Staff/Principal Product Designer

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Staff/Principal Product Designer

Company: Amber Electric

Location: Melbourne, Victoria, Australia

Job Type: Full-Time

Category: Product Design / GTM Operations

Date Posted: 2026-06-04

Experience Level: 10+ years

Remote Status: Hybrid

🚀 Role Summary

• This is a senior individual contributor role for an experienced Product Designer, requiring a minimum of 10 years of experience, with at least 3 years operating at a Staff or Principal level.

• The role involves tackling Amber's most strategically important and complex product challenges, directly influencing the company's direction in the renewable energy sector.

• You will act as the right-hand to the Head of Design, driving design excellence and shaping product strategy through exceptional craft and product judgment.

• This position requires a proven ability to lead through example, influence cross-functional teams, and deliver world-class design solutions for a large user base.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the role is titled "Product Designer," its emphasis on strategic problems, cross-functional leadership, and influencing direction places it at the intersection of Product Design and GTM Operations. The ability to frame complex problems, influence product strategy, and ensure quality of execution are critical GTM operations functions. The salary range and experience level suggest a senior individual contributor role that significantly impacts go-to-market strategy through product design.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Lead the design of Amber's highest priority product challenges with broad customer and business impact, focusing on renewable energy adoption and grid integration.

• Actively shape the design direction for new horizon projects, creating scalable solutions for hundreds of thousands of global users interested in green energy.

• Drive problem framing, product direction, and experience principles by working across multiple product streams and cross-functional teams.

• Conduct deep customer discovery and user research to understand user motivations, behaviors, and energy literacy needs, translating insights into actionable product strategies.

• Design thoughtful, scalable, and user-centered solutions across mobile and web platforms that influence customer interaction with energy.

• Partner closely with Product Management, Engineering, and Data leaders to align on strategic decisions and ensure the highest quality of execution.

• Raise the bar for design craft, user experience, and design processes across the organization through modeling, critique, and shared standards.

• Mentor and support designers of all levels, fostering a culture of continuous improvement and skill development without formal people management responsibilities.

• Define and advocate for design systems, patterns, and best practices to ensure consistency and scalability across Amber's product portfolio.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a blend of strategic product definition, user-centric design execution, and organizational influence. This is typical for senior operations-focused design roles that bridge product development and market adoption. The emphasis on "problem framing," "product direction," and "cross-functional leadership" are key indicators of GTM operations involvement.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: While no specific degree is mandated, a strong portfolio and demonstrable experience in user-centered design principles are paramount. A degree in Design, Human-Computer Interaction, or a related field is beneficial.

Experience:

• Well over 10 years of experience in product design.

• At least 3 years of experience operating at a Staff or Principal Product Designer level; not working towards it.

Required Skills:

• Product Design Leadership: Ability to take on ambiguous, complex problems and bring order, clarity, and high-quality outcomes.

• Exceptional Craft: Strong visual and interaction design skills, with a keen eye for polish, flow, and detail that makes an experience feel considered.

• User Research & Insight Synthesis: Expertise in conducting discovery and research, synthesizing qualitative and quantitative data into deep customer understanding and actionable product strategies.

• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Demonstrated ability to partner effectively with Product Management, Engineering, Data, and other stakeholders, influencing decisions and driving alignment without formal authority.

• Problem Framing & Strategy: Skill in defining problems before solutions, shaping product direction, and identifying impactful opportunities.

• Design Systems & Scalability: Experience in designing scalable solutions and contributing to or leveraging design systems to ensure consistency and efficiency.

• Mentorship & Influence: Ability to raise the bar for design craft and user experience across an organization through example, critique, and coaching.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience in the energy sector, understanding of energy markets, or familiarity with smart home technology and V2G concepts.

• Expertise in designing for complex, technically sophisticated domains (e.g., energy, finance, IoT).

• Experience with A/B testing and data-driven design optimization.

• Familiarity with agile development methodologies and working within fast-paced startup environments.

