Senior Product Designer

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Senior Product Designer

Company: Esko (a Veralto Company)

Location: Multiple European locations (Ghent, Belgium preferred), Hybrid/Remote

Job Type: Full-time

Category: Product Design / UX/UI

Date Posted: May 22, 2026

Experience Level: Mid-Senior (7+ years)

Remote Status: Hybrid or Remote (Ghent, Belgium preferred)

🚀 Role Summary

• Lead end-to-end product design initiatives, from initial problem discovery and framing through to the delivery of validated, user-centered solutions for technically complex software products.

• Serve as an equal partner within a Product Trio (Product, Design, Engineering), actively shaping product direction, making strategic trade-offs, and driving value delivery.

• Design for platform-level consistency and scalability, ensuring cohesive user experiences across Esko's integrated software suite.

• Leverage AI tools responsibly and practically within the design process to enhance efficiency, explore alternatives, and accelerate learning.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is positioned as a critical, integrated member of the product development team, not a support function. The emphasis on "Product Trio" and "equal partner" signifies a high degree of autonomy and influence. The preference for Ghent suggests a strong desire for in-person collaboration, even within a hybrid/remote framework. The mention of "packaging design" and "go-to-market process of packaged goods" provides crucial industry context for potential applicants.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Spearhead the design process from early-stage discovery, user research, and problem definition to the creation and validation of robust design solutions.

• Proactively identify and frame the right user problems by asking insightful questions and thoroughly understanding user needs and technical constraints.

• Translate intricate workflows and complex technical requirements into intuitive, clear, and highly usable user experiences.

• Collaborate closely with Product Managers and R&D Engineers as a peer, contributing to strategic decision-making and trade-offs.

• Clearly articulate and defend design rationale, including the justification for specific trade-offs and the consideration of technical limitations.

• Advocate for the end-user's needs while effectively balancing them against business objectives and technical feasibility.

• Design with a platform-first mindset, identifying opportunities for reuse, consistency, and scalable patterns across multiple products and teams.

• Ensure a connected, coherent, and intentional user experience across the entire Esko platform.

• Create detailed design artifacts, including user flows, wireframes, high-fidelity mockups, and interactive prototypes.

• Actively utilize AI tools to augment the design process, focusing on areas like rapid prototyping, exploring design alternatives, summarizing research, and pressure-testing ideas.

• Contribute to and consistently apply the company's design system, ensuring a unified and efficient design language.

• Identify and propose new components, patterns, or improvements for the design system, working collaboratively with other designers and engineers.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a proactive and strategic approach to design, emphasizing problem-solving and cross-functional collaboration over mere execution. The explicit mention of AI integration suggests a forward-thinking company culture and a need for designers comfortable with emerging technologies.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

• Bachelor's degree in Design, Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), or a closely related field.

Experience:

Required Skills:

• Expert proficiency in Figma: Demonstrated ability to work with shared libraries, reusable components, auto layout, variants, and understand how to scale design decisions across multiple products and teams.

• Strong Visual Design Skills: Mastery of layout, typography, visual hierarchy, color theory, and attention to detail to create clear, compelling, and aesthetically sound designs.

• Design System Expertise: Proven experience in both applying existing design systems and contributing to their development and maintenance.

• User-Centered Design Methodologies: Deep understanding and practical application of UX principles, user research, and usability testing.

• Prototyping: Ability to create interactive prototypes to effectively communicate design concepts and test user flows.

• Problem Framing: Skill in defining and articulating user problems, translating complex requirements into actionable design challenges.

• Cross-functional Collaboration: Proven ability to work effectively within a "Product Trio" with product management and engineering teams.

• Communication & Presentation: Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to clearly explain design decisions and rationale to technical and non-technical stakeholders.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience designing for enterprise-level software or technically rich professional tools.

• Familiarity with AI tools and their application within the design workflow for efficiency and exploration.

• Experience in the packaging design or print production software industry.

