Product Designer III

Northwestern Mutual Investment Services, LLC; New York, Northern (NY, KY); On-site; USD 113,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

Northwestern Mutual is seeking a Product Designer III to deliver thoughtful, user-centered product experiences from exploration to delivery in New York. You’ll partner with Product, Engineering, Research, and other teams, translating user, business, and technical needs into intuitive workflows and interfaces.

You will leverage design systems and AI-assisted approaches to improve design processes, while balancing near-term needs with long-term opportunities.

Qualifications

• Demonstrated experience delivering complex digital product experiences in partnership with Product and Engineering.
• Strong product thinking and ability to balance user needs, business goals, and technical constraints.
• Strong interaction and visual design skills for complex workflows.
• Experience applying user-centered design methods and research insights throughout the design process.
• Ability to take ownership of work and progress with minimal direction.

Responsibilities

• Own product design work from problem framing and exploration through validation, delivery, and iteration.
• Translate complex user, business, and technical needs into clear workflows, information architecture, interactions, and product experiences.
• Connect design decisions to broader user and business goals and make thoughtful tradeoffs.
• Use Figma and prototyping tools to explore ideas and create high-quality product experiences.
• Use qualitative and quantitative insights to understand user needs and inform design decisions.
• Partner with Product, Engineering, Research, and business teams to frame problems and build alignment.
• Proactively seek context, identify gaps and opportunities, and move work forward in ambiguity.
• Apply design systems, accessibility standards, and UX best practices while contributing new ideas.
• Explore emerging tools and approaches, including AI-assisted design and prototyping.
• Contribute to design critique and the team’s overall quality.

Skills

Product Design

Strategic Thinking

Cross-Functional Partnering

Analytical Thinking

Learning Agility

Customer Centricity

User-Centered Design

Job description

Summary:

The Product Designer III delivers thoughtful, user-centered product experiences through an iterative, evidence-based design process. This role works on complex product problems from early exploration through delivery, translating user, business, and technical needs into clear, intuitive experiences.

We’re looking for a strategically minded, hands‑on designer who is comfortable working through ambiguity, takes initiative, and partners effectively with Product, Engineering, Research, and other cross‑functional partners.

What You'll Do:

• Own product design work from problem framing and exploration through validation, delivery, and iteration.
• Translate complex user, business, and technical needs into clear workflows, information architecture, interactions, and product experiences.
• Connect design decisions to broader user and business goals and make thoughtful tradeoffs between near‑term needs and longer‑term opportunities.
• Use Figma and prototyping tools to explore ideas, communicate intent, and create high‑quality product experiences.
• Use qualitative and quantitative insights to understand user needs and inform design decisions.
• Partner closely with Product, Engineering, Research, and business partners to frame problems, evaluate options, and build alignment.
• Proactively seek context, identify gaps and opportunities, and move work forward in ambiguous environments.
• Apply design systems, accessibility standards, and UX best practices while contributing thoughtful new ideas.
• Explore emerging tools and approaches, including AI‑assisted design and prototyping, that can improve how products are designed and delivered.
• Contribute to design critique, shared practices, and the overall quality of the team’s work.

What You'll Bring to the Role:

• Demonstrated experience delivering complex digital product experiences in partnership with Product and Engineering.
• Strong product thinking and ability to balance user needs, business goals, and technical constraints.
• Strong interaction and visual design skills, particularly for complex workflows and information.
• Experience applying user‑centered design methods and research insights throughout the design process.
• Ability to take ownership of work and make progress without highly prescriptive direction.
• Strong communication and cross‑functional collaboration and alignment skills.
• Strong proficiency with Figma and contemporary design and prototyping tools.
• Curiosity and willingness to experiment with new tools and ways of working.
• Portfolio demonstrating product thinking, design craft, process, and outcomes.

Helpful, but not required:

• Experience with enterprise, financial‑services, CRM, workflow, or other complex products.
• Experience working in regulated or operationally complex environments.
• Familiarity with front‑end technologies or functional prototyping.
• Experience with AI‑assisted design, prototyping, or development workflows.

Skills You Have:

Product Design (NM): Applies an end-to-end design process to create effective product experiences, including concept development, prototyping, testing, and system design. Identifies and addresses risks to ensure solutions meet user needs and business goals.

Strategic Thinking (NM): Uses critical thinking and an understanding of business needs to plan, prioritize, and deliver high‑impact design initiatives.

Cross-Functional Partnering & Planning (NM): Collaborates with partners across product, engineering, research, and other business areas to coordinate work, solve problems, and achieve shared goals.

Analytical Thinking (NM): Organizes and evaluates information to identify key issues, consider different perspectives, and make informed design decisions.

Learning Agility & Critical Thinking (NM): Continuously builds knowledge of relevant design methods, tools, and trends. Uses feedback, lessons learned, and critical thinking to adapt approaches and improve outcomes.

Customer Centricity (NM): Applies a customer‑first mindset when designing and improving products, services, and experiences while supporting business priorities and outcomes.

User-Centered Design Process (NM): Designs products, services, and experiences around the needs, preferences, and behaviors of the end user.

Compensation Range:

Pay Range - Start:

$113,040.00

Pay Range - End:

$169,560.00

Geographic Specific Pay Structure:

Structure 110:

$108,160.00 USD - $162,240.00 USD

Structure 115:

$113,040.00 USD - $169,560.00 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.

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.

Skills

User Analysis (NM), Cross Functional Partnering & Planning (NM), End-User Advocacy (NM), Usability Heuristics (NM), User-Centered Design Process (NM), Customer Centricity (NM), Coaching & Mentoring (NM), User Interface Design (NM), Continuous Improvement (NM), Analytical Thinking (NM), Inclusive Design (NM), Information Architecture (NM), Strategic Thinking (NM), Attention to Detail (NM), Adaptive Communication (NM), Product Design (NM), Creating Mockups (NM), Governance (NM), Teamwork (NM)