Senior Staff, Product Design (Core UX)

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Senior Staff, Product Design (Core UX)

Company: Coupang

Location: Seoul, South Korea

Job Type: Full-time

Category: Product Design / UX Design

Date Posted: June 1, 2026

Experience Level: Senior (10+ years)

Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• Lead the strategic design and execution of critical, company-wide product initiatives within Coupang's core e-commerce platform, driving significant customer experience enhancements.

• Spearhead the development of specialized vertical shopping experiences across key categories like Consumer Electronics, Fashion, Health, and Beauty, ensuring a cohesive and world-class user journey.

• Champion the integration of behavioral science principles and data-driven insights throughout the entire design lifecycle to relentlessly optimize the customer experience and achieve business objectives.

• Serve as a senior design leader, fostering design maturity, raising quality standards, and mentoring team members to build a world-class global e-commerce application.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is positioned as a Senior Staff level, indicating significant strategic influence and a requirement to lead complex, cross-functional projects. The emphasis on "Core UX" and "company-wide strategic projects" suggests a focus on foundational user experience elements that impact the entire e-commerce platform, rather than a niche feature. The expectation to "pitch and hold in depth discussions with C-level stakeholders" further underscores the seniority and strategic impact of this position.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Drive and lead key strategic business initiatives, optimizing new and existing features across diverse product categories, and overseeing the complete design lifecycle from ideation to launch.

• Collaborate closely with senior stakeholders across Product, Engineering, Marketing, Operations, and Fulfillment teams to define and execute the go-to-market strategy for new product categories.

• Ensure the incorporation of the latest innovations in behavioral science and data-driven decision-making into all design processes and user experience strategies.

• Act as a relentless advocate for the customer, continuously refining the customer journey through the application of quantitative research and data-driven insights.

• Identify and address design problems and inefficiencies, devising scalable and innovative solutions that enhance user engagement and platform performance.

• Contribute to building design capability within the wider team, raising design standards, and acting as a leadership role model for junior designers.

• Lead design sprints, team brainstorming sessions, and ideation exercises to foster innovation and ensure successful feature launches.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a blend of strategic leadership, hands-on design execution, and cross-functional collaboration, typical of a senior design role within a fast-paced e-commerce environment. The emphasis on "company-wide priority projects" and "transitioning our Core consumers app to a world-class global app" points to a significant transformation initiative.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: Bachelor's degree in Graphic Design, Interaction Design, Industrial Design, Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), Computer Science, Psychology, Ethnography, or equivalent practical experience.

Experience: Minimum of 10+ years of experience in executing and delivering high-quality, customer-impactful designs, with a proven track record of leading and launching significant projects.

Required Skills:

• Demonstrated track record of leading and launching customer and business-impactful projects from conception to completion.

• Extensive experience in executing and delivering high-quality designs across complex product ecosystems.

• Proficiency in leading design sprints, facilitating team brainstorming, ideation exercises, and managing feature launches.

• Strong ability to partner closely with Product Owners to develop strategy and rationale for large, complex features, projects, or programs.

• Proven experience collaborating effectively with diverse teams in dynamic, rapid-growth, and fast-paced environments.

• Track record of utilizing data and quantitative research methodologies to inform decision-making throughout the entire product design process and lifecycle.

Preferred Skills:

• Deep domain knowledge and understanding of the complexities inherent in a marketplace or consumer platform business model.

• Experience with user research methodologies, usability testing, and synthesizing findings into actionable design improvements.

• Familiarity with agile development methodologies and working within cross-functional product teams.

• Expertise in user-centered design principles and best practices for scalable digital products.

📝 Enhancement Note: The requirement for 10+ years of experience and the ability to "pitch and hold in depth discussions with C-level stakeholders" strongly indicate this role is for a seasoned design leader. The emphasis on both data-driven insights and behavioral science suggests a need for designers who can blend analytical rigor with a deep understanding of user psychology. The Korean language proficiency is a critical requirement for this role based in Seoul.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Showcase a minimum of 3-5 significant projects that demonstrate leadership in driving customer or business impact within an e-commerce or complex platform environment.

• Clearly articulate your role and contributions within team-based projects, highlighting leadership in strategy development, ideation, and execution.

• Provide detailed case studies that illustrate your process for leveraging data and behavioral science to inform design decisions and measure outcomes.

• Include examples of how you have optimized user journeys, addressed design inefficiencies, and delivered scalable solutions.

Process Documentation:

• Detail your approach to managing the end-to-end design lifecycle for strategic initiatives, from initial concept and user research through to implementation and post-launch analysis.

• Illustrate your methods for collaborating with cross-functional teams (Product, Engineering, Marketing, Operations) to define product strategy and ensure successful feature releases.

• Showcase your process for incorporating behavioral science and data-driven insights into design problem-solving and iterative improvements.

