Senior Product Designer | Garmin Connect Team

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Senior Product Designer | Garmin Connect Team

Company: Garmin Cluj

Location: Cluj-Napoca, Cluj County, Romania

Job Type: FULL_TIME

Category: Product Design / UX/UI Design

Date Posted: 2026-05-19

Experience Level: 5-10 Years

Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• Lead the end-to-end product design process for the Garmin Connect application, a critical component for millions of users, leveraging advanced UX/UI design, interaction design, and visual design skills.

• Drive design direction for multiple complex projects within the Garmin Connect ecosystem, ensuring alignment with user needs and business objectives.

• Collaborate extensively with multidisciplinary teams, including engineering, product management, and marketing, throughout the entire product development lifecycle.

• Champion user-centric design principles and best practices, translating user needs and business requirements into intuitive and visually appealing digital interfaces.

• Contribute significantly to product strategy and feasibility assessments, providing expert design input for new features and product enhancements.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is designated as Senior, implying a need for strong leadership, strategic thinking, and the ability to mentor junior designers. The focus on Garmin Connect, a high-volume consumer application, suggests a requirement for robust design systems, user research proficiency, and an understanding of scaling design solutions for millions of active users.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Guide the complete UX/UI design lifecycle, from initial concept and user research to wireframing, prototyping, and final interface design for the Garmin Connect mobile application.

• Utilize advanced skills in user experience (UX) design, interaction design, and visual design to create intuitive and engaging digital products.

• Collaborate closely with cross-functional teams, including product managers, engineers, and marketing specialists, to ensure design feasibility and successful product implementation.

• Conduct user research, usability testing, and gather feedback to inform design decisions and continuously improve the user experience of Garmin Connect.

• Develop and maintain design systems, style guides, and component libraries to ensure consistency and scalability across the Garmin Connect platform and its associated devices.

• Translate complex technical requirements and business goals into clear, user-friendly interface designs and detailed specifications for development teams.

• Lead design reviews, providing constructive feedback to team members and stakeholders to uphold design quality and strategic alignment.

• Independently determine effective approaches and solutions to complex technical and design challenges, demonstrating advanced problem-solving capabilities.

• Ensure the design output aligns with recognized usability principles, accessibility standards, and best practices for mobile applications.

• Contribute to product development plans and concept documents with strong design input, influencing the strategic direction of new features and products.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a need for a designer who can not only execute design tasks but also contribute strategically to product direction and team development. The emphasis on "production and operation issues" suggests a practical approach to design, considering implementation constraints and long-term maintainability.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: Bachelor's degree in Design, Human-Computer Interaction, Computer Science, or a related field.

Experience: Minimum of 5 years of relevant experience in digital product design, with a proven track record of successfully launching and iterating on consumer-facing applications.

Required Skills:

• Expert proficiency in UX/UI design tools, with a strong emphasis on Figma for wireframing, prototyping, and high-fidelity mockups.

• Demonstrated experience in full-cycle product design, including user research, personas, user flows, wireframing, prototyping, and visual design.

• Advanced knowledge of usability principles, user interface (UI) design principles, and interaction design best practices.

• Proven ability to implement a design thinking process to solve complex user problems and business challenges.

• Strong understanding of design principles and their application in creating visually appealing and functional interfaces.

• Experience working with multidisciplinary teams and cross-functional stakeholders throughout the design process.

• Advanced abilities in designing screens and user interfaces for mobile applications.

Preferred Skills:

• Technical knowledge that bridges engineering and design environments, facilitating smoother collaboration.

• Experience mentoring junior UX designers, providing guidance and fostering their professional development.

• Knowledge and enthusiasm for accessible and inclusive design principles, ensuring products cater to a diverse user base.

• Experience interacting with and leveraging AI tools in the design process.

• Familiarity with design systems and component-based design approaches.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "5-10 years" experience level inferred from the "5 years of relevant experience" requirement and the "Senior" title suggests a candidate who can operate independently and potentially lead design initiatives. The emphasis on Figma as the primary tool is a critical technical requirement.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A comprehensive portfolio showcasing a minimum of 5 significant digital product design projects, demonstrating a progression from concept to final product.

