Senior Product Designer

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Senior Product Designer

Company: FORT Robotics

Location: Remote

Job Type: Full-Time

Category: Product Design / UX/UI

Date Posted: 2026-08-06

Experience Level: Senior (5-10 years)

Remote Status: Fully Remote

🚀 Role Summary

• Spearhead the creation and implementation of a comprehensive design system and interaction model for both hardware and software interfaces.

• Define and refine human-robot interaction (HRI) patterns to enhance operator trust, intervention capabilities, and recovery processes for autonomous systems.

• Design intuitive and efficient AI-forward workflows, including AI Assistant interfaces and fleet observability dashboards, leveraging AI tools for rapid prototyping and iteration.

• Conduct in-depth field research with industrial operators and OEM engineers in real-world deployment environments to translate user needs into actionable design decisions.

• Map and optimize end-to-end platform user journeys across diverse user types, including floor operators, integration engineers, fleet administrators, and safety stakeholders.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is unique as it's the first full-time designer position at FORT Robotics, requiring a '0 to 1' approach to building the entire design foundation. The emphasis on hardware interaction, physical feedback (LEDs, tactile), and human-robot interaction (HRI) within an industrial automation and robotics context is a key differentiator. The explicit mention of using AI tools like Claude for design acceleration is a significant modern requirement.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Establish FORT's design foundation from inception, encompassing a robust design system, a cohesive interaction model, and a reusable component library for FORT Manager and future platform surfaces.

• Design the physical interaction layer of FORT hardware, focusing on how operators interpret device state, safety status, and control affordances through thoughtful button layout, LED signaling, and tactile feedback.

• Define critical human-robot interaction (HRI) patterns, detailing how operators monitor, build trust in, intervene in, and recover autonomous systems across both hardware and software touchpoints.

• Conceptualize and design AI-forward workflows, including the interface for an AI Assistant, comprehensive fleet observability dashboards, effective anomaly surfacing, and operator guidance experiences, actively using AI tools to expedite prototyping and iteration cycles.

• Execute field research by conducting contextual inquiries, operator shadowing, and usability testing sessions with industrial operators and OEM engineers in actual deployment environments, translating findings directly into informed design decisions.

• Map comprehensive end-to-end platform journeys for all user personas, including floor operators, OEM integration engineers, fleet administrators, and key safety stakeholders, ensuring a holistic user experience.

• Collaborate closely on a daily basis with cross-functional teams including Product Management, Firmware Engineering, Software Engineering, Hardware Engineering, and Operations to translate complex technical constraints into user-friendly design solutions without compromising usability.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a broad scope, from foundational design systems to complex HRI and AI workflows, necessitating a strategic thinker with a hands-on approach. The expectation to conduct field research and translate findings directly into design decisions indicates a strong emphasis on user-centered design and practical application.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: While no specific degree is mandated, a strong portfolio demonstrating equivalent practical experience in product and interaction design is essential.

Experience: 5+ years of product or interaction design experience is required, with a minimum of 2 years specifically within hardware-software combined environments, robotics, IoT, industrial automation, automotive, or similar complex technical sectors.

Required Skills:

• Proven experience in building a design system or component library from the ground up, rather than inheriting or maintaining an existing one.

• Demonstrated experience in physical interaction design, specifically designing how hardware products communicate state, intent, or safety status to users.

• Hands-on field research experience, including conducting contextual inquiries, operator shadowing, or usability testing in real-world, operational environments.

• High proficiency in design and prototyping tools such as Figma, or equivalent, and AI-powered design assistants like Claude, with the ability to prototype complex, multi-step workflows at a high fidelity.

• An AI-first design mindset, actively utilizing AI tools to accelerate design processes, prototyping, and research synthesis as a standard practice. Preferred Skills:

• Experience working within safety-critical or regulated product environments, with an understanding of human factors principles (e.g., IEC 62366).

• Background or familiarity with human-robot interaction (HRI), autonomous systems, or physical AI platforms.

• Basic understanding of front-end development principles (HTML/CSS) to facilitate tighter and more efficient design-to-engineering handoffs.

📝 Enhancement Note: The requirement to have built a design system "from scratch" is a critical differentiator for this role, signaling a need for a foundational thinker. The explicit mention of AI tools like Claude and an "AI-first approach" indicates a forward-looking requirement, pushing beyond traditional UX/UI.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Showcase a comprehensive design system developed from inception, detailing its architecture, component library, and usage guidelines.

• Include detailed case studies demonstrating experience in designing physical hardware interactions, including how state, safety, and control are communicated through physical elements.

• Present examples of end-to-end user journey mapping for complex platforms involving multiple user types and touchpoints.

• Provide evidence of conducting and synthesizing field research, illustrating how user insights directly informed design decisions and improved product outcomes.

