Staff Product Designer

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Staff Product Designer

Company: ICEYE

Location: Espoo, Uusimaa, Finland

Job Type: Permanent, Full-time

Category: Product Design / User Experience

Date Posted: 2026-09-21

Experience Level: 5-10 years (Mid-Senior to Staff level)

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

🚀 Role Summary

• Lead the end-to-end design process for a cutting-edge, greenfield product integrating AI, LLMs, and complex data intelligence.

• Drive user research, conceptualization, and UI execution with minimal handoffs, fostering direct collaboration with engineering and data science teams.

• Translate highly technical concepts into intuitive and usable experiences, shaping the product's design system and foundational patterns.

• Act as a hands-on builder and design authority, setting a high bar for craft, detail, and user advocacy within a growing design team.

• Focus on impactful design that demonstrably improves user workflows, adoption, and overall product success, with a strong emphasis on measurable outcomes.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is positioned as a Staff Product Designer, indicating a senior individual contributor role with significant autonomy and influence, particularly in shaping new product initiatives. The emphasis on "greenfield space" and "setting the design foundations" suggests a critical need for strategic design leadership and a proactive, builder mindset, rather than just execution. The "hybrid" work model with 3 days in office implies a need for strong in-person collaboration skills.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Own the complete product design lifecycle, from initial problem definition and user research through to concept development, prototyping, and final UI implementation for a new, AI-driven product.

• Conduct in-depth user research and analysis to understand complex workflows and user needs within the context of AI, LLMs, and serious data intelligence.

• Translate intricate technical capabilities, including AI, LLMs, and data intelligence, into intuitive, user-friendly experiences that feel "obvious in hindsight."

• Develop rapid prototypes to test design concepts and gather feedback from users and stakeholders, iterating based on evidence and data.

• Collaborate closely and continuously with product managers, engineers, and data scientists throughout the entire product development process, from problem framing to solution delivery.

• Establish and evolve the core design patterns, quality standards, and working methodologies for this new product area, influencing future hires and team practices.

• Champion design craft and attention to detail, ensuring high-quality execution and providing constructive design feedback to peers and stakeholders.

• Advocate for the user by actively engaging with customers, observing their work, and translating insights into impactful design decisions.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities clearly indicate a senior individual contributor role focused on product strategy and execution. The emphasis on "no handoffs" and "elbow to elbow" collaboration highlights the expectation of deep integration with cross-functional teams, particularly engineering and data science, which is critical for complex, technical products.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

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

• 5-10 years of professional experience in product design, UX design, or UI design, with a proven track record of shipping impactful digital products.

• Demonstrated experience in designing for data-intensive products, AI/ML applications, or complex technical domains is essential. Required Skills:

• Exceptional UX/UI Craft: Superior skills in user experience strategy, interaction design, visual design, and a meticulous attention to detail, as evidenced by a strong portfolio.

• Data-Driven Product Design: Proven ability to design for data products, AI, and machine learning, with a deep understanding of the unique challenges and opportunities in these areas.

• User Research & Advocacy: Proficient in conducting user research, synthesizing insights, and translating them into actionable design decisions; a strong user-centric mindset is paramount.

• Prototyping & Iteration: Expertise in rapid prototyping tools and methodologies to quickly test and validate design concepts with users and data.

• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Ability to work effectively and collaboratively with product managers, engineers, and data scientists in a fast-paced environment.

• Problem Solving in Ambiguity: Comfort and proficiency in tackling complex, ambiguous problems in greenfield environments with no pre-defined solutions.

• Ownership & Proactiveness: A self-starter attitude, capable of identifying needs, driving initiatives, and delivering results with minimal oversight.

• Communication & Feedback: Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to articulate design rationale and provide/receive constructive feedback.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience designing in highly technical environments, working closely with engineers and scientists on complex systems.

• Familiarity with Earth Observation, SAR satellite technology, or related defense/intelligence/maritime domain awareness sectors.

• Experience in developing or contributing to design systems.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Must haves" section strongly emphasizes a "top-tier" portfolio, experience with data products/AI/ML, and a proactive, hands-on approach. The "Nice to haves" suggest a preference for candidates with experience in deeply technical domains and an interest in ICEYE's specific industry, which can be a significant differentiator. The AI-derived experience level of 5-10 years aligns with a Staff Designer role.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Showcase end-to-end product design projects that demonstrate your ability to tackle complex, ambiguous problems.

