Sr. Product Designer

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Sr. Product Designer

Company: Act-On Software

Location: Portland, Oregon, United States

Job Type: Full-Time

Category: Product Design / UX/UI

Date Posted: August 28, 2026

Experience Level: 5-10 Years

Remote Status: Remote OK

🚀 Role Summary

• Drive the end-to-end design process for B2B SaaS products, from conceptualization to high-fidelity mockups and detailed UI specifications.

• Collaborate closely with Product Management and Engineering teams to translate complex workflows into intuitive and user-friendly digital experiences.

• Contribute to the evolution and maintenance of Act-On's design system, ensuring consistency and efficiency across the product suite.

• Leverage user research and data insights to inform design decisions and advocate for user needs within the product development lifecycle.

• Explore and integrate emerging technologies, such as AI, to enhance the design process and product capabilities.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is positioned as a Senior Product Designer, indicating a need for significant autonomy, strategic thinking, and the ability to mentor or guide less experienced designers. The focus on applying a new design language to legacy UI suggests a blend of innovation and practical application, requiring a candidate who can balance modern aesthetics with established product functionality. The explicit mention of AI curiosity points to a forward-thinking team open to exploring new tools and methodologies.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Lead the design of significant features and product areas, taking ownership from initial ideation through final implementation and iteration.

• Develop detailed user flows, wireframes, prototypes, and high-fidelity mockups that clearly articulate design solutions and user interactions.

• Conduct user research, including interviews, usability testing, and data analysis, to gather insights and validate design hypotheses.

• Translate research findings and stakeholder feedback into actionable design recommendations and specifications.

• Partner with Product Managers to define product requirements, explore design solutions, and ensure alignment with business objectives.

• Collaborate effectively with front-end engineers, providing clear design documentation and actively participating in implementation reviews to ensure design integrity.

• Contribute to the continuous improvement of Act-On's design system, including component updates, documentation, and adherence to established guidelines.

• Champion design best practices and advocate for user-centricity throughout the product development lifecycle.

• Proactively identify opportunities for design improvements and process enhancements within the design team.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a strong emphasis on ownership and end-to-end project management, typical for a senior role. The requirement to translate complex workflows into simple ones is a key indicator of the need for strong problem-solving and simplification skills, crucial in B2B SaaS environments. The mention of "owning large feature projects from start to finish" underscores the expectation for a candidate who can manage their own workload and deliver significant contributions independently.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Design, Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), Computer Science, or a related field, or equivalent practical experience. Experience:

• 5+ years of professional experience in Product Design, UX Design, or UI Design, with a proven track record of designing and shipping successful digital products, preferably within a SaaS environment.

• Demonstrated experience in B2B product design and understanding of complex workflows. Required Skills:

• User-Centered Design: Deep understanding of user-centered design principles and methodologies.

• Visual Design Expertise: Proficiency in creating modern, aesthetically pleasing, and functional UI designs, with a strong grasp of layout, color theory, iconography, typography, visual hierarchy, and white space utilization.

• Prototyping & Wireframing: Ability to create low-fidelity wireframes and interactive prototypes to effectively communicate design concepts and user flows.

• Design Systems: Experience contributing to or working with design systems, ensuring consistency and scalability of design elements.

• User Research: Competence in conducting user research, including usability testing, user interviews, and synthesizing findings into actionable insights.

• Collaboration: Proven ability to collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams, including Product Managers, Engineers, and other stakeholders.

• SaaS & Web Application Design: Familiarity with designing for desktop web applications and the nuances of SaaS product interfaces.

• Problem-Solving: Aptitude for dissecting complex problems and designing elegant, simplified solutions.

Preferred Skills:

• AI in Design: Curiosity and foundational understanding of how AI can be leveraged within the design process.

• Agile Development: Experience working within Agile or Scrum development environments.

• Figma/Sketch/Adobe XD: Proficiency in industry-standard design and prototyping tools (e.g., Figma, Sketch, Adobe XD).

• Visual Communication: Strong ability to articulate design decisions and present concepts to stakeholders effectively.

