Senior Product Designer

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Senior Product Designer

Company: Brooklinen

Location: New York, New York, United States

Job Type: Full-Time

Category: Product Design

Date Posted: 2025-08-27T15:47:59

Experience Level: Mid-Senior Level (5-8+ years)

Remote Status: Hybrid

🚀 Role Summary

• Lead end-to-end product design initiatives for a leading DTC e-commerce brand, focusing on enhancing the digital customer journey.

• Drive generative research to uncover actionable insights that inform product strategy and business goals for key e-commerce flows.

• Design and evolve scalable design systems and user interfaces that balance aesthetic appeal with measurable business impact, such as conversion rates and average order value.

• Collaborate closely with cross-functional teams including Product, Engineering, Data, Marketing, and Merchandising to deliver innovative and performance-driven solutions.

• Mentor and support junior designers, contributing to the growth and development of the design team's process, craft, and strategic thinking.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is situated within a fast-paced, growth-oriented DTC e-commerce environment. The emphasis on "measurable business impact" and "performance-driven solutions" indicates a strong need for design professionals who can connect their work directly to revenue and customer engagement metrics, aligning with typical Revenue Operations and GTM team objectives. The mention of "design systems that scale" and "components and patterns" suggests a need for systematic thinking and a focus on efficiency and consistency.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Own the complete design lifecycle for key product areas, from initial research and concept development through to final design, quality assurance, and post-launch iteration.

• Spearhead generative user research to identify customer needs and pain points, translating these findings into strategic product recommendations and roadmap influence.

• Develop and maintain a robust, scalable design system, ensuring consistency and efficiency across various product features and teams.

• Craft user-centric designs for critical e-commerce pathways, including Product Detail Pages (PDPs), bundling features, and lower-funnel conversion modules, with a focus on optimizing performance metrics.

• Partner with Product Managers, Engineers, and Data Analysts to define success metrics for A/B and multivariate tests, and iterate on designs based on experimental results and user feedback.

• Effectively communicate design rationale, research insights, and project progress to diverse stakeholders through compelling storytelling, clear documentation, and engaging presentations.

• Actively mentor junior designers, providing guidance on design processes, craft, strategic problem-solving, and fostering a collaborative team environment.

• Contribute to the continuous improvement of design processes and methodologies within the team, promoting best practices in UX, UI, and interaction design.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a blend of strategic thinking, user advocacy, and a strong results-orientation. The expectation to "influence roadmaps and product strategy" and "partner with cross-functional teams" points to a need for strong communication and collaboration skills, essential for aligning design efforts with broader business objectives. The focus on "translating data and research into clear, actionable design recommendations" emphasizes the analytical and problem-solving aspects critical in operations-adjacent roles.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

Experience:

• Minimum of 5 to 8 years of progressive experience in product design, with a proven track record of owning and delivering complex digital product features.

• Demonstrated experience in the e-commerce sector, with a portfolio showcasing successful design initiatives that have driven measurable business outcomes (e.g., increased Conversion Rate, Average Order Value, customer retention).

• Experience leading generative research methodologies to inform product strategy and design decision-making.

Required Skills:

• User Experience (UX) Design: Deep understanding of user-centered design principles, information architecture, and user journey mapping.

• User Interface (UI) Design: Expertise in creating intuitive, visually appealing, and consistent interfaces.

• Interaction Design: Skill in defining and prototyping user flows and interactive elements that enhance usability.

• Design Systems: Experience in designing, developing, and scaling design systems and component libraries for consistency and efficiency.

• Figma & FigJam: Advanced proficiency in these collaborative design and prototyping tools.

• Prototyping: Proficiency with prototyping tools (e.g., Framer, InVision, or similar) to create interactive mockups for user testing and stakeholder review.

• Research & Insights: Ability to conduct generative user research and translate findings into actionable design strategies.

• Accessibility: Strong knowledge of accessibility standards (e.g., WCAG 2.1+) and experience designing inclusive digital products.

• Communication & Storytelling: Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to articulate design decisions and project rationale clearly to diverse audiences.

• Collaboration: Proven ability to partner effectively with cross-functional teams (Product, Engineering, Marketing, Data).

• Strategic Thinking: Capacity to connect design work to business objectives and contribute to product strategy.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience designing features related to bundling, gifting, personalization, cross-sell/upsell strategies, or promotional campaigns within an e-commerce context.

• Familiarity with analytics and experimentation platforms such as Google Analytics (GA4), Amplitude, Optimizely, VWO, or LaunchDarkly for data-driven design iteration.

