Senior UX / Digital Product Designer (Mensch), Schwerpunkt FinTech

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Senior UX / Digital Product Designer (Mensch), Schwerpunkt FinTech

Company: Taikonauten GmbH

Location: Berlin, Germany

Job Type: Full-time

Category: UX/Product Design, FinTech Operations

Date Posted: 2026-08-26

Experience Level: Senior (5+ years)

Remote Status: Hybrid (with potential for high travel readiness)

🚀 Role Summary

• Lead end-to-end digital product development lifecycles, from discovery and problem framing to delivery and validation, with a strong emphasis on user-centricity.

• Drive strategic and operational initiatives within complex project environments, demonstrating both conceptual clarity and design excellence.

• Collaborate closely with clients, interdisciplinary teams, and development partners to translate business objectives into innovative digital solutions.

• Own the quality of digital products, focusing on UX, visual design, and conceptual integrity within the FinTech sector.

• Leverage a consultative approach to guide clients through digital transformation and product innovation journeys.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the title is "UX / Digital Product Designer," the emphasis on "Schwerpunkt FinTech," "digital product development," "strategic and operational initiatives," and "consultative approach" indicates a role that interfaces heavily with business operations and GTM strategy within the FinTech domain. The role is not purely creative but involves strategic input and project leadership akin to a GTM operations or product operations function within a design consultancy.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• End-to-End Product Ownership: Assume full responsibility for the entire UX and product design process, from initial problem definition and scope setting through to successful product delivery and market validation.

• Problem Structuring & Framing: Systematically unpack and structure complex, ambiguous problems into clear project scopes, hypotheses, and actionable design challenges.

• Client Consultation & Advisory: Act as a trusted advisor to clients, contributing your expertise in digital strategy, service design, and user-centered approaches to shape their digital offerings.

• Conceptual UX Design: Develop robust and scalable UX concepts for intricate digital products, ensuring alignment with business goals and user needs.

• Information Architecture & Flow Design: Create comprehensive information architectures, user journeys, and end-to-end user flows that optimize the user experience.

• Requirements Translation: Translate stakeholder requirements and user insights into clear, testable UX specifications for development teams.

• User Research & Synthesis: Plan and execute qualitative research methodologies (interviews, usability tests, workshops) and synthesize findings into actionable recommendations.

• UI Design & Design Systems: Craft visually compelling UI designs and contribute to or build robust design systems that ensure consistency and scalability.

• Workshop Facilitation: Lead and moderate workshops for project initiation, defining target states, and prioritizing features and initiatives.

• Design Advocacy: Articulate and defend UX and design decisions persuasively to clients and internal stakeholders, building consensus and driving adoption.

• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Foster close collaboration with development teams throughout the implementation phase, ensuring design integrity and effective execution.

• Project Structuring: Independently structure and manage complex project phases, ensuring efficient progress and high-quality outcomes.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a need for strategic thinking, process management, and client-facing advisory skills, which are crucial in operations roles. The emphasis on "problem framing," "structuring ambiguous problems," and "advocating design decisions" points to a senior role that influences business strategy and project execution beyond traditional design tasks.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: While no specific degree is mandated, a strong portfolio demonstrating expertise in UX/Product Design is paramount. A background in Design, HCI, Computer Science, or a related field is advantageous.

Experience:

• Minimum of 5 years of progressive experience in UX Design or Digital Product Design.

• Extensive experience within agency environments, managing multiple projects concurrently with diverse client portfolios.

• Proven track record of end-to-end digital product development, from concept to launch and iteration.

• Demonstrated experience in strategic UX conception and its application in real-world product development. Required Skills:

• UX/Product Design Expertise: Deep understanding of user-centered design principles and methodologies.

• User Research: Proficiency in planning and conducting qualitative user research (interviews, usability testing, contextual inquiry) and analyzing findings.

• Figma Proficiency: Expert-level command of Figma for design, prototyping, and collaboration.

• Design Systems: Experience in creating, maintaining, or scaling design systems for consistency and efficiency.

• Information Architecture (IA): Strong ability to structure complex information and define navigation hierarchies.

• User Journey Mapping: Skill in mapping out user flows and interactions across digital touchpoints.

• Workshop Facilitation: Proven ability to design and lead effective workshops for ideation, strategy, and problem-solving.

• Stakeholder Management: Excellent communication and presentation skills to effectively engage with clients and internal teams.

