Senior Product Designer

Sword
Full-time•€40k-60k/year (EUR)
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📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Senior Product Designer

Company: Sword

Location: Remote - Portugal

Job Type: Full-Time

Category: Product Design / GTM Operations

Date Posted: 2026-11-04T18:07:04

Experience Level: 5-10 Years

Remote Status: Fully Remote

🚀 Role Summary

  • Lead the end-to-end design and continuous optimization of Sword's web enrollment experience, focusing on user acquisition and conversion rate optimization.

  • Drive measurable improvements in user experience, usability, and accessibility for critical acquisition funnels, translating data insights into actionable design solutions.

  • Collaborate closely with cross-functional teams, including Product Management, Engineering, Growth, and GTM stakeholders, to define problems and deliver impactful design solutions.

  • Leverage AI tools to enhance personal productivity and explore opportunities to embed AI into product and process workflows, aligning with Sword's AI proficiency framework.

  • Contribute to the evolution of the design system by supporting and scaling organism-level components, ensuring consistency across the acquisition funnel.

📝 Enhancement Note: While this role is for a Product Designer, its focus on the "web enrollment experience," "conversion optimization," and "growth optimization" positions it at the intersection of Product Design and Go-To-Market (GTM) Operations. Success in this role will heavily rely on understanding and influencing the operational aspects of acquiring new users, making it highly relevant for individuals with a GTM operations mindset. The requirement for AI proficiency (Level 1 minimum) also highlights the company's strategic focus on integrating AI across all functions.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

  • Own the complete design lifecycle for the web enrollment journey, from initial problem discovery and user research through to iterative design, development, and post-launch optimization.

  • Develop and execute a continuous experimentation and iteration strategy for the enrollment experience, identifying and prioritizing A/B tests and other growth initiatives.

  • Translate complex user needs, business goals, and quantitative data (product metrics, funnel analysis) into intuitive and effective design solutions that reduce friction and enhance conversion.

  • Conduct user research, usability testing, and competitive analysis to deeply understand user pain points and identify opportunities for design innovation.

  • Partner with Product Managers and Tech Leads to define product strategy and roadmap for the enrollment experience, ensuring alignment with broader company objectives.

  • Collaborate closely with Engineering teams to ensure design feasibility, high-quality implementation, and a seamless handoff process.

  • Maintain and contribute to the company's design system, specifically focusing on organism-level components relevant to the acquisition funnel, ensuring scalability and consistency.

  • Work with GTM and Growth teams to understand acquisition targets and KPI’s, designing solutions that directly impact key business metrics.

  • Advocate for user-centered design principles and best practices, including accessibility standards (WCAG), across all aspects of the enrollment experience.

  • Proactively identify and propose design solutions to address usability issues, accessibility gaps, and conversion bottlenecks.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on "conversion," "growth optimization," and "A/B testing" strongly suggests that this role will involve significant interaction with GTM operations and performance marketing teams. The successful candidate will need to demonstrate an understanding of the entire acquisition funnel, not just the user interface, and how design decisions impact key performance indicators (KPIs) relevant to GTM operations.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

  • While no specific degree is mandated, a strong portfolio demonstrating mastery of product design principles and a history of successful product launches is paramount. A degree in HCI, Design, Computer Science, or a related field is beneficial but not strictly required. Experience:

  • 5-10 years of proven experience as a Product Designer, with a significant focus on complex web experiences, particularly enrollment flows, onboarding journeys, or conversion-focused products.

  • Demonstrated experience owning product design initiatives end-to-end, from problem definition and user research to detailed design, prototyping, and iterative optimization. Required Skills:

  • Strong expertise in UX/UI design, interaction design, usability principles, and accessibility standards (e.g., WCAG).

  • Proven ability to design for conversion, with hands-on experience in experimentation, A/B testing, and growth optimization strategies.

  • Data-informed design approach: ability to interpret product metrics, user feedback, and quantitative data to drive design decisions and improvements.

  • Proficiency in Figma, including advanced use of components, variants, auto layout, and design system management.