• Highlight specific examples of designing for data-intensive products, AI/ML applications, or technically challenging domains, detailing the unique constraints and solutions.

• Include case studies that clearly articulate the problem, your design process, the solutions you developed, and the measurable impact or outcomes achieved (e.g., adoption rates, churn reduction, customer satisfaction).

• Demonstrate sharp UX thinking, beautiful execution, and obsessive attention to detail across your presented work.

• Present work that reflects your ability to collaborate effectively with engineering and data science teams. Process Documentation:

• Be prepared to discuss your personal design process, including how you approach user research, ideation, prototyping, user testing, and iteration in a product development context.

• Articulate how you would establish design foundations, patterns, and quality standards for a new product area.

• Be ready to explain how you measure the success of your design work and use data to inform design decisions and iterations.

📝 Enhancement Note: The role's emphasis on "greenfield space" and "setting the design foundations" necessitates a portfolio that showcases not just execution but also strategic thinking, process establishment, and the ability to navigate ambiguity. The requirement to show "what happened after you hit publish, ideally with numbers" is a critical indicator for portfolio content.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

• Based on industry benchmarks for Staff Product Designers in Finland with 5-10 years of experience, a competitive salary range is estimated between €70,000 - €95,000 annually. This estimate considers the senior nature of the role, the specialized skills required (AI/ML/Data Design), and the cost of living in the Espoo region. Benefits:

• Comprehensive health and wellbeing support, with offerings tailored to location and subject to confirmation during the recruitment process.

• Continuous professional development and training opportunities to support career growth.

• Opportunities for ownership and impact from day one in a fast-paced global scale-up environment.

• Collaborative work culture with a focus on psychological safety, diverse perspectives, and inclusive teamwork.

• Potential for stock options or other equity-based compensation as part of a growing company (to be confirmed).

• Support for hybrid work arrangements, balancing in-office collaboration with remote flexibility. Working Hours:

• Standard full-time working hours are expected, likely around 40 hours per week. The hybrid model allows for flexibility in structuring the work week, with a requirement to be in the Espoo office 3 days per week.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range is an estimation based on typical compensation for Staff Product Designers in Finland. Actual compensation will be determined by the company based on experience, qualifications, and internal equity. The benefits section is generalized based on typical offerings for tech companies of ICEYE's size and industry, with the explicit note that specifics will be confirmed during the hiring process.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Space-Based Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) & Earth Observation. ICEYE leverages Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) satellite technology to provide near real-time data for defense, intelligence, security, and civil applications.

Company Size: Over 900 employees, indicating a mature scale-up environment with established processes but still retaining agility and growth potential. This size offers opportunities for significant impact while providing access to resources and a diverse talent pool.

Founded: ICEYE was founded with a vision to improve life on Earth by becoming the global source of truth in Earth Observation. This founding principle drives innovation and a sense of purpose across the organization.

Team Structure:

• Product Management Department: This role sits within the Product Management department, reporting to the Product Design Director.

• Cross-Functional Product Teams: The designer will be embedded within a product team comprising engineers, data scientists, and product managers, working "elbow to elbow" on specific product initiatives.

• Growing Design Team: As one of the early hires for this new product, the designer will play a key role in shaping the future of the design team, setting standards for subsequent hires.

Methodology:

• Data-Driven Decision Making: The company's core business relies on data intelligence, suggesting a strong emphasis on data-informed product development and design.

• Agile & Iterative Development: The mention of "prototyping fast and often" and working closely with engineering implies an agile development methodology.

• User-Centric Innovation: The role's focus on deep user engagement and solving "genuinely hard" problems points to a culture that values innovation driven by user needs and a deep understanding of technical possibilities.

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

📝 Enhancement Note: ICEYE operates in a highly specialized and critical industry. Understanding the context of ISR, SAR technology, and the dual-use nature of their products (defense, intelligence, civil) is crucial for a product designer to grasp the user needs and the complexity of the data intelligence involved. The company culture appears to value ownership, ambition, and a problem-solving mindset, aligned with a scale-up environment.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: Staff Product Designer. This level signifies a senior individual contributor who is a recognized expert in their domain, capable of driving complex projects, mentoring junior designers, and influencing product strategy. They are expected to operate with a high degree of autonomy and make significant contributions to the product's direction and success.

