Senior Product Designer II / Staff Product Designer

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Senior Product Designer II / Staff Product Designer

Company: Lila Sciences

Location: Cambridge, MA USA

Job Type: Full-time

Category: Product Design / UX Design

Date Posted: 2026-09-11

Experience Level: 5-10 years

Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• Drive the design of core Lila App experiences, focusing on scientific workflows for scientists, ResOps, and LAS users, integrating AI-native product capabilities.

• Translate complex scientific workflows and advanced AI functionalities into intuitive, trustworthy, and scalable software interfaces.

• Collaborate closely with Product, Engineering, Science, and Operations teams to define user problems, explore tradeoffs, and deliver high-quality user experiences across the Lila App.

• Develop and prototype AI-native interactions that enhance user understanding and actionability of system recommendations.

• Contribute to the creation and scaling of design patterns to ensure consistency and efficiency throughout the Lila App ecosystem.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is positioned as Senior Product Designer II / Staff Product Designer, indicating a need for significant experience and the ability to influence design strategy and execution within a complex, AI-driven scientific platform. The emphasis on "AI-native product capabilities" and "scientific superintelligence" suggests a focus on designing for advanced computational and operational workflows rather than typical consumer or enterprise applications.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Design end-to-end workflows within the Lila App tailored for scientists, Research Operations (ResOps), and Laboratory Automation System (LAS) users, ensuring seamless integration of scientific processes.

• Translate intricate scientific concepts and operational complexities into clear, intuitive, and user-friendly product experiences that facilitate efficient workflow execution.

• Act as a key design partner, collaborating with Product Managers, Engineers, Scientists, and Operations stakeholders to identify and articulate user problems and evaluate design tradeoffs.

• Prototype innovative AI-native interactions, focusing on explainability, trust calibration, and actionable recommendations to empower users in understanding and leveraging system insights.

• Conduct lightweight, targeted research, including workflow mapping and usability testing with internal users, to gather critical feedback and inform design iterations.

• Develop and advocate for scalable design patterns and components that enhance UI consistency, improve user experience, and streamline development across the Lila App.

• Leverage AI-enabled design tools to accelerate design exploration, iteration cycles, and cross-functional communication, fostering a more agile design process.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a need for deep understanding of scientific workflows and operational processes within a lab or research environment. The focus on "AI-native interactions" and "trust calibration" suggests a specialized area of UX design that requires careful consideration of user trust in AI-driven systems.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: Bachelor's or Master's degree in Design, HCI, Computer Science, or a related field, or equivalent practical experience.

Experience: 5+ years of dedicated experience in product design, UX design, or interaction design, with a proven track record of shipping impactful products.

Required Skills:

• Demonstrated expertise in end-to-end product design, with a strong portfolio showcasing shipped products and their tangible impact.

• Proven experience designing complex, data-rich, technical, or operational software products.

• Exceptional ability to simplify ambiguous technical workflows and translate them into clear, intuitive product experiences.

• Strong command of interaction design principles, information architecture, and systems thinking.

• Proven ability to effectively partner with product managers, engineers, and domain experts to drive product development.

• Comfort and proficiency in utilizing modern AI tools for design exploration, prototyping, and synthesis. Preferred Skills:

• Prior experience designing for scientists, lab operations, the biotech industry, or other AI-enabled technical user bases.

• Experience specifically designing AI-native workflows, including trust calibration, explainability features, or review and oversight flows.

• Familiarity with data visualization techniques, workflow orchestration tools, Laboratory Information Management Systems (LIMS), or scientific data management principles.

• Experience contributing to or scaling design systems to ensure product consistency and efficiency.

• Adaptability and comfort working in ambiguous, early-stage product development environments.

📝 Enhancement Note: The requirement for 5+ years of experience, coupled with the "Senior Product Designer II / Staff Product Designer" title, suggests a senior-level role demanding strategic design thinking, mentorship capabilities, and the ability to lead complex design initiatives. The emphasis on technical and operational software design, along with AI-native workflows, indicates a specialized skillset beyond general UX/UI design.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Showcase end-to-end product design processes, from user research and problem definition to final shipped product and its measurable impact.