📝 Enhancement Note: The requirement for 5+ years of experience and the "Sr." title strongly suggest that candidates should be prepared to discuss complex design challenges, strategic decision-making, and instances where they have influenced product direction. The emphasis on a "modern visual UI aesthetic" combined with the need to apply it to "legacy UI" implies a need for adaptability and the ability to evolve existing interfaces. The explicit mention of AI tools indicates that candidates with experience or a keen interest in exploring AI for design assistance will be highly regarded.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Design Process Showcase: Detailed case studies that clearly articulate your design process, from problem definition and research to ideation, iteration, and final solution. This should include problem statements, user research findings, design exploration, and rationale behind key decisions.

• High-Fidelity Mockups: Comprehensive examples of detailed, high-fidelity mockups demonstrating strong fundamental UI skills across layout, color, iconography, typography, visual hierarchy, and effective use of white space.

• B2B Workflow Design: Specific examples of designing digital experiences and workflows within B2B products, with a clear emphasis on web-based applications. Showcase how you've simplified complex processes for business users.

• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Evidence of how you've collaborated with Product Managers and Engineers, illustrating your ability to translate design into implementable solutions and incorporate technical constraints or feedback.

Process Documentation:

• Workflow Design & Optimization: Demonstrate your ability to map out existing workflows, identify pain points, and design streamlined, efficient alternatives.

• System Implementation Standards: Show how your designs adhere to or contribute to design system principles, ensuring consistency and maintainability.

• Measurement & Analysis: While not explicitly stated, a strong portfolio might include examples of how design changes were measured for impact (e.g., through A/B testing, user feedback metrics) to demonstrate ROI.

📝 Enhancement Note: The portfolio requirements are central to this role. Candidates must go beyond simply showcasing pretty screens. They need to demonstrate a robust design process, a deep understanding of B2B SaaS UX, and the ability to translate complex business needs into intuitive interfaces. The emphasis on "demonstrating sound fundamental UI skills" means showcasing attention to detail in every visual aspect.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $130,000 - $135,000 annually.

Benefits:

• Generous Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance plans.

• Flexible time off policy to support work-life balance.

• Monthly wellness allowance to promote employee well-being.

• Monthly commuter allowance for transportation needs.

• Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs) for health and childcare expenses.

• Employee Assistance Program (EAP) providing confidential support for employees and their families.

• 3 weeks paid parental leave, in addition to state-specific family leave benefits, covering birth, adoption, and fostering.

• Paid time off for volunteering activities.

• Disability Insurance coverage.

• Life Insurance coverage.

Working Hours: Typically 40 hours per week, with flexibility offered to support work-life balance and accommodate remote work arrangements.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range provided ($130,000-$135,000) is specific to the Portland, Oregon, area for a Senior Product Designer. This range is competitive for experienced professionals in the tech industry within a major metropolitan area known for its tech scene. The benefits package is comprehensive, offering standard health, wellness, and time-off benefits, with notable additions like paid parental leave and volunteer time off, indicating a company that invests in employee well-being and community engagement.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Marketing Technology (Martech) / Software as a Service (SaaS). Act-On operates in a dynamic and competitive Martech landscape, focusing on customer lifecycle orchestration and relationship building.

Company Size: While not explicitly stated, Act-On is described as servicing "thousands of customers worldwide" and having a "small" design team. This suggests a mid-sized company that retains some of the agility of a startup while possessing the stability and customer base of a more established player. This size often means more opportunities for individual impact and broader scope of responsibility.

Founded: Act-On was founded in 2008. This history indicates a company with established market presence and experience in navigating the evolving Martech industry.

Team Structure:

• Design Team: The design team is described as "small," suggesting a close-knit group where individual contributions are highly visible. This structure implies a collaborative environment where designers likely work across various product initiatives.

• Reporting Structure: The Sr. Product Designer will likely report to a Design Lead, Head of Product Design, or potentially a Director of Product. They will partner closely with Product Managers and collaborate extensively with front-end Engineers.

• Cross-functional Collaboration: Strong emphasis on collaboration with Product Management (exploring solutions, defining requirements) and Engineering (implementation, feedback). This indicates a highly integrated product development process.

Methodology:

• Agile Development: Likely operates within an Agile framework, given the typical SaaS product development cycle. This means iterative design, frequent feedback loops, and adaptability.

• User-Centricity: The core of the design philosophy revolves around understanding and serving user needs, evident in the emphasis on user research and translating complex workflows into simple ones.

• Design System Driven: The initiative to apply a "new design language" and improve the "design system" points to a structured approach to ensuring UI consistency and efficiency in design and development.

