Staff Product Designer

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Staff Product Designer

Company: Koru UX Design LLP

Location: India

Job Type: FULL_TIME

Category: Product Design / UX Design

Date Posted: 2026-09-21

Experience Level: 8+ years (Senior/Staff level)

Remote Status: Fully Remote

🚀 Role Summary

• Lead and execute on the company's most ambiguous and highest-leverage design challenges, often spanning multiple client accounts and product teams.

• Drive the strategic direction and quality bar for AI-informed product design practices across various engagements.

• Operate with significant autonomy in fast-moving, ambiguous environments, taking ownership of creating structure and clarity.

• Act as a force multiplier for design, developing reusable patterns, templates, and documentation to scale design expertise across the organization.

• Influence stakeholders and mentor junior designers without direct authority, fostering a culture of high-quality, AI-integrated design.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Staff" title, coupled with the emphasis on ambiguity, high-leverage problems, and influencing without authority, strongly indicates a senior individual contributor role focused on strategic impact and thought leadership within the design function. The explicit mention of AI fluency and shaping Koru's AI design practice positions this as a forward-looking role at the cutting edge of design innovation.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Independently lead and deliver complex, cross-team, or cross-account design projects, often initiating efforts without a fully defined brief.

• Proactively identify design opportunities and diagnose user problems, translating them into actionable design strategies and solutions.

• Establish and uphold the design quality bar and visual direction for client accounts or product lines, ensuring consistency and excellence.

• Develop and implement scalable design solutions, such as reusable patterns, templates, and documentation, to enhance design efficiency and consistency across the organization.

• Own and manage design decisions across multiple product surfaces or lines, demonstrating a broad strategic perspective.

• Define and champion AI UX standards for specific clients or product areas, contributing to the development and maintenance of pattern libraries and evaluation checklists.

• Integrate AI tools effectively into personal design workflows to accelerate exploration and prototyping, while maintaining critical judgment.

• Actively contribute to the evolution of Koru's internal AI design practices in response to industry advancements.

• Build strong relationships and gain buy-in from cross-functional teams through clear thinking and consistent delivery.

• Mentor and sponsor designers across various projects, advocating for their growth and impact within the organization.

• Elevate Koru's standing as a strategic partner to clients through exceptional strategic thinking and high-quality design output.

• Lead internal initiatives aimed at expanding Koru's service offerings or market visibility.

• Enhance and improve Koru's internal design frameworks, processes, and methodologies.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a blend of deep design craft, strategic thinking, and leadership. The emphasis on "owning ambiguous work" and "diagnosing problems nobody has framed yet" points to a proactive, problem-solving orientation rather than a task-execution role. The AI component is central, requiring not just familiarity but genuine applied understanding and the ability to shape practice.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: Not explicitly specified, but a strong portfolio and practical experience are prioritized over formal degrees.

Experience: 8+ years of progressive experience in product or UX design, with a significant portion at a senior or Staff level.

Required Skills:

• Deep Design Craft & Judgement: Exceptional skill in product and UX design, coupled with the strategic judgment to apply personal effort effectively and create scalable design solutions.

• AI Fluency: Proven, hands-on experience designing AI-powered features or AI-native product ideas, demonstrating a sophisticated understanding of AI capabilities and limitations in a product context.

• Influence Without Authority: Demonstrated ability to set strategic direction, raise design standards, and drive adoption of best practices among peers and cross-functional teams.

• Business Acumen: Capability to operate as a strategic partner to client leadership, understanding business objectives and translating them into impactful design solutions.

• Communication Excellence: Superior ability to articulate complex ideas clearly and persuasively, effectively influencing stakeholders who may not initially agree.

• Portfolio of Impact: A comprehensive portfolio showcasing a broad scope of work, including measurable business outcomes, end-to-end leadership of ambiguous projects, and evidence of AI-driven design.

• B2B & Enterprise Experience: Practical experience designing for B2B products and enterprise applications.

• Prototyping Proficiency: Comfort and skill in prototyping, ideally including code-based prototyping or a strong understanding of front-end development to validate ideas efficiently.

Preferred Skills:

• HealthTech Experience: Specific domain expertise in the HealthTech industry.

• Design Systems & Frameworks: Experience in developing, extending, or improving internal design frameworks and pattern libraries.

• Front-end Development Familiarity: Close collaboration with or understanding of front-end development principles to bridge design and engineering.

