Senior Product Designer - Store Back of House Technology

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Senior Product Designer - Store Back of House Technology

Company: REI (Recreational Equipment Inc.)

Location: Seattle, Washington, United States

Job Type: FULL_TIME

Category: Product Design / UX Design / Operations Technology

Date Posted: April 15, 2026

Experience Level: 6+ years

🚀 Role Summary

• This Senior Product Designer role focuses on enhancing the end-to-end digital experiences for REI's store teams, particularly within Back of House (BOH) operations.

• The position requires translating complex operational workflows (e.g., inventory, fulfillment, tasking, labor) into intuitive, efficient, and reliable digital products.

• This is a senior individual contributor role with significant ownership, broad influence, and the opportunity to define design's impact on store operations technology.

• The designer will collaborate closely with Product Managers, Engineers, Program Managers, and store partners to deliver solutions that streamline daily store tasks and improve operational clarity.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the title is "Senior Product Designer," the description heavily emphasizes operational workflows, efficiency, and the impact on store teams, indicating a strong focus on the "operations technology" aspect of product design. This role is critical for improving the daily efficiency and effectiveness of store personnel by optimizing the digital tools they use for critical back-of-house functions.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Lead UX and product design for one or more critical Back of House store technology products, overseeing the entire product lifecycle from discovery through delivery and iteration.

• Translate intricate operational workflows such as inventory management, fulfillment processes, task allocation, labor management, and tool utilization into clear, usable, and scalable digital experiences.

• Champion human-centered design (HCD) principles by actively collaborating with product and engineering teams throughout the agile product development lifecycle.

• Articulate design intent and user journeys through various deliverables including journey maps, service blueprints, detailed workflows, wireframes, interactive prototypes, and high-fidelity visual designs.

• Advocate for design-led decisions by effectively communicating user needs, identifying tradeoffs, and presenting well-reasoned recommendations to stakeholders across all organizational levels.

• Contribute to the development and evolution of shared design systems, patterns, and standards to ensure consistency, quality, and efficiency across all store-facing digital tools.

• Balance strategic thinking with hands-on execution, taking ownership of design problems from initial concept through to the final shipped experience.

• Continuously gather insights from store teams through methods such as user research, field visits, usability testing, and ongoing feedback loops to inform design decisions.

• Apply a data-driven approach to define experiences that effectively integrate user feedback, business requirements, and operational metrics.

• Foster REI's unique culture, values, and principles while establishing new benchmarks for executional and operational excellence within store technology.

• Define the design point of view (POV), standards, and long-term vision in close collaboration with product management, marketing, and engineering teams.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a deep dive into operational complexities within a retail environment, requiring the designer to not only create user interfaces but also understand and optimize business processes. The emphasis on "human-centered design," "data-driven approach," and "operational excellence" suggests a need for a designer who can bridge the gap between user needs and business objectives.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: Bachelor’s degree in Design, Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), Interaction Design, or a related field, or equivalent practical experience.

Experience: 6+ years of experience in product design, service design, UX design, or interaction design for complex digital products.

Required Skills:

• Possess strong end-to-end design capabilities spanning discovery, interaction design, visual design, and prototyping.

• Experience designing operational, enterprise, or workflow-heavy tools; experience in retail, logistics, supply chain, or similar domains is strongly preferred.

• Proven ability to simplify complex systems and operational processes into intuitive and user-friendly digital experiences.

• Ability to plan and conduct user research, leverage data insights, and build a strategic design point of view.

• Comfort working in ambiguous environments and influencing cross-functional partners without formal authority.

• Excellent storytelling and communication skills, with the ability to clearly articulate design decisions and their underlying rationale.

• Experience collaborating closely with product managers and engineers within agile product development teams.

• Experience leading product direction and strategic thinking for digital initiatives.

• Deep understanding and proficiency with design and prototyping tools, such as Figma.

