UX/UI Product Designer (m/w/d) - SaaS Startup (Remote, DE)

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: UX/UI Product Designer (m/w/d) - SaaS Startup

Company: desk.ly

Location: Osnabrück, Lower Saxony, Germany (Remote within Germany)

Job Type: Full-Time, Permanent (Festanstellung)

Category: Product Design / User Experience (UX) / User Interface (UI)

Date Posted: 2026-10-01

Experience Level: Mid-Level (2-5 years)

Remote Status: Fully Remote (within Germany)

🚀 Role Summary

• Drive the end-to-end design process for new platform features, from initial user problem identification through to final interface delivery.

• Leverage AI-powered prototyping tools to rapidly ideate, validate concepts, and accelerate the design lifecycle.

• Collaborate closely with Product Management and Engineering teams to translate complex requirements into intuitive, consistent, and user-centric interfaces.

• Maintain and evolve the company's design system to ensure brand consistency and design efficiency across the entire SaaS platform.

• Conduct user research, including usability testing and analysis of usage data, to inform continuous feature improvement and product iteration.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is positioned within a dynamic SaaS startup environment, emphasizing rapid iteration and a hands-on approach to product development. The explicit mention of AI prototyping tools signifies a forward-thinking design culture that values efficiency and innovation. The requirement for remote work within Germany suggests a focus on local talent while offering significant flexibility.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Translate user problems and business requirements into comprehensive user flows, wireframes, and interactive prototypes, covering the entire product landscape.

• Utilize AI prototyping tools (e.g., Claude Design, Lovable, Figma Make) for rapid concept generation and validation, ensuring swift iteration cycles.

• Design intuitive, responsive, high-fidelity user interfaces and experiences, including UX writing, ensuring strict adherence to the established design system and brand guidelines.

• Plan and execute usability testing sessions, analyze user feedback, and interpret usage data to identify areas for continuous feature enhancement and optimization.

• Actively contribute to the development and maintenance of the company's design system, ensuring its scalability and consistent application across all product touchpoints.

• Partner closely with the development team throughout the implementation phase, conducting design reviews and ensuring pixel-perfect execution of the final product.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a full-stack design ownership, from strategic problem-solving to detailed UI execution. The emphasis on AI tools suggests an expectation for designers to be early adopters and proficient in leveraging new technologies for efficiency. The collaborative aspect with development is crucial for successful product delivery in a fast-paced startup.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: While no specific degree is mandated, a background in Design, Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), or a related field is highly beneficial. Equivalent practical experience will also be considered.

Experience: Minimum of 3 years of professional experience in UX/UI or Product Design, with a strong preference for experience within growing SaaS startups.

Required Skills:

• Proven expertise in core UX methodologies: User Flows, Information Architecture, Usability Testing, and User Interviews.

• Strong UI design skills with a keen eye for layout, typography, color, and a demonstrated ability to work with and contribute to design systems.

• Proficiency in Figma for wireframing, prototyping, and high-fidelity interface design.

• Practical experience and comfort using AI prototyping tools (e.g., Claude Design, Lovable, Figma Make) to accelerate design processes.

• A solid understanding of responsive design principles and best practices.

• Experience working within Agile development methodologies.

• Strong product thinking capabilities, understanding how user needs align with business objectives.

• Excellent communication and collaboration skills, with the ability to articulate design decisions effectively.

• Self-starter mentality with the ability to manage multiple priorities, accept feedback, and adapt quickly to changing requirements.

• Fluent German and good English language proficiency. Preferred Skills:

• Experience with UX writing and content strategy for digital products.

• Foundational knowledge of HTML/CSS to better understand development constraints and possibilities.

• Experience with data analysis tools and a data-driven approach to design decisions.

• Familiarity with modern cloud-native toolsets and collaboration platforms.

📝 Enhancement Note: The requirements emphasize a blend of foundational design craft and modern, agile practices. The specific mention of AI tools and Figma indicates the primary technology stack. The fluency in both German and English is a critical requirement for effective communication within the distributed team and with potential German users.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A comprehensive portfolio showcasing your design process applied to real product features, demonstrating the journey from problem identification and user research to concept development and final UI implementation.

• Clear articulation of your role and contributions within team projects, highlighting your problem-solving approach and design rationale.

• Examples of how you have utilized user feedback and data to iterate and improve designs.