📝 Enhancement Note: The requirement for a portfolio that demonstrates "measurable business outcomes" and "leading ambiguous, cross-functional work end to end" is critical. The emphasis on "genuine fluency with AI" rather than just familiarity suggests a need for candidates who have actively shipped AI-powered features and can articulate their strategic thinking behind them. The expectation that the portfolio "stand[s] on its own without a verbal walkthrough" implies a need for exceptionally clear and self-explanatory case studies.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Breadth of Scope: Showcase a wide range of design challenges, demonstrating versatility across different product types and user contexts.

• Measurable Business Outcomes: Clearly articulate the impact of your design work on key business metrics (e.g., conversion rates, user engagement, revenue, cost reduction). Quantify results wherever possible.

• Ambiguity Navigation: Include case studies that highlight how you approached and successfully delivered on projects with unclear requirements or evolving scopes.

• End-to-End Ownership: Demonstrate your involvement from initial problem definition and research through to final implementation and iteration.

• AI Integration Examples: Feature projects where you specifically designed AI-powered features or leveraged AI within your design process, explaining the rationale and outcomes.

• Self-Sufficient Case Studies: Ensure each project within the portfolio is well-documented, visually compelling, and clearly explains the problem, your process, your role, the solutions, and the results, requiring minimal verbal explanation.

Process Documentation:

• Workflow Design & Optimization: Evidence of designing and refining design workflows, particularly in ambiguous or fast-paced environments.

• Scalable Patterns & Frameworks: Examples of how you've created reusable design patterns, templates, or frameworks that benefit broader teams.

• AI Practice Evolution: Documentation or case studies showing how you've contributed to or led the evolution of AI design practices within an organization.

• Cross-Functional Collaboration Protocols: Demonstrations of how you've established or improved collaboration processes between design, product, engineering, and client teams.

📝 Enhancement Note: The portfolio requirements are exceptionally stringent, emphasizing strategic impact, ambiguity management, and AI expertise. Candidates must be prepared to present compelling evidence of their ability to drive business results and lead complex initiatives independently, with a strong focus on AI-driven product development. The expectation for self-explanatory case studies suggests a need for exceptional storytelling and data visualization within the portfolio itself.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: As this is a Staff-level Product Designer role in India with a fully remote arrangement and significant autonomy, a competitive salary is expected. Based on industry benchmarks for senior/staff product designers in India, particularly those with specialized AI experience and remote capabilities, a range of ₹2,500,000 to ₹4,500,000 per annum (approximately $30,000 - $54,000 USD) is a reasonable estimate. This range can vary based on the specific client engagement, the candidate's exact experience, and negotiation.

Benefits:

• Fully Remote Work: Opportunity to work from anywhere within India.

• Flexibility: High degree of autonomy and flexibility in managing work hours and approach.

• Challenging & Impactful Work: Opportunity to tackle the company's most complex and high-leverage design problems.

• AI Design Leadership: Chance to shape and lead AI design practices at a formative stage.

• Collaborative High-Performance Team: Work alongside talented professionals in a supportive environment.

• Professional Development: Opportunities to mentor, influence, and grow within a leading UX design consultancy.

Working Hours: While a standard full-time equivalent (e.g., 40 hours per week) is implied, the role emphasizes flexibility and output over strict adherence to hours, particularly given the remote, Staff-level nature. The focus will be on delivering results and meeting project milestones.

📝 Enhancement Note: Salary estimates are based on market research for senior/staff product designer roles in India, considering the remote nature and specialized AI skills required. Compensation will likely reflect the strategic impact and leadership expectations of the Staff Designer role. Benefits focus on the flexibility and autonomy inherent in this position.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: UX Design Consultancy, Technology, Software, Consulting, and potentially Healthcare (given HealthTech preference). Koru UX Design LLP operates as a service provider, delivering design expertise to various clients.

Company Size: Based on the "LLP" designation and the nature of consultancy work, Koru likely operates as a focused, agile firm, possibly ranging from a small to medium-sized business (SMB) with a team of dedicated designers and strategists. This implies a more personal and direct impact for individuals compared to a large corporation.

Founded: The founding date is not provided, but the emphasis on "setting standards" and "shaping how Koru designs with AI" suggests an organization that is established enough to have existing frameworks but is also forward-thinking and keen on evolving its practices.

