Product Designer

Role Description: 

Defense Unicorns is seeking a Product Designer for UDS Fleet Management, with a specific focus on our remote deployment tools, designed for disconnected field operations. You'll 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: 

The listed responsibilities are not exhaustive and additional responsibilities may be assigned based on the evolving needs of the organization. We are seeking a dynamic individual who is able to adapt and take on new responsibilities as they arise.

• 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

Travel Expectations: 10-15%

The listed responsibilities are not exhaustive, and additional responsibilities may be assigned based on the evolving needs of the organization. We are seeking a dynamic individual who is able to adapt and take on new responsibilities as they arise.