Staff Product Designer

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Staff Product Designer

Company: Rec Technologies

Location: San Francisco, California, United States

Job Type: Full-time

Category: Product Design / GTM Operations

Date Posted: September 01, 2026

Experience Level: 5-10 Years

Remote Status: Hybrid (4 days in-office expected)

🚀 Role Summary

• Owns the end-to-end product design lifecycle for Rec's enterprise platform, focusing on complex operational challenges within the recreation industry.

• Drives product strategy by translating ambiguous business needs into clear, actionable design solutions and defining Minimum Viable Product (MVP) scope.

• Leverages AI tools as an integral part of the design workflow, from ideation and prototyping to copy generation and research synthesis.

• Collaborates closely with a small, fast-moving team of engineers and founders to rapidly iterate and ship impactful features.

• Focuses on designing coherent and scalable solutions across a multi-object system encompassing programs, facilities, memberships, and payments.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the title is "Staff Product Designer," the responsibilities heavily lean into GTM Operations and Revenue Operations aspects by focusing on the enterprise platform that organizations use to run their business. This role requires a blend of product design acumen and a deep understanding of operational workflows and system complexity. The emphasis on "owning features end to end" and defining "what v1 actually is" highlights a strategic, operations-centric approach to product development.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Lead the complete design process for new features, from initial user research and problem definition to information architecture, user flows, high-fidelity mockups, and detailed specification documentation.

• Actively engage with engineering and founding teams throughout the build and Quality Assurance (QA) phases, ensuring design integrity and optimal implementation.

• Develop a comprehensive understanding of Rec's platform ecosystem, including programs, facilities, memberships, and payment systems, to ensure design coherence and scalability.

• Proactively identify and define product scope for new initiatives, making strategic decisions about what to include in v1 and articulating the rationale behind these choices.

• Integrate and utilize AI tools for rapid prototyping, variation generation, content drafting, and research synthesis, applying strong design judgment to refine outputs.

• Champion a "ship it" mentality, prioritizing the release of functional value over pixel-perfect polish when appropriate, and demonstrating sound judgment in these trade-offs.

• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to understand operational pain points and translate them into intuitive and efficient user experiences for administrators and staff.

• Contribute to the overall product strategy by providing design insights and advocating for user-centered solutions that drive operational efficiency and business growth.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities emphasize a proactive, ownership-driven approach typical of senior operations roles, where the individual is expected to define problems, scope solutions, and drive execution without constant oversight. The integration of AI tools into the design workflow is a key differentiator, suggesting a forward-thinking operational approach.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: While no specific degree is mandated, a Bachelor's or Master's degree in Design, Human-Computer Interaction, Computer Science, or a related field is often preferred for roles requiring deep systems thinking and technical understanding. Equivalent practical experience will be strongly considered.

Experience: 5-10 years of professional experience in product design, with a significant focus on complex platform or enterprise software.

Required Skills:

• Systems Thinking: Demonstrated ability to design for complex, interconnected systems and maintain coherence across multiple product objects and functionalities.

• End-to-End Ownership: Proven track record of managing design projects from initial concept and ambiguous problem definition through to shipped, QA'd product.

• Problem Definition & Scoping: Skill in independently identifying core user problems and defining practical, scoped v1 solutions, with a clear rationale for inclusions and exclusions.

• Bias for Action & Shipping: A strong preference for releasing functional value quickly, coupled with the judgment to balance speed with quality.

• AI Tool Proficiency: Fluency in using AI tools for design tasks (e.g., prototyping, content generation, research synthesis) and the ability to apply critical design judgment to AI outputs.

• High-Fidelity Prototyping: Expertise in creating detailed, high-fidelity designs and prototypes using industry-standard tools.

• Information Architecture: Strong understanding of organizing complex information and defining intuitive user flows.

• Engineering Collaboration: Experience working closely with engineering teams, providing clear specifications, and participating in handoff and QA processes.

• User Research: Ability to conduct user research to understand operational challenges and validate design solutions.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience designing for SaaS platforms, particularly in the B2B or enterprise space.

• Familiarity with the recreation, sports, or community engagement industries.

