Senior Product Designer

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Senior Product Designer

Company: Traba

Location: New York City, NY; San Francisco, CA

Job Type: FULL_TIME

Category: Product Design / GTM Operations

Date Posted: 2026-04-13

Experience Level: 5+ Years

Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• Design and develop innovative user experiences for Traba's core technology platform, focusing on both web and mobile applications that serve industrial businesses and vetted workers.

• Drive the strategic evolution and governance of Traba's design system, ensuring scalability, consistency, and technical relevance across all product touchpoints.

• Collaborate closely with engineering, product management, and operational teams to translate complex business and worker needs into intuitive and practical design solutions.

• Conduct robust user research and usability testing to validate design concepts, gather critical feedback, and ensure alignment with user needs and business objectives.

• Act as a key contributor in a fast-paced startup environment, taking high ownership of design challenges from ideation through to successful product launch.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is classified under Product Design with a strong GTM Operations component due to the explicit mention of collaborating with operational teams to design practical, on-the-ground solutions and understanding/visualizing business and worker needs. This indicates a need for designers who can bridge the gap between user interface design and real-world operational execution within the industrial staffing sector.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Rapidly prototype designs using industry-standard tools to facilitate team evaluation, stakeholder alignment, and iterative design refinement.

• Develop and meticulously refine user experiences within Traba's mobile and web applications, ensuring intuitive navigation and efficient workflows for both business clients and workers.

• Lead the development, governance, and continuous evolution of Traba's design system, ensuring its robustness, scalability, and adoption by engineering and design teams.

• Deeply understand, meticulously document, and visually represent both the business needs of industrial clients and the practical requirements of vetted workers.

• Conduct comprehensive user research, including interviews, surveys, and usability testing, to validate design concepts, identify pain points, and inform product strategy.

• Proactively share design work-in-progress with cross-functional teams, actively soliciting and incorporating feedback to drive continuous improvement and product excellence.

• Collaborate with operational teams to design and optimize workflows that streamline the staffing process, enhance efficiency, and improve the overall user experience for all stakeholders.

• Contribute to the definition and implementation of key performance indicators (KPIs) for design initiatives, measuring the impact of design decisions on user engagement and business outcomes.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities emphasize a blend of core product design tasks with a significant operational focus. The inclusion of "understanding, documenting, and visualizing both business and worker needs" and "working closely with our operational teams to design practical, on-the-ground solutions" highlights the need for a designer who can translate operational realities into effective product features, a key aspect of GTM operations.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: While no specific degree is mandated, a strong academic foundation in Design, Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), Computer Science, or a related field is often beneficial and can be demonstrated through portfolio projects.

Experience: 5+ years of professional experience in product design, with a proven track record of designing and shipping impactful digital products that solve real-world problems. Experience in a startup environment with a broad scope of responsibilities is highly valued.

Required Skills:

• Impeccable craft in UX and UI design, with a keen eye for detail and an understanding of how nuanced interactions create intuitive interfaces.

• Proven ability to architect and build scalable design components, with experience in co-authoring or significantly contributing to design systems.

• Demonstrated expertise in rapid prototyping and wireframing to facilitate team evaluation and concept validation.

• Proficiency in industry-leading design tools, with a strong emphasis on Figma, and a deep understanding of its collaborative features.

• Experience in conducting user research, including user interviews, surveys, and usability testing, to gather actionable insights.

• Understanding of the software development lifecycle and experience collaborating effectively with engineering teams.

• Ability to structure ambiguity, adapt to fast-paced environments, and iterate on designs without ego.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience designing for complex systems, particularly in marketplace or platform environments.

• Familiarity with front-end development concepts or light coding experience (e.g., HTML, CSS, JavaScript) to better inform design decisions and collaboration with engineers.

• Experience in industrial sectors, logistics, or staffing industries, providing context for the specific challenges Traba addresses.

• Experience in designing for both mobile (iOS/Android) and web applications.

• Contributions to open-source design systems or significant community involvement in design circles.

• Experience with hardware integration or designing for physical operational environments.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on "technical relevance" and "building scalable design components with our engineers" suggests a need for designers with a strong understanding of technical constraints and implementation. The preference for coding experience further supports this, indicating that Traba values designers who can bridge the gap between design and development, a critical skill in efficient GTM operations.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Demonstrations of your ability to solve complex UX and UI challenges with tangible outcomes.

• Case studies that clearly articulate the problem, your design process, your specific contributions, and the impact of your solutions, preferably with quantifiable results.

• Examples showcasing your work on design systems, including component development, governance, and evolution.

• Prototypes that illustrate your interaction design skills and ability to convey user flows effectively.

• Projects that highlight your experience in user research and how insights informed your design decisions.

Process Documentation:

• Showcase your approach to understanding and visualizing complex business and worker needs through process flows, journey maps, or other relevant documentation.