  • Experience collaborating effectively with Product Managers and Engineers within agile, cross-functional team structures.

  • Excellent visual design taste and the ability to create clear, on-brand, and consistent visual assets.

  • Ability to articulate and rationalize design decisions clearly and persuasively to stakeholders.

  • Strong written and verbal communication skills in English.

  • Ability to manage multiple priorities, work independently, and thrive in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.

  • Proactive problem-solving skills and a strong attention to detail. Preferred Skills:

  • Experience working in the healthcare technology sector, particularly with AI-driven platforms.

  • Familiarity with AI tools and a demonstrated ability to leverage them for productivity and workflow enhancement (Explorer Level 1 proficiency minimum).

  • Experience contributing to or maintaining a design system, specifically at the organism level.

  • Understanding of marketing funnels and GTM operational strategies.

  • Experience with front-end development principles (HTML, CSS, JavaScript) to inform design feasibility.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "5-10 years" experience level suggests a senior individual contributor role. The emphasis on "conversion," "growth optimization," and "data-informed decisions" points towards a need for skills that bridge product design with a strong understanding of GTM operational metrics and strategies. Proficiency in Figma and design systems is standard, but the explicit mention of AI tools and the company's AI proficiency framework is a unique requirement.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

  • A curated portfolio showcasing end-to-end product design projects, with a strong emphasis on web enrollment, onboarding, or conversion-focused experiences.

  • Detailed case studies that demonstrate your process: problem definition, user research, ideation, wireframing, prototyping, UI design, and iterative optimization based on data and user feedback.

  • Clear articulation of your role and contributions within each project, especially in cross-functional team settings.

  • Examples of how you've used data and user insights to inform design decisions and drive measurable business outcomes (e.g., conversion rate improvements, reduction in drop-off rates).

  • Showcase of your visual design craft, interaction design patterns, and understanding of usability and accessibility principles.

  • Evidence of your proficiency with design tools, particularly Figma, including examples of component-based design and design system contributions.

  • Demonstrations of how you've collaborated with product managers and engineers throughout the product development lifecycle. Process Documentation:

  • Ability to document and communicate your design process clearly, highlighting how you approach problem-solving, user research, ideation, and iteration.

  • Examples of how you've managed design projects, including prioritization, timeline management, and proactive communication of progress and potential roadblocks.

  • Documentation of how you've incorporated A/B testing and experimentation into your design workflow to validate hypotheses and optimize user flows.

📝 Enhancement Note: For this role, the portfolio is critical. It must not only showcase design craft but also demonstrate a strategic understanding of conversion optimization and GTM objectives. Candidates should be prepared to articulate how their design decisions directly contributed to business metrics like conversion rates and user acquisition. The emphasis on AI tools suggests that demonstrating their use in their design process within the portfolio would be highly advantageous.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: €40,000 - €60,000 EUR per year (Total Compensation)

Benefits:

  • Comprehensive health insurance and wellness programs, reflecting Sword's mission in healthcare.

  • Generous paid time off and holiday policy.

  • Opportunities for professional development, continuous learning, and skill advancement, including exposure to AI technologies.

  • Potential for equity participation (stock options) in a rapidly growing, well-funded startup.

  • Flexible remote work environment with support for home office setup.

  • Access to cutting-edge AI tools and technologies to enhance your workflow.

  • Opportunities to contribute to a mission-driven company focused on improving global health outcomes. Working Hours:

  • Approximately 40 hours per week, with flexibility to accommodate remote work across different time zones.

  • The company emphasizes delivering work on time and encourages proactive communication regarding any required extensions.