• Digital Strategy & Service Design: Foundational understanding of how design aligns with broader business and service strategies.

• German Language Proficiency: Fluent in German (minimum B2, ideally C1) for effective client and team communication.

• Systemic Thinking: Ability to approach problems holistically and understand interconnected systems.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience with complex B2B or enterprise-level platforms.

• Data analysis skills, including experience with analytics tools and conversion optimization.

• Familiarity with agile frameworks such as Scrum, SAFe, or similar methodologies.

• Basic understanding of technical architecture (e.g., APIs, frontend structures).

• Experience in building or scaling design systems.

• Experience with AI tools and AI-driven processes.

• International project experience.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on "strategic understanding," "consultative style," "problem framing," and "stakeholder management" suggests that candidates should frame their experience in terms of business impact and strategic contribution, not just design execution. The mention of AI tools highlights a forward-looking approach crucial for modern operations.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• End-to-End Case Studies: Showcase 2-3 detailed case studies demonstrating your full product development process, from initial problem identification and research to final design solutions and impact.

• Problem Framing & Strategy: Clearly articulate the initial problem, business objectives, and user needs that guided your approach. Highlight how you structured ambiguous challenges.

• Process Documentation: Illustrate your UX research methodologies, ideation techniques, wireframing, prototyping, and UI design process within each case study.

• Systemic Design Thinking: Demonstrate how you considered information architecture, user flows, and the overall user journey.

• Visual Design Quality: Present high-fidelity UI designs that reflect a strong aesthetic sensibility, attention to detail, and adherence to design principles.

• Figma Work Samples: Include specific examples of your work in Figma, showcasing your proficiency in prototyping, component libraries, or design system contributions.

• Collaboration & Iteration: Highlight instances where you collaborated with developers or stakeholders, and how feedback was incorporated.

Process Documentation:

• Workflow Design & Optimization: Present examples of how you've designed or optimized user workflows to improve efficiency and user satisfaction.

• Research Synthesis & Application: Document how you translated user research insights into concrete design decisions and product improvements.

• System Implementation Standards: Showcase how you've applied design systems or established UI standards to ensure consistency and scalability across projects.

• ROI Demonstration: Where possible, quantify the impact of your design work through metrics, user feedback, or business outcomes (e.g., conversion rates, task completion times, user satisfaction scores).

📝 Enhancement Note: For a Senior UX/Product Designer in a consultancy role, the portfolio is crucial. It needs to go beyond aesthetics and demonstrate strategic thinking, process rigor, and the ability to drive business outcomes. Applicants should focus on showcasing their ability to structure complex problems and lead projects, aligning with the operations-centric aspects of the role.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: Based on the provided salary data (45,000 - 75,000 EUR per year) and the senior experience level (5+ years), this range is competitive for a Senior UX/Product Designer in Berlin, Germany. The upper end reflects strong agency experience and specialized FinTech knowledge.

Benefits:

• Passionate Colleagues & Culture: Work alongside dedicated professionals in an open corporate culture characterized by flat hierarchies.

• Professional Growth: Opportunities for continuous learning and development, both professionally and personally, with active support and challenges.

• Autonomy & Ownership: Significant scope for taking personal responsibility and implementing your own ideas within projects.

• Flexible Working Hours: Enjoy flexible work schedules that accommodate personal needs and promote work-life balance.

• Family-Friendly Environment: A supportive atmosphere designed to be accommodating for individuals with family responsibilities.

• Social & Environmental Impact: Be part of a team actively contributing to a socially and environmentally conscious future.

Working Hours: The job is listed as Full-time. Given the mention of flexible and family-friendly working hours, a standard 40-hour work week is implied, with flexibility in scheduling.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range is explicitly stated. The benefits highlight a positive work environment with strong emphasis on professional development and work-life balance, which are key considerations for operations professionals seeking stable and growth-oriented roles. The mention of "family-friendly" and "flexible" hours is a strong indicator of a progressive work culture.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: The company operates within the Digital Transformation, Product Innovation, and Acceleration space, with a strong focus on clients in Finance, FinTech, Mobility, and Industrial & Manufacturing. This implies a dynamic, forward-thinking environment driven by technological advancement and market disruption.

Company Size: Taikonauten GmbH is likely a medium-sized consultancy or agency, given the structure of the interview process and the emphasis on a close-knit team and individual impact. This size typically fosters a collaborative atmosphere with direct access to leadership.

