Senior Product Designer

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Senior Product Designer
Company: Tako
Location: São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
Job Type: FULL_TIME
Category: Product Design / UX/UI
Date Posted: 2026-05-08
Experience Level: Mid-Senior (Implied 5-10 years)
Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• Spearhead the end-to-end product design process, transforming complex HR operations into intuitive and visually polished B2B SaaS solutions.
• Drive product discovery, definition, and technical specification for new features, ensuring seamless integration with existing applications and user workflows.
• Foster a deep understanding of the Brazilian HR and payroll domain to inform user-centered design decisions and address critical business needs.
• Collaborate closely with engineering, operations, and leadership teams to prioritize features, manage implementation, and track post-launch results.
• Champion continuous improvement of the existing product's UX and UI, focusing on simplification, consistency, and adherence to best practices.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is heavily focused on B2B SaaS product design within the HR tech space, requiring a strong ability to translate complex business logic into user-friendly interfaces. The emphasis on understanding the Brazilian market and its unique bureaucratic challenges suggests a need for deep contextual knowledge and problem-solving skills. The implied experience level (5-10 years) aligns with the seniority of driving end-to-end processes and strategic input.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Lead the exploration, definition, design, and technical specification of new functionalities within Tako's application suite.
• Rapidly acquire deep knowledge of complex HR and payroll domains, including technical limitations, opportunities, and regulatory requirements, through research, client conversations, and expert consultations.
• Produce clear and comprehensive technical specifications (handoff documentation) for development teams, actively supporting the implementation process and release cycles.
• Proactively adapt designs, simplify scope, and enhance solutions based on ongoing learnings and feedback during implementation and post-launch.
• Maintain close proximity to end-users and the operations team to gather insights, identify pain points, and deeply understand their needs and challenges.
• Develop long-term product visions that can be broken down into sequenced, high-value deliverables, optimizing for both impact and development effort.
• Continuously seek UX and UI improvements for the existing product, focusing on simplifying user experience, ensuring visual consistency, and establishing best practices through benchmarking and peer critique.
• Structure and interpret qualitative and quantitative user research data to inform design decisions and validate hypotheses.
• Actively participate in strategic discussions, structural decisions, and new feature definition, always prioritizing user experience and product evolution.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a need for a designer who can operate with significant autonomy, manage complex projects from inception to completion, and influence product strategy. The emphasis on understanding the "universo do departamento pessoal" (department of personnel universe) and "burocracia" (bureaucracy) indicates a niche domain requiring specialized understanding.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: While no specific educational requirements are listed, a Bachelor's degree in Design, Human-Computer Interaction, or a related field is typically expected for senior roles. Relevant certifications or a strong portfolio can often substitute for formal education.
Experience: Demonstrated experience in product design, with a strong emphasis on UX/UI for B2B SaaS platforms. Experience in agile development environments is essential, along with a proven track record of managing the full product lifecycle from discovery to post-launch analysis.

Required Skills:

• UX/UI Design Expertise: Refined skills in user experience and user interface design, with a portfolio showcasing complex problem-solving and elegant solutions.
• Product Discovery & Definition: Proven ability to lead user research, concept development, and feature definition.
• Technical Specification & Handoff: Capability to create clear and actionable technical documentation for engineering teams.
• Agile Collaboration: Experience working effectively within agile methodologies and cross-functional teams, particularly with development.
• User-Centered Design: A strong commitment to understanding and advocating for user needs throughout the design process.
• Analytical & Metric Interpretation: Ability to interpret qualitative and quantitative data, derive insights, and inform design decisions.
• Autonomy & Self-Management: Demonstrated capacity to manage one's own workload and drive projects forward in a self-directed environment.
• Communication Skills: Clarity in articulating design rationale, hypotheses, and learnings to stakeholders.

Preferred Skills:

• SaaS Design Experience: Prior experience designing for large-scale Software-as-a-Service platforms.
• Mobile App Design: Experience with designing for mobile applications, particularly within a B2B context.
• HR Tech Domain Knowledge: Familiarity with Brazilian HR, payroll, or employee operations processes.
• Prototyping & Wireframing: Proficiency with industry-standard design and prototyping tools.
• Benchmarking & Competitive Analysis: Experience conducting competitive research to identify best practices and opportunities.

📝 Enhancement Note: The requirements emphasize practical experience and a hands-on approach to the entire product design lifecycle. The "high level of autonomy" and "ability to manage their own work" suggest a need for a proactive and self-motivated individual. Experience with both mobile and large-scale SaaS is explicitly mentioned as a differentiator.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Showcase end-to-end product design case studies demonstrating the complete lifecycle from problem identification to measurable results.
• Include examples of transforming complex business requirements (especially from HR/payroll domains) into intuitive user interfaces and workflows.
• Highlight your role in technical specification and collaboration with engineering teams during implementation.
• Present clear evidence of user research methodologies employed and how insights directly influenced design decisions.
• Demonstrate the ability to iterate on designs based on user feedback and performance metrics.