Company Website: Act-On Software Website

📝 Enhancement Note: The company's description as a "challenger, a rebel, and a changemaker" in the Martech space, coupled with a focus on "trust, not transactions," suggests a culture that values innovation, authenticity, and a forward-thinking approach to customer relationships. For a designer, this implies an environment that is open to new ideas and encourages pushing boundaries within the product.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is a Senior Product Designer position, signifying a mid-to-senior level in the design career path. It requires a high degree of autonomy, strategic thinking, and the ability to lead design initiatives for significant features. Senior designers are expected to mentor junior team members, influence product strategy, and contribute to the overall design vision and process improvements.

Reporting Structure: The Sr. Product Designer will likely report to a Design Manager or Head of Design. They will work closely with Product Managers and collaborate heavily with Engineering teams, requiring strong communication and stakeholder management skills.

Operations Impact: As a Sr. Product Designer, the individual will have a direct impact on the usability, efficiency, and aesthetic appeal of Act-On's marketing automation platform. By simplifying complex workflows and improving user experiences, they will contribute to increased customer satisfaction, adoption rates, and ultimately, customer retention and revenue growth. Their work directly influences how users interact with the product and perceive its value.

Growth Opportunities:

• Design Leadership: Potential to grow into a Lead Product Designer or Design Manager role, taking on more strategic responsibilities and managing a team.

• Specialization: Opportunity to deepen expertise in specific areas of UX/UI, such as user research, interaction design, or contributing more significantly to the design system.

• AI & Innovation: Chance to become a subject matter expert in leveraging AI tools for design, a rapidly growing field.

• Product Strategy Influence: As a senior member, contribute more actively to product strategy discussions and roadmap planning.

• Mentorship: Develop leadership skills by mentoring junior designers and contributing to team growth initiatives.

📝 Enhancement Note: The role's description as a "Sr. Product Designer" with "room for contribution and ownership" and the mention of applying a "new design language to legacy UI" suggests a significant opportunity for impact and professional development. The company's push into new markets (financial services) also implies that designers will be involved in shaping new product directions, offering exciting growth prospects.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The job listing indicates "Remote OK" and lists "Portland, Oregon, United States" as a primary location, along with a broader "United States" remote option. This suggests a hybrid or fully remote-friendly work environment, catering to modern work preferences.

Office Location(s): While the primary derived location is Portland, Oregon, the "United States" remote option implies that candidates located elsewhere in the US may also be considered.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Environment: The small design team structure and emphasis on cross-functional collaboration suggest an environment where designers work closely with Product Managers and Engineers. This fosters open communication and shared problem-solving.

• Tools & Technology: Candidates can expect to work with industry-standard design tools (likely Figma, Sketch, or Adobe XD) and potentially AI design assistance tools. Access to necessary software and platforms for remote collaboration will be provided.

• Team Interaction: Regular team meetings, design critiques, and project syncs will facilitate interaction and knowledge sharing among designers and with other departments.

Work Schedule: A standard full-time work schedule is expected, likely around 40 hours per week. However, the "Remote OK" status and "Flexible time off" benefit suggest a degree of flexibility in managing work hours, allowing for better integration of personal life and professional responsibilities, which is beneficial for deep work and creative problem-solving.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Remote OK" status is a significant factor. For a designer, this means the ability to create a focused work environment conducive to deep thinking and design execution. However, it also implies a need for strong self-discipline, proactive communication, and the ability to build rapport virtually with team members.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A review of your resume and portfolio to assess qualifications and experience.

• Portfolio Presentation: A dedicated session where you will walk through selected case studies from your portfolio, explaining your design process, rationale, and impact. Be prepared to discuss specific examples of B2B SaaS design, UI fundamentals, and how you approach complex problems.

• Design Challenge/Exercise: You may be given a design problem to solve, either as a take-home assignment or a live exercise, to evaluate your problem-solving skills, design approach, and ability to think critically under pressure.

• Cross-functional Interviews: Interviews with Product Managers and Engineering leads to assess collaboration style, communication skills, and technical understanding.

• Cultural Fit Interview: Discussions to evaluate alignment with Act-On's values (Put People First, Be Yourself, Do Your Best (Together), Make It Better) and overall team dynamics.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select 2-3 strong case studies that best represent your experience with B2B SaaS, complex workflow simplification, and modern UI aesthetics.

