Staff Product Designer

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Staff Product Designer

Company: Charlie Health

Location: New York, NY

Job Type: Full-Time

Category: Product Design / Health Tech Operations

Date Posted: 2026-07-31

Experience Level: 7+ Years

Remote Status: Hybrid (4 days/week in-office)

🚀 Role Summary

• Own and connect the end-to-end experience across the Provider domain, encompassing therapists, group facilitators, and clinical operations teams, to create a unified and coherent system.

• Act as a strategic visionary, advocating for and evolving a Provider Experience vision, driving alignment across Engineering, Product, Clinical, and Operations leadership, often without direct authority.

• Lead the entire product design process from agentic discovery and problem definition through to experience architecture, spec authorship, and hands-on building, utilizing AI-native tools.

• Deliver high-confidence, insight-driven solutions by developing a deep and sophisticated understanding of user needs within a clinically regulated, operations-heavy environment.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is positioned as a "Staff" level Product Designer, indicating a senior individual contributor role with significant strategic influence and ownership. The emphasis on "Provider Experience Group" and "seams between personas, products, and operations" strongly suggests this role will function at the intersection of user experience design and operational efficiency, making it highly relevant to operations professionals looking for roles that bridge design and GTM/operational strategy. The "AI-native pipeline" and "working prototypes or code as a primary design output" highlight a modern, hands-on approach to design and development.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Architect and meticulously manage the experience across the full Provider domain, ensuring seamless integration between therapists, group facilitators, and clinical operations teams for a cohesive user journey.

• Develop and champion a compelling Provider Experience vision, fostering cross-functional alignment and buy-in from Engineering, Product, Clinical, and Operations leadership.

• Lead the full product design lifecycle, including in-depth discovery, rigorous problem definition, intricate experience architecture, detailed spec authorship, and hands-on development through to successful launch.

• Actively build and iterate on designs using an AI-native pipeline, translating prototypes and concepts into production-quality experiences with a focus on reusable patterns and component management.

• Exercise critical judgment to identify the most impactful problems to solve, setting high standards for design quality, and strategically leveraging AI tools for efficiency and innovation.

• Conduct in-depth qualitative and quantitative research to uncover critical user needs, understand complex workflow realities, and identify product opportunities within a highly regulated healthcare and operations-intensive environment.

• Create significant leverage for the design team and broader organization by developing and implementing reusable patterns, skills, tools, and standards that measurably enhance team velocity and overall quality.

• Refine and clarify problem statements for colleagues, mentor junior designers, and elevate the overall craft and judgment bar across the team through constructive and candid feedback.

• Navigate significant constraints, including ambitious timelines, diverse operational stakeholder requirements, and incomplete information, to consistently deliver vision-level, impactful work.

• Actively contribute to the evolution of internal design practices, ways of working, and team culture within an AI-native design organization.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities emphasize a blend of strategic leadership, hands-on execution, and deep user advocacy, particularly within complex operational workflows. The need to "advocate for and evolve a Provider Experience vision" and "drive alignment across engineering, product, clinical, and operations leadership" highlights a significant stakeholder management component, crucial for operations roles. The focus on "AI-native pipeline," "building what you design," and "reusable patterns" points to an emphasis on scalable, efficient design processes, mirroring operational objectives.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

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

• A minimum of 7 years of demonstrated experience in Product Design for technology/software products, with a strong preference for candidates with experience in Health Tech, Telehealth, or other complex operational/workflow-intensive domains.

• Proven ability to own and define large, ambiguous, multi-persona problem spaces, with a track record of successfully connecting experiences across multiple products and surfaces rather than focusing solely within a single product.

• Experience envisioning and delivering novel (0→1) experiences, with the ability to articulate how your strategic vision influenced organizational decisions beyond just the final screen designs.

• Demonstrated experience in systems thinking, with a robust portfolio showcasing experience architecture skills—designing the underlying structure and flow of an experience, not just its visual surfaces. Required Skills:

• Systems Thinking & Experience Architecture: Ability to design complex, interconnected user experiences and understand how different components and workflows interact.

• AI-Native Design & Prototyping: Fluency in working with AI tools for research, prototyping, and production, with a strong portfolio showcasing AI-assisted design outputs.

• User Research Fluency: Deep expertise in both qualitative and quantitative research methodologies, with a clear point of view on how user insights inform and validate strategic vision.

• Communication & Storytelling: Exceptional ability to communicate design decisions, drive alignment, and influence outcomes with evidence-based narratives, particularly with skeptical or resource-constrained stakeholders.