• Experience designing AI-powered features, including discovery tools, recommendation engines, or guided shopping experiences.

• Experience mentoring junior designers and fostering a positive team culture.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on "measurable outcomes" and specific e-commerce features like "bundling" and "promotions" aligns with the analytical and performance-driven nature of operations roles. Proficiency in analytics and experimentation tools is a strong indicator of the need for a data-informed approach. The "mobile-first sensibility" and "attention to performance" are crucial for optimizing the e-commerce user experience at scale.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• End-to-End Ownership: Showcase a minimum of 3-5 comprehensive case studies demonstrating ownership of design initiatives from initial research and problem definition through to launch and iteration.

• Problem-Solution-Impact: Clearly articulate the business or user problem addressed, the design process and solutions implemented, and the measurable impact or results achieved (quantified with metrics like conversion lift, engagement increase, or efficiency gains).

• Design System Contribution: Include examples of contributions to or development of design systems, component libraries, or pattern libraries, highlighting scalability and consistency.

• Research Integration: Demonstrate how user research, data analysis, and insights directly informed design decisions and product strategy.

• E-commerce Context: Prioritize case studies from e-commerce environments, specifically highlighting work on conversion funnels, product discovery, or customer engagement features.

Process Documentation:

• Within case studies, clearly outline the design process followed, including research methodologies, ideation techniques, wireframing, prototyping, user testing, and collaboration touchpoints.

• Detail the iterative process, showing how feedback, data, and experimentation results were used to refine designs and improve outcomes.

• Where applicable, illustrate how designs were implemented and how their performance was measured and analyzed post-launch.

📝 Enhancement Note: The requirement for a portfolio demonstrating "end-to-end ownership" and "measurable impact" is critical. Operations professionals often build their careers on proving the ROI of their initiatives. This section emphasizes that the candidate's portfolio should reflect a similar data-driven and results-oriented approach, showcasing not just design skills but also a strategic understanding of how design contributes to business objectives. The mention of design systems also points to an appreciation for process efficiency and scalability.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

Benefits:

• Comprehensive Health Coverage: Generous employer contribution towards medical, dental, and vision insurance premiums (up to 100% for employee-only coverage).

• Family Building Support: Financial assistance for fertility treatments and family-building journeys.

• Retirement Savings: 401(k) plan with a 4% company match to support long-term financial planning.

• Commuter Benefits: Pre-tax benefits to help offset the cost of commuting to the office.

• Employee Perks: A 40% discount on Brooklinen products and a 25% discount for friends and family, plus a biannual product allowance.

• Wellness & Lifestyle: Access to One Medical and Talkspace memberships, plus a $1,000 annual reimbursement for wellness and lifestyle expenses via Joon.

• Paid Parental Leave: 14 weeks of fully paid leave for all new parents.

• Work-Life Balance Initiatives: Year-round "Summer Fridays" with a 3 p.m. end time.

• Generous Paid Time Off (PTO): Starting with 20 days of PTO annually (pro-rated), increasing to 25 days after five years of service.

• Sabbatical Program: A fully paid one-month sabbatical awarded upon reaching the five-year anniversary.

• Hybrid Work Model: Structured hybrid schedule with 2 days per week in the office (core days Tuesday-Thursday), with Tuesdays mandatory company-wide.

• Equity Grant: Competitive equity grants for HQ team members, with details to be discussed during the interview process.

Working Hours:

• Standard full-time working hours are expected, typically around 40 hours per week. The company culture emphasizes work-life balance, with initiatives like early Friday finishes and flexible remote work weeks.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range provided is competitive for a Senior Product Designer in the New York City market, reflecting the level of experience and responsibility. The comprehensive benefits package, particularly the focus on wellness, family support, and generous PTO, indicates a company that prioritizes employee well-being, which can be a significant factor for operations professionals seeking a stable and supportive work environment. The hybrid model with specified office days is also a key detail for planning work arrangements.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Direct-to-Consumer (DTC) E-commerce, Home Goods (Soft Goods). Brooklinen is a significant player in the online retail space, known for its premium bedding, bath, and loungewear.

Company Size: Brooklinen is a growing company, indicated by its recognition as a "LinkedIn Top Startup" and its expanding retail footprint. While not explicitly stated, the scope of responsibilities suggests a mid-sized to large-stage startup or established growth company.

Founded: Founded in 2014, Brooklinen has a decade of experience in building its brand and customer base, evolving from "The Internet’s Favorite Sheets" to a broader lifestyle brand.