• Present examples of how you have mentored or raised standards within a design team, demonstrating leadership in design maturity.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a Senior Staff role, the portfolio is crucial. It should not just showcase finished products but the strategic thinking, process, and measurable impact behind them. Emphasis on leading complex projects, cross-functional collaboration, and data/behavioral science integration will be key differentiators.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: Based on industry benchmarks for Senior Staff Product Designers in Seoul, South Korea, with 10+ years of experience, the estimated annual salary range is KRW 90,000,000 to KRW 150,000,000. This estimate considers the seniority of the role, the high cost of living in Seoul, and Coupang's position as a major tech employer. Actual compensation may vary based on individual qualifications, experience, and negotiation.

Benefits:

• Comprehensive health insurance coverage, including medical, dental, and vision plans.

• Generous paid time off (PTO), including vacation days, sick leave, and national holidays.

• Retirement savings plan with potential company matching contributions.

• Opportunities for professional development, including access to training, workshops, conferences, and online learning platforms.

• Employee discounts on Coupang products and services.

• Potential for performance-based bonuses and stock options, depending on company policy and individual performance.

• Relocation assistance may be provided for candidates moving to Seoul.

Working Hours: The standard working hours are approximately 40 hours per week, typically from Monday to Friday. While on-site presence is expected, Coupang may offer some flexibility in daily scheduling to accommodate project needs and team collaboration, within the framework of achieving business objectives.

📝 Enhancement Note: Given the location in Seoul, South Korea, and the Senior Staff level, a competitive salary range has been estimated. The benefits package is assumed to align with those typically offered by large, global tech companies in major metropolitan areas.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: E-commerce / Retail Technology. Coupang operates within the highly competitive and rapidly evolving e-commerce landscape, aiming to revolutionize commerce in South Korea and beyond. This industry context implies a focus on customer-centricity, operational efficiency, and continuous innovation.

Company Size: Coupang is a large, global public company with a significant employee base, indicative of extensive resources, established processes, and a broad organizational structure. This scale provides opportunities for impact but also requires navigating complex organizational dynamics.

Founded: Founded in 2010, Coupang has experienced rapid growth, evolving from a startup into a major player in the e-commerce sector. This history suggests a culture that blends entrepreneurial spirit with the operational rigor of a large enterprise, fostering a dynamic and ambitious work environment.

Team Structure:

• The Product Design team likely consists of specialized UX/UI designers, researchers, and potentially content strategists, working collaboratively to shape the user experience across Coupang's diverse product offerings.

• This role reports into a Design leadership position, with close collaboration expected with Product Management, Engineering, Marketing, Operations, and Fulfillment departments, indicating a matrixed or highly cross-functional reporting structure.

Methodology:

• Coupang emphasizes a data-driven approach, utilizing analytics and quantitative research to inform design decisions and validate product strategies.

• The company fosters a culture of continuous improvement and optimization, encouraging designers to identify and address inefficiencies, and to develop scalable solutions.

• Agile methodologies are likely employed, facilitating rapid iteration, collaboration, and the efficient delivery of new features and product enhancements.

Company Website: https://www.coupang.com/ (Note: The provided URL was for the jobs portal, this is the main company site.)

📝 Enhancement Note: Coupang's description emphasizes a "startup culture with the resources of a large global public company," suggesting a dynamic environment where individuals can drive significant initiatives while benefiting from established infrastructure. The focus on "wowing customers" and "making shopping, eating, and living easier" highlights a deep customer-centricity.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This Senior Staff Product Design role represents a significant step in a design career, moving beyond individual contribution to strategic leadership and influence. It involves shaping product direction, mentoring junior designers, and impacting company-wide initiatives. This level is typically for individuals who have mastered core design skills and are ready to take on greater responsibility for strategic outcomes.

Reporting Structure: The role likely reports to a Director or VP of Product Design, with direct collaboration across Product Management and Engineering leadership. The expectation to engage with C-level stakeholders indicates a high degree of visibility and influence within the organization.

Operations Impact: The Senior Staff Product Designer is expected to have a profound impact on Coupang's revenue and business decisions by:

• Designing and optimizing core user experiences that directly influence conversion rates, customer retention, and average order value.

• Leading the strategic development of new product categories, opening up new revenue streams and market opportunities.

• Ensuring a seamless and delightful customer journey that builds brand loyalty and reduces churn.

Growth Opportunities:

• Leadership Advancement: Potential to advance into Lead, Principal, or Director-level design roles, managing larger teams and broader product portfolios.

• Specialization: Opportunity to deepen expertise in specific e-commerce verticals or user experience domains, becoming a subject matter expert.

• Cross-Functional Leadership: Develop strong partnerships and potentially transition into product management or strategic roles, leveraging design expertise.

• Mentorship & Skill Development: Formal and informal opportunities to mentor junior designers, contribute to design system evolution, and stay abreast of cutting-edge design trends and technologies.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Senior Staff" title implies a trajectory towards principal or directorial positions, with a strong emphasis on strategic leadership and influence across multiple product lines or business units.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Coupang's operations in Seoul likely involve modern, well-equipped office spaces designed to foster collaboration and productivity. Given the company's scale and focus on innovation, expect dynamic co-working areas, dedicated project rooms, and comfortable individual workspaces.

Office Location(s): The role is based in Seoul, South Korea, a vibrant metropolitan hub offering excellent infrastructure, public transportation, and a rich cultural environment. Specific office locations within Seoul are typically central and easily accessible.

