Sr. Product Design Manager, Travel

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Sr. Product Design Manager, Travel

Company: Engine

Location: Remote - USA

Job Type: Full-Time

Category: Product Design Management / Revenue Operations Enablement

Date Posted: May 12, 2026

Experience Level: 10+ Years

Remote Status: Fully Remote

🚀 Role Summary

• Leads the end-to-end design vision and execution for Engine's critical travel booking experience, a significant revenue driver.

• Manages, mentors, and elevates a team of 3-6 product designers, fostering a culture of design excellence and innovation.

• Drives product strategy and shapes user experiences by collaborating closely with Product, Engineering, Data, and Executive teams.

• Leverages modern AI-native workflows and advanced design tools to enhance team velocity and product impact.

• Champions design's strategic role in achieving business outcomes and redefining the corporate travel and spend management landscape.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role, while titled "Product Design Manager," has significant implications for Revenue Operations and GTM strategy. The ownership of the "travel booking experience" directly impacts revenue generation and customer acquisition/retention. The emphasis on "business accountability," "driving meaningful business outcomes," and "shaping strategy" positions this as a strategic role that requires a deep understanding of how design decisions influence user behavior, conversion rates, and ultimately, revenue. The mention of "spend management" further links this role to financial operations and efficiency.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Own the design strategy, vision, and execution for the entire travel booking journey, from initial search to post-stay, ensuring a seamless and delightful user experience.

• Guide and mentor a dedicated team of 3-6 product designers, focusing on their professional development, performance, and the quality of their work.

• Set and maintain a high standard for design craft, including visual design, interaction design, and UX clarity, ensuring consistency across all travel-related product surfaces.

• Translate user insights, market trends, and strategic product goals into intuitive and impactful user experiences that resonate with business travelers and administrators.

• Collaborate effectively with cross-functional partners in Product Management, Engineering, Data Science, and Marketing to accelerate development cycles, solve complex traveler problems, and deliver high-impact features.

• Advocate for and integrate design thinking into the broader product strategy, influencing decision-making and demonstrating design's contribution to key business metrics and revenue growth.

• Actively utilize and promote modern AI-native design workflows and tools (e.g., Cursor, Figma Make, MCPs, prototyping systems) to boost team productivity and leverage cutting-edge design methodologies.

• Contribute to the continuous improvement of design processes, tools, and team practices to foster a high-performing and innovative design culture.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a blend of strategic leadership and hands-on design execution. The emphasis on "revenue drivers," "business accountability," and "shaping strategy" indicates that success in this role will be measured not just by design quality but also by its direct impact on Engine's business objectives and financial performance. This requires a strong understanding of GTM strategies and how design can enable sales and marketing efforts.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

Experience:

• A minimum of 10+ years of progressive experience in product design, with a significant portion focused on user experience (UX) and interaction design within digital product environments.

• Demonstrated experience in leading design teams (3-6 designers) and managing the full product lifecycle from strategy and discovery through to execution and iteration.

Required Skills:

• Product Design Leadership: Proven ability to set design vision, lead teams, and drive strategic initiatives.

• UX Design Mastery: Deep understanding of user-centered design principles, user research methodologies, and information architecture.

• Interaction Design Expertise: Skill in designing intuitive and efficient user flows and interactive elements.

• Visual Design Craft: Strong aesthetic sensibility and ability to create polished, engaging visual interfaces.

• People Management: Experience in hiring, coaching, mentoring, and elevating the performance of design teams.

• Stakeholder Management: Expertise in managing complex relationships with Product, Engineering, Data, Marketing, and Executive stakeholders.

• Figma Proficiency: Fluency in using Figma for design, prototyping, and collaboration.

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

• Product Strategy: Ability to contribute to and influence product strategy based on user needs and business goals.

• Storytelling: Clear and compelling communication skills, able to articulate the strategic rationale behind design decisions.

• AI-native Workflows: Familiarity and practical experience with modern AI-assisted design tools and workflows.

• Prototyping: Skill in creating interactive prototypes to test and communicate design concepts.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience within the travel tech or fintech industries.

