Senior Product Designer

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Senior Product Designer Company: Coveo Location: Montreal (Province of Quebec, Canada); Quebec City (Province of Quebec, Canada) Job Type: Full-Time Category: Product Design / User Experience (UX) Date Posted: May 13, 2026 Experience Level: 5-10 years Remote Status: Hybrid

🚀 Role Summary

• Lead end-to-end product design initiatives, from discovery and research to prototyping and final experience delivery, with a focus on AI-powered technologies.
• Drive user-centric design methodologies and advocate for user needs throughout the product development lifecycle, ensuring impactful solutions.
• Collaborate closely with Product Managers, Engineers, and fellow Designers in an Agile environment to translate complex business and customer challenges into intuitive and effective digital product experiences.
• Leverage cutting-edge AI and Large Language Model (LLM) technologies to enhance design workflows, accelerate discovery, and foster innovation within the design process.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is positioned as a Senior Product Designer within Coveo, a company specializing in AI-powered search and insights. The emphasis on AI/LLM integration suggests a forward-thinking design team that actively incorporates emerging technologies into their design and research processes. The dual location offering indicates flexibility for candidates in either Montreal or Quebec City.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Spearhead discovery, user research, ideation, prototyping, and comprehensive experience design initiatives for key product areas within a dedicated cross-functional product team.
• Forge strong partnerships with Product Managers and Engineering teams to achieve a deep understanding of customer pain points and business objectives, translating these insights into innovative and impactful product solutions.
• Actively facilitate workshops, customer interviews, and collaborative design sessions, contributing to and evolving the established Design Playbook for consistent and effective design practices.
• Champion user-centered design principles and practices across all stages of product discovery and delivery, ensuring the end-user remains at the forefront of all design decisions.
• Integrate and leverage Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Large Language Model (LLM)-based technologies to streamline discovery, enhance collaboration, and optimize overall design workflows and productivity.
• Engage in regular design critiques, provide constructive feedback, and participate in shared initiatives with other designers to maintain design consistency, quality, and a cohesive user experience across Coveo's product suite.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a leadership role in design, emphasizing a proactive approach to research and problem-solving. The mention of a "Design Playbook" suggests an existing framework that the candidate is expected to contribute to and evolve, indicating a structured yet adaptable design culture. The explicit focus on AI/LLM tools underscores the company's commitment to leveraging advanced technologies in design.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: While no specific degree is mandated, a Bachelor's or Master's degree in Design (e.g., Graphic Design, Interaction Design, Human-Computer Interaction), Computer Science, or a related field is highly beneficial. Equivalent practical experience will also be considered.

Experience: Minimum of 5 years of progressive experience in designing digital products, encompassing the entire product lifecycle from initial discovery and user research through to post-launch optimization and iteration.

Required Skills:

• Demonstrated expertise in leading comprehensive user research initiatives, including qualitative and quantitative methods, and the ability to translate complex customer insights into actionable product decisions and design strategies.
• Proven comfort and proficiency in navigating ambiguity, independently leading workshops, brainstorming sessions, and cross-functional collaboration activities to drive design solutions.
• Exceptional storytelling and communication skills, with a strong ability to articulate and defend design decisions clearly and persuasively to both technical (e.g., engineers, product managers) and non-technical stakeholders.
• A deep-seated value for direct customer engagement, with a willingness to travel up to 10% of the time for in-person discovery sessions and to gather critical insights that inform product direction.
• Proficiency in designing digital products across the full product lifecycle, from inception to optimization.
• Expertise in user-centered design principles and methodologies.

Preferred Skills:

• Hands-on experience utilizing AI- and LLM-assisted tools to accelerate research synthesis, prototyping, systems thinking, or collaborative design workflows.
• Substantial experience contributing to the development, maintenance, and evolution of design systems at scale, with a focus on enhancing user experience consistency and reducing technical debt.
• Strong collaborative experience working seamlessly with product development teams operating within Agile methodologies and frameworks.
• Proven track record of working directly with strategic enterprise customers, leading in-person discovery sessions, and translating those interactions into strategic product design recommendations.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "5+ years" requirement, combined with the emphasis on leading research and navigating ambiguity, clearly delineates this as a senior-level position. The preference for AI/LLM tool experience and design systems expertise highlights specific technical and strategic competencies that will set candidates apart, aligning with Coveo's focus on AI-driven products and scalable design solutions.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Showcase a minimum of 2-3 comprehensive case studies demonstrating end-to-end product design ownership, from initial problem definition and user research to final solution and post-launch impact.
• Highlight specific examples of how your design process addressed complex user needs and business objectives, with a clear articulation of the problem statement, your approach, and the achieved outcomes.
• Include tangible evidence of your experience in user research, including methodologies used, key findings, and how these insights directly informed design decisions and product iterations.
• Demonstrate your proficiency in prototyping tools and your ability to create interactive prototypes to test and validate design concepts effectively.
• Clearly articulate your role and contributions within cross-functional teams, illustrating your collaboration with product managers and engineers.