• Adept at utilizing design systems, adhering to best practices, accessibility guidelines (WCAG), and human-centered design methodologies.

• Ability to communicate complex interaction concepts clearly and persuasively to diverse audiences.

• Strong organizational skills, meticulous attention to detail, and effective time-management capabilities.

Preferred Skills:

• Specific experience designing for retail store operations, inventory management systems, order fulfillment processes, or labor management tools.

• Experience conducting in-context or field research with frontline workers and operational staff.

• Familiarity with managing and contributing to large-scale design systems and shared component libraries.

📝 Enhancement Note: The qualifications emphasize a blend of core design skills and domain-specific knowledge in operational environments. Candidates are expected to not only be proficient designers but also strategic thinkers capable of understanding and improving complex business processes within a retail context. The portfolio requirement is critical for demonstrating practical application of these skills.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Showcase a minimum of 3-4 distinct projects that highlight your end-to-end design process, from problem definition and user research to final design solutions and impact.

• For each project, clearly articulate the problem space, your role and responsibilities, the design methodologies employed, and the rationale behind key design decisions.

• Include specific examples of how you translated complex operational workflows (e.g., inventory, fulfillment, task management) into intuitive digital interfaces.

• Demonstrate your proficiency with design tools like Figma, showcasing wireframes, prototypes, user flows, and high-fidelity visual designs.

Process Documentation:

• Provide detailed case studies that illustrate your approach to user research, including methods used, insights gained, and how those insights informed design iterations.

• Document your experience in developing and utilizing design systems, including examples of component creation, pattern application, and maintaining consistency across products.

• Showcase examples of your collaboration with product managers and engineers, highlighting how you integrated feedback and navigated trade-offs within an agile development environment.

• Include demonstrations of how you've applied human-centered design and accessibility best practices in your work.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a Senior Product Designer role focused on operations technology, the portfolio is paramount. It needs to go beyond aesthetics and demonstrate a deep understanding of user needs within a complex operational context, the ability to translate those needs into practical digital solutions, and a measurable impact on efficiency and user experience. The emphasis on process documentation ensures the candidate can articulate their methodology.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $113,100.00 - $180,900.00 per year

Benefits:

• Generous employee discount on REI products and services.

• Comprehensive health benefits package, including medical, dental, and vision coverage.

• Retirement savings plan, likely a 401(k) with potential company match.

• Accrued paid time off (PTO), which can include vacation, sick leave, and holidays.

• Potential for other benefits such as parental leave, wellness programs, and professional development opportunities.

Working Hours: This is a full-time position, typically requiring around 40 hours per week. While specific flexibility is not detailed, design roles often allow for some level of schedule management, especially in collaboration with agile teams.

📝 Enhancement Note: The provided salary range is competitive for a Senior Product Designer role in a major metropolitan area like Seattle, especially for a well-regarded company like REI. The benefits listed are standard for a full-time employee at a company of REI's size and reputation, with the employee discount being a significant perk for outdoor enthusiasts. The working hours are standard, but the nature of design work often allows for some flexibility in managing tasks.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Outdoor Recreation Retail. REI operates as a consumer cooperative, focusing on outdoor gear, apparel, and experiences, with a strong emphasis on community, sustainability, and ethical business practices.

Company Size: REI is a large organization, employing thousands of individuals across its retail stores, distribution centers, and corporate offices. This large size implies structured processes, potential for specialized teams, and a significant impact on the market.

Founded: REI was founded in 1938. This long history suggests a stable company with established values and a deep understanding of its customer base and market.

Team Structure:

• The Product Design team likely operates within a broader Product or Technology organization, collaborating closely with Product Management, Engineering, and User Research.

• This specific role is within the "Store Back of House Technology" product area, suggesting a dedicated team focused on improving the operational tools used by store employees.

Methodology:

• REI likely employs agile methodologies for product development, with a strong emphasis on iterative design, user feedback, and data-driven decision-making.

