Sr. Product Designer I (6859)

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Sr. Product Designer I

Company: MetroStar

Location: Reston, VA

Job Type: Full-Time

Category: Product Design / User Experience

Date Posted: 2026-09-30

Experience Level: 5-10 Years

Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• Lead end-to-end product design for AI-powered video intelligence experiences, focusing on user-centered research and interaction design for frontline teams.

• Develop and maintain a comprehensive design system, ensuring consistency and accessibility across wearable, mobile, and web platforms.

• Translate complex technical information and AI outputs into intuitive, actionable user interfaces for maintenance, logistics, and field operations.

• Collaborate intimately with integrated product teams, including AI, full-stack, and data engineers, to deliver mission-critical solutions.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is positioned as a Senior Product Designer, implying a need for significant autonomy, strategic thinking, and the ability to mentor junior designers. The focus on AI, video intelligence, and frontline applications suggests a challenging but rewarding environment requiring deep user empathy and technical understanding.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Spearhead the entire product design lifecycle for AI-powered video intelligence solutions, from initial concept and user flows to high-fidelity prototypes and developer-ready specifications.

• Construct and continuously enhance the product design system, encompassing reusable components, interaction patterns, iconography, and stringent accessibility standards to ensure a cohesive user experience across diverse platforms.

• Design intuitive and effective experiences tailored for demanding frontline environments, incorporating considerations for hands-free operation, voice commands, live video streaming, and remote collaboration amidst challenging conditions like protective equipment, high noise levels, and intermittent connectivity.

• Architect AI-driven workflows that empower users to efficiently search, interpret, and leverage captured work data, ensuring AI outputs are presented clearly, with demonstrable trustworthiness and mechanisms for verification or correction.

• Initiate and conduct in-depth user research with frontline personnel, employing field observation, in-depth interviews, and rigorous usability testing to gain profound insights into actual work processes and translate these findings into impactful product enhancements.

• Actively engage with engineers, product leadership, and clients to articulate design rationale, present research outcomes, and discuss design tradeoffs through compelling prototypes, persuasive presentations, and comprehensive product demonstrations.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities emphasize a holistic approach to product design, requiring not just execution but also strategic leadership in research, system development, and cross-functional communication. The specific mention of "AI-powered workflows" and "frontline users" indicates a specialized domain requiring domain expertise or rapid learning.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: While specific educational degrees are not explicitly stated, a strong portfolio and experience in product design, UX/UI, or a related field are paramount. A Bachelor's degree in Design, Human-Computer Interaction, Computer Science, or a related discipline is often preferred for senior roles.

Experience: A minimum of 5 years of progressive experience in product design is required, with a proven track record of delivering shipped digital products. This experience should demonstrate mastery in user-centered research methodologies and visual design execution.

Required Skills:

• Demonstrated expertise in product design across the full spectrum of user experience, from foundational research to polished visual design, evidenced by a robust portfolio.

• Advanced proficiency in Figma, including expertise in building and managing sophisticated design systems, creating high-fidelity prototypes, developing responsive layouts, and establishing comprehensive UI kits.

• Deep understanding and application of accessible design standards to ensure inclusivity and compliance across all digital products.

• Proven ability to design complex, data-rich products for various devices, including web, mobile, tablet, or wearable technologies, with a strong emphasis on simplifying intricate technical information and workflows.

• Experience designing for emerging technologies, specifically including AI, real-time video, voice interfaces, or hands-free interactions, with a clear understanding of their unique design challenges.

• Exceptional user research capabilities, including field observation, user interviews, and usability testing, to derive actionable insights from real-world user scenarios.

• Strong aptitude for cross-functional collaboration, working effectively within integrated product teams alongside engineers and product managers.

• Excellent technical communication skills, with the ability to articulate design decisions, research findings, and tradeoffs to both technical and non-technical stakeholders. Preferred Skills:

• Previous experience designing for maintenance, industrial, or frontline users and understanding their specific operational contexts.

• Familiarity with designing for environments with limited connectivity or specialized hardware.

• Experience with AI-powered workflows and the ability to make AI outputs clear, trustworthy, and verifiable.

