Senior Product Designer

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Senior Product Designer

Company: Heja

Location: Stockholm, Sweden

Job Type: Full-Time

Category: Product Design / User Experience

Date Posted: 2026-08-06

Experience Level: Mid-Senior Level (5-10 years)

Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• Lead end-to-end product design initiatives, encompassing discovery, rapid prototyping, and the creation of polished user experiences.

• Develop and maintain Heja's design system to ensure a cohesive and consistent UI/UX across all product touchpoints.

• Explore and integrate Artificial Intelligence (AI) to enhance both the product experience and internal design processes.

• Collaborate closely with Product Managers and Engineers to translate complex user needs into intuitive and effective design solutions.

• Leverage user research, data analysis, and customer insights to inform design decisions and identify product opportunities.

📝 Enhancement Note: The role emphasizes a blend of strategic product thinking and hands-on execution, requiring a Senior Product Designer to not only create beautiful and functional interfaces but also contribute to the broader product vision and the evolution of design methodologies within the company. The explicit mention of AI integration suggests a forward-thinking approach to product development and design process optimization.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Drive the complete design lifecycle for new and existing product features, from initial ideation and user research through to detailed interaction design and final visual execution.

• Own the development and continuous improvement of Heja's design system, ensuring scalability, consistency, and efficiency across the product.

• Actively research and propose innovative applications of AI to enhance user engagement, streamline workflows, and improve overall product value.

• Provide a strong design perspective in strategic product discussions, contributing to user needs analysis, product roadmap development, and design language definition.

• Partner with Product Managers to define product requirements and with Engineers to ensure accurate and high-fidelity implementation of designs.

• Utilize a data-driven approach, combining user research findings, analytics, and qualitative feedback to validate design concepts and identify areas for improvement.

• Contribute to the company's understanding of user needs within the youth sports community, translating insights into actionable design strategies.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a significant level of autonomy and strategic input expected from a Senior Product Designer at Heja. The emphasis on "end-to-end design" and "building and evolving Heja's design system" indicates a need for a candidate who can not only execute design tasks but also shape the design infrastructure and processes. The inclusion of AI exploration suggests a proactive role in adopting emerging technologies.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: While no specific degree is mandated, a strong portfolio demonstrating equivalent knowledge and practical experience in Product Design, UI/UX, or a related field is essential.

Experience: A minimum of 5-10 years of professional experience in UI & UX Design for digital products, with a proven track record of delivering successful product designs.

Required Skills:

• Expertise in UI & UX Design principles and best practices for digital products.

• Exceptional visual design skills with a keen eye for detail and aesthetics.

• Proven ability to think through and articulate complex interaction design flows.

• Experience in leading end-to-end design processes, from discovery to implementation.

• Proficiency in creating and maintaining design systems.

• Ability to balance strategic product thinking with hands-on design execution.

• Strong understanding of user research methodologies and data analysis for design decisions.

• Excellent communication and collaboration skills, with the ability to articulate design rationale to cross-functional teams.

• Fluent in English (written and spoken). Preferred Skills:

• Experience with AI integration in product design or user experience.

• Familiarity with branding principles and their application in product design.

• Swedish language proficiency.

• Experience working in a fast-paced, growth-stage tech company.

• Knowledge of the youth sports ecosystem.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "5-10 years" experience level for a "Senior" role suggests that candidates are expected to have a substantial portfolio and a history of leading design initiatives, not just executing them. The emphasis on both strategic thinking and hands-on execution is critical for this level of seniority. The note about applying even if not checking all boxes is a common practice to encourage a wider range of applicants and highlight the company's focus on potential and cultural fit.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A comprehensive portfolio showcasing end-to-end product design projects, demonstrating your process from problem definition to final solution.

• Examples of complex interaction design challenges you have tackled and how you approached them.

• Case studies that highlight your ability to use user research, data, and customer insights to drive design decisions.

