Yourgi Lead Product Designer

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Lead Product Designer

Company: Yourgi Pet

Location: Remote (Texas, United States)

Job Type: Full-Time

Category: Product Design / UX/UI

Date Posted: 2026-05-11

Experience Level: 6+ Years Professional Experience

Remote Status: Fully Remote

🚀 Role Summary

• Lead the end-to-end design and delivery of features across web, iOS, and Android for a dynamic two-sided pet care marketplace.

• Manage and mentor a team of designers, fostering growth and ensuring high-quality design output.

• Drive the strategic adoption and integration of AI tools within the design process to enhance efficiency and innovation.

• Translate complex user needs (pet parents and service providers) and business requirements into intuitive, accessible, and scalable user experiences.

• Champion design thinking, user research, and data-driven decision-making to shape product direction and user journeys.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is positioned as a "Lead Product Designer" with direct management responsibilities and a strategic mandate to integrate AI into design workflows. The focus on a two-sided marketplace, small business users, and AI-first design indicates a need for a candidate who can balance user-centric design with business objectives and technological innovation, a key characteristic of advanced GTM and Product Operations roles.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Design and execute end-to-end feature development, encompassing user research, wireframing, prototyping, and final UI for both consumer (pet parent) and professional (pet care provider) platforms across web, iOS, and Android.

• Synthesize user research findings from interviews, usability testing, and surveys to inform and validate design decisions, ensuring user needs are at the forefront.

• Collaborate closely with Product Managers and Engineering teams to define product strategy, articulate design rationale, and ensure seamless implementation of designs.

• Manage and mentor a team of one full-time designer and two contractors, providing regular 1:1s, growth conversations, design feedback, and unblocking them on complex design challenges.

• Own design prioritization and resource allocation for the team, determining weekly focus areas and setting quality benchmarks.

• Conduct and lead regular design critiques, team rituals, and working sessions to foster collaboration and continuous improvement.

• Partner with the VP of Product on hiring efforts, including panel interviewing and portfolio reviews, to scale the design team effectively.

• Establish and champion Yourgi's transition to an AI-first design team, defining practical workflows and standards for using AI tools in design.

• Define and maintain the component catalog using Storybook (and mobile equivalents) as the source of truth, ensuring consistency and scalability across platforms.

• Leverage AI tools (e.g., Claude, Figma AI, Cursor, v0) for drafting components, accelerating exploration, and maintaining design quality.

• Set the standards and patterns for AI-assisted design that the broader design team will adopt and scale.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities clearly delineate between individual contribution (~60%), team leadership (~20%), and strategic AI integration (~20%). This structure suggests a need for strong individual design skills, proven leadership capabilities, and a forward-thinking approach to design technology, aligning with advanced GTM and Product Operations competencies.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: While not explicitly stated, a Bachelor's or Master's degree in Design, Human-Computer Interaction, Computer Science, or a related field is often preferred for lead roles in product design. Equivalent practical experience will also be considered.

Experience:

• 6+ years of professional experience in product design, UX, and UI.

• Direct experience managing or leading designers, including conducting 1:1s, providing feedback, and facilitating growth conversations.

• Proven track record of designing for two-sided marketplaces, understanding supply and demand dynamics, discovery, and transaction flows.

• Experience designing for small business users, with a strong focus on conversion, onboarding, and growth-oriented experiences.

• Proven ability to lead design work from concept to launch within cross-functional, agile teams.

Required Skills:

• Product Design & UX/UI Expertise: Comprehensive understanding of user-centered design principles, information architecture, interaction design, and visual design.

• Marketplace Design: In-depth knowledge of designing for two-sided marketplaces, including user acquisition, engagement, retention, and transaction facilitation.

• Team Leadership & Management: Demonstrated ability to lead, mentor, and manage a design team, fostering a collaborative and high-performing environment.

• AI Tool Proficiency: Comfort and practical experience using AI tools (e.g., Claude, Figma AI, Cursor, v0) within the daily design practice to enhance workflows and accelerate delivery.