Reporting Structure: Reports to the Product Design Director. This provides a clear line of mentorship and strategic alignment, while the day-to-day work is highly integrated within a product team.

Operations Impact: The Staff Product Designer will have a direct and substantial impact on the success of a new, strategically important product. By translating complex AI/LLM capabilities into usable experiences, they will enable users to gain critical insights and advantages, directly contributing to ICEYE's mission and business objectives. The role is about shaping new territory, meaning the impact can be foundational and far-reaching.

Growth Opportunities:

• Design Leadership: As an early hire and senior member of the design team, there's significant potential to grow into a leadership role, potentially managing a design pod or contributing to the overall design strategy and team development.

• Specialization in AI/Data Design: Deepen expertise in designing for cutting-edge AI, LLM, and complex data intelligence products, becoming a sought-after specialist in a high-demand field.

• Product Strategy Influence: Contribute significantly to product strategy and roadmap definition for new initiatives, leveraging design thinking to uncover opportunities and shape product direction.

• Mentorship: Opportunity to mentor and guide more junior designers as the team expands.

• Industry Expertise: Develop deep domain knowledge in Earth Observation and ISR, a unique and valuable area.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Staff" title implies a career path that extends beyond individual contribution to include strategic influence and potential leadership. The "greenfield" nature of the product means this role is foundational, offering substantial opportunity to shape not just the product but also the design practice within that domain at ICEYE.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Hybrid. The role requires 3 days per week in the Espoo office, suggesting a collaborative office environment designed to facilitate team interaction, brainstorming, and focused work.

Office Location(s): Espoo, Uusimaa, Finland. This location offers a base for in-person collaboration and engagement with the local tech ecosystem.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Hub: The office environment is expected to foster close collaboration with product managers, engineers, and data scientists, enabling seamless "elbow to elbow" work.

• Technology-Rich Environment: As a tech company, ICEYE likely provides a modern workspace equipped with the necessary tools and technology to support design and development activities.

• Team Interaction: The hybrid model is designed to balance the benefits of in-person teamwork with the flexibility of remote work, allowing for regular team syncs and spontaneous interactions.

Work Schedule:

• The role is full-time, with standard working hours. The hybrid model offers flexibility in how the work week is structured, provided the 3-day office presence requirement is met. This schedule supports deep work necessary for complex design tasks while ensuring team cohesion.

📝 Enhancement Note: The hybrid model with specific in-office days is a key aspect of the work environment. Candidates should be prepared for regular in-person collaboration and understand that while flexibility exists, a significant portion of the work week will be spent in the Espoo office.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Recruiter Screen: Initial conversation to assess basic qualifications, role fit, and logistical details.

• Hiring Manager Interview: Deeper dive into experience, design philosophy, and alignment with the team's needs. Focus on leadership potential and problem-solving approach.

• Portfolio Review: A critical stage where candidates present their best work, demonstrating end-to-end design process, problem-solving skills, and impact, especially related to complex data/AI products.

• Assignment + Panel Interview: A practical exercise to assess design skills on a relevant problem, followed by a discussion with a panel of peers (engineers, designers, PMs) to evaluate collaboration, technical understanding, and design rationale.

• CPO Interview: Final conversation with the Chief Product Officer to discuss strategic alignment, vision, and overall fit within the company's leadership.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Focus on Impact: Clearly articulate the problem, your role, your process, the solution, and crucially, the measurable impact of your work. Use data and metrics wherever possible.

• Tell a Story: Structure your case studies as compelling narratives that highlight your thought process, challenges overcome, and key decisions made.

• Showcase Technical Aptitude: Include projects that demonstrate your ability to design for complex data, AI, or technical systems. Explain how you simplified complexity.

• Highlight Collaboration: Illustrate how you worked with engineers, data scientists, and product managers. Showcase your ability to influence and integrate with technical teams.

• Demonstrate Craftsmanship: Ensure your presented work is polished, detailed, and reflects a high standard of visual and interaction design. Be ready to defend every pixel and interaction.