• Knowledge of embedded systems design considerations.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on a "strong portfolio" is critical for this role. Candidates should be prepared to showcase projects that highlight their end-to-end design process, problem-solving skills, and impact on user outcomes, particularly those involving complex data or emerging technologies.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A comprehensive portfolio showcasing a minimum of 5 years of product design work, with a strong emphasis on user-centered research methodologies, sophisticated interaction design, and impactful visual design.

• Demonstrated experience in designing and implementing design systems, including reusable components, style guides, and accessibility standards, preferably with examples of evolution and maintenance.

• Evidence of creating high-fidelity prototypes and detailed developer-ready specifications that have led to shipped digital products.

• Case studies that clearly articulate the problem, your design process, the solutions implemented, and the measurable impact (e.g., user adoption, efficiency gains, error reduction) on complex, data-rich products or emerging technologies. Process Documentation:

• Detailed documentation of your workflow design and optimization processes, including how you gather requirements, conduct research, and iterate on designs.

• Examples of implementation and automation of design elements, particularly within a design system context, and how you ensure consistency across platforms.

• Evidence of how you measure and analyze the performance of your designs post-launch, using user feedback and data to inform future iterations.

📝 Enhancement Note: The portfolio should not just be a collection of visuals but a narrative that tells the story of how the candidate solves problems through design. For this role, showcasing projects involving AI, video, or complex data visualization would be highly advantageous.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $100,000 - $120,000 per year.

This salary range is determined based on the candidate's qualifications, skills, relevant experience, and the specific responsibilities of the role. Factors influencing the final offer include professional background, internal equity, and organizational needs.

Benefits:

• Comprehensive Health, dental, and vision insurance plans.

• 401(k) retirement plan with a company match to support long-term financial planning.

• Generous Paid Time Off (PTO) and company holidays for work-life balance.

• Support for families through Parental Leave and dependent care resources.

• Flexible work arrangements, offering adaptability in how and where work is performed.

• Dedicated Professional development opportunities to foster continuous learning and skill enhancement.

• Employee assistance program and wellness programs to support overall employee well-being.

• Eligibility for performance-based bonuses, company-paid training/certifications, and referral bonuses.

Working Hours: The standard working hours are not explicitly defined but are assumed to be a typical 40-hour work week, common for full-time roles. The mention of flexible work arrangements suggests potential for some autonomy in scheduling, provided project deadlines and team collaboration needs are met.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range provided is competitive for a Sr. Product Designer role in the Reston, VA area, especially considering the specialized nature of AI and video intelligence design. The benefits package is robust, indicating a strong commitment to employee well-being and professional growth.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: The company operates within Technology Services, with a specific focus on developing mission-critical solutions for government and commercial clients. MetroStar's expertise spans AI, cloud, cybersecurity, and digital transformation, positioning this role within a forward-thinking tech environment.

Company Size: MetroStar is a mid-sized to large organization, likely employing several hundred to over a thousand individuals, based on typical tech service company structures. This size suggests a balance between established processes and opportunities for individual impact.

Founded: MetroStar was founded over two decades ago, indicating a stable company with a long-standing legacy. This history implies a deep understanding of the market and a commitment to long-term growth and employee development.

Team Structure:

• The Sr. Product Designer will be part of an integrated product team for the "Sightline" product, which includes AI, full-stack, embedded, and data engineers. This structure fosters close collaboration and shared ownership.

• The reporting structure is likely to involve a Design Lead or Head of Product/Design, with the designer working closely with a Product Manager and engineering leads.

• Cross-functional collaboration is a cornerstone of this role, requiring seamless interaction with technical teams, product stakeholders, and external customers. Methodology:

• Data analysis and insights are crucial, particularly in understanding user behavior and the effectiveness of AI-powered features. The role involves translating data into design decisions.

• Workflow planning and optimization are central to the product design process, especially for frontline teams where efficiency is paramount.

• Automation and efficiency practices are implicitly valued, given the focus on AI and improving user workflows. The design system itself is a form of automation for UI consistency.

