Senior Product Designer, Space

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Senior Product Designer, Space

Company: Anduril Industries

Location: Seattle, Washington, United States

Job Type: Full-time

Category: Product Design / UX / HCI

Date Posted: September 04, 2026

Experience Level: 5+ Years

Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• Lead the design direction for critical spacecraft mission planning and command & control experiences within Anduril's advanced defense technology ecosystem.

• Collaborate closely with specialized stakeholders, including space systems engineers, product managers, and operators, to translate complex requirements into intuitive user interfaces.

• Contribute to the evolution of Anduril's proprietary AI-powered operating system, Lattice OS, by extending its capabilities to the space domain.

• Leverage and adapt existing design systems (originally for ground, maritime, and air) to meet the unique demands of space operations, ensuring consistency and maximizing reuse across programs.

• Drive design initiatives from discovery through to delivery, employing a rigorous process of problem decomposition, user research, iterative prototyping, and hands-on implementation guidance.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is positioned as a Senior Product Designer within a specialized "Space" organization, indicating a need for experienced designers who can operate with a high degree of autonomy while contributing to strategic design direction. The emphasis on "mission-critical environments" and "real-world impact" suggests a focus on robust, reliable, and highly functional design solutions. The requirement for a TS clearance with SCI eligibility is a significant factor for candidates.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Own the end-to-end design process for spacecraft mission planning and command & control experiences, from initial concept exploration to final delivery.

• Partner with the existing space domain designer to define and refine the Mission Planning workflow, progressively expanding scope as new programs launch.

• Conduct discovery sessions, problem decomposition, and collaborative workshops with internal operators and stakeholders to deeply understand user needs and operational contexts.

• Synthesize research findings into actionable design decisions that optimize critical operator workflows and enhance mission success.

• Analyze existing mission planning variants across other domains (Maritime, Aerial) to identify opportunities for strategic reuse, adaptation, and consistency with the broader Anduril design system.

• Develop and extend Anduril's established design system to accommodate the unique requirements and complexities of the space domain.

• Foster strong, collaborative relationships with engineering and product management teams through iterative prototyping, clear communication, and hands-on implementation support.

• Create comprehensive design documentation, including user journeys, workflows, high-fidelity mockups, and detailed specifications, to ensure clarity and alignment across teams.

• Actively participate in design critiques and knowledge-sharing sessions to stay abreast of Anduril-wide implementations of Lattice OS and domain-specific features.

• Collaborate with the design systems team to contribute to the platform's evolution based on insights gained from designing at the edge of new domains.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a blend of strategic ownership and tactical execution. The emphasis on "progressively expanding into new features and workflows as programs launch as early as 2026" suggests a dynamic and evolving project landscape. The requirement to identify reuse opportunities across domains underscores the importance of systems thinking and a holistic approach to design within Anduril's product ecosystem.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: While no specific degree is mandated, a strong educational background in Design, Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), or a related field is implied by the experience requirements and the nature of the role. Candidates are expected to demonstrate a deep understanding of design principles and methodologies.

Experience: 5+ years of professional experience in product design, UX design, or HCI, with a demonstrable track record of delivering high-craft, technically informed solutions.

Required Skills:

• Proven expertise in visual and interaction design, with the ability to craft elegant and effective solutions for complex technical workflows.

• Strong portfolio showcasing high-quality design work, precision, clarity, and meticulous attention to detail.

• Demonstrated ability to execute feature-level design work independently while effectively seeking guidance on ambiguous or complex challenges.

• A systems thinking mindset, capable of mapping intricate user journeys across multiple user types and diverse operational contexts.

• Proficient in creating prototypes to drive clarity and facilitate decision-making processes.

• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to articulate the rationale behind design decisions and navigate complex stakeholder requirements across engineering, product, and business teams.

• Ability to work independently on feature-level work while seeking guidance on complex ambiguities.

• Eligibility to obtain and maintain a U.S. Top Secret (TS) security clearance with SCI eligibility is mandatory. Preferred Skills:

• Experience designing user-facing software for technical operators in domains such as aerospace, industrial control systems, logistics, robotics, or other complex operational environments.

• Familiarity with workflows involving the planning, commanding, visualization, or monitoring of distributed systems.

• A proven track record of delivering high-quality design work in fast-paced, mission-critical environments characterized by shifting priorities and ambiguity.

• Experience working within established design systems and contributing thoughtful extensions for domain-specific needs.

• Experience leading user research initiatives, including customer discovery, usability testing, and synthesizing complex feedback loops.

• Strong facilitation skills to lead workshops, guide cross-functional alignment, and support strategic decision-making.