• Experience in licensing technology or working with B2B/utility partnerships.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on "Staff or Principal level" experience and the requirement to "raise the bar" suggest this role demands a seasoned professional capable of setting strategic direction and influencing organizational processes, aligning with senior GTM operations functions.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A comprehensive portfolio showcasing a minimum of 10 years of product design work, with at least 3 years of demonstrated Staff or Principal level contributions.

• Case studies must clearly articulate complex, ambiguous problems faced, your strategic approach to problem framing, and the design process undertaken.

• Evidence of designing and shipping scalable mobile and web experiences for large user bases (hundreds of thousands or more).

• Examples demonstrating strong visual and interaction craft, including high-fidelity mockups, prototypes, and an understanding of UI polish and flow.

Process Documentation:

• Portfolios should highlight your ability to define and improve design processes, such as critique sessions, research synthesis methods, or design system adoption strategies.

• Showcase how you've brought structure and clarity to messy problem spaces, demonstrating a systematic approach to discovery and definition.

• Include examples of how you've contributed to or leveraged design systems for scalability and consistency across multiple platforms or markets.

• Demonstrate how you've used customer insights and data to drive product direction and measure the impact of design solutions.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a Staff/Principal role, the portfolio is critical. It needs to demonstrate not just design output but strategic thinking, process improvement, and the ability to lead and influence at an organizational level, which are core to advanced operations roles.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $180,000 - $240,000 AUD base per annum (excluding superannuation).

Benefits:

• Employee Stock Options: Equity participation in Amber's growth.

• Flexible Working Hours: Adaptability to personal schedules.

• Regular Work From Home Arrangements: Hybrid work model with flexibility.

• Equitable Gender-Neutral Parental Leave: Comprehensive support for new parents.

• External Employee Assistance Plan (EAP): Confidential mental health and well-being support.

• Annual Learning & Development Budget: Investment in continuous professional growth and skill enhancement.

• Additional Paid Time Off (PTO): Between Christmas and New Year holidays.

• Competitive Salary & Share Options: As outlined above.

Working Hours: Standard full-time hours (approximately 40 hours/week), with flexibility. The company is open to discussing a 4-day week or 9-day fortnight arrangement once the candidate is ramped up. Collaboration is expected to primarily occur within the Melbourne time zone.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range is within the typical band for senior/principal-level design roles in major Australian cities, especially for specialized tech companies. The benefits package is competitive and reflects a modern startup culture focused on employee well-being and professional development, which are key considerations for attracting and retaining senior talent in operations-critical roles.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Renewable Energy Technology, Software, and Services. Amber is a leader in smart home battery automation and is expanding its technology licensing globally.

Company Size: Over 200 employees. This indicates a growing, established startup with developing operational structures and processes.

Founded: Amber was founded with a mission to accelerate Australia's transition to 100% renewable energy. Its rapid growth (over 80k customers) and international expansion (UK partnership with E.ON Next) highlight its significant market impact.

Team Structure:

• The design team is led by a Head of Design, with this role being the most senior individual contributor (IC).

• Collaboration is highly cross-functional, involving Product Managers, Engineers, Data Scientists, and potentially business development/operations teams for licensing.

Methodology:

• Amber utilizes a data-driven approach, leveraging real-time wholesale electricity pricing and customer usage data to optimize energy consumption and export.

• Product development likely follows agile methodologies, with a strong focus on user-centric design and iterative improvement.

• The company is actively developing new technologies like Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G) and licensing its core platform, indicating a strategic and forward-thinking operational approach.

Company Website: https://amber.com.au/

📝 Enhancement Note: The company's focus on a mission-driven purpose within the renewable energy sector is a significant cultural driver. For a senior design role that impacts GTM strategy, understanding this mission and how product design contributes to it is crucial for alignment and impact. The company's growth and expansion into new technologies and markets suggest a dynamic environment where operations, including design, must be adaptable and strategic.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is positioned at the highest individual contributor level for design within Amber Electric. It is for seasoned professionals who have already achieved Staff or Principal status, signifying a deep level of expertise, strategic influence, and autonomy. The role is designed to tackle the most consequential problems, acting as a key strategic partner to leadership.