• Examples of how you have documented and communicated design specifications and requirements to engineering teams for implementation.

• Evidence of your process for conducting and acting upon user research findings and usability testing results.

• Documentation of your role in the development and maintenance of design systems, including style guides, component libraries, and governance models.

📝 Enhancement Note: The explicit requirement for a portfolio and the mention of "designing practical, on-the-ground solutions" strongly suggest that candidates should prepare case studies that showcase not only UI/UX polish but also the practical implementation and operational impact of their designs. This aligns with the need for designers who understand the full GTM lifecycle, from concept to operational execution.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $170,000 - $200,000 USD per year.

Benefits:

• Equity: Start-up equity package, offering a meaningful stake in the company's long-term success.

• Health & Wellness: 100% paid health, dental, and vision coverage. Additional benefits include a One Medical membership, Gympass benefit, HSA via Optum, Talkspace, HealthAdvocate, and Teledoc Health.

• Daily Support: Dinner provided via Grubhub and a stocked kitchen for New York employees.

• Commuting: Commuter benefit program.

• Competitive Salary: As outlined in the range, reflecting market analysis and candidate qualifications.

Working Hours: The role is based on-site, five days per week, implying a standard full-time work schedule (approximately 40 hours per week) with a strong emphasis on in-person collaboration.

📝 Enhancement Note: The provided salary range is typical for a Senior Product Designer in major tech hubs like New York City and San Francisco, aligning with the stated experience level. The comprehensive benefits package is also competitive for a startup environment, with a particular focus on health and wellness, which can be a strong draw for experienced professionals. The emphasis on on-site work five days a week suggests a need for candidates who thrive in highly collaborative, in-person environments, which can be crucial for aligning design with operational realities.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Technology, specifically focused on AI-driven autonomous workflows for industrial staffing and the global supply chain. Traba operates at the intersection of AI, logistics, and labor markets.

Company Size: The provided LinkedIn data does not specify company size, but the description indicates a venture-backed startup, likely in the growth phase, suggesting a dynamic and evolving team environment.

Founded: Traba was founded in 2020. This recent founding means the company is likely in a high-growth, innovation-driven phase, with established but still-developing processes and a strong focus on product-market fit.

Team Structure:

• The design team likely consists of talented designers working alongside experienced engineers and product managers, aiming to build a cohesive and efficient product development unit.

• Collaboration is expected to be cross-functional, with designers working closely with operational teams to understand and address real-world challenges in industrial staffing.

Methodology:

• Traba employs AI and multi-agent workflows to automate complex staffing processes, indicating a strong data-driven and technically sophisticated approach to operations and product development.

• Design methodology emphasizes rapid prototyping, user research, and iterative development, driven by a desire to solve "hard problems with high ownership."

• A focus on "practical, on-the-ground solutions" suggests a pragmatic approach that grounds design in operational realities.

Company Website: https://traba.work/

📝 Enhancement Note: Traba's mission to create an "autonomous future of industrial staffing" through AI is a key differentiator. For a designer, this means working on cutting-edge technology within a traditionally underserved industry. The company culture is described as ambitious, collaborative, and adaptable, with a strong emphasis on solving complex problems and driving impactful change, which is crucial for a startup environment.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is designated as "Senior Product Designer," indicating a mid-to-senior level position. It requires significant experience (5+ years) and the ability to take high ownership, drive design systems, and collaborate closely with operational teams. This level often involves mentoring junior designers and influencing product strategy.

Reporting Structure: While not explicitly stated, a Senior Product Designer typically reports to a Design Lead, Head of Product, or Head of Design. They will work cross-functionally with Engineering, Product Management, and importantly, Operational teams, indicating a central role in bridging technical product development with practical business execution.

Operations Impact: The Senior Product Designer will have a direct impact on the efficiency and effectiveness of Traba's core business operations by designing user-friendly interfaces and workflows for both businesses seeking staff and workers seeking employment. Their work will be critical in achieving Traba's mission of peak operational efficiency in the global supply chain.

Growth Opportunities:

• Leadership: Potential to grow into a Design Lead or Manager role, overseeing design strategy and team development as the company scales.

• Specialization: Opportunity to deepen expertise in AI-driven product design, industrial technology, or marketplace dynamics.

• Strategic Influence: Contribute to shaping Traba's product vision and design philosophy, with the potential to influence broader company strategy.

• Skill Development: Continuous learning through tackling complex, ambiguous problems, working with advanced AI technologies, and collaborating with top talent in engineering and product.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Senior" title and emphasis on "high ownership" suggest that this role offers significant autonomy and the chance to make a substantial impact. The integration with operational teams also provides a unique growth path for designers interested in understanding and optimizing business processes, bridging the gap between design and GTM strategy.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The role is strictly on-site, requiring a five-day-per-week presence in either the New York City or San Francisco office. This indicates a strong preference for in-person collaboration, team cohesion, and immediate problem-solving.