• Highlight Your Process: Clearly articulate each step of your design process. Explain why you made certain decisions, the research that informed them, and how you iterated based on feedback.

• Showcase UI Fundamentals: Ensure your mockups clearly demonstrate your proficiency in layout, typography, color, iconography, and visual hierarchy. Use close-ups or detailed annotations if necessary.

• Quantify Impact: Whenever possible, include metrics or qualitative feedback that demonstrate the positive impact of your designs on users or business goals.

• Address AI Curiosity: If you have experience or ideas about using AI in design, be ready to discuss them, aligning with the company's interest.

• Storytelling: Frame your case studies as compelling narratives that showcase your problem-solving skills and ability to deliver value.

Challenge Preparation:

• Understand the Context: If given a design challenge, ensure you fully understand the problem, target users, and business goals. Ask clarifying questions.

• Focus on Process: Even if time is limited, demonstrate your thought process. Sketching, brainstorming, and outlining your approach are valuable.

• Prioritize and Scope: For take-home challenges, manage your time effectively. Focus on delivering a well-reasoned solution for the core problem, rather than over-engineering.

• Practice Articulation: Be prepared to clearly and concisely explain your solution, its rationale, and potential next steps.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process likely emphasizes practical application of design skills and collaborative capabilities. The portfolio review is critical, so candidates should prepare to deeply discuss their projects, focusing on the "how" and "why" behind their design decisions, particularly in the context of B2B SaaS products.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Design & Prototyping: Proficiency in industry-standard tools such as Figma, Sketch, or Adobe XD is essential for creating wireframes, mockups, and interactive prototypes.

• Design Systems: Experience with or ability to contribute to a design system, ensuring consistency and scalability across the product.

• Collaboration Tools: Familiarity with tools like Slack, Jira, Confluence, or similar platforms for team communication, project management, and documentation.

Analytics & Reporting:

• User Research Platforms: Tools for conducting usability testing, surveys, and gathering user feedback (e.g., UserTesting.com, Hotjar, SurveyMonkey).

• Data Analysis Tools: While not the primary focus, an understanding of how to interpret user behavior data from analytics platforms (e.g., Google Analytics, Mixpanel) can be beneficial for informing design decisions.

CRM & Automation:

• Marketing Automation Platform (Act-On): While not a design tool, understanding the core functionality and user experience of a marketing automation platform like Act-On will provide valuable context for the design work.

• Integration Tools: Awareness of how design elements integrate with backend systems and workflows.

📝 Enhancement Note: The job description explicitly mentions applying a "new design language" and improving the "design system," indicating that strong foundational UI skills and experience with component-based design are paramount. The mention of AI suggests that familiarity with or openness to exploring AI-assisted design tools (e.g., for ideation, asset generation, or workflow automation) would be a significant advantage.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values: Act-On's stated values are:

• Put People First: This likely extends to both customers and employees, emphasizing empathy, support, and a focus on human well-being. For designers, this means advocating for users and fostering a supportive team environment.

• Be Yourself: Encourages authenticity, individuality, and a diverse workplace where employees feel comfortable expressing their unique perspectives.

• Do Your Best (Together): Highlights a commitment to high performance and collaboration, emphasizing collective effort and shared responsibility for achieving goals.

• Make It Better: Promotes a continuous improvement mindset, encouraging innovation, problem-solving, and proactive efforts to enhance products, processes, and the overall work environment.

Collaboration Style:

• Integrated Product Teams: Designers work closely with Product Managers and Engineers, fostering a collaborative environment where ideas are shared and refined collectively.

• Design System Focus: A strong emphasis on utilizing and contributing to a design system promotes consistency and efficient collaboration between design and development.

• Open Communication: The culture values open feedback and discussion, essential for iterative design processes and problem-solving, especially in a remote setting.

• Proactive Improvement: The "Make It Better" value suggests a culture where team members are encouraged to identify and implement process improvements, including within the design team itself.

📝 Enhancement Note: The values "Do Your Best (Together)" and "Make It Better" are particularly relevant for a senior role. They imply an expectation that the Sr. Product Designer will not only excel individually but also contribute to the team's overall performance and actively seek ways to improve processes and outcomes.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Modernizing Legacy UI: A primary challenge will be applying a new design language and modern aesthetic to existing legacy UI components and workflows, requiring a balance between innovation and maintaining user familiarity.