• Projects should highlight expertise in UX/UI design, interaction design, and visual design, with a clear articulation of the problem, process, and solution.

• Include case studies that detail user research methodologies, user flows, wireframes, prototypes, and final UI designs.

• Demonstrate the ability to solve complex design challenges and deliver measurable improvements in user experience and business outcomes.

Process Documentation:

• Evidence of applying a design thinking process in at least two distinct projects.

• Examples of user research methodologies employed, such as user interviews, usability testing, or surveys.

• Documentation of creating user personas, journey maps, and user flows to represent user needs and interactions.

• Prototypes created using Figma or similar tools, demonstrating interactive user experiences.

• Case studies that clearly outline the impact of design decisions, ideally with quantifiable results (e.g., increased engagement, reduced task completion time, improved conversion rates).

📝 Enhancement Note: For a Senior Product Designer role, the portfolio is paramount. It should not just display aesthetics but critically, the strategic thinking, problem-solving methodology, and tangible impact of the candidate's design work. Demonstrating the ability to navigate complex systems like Garmin Connect and its vast array of devices will be key.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: Based on industry benchmarks for Senior Product Designers in Cluj-Napoca, Romania, with 5-10 years of experience, the estimated annual salary range is €30,000 - €50,000 (approximately 150,000 - 250,000 RON). This estimate accounts for the Senior level, the specialized skills in UX/UI and Figma, and the cost of living in Cluj-Napoca.

Benefits:

• Time Off: 24 days of annual leave, with additional days based on tenure at Garmin, plus compensation for public holidays.

• Health & Wellness: Comprehensive health package subscription, a yearly budget for prescription glasses, and a monthly budget for sports and well-being activities.

• Professional Development: Access to local and global career development programs, including training, mentorship, and technical/leadership development. Support for e-learning platforms and attendance at technical conferences.

• Financial & Loyalty: Loyalty bonus, special bonuses for holidays and personal life events, meal tickets, significant discounts on Garmin products, Employee Stock Purchase Plan, and contribution to a Pillar 3 retirement plan.

• Perks: Garmin products available for testing and borrowing, and participation in a comprehensive series of events focused on well-being, sports, and community.

Working Hours: Standard full-time working hours, typically 40 hours per week, with the expectation of 5 days per week in the office.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range is an estimation based on publicly available data for similar roles in Romania and the specified experience level. It is crucial for candidates to understand that this is an estimate and actual compensation will be determined by Garmin based on experience, qualifications, and negotiation. The benefits package is extensive and clearly detailed, offering significant value beyond base salary.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Consumer Electronics, GPS Technology, Fitness & Wellness Wearables. Garmin is a leader in the GPS technology market, renowned for its innovative products that cater to a wide range of outdoor activities, fitness tracking, and lifestyle needs.

Company Size: Garmin is a large, established global company with thousands of employees worldwide. The Cluj office is a significant hub for product development, particularly for software applications like Garmin Connect.

Founded: Garmin was founded in 1989, bringing decades of experience and innovation in navigation and wearable technology. This long history signifies stability, expertise, and a deep understanding of its markets.

Team Structure:

• The Product Designer will be part of the Garmin Connect Team, a dedicated group focused on developing and enhancing the company's flagship fitness and wellness application.

• This team likely operates within a matrixed structure, collaborating with product managers, software engineers (front-end and back-end), QA testers, and potentially marketing specialists.

Methodology:

• Garmin emphasizes a vertically integrated business model, suggesting close alignment between design, development, manufacturing, and sales.

• The design process is user-centric, involving research, prototyping, and iterative design based on user feedback and technical feasibility.

• Collaboration is a core tenet, with a strong reliance on team interaction and cross-departmental communication to drive innovation and product quality.

• A focus on scalable design solutions is essential, given the millions of active users and hundreds of compatible devices supported by Garmin Connect.