Team Structure:

• The Staff Product Designer will likely operate with significant autonomy, reporting to a senior leader (e.g., Head of Design, Director of UX, or a Partner).

• They will collaborate extensively with other designers, product managers, engineers, and client stakeholders across various projects.

• The role involves both individual contribution and leadership/mentorship of other designers, creating a dynamic where influence is key. Methodology:

• Data-Driven Design: Emphasis on measurable business outcomes and AI-informed practices suggests a strong reliance on data analysis and user research to drive design decisions.

• Agile & Iterative Processes: Working on client projects, especially in fast-moving environments, implies an agile and iterative approach to design and development.

• Strategic Partnership: The company positions itself as a strategic partner to clients, indicating a focus on understanding business goals and delivering solutions that align with them.

• Continuous Improvement: A commitment to evolving internal design frameworks and AI practices highlights a culture of learning and adaptation.

Company Website: https://koruux.com/

📝 Enhancement Note: Koru UX Design LLP appears to be a specialized design consultancy focused on delivering high-impact UX solutions, with a particular emphasis on AI integration and strategic client partnerships. The company culture likely values expertise, autonomy, and continuous innovation.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is at the Staff level, which is typically positioned above Senior Designer and below Principal or Director. It signifies a highly experienced individual contributor who operates with significant autonomy, tackles the most complex challenges, and influences strategy and practice across multiple teams or accounts. Staff designers are expected to set technical or strategic direction and mentor others.

Reporting Structure: The Staff Product Designer will likely report to a senior leadership position within Koru UX Design LLP, such as the Head of Design, Director of UX, or a Managing Partner. While they will have a direct manager, a significant part of their role involves influencing teams and individuals across different projects and client engagements without direct reporting lines.

Operations Impact: The Staff Product Designer is positioned to have a substantial impact on both Koru's internal operations and its clients' businesses.

• Internal Impact: By setting design quality standards, evolving AI practices, and improving design frameworks, they will directly shape how Koru operates and delivers value.

• Client Impact: By leading high-leverage projects and acting as a strategic partner, they will drive significant business outcomes for clients through exceptional product design, particularly in AI-powered solutions.

Growth Opportunities:

• Deep Specialization: Further deepen expertise in AI-driven product design, potentially becoming a recognized thought leader in this niche.

• Strategic Leadership: Transition into Principal Designer roles, or leadership positions focusing on specific client verticals or practice areas within Koru.

• Mentorship & Practice Building: Lead the development of Koru's AI design practice, training and guiding other designers.

• Client Relationship Management: Grow into roles that involve more direct strategic client advisory and business development.

• Broader Impact: Lead initiatives that expand Koru's offerings or market reach, contributing to the company's overall growth.

📝 Enhancement Note: The Staff Designer role is a critical juncture for career growth, offering deep individual contribution, strategic influence, and leadership development opportunities within a specialized consultancy. The emphasis on shaping AI practices provides a unique avenue for career advancement at the forefront of design technology.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The role is Fully Remote. This means there is no central office requirement, and the designer can work from their preferred location within India.

Office Location(s): India. The company is open to hiring talent from anywhere within India, offering broad geographic flexibility.

Workspace Context:

• Independent Work: The primary workspace will be the candidate's own home office setup.

• Digital Collaboration: Heavy reliance on digital collaboration tools (e.g., Slack, Zoom, Miro, Figma) to connect with colleagues and clients.

• Structured Autonomy: While remote, the role demands self-discipline and proactive engagement to maintain connection and contribution to team and client goals.

• Technology Enablement: Access to necessary design software and collaboration platforms will be provided or expected as part of the remote setup.

Work Schedule: The role implies a standard full-time commitment, but with significant flexibility. This means that while deliverables and client availability are key, the day-to-day schedule can be managed to suit personal needs, provided work is completed effectively and collaboration is maintained. The focus is on asynchronous communication and scheduled synchronous meetings as needed.

📝 Enhancement Note: The fully remote and flexible nature of this role is a significant draw, catering to professionals who value autonomy and work-life integration. The success of this environment hinges on the individual's ability to self-manage and effectively utilize digital collaboration tools.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

1. Initial Screening: Resume and portfolio review to assess experience, qualifications, and alignment with the Staff Designer requirements, particularly AI experience.

2. Introductory Video Call: Candidates will submit a 5-minute video discussing their most interesting project, current career stage, and aspirations. This is a key differentiator.

