Senior Product Designer

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Senior Product Designer

Company: Hubexo

Location: Newcastle upon Tyne, England, United Kingdom

Job Type: Full-time

Category: Product Design / UX/UI

Date Posted: 2026-08-27T08:27:00

Experience Level: 5-10 years

Remote Status: Hybrid (3 days in office)

🚀 Role Summary

• Lead complex product design initiatives from initial discovery and problem framing through to the delivery and validation of features within a Design Platform.

• Engage deeply with users via research, usability testing, and direct customer conversations to uncover and address intricate problems in the construction industry.

• Collaborate closely with Product Managers, Engineers, QA, and AI Platform teams to make informed design decisions, considering customer value, technical feasibility, and commercial objectives.

• Contribute to the growth and ownership of a shared design system, ensuring scalability and consistency across product experiences.

• Leverage data analytics, support insights, and customer feedback to identify and resolve usability issues and design debt.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role focuses on a "Design Platform" within Hubexo, suggesting a strategic internal focus on improving the company's design capabilities and tooling, rather than solely client-facing product design. The emphasis on "getting close to real user problems and have a say in what gets built" indicates a high degree of autonomy and influence for the Senior Product Designer.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Spearhead end-to-end product design for complex SaaS digital products, encompassing problem definition, user research, ideation, prototyping, testing, and post-launch validation.

• Conduct user research, including usability testing and customer interviews, to gain a deep understanding of user needs and pain points within the construction specification domain.

• Develop and iterate on wireframes, interactive prototypes, and high-fidelity visual designs, ensuring alignment with user needs and business objectives.

• Partner with Product Management and Engineering to balance user value, technical constraints, and commercial priorities, making data-informed trade-offs.

• Actively contribute to the development, maintenance, and evolution of the company's design system, ensuring its scalability and effectiveness.

• Analyze product usage data, support tickets, and customer feedback to proactively identify areas for design improvement and address technical debt.

• Mentor junior designers, providing guidance on design craft, process, and strategic thinking to foster professional growth.

• Influence design strategy, contribute to product roadmap planning, and advocate for stronger, more efficient design working practices.

• Explore and integrate AI-assisted design tools and methodologies to enhance problem understanding, idea validation, and product delivery efficiency.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a blend of hands-on design execution and strategic influence. The mention of "AI-assisted design tools and practices" suggests the company is forward-thinking and encourages innovation in design processes. The mentoring aspect is crucial for a senior role, indicating a need for leadership and knowledge sharing.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: While not explicitly stated, a Bachelor's or Master's degree in Design, Human-Computer Interaction, Computer Science, or a related field is typically expected for senior product design roles. Equivalent practical experience will also be considered.

Experience: 5-10 years of professional experience in product design, with a significant focus on designing complex SaaS or information-rich digital products.

Required Skills:

• Demonstrated expertise in Product Design, UX Design, and Interaction Design, with a strong understanding of user-centered design principles.

• Proven ability to lead complex design projects from discovery and research through to successful delivery and validation.

• Proficiency in creating wireframes, interactive prototypes, and high-fidelity designs using industry-standard tools.

• Experience contributing to and maintaining scalable design systems.

• Strong analytical skills, with the ability to interpret product analytics, customer feedback, and support insights to drive design decisions.

• Excellent communication and collaboration skills, with experience working closely with Product Managers and Engineers to negotiate trade-offs.

• A compelling portfolio showcasing a deep understanding of problem-solving methodologies, design process, and the impact of design decisions. Preferred Skills:

• Experience within the construction industry or with complex specification/information-rich platforms.

• Familiarity with AI-assisted design tools and their application in product development.

• Experience in mentoring other designers and contributing to design strategy.

• Knowledge of agile development methodologies and cross-functional team collaboration.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on a portfolio that "shows how you think through difficult problems, not only the finished interface" is a critical differentiator. Candidates should prepare to articulate their design process, decision-making rationale, and how they navigate complexity and ambiguity.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Showcase a minimum of 2-3 complex SaaS or information-rich digital product case studies that demonstrate your end-to-end design process.

• Clearly articulate the problem statement, user research methodologies employed, and the insights derived.

• Detail your approach to ideation, wireframing, prototyping, and user testing, including any iterations and pivots.

• Present high-fidelity designs and explain the rationale behind key UI/UX decisions.

• Demonstrate how you collaborated with Product and Engineering teams, including any trade-offs made.

• Include evidence of how your designs were validated post-launch (e.g., through analytics, user feedback, A/B testing results).

• Highlight any contributions to design systems, including component design, documentation, or governance. Process Documentation:

• Be prepared to discuss your preferred methods for problem framing and user research in complex domains.

• Demonstrate an understanding of how to document design decisions, user flows, and system requirements for engineering handoff.

