Senior Product Designer (f/m/d)

think-cell Software
Full-time•Berlin, Germany

šŸ“ Job Overview

Job Title: Senior Product Designer (f/m/d)

Company: think-cell Software

Location: Berlin (Germany)

Job Type: Full-Time

Category: Product Design / User Experience

Date Posted: 2026-08-13

Experience Level: Mid-Senior Level

Remote Status: On-site

šŸš€ Role Summary

  • Lead end-to-end product design for an AI-powered product, driving user experience from concept to launch.

  • Collaborate closely with Product Managers and Engineers in a core product team, focusing on solving real customer problems through intuitive design solutions.

  • Conduct user research, customer interviews, and usability testing to ensure designs are grounded in evidence and user needs.

  • Influence product direction and long-term vision by advocating for the best possible user experience, balancing technical constraints and business goals.

  • Elevate overall design quality within the product area by identifying patterns and creating reusable design system components.

šŸ“ Enhancement Note: This role is positioned as a Senior Product Designer, indicating a need for significant autonomy, strategic input, and the ability to mentor or guide less experienced designers, though direct management is not explicitly stated. The emphasis on "owning the experience" and "shaping direction" suggests a high degree of influence and responsibility beyond typical execution-focused design roles.

šŸ“ˆ Primary Responsibilities

  • Own the complete user experience lifecycle for the product, from initial ideation and concept development through to the final implementation and post-launch iteration.

  • Design comprehensive user journeys and craft intuitive, delightful interfaces tailored for a data-rich, highly visual product environment.

  • Actively participate in product discovery, translating customer insights and problem statements into tangible prototypes, user flows, and validated solution designs.

  • Execute user research initiatives, including customer interviews and usability tests, and rapidly iterate on designs based on research findings and feedback.

  • Engage directly in client calls to maintain a deep understanding of real customer needs and to inform design decisions effectively.

  • Proactively influence the product's strategic direction and long-term vision in close partnership with Product Management and Engineering teams.

  • Champion the voice of the customer, advocating for optimal user experiences while effectively balancing technical limitations and overarching business objectives.

  • Ground design suggestions and critical decisions in quantitative and qualitative data wherever possible to ensure evidence-based design choices.

  • Serve as an embedded member of the product team, fostering close collaboration with Product, Engineering, Design, and Data teams.

  • Identify emerging design patterns and contribute to the creation of reusable solutions to enhance design quality and consistency across the product area.

šŸ“ Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a hands-on approach with significant strategic influence. The emphasis on "owning the experience," "leading discovery," and "shaping direction" points to a role that requires not just design execution but also strategic product thinking and user advocacy.

šŸŽ“ Skills & Qualifications

Education: While no specific degree is mandated, a strong educational foundation in Design, Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), Computer Science, or a related field is typically expected for a Senior Product Designer. Emphasis will be placed on practical experience and portfolio quality.

Experience: 4+ years of dedicated product design experience, with a proven track record in designing complex B2B, SaaS, or productivity software solutions from inception to deployment.

Required Skills:

  • Extensive experience in end-to-end product design for complex B2B, SaaS, or productivity software.

  • Proven ability to design intuitive, delightful interfaces for data-rich and highly visual products.

  • Strong command of modern design tools, with a specific requirement for proficiency in Figma.

  • Demonstrated expertise in rapid, high-fidelity prototyping, including an understanding of AI-assisted design approaches.

  • Solid experience conducting user research, usability testing, and customer interviews.

  • Ability to translate ambiguous, loosely defined problems into clear design solutions and actionable plans.

  • Experience in building upon and evolving design systems to ensure consistency and scalability.

  • Fluency in English, both written and spoken, for effective communication within an international team. Preferred Skills:

  • Specific interest or prior experience with AI-powered and data-heavy products.

  • Familiarity with presentation or data-visualization tools.

  • Experience in agile development environments.

šŸ“ Enhancement Note: The requirement for "AI-assisted approaches" in prototyping and an "interest in AI-powered products" indicates a forward-looking approach to design tools and product development, suggesting the company is actively integrating AI into its workflows and offerings.

šŸ“Š Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

  • A comprehensive portfolio showcasing end-to-end design journeys for complex B2B, SaaS, or productivity software.