Process Documentation:

• Detail your approach to user research and discovery, including methods for identifying user pain points and validating design hypotheses.
• Illustrate your workflow for ideation, wireframing, prototyping, and user testing, emphasizing iterative design cycles.
• Explain how you have contributed to or utilized design systems, showcasing your understanding of design consistency, scalability, and component-based design.
• Provide examples of how you have measured the success of your designs, including relevant metrics and post-launch optimization strategies.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a Senior Product Designer role, especially one focused on AI and requiring leadership, a robust portfolio is critical. The emphasis should be on demonstrating strategic thinking, end-to-end process ownership, and quantifiable impact rather than just polished UI. Case studies that showcase problem-solving in complex environments and collaboration within Agile teams will be highly valued.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: Based on industry benchmarks for Senior Product Designers in Montreal and Quebec City, Canada, with 5-10 years of experience, the estimated annual salary range is CAD $95,000 - $130,000. This estimate considers the cost of living in these regions, the specialized nature of AI/LLM product design, and Coveo's position as a technology company.

Benefits:

• Comprehensive health and dental insurance plans.
• Retirement savings plan with company matching contributions.
• Generous paid time off (PTO), including vacation days, personal days, and holidays.
• Opportunities for professional development, including training, conferences, and access to learning resources.
• Employee assistance programs (EAP) for mental health and well-being support.
• Potential for stock options or performance-based bonuses.
• Flexible work arrangements (Hybrid model).

Working Hours: Standard full-time working hours are typically 40 hours per week. While the role is hybrid, specific daily schedules can be discussed and may offer some flexibility to accommodate team collaboration and individual productivity needs, particularly for deep work sessions.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range is an estimate based on typical compensation for senior design roles in Canada, adjusted for Quebec's market and the specific demands of AI-focused product design. The benefits listed are standard for technology companies in Canada and are inferred to be offered by Coveo. The "Hybrid" work arrangement implies a need for some in-office presence, likely for collaboration and team cohesion, which is common for senior roles.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Software, Artificial Intelligence (AI), Search Technology, Customer Engagement Platforms. Coveo operates at the intersection of AI, enterprise search, and customer experience, providing intelligent solutions for businesses. This context means the design team works with complex data and sophisticated algorithms, requiring a strong understanding of user needs in enterprise and customer-facing applications.

Company Size: Coveo is a mid-sized to large technology company, with a significant number of employees (likely in the hundreds to a few thousand, based on typical tech company growth). This size indicates a structured organization with established processes, but also enough agility for individual impact. For operations professionals, this often means access to resources and clear career paths, alongside opportunities to influence processes.

Founded: Coveo was founded in 2005. With nearly two decades of experience, the company has a mature product suite and a solid market presence. This history suggests a stable yet evolving company that values innovation, particularly in its AI offerings.

Team Structure:

• The design team is likely composed of various specialists, including Product Designers, UX Researchers, and potentially UI Designers or Design Technologists. The Senior Product Designer will be part of this group, reporting to a Design Lead or Head of Design.
• The reporting structure is likely hierarchical within the design department, but the role emphasizes strong cross-functional collaboration with Product Management and Engineering, forming project-based "squads" or "pods."
• Collaboration is expected to be highly integrated, with designers working closely alongside PMs and engineers from the initial stages of product development through to release and iteration.

Methodology:

• Coveo likely employs data-driven decision-making. The design team will be expected to utilize analytics, user feedback, and AI-driven insights to inform design choices and measure product performance.
• Agile methodologies are standard in software development, so the design process will likely be integrated into sprint cycles, emphasizing iterative design and rapid feedback loops.
• Emphasis on user-centricity and AI-powered solutions suggests a methodology that balances user needs with technological capabilities and business goals.