Process Documentation:

• Provide examples of how you document and communicate technical specifications to development teams, ensuring clarity and minimizing ambiguity.
• Illustrate your process for gathering and synthesizing user feedback, both qualitative and quantitative, to drive design iterations.
• Showcase how you create long-term product visions and break them down into actionable, sequenced deliverables.
• Detail your approach to conducting design sprints, user testing, and A/B testing to validate hypotheses and optimize user experience.

📝 Enhancement Note: A robust portfolio is critical for this role, as it will be used to assess the candidate's ability to handle the entire product design process, their domain understanding, and their collaboration skills. Case studies that specifically address B2B SaaS challenges, particularly in regulated or complex industries like HR, will be highly valued.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: For a Senior Product Designer in São Paulo, Brazil, with 5-10 years of experience in SaaS and a strong portfolio, the estimated salary range is R$ 10,000 to R$ 18,000 per month for a PJ (Pessoa Jurídica) contract. This estimate is based on industry benchmarks for similar roles in major Brazilian tech hubs, considering the company's funding and ambition.

Benefits:

• Contract Type: PJ (Pessoa Jurídica - Independent Contractor)
• 13th Salary & Paid Vacations: Standard Brazilian labor law benefits for PJ contracts.
• Stock Options Program: Opportunity to participate in the company's equity growth.
• Comprehensive Health Insurance: SulAmérica plan with 100% coverage for the employee and dependents, including access to top-tier hospitals in São Paulo (Einstein, Sírio Libanês, Vila Nova Star).
• Benefits Card: Swile card with R$ 1,800 monthly benefit allowance.
• Paid Parental Leave: Generous parental leave policy.

Working Hours: The role is full-time, implying approximately 40 hours per week. The description notes a presencial (on-site) work arrangement in their São Paulo office.

📝 Enhancement Note: The PJ contract structure is common in Brazilian tech startups and offers flexibility. The salary estimate is a benchmark for a senior-level role in a well-funded startup in a major city, considering the comprehensive benefits package. The R$1,800 Swile card is a significant monthly benefit.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: HR Technology (HR Tech) / Software-as-a-Service (SaaS), focused on People Operations and Bureaucracy Reduction in Brazil. Company Size: The company has secured significant funding (over R$160M) and is backed by prominent investors like Ribbit Capital and a16z, indicating a growth-stage startup environment, likely employing 50-150 individuals. Founded: Founded with a mission to tackle Brazil's bureaucratic challenges using AI and deterministic applications, aiming to modernize businesses and the country.

Team Structure:

• The Product Design role sits within a product team, collaborating closely with Engineering, Operations, and Leadership.
• Expect a flat hierarchy common in startups, fostering direct communication and rapid decision-making.
• Cross-functional collaboration is core, with designers integrated into agile development sprints.

Methodology:

• Data-Driven Decisions: Emphasizes user research (qualitative and quantitative) and metric interpretation to guide product development.
• User-Centricity: A core tenet is transforming complex processes into simple, intuitive user experiences.
• Agile Development: Working in agile teams with high autonomy, focusing on iterative development and continuous improvement.
• AI Integration: Leveraging AI agents and deterministic applications to automate and streamline HR processes.

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

📝 Enhancement Note: Tako positions itself as a "big tech talent with startup autonomy" environment, aiming to disrupt the traditional HR tech market in Brazil. The culture values diversity, constructive debate, and bold solutions. The on-site work model in São Paulo reinforces a collaborative and fast-paced approach.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This is a Senior Product Designer role, implying a significant level of responsibility and autonomy. It's a position for an individual contributor who can lead design initiatives, mentor junior designers (if the team grows), and drive product strategy from a design perspective. Reporting Structure: Likely reports to a Head of Product, VP of Product, or a Design Lead, depending on the current team structure. The emphasis on collaboration suggests direct working relationships with Engineering Leads and Product Managers. Operations Impact: The Product Designer's work directly impacts Tako's ability to simplify complex HR operations for Brazilian businesses. Successful designs will lead to increased user adoption, customer satisfaction, and ultimately, revenue growth by making the platform indispensable for navigating Brazilian bureaucracy.

