Senior Product Designer
๐ Job Overview
Job Title: Senior Product Designer
Company: Ciklum
Location: Czech Republic
Job Type: Full time
Category: Product Design / UX/UI
Date Posted: 2026-08-10T11:01:24
Experience Level: 6+ Years
Remote Status: Hybrid
๐ Role Summary
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Spearhead the end-to-end design process for complex product initiatives, from initial discovery and user research to final implementation and handoff.
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Drive product vision and strategy by deeply understanding user needs and business objectives, translating insights into elegant and functional design solutions.
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Contribute to and evolve an existing design system across both mobile and web platforms, ensuring consistency and scalability.
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Collaborate closely with product managers, developers, and researchers in a Ciklum-led team to deliver high-quality digital products.
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Mentor junior designers, fostering a culture of continuous learning and design excellence within the team.
๐ Enhancement Note: This role is positioned as a Senior Product Designer within a custom product engineering company. The emphasis on "shaping the vision" rather than just executing suggests a high degree of autonomy and strategic input expected from the candidate. The mention of a "tight-knit, Ciklum-led team of 7-8 people" on a live project with over a million active users indicates a significant, high-impact project.
๐ Primary Responsibilities
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Take full ownership of assigned design tracks, encompassing user research, ideation, wireframing, prototyping, and detailed design specifications.
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Facilitate and lead design thinking workshops with internal teams and external clients to uncover core problems and align on solutions.
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Conduct comprehensive user research, including interviews, surveys, and usability testing, to inform design decisions and validate concepts.
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Develop a wide array of design artifacts, such as user flows, personas, journey maps, wireframes, high-fidelity prototypes, and interaction specifications.
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Actively contribute to and enhance an established design system for both mobile and web applications, ensuring its robustness and usability.
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Foster strong, collaborative relationships with development and product management teams to ensure designs are technically feasible and maintain product integrity.
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Present and articulate design rationale and decisions confidently to clients and senior stakeholders, driving consensus and buy-in.
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Provide guidance and mentorship to junior designers, sharing best practices and fostering their professional development.
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Support pre-sales activities by contributing to project scoping, timeline estimation, and the development of design strategies for potential clients.
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Stay abreast of emerging design trends, UX best practices, and new technologies, proactively bringing innovative ideas to the team and improving team processes.
๐ Enhancement Note: The responsibilities clearly outline a senior-level role requiring proactive leadership, strategic thinking, and hands-on execution. The inclusion of pre-sales support and mentoring junior designers highlights the seniority and breadth of contribution expected. The emphasis on "owning design tracks" and "shaping the vision" underscores the autonomous nature of this position.
๐ Skills & Qualifications
Education: While no specific degree is mandated, a strong educational background in Design, HCI, Computer Science, or a related field, supplemented by a robust portfolio, is expected.
Experience: Minimum of 6 years of hands-on UI/UX design experience, demonstrating a proven track record of delivering successful digital products across various platforms.
Required Skills:
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Deep proficiency in Figma for design, prototyping, and managing component libraries.
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Strong foundation in User Experience (UX) principles, including user research methodologies, product discovery techniques, information architecture, usability testing, and interaction design.
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Proven experience working with and contributing to existing design systems, with a clear understanding of how to maintain and evolve them.
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Demonstrated ability to facilitate workshops, conduct user research, and translate findings into actionable design decisions.
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Excellent English communication skills, both written and verbal, with the ability to present design concepts and rationale clearly and persuasively to clients and stakeholders.
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A collaborative mindset, with a capacity to receive and integrate feedback effectively, while also providing constructive input to peers.
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Experience in producing a full spectrum of design artifacts, including user flows, personas, journey maps, wireframes, and high-fidelity prototypes. Preferred Skills:
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Experience in designing for consumer applications, particularly in sectors such as parenting, health, or lifestyle products.
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Familiarity with AI-assisted design workflows and tools to enhance design efficiency and creativity.
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Basic understanding of front-end development concepts (HTML, CSS) to facilitate better communication and collaboration with development teams.
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Experience utilizing user research and analytics tools such as UserTesting, Optimal Workshop, or Hotjar for data-driven design validation.