• Experience designing for SMB (Small and Medium-sized Business) clients.

• Familiarity with emerging design tools and technologies beyond Figma.

• Experience with data analysis and using data to inform design decisions.

• Understanding of corporate travel management and spend management platforms.

📝 Enhancement Note: The requirements emphasize a blend of strong design fundamentals, leadership capabilities, and adaptability to new technologies like AI-native workflows. For operations professionals considering this role, highlighting experience in process optimization, data-driven decision-making, and understanding business metrics (like revenue, conversion, and efficiency) will be crucial.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• End-to-End Case Studies: Showcase 2-3 comprehensive case studies detailing your involvement in the full product lifecycle, from initial problem definition and user research to final execution and impact measurement.

• Leadership & Mentorship Examples: Include specific examples or case studies demonstrating your experience in leading design teams, mentoring designers, and fostering their professional growth.

• Strategic Impact Demonstration: Clearly articulate the business impact of your design work, focusing on how your solutions contributed to key business objectives, revenue growth, user adoption, or efficiency gains. Quantify results whenever possible.

• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Provide evidence of successful collaboration with Product Managers, Engineers, and Data Scientists, illustrating how you navigated complex stakeholder landscapes to deliver successful products.

• Design System & Tooling Proficiency: Demonstrate your understanding and application of design systems, and showcase your ability to leverage modern tools like Figma, and ideally, mention experience with AI-native design workflows.

Process Documentation:

• Problem Definition & Research: Detail your approach to identifying user needs and business problems, including research methodologies used (e.g., user interviews, surveys, competitive analysis).

• Solution Design & Iteration: Illustrate your process for ideation, concept development, wireframing, prototyping, and user testing, highlighting iterative improvements based on feedback.

• Execution & Handoff: Show how you collaborate with engineering for implementation, ensuring design fidelity and smooth handoff processes.

• Impact Measurement & Learning: Explain how you measure the success of your designs post-launch and what you learned from the process to inform future projects.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a role focused on product design leadership with significant business impact, the portfolio should not only showcase design craft but also strategic thinking, leadership capabilities, and measurable business outcomes. Operations professionals can draw parallels by emphasizing process improvement methodologies, data-driven decision-making, and ROI demonstration within their own operational examples.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $205,955 - $285,000 USD per year

Benefits:

• Competitive Base Pay: Aligned with role, experience, and location.

• Equity Opportunities: Potential for ownership in a high-growth company.

• Variable Pay: Including bonuses, commissions, and/or OTE (On-Target Earnings) tied to company and individual performance.

• Comprehensive Health Benefits: Details available at engine.com/culture.

• 401(k) or equivalent retirement savings plan.

• Generous Paid Time Off (PTO) policy.

• Professional Development: Investment in employee growth through training, conferences, and learning opportunities.

• Remote Work Support: Resources and stipends to ensure a productive remote work environment.

• Employee Assistance Program (EAP).

• Potential for other perks and benefits as specified by employment type and location.

Working Hours: 40 hours per week (standard full-time) with flexibility expected for a remote role, especially given the global nature of travel and the need to collaborate across time zones. The emphasis on "ownership and freedom" suggests a results-oriented approach rather than strict adherence to hours.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range is provided, reflecting a senior leadership position in a high-growth tech company. The benefits package is comprehensive, with specific mention of equity and variable pay, which are common in roles with significant business impact and growth potential. The working hours indicate a standard full-time commitment, but the company culture suggests flexibility and a focus on outcomes over strict timekeeping.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Travel Tech / Fintech. Engine operates at the intersection of corporate travel management and financial technology, aiming to simplify and enhance business travel and spend for SMBs. This dual focus requires a deep understanding of user needs in both areas, as well as robust technological infrastructure.

Company Size: Engine is a rapidly growing company, indicated by its recognition as one of the fastest-growing travel and fintech platforms. While the exact current size isn't stated, the mention of 35+ designers suggests a substantial product and design organization. The company's rapid growth implies a dynamic, fast-paced, and evolving work environment.