📝 Enhancement Note: The stated salary range of €40,000 - €60,000 EUR for a Senior Product Designer with 5-10 years of experience in Portugal is on the lower end of the typical range for such a role, especially for a well-funded tech company. However, the description explicitly states, "This is a starting point, not a ceiling — once someone joins and proves they're outlier talent, we adjust quickly to make sure their compensation matches their impact." It also notes that the range includes base, variable, and equity, and that "future stock value isn't guaranteed." This suggests that the equity component may be significant, or that the base salary is intentionally set lower with a strong emphasis on performance-based increases and potential for future stock appreciation. Candidates should consider the total compensation package, including equity and potential for rapid salary increases based on impact, when evaluating this offer. Researching comparable Senior Product Designer salaries in Portugal for tech companies, particularly those with Series C+ funding or significant growth, would be prudent.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Healthcare Technology / AI

Company Size: Likely in the range of 201-500 employees, based on typical growth stages for companies that have raised over $500 million and operate internationally. This size suggests a dynamic environment with established processes but still retaining startup agility.

Founded: 2020, indicating a relatively young company that has achieved rapid growth and significant funding in a short period. This implies a fast-paced, innovative, and ambitious culture.

Team Structure:

  • The Product Design team likely operates within a matrixed structure, collaborating closely with dedicated Product Managers and Tech Leads for specific product areas (like the enrollment experience).

  • Designers will work cross-functionally with Growth, Marketing, Engineering, and potentially Clinical teams, requiring strong communication and stakeholder management skills.

  • The reporting structure for this Senior Product Designer role is not explicitly stated but would typically be to a Head of Design, Design Lead, or VP of Product. Methodology:

  • Data-Driven Decision Making: A core tenet is using quantitative data (product metrics, A/B test results) and qualitative insights (user research, feedback) to inform design decisions and drive optimization.

  • Agile Development: Collaboration with Engineering in agile, cross-functional teams suggests iterative development cycles, frequent communication, and adaptability.

  • Test-and-Learn Mindset: The company embraces continuous improvement through experimentation, implying a culture that values hypothesis testing and learning from both successes and failures.

  • AI Integration: A fundamental expectation is "AI fluency," requiring every employee to demonstrate how they use AI to enhance productivity and potentially embed it into products and processes.

Company Website: sword.com

📝 Enhancement Note: Sword's rapid growth and substantial funding indicate a high-performance culture. The emphasis on AI and its application in healthcare is central to their identity. The role's focus on the "enrollment experience" places it directly within the critical GTM funnel, where operational efficiency and data-driven design are paramount for scaling.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: Senior Individual Contributor. This role is for an experienced designer who can independently own significant product areas, drive strategy within their domain, and mentor others implicitly through their work and collaboration. The "Senior" title and 5-10 year experience requirement position this individual as a key player in shaping the user experience of critical acquisition funnels.

Reporting Structure: Likely reports to a Design Lead or Head of Product Design, with close collaboration with Product Management and Engineering leads for the enrollment experience. This structure allows for both strategic design direction and deep product ownership.

Operations Impact: This role has a direct and measurable impact on Sword's growth and revenue by optimizing the web enrollment experience. By improving conversion rates, reducing user friction, and enhancing accessibility, the designer will directly contribute to acquiring more members, which is fundamental to the company's business model and its mission to "heal billions." The role also influences operational efficiency by streamlining the user acquisition process and ensuring a consistent, high-quality user journey.

Growth Opportunities:

  • Deep Specialization: Opportunity to become a subject matter expert in user acquisition funnels, conversion optimization, and AI-driven healthcare experiences.

  • Design System Leadership: Potential to take on more responsibility in evolving and governing the design system, contributing to its scalability and adoption across the organization.

  • Cross-Functional Influence: Develop stronger strategic partnerships with Product, Engineering, and GTM/Growth teams, influencing product strategy and operational execution.

  • AI Skill Advancement: Grow within Sword's AI proficiency framework (aiming for Builder or Integrator levels) by actively exploring and implementing AI tools in design workflows and product features.

  • Mentorship: Opportunity to mentor junior designers and contribute to the overall design culture and best practices within Sword.

  • Career Progression: Potential to move into Lead Product Designer roles, Product Management, or specialized UX strategy positions within the company.