Company Website: https://metrostar.com/

📝 Enhancement Note: MetroStar's emphasis on "obsessed with our people" suggests a culture that values employee well-being and professional development. The company's long history and focus on mission-critical solutions indicate a stable yet innovative work environment.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is designated as a Sr. Product Designer I, signifying a senior individual contributor position. It requires a high degree of autonomy, expertise in core design disciplines, and the ability to lead design initiatives independently. The scope includes end-to-end ownership of product features and contributions to strategic product direction.

Reporting Structure: The designer will report to a Design Lead or potentially a Product Manager, working within a matrixed product team structure that includes engineering and AI specialists. This structure facilitates direct collaboration with technical counterparts and product owners.

Operations Impact: The Sr. Product Designer will have a significant impact on the success of the Sightline product by enhancing user safety, efficiency, and collaboration for frontline teams. By designing intuitive AI-powered video intelligence experiences, the role directly contributes to improved operational outcomes, customer satisfaction, and potentially revenue growth through product adoption and effectiveness.

Growth Opportunities:

• Specialization in Emerging Technologies: Opportunity to deepen expertise in designing for AI, video intelligence, and wearable/mobile interfaces, becoming a subject matter expert in these cutting-edge fields.

• Leadership Development: Potential to mentor junior designers, lead design sprints, and influence product strategy, paving the way for future lead or management roles within the design team.

• Skill Expansion: Access to company-provided training and certifications allows for continuous learning in areas such as advanced Figma techniques, UX research, AI/ML principles, and domain-specific knowledge relevant to maintenance and logistics.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Sr." title and "I" designation suggest this is a mid-to-senior level individual contributor role with potential for further advancement. The focus on mission-critical products and emerging tech offers a strong foundation for long-term career growth within MetroStar or the broader tech industry.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The role is designated as On-site, indicating that work will primarily be performed from MetroStar's office location in Reston, VA. This environment is designed to foster collaboration and direct interaction among team members.

Office Location(s): The primary office location is Reston, Virginia. This area is part of the Washington D.C. metropolitan region, offering access to a vibrant tech community and convenient transportation options.

Workspace Context:

• The workspace is expected to be collaborative, encouraging direct interaction with fellow designers, engineers, product managers, and potentially clients during design reviews and brainstorming sessions.

• Access to industry-standard operations tools and technology will be provided, including advanced design software like Figma and potentially other project management and communication platforms.

• Opportunities for operations team interaction will be frequent, given the integrated nature of the product teams, facilitating rapid feedback loops and knowledge sharing.

Work Schedule: While the role is full-time, likely involving a standard 40-hour work week, the mention of "flexible work arrangements" in the benefits section suggests that MetroStar values work-life balance. This may translate to some flexibility in daily start/end times or occasional remote work, provided project requirements and team collaboration are not compromised.

📝 Enhancement Note: The on-site requirement suggests a company culture that values in-person collaboration and team cohesion, which can be beneficial for complex design projects requiring frequent communication and whiteboard sessions.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A recruiter will likely conduct an initial phone screen to assess basic qualifications, interest in the role, and cultural fit. Be prepared to articulate your experience with AI, video intelligence, and frontline user design.

• Portfolio Review & Design Challenge: Candidates will typically present their portfolio, highlighting key projects that demonstrate their end-to-end design process, user research capabilities, design system expertise, and impact. A design challenge or a take-home assignment might be part of this stage, focusing on problem-solving for a scenario similar to the Sightline product.

• Team Interviews: Interviews with product managers, engineers, and potentially other designers to assess technical skills, cross-functional collaboration abilities, and alignment with team dynamics. Questions will focus on your approach to complex data visualization and designing for emerging technologies.

• Final Interview: May involve a conversation with senior leadership to discuss strategic thinking, leadership potential, and overall fit with MetroStar's mission and values.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select 3-4 projects that best showcase your skills in user-centered research, interaction design, visual design, design systems, and experience with AI/video/complex data. Prioritize projects that demonstrate end-to-end ownership and measurable impact.

• Tell a Story: For each project, clearly articulate the problem statement, your role, the design process followed, key decisions made, challenges encountered, and the final outcomes or learnings. Focus on the "why" behind your design choices.