Growth Opportunities:

• Product Leadership: Potential to grow into a Design Lead or Head of Design role as the company scales.
• Domain Expertise: Deepen knowledge in the complex Brazilian HR and payroll domain, becoming a subject matter expert.
• Strategic Influence: Contribute significantly to product strategy and roadmap planning.
• Mentorship: Opportunity to mentor junior designers and shape design culture within the organization.
• Skill Expansion: Develop expertise in AI-driven design solutions and advanced SaaS product development.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a senior role in a fast-growing startup, the opportunities extend beyond just design execution. Candidates can expect to have a substantial impact on the product's direction and contribute to building the design function within Tako. The growth path is likely tied to the company's rapid expansion.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The company operates from a physical office in Itaim Bibi, São Paulo, indicating a preference for an on-site work model to foster collaboration and rapid decision-making. Office Location(s): Itaim Bibi, São Paulo, Brazil. This is a prominent business district, easily accessible and surrounded by amenities.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Environment: The on-site model is chosen to encourage direct interaction, brainstorming, and quick problem-solving between team members.
• Tools & Technology: Expect access to modern design software and collaboration tools necessary for a high-performing product team. While not explicitly stated, standard tools like Figma, Sketch, Adobe Creative Suite, and project management software are likely in use.
• Team Interaction: Frequent interaction with engineering, product management, and operations teams is a given, facilitating a holistic approach to product development.

Work Schedule: Full-time with a strong emphasis on on-site presence. While specific hours aren't detailed, the culture implies a commitment to achieving goals within a structured work week, with potential for flexibility as is common in startups.

📝 Enhancement Note: The explicit mention of on-site work in Itaim Bibi is a key detail. This suggests a preference for in-person collaboration over remote work, which is often driven by a desire for faster iteration cycles and stronger team cohesion.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A review of your resume and portfolio to assess qualifications and creative output.
• Design Challenge/Case Study Presentation: Typically, candidates will be asked to present a portfolio case study or complete a design challenge that simulates real-world problems faced by Tako. This will focus on your problem-solving process, design thinking, and ability to articulate rationale.
• Team Interviews: Meetings with cross-functional team members (e.g., engineers, product managers, operations leads) to evaluate collaboration skills, communication clarity, and cultural fit within an agile environment.
• Leadership Interview: A final discussion with senior leadership to assess strategic thinking, long-term vision, and alignment with Tako's mission and values.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Highlight End-to-End Process: Showcase at least one detailed case study demonstrating your involvement from initial discovery and research through to final implementation and outcome analysis.
• Focus on Problem-Solving: Clearly articulate the problem you were solving, your approach, the constraints you faced, and the rationale behind your design decisions.
• Quantify Impact: Whenever possible, include metrics and data that demonstrate the positive impact of your designs on users and business objectives.
• Showcase B2B SaaS & HR Context: Prioritize projects that reflect experience with complex B2B SaaS platforms, ideally within the HR or operational software space. If direct experience is limited, highlight transferable skills in simplifying complex workflows.
• Technical Handoff Clarity: Include examples of how you communicate design specifications to developers, demonstrating your understanding of the implementation phase.

Challenge Preparation:

• Understand Tako's Mission: Research Tako's focus on Brazilian bureaucracy, HR operations, and AI-driven solutions.
• Embrace Complexity: Be prepared to tackle design problems that involve intricate business rules and regulatory environments.
• Think Systemically: Demonstrate an understanding of how individual features fit into the broader product ecosystem and user journey.
• Articulate Trade-offs: Be ready to discuss design trade-offs, scope simplification, and how to balance ideal solutions with practical implementation constraints.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process will heavily scrutinize your practical design skills, your ability to work autonomously and collaboratively, and your understanding of the B2B SaaS and HR Tech landscape. A strong portfolio that tells a compelling story of problem-solving and impact is crucial.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Design & Prototyping: Figma (highly probable given industry trends and collaborative nature), Sketch, Adobe Creative Suite (Illustrator, Photoshop).
• Collaboration & Project Management: Likely tools like Jira, Asana, Trello, or Monday.com for task tracking and sprint management.
• User Research & Feedback: Tools for surveys (e.g., Typeform, SurveyMonkey), user testing platforms (e.g., UserTesting.com), and potentially in-app feedback tools.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Product Analytics: Tools such as Amplitude, Mixpanel, or Google Analytics to track user behavior and feature adoption.
• Data Visualization: Potentially tools like Tableau or Looker for deeper data analysis and reporting, though interpretation of provided metrics is key.

CRM & Automation:

• While not directly a designer's tool, understanding how CRM data and automation workflows (potentially within their HR platform or integrated systems) influence user experience is beneficial.