Workspace Context:

• The workspace will be highly collaborative, encouraging frequent interaction with Product Managers, Engineers, Researchers, and fellow designers to foster a shared understanding of customer needs and business goals.

• Access to industry-standard design tools, prototyping software, and potentially internal design systems will be readily available to support efficient workflow and high-quality output.

• Opportunities for informal knowledge sharing, design critiques, and cross-functional brainstorming sessions will be integral to the daily work environment, promoting a culture of continuous learning and improvement.

Work Schedule: While the standard workweek is typically 40 hours, the fast-paced nature of the e-commerce industry and the strategic importance of this role may require flexibility. Designers are expected to manage their time effectively to meet project deadlines and stakeholder expectations, often involving collaborative sessions across different time zones if applicable, though primary focus will be on local collaboration.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on a "fast-paced environment" and "rapid growth" suggests an energetic and potentially demanding work atmosphere, common in leading tech companies aiming for aggressive expansion.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Application Review: Initial screening of resumes and portfolios for experience, qualifications, and alignment with the role's requirements.

• 1st Interview: Likely a discussion with a hiring manager or senior designer to assess core design skills, experience, strategic thinking, and cultural fit. Portfolio review may be integrated here.

• 2nd Interview: May involve a design challenge or a more in-depth portfolio presentation and discussion with a broader panel of stakeholders (e.g., Product Leads, Engineering Managers, other senior designers). This stage will focus on problem-solving capabilities, strategic approach, and ability to influence.

• Offer: Final stage involving offer negotiation and background checks.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select 3-5 of your most impactful projects that best demonstrate leadership, strategic thinking, and quantifiable results, particularly those involving complex e-commerce or marketplace challenges.

• Tell a Story: For each project, clearly articulate the problem, your role, the process you followed (emphasizing data and behavioral science), the solutions you designed, and the measurable impact (e.g., conversion lift, engagement increase, cost reduction).

• Showcase Leadership: Highlight instances where you led initiatives, mentored others, or influenced product strategy. Be prepared to discuss how you navigated stakeholder relationships and differing opinions.

• Highlight Process: Detail your methodology – how you used research, data, and behavioral science to arrive at your solutions. Visual aids like user flows, wireframes, and prototypes are helpful but should support the narrative of your strategic thinking.

• Korean Context: If possible, include projects relevant to or designed for the Korean market, demonstrating an understanding of local user behaviors and cultural nuances.

Challenge Preparation:

• Be prepared for a design challenge that may involve analyzing a business problem, identifying user needs, and proposing a design solution within a given timeframe. Focus on your process and strategic rationale.

• Practice articulating your design decisions clearly and concisely, especially when presenting to non-design stakeholders. Be ready to defend your choices with data and user-centric reasoning.

• Familiarize yourself with Coupang's existing products and user experience to understand their current design language and potential areas for improvement.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process is standard for senior design roles, with a strong emphasis on portfolio presentation and the ability to articulate strategic thinking and impact. The inclusion of a "design challenge" is common for assessing problem-solving skills in a practical context.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Design & Prototyping: Figma, Sketch, Adobe Creative Suite (Illustrator, Photoshop), InVision, Axure RP. Proficiency in at least one major design and prototyping tool (e.g., Figma) is essential.

• User Research & Analytics: Tools like Google Analytics, Mixpanel, Amplitude, Hotjar, UserTesting.com, SurveyMonkey, or similar platforms for data analysis and user behavior tracking.

• Collaboration & Project Management: Jira, Confluence, Asana, Trello, Slack, Microsoft Teams for team communication and project tracking.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Proficiency in interpreting data from analytics platforms (e.g., Amplitude, Google Analytics) to understand user behavior, identify trends, and measure the impact of design changes.

CRM & Automation:

• While not a direct CRM role, understanding how design impacts CRM-related user flows (e.g., account management, order tracking) is beneficial. Familiarity with how design integrates with marketing automation tools might also be advantageous.

• Knowledge of how design systems and UI components can be leveraged for efficiency in development and consistency across platforms.

📝 Enhancement Note: The specific tools listed are common in the UX/Product Design field. The emphasis on analytics and data interpretation highlights the "data-driven" aspect of the role.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Customer Obsession: A relentless focus on understanding and exceeding customer expectations, ensuring every design decision prioritizes user delight and ease of use.

• Bias for Action: A proactive approach to problem-solving, encouraging swift execution and iteration to drive progress in a fast-paced environment.

• Innovation: A commitment to pushing boundaries and exploring new ideas to create disruptive and impactful solutions that redefine commerce.

• Data-Driven Decision Making: Relying on quantitative insights and behavioral science to inform design strategies, validate hypotheses, and measure success.

• Ownership & Accountability: Taking full responsibility for projects and outcomes, demonstrating a commitment to delivering high-quality results.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-Functional Integration: Design is deeply integrated with Product, Engineering, and other business units, fostering a collaborative environment where diverse perspectives inform product development.

• Transparent Communication: Open dialogue and sharing of ideas, feedback, and progress across teams to ensure alignment and collective problem-solving. *