Senior Product Designer

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Senior Product Designer

Company: Planet

Location: Berlin, Germany; Haarlem, Netherlands

Job Type: Full-Time

Category: Product Design / UX/UI

Date Posted: 2026-08-13

Experience Level: 5-10 Years

Remote Status: Hybrid

🚀 Role Summary

• Lead the end-to-end product design process for complex SaaS and B2B solutions, focusing on CivGov and Commercial markets.

• Translate intricate geospatial and Earth Observation (EO) data into actionable insights through intuitive user interfaces.

• Drive user-centric goal setting and define user profiles and jobs-to-be-done for high-value market opportunities.

• Collaborate closely with Product Management and Engineering to decompose complex workflows into scalable, reusable UX building blocks and cohesive customer-centric solutions.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is focused on Product Design within a technology company that leverages satellite imagery. The core function involves translating complex data into user-friendly interfaces, with a strong emphasis on user research, design leadership, and cross-functional collaboration. The hybrid work model requires 3 days per week in either the Berlin or Haarlem office.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Drive the complete design lifecycle, from initial discovery and user research through prototyping and high-fidelity execution for CivGov and Commercial Solutions.

• Conduct user research and prototype testing to validate high-value use cases within the CivGov and Commercial sectors, ensuring all development is grounded in validated user needs.

• Define clear user-centric objectives and success criteria for various user roles (e.g., CivGov compliance officers) to ensure meaningful customer outcomes.

• Architect intuitive interfaces that effectively translate complex geospatial data into actionable insights, establishing reusable interaction patterns and components for Planet’s product suite.

• Partner with product and engineering teams to uphold top-tier design quality, facilitating cross-team collaboration to align on ambiguous problem spaces and bridge the gap between technical capabilities and customer value.

• Actively contribute to building and elevating Planet’s internal design culture through collaboration, knowledge sharing, and mentorship.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a need for a designer who can operate independently and lead design initiatives, particularly in translating complex data into user-friendly solutions. The emphasis on "end-to-end design process," "discovery and validation," and "cross-functional strategy" indicates a senior-level role requiring strategic thinking and execution.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

• Bachelor’s degree in Design, Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), or an equivalent field. Experience:

• Minimum of 6 years of professional experience in designing complex SaaS or B2B products, with a proven track record of taking projects from early ideation through to successful launch.

• Demonstrated end-to-end experience, managing projects from initial concept to live software and iterating based on user feedback. Required Skills:

• Expertise in UX/UI design, interaction design, and rapid prototyping methodologies.

• Proficiency in Figma and a strong understanding of enterprise design systems.

• Experience conducting user research, including usability testing, and synthesizing findings into actionable design improvements.

• Demonstrated ability to design sophisticated, data-heavy applications, ideally those featuring AI-powered tools or complex geospatial data visualization.

• Solid understanding of accessibility principles and visual design best practices.

• Ability to work effectively and efficiently in undefined and ambiguous environments, demonstrating adaptability and problem-solving skills.

• Proficiency in English, both written and spoken. Preferred Skills:

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

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

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

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

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

📝 Enhancement Note: The required skills emphasize a blend of technical design proficiency (Figma, design systems) and strategic thinking (user research, data-heavy applications). The preferred skills point towards a candidate who can leverage emerging technologies like AI and has specific domain knowledge in geospatial data, indicating a competitive advantage for candidates with this background.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A robust portfolio showcasing complex professional design projects, detailing your individual contribution and the strategic process employed.

• Clear demonstration of end-to-end design work, from initial problem definition and user research to high-fidelity prototypes and launched products.

• Examples of how you have translated complex data, particularly geospatial or AI-driven insights, into intuitive and actionable user interfaces.

• Evidence of designing within or contributing to enterprise-level design systems, showcasing an understanding of scalability and consistency.

• Case studies that articulate the impact of your design decisions, supported by quantitative and qualitative data where possible. Process Documentation:

• Detailed explanations of your design process, including how you approach user discovery, problem definition, ideation, prototyping, and user testing.

• Examples of how you have conducted and synthesized user research and usability testing to inform design decisions and drive product improvements.

• Demonstration of collaborative processes, illustrating how you partner with product managers, engineers, and other stakeholders to achieve design goals.

• Documentation of your approach to accessibility and its integration into the design workflow.