  • Demonstrations of how user research, customer insights, and usability testing informed design decisions and led to measurable outcomes.

  • Examples of intuitive and delightful interface designs, particularly those handling data-rich or highly visual content.

  • Evidence of collaboration with Product Managers and Engineers, illustrating the design process from discovery to shipped features.

  • Case studies detailing the evolution and application of design system components or the building of new ones.

  • Prototypes, preferably created with modern tools like Figma, showcasing high-fidelity interaction design. Process Documentation:

  • Examples of how you have led discovery phases, turning problem statements into validated solution designs and user flows.

  • Documentation of user research methodologies and findings, illustrating how insights were synthesized and applied to design iterations.

  • Case studies that highlight your ability to balance technical constraints and business goals with user experience needs.

  • Evidence of influencing product direction and strategy through design proposals and data-backed recommendations.

šŸ“ Enhancement Note: The portfolio requirement is heavily focused on demonstrating end-to-end ownership and impact, specifically for complex B2B/SaaS products. The emphasis on "measurable outcomes" and "validated solution designs" signals a need for designers who can prove the effectiveness of their work.

šŸ’µ Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: For a Senior Product Designer in Berlin, Germany, with 4+ years of experience in B2B SaaS product design, the estimated annual salary range is €70,000 - €95,000. This estimate considers the cost of living in Berlin, the demand for senior design talent, and industry benchmarks for similar roles. Factors such as specific experience, portfolio strength, and interview performance may influence the final offer.

Benefits:

  • Competitive salary and potential for performance-based bonuses.

  • Comprehensive health insurance and retirement benefits tailored to German employment standards.

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

  • A collaborative and innovative work environment with a focus on employee growth and well-being.

  • Contribution to a product used by millions worldwide, impacting productivity across major global enterprises.

  • Potential for stock options or equity, depending on company policy for senior roles.

Working Hours: The standard working hours are 40 hours per week, with flexibility offered to accommodate individual work styles and project needs, aligning with the company's focus on productivity and efficiency.

šŸ“ Enhancement Note: Salary estimation is based on current market data for Senior Product Designers in Berlin, Germany, factoring in the specified experience level and industry (B2B SaaS). Benefits are typical for tech companies in Germany but are generalized as specific details were not provided.

šŸŽÆ Team & Company Context

šŸ¢ Company Culture

Industry: Software Development / Productivity Tools. think-cell operates in the high-value B2B software market, creating essential tools that integrate with Microsoft Office, focusing on enhancing professional productivity and data visualization. The company's success is built on technical excellence and deep understanding of user needs within complex professional workflows.

Company Size: Over 220 employees. This size suggests a stable, established company that has achieved significant market penetration but retains an agile and collaborative environment, avoiding excessive bureaucracy.

Founded: 2002. With over two decades of history, think-cell has a strong foundation, a mature product suite, and a deep understanding of its market, while still fostering innovation.

Team Structure:

  • The design team is likely embedded within product-specific teams, comprising a Product Manager, Engineers, and this Senior Product Designer.

  • Reporting structures are not explicitly detailed, but a Senior Designer would typically report to a Head of Design, Design Lead, or a Director of Product, with close collaboration across product functions.

  • Cross-functional collaboration is a cornerstone, with designers working "from discovery onward" alongside product and engineering, and engaging directly with customers. Methodology:

  • Data-driven design: Emphasis on grounding design decisions in data, user research, and measurable outcomes.

  • Customer-centric approach: Prioritizing the delivery of lasting value by deeply understanding and addressing customer needs.

  • Iterative development: Encouraging quick iteration based on user feedback and research findings.

  • Agile principles: Working within product teams that likely follow agile methodologies for efficient development cycles.

Company Website: https://www.think-cell.com/

šŸ“ Enhancement Note: The company description emphasizes its established presence, global reach, and focus on productivity software. The culture is characterized by innovation, collaboration, and a commitment to excellence, which is further reinforced by their stated values.

šŸ“ˆ Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is firmly at the Senior level. A Senior Product Designer at think-cell is expected to take significant ownership, drive product strategy from a design perspective, and operate with a high degree of autonomy. They are critical contributors to product direction, not just executors of tasks. This level implies a capacity for complex problem-solving, strategic thinking, and potentially mentoring junior team members.