Reporting Structure: The Staff/Principal Product Designer will report directly to the Head of Design. They will operate as a peer and key collaborator to other senior leaders in Product Management and Engineering, influencing strategic decisions across these functions. While not a people manager, they will mentor and uplift other designers.

Operations Impact: The impact of this role is significant and multi-faceted:

• Product Strategy: Directly shapes the direction of new and existing products, influencing features that drive customer adoption, retention, and energy efficiency.

• Market Expansion: Contributes to the design of products and features that enable international expansion and technology licensing, impacting global reach and revenue streams.

• Customer Acquisition & Retention: Designs experiences that make renewable energy accessible and rewarding for customers, directly supporting GTM efforts and customer growth.

• Brand & User Experience: Elevates the overall user experience and design quality, reinforcing Amber's brand as an innovative leader in the energy sector.

• Operational Efficiency: By establishing design standards and systems, this role can indirectly improve development efficiency and reduce long-term maintenance costs.

Growth Opportunities:

• Strategic Leadership: Opportunity to influence the long-term product vision and design strategy of a rapidly growing company in a critical industry.

• Cross-Functional Mastery: Deepen expertise in collaborating with and influencing Product, Engineering, Data, and Business Operations at a senior level.

• Industry Expertise: Gain profound knowledge in the complex and evolving renewable energy market, smart grid technologies, and V2G solutions.

• Mentorship & Influence: Develop leadership skills by mentoring designers and shaping organizational design practices, without the direct pressures of people management.

• Entrepreneurial Impact: Contribute to a mission-driven company poised for significant growth and industry transformation, potentially leading to substantial career advancement and impact.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Operations Impact" section is crucial for a senior role. It clarifies how design contributes to business objectives like market expansion, customer acquisition, and operational efficiency, aligning with the core functions of GTM operations. The growth opportunities emphasize strategic development and industry-specific expertise, which are key draws for senior operations professionals.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Amber operates as a "remote-first" team but maintains a physical office in the Melbourne CBD. This suggests a hybrid work environment where employees have the flexibility to work from home or utilize the office space. The office serves as a hub for collaboration and team connection.

Office Location(s):

• Melbourne CBD Headquarters: The primary physical location, serving as a central point for the majority of the team.

• Sydney: A co-working space is available for Sydney-based employees to connect periodically.

• Other Australian Locations: Primarily remote work from home.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Hub: The Melbourne office is described as "buzzing" and provides a space for team members to connect, collaborate, and foster culture.

• Technology & Tools: As a tech company, expect access to modern design software, collaboration tools, and potentially advanced hardware for design work. The role implies working with sophisticated product streams (SmartShift, V2G).

• Team Interaction: While remote-first, there's an expectation of working within the Melbourne time zone to maximize collaboration, indicating regular virtual meetings, design critiques, and discussions.

Work Schedule: Full-time employment, with flexibility. The company is open to discussing 4-day weeks or 9-day fortnights after the initial ramp-up period. Core collaboration is expected within Australian Eastern Standard Time (AEST/AEDT).

📝 Enhancement Note: The hybrid "remote-first" model with a central Melbourne hub is a common structure for tech companies aiming to balance flexibility with in-person collaboration. For a senior design role influencing GTM strategy, understanding how this environment supports focused work, cross-functional ideation, and team cohesion is important. The emphasis on the Melbourne time zone highlights the operational need for synchronized collaboration.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

1. Screening Interview: Initial conversation with the Talent Team to assess basic qualifications, alignment with Amber's mission, and initial fit for a Staff/Principal role.

2. Hiring Manager Interview: In-depth discussion with the Head of Design to explore experience, design philosophy, strategic thinking, and leadership capabilities.

3. Case Study + Whiteboard Session: A practical exercise to assess problem-framing, design process, craft, and ability to articulate complex ideas under pressure. This will likely involve presenting a portfolio case study and then working through a design challenge live.

4. Culture + Final Interview: Conversations with members of the Executive Leadership Team (ELT) to evaluate cultural fit, alignment with Amber's values, and overall strategic contribution potential.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Focus on Impact & Strategy: Clearly articulate the problem, your strategic approach, the impact of your design solutions (quantifiable where possible), and your role in driving those outcomes.