• The company's cooperative structure and commitment to sustainability and inclusivity likely influence its operational and design methodologies, prioritizing equitable and user-centric solutions.

• A focus on "operational excellence" suggests a commitment to refining processes and systems for maximum efficiency and effectiveness.

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

📝 Enhancement Note: REI's identity as a consumer cooperative is a significant cultural differentiator. This means employees are part of a member-owned organization, fostering a unique sense of shared purpose and commitment. The "fully inclusive, anti-racist, multicultural" commitment is also a core tenet guiding their culture and operations.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This is a Senior Individual Contributor role, signifying a high level of expertise and autonomy. It sits above mid-level designers and is responsible for leading significant product areas, influencing strategy, and mentoring junior team members.

Reporting Structure: The Senior Product Designer will likely report to a Design Manager or Director, and will work closely with Product Managers and Engineering Leads for specific product initiatives within the Store BOH Technology domain.

Operations Impact: The work directly impacts the daily efficiency, accuracy, and job satisfaction of thousands of store employees. By improving Back of House technology, this role contributes to smoother inventory management, faster fulfillment, better task completion, and ultimately, enhanced customer service and operational profitability for REI.

Growth Opportunities:

• Design Leadership: Progress to Lead Product Designer, Principal Product Designer, or a Design Manager role, taking on more strategic oversight and team leadership responsibilities.

• Specialization: Deepen expertise in retail operations technology, supply chain, or logistics design, becoming a go-to expert in these complex domains.

• Cross-functional Mobility: Transition into Product Management roles, leveraging deep understanding of user needs and operational processes to define product strategy.

• Mentorship: Guide and mentor junior designers, contributing to the overall growth and skill development of the design team.

• Strategic Influence: Play a key role in shaping the long-term product roadmap and design strategy for REI's store operations technology.

📝 Enhancement Note: The senior nature of this role offers significant opportunities for impact and career advancement. The focus on operational technology provides a specialized path that can lead to expert-level knowledge in a critical area of retail business, potentially opening doors to leadership roles in both design and operations.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: This role is based in Seattle, Washington, and is listed as "On-site." This suggests a traditional office environment where collaboration and in-person interaction are expected.

Office Location(s): The primary office location is Seattle, Washington. Specific details about the office amenities or exact address are not provided but can be assumed to be a professional corporate setting conducive to collaborative work.

Workspace Context:

• The workspace is likely designed to foster collaboration, with open areas, meeting rooms, and dedicated spaces for focused design work.

• Access to standard office technology, including high-performance computers, large displays, and potentially specialized hardware for prototyping or testing, can be expected.

• Opportunities for informal interactions with cross-functional teams (Product, Engineering, Research) will be readily available, facilitating quick feedback loops and knowledge sharing.

Work Schedule: While the role is full-time (approximately 40 hours/week), the nature of product design often allows for some flexibility in managing daily tasks and project timelines, especially when working within agile frameworks. However, the "on-site" requirement implies a need for consistent presence during core business hours.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "On-site" designation is crucial. For candidates who thrive on in-person collaboration and the structure of a physical office, this is ideal. It implies a dynamic environment where spontaneous discussions and team-building activities are part of the daily routine.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A recruiter or hiring manager will review your application and resume, focusing on relevant experience and portfolio.

• Portfolio Presentation & Design Challenge: Expect to present your portfolio, walking through 2-3 key projects that demonstrate your design process, problem-solving skills, and impact, particularly in operational or complex workflow scenarios. A design challenge (e.g., a take-home assignment or a live whiteboarding session) may be included to assess your approach to a specific problem.

• Cross-functional Interviews: Interviews with Product Managers, Engineers, and potentially other designers or operations stakeholders. These will assess your collaboration style, technical understanding, and ability to articulate design rationale.

