Senior Product Designer

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Senior Product Designer

Company: Planet

Location: Haarlem, Netherlands

Job Type: Full-Time

Category: Product Design / User Experience

Date Posted: 2026-08-25T19:59:44

Experience Level: 5-10 Years

Remote Status: Hybrid (3 days in office)

🚀 Role Summary

• Drive the end-to-end product design lifecycle for complex SaaS and B2B solutions, focusing on Earth Observation (EO) data.

• Translate intricate geospatial and AI-powered data into intuitive, actionable insights for Commercial and CivGov sectors.

• Lead user research, prototyping, and usability testing to validate high-value use cases and define user-centric goals.

• Architect scalable, reusable UX patterns and components within enterprise design systems to ensure cohesive customer experiences.

• Foster a collaborative environment by partnering closely with Product Management and Engineering teams to bridge technical capabilities with customer value.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is positioned as a Senior Product Designer, indicating a need for significant autonomy, strategic thinking, and the ability to mentor or guide junior designers, even if not explicitly stated. The focus on "end-to-end design process" and "Product Design Leadership" suggests a high level of ownership and impact. The hybrid requirement of 3 days in office highlights the importance of in-person collaboration for complex problem-solving and design critiques.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Lead the entire design process, from initial user discovery and research to high-fidelity prototyping and final launch of CivGov and Commercial solutions.

• Conduct in-depth user research and prototype testing to validate critical use cases, ensuring development is grounded in validated user needs and jobs-to-be-done.

• Define clear, measurable user objectives and success criteria for complex roles (e.g., a CivGov compliance officer), translating these into intuitive interface designs.

• Architect sophisticated user interfaces that effectively represent complex geospatial data, establishing and utilizing reusable interaction patterns and components within Planet's enterprise design system.

• Collaborate intimately with Product Managers and Engineers to ensure exceptional design quality, facilitate alignment on ambiguous problem spaces, and effectively communicate design rationale.

• Proactively contribute to the growth and elevation of Planet's design culture through sharing best practices, constructive feedback, and fostering a collaborative atmosphere.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities emphasize a strong bias for action and a deep understanding of user-centric methodologies, particularly within data-intensive B2B environments. The requirement to "translate complex geospatial data into actionable insights" implies a need for strong analytical thinking and the ability to simplify complex information visually.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

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

• Minimum of 6+ years of professional experience in product design, with a proven track record of designing and launching complex SaaS or B2B products.

• Demonstrated experience in taking projects from early-stage ideation through to successful launch and subsequent iteration based on user feedback and performance metrics. Required Skills:

• Expertise in end-to-end product design, encompassing user research, UX/UI design, interaction design, and rapid prototyping.

• Proficiency in Figma for design, prototyping, and collaboration.

• Experience working with and contributing to enterprise-level design systems.

• Strong understanding of accessibility principles and their application in product design.

• Solid foundation in visual design principles and their application to create effective and engaging user interfaces.

• Proven ability to design sophisticated, data-heavy applications, ideally incorporating AI-powered tools or complex data visualization techniques.

• Demonstrated experience in conducting user research and usability testing, effectively synthesizing findings into actionable design improvements.

• Ability to thrive and deliver results in fast-paced, ambiguous, and undefined environments. Preferred Skills:

• Experience with GIS (Geographic Information Systems), geospatial data, or remote sensing technologies.

• An AI-native mindset, with experience leveraging AI tools for creative ideation, design assistance, or prototype generation.

• A track record of taking ownership to communicate and solve complex, systemic problems collaboratively.

• Deep empathy for both end-users and internal stakeholders, with a demonstrated ability to expertly balance usability requirements with business objectives.

• Experience thriving in growth-focused, highly collaborative team environments.

📝 Enhancement Note: The requirement for 6+ years of experience and the emphasis on complex SaaS/B2B products, data-heavy applications, and design systems suggest this role is for a senior individual contributor who can operate with significant independence. The preference for GIS/geospatial experience directly aligns with Planet's core business.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A robust portfolio that clearly showcases complex professional projects, detailing your design process, problem-solving approach, and the measurable impact of your work.

