Senior Product Designer

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Senior Product Designer

Company: Matillion

Location: Manchester, England, United Kingdom

Job Type: Full-Time

Category: Product Design / UX/UI

Date Posted: April 14, 2026

Experience Level: 5-10 Years

Remote Status: Hybrid (2 days/week in office)

🚀 Role Summary

• Lead end-to-end product design for critical AI and data engineering platform areas, from discovery through to high-fidelity delivery.

• Translate complex AI behaviors and technical workflows into intuitive, trustworthy, and clear user interactions for data teams.

• Define and evolve new interaction patterns for human-AI collaboration in an emerging technological landscape.

• Partner closely with Product and Engineering teams to shape product solutions and ensure seamless execution.

• Contribute to and elevate the overall product design quality and systems thinking within the team.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the core role is Product Design, the unique focus on AI and data engineering platforms positions this as a highly strategic and technically-oriented design role. This requires a strong understanding of complex systems and the ability to design for specialized user groups (data teams). The emphasis on "writing the rulebook" for human-AI interaction highlights the pioneering nature of this position.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Spearhead the complete design lifecycle for assigned product areas, including problem framing, user research, concept development, prototyping, user testing, and final design delivery.

• Develop and iterate on interaction models that make sophisticated AI functionalities accessible and manageable for data professionals.

• Create and document new design patterns and standards for human-AI interfaces within the data engineering context.

• Collaborate effectively within a cross-functional trio of Product, Engineering, and Design to align on product strategy and execution.

• Actively participate in design critiques, knowledge sharing sessions, and mentorship to foster a high-performing design culture.

• Raise the bar for design craft, visual quality, and the application of systems thinking across the product development process.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities emphasize ownership and leadership, typical of a Senior role. The focus on defining new interaction patterns for AI is a key differentiator, requiring the candidate to be a proactive innovator rather than just an executor of established design principles.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: Bachelor's degree in Design, Human-Computer Interaction, Computer Science, or a related field, or equivalent practical experience.

Experience: Demonstrable experience designing complex products in fast-paced SaaS environments, with a proven track record of owning and delivering high-impact product areas independently.

Required Skills:

• Proficient in end-to-end product design processes (discovery, definition, prototyping, testing, delivery).

• Strong portfolio showcasing complex system design, problem-solving, and high-quality execution.

• Experience designing for technical workflows, data-heavy products, or complex SaaS applications.

• Ability to translate abstract AI concepts into tangible and intuitive user experiences.

• Excellent communication and presentation skills, with the ability to influence senior stakeholders.

• Proven ability to work effectively in a collaborative, cross-functional team environment.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience with AI-driven products or human-AI collaboration interfaces.

• Familiarity with data engineering concepts, data pipelines, or data integration platforms.

• Experience in defining and evolving design systems and interaction paradigms.

• Familiarity with agile development methodologies and working in fast-paced software development cycles.

• A genuine curiosity and proactive approach to learning about emerging interaction paradigms.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "preferred skills" lean heavily into the cutting-edge nature of the role, emphasizing the need for a candidate who is not only skilled in traditional UX/UI but also forward-thinking and adaptable to new technological frontiers like AI. The portfolio requirement is explicitly stated to demonstrate "clear end-to-end thinking, sharp problem solving and high-quality execution — not just beautiful screens."

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Showcase at least 2-3 significant end-to-end product design projects, detailing the problem, your process, and the impact of your solutions.

• Clearly articulate your role and contributions within each project, especially in collaborative settings.

• Demonstrate your ability to frame complex problems, conduct user research, and iterate based on feedback.

• Include examples of high-fidelity mockups, interactive prototypes, and user flows.

• Highlight projects that involved complex systems, technical workflows, or data-intensive applications.

Process Documentation:

• Explain your approach to user discovery and problem definition, including methods used for uncovering user needs and pain points in complex domains.

• Detail your process for translating technical requirements and AI behaviors into user-friendly interfaces.

• Describe how you incorporate user testing and feedback loops throughout the design process to validate and refine solutions.

• Illustrate your method for collaborating with engineering and product management to ensure successful implementation of designs.