📝 Enhancement Note: The portfolio is crucial for this role, as it needs to demonstrate not just aesthetic design skills but also a deep understanding of process, problem-solving, and the impact of design on complex data products. Candidates should be prepared to walk through their process and explain the rationale behind their design choices, especially concerning data visualization and user workflows.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

• Based on location (Berlin, Germany or Haarlem, Netherlands), experience level (5-10 years), and the specialized nature of geospatial data design, a competitive salary range is estimated. For a Senior Product Designer in these regions with the specified experience, the annual gross salary is likely to fall between €70,000 and €100,000. This estimate is derived from industry benchmarks for senior design roles in major European tech hubs, considering the specific demands of working with complex data and AI-powered tools. Benefits:

• Paid time off, including vacation days, public holidays, and company-wide days off to promote work-life balance.

• Comprehensive Employee Wellness Program designed to support physical and mental well-being.

• Home Office Reimbursement to ensure a productive and comfortable remote or hybrid work setup.

• Monthly Phone and Internet Reimbursement to cover essential communication costs.

• Tuition Reimbursement and access to LinkedIn Learning to support continuous professional development and skill enhancement.

• Equity participation, offering a stake in the company's success.

• Paid time off for Volunteering activities, encouraging community engagement. Working Hours:

• Standard full-time working hours, typically around 40 hours per week. The role is hybrid, requiring 3 days per week in the office (Berlin or Haarlem), with flexibility for the remaining days.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary estimation is a benchmark for senior-level design roles in these specific European locations and should be considered an approximation. The benefits package is comprehensive, offering support for professional growth, well-being, and work-life balance, which are key considerations for attracting and retaining senior talent in the tech industry.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Technology (Satellite Imaging, Earth Observation Data, Cloud Platforms)

Company Size: Planet is a significant player in the satellite imaging industry, indicated by its global presence and diverse team. While specific employee numbers aren't provided in the raw data, its operations suggest a company with hundreds to thousands of employees, operating on a global scale with offices in multiple countries.

Founded: Planet was founded with a mission to use space to help life on Earth, operating as both a space and data company. This mission-driven approach likely influences its culture, fostering innovation and a sense of purpose.

Team Structure:

• The design team likely operates within a Product organization, working closely with Product Managers and Engineering teams to deliver solutions.

• As a Senior Product Designer, you will likely report to a Design Lead or Head of Product Design, with a structure that encourages autonomy and leadership within design initiatives.

• Cross-functional collaboration is a core tenet, with designers expected to partner closely with engineering, product, and potentially data science teams to translate complex technical capabilities into user-centric products. Methodology:

• Planet emphasizes a data-driven approach, leveraging its unique satellite data to provide empirical information. This likely extends to its product development, where data analysis and user insights are critical.

• Workflow planning and optimization are key, especially in translating complex data streams into accessible products for various user segments.

• Automation and efficiency practices are likely embedded within the engineering and product development processes, aiming to scale their unique data offerings.

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

📝 Enhancement Note: Planet's mission-driven culture, combined with its position as a leader in satellite imaging, suggests an environment that values innovation, data integrity, and impactful problem-solving. The emphasis on a "people-centric approach" and "Belonging" indicates a commitment to diversity, inclusion, and employee well-being.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is designated as "Senior Product Designer," indicating a mid-to-senior level position. It requires significant autonomy, leadership in design initiatives, and the ability to mentor less experienced designers. The scope of impact extends to defining user experiences for high-value market opportunities within CivGov and Commercial sectors.

Reporting Structure: The Senior Product Designer will likely report to a Design Manager or Head of Design, working within a product team that includes Product Managers and Engineers. This structure facilitates close collaboration and direct input into product strategy.

Operations Impact: The Senior Product Designer's impact is directly tied to the success of Planet's CivGov and Commercial Solutions. By designing intuitive interfaces that translate complex geospatial data into actionable insights, they enable customers to derive greater value from Planet's platform, driving revenue, supporting critical decision-making, and solving real-world problems. This role significantly influences user adoption, satisfaction, and the overall success of key product lines.

Growth Opportunities:

• Design Leadership: Potential to grow into a Lead Product Designer or Design Manager role, overseeing design strategy for specific product areas or teams, and mentoring other designers.

• Specialization: Opportunity to deepen expertise in niche areas such as geospatial data visualization, AI-powered design tools, or specific industry verticals (e.g., environmental monitoring, urban planning).

• Cross-Functional Advancement: Potential to move into Product Management roles, leveraging a strong understanding of user needs, technical capabilities, and market opportunities.

• Mentorship and Culture Building: Contributing to the growth of Planet's design culture through workshops, knowledge sharing, and guiding junior team members.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Senior" title implies a need for a candidate who can not only execute but also influence and lead. The growth opportunities highlight a career path that extends beyond individual contribution into leadership and strategic influence within the product organization.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The role is hybrid, requiring 3 days per week in either the Berlin or Haarlem office. This suggests a modern office environment designed for collaboration, with facilities supporting creative work and team interaction.