Company Website: https://www.coveo.com/en

📝 Enhancement Note: Coveo's focus on AI and enterprise solutions means the design team operates in a technically advanced and data-rich environment. The company's maturity (founded in 2005) suggests established processes and a stable foundation, while its AI focus implies a drive for innovation. The "Join the Coveolife!" slogan and emphasis on diversity suggest a culture that values its employees and fosters an inclusive environment.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This is a Senior Product Designer role, indicating a high level of autonomy and responsibility. Senior designers are expected to lead projects, mentor junior team members, and contribute to strategic design decisions. They are often seen as subject matter experts in specific areas of design or product.

Reporting Structure: The Senior Product Designer will report to a Design Manager or Head of Design, but will work day-to-day within cross-functional product teams. This structure allows for both departmental guidance and project-specific immersion. Collaboration with Product Managers and Engineering leads will be paramount.

Operations Impact: The Senior Product Designer will have a significant impact on the company's success by directly shaping the user experience of AI-powered products. This includes influencing product strategy, driving user adoption, improving customer satisfaction, and ultimately contributing to revenue growth through better product performance and customer retention. Their work on AI/LLM integration can also position Coveo as an innovator in the market.

Growth Opportunities:

• Design Leadership: Progression to Lead Product Designer, Design Manager, or Head of Design roles, with increased responsibility for team management, strategy, and vision.
• Specialization: Deepening expertise in AI/LLM design, user research methodologies, or design systems, becoming a recognized subject matter expert within the company or industry.
• Product Strategy: Opportunities to influence product roadmaps and contribute to long-term product vision and strategy, moving beyond execution to strategic planning.
• Mentorship: Guiding and mentoring junior designers, fostering their development and contributing to the overall growth of the design team's capabilities.

📝 Enhancement Note: The Senior title implies that candidates are expected to be self-starters and capable of influencing design direction. The growth opportunities are aligned with typical career paths in established tech companies, offering both vertical advancement and specialization. The emphasis on AI/LLM integration suggests that developing expertise in this area could be a significant differentiator for career growth at Coveo.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The role is designated as Hybrid, meaning it requires a combination of remote work and in-office presence. This suggests a flexible work model that balances the benefits of remote work with the collaborative and social aspects of an office environment.

Office Location(s): The position is available in Montreal and Quebec City, Quebec, Canada. This offers candidates in these regions the opportunity to work from a physical office location when required. Specific details about office amenities, such as collaborative spaces, quiet zones, and access to technology, would be available upon inquiry.

Workspace Context:

• The hybrid model fosters a collaborative environment where team members can engage in in-person brainstorming, design critiques, and team-building activities, while also allowing for focused individual work remotely.
• Access to industry-standard design software, collaboration tools (e.g., Slack, Teams), and potentially specialized AI/LLM tools will be provided to facilitate efficient design workflows.
• Opportunities for regular interaction with product managers, engineers, researchers, and fellow designers will be abundant, promoting a strong sense of team cohesion and shared purpose.

Work Schedule: The typical work schedule aligns with standard business hours (e.g., 9 AM to 5 PM), with a 40-hour work week. The hybrid nature allows for some flexibility in structuring the workday, but core collaboration hours will likely be established to ensure effective team communication and participation in meetings and workshops.

📝 Enhancement Note: The hybrid nature of the role is a key aspect of the work environment. It suggests a company that values work-life balance while recognizing the importance of in-person collaboration for senior-level roles that involve strategy and team leadership. Candidates should be prepared to spend a portion of their week in the office.

📄 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 alignment with the role's requirements.
• Portfolio Presentation & Design Challenge: A session where you present a selection of your work, focusing on case studies that demonstrate your process, problem-solving skills, and impact. This may be followed by a design challenge, either take-home or live, to assess your practical design skills and approach to problem-solving within Coveo's context (e.g., an AI-related design problem).
• Cross-functional Interviews: Meetings with Product Managers, Engineers, and potentially other Designers to evaluate your collaboration style, technical understanding, and ability to work effectively within a cross-functional team.
• Hiring Manager Interview: A final discussion with the hiring manager to delve deeper into your experience, career aspirations, and cultural fit with Coveo.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Wisely: Select 2-3 of your strongest case studies that best represent your skills in leading design initiatives, user research, and handling complex problems, especially those involving AI or data.
• Tell a Story: For each case study, clearly articulate the problem, your role, your process (research, ideation, iteration, testing), the challenges faced, and the measurable impact of your design solutions. Use visuals effectively.
• Highlight AI/LLM Experience: If you have experience with AI/LLM tools in your design process, make sure to showcase it prominently, explaining how it enhanced your work.
• Demonstrate Process, Not Just Pixels: Emphasize your thought process, decision-making, and how you leveraged user insights and business goals. Show wireframes, user flows, and prototypes, not just final UIs.
• Be Prepared for Questions: Anticipate questions about your design decisions, how you handle feedback, your collaboration style, and your experience with design systems and Agile methodologies.