• Address Ambiguity: Be prepared to discuss how you approach and thrive in ambiguous, greenfield environments.

Challenge Preparation:

• The assignment is likely to involve a design problem related to AI, LLMs, or complex data intelligence, requiring you to apply your design process and strategic thinking.

• Focus on clearly articulating your thought process, user research approach, and design rationale.

• Prepare to present your findings and solutions concisely and effectively, anticipating questions about trade-offs, technical feasibility, and user impact.

• Understand ICEYE's mission and products to contextualize your approach and demonstrate genuine interest.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process is robust, with a significant emphasis on the portfolio review and a practical assignment. Candidates should prepare to demonstrate not only their design skills but also their strategic thinking, collaborative abilities, and capacity to handle complex, technical challenges. The "Assignment + Panel interview" is a key stage for assessing practical skills and team fit.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Design & Prototyping: Figma (highly probable, industry standard), Sketch, Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator).

• User Research & Testing: Tools like UserTesting.com, Lookback, Maze, or internal solutions for conducting user interviews and usability testing.

• Collaboration & Project Management: Jira, Confluence, Asana, Trello (for tracking tasks and project progress).

• Design Systems: Familiarity with design system principles and tools for creating/maintaining design tokens and components.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Product Analytics: Tools like Amplitude, Mixpanel, Google Analytics, or custom internal dashboards to track user behavior, feature adoption, and conversion rates.

• Data Visualization: Experience with or understanding of data visualization principles and tools that might be integrated into the product itself or used for reporting.

CRM & Automation:

• While not directly a designer's primary tool, understanding how CRM systems (e.g., Salesforce) and marketing automation platforms influence user journeys and data can be beneficial for context.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the specific tool stack isn't explicitly detailed, the role requires proficiency in industry-standard design and prototyping tools. The emphasis on data intelligence and AI means an understanding of or familiarity with analytics tools and data visualization concepts is highly advantageous. Figma is the de facto standard for collaborative design in many tech companies.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Make the Impossible Possible: Embracing ambitious goals, maintaining composure under pressure, and demonstrating grit and optimism to overcome challenges. This translates to tackling complex design problems with a determined, can-do attitude.

• Be Curious: A deep commitment to understanding the "why" behind decisions through thorough research, critical thinking, and active listening. For a designer, this means digging deep into user needs and technical complexities.

• See the Big Picture: Maintaining awareness of company-wide objectives and how one's work impacts other teams and the overall business. This encourages holistic problem-solving and strategic design thinking.

• Drive Effective Teamwork: Fostering psychological safety, encouraging diverse perspectives, and building inclusive teams where all members feel comfortable contributing. This emphasizes collaborative design and open feedback.

• Act as One Team: Promoting a unified approach where tasks are aligned with the right owners and teams remain agile as priorities shift. This means seamless integration with product and engineering.

• Have Fun: Recognizing the importance of meaningful work and enjoying the process of achieving results. This fosters a positive and engaging work environment.

Collaboration Style:

• Integrated & Proactive: Designers are expected to be fully integrated into product teams, working "elbow to elbow" with engineers and data scientists from the outset. This is not a siloed function but a collaborative partnership.

• Feedback-Rich: A culture that encourages giving and receiving "sharp design feedback" and embraces constructive criticism as a means of improving craft and outcomes.

• Agile & Adaptive: The ability to adapt to shifting priorities and collaborate effectively within a dynamic scale-up environment.

📝 Enhancement Note: ICEYE's values are strongly aligned with a high-performing, mission-driven culture. The emphasis on curiosity, big-picture thinking, and teamwork is crucial for a Staff Product Designer who needs to influence and collaborate across diverse functions in a complex technical domain.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Designing for Novelty: Tackling a "largely greenfield space" with AI and LLMs means designing for problems and capabilities that may not have established user patterns or precedents. This requires significant creative problem-solving and user education.

• Simplifying Complexity: Translating cutting-edge, data-heavy AI and LLM technology into intuitive user experiences demands a high level of skill in abstraction and user empathy.

• Defining Design Foundations: As an early hire, establishing the initial design system, patterns, and best practices for a new product area requires strategic thinking and the ability to foresee future scalability.