Team Structure:

• The Senior Product Designer will be part of the Product Design team, likely reporting to a Design Lead or Head of Product/Design.

• This role involves close collaboration with Product Managers, UX Researchers, UI Designers, and potentially other specialized design roles.

Methodology:

• Brooklinen emphasizes a data-driven approach to design, leveraging analytics and A/B testing results to inform product decisions and optimize user experiences.

• Workflow planning and optimization are key, as evidenced by the need for scalable design systems and efficient conversion funnels.

• The company values a blend of creativity and business acumen, aiming for solutions that are both aesthetically pleasing and performance-driven.

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

📝 Enhancement Note: The company's focus on the DTC e-commerce space means that operations professionals here are deeply involved in customer acquisition, conversion optimization, and retention strategies. The culture is described as collaborative, authentic, and growth-oriented, which aligns well with the typical environment for operations roles focused on efficiency and scaling.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This is a Senior-level individual contributor role within the Product Design function. Professionals at this level are expected to operate with a high degree of autonomy, lead significant initiatives, and mentor others. In an operations context, this seniority translates to owning critical processes, driving efficiency improvements, and contributing to strategic planning.

Reporting Structure: The Senior Product Designer will likely report to a Design Manager or Director, and will work closely with Product Management leadership. They will also collaborate extensively with stakeholders across various departments, including Engineering, Marketing, and Data Analytics.

Operations Impact: The role directly impacts revenue by optimizing the e-commerce customer journey, increasing conversion rates, Average Order Value (AOV), and customer retention. By ensuring seamless user experiences and supporting experimentation, the designer contributes significantly to the company's top-line growth and operational efficiency of the digital platform.

Growth Opportunities:

• Design Leadership: Potential to grow into a Lead Designer or Design Manager role, overseeing specific product areas or a team of designers.

• Strategic Influence: Opportunity to deepen strategic involvement in product roadmapping, user research initiatives, and the evolution of the company's digital presence.

• Specialization: Chance to develop expertise in specific e-commerce growth areas like personalization, AI-driven experiences, or advanced experimentation strategies.

• Cross-Functional Development: Exposure to various business functions can foster broader business acumen, beneficial for transitioning into product management or operations leadership roles.

• Mentorship: Formal and informal opportunities to mentor junior designers, developing leadership and coaching skills.

📝 Enhancement Note: For operations professionals, this role represents an opportunity to work closely with a critical customer-facing function. Understanding how product design impacts revenue and operational efficiency can provide valuable insights for those in Sales Ops, Rev Ops, or Marketing Ops. The growth trajectory suggests a path towards leadership and strategic impact, common goals for ambitious operations professionals.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Brooklinen operates a hybrid work model. The company emphasizes the value of in-person collaboration for core team days, fostering a sense of community and efficient communication.

Office Location(s): The primary work location is in New York City, with specific office days required. This location offers access to a major business hub and a vibrant professional community.

Workspace Context:

• The workspace is designed to facilitate collaboration, with team members expected to be in the office on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays. Tuesdays are designated as company-wide core days.

• The environment encourages interaction and knowledge sharing among designers and cross-functional partners.

Work Schedule:

• The standard work week is 40 hours. The company promotes a healthy work-life balance with early finishes on Fridays year-round and flexible remote work weeks. This approach supports focused work periods while allowing for personal time and preventing burnout, which is beneficial for roles requiring sustained analytical and creative effort.

📝 Enhancement Note: The hybrid model and emphasis on specific "core days" are important for operations professionals to understand for team coordination and planning. The New York City location implies access to a robust talent pool and a dynamic business ecosystem, which can be advantageous for career growth and networking.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Application Submission: Submit resume and portfolio through the company's Greenhouse portal.

• Portfolio Review: Initial screening will focus on the portfolio to assess end-to-end design ownership, problem-solving approach, and impact.

• Hiring Manager/Team Interview: Conversation with the hiring manager and potentially other design team members to discuss experience, design philosophy, and cultural fit.

• Design Challenge/Case Study Presentation: Candidates may be asked to present a case study from their portfolio or complete a take-home design challenge focused on a relevant e-commerce problem. This assesses strategic thinking, design process, and communication skills.

• Cross-Functional Interviews: Interviews with key stakeholders from Product, Engineering, and potentially Marketing or Data to evaluate collaboration skills and understanding of business impact.

• Final Round: May involve a discussion with senior leadership to assess overall fit and strategic alignment.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Focus on Impact: Clearly articulate the business problem and the quantitative results achieved (e.g., conversion rate lift, AOV increase, engagement metrics). Use specific data points.

