Sr. Product Designer (Milan)

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Sr. Product Designer (Milan)

Company: Eight Sleep

Location: Milan, Lombardy, Italy

Job Type: FULL_TIME

Category: Product Design / UX/UI

Date Posted: July 27, 2026

Experience Level: Senior (8-12 years)

Remote Status: Hybrid (3 days/week in-office)

🚀 Role Summary

• Lead the end-to-end design of the Eight Sleep mobile application and product user interface (UI), encompassing interaction architecture and final visual polish.

• Own, evolve, and maintain the comprehensive product design system, including components, patterns, design tokens, and governing principles.

• Translate complex health and biometric data into intuitive, clear, and premium interfaces that enhance user understanding and engagement.

• Collaborate closely with product management, engineering, and brand teams to ensure the in-app experience is cohesive with the overall Eight Sleep aesthetic and brand identity.

• Act as the benchmark for design craft and quality across the product surface, setting the standard for other product designers, contractors, and cross-functional partners.

• Develop interactive prototypes to rapidly validate concepts and user flows, minimizing engineering investment before full-scale development.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is positioned as a staff-level individual contributor (IC) focused on setting the craft standard for product design at Eight Sleep. The emphasis is on individual mastery and influence rather than team management, requiring a strong point of view and the ability to lead by example in design excellence. The "Milan" in the title appears to be a misnomer based on the provided description which explicitly states "Location: NYC" and "Location Requirement: 3 days/week in-office, hybrid". For clarity, the output will reflect the NYC location with hybrid requirements as detailed in the description.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Drive the complete design lifecycle for the Eight Sleep app, from initial concept and user flow mapping to detailed UI design and visual execution, ensuring a seamless and engaging user experience.

• Take full ownership of the product design system, ensuring its scalability, maintainability, and adherence to best practices, while actively contributing to its growth and refinement.

• Conceptualize and design intuitive user interfaces for presenting intricate health and biometric data, making complex information easily digestible and actionable for users.

• Foster strong cross-functional partnerships with Product Management, Engineering, and Brand Marketing to ensure design consistency and alignment with business objectives and brand vision.

• Establish and champion the highest standards of design craft, visual appeal, and interaction quality for the product surface, serving as a key reference point for all design-related discussions and decisions.

• Create sophisticated prototypes using Figma and other tools to effectively communicate design intent, test user interactions, and gather feedback early in the development process.

📝 Enhancement Note: The primary responsibilities highlight a hands-on design role with significant ownership over the product's user experience and design system. The expectation is for the designer to be a leading voice in craft and quality, influencing the direction of the product's visual and interactive elements.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: While no specific degree is mandated, a strong understanding of design principles, user-centered design methodologies, and visual communication is essential, often gained through formal education in Design, HCI, or related fields, or equivalent practical experience.

Experience: 8-12 years of dedicated experience in product design and UI design, with a proven track record of delivering high-quality digital products, particularly in health, biometrics, or data-intensive consumer applications.

Required Skills:

• Product Design Mastery: Demonstrated end-to-end ownership of product design, from ideation and interaction architecture to visual design and polish.

• UI Design Excellence: Proven ability to create visually stunning, intuitive, and user-friendly interfaces.

• Interaction Design Proficiency: Deep understanding of user interaction principles and ability to design seamless user flows.

• Design System Ownership: Experience in creating, maintaining, and evolving comprehensive design systems (components, patterns, tokens).

• Figma Fluency: Advanced proficiency in Figma for design, prototyping, and system building.

• Data Visualization Skills: Ability to translate complex health and biometric data into clear, understandable visual representations within the app.

• Motion Design Sensibility: Strong understanding and application of motion design principles to enhance user experience and product aesthetics.

• AI Design Tool Proficiency: Genuine, practical experience with AI design tools such as Cursor, Claude, and generative workflows.

• Autonomy & Process Definition: Comfort and ability to operate effectively with minimal process scaffolding, defining and adapting processes as needed.

• Strong Point of View: A well-defined perspective on excellent product design and the confidence to advocate for it.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience designing for health tech, wearables, or biometric tracking applications.

• Familiarity with user research methodologies and integrating user feedback into design iterations.

• Experience working in fast-paced, high-growth startup environments.

• Understanding of front-end development principles to facilitate better collaboration with engineering.

📝 Enhancement Note: The required skills emphasize a blend of technical design proficiency (Figma, AI tools, motion design) and strategic design thinking (design systems, data visualization, autonomy). The explicit mention of AI design tools and comfort with minimal process scaffolding points to a need for a highly adaptable and forward-thinking designer.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A comprehensive portfolio showcasing 8-12 years of product/UI design experience, with a clear emphasis on end-to-end design ownership.

• Demonstrations of mastery in both interaction design and visual craft, highlighting the ability to create intuitive user flows and polished interfaces.

• Specific case studies on designing for health, biometrics, or data-rich consumer applications, illustrating how complexity was simplified.

• Examples of contributions to or ownership of design systems, showcasing component libraries, pattern definitions, and token systems.

• Evidence of advanced Figma usage, including complex prototyping, system building, and collaborative workflows.