Reporting Structure: While not explicitly stated, a Senior Product Designer typically reports to a Design Lead, Head of Design, or Product Director. They work as a core member of a product team, collaborating closely with Product Managers and Engineers. The emphasis is on team-based collaboration rather than a strict hierarchical command structure for day-to-day work.

Operations Impact: The Senior Product Designer has a direct and substantial impact on the product's success by shaping user experience, which is critical for adoption and retention in productivity software. Their work directly influences customer satisfaction, efficiency gains for users, and ultimately, the perceived value and market competitiveness of think-cell's AI product.

Growth Opportunities:

  • Specialization: Deepen expertise in AI-powered product design, data visualization, or complex B2B SaaS UX.

  • Leadership: Transition into a Lead Product Designer role, managing a design team or a larger product area, or taking on more strategic product leadership responsibilities.

  • Mentorship: Guide and mentor junior designers, contributing to the overall growth of the design practice within think-cell.

  • Cross-functional Influence: Expand influence across product strategy, contributing more broadly to the company's product roadmap and vision.

šŸ“ Enhancement Note: The "Senior" title and emphasis on "owning," "leading," and "shaping" strongly suggest this role offers significant autonomy and strategic influence, paving the way for further career progression within the company's design or product leadership tracks.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The role is based in Berlin, Germany, and is described as "On-site." This indicates a traditional office-based work environment, fostering in-person collaboration and team cohesion.

Office Location(s): Berlin, Germany. This location is a major tech hub in Europe, offering a vibrant professional community and a high quality of life. Specific details about the office layout or amenities would need to be confirmed directly.

Workspace Context:

  • Collaborative Environment: The job description emphasizes close collaboration with Product Managers and Engineers, suggesting an open and interactive workspace designed to facilitate team communication and brainstorming.

  • Tools and Technology: Access to modern design tools (e.g., Figma) and potentially AI-assisted design technologies will be standard. The company's focus on productivity software implies a tech-forward environment.

  • Team Interaction: Opportunities for direct interaction with a diverse, international team of professionals across design, engineering, and product management.

Work Schedule: The standard working hours are 40 hours per week, with an implicit understanding of flexibility to achieve project goals. This aligns with a professional, results-oriented work culture where efficiency and effective time management are valued.

šŸ“ Enhancement Note: The "On-site" designation is key, signaling a preference for in-person collaboration. While specific workspace details are absent, the company's nature suggests a modern, tech-enabled office suited for collaborative design work.

šŸ“„ Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

  • Initial Screening: A review of your application, focusing on your resume and portfolio. Candidates are encouraged to highlight their experience with complex B2B/SaaS products and measurable outcomes.

  • Portfolio Presentation & Discussion: A session where you present your portfolio, discussing key projects, your design process, your role, and the impact of your work. Be prepared to elaborate on how you tackled challenges, conducted research, and collaborated with teams.

  • Technical/Design Challenge: Potentially a design exercise or case study, either take-home or conducted during an interview, to assess your problem-solving skills, design craft, and ability to think critically about user problems within the context of think-cell's product.

  • Team/Cultural Fit Interviews: Meetings with Product Managers, Engineers, and potentially other designers to assess your collaboration style, communication skills, and alignment with think-cell's values (Forward Thinking, Ownership, Customer First, Unified Team, Strive for Excellence).

  • Final Interview: Likely with senior leadership to discuss strategic alignment and overall fit for the role and company.

Portfolio Review Tips:

  • Show, Don't Just Tell: For each project, clearly articulate the problem, your role, your process, the solutions you designed, and – crucially – the measurable outcomes or impact.

  • Focus on B2B/SaaS & Data: Prioritize projects that demonstrate experience with complex business software, data visualization, or productivity tools.

  • Highlight Collaboration: Showcase how you worked with product managers, engineers, and users throughout the design lifecycle.

  • Demonstrate Research & Iteration: Include evidence of user research, usability testing, and how feedback led to design improvements.

  • Figma Proficiency: Ensure your prototypes are well-executed and clearly demonstrate interaction design capabilities. Mention any AI-assisted design tools or approaches used.

  • Conciseness: Be prepared to present your most relevant work efficiently, focusing on the most impactful projects for this role.

Challenge Preparation:

  • Understand think-cell's products and user base. Research their existing software and target audience to inform your approach to any design challenges.