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

📝 Enhancement Note: Garmin's reputation for quality and innovation in the technology sector, combined with its robust product portfolio, suggests a demanding yet rewarding work environment. The emphasis on a vertically integrated model implies that designers will have visibility into the entire product lifecycle and can influence decisions from concept to production.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is at a Senior Product Designer level. This implies a significant degree of autonomy, responsibility, and the ability to influence design strategy. Senior designers are expected to tackle complex design challenges, lead projects, and mentor junior team members. They are key contributors to the product's success and often act as subject matter experts in their domain.

Reporting Structure: The Senior Product Designer will likely report to a Design Manager, Head of Product Design, or a Senior Product Manager within the Garmin Connect team. They will work closely with a cross-functional team of engineers, product managers, and potentially other designers. The role also involves providing guidance and feedback to junior designers.

Operations Impact: As a Senior Product Designer on the Garmin Connect team, the individual's impact is substantial. They will directly shape the user experience of a critical application used by millions of fitness enthusiasts and outdoor adventurers worldwide. This impact translates to:

• Enhancing user engagement and retention for Garmin's ecosystem.

• Driving product adoption and satisfaction through intuitive and effective design.

• Contributing to Garmin's market leadership by delivering cutting-edge and user-friendly digital experiences.

Growth Opportunities:

• Leadership Development: Opportunities to lead design initiatives, mentor junior designers, and potentially move into a Design Lead or Managerial role within Garmin.

• Skill Specialization: Deepen expertise in specific areas of UX/UI design, such as user research, interaction design, design systems, or accessibility, through internal projects and training.

• Cross-Functional Exposure: Gain broader experience by working on different Garmin products or collaborating with various departments across the company.

• Global Impact: Contribute to products used by a massive global user base, offering a unique perspective on international design challenges and user preferences.

• Industry Expertise: Continuously learn and apply new design trends, technologies (like AI in design), and methodologies within the dynamic consumer electronics and fitness tech industry.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Senior" designation is critical. Candidates should expect to demonstrate leadership potential and a strategic mindset, not just execution skills. The growth path suggests opportunities for both technical specialization and management track development within Garmin's structured career progression framework.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: This role requires a full-time, on-site presence at the Garmin Cluj office, as explicitly stated in the job description. This indicates a traditional office-based work environment designed for in-person collaboration.

Office Location(s): The position is based in Cluj-Napoca, Cluj County, Romania. Garmin has a significant presence in Cluj, suggesting a well-established and equipped office facility designed to support product development teams.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Environment: The job description emphasizes collaboration and team interaction, indicating an office layout that likely supports group work, design reviews, and spontaneous discussions. This could include open-plan areas, meeting rooms, and informal breakout spaces.

• Tools and Technology: As a tech company, the office will be equipped with modern hardware and software necessary for product design, including powerful workstations, high-speed internet, and access to all required design and communication tools (e.g., Figma, project management software).

• Team Interaction: Daily interaction with designers, engineers, and product managers will be a core aspect of the work environment, fostering a dynamic and communicative atmosphere. The emphasis on 5 days in the office ensures consistent face-to-face engagement.

Work Schedule: The role is full-time, typically 40 hours per week. While specific daily start and end times are not detailed, standard business hours are expected, with the flexibility often found in tech companies, balanced by the requirement for on-site presence.

📝 Enhancement Note: The explicit requirement for 5 days in the office is a key differentiator and suggests that in-person collaboration is highly valued by Garmin for this role. Candidates should be comfortable with and prepared for a fully on-site work arrangement in Cluj-Napoca.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A review of your resume and portfolio to assess qualifications and experience against the job requirements.

• Technical Interview(s): In-depth discussions focusing on UX/UI design principles, your design process, problem-solving skills, and proficiency with tools like Figma. You may be asked to walk through specific projects from your portfolio.

• Design Challenge/Case Study: You might be given a design problem or asked to present a detailed case study from your portfolio. This will assess your ability to think critically, articulate your design decisions, and demonstrate your impact. Expect to discuss your approach to user research, ideation, prototyping, and testing.

• Cross-functional Team Interview: Meetings with potential colleagues (e.g., Product Managers, Engineers) to assess your collaboration style, communication skills, and cultural fit within the Garmin Connect team.