• Demonstrations of your work on design systems, including component libraries, style guides, and their impact on product consistency.

• Visual examples of your strong UI design skills and aesthetic sensibility. Process Documentation:

• Clearly articulate your design process for each project, including discovery, ideation, prototyping, user testing, and iteration.

• Explain how you collaborate with Product Managers and Engineers throughout the design and development lifecycle.

• Detail your experience in leveraging data and user feedback to iterate on designs and optimize user flows.

• Showcase your approach to building and maintaining design systems, including documentation and governance.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a Senior Product Designer role, the portfolio is paramount. The emphasis should be on the candidate's thought process, problem-solving abilities, and impact, rather than just the final visual output. Demonstrating experience with design systems and AI integration will be key differentiators.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: For a Senior Product Designer in Stockholm, Sweden, with 5-10 years of experience, the estimated annual salary range is typically between 600,000 SEK and 900,000 SEK (approximately $57,000 - $86,000 USD, subject to exchange rates). This range can vary based on specific experience, skills, and the company's compensation philosophy.

Benefits:

• Competitive salary and potential for stock options or performance-based bonuses.

• Comprehensive health insurance coverage, including medical, dental, and vision.

• Generous paid time off (PTO) and public holidays, aligning with Swedish labor laws.

• Opportunities for professional development, including training, conferences, and access to learning resources.

• Contribution to a pension scheme as per Swedish regulations.

• A dynamic and collaborative work environment with a focus on innovation and employee well-being.

• Potential for flexible working arrangements, though the role is specified as on-site.

• Opportunities to work on a product with a significant global impact in youth sports.

Working Hours: The standard working hours are approximately 40 hours per week, with flexibility often offered in terms of start and end times, though the role is based on-site in Stockholm.

📝 Enhancement Note: Salary estimates are based on industry benchmarks for Senior Product Designers in Stockholm, considering the current market for tech roles in Sweden. Benefits are standard for a Swedish tech company of this nature, with a focus on work-life balance and professional growth. The "on-site" requirement implies adherence to local working hours and office presence.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Sports & Recreation Technology, Social Networking for Youth Sports, Digital Product Development. Heja operates at the intersection of technology and sports, aiming to leverage digital platforms to foster community and health benefits for young athletes and their families.

Company Size: Heja has experienced significant growth, reaching over 7 million users. While the exact employee count isn't specified, the mention of a "self-governing team" and growing design and engineering functions suggests a dynamic, likely mid-sized startup environment. This size typically allows for impactful individual contributions while offering a structured yet agile work environment.

Founded: Founded in Sweden, Heja is a product-driven company that has achieved profitability and global reach, indicating a stable and well-managed organization. Its history likely emphasizes innovation and a user-centric approach to product development.

Team Structure:

• The design team is likely integrated within product squads, working closely with Product Managers and Engineers. As a Senior Designer, you would likely be a key leader within this structure, influencing design direction and potentially mentoring junior designers as the team grows.

• Cross-functional collaboration is a cornerstone, with designers expected to work closely with product and engineering to bring ideas to life.

• The company fosters a "curious, open-minded, and self-governing team built on honesty, trust, and high ambition," suggesting a culture of autonomy, direct communication, and shared goals. Methodology:

• A strong emphasis on user-centric design, informed by research, data, and customer insights.

• Agile development methodologies are likely employed, allowing for iterative design and rapid prototyping.

• Exploration of emerging technologies like AI is encouraged, indicating a willingness to innovate and adapt.

• The design process is expected to be robust, moving from discovery to polished implementation, with a focus on quality and user experience.

Company Website: https://jobs.heja.io

📝 Enhancement Note: The company culture described as "curious, open-minded, and self-governing" suggests an environment where initiative is valued, and team members are empowered to make decisions. This is common in successful Swedish tech companies that prioritize autonomy and trust. The focus on youth sports implies a mission-driven organization.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This is a Senior Product Designer role, indicating a significant level of responsibility and expertise. Candidates are expected to not only execute design tasks but also to contribute to product strategy, mentor others, and influence design direction. This level typically involves leading projects, defining design standards, and acting as a thought leader within the design team.