• Agile & Cross-Functional Collaboration: Proven ability to work effectively in agile environments and collaborate closely with product managers, engineers, and other stakeholders.

• User Research & Synthesis: Experience planning, conducting, and synthesizing user research (interviews, usability testing, surveys) to drive design decisions.

• Accessibility Standards: Deep understanding of WCAG accessibility standards and their application in design.

• Design & Collaboration Tools: Fluency in Figma, FigJam, Loom, User Interviews, Marvin, Lookback, and Confluence.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience in booking or two-sided marketplace platforms specifically serving small businesses or independent providers.

• Experience optimizing conversion funnels, onboarding, and retention strategies for small business users.

• Prior player-coach or team-lead role experience with clear examples of successes and learnings.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on "AI-First Design" and specific AI tools (Claude, Figma AI, Cursor, v0) signifies a forward-looking requirement. Candidates should be prepared to discuss how they've integrated or plan to integrate AI into their design processes, aligning with the growing trend of AI in operations and product development. The "Bonus" qualifications related to conversion optimization and player-coach roles highlight a need for strategic thinking beyond pure design execution.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A strong portfolio demonstrating UX thinking, interaction design, visual craft, and problem-solving across complex user flows, particularly within marketplace contexts.

• Showcase examples of end-to-end design ownership, from initial concept and research to final shipped product.

Process Documentation:

• Demonstrate a clear understanding of design process methodologies, including user research, wireframing, prototyping, usability testing, and iteration.

• Provide examples of how you have translated two-sided marketplace dynamics and business requirements into intuitive user experiences.

• Showcase experience in establishing and maintaining design systems or component catalogs (e.g., using Storybook) for scalability and consistency.

• Illustrate experience in leading design initiatives within agile development cycles.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a Lead Product Designer role, the portfolio is critical. It should not only display aesthetic and UX skills but also evidence of leadership, strategic thinking, and the ability to drive process improvements, especially related to AI integration and marketplace dynamics. Candidates should highlight their role in process definition and optimization.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $125,000 - $155,000 base salary per year, plus bonus.

Benefits:

• Comprehensive Health, Vision, and Dental Insurance.

• Long & Short-Term Disability Insurance.

• Life Insurance.

• 401k with company match.

• Pet Care discounts.

• Flexible Time Off (PTO).

• Parental Leaves.

• Opportunities for career growth and development within a scaling startup.

• A stable funding environment with a startup mentality.

Working Hours: Standard full-time hours are expected, likely around 40 hours per week. Given the remote nature and startup environment, flexibility may be present, but consistent availability for team collaboration and key deliverables is crucial.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range is competitive for a Lead Product Designer role with management responsibilities in a remote Texas setting. The inclusion of a bonus indicates performance-based incentives, common in growth-oriented companies. The benefits package is robust and typical for a full-time position in the tech industry.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Pet Care Technology / Two-Sided Marketplace. Yourgi operates within the rapidly growing pet services industry, leveraging technology to connect pet parents with a network of certified professionals, pet resorts, and veterinary centers. The market is characterized by high emotional engagement from consumers and a diverse range of service providers seeking to optimize their business operations.

Company Size: Startup poised for nationwide scale, with stable funding. This indicates a dynamic environment with potential for rapid growth, offering opportunities for significant impact and career advancement. It also implies a need for adaptability and a proactive approach to process development.

Founded: The founding date is not explicitly provided, but the description suggests a company that has moved beyond its initial stages and is in a growth phase, aiming for national expansion.

Team Structure:

• The design team consists of one full-time designer and two contractors, reporting to the Lead Product Designer.

• The Lead Product Designer reports to the Vice President of Product, UX Design, and Data.

• This structure implies a collaborative environment where designers work closely with product management and engineering.

Methodology:

• Data-Driven Design: Design decisions are grounded in user research, usability testing, and potentially product analytics.

• Agile Development: Work is conducted within cross-functional, agile teams, emphasizing iterative development and rapid feedback loops.

• AI Integration: A strategic focus on adopting AI tools to augment the design process, improve efficiency, and explore new design possibilities.

