Lead Product Designer (UX/UI) — Hybrid SF

Whipsaw Inc; San Francisco (CA); Hybrid; USD 145,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

Whipsaw is seeking a Lead Product Designer (UX/UI), Contractor to shape the next generation of digital product experiences. This senior role combines strong UX instincts with visual design, mentoring, and strategic partnership in a hybrid San Francisco setting.

You will lead design from research to launch, collaborate with multi-disciplinary teams, and present bold concepts to clients. The position emphasizes end-to-end design, prototyping, and producing production-ready assets.

Qualifications

• 7+ years of experience in UX/UI, product design, or interaction design.
• Strong command of UX best practices, research methods, interaction models, and visual design principles.
• Proven ability to create thoughtful user flows, wireframes, prototypes, and production-ready assets.
• Deep understanding of how digital products are built (web and mobile) and ability to advise on feasibility and tradeoffs.
• Experience ideating and defining new features, services, or interaction models in emerging digital contexts.
• Confidence presenting to executives and clients, with storytelling and communication skills.
• Collaborative spirit with the ability to lead teams, mentor others, and energize the studio through example.
• Proficiency with modern design tools (Figma required; prototyping tools a plus).
• Current documentation to work in the United States.
• Bonus: Experience in agency/consulting or digital-physical hybrid experiences.

Responsibilities

• Lead by example: drive projects from research to launch, delivering flows, prototypes, and high-fidelity assets.
• Invent what’s next: ideate new features, services, and interaction models.
• Turn insight into action: distill research findings into design directions.
• Craft with precision: create pixel-perfect UI, systems, and prototypes.
• Elevate the team: mentor designers and provide sharp critique.
• Collaborate across disciplines: partner with strategists, engineers, and industrial designers.
• Pitch and present: present bold ideas and sharp design work to clients.

Skills

UX/UI

Mentorship

Executive communication

Team leadership

Design strategy

Tools

Figma

Prototyping tools

Job description

Whipsaw is seeking a Lead Product Designer (UX/UI), Contractor to shape the next generation of digital product experiences. This senior role combines strong UX instincts with visual design, mentoring, and strategic partnership in a hybrid San Francisco setting.

You will lead design from research to launch, collaborate with multi-disciplinary teams, and present bold concepts to clients. The position emphasizes end-to-end design, prototyping, and producing production-ready assets.