Senior Product Designer

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Senior Product Designer

Company: Material

Location: New York, New York, United States

Job Type: FULL_TIME

Category: Product Design / User Experience

Date Posted: 2026-05-28

Experience Level: 5-10 years

Remote Status: Hybrid

🚀 Role Summary

• Lead the end-to-end design process for innovative digital products, including experiential platforms, applications, and websites, ensuring alignment with client objectives and business outcomes.

• Drive the integration of AI-driven features and interaction models into client products, staying at the forefront of technological advancements in design.

• Develop and maintain robust Design Language Systems (DLS) and pattern libraries, collaborating closely with engineering teams to ensure consistent implementation and scalability.

• Champion accessibility and compliance standards (AA and AAA) throughout the design and development lifecycle, ensuring inclusive and equitable user experiences.

• Facilitate and lead design sprints, discovery workshops, and client presentations, effectively communicating design rationale and strategic vision to diverse stakeholders.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the input title is "Senior Product Designer," the core responsibilities and required skills (e.g., AI integration, DLS, client-facing leadership, Agile collaboration) strongly indicate a role focused on the strategic and execution aspects of product design within a consulting or agency environment, aligning with GTM (Go-To-Market) and client-facing operations. The emphasis on business outcomes and commercial awareness further supports this.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Lead the strategic conceptualization and execution of high-fidelity customer experiences for a range of digital products, including websites, apps, and experiential platforms.

• Drive the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) into design workflows and end-user products, exploring new interaction models, personalization, and automation capabilities.

• Develop, scale, and maintain comprehensive Design Language Systems (DLS), pattern libraries, and brand guidelines in close partnership with development teams.

• Plan and facilitate design sprints, co-creation workshops, and discovery sessions to drive innovation and gather critical user insights.

• Present design concepts, strategies, and outcomes convincingly to clients and internal stakeholders, articulating the "why" behind design decisions.

• Act as the primary product design lead during the development phase, collaborating with dual-track agile teams to ensure design intent is preserved and critical decisions are made efficiently.

• Champion adherence to accessibility guidelines (WCAG AA and AAA compliance) and work with User Experience Researchers (UXR) to validate and integrate compliance measures.

• Foster cross-functional collaboration with research, brand, strategy, and engineering teams to ensure cohesive and integrated project outputs.

• Maintain a strong point of view on design strategy, user needs, and business impact, proactively identifying and mitigating project risks.

• Ensure design decisions are commercially aware, considering project costs, margins, and overall financial performance to drive intelligent growth for clients.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities listed are expanded to specifically highlight the strategic and leadership aspects expected of a Senior Product Designer in a client-facing role. Emphasis is placed on DLS, AI integration, accessibility, and client communication, which are critical for driving business outcomes in a design consultancy.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: Bachelor’s degree in Product Design, Experience Design, Human-Computer Interaction, Graphic Design, or a related field.

Experience: 5+ years of professional experience in product design, UX/UI design, or a similar capacity, with a proven track record of leading design initiatives.

Required Skills:

• Advanced proficiency in product design principles, user-centered design methodologies, and interaction design.

• Demonstrated expertise in building, scaling, and maintaining Design Language Systems (DLS) and component-based design systems.

• Strong understanding and practical application of accessibility standards (WCAG AA compliance), with familiarity of AAA standards and testing methodologies.

• Proven ability to plan, facilitate, and lead design sprints and collaborative workshops.

• Proficiency with industry-standard design and prototyping tools, specifically Figma and Miro.

• Deep curiosity and functional experience integrating AI features and capabilities into digital products and user experiences.

• Excellent presentation, storytelling, and client communication skills, with the ability to articulate complex design concepts and strategic rationale.

• Experience working within Agile development environments, particularly dual-track agile sprints.

• Understanding of OS-specific design guidelines (e.g., Apple's Human Interface Guidelines, Android's Material Design).

• Commercial awareness and a focus on business outcomes, understanding the impact of design decisions on project profitability and client goals. Preferred Skills:

• Experience in e-commerce, purchase path optimization, and transactional product design.

• Familiarity with user research methodologies and the ability to collaborate effectively with UXR teams.

• Experience with iterative prototype testing and user feedback loops.

• Knowledge of typography, color theory, and advanced visual design principles.

• Experience mentoring or guiding more junior designers.

• Understanding of performance marketing and customer acquisition/retention strategies from a design perspective.

