Sr Product Designer (Ads)

Coupang
Full-timeSeoul, South Korea

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Sr. Product Designer (Ads)

Company: Coupang

Location: Seoul, South Korea

Job Type: Full-time

Category: Product Design / User Experience (UX) Design

Date Posted: April 22, 2026

Experience Level: 3-5 years

Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

  • Develop and execute comprehensive user experience (UX) strategies for Coupang Ads products, aligning with business objectives and advertiser needs.

  • Provide strategic design direction for advertising solutions to enhance sales, market share, customer acquisition, and brand equity for sellers and brand owners.

  • Leverage data and metrics to identify areas for UX improvement and inform design decisions across the advertising product suite.

  • Foster strong collaboration with cross-functional teams, including Product Managers, Engineers, Data Scientists, and Sales, to deliver a best-in-class advertiser experience.

  • Conduct user research, including usability testing and interviews, to deeply understand customer needs and preferences within the e-commerce advertising landscape.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is specifically focused on the advertising division of Coupang, a prominent e-commerce platform. The Sr. Product Designer will be instrumental in shaping the user experience for advertisers, aiming to drive business growth for both Coupang's clients and the company itself. The emphasis on data-driven design and cross-functional collaboration is critical for success in this fast-paced environment.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

  • Develop and Execute UX Strategy: Design and implement user-centered design strategies for various ads products, ensuring alignment with Coupang's overall business objectives and the specific goals of advertisers.

  • Strategic Design Direction: Provide critical design leadership for advertising products, focusing on meeting both company performance targets and advertiser success metrics.

  • Data-Informed Design: Analyze user data and key performance indicators (KPIs) to identify opportunities for UX enhancement, iterate on existing designs, and guide future design initiatives within the ads platform.

  • Cross-functional Collaboration: Work closely with Product Management, Engineering, Data Science, and Sales teams to ensure a cohesive and optimal advertiser experience across all touchpoints.

  • Feature Prioritization & Implementation: Partner with Product Managers and development teams to define roadmaps, prioritize features, and oversee the implementation of design solutions that drive user experience improvements and business growth.

  • User Research & Insights: Conduct qualitative and quantitative user research, including usability testing, user interviews, and surveys, to gather actionable insights into advertiser needs, pain points, and preferences.

  • Foster Innovation: Cultivate a collaborative and innovative design environment that encourages creative problem-solving, continuous learning, and the pursuit of excellence in user experience.

  • Evangelize User-Centered Design: Champion the importance of a user-centered approach throughout the product development lifecycle, influencing stakeholders and ensuring design thinking is integrated into decision-making processes.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a blend of strategic thinking, hands-on design execution, and strong collaborative skills. The emphasis on "advertiser experience" and "business growth" indicates a results-oriented approach to design, where UX directly impacts commercial outcomes. Understanding the e-commerce and advertising technology landscape will be crucial.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

  • Bachelor's degree in Design, Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), Interaction Design, Graphic Design, Industrial Design, Computer Science, Psychology, Ethnography, or a related field.

Experience:

  • Minimum of 3-5 years of professional experience in user experience (UX) design.

  • Proven track record of designing and implementing successful user-centered design strategies, preferably within an e-commerce, retail, or advertising technology environment.

Required Skills:

  • User Experience Strategy: Ability to define and execute comprehensive UX strategies that align with business goals.

  • Product Design: Strong portfolio showcasing end-to-end product design, from concept to launch, with a focus on user needs.

  • User Research & Usability Testing: Proficiency in conducting various user research methodologies and usability tests to gather actionable insights.

  • Data Analysis: Understanding of how to interpret data and metrics to inform design decisions and measure UX impact.

  • Design Tools Proficiency: Expertise in industry-standard design and prototyping tools such as Figma, Sketch, Adobe Creative Suite.

  • Cross-functional Collaboration: Proven ability to work effectively with diverse teams, fostering communication and shared understanding.

  • Communication Skills: Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to articulate design concepts clearly and persuasively to various stakeholders.

Preferred Skills:

  • Experience in the advertising technology (AdTech) or e-commerce advertising space.

  • Familiarity with A/B testing and experimentation frameworks for design optimization.

  • Experience with agile development methodologies.

  • English language proficiency is a plus, given the global nature of Coupang.