• Component-Based Design: Emphasis on building and maintaining a robust component catalog (Storybook) to ensure design consistency and scalability.

Company Website: https://www.yourgipet.com/ (Note: The provided URL was to a Workday job board, so a general company website search is assumed).

📝 Enhancement Note: The company's mission-driven focus on pet care and its "low-ego environment" suggest a culture that values collaboration, impact, and a shared passion for the product. The emphasis on scaling and AI integration points to a forward-thinking and ambitious operational approach.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is a senior individual contributor with direct people management responsibilities (Lead/Manager level). It sits at the intersection of product design, team leadership, and strategic technology adoption (AI). The scope includes both hands-on design work and guiding a team and product direction.

Reporting Structure: Reports directly to the VP of Product, UX Design, and Data. This provides visibility to senior leadership and an opportunity to influence product strategy at a high level. The role also manages direct reports, establishing a leadership track.

Operations Impact: The Lead Product Designer will have a significant impact on the user experience of both pet parents and service providers, directly influencing customer acquisition, retention, satisfaction, and the overall success of Yourgi's two-sided marketplace. By driving the adoption of AI in design, this role also impacts the operational efficiency and innovation capabilities of the design function and, by extension, the broader product development process.

Growth Opportunities:

• Leadership Development: Opportunities to hone management skills, lead larger teams as the company scales, and potentially move into Director-level roles.

• AI Design Specialization: Become a leader in AI-driven design practices, a highly sought-after skill set in the evolving tech landscape.

• Product Strategy Influence: Contribute significantly to the product roadmap and strategic direction of Yourgi, potentially leading to broader product management responsibilities.

• Industry Expertise: Deepen expertise in the pet care industry and two-sided marketplaces, becoming a subject matter expert.

• Startup Growth: Experience the rapid scaling of a funded startup, offering diverse challenges and learning opportunities across different operational facets.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role offers a unique blend of individual contributor excellence and people management, with a forward-looking emphasis on AI. Career progression could lead to Head of Design, VP of Product, or specialized roles in AI/ML product integration.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Fully Remote. This offers maximum flexibility and autonomy for the employee, allowing them to work from any location within Texas.

Office Location(s): Remote within Texas, United States. This implies that while the role is remote, candidates must reside in or be willing to relocate to Texas to comply with employment regulations and potential team synchronization needs.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Environment: Despite being remote, the role emphasizes collaboration through virtual tools (Figma, FigJam, Loom, etc.) and regular team rituals. Expect frequent video calls and digital whiteboarding sessions.

• Tools & Technology: Access to a modern tech stack including Figma for design, Storybook for component management, and various AI tools for design augmentation. This supports efficient and cutting-edge design workflows.

• Team Interaction: Regular 1:1s with direct reports, design critiques, and cross-functional meetings with product and engineering will be key to daily interaction.

Work Schedule: While the role is full-time (approx. 40 hours/week), the remote nature typically offers flexibility in structuring the workday. However, core working hours will likely be expected for team synchronization, meetings, and collaboration, especially considering potential time zone overlaps within Texas (primarily Central Time).

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Remote Texas" designation is specific. Candidates should understand if this implies needing to be in Texas, or if it's a broader designation for a remote role targeting individuals previously associated with Texas. The emphasis on digital collaboration tools is paramount for success in this remote setting.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A recruiter or hiring manager will likely review applications and portfolios for initial fit.

• Portfolio Review & Design Challenge: Candidates will be asked to present their portfolio, showcasing relevant work and discussing their design process. A specific design challenge or case study related to marketplace dynamics or AI integration may be assigned.

• Team Interviews: Interviews with product managers, engineers, and potentially other designers to assess collaboration skills, technical understanding, and cultural fit.

• Leadership Interview: Meeting with the VP of Product, UX Design, and Data to discuss strategic vision, leadership approach, and alignment with company goals.

• Final Round/Offer: Potentially a final discussion with senior leadership or HR to finalize terms.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Showcase Leadership: Highlight instances where you've led design initiatives, mentored junior designers, or influenced product direction.