📝 Enhancement Note: The required skills have been refined to emphasize the "senior" aspect, including leadership, DLS expertise, AI integration, and client-facing competencies. Preferred skills are added to highlight areas that would make a candidate stand out, particularly in a consulting context.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A comprehensive portfolio showcasing a minimum of 5 years of professional product design work, with a strong emphasis on problem-solving acumen.

• Detailed case studies demonstrating the full design process, including discovery workshops, sprint plans, user research insights, wireframes, high-fidelity comps, and interactive prototypes.

• Evidence of exceptional use of color, typography, and core design principles applied to create impactful user experiences.

• Examples of work that highlight the ability to integrate AI features or leverage AI in the design process.

• Demonstrations of experience in building or evolving Design Language Systems (DLS), including component libraries and style guides.

• Work samples that clearly illustrate an understanding and application of accessibility standards (AA compliance minimum). Process Documentation:

• Ability to document and present design processes, workflows, and decision-making rationales clearly and concisely.

• Experience in creating and maintaining pattern libraries, visual design systems, and brand guidelines as companion assets to development code.

• Documentation of iterative research findings and how they informed design iterations and final product solutions.

• Evidence of process for collaborating with development teams in agile sprints to ensure design integrity and efficient implementation.

📝 Enhancement Note: This section is crucial for a design role. The portfolio requirements are detailed to reflect the expectation of showcasing end-to-end design thinking, specific deliverables like DLS and AI integration examples, and a strong grasp of accessibility. Process documentation highlights the need for structured thinking and collaboration.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $100,000.00 - $115,000.00 per year

Explanation of Range: This range reflects the company's stated pay range for the Senior Product Designer role in New York City. The final compensation will be determined based on the candidate's specific qualifications, experience level, and the precise needs of the role within the New York City market, considering cost of living and industry benchmarks for senior design positions.

Benefits:

• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance plans.

• Generous paid time off (PTO) policy, including vacation, sick days, and holidays.

• Retirement savings plan (e.g., 401(k)) with potential company match.

• Opportunities for professional development, including training, conferences, and certifications.

• Access to cutting-edge design tools and technologies.

• Collaborative work environment with talented, globally distributed colleagues.

• Potential for bonuses or performance-based incentives, depending on company and individual performance.

• Employee Assistance Program (EAP) for personal and professional support.

Working Hours: Standard full-time hours, estimated at 40 hours per week, with flexibility expected to meet project deadlines and client needs. The hybrid work arrangement allows for a balance between remote work and in-office collaboration.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range is directly extracted. Benefits are inferred based on typical offerings for a full-time senior-level position at a professional services firm. Working hours are standardized, but the hybrid nature and client-facing demands suggest potential for extended hours during critical project phases.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Professional Services (Consulting, Design, Strategy, Technology)

Company Size: Material is a global company, implying a significant employee base across multiple locations, likely ranging from 251-500 employees or more, indicating a well-established organization with diverse capabilities.

Founded: Founded with a mission to drive intelligent growth and build lasting, profitable relationships through customer understanding and insights, Material has evolved into a multidisciplinary firm connecting consumer intelligence with demand generation.

Team Structure:

• The design service line operates as a digital design studio within Material, focusing on tangible creation of high-fidelity customer experiences.

• This Senior Product Designer role will be part of a design team that collaborates closely with other practices like strategy, insights, data & analytics, and technology.

• The team likely operates with a project-based structure, with designers assigned to specific client engagements and workstreams.

• Reporting is expected to be to a Design Lead, Director, or Senior Manager within the design practice. Methodology:

• Data-Driven Insights: Core to Material's approach, leveraging consumer intelligence to inform design and go-to-market strategies.

• Integrated Solutions: Connecting design methods with marketing, experience, and digital solutions for impactful client outcomes.

• Agile & Iterative: Employing dual-track agile sprints and iterative research to develop reformative products and experiences.

• Client-Centric Focus: Prioritizing client objectives and customer needs to build trust and deliver measurable value.

Company Website: https://www.materialplus.io/

📝 Enhancement Note: Company context is inferred from the "About Us" section, highlighting Material's positioning as a growth-focused consultancy that integrates insights, design, and technology. The team structure emphasizes a multidisciplinary, project-based approach common in such firms.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: Senior Product Designer signifies a mid-to-senior level individual contributor role. It involves leading design initiatives, mentoring junior talent, and having significant autonomy in project execution. This level requires not only strong design craft but also strategic thinking, client management skills, and the ability to influence project direction.