• Highlight Specific Skills: Explicitly call out your proficiency in Figma, prototyping, accessibility standards, and designing for diverse platforms (wearable, mobile, web).

• Showcase Impact: Quantify results whenever possible (e.g., "reduced task completion time by X%", "increased user satisfaction by Y%"). If quantitative data is unavailable, focus on qualitative impact and user feedback.

• Tailor to the Role: Emphasize any experience you have with AI, video intelligence, or designing for frontline/industrial users.

Challenge Preparation:

• Understand the Context: If a design challenge is provided, thoroughly research MetroStar, the Sightline product (if possible), and the typical challenges faced by frontline teams in maintenance and logistics.

• Focus on Process: Demonstrate your problem-solving methodology, research approach, and iterative design thinking, rather than just the final visual output.

• Communicate Clearly: Practice articulating your design rationale, assumptions, and tradeoffs concisely and effectively to both technical and non-technical audiences.

📝 Enhancement Note: Given the role's seniority and focus on specialized technologies, expect in-depth questions about your design process, problem-solving approach, and ability to collaborate with engineering teams. The portfolio is paramount.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Figma: This is explicitly mentioned as a required skill and will be the primary tool for UI design, prototyping, and design system management. Proficiency in advanced features like auto-layout, components, variants, and collaboration tools is expected.

• Design System Tools: Experience with tools or methodologies for building, maintaining, and distributing design systems (e.g., Storybook integration, shared libraries within Figma).

• Prototyping Tools: Advanced prototyping capabilities within Figma or potentially specialized tools for creating high-fidelity, interactive prototypes for user testing and developer handoff.

Analytics & Reporting:

• While not explicitly listed as required tools, a Sr. Product Designer should be comfortable using or interpreting data from analytics platforms (e.g., Google Analytics, Mixpanel, Amplitude) to understand user behavior and product performance.

• Proficiency in creating dashboards or working with data visualization tools to communicate user insights and design impact to stakeholders. CRM & Automation:

• Familiarity with CRM systems (e.g., Salesforce) might be beneficial for understanding customer data and workflows, though not a primary design tool.

• Understanding of automation principles is important for designing AI-powered workflows and efficient user journeys.

📝 Enhancement Note: The core technical requirement revolves around Figma and design systems. The ability to leverage data and understand automation concepts will be crucial for designing effective AI-driven solutions.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• People-Centricity: MetroStar's "obsession with our people" translates to a value placed on employee well-being, growth, and fostering a supportive environment. Designers are expected to advocate for users while also contributing to a positive team dynamic.

• Customer Value: A strong focus on delivering value to customers through mission-critical solutions. Designers must understand customer needs deeply and translate them into impactful product experiences.

• Excellence and Innovation: The company's legacy in technology services suggests a commitment to high standards, continuous improvement, and embracing new technologies like AI. Designers are encouraged to push boundaries and explore innovative solutions.

• Collaboration and Integration: The integrated product team structure highlights the value placed on seamless teamwork, communication, and shared ownership across disciplines.

Collaboration Style:

• Partnership with Engineering: Expect a highly collaborative relationship with AI, full-stack, and data engineers, involving frequent communication, joint problem-solving, and iterative feedback loops.

• Cross-functional Integration: Designers will work closely with product leaders and potentially clients, requiring strong communication skills to articulate design rationale and gather requirements effectively.

• Process-Oriented: The emphasis on design systems and structured product development suggests a culture that values well-defined processes and documentation, balanced with agility to adapt to evolving requirements.

📝 Enhancement Note: The company culture appears to be a blend of people-focused values and a strong drive for technical excellence and customer impact. Designers are expected to be both empathetic to users and collaborative with technical teams.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Designing for Complex Environments: Adapting designs for frontline users who operate in challenging conditions (e.g., noise, limited connectivity, hands-free requirements) requires innovative problem-solving and deep user empathy.

• Integrating AI Intuitively: Making AI outputs clear, trustworthy, and actionable for users who may not be AI experts presents a significant design challenge that requires careful consideration of user trust and transparency.