• Demonstrate end-to-end project experience, from initial ideation and user research to high-fidelity design, prototyping, and post-launch iteration.

• Highlight your ability to translate complex data, particularly geospatial or AI-driven insights, into intuitive and actionable user interfaces.

• Include examples of your work with enterprise design systems, showcasing how you leverage and contribute to them for consistency and scalability.

• Showcase your proficiency in Figma, including advanced prototyping and collaboration features. Process Documentation:

• Provide detailed case studies outlining your approach to user research, including methodologies used (e.g., interviews, surveys, usability testing) and how findings informed design decisions.

• Document your workflow for translating user needs and business requirements into scalable UX building blocks and interaction patterns.

• Illustrate your process for collaborating with product management and engineering teams, demonstrating how you ensure alignment and effective communication throughout the design and development lifecycle.

• Showcase examples of how you have iterated on designs based on feedback, analytics, or performance metrics to drive continuous improvement.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a Senior Product Designer role, the portfolio is paramount. It needs to go beyond just visual appeal and demonstrate strategic thinking, problem-solving skills, and a deep understanding of the user-centered design process within a B2B context. Emphasis should be placed on quantifiable outcomes and collaborative workflows.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

• The expected gross salary range for this role in the Netherlands is €66,600 - €83,300 EUR per year.

• Individual placement within this range will be determined by objective, gender-neutral criteria such as skills, qualifications, and professional experience.

• This position may also be eligible for discretionary bonuses, commission, and/or equity, depending on performance and company policy. Benefits:

• Paid Time Off: Comprehensive paid time off including vacation days, public holidays, and company-wide designated days off to encourage rest and rejuvenation.

• Wellness & Personal Development:

  • Employee Wellness Program to support overall well-being.
  • Home Office Reimbursement to ensure a productive and comfortable remote work setup.
  • Monthly Phone and Internet Reimbursement to cover essential communication costs.
  • Tuition Reimbursement and access to LinkedIn Learning for continuous professional growth and skill development.

• Financial & Ownership:

  • Equity options, providing an opportunity to share in the company's success.

• Community Engagement:

  • Volunteering Paid Time Off to support employees in giving back to their communities. Working Hours:

• The standard working hours for this full-time position are estimated at 40 hours per week.

• The role is hybrid, requiring 3 days per week in the Haarlem office, offering a balance between focused work and collaborative in-person interaction.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range provided is specific to the Netherlands and aligns with senior-level design roles in a tech company. The benefits package is comprehensive, covering work-life balance, professional development, and financial well-being, which are key attractors for experienced professionals. The hybrid work model is clearly defined.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Technology (Satellite Imaging, Earth Observation Data, Cloud-based Platform)

Company Size: Planet is a significant global company with employees working remotely and from offices in multiple countries, indicating a scale that supports complex projects and diverse teams.

Founded: Planet was founded with a mission to use space to help life on Earth, evolving into a leader in satellite imaging and data analytics. This mission-driven approach likely influences its culture.

Team Structure:

• The design team is likely part of a larger Product and Engineering organization, working closely with Product Managers and Engineers.

• As a Senior Product Designer, you will collaborate across multiple teams, potentially including CivGov and Commercial solution groups, to ensure cohesive user experiences.

• Expect a matrixed reporting structure where you report to a Design Lead or Head of Product, while collaborating closely with Product Managers and Engineering Leads for specific projects. Methodology:

• Planet emphasizes a data-driven approach, leveraging its satellite constellation to provide empirical information. This translates into a design culture that values user research, data analysis, and validated learning.

• The company culture is described as "people-centric" and focused on iteration, suggesting an agile and collaborative environment that prioritizes team member growth and well-being.

• Expect a blend of structured processes (e.g., design systems, user research protocols) and the flexibility to adapt in a fast-growing, innovative environment.