📝 Enhancement Note: The requirement for 3-5 years of experience, coupled with a Bachelor's or Master's degree, positions this as a mid-to-senior level role. The emphasis on e-commerce/retail and the explicit mention of collaboration with Sales and Data Science indicates the need for a designer who understands business impact and can translate data into user-centric solutions. Proficiency in specific design tools is a non-negotiable requirement.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

  • Case Studies: Showcase 2-3 detailed case studies demonstrating your product design process from problem identification to solution implementation and impact. Each case study should clearly articulate the problem, your role, the design process, key decisions, and measurable outcomes.

  • User-Centered Design: Evidence of applying user research, personas, journey mapping, and usability testing to inform design decisions.

  • Problem-Solving: Examples of how you’ve tackled complex user problems and translated them into intuitive and effective design solutions.

  • Impact Demonstration: Quantifiable results or metrics that illustrate the positive impact of your designs on user behavior, business goals, or advertiser success.

  • E-commerce/Ads Context: Preferably, include projects related to e-commerce platforms, advertising tools, or B2B SaaS products where user experience directly drives business outcomes.

Process Documentation:

  • Workflow Design: Ability to map out and optimize user flows and interaction designs for complex systems.

  • Prototyping & Iteration: Demonstrations of iterative design processes, including low-fidelity wireframing, high-fidelity prototyping, and user feedback integration.

  • Collaboration Documentation: Examples of how you've documented design specifications and collaborated with engineering teams for seamless implementation.

  • Data Integration: Show how data and analytics were used to guide design iterations and measure success.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a Senior Product Designer role, the portfolio is paramount. It should clearly articulate a structured design process, demonstrate a deep understanding of user-centered methodologies, and, crucially, showcase measurable impact. Candidates should be prepared to discuss the "why" behind their design choices and how those choices contributed to business objectives, particularly within the context of e-commerce advertising.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

Based on industry benchmarks for Senior Product Designers in Seoul, South Korea, with 3-5 years of experience in a major tech company like Coupang, the estimated annual salary range is approximately ₩70,000,000 to ₩100,000,000 KRW. This range can vary based on the candidate's specific experience, qualifications, and performance during the interview process.

Benefits:

  • Comprehensive Health Insurance: Medical, dental, and vision coverage for employees and eligible dependents.

  • Performance Bonuses: Potential for annual bonuses tied to individual and company performance.

  • Stock Options/RSUs: Possibility of equity participation through Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) or stock options, common in high-growth tech companies.

  • Paid Time Off: Generous vacation days, public holidays, and sick leave.

  • Professional Development: Opportunities for training, workshops, conferences, and continuous learning to enhance design skills and industry knowledge.

  • Employee Discounts: Significant discounts on Coupang products and services.

  • Commuting Support: Potential subsidies or support for commuting to the Seoul office.

  • Meal Vouchers/Subsidies: Support for daily meals.

Working Hours:

The standard working hours are generally 40 hours per week, with typical business hours from Monday to Friday. Coupang emphasizes a results-oriented culture, and while work-life balance is valued, the fast-paced nature of the company may require flexibility and occasional dedication beyond standard hours to meet project deadlines.

📝 Enhancement Note: Salary estimates are based on general market data for Seoul for similar roles and experience levels. Coupang, as a large, publicly traded e-commerce company, typically offers competitive compensation packages including base salary, bonuses, and equity, alongside robust benefits. The "fast-paced environment" mentioned in the job description suggests that while standard hours are 40/week, flexibility might be expected.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: E-commerce, Retail Technology, Logistics, Advertising Technology. Coupang operates at the intersection of these dynamic sectors, leveraging technology to revolutionize online shopping and delivery experiences in South Korea.

Company Size: Coupang is a large, publicly traded company with tens of thousands of employees globally, indicating a robust organizational structure, significant resources, and a substantial market presence. This size offers stability and opportunities for scale, while the company culture aims to retain a startup-like agility.

Founded: Founded in 2010, Coupang has rapidly grown from a startup to a dominant player in the e-commerce landscape, recognized for its innovation and customer-centric approach. This history suggests a culture that values rapid growth, problem-solving, and continuous improvement.

Team Structure:

  • Coupang Ads Team: This is a multi-functional and collaborative division comprising Sales, Marketing, Video Product and Operations, Product Management, and Engineering. The Senior Product Designer will be a key member, working closely with these functions.

  • Reporting Structure: The designer will likely report to a Design Lead or Head of Product Design within the Coupang Ads vertical. Collaboration will be extensive across product teams and with engineering.

  • Cross-functional Collaboration: The role emphasizes close partnerships with Product Managers to define product strategy, Engineers for implementation, Data Scientists for insights, and Sales to understand market needs and advertiser feedback.