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Knowledge of WCAG accessibility standards and best practices for designing inclusive digital products.
๐ Enhancement Note: The requirements emphasize deep practical skills in Figma and core UX principles. The explicit mention of "6+ years of hands-on UI/UX experience with a portfolio that shows real range" sets a high bar. The preference for specific industry experience and AI/front-end knowledge indicates areas where candidates can further differentiate themselves.
๐ Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements
Portfolio Essentials:
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A comprehensive portfolio showcasing a minimum of 6 years of UI/UX design work, demonstrating breadth across different product types and platforms.
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Clear case studies detailing the design process for at least 2-3 significant projects, highlighting problem identification, user research, design iterations, and final outcomes.
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Evidence of deep Figma proficiency, including examples of complex component libraries, interactive prototypes, and collaborative design file structures.
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Documentation of experience with design systems, showing how you've contributed to, maintained, or improved existing systems.
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Examples of user flows, personas, journey maps, wireframes, and high-fidelity prototypes that illustrate your problem-solving approach.
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Demonstrations of your ability to present design decisions and rationale, ideally with links to live products or detailed mockups that articulate the "why" behind your design choices. Process Documentation:
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Examples of how you document your design process, including research findings, user testing reports, and design specifications for developer handoff.
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Showcasing your approach to iterative design, including how you incorporate feedback and conduct design reviews.
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Evidence of experience in facilitating design workshops and documenting outcomes and action items.
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Presentation materials or case studies that demonstrate your ability to articulate design strategy and impact to stakeholders.
๐ Enhancement Note: The portfolio requirements are central to this application, emphasizing practical demonstration of skills and process. The need for "real range across product types and platforms" and "deep Figma proficiency" are key indicators of what the hiring team is looking for. The focus on process documentation highlights the importance of a structured and communicative approach to design.
๐ต Compensation & Benefits
Salary Range: Based on industry benchmarks for Senior Product Designers in the Czech Republic with 6+ years of experience, and considering the company's profile as a custom product engineering firm, an estimated annual salary range would be CZK 900,000 - CZK 1,400,000. This estimate accounts for the cost of living in major Czech cities, the required experience level, and the specialized skills in demand for this role.
Benefits:
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Flexible working hours: Allows for better work-life integration and personal scheduling.
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Home office option: Provides flexibility in where you work, complementing the hybrid model.
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5 weeks of holiday: Generous annual leave allowance for rest and rejuvenation.
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5 sick days: Dedicated days for personal health and well-being.
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Multisport Card: Access to a wide range of sports and wellness facilities.
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Meal allowance: Financial support for daily meals.
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Internal trainings: Opportunities for continuous professional development through workshops and seminars.
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Paid certifications and technical as well as soft-skills training: Investment in career growth and skill enhancement.
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Possibility to participate in international conferences: Exposure to global trends and networking opportunities.
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Fresh fruit, coffee, and a weekly company breakfast in the office: Enhancements to the office environment and team bonding.
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Loyalty bonus: Recognition and reward for long-term commitment to the company.
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Referral bonus programme: Incentives for bringing new talent to Ciklum.
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Corporate events: Regular team-building and social activities to foster a strong company culture.
Working Hours: The standard working hours are not explicitly stated but are implied to be around 40 hours per week, with the provision of "Flexible working hours" and a "Home office option" indicating a modern, adaptable work approach suitable for operations professionals who often need to balance deep work with team collaboration.
๐ Enhancement Note: While a specific salary range was not provided in the raw data, a professional estimate has been generated based on typical market rates for a Senior Product Designer in the Czech Republic. The extensive list of benefits highlights Ciklum's commitment to employee well-being and professional development, which are key attractors for experienced professionals.
๐ฏ Team & Company Context
๐ข Company Culture
Industry: Ciklum operates as a custom product engineering company, serving a diverse client base ranging from multinational corporations to scaling startups. Their focus is on engineering technology that redefines industries, positioning them at the forefront of innovation across various sectors. This means the design team will engage with cutting-edge challenges and diverse business models.