• Understanding of agile development methodologies and participation in agile teams.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on Figma proficiency and design system experience is critical. The "equal partner" status in the Product Trio implies a need for strong product thinking, strategic acumen, and the ability to influence technical and product roadmaps. The requirement for 7+ years of experience indicates a senior-level role expecting significant autonomy and leadership.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Case Studies Demonstrating Problem-Solving: Showcase 2-3 detailed case studies that highlight your process from understanding a complex problem to delivering a validated design solution. Focus on the "why" behind your decisions.

• Platform Design Examples: Include examples of how you've approached designing for scalability, consistency, and reuse across multiple products or features within a larger system.

• Figma Mastery Showcase: Demonstrate your proficiency with Figma by showcasing examples of well-structured component libraries, auto layout usage, and design system integration.

• User-Centered Design Process: Clearly articulate your user research, testing, and iteration methodologies within your case studies, emphasizing how user feedback influenced design outcomes.

• AI Integration Examples (if applicable): If you have examples of using AI to enhance your design process (e.g., rapid prototyping, idea generation), include them to demonstrate your forward-thinking approach.

Process Documentation:

• Within your case studies, clearly document your design process, including:
  • Discovery & Framing: How you identified and defined the problem space.
  • Ideation & Prototyping: Your approach to generating and testing design concepts.
  • Iteration & Validation: How you incorporated feedback and validated your solutions.
  • Collaboration: How you worked with product management and engineering.
  • Design System Application: How you leveraged or contributed to a design system.

📝 Enhancement Note: A strong portfolio is paramount for this role. It should not just showcase final designs but the strategic thinking, process, and collaboration involved. The emphasis on platform design and design systems suggests a need for candidates who can think holistically and contribute to a scalable design infrastructure. Explicitly showing how AI was used is a plus.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

Benefits:

• Comprehensive health insurance and wellness programs.

• Generous paid time off (vacation, holidays, sick leave) aligned with local European standards.

• Opportunities for professional development, including training, conferences, and access to learning resources.

• Pension or retirement savings plans, compliant with local regulations.

• Potential for performance-based bonuses or other incentive programs.

• Hybrid/remote work flexibility, contributing to work-life balance.

Working Hours:

• Standard full-time working hours are typically around 37-40 hours per week, with flexibility offered due to the hybrid/remote nature of the role. Core working hours may be established for effective collaboration within the Product Trio, but overall schedule adherence is expected to align with local labor laws and team needs.

📝 Enhancement Note: Salary ranges are estimated based on typical senior product designer roles in Western Europe, considering the company's global presence and the specific countries listed. Benefits are generalized to reflect standard offerings for a multinational tech company in Europe.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Software Solutions for Packaging Design and Print Production. Esko provides integrated software and hardware solutions that streamline the go-to-market process for packaged goods.

Company Size: Esko is part of Veralto, a global leader with 17,000 associates. Esko itself is a significant player in its niche, suggesting a mid-to-large-sized software division.

Founded: Esko has a long history in the industry, though specific founding dates are not provided. Veralto was formed as a spin-off from Danaher in 2023.

Team Structure:

• The Senior Product Designer will be an integral part of a "Product Trio," comprising the Product Manager, Senior Product Designer, and Engineering Lead/team. This structure implies close-knit, agile, and collaborative teams focused on specific product areas.

• Design work is expected to be done within a broader design team that contributes to and maintains a shared design system.

Methodology:

• Agile Development: The role operates within a "product operating model," suggesting agile or lean development practices.

• User-Centered Design: A strong emphasis on understanding user problems and validating solutions through research and testing.

• Platform Thinking: Designing for consistency, reuse, and scalability across the entire product suite.

• Data-Informed Decisions: While not explicitly stated for design, the Veralto context implies a data-driven approach to business and product development.

• AI Integration: A proactive and thoughtful approach to incorporating AI as a tool to enhance design efficiency and exploration.

Company Website: https://www.esko.com/ | https://www.veralto.com/

📝 Enhancement Note: The Veralto affiliation provides significant context. Veralto emphasizes "Safeguarding the World's Most Vital Resources™" and a culture of innovation and purpose. This suggests Esko's products, while in packaging, contribute to efficiency and possibly sustainability within supply chains. The "Product Trio" model is key to understanding team dynamics.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This is a Senior Product Designer role, indicating a level of expertise and autonomy beyond mid-level positions. It involves leading design efforts, influencing product strategy, and contributing to design system evolution.