• Familiarity with designing for constrained environments or high-stakes, safety-critical applications.

📝 Enhancement Note: The distinction between required and preferred skills clearly outlines the core competencies and desired specialized knowledge. The emphasis on a portfolio demonstrating "elegant solutions and high craft quality" is crucial. The mandatory TS/SCI clearance is a non-negotiable requirement that will significantly filter the applicant pool.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A comprehensive portfolio is essential, demonstrating a minimum of 5 years of experience in product design, UX, or HCI.

• Showcase case studies that highlight your ability to execute high-craft, technically informed solutions for complex problems.

• Include examples of designing for intricate technical workflows where precision, clarity, and attention to detail are paramount.

• Present work that exemplifies elegant solutions and a high degree of craft quality in visual and interaction design.

• Demonstrate your systems thinking capability through examples of mapping user journeys across multiple user types and operational contexts.

• Include prototypes that illustrate your skill in driving clarity and facilitating decision-making.

• Provide evidence of navigating complex stakeholder requirements and communicating the "why" behind design decisions. Process Documentation:

• Clearly articulate the design process used in your portfolio case studies, from initial discovery and problem decomposition to final delivery.

• Detail your approach to user research, including methodologies for problem identification, validation, and synthesis of complex feedback loops.

• Illustrate your collaboration process with engineering and product management, including iterative prototyping and implementation guidance.

• Document your experience with design systems, showing how you've either worked within existing systems or contributed extensions for domain-specific needs.

• For preferred qualifications, showcase experience with designing for distributed systems, mission planning, or command & control workflows.

📝 Enhancement Note: The portfolio is the primary tool for assessing a candidate's design capabilities and process. It must clearly articulate the candidate's methodology, problem-solving approach, and the impact of their design solutions, especially in technical and complex operational contexts. The emphasis on "high-craft" and "elegant solutions" suggests a preference for aesthetic quality alongside functional excellence.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $166,000 - $220,000 USD per year.

Benefits:

• Highly competitive equity grants are included in the majority of full-time offers, forming a significant part of the total compensation package.

• Top-tier benefits are offered for full-time employees, designed to support health, recovery, and future endeavors. Specific details can be explored via the provided career link.

• Comprehensive benefits package available at little to no cost to employees.

• Includes health insurance.

Working Hours: The standard working hours for this role are assumed to be 40 hours per week, typical for a full-time, on-site position. However, given the mission-critical nature of defense technology and the fast-paced environment, flexibility and potential for extended hours during critical project phases may be expected.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range provided is an estimate. The company states that actual salary offers may vary based on factors such as work experience, education, critical skills, and business considerations. The inclusion of significant equity grants is a key component of Anduril's compensation philosophy, suggesting a focus on long-term employee investment and alignment with company success.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Defense Technology. Anduril Industries is at the forefront of transforming military capabilities through advanced technology, focusing on areas like autonomy, AI, computer vision, sensor fusion, and networking. The company aims to bring 21st-century innovation to the defense sector, accelerating the development and deployment of cutting-edge systems.

Company Size: Anduril Industries is a rapidly growing company. While the exact number of employees is not provided in the raw data, its scale implies a dynamic, resource-rich environment with significant investment in R&D and product development. This size suggests opportunities for impact and exposure to cutting-edge projects.

Founded: Anduril was founded to address the evolving needs of modern defense and national security. The company's mission is to modernize military capabilities by rapidly developing and deploying advanced technological solutions.

Team Structure:

• The Product Design & Research team is centralized, serving as a connective tissue across Anduril's diverse software experiences.

• This specific role is within the "Space" organization, working alongside another dedicated designer in this domain.

• Collaboration is expected with specialized stakeholders such as space systems engineers, product managers, and operators.

• Designers maintain full access to the broader design community for critique, collaboration, and knowledge sharing, fostering a connected design practice despite domain specialization.

• The role involves close collaboration with engineering and product management teams. Methodology:

• Data-Driven Design: The company's product development is powered by Lattice OS, an AI-powered operating system that processes vast amounts of data. Design decisions are expected to be informed by data analysis and user insights.

• Agile Development: The emphasis on delivering solutions "in months, not years" and adapting to evolving programs suggests an agile or iterative development approach.

• Systems Integration: A core aspect is integrating diverse systems and data streams into a cohesive command and control experience. Design must facilitate this integration seamlessly.

• Iterative Design & Prototyping: The role emphasizes iterative prototyping and hands-on implementation guidance, indicating a continuous feedback loop and refinement process.

