Senior Product Designer

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Senior Product Designer

Company: RBC

Location: Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Job Type: FULL_TIME

Category: Product Design / UX/UI

Date Posted: 2026-05-29

Experience Level: 2-5 years

Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• Lead the design strategy and execution for cutting-edge AI-powered products, translating complex machine learning capabilities into intuitive and elegant user experiences.

• Drive the establishment of design standards and best practices for AI-driven products, focusing on explainability, trust, and responsible AI visualization across the organization.

• Collaborate closely with AI researchers, engineers, and product managers to synthesize technical constraints and business objectives into compelling product strategies and user-centered designs.

• Conduct user research and usability testing to validate design decisions, informing iterative improvements and ensuring accessibility and usability in a rapidly evolving AI landscape.

• Mentor junior designers, fostering a culture of user-centered design principles and advocating for design excellence within technical and cross-functional teams.

📝 Enhancement Note: The role is specifically focused on AI product design within RBC's Borealis division, requiring a blend of traditional UX/UI skills with an understanding of AI concepts and responsible AI principles. The "Senior" title implies a need for leadership in design thinking and mentorship.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Design and iterate on user interfaces (UI) and user experiences (UX) for AI-powered products, ensuring they are accessible, usable, and aligned with evolving feature landscapes.

• Translate complex AI capabilities, model outputs, and algorithmic decisions into clear, intuitive user interactions and robust visual design systems.

• Establish and document design standards and best practices for AI-driven products, including guidelines for explainability, trust, and responsible AI visualization.

• Collaborate with AI researchers, engineers, product managers, and stakeholders to understand technical constraints, business objectives, and user needs, synthesizing these into compelling product strategies.

• Conduct user research, including interviews and usability testing, to validate design decisions, gather feedback, and inform iterative improvements in product experiences.

• Mentor junior designers, providing guidance on design principles, tools, and processes, and fostering a strong user-centered design culture.

• Stay current with emerging design patterns, tools, industry best practices, and advancements in AI and human-computer interaction.

• Participate in rapid prototyping and iterative design processes within a fast-paced, often ambiguous, AI development environment.

• Ensure effective design-to-development handoff processes and collaborate with engineering teams on modern development workflows.

📝 Enhancement Note: Responsibilities emphasize the unique challenges of designing for AI, focusing on explainability, trust, and the translation of complex technical concepts for end-users. The role involves both individual contribution and team leadership/mentorship.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

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

• 2-5 years of progressive experience in product design, interface design, or UX design, with a demonstrated track record of delivering successful user-centered solutions.

• Experience designing user experiences for complex, data-intensive, or technical products, ideally with exposure to AI or machine learning applications. Required Skills:

• Proficiency in interface design principles, user experience (UX) design, and user interface (UI) design.

• Strong command of modern design tools such as Figma, Sketch, or similar industry-standard software.

• Demonstrated ability to conduct user research, run usability tests, and leverage data to inform and validate design decisions.

• Solid understanding of design systems principles and experience in creating or contributing to them.

• Knowledge of design accessibility standards, particularly WCAG (Web Content Accessibility Guidelines), and a commitment to inclusive design practices.

• Experience with rapid prototyping and iterative design methodologies in fast-paced, ambiguous environments.

• Strong business acumen with experience collaborating effectively across technical, product, and business teams.

• Excellent communication and presentation skills, with the ability to articulate design rationale and advocate for user needs within diverse groups.

• Familiarity with design-to-development handoff processes and modern development workflows. Preferred Skills:

• Experience designing specifically for AI-powered products, understanding concepts of explainability, trust, and responsible AI.

• Familiarity with AI research areas such as reinforcement learning, unsupervised learning, or computer vision.

• Exposure to financial technology (FinTech) or complex enterprise software environments.

• Knowledge of advanced UX research methodologies and quantitative analysis techniques.

• Experience with content strategy development related to user interfaces and product messaging.

📝 Enhancement Note: The required experience level of 2-5 years for a "Senior" role suggests a need for demonstrated impact and ownership rather than extensive years of leadership. The emphasis on AI and responsible AI design is a key differentiator. Proficiency in specific tools like Figma and adherence to WCAG are explicitly called out.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A comprehensive portfolio showcasing a minimum of 2-5 years of product design experience, with a strong emphasis on projects involving complex data, technical products, or AI applications.

• Demonstrate a clear understanding of the end-to-end design process, from user research and ideation through to high-fidelity prototyping and design handoff.

• Showcase examples of how user research and data analytics informed design decisions, leading to measurable improvements in user experience or business outcomes.