• Showcase Staff/Principal Level Work: Highlight projects where you led complex initiatives, influenced direction, mentored others, and operated with significant autonomy. Demonstrate your ability to frame ambiguous problems and shape product strategy.

• Demonstrate Craft & Polish: Ensure your presented work reflects high standards in visual design, interaction design, and user flow.

• Cross-Functional Collaboration Examples: Detail how you partnered with Product, Engineering, and other stakeholders, how you navigated disagreements, and how you aligned on decisions.

• Process Improvement: If possible, include examples of how you improved design processes, established standards, or mentored junior designers.

• Conciseness is Key: Select 3-4 strong case studies that best represent your senior-level capabilities relevant to Amber's challenges.

Challenge Preparation:

• Problem Framing: Practice breaking down complex, ambiguous problems into manageable parts. Be ready to articulate your assumptions and questions.

• Design Process: Be prepared to discuss your end-to-end design process, from discovery and research to execution and iteration, emphasizing how you adapt it to different contexts.

• Articulation & Justification: Clearly explain your design decisions, linking them back to user needs, business goals, and market realities. Be ready to defend your choices and discuss trade-offs.

• Company & Industry Research: Understand Amber's mission, products (Batteries, EVs, V2G), target market, and competitive landscape. Think about how design contributes to their GTM strategy and their goal of 100% renewable energy.

• Collaboration Scenarios: Prepare examples of how you've successfully collaborated with non-design teams, managed stakeholder expectations, and influenced product direction.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process is typical for senior roles, emphasizing strategic thinking, practical application, and cultural fit. The portfolio review and challenge preparation tips are tailored to highlight the specific skills required for a Staff/Principal Product Designer influencing GTM strategy within a tech-driven, mission-oriented company.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

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

• User Research & Testing: Tools like UserTesting.com, Lookback, Maze, or internal survey/interview platforms.

• Collaboration & Project Management: Jira, Confluence, Asana, Trello, Slack.

• Design Systems: Experience contributing to or building design systems, leveraging tools like Storybook or internal documentation.

Analytics & Reporting:

CRM & Automation:

• Familiarity with CRM platforms (e.g., Salesforce) and marketing automation tools may be beneficial for understanding customer journeys and broader GTM strategies, though not a primary responsibility. Amber's core business involves complex data and automation, so an appreciation for how data flows and systems integrate is key.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the core tools are design-centric, understanding the broader technology stack (analytics, CRM, automation) is vital for a senior role influencing GTM strategy. It enables designers to create solutions that integrate seamlessly with business operations and drive measurable outcomes.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Purpose-Driven: A strong commitment to Amber's mission of accelerating the transition to renewable energy. This means design decisions should align with this overarching goal.

• Customer-Centricity: Deep focus on understanding and serving customer needs, making complex energy solutions accessible and beneficial.

• Innovation & Agility: Embracing new technologies (like V2G) and adapting quickly to market changes, fostering a culture of experimentation and continuous improvement.

• Collaboration & Inclusivity: Building a diverse and inclusive workplace where everyone feels valued, respected, and empowered to contribute. Design critiques are likely constructive and aimed at collective improvement.

• Excellence & Craftsmanship: A dedication to high-quality execution, attention to detail, and raising the bar for user experience across the organization.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-Functional Partnership: Expect close collaboration with Product Managers, Engineers, and Data teams, requiring strong communication and negotiation skills. The design function acts as a strategic partner, not just an executor.

• Constructive Critique: A culture of giving and receiving feedback openly to elevate design quality and solve problems collectively.

• Knowledge Sharing: Encouragement of sharing best practices, insights, and learnings across the design team and with other departments.

• Efficiency & Impact Focus: A pragmatic approach to problem-solving, prioritizing solutions that deliver significant customer and business impact, aligning with operational efficiency.

📝 Enhancement Note: Understanding Amber's values is essential for a senior role that influences company direction. The emphasis on purpose, collaboration, and excellence directly relates to how operations functions, including design, should operate to achieve business objectives.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Navigating Ambiguity: Tackling highly complex, undefined problems at the forefront of energy technology and market dynamics.