• Include case studies demonstrating experience with complex, data-rich, or technical software products, highlighting your problem-solving approach.

• Detail your contributions to defining and designing intricate technical workflows, emphasizing simplification and user clarity.

• Present examples of system thinking and interaction design for complex software environments, illustrating your ability to manage interconnected elements.

• Demonstrate proficiency in prototyping AI-native interactions, explaining the rationale behind your design choices for user trust and understanding. Process Documentation:

• Clearly articulate your design process, including methodologies for user research, workflow mapping, and usability testing, especially within technical or scientific contexts.

• Illustrate how you collaborate with product, engineering, and domain experts, providing examples of effective cross-functional partnerships.

• Document your approach to developing and implementing scalable design patterns and systems, showcasing your contribution to design system maturity.

• Provide evidence of using AI tools within your design workflow, explaining how they enhanced your exploration, iteration, or synthesis capabilities.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a Senior/Staff level role, the portfolio should not just present final designs but thoroughly document the process behind them. Candidates should be prepared to discuss their strategic approach to problem-solving, their methods for handling ambiguity, and how they have influenced product direction through design. Demonstrating a systems-thinking approach to complex workflows is critical.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $180,000 - $256,000 USD per year. This range reflects competitive base compensation with bonus potential and early-stage equity, with the final offer dependent on background, expertise, and expected impact.

Benefits:

• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage.

• Employer-paid life and disability insurance.

• Flexible time off with generous company-wide holidays.

• Paid parental leave.

• Educational assistance program.

• Commuter benefits, including bike share memberships for office-based employees.

• Company-subsidized lunch program.

• Generous early-stage equity.

Working Hours: Standard full-time hours are expected, likely around 40 hours per week, with flexibility potentially available depending on project needs and team collaboration.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range provided is for U.S.-based positions only. International salaries will be set according to local market standards. The inclusion of "bonus potential" and "generous early-stage equity" indicates a performance-driven culture and an opportunity for significant financial upside, common in fast-growing startups. The benefits package is comprehensive, with specific perks like subsidized lunch and bike share memberships suggesting a focus on employee well-being and an active office environment.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Technology, specifically focused on Artificial Intelligence and Scientific Discovery. Lila Sciences operates at the intersection of AI, scientific research, and laboratory automation, aiming to accelerate scientific breakthroughs.

Company Size: Lila Sciences is an early-stage company. As an early-stage organization, employees can expect a dynamic, fast-paced environment with significant opportunities for impact and direct influence on product direction and company growth. This size often fosters a strong sense of community and shared mission.

Founded: The founding date is not explicitly provided, but the mention of "early-stage product areas" and "early-stage equity" suggests a relatively young company, likely within the last 5-10 years, focused on rapid innovation and market penetration.

Team Structure:

• The Software Product team likely comprises a mix of Product Managers, Software Engineers, and Designers, working collaboratively to build and iterate on the Lila App.

• Designers will report into a design leadership structure, potentially a Head of Design or Design Manager, and will work closely with Product Managers who define the product strategy and roadmap.

• Cross-functional collaboration is paramount, with designers expected to partner closely with scientists and operations teams to deeply understand user needs and scientific workflows. Methodology:

• Data analysis and insights are core to Lila Sciences' approach, as they are building "Scientific Superintelligence." Design decisions will likely be informed by user data, research findings, and performance metrics.

• Workflow planning and optimization are central to the role, as the designer will be tasked with simplifying complex scientific and operational processes within the Lila App.

• Automation and efficiency practices are implied by the company's focus on AI and autonomous lab systems, suggesting a drive towards creating highly efficient and automated user experiences.

Company Website: www.lila.ai

📝 Enhancement Note: The company's mission to build "Scientific Superintelligence™" and an "operating system for science" positions it as a highly ambitious and forward-thinking organization. The culture is described as moving with "startup speed while tackling problems of historic importance," driven by core values of truth, trust, curiosity, grit, and velocity. This suggests a demanding yet rewarding environment where innovation and rapid execution are highly valued.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is positioned as Senior Product Designer II / Staff Product Designer, indicating a senior individual contributor role. A Senior Designer typically takes ownership of significant product areas, mentors junior designers, and influences design strategy. A Staff Designer often tackles the most complex, ambiguous problems, sets technical or design direction across teams, and drives cross-functional initiatives. This role likely encompasses aspects of both, requiring deep expertise and leadership potential.