• Include case studies that highlight your ability to translate complex technical capabilities or algorithmic outputs into intuitive and user-friendly interfaces.

• Provide examples of your experience with design systems, demonstrating consistency and scalability in your design solutions. Process Documentation:

• Evidence of establishing and maintaining design standards, guidelines, and best practices, particularly for AI-driven products, including aspects of explainability and responsible AI visualization.

• Examples of workflow mapping and optimization in design processes, illustrating how you improved efficiency or collaboration.

• Documentation of user research methodologies employed, including usability testing protocols and synthesis of findings into actionable design improvements.

• Demonstrations of collaboration with engineering teams, including effective design-to-development handoff processes and iterative feedback loops.

📝 Enhancement Note: The portfolio is crucial for this role, especially showcasing experience with complex/data-intensive/AI products. Demonstrating a structured design process, including research, iteration, and collaboration, is essential. The ability to document and advocate for design standards, particularly for AI, will be highly valued.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

• Based on industry benchmarks for Senior Product Designers with 2-5 years of experience in Toronto, Canada, a competitive salary range is estimated to be between CAD $90,000 - $130,000 annually. This range can vary based on the candidate's specific experience, skills, and demonstrated impact. Benefits:

• Comprehensive Total Rewards Program.

• Bonuses and flexible benefits package.

• Competitive compensation structure.

• Commissions (if applicable to specific product lines or team performance).

• Stock options (where applicable).

• Opportunities for professional development through coaching and managing roles.

• Access to cutting-edge AI research and development resources.

• Supportive and collaborative work environment focused on innovation. Working Hours:

• Standard working hours are typically 37.5 hours per week.

• The role is on-site, requiring full-time presence at the RBC Waterpark Place location in Toronto.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range is an estimation for a Senior Product Designer in Toronto, Canada, considering the experience level and the specialized nature of AI product design. RBC's "Total Rewards Program" suggests a robust benefits package beyond standard offerings. The work arrangement is explicitly on-site.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Financial Services / Artificial Intelligence & Data Innovation

Company Size: Large Enterprise (RBC is one of Canada's largest financial institutions)

Founded: 1864 (for RBC overall); RBC Borealis is a more recent initiative focused on AI innovation.

Team Structure:

• The Senior Product Designer will be part of the RBC Borealis team, a dedicated unit focused on AI and data innovation within RBC.

• This team likely comprises AI researchers, data scientists, engineers, product managers, and other design professionals.

• The reporting structure will likely place the designer under a Design Lead, Head of Product, or a similar leadership role within Borealis, with dotted-line reporting or close collaboration with various project teams.

• Cross-functional collaboration is a cornerstone, involving close partnerships with technical experts (AI researchers, engineers) and business stakeholders to translate complex AI into user-friendly products. Methodology:

• Data Analysis and Insights: Emphasizes a data-driven approach, leveraging user research, usability testing, and product performance metrics to inform design decisions.

• Workflow Planning and Optimization: Focuses on efficient design processes, rapid prototyping, and iterative development cycles to quickly bring AI innovations to life and gather user feedback.

• Automation and Efficiency Practices: While the designer's role is not directly automation, understanding how AI itself automates processes and designing for efficient human interaction with these systems is key. The team likely uses modern development and design workflows to maximize efficiency.

Company Website: https://www.rbcroyalbank.com/ (for RBC), https://rbcborealis.com/ (for Borealis research)

📝 Enhancement Note: RBC Borealis is positioned as RBC's advanced AI research and development hub. The culture is likely a blend of large-corporation stability and a fast-paced, innovative startup-like environment common in AI R&D. The emphasis on "living shared values" suggests a structured approach to company culture and employee conduct.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: Senior Individual Contributor (Product Design)

Reporting Structure: Reports to a Design Lead or Product Lead within RBC Borealis, with extensive collaboration across AI research, engineering, and product management teams.

Operations Impact: The role has a significant impact on translating complex AI research into tangible, user-facing products that can revolutionize finance. Success in this role directly influences user adoption, product effectiveness, and the overall perception of RBC's AI capabilities.

Growth Opportunities:

• Operations Skill Advancement: Deepen expertise in designing for AI, responsible AI, and complex data-intensive products, potentially specializing in areas like AI explainability visualization or human-AI interaction.

• Leadership Development: Transition into a Design Lead role, managing a team of designers, or take on product strategy leadership for specific AI initiatives. Mentoring junior designers is a key aspect of this role.