Company Size: With over 4,000 highly skilled professionals globally, Ciklum is a large, established organization. This size suggests robust internal processes, opportunities for cross-functional collaboration, and access to a wide range of resources and expertise. For operations professionals, this often translates to structured career paths and clear operational frameworks.
Founded: While the founding date isn't specified, the company's description as a "custom product engineering company" supporting "scaling startups" and "multinational organizations" implies a history of growth and adaptation. This suggests a dynamic environment that values innovation and responsiveness to market needs.
Team Structure:
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The Senior Product Designer will be part of a "tight-knit, Ciklum-led team of 7-8 people" working on a specific live project. This implies a focused, agile team structure for this particular engagement.
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Within the broader Ciklum organization, the design team likely has a dedicated leadership structure, with senior designers mentoring junior ones, and reporting lines that connect to product or engineering management.
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Cross-functional collaboration is a core tenet, with daily interaction expected between designers, developers, product managers, and researchers. Methodology:
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Data Analysis and Insights: The role emphasizes translating user research findings into "clear design decisions," indicating a data-driven approach. This involves analyzing user behavior, feedback, and market trends.
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Workflow Planning and Optimization: The responsibilities include taking "ownership of your design tracks - from discovery and research through to final handoff," suggesting a structured workflow management approach. Improving existing design systems also points to optimization efforts.
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Automation and Efficiency Practices: While not explicitly stated as a primary focus for design, the mention of AI-assisted design workflows and the general drive for efficiency in product engineering implies an openness to leveraging tools and methods that streamline processes.
Company Website: Ciklum Website URL
๐ Enhancement Note: The company context highlights Ciklum's position as a significant player in product engineering, offering exposure to diverse and impactful projects. The team structure for this role is specific (small, project-focused), but the overall company size suggests broader organizational support and opportunities. The emphasis on data-driven workflows and continuous improvement aligns well with operations principles.
๐ Career & Growth Analysis
Operations Career Level: This role is firmly positioned at the Senior level within the Product Design discipline. It requires not only advanced individual contribution skills but also the ability to lead design initiatives, mentor others, and contribute strategically to project direction and pre-sales efforts. The expectation to "shape the vision" and "take ownership of design tracks" signifies a leadership component beyond typical senior individual contributor roles.
Reporting Structure: The Senior Product Designer will be part of a "tight-knit, Ciklum-led team of 7-8 people" working on a specific project. Within this project team, they will likely report to a Project Lead, Product Manager, or a Design Lead overseeing the engagement. In the broader Ciklum organization, there would be a Design Director or Head of Design responsible for the overall design function and career development.
Operations Impact: The Senior Product Designer's impact is crucial to the success of the product, especially on a project with over a million active users. Their work directly influences user engagement, satisfaction, and retention through intuitive and effective design. By shaping the product's vision and ensuring a high-quality user experience, they contribute significantly to the product's market success, user adoption, and ultimately, the client's business objectives. This role is instrumental in driving product-market fit and user-centric innovation.
Growth Opportunities:
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Operations Skill Advancement: Deepen expertise in advanced UX research methodologies, design system management, and potentially specialized areas like accessibility or AI-driven design. Opportunity to lead design strategy for entire product tracks.
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Leadership Development: Progress into roles such as Design Lead for specific projects, or a Principal/Lead Product Designer position, taking on more strategic oversight and team management responsibilities. Mentoring junior designers is a direct step towards leadership.
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Cross-Functional Expertise: Gain deeper insights into product management, development processes, and client business strategies through close collaboration and pre-sales involvement, broadening overall GTM understanding.
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Industry Exposure: Work on diverse projects across various industries, enhancing adaptability and breadth of experience. Opportunities to attend international conferences can provide exposure to global design trends and leadership thinking.
๐ Enhancement Note: The "Senior" title is reinforced by the responsibilities and expected impact. The growth opportunities highlight a clear path for advancement, emphasizing both technical design mastery and leadership potential within the product development lifecycle. The connection to "operations" is framed through the lens of process efficiency, strategic input, and cross-functional collaboration within the GTM and product engineering context.