Founded: The founding date is not specified, but the company's focus on digital transformation and innovation suggests a relatively modern establishment, likely founded in the last 10-15 years to capitalize on the digital revolution.

Team Structure:

• Operations-Focused Design Team: The UX/Product Design team is likely interdisciplinary, working in close collaboration with strategists, developers, and project managers.

• Client-Centric Reporting: Project teams will report through project leads, with direct client interaction being a key component of the Senior Designer's role.

• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Strong emphasis on working with clients, developers, and internal strategists to ensure holistic product development.

Methodology:

• Exploratory & Conceptual: The company emphasizes an exploratory approach, diving deep conceptually and maintaining high design standards with a user-centric focus.

• Data-Driven Insights: The role requires synthesizing insights from user research and potentially analytics to inform design decisions and validate hypotheses.

• Agile & Iterative: While not explicitly stated for all projects, the nature of digital product development and the mention of agile frameworks suggest an iterative and adaptive approach.

Company Website: http://taikonauten.com

📝 Enhancement Note: The company's industry focus on FinTech and Digital Transformation aligns well with roles that require a strategic understanding of business operations and market dynamics. The emphasis on "exploratory, conceptual, and user-centric" work indicates a culture that values innovation and deep problem-solving.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This is a Senior-level position, demanding significant autonomy, strategic input, and leadership in project execution. The role requires not just design execution but also the ability to structure complex problems, manage client relationships, and influence project direction, embodying aspects of product operations and strategic consulting.

Reporting Structure: The Senior UX/Product Designer will likely report to a Head of Design, a Lead UX Designer, or a Project Director. They will also work closely with Project Managers and directly with client stakeholders, including potentially product owners and business leaders.

Operations Impact: The role has a direct impact on the success of digital products and services, particularly within the FinTech sector. By ensuring user-centricity, strategic alignment, and high design quality, the designer contributes to customer acquisition, retention, operational efficiency, and overall business growth for clients. The ability to articulate this impact is key.

Growth Opportunities:

• Leadership & Mentorship: Potential to lead design teams on larger projects, mentor junior designers, and contribute to the growth of the design practice.

• Strategic Consulting: Develop deeper expertise in digital strategy, FinTech market trends, and client advisory, potentially moving into more senior consulting or strategic roles.

• Specialization: Deepen expertise in specific areas like AI-driven design, complex B2B platforms, or advanced design systems.

• Business Development Support: Contribute to client proposals and pitches, leveraging design expertise to win new business.

📝 Enhancement Note: The career progression for a senior designer in a consultancy like Taikonauten often involves moving towards strategic advisory, team leadership, and potentially business development, all of which are highly valued in operations-related career paths. Highlighting the impact on business outcomes is crucial for candidates.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The job description implies a hybrid work model. While the primary location is Berlin, the mention of "hoher Reisebereitschaft" (high readiness for travel) suggests that client site visits or collaborative sessions at client locations (potentially Frankfurt or elsewhere) are expected. This indicates a blend of remote autonomy and in-person collaboration.

Office Location(s): The primary office is in Berlin, Germany. However, the role also mentions a connection to the "Frankfurter Raum" (Frankfurt area), suggesting that proximity or willingness to travel to this region is a significant aspect of the hybrid model.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Hubs: The Berlin office likely serves as a hub for team collaboration, workshops, and knowledge sharing.

• Tooling & Technology: A modern tech stack, centered around Figma, is provided, along with potential access to other design and research tools.

• Cross-Functional Interaction: Frequent opportunities to interact with diverse teams, including strategists, developers, and project managers, fostering a dynamic and learning-rich environment.

Work Schedule: The role offers flexible and family-friendly working hours, suggesting a focus on results and work-life balance rather than strict adherence to traditional office hours. A standard 40-hour work week is likely, with the ability to adjust daily schedules as needed.

📝 Enhancement Note: The hybrid nature, combined with travel requirements, is typical for consulting roles. Professionals in operations often thrive in such environments due to the variety of projects and the need for adaptable work styles. The emphasis on collaboration in the Berlin office and client sites is key.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Contact (Nancy): A brief introductory call to gauge initial fit, discuss career aspirations, and clarify basic role expectations. Be prepared to briefly outline your interest and suitability for a senior design role in FinTech.

