Senior Product Designer (Contract or FTE)

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Senior Product Designer (Contract or FTE)

Company: Momentum IO

Location: London, England, United Kingdom

Job Type: Full-Time

Category: Product Design / Service Design / UX/UI Design

Date Posted: 2026-09-14

Experience Level: Mid-Senior (4+ years)

Remote Status: Hybrid/Remote (with London GMT/BST timezone alignment)

🚀 Role Summary

• Drive product and service design outcomes at the intersection of business analysis, service design, and digital product experience, requiring strong craft and confidence.

• Shape strategy and execute hands-on research, insight gathering, UX/UI system design, and AI-driven thinking integration.

• Collaborate with global clients and distributed teams, facilitating workshops and guiding conversations through complexity.

• Design multi-channel, multi-touch experiences that integrate brand, experience, and value across physical, digital, and human interactions.

• Work across diverse industries and problems, from mobility and healthcare to finance and sustainability, leveraging AI and emerging technologies.

📝 Enhancement Note: The role emphasizes a holistic approach to design, extending beyond digital interfaces to encompass entire customer journeys and service ecosystems. The "AI IQ" requirement suggests a strong focus on integrating AI capabilities into both the design process and the final product.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Lead and execute user research, including customer interviews, validation sessions, and usability testing, to gather actionable insights.

• Synthesize research findings into strategic deliverables such as mental models, personas, user flows, and customer journey maps.

• Design and develop comprehensive UX/UI systems, including interaction and visual design, ensuring scalability and modularity.

• Facilitate client and internal workshops to uncover opportunities, define strategies, and build conviction around design solutions.

• Embed AI-driven thinking and advanced technologies (e.g., prompt engineering, agentic architectures) into product and service ecosystems.

• Architect end-to-end experiences across digital and physical touchpoints, considering the entire service ecosystem.

• Develop compelling narratives and storytelling to communicate design concepts and their business value to stakeholders.

• Collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams and clients across different time zones, fostering a partnership approach.

• Prototype and experiment with emerging technologies, including motion design, 3D, AR, and VR, to enhance user experiences.

• Connect design decisions to measurable business outcomes and frame trade-offs effectively.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a blend of strategic thinking and hands-on execution, with a strong emphasis on client-facing activities and the integration of cutting-edge technologies like AI. The need to "design for the whole" implies a systems-thinking approach to complex problem-solving.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: While no specific degree is mandated, a strong portfolio demonstrating equivalent experience and expertise in product design, UX/UI, and service design principles is paramount.

Experience: 4+ years of dedicated experience in product design, with a proven track record of excellence in interaction and visual design.

Required Skills:

• Portfolio Excellence: A robust portfolio showcasing end-to-end product design projects, with a strong emphasis on interaction and visual design craft.

• Full-Spectrum Design: Proficiency across research, synthesis, strategy development, and UX/UI delivery.

• AI Fluency: A strong understanding of AI as a design material and system architecture, with a self-rated AI IQ of 4 or 5 (on a 1-5 scale). Skills in prompt engineering, agentic architectures, and rapid prototyping workflows are highly valued.

• Systems Thinking: Ability to design for complex ecosystems, organizations, and cross-channel interactions.

• Workshop Facilitation: Confidence and skill in leading client and team workshops, driving collaborative problem-solving.

• Craftsmanship: Proficient in modern design tools, particularly Figma, and capable of building modular, scalable design systems and prototypes.

• Communication: Excellent written and spoken English proficiency is essential for this role.

• Business Acumen: Ability to connect design decisions to measurable business outcomes and articulate trade-offs.

• Collaboration: Proven ability to work effectively in distributed teams across time zones, demonstrating empathy and a willingness to share knowledge.

• Adaptability: Demonstrates curiosity, adaptability, empathy, and critical thinking.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience with "vibe coding," prompt engineering, agentic architectures, and rapid prototyping workflows.

• Experience in motion design, 3D, AR, or VR experimentation.

• Familiarity with designing for specific industries like mobility, healthcare, finance, or sustainability.