• Hiring Manager Interview: A final discussion with the hiring manager to assess overall fit, strategic thinking, and alignment with team and company values.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Focus on Operations: Select projects that specifically showcase your ability to design for complex operational workflows, enterprise tools, or retail environments. Highlight how you simplified complexity and improved efficiency.

• Showcase Process: Clearly articulate your design process for each project, from research and discovery to iteration and final delivery.

• Quantify Impact: Whenever possible, use data and metrics to demonstrate the positive outcomes of your designs (e.g., increased efficiency, reduced error rates, improved task completion times).

• Figma Proficiency: Ensure your portfolio clearly demonstrates your skills with Figma, including interactive prototypes and well-organized design systems if applicable.

• Storytelling: Frame your projects as compelling stories, explaining the "why" behind your decisions and the impact you achieved.

Challenge Preparation:

• Understand the Context: If given a design challenge, thoroughly research REI's business, its store operations, and the Back of House technology landscape.

• Problem Framing: Practice framing the problem clearly and identifying key user needs and business objectives.

• Process Demonstration: Be prepared to articulate your design process live, even if it's a simplified version, and explain your rationale for each step.

• Focus on Efficiency & Usability: For operational tools, prioritize solutions that enhance efficiency, reduce cognitive load, and are easy to use for frontline staff.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on operational complexity and quantitative impact in the portfolio and interview process is critical. Candidates need to demonstrate not just aesthetic design skills but a deep understanding of how design can drive tangible business results in a functional, operational context.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Figma: Explicitly mentioned as a required tool for design and prototyping. Expect this to be the primary tool for UI design, wireframing, and creating interactive prototypes.

• Design Systems: Experience with or contribution to design systems is a strong preference. This implies familiarity with component-based design, style guides, and maintaining consistency.

• Prototyping Tools: Beyond Figma, familiarity with other prototyping tools might be beneficial, though Figma is the core requirement.

Analytics & Reporting:

• While not explicitly listed as a designer's primary tool, understanding how design impacts key metrics (e.g., task completion rates, user adoption, error reduction) is crucial. Familiarity with analytics platforms (e.g., Google Analytics, Amplitude, Mixpanel) and how to interpret data to inform design decisions would be advantageous.

CRM & Automation:

• Not directly relevant for the designer's core tools but understanding how BOH systems integrate with broader CRM or ERP systems (like Salesforce, SAP, Oracle) could provide valuable context for designing interconnected workflows.

📝 Enhancement Note: The explicit mention of Figma highlights its importance. Candidates should be prepared to showcase their Figma expertise and potentially discuss their experience with design systems, which are increasingly critical for maintaining consistency and efficiency in larger organizations.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Customer-Centricity: A strong focus on serving both external customers and internal users (store teams) by understanding their needs and delivering value.

• Operational Excellence: A commitment to efficiency, reliability, and continuous improvement in all processes and systems that support store operations.

• Collaboration & Partnership: Emphasizing teamwork and strong working relationships with cross-functional teams (Product, Engineering, Research, Store Ops) to achieve shared goals.

• Data-Driven Decision Making: Utilizing user research, analytics, and performance metrics to inform design choices and measure impact.

• Inclusivity & Belonging: Fostering an environment where diverse perspectives are valued, and all team members feel respected and empowered to contribute their best work.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-functional Integration: Expect a highly collaborative environment where designers work hand-in-hand with Product Managers to define requirements and Engineers to ensure feasibility and successful implementation.

• Open Communication: A culture that encourages open dialogue, constructive feedback, and transparent sharing of ideas and challenges.

• Iterative Design Process: Embracing a mindset of continuous improvement, where designs are refined based on ongoing feedback and performance data.

• User Advocacy: The design team acts as a strong advocate for the end-user, ensuring their needs and experiences are prioritized throughout the product development lifecycle.

📝 Enhancement Note: REI's cooperative model and commitment to inclusivity are likely to permeate the team culture. Designers are expected to be not only skilled practitioners but also team players who champion user needs and contribute positively to the company's mission and values.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Complexity of Operational Workflows: Translating intricate, often manual, store operational processes (inventory, fulfillment, tasking) into intuitive and efficient digital experiences requires deep understanding and creative problem-solving.