Reporting Structure: The designer will likely report to a Design Lead, Manager, or Head of Design, and will work in close collaboration with Product Managers and Engineering Leads. This structure emphasizes a matrixed, project-oriented approach common in tech startups.

Operations Impact: The designer's work will directly influence how users interact with Lila's core platform, impacting the efficiency, accuracy, and speed of scientific discovery. This role has a profound impact on enabling scientists and operations teams to achieve breakthrough results, directly contributing to the company's mission of solving humankind's greatest challenges through science.

Growth Opportunities:

• Operations Skill Advancement: Deepen expertise in designing for complex scientific workflows, AI-native interactions, and trust calibration within AI systems. Opportunities to become a subject matter expert in these specialized areas.

• Leadership Development: Potential to mentor junior designers, lead design initiatives for major product features, and influence the overall design strategy and process within Lila Sciences. As a Staff Designer, there's an opportunity to shape design best practices and technical direction.

• Cross-functional Influence: Gain exposure to cutting-edge AI research and scientific methodologies, fostering a unique understanding of the intersection between technology and scientific discovery, leading to broader strategic influence.

📝 Enhancement Note: The distinction between Senior II and Staff level suggests a potential for progression within the role or a broad scope of responsibility. Candidates should look for opportunities to demonstrate leadership, strategic thinking, and the ability to tackle highly ambiguous and technically challenging design problems. The growth path is likely tied to increasing scope of influence and technical/strategic leadership within the design organization.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The job is listed as "On-site" in Cambridge, MA, indicating a physical office location. This suggests a collaborative environment where in-person interaction is valued for brainstorming, team building, and rapid problem-solving.

Office Location(s): Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA. This location is a hub for biotech, technology, and academic institutions, offering a rich ecosystem for innovation and talent.

Workspace Context:

• A collaborative workspace designed to foster interaction between designers, engineers, product managers, and scientists. Expect a dynamic environment where cross-functional teams work closely together.

• Access to modern design tools and technologies, including AI-enabled design tools, is explicitly mentioned, supporting an innovative and efficient design workflow.

• Opportunities for frequent interaction with scientific and operations teams will be integral to understanding user needs and validating design solutions.

Work Schedule: While the role is full-time (40 hours/week), the culture of "startup speed" and "velocity" suggests a demanding pace. However, the mention of "flexible time off" and the general tech industry trend towards work-life balance may indicate some flexibility in daily schedules, provided that project deliverables and team collaboration needs are met.

📝 Enhancement Note: The on-site requirement in Cambridge, MA, points to a company that values in-person collaboration, which is often crucial for early-stage companies and complex technical product development. The environment is likely to be fast-paced and intellectually stimulating, given the company's mission and industry.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A brief conversation with a recruiter to assess general fit, experience, and interest in Lila Sciences and the role.

• Portfolio Review & Design Challenge: A session where candidates present their portfolio, focusing on 1-2 key case studies that demonstrate their approach to complex technical or operational design challenges. A design challenge or exercise may be assigned, either take-home or conducted during an interview, to assess problem-solving skills and design thinking specific to Lila's domain.

• Team Interviews: Meetings with potential peers (other designers, product managers, engineers) and hiring managers to evaluate collaboration style, technical depth, and cultural fit.

• Executive/Leadership Interview: A final discussion with senior leadership to assess strategic thinking, leadership potential, and alignment with company values and vision.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Highlight Process: Clearly articulate your design process, emphasizing how you tackled complex problems, handled ambiguity, and made trade-offs. Use visuals to illustrate key stages and decisions.

• Quantify Impact: Where possible, include metrics or evidence of the impact your designs have had on users and the business (e.g., increased efficiency, improved user satisfaction, adoption rates).