• Final Interview: A discussion with hiring management to finalize decisions, focusing on your senior-level experience, leadership potential, and overall alignment with Garmin's values and goals.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select 3-5 of your strongest projects that best showcase your senior-level capabilities, diverse skill set (UX, UI, Interaction), and impact on user experience and business goals. Prioritize projects similar in scope or complexity to Garmin Connect.

• Tell a Story: For each project, clearly articulate the problem statement, your role and responsibilities, the design process you followed (research, ideation, iteration), the tools used (especially Figma), key challenges encountered, your solutions, and the final outcomes/impact (quantify results where possible).

• Highlight Figma Proficiency: Be ready to demonstrate specific Figma techniques or workflows you've used effectively.

• Showcase Impact: Emphasize how your design decisions led to positive results, such as increased user engagement, improved conversion rates, or enhanced user satisfaction. Use data and metrics to support your claims.

• Accessibility & Inclusivity: If applicable, highlight any experience or knowledge in designing for accessibility and inclusive user experiences.

Challenge Preparation:

• Understand the Product: Familiarize yourself thoroughly with Garmin Connect – its features, target audience, competitors, and overall user experience. Identify potential areas for improvement.

• Design Thinking Framework: Be prepared to discuss and apply the design thinking process (empathize, define, ideate, prototype, test) to a given problem.

• Scenario-Based Questions: Anticipate questions about how you would handle specific design challenges, manage stakeholder feedback, or prioritize tasks in a fast-paced environment.

• Articulate Your Process: Be ready to clearly explain your design rationale, trade-offs considered, and why you made specific design choices.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process is likely rigorous, given the senior nature of the role and the importance of the Garmin Connect application. A strong portfolio that clearly articulates process, rationale, and impact is crucial for success. Candidates should be prepared to discuss specific design decisions and their outcomes.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Figma: This is the core design tool. Expertise in Figma for wireframing, prototyping, UI design, and potentially design system management is essential.

• Prototyping Tools: While Figma is primary, familiarity with other prototyping tools (e.g., Adobe XD, InVision) might be beneficial, though Figma is the stated requirement.

• User Research Tools: Experience with platforms for conducting user interviews, surveys, and usability testing (e.g., UserTesting.com, Lookback, Qualtrics, SurveyMonkey).

Analytics & Reporting:

• Analytics Platforms: Familiarity with mobile app analytics tools (e.g., Google Analytics for Mobile Apps, Amplitude, Mixpanel) to understand user behavior and measure the impact of designs.

• Data Visualization: Ability to interpret data and potentially work with tools that visualize user metrics to inform design decisions.

CRM & Automation:

• Project Management Software: Experience with tools like Jira, Asana, or Trello for managing design tasks, tracking progress, and collaborating with development teams.

• Collaboration Tools: Proficiency with communication platforms such as Slack, Microsoft Teams, or Confluence for team communication and documentation.

📝 Enhancement Note: The explicit mention of Figma as a required skill is a critical technical requirement. Candidates should be prepared to demonstrate advanced proficiency in Figma. Understanding how design integrates with analytics and project management tools is also key for a senior role focused on impact.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• User-Centricity: A deep commitment to understanding and serving the needs of millions of Garmin Connect users through thoughtful and effective design.

• Innovation & Quality: Driving innovation in fitness and wellness technology through high-quality, reliable, and user-friendly product design.

• Collaboration & Teamwork: Fostering a collaborative environment where diverse perspectives are valued, and cross-functional teamwork leads to the best outcomes.

• Data-Driven Decision Making: Utilizing user data, analytics, and feedback to inform design strategies and measure the impact of design solutions.

• Continuous Improvement: An ethos of constantly seeking to improve products, processes, and personal skills within a dynamic technological landscape.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-functional Integration: The team operates with a high degree of cross-functional collaboration, requiring designers to work closely with product managers, engineers, and other stakeholders to ensure seamless product development.

• Constructive Feedback Culture: An environment where feedback is openly shared and received, facilitating continuous learning and improvement of design work.