• Measuring Impact in Ambiguity: Demonstrating quantifiable impact for a new product where metrics may not be fully defined or stable requires creative approaches to defining success and measuring outcomes.

• Navigating Technical Depth: Working closely with advanced engineering and data science teams requires a willingness to understand and engage with complex technical concepts.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Deep Expertise in AI/Data Design: Gain unparalleled experience designing for state-of-the-art AI and LLM applications in a mission-critical domain.

• Product Strategy Influence: Contribute to shaping the direction of a new, high-impact product from its inception.

• Leadership Development: Opportunities to mentor, lead design initiatives, and influence the growth of the design team.

• Industry Specialization: Become an expert in the niche but growing field of Earth Observation and its applications.

• Continuous Skill Enhancement: Access to training, conferences, and internal knowledge sharing to stay at the forefront of design and technology.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges presented are significant but directly tied to the growth opportunities. The role offers a unique chance to pioneer design solutions in an emerging technological space, demanding adaptability, strategic foresight, and a passion for complex problem-solving.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you had to design for a completely new technology or capability where there was no existing user precedent. How did you approach it, and what was the outcome?" (Focus on your process for ambiguity, user research, and validation.)

• "How do you balance the need for beautiful, intuitive design with the complexity of underlying technical systems like AI or LLMs? Can you provide an example?" (Demonstrate your ability to simplify without losing essential functionality.)

• "This role involves setting design foundations for a new product. How would you approach building a design system or establishing core patterns for a greenfield project?" (Highlight your strategic thinking, scalability considerations, and collaborative approach.)

• "How do you measure the success of your design work, especially when dealing with complex data products or new initiatives where traditional metrics might not apply?" (Prepare to discuss quantitative and qualitative methods for demonstrating impact.) Company & Culture Questions:

• "What interests you about ICEYE's mission and the specific product area you'd be working on?" (Research ICEYE's work in ISR, SAR, and Earth Observation. Connect your passion for design with their mission.)

• "How do you align with ICEYE's values, particularly 'Make the impossible possible' and 'Be curious'?" (Provide specific examples of how you've embodied these values in your past work.)

• "Describe your ideal collaboration style with engineers and data scientists. How do you ensure effective communication and partnership?" (Emphasize your integrated, "elbow to elbow" approach and your ability to speak the language of technical teams.) Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure for Impact: For each case study, clearly state the problem, your role, your process, the solution, and the measurable results. Prioritize projects that showcase your experience with data, AI, or complex technical domains.

• Highlight Ownership: Emphasize your end-to-end ownership and proactive approach. Show how you identified opportunities and drove initiatives forward.

• Show, Don't Just Tell: Use visuals (mockups, prototypes, user flows) effectively. Be prepared to walk through your design decisions and rationale in detail.

• Quantify Outcomes: Wherever possible, present data that demonstrates the positive impact of your designs on users or business objectives.

• Be Ready for Deep Dives: Expect detailed questions about your design choices, challenges faced, and how you handled trade-offs.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview preparation advice focuses on demonstrating the key attributes highlighted in the job description: handling ambiguity, simplifying complexity, driving impact, and collaborating effectively in a technical, mission-driven environment.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Staff Product Designer position:

• Submit your application through the provided link on jobs.ashbyhq.com.

• Curate Your Portfolio: Select 2-3 of your strongest projects that best showcase your experience with complex data products, AI/ML, and your ability to drive end-to-end design. Ensure each case study clearly articulates the problem, your process, your solutions, and the measurable impact.

• Tailor Your Resume: Highlight experience relevant to Staff Product Designer roles, emphasizing leadership, strategic thinking, and experience in technical or data-intensive domains. Use keywords from the job description such as "AI," "LLM," "data intelligence," "greenfield," and "user research."

• Prepare for a Deep Dive: Be ready to discuss your design process in detail, your approach to user research and validation, and how you collaborate with cross-functional teams. Practice articulating the "why" behind your design decisions.

• Research ICEYE: Thoroughly understand ICEYE's mission, technology (SAR satellites, ISR), and its role in Earth Observation. Connect this understanding to your passion for design and problem-solving.

⚠️ 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.