Founded: Engine was founded with a mission to transform business travel and spend management. While the founding date is not explicitly stated, its significant backing from investors like Telescope Partners, Blackstone, and Permira, alongside accolades like the Deloitte Fast 500, points to a company with a solid track record and ambitious future plans. This history suggests a culture that values innovation, rapid scaling, and market disruption.

Team Structure:

• Design Team: Composed of 35+ designers, operators, and leaders, indicating a well-established and significant design function within the company. This team drives product vision and shapes a unique design culture.

• Reporting Structure: The Sr. Product Design Manager for Travel will lead a team of 3-6 product designers within the "Travel pillar." This role reports into a higher level of design leadership or potentially a VP of Product/Design.

• Cross-functional Collaboration: Close partnerships are expected with Product, Engineering, and Data teams, crucial for shipping high-impact work and aligning on strategy. Collaboration is described as "unconventional" with "high standards and low ego."

Methodology:

• Data-Driven Decisions: The company emphasizes leveraging data to inform product development and strategy.

• Agile Development: The need to "move fast" and "ship high-impact work" suggests an agile or iterative development process.

• AI-Native Workflows: A key methodology involves integrating modern AI tools into design and development processes to increase velocity and efficiency.

• Customer-Centricity: The focus on "delighting customers," "simple, intuitive experiences," and "solving real traveler problems" highlights a strong customer-centric approach.

Company Website: https://engine.com/

📝 Enhancement Note: The company culture is characterized by ambition, innovation, and a focus on rapid growth. The emphasis on "unconventional collaboration," "rebellious spirit," and "ownership and freedom" suggests an environment that rewards initiative, smart risk-taking, and high performance. For operations professionals, this implies a need to be adaptable, proactive, and comfortable with a fast-paced, evolving landscape.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role represents a senior leadership position within the Product Design function, with significant strategic oversight and direct business accountability. It sits above individual contributor designers and directly influences product direction and revenue generation through the booking experience. It is a management role that requires both strategic vision and tactical execution.

Reporting Structure: The Sr. Product Design Manager will report to a higher-level design or product leader (e.g., Head of Design, VP of Product). They will, in turn, manage a team of 3-6 Product Designers within the Travel pillar. This structure allows for focused leadership within a specific product area while being integrated into the broader design and product organization.

Operations Impact: The role has a direct and profound impact on Engine's revenue and business outcomes. By owning the "end-to-end booking experience," which is explicitly stated as one of Engine's "biggest revenue drivers," the design manager is instrumental in:

• Revenue Generation: Optimizing the booking flow to increase conversion rates and booking volume.

• Customer Acquisition & Retention: Creating delightful experiences that attract new customers and encourage repeat business.

• Spend Management Efficiency: Streamlining processes that impact how businesses manage their travel spend, potentially leading to cost savings and improved financial operations for clients.

• Product Strategy: Influencing the overall direction of the travel product based on user needs and market opportunities.

• Brand Perception: Shaping how users perceive Engine's innovation, reliability, and user-friendliness.

Growth Opportunities:

• Leadership Advancement: Potential to move into larger management roles (e.g., Director of Design, VP of Product/Design) overseeing broader product areas or the entire design organization.

• Strategic Influence: Opportunity to take on more strategic responsibilities, shaping company-wide product vision and business strategy.

• Specialization: Deepen expertise in travel tech, fintech, or specific areas of product design and management.

• Mentorship & Team Building: Continue to build and scale high-performing design teams, developing leadership skills.

• Industry Recognition: Contribute to high-impact projects that can lead to industry recognition and personal brand building.

• Cross-Functional Expertise: Gain deeper insights into product management, engineering, and data science, broadening overall business acumen.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role offers significant growth potential for individuals who excel in leadership, strategic thinking, and delivering measurable business results through design. The emphasis on revenue impact and strategic influence is a key differentiator for operations professionals looking to leverage their analytical and process-oriented skills in a product leadership capacity.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Engine operates a "hybrid-hub model." This means that while fully remote positions are available (as this role is), the company also maintains physical office locations ("hubs"). This hybrid approach aims to provide flexibility while fostering opportunities for in-person collaboration when needed or desired.