Company Website: https://www.planet.com/

📝 Enhancement Note: Planet's mission-driven ethos and its position as a leader in satellite technology suggest a culture that values innovation, impact, and collaboration. The emphasis on being both a "space company and data company" implies a unique blend of hardware and software expertise, creating a stimulating environment for designers.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: Senior Product Designer

• This level signifies a mid-to-senior career stage, requiring substantial autonomy, strategic input, and the ability to lead complex design initiatives.

• You will be expected to not only execute designs but also to influence product strategy, mentor junior designers, and contribute to the evolution of design processes and standards.

• The role demands a deep understanding of B2B/SaaS product design principles, user-centric methodologies, and the technical nuances of working with complex data. Reporting Structure:

• You will likely report to a Design Manager or Head of Design, with close collaboration with Product Managers and Engineering Leads for specific product areas (CivGov and Commercial Solutions).

• This structure facilitates cross-functional alignment and ensures design decisions are integrated with business objectives and technical feasibility. Operations Impact:

• As a Senior Product Designer, your impact will be directly tied to the usability and effectiveness of Planet's Earth Observation data platforms.

• By designing intuitive interfaces and seamless user flows, you will empower customers in critical sectors (CivGov, Commercial) to derive actionable insights, drive revenue, and solve complex global challenges.

• Your work will directly influence customer adoption, satisfaction, and the overall success of Planet's data products. Growth Opportunities:

• Design Leadership: Potential to grow into a Lead Product Designer or Design Manager role, overseeing a team and defining design strategy.

• Specialization: Deepen expertise in specific domains like geospatial data visualization, AI-driven design, or user research methodologies.

• Cross-Functional Mobility: Develop a strong understanding of product management and engineering, potentially leading to roles with broader product strategy responsibilities.

• Industry Expertise: Become a recognized expert in designing for Earth Observation data and its applications in critical sectors.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Senior" title implies a clear path for career advancement, either through increased leadership scope, deeper technical specialization, or broader product involvement. The company's mission-driven nature also offers a unique growth opportunity in terms of personal fulfillment and impact.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Hybrid work model requiring 3 days per week in the Haarlem office. This suggests a collaborative office environment designed to foster team interaction, ideation, and knowledge sharing.

Office Location(s): Haarlem, Netherlands. This location provides access to a vibrant European tech scene.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Spaces: The office environment likely includes dedicated collaboration areas, meeting rooms, and potentially open-plan spaces designed to facilitate brainstorming and cross-functional teamwork.

• Tools & Technology: Expect access to the latest design software, hardware, and potentially internal tools that support the company's unique data processing and visualization capabilities.

• Team Interaction: The hybrid model is designed to maximize the benefits of in-person collaboration for complex problem-solving, design critiques, and building team camaraderie, while still allowing for focused individual work remotely.

Work Schedule:

• The hybrid schedule requires presence in the Haarlem office three days a week, with flexibility for remote work on other days. This structure is intended to balance team cohesion with individual productivity and work-life integration.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on hybrid work and the specific office days indicates a deliberate strategy to foster culture and collaboration while acknowledging the benefits of remote flexibility. This setup is common in tech companies aiming for efficiency and employee satisfaction.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A recruiter will review your application and portfolio, assessing your foundational skills, experience alignment, and potential cultural fit.

• Hiring Manager Interview: A discussion with the hiring manager to delve deeper into your experience, design philosophy, and approach to problem-solving within complex B2B/SaaS environments.

• Design Challenge/Portfolio Review: A more in-depth session where you'll present your portfolio, walk through key case studies, and potentially complete a design exercise. This will assess your process, strategic thinking, and ability to articulate design decisions. Expect to discuss how you'd approach specific problems related to Planet's data.

• Cross-Functional Interviews: Interviews with Product Managers and Engineers to evaluate your collaboration skills, ability to work with technical constraints, and understanding of product development cycles.

• Final Interview: Potentially a discussion with a senior leader or executive to assess overall fit, strategic alignment, and long-term potential.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Selectively: Showcase 3-5 of your strongest, most relevant projects. Prioritize those demonstrating end-to-end ownership, complex problem-solving, and significant impact.