• Team Lead Interview: A deeper dive into your experience, design philosophy, and problem-solving skills. This stage will likely assess your conceptual thinking, UX methodology, and ability to lead projects. Prepare to discuss specific case studies from your portfolio.

• Management Interview (Geschäftsführung): A final discussion with the leadership team to assess strategic alignment, cultural fit, and overall potential for contribution to Taikonauten's vision. This is also an opportunity for you to ask high-level strategic questions about the company's direction and operations.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select 2-3 strong case studies that best represent your end-to-end product design process, strategic thinking, and impact, particularly highlighting FinTech or complex B2B projects if possible.

• Focus on Process & Rationale: For each case study, clearly articulate the problem, your process (research, ideation, design, testing), your specific contributions, and the rationale behind your design decisions.

• Quantify Impact: Whenever possible, include metrics or qualitative feedback demonstrating the success of your designs (e.g., improved user satisfaction, increased conversion rates, reduced task completion times).

• Highlight Problem Framing: Emphasize how you approached ambiguous problems, structured your work, and translated business needs into user-centric solutions.

• Showcase Figma Proficiency: Be ready to walk through specific examples of your Figma work, demonstrating your understanding of design systems, prototyping capabilities, or collaborative features.

• Tailor to FinTech: If possible, draw parallels between your past work and the FinTech context Taikonauten serves.

Challenge Preparation:

• Design Problem Analysis: Be prepared for a hypothetical design challenge that requires you to structure an ambiguous problem, define key user needs, and outline a strategic approach to its solution.

• Process Walkthrough: Practice articulating your design process verbally and visually, as you might be asked to present your approach to a challenge or a portfolio piece in detail.

• Stakeholder Communication: Consider how you would communicate your design strategy and decisions to different stakeholders (e.g., clients, developers, business leaders).

📝 Enhancement Note: The multi-stage interview process with clear touchpoints (Nancy, Team Lead, Management) suggests a thorough evaluation. The emphasis on portfolio presentation and potential design challenges highlights the need for candidates to demonstrate practical skills and strategic thinking, crucial for senior operations roles.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Figma: The core design and prototyping tool, essential for all aspects of the role. Proficiency in its advanced features, collaboration tools, and component management is expected.

• User Research Tools: Experience with tools for conducting remote interviews, usability testing, and surveys (e.g., Lookback, UserTesting.com, Maze, SurveyMonkey) is beneficial.

• Workshop & Collaboration Tools: Familiarity with digital whiteboarding and collaboration platforms (e.g., Miro, Mural) for remote workshops and ideation sessions.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Web Analytics Platforms: Basic understanding of tools like Google Analytics, Adobe Analytics, or similar platforms for interpreting user behavior and performance data.

• Data Synthesis Tools: Proficiency in tools or methods for synthesizing qualitative and quantitative data to inform design decisions.

CRM & Automation:

• While not directly a CRM/automation role, an understanding of how design integrates with broader customer journeys and business processes is valuable. Familiarity with how design impacts conversion funnels and user onboarding within a CRM context is a plus.

• Project Management Tools: Experience with tools like Jira, Asana, or Trello for managing tasks and project workflows.

📝 Enhancement Note: The explicit mention of Figma as a required skill strongly influences the technology stack. The inclusion of analytics and collaboration tools points to an operations-focused approach where data and team synergy are key to successful product delivery.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• User-Centricity: A fundamental value driving all design decisions, ensuring that user needs are at the forefront of product development.

• Excellence & Quality: A commitment to high standards in both conceptual thinking and visual execution, aiming for impactful and well-crafted digital products.

• Collaboration & Transparency: Fostering an open environment where ideas are shared freely, feedback is constructive, and cross-functional teams work cohesively.

• Ownership & Responsibility: Encouraging individuals to take initiative, own their work, and contribute beyond their defined role, embodying a proactive operational mindset.

• Innovation & Adaptability: Embracing new technologies and methodologies, particularly AI, and staying agile in response to evolving market demands and client needs.

Collaboration Style:

• Consultative & Empathetic: Engaging with clients and colleagues with a deep understanding of their perspectives and goals.

• Data-Informed Decision Making: Utilizing research and analytics to guide discussions and validate design strategies.

• Iterative & Feedback-Driven: Open to continuous iteration based on feedback from users, stakeholders, and team members.