Office Location(s): Specific office locations are not detailed in the job description, but the company has been recognized as a "Best Place to Work" by Built In, which often implies a positive and supportive physical workspace for those in hybrid roles. For this specific role, the "Remote - USA" designation means the primary work environment will be home-based.

Workspace Context:

• Remote Setup: Employees, especially those in fully remote roles, are expected to have a suitable home office setup. The company likely provides resources or stipends to ensure employees have the necessary tools and technology to succeed remotely.

• Collaborative Tools: Emphasis on modern AI-native workflows and tools like Figma suggests a digitally connected environment. Expect extensive use of collaboration platforms (e.g., Slack, Zoom, Jira, Confluence) for communication and project management.

• Team Interaction: While remote, there will be opportunities for team interaction through virtual meetings, design critiques, and cross-functional syncs. The company culture values "unconventional collaboration," suggesting proactive and engaged virtual interactions.

Work Schedule: The standard full-time work schedule is 40 hours per week. However, given the remote nature and the company's "ownership and freedom" ethos, the focus is likely on achieving results and meeting deadlines rather than strict adherence to a 9-to-5 schedule. Flexibility is implied, especially when collaborating across different US time zones.

📝 Enhancement Note: The hybrid-hub model and fully remote option indicate a modern, flexible approach to work. For operations professionals, this environment demands strong self-discipline, excellent communication skills, and proficiency in remote collaboration tools. The emphasis on "ownership and freedom" aligns well with operations roles that often require independent problem-solving and initiative.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A review of your resume and portfolio to assess qualifications, experience, and alignment with the role's requirements.

• Hiring Manager Interview: A conversation with the hiring manager (likely a senior design or product leader) to discuss your experience, leadership style, design philosophy, and strategic approach to product design. This stage will heavily focus on your portfolio.

• Design Team / Peer Interviews: Interviews with other product designers and potentially cross-functional partners (Product, Engineering) to assess your technical skills, collaboration style, and cultural fit. Expect discussions around design craft, problem-solving, and team dynamics.

• Leadership/Executive Interview: A final interview with a senior executive (e.g., VP of Product, CPO) to evaluate your strategic thinking, business acumen, and overall leadership potential. This interview will likely assess your ability to drive significant business outcomes.

• Portfolio Review & Case Study Presentation: A dedicated session where you will present one or more detailed case studies from your portfolio, explaining your process, decisions, challenges, and the impact of your work.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Focus on Impact: Beyond showcasing beautiful designs, clearly articulate the business impact of your work. Use metrics (e.g., increased conversion rates, reduced support tickets, revenue growth, improved efficiency) to demonstrate tangible results.

• Tell a Story: Structure your case studies as compelling narratives. Explain the problem, your process, the challenges faced, the decisions made, and the outcomes achieved. Highlight your unique contribution.

• Showcase Leadership: For this role, ensure your portfolio includes examples of how you've led teams, mentored designers, and influenced product strategy.

• Demonstrate Strategic Thinking: Explain the "why" behind your design decisions, linking them to user needs and business objectives.

• Keep it Concise and Relevant: Tailor your presentation to highlight experiences most relevant to Engine's business (travel, fintech, SMB) and the specific requirements of this Sr. Product Design Manager role. Be prepared to discuss your experience with AI-native workflows and modern design tools.

Challenge Preparation:

• Design Exercise: You may be given a design challenge or asked to critique an existing experience. Be prepared to apply your problem-solving skills, user-centric approach, and strategic thinking.

• Strategic Questions: Anticipate questions about your approach to product strategy, team building, stakeholder management, and driving business outcomes through design.

• AI Tooling Discussion: Be ready to discuss your experience and perspective on using AI in design workflows and how it can enhance productivity and innovation.