Office Location(s):

• New York City, NY

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Environment: The on-site requirement fosters a dynamic, collaborative atmosphere where spontaneous discussions and real-time feedback are encouraged, crucial for rapid product development and operational alignment.

• Tools & Technology: Designers will have access to industry-standard design tools (Figma) and will work closely with engineers who are building sophisticated AI workflows. The environment will likely be tech-forward and innovative.

• Team Interaction: Frequent interaction with product managers, engineers, and especially operational teams will be a daily occurrence, providing rich context for design challenges and opportunities for direct impact.

Work Schedule: Standard full-time work schedule, Monday through Friday, with an emphasis on being physically present in the office to facilitate seamless collaboration and operational integration.

📝 Enhancement Note: The on-site requirement is a significant aspect of the work environment. For a designer, this means being embedded within the team, facilitating faster iteration cycles and deeper understanding of operational nuances. This environment is ideal for individuals who thrive on direct interaction and collaborative problem-solving, which is essential for translating design into effective GTM operations.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Application & Portfolio Review: Candidates will submit their resume and portfolio. Traba emphasizes that the portfolio is "everything," so it must clearly demonstrate problem-solving skills, design craft, and impact.

• Screening Call: A discussion with a recruiter or hiring manager to assess overall fit, experience, and initial alignment with the role's requirements.

• Design Challenge/Case Study Presentation: Candidates may be asked to complete a design exercise or present a detailed case study from their portfolio, focusing on how they tackled a complex problem, their process, and the outcomes. This is where operational relevance will be key.

• Team Interviews: Interviews with product managers, engineers, and potentially operational team members to evaluate collaboration style, technical understanding, and cultural fit.

• Final Interview: Likely with senior leadership to discuss strategic alignment and final decision-making.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Show, Don't Just Tell: Provide detailed case studies that walk through your thought process, challenges encountered, design decisions made, and the impact of your work.

• Highlight Operational Context: For this role, emphasize projects where you had to understand and design for real-world operational constraints or workflows. Showcase how your designs improved efficiency or solved practical issues for users or businesses.

• Demonstrate Design System Expertise: Include examples of your contributions to design systems, highlighting your ability to create scalable, maintainable components.

• Focus on Impact: Quantify the results of your work whenever possible. Use metrics related to user engagement, task completion rates, operational efficiency, or business outcomes.

• Technical Relevance: Ensure your designs are technically feasible and demonstrate an understanding of how they would be implemented by engineers.

Challenge Preparation:

• Understand Traba's Mission: Research Traba's business model, target users (businesses and workers), and the challenges within the industrial staffing industry.

• Prepare Case Studies: Select 2-3 strong case studies from your portfolio that best represent your skills in problem-solving, UX/UI design, design systems, and user research. Be ready to discuss them in detail.

• Anticipate Operational Questions: Be prepared to discuss how you would approach designing solutions for operational challenges, such as worker onboarding, dispatching, or client reporting.

• Figma Proficiency: Be ready to discuss your Figma workflows and how you leverage its features for collaboration and design system management.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on a portfolio and "practical, on-the-ground solutions" means candidates should tailor their portfolio to showcase how design directly impacts operational efficiency and user experience in a real-world setting. This is a critical differentiator for this role.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Figma: Essential for UI design, prototyping, and collaboration. Candidates are expected to be proficient.

• Prototyping Tools: While Figma is primary, familiarity with other prototyping tools (e.g., InVision, Principle) may be beneficial.

• User Research Tools: Experience with platforms for surveys, interviews, and usability testing (e.g., UserTesting.com, Maze, Typeform, Lookback).

Analytics & Reporting:

• While not explicitly listed as a designer's direct tool, understanding how to interpret data from analytics platforms (e.g., Google Analytics, Mixpanel, Amplitude) to inform design decisions is a strong asset.

CRM & Automation:

• No direct CRM/Automation tools are specified for designers, but understanding how design integrates with CRM systems (e.g., Salesforce, HubSpot) or automation platforms used by operational teams (e.g., Zapier, custom internal tools) would be advantageous for designing seamless workflows.

📝 Enhancement Note: Figma is clearly highlighted as a core tool. The role implies a need for designers who can not only create beautiful interfaces but also understand how those interfaces function within a broader technological ecosystem, including potential integrations with operational automation systems.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Dream Big: Encourages ambitious goals and a visionary approach to solving industry-wide problems, requiring designers to think innovatively about the future of industrial staffing.

• Customer Obsession: A strong focus on delivering high-quality products and services that solve significant problems for both businesses and workers, demanding empathy and user-centric design.