• Demonstrate high-fidelity interactive prototypes for complex, multi-step workflows, ideally showcasing hardware-software integration or AI-driven interactions. Process Documentation:

• Document the process of building a design system, from initial research and strategy to component creation and governance.

• Illustrate the methodology used for conducting and analyzing field research, including contextual inquiry and usability testing in industrial or operational settings.

• Detail the approach to defining and iterating on human-robot interaction (HRI) patterns and AI-assisted workflows.

• Showcase the workflow for translating technical constraints and engineering feedback into design solutions.

📝 Enhancement Note: Given this is the first dedicated designer role, the portfolio is paramount. It needs to clearly demonstrate the ability to build foundational design infrastructure (design systems) and tackle complex, novel interaction challenges (physical hardware, HRI, AI). The emphasis on field research and translating insights into tangible design decisions is crucial.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: For a Senior Product Designer with 5-10 years of experience in a fully remote, specialized technical field like robotics and AI, a competitive salary range in the US market is estimated between $140,000 - $190,000 annually. This range can vary based on specific location within the US (if applicable for tax purposes, even if remote), candidate experience, and negotiation.

Benefits:

• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance plans.

• Stock options or equity grants, reflecting the early-stage nature of the company.

• Generous paid time off (PTO) and holidays.

• Professional development budget for conferences, courses, and learning resources.

• Home office stipend to ensure a productive remote work setup.

• Opportunities for professional growth and advancement as the company scales.

Working Hours: Standard full-time hours are expected, typically around 40 hours per week, with flexibility to accommodate different time zones for a fully remote team and to ensure collaboration across product development cycles.

📝 Enhancement Note: Since no salary or benefits were provided, an estimated range has been generated based on the Senior Product Designer title, the specified experience level (5-10 years), the remote nature, and the specialized industry (Robotics/AI). Benefits are inferred based on typical offerings for a well-funded startup in the tech sector.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Technology, Robotics, Industrial Automation, Safety Systems, AI. FORT Robotics operates at the intersection of these critical and rapidly evolving sectors, aiming to revolutionize how machines and humans collaborate in demanding work environments.

Company Size: FORT Robotics is likely a growth-stage startup or early-stage scale-up, indicated by the need for the "first full-time designer" and the '0 to 1' initiative. This suggests a dynamic, agile environment where individual impact is significant.

Founded: Information not provided, but the '0 to 1' nature of the role implies a company that has moved past the initial ideation phase and is now focused on building out its core product and platform capabilities.

Team Structure:

• The design team currently consists of this Senior Product Designer, who will likely report to a Head of Product or CTO.

• This role will be highly collaborative, working daily with Product Managers, Firmware Engineers, Software Engineers, Hardware Engineers, and Operations teams.

• Expect a flat organizational structure typical of startups, fostering open communication and direct access to leadership. Methodology:

• The company emphasizes a data-driven and user-centric approach to product development, with a strong focus on safety and reliability.

• Design decisions will be heavily influenced by field research, usability testing, and technical constraints, particularly given the hardware and safety-critical nature of the products.

• An AI-first approach is encouraged, integrating AI tools into the design and development process for efficiency and innovation.

Company Website: FORT Robotics (fortrobotics.com)

📝 Enhancement Note: The company's focus on safety, robotics, and AI in industrial settings suggests a culture that values precision, reliability, and innovation. The '0 to 1' aspect of the design role implies a fast-paced, entrepreneurial environment where initiative and ownership are highly prized.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is positioned as a Senior Product Designer, indicating a significant level of autonomy and responsibility. It is a critical individual contributor role, tasked with establishing the entire design foundation for the company's products. This is a foundational role for future design team expansion.

Reporting Structure: The Senior Product Designer will likely report to a Head of Product or Chief Technology Officer (CTO), given the technical nature of the company and the absence of a pre-existing design department. This provides direct visibility and influence with leadership.

Operations Impact: The Senior Product Designer will have a profound impact on the usability, safety, and adoption of FORT Robotics' products. By defining the interaction models for hardware, software, and autonomous systems, this role directly influences operator safety, efficiency, and overall customer satisfaction, thereby contributing significantly to the company's market position and revenue potential.

Growth Opportunities:

• Team Leadership: As the company grows, this role has the potential to build and lead a design team, defining its structure, processes, and culture.

• Product Strategy: Deep involvement in shaping the product roadmap and future of FORT Robotics' platform, influencing strategic direction.

• Specialization: Opportunity to become a recognized expert in Human-Robot Interaction (HRI), Industrial IoT (IIoT), and AI-driven design within the robotics sector.

• Technical Depth: Gain extensive experience in hardware-software integration, safety-critical systems, and cutting-edge AI applications.

📝 Enhancement Note: This is a high-impact, foundational role. The growth opportunities are significant, moving from an individual contributor establishing the design function to potentially leading a team and influencing broad product strategy.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Fully Remote. This allows for a global talent pool and flexibility for the employee.