Reporting Structure: The Senior Product Designer will likely report to a Head of Product, Design Lead, or a similar senior leadership position within the product or engineering organization. They will work closely with Product Managers and Engineering Leads within their assigned product areas.

Operations Impact: The Senior Product Designer's work will directly influence the user experience and engagement of millions of users worldwide. By shaping the product's interface and functionality, they will play a crucial role in Heja's mission to unite people through youth sports, directly impacting user retention, satisfaction, and the overall success of the platform. Their contributions to design systems will also improve development efficiency and consistency across the product.

Growth Opportunities:

• Design Leadership: Potential to grow into a Lead Designer or Design Manager role as the team expands, taking on more responsibility for team management, design strategy, and cross-functional influence.

• Specialization: Opportunity to deepen expertise in specific areas such as AI-driven design, complex interaction design, or building scalable design systems.

• Strategic Contribution: Increased involvement in product strategy, user research direction, and contributing to the company's long-term vision.

• Mentorship: Opportunity to mentor junior designers, sharing knowledge and best practices, and contributing to their professional development.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Senior" title implies a path towards leadership or deep specialization. The growth opportunities are framed around typical career progressions for experienced designers in growing tech companies, emphasizing both individual contribution and leadership potential.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Heja operates from an office in Stockholm, Sweden. Given the "on-site" requirement, it's likely a modern, collaborative office space designed to foster teamwork and innovation. This environment would typically include open workspaces, meeting rooms, and common areas conducive to collaboration.

Office Location(s): The office is located at Folkungagatan 122, Stockholm, 116 30, Sweden. This location in Stockholm is likely accessible via public transportation, typical for central business districts in European cities.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Environment: The office setup is expected to encourage frequent interaction between designers, product managers, and engineers, facilitating seamless communication and problem-solving.

• Tools & Technology: Access to industry-standard design tools, software, and hardware necessary for high-fidelity prototyping and design execution. This would include access to the company's design system and relevant AI exploration tools.

• Team Interaction: Opportunities for informal brainstorming sessions, design critiques, and team-building activities that foster a strong sense of community and shared purpose.

Work Schedule: The role is full-time, with standard working hours of approximately 40 per week. While on-site, Swedish companies often offer some degree of flexibility in daily working hours, allowing employees to manage their schedules effectively, provided core collaboration needs are met.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on an "on-site" role in Stockholm suggests a desire for in-person collaboration, which is often valued in product development for its ability to foster rapid iteration and strong team cohesion. The office environment is assumed to be professional and conducive to creative work.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Introduction and Culture Interview: An initial conversation to assess mutual fit, understand your background, and discuss Heja's mission and values. Be prepared to share your general career aspirations and why Heja appeals to you.

• Case Study Assignment: You will receive a design challenge to complete independently. This case is designed to evaluate your problem-solving skills, design thinking, and ability to apply your expertise to a relevant scenario.

• Competence Interview & Case Presentation: A deep dive into your design skills, methodologies, and values. You will present your case study solution, explaining your process, decisions, and outcomes. Expect questions probing your technical abilities and strategic thinking.

• Final Culture Interview: A concluding discussion focused on values alignment, team dynamics, and ensuring a strong cultural fit with the existing team.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select 3-5 of your strongest projects that best showcase your end-to-end design process, problem-solving skills, and impact. Prioritize projects that align with Heja's mission and the requirements of this role.

• Tell a Story: For each project, clearly articulate the problem you were solving, your role and responsibilities, the constraints you faced, your design process (research, ideation, prototyping, testing), the solutions you implemented, and the measurable outcomes or impact.

• Highlight Design Systems & AI: If applicable, dedicate specific sections or projects to your experience with design systems and any exploration of AI in design. Showcase your ability to create and maintain scalable design solutions.