  • Prepare to discuss how you would approach a loosely defined problem, focusing on your methodology for discovery, ideation, and validation.

  • Think about how you would balance user needs with technical constraints and business objectives, common in B2B SaaS development.

  • Practice articulating your design decisions clearly and concisely, grounding them in data and user insights.

šŸ“ Enhancement Note: The emphasis on "measurable outcomes" and "validated solution designs" in the portfolio requirements strongly suggests that candidates will be evaluated on their ability to demonstrate impact, not just design aesthetics or process. The interview process is likely to be thorough, assessing both hard design skills and soft skills related to collaboration and strategic thinking.

šŸ›  Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

  • Figma: Explicitly mentioned as a required tool for design and rapid, high-fidelity prototyping. Proficiency is essential.

  • Prototyping Tools: Beyond Figma, familiarity with other rapid prototyping tools that support AI-assisted approaches would be beneficial.

  • Design System Tools: Experience with tools and methodologies for building, maintaining, and evolving design systems.

Analytics & Reporting:

  • User Research Platforms: Tools for conducting usability tests, surveys, and interviews (e.g., UserTesting.com, Maze, SurveyMonkey).

  • Data Analysis Tools: While not explicitly mentioned, familiarity with tools that help analyze user behavior data (e.g., Amplitude, Mixpanel, Google Analytics) would be advantageous for grounding design in data.

CRM & Automation:

  • CRM Systems: While not directly a design tool, understanding how design impacts user workflows within CRM systems (like Salesforce, Dynamics) could be relevant for B2B SaaS context.

  • Collaboration & Project Management: Tools like Jira, Confluence, Slack, or similar platforms are standard for team collaboration in software development.

šŸ“ Enhancement Note: Figma is the only specific tool mentioned. The emphasis on "AI-assisted approaches" suggests openness to exploring newer design technologies. A strong understanding of user research and analytics tools is implied by the job responsibilities.

šŸ‘„ Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

  • Forward Thinking: Embracing change and challenging the status quo means designers should be proactive in suggesting new approaches, exploring innovative technologies (like AI in design), and not being afraid to disrupt existing processes if it leads to better outcomes.

  • Ownership: Taking pride in work and learning from mistakes translates to designers feeling responsible for the entire user experience, from conception to post-launch impact, and being accountable for design decisions.

  • Customer First: Prioritizing customer value means all design decisions must be rooted in understanding and solving real user problems, ensuring the product delivers tangible benefits.

  • Unified Team: Fostering collaboration, respect, and integrity implies designers must work harmoniously with product managers, engineers, and other stakeholders, communicating openly and respectfully.

  • Strive for Excellence: Setting ambitious goals and pursuing quality means designers are expected to aim for high standards in their craft, push boundaries, and continuously seek to improve both the product and their own skills.

Collaboration Style:

  • Integrated Teamwork: Designers are expected to be embedded members of product teams, working closely and continuously with Product Managers and Engineers from the earliest stages of discovery.

  • Cross-functional Communication: Open and frequent communication is key, involving client calls, design reviews, and collaborative problem-solving sessions.

  • Data-Informed Discussions: Design decisions and suggestions should be backed by data and user insights, facilitating constructive debates and alignment.

  • Iterative Feedback Loops: A culture of continuous feedback and iteration is present, encouraging designers to adapt designs based on research and stakeholder input.

šŸ“ Enhancement Note: The company values are clearly articulated and directly translate into behavioral expectations for designers, emphasizing proactivity, accountability, user focus, teamwork, and a pursuit of high quality.

⚔ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

  • Designing for Complexity: Tackling ambiguous, loosely defined problems within a data-rich, highly visual B2B SaaS product requires strong analytical skills, strategic thinking, and the ability to bring clarity where it's lacking.

  • Balancing Stakeholder Needs: Effectively advocating for the user while navigating technical constraints and business goals requires strong negotiation, communication, and prioritization skills.

  • Rapid Iteration in an Evolving Field: Staying current with AI-assisted design approaches and integrating them effectively into a product development cycle demands continuous learning and adaptability.

  • Maintaining Design Quality: Elevating design quality across a product area and ensuring consistency through design systems requires diligent craft and a keen eye for detail.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

  • AI in Design: Opportunities to explore and implement AI-assisted design tools and methodologies, staying at the forefront of design technology.