• Tell a Story: For each project, clearly articulate the problem, your role, the process you followed (research, ideation, iteration, testing), your design decisions, and the quantifiable outcomes or learnings.

• Highlight Process: Emphasize your design methodology, how you conducted user research, synthesized findings, and iterated based on feedback.

• Quantify Impact: Wherever possible, use metrics (e.g., conversion rate improvements, user satisfaction scores, time saved) to demonstrate the business value of your design solutions.

• Showcase Collaboration: Describe how you worked with cross-functional teams (product, engineering, stakeholders) and how you navigated feedback and differing opinions.

• Tailor to Planet: If possible, include a project that demonstrates an understanding of data-heavy applications, SaaS, or complex B2B challenges.

Challenge Preparation:

• Be prepared to discuss your approach to ambiguous problems and how you would gather information to define them.

• Practice articulating your design decisions clearly and concisely, justifying them with user needs, business goals, and design principles.

• Familiarize yourself with Planet's products and the types of data they handle to better contextualize potential design challenges.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process is typical for senior design roles, emphasizing portfolio strength and collaborative capabilities. The mention of AI in interviews (Metaview) is a significant point to be aware of.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Figma: Essential for UI/UX design, prototyping, and collaboration. Proficiency is a core requirement.

• Enterprise Design Systems: Experience with or ability to work within and contribute to established design systems is critical for scalability and consistency.

• Prototyping Tools: Beyond Figma, familiarity with other rapid prototyping tools may be beneficial.

• User Research Platforms: Tools for conducting remote usability testing, surveys, and interviews (e.g., UserTesting.com, Lookback, SurveyMonkey).

Analytics & Reporting:

• Product Analytics Tools: Familiarity with tools like Amplitude, Mixpanel, or Google Analytics to understand user behavior and measure design impact.

• Data Visualization Tools: While not directly designing them, understanding how data is visualized and consumed is key. Experience with tools like Tableau or Power BI might be indirectly useful for understanding user needs.

CRM & Automation:

• While not directly a designer's tool, understanding how CRM systems (e.g., Salesforce) and marketing automation platforms integrate with user-facing products can provide valuable context for B2B SaaS design.

📝 Enhancement Note: The explicit mention of Figma and enterprise design systems highlights their importance. The role also implies an understanding of how data is used and visualized, even if direct proficiency in advanced analytics tools isn't a primary requirement.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Mission-Driven: A strong commitment to using space technology to solve real-world problems and improve life on Earth.

• Data-Centric: A culture that values empirical data, rigorous analysis, and evidence-based decision-making.

• Innovation & Iteration: Encouraging creative solutions, embracing new technologies (like AI), and continuously improving products and processes.

• Collaboration & Belonging: Fostering an inclusive environment where diverse perspectives are valued, and team members feel empowered to contribute and grow.

• User-Focus: A relentless dedication to understanding and meeting the needs of customers, translating complex data into valuable user outcomes.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-Functional Partnership: Highly collaborative approach, working closely with Product Managers, Engineers, and potentially other stakeholders across different departments (CivGov, Commercial).

• Open Communication: Encouraging open dialogue, constructive feedback, and transparent sharing of ideas and challenges.

• Shared Ownership: A sense of collective responsibility for product success, where design is integrated early and throughout the development lifecycle.

• Agile & Adaptive: Willingness to adapt to changing priorities and embrace iterative development cycles.

📝 Enhancement Note: Planet's stated values around mission, data, innovation, and belonging are key indicators of the expected team culture. The emphasis on collaboration and user-focus is crucial for a product design role.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Translating Complexity: Effectively designing interfaces that make highly complex geospatial and AI-driven data accessible and actionable for diverse user groups.

• Ambiguity: Navigating undefined problem spaces and evolving requirements in a fast-paced, growth-oriented company.

• Scalability: Designing reusable components and patterns within a design system that can support a rapidly expanding product suite and user base.