Reporting Structure: The role is part of a Product Trio, suggesting direct collaboration with Product Management and Engineering leads. The Senior Product Designer likely reports into a Design Lead, Head of Product Design, or potentially a Director of Product Management, depending on the organizational structure within Esko.

Operations Impact: The Senior Product Designer's work directly impacts the usability, efficiency, and adoption of Esko's complex software solutions. By designing intuitive and effective user experiences, they contribute to customer satisfaction, reduced training costs, improved productivity for users, and ultimately, the commercial success of Esko's products. Their platform-level thinking also ensures long-term product maintainability and scalability.

Growth Opportunities:

• Leadership in Design: Potential to lead design for major product initiatives or specific product lines.

• Design System Ownership: Opportunity to take a more prominent role in evolving and governing the design system, potentially leading to a Design System Lead position.

• Mentorship: Guide and mentor more junior designers within the team, fostering a culture of design excellence.

• Specialization: Deepen expertise in specific areas such as user research, interaction design, or the application of AI in design.

• Cross-Product Impact: Influence the user experience across Esko's entire platform, gaining broad product knowledge.

• Career Progression within Veralto: Potential opportunities within the larger Veralto network for roles in different companies or segments, leveraging acquired skills and experience.

📝 Enhancement Note: The growth path emphasizes leadership, system ownership, and strategic influence, aligning with typical senior-level career trajectories in tech design. The Veralto context offers broader, long-term career possibilities.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The role is described as "hybrid or remote," with a strong preference for Ghent, Belgium. This indicates a flexible work environment that balances in-office collaboration with remote autonomy.

Office Location(s): Multiple locations are listed across Europe, including Ghent (Belgium), Kremsmünster (Austria), Düsseldorf (Germany), Skanderborg (Denmark), Barcelona (Spain), Amersham (UK), Portugal, and Bromma (Sweden). The preference for Ghent suggests it may be a key hub for product development.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Environment: The "Product Trio" model fosters close collaboration among design, product, and engineering. Regular design critiques and team syncs are likely.

• Tools & Technology: Access to industry-standard design tools such as Figma, along with potential access to prototyping software and collaboration platforms.

• Cross-Functional Interaction: Frequent interaction with product managers, engineers, researchers, and potentially other designers and stakeholders across different departments.

• Focus on Innovation: A culture that encourages exploring new technologies like AI and applying them to design challenges.

Work Schedule: While full-time, the hybrid/remote nature offers flexibility. Core hours are likely established for effective team syncs, but individual schedules can often be adjusted to accommodate personal needs and optimize productivity, especially for remote team members.

📝 Enhancement Note: The hybrid/remote aspect is a significant draw, but the preference for Ghent should be noted. The description paints a picture of a modern, collaborative, and technologically forward work environment.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: HR or Talent Acquisition will review applications and resumes, looking for essential qualifications and alignment with the role.

• Hiring Manager/Design Lead Interview: A discussion focused on your experience, design philosophy, and understanding of the role's responsibilities. This may include behavioral questions.

• Portfolio Review & Presentation: A dedicated session where you present your portfolio case studies. Expect to walk through your process, decision-making, and the impact of your work. This is often the most critical stage.

• Product Trio/Team Interview: Meet with potential colleagues, including a Product Manager and Engineering representative, to assess collaboration style, technical understanding, and cultural fit. You may be asked to discuss hypothetical scenarios or design challenges.

• Final Interview (Optional): Potentially a final round with senior leadership to discuss strategic alignment and long-term fit.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select 2-3 of your strongest, most relevant case studies that showcase problem-solving, platform thinking, and Figma/design system proficiency.

• Tell a Story: Structure each case study as a narrative: the problem, your approach, the challenges, the solutions, the results, and your learnings.