• Balancing Innovation & Scale: Designing cutting-edge features (like V2G) while ensuring they are scalable, reliable, and user-friendly for a mass market.

• Cross-Functional Influence: Effectively influencing product and engineering leaders without direct authority, requiring strong communication and strategic persuasion skills.

• Elevating Design Standards: Continuously raising the bar for design craft and process across a growing organization, potentially encountering resistance or differing priorities.

• Energy Market Complexity: Understanding and translating the intricacies of the energy market, wholesale pricing, and grid operations into intuitive user experiences.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Deep Dive into Renewable Energy Tech: Gaining unparalleled expertise in smart grids, home energy management, V2G, and the broader energy transition landscape.

• Strategic Product Leadership: Developing advanced skills in product strategy, problem framing, and influencing executive-level decisions.

• Cross-Functional Expertise: Honing skills in collaborating with and influencing diverse teams (Engineering, Product, Data, Business Development).

• Organizational Impact: Gaining experience in shaping design culture and processes within a rapidly scaling tech company.

• Industry Conferences & Certifications: Utilizing the annual L&D budget to attend relevant industry events, workshops, or pursue certifications related to design, product strategy, or the energy sector.

📝 Enhancement Note: Identifying these challenges and growth opportunities is key for a senior candidate. It demonstrates foresight and aligns with the strategic nature of the role, which is integral to effective GTM operations by ensuring the product design proactively addresses market complexities and drives future growth.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you took a highly ambiguous and complex problem space and brought clarity and structure to it. What was your process, and what was the outcome?" (Assesses problem-framing, strategic thinking, and impact).

• "How do you influence product and engineering leaders to adopt your design vision, especially when there are competing priorities or technical constraints?" (Assesses cross-functional leadership, negotiation, and persuasion skills).

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What excites you about Amber's mission to accelerate the transition to 100% renewable energy, and how do you see design contributing to that?" (Assesses mission alignment and strategic understanding).

• "How would you approach raising the bar for design craft and process within a growing tech organization like Amber?" (Assesses organizational influence and leadership approach).

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure for Impact: For each case study, clearly state the problem, your role, your strategic approach, key decisions, the solution, and the measured impact. Use a narrative arc.

• Highlight Strategic Contributions: Emphasize your role in problem framing, influencing direction, and collaborating with leadership, not just executing UI.

• Showcase Craftsmanship: Ensure visuals are clean, well-organized, and representative of high-quality design execution.

• Be Ready for Deep Dives: Anticipate questions about your decision-making process, trade-offs, and how you handled challenges.

• Connect to Amber: Where possible, draw parallels between your past experiences and the challenges Amber faces in the energy sector.

📝 Enhancement Note: These tailored interview questions and preparation tips focus on the unique demands of a Staff/Principal role, emphasizing strategic impact, leadership through influence, and alignment with Amber's mission – all critical for success in operations-critical design positions.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Staff/Principal Product Designer position:

• Submit your application: Use the provided link on jobs.lever.co. Ensure your resume and cover letter are tailored.

• Curate Your Portfolio: Select 3-4 of your strongest case studies that exemplify Staff/Principal level work, focusing on complex problem framing, strategic influence, cross-functional leadership, and measurable impact. Ensure it clearly demonstrates your craft and ability to ship at scale.

• Tailor Your Resume: Highlight your 10+ years of experience, specifically calling out your 3+ years at Staff or Principal level. Use keywords related to product strategy, problem framing, cross-functional leadership, and scalable design. Quantify achievements where possible.

• Prepare Your Narrative: Practice articulating your experience and insights, especially for the case study presentation and interview questions. Be ready to discuss your approach to ambiguity, collaboration, and influencing stakeholders.

• Research Amber Electric: Deeply understand Amber's mission, products (Batteries, EVs, V2G), market position, and recent news. Consider how your design expertise can directly contribute to their GTM strategy and renewable energy 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. Amber Electric is specifically seeking candidates already operating at a Staff or Principal Product Designer level.