• Experience with AI-powered design tools and workflows.

• Basic understanding of technical concepts related to platform development and data management.

• Experience working in a startup environment with rapid iteration cycles.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Systems thinking" and "Comfort operating without a spec" requirements are critical indicators for an operations-focused role, implying the need for strategic problem-solving and self-direction beyond typical design tasks. The emphasis on AI tools also suggests a need for adaptability and forward-thinking within the operations domain.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Case Studies Demonstrating Systems Thinking: Showcase at least 2-3 comprehensive case studies that highlight your ability to design for complex, interconnected systems. Detail how you maintained coherence across different product modules or user journeys.

• End-to-End Project Examples: Include projects where you owned the design process from initial ambiguity to shipped product. Clearly articulate the problem, your process, the trade-offs made, and the eventual outcome.

• Problem Definition & Scoping Examples: Present instances where you had to define the scope of a feature or product, demonstrating how you decided what to build and what to defer, with clear reasoning.

• AI Tool Integration: If possible, showcase how you've integrated AI tools into your design process to improve efficiency or explore new solutions. Highlight the creative and critical judgment applied.

• High-Fidelity Designs & Prototypes: Provide examples of your high-fidelity design work, including interactive prototypes that demonstrate complex user flows and interactions.

Process Documentation:

• Workflow Design & Optimization: Demonstrate how you map out and optimize complex operational workflows through design, using examples of simplification or efficiency gains.

• System Coherence Design: Illustrate your approach to ensuring consistency and coherence across a multi-object platform, detailing how you considered interdependencies.

• Specification & Handoff: Include examples of clear, concise specification documentation provided to engineering, and explain your process for engineering handoff and QA engagement.

📝 Enhancement Note: The portfolio requirements are heavily geared towards demonstrating operational problem-solving and systems design capabilities. Candidates need to showcase not just aesthetic design skills but also strategic thinking, process optimization, and the ability to manage complex, interconnected systems—key traits for effective GTM/RevOps professionals.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $160,000 – $200,000 base salary per year.

• Note: This range is competitive for a Staff Product Designer role in San Francisco, a high-cost-of-living area. The final offer will be determined by the candidate's background, experience, and skillset, aligning with industry benchmarks for senior design roles in tech startups.

Benefits:

• Flexible Paid Time Off (PTO): Encourages work-life balance and allows employees to take time off as needed.

• Top-Tier Health, Dental, and Vision Insurance: Comprehensive coverage for medical, dental, and vision needs.

• 401(k) Plan: Support for long-term financial planning and retirement savings.

• Meaningful Equity: Stock options or grants, providing potential for significant financial upside as the company grows.

Working Hours: Standard full-time hours are expected, typically around 40 hours per week. Given the hybrid work arrangement and startup environment, flexibility may be required at times to meet project deadlines and collaboration needs.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range is typical for a Staff-level Product Designer in a high-cost-of-living area like San Francisco. The inclusion of equity is a significant component for startup roles, aligning with the "owner" mentality valued by the company. The benefits package is standard for a tech startup. The "4 days in-office" requirement for a hybrid role is also noted.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Technology, specifically focused on the Sports & Recreation sector, leveraging AI to modernize operational systems for organizations. Rec operates at the intersection of consumer product (loved by players) and enterprise platform (trusted by organizations).

Company Size: Small team with significant "firepower," implying a lean, agile, and highly experienced group. The founders have backgrounds from major tech companies like Uber, The Athletic, MasterClass, Google, Microsoft, Strava, Hipcamp, and Airbnb.

Founded: The founding team has a strong track record, having held leadership positions at prominent tech companies. The company is driven by a mission to increase real-world activity through AI.

Team Structure:

• A small, close-knit team comprising experienced builders from top tech firms.

• Founders are actively involved in product development and strategy.

• Cross-functional collaboration is essential, with designers working directly alongside engineering and founding members.

• The structure is likely flat and fast-paced, typical of early-stage, well-funded startups. Methodology:

• AI-Driven Innovation: Core to the company's approach is the use of AI to solve complex operational problems and enhance user experiences.