Methodology:

  • Customer Obsession: Coupang's core philosophy revolves around obsessing over customers. This translates into a design approach that prioritizes understanding and solving customer problems.

  • Data-Driven Decision Making: The company heavily relies on data and metrics to inform strategy, product development, and performance measurement.

  • Agile & Iterative Development: A fast-paced environment suggests an agile approach to product development, with continuous iteration based on feedback and data.

  • Entrepreneurial Spirit: Despite its size, Coupang fosters a culture of entrepreneurship, encouraging initiative, ownership, and a willingness to tackle bold challenges.

Company Website: https://www.coupang.jobs/en/

📝 Enhancement Note: Coupang's culture is a key differentiator. It combines the scale and resources of a large public company with a startup mentality focused on rapid innovation, customer obsession, and a high degree of ownership. The Ads team specifically aims to provide "the best ads team in the world," highlighting ambition and a commitment to excellence within this specialized domain.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This is a Senior Product Designer role, indicating a level of expertise and responsibility beyond mid-level positions. It requires an individual who can operate autonomously, lead design initiatives, and influence product strategy. This level typically involves mentoring junior designers and taking ownership of significant product areas.

Reporting Structure: The role reports into the Coupang Ads division, likely within a product design or UX leadership structure. Collaboration will be extensive with Product Management, Engineering, and Sales, requiring strong stakeholder management skills.

Operations Impact: The Senior Product Designer will have a direct impact on the success of Coupang Ads by improving the advertiser experience, which in turn drives revenue growth, advertiser retention, and market share for Coupang's advertising solutions. Their work will shape how sellers and brands engage with and leverage Coupang's advertising platform.

Growth Opportunities:

  • Leadership Development: Opportunities to lead design projects, mentor junior designers, and potentially grow into a Design Lead or Managerial role within Coupang Ads or other Coupang verticals.

  • Skill Specialization: Deepen expertise in e-commerce UX, advertising technology design, or specific areas like user research, interaction design, or visual design.

  • Cross-functional Mobility: Potential to move into Product Management or other strategic roles within Coupang, leveraging deep product and user understanding.

  • Impactful Projects: Contribute to large-scale, high-impact products that are central to Coupang's business strategy and customer experience.

  • Continuous Learning: Access to internal training, external conferences, and resources to stay abreast of the latest design trends and technologies.

📝 Enhancement Note: As a Senior role, this position offers significant growth potential beyond individual contribution. The emphasis on autonomy and influencing strategy suggests a path toward leadership, either within design or broader product functions. Coupang's rapid growth in e-commerce and advertising presents fertile ground for career advancement.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The role is based in Seoul, South Korea, and is an on-site position. Coupang is known for its dynamic and collaborative office environments designed to foster innovation and teamwork.

Office Location(s): The specific office location in Seoul will be provided upon inquiry or during the interview process. Coupang's presence in Seoul is significant, with modern office spaces designed for productivity and collaboration.

Workspace Context:

  • Collaborative Spaces: Offices likely feature open-plan areas, meeting rooms, and informal collaboration zones to encourage interaction among teams.

  • Technology & Tools: Access to necessary design software (Figma, Sketch, Adobe Creative Suite), hardware, and potentially specialized tools for user research and prototyping.

  • Team Interaction: Frequent opportunities to interact with designers, product managers, engineers, and other stakeholders, fostering a hands-on, team-oriented work culture.

  • Fast-Paced Atmosphere: Expect a high-energy environment where rapid iteration and quick decision-making are common.

Work Schedule: The role is full-time, typically adhering to standard business hours (Monday-Friday). While flexibility is often a feature in tech companies, the "fast-paced" and "always-on" culture of Coupang may necessitate adaptability to meet project timelines and business needs.

📝 Enhancement Note: The on-site requirement in Seoul means candidates should be prepared for a traditional office-based work environment. Coupang's emphasis on collaboration and its fast-paced culture suggest an office setting designed for high productivity and frequent team interaction.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

  • Application Submission: Submit your CV and portfolio through the Coupang Jobs portal.

  • Screening Interview (Phone): An initial discussion with a recruiter or hiring manager to assess basic qualifications, experience, and cultural fit. This may include a brief overview of your background and interest in the role.

  • Design Assessment/Case Study Presentation (In-person/Video): You will likely be asked to present a portfolio review, detailing your design process, key projects, and problem-solving approach. A specific design challenge or case study might be assigned for you to work on and present.