• Growth Mindset: Embraces challenges, resilience, and continuous learning, suggesting an environment where designers are encouraged to experiment, learn from failures, and adapt quickly.

• Olympian’s Work Ethic: Emphasizes hard work, dedication, and a commitment to excellence, indicating a high-performance culture where team members strive for impactful contributions.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-functional Integration: Designers are expected to work closely with engineers, product managers, and operational teams, fostering a collaborative environment where diverse perspectives are valued.

• Feedback-Driven Iteration: The culture encourages actively sharing work and gathering feedback to drive continuous improvement, promoting a transparent and iterative design process.

• Problem-Solving Focus: The team is united by a mission to solve complex problems, valuing resourcefulness, adaptability, and a pragmatic approach to design challenges.

📝 Enhancement Note: Traba’s core values are deeply intertwined with the nature of the work – tackling a massive industry with AI and innovation. For a designer, this means aligning with a mission-driven team that values both big-picture thinking and rigorous execution. The emphasis on collaboration with operational teams highlights a culture that values practical application and real-world impact.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Designing for a Complex Industry: The industrial staffing sector has unique operational complexities and user needs (both for businesses and workers) that require deep understanding and innovative solutions.

• Balancing AI Innovation with Practicality: Translating cutting-edge AI capabilities into intuitive, user-friendly interfaces for a diverse user base, including those less tech-savvy.

• Evolving Design System: Driving the growth and governance of a design system in a rapidly developing startup environment, ensuring it scales effectively with the product.

• High Ownership in a Fast-Paced Environment: Navigating ambiguity and taking significant responsibility for design outcomes in a dynamic startup setting.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Deep Dive into AI and Automation: Gain hands-on experience designing for sophisticated AI-driven workflows and autonomous systems.

• Industry Expertise: Develop a strong understanding of the industrial labor market, logistics, and supply chain operations.

• Design Leadership: Opportunities to mentor junior designers, lead design initiatives, and influence product strategy as the company grows.

• Cross-Functional Acumen: Enhance skills in collaborating with and understanding the needs of engineering, product, and operational teams, fostering a holistic product development perspective.

📝 Enhancement Note: The primary challenge and growth opportunity lie in applying advanced design principles to a traditionally underserved and operationally intensive industry. Designers will have a chance to significantly shape the product and contribute to operational efficiency through innovative design.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you had to design for a user base with varying levels of technical proficiency. How did you ensure your design was accessible and effective for everyone?" (Focus on empathy, user research, and iterative testing).

• "How would you approach designing a system for matching industrial businesses with vetted workers, considering factors like skills, availability, location, and client requirements?" (Focus on understanding constraints, defining user flows, and proposing solutions).

Company & Culture Questions:

• "How do Traba's core values (Dream Big, Customer Obsession, Growth Mindset, Olympian’s Work Ethic) resonate with your personal work philosophy?" (Be ready to provide specific examples).

• "Describe your experience working in a fast-paced startup environment. How do you handle ambiguity and prioritize tasks?" (Highlight adaptability, proactiveness, and ability to structure work).

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure Your Narrative: For each case study, clearly outline the problem, your role and process, key decisions, challenges, and the measurable impact of your design.

• Emphasize Operational Impact: For this role, explicitly discuss how your designs addressed practical, on-the-ground operational needs or improved efficiency for users or the business.

• Showcase Design System Work: If applicable, dedicate a segment to your design system contributions, demonstrating its structure, components, and how it facilitates efficient development.

• Prepare for Q&A: Anticipate questions about your design choices, trade-offs, and how you would apply your experience to Traba's specific challenges. Be ready to discuss your understanding of the industrial staffing industry.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation should heavily focus on demonstrating an understanding of operational realities and how design can solve them. Candidates should be ready to articulate their experience in practical, impactful ways, aligning with Traba's values and mission.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Senior Product Designer position:

• Submit your resume and a comprehensive portfolio through the provided application link.

• Portfolio Customization: Ensure your portfolio clearly showcases projects demonstrating your ability to solve complex UX/UI challenges, your experience with design systems (especially Figma), and your user research process. Tailor your presentation to highlight any experience with operational efficiency or industrial/logistics sectors.

• Resume Optimization: Highlight your 5+ years of experience, specific design skills (Figma, prototyping, user research), and any experience in startup environments or cross-functional collaboration. Quantify achievements where possible.

• Interview Preparation: Practice articulating your design process, decision-making rationale, and the impact of your work. Prepare to discuss how you would approach designing for Traba's specific operational challenges. Rehearse presenting your portfolio case studies.

• Company Research: Thoroughly research Traba's mission, products, target users, and core values. Understand the challenges of the industrial staffing industry and how AI can be applied. This will be crucial for demonstrating cultural fit and strategic thinking.

⚠️ 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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