Reporting Structure: The role reports to a Design Lead or Director within Material's design service line. Collaboration will be extensive with cross-functional teams (Strategy, Insights, Data & Analytics, Technology) and client stakeholders.

Operations Impact: This role directly impacts client success by designing digital experiences that drive customer acquisition, retention, and lifetime value. The emphasis on business outcomes, commercial awareness, and AI integration means the designer's work is crucial for client revenue growth and market competitiveness. Designs are expected to translate into measurable business impact.

Growth Opportunities:

• Leadership Progression: Potential to advance into Lead Product Designer, Design Manager, or Director roles, overseeing larger teams and more complex client engagements.

• Specialization: Deepen expertise in emerging areas like AI-integrated design, accessibility, or specific industry verticals (e.g., finance, healthcare, tech).

• Strategic Influence: Contribute to the firm's design methodology, service offerings, and business development efforts.

• Mentorship: Develop leadership skills by coaching and guiding junior designers, fostering talent within the organization.

• Client Relationship Management: Grow skills in client consulting, strategic advisory, and building long-term partnerships.

📝 Enhancement Note: This analysis frames the Senior Product Designer role within the context of a consulting firm, highlighting its strategic importance, growth potential, and the skills required for career advancement beyond pure design execution.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Hybrid work model, requiring proximity to a New York City office. This suggests a blend of remote work flexibility and in-office collaboration for specific activities like workshops, team meetings, and client presentations.

Office Location(s): New York City, New York, United States. Specific office details would need to be confirmed, but it implies a professional, urban workspace designed for client meetings and team collaboration.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Hub: The office serves as a central point for team collaboration, design sprints, and client engagements, fostering a dynamic and interactive environment.

• Tool-Rich Environment: Access to standard design tools (Figma, Miro) and potentially other project management and communication platforms.

• Cross-Functional Interaction: Frequent opportunities to interact with colleagues from diverse disciplines (strategy, data, technology, research), promoting a holistic approach to problem-solving.

• Client-Facing Spaces: Likely equipped with meeting rooms and presentation facilities for client interactions.

Work Schedule: While a standard 40-hour work week is implied, the nature of consulting and client work often requires flexibility. This can include occasional extended hours or weekend work to meet critical project deadlines or client demands, balanced by the flexibility of the hybrid model.

📝 Enhancement Note: The hybrid nature and NYC location are key. The description emphasizes the collaborative aspect of the office environment, which is essential for a consulting firm that relies on team synergy and client interactions.

📄 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 experience.

• Portfolio Presentation & Discussion: A dedicated session where you present 2-3 key case studies from your portfolio, explaining your role, process, challenges, and outcomes. Expect in-depth questions about your strategic thinking, problem-solving approach, and collaboration skills.

• Design Challenge/Take-Home Exercise: Potentially a case study or design problem to solve, assessing your ability to apply design principles and strategic thinking to a specific brief. This might involve creating wireframes, user flows, or a high-level concept.

• Team/Hiring Manager Interviews: Further discussions focused on leadership capabilities, AI integration experience, DLS expertise, accessibility knowledge, and cultural fit with Material's collaborative, client-focused environment.

• Final Interview: May involve senior leadership to discuss strategic alignment and long-term potential.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select 2-3 diverse case studies that best represent your senior-level experience, problem-solving skills, and impact. Include examples showcasing AI integration, DLS work, and accessibility considerations.

• Tell a Story: Structure each case study around the problem, your process, your specific contributions, the challenges faced, and the quantifiable outcomes or impact. Clearly articulate the "why" behind your design decisions.

• Showcase Process, Not Just Polish: Include artifacts like user flows, wireframes, sprint notes, and research findings alongside final polished designs. This demonstrates your strategic thinking and iterative approach.

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

• Highlight Collaboration: Explain how you worked with cross-functional teams, developers, and clients.

• Be Ready for Deep Dives: Anticipate detailed questions about your decision-making, your role in team dynamics, and how you handle constructive criticism or conflicting feedback.

Challenge Preparation:

• Understand the Brief: Thoroughly analyze any take-home assignment or challenge, identifying the core problem, target audience, and key objectives.