📝 Enhancement Note: The portfolio is critical for this role, as it needs to demonstrate not just design execution but also strategic thinking in uncharted territories like human-AI interaction within data platforms. The emphasis is on showing how they solve problems and how they collaborate, particularly in technically complex environments.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: £58,000 - £87,000 per annum.

Benefits:

• Company Equity: Opportunity to own a stake in Matillion's growth.

• Generous Holiday Allowance: 30 days of holiday plus bank holidays, promoting work-life balance.

• Volunteering Leave: 5 days of paid leave dedicated to community involvement.

• Health Insurance: Comprehensive coverage for medical needs.

• Life Insurance: Financial protection for employees and their families.

• Pension Scheme: Contribution towards retirement savings.

• Mental Health Support: Access to resources and support for well-being.

Working Hours: Standard full-time hours (approximately 40 hours per week), with flexibility offered for the right candidate, especially concerning the hybrid working pattern.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range is provided in GBP, aligning with the Manchester location. The benefits package is comprehensive, reflecting a commitment to employee well-being and long-term engagement, which is attractive to experienced professionals in demanding roles. The mention of "flexibility for the right person" regarding the hybrid model suggests that Matillion is prioritizing talent acquisition.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Data Integration / SaaS / AI Platform. Matillion operates in the rapidly evolving data technology sector, focusing on empowering data professionals with intelligent tools. The company is at the forefront of integrating AI into data pipelines, a significant market trend.

Company Size: Matillion is a growing global company, indicating a dynamic environment with opportunities for impact, but also potentially requiring individuals who can navigate ambiguity and contribute to process development.

Founded: Founded with a mission to simplify data integration, Matillion has evolved to become a leader in the cloud data integration space, now venturing into AI-powered data engineering with its Maia platform. This history suggests a culture of innovation and adaptation.

Team Structure:

• The Product Design team likely includes a mix of Senior Designers, Product Designers, and potentially UX Researchers, working in close collaboration with Product Managers and Engineering teams.

• Designers often form a "tight trio" with Product and Engineering, indicating a highly integrated and collaborative workflow.

Methodology:

• Matillion emphasizes a "bias for action" and "innovate and demand quality," suggesting a fast-paced, results-oriented environment that values proactive problem-solving and high standards.

• The development of the "Data Productivity Cloud" and "Maia" (AI-powered virtual data engineers) indicates a strong focus on innovation, automation, and enhancing user productivity through advanced technology.

• Collaboration is a core value, suggesting a team-oriented approach to problem-solving and product development.

Company Website: https://www.matillion.com/careers

📝 Enhancement Note: The company culture is described with six core values, including "Confidence without arrogance," "Customer obsessed," "Innovate and demand quality," and "Bias for action." These values suggest a culture that is ambitious, customer-focused, and values both high performance and strong teamwork. The emphasis on "no egos, no politics" points towards a direct and collaborative work environment.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is a Senior Product Designer, positioned to lead and influence significant product initiatives. It requires substantial experience and the ability to operate with a high degree of autonomy. The role is not just about execution but also about strategic input into product direction and the definition of new interaction paradigms.

Reporting Structure: Senior Designers are expected to work in close partnership with Product Managers and Engineering Leads, often forming a "tight trio." While direct reporting lines aren't detailed, the expectation to "influence senior stakeholders" suggests interaction with leadership beyond immediate product teams.

Operations Impact: The impact is significant: shaping the core user experience of an AI-powered data engineering platform. This involves defining how users interact with AI, which has direct implications for data team productivity, efficiency, and the overall adoption of Matillion's innovative technologies. Success in this role contributes directly to the company's vision of changing how the world works with data.

Growth Opportunities:

• Specialization: Deepen expertise in designing for AI and human-AI collaboration within specialized domains like data engineering.

• Leadership: Transition into a Design Lead or management role, guiding other designers and shaping design strategy for larger product areas.

• Strategic Influence: Become a key voice in product strategy, influencing the roadmap and the future direction of Matillion's platform.

• Industry Expertise: Become a recognized expert in a cutting-edge field, contributing to the definition of new interaction standards.