Office Location(s): Not applicable for a fully remote role, though the company is headquartered in the US (implied by domain and typical hiring practices).

Workspace Context:

• Employees are expected to maintain a dedicated, productive home office environment.

• Collaboration will primarily occur through digital tools, video conferencing, and asynchronous communication.

• Access to necessary software licenses (Figma, Claude, etc.) will be provided.

• The environment fosters autonomy and self-management, requiring strong organizational skills.

Work Schedule: While core hours may exist for synchronous collaboration, the remote nature allows for a degree of flexibility. However, given the role's responsibilities and the need for cross-functional collaboration with engineering teams, consistent availability during core business hours for the company's primary operational region (likely North America) is expected.

📝 Enhancement Note: The fully remote nature requires a candidate who is self-motivated, organized, and adept at digital collaboration. The emphasis on hardware and AI interaction suggests a need for focused work periods alongside collaborative sessions.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A brief call with a recruiter or hiring manager to assess basic qualifications, cultural fit, and interest.

• Portfolio Review & Technical Interview: A deep dive into your portfolio with the hiring manager or a senior team member. Expect to discuss your design process, specific case studies, and how you've approached similar challenges (design systems, hardware interaction, AI).

• Design Challenge/Workshop: You may be asked to complete a take-home design exercise or participate in a live design workshop focusing on a specific problem relevant to FORT Robotics' products. This assesses your problem-solving skills, design methodology, and ability to articulate your thought process.

• Cross-Functional Interviews: Meetings with Product Management, Engineering (Software/Hardware), and potentially Operations stakeholders to evaluate collaboration style, technical understanding, and ability to translate constraints into design.

• Final Interview: A discussion with senior leadership (e.g., CTO, CEO) to assess strategic thinking, long-term vision, and cultural alignment.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• '0 to 1' Focus: Highlight projects where you built foundational design elements (design systems, new product interaction models) from scratch.

• Hardware & Software Integration: Showcase examples that clearly demonstrate your understanding of designing for both physical and digital interfaces, especially in complex environments.

• Human-Robot Interaction (HRI): If possible, include projects that touch upon HRI, autonomous systems, or operator monitoring/intervention.

• AI Tool Integration: Clearly articulate how you used AI tools (like Claude) to enhance your design process, prototyping, or research synthesis.

• Field Research Impact: Emphasize projects where your field research directly led to significant design improvements or product decisions. Use data and metrics where possible.

• Problem-Solving Narrative: For each case study, clearly define the problem, your role, your process, the solutions you proposed, and the outcomes or learnings.

Challenge Preparation:

• Understand the Domain: Research industrial automation, robotics, safety systems, and the specific challenges FORT Robotics addresses (e.g., Wireless E-Stop, Safe Remote Control).

• Think Systemically: Be prepared to discuss how hardware, software, and AI interact. Consider edge cases and safety implications.

• Articulate Trade-offs: Be ready to discuss design decisions, the constraints you faced (technical, time), and the trade-offs you made.

• Demonstrate AI Proficiency: If given a challenge, consider how AI tools could be leveraged to accelerate your process or explore solutions.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on '0 to 1' and the specific technical domains (hardware, HRI, AI) means the portfolio and any design challenges will likely focus on foundational work and complex interaction design rather than just UI polish.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Figma: Expected to be the primary tool for UI/UX design, wireframing, prototyping, and design system management.

• Claude (or similar AI Assistants): Explicitly mentioned for accelerating design, prototyping, and research synthesis. This indicates a strong expectation for AI-powered workflows.

• Prototyping Tools: Beyond Figma's built-in capabilities, familiarity with other high-fidelity prototyping tools might be beneficial.

Analytics & Reporting:

• While not explicitly mentioned for the designer, understanding how design impacts user behavior and system performance will be key. Familiarity with analytics platforms (e.g., Mixpanel, Amplitude, or custom internal tools) used for tracking user engagement and feature adoption would be advantageous. CRM & Automation:

• Not directly applicable to the designer's core tools, but understanding how the product integrates with fleet management or operational systems might be relevant.

📝 Enhancement Note: The explicit mention of Figma and Claude signifies the core tools. The role requires proficiency in these and an eagerness to adopt and leverage AI in the design process.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Safety First: A paramount value given the company's focus on safety-critical systems in industrial environments.

• Innovation & Pioneering: A drive to build new solutions and define new paradigms in robotics and AI.

• User-Centricity: Deep commitment to understanding and serving the needs of industrial operators and engineers.

• Collaboration & Ownership: A culture where individuals take initiative, own their work, and collaborate effectively across disciplines.

• Precision & Reliability: A focus on delivering robust, dependable solutions.

Collaboration Style:

• Highly collaborative, with daily interaction between design, product, and engineering teams.