📝 Enhancement Note: The growth trajectory for a Senior Product Designer at a company like Sword is substantial. The focus on conversion and GTM operations means this individual will gain valuable experience in performance-driven design, which is highly sought after. The company's commitment to AI also offers a unique opportunity to be at the forefront of integrating advanced technologies into user experiences.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Fully Remote. This indicates a distributed workforce where collaboration relies heavily on digital tools and asynchronous communication.

Office Location(s): Remote within Portugal. This specific regional focus suggests compliance with local labor laws and potentially local team meetups or events, though the primary mode of work is remote.

Workspace Context:

  • Collaborative Environment: While remote, the emphasis on cross-functional collaboration means designers will be actively engaged with Product Managers, Engineers, Growth teams, and other designers through virtual channels.

  • Tools & Technology: Access to a robust digital toolset, including Figma, communication platforms (e.g., Slack, Zoom), project management tools, and potentially AI-powered design assistance tools.

  • Team Interaction: Regular virtual meetings, design critiques, workshops, and one-on-one sessions will be key for interaction and knowledge sharing. The company's AI proficiency framework encourages proactive exploration and sharing of AI tool usage.

Work Schedule:

  • Standard working hours, approximately 40 hours per week, are expected.

  • Flexibility is inherent in a remote role, but the need to collaborate with global teams across multiple time zones requires proactive time management and communication.

  • A commitment to delivering work on time and communicating any extensions is crucial for maintaining team velocity.

📝 Enhancement Note: The remote-first, Portugal-based environment emphasizes asynchronous communication and self-discipline. Designers will need to be adept at using digital collaboration tools and managing their time effectively to ensure seamless integration with globally distributed teams and to meet project deadlines.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

  • Initial Screening: A review of your resume and portfolio to assess alignment with the role requirements, particularly experience in conversion-focused design and Figma proficiency.

  • Portfolio Presentation & Discussion: A dedicated session where you will walk through selected case studies from your portfolio, explaining your process, decisions, and impact. Expect to discuss your approach to user research, data interpretation, A/B testing, and collaboration.

  • Cross-Functional Interviews: Interviews with key stakeholders, likely including a Product Manager, Tech Lead, and potentially a member of the Growth team, to assess collaboration skills, product thinking, and understanding of business objectives.

  • Design Challenge (Potential): A take-home assignment or live design exercise focused on a relevant problem within the enrollment flow, evaluating your problem-solving skills, design execution, and ability to articulate your rationale.

  • Hiring Manager Interview: A final discussion with the hiring manager to assess cultural fit, career aspirations, and overall suitability for the Senior Product Designer role and Sword's AI-centric culture.

Portfolio Review Tips:

  • Focus on Impact: Select projects that clearly demonstrate measurable outcomes, especially conversion improvements, user engagement increases, or efficiency gains. Quantify your impact with data whenever possible.

  • Show Your Process: Detail your thought process, from understanding the problem to iterating on solutions. Highlight how you used research, data, and collaboration to arrive at your final designs.

  • Emphasize Conversion & GTM: For this role, prioritize projects that showcase your experience with conversion optimization, A/B testing, and understanding of acquisition funnels.

  • Demonstrate AI Proficiency: If possible, include examples of how you've used AI tools to enhance your design workflow or outcomes. Be prepared to discuss your AI Explorer (Level 1) capabilities.

  • Clarity and Conciseness: Present your work clearly and concisely. Be prepared to articulate your design decisions and rationale succinctly.

  • Figma Mastery: Ensure your portfolio demonstrates advanced Figma skills, including component usage, variants, and design system contributions.

Challenge Preparation:

  • Understand the Problem: If given a design challenge, thoroughly analyze the problem statement, user needs, and business objectives.

  • Structure Your Approach: Outline your plan, including research methods, design iterations, and key deliverables.

  • Focus on Rationale: Be prepared to explain why you made specific design choices, linking them back to user needs and business goals.

  • Consider AI Integration: Think about how AI could potentially play a role in solving the problem or improving the user experience.

  • Time Management: Practice executing design tasks efficiently within given time constraints.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process will heavily scrutinize your ability to translate design into tangible business results, particularly in conversion. Demonstrating a proactive approach to using AI tools will be a key differentiator, aligning with Sword's core values.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

  • Figma: Essential for UI design, prototyping, component management, and design system collaboration. Advanced proficiency is required.