• Experience in planning and conducting user, customer, and stakeholder interviews.

• Performing heuristic evaluations and expert reviews.

• Creating and communicating information architecture deliverables.

• Storytelling and narrative development for design concepts.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on "AI IQ" and specific AI-related skills like prompt engineering and agentic architectures indicates a forward-thinking and technologically advanced design group. The requirement for a strong portfolio is non-negotiable.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Demonstrated Process: Clearly articulate your design process from research and ideation through to final delivery and iteration.

• Impactful Case Studies: Showcase 2-3 detailed case studies highlighting complex problems, your strategic approach, and quantifiable outcomes.

• UX/UI System Design: Include examples of scalable design systems, component libraries, and interaction pattern design.

• AI Integration Examples: If applicable, demonstrate how AI was leveraged in the design process or as a feature within the product.

• Collaboration Evidence: Highlight instances of effective cross-functional and client collaboration.

Process Documentation:

• Workflow Clarity: Present clear documentation of project workflows, including research methodologies, synthesis techniques, and design iteration cycles.

• System Architecture: Showcase an understanding of how design systems integrate with development and contribute to product scalability.

• Performance Metrics: Detail how design decisions were measured against business objectives and user success metrics.

• AI Implementation: If relevant, illustrate the process of integrating AI into the product or design workflow.

📝 Enhancement Note: The portfolio is critical for this role, serving as tangible proof of the candidate's ability to handle complex projects, integrate advanced technologies like AI, and deliver measurable business impact. It should go beyond visual aesthetics to demonstrate strategic thinking and process rigor.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: For a Senior Product Designer in London with 4+ years of experience, the estimated annual salary range is between £65,000 and £95,000, depending on the contract versus FTE status, specific experience, and the depth of AI expertise. For contract roles, hourly rates could range from £40 to £70 per hour.

Benefits:

• Competitive Salary/Rate: A compensation package commensurate with experience and market standards.

• Global Collaboration: Opportunities to work with international clients and a diverse, distributed team.

• Diverse Projects: Exposure to a wide array of challenging projects across various industries (e.g., health, climate, finance, mobility).

• Professional Growth: Continuous learning opportunities, exposure to cutting-edge AI technologies, and chances to influence impactful products and services.

• Flexibility: Options for hybrid or remote work arrangements, with flexibility in collaboration hours (while aligning with London GMT/BST timezone).

• Impact Creation: The chance to influence real-world products and services used by millions globally.

Working Hours: A standard 40-hour work week is expected. Flexibility in daily scheduling is available, provided there is alignment with the London office's GMT/BST working hours for effective collaboration with the team and clients. Occasional travel (less than 20%) may be required for client engagements or team activities.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary estimate is based on industry benchmarks for Senior Product Designers in London, considering the hybrid/remote nature and the specialized AI skills requested. Benefits are aligned with the company's stated perks, emphasizing growth and global exposure.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Product Design & Consulting, Technology, AI, Service Design. Momentum IO operates at the forefront of design innovation, blending business strategy with cutting-edge technology to solve complex challenges for global brands.

Company Size: Momentum IO is a global company with team members distributed across time zones. While specific numbers aren't provided, the emphasis on distributed teams and global clients suggests a medium to large-sized organization with a strong international presence. This size allows for diverse project exposure and cross-cultural collaboration.

Founded: The founding date is not specified, but the company's description suggests it is an established entity with a mature approach to product and service design, focusing on creating clarity, confidence, and transformation for its clients.

Team Structure:

• The design team is characterized by its fluid structure, with designers moving across the entire design process and embedding AI-driven thinking.

• There's a strong emphasis on cross-functional collaboration, both internally within design and with other disciplines (data, engineering, business strategy), and externally with clients.

• The team operates with a global mindset, requiring seamless collaboration across different time zones. Methodology:

• Research & Insight Driven: A core methodology involves hands-on research, insight gathering, and synthesis to inform design decisions.