• Knowledge Sharing: Encouraging the sharing of insights, best practices, and learnings across the team and with other design professionals within Garmin.

📝 Enhancement Note: Garmin's culture likely emphasizes performance, innovation, and a strong team ethic. For this role, the ability to collaborate effectively with technical teams and contribute to a user-focused mission will be paramount.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Scalability: Designing for a massive, diverse user base (millions of users, ~150 compatible devices) presents significant scalability challenges for both UI and UX.

• Complexity: The Garmin Connect app is feature-rich, covering a wide array of activities (running, cycling, wellness, golf, diving, etc.), requiring designers to navigate and simplify complex information architectures and user flows.

• Balancing Technical & User Needs: Effectively translating complex technical capabilities into intuitive user experiences while addressing evolving user expectations and business goals.

• Cross-Platform Consistency: Maintaining a cohesive and consistent user experience across different mobile platforms (iOS, Android) and device types.

• Mentorship: As a Senior Designer, guiding and mentoring junior designers while managing your own project workload.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Advanced Design Skills: Opportunities to refine expertise in areas like user research, interaction design, design systems, and accessibility through challenging projects.

• Industry Trends: Staying abreast of advancements in mobile UX/UI, wearable technology, and potentially AI in design through company-sponsored learning and conference attendance.

• Leadership Track: Developing leadership capabilities through mentoring, project leadership, and potential progression into management roles.

• Product Strategy Involvement: Contributing to high-level product strategy and roadmap planning, gaining a broader business perspective.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges presented are inherent to working on a large-scale consumer application. The growth opportunities are structured, offering clear paths for both technical growth and leadership development within Garmin's established framework.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you had to design for a complex system with a large and diverse user base. How did you approach it, and what were the outcomes?" (Focus on scalability, user segmentation, and impact.)

• "How do you balance user needs, business objectives, and technical constraints in your design process?" (Demonstrate strategic thinking and trade-off analysis.)

• "Walk us through your process for creating and managing a design system. What are the key components and benefits?" (Highlight experience with design system best practices and Figma implementation.)

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What excites you about Garmin and the Garmin Connect application specifically?" (Research Garmin's mission, products, and recent news. Connect your passion to their work.)

• "How do you approach collaboration with engineers and product managers? Describe a situation where you had to navigate disagreements." (Highlight teamwork, communication, and conflict resolution skills.)

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure: Present 2-3 of your most relevant projects. For each, clearly outline the problem, your role, the design process, key decisions, challenges, solutions, and measurable results.

• Visuals: Use high-quality mockups, prototypes, and flow diagrams. Ensure your Figma work is clearly showcased.

• Narrative: Tell a compelling story about each project, focusing on the "why" behind your design choices and the impact of your work.

• Engagement: Be prepared to answer detailed questions about your process and rationale. Engage your interviewers by asking thoughtful questions about their team and challenges.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview preparation advice focuses on demonstrating senior-level strategic thinking, strong process knowledge, and the ability to articulate impact. Candidates should be ready to draw parallels between their past work and the specific demands of the Senior Product Designer role at Garmin.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Senior Product Designer position:

• Submit your application through the provided Workable link.

• Curate a targeted portfolio: Select 3-5 of your most impactful digital product design projects, emphasizing those that demonstrate advanced UX/UI skills, experience with Figma, and a proven ability to solve complex user problems. Ensure your portfolio clearly articulates your process, rationale, and quantifiable results.

• Tailor your resume: Highlight keywords and experiences directly relevant to the job description, such as Figma proficiency, user research, interaction design, visual design, design systems, and experience with large-scale consumer applications. Quantify achievements whenever possible.

• Prepare your portfolio presentation: Practice walking through your selected case studies, focusing on a clear narrative that showcases your problem-solving approach, design thinking, and the impact of your work. Be ready to discuss specific design decisions and trade-offs.

• Research Garmin and Garmin Connect: Understand the company's mission, product suite, and the specific context of the Garmin Connect application. Identify potential design opportunities or challenges that resonate with your experience and interests.

⚠️ 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.