  • Prototyping Tools: Likely integrated within Figma, but potentially others like InVision or Principle for specific animation or interaction needs.

  • Design System Tools: Tools that support design system management, version control, and documentation (e.g., Zeroheight, Storybook, or custom solutions).

Analytics & Reporting:

  • Web Analytics Platforms: Google Analytics, Amplitude, Mixpanel, or similar tools for tracking user behavior, funnel performance, and conversion metrics.

  • A/B Testing Platforms: Optimizely, VWO, Google Optimize, or in-house experimentation tools for running A/B tests and multivariate tests.

  • Data Visualization Tools: Tableau, Power BI, or Looker for exploring and presenting data insights to stakeholders.

CRM & Automation:

  • While not a primary tool for the designer, familiarity with how CRMs (e.g., Salesforce) and marketing automation platforms (e.g., HubSpot, Marketo) influence the user journey and data capture can be beneficial. AI & Productivity Tools:

  • AI Writing Assistants: ChatGPT, Jasper, or similar for generating copy, brainstorming ideas, or summarizing research.

  • AI Image Generators: Midjourney, DALL-E, or Stable Diffusion for concept exploration or asset generation.

  • AI Productivity Tools: AI-powered scheduling assistants, meeting summarizers, or research tools.

📝 Enhancement Note: Proficiency in Figma is non-negotiable. The ability to leverage analytics and A/B testing platforms to inform design decisions is critical. Given Sword's focus, familiarity with or a demonstrated willingness to learn and use AI tools within the design workflow is a significant advantage.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

  • AI Fluency: A core expectation across all roles, emphasizing the use of AI to boost productivity (Explorer Level 1) and potentially build team tools (Builder Level 2) or integrate AI into products at scale (Integrator Level 3).

  • Data-Driven: Decisions are grounded in quantitative data and user insights, driving a culture of continuous improvement and measurable impact.

  • User-Centricity: A strong focus on understanding and solving user problems to deliver exceptional healthcare experiences.

  • Collaboration: Openness to cross-functional teamwork, knowledge sharing, and constructive feedback to achieve shared goals.

  • Impact-Oriented: A drive to achieve significant outcomes, as evidenced by the company's mission to "heal billions" and its focus on measurable cost savings and health improvements.

  • Curiosity & Continuous Learning: A proactive mindset towards exploring new technologies, understanding what's working (and what's not), and adapting designs and processes accordingly.

Collaboration Style:

  • Cross-Functional Integration: Designers work as integrated members of product teams, collaborating closely with Product Managers and Engineers from discovery through delivery.

  • Data-Informed Feedback: Feedback loops are often informed by data analysis and A/B testing results, ensuring discussions are grounded in evidence.

  • Iterative Design Process: A culture that values iteration and refinement, with open channels for design critiques and collaborative problem-solving.

  • Asynchronous Communication: Given the remote and global nature of the team, effective asynchronous communication is vital, supplemented by synchronous meetings for critical discussions and brainstorming.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on AI fluency is a unique cultural pillar that will permeate all aspects of work. Candidates should be prepared to discuss their personal experience with AI tools and how they see AI impacting their role and the broader company. The combination of data-driven decision-making and user-centricity is typical of high-performing tech companies, especially in the competitive healthcare sector.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

  • Balancing Conversion and User Experience: Optimizing the enrollment funnel for conversion while ensuring it remains intuitive, accessible, and user-friendly can be a complex balancing act.

  • Rapid Iteration in a Fast-Paced Environment: Keeping up with the pace of a well-funded, rapidly scaling startup requires agility and efficient workflow management.

  • Designing for a Complex Healthcare Landscape: Understanding the nuances of healthcare, patient needs, and regulatory considerations while designing acquisition flows.

  • Integrating AI Thoughtfully: Identifying and implementing AI tools and features that genuinely add value without over-complicating the user experience or compromising safety.