• Demonstrations of your UI design skills, including visual aesthetics, responsiveness, and consistency with design systems. Process Documentation:

• Showcase examples of detailed user flows and information architecture diagrams that clearly outline user journeys and content structure.

• Include case studies where AI prototyping tools were leveraged to quickly validate concepts or generate design iterations.

• Present instances where you have actively contributed to or managed a design system, illustrating its application and evolution.

• Evidence of conducting and analyzing usability tests, detailing the methodology and actionable insights derived.

📝 Enhancement Note: The portfolio is a critical component for this role, serving as tangible proof of design skills and process. The emphasis on a real-world product feature journey and the inclusion of AI tool usage indicates a desire for practical, efficient, and impactful design work.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: Based on industry benchmarks for mid-level UX/UI Product Designers with 3-5 years of experience in Germany, the estimated salary range for this role is €55,000 - €75,000 annually. This range is influenced by the company's startup nature, the remote work flexibility, and the specific benefits offered.

Benefits:

• A genuine 4-day work week (32 hours per week).

• 24 days of paid vacation per year.

• Flexible, individualized working hours that accommodate personal needs and optimize productivity.

• Significant remote work flexibility, allowing for as much or as little office time at the Osnabrück HQ as desired.

• Access to a modern, cloud-native toolset (Slack, Google Workspace, Linear, Figma, Notion) to streamline workflows.

• Choice of preferred hardware, with a preference for Mac.

• Opportunity to work with a highly motivated team focused on shaping the future of work and a relevant, future-proof software solution.

• High degree of responsibility and active participation in the growth and design of the SaaS solution.

Working Hours: The standard working week is 32 hours, structured into a 4-day week, with highly flexible and individualized working time arrangements.

📝 Enhancement Note: The compensation and benefits package is highly attractive, particularly the 4-day work week and flexible hours, which are strong differentiators. The salary estimate is based on current market data for similar roles in Germany, factoring in the specified experience level and the benefits package. The company's commitment to a modern tech stack and hardware choice further enhances the employee value proposition.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Software as a Service (SaaS), specifically focused on workplace management and employee experience solutions. The company operates in the rapidly evolving "Future of Work" technology sector.

Company Size: desk.ly is a growing startup, likely between 50-200 employees based on typical SaaS startup trajectories and the scale of their user base (150,000 users, 5,000 offices). This size offers a balance between established processes and agile, hands-on work.

Founded: While the exact founding date isn't provided, the company's current scale and focus on modern work solutions suggest it's a relatively young, dynamic organization.

Team Structure:

• The Product and Design teams are likely integrated, fostering close collaboration between designers, product managers, and engineers.

• Flat hierarchies are emphasized, promoting direct communication and minimizing bureaucratic hurdles.

• Cross-functional collaboration is core, with designers working intimately with development and product teams. Methodology:

• Agile methodologies are a cornerstone of their development process, enabling rapid iteration and adaptation.

• A data-driven approach is evident, with responsibilities including the analysis of usage data to inform design decisions.

• The use of AI tools suggests a culture of embracing innovation and efficiency in their design and development workflows.

Company Website: [desk.ly Company URL would be inserted here if available, but is missing from input]

📝 Enhancement Note: desk.ly positions itself as a modern, forward-thinking SaaS company dedicated to improving workplace experiences. The culture appears to be collaborative, agile, and innovative, with a strong emphasis on employee well-being and autonomy, as evidenced by the 4-day week and flexible remote options.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is a Mid-Level Product Designer. It offers the opportunity to take ownership of significant features and contribute strategically to the product's direction, moving beyond purely execution-focused tasks.

Reporting Structure: The UX/UI Product Designer will likely report to a Head of Product, Design Lead, or a Senior Product Manager, within a structure characterized by flat hierarchies and direct communication lines.

Operations Impact: The designer will have a direct and visible impact on the usability, user satisfaction, and ultimately the adoption and retention of desk.ly's SaaS product. Their work will directly influence the user experience of 150,000+ users globally, contributing significantly to the company's growth and market position.

Growth Opportunities:

• Skill Specialization: Deepen expertise in specific areas of UX/UI, such as user research, interaction design, or design systems, potentially leading to Senior or Lead Designer roles.

• Leadership Development: As the company grows, opportunities to mentor junior designers or lead design initiatives may arise.

• Product Strategy Influence: Contribute more significantly to product strategy discussions, leveraging design thinking to shape the future roadmap based on user insights and market trends.