📝 Enhancement Note: The growth opportunities are framed around deepening specialized skills in a nascent field (AI interaction design) and moving into leadership or strategic advisory roles, reflecting the seniority and impact of the position.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Matillion promotes a hybrid work model, with 2 days per week expected in their "innovative Manchester office." This suggests a modern, collaborative workspace designed to facilitate in-person interaction and team cohesion.

Office Location(s): Manchester, England, United Kingdom. The office is designed to foster collaboration and innovation, likely equipped with modern amenities and design resources.

Workspace Context:

• The hybrid model is intended to balance the benefits of in-person collaboration with the flexibility of remote work.

• The "innovative" description of the office implies a modern, well-equipped environment conducive to creative work and team synergy.

• Expect opportunities for spontaneous collaboration, brainstorming sessions, and direct interaction with cross-functional colleagues.

Work Schedule: Full-time, with an approximately 40-hour work week. The company aims for work-life balance, acknowledging that flexibility might be offered for the right candidate, particularly concerning the hybrid working requirement.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on "in person collaboration" for this role, even within a hybrid framework, highlights Matillion's belief in the value of face-to-face interaction for complex problem-solving and fostering a strong design culture, especially in an innovative field.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A brief call with a Talent Acquisition specialist to assess basic qualifications and cultural fit.

• Portfolio Presentation & Design Challenge: A session where candidates present their portfolio, discussing key projects and demonstrating their end-to-end design thinking. This may be followed by a take-home design challenge or a live collaborative design exercise focusing on a complex problem.

• Hiring Manager & Team Interviews: Interviews with the hiring manager and potential teammates (Product Managers, Engineers, other Designers) to assess technical skills, problem-solving abilities, and team collaboration fit.

• Stakeholder Interview: Potentially an interview with senior leadership to assess strategic thinking and influence.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Narrative is Key: Clearly articulate the story behind each project: the problem, your role, your process, the challenges faced, the decisions made, and the quantifiable impact or learnings.

• Show, Don't Just Tell: Use visuals (wireframes, prototypes, user flows, final UI) to illustrate your process and solutions.

• Focus on Complexity: Since the role involves complex systems and AI, highlight projects where you tackled similar challenges and how you navigated them.

• Demonstrate Collaboration: Explain how you partnered with Product and Engineering, showcasing your ability to integrate feedback and achieve shared goals.

• Address AI/Emerging Tech: If possible, include projects or discussions about your approach to designing for new technologies or undefined interaction spaces.

Challenge Preparation:

• Understand the Domain: Research Matillion's Data Productivity Cloud, Maia, and the broader data engineering landscape. Familiarize yourself with common challenges data teams face.

• Think AI-First: For any design challenge, consider how AI can be leveraged to solve the problem and how you would design the user interaction for that AI capability.

• Process Over Polish: Focus on demonstrating your thought process, decision-making, and how you would approach problem-solving, rather than necessarily delivering a pixel-perfect solution within a limited timeframe.

• Articulate Trade-offs: Be prepared to discuss the trade-offs inherent in design decisions, especially when balancing innovation, user experience, and technical feasibility.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process is designed to thoroughly assess not only design craft but also strategic thinking, problem-solving in complex domains, and the ability to pioneer new interaction models for AI. The portfolio review is a critical gate, requiring a narrative that showcases depth and strategic thinking.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Design & Prototyping: Figma (highly probable for modern SaaS teams), Sketch, Adobe Creative Suite (Illustrator, Photoshop).

• Prototyping & User Testing: InVision, Marvel, or similar tools for interactive prototypes and user feedback collection.

• Collaboration & Project Management: Jira, Confluence (likely for tracking tasks, user stories, and documentation), Slack (for team communication).

Analytics & Reporting:

CRM & Automation:

• Not directly used by product designers, but understanding the CRM (e.g., Salesforce) and marketing automation tools can provide context for data flow and customer journeys.

📝 Enhancement Note: The specific tools are inferred based on industry standards for SaaS product design teams. Proficiency in a leading design and prototyping tool like Figma is almost certainly a requirement. Understanding the broader tech stack provides context for how design integrates with engineering and product management.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Confidence without arrogance: Approach challenges with self-assurance but remain open to learning and collaboration.

• Working with integrity: Uphold ethical standards in design decisions and professional conduct.

• Customer obsessed: Deeply understand and advocate for the needs of data teams using Matillion's platform.