• Emphasis on clear communication, constructive feedback, and a shared understanding of technical constraints and user needs.

• Expectation of asynchronous communication proficiency due to the remote nature, balanced with synchronous meetings for key discussions and decision-making.

📝 Enhancement Note: The company's mission around safety and robotics strongly influences its values. Candidates should demonstrate an understanding of and alignment with these core principles.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Building from Scratch: Establishing a design system, interaction models, and processes for a company with no prior dedicated design function.

• Hardware-Software Integration: Designing seamless user experiences across physical hardware and complex software platforms, especially in safety-critical contexts.

• Human-Robot Interaction (HRI): Defining intuitive and trustworthy interactions for operators managing autonomous systems.

• AI Integration: Effectively designing interfaces and workflows that leverage AI to augment human capabilities without introducing complexity or confusion.

• Field Research Logistics: Coordinating and executing research in potentially challenging industrial environments.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Deep Domain Expertise: Become a leading expert in Human-Robot Interaction (HRI), industrial automation design, and AI-assisted workflows.

• Foundational Design Leadership: Gain invaluable experience in building and scaling a design function from its inception.

• Cutting-Edge Technology: Work with advanced robotics, AI, and safety systems, staying at the forefront of technological innovation.

• Cross-Functional Mastery: Develop a deep understanding of firmware, software, and hardware engineering processes.

📝 Enhancement Note: The primary challenge is the '0 to 1' nature of the role. The growth opportunities are tied to becoming a foundational leader and expert in a high-growth, technologically advanced field.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe your process for building a design system from scratch. What were the key considerations, and how did you ensure adoption?" (Focus on process, foundational thinking, and collaboration).

• "Walk us through a project where you designed interactions for both hardware and software. What were the unique challenges, and how did you address them?" (Highlight hardware/software integration, physical affordances, and user flow across modalities).

• "How would you approach designing an interface for an AI Assistant that helps operators monitor and intervene in autonomous robots? What are the key trust and usability considerations?" (Demonstrate HRI and AI design thinking, focusing on safety, transparency, and operator empowerment).

• "Tell us about a time you conducted field research in a challenging environment. How did you synthesize your findings, and how did they directly impact your design decisions?" (Emphasize research methodology, user empathy, and data-driven iteration). Company & Culture Questions:

• "What excites you about FORT Robotics' mission and our focus on safety in industrial automation?" (Show genuine interest and alignment with the company's purpose).

• "How do you envision collaborating with our engineering and product teams, given you'll be the first full-time designer?" (Discuss your approach to cross-functional partnerships, feedback loops, and advocacy for design).

• "Given our focus on safety-critical systems, how do you approach risk assessment and mitigation in your design process?" (Demonstrate an understanding of the high-stakes nature of the work). Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure: Organize your portfolio by key projects, clearly delineating your role, the problem, your process, your solutions, and the outcomes. Prioritize projects that showcase design systems, hardware interaction, HRI, and AI.

• Narrative: Tell a compelling story for each case study. Explain the "why" behind your decisions.

• Demonstrate '0 to 1': Clearly articulate how you initiated and built design foundations.

• Showcase Tools: Briefly mention and show examples of how you used Figma and AI tools (like Claude) effectively.

• Quantify Impact: Where possible, use metrics to demonstrate the positive impact of your designs (e.g., improved efficiency, reduced errors, increased adoption).

• Be Prepared for Deep Dives: Anticipate detailed questions about your process, rationale, and technical constraints.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation should heavily emphasize the '0 to 1' aspect, hardware-software integration, HRI, and the strategic use of AI tools. Candidates should be ready to discuss their process for building foundational design elements and their approach to working within a technically complex, safety-conscious environment.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Senior Product Designer position:

• Submit your application through the FORT Robotics careers portal via the provided Greenhouse link.

• Portfolio Customization: Tailor your portfolio to prominently feature projects demonstrating your ability to build design systems from scratch, design for hardware-software integration, conduct field research, and leverage AI in your design process. Highlight any experience relevant to robotics, industrial automation, or safety systems.

• Resume Optimization: Ensure your resume clearly articulates your 5+ years of product and interaction design experience, with specific emphasis on the required 2+ years in hardware-software combined environments, robotics, or similar fields. Use keywords like "design system," "interaction design," "human-robot interaction," "Figma," "AI-assisted workflows," and "field research."

• Interview Preparation: Thoroughly review your portfolio and prepare to discuss your design process, challenges, and outcomes for key projects. Practice articulating your approach to the unique '0 to 1' nature of this role and your experience with AI design tools.

• Company Research: Gain a deep understanding of FORT Robotics' mission, products (Wireless E-Stop, Safe Remote Control), and the industrial automation/robotics landscape. Be prepared to articulate why you are passionate about this specific domain and company.

⚠️ 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.

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