• Projects that clearly articulate the use of motion design to enhance user experience and product polish.

• Inclusion of work that demonstrates practical application of AI design tools in the design process. Process Documentation:

• Case studies detailing the design process for a complex consumer app, from problem definition and user research through to final design implementation and iteration.

• Documentation of how design systems were established or evolved, including the rationale behind component structures, naming conventions, and token implementation.

• Examples of how complex data was translated into user-friendly interfaces, with a focus on clarity, accuracy, and aesthetic appeal.

• Evidence of rapid prototyping and validation methods used to iterate on designs before significant engineering commitment.

• Documentation of collaboration with engineering and product teams, showcasing how designs were translated into production-ready assets and feedback loops were managed.

📝 Enhancement Note: The portfolio requirements are highly specific, demanding demonstrable expertise in key areas like design systems, data-rich applications, and modern design tools, including AI. Candidates must be prepared to articulate their design process and the impact of their work through detailed case studies.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: Based on industry benchmarks for a Staff Product Designer with 8-12 years of experience in a high-cost-of-living city like NYC, the estimated annual base salary range would be €120,000 - €180,000 (approximately $130,000 - $195,000 USD). This range accounts for the senior level, specialized skills (AI design tools, health tech), and the company's high-performance culture.

Benefits:

• Equity Participation: Full-time team members receive equity, recognizing their direct contribution to the company's success.

• Performance-based Equity Refreshments: Periodic equity grants based on performance, ensuring ongoing alignment with company growth.

• Company Product: Employees receive their own Eight Sleep Pod, providing a direct experience with the company's core product.

• Accelerated Career Growth: Opportunities for immediate responsibility and rapid professional development in a fast-paced environment.

• Collaboration with Exceptional Talent: Work alongside highly intelligent and innovative individuals in a dynamic team setting.

• Health and Wellness: Comprehensive health benefits are typically provided by companies of this caliber, though specific details are not listed.

• Professional Development: Potential for support in continuous learning and skill advancement.

Working Hours: While the job description emphasizes a high-performance culture and potential for 60+ hour weeks, the standard working hours are generally considered to be 40 hours per week. The role requires flexibility and dedication, aligning with a demanding work environment.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range is an estimate based on industry standards for a Staff Product Designer in NYC, considering the company's high-performance culture and the specialized skills required. The benefits package emphasizes equity and direct product experience, aligning with the company's focus on high performers and their contributions. The "Milan" location in the job title is disregarded in favor of the explicitly stated NYC hybrid requirement.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Technology / Consumer Hardware / Health & Wellness (Sleep Fitness)

Company Size: While not explicitly stated, Fast Company's recognition and mentions of a "small team" suggest a growing, but likely mid-sized to large startup (e.g., 200-500+ employees).

Founded: Eight Sleep was founded in 2014, with significant recognition from Fast Company in 2019, 2022, 2023, and 2026, indicating a history of innovation and product development.

Team Structure:

• Design Team: The role reports directly to the Executive Creative Director, suggesting a structured design leadership. The designer is a staff-level IC, expected to set craft standards for other designers on the team, implying a collaborative but hierarchical structure where individual expertise is highly valued.

• Cross-functional Collaboration: Close partnerships are expected with Product Management and Engineering teams to ensure a cohesive product experience. Brand teams are also involved in maintaining a unified aesthetic.

• High-Performance Mentality: The company culture is characterized by intensity, a focus on excellence (aiming for the top 1%), relentless drive, and dedication (often 60+ hour weeks). This fosters an environment where high achievers are expected to thrive.

Methodology:

• Data-Driven Product Development: The company leverages technology, hardware, software, and AI to provide personalized, data-driven recovery experiences. This implies a strong emphasis on data analysis and user insights in product design and development.

• Iterative Design & Refinement: The culture values iteration, refinement, and an obsession with details to achieve optimal outcomes, suggesting a continuous improvement mindset.

• Agile & Fast-Paced: The description "operate like a high-performance team: fast, focused, and motivated by impact" and "build fast" points to agile methodologies and a rapid development cycle.

Company Website: https://www.eightsleep.com/

📝 Enhancement Note: The company culture is a critical aspect of this role, emphasizing extreme dedication, high standards, and a fast-paced, impact-driven environment. The "Milan" location in the title is inconsistent with the described NYC hybrid requirement, and the output reflects the NYC location.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is at a Staff Product Designer level, signifying a senior individual contributor with significant autonomy and influence. It's a position that sets the bar for design craft and quality, influencing the direction and standards of the entire product design function without direct people management responsibilities. This level typically involves tackling the most complex design challenges and mentoring junior designers indirectly through setting standards.

Reporting Structure: The designer will report directly to the Executive Creative Director. This structure suggests a clear line of command for design vision and strategy, with the Executive Creative Director likely responsible for the overall creative output and vision, while the Staff Designer executes and elevates the product surface design.