• Marketplace Expertise: Feature projects demonstrating your understanding of two-sided marketplaces, including user segmentation, growth loops, and transaction flows.

• AI Integration: If possible, include projects or discuss your approach to using AI in design, even if it's experimental. Explain your thought process and potential impact.

• Process & Rationale: Clearly articulate your design process for each project, explaining the "why" behind your decisions and how you addressed challenges.

• Quantifiable Impact: Whenever possible, present metrics or outcomes that demonstrate the success of your designs (e.g., increased conversion, improved user satisfaction, reduced task completion time).

• Visual Craft & UX Thinking: Ensure a strong balance between compelling visual design and robust UX problem-solving.

Challenge Preparation:

• Marketplace Scenarios: Prepare to discuss how you would design for specific scenarios in a pet care marketplace (e.g., improving discovery for pet parents, optimizing booking for service providers, handling disputes).

• AI Design Application: Be ready to brainstorm how AI could be used to solve specific design problems or improve existing features within Yourgi's platform.

• Team Management Scenarios: Prepare to answer questions about managing designers, resolving conflicts, providing feedback, and fostering team growth.

• Company Research: Understand Yourgi's business model, target audience, and competitive landscape.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process emphasizes both design craft and leadership. Candidates should prepare to discuss their experience with AI tools and their vision for AI in design, as this is a key differentiator for this role. A strong portfolio with marketplace examples is non-negotiable.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Figma: The core design and prototyping tool for UI, UX, and collaboration. Proficiency is essential.

• FigJam: For collaborative whiteboarding, brainstorming, and ideation sessions.

• Storybook (and mobile equivalents): To manage and document the component library, serving as the source of truth for design elements.

• AI Design Tools: Claude, Figma AI, Cursor, v0, and similar tools are expected to be part of the daily workflow for drafting components, accelerating exploration, and potentially generating code snippets.

Analytics & Reporting:

• User Interviews / Lookback: For conducting user interviews and usability testing.

• Marvin: Likely a project management or task tracking tool.

• Confluence: For documentation, knowledge sharing, and project planning.

• Access to product analytics tools (e.g., Amplitude, Mixpanel, Google Analytics) will be crucial for understanding user behavior and measuring design impact, though not explicitly listed as required tools for the designer.

CRM & Automation: While not directly a design tool, understanding how design integrates with CRM and automation platforms is beneficial for a holistic product view. This would typically involve collaboration with operations or engineering teams.

📝 Enhancement Note: The explicit mention of AI tools like Claude, Figma AI, Cursor, and v0 is a strong indicator of the company's commitment to leveraging AI in its design and development processes. Candidates must be comfortable and ideally enthusiastic about integrating these tools into their daily work.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Mission-Driven: A strong commitment to improving the lives of pets and their caregivers, fostering a sense of purpose in the work.

• Low-Ego Environment: Emphasis on collaboration, open communication, and a focus on collective success over individual recognition.

• Design at the Table: Design is valued and has a significant voice in product strategy and decision-making.

• Bias for Action: Encourages rapid iteration, quick experimentation, and a proactive approach to problem-solving.

• User-Centricity: Design decisions are grounded in user needs and evidence gathered through research.

• Innovation & Future-Forward: Embracing new technologies like AI to drive design forward and maintain a competitive edge.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-Functional Integration: Close collaboration with Product Management and Engineering to ensure cohesive product development.

• Remote-First Communication: Reliance on digital tools and clear, asynchronous communication methods to bridge geographical distances.

• Design Critiques & Feedback: Regular opportunities for constructive feedback and peer review within the design team and with cross-functional partners.

• Knowledge Sharing: Encouragement of sharing best practices, learnings, and new techniques (especially regarding AI) within the team.

📝 Enhancement Note: The culture appears to be a blend of a mission-driven startup with a strong emphasis on collaboration and innovation. The "low-ego" aspect suggests a healthy environment for constructive feedback and teamwork.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing User Needs and Business Goals: Effectively designing for both pet parents and service providers, who may have competing needs, within a two-sided marketplace.