3. Design Challenge/Case Study Review: A deep dive into selected portfolio projects, focusing on strategy, ambiguity management, AI integration, business impact, and influence. This may involve a take-home exercise or a live discussion/presentation.

4. Team/Stakeholder Interviews: Meetings with other designers, potential collaborators, and leadership to assess cultural fit, collaboration style, and mentorship capabilities.

5. Final Interview: Discussion with senior leadership to finalize assessment of strategic thinking, business acumen, and overall fit for the Staff Designer role.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Video Walkthrough: Your submitted 5-minute video is critical. Be concise, engaging, and clearly articulate your project choice, current career position, and future goals.

• Highlight Ambiguity & Strategy: For your portfolio case studies, explicitly detail how you navigated uncertainty, defined unclear problems, and developed strategic solutions.

• Quantify Impact: Wherever possible, use data and metrics to demonstrate the business outcomes of your design work.

• Showcase AI Expertise: Dedicate specific sections or case studies to your AI-powered feature design experience. Explain your thought process, the tools you used, and the results achieved.

• Self-Explanatory Design: Ensure your portfolio case studies are visually rich and well-written, allowing someone to understand the project's essence without your direct explanation, as per the job description.

• Focus on "Why": Clearly articulate the rationale behind your design decisions, especially in ambiguous situations.

Challenge Preparation:

• AI Design Scenarios: Be prepared to discuss hypothetical AI design challenges, including ethical considerations, user trust, and integration strategies.

• Ambiguity Problem-Solving: Practice articulating how you would approach a poorly defined problem, break it down, and develop a phased plan.

• Influence & Mentorship Scenarios: Prepare examples of how you've successfully influenced stakeholders or mentored junior designers, particularly in challenging situations.

• Business Impact Articulation: Rehearse how you connect design decisions to broader business objectives and ROI.

📝 Enhancement Note: The application process emphasizes a unique video introduction and a portfolio that speaks for itself. Candidates must be highly strategic in their presentation of experience, particularly highlighting AI proficiency and the ability to thrive in ambiguity.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Design & Prototyping: Figma (highly probable for collaborative design), Sketch, Adobe Creative Suite (Illustrator, Photoshop).

• Prototyping (Code): Proficiency or familiarity with front-end development languages/frameworks (e.g., HTML, CSS, JavaScript, React) for code-based prototyping.

• Collaboration & Communication: Slack, Zoom, Microsoft Teams, Google Workspace (Docs, Sheets, Slides).

• Whiteboarding & Ideation: Miro, Mural, FigJam for virtual whiteboarding and collaborative brainstorming.

Analytics & Reporting:

• User Analytics: Google Analytics, Amplitude, Mixpanel, Hotjar (for understanding user behavior and tracking metrics).

• Data Visualization/BI Tools: Tableau, Power BI, Looker (for analyzing and presenting data insights).

CRM & Automation:

• CRM Platforms: Salesforce, HubSpot (understanding how design impacts user journeys within these systems).

• Project Management: Jira, Asana, Trello (for managing project workflows and timelines).

📝 Enhancement Note: While specific tools aren't listed, the requirements for advanced UX design, AI integration, and collaboration in a remote consultancy setting point towards a modern tech stack. Proficiency in leading collaborative design tools like Figma and a strong understanding of user analytics platforms are essential. The mention of code prototyping suggests familiarity with front-end development tools.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Excellence & Craftsmanship: A commitment to delivering high-quality, impactful design solutions.

• Strategic Partnership: Operating as a trusted advisor to clients, deeply understanding their business goals.

• Innovation & Forward-Thinking: Embracing new technologies and methodologies, particularly in AI.

• Autonomy & Ownership: Empowering individuals to take initiative and lead their work with confidence.

• Collaboration & Mentorship: Fostering a supportive environment where knowledge is shared, and individuals grow.

• Data-Informed Decisions: Utilizing data and user insights to guide design strategy and measure impact.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-Functional Integration: Seamless collaboration with product managers, engineers, researchers, and client teams.

• Proactive Communication: Maintaining open and transparent communication channels, especially in a remote setting.

• Constructive Feedback: A culture that encourages giving and receiving feedback to drive continuous improvement.

• Knowledge Sharing: Actively participating in sharing insights, best practices, and learnings across the organization.

• Agile Teamwork: Adapting to project needs and working efficiently within agile frameworks.