• Industry Impact: Contribute to groundbreaking AI research and product development within a leading financial institution, potentially shaping the future of AI in finance. Opportunity to present work at industry conferences or contribute to publications.

📝 Enhancement Note: This Senior Product Designer role is a stepping stone to leadership roles within RBC's growing AI division. The focus is on specialized AI design skills and the ability to influence product strategy and mentor others.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Modern, collaborative office space within RBC Waterpark Place, Toronto. Likely designed to foster innovation and teamwork.

Office Location(s): RBC Waterpark Place, 88 Queens Quay W, Toronto, Ontario, Canada. This is a prime downtown Toronto location.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Environment: The workspace will likely feature open-plan areas, meeting rooms, and breakout spaces designed to encourage spontaneous collaboration between designers, researchers, engineers, and product managers.

• Operations Tools and Technology: Access to industry-standard design software (Figma, Sketch), prototyping tools, user research platforms, and robust internal IT infrastructure to support AI development.

• Team Interaction: Frequent opportunities for cross-functional team meetings, design critiques, brainstorming sessions, and knowledge-sharing events.

Work Schedule:

• Full-time, on-site role with a standard 37.5-hour work week. While the schedule is structured, the fast-paced nature of AI development may require flexibility and dedication to project deadlines.

📝 Enhancement Note: The on-site requirement in a major Toronto office indicates a preference for in-person collaboration and integration within the RBC Borealis team. The environment is expected to be dynamic and high-tech, suited for cutting-edge AI research and product development.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: HR or recruiter review of application and resume for basic qualifications and fit.

• Hiring Manager/Recruiter Interview: Discussion about experience, role expectations, and initial assessment of cultural fit.

• Portfolio Review & Design Challenge: A core part of the process will involve presenting your portfolio, walking through key projects, and potentially completing a design challenge or case study related to AI product design.

• Cross-Functional Interviews: Interviews with AI researchers, engineers, and product managers to assess technical understanding, collaboration skills, and ability to work with diverse stakeholders.

• Final Interview: Likely with senior leadership within RBC Borealis to discuss strategic fit and long-term potential.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select 3-5 of your strongest projects that best demonstrate your experience with complex, data-intensive, or AI-related products.

• Tell a Story: For each project, clearly articulate the problem, your role, the process you followed (research, ideation, design, testing), the challenges you faced, your solutions, and the outcomes/impact.

• Highlight AI Relevance: If you have AI-specific projects, emphasize how you translated complex concepts, handled data visualization, or addressed issues of explainability and trust.

• Showcase Process Rigor: Detail your research methods, iterative design approach, and how you used data to inform decisions.

• Demonstrate Tool Proficiency: Be ready to discuss your use of Figma, Sketch, prototyping tools, and any user research platforms.

• Prepare for Q&A: Anticipate questions about your design rationale, decision-making process, and how you handle ambiguity.

Challenge Preparation:

• Understand the Domain: Familiarize yourself with RBC Borealis's work and the general challenges of designing AI products in the financial services industry.

• Focus on Process: Even if the challenge is hypothetical, demonstrate your structured thinking, problem-solving approach, and user-centered methodology.

• Consider AI Specifics: Think about how AI introduces unique design considerations (e.g., confidence scores, explainability, bias, continuous learning).

• Presentation Skills: Practice presenting your ideas clearly and concisely, as if you were presenting to a mixed audience of technical and business stakeholders.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process will heavily weigh the portfolio and the ability to articulate design thinking, especially concerning AI. A design challenge is highly probable to assess practical skills and problem-solving abilities in a relevant context.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Interface & Prototyping: Figma, Sketch (or similar industry-standard tools).

• User Research & Testing: Tools like UserTesting.com, Maze, Lookback, or internal RBC platforms for conducting usability tests and gathering feedback.

• Design Systems: Experience with or ability to contribute to robust design systems for consistency and scalability.

• Collaboration & Project Management: Tools like Jira, Confluence, Asana, or similar for workflow management and team communication.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Familiarity with analytics platforms (e.g., Google Analytics, Amplitude, Mixpanel) to understand user behavior and product performance, informing design iterations.

• Experience with data visualization tools or principles to understand how to represent complex data outputs effectively. CRM & Automation:

• While not a direct CRM role, understanding how user data is managed and how AI products interact with customer data is beneficial.

• Familiarity with modern development workflows and design-to-development handoff processes, potentially involving tools that bridge design and development.

📝 Enhancement Note: Proficiency in Figma or Sketch is a must. The role requires a strong understanding of user research tools and design system principles. Familiarity with how AI products leverage data and integrate into broader workflows is also a plus.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Client First: Designing products that genuinely benefit RBC clients and enhance their financial lives.

