Staff Product Designer - Gateway

As a Staff Product Designer at Kong, your main responsibilities include designing exceptional user experiences, leading complex projects from concept to final design, and championing customer needs through user research and data-informed design decisions. You will also collaborate closely with product managers and engineers to ensure alignment and clarity in your design objectives, while mentoring junior team members and promoting best practices within the design team.

To qualify for the Staff Product Designer position at Kong, candidates should have a minimum of 6 years of related experience, particularly in the development of SaaS products. A strong portfolio that showcases expertise in all phases of design, including user research and collaborative design processes, is essential. Additionally, strong communication and storytelling skills, as well as familiarity with shared design systems, are highly valued.

Yes, the Staff Product Designer position at Kong offers North America remote eligibility, allowing candidates from the U.S. and Canada to apply. This flexibility makes it easier for you to balance your professional and personal commitments without compromising your career in design.

At Kong, designing for developers is about understanding their unique needs and creating intuitive experiences. As a Staff Product Designer, you’ll be tasked with studying developer workflows and ensuring that the products you design not only meet functional requirements but are also enjoyable to use. This involves a deep collaboration with engineers and product teams to deliver user-friendly solutions that resonate with our developer audience.

The impact of the Staff Product Designer role at Kong is significant, as you will be responsible for shaping the overall user experience across our products. Your design choices will directly influence customer satisfaction, product usability, and can lead to improvements in key business metrics. By advocating for user needs and leading design initiatives, you’ll play a crucial role in enhancing the cohesion and efficiency of our solutions.

When conducting user research as a Staff Product Designer, I begin by identifying the specific goals of the research. I use a variety of methods, such as interviews, surveys, and usability testing, to gather both qualitative and quantitative insights. Engaging directly with users allows me to deeply understand their needs and pain points, which I then translate into actionable design concepts.

In my previous role, I led a project focused on redesigning a developer portal. By analyzing user feedback and conducting usability testing, I identified several pain points in the navigation and information architecture. Implementing a more intuitive layout and cohesive visual elements, I was able to enhance user satisfaction significantly, demonstrated through improved metrics and lower dropout rates.

I typically use a suite of design tools such as Sketch, Figma, and Adobe XD for wireframing and high-fidelity prototypes. For user testing, I leverage tools like UserTesting and Hotjar to gather feedback efficiently. Additionally, I rely on project management tools like Asana or Trello to keep track of my deliverables and collaboration efforts with cross-functional teams.

Ensuring alignment with product managers and engineers involves early and continuous communication. I schedule regular check-ins and design reviews to solicit feedback and share my progress. I also make it a priority to communicate the rationale behind my design decisions, utilizing customer data and business impact to foster understanding and collaboration among team members.

Being a champion for the customer means prioritizing their needs and experiences in every design decision I make. I strive to gain a deep understanding of their workflows and challenges, using this insight to advocate for improvements in our products that will directly benefit them. I believe in designing with empathy and actively working to ensure our solutions truly resonate with our users.

I view constructive criticism as an opportunity for growth. When I receive feedback, I take the time to listen and understand the perspectives of others. I look for common themes in the critiques to evaluate my design choices critically, adapting and iterating on my designs as necessary while maintaining a focus on user needs.

Storytelling plays a crucial role in my design process as it helps me convey the value of my concepts to both stakeholders and users. I strive to craft a narrative that encapsulates the user journey and highlights the problems being solved through design. This storytelling approach facilitates alignment and garners buy-in from diverse teams.

In my previous position, I had the opportunity to mentor a junior designer who was struggling with the intricacies of user interface design. I organized regular feedback sessions where I provided guidance on best practices, design critiques, and technical skills. This experience not only helped her grow but also reinforced my commitment to fostering a collaborative and supportive team environment.

I would rate my design aesthetic as clean and user-centric. I prioritize clarity and usability in my work, ensuring that aesthetic elements enhance rather than distract from the user experience. I believe that a strong design aesthetic can significantly elevate a product, making it more appealing and easier for users to engage with.

To stay current with design trends and best practices, I actively participate in design communities, attend webinars and conferences, and follow influential designers on various platforms. I also regularly review case studies and design critiques to see how others are approaching challenges. This continuous learning helps me bring fresh ideas and insights into my work.