• Show Your Process: Detail your approach to research, ideation, iteration, and collaboration. Explain why you made certain design decisions.

• Highlight E-commerce Relevance: Showcase experience with key e-commerce flows and features. Demonstrate understanding of conversion optimization and user journey mapping in a retail context.

• Design System Clarity: If applicable, clearly show your contributions to design systems, emphasizing scalability, consistency, and efficiency.

• Tell a Story: Structure your case studies as narratives that engage the reviewer and clearly communicate the value you brought to each project.

Challenge Preparation:

• Understand the Business: Research Brooklinen's brand, target audience, and current digital presence. Identify potential areas for improvement.

• Focus on Strategy: For any challenge, emphasize the strategic thinking behind your design decisions, linking them to user needs and business goals.

• Prioritize Key Flows: If given a broad prompt, focus on a specific, high-impact e-commerce flow (e.g., PDP optimization, checkout process).

• Data-Informed Approach: Highlight how you would use data and research to inform your design choices and measure success.

• Clear Communication: Prepare to present your work concisely and effectively, articulating your rationale and answering questions clearly.

📝 Enhancement Note: For operations professionals, understanding this process is key to framing their own experiences. The emphasis on data, metrics, and cross-functional collaboration mirrors the core functions of operations roles. Preparing a portfolio that highlights process efficiency, data analysis, and measurable outcomes will resonate strongly.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Figma: The core tool for UI design, prototyping, and potentially collaboration within design systems. Proficiency is essential.

• FigJam: Used for ideation, brainstorming, user flow mapping, and collaborative workshops.

• Prototyping Tools: Framer or similar tools for creating interactive prototypes to test user flows and gather feedback.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Google Analytics (GA4): For understanding website traffic, user behavior, and conversion tracking.

• Amplitude / Mixpanel: Product analytics tools for deeper insights into user engagement and feature adoption.

• Optimizely / VWO / LaunchDarkly: Experimentation platforms for A/B testing and feature flagging, crucial for data-driven iteration.

CRM & Automation:

• While not directly a design tool, familiarity with CRM systems (like Salesforce, though not explicitly mentioned for this role) and marketing automation platforms can provide context for how design impacts customer data and workflows.

📝 Enhancement Note: The specified tools like Figma, Amplitude, and Optimizely are common within growth-focused organizations and are directly relevant to operations functions that rely on data analysis and performance optimization. Understanding how design integrates with these tools is valuable for operations professionals aiming to collaborate effectively.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Customer-Centricity: A deep understanding of the customer and a commitment to creating positive, seamless experiences that drive satisfaction and loyalty.

• Data-Driven Decision Making: Reliance on data, analytics, and user research to inform design choices and measure impact, ensuring that initiatives are aligned with business objectives.

• Collaboration & Transparency: Open communication and strong partnerships across departments to ensure alignment and shared understanding of goals and progress.

• Efficiency & Scalability: A focus on designing solutions that are not only effective but also scalable and maintainable, contributing to operational efficiency.

• Ownership & Accountability: Taking responsibility for projects from conception to completion, driving them forward with a proactive and accountable mindset.

• Continuous Improvement: A commitment to learning, iterating, and refining processes and products based on feedback and performance data.

Collaboration Style:

• The team fosters a collaborative environment where designers work closely with Product Managers, Engineers, and Data Analysts.

• Emphasis is placed on clear communication, constructive feedback, and shared problem-solving.

• Cross-functional partners are viewed as integral to the design process, ensuring that solutions are technically feasible, strategically aligned, and data-informed.

📝 Enhancement Note: These values strongly resonate with the principles of effective Revenue Operations and Sales Operations. The emphasis on data, efficiency, collaboration, and measurable impact are core tenets of operations management. Understanding these cultural drivers can help candidates tailor their responses and showcase their alignment with the company's ethos.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing Innovation with Performance: The primary challenge will be to continuously innovate the e-commerce experience while ensuring that new features and designs demonstrably improve key business metrics (conversion, AOV, retention).

• Scaling Design Systems: As the company grows, maintaining and evolving the design system to support new features and product lines efficiently will be a constant challenge requiring strategic planning.

• Data Interpretation: Translating complex data from various analytics and experimentation tools into clear, actionable design insights requires strong analytical skills and a deep understanding of user behavior in an e-commerce context.