• Initiative & Ownership: A strong bias for action, comfortable filling in the blanks in ambiguous situations and making informed decisions with incomplete information.

• Design Systems Contribution: Experience contributing to or working with token-based design systems, understanding principles of scalability and consistency.

• Mentorship: Proven ability to mentor other designers, raising the craft and judgment bar across a team.

• Health Tech/Workflow Domain Expertise: Familiarity with the nuances and regulatory considerations of healthcare technology, telehealth platforms, or complex operational environments.

Preferred Skills:

• Front-end Development: Proficiency in front-end development languages such as React and TypeScript, or significant experience collaborating closely with Design Technologists.

• EHR/Multi-sided Platform Design: Experience designing for Electronic Health Records (EHRs) or complex multi-sided platforms involving various user types and business models.

• Behavioral Health Domain Knowledge: Understanding of the intricacies and user needs within the behavioral health sector.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on "complex operational/workflow domains" and "connecting experiences across products and surfaces" strongly aligns with the core functions of operations roles. The requirement for "AI-native builder" and shipping "working prototypes or code as a primary design output" suggests a practical, execution-oriented approach that operations professionals will appreciate. The preference for Health Tech and EHR experience is a key indicator of the industry focus.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Systems Design Case Studies: Showcase 2-3 in-depth case studies demonstrating your ability to architect complex, multi-persona experiences that span across different products or surfaces, highlighting how you connected disparate systems or workflows.

• 0→1 Product Development: Include at least one project where you led the conception and delivery of a novel product or significant feature from its initial ideation through to launch, detailing the strategic vision and its impact.

• AI-Native Design Integration: Demonstrate how you leveraged AI tools in your design process, from research synthesis to prototyping and iteration, with clear examples of efficiency gains or enhanced outcomes.

• Research-Driven Solutions: Present projects that clearly articulate the user research conducted, the insights derived, and how those insights directly informed your design decisions and problem-solving approach.

• Operational Workflow Understanding: Include examples that show an understanding of complex operational workflows, particularly if they involve clinical, administrative, or regulatory considerations.

Process Documentation:

• Evidence of leading end-to-end design processes, including detailed documentation of discovery phases, problem definition, experience architecture diagrams, user flow maps, and comprehensive spec authorship.

• Examples of how you have contributed to or developed reusable design patterns, components, or standards that have been adopted by other designers or teams, demonstrating scalability and efficiency.

• Documentation of your approach to collaborating with engineering and product teams, including how you hand off designs, provide specifications, and ensure fidelity during implementation.

📝 Enhancement Note: This section is critical for operations candidates. The emphasis on "connecting experiences across products and surfaces," "0→1 product development," "operational workflow understanding," and "reusable design patterns" directly maps to the strategic and execution-focused aspects of operations roles. A strong portfolio demonstrating process rigor and measurable impact will be key.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

• The total target base compensation for this role will be between $190,000 and $250,000 USD per year at the commencement of employment.

• Note: Actual pay will be determined based on individualized factors including location, experience, expertise, internal pay equity, and other relevant business considerations.

Benefits:

• Comprehensive Benefits Package: Charlie Health offers a robust benefits package for all full-time, exempt employees. Specific details can be found on their careers page.

• Stock Options: Opportunity to participate in the company's equity plan.

• Health Insurance: Likely includes medical, dental, and vision coverage.

• Paid Time Off: Standard provisions for vacation, sick leave, and holidays.

• Other Potential Benefits: May include 401(k) matching, professional development stipends, parental leave, etc., as detailed in their benefits information.

Working Hours:

• Standard full-time working hours are expected, likely around 40 hours per week, with flexibility around specific daily schedules to accommodate design and operational needs.

• The role requires 4 days per week in the New York office.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range is competitive for a Staff Product Designer role in a high-cost-of-living area like New York City, especially within the tech and health tech sectors. The inclusion of stock options suggests potential for significant upside. The hybrid requirement with 4 days in-office is a key detail for candidates to consider regarding work-life balance and commute. The range provided is based on the explicit statement in the job description.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Behavioral Health Tech / Telehealth / Healthcare Services. Charlie Health is dedicated to expanding access to life-saving behavioral health treatment through personalized, virtual care.

Company Size: Growing organization. While not explicitly stated, the presence of a "Staff Product Designer" role and explicit mention of a "rapidly growing organization" implies a company that is scaling, likely beyond the startup phase but still dynamic. This suggests opportunities for impact and influence.

Founded: Not explicitly stated, but the company is actively expanding and redefining behavioral health treatment, indicating a mission-driven, forward-thinking ethos.