๐ Work Environment
Office Type: Ciklum offers a hybrid working model, with options for remote work and office-based collaboration. The company has physical offices in Prague, Hradec Krรกlovรฉ, and Zlรญn in the Czech Republic. This setup allows for flexibility while still providing opportunities for in-person collaboration and team bonding.
Office Location(s): The role is based in the Czech Republic, with specific office locations in Prague, Hradec Krรกlovรฉ, and Zlรญn. This provides geographical options within the country. The hybrid and remote options mean candidates can choose the work arrangement that best suits their location and preferences, as long as they can access one of these hubs for occasional collaboration.
Workspace Context:
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Collaborative Environment: The hybrid model encourages collaboration, with opportunities for in-person workshops, design reviews, and team meetings in the office. This facilitates spontaneous brainstorming and stronger team cohesion.
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Operations Tools and Technology: Designers will have access to industry-standard tools like Figma, and potentially other research and prototyping software. The company's focus on product engineering suggests a modern tech stack and a supportive IT infrastructure.
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Team Interaction: Daily interaction with a dedicated project team (developers, PMs, researchers) is expected, fostering a dynamic and communicative work environment. The office provides a space for informal interactions and knowledge sharing.
Work Schedule: The company offers "Flexible working hours" and a "Home office option," indicating a modern and adaptable work schedule. While a standard 40-hour work week is implied, employees have a degree of autonomy in structuring their day, which is beneficial for deep work sessions required in design and for managing personal commitments.
๐ Enhancement Note: The hybrid and flexible work environment is a significant aspect of this role, catering to modern work expectations. The availability of multiple office locations within the Czech Republic adds to the flexibility. The emphasis on collaboration, both in-person and remote, is key to understanding the work dynamics.
๐ Application & Portfolio Review Process
Interview Process:
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Application Submission: Initial screening based on resume and portfolio. A strong portfolio showcasing relevant experience and Figma proficiency is critical.
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Initial Screening/Recruiter Call: Discussion about your background, experience, motivations, and cultural fit. This is an opportunity to ask questions about the role and Ciklum.
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Hiring Manager/Design Lead Interview: Deeper dive into your UX/UI expertise, design process, and experience with design systems. You may be asked to walk through specific projects from your portfolio.
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Design Exercise/Case Study Presentation: A practical test, which could involve a design challenge or presenting a detailed case study from your portfolio. This assesses your problem-solving skills, design rationale, and presentation abilities.
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Team/Stakeholder Interviews: Meetings with potential colleagues (developers, PMs) and possibly clients to assess collaboration style, communication skills, and overall fit within the project team and company culture.
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Final Offer: Based on successful completion of all stages.
Portfolio Review Tips:
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Curate Strategically: Select 3-4 of your strongest projects that demonstrate breadth across product types and platforms, and clearly highlight your role and contributions. Prioritize projects that align with Ciklum's work (custom product engineering, complex challenges).
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Showcase Figma Mastery: Include examples of your work within Figma, such as complex component libraries, interactive prototypes, and well-structured design files, demonstrating your deep proficiency.
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Detail Your Process: For each project, clearly articulate the problem, your research methodology, design iterations, key decisions made (and why), and the final outcome or impact. Use user flows, personas, and journey maps to illustrate your thinking.
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Highlight Design System Experience: If you've worked with or improved design systems, showcase this explicitly, explaining your approach and the benefits achieved.
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Articulate Impact: Quantify results where possible (e.g., improved conversion rates, reduced user errors, increased engagement). If quantitative data isn't available, focus on qualitative improvements and user feedback.
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Practice Your Presentation: Be prepared to present your portfolio case studies concisely and confidently, explaining your rationale and design decisions clearly.
Challenge Preparation:
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Understand the Context: If given a design challenge, ensure you fully understand the brief, target audience, and business objectives. Ask clarifying questions.
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Structure Your Approach: Outline your design process for the challenge (e.g., Define, Research, Ideate, Prototype, Test).
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Focus on Rationale: Clearly explain the reasoning behind your design choices, even if you can't complete a fully polished deliverable within the timeframe.
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Leverage Your Strengths: Use Figma efficiently for wireframing and prototyping. If you have front-end knowledge, you can mention how your design translates to code.