• Company Research: Understand Engine's business model, target market (SMBs), competitive landscape, and company values to tailor your responses and demonstrate cultural fit.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process is designed to assess not only design skills but also leadership capabilities, strategic thinking, and business acumen. Operations professionals should emphasize their ability to translate complex processes into user-friendly experiences and demonstrate how their analytical skills can drive measurable business results.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Figma: The primary tool for UI/UX design, prototyping, and collaboration. Fluency is a must.

• Cursor (or similar AI-native IDEs): Mentioned explicitly as a tool for AI-native workflows, indicating a focus on leveraging AI for increased development velocity.

• Prototyping Systems: Experience with advanced prototyping capabilities within Figma or dedicated prototyping tools.

• Design Systems: Experience in building, maintaining, and utilizing robust design systems for consistency and scalability.

• Collaboration Platforms: Tools like Slack, Zoom, Google Workspace/Microsoft 365 for communication and project management.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Data Analysis Tools: While not explicitly named, proficiency in using data to inform design decisions is crucial. This could include tools like Amplitude, Mixpanel, Tableau, or SQL for data exploration.

• A/B Testing Platforms: Experience with running and analyzing A/B tests to optimize user experiences and drive conversion.

• Reporting Dashboards: Ability to create or interpret dashboards to track key product and business metrics.

CRM & Automation:

• CRM Systems: While not directly a design tool, understanding how design impacts CRM data, user journeys within CRMs, and customer lifecycle management is beneficial, especially given the company's fintech/travel focus.

• Workflow Automation: Awareness of how design can enable or be influenced by workflow automation within the product and across business operations.

• Integration Tools: Understanding how different systems (e.g., booking engines, payment gateways, CRM) integrate and how design considerations play a role.

📝 Enhancement Note: The technology stack emphasizes modern design tools, a strong focus on AI-native workflows, and the importance of data-driven decision-making. For operations professionals, familiarity with CRM, automation, and analytics tools will be highly transferable. Highlighting experience with process automation and data integration will be beneficial.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Driven by Mission: A strong belief in Engine's mission to transform business travel and spend management. Employees are expected to be passionate about the problem being solved.

• High Standards & Excellence: A commitment to quality, craft, and product excellence across all aspects of work. This applies to both design output and operational efficiency.

• Ownership & Accountability: Employees are encouraged to take ownership of their work and are accountable for driving meaningful business outcomes.

• Rebellious Spirit & Smart Risks: A willingness to challenge the status quo, innovate, and take calculated risks to achieve ambitious goals.

• Unconventional Collaboration: A focus on working together effectively, characterized by high standards, low ego, and open communication.

• Authenticity: Employees are encouraged to show up as their true selves and express their ideas freely.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-functional Integration: Design is deeply integrated with Product, Engineering, and Data, fostering a collaborative environment where insights and feedback are shared freely.

• Direct Communication: Expect open and honest communication, with a focus on being direct yet respectful. The "low ego" aspect suggests a culture where ideas are valued over individual titles.

• Iterative & Experimental: The fast-paced environment encourages iterative development and experimentation, with a willingness to learn from both successes and failures.

• Shared Vision: All teams work towards a common goal of transforming the business travel and spend management experience, promoting alignment and shared purpose.

📝 Enhancement Note: The company culture values high performance, innovation, and collaboration. For operations professionals, the emphasis on "mission-driven," "ownership," and "accountability" aligns well with operational roles that require dedication and a focus on achieving measurable results. Understanding how to collaborate across disciplines is key.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Scaling a Rapidly Growing Platform: Managing design for a platform that is experiencing rapid growth requires adaptability, robust design systems, and efficient processes to keep pace with new features and user demands.

• Balancing Innovation with Stability: Introducing new AI-native workflows and cutting-edge design while ensuring the core travel booking experience remains stable, reliable, and intuitive for a broad user base.

• Driving Business Impact: Directly linking design initiatives to significant revenue growth and business outcomes requires strong analytical skills and the ability to influence strategic decisions.

• Leading a Hybrid/Remote Team: Effectively managing, mentoring, and fostering a strong team culture within a hybrid or fully remote environment, ensuring all team members feel connected and supported.