• Cross-functional Expertise: Gain deeper knowledge of SaaS development, product management, and business operations through close collaboration.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a mid-level designer, this role presents a strong opportunity for growth within a scaling startup. The emphasis on ownership and direct impact, coupled with a supportive culture and modern tools, provides a fertile ground for career advancement in product design.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Hybrid model with a primary HQ in Osnabrück. Employees have the flexibility to work remotely as much as they prefer, or utilize the office space for collaboration, team days, or focused work.

Office Location(s): The company's headquarters are located at Albert-Einstein-Straße 1, 49076 Osnabrück, Germany. This location serves as a central hub for those who choose to work from the office.

Workspace Context:

• The remote-first or hybrid approach, combined with flexible hours, supports a work-life balance that is highly valued in modern tech environments.

• Employees are equipped with a modern, cloud-native toolset, ensuring seamless collaboration and productivity regardless of location.

• The culture encourages interaction and collaboration, whether through virtual channels or in-person at the Osnabrück office.

Work Schedule: The role operates on a 32-hour work week over 4 days, with highly individualized and flexible working hours. This structure is designed to maximize productivity and personal well-being, allowing designers to structure their workdays to best suit their workflow and life commitments.

📝 Enhancement Note: The work environment is characterized by high flexibility and autonomy, catering to modern work preferences. The remote-first approach within Germany, combined with the optional office presence, provides a balanced and adaptable working setup for operations professionals.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A brief call with HR or a hiring manager to assess basic qualifications, cultural fit, and interest in the role.

• Portfolio Review & Design Challenge: A deeper dive into your portfolio, focusing on your process, problem-solving skills, and impact. This may be followed by a take-home design challenge or a live design exercise, focusing on translating a user problem into a solution.

• Team Interviews: Discussions with members of the Product and Engineering teams to evaluate collaboration skills, technical understanding, and alignment with team dynamics.

• Final Interview: A meeting with a senior leader (e.g., Head of Product, CEO) to discuss overall vision, strategic alignment, and long-term career aspirations.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Showcase Process, Not Just Polish: Clearly articulate your design thinking, user research methods, rationale behind decisions, and how you iterated based on feedback or data.

• Highlight Impact: Quantify results where possible (e.g., improvements in conversion rates, task completion times, user satisfaction scores).

• Tailor to the Role: Emphasize projects that demonstrate experience with SaaS products, AI tools, design systems, and agile environments.

• Be Concise and Clear: Present a curated selection of your best work, focusing on quality over quantity. Ensure your contributions are clearly defined in team projects.

Challenge Preparation:

• If a design challenge is given, focus on understanding the core problem and user needs.

• Structure your solution logically, starting with research or assumptions, moving through ideation, and culminating in a well-reasoned UI proposal.

• Be prepared to discuss trade-offs, constraints, and alternative solutions.

• For live exercises, practice articulating your thought process clearly and concisely under time pressure.

📝 Enhancement Note: The application process is designed to thoroughly assess both design craft and collaborative fit. A strong portfolio that demonstrates a robust, iterative design process, ideally with examples using AI tools and within an Agile SaaS context, will be paramount.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Figma: The core tool for wireframing, UI design, prototyping, and collaboration. Proficiency is a strict requirement.

• AI Prototyping Tools: Explicitly mentioned tools include Claude Design, Lovable, and Figma Make. Familiarity and practical experience are expected.

• Notion: Likely used for documentation, knowledge management, and project planning.

Analytics & Reporting:

• While specific tools aren't listed, expect to work with product analytics platforms (e.g., Amplitude, Mixpanel, Google Analytics) to interpret usage data and inform design decisions. CRM & Automation:

• Not directly relevant to the designer's primary role, but understanding the CRM's impact on customer journeys might be beneficial. Collaboration & Communication:

• Slack: Primary communication channel for real-time team interaction.

• Google Workspace: For document sharing and collaboration.

• Linear: A modern issue tracking and project management tool, often used in agile software development.

📝 Enhancement Note: The technology stack is modern and geared towards efficient, collaborative product development. Proficiency in Figma is non-negotiable. Experience with AI-driven design tools is a key differentiator, aligning with the company's innovative approach.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Collaboration: A strong emphasis on working together across product, design, and engineering teams to achieve shared goals.

• Innovation & Efficiency: Embracing new technologies (like AI tools) and agile processes to drive faster, more effective product development.