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Communication is Key: Be prepared to present your solution and defend your decisions, demonstrating your ability to think critically and communicate effectively.
๐ Enhancement Note: The application process emphasizes a strong portfolio and practical demonstration of skills. The advice for portfolio review and challenge preparation is tailored to highlight the specific requirements mentioned in the job description, such as Figma proficiency, design system experience, and client presentation skills.
๐ Tools & Technology Stack
Primary Tools:
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Figma: This is explicitly stated as a requirement for "deep proficiency." Expect to use it extensively for UI design, prototyping, component library management, and collaborative design.
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Prototyping Tools: While Figma covers prototyping, familiarity with other advanced prototyping tools might be beneficial for complex interactions or specific client needs.
Analytics & Reporting:
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User Research Tools: Experience with tools like UserTesting, Optimal Workshop, or Hotjar is desirable for conducting and analyzing user research, informing design decisions with data.
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General Analytics Platforms: While not explicitly mentioned for designers, understanding how to interpret data from platforms like Google Analytics or product-specific analytics dashboards would be advantageous for understanding user behavior and product performance.
CRM & Automation:
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Design System Management: Tools or methodologies for managing and scaling design systems are implicitly important.
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Collaboration & Project Management Tools: Familiarity with tools like Jira, Confluence, Slack, or similar platforms used for team communication, task tracking, and documentation is standard in such environments.
๐ Enhancement Note: The technology stack heavily revolves around design tools, with Figma being the centerpiece. The mention of research tools and AI-assisted design workflows indicates an interest in data-driven design and leveraging modern technology to enhance the design process.
๐ฅ Team Culture & Values
Operations Values:
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Innovation & Engineering Excellence: Ciklum's core identity as a "custom product engineering company" that "redefines industries" suggests a strong value placed on innovation, technical expertise, and delivering high-quality, impactful solutions.
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Collaboration & One Team: The emphasis on "One Team culture that values collaboration and progress" indicates a cooperative environment where teamwork and shared goals are paramount.
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Empowerment & Progress: The slogan "Explore, empower, engineer with Ciklum!" suggests a culture that empowers employees to take initiative, learn, and contribute to forward momentum.
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Data-Driven Decision Making: The requirement to "back every decision with solid reasoning" and translate "findings into clear design decisions" points to a culture that values evidence-based approaches.
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Continuous Improvement: The expectation to "keep improving the way the team works" and "bring new thinking to the team" highlights a commitment to ongoing process enhancement and learning.
Collaboration Style:
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Cross-Functional Integration: Daily collaboration with developers, product managers, and researchers is a key aspect, requiring designers to be adept at working within multidisciplinary teams.
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Feedback Culture: The role values individuals who "take feedback well and give it even better," suggesting an open and constructive environment for design critiques and peer reviews.
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Knowledge Sharing: Mentoring junior designers and "sharing knowledge across the team" indicates a culture that promotes learning and development amongst its members.
๐ Enhancement Note: The culture at Ciklum appears to be a blend of technical excellence, collaborative spirit, and a forward-thinking approach to innovation. The values align well with the expectations of a senior role that requires both technical leadership and strong interpersonal skills.
โก Challenges & Growth Opportunities
Challenges:
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Designing for Scale: Working on a product with over a million active users presents the challenge of designing for scalability, performance, and a diverse user base with varied needs and technical capabilities.
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Evolving an Existing Design System: Maintaining and improving a live design system for a large user base requires careful consideration of backward compatibility, consistency, and the introduction of new components and patterns without disrupting existing user experiences.
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Balancing Client Vision with User Needs: Effectively advocating for user-centric design decisions while aligning with client objectives and technical constraints will be a continuous challenge, requiring strong negotiation and communication skills.
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Staying Ahead of Design Trends: The rapid evolution of design tools, methodologies (like AI-assisted design), and user expectations necessitates continuous learning and adaptation to remain effective and innovative.
Learning & Development Opportunities:
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Advanced Design Specialization: Opportunities to deepen expertise in areas like advanced interaction design, accessibility standards (WCAG), or exploring AI integration in design workflows.