• Collaborative Partnership: Clients are treated as true partners, with extensive engagement through workshops and co-creation.

• AI Integration: AI is not just a tool but a fundamental aspect of their design material and system architecture, driving innovation and efficiency.

• Systems Thinking: Design solutions are approached holistically, considering entire ecosystems, services, and interactions across multiple touchpoints.

Company Website: momentum.io

📝 Enhancement Note: Momentum IO positions itself as a premium design group that tackles high-impact business challenges using a blend of strategic design, deep client collaboration, and advanced technology, particularly AI. The culture values broad skill sets and adaptability.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is positioned at a Senior Product Designer level. It demands not only excellent craft in interaction and visual design but also strategic thinking, leadership in client engagements, and a deep understanding of AI's role in modern product development. The scope extends beyond individual contributions to guiding teams and shaping significant project outcomes.

Reporting Structure: While not explicitly detailed, Senior Designers typically report to Design Leads or Directors. The role involves significant autonomy and leadership in client-facing scenarios, implying a direct reporting line that allows for strategic guidance and mentorship. Collaboration is expected across various teams, including data, engineering, and business strategy.

Operations Impact: The impact of this role is significant, directly influencing the success of global brands, startups, and category leaders. Designers at Momentum IO shape products and services used by millions, driving innovation, reducing risk, and creating tangible business value and transformation through design. Their work can redefine industries and address critical global challenges like climate change and healthcare accessibility.

Growth Opportunities:

• Skill Specialization & Expansion: Deepen expertise in AI-driven design, prompt engineering, agentic architectures, and emerging technologies (3D, AR/VR).

• Industry Breadth: Gain extensive experience across diverse sectors like healthcare, mobility, finance, and sustainability, broadening market understanding.

• Leadership Development: Opportunities to lead client workshops, mentor junior designers, and influence project strategy, paving a path toward Design Lead or Director roles.

• Global Exposure: Enhance cross-cultural collaboration skills and gain insights into how design operates in different global contexts.

• Innovation Frontier: Work at the cutting edge of AI, design, and technology, contributing to novel solutions and thought leadership.

📝 Enhancement Note: The career path at Momentum IO appears to reward versatility and strategic impact. Growth is driven by exposure to complex, high-stakes projects and the opportunity to develop expertise in emerging technologies like AI, leading to leadership opportunities.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The company offers a flexible work environment, supporting hybrid or fully remote arrangements. While a physical London office exists, the emphasis is on global collaboration and asynchronous work where possible, aligning with the company's distributed team structure.

Office Location(s): The primary location mentioned is London, England, United Kingdom. However, the role is open to international candidates within reasonable time zones, indicating a global operational footprint.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Hub: The London office likely serves as a hub for in-person collaboration, client meetings, and team events, fostering a sense of community.

• Technology-Rich: Designers will have access to modern design tools (Figma) and cutting-edge technology, including AI platforms and prototyping software, essential for their work.

• Global Connectivity: The environment is highly connected, facilitating seamless communication and collaboration with colleagues and clients worldwide through digital platforms.

Work Schedule: A standard 40-hour work week is the baseline. The company values flexibility, allowing for adaptable schedules as long as critical collaboration hours with the London GMT/BST timezone are maintained. This structure supports work-life balance while ensuring project continuity and client responsiveness.

📝 Enhancement Note: The work environment is designed for flexibility and global reach, catering to both remote and hybrid preferences. The focus is on effective collaboration and leveraging technology to bridge geographical distances.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: Review of resume and portfolio link for alignment with core requirements, especially experience, craft, and AI understanding.

• Portfolio Deep Dive: A session with a design lead or team member to walk through selected case studies, focusing on process, problem-solving, AI integration, and impact.

• Skills & Strategy Interview: Discussion on your approach to research, strategy, UX/UI design, client facilitation, and how you integrate AI into your work.

• Cross-Functional/Team Interview: Interaction with potential colleagues from design, data, or engineering to assess collaboration style and cultural fit.