  • Complex B2B UX: Deepen expertise in designing for sophisticated enterprise software users and intricate workflows.

  • Product Strategy Influence: Develop skills in influencing product roadmaps and long-term strategic vision through design leadership.

  • Cross-functional Expertise: Gain deeper insights into engineering processes, product management strategies, and data analytics through close collaboration.

  • Mentorship: Potential to mentor junior designers and contribute to the growth of the design team's capabilities.

šŸ“ Enhancement Note: The challenges are directly tied to the nature of the role and the product complexity, offering significant opportunities for professional growth in areas like AI integration, strategic product input, and complex B2B UX.

šŸ’” Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

  • "Describe a time you took an ambiguous problem and turned it into a clear design solution. What was your process, and what was the outcome?" (Focus on problem framing, research, ideation, and validated solutions.)

  • "How do you balance user needs with technical constraints and business goals in a B2B SaaS environment?" (Prepare examples demonstrating negotiation, prioritization, and trade-off discussions.)

  • "How have you used data or user research to influence product direction or a significant design decision?" (Highlight specific metrics, research findings, and the impact of your advocacy.)

  • "Discuss your experience with AI-assisted design tools or approaches. How do you see AI impacting the future of product design?" (Showcase curiosity and forward-thinking.) Company & Culture Questions:

  • "Based on our values (Forward Thinking, Ownership, Customer First, Unified Team, Strive for Excellence), how do you see yourself contributing to our culture?" (Prepare specific examples from your experience that align with each value.)

  • "Describe your ideal collaboration with Product Managers and Engineers. How do you ensure a smooth and effective working relationship?" (Emphasize embedded teamwork, clear communication, and shared goals.)

  • "What does 'customer first' mean to you in the context of designing productivity software?" (Connect your design philosophy to delivering tangible value and solving user pain points.) Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

  • Structure Your Narrative: For each project, clearly define the problem, your specific role and contributions, your design process (discovery, ideation, prototyping, testing, iteration), the final solution, and most importantly, the measurable impact or outcomes achieved.

  • Highlight B2B/SaaS & Data: Prioritize projects that showcase your experience with complex business software, data-rich interfaces, or productivity tools.

  • Emphasize Collaboration: Show how you partnered with product managers, engineers, and users, and how you integrated feedback.

  • Visual Storytelling: Use clear visuals, mockups, flows, and prototypes to illustrate your design thinking. For AI-assisted design, showcase how it enhanced your process or outcome.

  • Quantify Impact: Whenever possible, use data and metrics to demonstrate the success of your designs (e.g., increased conversion rates, improved task completion times, user satisfaction scores).

šŸ“ Enhancement Note: Interview questions will likely probe your strategic thinking, problem-solving approach, and ability to collaborate, with a strong emphasis on demonstrating tangible impact through your portfolio.

šŸ“Œ Application Steps

To apply for this Senior Product Designer position:

  • Submit your application through the provided link on Greenhouse.

  • Customize your Resume: Tailor your resume to highlight your 4+ years of experience in B2B/SaaS product design, specifically mentioning complex software, data-rich products, and measurable outcomes. Integrate keywords like "Product Design," "User Experience," "Figma," "User Research," and "AI-assisted Design."

  • Curate Your Portfolio: Select 2-3 of your most impactful projects that best demonstrate your end-to-end design process for complex B2B/SaaS products. Ensure your portfolio clearly outlines the problem, your role, your process, the solutions, and the measurable results. Be ready to discuss your use of Figma and any AI-assisted design approaches.

  • Prepare Your Presentation: Practice walking through your portfolio projects concisely, focusing on storytelling and demonstrating your strategic thinking, collaboration skills, and ability to drive impact. Anticipate questions about your design process, user research methods, and how you balance competing priorities.

  • Research think-cell: Understand the company's mission, products (especially their integration with Microsoft Office and AI focus), and stated values. This will help you tailor your application and prepare for discussions about cultural fit and strategic alignment.

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

Application Requirements

Candidates must have 4+ years of product design experience, specifically with complex B2B or SaaS software and a portfolio demonstrating full design journeys. Proficiency in modern design tools like Figma, experience with user research, and strong visual design skills for data-rich products are required.