Office Location(s):

• Berlin, Germany: A major European tech hub, offering a vibrant ecosystem and accessibility.

• Haarlem, Netherlands: Located near Amsterdam, providing a strong talent pool and a strategic position in Europe.

Workspace Context:

• The office environment is expected to foster collaboration, with dedicated spaces for design thinking, brainstorming, and team meetings, complementing remote work.

• Access to the necessary tools and technology, including high-performance workstations, design software (Figma), and potentially specialized hardware for prototyping or data visualization, will be available.

• Opportunities for direct interaction with cross-functional teams (Product, Engineering, Data Science) are integral to the hybrid model, facilitating seamless communication and problem-solving.

Work Schedule: The hybrid model allows for a structured work week, balancing in-office collaboration with remote flexibility. Standard working hours apply, with an expectation of 40 hours per week, allowing for focused work on complex design tasks and data analysis.

📝 Enhancement Note: The hybrid model indicates a company that values both in-person collaboration and employee flexibility. Candidates should be comfortable working in a dynamic environment that balances structured office days with remote work capabilities.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A recruiter will review your application, focusing on your resume and portfolio to assess alignment with the role's requirements. Be prepared to articulate your experience clearly and concisely.

• Portfolio Review & Design Challenge: You will likely present your portfolio to a design team or hiring manager. This may involve a deep dive into 1-2 key projects, discussing your process, challenges, and outcomes. A practical design challenge, potentially involving a complex data visualization or workflow problem, might be assigned.

• Cross-Functional Interviews: Interviews with Product Managers and Engineers to assess your collaboration skills, technical understanding, and ability to translate complex requirements into design solutions.

• Hiring Manager Interview: A final discussion with the hiring manager to assess overall fit, leadership potential, and alignment with Planet's culture and mission.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Wisely: Select 3-5 of your strongest projects that best showcase your end-to-end design process, problem-solving skills, and impact on complex B2B/SaaS products, especially those involving data.

• Storytelling: For each project, clearly articulate the problem, your role, the process you followed (discovery, ideation, prototyping, testing, iteration), the challenges you faced, and the measurable outcomes or impact. Use visuals effectively.

• Process Over Polish: While polished visuals are important, emphasize your thought process, decision-making rationale, and how you leveraged user research and data to inform your designs.

• Quantify Impact: Whenever possible, include metrics that demonstrate the success of your designs (e.g., increased user engagement, reduced task completion time, improved conversion rates).

• Tailor to Planet: Highlight any experience with geospatial data, AI, complex data visualization, or B2B/SaaS environments. Show you understand Planet’s mission and its data products.

Challenge Preparation:

• Understand the Context: If given a design challenge, ensure you fully understand the problem statement, the target user, and the business objectives. Ask clarifying questions.

• Structure Your Approach: Outline your proposed solution logically. Think about user flows, key features, and potential data representations.

• Focus on Process: Demonstrate your systematic approach to problem-solving, even within a limited timeframe. Explain your assumptions and how you would validate them.

• Communicate Clearly: Articulate your ideas concisely and effectively, both verbally and visually. Be prepared to justify your design decisions.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process is designed to evaluate not only design skills but also strategic thinking, collaborative ability, and alignment with Planet's mission. A strong portfolio that clearly articulates process and impact is paramount. Candidates should anticipate a focus on data-driven design and the ability to handle complex information.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Figma: The core tool for UI design, prototyping, and collaboration. Proficiency is essential.

• Enterprise Design Systems: Experience working with, contributing to, or establishing design systems for scalability and consistency across complex products.

• Prototyping Tools: Beyond Figma, familiarity with other rapid prototyping tools may be beneficial for early-stage concept validation.

Analytics & Reporting:

• While not a direct analytics role, understanding how to integrate design with data is key. Familiarity with tools that track user behavior and product performance (e.g., Amplitude, Mixpanel, Google Analytics) will be advantageous for understanding user impact.

• Experience interpreting data dashboards and reports to inform design decisions. CRM & Automation:

• Understanding how design integrates with CRM platforms (e.g., Salesforce) and other B2B/SaaS workflows to ensure a seamless user experience across different business functions.

• Familiarity with project management and collaboration tools such as Jira, Asana, or Trello for working within agile development cycles.

📝 Enhancement Note: Proficiency in Figma and design systems is a baseline requirement. The role implies an understanding of how design impacts user engagement and business outcomes, necessitating an awareness of analytics and the broader B2B/SaaS technology stack.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Mission-Driven: A strong commitment to Planet's mission of using space to help life on Earth, fostering a sense of purpose and impact in daily work.

• Data-Centric: Emphasizing data integrity, analysis, and insights to drive decision-making and product development, reflecting the core of Planet's business.

