Jobs · Art & Creative

Product Designer

Defense Unicorns · United States · 2 mo ago
RemoteRemoteArt & Creative$147k–$193k/yrFull-time

About the role

The Product Designer will shape mobile and tablet experiences for operators managing Kubernetes infrastructure in high-stakes environments, from submarines to forward operating bases to tactical vehicles. This role requires expertise in designing mission-critical interfaces that work seamlessly across device types and form factors, serving users ranging from non-technical mission operators to field technicians.

Responsibilities

  • Collaborate with cross-functional teams to conceptualize and execute high-fidelity prototypes for mobile and tablet interfaces, translating concepts into user-friendly designs that align with our brand and business objectives.
  • Conduct comprehensive UX research and testing methodologies to gather user feedback, identify pain points, and iterate on UI design solutions for optimal user satisfaction on mobile, tablet, and desktop.
  • Help define early product concepts, flesh out the high-level workflow and micro-interactions of a feature, and execute on an effective visual design for mobile and tablet applications.
  • Cultivate empathy for end-users across product teams & stakeholders by creating and maintaining user personas for mission operators.
  • Collaborate with developers to design and build data-centered tools with intuitive mobile and tablet interfaces that improve operator and user experience.
  • Create, collaborate, and iterate on user flows, user personas, user roles, user journeys, and other UXI design artifacts.
  • Plan iterative UI design improvements that improve the mission user experience.
  • Document UI solutions and contribute to the team's shared component library.
  • Work closely with other product teams and designers to ensure seamless cross-product integration with all other UDS platform tools.
  • Develop a deep understanding of disconnected operations, classification boundaries, and DoD operational constraints.

Required Experience and Qualifications

  • Portfolio requirement: Must demonstrate proven experience designing mobile and tablet versions of enterprise software with clear examples of:
  • - Web-to-tablet responsive design with specific UX/UI decisions clearly articulated
  • - Complex workflows adapted for smaller screens while maintaining functionality
  • - Adaptive layouts that work across different device sizes and orientations
  • - Information architecture optimized for mobile contexts

Core Design Capabilities

  • 3-5 years of product design experience with at least 1-2 years designing enterprise mobile/tablet applications
  • Strong domain knowledge of both Android (Material Design) and iOS (HIG) design patterns — demonstrated understanding of platform conventions and when to diverge
  • Solid proficiency across system design, UX/interaction design, and visual design
  • Proficiency in Figma — component libraries, auto-layout, variables, responsive design techniques, and developer handoff
  • Understanding of accessibility fundamentals (WCAG 2.1 AA minimum) with specific attention to mobile contexts: contrast for outdoor viewing, touch target sizing, one-handed operation
  • Ability to explore different solutions, identify trade-offs, and articulate a strong rationale for design decisions
  • Experience facilitating design critiques, user testing sessions, and stakeholder reviews

Mobile & Responsive Design Expertise

  • Proven experience designing mobile and tablet versions of enterprise software — you've solved the challenges of translating complex workflows to smaller screens
  • Experience with adaptive layouts across phones, tablets, and foldables
  • Understanding of responsive design principles and breakpoint strategies
  • Knowledge of mobile-specific interaction patterns: swipe gestures, pull-to-refresh, bottom sheets, floating action buttons
  • Experience designing for offline-first or disconnected scenarios

Technical & Domain Knowledge

  • Familiarity with Tailwind CSS utility-first approach and constraints — enough to have informed conversations with engineers about feasibility and implementation
  • Understanding of progressive web apps (PWAs) or hybrid mobile development approaches
  • Basic understanding of Kubernetes concepts or willingness to learn (containers, clusters, pods, deployments)
  • Understanding of how operators interact with infrastructure management tools in field environments

Work Style & Communication

  • Excellent visual and verbal communication skills with the ability to articulate design decisions to both technical and non-technical audiences
  • Proven ability to work autonomously, know when to ask for help, and actively resolve dependencies
  • Strong facilitation skills for design workshops, user research sessions, and alignment meetings
  • Comfort working in ambiguous problem spaces and turning vague requirements into concrete designs
  • Experience working fully remote with distributed teams across time zones

Preferred Qualifications

  • Deep experience with iOS (HIG) and Android (Material Design) conventions, including when and why to diverge from platform standards
  • Ability to design meaningful animations and transitions that enhance usability for task-focused users
  • Prior experience with operator interfaces, command-and-control systems, field tools, or mission-critical software
  • Experience building or contributing to multi-platform design systems that span web, iOS, and Android
  • Prior work conducting research with pilots, operators, field workers, technicians, or other expert user groups
  • Previous experience designing for government, military, or highly regulated industries (helpful but not required — the right mindset to learning is what matters most)
  • Understanding of DoD classification levels, disconnected operations, or air-gapped environments
  • Experience designing for rugged devices or harsh environmental conditions
  • Strong understanding of one-handed mobile UI patterns and ergonomic considerations
  • Experience with dark mode design and high-contrast themes for outdoor visibility
  • Experience leveraging AI tools for accelerating UX processes without sacrificing quality
  • Knowledge of device management systems (MDM/EMM) or enterprise mobility management

Benefits

  • Health: Medical/Dental/Vision, Premiums are 100% Company Paid, Health Savings Account, Life Insurance, Disability Insurance
  • Financial: 401k Retirement Plan, Company Stock Options, Home Office Budget
  • Leave: Flexible Time Off (FTO) plus all Federal Holidays, one week for Thanksgiving, and two weeks for Christmas and New Year’s, Paid Parental Leave
  • Learning: Reimbursement for approved trainings/subscriptions, Conferences (travel, lodging, and fees)

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