• Showcase Technical/Operational Design: Select case studies that specifically demonstrate your experience designing complex, data-rich, or operational software. If you have experience with AI-native workflows or scientific applications, prioritize those.

• Explain AI Tool Usage: Be prepared to discuss how you've used AI tools in your design process, providing specific examples and the benefits derived.

• Tailor to Lila: Understand Lila Sciences' mission and technology. Frame your work in a way that shows how your skills and experience can contribute to their specific goals.

Challenge Preparation:

• Understand the Domain: Research Lila Sciences, their technology (Scientific Superintelligence™, AI Science Factory™), and the potential user base (scientists, ResOps, LAS users). Familiarize yourself with concepts like workflow orchestration, LIMS, and AI explainability.

• Focus on Problem-Solving: Practice breaking down complex, ambiguous problems into smaller, manageable parts. Demonstrate a structured approach to identifying user needs, constraints, and potential solutions.

• Articulate Trade-offs: Be ready to discuss the trade-offs involved in design decisions, especially concerning AI-native features, data complexity, and user trust.

• Visual Communication: Prepare to clearly articulate your design rationale and present visual concepts effectively, whether through sketches, wireframes, or prototypes.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process is likely rigorous, reflecting the seniority of the role and the specialized nature of the company. Candidates should be prepared to demonstrate not only design craft but also strategic thinking, technical understanding, and the ability to operate effectively in an early-stage, high-growth environment. The portfolio is a critical tool for demonstrating these capabilities.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Design & Prototyping Software: Figma, Sketch, Adobe Creative Suite, or similar industry-standard tools for wireframing, UI design, and interactive prototyping.

• AI-Enabled Design Tools: Proficiency with emerging AI tools for design exploration, ideation, asset generation, or workflow automation (specific tools not named, but candidates should be aware of the trend).

• Collaboration Tools: Jira, Confluence, Asana, or similar for project management, task tracking, and documentation.

Analytics & Reporting:

• User Analytics Platforms: Tools like Amplitude, Mixpanel, or Google Analytics to understand user behavior, track feature adoption, and measure product impact.

• Data Visualization Tools: Proficiency with tools or libraries for presenting complex data, potentially including Tableau, Power BI, or custom solutions, to inform design decisions and communicate insights.

CRM & Automation:

• While not directly a designer's primary tool, understanding how CRM systems (e.g., Salesforce) and automation platforms impact user workflows and data management can be beneficial for designing integrated experiences.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on "AI-enabled design tools" is a key differentiator. Candidates should be prepared to discuss their experience or willingness to explore and adopt these tools. Familiarity with data visualization and analytics platforms is also important, given the data-rich nature of the products and the company's data-driven approach.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Truth: A commitment to data-driven decision-making and scientific rigor in all aspects of product development and design.

• Trust: Building trustworthy AI systems and user experiences, with a focus on explainability, transparency, and user confidence.

• Curiosity: An inherent drive to explore complex scientific problems, understand user needs deeply, and question existing paradigms.

• Grit: Perseverance through challenging problems, embracing the demanding nature of startup environments and tackling historically significant issues.

• Velocity: A commitment to rapid iteration, efficient execution, and moving with speed to accelerate scientific discovery and product development.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-functional Integration: Designers are expected to be deeply integrated with Product, Engineering, Science, and Operations teams, fostering a collaborative environment where diverse perspectives inform design.

• Data-Informed Design: A culture where design decisions are supported by data, research, and user feedback, rather than solely relying on intuition.

• Agile & Iterative: Embracing an iterative design process, with frequent feedback loops and a willingness to adapt designs based on new learnings and evolving requirements.

📝 Enhancement Note: The company's core values are central to its culture and will heavily influence how teams operate. Candidates should be prepared to articulate how their own work ethic and approach align with these values, particularly "Grit" and "Velocity," given the startup context, and "Trust" and "Truth" due to the scientific and AI focus.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Designing for Ambiguity: Navigating highly complex, evolving scientific workflows and AI capabilities where clear requirements may not initially exist. This requires strong problem-framing and iterative design skills.