• Iterative Development: Emphasis on shipping quickly and iterating based on feedback, reflecting a "move fast and ship real value" mentality.

• Data-Informed Design: While not explicitly stated, the company's tech focus and AI integration suggest a data-driven approach to product development and decision-making.

• User-Centricity for Organizations: Designing for the operational needs of recreation organizations, aiming for simplicity and efficiency in managing complex systems.

Company Website: https://www.rec.us/

📝 Enhancement Note: The company culture is characterized by high caliber talent, a strong mission-driven focus on AI and real-world activity, and a fast-paced, iterative startup environment. The "small team with firepower" suggests a high-performance culture where individual contributions are highly visible and impactful.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: Staff Product Designer. This title signifies a senior-level individual contributor role, expected to operate with significant autonomy and influence. The role demands strong technical and strategic design skills, with the ability to tackle ambiguous, complex problems and drive them to completion. It's a position that requires leadership in design thinking and execution within the product team.

Reporting Structure: The designer will likely report directly to a Head of Product, Head of Design, or one of the founding members, given the small team size. Close collaboration with engineering leadership is also expected.

Operations Impact: This role has a direct impact on the operational efficiency and scalability of Rec's enterprise platform. By designing intuitive and robust systems for recreation organizations, the designer contributes to:

• Increased adoption and satisfaction among organizational users.

• Streamlined internal operations for Rec's clients, leading to better service delivery.

• The overall growth and success of Rec's B2B product offering.

• The company's mission of increasing real-world activity by making it easier for organizations to operate. Growth Opportunities:

• Deepening AI Integration: Opportunity to become a leader in applying AI tools and techniques within product design, shaping future workflows and product capabilities.

• Platform Architecture Influence: Contribute significantly to the evolution of Rec's core platform architecture and design system, establishing best practices for complex domains.

• Leadership in a Growing Startup: As the company scales, there will be opportunities to mentor junior designers, lead design initiatives, and potentially transition into management roles.

• Industry Expertise: Develop specialized knowledge in the rapidly evolving recreation technology and AI application space.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Staff" level indicates a significant opportunity for impact and growth, particularly in shaping the design direction of a complex enterprise platform. The role is positioned to influence not just the product but also the operational processes of Rec's clients through effective design.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The role is based in San Francisco, with an expectation of working in their Financial District (FiDi) office. This suggests a traditional office environment designed for collaboration, likely featuring open workspaces, meeting rooms, and amenities typical of tech offices in major urban centers. The requirement to be "in-office most days" points to a hybrid model that prioritizes in-person interaction.

Office Location(s): San Francisco, CA, specifically in the Financial District (FiDi). This location offers access to a vibrant business community and public transportation.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Environment: The office setting is designed to foster close collaboration with engineering and founding teams, facilitating rapid iteration and communication.

• Tools and Technology: Access to modern design tools, including AI-powered software, and the infrastructure necessary for a fast-paced tech environment.

• Team Interaction: Frequent opportunities for direct interaction, brainstorming sessions, and design reviews with colleagues, promoting a shared understanding and alignment.

Work Schedule: While the standard work week is 40 hours, the startup environment and hybrid model may necessitate flexibility. The emphasis on "shipping real value early and often" suggests a results-oriented approach where focus and dedication are key, particularly during critical project phases. The hybrid setup allows for focused, in-office collaboration days interspersed with remote work flexibility.

📝 Enhancement Note: The hybrid model with a strong emphasis on in-office presence (4 days/week) indicates a preference for direct collaboration and team cohesion, common in early-stage startups aiming for rapid development and strong team dynamics.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A review of your application, resume, and portfolio to assess alignment with the role's requirements, particularly systems thinking and end-to-end ownership.

• Portfolio Presentation & Discussion: You will likely present 1-2 key case studies from your portfolio, focusing on complex problems, your design process, and the impact of your solutions. Be prepared to discuss your role, the trade-offs made, and how you leveraged AI tools.

• Design Challenge/Exercise: A practical exercise, potentially involving a problem similar to those faced by Rec's clients, to assess your problem-solving skills, systems thinking, and ability to define scope. This might be a take-home assignment or an in-session exercise.