• Scaling Design Processes: Establishing and refining design processes, systems, and team rituals as the company grows rapidly.

• AI Integration Strategy: Successfully driving the adoption and practical application of AI tools across the design team, ensuring quality and efficiency gains.

• Remote Team Management: Effectively leading and motivating a distributed design team, fostering strong communication and a sense of cohesion.

• Rapid Iteration: Operating in a fast-paced startup environment requires adaptability and the ability to iterate quickly while maintaining high design standards.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• AI Design Leadership: Opportunity to become a recognized expert in AI-driven product design, shaping industry best practices.

• Marketplace Growth Strategies: Deepen expertise in designing for marketplace dynamics, conversion optimization, and user retention.

• Product Strategy: Gain significant experience in influencing product roadmaps and contributing to the strategic direction of a growing company.

• Management Skills: Develop and refine leadership capabilities through direct management and mentorship.

• Industry Immersion: Gain in-depth knowledge of the pet care industry and its technology landscape.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges presented are typical for a senior role in a scaling startup, particularly one focused on integrating new technologies like AI. The growth opportunities are substantial for individuals looking to advance their careers in design leadership and innovation.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe your approach to designing for a two-sided marketplace. How do you balance the needs of both user groups?" (Prepare specific examples from your portfolio).

• "How would you lead the transition of a design team towards an AI-first workflow? What are the key considerations and potential hurdles?" (Discuss your vision for AI in design).

• "Walk us through a complex design problem you solved from start to finish. What was your process, what challenges did you face, and what was the outcome?" (Focus on a marketplace or AI-related project if possible).

Company & Culture Questions:

• "Why are you interested in Yourgi and our mission to connect pet parents with care providers?" (Research the company's values and mission).

• "What does a 'low-ego environment' mean to you, and how do you contribute to such a culture?" (Discuss your collaboration and feedback style).

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure Your Narrative: Organize your portfolio around key projects, clearly outlining the problem, your role, your process, the solution, and the impact.

• Highlight Leadership & Strategy: Emphasize your contributions to strategy, team leadership, and process improvements, not just individual design tasks.

• Showcase Marketplace Acumen: Use specific examples that demonstrate your understanding of marketplace dynamics and how your designs facilitated growth or improved user experiences for both sides.

• Discuss AI Integration: If you have relevant experience, dedicate time to explaining how you've used or would use AI tools to enhance design outcomes.

• Interactive Elements: Be prepared to walk through interactive prototypes in Figma or discuss your design decisions in detail. Be ready for follow-up questions on your rationale.

• Conciseness: Respect the interviewer's time; focus on the most impactful projects and key learnings.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interviewers will be looking for a candidate who is not only a strong designer but also a capable leader and an early adopter of new technologies like AI. Demonstrating strategic thinking and a clear understanding of marketplace mechanics will be crucial.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Lead Product Designer position:

• Submit your application through the provided Workday link: https://destinationpet.wd5.myworkdayjobs.com/Yourgi/job/Remote-Texas/Yourgi-Lead-Product-Designer_JR107538-1

• Curate Your Portfolio: Select 2-3 of your most relevant projects that showcase your experience in marketplaces, leadership, and ideally, any exposure to AI-driven design or process optimization. Ensure each case study clearly articulates the problem, your approach, your specific contributions, and measurable outcomes.

• Optimize Your Resume: Tailor your resume to highlight keywords from the job description, such as "Lead Product Designer," "UX/UI," "Two-Sided Marketplace," "Team Management," "AI-First Design," "Figma," and "Agile." Quantify achievements wherever possible.

• Prepare Your Presentation: Practice presenting your portfolio, focusing on clear storytelling, articulating your design rationale, and demonstrating your leadership capabilities. Be ready to discuss your vision for AI in design.

• Research Yourgi: Understand the company's mission, target audience, business model, and recent developments. Prepare thoughtful questions about the product, team, and company culture.

⚠️ 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.