• Building Trust in AI: Creating user interfaces that foster trust and understanding for advanced AI systems, especially in critical scientific applications where errors can have significant consequences.

• Simplifying Complexity: Translating intricate scientific and operational processes into intuitive user experiences that do not compromise necessary functionality or accuracy.

• Scaling Design Systems: Contributing to and scaling design patterns and systems within an early-stage, rapidly growing product environment, ensuring consistency without stifling innovation.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Specialized AI/Science Design: Gaining deep expertise in designing for cutting-edge AI technologies and complex scientific domains, a niche but growing area.

• Leadership Track: Opportunities to grow into design leadership roles, mentoring other designers, and influencing product strategy at a higher level.

• Industry Exposure: Working at the forefront of scientific discovery and AI innovation, offering unique insights into future trends and applications.

• Mentorship: Potential for mentorship from experienced product leaders and scientists within the organization.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges presented are typical of senior roles in innovative tech companies. Success will hinge on adaptability, strong problem-solving skills, and the ability to influence and lead without formal authority. The growth opportunities are substantial for individuals looking to specialize in a high-impact, emerging field.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you had to design for a highly technical or scientific workflow. How did you approach understanding the domain and user needs, and what were the key design challenges?" (Focus on process, user empathy, and simplification)

• "How do you approach building user trust in AI-powered features, especially when the AI's decision-making process is complex or not fully transparent?" (Focus on explainability, calibration, and user control)

• "Walk me through a complex product you designed from start to finish. What was your role, what were the biggest trade-offs you made, and what was the ultimate impact of your design?" (Focus on end-to-end ownership, strategic decision-making, and quantifiable results) Company & Culture Questions:

• "Based on your research, how do you see your design philosophy aligning with Lila Sciences' core values of truth, trust, curiosity, grit, and velocity?" (Demonstrate understanding of values and personal alignment)

• "How would you approach collaborating with scientists and engineers who may have very different communication styles and priorities?" (Focus on cross-functional collaboration and communication strategies)

• "What excites you most about Lila Sciences' mission, and how do you see this role contributing to it?" (Show genuine interest and strategic thinking about impact) Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Storytelling: Frame your case studies as narratives. Start with the problem, explain your approach and key decisions, and conclude with the outcome and learnings.

• Visual Clarity: Use clean, well-annotated visuals (sketches, wireframes, mockups, prototypes) to illustrate your points. Don't overload slides with text.

• Focus on Process & Rationale: For each design decision, explain the "why" behind it. Discuss the research, constraints, and trade-offs that informed your choices.

• AI Tool Showcase: If you used AI tools, dedicate a moment to explain how and why you used them, and what benefit they provided to your workflow.

• Interactive Elements: If possible, prepare a brief interactive demo of a prototype or a key feature you designed, especially if it relates to workflow or AI interactions.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation should focus on demonstrating not just design skills but also strategic thinking, problem-solving capabilities within complex technical domains, and an understanding of AI and scientific workflows. Candidates should be prepared to discuss their process, rationale, and impact in detail.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Senior Product Designer II / Staff Product Designer position at Lila Sciences:

• Submit your application through the provided link on Greenhouse.

• Customize Your Resume: Tailor your resume to highlight experience in designing complex technical software, operational workflows, and any exposure to AI-native features, scientific applications, or data-rich products. Use keywords from the job description.

• Curate Your Portfolio: Select 1-3 strong case studies that best showcase your end-to-end design process for complex technical or operational challenges. Prioritize examples demonstrating systems thinking, simplification of ambiguity, and ideally, AI-related design. Ensure your portfolio clearly articulates your role, process, rationale, and impact.

• Prepare Your Presentation: Practice presenting your portfolio case studies, focusing on storytelling, clear articulation of your design process, and highlighting your ability to handle complexity and ambiguity. Be ready to discuss your use of AI design tools.

• Research Lila Sciences: Deeply understand the company's mission, technology (Scientific Superintelligence™, AI Science Factory™), core values, and target users. Prepare to discuss how your skills and aspirations align with their ambitious goals.

⚠️ 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.