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

📝 Enhancement Note: Anduril's culture is characterized by a strong mission focus, rapid innovation, and a commitment to leveraging cutting-edge technology for defense applications. The centralized design team structure, with specialized domain focus, aims to balance domain expertise with cross-pollination of ideas and best practices. The emphasis on Lattice OS suggests a platform-centric approach to product development.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is positioned at a "Senior" level within Product Design. This implies a significant degree of autonomy, ownership, and the ability to influence design strategy within the Space domain. Senior designers are expected to mentor junior team members, lead complex projects, and contribute to the overall design system and best practices.

Reporting Structure: The designer will work within the centralized Software Product Design & Research team, with a specific focus on the Space organization. They will report to a design lead within this structure, receiving guidance on design direction while developing autonomy in their feature areas. Collaboration with space systems engineers and product managers is integral to the role.

Operations Impact: The designer's work directly impacts the effectiveness and efficiency of critical space missions. By designing intuitive and robust command & control and mission planning experiences, they contribute to enhanced operational capabilities, faster decision-making, and ultimately, mission success. The integration of AI and advanced technologies into these experiences means the designer plays a pivotal role in enabling Anduril's mission to transform military capabilities.

Growth Opportunities:

• Domain Expertise: Deepen specialization in space operations, mission planning, and command & control design, becoming a subject matter expert.

• Design System Evolution: Contribute significantly to evolving and adapting Anduril's design system for the unique challenges of the space domain, potentially influencing future domain expansions.

• Leadership Development: As a senior member, opportunities may arise to mentor junior designers, lead design initiatives, or take on more strategic design leadership roles within the Space organization or the broader design team.

• Cross-Domain Exposure: Leverage opportunities to understand and potentially contribute to design solutions in other domains (Maritime, Aerial) supported by the centralized design team.

• Skill Expansion: Gain exposure to cutting-edge technologies like AI, autonomy, and sensor fusion, and learn how to design effective interfaces for these complex systems.

📝 Enhancement Note: The Senior Product Designer role at Anduril offers a unique opportunity to shape the future of defense technology in the space domain. Growth is likely tied to both deepening expertise within specialized areas and potentially moving into broader design leadership or strategic roles as the company and its product offerings expand. The emphasis on "mission-critical" work provides a strong sense of purpose and direct impact.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: This is an on-site role, indicating a traditional office-based work environment. Anduril fosters a collaborative atmosphere, and this role requires close proximity to the Space organization's engineers, product managers, and operators.

Office Location(s): Seattle, Washington, United States. This location offers access to a vibrant tech ecosystem and a significant talent pool. Specific details about the office facilities, amenities, and accessibility would need to be confirmed directly.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Environment: The role emphasizes close collaboration with cross-functional teams (engineering, product management, other designers, operators), suggesting an open and interactive workspace designed to facilitate communication and teamwork.

• Tools and Technology: Designers will have access to Anduril's internal tools and technology stack, including potentially advanced development environments and design software, to support the creation of complex technical workflows.

• Team Interaction: Regular interaction with the Space team's existing designer, design lead, and other stakeholders is expected, fostering a supportive and knowledge-sharing environment. Participation in team critiques and workshops is a key aspect of the daily work.

Work Schedule: While the standard workweek is likely 40 hours, the nature of defense technology and mission-critical projects may necessitate flexibility. Candidates should be prepared for potential periods of intense work leading up to program launches or critical milestones. The on-site requirement means adherence to office hours and availability for in-person collaboration is expected.

📝 Enhancement Note: The on-site requirement in Seattle is a key factor for applicants. The work environment is described as highly collaborative and mission-focused, with an emphasis on integrating design into the core development process alongside engineering and product management.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: Likely involves a review of your resume and portfolio to assess basic qualifications and design craft.

• Portfolio Review & Design Exercise: Expect a deep dive into your portfolio, discussing specific case studies, your design process, and how you approach complex technical challenges. You may be asked to complete a design exercise or present on a hypothetical problem relevant to space mission planning or command & control.

• Cross-Functional Interviews: Interviews with Product Managers, Systems Engineers, and potentially operators to assess your ability to collaborate, understand technical constraints, and communicate effectively with diverse stakeholders.

• Design Team Interviews: Discussions with other designers and the design lead to evaluate your design thinking, systems approach, and cultural fit within the design organization.

• Final Round: May involve discussions with leadership to assess strategic thinking, leadership potential, and overall alignment with Anduril's mission.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Showcase Technical Complexity: Highlight projects that demonstrate your ability to design for complex technical workflows, precision, and clarity.