  • On-site/Video Interviews: Multiple rounds of interviews with design leads, product managers, engineering counterparts, and potentially senior leadership. These will delve deeper into your design thinking, collaboration skills, and strategic approach.

  • Final Interview: Potentially a final discussion with a senior executive to assess overall fit and alignment with Coupang's vision.

Portfolio Review Tips:

  • Structure Your Narrative: For each case study, clearly outline the problem, your role and responsibilities, the design process, key decisions made (and why), user research findings, iterations, and the final outcome with measurable results.

  • Highlight Impact: Focus on quantifiable achievements. How did your design improve user engagement, conversion rates, advertiser satisfaction, or business metrics? Use data to support your claims.

  • Showcase Your Process: Demonstrate a robust, user-centered design process. Include wireframes, user flows, prototypes, and research insights. Explain your rationale at each step.

  • Tailor to Coupang Ads: If possible, select projects that demonstrate experience relevant to e-commerce, advertising platforms, or complex B2B applications. Articulate how your skills align with Coupang's goals.

  • Be Prepared for Questions: Anticipate questions about your decision-making, how you handle feedback, conflict resolution with stakeholders, and your understanding of the e-commerce/ads landscape.

Challenge Preparation:

  • Understand the Context: If a design challenge is provided, ensure you fully understand the problem statement, target users, and business objectives.

  • Time Management: Allocate your time effectively across research, ideation, design, and preparation for presentation.

  • Focus on Process: Even if the solution isn't perfect, demonstrating a sound design process is often more critical than the final output.

  • Articulate Your Rationale: Be ready to explain your design choices, trade-offs considered, and how you would validate your solution with users and data.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process emphasizes a strong portfolio and the ability to articulate a comprehensive design process. Candidates should be prepared for both collaborative discussions and potentially a design challenge. Demonstrating an understanding of business objectives and user impact is crucial for a senior role in a commercially driven environment like Coupang Ads.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

  • Design & Prototyping: Figma, Sketch, Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, After Effects). Proficiency in at least one of Figma or Sketch is essential, along with strong skills in the Adobe suite.

  • Prototyping Software: Tools like InVision, Principle, or Figma's built-in prototyping capabilities for creating interactive mockups.

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

Analytics & Reporting:

  • Data Analysis Tools: Familiarity with tools like Amplitude, Mixpanel, Google Analytics, or internal Coupang analytics platforms to understand user behavior and measure design impact.

  • Data Visualization: Ability to interpret and present data insights, potentially using tools like Tableau or internal dashboards.

Collaboration & Project Management:

  • Project Management Software: Experience with tools like Jira, Asana, or Trello for managing design tasks and collaborating with engineering teams.

  • Communication Platforms: Proficiency in Slack, Microsoft Teams, or similar for daily team communication.

  • Documentation Tools: Confluence or similar for documenting design specifications and research findings.

📝 Enhancement Note: Proficiency in industry-standard design tools like Figma and Sketch is non-negotiable. The role also requires an understanding of how to leverage data and analytics tools to inform design decisions and measure success, underscoring the data-driven nature of Coupang's operations.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

  • Customer Obsession: A fundamental value at Coupang, meaning the team prioritizes understanding and solving advertiser needs above all else. Designs should demonstrably improve the advertiser's journey and business outcomes.

  • Grit & Urgency: Coupang values individuals who tackle challenges with determination and a sense of urgency, pushing boundaries to achieve results in a fast-paced environment.

  • Ownership: Employees are expected to take initiative, be accountable for their work, and drive projects forward autonomously.

  • Innovation: A culture that encourages creative thinking, experimentation, and the development of novel solutions to complex problems.

  • Collaboration: Strong emphasis on teamwork and cross-functional partnerships to achieve collective goals.

Collaboration Style:

  • Cross-functional Integration: The design team works hand-in-hand with Product Management, Engineering, Marketing, and Sales, fostering a highly integrated approach to product development.

  • Open Feedback Culture: Expect a culture where constructive feedback is regularly exchanged to continuously improve designs and processes.

  • Data-Informed Discussions: Design decisions and collaborations are often grounded in data and user insights, leading to objective and productive conversations.

  • Fast-Paced Iteration: Collaboration often involves rapid prototyping, testing, and iteration cycles to quickly validate ideas and deliver value.

📝 Enhancement Note: The core values of "Customer Obsession," "Grit," and "Ownership" are central to Coupang's identity. Designers are expected to embody these traits, demonstrating a proactive, results-oriented, and user-focused approach. Collaboration is key, with an expectation of seamless integration across departments.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

  • Balancing Advertiser & Platform Needs: Designing solutions that satisfy the diverse needs of advertisers while aligning with Coupang's platform capabilities, business objectives, and technical constraints.