• Articulate how you would use data analytics, support insights, and customer feedback to inform iterative design improvements and address design debt.

📝 Enhancement Note: The portfolio is paramount for this role. It needs to go beyond showcasing polished interfaces; it must reveal the candidate's strategic thinking, problem-solving capabilities, and ability to navigate ambiguity in complex product environments. Demonstrating influence and collaboration is as important as design execution.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: Based on industry benchmarks for Senior Product Designers with 5-10 years of experience in Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom, the estimated salary range is approximately £55,000 - £75,000 per annum. This range accounts for the hybrid work model and the strategic nature of the role within a growing tech company.

Benefits:

• Competitive salary package with potential for performance-based bonuses.

• Hybrid working model offering flexibility and a balance between remote work and in-office collaboration.

• Generous annual leave allowance.

• Comprehensive health and wellness programs, potentially including private medical insurance.

• Pension scheme with company contributions.

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

• Employee assistance program for mental health and well-being support.

• Potential for stock options or equity, depending on company policy.

Working Hours: The standard working hours are approximately 40 hours per week. The hybrid model requires a minimum of 3 days per week in the Newcastle upon Tyne office (One Trinity Gardens), allowing for focused collaboration and team interaction.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary estimate is based on current UK market data for similar roles and locations, considering the experience level and the nature of the company (tech, SaaS). Specific benefits will be detailed during the interview process.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Technology, Software (SaaS), Construction Technology. Hubexo operates within the construction tech sector, providing data, insights, and software solutions to enhance decision-making, efficiency, and sustainability in the construction industry. This specialization means designers will work with complex, domain-specific information.

Company Size: Hubexo is likely a medium-sized company, given the "design platform" focus and the need for established processes alongside room for influence. This size often offers a blend of structured operations and agility.

Founded: While the founding date is not provided, the company's focus on modern technology solutions like AI and data insights suggests it's likely a relatively established but forward-thinking organization.

Team Structure:

• The Design Platform team likely consists of a small, dedicated group of designers, potentially including a Design Lead or Manager, Senior Designers, and possibly UX Researchers.

• Reporting structure will likely place the Senior Product Designer under a Head of Design or Product Director, with close alignment to Product Management and Engineering leads.

• Cross-functional collaboration is a core tenet, with designers working daily alongside Product Managers, Engineers, QA, and specialists from the AI Platform team. Methodology:

• Hubexo emphasizes a data-driven approach, using analytics, customer feedback, and research to inform design decisions.

• The company values a rigorous process of discovery, problem framing, and iterative design, moving from hypothesis to validated solutions.

• Workflow optimization is a key goal, aiming to simplify complex professional tasks for construction industry users.

Company Website: [Hubexo Company Website URL - Placeholder, as not provided]

📝 Enhancement Note: The company's mission to improve decision-making, efficiency, and sustainability in construction presents a unique and challenging design context. Designers will need to translate complex industry requirements into intuitive user experiences. The hybrid model with 3 days in office suggests a culture that values in-person collaboration for complex problem-solving.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This is a Senior Product Designer role. It signifies a level of expertise where individuals are expected to lead significant design efforts independently, mentor others, and contribute to strategic decisions. The scope includes owning complex product areas and influencing design systems and processes.

Reporting Structure: The Senior Product Designer will report to a design leadership role (e.g., Head of Design, Design Manager, or Director of Product) and will work collaboratively with Product Managers and Engineering Leads. This structure allows for both strategic direction and close execution alignment.

Operations Impact: The Senior Product Designer's work directly impacts the usability, efficiency, and adoption of Hubexo's SaaS platform within the construction industry. By simplifying complex workflows and product discovery, the role contributes significantly to customer satisfaction, retention, and the company's overall mission to improve industry decision-making and efficiency. Effective design can drive commercial success by making the platform indispensable to its users.

Growth Opportunities:

• Leadership: Potential to move into a Design Lead, Design Manager, or Principal Designer role, taking on more strategic responsibility and team leadership.

• Specialization: Deepen expertise in construction technology, AI-driven design, or design systems, becoming a subject matter expert.

• Cross-functional Mobility: Develop a strong understanding of Product Management or Engineering, potentially leading to opportunities in those areas.

• Process Improvement: Lead initiatives to evolve Hubexo's design processes, tooling, and methodologies.

📝 Enhancement Note: The role is positioned for impact and growth. The emphasis on owning parts of the design system and influencing strategy suggests a clear path for advancement beyond individual contribution, into leadership and strategic roles within the design organization.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The role is based at "One Trinity Gardens," a modern office location in Newcastle upon Tyne, indicating a professional and well-equipped workspace. The "Hybrid" work arrangement means the office serves as a hub for focused collaboration, team meetings, and shared work sessions.

