possible. Discuss user feedback and how it informed your design.

• Be Prepared for Deep Dives: Anticipate questions about specific design choices, technical constraints, and alternative approaches.

• Engage Your Audience: Make it a conversation. Ask questions and be receptive to feedback.

📝 Enhancement Note: Candidates should prepare to speak extensively about their portfolio, with a particular focus on how they've integrated AI into their design process and the impact of their work. Understanding Brightspeed's business and mission will be crucial for answering company-specific questions.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Senior Product Designer position:

• Submit your application through the provided link on Brightspeed's careers portal.

• Portfolio Customization: Tailor your portfolio to highlight projects that demonstrate end-to-end ownership, strategic thinking, AI integration, and strong Figma proficiency. Prioritize case studies that show measurable impact.

• Resume Optimization: Ensure your resume clearly articulates your 5+ years of UX/UI experience, specific AI design applications, and proficiency with relevant tools like Figma. Use keywords from the job description.

• Interview Preparation: Practice presenting your portfolio and preparing responses to common UX/UI interview questions, with a special emphasis on discussing your AI design experience and problem-solving methodologies.

• Company Research: Thoroughly research Brightspeed's mission, products, and recent developments. Understand their position in the telecommunications market and their commitment to customer experience and technology.

⚠️ 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.