• Knowledge Sharing: Actively participating in sharing best practices, learnings, and insights within the team and across projects.

📝 Enhancement Note: The company values emphasize a proactive, user-focused, and collaborative approach, which are hallmarks of effective operations teams. The openness to AI and adaptability are crucial for roles operating at the intersection of design and business strategy.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Structuring Ambiguity: Navigating and bringing clarity to complex, ill-defined problems presented by clients, a common challenge in consulting.

• Balancing Stakeholder Needs: Effectively mediating between diverse client expectations, business objectives, and user requirements to achieve optimal product outcomes.

• Rapid Project Cycles: Adapting to fast-paced project environments with potentially shifting priorities, requiring strong organizational and time-management skills.

• Integrating AI: Staying abreast of and effectively integrating emerging AI tools and methodologies into the design process to enhance efficiency and innovation.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Advanced Design Methodologies: Opportunities to deepen expertise in areas like service design, strategic foresight, and advanced user research techniques.

• FinTech & Industry Expertise: Gaining specialized knowledge within the FinTech sector, understanding its unique operational and user challenges.

• Leadership & Mentorship Training: Developing skills to lead project teams, mentor junior designers, and contribute to team development.

• AI in Design Workshops: Participating in training sessions focused on leveraging AI tools for design ideation, research synthesis, and workflow automation.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges and growth opportunities are framed around strategic problem-solving, client management, and continuous learning in evolving technological landscapes, directly relevant to operations professionals seeking to expand their skill sets.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• Problem Framing: "Describe a time you had to structure a highly ambiguous problem for a digital product. What was your process, and what was the outcome?" Be ready to detail your approach to problem definition, scope setting, and hypothesis generation.

• Client Management: "How do you handle situations where a client's vision conflicts with user research findings or best design practices?" Prepare examples of how you advocate for user needs while maintaining client relationships, demonstrating your consultative approach.

• Process Optimization: "Walk us through a complex user journey you designed. What were the key decision points, and how did you ensure an efficient and intuitive flow?" Focus on your ability to map out and optimize processes for users.

Company & Culture Questions:

• Taikonauten's FinTech Focus: "What interests you about the FinTech industry, and how do you see UX/Product Design contributing to its evolution?" Research Taikonauten's FinTech clients and recent industry trends.

• Collaboration Style: "Describe your ideal collaboration with developers and project managers. How do you ensure seamless handoffs and ongoing communication?" Highlight your experience in cross-functional teams and your approach to constructive feedback.

• Impact Measurement: "How do you measure the success of your design work beyond aesthetics?" Be prepared to discuss metrics, KPIs, and how your designs contribute to business objectives.

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Narrative Arc: Structure your portfolio presentation with a clear narrative for each case study: Problem -> Process -> Solution -> Impact.

• Visual Storytelling: Use visuals effectively to illustrate your process and final designs, but ensure they serve the story rather than dominating it.

• Interactive Walkthrough: Be prepared to navigate through your Figma files or prototypes to demonstrate specific design decisions and interactions.

• Concise & Focused: Aim for clarity and brevity, focusing on the most impactful aspects of your work. Allocate time for Q&A.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview preparation advice emphasizes demonstrating strategic thinking, problem-solving skills, and a deep understanding of the design process as it relates to business outcomes – all critical for senior operations roles. The focus on client management and FinTech context is key.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Senior UX / Digital Product Designer position:

• Submit Application: Complete the online application form via the provided link, ensuring all required fields are accurately filled.

• Curate & Tailor Your Portfolio: Select 2-3 of your strongest case studies that best showcase your end-to-end product design process, problem-solving abilities, and impact, with a particular focus on FinTech or complex digital products if available. Ensure your portfolio clearly articulates the problem, your strategic approach, your process, and quantifiable results.

• Optimize Your Resume: Highlight your 5+ years of experience, agency background, and specific skills in UX research, Figma, design systems, and strategic conceptualization. Use keywords from the job description and quantify achievements where possible.

• Prepare Your Introduction: Craft a concise cover letter or introductory message that clearly states your availability (weekly hours, start date) and salary expectations (gehaltswunsch), as requested in the job posting.

• Research Taikonauten: Familiarize yourself with Taikonauten's work, client portfolio (especially in FinTech), company culture, and values to articulate your interest and cultural fit during the interview process.

⚠️ 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.