Office Location(s): One Trinity Gardens, Newcastle upon Tyne, England. This location suggests accessibility within the city, likely with good transport links.

Workspace Context:

• The office environment is designed to foster collaboration, with ample opportunities for spontaneous discussions, whiteboarding sessions, and team-based problem-solving.

• Expect access to standard design tools and technology, with potential for specialized software related to AI-assisted design and complex data visualization.

• The hybrid model encourages interaction with Product Managers, Engineers, and fellow designers, facilitating a cohesive and integrated workflow.

Work Schedule: The primary work schedule will be aligned with standard business hours in the UK (GMT/BST), with the expectation of being present in the office for at least 3 days per week. This schedule allows for effective real-time collaboration with distributed team members and in-person meetings.

📝 Enhancement Note: The specific mention of "One Trinity Gardens" suggests a modern, potentially co-working or premium office space, signaling a company that invests in its physical workspace to support collaboration and employee experience. The 3-day in-office requirement is key for collaboration.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A brief call with a recruiter to assess basic qualifications, cultural fit, and understanding of the role.

• Portfolio Review & Discussion: A more in-depth session with hiring managers (likely a Design Lead/Manager and/or Product Manager) to walk through your portfolio. Be prepared to discuss your process, problem-solving approach, and design decisions in detail.

• Design Challenge/Workshop: You may be asked to complete a take-home design exercise or participate in an on-site/remote workshop to assess your practical design skills, problem-solving abilities, and how you collaborate under pressure.

• Cross-functional Interviews: Meetings with engineers, product managers, or other stakeholders to evaluate collaboration style and technical understanding.

• Final Interview: A conversation with a senior leader (e.g., Head of Product, CTO) to discuss strategic alignment, career aspirations, and overall fit.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Storytelling is Key: Structure your case studies as narratives. Clearly define the problem, your role, the process, the challenges, your solutions, and the outcomes/impact.

• Focus on Process, Not Just Polish: Emphasize your thought process, research methods, iterative design cycles, and how you navigated trade-offs. This is crucial for a Senior role.

• Quantify Impact: Whenever possible, use data and metrics to demonstrate the success of your designs (e.g., increased conversion, reduced error rates, improved user satisfaction scores).

• Tailor to Hubexo: Understand Hubexo's industry (construction tech) and their focus on complex SaaS platforms. Highlight relevant experience and tailor your presentation to resonate with their challenges.

• Be Ready for Deep Dives: Anticipate questions about specific design decisions, alternative approaches considered, and how you would handle hypothetical scenarios.

Challenge Preparation:

• If a design challenge is given, focus on understanding the brief thoroughly and defining clear objectives.

• Prioritize the most impactful aspects of the problem. It's better to solve a core part of the problem well than to superficially address everything.

• If a workshop is involved, actively participate, ask clarifying questions, and demonstrate your collaborative approach.

• Practice articulating your design rationale clearly and concisely, especially when under time constraints.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on "discovery, judgement and influence" means the interview process will likely assess not just design craft but also strategic thinking, communication, and the ability to challenge assumptions constructively. Be prepared to articulate your "why" behind every design decision.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

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

• Prototyping & User Testing: InVision, Marvel, Axure, or built-in Figma/Sketch prototyping tools.

• User Research Platforms: UserTesting.com, Maze, Lookback, or similar tools for remote usability testing and feedback collection.

Analytics & Reporting:

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

• Data Visualization: Tableau, Power BI, or internal dashboarding tools for presenting data insights to stakeholders.

CRM & Automation:

• While not directly a design tool, familiarity with CRM systems (e.g., Salesforce, HubSpot) and workflow automation concepts can be beneficial for understanding the broader SaaS ecosystem.

• Project Management: Jira, Asana, Trello for managing design tasks and collaborating with development teams.

📝 Enhancement Note: While specific tools aren't listed, proficiency in modern collaborative design tools like Figma is almost a prerequisite. Familiarity with analytics platforms is key for a data-driven approach, and experience with project management tools is essential for effective cross-functional work.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• User-Centricity: A deep commitment to understanding and serving the needs of construction professionals.

• Problem-Solving: A focus on tackling complex challenges with innovative and practical design solutions.

• Collaboration: Working closely and effectively with Product, Engineering, and AI teams to build cohesive products.

• Data-Driven Decisions: Utilizing insights from research and analytics to guide design strategy and execution.

• High Standards: Maintaining a commitment to quality craft, robust processes, and delivering impactful user experiences.

• Continuous Improvement: Actively seeking ways to enhance design processes, systems, and product usability.

Collaboration Style:

• Integrated Teams: The hybrid model and co-location requirement foster an integrated approach where Product, Design, and Engineering work in tight-knit, cross-functional teams.