• Founder/Team Interviews: Discussions with the founding team and key engineers to evaluate your strategic thinking, cultural fit, communication style, and enthusiasm for Rec's mission.

• Final Round: May involve a deeper dive into strategic product thinking or a final discussion with a founder.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Highlight Systems Design: Emphasize projects where you tackled complex, interconnected systems. Clearly articulate how you ensured coherence and scalability.

• Showcase End-to-End Ownership: Detail your entire process, from problem discovery and user research to final shipped product and post-launch analysis. Explicitly state your role and contributions.

• Demonstrate Problem Scoping: Include examples where you had to define what not to build, or how you phased a complex solution into smaller, manageable releases (v1).

• Explain AI Tool Usage: Be ready to discuss how you used AI tools, the benefits gained, and critically, how your design judgment shaped the AI's output.

• Focus on Impact: Quantify the impact of your designs whenever possible (e.g., increased efficiency, reduced errors, improved user satisfaction for organizations).

• Tailor to Rec: Research Rec's mission and product. If possible, subtly weave in how your skills and experience align with their specific challenges in the recreation tech space.

Challenge Preparation:

• Anticipate Operational Problems: Think about common operational challenges for businesses that manage facilities, programs, memberships, and payments. Consider how design can solve these.

• Practice Scoping: Be ready to define a problem and then strategically limit the scope for an initial solution. Articulate the "why" behind your scope decisions.

• Prepare to Discuss Trade-offs: The role values shipping over perfection. Be ready to discuss situations where you prioritized speed or a simpler solution over a more complex, polished one, and why.

• Communicate Your Process: Clearly articulate your thought process, even if it's a rapid exercise. Explain your assumptions and how you'd validate them.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process is designed to assess not just design skills but also strategic thinking, operational problem-solving, and the ability to thrive in a fast-paced, autonomous environment. The portfolio is critical for demonstrating these specific capabilities.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Design & Prototyping Software: Proficiency in industry-standard tools like Figma is essential. Expect to use these for high-fidelity design, prototyping, and collaboration.

• AI Design Tools: Familiarity and fluency with AI tools for design tasks will be a significant advantage. This could include AI assistants for generating design variations, drafting copy, synthesizing research, or even code-based prototyping.

• User Research Platforms: Experience with tools for user interviews, surveys, and usability testing (e.g., UserTesting.com, Lookback, Maze).

Analytics & Reporting:

• While not a primary focus for this design role, an understanding of how design impacts key performance indicators (KPIs) and the ability to interpret data from analytics platforms (e.g., Google Analytics, Amplitude, Mixpanel) to inform design decisions is beneficial. CRM & Automation:

• No direct CRM/automation tools are listed as primary requirements for the designer, but an understanding of how enterprise platforms integrate with or serve functions similar to CRM and automation systems will be helpful in grasping the overall system complexity.

📝 Enhancement Note: The explicit mention of "AI tools as part of your everyday process" is a key differentiator. Candidates should be prepared to discuss their experience and comfort level with integrating these tools into their design workflow. Figma is the likely primary design tool.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Be Relentless: Drive to move fast, own initiatives, and continuously ship real value, prioritizing execution and iteration. This reflects an operational mindset focused on progress and delivery.

• Win Together: Emphasizes collaboration, open communication, and going beyond individual roles to achieve collective success. This fosters a team-oriented operational environment.

• Take Pride: Encourages a sense of ownership and accountability, treating the company's success as personal. This aligns with a strong work ethic and commitment to quality in operations.

Collaboration Style:

• Direct & Fast-Paced: The small team size and startup environment necessitate direct, efficient communication and rapid decision-making.

• Cross-Functional Integration: Designers are expected to work closely with engineering and founders, integrating design into the core development process rather than being a separate silo.

• Feedback-Driven: While moving fast, there's an implicit need for constructive feedback loops to ensure alignment and continuous improvement, especially given the complex systems being designed.