Challenge Preparation:

• Understand the Context: If a design challenge is provided, ensure you thoroughly understand the problem statement and any constraints. Consider Coveo's domain (AI, search, customer engagement).
• Focus on Process: Even if time is limited, demonstrate a structured approach to problem-solving. Outline your assumptions, research steps (even if hypothetical), ideation, and proposed solutions.
• Communicate Your Thinking: Clearly articulate your reasoning and trade-offs. This is often more important than the final visual output.
• Practice Presentation: Be ready to present your work and challenge solutions concisely and persuasively.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process is standard for senior design roles, emphasizing portfolio strength and practical application. The inclusion of AI/LLM tools in the preferred skills suggests that challenges or case study discussions might revolve around these technologies. Candidates should be prepared to articulate their process and impact.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Design & Prototyping Software: Figma, Sketch, Adobe Creative Suite (Illustrator, Photoshop), InVision, Axure RP, or similar industry-standard tools for wireframing, UI design, and interactive prototyping.
• User Research Platforms: Tools for conducting remote usability testing, surveys, and user interviews (e.g., UserTesting.com, Lookback, Maze, SurveyMonkey, Qualtrics).
• Collaboration & Communication: Slack, Microsoft Teams, Zoom, Confluence, Jira for team communication, project management, and documentation.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Web Analytics: Google Analytics, Adobe Analytics, or similar platforms for tracking user behavior and product performance.
• Product Analytics: Tools like Amplitude, Mixpanel, or Pendo for in-depth user behavior analysis and feature adoption tracking.
• Data Visualization: Tableau, Power BI, or Looker for creating dashboards and reports to communicate insights to stakeholders.

CRM & Automation:

• CRM: Salesforce, HubSpot, or similar CRM systems that the product design might integrate with or influence.
• Design System Management: Tools or platforms used for managing and documenting design systems (e.g., Zeroheight, Storybook).
• AI/LLM Tools: Experience with AI-assisted design tools, natural language processing (NLP) tools, or platforms that integrate LLMs for content generation, research synthesis, or workflow automation.

📝 Enhancement Note: The tool stack reflects a modern design team's needs, with a strong emphasis on collaborative design platforms, robust user research capabilities, and project management integration. The explicit mention of AI/LLM tools is a key differentiator, highlighting Coveo's commitment to leveraging these technologies. Proficiency in at least one major design tool and familiarity with user research platforms are essential.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• User-Centricity: A deep commitment to understanding and serving user needs, ensuring that all design decisions are grounded in user research and empathy.
• Innovation & AI Integration: A forward-thinking approach that embraces new technologies, particularly AI and LLMs, to drive product innovation and enhance user experiences.
• Collaboration & Transparency: A culture of open communication, shared ownership, and mutual respect, where team members work together effectively across disciplines.
• Impact & Measurable Results: A focus on delivering tangible value and driving business outcomes through design, with an emphasis on data-driven decision-making and performance measurement.
• Continuous Improvement: A dedication to learning, growth, and iterative refinement of both products and processes, embracing feedback and adapting to change.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-functional Partnership: Designers are integral members of cross-functional product teams, working closely with Product Managers, Engineers, and Researchers from inception to delivery.
• Iterative Design & Feedback: A culture that encourages regular design critiques, peer reviews, and rapid iteration based on feedback from both internal teams and external customers.
• Knowledge Sharing: Encouraging the sharing of best practices, learnings, and insights through design reviews, internal documentation, and informal discussions to foster collective growth.