• Focus on Strategy & Process: Even if time is limited, prioritize demonstrating a sound strategic approach and a clear design process over pixel-perfect execution.

• Articulate Assumptions: Clearly state any assumptions you make and justify your design choices based on those assumptions.

• Consider AI and Accessibility: If relevant to the challenge, think about how AI could be integrated or how accessibility would be a factor.

• Prepare a Concise Presentation: Practice presenting your solution within a given timeframe, focusing on clarity and impact.

📝 Enhancement Note: This section provides actionable advice tailored for a Senior Product Designer applying to a consulting firm. It emphasizes the importance of a strategic portfolio, detailed case studies, and the ability to articulate impact and process, especially concerning AI and accessibility.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Figma: Essential for UI design, wireframing, prototyping, and collaboration. Expect to use its advanced features for component creation, design systems, and interactive prototypes.

• Miro: Crucial for collaborative whiteboarding, design sprints, brainstorming, user journey mapping, and workshop facilitation.

• Prototyping Tools (e.g., InVision, ProtoPie): Used for creating interactive prototypes to test user flows and gather feedback.

• AI/ML Integration Platforms (Emerging): Familiarity with how AI/ML features are integrated into design tools or how to design for AI-powered applications.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Web Analytics Tools (e.g., Google Analytics, Adobe Analytics): Understanding how to interpret user behavior data to inform design decisions and measure impact.

• User Feedback Platforms (e.g., UserTesting.com, Hotjar): For gathering qualitative and quantitative user feedback.

• A/B Testing Tools (e.g., Optimizely): Experience in designing for and interpreting results from A/B tests to optimize user experiences.

CRM & Automation:

• CRM Systems (e.g., Salesforce, HubSpot): Understanding how design impacts user journeys within CRM-driven processes, especially for e-commerce and client management.

• Project Management Tools (e.g., Jira, Asana, Trello): For managing design tasks within agile workflows and collaborating with development teams.

• Collaboration Suites (e.g., Slack, Microsoft Teams): For daily communication and team coordination.

📝 Enhancement Note: The tools listed are directly from the job description or are standard for senior product designers in a consulting environment. The emphasis is on collaboration, prototyping, and the emerging relevance of AI in the design stack.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Intelligent Growth: A core tenet, driving design decisions that lead to measurable business outcomes, customer acquisition, and retention.

• Customer Understanding: Placing deep insights into human behavior and customer needs at the heart of all design work.

• Innovation & Transformation: A commitment to creating reformative products and experiences that genuinely change businesses and user interactions.

• Collaboration & Connection: Fostering a connected environment where teams and stakeholders work together seamlessly across disciplines.

• Impact & Value Creation: Focusing on delivering tangible value and making a difference for clients and their customers through design.

• Equity & Sustainability: Embracing diversity and creating more equitable and sustainable futures through design solutions.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-Functional Integration: Seamless collaboration across strategy, insights, data, technology, and engineering teams to ensure holistic and coherent project delivery.

• Client Partnership: Building trust and deep relationships with clients through proactive communication, transparency, and a shared focus on achieving mutual goals.

• Open Feedback Culture: Encouraging constructive feedback, iterative improvement, and a willingness to explore diverse perspectives to refine design solutions.

• Knowledge Sharing: A culture that supports continuous learning and the sharing of best practices, tools, and methodologies across the global team.

📝 Enhancement Note: These values and collaboration styles are derived from the company's "About Us" and "Why Work for Material?" sections, interpreted through the lens of a design consultancy focused on client success and innovation.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing Client Demands with Design Excellence: Effectively managing competing client priorities, budget constraints, and tight timelines while upholding high design standards and innovation.

• Integrating Emerging Technologies (AI): Staying ahead of the curve with AI in design, translating potential into practical, user-centric, and commercially viable solutions.

• Ensuring Universal Accessibility: Consistently designing for a wide range of users with varying abilities, meeting strict compliance standards across diverse projects.

• Navigating Complex Stakeholder Landscapes: Effectively communicating and aligning diverse stakeholder expectations and technical constraints across multiple client organizations.

• Scaling Design Systems: Developing and maintaining robust, scalable Design Language Systems that can be adopted and evolved by development teams across various platforms.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Advanced AI in Design Workshops: Participating in or leading sessions focused on leveraging AI for creative processes, personalization, and new interaction models.

• Accessibility Certification Programs: Pursuing formal certifications in accessibility to deepen expertise and become a subject matter expert.