• Visual Quality: Ensure your portfolio is visually polished, easy to navigate, and clearly communicates your design aesthetic and attention to detail.

Challenge Preparation:

• Understand the Brief: Carefully read and understand the case study prompt, identifying key objectives and constraints.

• Structure Your Approach: Outline your strategy before diving into execution. Consider how you would approach user research, ideation, solution design, and justification of your choices.

• Focus on Process: Demonstrate your thought process and decision-making rationale, not just the final design. Explain why you made certain choices.

• Presentation Skills: Practice presenting your case study concisely and compellingly, being prepared to answer detailed questions about your work and defend your design decisions.

📝 Enhancement Note: The multi-stage interview process, including a case study, is standard for senior design roles. The emphasis on portfolio presentation, process, and values alignment is crucial for success. Candidates should tailor their portfolio and case study to reflect experience relevant to Heja's product and mission.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Design & Prototyping: Figma (highly probable, industry standard for collaborative design), Sketch, Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator).

• Prototyping Tools: InVision, Principle, ProtoPie, or Figma's built-in prototyping capabilities.

• User Research Tools: UserTesting.com, Lookback, Maze, or internal tools for gathering qualitative and quantitative feedback.

• Design System Management: Tools or platforms for managing design tokens, component libraries, and style guides.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Product Analytics: Google Analytics, Mixpanel, Amplitude, or similar platforms for tracking user behavior and feature adoption.

• Data Visualization: Tools for creating dashboards and reports to communicate insights to stakeholders.

CRM & Automation: While less directly used by designers, understanding how CRM data (e.g., from Salesforce or HubSpot) informs user segmentation and product marketing can be beneficial. The company might use automation tools for marketing or internal processes, but the primary focus for this role will be on design and product tools.

AI Exploration: Tools and platforms that facilitate AI model integration, experimentation with AI-powered design tools (e.g., for content generation, ideation, or analysis), or data processing for AI-driven features.

📝 Enhancement Note: Figma is the de facto standard for collaborative UI/UX design and is highly likely to be a core tool. The mention of AI suggests a need for designers to be adaptable and willing to explore new AI-powered design technologies and workflows.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Curiosity: A drive to explore new ideas, technologies (like AI), and user needs. This translates to a proactive approach in design exploration and problem-solving.

• Open-mindedness: Willingness to consider diverse perspectives, feedback, and innovative solutions, fostering an inclusive design environment.

• Self-governance: Taking ownership and initiative in one's work, driving projects forward with minimal direct supervision, and contributing to team autonomy.

• Honesty & Trust: Open and transparent communication, building strong relationships within the team, and relying on mutual trust for effective collaboration.

• High Ambition: A commitment to achieving significant goals and making a substantial impact, both on the product and on the users' lives.

• User-Centricity: A deep commitment to understanding and serving the needs of users, particularly within the youth sports community, ensuring that designs are empathetic and effective.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-functional Integration: Designers are expected to work seamlessly with Product Managers and Engineers, participating actively in product development cycles.

• Feedback Culture: An environment where constructive feedback is regularly exchanged, helping to refine designs and improve processes.

• Knowledge Sharing: Encouraging team members to share insights, best practices, and learnings, particularly regarding design systems, user research, and AI applications.

• Agile & Iterative: A collaborative approach that embraces iterative development and continuous improvement, allowing for rapid adaptation based on feedback and data.

📝 Enhancement Note: The values described are typical of modern, mission-driven tech companies that emphasize collaboration, innovation, and employee empowerment. The "self-governing team" aspect is particularly noteworthy, suggesting a high degree of autonomy for individuals and teams.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Scaling a Design System: As Heja grows, maintaining and scaling the design system to accommodate new features and evolving product needs will be a continuous challenge requiring strategic planning.

• Integrating AI Effectively: Exploring and implementing AI features in a way that genuinely enhances the user experience without introducing complexity or alienating users will require careful design and testing.