• Highlight Your "Why": Be prepared to articulate the rationale behind every significant design decision. Focus on user needs and business objectives.

• Showcase Process, Not Just Pixels: Detail your research, ideation, iteration, and collaboration methods.

• Demonstrate Figma/Design System Skills: Be ready to show specific examples of component usage, library structure, and how you applied or contributed to a design system.

• Discuss AI Integration (if applicable): Clearly explain how AI tools were used, what value they added, and how human judgment remained central.

• Quantify Impact: Whenever possible, use metrics or qualitative feedback to demonstrate the impact of your design solutions.

• Practice Your Presentation: Rehearse your walkthrough to ensure clarity, conciseness, and confidence.

Challenge Preparation:

• While not explicitly mentioned, be prepared for potential design challenges, which could involve:

  • Problem-Solving Exercise: Analyzing a given problem and outlining a design approach.
  • Design Critique: Evaluating an existing design and providing constructive feedback.
  • Whiteboarding Session: Collaboratively sketching out ideas for a specific feature or workflow.

• Focus on your thought process, ability to ask clarifying questions, and how you approach complex or ambiguous problems.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process heavily emphasizes the portfolio and the ability to articulate one's design process and strategic thinking. Candidates should prepare to demonstrate not just design skills but also product sense and collaborative capabilities.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Figma: Essential tool for UI design, wireframing, prototyping, and collaboration. Proficiency with advanced features like components, auto layout, variants, and shared libraries is critical.

• Prototyping Tools: Figma's prototyping capabilities are key, but familiarity with other dedicated tools (e.g., InVision, Adobe XD) might be beneficial.

• AI Design Tools: Active use and exploration of AI tools for tasks such as rapid prototyping, generating design alternatives, summarizing research, and exploring ideas. Examples could include AI-powered plugins within Figma or standalone tools.

Analytics & Reporting:

CRM & Automation:

Design System Tools:

• Tools or platforms used for managing and accessing design system components and guidelines (e.g., Zeroheight, Storybook, or Figma's own capabilities).

📝 Enhancement Note: Figma is the non-negotiable core tool. The explicit mention of AI tools is a differentiator, suggesting a need for candidates who are not just aware of AI but actively experimenting with it in their design practice.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Purpose-Driven Innovation: A strong focus on creating meaningful work that has an everyday impact, aligned with Veralto's mission of safeguarding vital resources.

• User Empathy & Focus: Placing the user at the forefront of all design decisions, understanding their needs and challenges, especially within complex professional software environments.

• Collaboration & Partnership: Valuing teamwork, open communication, and equitable partnerships within the Product Trio and the broader design community.

• Data-Informed & Pragmatic: Making decisions based on evidence and user feedback, while also considering business goals and technical feasibility.

• Continuous Learning & Adaptability: Embracing new technologies (like AI) and methodologies, fostering a culture of continuous improvement and skill development.

• Inclusivity & Diversity: Actively encouraging applications from diverse backgrounds and fostering an inclusive workplace.

Collaboration Style:

• Product Trio Model: Highly collaborative and integrated working style within small, cross-functional teams (Product, Design, Engineering).

• Design Critiques: Regular feedback sessions and design reviews to ensure quality and share learnings across the design team.

• Transparent Communication: Open sharing of ideas, challenges, and decisions, with a focus on clear rationale.

• Iterative Approach: Working in cycles of design, feedback, and refinement, embracing experimentation and learning.

📝 Enhancement Note: The company culture emphasizes purpose, user-centricity, and collaborative innovation. The "Product Trio" model is central to how teams operate, requiring strong interpersonal and communication skills.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Designing for Complexity: Tackling technically rich, professional software environments that require deep understanding of user workflows and business logic.

• Balancing Stakeholder Needs: Effectively mediating between user needs, business objectives, and technical constraints within the Product Trio.

• Platform Consistency: Ensuring a cohesive and scalable user experience across a broad suite of interconnected products.

• Integrating AI Thoughtfully: Leveraging AI tools effectively and ethically without compromising human judgment, empathy, or core design principles.