📝 Enhancement Note: Koru UX Design LLP appears to cultivate a culture of high performance, strategic thinking, and continuous learning, with a strong emphasis on practical application and client success. The values align with those of a leading design consultancy that prioritizes innovation and deep expertise.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Navigating Ambiguity: Consistently managing and bringing structure to projects with undefined briefs or evolving scopes requires strong problem-solving and strategic planning.

• Driving AI Adoption: Persuading clients and internal teams of the value and responsible implementation of AI in product design can be challenging.

• Balancing Influence and Execution: Effectively leading and mentoring without direct authority requires strong interpersonal skills and strategic communication.

• Client Management: Managing diverse client expectations and ensuring alignment on complex design strategies.

• Staying Ahead of AI Trends: The rapid evolution of AI requires continuous learning and adaptation to maintain expertise.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• AI Design Specialization: Deepen expertise in generative AI, machine learning UX, and ethical AI design principles.

• Strategic Leadership Training: Develop skills in client advisory, business development, and practice leadership.

• Mentorship Programs: Formal or informal opportunities to mentor junior designers and learn from senior leaders.

• Industry Conferences & Workshops: Access to events focused on cutting-edge UX, AI, and product strategy.

• Framework Development: Contribute to and lead the creation of Koru's internal design frameworks and best practices.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges presented are inherent to a senior, strategic role in a dynamic consultancy environment. They offer significant opportunities for professional growth, particularly in the rapidly evolving field of AI-driven design and strategic client engagement.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you had to lead a project with a completely undefined brief. How did you create clarity and drive it to a successful outcome?" (Focus on your process for problem definition, scoping, and stakeholder alignment.)

• "How do you approach setting design quality standards for a product or account, especially when you don't directly execute every piece of work?" (Highlight your methods for establishing guidelines, providing feedback, and ensuring consistency.)

• "Discuss your experience integrating AI into your personal design workflow. What tools have you used, and what was the impact on your efficiency and the quality of your output?" (Be specific about tools, your process, and quantifiable results.)

• "Walk us through a project where you designed an AI-powered feature. What were the key user needs, ethical considerations, and how did you validate the design?" (Prepare a detailed case study focusing on AI rationale and user impact.) Company & Culture Questions:

• "Based on what you know about Koru UX Design LLP, how do you see your skills and experience contributing to our mission, particularly in shaping our AI design practice?" (Research Koru's website and recent work.)

• "How do you build influence and foster collaboration with teams or individuals who do not report to you?" (Provide concrete examples of successful influence and mentorship.)

• "What does 'business acumen' mean to you in the context of a Staff Product Designer, and how have you demonstrated it?" (Connect your design work to tangible business value.) Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Lead with Your Video: Ensure your 5-minute introductory video is polished and directly addresses the prompt.

• Curate for Impact: Select 2-3 of your most relevant and impactful projects that best showcase your ability to handle ambiguity, drive business outcomes, and integrate AI.

• Tell a Story: For each case study, structure your narrative around the problem, your unique approach (especially in ambiguous or AI-related scenarios), your specific contributions, and the measurable results.

• Highlight AI & Ambiguity: Explicitly call out elements of AI integration and how you navigated uncertainty in each project.

• Be Concise and Clear: Given the emphasis on self-explanatory portfolios, ensure your visual aids and written descriptions are exceptionally clear and compelling.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation should heavily focus on articulating strategic thinking, demonstrating hands-on AI design experience, and showcasing your ability to lead and influence in ambiguous, cross-functional environments. The video submission and portfolio are your primary tools for making a strong first impression.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Staff Product Designer position:

• Submit your resume and portfolio through the provided application link on Workable.

• Craft a Compelling 5-Minute Introduction Video: This is a critical component. Clearly articulate your most interesting project, your current career stage, and what you hope to achieve in your next role. Make it engaging and personal.

• Curate Your Portfolio Strategically: Select case studies that prominently feature your experience with ambiguous projects, measurable business outcomes, and hands-on AI-powered feature design. Ensure each case study is self-explanatory.

• Tailor Your Resume for Operations Impact: Highlight achievements related to strategic influence, problem-solving in unclear situations, AI integration, and driving business results, using keywords from the job description.

• Prepare for Deep Dives: Be ready to discuss your portfolio projects in detail, focusing on your strategic thinking, design process, and the impact of your work, especially concerning AI and complex challenges.

⚠️ 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.