  • Remote Collaboration: Effectively collaborating and building strong relationships with a globally distributed team without the benefit of in-person interaction.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

  • AI Skill Advancement: Deepen expertise in AI tools and methodologies, potentially moving towards "Builder" or "Integrator" levels within Sword's AI framework.

  • Conversion Rate Optimization (CRO) Expertise: Develop advanced skills in A/B testing, experimentation, and data analysis specifically for acquisition funnels.

  • Healthcare Technology Domain: Gain in-depth knowledge of the digital health sector and the unique challenges and opportunities within it.

  • Design System Growth: Contribute to the development and evolution of a scalable design system, potentially taking on more ownership.

  • Cross-Functional Leadership: Enhance skills in influencing product strategy and collaborating effectively with diverse teams, including GTM operations and business stakeholders.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges presented are typical for a senior role in a high-growth tech company, particularly one focused on a critical GTM function like user acquisition and leveraging cutting-edge technology like AI. The growth opportunities are substantial, offering a path for deep specialization and leadership.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

  • "Describe your process for optimizing a complex web enrollment funnel. How do you balance conversion goals with user experience and accessibility?"

  • "Walk us through a time you used data and user research to identify a significant opportunity for improvement in a product's conversion rate. What was the outcome?"

  • "How do you approach collaborating with Product Managers and Engineers to ensure design feasibility and high-quality implementation in an agile environment?"

  • "Sword has a strong emphasis on AI fluency. Can you share an example of how you've used AI tools to improve your personal productivity or your design workflow? What level of AI proficiency would you say you possess?" Company & Culture Questions:

  • "What interests you most about Sword's mission and its AI Care approach?"

  • "How do you stay updated on the latest trends in product design, AI, and healthcare technology?"

  • "Describe your ideal remote work environment and how you ensure effective collaboration and communication within a distributed team."

  • "How do you handle constructive feedback on your designs, especially from stakeholders with different priorities?" Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

  • Structure: For each case study, clearly outline the problem, your role, the process undertaken, the solutions developed, the results achieved (quantified with data), and key learnings.

  • Focus on Impact: Emphasize the business impact and user value of your design decisions. For this role, highlight conversion rate improvements, user acquisition metrics, or reduction in drop-off rates.

  • Showcase AI Use: If applicable, highlight any projects where you utilized AI tools in your design process.

  • Articulate Rationale: Be prepared to deeply explain the "why" behind your design choices.

  • Interactive Elements: If possible, use interactive prototypes to demonstrate user flows and interactions.

📝 Enhancement Note: Expect interview questions to probe deeply into your understanding of conversion optimization, data-driven design, and your practical experience with AI tools. Your portfolio presentation is your primary opportunity to demonstrate these skills.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Senior Product Designer position:

  • Submit your application through the provided Greenhouse link.

  • Customize Your Resume: Tailor your resume to highlight specific experience in web enrollment, conversion optimization, A/B testing, Figma proficiency, and any relevant experience with AI tools. Use keywords from the job description.

  • Curate Your Portfolio: Select 2-3 of your strongest case studies that best exemplify your skills in conversion-focused design, end-to-end product ownership, and your understanding of user acquisition funnels. Ensure each case study clearly articulates your process, impact, and use of data.

  • Prepare Your Portfolio Walkthrough: Practice presenting your portfolio, focusing on clear articulation of your design process, rationale, and quantifiable results. Be ready to discuss your AI proficiency (Level 1 minimum).

  • Research Sword: Thoroughly understand Sword's mission, AI Care approach, and recent company news. Be prepared to discuss why you are drawn to their specific work and how your skills align with their values and objectives.

⚠️ 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.

Application Requirements

Candidates should have proven product design experience, ideally with complex web experiences, enrollment or onboarding journeys, and conversion-focused products, along with strong UX/UI, visual design, accessibility, and responsive design skills. They should be proficient in Figma and design systems, use data and experimentation to guide decisions, communicate effectively in English, and work independently in a fast-paced, remote, cross-functional environment.