📝 Enhancement Note: The company values are deeply rooted in a high-performance, execution-focused operational culture. The emphasis on "shipping" and "relentlessness" suggests a demanding yet rewarding environment for individuals who thrive on making a tangible impact.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Designing for Complexity: The primary challenge will be designing coherent and user-friendly experiences for Rec's intricate enterprise platform, which spans multiple operational domains (programs, facilities, payments).

• Balancing Speed and Quality: Navigating the startup imperative to ship quickly while maintaining a high standard of design quality and system integrity.

• Defining Ambiguous Problems: Taking ill-defined operational issues and translating them into clear product requirements and design solutions independently.

• Integrating AI Effectively: Mastering the use of AI tools as a genuine enhancement to the design process, rather than a replacement for critical thinking and judgment.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Advanced Systems Design: Deepen expertise in designing for complex, interconnected enterprise platforms.

• AI in Design Leadership: Become a go-to expert within the company for leveraging AI in product design and workflow optimization.

• Startup Growth Experience: Gain invaluable experience in a rapidly scaling tech startup, contributing to product strategy and potentially influencing team growth.

• Cross-Functional Skill Development: Enhance collaboration and communication skills by working closely with engineering and founding teams on critical business initiatives.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges highlight the strategic nature of the role, requiring more than just design execution. Growth opportunities are tied to mastering complex system design, AI integration, and contributing to a high-growth startup environment.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you had to design for a complex, multi-object system. How did you ensure coherence and scalability?" (Focus on systems thinking, information architecture, and your process.)

• "Walk us through a project where you owned the entire design process from an ambiguous problem statement to a shipped product. What were the key challenges and decisions?" (Highlight end-to-end ownership, problem definition, and execution.)

• "How do you decide what to include in a v1 product versus what to defer? Give an example." (Emphasize your scoping methodology and strategic decision-making.)

• "Describe your experience using AI tools in your design workflow. What are the benefits, and what are the critical limitations or risks you consider?" (Showcase AI proficiency and design judgment.) Company & Culture Questions:

• "Why are you interested in Rec's mission to get people back into the real world using AI?" (Connect your personal motivation to the company's vision.)

• "How do you approach working in a small, fast-moving team where decisions ship quickly?" (Demonstrate your adaptability and bias for action.)

• "What does 'Take Pride' mean to you in a professional context?" (Align with company values and demonstrate ownership.)

• "How do you provide and receive constructive feedback within a team?" (Showcase collaboration and communication skills.) Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure: For each case study, clearly outline: The Problem, Your Role, The Process (Research, Ideation, Design, Testing), Key Decisions & Trade-offs, The Solution, and The Impact (quantify if possible).

• Focus on "Why": Explain the rationale behind your design choices, especially regarding scope, system coherence, and AI tool usage.

• Demonstrate Systems Thinking: Use diagrams or visual aids to illustrate how different parts of the system interact and how your design maintained integrity.

• Highlight AI Integration: Point out specific instances where AI assisted your process and how you applied your judgment to refine the output.

• Be Concise and Engaging: Practice your presentation to ensure it flows well and stays within the allotted time. Be ready for deep-dive questions.

📝 Enhancement Note: Preparation should focus on demonstrating strategic thinking, operational problem-solving, and a pragmatic approach to design within a fast-paced environment, rather than just showcasing aesthetic skills.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Staff Product Designer position:

• Submit your application through the provided link on Ashby.

• Curate Your Portfolio: Select 2-3 strong case studies that best highlight your systems thinking, end-to-end ownership, and experience with complex operational challenges. Ensure clear articulation of problems, processes, decisions, and outcomes.

• Tailor Your Resume: Emphasize experience relevant to enterprise/platform design, AI tool integration, and working in fast-paced environments. Use keywords from the job description.

• Prepare Your Presentation: Practice walking through your chosen case studies, focusing on demonstrating your strategic approach, problem-solving skills, and how you've successfully shipped products. Be ready to discuss trade-offs and AI tool usage.

• Research Rec Technologies: Understand their mission, product offering (consumer vs. enterprise), and the founders' backgrounds. Be prepared to articulate why you are a good fit for their specific culture and goals.

⚠️ 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.

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