Operations Impact: The Staff Product Designer's impact is directly tied to the user experience of the Eight Sleep app and product interface. By owning and evolving the design system and ensuring the highest craft standards, this role significantly influences customer perception, engagement, retention, and ultimately, the perceived value of Eight Sleep's technology. The ability to translate complex biometric data into clear, premium interfaces is crucial for the company's mission of "fueling human potential through optimal sleep." The designer's work will be a benchmark, shaping the visual and interactive language of the product and setting a high standard for the entire design team.

Growth Opportunities:

• Craft Specialization & Leadership: Opportunity to become the undisputed craft leader for product design, setting the standard that others emulate. This role is about defining "what good looks like" at the highest level of individual contribution.

• Design System Evolution: Lead the strategic development and expansion of a critical design system, impacting product consistency and development efficiency across the organization.

• Influence & Mentorship (Indirect): While not managing, the role offers significant influence over design direction and quality, acting as a de facto mentor by example for other designers through the high standard of work produced.

• Industry Recognition: The opportunity to shape a product that is recognized by TIME and Fast Company, potentially leading to personal industry recognition and a strong portfolio piece.

• Deep Domain Expertise: Develop deep expertise in designing for health tech, biometrics, and data-rich consumer applications, a growing and valuable niche.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is for a designer who wants to be a top-tier individual contributor, deeply influencing product direction and design quality without the administrative overhead of people management. The growth is focused on deepening expertise, increasing influence, and becoming a recognized leader in design craft.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The role requires a hybrid work arrangement, with 3 days per week in the NYC office. This suggests a modern office environment designed to foster collaboration, innovation, and a sense of community among employees. The company's high-performance culture likely means the office space is optimized for focused work and team interaction.

Office Location(s): The primary work location is New York City. Specific details about the office's accessibility or amenities are not provided but can be assumed to align with a tech company in a major metropolitan area.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Hub: The 3 days in-office are intended for collaboration, team meetings, brainstorming sessions, and direct interaction with product, engineering, and brand teams. This environment is crucial for dynamic design work.

• High-Performance Culture: The workspace likely supports focused individual work as well as intense, collaborative sessions, reflecting the company's "high standards, no apologies" ethos.

• Technology Integration: Given Eight Sleep's focus on cutting-edge technology, the office environment likely provides access to the necessary tools and infrastructure to support design work, including robust internet, hardware, and potentially internal tools for communication and project management.

Work Schedule: The role requires a hybrid schedule with a strong emphasis on in-office presence for 3 days a week in NYC. While standard working hours are typically 40 hours per week, the company culture indicates a willingness to invest more time (60+ hours) for those deeply committed to achieving significant impact. This implies a flexible yet demanding schedule where output and dedication are paramount.

📝 Enhancement Note: The hybrid model in NYC is a key aspect of the work environment, balancing focused remote work with in-office collaboration. The company's culture strongly influences the expected dedication and work intensity within this environment.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A review of your resume and portfolio to assess alignment with the Senior Product Designer role, focusing on experience, craft, and specific skill sets (Figma, AI tools, health tech).

• Portfolio Presentation & Craft Discussion: An in-depth session where you present your portfolio, walking through key case studies. Expect detailed questions about your design process, decision-making, problem-solving approach, and how you've set craft standards in previous roles. This is where you'll demonstrate your mastery of interaction, visual design, and system thinking.

• Cross-Functional Collaboration Interview: Discussions with Product Management and Engineering leads to assess your ability to collaborate effectively, translate complex requirements, and ensure designs are feasible and aligned with business goals.

• Executive Creative Director Interview: A final interview with the hiring manager to discuss your vision for product design at Eight Sleep, your understanding of the company's mission, and how you will set the benchmark for design craft. This is also an opportunity to discuss the company's high-performance culture and your fit within it.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate for Impact: Select 3-5 of your strongest, most relevant projects that best showcase your end-to-end design process, particularly those involving complex data, health tech, or design system work.

• Focus on Process & Rationale: For each project, clearly articulate the problem, your role, the constraints, your design process, key decisions made, and the rationale behind them. Highlight how you translated complex data into simple interfaces.

• Demonstrate Craft Mastery: Showcase high-fidelity mockups, prototypes, and motion design examples. Ensure visual polish and attention to detail are evident.

• Highlight Design System Contributions: If applicable, include detailed examples of your work on design systems, showing components, patterns, tokens, and how they were implemented and maintained.

• Showcase AI Tool Integration: Explicitly detail how you've used AI design tools (Cursor, Claude, generative workflows) in your process and the impact they had.

• Quantify Impact: Wherever possible, use metrics to demonstrate the impact of your designs (e.g., user engagement, conversion rates, user satisfaction improvements).

• Tell a Story: Structure your presentations to tell a compelling narrative about how you solved a problem and delivered value.

Challenge Preparation:

• Design Exercise: Be prepared for a potential design exercise, either take-home or live, focusing on a problem related to health data visualization, app interaction, or design system component design.

• Craft Standards Articulation: Practice articulating what constitutes "excellent design craft" in the context of Eight Sleep's product and mission.

• High-Performance Culture Discussion: Be ready to discuss your experience working in demanding, fast-paced environments and how you thrive under pressure. Understand and articulate your alignment with Eight Sleep's "High Standards