Team Structure:

• The Staff Product Designer will be part of the "Provider Experience Group," responsible for tools used by therapists, group facilitators, and operational teams.

• This role requires close collaboration with Engineering, Product Management, Clinical teams, and Operations leadership.

• The designer will operate with significant autonomy but will also be expected to mentor other designers and contribute to team-wide practices. Methodology:

• AI-Native Design: A core methodology involving the integration of AI tools throughout the design process, from research to production.

• Vision-First, Craft-Driven: Emphasis on developing a strong strategic vision that guides execution, with a high standard for design craft and quality.

• Data-Driven Insights: Research and evidence are crucial for informing design decisions and driving alignment among stakeholders.

• Iterative Development: Building and shipping working prototypes and experiences, with continuous iteration based on feedback and performance.

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

📝 Enhancement Note: The company's mission in behavioral health is a strong cultural driver. The "AI-native" approach and emphasis on "connection" and "evidence" are key cultural tenets. For operations professionals, understanding how design and technology support clinical workflows and patient access is paramount. The hybrid model and NYC office location are significant environmental factors.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This "Staff" level role signifies a senior individual contributor position. It demands strategic thinking, ownership of complex problem spaces, and the ability to influence without direct authority. It's a step beyond senior designer, requiring a broader impact and often involving mentorship and driving best practices.

Reporting Structure: The specific reporting line isn't detailed, but the role will likely report into a Head of Product Design, Director of Product, or potentially a VP within the Provider Experience Group. The key is the strong cross-functional collaboration with Engineering, Product, Clinical, and Operations leadership.

Operations Impact: The role's impact is centered on enhancing the "Provider Experience," which directly influences the efficiency and effectiveness of care delivery. By optimizing tools for therapists, facilitators, and operational teams, this role contributes to:

• Improved patient access to care.

• Increased efficiency in clinical workflows.

• Better outcomes for individuals seeking behavioral health treatment.

• Scalability of Charlie Health's service delivery. Growth Opportunities:

• Leadership in Design Strategy: Opportunity to shape the future of the Provider Experience and influence the company's overall product strategy.

• Skill Specialization: Deepen expertise in AI-native design, complex systems architecture, and healthcare technology.

• Mentorship & Team Development: Grow leadership skills by mentoring junior designers and contributing to the evolution of design practices and team culture.

• Cross-Functional Exposure: Gain experience working closely with diverse teams, including clinical, operational, and engineering, broadening understanding of the healthcare ecosystem.

• Career Advancement: Potential to move into Principal Product Designer roles, management positions (e.g., Design Manager), or strategic product leadership roles.

📝 Enhancement Note: For operations professionals, this role offers a unique opportunity to influence the technology that underpins operational efficiency in a critical sector. The "Staff" title suggests a career path that values deep expertise and strategic contribution over direct people management, aligning well with senior operations specialists or analysts looking to broaden their impact.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Charlie Health operates from an office in the Flatiron District, New York City. This implies a professional, collaborative office setting designed to foster innovation and teamwork.

Office Location(s):

• New York, NY (Flatiron District): This role specifically requires 4 days per week in this office. The Flatiron District is a well-established tech and business hub, offering excellent accessibility and a vibrant work environment.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Environment: The hybrid model with dedicated office days is designed to facilitate in-person collaboration, brainstorming, and relationship-building, essential for complex problem-solving.

• Technology & Tools: Expect access to modern design and development tools, including AI-native platforms, and a tech stack that supports rapid prototyping and iteration.

• Cross-Functional Interaction: Opportunities to engage directly with product managers, engineers, clinical experts, and operations leaders, fostering a holistic understanding of the business and user needs.

Work Schedule:

• Full-time role, with a hybrid arrangement requiring 4 days per week in the NYC office.

• While core hours are implied, there may be flexibility in daily scheduling, provided deliverables and collaboration needs are met. This flexibility is important for managing complex design and operational tasks.

📝 Enhancement Note: The hybrid requirement is a significant aspect for work-life integration. Operations professionals often value structured environments that balance focused work with collaborative problem-solving, which this setup aims to provide. The NYC location offers access to a rich professional network and resources.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A review of your application, resume, and portfolio to assess qualifications and fit.

• Portfolio Presentation & Discussion: Expect to present 1-2 key case studies from your portfolio, focusing on how you approached complex problems, utilized research, and drove impactful outcomes. Be prepared to discuss your systems thinking and experience architecture skills.

• Design Challenge/Workshop: You may be asked to participate in a design exercise or workshop, potentially involving problem-solving, ideation, or critiquing existing designs, possibly with an AI-native component.