• Integrity: Upholding ethical standards, particularly in the design of AI, ensuring fairness, transparency, and responsibility.

• Collaboration: Working effectively with diverse teams (researchers, engineers, product managers) to achieve shared goals.

• Respect: Valuing diverse perspectives and fostering an inclusive environment for all team members and users.

• Excellence: Striving for the highest quality in design execution, user experience, and product innovation.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-Functional Integration: Actively participates in integrated product teams, working closely with technical experts and business stakeholders to co-create solutions.

• Process Review Culture: Engages in regular design critiques, feedback sessions, and team retrospectives to continuously improve design processes and outcomes.

• Knowledge Sharing: Proactively shares insights, best practices, and learnings from user research and design explorations to elevate the entire team's capabilities.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "living shared values" of RBC are central to the team's culture. The Senior Product Designer is expected to embody these values in their daily work, particularly in the context of designing ethical and user-centric AI solutions.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Designing for Ambiguity: Navigating the rapidly evolving landscape of AI research and product development, where requirements and possibilities are often not fully defined.

• Translating Complexity: The core challenge of making sophisticated AI capabilities understandable and actionable for end-users through intuitive design.

• Responsible AI Design: Ensuring that AI products are developed and deployed ethically, addressing potential biases, ensuring transparency, and building user trust.

• Cross-Functional Alignment: Effectively bridging the gap between highly technical AI researchers and business objectives, ensuring design solutions meet diverse needs.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• AI Design Specialization: Gaining deep expertise in human-AI interaction, explainable AI (XAI) design, and ethical AI product development.

• Industry Conferences & Certifications: Opportunities to attend leading UX, AI, and FinTech conferences, and potentially pursue relevant certifications.

• Mentorship & Leadership: Developing leadership skills through mentoring junior designers and potentially leading design efforts for key AI initiatives. Access to RBC's internal leadership development programs.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role presents significant intellectual challenges due to the cutting-edge nature of AI. The growth opportunities are substantial for those looking to specialize in a high-demand field and move into leadership.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you had to translate a highly complex technical concept into a simple, user-friendly interface. What was your process?" (Focus on your methodology, user research, and iterative steps).

• "How would you approach designing for AI explainability? What are the key considerations for building user trust in an AI system?" (Demonstrate understanding of responsible AI design principles).

• "Imagine we're developing an AI tool to predict financial market trends. How would you collaborate with AI researchers and product managers to define the core user needs and design the initial product strategy?" (Highlight your collaboration and strategic thinking skills). Company & Culture Questions:

• "What interests you most about working with AI products specifically at RBC Borealis?" (Research Borealis and show genuine interest).

• "How do you embody RBC's values of Integrity, Collaboration, and Excellence in your design work?" (Connect your experience to their stated values).

• "Describe your experience mentoring junior designers or advocating for user-centered design within technical teams." (Showcase leadership potential and communication skills). Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Prioritize Impact: For each project, clearly articulate the problem statement, your specific role and contributions, the design process, key decisions made, and the measurable outcomes or impact.

• Visual Storytelling: Use clear, high-quality visuals of your designs, prototypes, and research artifacts. Explain your rationale behind design choices.

• Focus on AI/Data: If possible, highlight projects that demonstrate your ability to handle complex data, abstract concepts, or AI functionalities. Discuss how you ensured user trust and understanding.

• Be Prepared for Deep Dives: Anticipate detailed questions about your methodology, trade-offs, and why you made certain design decisions.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process will likely involve a blend of behavioral, technical, and design-specific questions. Demonstrating a strong understanding of AI design principles, ethical considerations, and collaborative abilities will be key.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Senior Product Designer position:

• Submit your application through the RBC careers portal via the provided link.

• Portfolio Preparation: Curate a digital portfolio that clearly showcases your best work, emphasizing projects related to complex data, technical products, or AI. Ensure each project details the problem, your role, process, solution, and impact.

• Resume Optimization: Tailor your resume to highlight keywords from the job description, such as "AI Product Design," "UX/UI," "Figma," "Sketch," "User Research," "Design Systems," "Responsible AI," and "WCAG." Quantify achievements where possible.

• Interview Practice: Prepare to discuss your portfolio projects in detail, practice answering common UX interview questions, and be ready to articulate your approach to designing AI-powered products. Research RBC Borealis's work and its mission.

• Company Research: Understand RBC's broader mission and values, and specifically research RBC Borealis's focus areas and recent innovations in AI to 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.

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