• Innovate and demand quality: Push boundaries in design thinking while maintaining high standards for execution and user experience.

• Bias for action: Proactively identify opportunities and take initiative to drive design forward, especially in new and ambiguous areas.

• We care: Foster a supportive and empathetic environment for colleagues and users.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-functional Integration: Work as a tight-knit trio with Product and Engineering, ensuring seamless communication and shared ownership.

• Open Feedback: Participate actively in design critiques and be receptive to constructive feedback to continuously improve designs.

• Knowledge Sharing: Contribute to a culture of learning by sharing insights, best practices, and learnings from design processes and user research.

📝 Enhancement Note: The explicit mention of Matillion's six core values is crucial. For a Senior Product Designer, demonstrating how these values translate into daily work, design decisions, and team interactions will be key during the interview process.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Defining New Paradigms: Designing for human-AI collaboration in data engineering is a nascent field with few established interaction patterns. This requires significant research, experimentation, and comfort with ambiguity.

• Complexity of Data & AI: Translating highly technical concepts and complex AI behaviors into intuitive user experiences for a specialized audience (data teams) is inherently challenging.

• Balancing Innovation and Usability: Ensuring that cutting-edge AI features are not only powerful but also usable, trustworthy, and efficient for end-users.

• Cross-functional Alignment: Navigating diverse perspectives from Product, Engineering, and AI research to arrive at cohesive and effective design solutions.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• AI Interaction Design Expertise: Becoming a leader in a rapidly growing and highly sought-after design specialization.

• Industry Influence: Contributing to the definition of future standards for AI-assisted software development and data operations.

• Strategic Product Input: Gaining experience in shaping product strategy for a high-growth SaaS company at the forefront of AI innovation.

• Mentorship: Opportunities to mentor junior designers and contribute to the growth of Matillion's design team and culture.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges are framed around the pioneering nature of the role, emphasizing the opportunity for significant professional growth by tackling cutting-edge problems.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "How would you approach designing an AI assistant for data pipeline management? What are the key considerations for trust and transparency?"

• "Describe a time you had to design for a highly technical audience or a complex system. What was your process and what were the outcomes?"

• "How do you balance the need for innovation with ensuring a user-friendly and intuitive experience, especially when dealing with new technologies like AI?"

Company & Culture Questions:

• "How do Matillion's core values (e.g., Bias for Action, Innovate and Demand Quality) align with your approach to product design?"

• "What excites you about Matillion's mission to change how the world works with data?"

• "How do you contribute to a positive and collaborative team culture, especially in a hybrid work environment?"

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure Your Narrative: For each project, clearly state the problem, your role, the process, the key decisions, and the impact. Use a consistent structure.

• Highlight Your "Why": Explain the rationale behind your design choices, connecting them back to user needs and business objectives.

• Showcase Problem-Solving: Focus on how you tackled challenges, iterated based on feedback, and arrived at your final solution.

• Demonstrate AI/Tech Acumen: If applicable, specifically call out any projects that involved complex technical systems, AI, or emerging technologies.

• Be Prepared for Deep Dives: Anticipate questions about your process, specific design decisions, and how you would handle similar situations in the future.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation should focus on demonstrating strategic thinking, a deep understanding of user-centered design, and the ability to innovate in a technically complex and emerging field. Emphasize how you embody Matillion's values and collaborate effectively.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Senior Product Designer position:

• Submit your application through the provided Lever link.

• Curate Your Portfolio: Select 2-3 of your most relevant projects that showcase end-to-end design thinking, complex system design, and ideally, experience with technical workflows or innovative technologies. Ensure each project clearly articulates the problem, your specific role, your process, and the impact.

• Tailor Your Resume: Highlight experience in SaaS, complex product design, collaboration with engineering/product teams, and any exposure to AI or data-intensive products. Emphasize achievements and quantifiable results where possible.

• Prepare Your Presentation: Practice walking through your portfolio projects, focusing on storytelling, your decision-making process, and how you would approach the unique challenges of designing for Matillion's AI platform.

• Research Matillion: Familiarize yourself with Matillion's Data Productivity Cloud, Maia, company values, and recent news. Understand their market position and the challenges their users face.

⚠️ 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.