• Cross-Functional Interviews: Interviews with potential peers, stakeholders from Product, Engineering, Clinical, and Operations teams to assess collaboration style, strategic thinking, and alignment with company values.

• Final Interview: Typically with a senior leader (e.g., Head of Design, VP of Product) to discuss overall vision, leadership potential, and long-term fit.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Focus on Systems: Clearly articulate how you approached complex, interconnected problems rather than isolated UI elements. Show the "seams" you've connected.

• Show, Don't Just Tell: Use visuals (diagrams, flows, prototypes) to illustrate your process and solutions.

• Quantify Impact: Whenever possible, include metrics or evidence of how your design work led to improved user outcomes, operational efficiency, or business goals.

• Highlight AI Integration: Showcase specific instances where AI tools enhanced your workflow or design output.

• Tell a Story: Structure your case studies with a clear narrative: the problem, your process, the solution, and the impact.

• Address Constraints: Be ready to discuss how you navigated ambiguity, tight timelines, and stakeholder feedback.

Challenge Preparation:

• Understand the Domain: Familiarize yourself with Charlie Health's mission, the behavioral health space, and the challenges of providing virtual care.

• Think Operationally: Consider how design decisions impact user workflows, data management, and overall operational efficiency.

• Practice AI Tool Usage: Be ready to demonstrate or discuss how you'd use AI tools to tackle a given design challenge.

• Articulate Trade-offs: Be prepared to discuss design trade-offs and justify your decisions based on strategic goals and user needs.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on portfolio review, specific case study requirements, and potential design challenges directly aligns with what operations professionals value: demonstrable problem-solving skills, process understanding, and measurable results. Preparing to discuss "seams," "AI integration," and "operational impact" will be crucial.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Design & Prototyping: Figma, Sketch, Adobe Creative Suite (or similar industry-standard design tools).

• AI-Native Design Tools: Proficiency is explicitly required. This could include AI-powered research synthesis tools, AI-assisted prototyping platforms, or generative design tools. Specific tools will depend on the company's stack.

• Prototyping/Handoff: Tools that allow for building "working prototypes or code as a primary design output," suggesting advanced prototyping capabilities or direct collaboration with engineering on component-level implementation.

Analytics & Reporting:

• User Analytics: Tools like Amplitude, Mixpanel, or Google Analytics to understand user behavior and product adoption.

• Data Visualization: Potentially tools like Tableau, Looker, or Power BI for creating dashboards and reporting on design impact.

• Research Platforms: Tools for user interviews, surveys, and usability testing (e.g., UserTesting.com, SurveyMonkey).

CRM & Automation:

• While not a direct responsibility, understanding how design impacts CRM (e.g., Salesforce) and automation platforms used by operations teams (e.g., HubSpot, Marketo, internal tools) will be beneficial. The designer's work on the "Provider Experience" may interface with or influence these systems.

• Component Management/Design Systems: Tools or processes for managing reusable design components (e.g., Storybook, internal design system libraries).

📝 Enhancement Note: The explicit mention of "AI-native pipeline" and "building what you design" necessitates a deep dive into the specific AI tools Charlie Health utilizes. For operations professionals, understanding how design tools integrate with or inform operational systems (like CRMs or workflow automation) is a key area of synergy.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Connection: Care deeply and inspire hope. This translates to designing with empathy for both providers and patients, recognizing the sensitive nature of behavioral health.

• Congruence: Stay curious and heed the evidence. This emphasizes a commitment to data-driven design, continuous learning, and grounding decisions in user research and operational realities.

• Commitment: Act with urgency and don’t give up. This points to a culture of accountability, resilience, and a drive to achieve mission-critical goals, even in the face of challenges.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-Functional Integration: A strong emphasis on working collaboratively across disciplines (Product, Engineering, Clinical, Operations) to achieve shared goals.

• Radically Candid Feedback: A culture where constructive feedback is given and received openly to foster growth and improve quality.

• AI-Augmented Workflow: Collaboration is likely enhanced by AI tools, streamlining communication and knowledge sharing.

• Mission-Oriented: Team members are united by a shared passion for improving behavioral health access and outcomes.

📝 Enhancement Note: The company's core values—Connection, Congruence, Commitment—are directly applicable to operations roles. Operations professionals are expected to "connect" stakeholders, maintain "congruence" between strategy and execution using "evidence," and demonstrate "commitment" to achieving business objectives with urgency. Understanding these values will be key to cultural fit.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Navigating Ambiguity and Constraints: The role requires working with incomplete information, ambitious timelines, and diverse stakeholder needs in a complex, regulated industry.