• Innovation & Curiosity: Encouraging exploration of new technologies (like AI) and creative problem-solving to push the boundaries of Earth Observation data application.

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

• Customer Focus: A relentless dedication to understanding and serving user needs, ensuring that products deliver tangible value and solve real-world problems.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-Functional Integration: Designers are expected to be active participants in product teams, working closely with Product Managers, Engineers, and potentially Data Scientists to co-create solutions.

• Open Communication: A culture that encourages open feedback, constructive critique, and transparent dialogue to refine designs and processes.

• Knowledge Sharing: Actively participating in design critiques, sharing best practices, and contributing to the collective learning and growth of the design team and broader organization.

📝 Enhancement Note: The values highlight a culture that is both purpose-driven and technically rigorous, with a strong emphasis on collaboration and inclusivity. Designers are expected to be proactive, empathetic, and aligned with Planet's overarching mission.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Translating Complexity: The primary challenge will be designing intuitive interfaces for highly complex geospatial and AI-driven data, requiring a deep understanding of user needs and technical capabilities.

• Ambiguity: Operating in undefined and ambiguous environments means proactively seeking clarity, defining problems, and driving solutions with limited upfront direction.

• Balancing Needs: Effectively balancing the needs of diverse user groups (CivGov, Commercial) and stakeholders with technical constraints and business objectives.

• Scalability: Designing reusable UX patterns and components within an enterprise design system to ensure consistency and scalability across a growing product suite.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Domain Expertise: Deepen knowledge in GIS, remote sensing, and the application of Earth Observation data across various industries.

• AI in Design: Explore and implement AI tools and methodologies within the design process, staying at the forefront of technological advancements.

• Leadership Skills: Develop leadership capabilities through project ownership, mentorship, and contributing to design strategy.

• Industry Conferences & Workshops: Opportunities to attend relevant design and geospatial industry events to expand knowledge and network.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges presented are typical for senior roles in innovative tech companies dealing with complex data. The growth opportunities are substantial, offering paths for specialization, leadership, and continuous learning in a cutting-edge field.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you had to design for a complex data set. What was your process, and what were the key challenges and outcomes?" (Focus on your systematic approach, user research, and quantifiable impact).

• "How do you approach defining user needs and jobs-to-be-done for a new product feature or solution?" (Highlight your discovery methods, user research techniques, and ability to translate needs into design requirements).

• "Walk us through a project where you had to collaborate closely with product managers and engineers on a technically challenging product. How did you ensure alignment and a successful outcome?" (Emphasize your communication, collaboration, and problem-solving skills in a cross-functional setting). Company & Culture Questions:

• "What interests you about Planet's mission and our work with Earth Observation data?" (Show genuine curiosity and alignment with the company's purpose).

• "How do you contribute to a positive and inclusive design culture?" (Discuss your approach to feedback, mentorship, and fostering collaborative environments).

• "How do you balance user needs with business objectives and technical constraints?" (Demonstrate your ability to make pragmatic design decisions and find optimal solutions). Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure Your Narrative: For each project, clearly define the problem, your role, the key decisions you made, the process you followed, and the measurable impact.

• Highlight Your Process: Emphasize your research, ideation, prototyping, and testing methodologies. Show how you iterated based on feedback.

• Focus on Data & Complexity: For Planet, specifically highlight projects involving complex data visualization, AI, or B2B/SaaS applications. Explain how you simplified complexity for users.

• Be Prepared for Questions: Anticipate questions about your design choices, trade-offs you made, and how you would handle specific scenarios.

• Show Enthusiasm: Convey your passion for design, problem-solving, and Planet’s mission.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation should focus on articulating your design process, demonstrating problem-solving skills, and showcasing your ability to handle complex data. Highlighting experience with B2B/SaaS, geospatial data, and AI will be particularly beneficial.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Senior Product Designer position:

• Submit your application through the Planet job portal (Greenhouse).

• Portfolio Customization: Tailor your portfolio to showcase projects most relevant to Planet's work, emphasizing complex data visualization, B2B/SaaS design, and user-centric problem-solving. Clearly articulate your process and impact for each case study.

• Resume Optimization: Ensure your resume highlights your 6+ years of experience, proficiency in Figma and design systems, user research capabilities, and any experience with geospatial data or AI. Use keywords from the job description.

• Interview Preparation: Practice articulating your design process, preparing specific examples for behavioral and strategy questions. Rehearse your portfolio presentation, focusing on storytelling and impact.

• Company Research: Thoroughly research Planet's mission, products, and recent news. Understand their customer segments (CivGov, Commercial) and the value they provide. Consider how your design philosophy aligns with their culture of innovation and data-driven decision-making.

⚠️ 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.