• Balancing User Needs with Business Constraints: Designing for store teams while meeting the technical, financial, and strategic objectives of a large retail organization.

• Influencing Without Authority: As a senior individual contributor, effectively persuading cross-functional partners and stakeholders to adopt design recommendations.

• Keeping Pace with Technology Evolution: Integrating new technologies and design patterns while maintaining backward compatibility and supporting existing systems within a large enterprise.

• Gathering Insights from Frontline Users: Effectively conducting research and gathering feedback from store employees who may have limited time or access to technology.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Deep Domain Expertise: Gaining specialized knowledge in retail operations technology, supply chain, and logistics, becoming an expert in a critical business function.

• Strategic Product Influence: Opportunities to shape long-term product roadmaps and contribute to the strategic direction of store technology.

• Mentorship & Skill Development: Learning from experienced colleagues, potentially mentoring junior designers, and participating in internal/external training and workshops.

• Industry Exposure: Understanding the broader retail technology landscape and best practices in operational software design.

• Career Progression: A clear path for advancement into lead design roles, principal positions, or management.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges presented are typical of senior roles in operational technology, requiring resilience, strong communication, and a commitment to continuous learning. The growth opportunities are substantial, offering a chance to make a significant impact and build a specialized career.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you had to design for a complex operational workflow. What was the challenge, how did you approach it, and what was the outcome?" (Focus on process, problem-solving, and impact.)

• "How do you balance the needs of end-users with the technical and business constraints of an organization?" (Assess strategic thinking and negotiation skills.)

• "Tell us about a situation where you had to influence stakeholders without direct authority. How did you gain buy-in for your design ideas?" (Evaluate communication and persuasion skills.)

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What do you know about REI's mission and values? How do you see your design work contributing to them?" (Demonstrate research and alignment with company culture.)

• "How do you approach collaboration within a cross-functional team (Product, Engineering, Research)?" (Assess teamwork and communication style.)

• "Describe your experience working with design systems. What are the benefits and challenges of using them?" (Evaluate technical understanding and best practices.)

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure: Organize your presentation logically, starting with the problem, your role, the process, key design decisions, and finally, the outcomes and impact (quantified where possible).

• Narrative: Tell a compelling story for each project, highlighting the challenges, your solutions, and the value delivered.

• Tool Proficiency: Be ready to demonstrate your Figma skills live or discuss specific features and workflows you utilize.

• Operations Focus: Emphasize projects that showcase your ability to handle complexity, improve efficiency, and design for operational contexts.

• Conciseness: Be mindful of time constraints and focus on the most impactful aspects of your work.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process will likely test both your design acumen and your ability to operate effectively within a large, mission-driven organization. Be prepared to discuss specific examples that demonstrate your impact on operational efficiency and user experience.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Senior Product Designer position:

• Submit your application through the REI jobs portal via the provided link.

• Portfolio Customization: Tailor your resume and portfolio to highlight your experience with complex operational workflows, enterprise software design, and quantifiable results in efficiency improvements. Prioritize projects that demonstrate your end-to-end design process and proficiency with Figma.

• Resume Optimization: Ensure your resume clearly articulates your 6+ years of relevant experience, emphasizing keywords such as UX design, product design, service design, operational tools, workflow optimization, Figma, and human-centered design. Quantify achievements whenever possible.

• Interview Preparation: Practice articulating your design process and problem-solving approach using specific examples from your portfolio, focusing on how you've tackled complex operational challenges. Prepare to discuss your understanding of REI's mission and values.

• Company Research: Thoroughly research REI's business, its commitment to inclusivity, its cooperative model, and the specific challenges faced by store operations teams. Understand how your design contributions can align with and advance these aspects.

⚠️ 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.