• Bridging Design and Operations: Effectively translating a cohesive "Provider Experience" vision into scalable, efficient tools that meet the practical demands of clinical operations.

• AI Integration Maturity: Evolving and optimizing the use of AI within the design pipeline, ensuring it genuinely enhances rather than complicates workflows.

• Cross-Functional Alignment: Driving consensus and strategic alignment across multiple departments with potentially competing priorities.

• Maintaining Craft and Vision: Balancing the need for high-quality design execution with rapid iteration and the demands of an AI-native workflow.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• AI Design Leadership: Become a leader in the application of AI within product design and potentially influence the broader adoption of AI in operations.

• Domain Expertise: Deepen knowledge in behavioral health, telehealth, and healthcare technology, understanding the unique challenges and opportunities.

• Strategic Influence: Develop skills in influencing organizational strategy and advocating for user-centered approaches at a high level.

• Mentorship and Team Building: Hone leadership and coaching skills by mentoring designers and contributing to team culture and best practices.

• Exposure to Cutting-Edge Practices: Work within a team that is actively reinventing design practices, offering opportunities to learn and contribute to new methodologies.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges listed directly map to common hurdles in operations roles: managing complexity, driving alignment, and leveraging technology for efficiency. The growth opportunities highlight paths for operational leaders to expand their strategic influence and technical expertise.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you owned a large, ambiguous problem space. How did you define the problem, what was your strategic approach, and what was the outcome?" (Focus on your process, problem definition, and strategic vision).

• "How do you advocate for a vision across different departments, especially when you don't have direct authority? Provide an example of how you drove alignment with Engineering, Clinical, or Operations leadership." (Highlight your communication, influence, and stakeholder management skills).

• "Walk us through a complex system you designed. How did you ensure the different components and user personas worked cohesively? What were the key architectural decisions?" (Prepare a case study that demonstrates systems thinking and experience architecture).

• "Describe your experience with AI-native design tools. How have you integrated them into your workflow to improve efficiency or outcomes?" (Be ready to discuss specific tools and your methodology). Company & Culture Questions:

• "Why Charlie Health? What about our mission resonates with you?" (Research the company's mission, values, and recent news).

• "How do you approach mentorship and raising the bar for craft within a design team?" (Demonstrate your leadership potential and collaborative spirit).

• "How do you stay curious and heed the evidence in your design process?" (Connect this to your research methodologies and decision-making).

• "Describe a time you had to navigate extreme constraints (e.g., tight deadlines, limited information) and still produce high-quality work." (Showcase your resilience and problem-solving under pressure). Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Select Strategic Case Studies: Choose projects that best demonstrate your ability to handle complex, multi-persona problems, systems thinking, and 0→1 product development.

• Structure Your Narrative: For each case study, clearly outline the problem, your role and process, the solutions you designed, the key decisions made (especially those involving AI or operational considerations), and the measurable impact.

• Showcase Your Process: Use visuals like user flows, wireframes, prototypes, and system diagrams to illustrate your thinking.

• Quantify Impact: Present metrics wherever possible—user engagement, efficiency gains, adoption rates, or business outcomes.

• Discuss Trade-offs: Be prepared to articulate the trade-offs you made and why, especially concerning technical feasibility, operational constraints, and user needs.

• Practice Your Delivery: Rehearse your presentation to ensure clarity, conciseness, and confidence. Be ready for deep dives into specific aspects of your work.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview preparation advice emphasizes strategic thinking, process rigor, and the ability to articulate impact – all key attributes for successful operations professionals. Preparing to discuss "systems," "AI integration," and "cross-functional alignment" will be critical.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Staff Product Designer position:

• Visit the Charlie Health Careers Page: https://www.charliehealth.com/careers?gh_jid=6132364004 and submit your application.

• Tailor Your Resume: Highlight experience in complex operational domains, systems thinking, AI-native design, and any health tech or telehealth background. Use keywords from the job description.

• Curate Your Portfolio: Select 2-3 strong case studies that showcase your ability to design cohesive experiences across multiple products/personas, demonstrate 0→1 product development, and illustrate your use of AI in design. Ensure your portfolio clearly articulates your process, strategic thinking, and measurable impact.

• Prepare Your Narrative: Practice articulating your experience and portfolio case studies, focusing on how you address complex challenges, drive alignment, and contribute to operational efficiency through design. Be ready to discuss your approach to AI-native design.

• Research Charlie Health: Understand their mission, values, and the behavioral health landscape. Prepare thoughtful questions that demonstrate your engagement and strategic thinking.

⚠️ 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.