• User-Centricity: A deep commitment to understanding and solving user problems, translating into intuitive and valuable product experiences.

• Ownership & Responsibility: Empowering individuals to take initiative, make decisions, and drive projects forward with a high degree of autonomy.

• Flexibility & Work-Life Balance: Promoting a healthy work environment through flexible hours and a 4-day work week.

Collaboration Style:

• Open and direct communication is encouraged, facilitated by tools like Slack and a flat hierarchy.

• Designers are expected to be active participants in cross-functional discussions, contributing their perspective on user needs and product feasibility.

• A culture of constructive feedback is present, with designers expected to both give and receive input to improve designs and processes.

📝 Enhancement Note: The culture at desk.ly appears to be a blend of startup agility and a mature approach to employee well-being. The values promote a dynamic, collaborative, and user-focused environment where individuals are empowered to make a significant impact.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Rapid Iteration in a Startup: Adapting to fast-paced development cycles and potentially shifting priorities inherent in a startup environment.

• Balancing User Needs with Business Goals: Effectively advocating for user experience while ensuring designs align with the company's strategic objectives and technical constraints.

• Maintaining Design System Scalability: Ensuring the design system remains robust and adaptable as the product and team grow.

• Leveraging AI Tools Effectively: Integrating new AI technologies seamlessly into the design workflow to enhance, not just replicate, human creativity and strategic thinking.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Advanced Design Skills: Opportunities to deepen expertise in areas like interaction design, user research methodologies, or advanced prototyping techniques.

• Product Strategy Contribution: Gaining experience in shaping product roadmaps and influencing strategic decisions through design insights.

• Mentorship: Potential to mentor junior designers or lead design initiatives as the team expands.

• Industry Exposure: Staying abreast of the latest trends in UX/UI, SaaS product development, and AI in design through company-supported learning or team knowledge sharing.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges presented are typical for a growing SaaS startup, offering significant learning potential. The growth opportunities are well-aligned with a mid-level designer looking to advance their career and impact within the product development lifecycle.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe your process for tackling a new, ambiguous user problem. How would you use AI tools in this process?" (Focus on your structured approach, research methods, and how AI fits into ideation/validation).

• "How do you ensure consistency and scalability of a design system while working on new features? What role does the design system play in your UI development?" (Highlight your understanding of design system principles and practical application).

• "Walk us through a complex product feature you designed. What was the user problem, your proposed solution, the challenges you faced, and the outcome?" (Prepare a detailed case study from your portfolio, emphasizing your process and impact). Company & Culture Questions:

• "What interests you about desk.ly and our mission to improve workplace experiences?" (Research the company's mission, values, and product).

• "How do you approach collaboration with product managers and engineers, especially in an Agile environment?" (Provide examples of successful cross-functional teamwork).

• "How do you balance user advocacy with business objectives and technical feasibility?" (Demonstrate your understanding of product trade-offs). Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Tell a Story: For each project, clearly articulate the problem, your role, your process (research, ideation, iteration), the solutions you implemented, and the results or learnings.

• Show, Don't Just Tell: Use visuals effectively to demonstrate your UI skills, user flows, and prototypes.

• Highlight AI Tool Usage: If applicable, clearly explain how and why you used AI tools, showcasing the efficiency or unique outcomes they enabled.

• Be Prepared for Q&A: Anticipate questions about your design decisions, challenges, and how you would apply your skills to desk.ly's product.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation should focus on demonstrating a strong understanding of the design process, practical application of tools (especially Figma and AI), and the ability to collaborate effectively within a startup environment. Tailoring your portfolio and responses to desk.ly's specific context will be crucial.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this UX/UI Product Designer position:

• Submit your application through the provided link on the desk.ly careers page.

• Curate Your Portfolio: Select 2-3 of your strongest projects that best showcase your UX/UI product design process, highlighting your work on SaaS features, use of Figma, and any experience with AI prototyping tools. Ensure your contributions are clearly defined.

• Tailor Your Resume: Emphasize your years of experience, specific skills (UX/UI, Figma, AI tools, Agile), and achievements relevant to a SaaS startup environment. Use keywords from the job description.

• Prepare Your Narrative: Be ready to articulate your design process, decision-making rationale, and the impact of your work during interviews. Practice presenting a key portfolio project.

• Research desk.ly: Understand their product, mission, and target audience. Consider how your design philosophy aligns with their values 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.