📝 Enhancement Note: Proficiency in modern design tools like Figma is almost certainly expected. The ability to interpret data from analytics platforms is also a key requirement for understanding user behavior and iterating on designs effectively.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Ownership: Taking responsibility for your work and driving projects to completion with a sense of accountability.
• Excellence: Striving for high quality in design, execution, and problem-solving.
• Creativity: Encouraging innovative solutions and challenging the status quo.
• Diversity of Thought: Valuing different perspectives, stories, and experiences to foster constructive debate and develop relevant solutions.
• User-Centricity: A fundamental belief in designing for the user, simplifying complex processes.
• Efficiency: Focusing on streamlining operations and reducing bureaucracy, both internally and for their customers.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-Functional Integration: Designers are embedded within cross-functional teams, working closely with engineering and product.
• Direct Communication: The on-site model and startup culture encourage open, rapid communication and feedback loops.
• Constructive Debate: A culture that values challenging ideas and engaging in constructive discussions to arrive at the best solutions.
• Process Improvement Focus: A shared goal of continuously improving internal and external processes through thoughtful design and technology.

📝 Enhancement Note: The company culture emphasizes high performance, autonomy, and a strong sense of purpose in tackling a significant problem in the Brazilian market. Collaboration is key, but it's within a framework of individual ownership and accountability.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Complex Domain: Navigating the intricacies of Brazilian HR, payroll, and labor laws, which are notoriously complex and bureaucratic.
• B2B SaaS Design: Balancing sophisticated functionality with an intuitive user experience for business users who may not be tech-savvy.
• Balancing Vision & Iteration: Creating long-term product visions while delivering incremental value in a fast-paced startup environment.
• Stakeholder Alignment: Ensuring alignment across diverse stakeholders (engineering, operations, sales, leadership) on design priorities and solutions.
• AI Integration: Designing user experiences that effectively leverage AI agents without compromising usability or trust.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Domain Specialization: Becoming an expert in the Brazilian HR Tech landscape.
• Product Strategy: Gaining experience in shaping product roadmaps and strategic initiatives.
• Leadership Development: Opportunities to lead design projects and potentially grow into management roles.
• Exposure to Big Tech Talent: Learning from experienced professionals in a high-growth startup environment.
• Innovation in AI: Working with cutting-edge AI applications to solve real-world business problems.

📝 Enhancement Note: The primary challenge lies in translating highly complex, regulated business processes into simple, effective digital solutions. The growth opportunities are substantial for someone looking to make a significant impact in a rapidly scaling company within a crucial market segment.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you had to design a feature for a complex, regulated industry. How did you approach understanding the constraints and user needs?" (Focus on process, research, and problem-solving).
• "How do you balance creating a long-term product vision with delivering incremental features in an agile environment?" (Focus on strategic thinking and iterative delivery).
• "Walk us through a B2B SaaS feature you designed. What was the problem, your solution, and the impact? What would you do differently now?" (Focus on end-to-end case study, metrics, and self-reflection).

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What interests you about Tako's mission to tackle bureaucracy in Brazil?" (Assess alignment with company purpose).
• "How do you approach collaboration with engineering and operations teams? Describe a challenging collaboration and how you navigated it." (Assess teamwork and communication skills).
• "How do you ensure your designs remain user-centered while meeting business objectives?" (Assess design philosophy and strategic alignment).

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Tell a Story: Structure your case studies as narratives, clearly defining the problem, your role, the process, the solution, and the outcomes.
• Show, Don't Just Tell: Use visuals (wireframes, mockups, prototypes, user flows) to illustrate your design decisions and their impact.
• Be Prepared to Dive Deep: Anticipate questions about specific design choices, trade-offs, and the rationale behind your approach.
• Highlight Collaboration: Emphasize how you worked with other teams and incorporated their feedback.
• Focus on Impact: Clearly articulate the measurable results of your work, whether it's increased conversion, reduced errors, or improved user satisfaction.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interviewers will be looking for a designer who is not only skilled in UX/UI but also a strategic thinker, a strong collaborator, and deeply understands the nuances of B2B SaaS product development, especially within complex operational domains.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Senior Product Designer position:

• Submit your application through the provided Ashby link.
• Portfolio Customization: Ensure your portfolio prominently features case studies demonstrating end-to-end product design for B2B SaaS, ideally with examples of complex workflow simplification or HR/operational software.
• Resume Optimization: Tailor your resume to highlight experience with agile methodologies, user research, technical specification, and quantifiable design outcomes. Use keywords like UX, UI, B2B SaaS, product discovery, and agile.
• Interview Preparation: Practice articulating your design process, rationale, and the impact of your work. Be ready to discuss how you handle complexity and collaborate with cross-functional teams. Prepare to present a detailed case study.
• Company Research: Deeply understand Tako's mission, its focus on Brazilian bureaucracy, and its AI-driven approach to HR operations. This will help you tailor your responses and demonstrate genuine interest.

⚠️ Important Notice: This enhanced job description includes AI-generated insights and operations industry-standard assumptions tailored for a Senior Product Designer role. All details, particularly regarding salary and specific team dynamics, should be verified directly with Tako during the application process.