• Balancing Strategic Vision with Execution: As a Senior Designer, balancing high-level product strategy with hands-on design work and ensuring that both are executed to a high standard can be demanding.

• Global User Needs: Designing for a diverse global user base across different cultural contexts and varying levels of digital literacy within the youth sports community.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Advanced Design Systems: Deepening expertise in building and managing robust, scalable design systems that support rapid product development.

• AI in Design: Gaining hands-on experience with AI tools and methodologies to enhance design processes and product features.

• Product Strategy Influence: Opportunities to play a more significant role in shaping the product roadmap and overall company strategy.

• Mentorship & Leadership Development: Developing leadership skills through mentoring junior designers and potentially leading design initiatives.

• Industry Conferences & Workshops: Access to industry events and specialized training to stay abreast of the latest trends in product design, UX, and AI.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges are framed around common growth-stage issues in tech companies, particularly those involving scaling, innovation, and balancing strategic and tactical responsibilities. The growth opportunities are aligned with advancing within a design career path.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you led the end-to-end design process for a complex product feature. What were the key challenges, and how did you overcome them?" (Focus on your process, decision-making, and outcomes.)

• "How would you approach building or evolving a design system for a rapidly growing product like Heja? What are the key considerations for scalability and adoption?" (Showcase your understanding of design system principles and implementation.)

• "Imagine we want to integrate AI to improve [specific user problem, e.g., team communication, scheduling]. How would you explore this opportunity from a design perspective, and what potential challenges do you foresee?" (Demonstrate your AI curiosity and design thinking.)

• "How do you balance user needs, business goals, and technical constraints when making design decisions?" (Highlight your strategic thinking and problem-solving approach.) Company & Culture Questions:

• "What interests you about Heja's mission to unite people through youth sports?" (Connect your passion to their mission.)

• "How do you align with our values of curiosity, open-mindedness, and self-governance?" (Provide specific examples from your experience.)

• "Describe your experience working in a self-governing team environment. How do you contribute to a culture of trust and honesty?" (Showcase your collaboration and communication style.)

• "How do you ensure a consistent and high-quality user experience across a product, especially when working with different teams and stakeholders?" (Focus on process, collaboration, and design system utilization.) Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure Your Narrative: For each case study, clearly outline the problem, your role, your process (research, ideation, prototyping, testing), your solutions, and the impact/results. Use visual aids effectively.

• Emphasize Your "Why": Clearly articulate the rationale behind your design decisions at each stage. Why did you choose a particular approach? What data or insights informed your choices?

• Showcase Design System Work: If you have specific projects demonstrating your experience with design systems, highlight them. Explain how you contributed to consistency and efficiency.

• Discuss AI Exploration: If you have any experience or ideas related to AI in design, be prepared to discuss them confidently, focusing on potential user benefits and design considerations.

• Be Ready for Deep Dives: Expect detailed questions about your process, technical skills, and how you handle feedback and iteration.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview preparation focuses on assessing the candidate's ability to handle strategic design challenges, their understanding of design systems and emerging technologies like AI, and their cultural fit with Heja's stated values.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Senior Product Designer position:

• Submit your application through the provided link on https://jobs.heja.io.

• Tailor Your Resume: Highlight your experience in UI/UX design, end-to-end product design, design systems, and any relevant AI exploration. Use keywords from the job description to ensure ATS compatibility.

• Curate Your Portfolio: Select 3-5 strong projects that demonstrate your process, problem-solving skills, visual design capabilities, and impact. Ensure it's easily accessible and well-organized, with a clear focus on your contributions and outcomes.

• Prepare Your Case Study: Familiarize yourself with common design challenge formats and be ready to articulate your thought process, design decisions, and solutions clearly and concisely.

• Research Heja: Understand Heja's mission, product, target audience (youth sports), and company culture. Be prepared to discuss how your skills and values align with theirs.

⚠️ 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.