📝 Enhancement Note: Coveo's values likely align with typical progressive tech companies, emphasizing innovation, user focus, and collaboration. The specific mention of AI integration highlights a key cultural driver. The collaborative style within cross-functional teams is crucial for success in this hybrid, Agile environment.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Designing for AI Complexity: Translating complex AI/LLM functionalities into intuitive and user-friendly experiences for diverse user groups, managing user expectations around AI capabilities.
• Navigating Ambiguity: Working in a rapidly evolving technological landscape and on novel product features where clear requirements may not always exist initially, requiring strong problem-solving and initiative.
• Balancing Innovation with Usability: Ensuring that cutting-edge AI features are not only innovative but also practical, reliable, and easy for users to adopt and benefit from.
• Evolving Design Systems: Maintaining and expanding design systems to accommodate new AI-driven features and ensure consistency across a growing product suite.
• Cross-functional Alignment: Ensuring that design vision and user needs are consistently understood and prioritized across Product, Engineering, and Sales/Marketing.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• AI/LLM Specialization: Deepen expertise in designing for AI applications, understanding prompt engineering, ethical AI considerations, and user interaction patterns with intelligent systems.
• Advanced Research Techniques: Access to training and resources for advanced user research methodologies, particularly those relevant to AI product adoption and user perception.
• Design Leadership Training: Opportunities to develop leadership skills through mentorship programs, workshops, and taking on more strategic design responsibilities.
• Industry Conferences & Certifications: Support for attending relevant design and AI conferences (e.g., CHI, UXPA, AI-specific tech events) and pursuing certifications.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges presented are typical for senior roles in innovative tech companies, particularly those at the forefront of AI. The growth opportunities are well-defined and offer clear paths for professional development, aligning with the company's focus on technology and leadership.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you led the design of a complex digital product from concept to launch. What was your process, what challenges did you face, and what was the impact?" (Focus on end-to-end ownership, problem-solving, and metrics.)
• "How do you approach user research for a product that uses AI/LLM technology? What are the unique considerations?" (Highlight methodologies, ethical considerations, and how to gather insights on complex features.)
• "Walk us through your experience with design systems. How have you contributed to or evolved one, and why are they important for companies like Coveo?" (Demonstrate understanding of scalability, consistency, and efficiency.)
• "How do you collaborate with Product Managers and Engineers to ensure design is integrated effectively into an Agile development process?" (Showcase teamwork, communication, and understanding of Agile workflows.)

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What excites you about Coveo's mission and its focus on AI-powered search and insights?" (Research Coveo’s products, market position, and recent news.)
• "How do you see AI/LLM technology influencing the future of product design, and how would you apply that to your work here?" (Demonstrate forward-thinking and alignment with Coveo’s strategic direction.)
• "Describe a situation where you had to advocate for user needs against strong business or technical pressures. How did you handle it?" (Illustrate your ability to balance user advocacy with business realities.)

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure: Begin with an overview of your career and design philosophy. Then, dive into 2-3 detailed case studies, dedicating sufficient time to each.
• Highlight Process: For each case study, clearly articulate the problem, your role, the user research conducted, key design decisions, iterations, and the measurable business/user outcomes. Use visuals effectively to illustrate your journey.
• Emphasize AI/LLM: If applicable, specifically detail how you leveraged AI/LLM tools or designed for AI-driven features. Explain the specific benefits and challenges.
• Quantify Impact: Whenever possible, use data and metrics to demonstrate the success of your designs (e.g., increased conversion rates, reduced support tickets, improved user satisfaction scores).
• Engage: Be prepared to answer in-depth questions about your work, your design choices, and your collaboration style.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation should focus on showcasing strategic thinking, process mastery, and experience with AI/LLM technologies. Candidates should be ready to articulate their impact with data and demonstrate a collaborative, user-centric approach within an Agile framework.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Senior Product Designer position:

• Submit your application through the Coveo careers portal via the provided link.
• Curate Your Portfolio: Select 2-3 of your most impactful design case studies that best demonstrate your end-to-end product design process, user research leadership, and experience with complex or AI-driven products. Ensure these highlight your problem-solving skills and quantifiable results.
• Tailor Your Resume: Optimize your resume to highlight keywords from the job description, such as "Product Design," "User Research," "AI/LLM," "Agile," "Cross-functional Collaboration," and "Design Systems." Quantify your achievements with specific metrics where possible.
• Prepare Your Presentation: Practice walking through your selected portfolio case studies, focusing on clear storytelling, articulating your process, and explaining the impact of your design decisions. Be ready to discuss your experience with AI/LLM tools and how you approach user-centric design in complex environments.
• Research Coveo: Gain a thorough understanding of Coveo's products, mission, and recent developments, particularly in their AI offerings. Prepare to discuss why you are a good cultural fit and how your skills align with the company's values and strategic goals.

⚠️ 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.