• Simplifying Complex Workflows: B2B SaaS products often involve intricate processes. Translating these into simple, intuitive user experiences is a persistent challenge.

• Remote Collaboration: Effectively collaborating and building strong relationships with cross-functional teams in a remote or hybrid environment requires excellent communication and proactive engagement.

• Balancing Stakeholder Needs: Juggling the requirements and feedback from Product Management, Engineering, and potentially Sales/Customer Success teams while advocating for user needs.

• Integrating AI: Effectively exploring and integrating AI into the design process in a meaningful way, rather than just for novelty.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Design System Expansion: Opportunity to significantly shape and contribute to the growth and evolution of Act-On's design system.

• AI in Design Exploration: Actively participate in or lead initiatives to explore and implement AI tools and techniques within the design workflow.

• Product Strategy Involvement: As a senior member, gain deeper exposure to product strategy and contribute to roadmap planning for new features and market pushes (e.g., into financial services).

• Mentorship: Develop leadership and coaching skills by mentoring junior designers and sharing best practices.

• Industry Trends: Stay abreast of Martech and SaaS design trends, potentially leading to specialized expertise.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "exciting phase of applying our new design language to legacy UI" presents both a challenge and a significant opportunity for a designer to leave a tangible mark on the product and influence its future direction. The explicit mention of AI also signals a company willing to invest in and explore cutting-edge technologies.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you had to modernize a legacy UI component or feature. What was your approach, what were the challenges, and what was the outcome?" (Focus on balancing new aesthetics with existing functionality and user expectations).

• "Walk us through your process for simplifying a complex workflow in a B2B SaaS product. What methodologies did you use, and how did you validate your solution?" (Demonstrate your problem-solving skills and user-centric approach).

• "How do you typically collaborate with Product Managers and Engineers throughout the design process? Can you provide an example where collaboration led to a better outcome?" (Highlight your communication and teamwork skills).

• "What are your thoughts on using AI in the design process? Have you experimented with any AI tools, and how do you see them impacting product design in the future?" (Address the company's interest in AI and demonstrate your forward-thinking perspective). Company & Culture Questions:

• "Based on our values (Put People First, Be Yourself, Do Your Best (Together), Make It Better), how do you see yourself contributing to our team and culture?" (Research the values and prepare examples of how you embody them).

• "How do you stay updated on design trends, especially in the Martech/SaaS space?" (Showcase your passion for continuous learning).

• "Describe your ideal working relationship with a Product Manager and an Engineering team." (Demonstrate your understanding of cross-functional dynamics). Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure Your Narrative: For each case study, clearly outline the problem, your role, your process, the solution, and the impact. Use visual aids effectively.

• Emphasize Decision-Making: Don't just show what you did; explain why you did it. Justify your design choices with research, user needs, or business goals.

• Showcase UI Mastery: Point out specific details in your mockups that demonstrate your understanding of layout, typography, color, and hierarchy.

• Be Ready for Deep Dives: Anticipate questions about specific design decisions, alternative solutions you considered, and how you handled feedback or constraints.

• Connect to Act-On: Where possible, subtly tie your experience and approach to Act-On's product, market, or values.

📝 Enhancement Note: Given the Sr. level and the focus on modernizing legacy UI, expect questions that probe your strategic thinking, ability to handle ambiguity, and your process for driving change within a product. Be prepared to discuss trade-offs and how you prioritize solutions.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Sr. Product Designer position:

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

• Portfolio Customization: Tailor your portfolio to highlight 2-3 key B2B SaaS projects that best demonstrate your UI skills, design process, and ability to simplify complex workflows. Ensure your portfolio clearly shows your approach to design challenges and your understanding of fundamental UI principles.

• Resume Optimization: Ensure your resume clearly outlines your 5+ years of relevant experience, specifically mentioning SaaS, B2B products, and your contributions to design systems or UI modernization. Use keywords from the job description.

• Interview Preparation: Practice articulating your design process and rationale for key portfolio projects. Prepare to discuss how you would approach modernizing legacy UI and leveraging AI in design, aligning with Act-On's stated interests.

• Company Research: Familiarize yourself with Act-On's product, target market (especially their push into financial services), and company values. Understand how your design philosophy aligns with their mission.

⚠️ 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.