• Emphasize Process: Clearly articulate your design process, from discovery and research to iteration and implementation. Explain the "why" behind your decisions.

• Demonstrate Systems Thinking: Include examples that illustrate your ability to map user journeys across multiple systems and user types.

• Detail Collaboration: Explain how you worked with engineers, product managers, and other stakeholders, showcasing your communication and integration skills.

• Highlight Craft Quality: Ensure your portfolio visually represents high-quality visual and interaction design, with attention to detail.

• Quantify Impact (if possible): Where applicable, use metrics or qualitative feedback to demonstrate the impact of your design solutions.

• Tailor to Space Domain: If possible, include or reference projects that show familiarity with or an ability to adapt to technical operator-focused software or complex operational contexts.

Challenge Preparation:

• Understand the Domain: Research Anduril's work in space technology, mission planning, and command & control systems. Familiarize yourself with the challenges of designing for defense applications.

• Practice Problem Decomposition: Be prepared to break down complex problems into smaller, manageable parts.

• Articulate Design Rationale: Practice explaining your design decisions clearly and concisely, linking them to user needs, business goals, and technical constraints.

• Prepare for Systems-Based Questions: Anticipate questions about how your designs integrate into larger systems and workflows.

• Be Ready to Discuss Trade-offs: In mission-critical environments, design often involves balancing competing priorities. Be prepared to discuss trade-offs you've made.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process is designed to assess not only design skills but also the candidate's ability to operate in a mission-critical, technically demanding environment. The portfolio is central, and candidates must be prepared to thoroughly explain their process, rationale, and the impact of their work, particularly in contexts requiring precision and clarity.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Design & Prototyping Software: Proficiency in industry-standard tools such as Figma, Sketch, Adobe Creative Suite, or similar platforms for creating high-fidelity mockups and interactive prototypes.

• User Research Tools: Experience with tools for user interviews, usability testing, surveys, and synthesizing research findings (e.g., UserTesting.com, Dovetail, Miro).

• Collaboration Platforms: Familiarity with tools like Jira, Confluence, Slack, or Microsoft Teams for cross-functional team communication and project management.

Analytics & Reporting:

• While not directly a design tool, an understanding of how design impacts user behavior metrics and system performance is beneficial. Familiarity with analytics platforms (e.g., Google Analytics, Amplitude, Mixpanel) can provide context for design iteration based on usage data. CRM & Automation:

• Not directly applicable to the core design role, but understanding how design integrates with CRM and automation workflows within the Lattice OS ecosystem could be an advantage. Design Systems:

• Experience working with and contributing to design systems is critical. This includes understanding component libraries, style guides, and design tokens. The ability to extend and adapt existing design systems is a key requirement.

📝 Enhancement Note: The primary tools for this role will be standard UX/UI design and prototyping software. The emphasis on design systems is significant, as the candidate will be expected to work within and contribute to Anduril's established system, adapting it for the unique needs of the space domain.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Mission First: A strong commitment to the company's mission of transforming U.S. and allied military capabilities through advanced technology. This translates to a focus on delivering robust, reliable, and impactful solutions.

• Innovation & Speed: A culture that embraces cutting-edge technology (AI, autonomy, computer vision) and aims to deploy solutions rapidly, "in months, not years."

• Technical Excellence: A high regard for technical rigor, precision, and attention to detail, particularly in complex and safety-critical domains like space operations.

• Collaboration & Transparency: Emphasis on cross-functional teamwork, open communication, and knowledge sharing across design, engineering, and product teams.

• Impact-Oriented: A drive to create tangible, real-world impact through technology, contributing to national security and defense capabilities.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-Functional Integration: Designers are deeply integrated with engineering and product management teams, working collaboratively from discovery through implementation.

• Iterative Feedback Loops: A culture that encourages frequent critique, iterative prototyping, and continuous refinement based on feedback from operators and stakeholders.

• Knowledge Sharing: Regular participation in team critique sessions and workshops to share learnings, best practices, and insights across the design organization.

• Domain Specialization within a Unified Framework: While designers specialize in domains like Space, they operate within a centralized design team structure, promoting consistency and shared methodologies.

📝 Enhancement Note: Anduril's culture is deeply rooted in its defense mission and its commitment to rapid technological advancement. For a designer, this means embracing a high-stakes environment where precision, reliability, and collaboration are paramount. The company values individuals who can translate complex technical requirements into user-centered solutions that directly contribute to operational success.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Designing for Mission-Critical Operations: Creating intuitive and reliable interfaces for high-stakes environments where user error can have severe consequences. This requires extreme attention to detail, clarity, and robust error handling.