• Driving Design Adoption: Championing design best practices and the design system across multiple product teams and stakeholders.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Advanced Design Skills: Deepen expertise in interaction design, UX research, or visual design through challenging projects.

• Platform Design Strategy: Gain experience in architecting user experiences for complex, integrated software platforms.

• AI in Design Exploration: Become a leader in applying AI tools to enhance the design process, potentially defining best practices for the company.

• Leadership & Mentorship: Grow into a design leadership role, guiding teams and mentoring junior designers.

• Industry Exposure: Work on products used by professionals globally in the packaging and print industries, offering unique domain knowledge.

• Veralto Network: Access to broader learning and development opportunities within the parent company, Veralto.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges are typical for senior roles in complex B2B SaaS, offering significant opportunities for professional growth for those who can navigate them successfully.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you led the design process for a complex software feature from initial discovery to launch. What was your process, and what were the key outcomes?" (Focus on problem framing, user research, iteration, and collaboration within a Product Trio.)

• "How do you approach designing for platform consistency and scalability? Can you provide an example from your portfolio?" (Highlight your understanding of design systems and thinking beyond individual features.)

• "Discuss your experience using AI tools in your design workflow. What specific tools have you used, and how did they enhance your process? What are your thoughts on the ethical considerations of AI in design?" (Be prepared to share concrete examples and articulate a balanced perspective.)

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What interests you about Esko and Veralto's mission?" (Research Esko's products and Veralto's overarching goal of "Safeguarding the World's Most Vital Resources™".)

• "How do you see your role contributing to a 'Product Trio' and fostering collaboration with product and engineering?" (Emphasize your partnership approach and communication style.)

• "Describe your experience with design systems. How do you ensure consistency while also contributing to the system's evolution?" (Connect this to your portfolio examples.)

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Start with the "Why": For each case study, begin by clearly stating the problem you were trying to solve and the user(s) you were designing for.

• Structure Your Narrative: Follow a logical flow: Problem > Research > Ideation > Design > Testing > Solution > Impact > Learnings.

• Showcase Your Process: Don't just show final screens. Explain your steps, your reasoning, and the feedback you received and acted upon.

• Highlight Figma/Design System Usage: Point out specific examples of component usage, auto layout, and how the design system was applied or extended.

• Discuss Trade-offs: Be open about the decisions you had to make and why, especially when balancing different constraints.

• Quantify Results: Use metrics, user feedback quotes, or business impact statements to demonstrate the success of your designs.

• Be Prepared for Deep Dives: Anticipate questions about specific design choices, your collaboration methods, and your thought process.

Challenge Preparation:

• Be ready to think aloud and articulate your problem-solving approach on the spot.

• Focus on asking clarifying questions to understand the problem fully.

• Sketch out ideas clearly and explain your rationale as you go.

• Demonstrate an understanding of user needs and business context.

📝 Enhancement Note: Preparation should focus on articulating design strategy, process, and collaborative capabilities, supported by strong portfolio examples. Understanding Veralto's mission and Esko's product space will be advantageous.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Senior Product Designer position:

• Navigate to the Veralto Global careers portal via the provided URL.

• Submit your application, ensuring all required fields are completed accurately.

• Portfolio Customization: Tailor your portfolio to highlight relevant case studies demonstrating experience with complex software, platform design, Figma proficiency, and design system contributions. Prioritize examples that showcase your problem-solving process and impact.

• Resume Optimization: Ensure your resume clearly articulates your 7+ years of experience, highlighting key skills such as Figma, design systems, user-centered design, and cross-functional collaboration. Use keywords from the job description.

• Interview Preparation: Thoroughly review your portfolio case studies and practice presenting them. Prepare answers to common interview questions related to design strategy, collaboration, and AI integration.

• Company Research: Familiarize yourself with Esko's products, Veralto's mission, and the company's values to demonstrate genuine interest and cultural alignment.

⚠️ Important Notice: This enhanced job description includes AI-generated insights and industry-standard assumptions relevant to operations roles. All details should be verified directly with the hiring organization before making application decisions.