• Navigating Complex Stakeholder Needs: Aligning diverse perspectives from Product, Engineering, Data, Marketing, and Executives on design strategy and execution.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Advanced Design Leadership: Opportunities to hone skills in strategic product vision, team building, and cross-functional leadership.

• Industry Expertise: Deepen knowledge in the travel tech and fintech sectors, understanding market dynamics and emerging trends.

• AI & Emerging Technologies: Gain hands-on experience with cutting-edge AI tools and workflows, becoming a thought leader in their application to design.

• Business Acumen: Develop a stronger understanding of business strategy, revenue models, and financial operations through close collaboration with business-focused teams.

• Mentorship Programs: Access to mentorship from senior leaders within Engine and potentially through company-sponsored programs.

• Conferences & Training: Support for attending industry conferences, workshops, and pursuing relevant certifications to stay at the forefront of design and technology.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges presented are typical for senior leadership roles in high-growth tech companies. They offer significant opportunities for professional development, particularly for operations professionals looking to expand their strategic and leadership capabilities in a product-focused environment.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you significantly influenced product strategy through design. What was the outcome, and how did you measure success?" (Focus on linking design to business metrics and revenue).

• "How would you approach setting the design vision for a critical revenue-driving feature like our travel booking experience? What steps would you take to ensure alignment with product and engineering partners?" (Highlight your strategic process and collaboration skills).

• "Tell me about a complex stakeholder management situation you navigated. How did you build consensus and drive your design recommendations forward?" (Emphasize communication, influencing, and problem-solving).

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What interests you about Engine's mission to transform business travel and spend management?" (Demonstrate research and genuine interest in the company's value proposition).

• "How do you foster a culture of innovation and ownership within a design team, particularly in a remote or hybrid setting?" (Align your leadership style with Engine's stated values).

• "Describe your experience with AI-native workflows. How do you see these tools impacting the future of product design and what's your approach to integrating them?" (Show your forward-thinking perspective and practical application).

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure: Begin with a high-level overview of Engine's business and the specific product area. Then, dive into 1-2 key case studies. For each case study:

  • Problem: Clearly define the user problem and business objective.
  • Your Role: Specify your responsibilities and leadership contribution.
  • Process: Detail your design process, research, ideation, and iteration.
  • Solutions: Showcase key design artifacts (wireframes, mockups, prototypes).
  • Impact: Quantify the results achieved (revenue, conversion, efficiency, user satisfaction).

• Storytelling: Weave a narrative that highlights your strategic thinking, problem-solving skills, and ability to drive impact.

• Engagement: Be prepared to answer in-depth questions about your design choices, trade-offs, and learnings.

• Tooling: Briefly touch upon the tools you used, especially Figma and any AI-native tools, explaining how they helped achieve outcomes.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview preparation focuses on demonstrating strategic thinking, leadership, and a data-driven approach, all critical for a role with significant business impact. Operations professionals can leverage their experience in process mapping, KPI tracking, and cross-functional project management to answer these questions effectively.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Sr. Product Design Manager, Travel position:

• Submit your application through the provided application link on Greenhouse.

• Portfolio Customization: Tailor your portfolio to highlight leadership experience, end-to-end product lifecycle case studies, and demonstrable business impact (especially revenue generation and efficiency improvements). Ensure it showcases your ability to lead design teams and influence strategy.

• Resume Optimization: Update your resume to emphasize leadership achievements, experience with complex stakeholder management, and proficiency in key design tools (Figma) and modern workflows (AI-native). Quantify your accomplishments wherever possible.

• Interview Preparation: Practice presenting your portfolio case studies, focusing on the strategic "why" behind your design decisions and the measurable business outcomes. Prepare to discuss your leadership philosophy and approach to team management.

• Company Research: Thoroughly research Engine's business model, target market (SMBs), product offerings (travel, spend management), and company culture. Understand their competitive landscape and identify how your skills can contribute to their specific growth objectives.

⚠️ 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.