• Adapting to Evolving Programs: Working in a dynamic environment with programs launching as early as 2026 means designs must be adaptable and scalable to meet changing requirements and new features.

• Extending Existing Design Systems: Adapting a design system developed for terrestrial domains to the unique constraints and requirements of space operations, balancing reuse with domain-specific needs.

• Navigating Technical Complexity: Translating advanced technologies like AI, autonomy, and sensor fusion into understandable and actionable user experiences for operators.

• Security Clearance Requirements: Obtaining and maintaining a TS clearance with SCI eligibility is a significant hurdle and ongoing responsibility for the role.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Deep Domain Expertise: Develop unparalleled expertise in space mission planning, command & control, and the operational challenges faced by military space personnel.

• Advanced Technology Exposure: Gain hands-on experience designing for cutting-edge defense technologies, including AI, autonomy, and advanced sensor fusion.

• Design System Contribution: Play a key role in evolving and expanding a sophisticated design system for a new, critical domain.

• Cross-Functional Leadership: Opportunities to lead design initiatives, influence product strategy, and mentor other designers, potentially moving into design leadership roles.

• Industry Impact: Contribute directly to the advancement of national security capabilities through innovative technology design.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges in this role are significant but also present substantial growth opportunities. Successfully navigating the complexities of designing for space operations within a defense context will build highly specialized and valuable skills.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you had to design a complex technical workflow. How did you approach problem decomposition, user research, and iteration?"

• "How do you ensure clarity and precision in your designs, especially when dealing with high-stakes or safety-critical applications?"

• "Walk us through a project where you had to adapt an existing design system or guidelines for a new domain or specific requirements."

• "How do you balance the need for rapid iteration with the demand for robust, reliable solutions in a mission-critical environment?"

• "Explain your process for collaborating with engineers and product managers to ensure successful implementation of your designs." Company & Culture Questions:

• "What interests you about Anduril's mission and our work in the defense technology sector, specifically in space?"

• "How do you approach working in a fast-paced environment with evolving priorities?"

• "Describe your experience working with cross-functional teams. How do you build consensus and manage stakeholder expectations?"

• "How do you stay updated on design trends and emerging technologies relevant to complex technical systems?"

• "What are your thoughts on the importance of design systems, and how do you contribute to them?" Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure: Organize your presentation around 2-3 key case studies that best demonstrate your skills relevant to this role (complex technical workflows, systems thinking, high-craft design).

• Narrative: For each case study, tell a clear story: the problem, your role and process, the challenges faced, the solutions you designed, and the impact/outcomes.

• Visuals: Use high-quality visuals – mockups, wireframes, prototypes, user flows. Ensure they are clean, professional, and easy to understand.

• Process Emphasis: Clearly articulate how you arrived at your solutions. Explain your research methods, design decisions, and iterative process.

• Stakeholder Interaction: Discuss how you engaged with stakeholders (engineers, product managers, users) and how their input shaped your design.

• Technical Context: Show awareness of technical constraints and how your designs are feasible within them.

• Domain Relevance: If possible, highlight aspects of your work that show an aptitude for or understanding of technical operator-focused software or complex operational contexts.

• Conciseness: Be mindful of time. Practice your presentation to ensure it fits within the allotted timeframe.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation should focus on demonstrating a strong design process, technical understanding, and the ability to collaborate effectively in a mission-driven, high-stakes environment. The portfolio presentation is critical for showcasing practical application of skills.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Senior Product Designer, Space position:

• Submit your application through the provided greenhouse.io link.

• Tailor your Resume: Highlight your 5+ years of experience in product design, UX, or HCI. Emphasize projects involving complex technical workflows, systems thinking, and high-craft visual/interaction design. Quantify achievements where possible.

• Curate Your Portfolio: Select 2-3 of your strongest case studies that best showcase your ability to design for technical operators, complex systems, and mission-critical applications. Ensure your portfolio clearly articulates your design process, rationale, and impact. If you have experience in aerospace, industrial control systems, robotics, or similar domains, make sure those projects are prominent.

• Prepare Your Narrative: Practice presenting your portfolio case studies, focusing on telling a compelling story about the problem, your process, your solutions, and the outcomes. Be ready to discuss trade-offs and stakeholder management.

• Research Anduril: Familiarize yourself with Anduril Industries, its mission, its products (especially Lattice OS), and its work in the defense technology sector. Understand the importance of the space domain and the challenges involved.

• Address Clearance: Be prepared to confirm your eligibility to obtain and maintain a U.S. TS clearance with SCI eligibility.

⚠️ 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.