• Final Round: May involve a more strategic discussion, a hypothetical design challenge, or a presentation to senior leadership.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Process Over Polish: While visual quality matters, emphasize the why and how behind your design decisions. Detail your research, strategy, and problem-solving process.

• Quantify Impact: Use metrics and data to demonstrate the business value and user success of your projects. Explain how your design efforts led to measurable outcomes.

• Showcase AI Integration: Clearly articulate any instances where AI was used in the design process or as a feature. Explain the rationale and the outcomes.

• Tailor to Momentum IO: Highlight projects that align with Momentum IO's focus on complex challenges, service design, and AI integration.

• Clarity and Conciseness: Ensure your portfolio is easy to navigate and that case studies are presented clearly and concisely.

Challenge Preparation:

• Design Thinking Application: Be ready to discuss how you would approach a hypothetical design problem presented by the interviewer, focusing on your methodology.

• AI Strategy: Prepare to articulate your thoughts on how AI can be leveraged to solve specific business or user problems relevant to Momentum IO's client base.

• Stakeholder Management: Practice explaining complex design concepts and trade-offs to non-designers and defending your decisions with rationale.

• Systems Thinking Examples: Be prepared to discuss projects where you designed for broader systems or ecosystems, not just isolated interfaces.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process heavily relies on the portfolio as a gateway. Candidates should prepare to articulate their design process, strategic thinking, and specific experience with AI in a compelling and data-driven manner.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Figma: Essential for UI design, prototyping, and collaboration. Proficiency in creating and managing design systems within Figma is expected.

• Prototyping Tools: Beyond Figma, familiarity with other advanced prototyping tools for richer interactions or specific use cases may be beneficial.

• Research & Synthesis Tools: Tools for user interview transcription, analysis, and synthesis (e.g., Dovetail, Miro, Mural) are likely utilized.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Web Analytics: Familiarity with platforms like Google Analytics or similar tools to understand user behavior and measure design impact.

• Data Visualization Tools: Experience with tools for creating dashboards and reports (e.g., Tableau, Power BI, Looker) to communicate insights.

CRM & Automation:

• While not core design tools, an understanding of how design integrates with CRM systems (e.g., Salesforce) and automation platforms is advantageous for designing end-to-end experiences. AI & Emerging Tech:

• AI Platforms: Experience with or understanding of AI/ML platforms, APIs, and concepts relevant to product development.

• Prompt Engineering Tools: Familiarity with tools and techniques for effective prompt engineering.

• 3D/AR/VR Software: Experience with tools for creating 3D assets or immersive experiences if applicable to specific projects.

📝 Enhancement Note: The core tool is Figma, but the role requires adaptability and a willingness to explore and integrate emerging technologies, especially AI, into the design workflow. Understanding how design impacts broader business systems is also key.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Design as a Core Driver: A fundamental belief that design is central to business value and human experience, not just an aesthetic layer.

• Collaboration & Partnership: Emphasis on working closely with clients and internal teams as true partners, fostering open communication and co-creation.

• Curiosity & Adaptability: A culture that encourages continuous learning, exploration of new technologies (especially AI), and adaptability to diverse and complex challenges.

• Impact & Transformation: A drive to create clarity, confidence, and significant transformation for clients through impactful design solutions.

• Systems Thinking: Valuing a holistic approach to design, considering the entire ecosystem of interactions and services.

Collaboration Style:

• Global & Distributed: Seamlessly collaborating across time zones and geographical locations using digital tools.

• Workshop-Centric: Frequent use of workshops for ideation, strategy development, and client alignment.

• Knowledge Sharing: An environment where peers learn from each other, share insights, and collectively build expertise, particularly in AI and emerging technologies.

• Empirical & Data-Informed: Design decisions are grounded in research and data, with an emphasis on measuring outcomes and iterating based on performance.

📝 Enhancement Note: The culture at Momentum IO is built around innovation, deep collaboration, and a results-oriented approach where design is a strategic lever for business success. The embrace of AI is a significant cultural differentiator.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Navigating Complexity: Designing for intricate ecosystems and multi-channel experiences requires strong systems thinking and the ability to manage ambiguity.