  • Rapidly Evolving AdTech Landscape: Staying ahead of industry trends, competitive pressures, and technological advancements in the advertising technology space.

  • Data Interpretation & Actionability: Translating complex user data and advertiser feedback into clear, actionable design improvements.

  • Navigating a Large Organization: Effectively collaborating and influencing stakeholders across multiple departments within a large, dynamic company.

  • Maintaining Design Quality under Pressure: Delivering high-quality, user-centered designs within aggressive timelines characteristic of a fast-paced tech environment.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

  • Specialized Design Training: Access to workshops and courses focused on advanced UX techniques, advertising design principles, and emerging design technologies.

  • Industry Exposure: Opportunities to attend industry conferences and events related to e-commerce, advertising, and product design.

  • Mentorship Programs: Potential to be mentored by senior design leaders or to mentor junior designers, fostering leadership skills.

  • Cross-functional Learning: Gaining deep insights into the workings of Product Management, Engineering, Sales, and Marketing through close collaboration.

  • Career Pathing: Clear pathways for career progression within Coupang, including opportunities for specialization or management roles.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges are typical for a senior role in a fast-growing tech company, emphasizing strategic thinking, adaptability, and strong execution. The growth opportunities are substantial, offering both skill enhancement and career advancement within a leading e-commerce platform.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

  • "Describe a time you developed a comprehensive UX strategy for a complex product. What were the key objectives, your approach, and the outcome?" (Focus on strategic thinking, alignment with business goals, and measurable impact.)

  • "How do you balance the needs of different user groups (e.g., advertisers vs. platform administrators) when designing a product? Provide an example." (Look for your ability to manage competing requirements and find optimal solutions.)

  • "Walk us through a scenario where you had to influence cross-functional stakeholders (e.g., Product, Engineering, Sales) to adopt your design recommendations. What was your strategy?" (Assess your communication, persuasion, and collaboration skills.)

Company & Culture Questions:

  • "What interests you specifically about Coupang Ads and this Senior Product Designer role?" (Show genuine interest in the company's mission, products, and the specific challenges of the role.)

  • "How do you embody Coupang's core values of Customer Obsession, Grit, and Ownership in your work?" (Provide concrete examples from your past experiences.)

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

  • Storytelling: Frame your case studies as compelling stories that highlight the problem, your journey of solving it, and the impact achieved. Use visuals effectively to walk through your process.

  • Focus on Impact Metrics: Quantify results wherever possible. Instead of saying "improved user satisfaction," say "increased advertiser satisfaction by 15% as measured by NPS."

  • Articulate Trade-offs: Discuss the design decisions you made, including any trade-offs considered and the rationale behind your choices. This shows critical thinking.

  • Demonstrate Ownership: Clearly define your specific contributions, especially in team projects. Show initiative and accountability.

  • Interactive Element: Be prepared to answer in-depth questions about your work and potentially sketch out solutions on the spot to demonstrate your thinking process.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation should focus on demonstrating strategic thinking, a deep understanding of user-centered design within a business context, and strong collaborative skills. Candidates need to be ready to articulate their process, justify their decisions with data, and align their values with Coupang's culture.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Sr. Product Designer (Ads) position:

  • Submit Your Application: Visit the Coupang Jobs portal and submit your CV and a link to your online portfolio.

  • Tailor Your Resume: Highlight relevant experience in UX design, product design, e-commerce, advertising technology, user research, and data analysis. Use keywords from the job description.

  • Curate Your Portfolio: Select 2-3 of your strongest case studies that best showcase your process, problem-solving skills, and impact, particularly those relevant to e-commerce or advertising platforms. Ensure your portfolio clearly articulates your role, the challenges, your design process, and measurable results.

  • Prepare Your Presentation: Practice presenting your portfolio case studies, focusing on clear storytelling, data-driven outcomes, and articulating your design rationale. Be ready to discuss your approach to user research, collaboration, and handling feedback.

  • Research Coupang Ads: Familiarize yourself with Coupang's business model, its advertising solutions, and its customer base. Understand their market position and competitive landscape. This will help you tailor your answers and demonstrate genuine interest.

Application Requirements

Requires a bachelor's degree in design or a related field and 3-5 years of experience in user experience design. Candidates must demonstrate a track record of implementing user-centered design strategies within an e-commerce or retail environment.