Product Designer II

About the Job

The Product Designer II contributes to the design of thoughtful, user-centered product experiences through an iterative, evidence-based design process. This role works on product challenges with guidance and partnership from more senior designers, helping translate user, business, and technical needs into intuitive and effective experiences.

We're looking for a collaborative, motivated designer who enjoys solving problems, is eager to learn and grow, and thrives in a team-oriented environment. This individual is curious, adaptable, embraces feedback, and is excited to build their product design expertise while contributing to meaningful experiences.

What You’ll Do

- Contribute to product design efforts from discovery and exploration through delivery and iteration, with support and guidance from senior designers.
- Help translate user, business, and technical requirements into clear workflows, interactions, and product experiences.
- Analyze complex problems and work through design challenges using a structured, user-centered approach.
- Create wireframes, user flows, prototypes, and visual designs that communicate ideas effectively and support product goals.
- Use Figma and other design and prototyping tools to explore concepts and refine solutions.
- Participate in user research activities and leverage qualitative and quantitative insights to inform design decisions.
- Collaborate closely with Business, Product, Engineering, Research, and Design partners to understand problems, gather feedback, and improve solutions.
- Apply design systems, accessibility standards, UX best practices, and established guidelines while contributing fresh ideas and perspectives.
- Demonstrate curiosity and an appetite for learning new tools, technologies, and approaches, including AI-assisted design and prototyping.
- Participate in design critiques, team discussions, and knowledge-sharing activities that contribute to the growth and success of the broader design team.

What You’ll Bring to the Role

- Experience contributing to digital product experiences in collaboration with Business, Product, Engineering, and Design partners.
- Foundational product thinking skills and an understanding of how user needs, business goals, and technical considerations influence design decisions.
- Strong interaction and visual design skills with attention to detail and usability.
- Knowledge of user-centered design principles and experience applying them throughout the design process.
- Ability to work independently on assigned work while seeking guidance when needed.
- Strong collaboration, communication, and relationship-building skills.
- Proficiency with Figma and modern design and prototyping tools.
- A growth mindset with a desire to learn, develop new skills, and continuously improve design craft.
- Willingness to embrace change, adopt new technologies, and explore emerging tools, including AI-enabled workflows and experiences.
- Portfolio demonstrating design thinking, problem-solving, collaboration, and execution.

Helpful, but not required:

- Experience with enterprise, financial services, CRM, workflow, or other business-focused products.
- Experience working within established design systems.
- Familiarity with accessibility standards and best practices.
- Exposure to front-end technologies or functional prototyping.
- Experience or interest in AI-assisted design, research, prototyping, or development workflows.

Skills You Have

- Product Design: Applies user-centered design methods to create intuitive and effective product experiences. Contributes to concept development, prototyping, testing, and implementation activities while continuing to build design expertise.
- Problem Solving: Breaks down complex problems, evaluates options, and helps develop practical solutions that balance user and business needs.
- Cross-Functional Collaboration: Works effectively with Business, Product, Engineering, Research, and Design partners to support shared goals and deliver high-quality outcomes.
- Analytical Thinking: Gathers and evaluates information from multiple sources to inform design decisions and improve user experiences.
- Growth Mindset & Adaptability: Seeks feedback, embraces new challenges, and continuously develops knowledge of design methods, emerging technologies, and industry trends. Demonstrates an appetite for adopting new tools, AI-enabled workflows, and evolving ways of working while remaining effective through change.
- Customer Centricity: Advocates for user needs and applies customer insights throughout the design process to create meaningful experiences.
- User-Centered Design Process: Understands and applies research, information architecture, user flows, wireframing, prototyping, testing, and visual design methods throughout the product development lifecycle.

#LI-Hybrid

Compensation Range:

Pay Range - Start:
$102,800.00

Pay Range - End:
$154,200.00

Geographic Specific Pay Structure:

Structure 110:
$98,320.00 USD - $147,480.00 USD
###

Structure 115:

$102,800.00 USD - $154,200.00 USD

We believe in fairness and transparency. It’s why we share the salary range for most of our roles. However, final salaries are based on a number of factors, including the skills and experience of the candidate; the current market; location of the candidate; and other factors uncovered in the hiring process. The standard pay structure is listed but if you’re living in California, New York City or other eligible location, geographic specific pay structures, compensation and benefits could be applicable, click here to learn more.

Grow your career with a best-in-class company that puts our clients' interests at the center of all we do. Get started now!

Northwestern Mutual is an equal opportunity employer that welcomes talented individuals of all backgrounds. We are committed to creating and maintaining an environment in which each employee can contribute creative ideas, seek challenges, assume leadership and continue to focus on meeting and exceeding business and personal objectives.