• Integrating AI: Staying at the forefront of AI's evolving role in design and product development, and effectively translating its potential into user-centric solutions.

• Global Collaboration Dynamics: Effectively managing communication, cultural nuances, and time zone differences in a globally distributed team environment.

• Balancing Craft and Strategy: Ensuring a high level of design execution while also driving strategic direction and business alignment.

• Rapid Technology Evolution: Keeping pace with advancements in AI, AR/VR, and other emerging technologies and understanding their application in design.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• AI Specialization: Deepen expertise in AI applications for design, including prompt engineering, generative AI, and ethical AI considerations.

• Industry Immersion: Gain in-depth knowledge and experience across a wide range of industries, understanding unique market dynamics and user needs.

• Leadership Skills: Develop skills in client management, workshop facilitation, and mentoring to advance into leadership roles.

• Cross-Disciplinary Learning: Collaborate closely with data scientists, engineers, and business strategists to gain a broader understanding of product development.

• Emerging Tech Exploration: Opportunities to experiment with and integrate new technologies like 3D, AR/VR into design projects.

📝 Enhancement Note: The role presents challenges that are also significant growth opportunities, particularly in mastering AI integration and navigating complex, global projects. The company actively supports continuous learning and skill expansion.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you had to design for a complex ecosystem with multiple touchpoints. What was your approach, and what were the key challenges?" (Focus on systems thinking, process, and impact.)

• "How do you see AI evolving product design in the next 3-5 years? Provide an example of how you've leveraged AI in a past project or how you would approach designing an AI-powered feature." (Demonstrate AI IQ, strategic thinking, and practical application.)

• "Walk me through a challenging client workshop you facilitated. How did you manage differing opinions and drive consensus towards a design solution?" (Highlight facilitation skills, stakeholder management, and conflict resolution.) Company & Culture Questions:

• "What interests you most about Momentum IO's approach to product and service design, particularly our integration of AI?" (Show research and alignment with company values.)

• "How do you approach collaboration within a globally distributed team with varying time zones?" (Assess adaptability and cross-cultural communication skills.)

• "Describe a project where your design decisions had a significant impact on business outcomes. How did you measure that impact?" (Focus on business acumen and data-driven results.) Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Narrative Arc: Structure your portfolio presentation around a clear narrative for each case study: problem, process, solution, and outcome.

• Highlight AI & Systems: Explicitly call out where and how AI was utilized and demonstrate your systems-thinking approach.

• Quantify Everything: Be ready to discuss metrics, KPIs, and ROI for your projects. If exact numbers aren't available, explain the expected impact and how it would be measured.

• Interactive Elements: If possible, use interactive prototypes or live demos to showcase your work. Be prepared to explain design choices in real-time.

• Ask Insightful Questions: Prepare questions about their design process, client engagement models, and AI strategy to demonstrate engagement and strategic thinking.

📝 Enhancement Note: Candidates should prepare to articulate their design process, strategic thinking, and specific experience with AI in a compelling and data-driven manner, using their portfolio as a primary tool for demonstration.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Senior Product Designer position:

• Submit your application, including a link to your portfolio, through the provided application link.

• Portfolio Customization: Ensure your portfolio clearly showcases your experience in interaction design, visual design, service design, and especially your AI IQ. Tailor your case studies to highlight projects involving complex systems, AI integration, and measurable business impact.

• Resume Optimization: Update your resume to highlight your 4+ years of experience, specific tool proficiencies (Figma, AI tools), and achievements in research, strategy, and UX/UI delivery. Use keywords from the job description.

• Interview Preparation: Practice articulating your design process, strategic thinking, and AI integration experience. Prepare to walk through your portfolio case studies with a focus on problem-solving, methodology, and quantifiable results.

• Company Research: Familiarize yourself with Momentum IO's work, clients, and their stated values, particularly their emphasis on AI and transformative design. Understand how your skills and experience align with their mission and culture.

⚠️ 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.