• Cross-Functional Alignment: Ensuring consistent understanding and buy-in for design decisions across diverse stakeholder groups (e.g., Marketing, Merchandising, Engineering) requires exceptional communication and negotiation skills.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• E-commerce Specialization: Deepen expertise in e-commerce growth strategies, conversion rate optimization (CRO), and customer journey mapping within a leading DTC brand.

• Advanced Analytics & Experimentation: Gain hands-on experience with sophisticated analytics and A/B testing platforms to drive data-informed design decisions.

• Design System Leadership: Contribute significantly to the growth and governance of a scalable design system, potentially leading its evolution.

• Mentorship & Leadership Skills: Develop leadership capabilities through mentoring junior designers and influencing cross-functional teams.

• Industry Exposure: Gain insights into the operations and strategies of a successful DTC company, providing a broader business perspective.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges presented are typical for senior roles in growth-stage companies and directly relate to operational excellence. For operations professionals, these challenges highlight areas where their skills in process optimization, data analysis, and cross-functional collaboration are critical for success. The learning opportunities offer a chance to broaden one's skillset in areas directly adjacent to core operations functions.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• Design Process & Impact: "Walk me through a complex product design initiative you led from concept to launch. How did you leverage research and data to inform your decisions, and what were the measurable business outcomes?" (Focus on process, data integration, and quantifiable results).

• Design System Philosophy: "How do you approach building and scaling a design system? What are the key considerations for ensuring its effectiveness across a growing product suite?" (Highlight principles of consistency, efficiency, and collaboration).

• E-commerce Optimization: "Describe a time you designed for a critical e-commerce conversion funnel (e.g., PDP, checkout). What challenges did you identify, and how did your design address them to improve performance?" (Emphasize understanding of user journey, conversion drivers, and A/B testing).

• Collaboration & Stakeholder Management: "How do you ensure alignment and buy-in from cross-functional partners (e.g., Engineering, Marketing) on your design recommendations, especially when there are differing opinions?" (Focus on communication strategies, rationale, and building consensus).

Company & Culture Questions:

• Brooklinen's Brand: "What excites you about Brooklinen's brand and mission? How do you see your design skills contributing to our goal of creating happiness at home?" (Showcase genuine interest and alignment with company values).

• Hybrid Work: "How do you approach collaboration and maintain team connection in a hybrid work environment?" (Demonstrate adaptability and proactivity in communication).

• Mentorship Approach: "Tell me about your experience mentoring junior designers. What is your philosophy on fostering growth and development within a design team?" (Highlight leadership potential and team-building skills).

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Storytelling: Frame each case study as a narrative with a clear beginning (problem), middle (process/solution), and end (impact/results).

• Quantify Everything: Ensure all case studies include specific, measurable outcomes. Use metrics like conversion rate lifts, engagement increases, task completion improvements, or efficiency gains.

• Show, Don't Just Tell: Use visuals effectively to demonstrate your design process, wireframes, prototypes, and final UI.

• Focus on Rationale: Be prepared to explain the "why" behind every design decision, linking it back to user needs, business goals, or research insights.

• Conciseness: Respect the interviewer's time by presenting your most impactful work clearly and efficiently. Be ready to dive deeper into specific aspects upon request.

📝 Enhancement Note: For operations candidates, the preparation advice emphasizes translating their experience into the language of design impact and business results. Highlighting process efficiency, data analysis, and measurable outcomes in their portfolio and interview responses will be crucial for demonstrating alignment with the role's requirements and the company's operations-focused culture.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Senior Product Designer position:

• Submit your application through the Brooklinen careers portal on Greenhouse.

• Portfolio Customization: Tailor your portfolio to highlight at least 2-3 case studies that demonstrate end-to-end ownership of e-commerce design initiatives, focusing on measurable business impact (e.g., conversion rate optimization, AOV improvement, user engagement). Clearly articulate your process, research integration, and the results achieved.

• Resume Optimization: Ensure your resume clearly outlines your 5-8+ years of experience, emphasizing relevant skills such as UX/UI design, interaction design, design systems, generative research, and proficiency in Figma. Quantify achievements wherever possible, especially those related to business outcomes in e-commerce.

• Interview Preparation: Prepare to discuss your design philosophy, your approach to collaboration with cross-functional teams (Product, Engineering, Data), and how you use data and research to drive design decisions. Practice presenting your portfolio case studies, focusing on storytelling and articulating the impact of your work.

• Company Research: Familiarize yourself with Brooklinen's brand, products, target audience, and recent initiatives. Understand their commitment to customer experience and data-driven growth, and consider how your skills can contribute to their success.

⚠️ 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.