• Balancing Design System Scalability and Innovation: Evolving a comprehensive design system to support new features, platforms (wearable, mobile, web), and emerging technologies while maintaining consistency and efficiency.

• Rapidly Evolving Technology Landscape: Staying abreast of advancements in AI, video intelligence, and wearable technology to ensure designs remain cutting-edge and effective.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Deep Dive into AI/ML Design: Gain specialized experience in designing user interfaces for AI-powered applications, learning how to effectively communicate AI capabilities and limitations to end-users.

• Frontline User Experience Expertise: Develop a nuanced understanding of the unique needs, workflows, and environmental constraints of frontline workers across various industries.

• Design System Leadership: Opportunity to contribute significantly to the growth and strategic direction of the product design system, potentially leading its evolution.

• Cross-Disciplinary Skill Enhancement: Work closely with engineers and data scientists, fostering a deeper understanding of technical constraints and data-driven design principles.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges are directly tied to the innovative and complex nature of the product. Overcoming these challenges offers significant opportunities for professional growth and specialization in high-demand areas of product design.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you had to design for a complex, data-rich product. What were the key challenges, and how did you simplify the user experience?" (Focus on your process for handling complexity and data visualization).

• "How do you approach designing for emerging technologies like AI or voice interfaces, especially when user understanding might be limited?" (Highlight your user-centric approach and methods for building trust and clarity).

• "Walk me through your process for building or evolving a design system. How do you ensure adoption and maintain consistency across multiple platforms and teams?" (Emphasize your understanding of scalable design systems and collaboration).

• "Describe a situation where you had to collaborate closely with engineers on a challenging technical project. How did you ensure effective communication and alignment?" (Showcase your cross-functional collaboration skills and ability to communicate design rationale). Company & Culture Questions:

• "What interests you most about MetroStar and our mission?" (Research the company's values, recent projects, and "people-obsessed" culture).

• "How do you stay updated on the latest trends in product design, AI, and related technologies?" (Demonstrate your commitment to continuous learning).

• "How would you contribute to our collaborative and people-focused culture?" (Align your personal values with MetroStar's stated culture). Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure is Key: Organize your presentation logically, dedicating sufficient time to each project. Start with an overview of your background and then dive into 2-3 selected case studies.

• Focus on Process and Impact: For each case study, clearly articulate the problem, your role, your design process, key decisions, and the measurable outcomes or learnings. Use visuals effectively to illustrate your points.

• Highlight Key Skills: Explicitly point out how your projects demonstrate expertise in Figma, design systems, user research, AI/video design, and accessibility.

• Engage Your Audience: Be prepared to answer detailed questions about your design choices, tradeoffs, and challenges. Maintain an enthusiastic and confident demeanor.

• Tailor to the Role: Emphasize any experience or understanding of designing for frontline users, complex data, or AI-powered features, as this is critical for the Sightline product.

📝 Enhancement Note: Expect the interview process to heavily scrutinize your portfolio and your ability to articulate your design thinking. Be prepared to discuss your experience with AI and complex systems in detail.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Sr. Product Designer I position at MetroStar:

• Submit your application through the provided application link on the MetroStar careers page.

• Curate Your Portfolio: Select 2-3 of your strongest projects that best align with the job description, emphasizing user research, design system development, AI/video intelligence design, and experience with complex data or frontline users. Ensure each project clearly outlines the problem, your process, your specific contributions, and the impact.

• Optimize Your Resume: Tailor your resume to highlight keywords from the job description, such as "Sr. Product Designer," "Figma," "Design Systems," "User Research," "AI," "Wearable," "Mobile," and "Web Applications." Quantify achievements where possible.

• Prepare Your Presentation: Practice walking through your portfolio projects concisely, focusing on your design process, problem-solving skills, and the rationale behind your design decisions. Be ready to discuss your experience with emerging technologies and cross-functional collaboration.

• Research MetroStar: Familiarize yourself with MetroStar's mission, values, recent projects, and specifically the "Sightline" product if information is available. Understand their commitment to "people-obsessed" culture and technology services.

⚠️ 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.