• Balancing Needs: Articulating and balancing the needs of various stakeholders, including end-users, business objectives, and technical constraints.

• AI Integration: Staying ahead of AI advancements and effectively integrating AI-powered features into user experiences.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Deep Domain Expertise: Gaining specialized knowledge in Earth Observation, GIS, and the application of satellite data across critical industries.

• Advanced Design Skills: Honing skills in complex data visualization, AI-assisted design, and enterprise design system management.

• Product Strategy Influence: Opportunity to contribute significantly to product strategy and roadmap through user-centric insights and design leadership.

• Mentorship: Potential to mentor junior designers and contribute to the overall growth of Planet's design practice.

• Industry Conferences & Training: Access to resources like LinkedIn Learning and potential for industry conference attendance to stay abreast of design trends and technologies.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges presented are typical for senior roles in innovative tech companies dealing with complex data. The growth opportunities are substantial, offering deep specialization and potential leadership tracks.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you had to design for a highly complex dataset. How did you approach simplifying it for users?" (Focus on process, user research, and outcome).

• "Walk us through a project where you led the end-to-end design process from ideation to launch. What were the key challenges and how did you overcome them?" (Emphasize ownership, methodology, and impact).

• "How do you approach defining user needs and validating potential solutions in an ambiguous environment?" (Highlight user research techniques and iterative design).

• "Tell us about your experience working with enterprise design systems. How do you ensure consistency and scalability?" (Showcase understanding of design systems and their strategic importance).

• "Describe a situation where you had to collaborate closely with engineers and product managers. How did you ensure alignment and effective communication?" (Focus on cross-functional collaboration and stakeholder management). Company & Culture Questions:

• "What excites you about Planet's mission to use space to help life on Earth?" (Demonstrate genuine interest and alignment with company values).

• "How do you see your design skills contributing to solving complex problems in the CivGov or Commercial sectors?" (Connect your expertise to Planet's specific markets).

• "What are your thoughts on the role of AI in product design, and how have you incorporated it or would you incorporate it?" (Address the AI-native preference).

• "How do you contribute to a positive and inclusive team culture?" (Showcase your collaborative and team-oriented approach). Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure is Key: For each case study, follow a clear narrative: Problem -> Your Role -> Process -> Solution -> Impact/Learnings.

• Deep Dive on Process: Don't just show final screens; explain why you made certain decisions, the research that informed them, and how you iterated.

• Quantify Impact: Use data and metrics to demonstrate the success of your designs. If precise numbers aren't available, articulate the qualitative impact or potential business value.

• Be Ready for Questions: Anticipate deep dives into your decision-making, challenges encountered, and how you handled feedback.

• Showcase Collaboration: Mention how you worked with cross-functional teams, and how you incorporated their input.

📝 Enhancement Note: Preparation should focus on demonstrating strategic thinking, user empathy, and the ability to translate complex data into actionable designs within a B2B SaaS context. Be ready to discuss your process in detail and articulate the impact of your work. Be mindful of the AI recording aspect mentioned in the job description.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Senior Product Designer position:

• Submit your application through the Planet Careers portal via the provided job link.

• Portfolio Customization: Ensure your portfolio is up-to-date and tailored to highlight projects demonstrating your experience with complex SaaS/B2B products, data-heavy applications, and end-to-end design processes. Prioritize case studies that showcase your problem-solving approach and quantifiable impact.

• Resume Optimization: Align your resume with the job description, using keywords related to product design, UX/UI, interaction design, Figma, design systems, user research, and B2B/SaaS. Quantify your achievements wherever possible.

• Interview Preparation: Practice articulating your design process, decision-making, and project outcomes. Prepare to discuss your experience with geospatial data, AI, and enterprise design systems. Rehearse presenting your portfolio case studies.

• Company Research: Thoroughly research Planet's mission, products, target markets (CivGov, Commercial), and company culture. Understand their approach to data and technology to better tailor your responses and demonstrate genuine 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. Pay close attention to the company's specific policies regarding AI in the interview process.