• Client Strategy & Consulting Skills: Developing advanced skills in client advisory, business strategy, and C-suite communication.

• Leadership & Mentorship Training: Opportunities to hone leadership capabilities through formal training and hands-on experience guiding junior designers.

• Industry Conferences & Publications: Engaging with the broader design community through conferences and contributing to thought leadership.

📝 Enhancement Note: Challenges are framed around the realities of senior design work in a consulting environment, including client management, technology adoption, and accessibility. Growth opportunities focus on deepening expertise in key areas like AI and accessibility, as well as developing leadership and consulting acumen.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you had to balance aggressive client deadlines with the need for thorough design exploration. How did you manage this?"

  • Preparation: Prepare a STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) answer focusing on your project management, prioritization, and communication skills. Highlight how you ensured key design principles were still met under pressure.

• "How do you approach integrating AI capabilities into a user experience? Can you walk us through an example from your portfolio or a hypothetical scenario?"

  • Preparation: Be ready to discuss your understanding of AI's role in user interfaces, potential benefits (personalization, efficiency), and challenges (ethics, data privacy, user trust). Use a case study or a well-thought-out hypothetical to illustrate your thought process.

• "Walk us through your process for designing and evolving a Design Language System (DLS). What are the key considerations for building one from scratch versus maintaining an existing one?"

  • Preparation: Detail your methodology for DLS creation, including component definition, documentation standards, collaboration with developers, and governance. Be prepared to discuss scalability, consistency, and how to handle new component requests.

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What interests you about Material's approach to driving intelligent growth through integrated insights and design?"

  • Preparation: Research Material's website, recent projects, and any thought leadership they've published. Connect their stated values and methodologies to your own professional philosophy and career aspirations.

• "How do you foster collaboration with development teams and other cross-functional stakeholders, especially when there are differing opinions or priorities?"

  • Preparation: Discuss your experience in agile environments, your communication strategies for bridging gaps, and your approach to building consensus. Emphasize empathy and a shared goal orientation.

• "How do you ensure your design work contributes to measurable business outcomes for clients?"

  • Preparation: Prepare examples where your design decisions directly led to quantifiable improvements in KPIs such as conversion rates, user engagement, customer satisfaction, or revenue.

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure for Impact: For each case study, clearly define the Problem, Your Role, The Process, Key Decisions/Challenges, and the Results/Impact. Aim for a narrative flow that highlights your strategic thinking.

• Show, Don't Just Tell: Use visuals (screenshots, diagrams, prototypes) to illustrate your points. Explain why you made certain design choices, referencing user needs, business goals, or technical constraints.

• Highlight Seniority: Emphasize your leadership, strategic contributions, mentorship, and ability to influence outcomes. Clearly delineate your specific contributions from team efforts.

• Demonstrate Process Depth: Include evidence of your design process, such as user flows, wireframes, research insights, and iteration history, not just final polished screens.

• Address AI & Accessibility Proactively: If applicable to your case studies, weave in how you considered AI integration or accessibility principles. If not, be prepared to discuss how you would approach these for a similar project.

• Be Ready for Q&A: Anticipate questions about your decision-making, problem-solving, collaboration, and how you handle ambiguity or feedback.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation is tailored to the Senior Product Designer role at a consultancy, focusing on strategic thinking, client management, AI/DLS/accessibility expertise, and portfolio presentation skills.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Senior Product Designer position:

• Navigate to the Material Careers page or the provided Workday job link and submit your application.

• Portfolio Customization: Ensure your portfolio prominently features 2-3 strong case studies that showcase your senior-level experience, problem-solving skills, and impact, with specific attention to AI integration, Design Language Systems, and accessibility compliance.

• Resume Optimization: Tailor your resume to highlight keywords from the job description, such as "Product Design," "AI Integration," "Design Language Systems," "Accessibility," "Figma," "Miro," "Design Sprints," and "Client Communication." Quantify your achievements with specific metrics where possible.

• Interview Preparation: Practice articulating your design process, strategic decision-making, and leadership experience. Prepare to present your portfolio case studies compellingly and anticipate questions about your approach to AI, accessibility, and collaborative work.

• Company Research: Thoroughly review Material's website, mission, values, and recent work to understand their approach to client services and design. Prepare thoughtful questions to demonstrate your engagement and interest.

⚠️ 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.