• Open Communication: Expect a culture that encourages open dialogue, feedback exchange, and constructive debate to arrive at the best solutions.

• Shared Ownership: A collaborative environment where team members feel empowered to contribute to decisions and take ownership of their work and its outcomes.

• Knowledge Sharing: Opportunities to share learnings, best practices, and insights through design critiques, internal presentations, and documentation.

📝 Enhancement Note: The company's emphasis on "ownership, sound judgement and high standards" alongside being "trusted to explore problems properly, challenge assumptions and contribute to decisions" points to a culture that values autonomy, critical thinking, and proactive contribution from its senior talent.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Complexity of Domain: The construction specification industry is inherently complex. Translating intricate technical information and workflows into intuitive user experiences will be a significant challenge.

• Defining the Design Platform: As parts of the Design Platform are still being defined, there's an opportunity but also a challenge in establishing best practices, standards, and scalable solutions.

• Balancing Stakeholder Needs: Navigating trade-offs between customer value, technical viability, and commercial priorities requires strong negotiation and communication skills.

• Driving Design Debt Resolution: Proactively identifying and addressing usability issues and technical debt within a growing product requires strategic prioritization and advocacy.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Industry Expertise: Gain deep knowledge of the construction technology sector, a specialized and growing market.

• AI Integration: Explore and implement cutting-edge AI-assisted design tools and methodologies.

• Design System Leadership: Play a key role in shaping and scaling a critical design system.

• Mentorship & Strategic Influence: Develop leadership skills through mentoring junior designers and contributing to high-level design strategy and roadmap planning.

• Professional Development: Access to training, workshops, and potentially conferences relevant to product design and the construction tech industry.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges presented are also opportunities for significant professional growth. Tackling complex domain problems and contributing to a nascent design platform offers a unique chance to make a substantial impact and build valuable expertise.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you led complex product design work from early discovery through to delivery. What were the biggest challenges and how did you overcome them?" (Focus on process, problem-solving, and impact.)

• "How do you approach user research and validation for complex SaaS products, especially when direct user access might be limited?" (Highlight methodologies and how you derive insights.)

• "Walk me through a challenging design decision you had to make where you had to balance customer value, technical viability, and commercial priorities. What was your rationale and the outcome?" (Demonstrate trade-off management and strategic thinking.)

• "How have you contributed to or led the development of a design system? What principles guide your approach to scalability and consistency?" (Showcase experience with scalable design.) Company & Culture Questions:

• "What interests you about Hubexo and the construction technology industry specifically?" (Research the company's mission and market.)

• "How do you see your role as a Senior Product Designer contributing to our Design Platform and overall company strategy?" (Connect your skills to their stated goals.)

• "How do you approach mentoring junior designers and contributing to design strategy?" (Demonstrate leadership potential and strategic mindset.) Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure: Begin with a high-level overview of your portfolio and then dive into 2-3 key case studies. For each case study, clearly articulate: The Problem, Your Role & Responsibilities, The Process (Research, Ideation, Design, Testing), The Solution, and The Impact/Outcome.

• Visuals: Use clear, well-annotated visuals (wireframes, user flows, prototypes, final screens). Ensure they are easy to understand and convey your design thinking.

• Narrative: Tell a compelling story. Explain the 'why' behind your decisions, the challenges you faced, and how you overcame them. Emphasize your thought process and problem-solving skills.

• Metrics: Wherever possible, back up your claims with data. Quantify the impact of your designs on users and the business.

• Interactivity: Be prepared to interact with your prototypes or design files if requested, demonstrating your fluency with the tools.

📝 Enhancement Note: Expect questions that probe your ability to operate autonomously, make sound judgments, and influence outcomes. The interview process will likely assess your comfort with ambiguity and your proactive approach to problem-solving within a complex domain.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Senior Product Designer position:

• Submit your application through the provided link on Dayforce.

• Portfolio Customization: Ensure your portfolio prominently features case studies demonstrating your experience with complex SaaS products, end-to-end design processes, and problem-solving capabilities. Tailor your presentation to highlight how your skills align with Hubexo's mission in the construction tech industry.

• Resume Optimization: Update your resume to clearly articulate your years of experience, key responsibilities in previous senior design roles, and quantifiable achievements. Use keywords like "Product Design," "UX Design," "SaaS," "Design Systems," "User Research," and "Stakeholder Management."

• Interview Preparation: Practice articulating your design process, decision-making rationale, and experience with mentoring and strategy. Be ready to discuss your approach to the specific challenges mentioned in the job description.

• Company Research: Thoroughly research Hubexo, its products, its mission in the construction industry, and its values. Understand the significance of a "Design Platform" and how you can contribute to its evolution.

⚠️ 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.