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Leadership and Mentorship: Developing leadership skills through mentoring junior designers and potentially leading design initiatives or client workshops.
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Cross-Disciplinary Exposure: Gaining deeper understanding of product management, software engineering practices, and client business strategies through close team collaboration.
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Industry Engagement: Participation in international conferences and paid certifications offers exposure to global best practices and networking opportunities within the tech and design communities.
๐ Enhancement Note: The challenges presented are typical for a senior role on a high-impact project, offering significant opportunities for professional growth. The learning and development avenues are well-aligned with advancing a career in product design and operations.
๐ก Interview Preparation
Strategy Questions:
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Design Strategy & Methodology: "How would you approach designing a new feature for a product with over a million active users, considering scalability and diverse user needs?" Prepare to discuss your discovery process, research methods, and iterative design approach.
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Collaboration & Stakeholder Management: "Describe a time you had to advocate for a design decision that conflicted with stakeholder preferences. How did you navigate that situation, and what was the outcome?" Be ready to share examples of your communication, negotiation, and presentation skills.
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Problem-Solving & Process Improvement: "Imagine you've identified an inefficiency in our current design system. How would you go about proposing and implementing a change?" Focus on your analytical skills, process thinking, and ability to drive improvements.
Company & Culture Questions:
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Company Operations Culture: "What interests you most about Ciklum's approach to custom product engineering and its 'One Team' culture?" Research Ciklum's values and recent projects. Articulate how your working style aligns with their collaborative and innovative ethos.
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Operations Team Dynamics: "How do you typically collaborate with developers and product managers? What are your strategies for ensuring smooth handoffs and ongoing communication?" Prepare examples of successful cross-functional teamwork.
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Operations Impact Measurement: "How do you measure the success of your design solutions? Can you provide an example where your design had a measurable positive impact on users or business goals?" Be ready to discuss metrics, user feedback, and ROI.
Portfolio Presentation Strategy:
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Structure Your Narrative: For each case study, start with the business problem, outline your role and process, detail your key design decisions with rationale, and conclude with the results and lessons learned.
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Highlight Your Figma Expertise: Demonstrate your proficiency by showing interactive prototypes, component libraries, and design system contributions within your portfolio or presentation.
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Quantify Impact: Whenever possible, use data and metrics to showcase the success of your designs. If not, use qualitative user feedback to support your claims.
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Showcase Your Process: Clearly illustrate your user research, ideation, iteration, and testing phases. This demonstrates a thoughtful and user-centered approach.
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Be Prepared for Questions: Anticipate questions about your decision-making, challenges faced, and alternative solutions you considered.
๐ Enhancement Note: The interview preparation focuses on aligning candidate responses with the core requirements of the role: strategic design thinking, collaborative abilities, problem-solving skills, and a strong understanding of impact and process. Emphasis is placed on demonstrating practical application of skills and aligning with Ciklum's culture.
๐ Application Steps
To apply for this Senior Product Designer position:
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Submit your application through the provided link on the Oracle Cloud platform.
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Customize Your Resume: Tailor your resume to highlight your 6+ years of UI/UX experience, deep Figma proficiency, experience with design systems, and any relevant industry experience (consumer apps, health, lifestyle). Quantify achievements where possible.
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Prepare Your Portfolio: Ensure your portfolio is polished, well-organized, and showcases a range of projects demonstrating your end-to-end design process. Focus on case studies that highlight problem-solving, user research, Figma mastery, and any experience with design systems. Be ready to present 2-3 key projects in detail.
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Research Ciklum: Understand Ciklum's mission, values, and the types of projects they undertake. Familiarize yourself with their "One Team" culture and their focus on custom product engineering.
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Practice Your Presentation Skills: Rehearse walking through your portfolio case studies, clearly articulating your design rationale, process, and the impact of your work. Be prepared to answer questions about your design decisions and collaboration style.
โ ๏ธ 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
Candidates must have 6+ years of hands-on UI/UX experience with a strong portfolio and deep proficiency in Figma. A solid foundation in UX research, design systems, and the ability to present to clients fluently in English are required.