Principal Product Designer

Serko Ltd · United States (Remote) · Full-time · Posted 2026-08-03

Workplace: remote

Department: Technology - Serko.ai

Description

Why this role exists

Travel is personal, even when it's for work. Somewhere along the way, it started to feel transactional. Optimized for cost, bound by rules, and when things go wrong, you're on your own. Serko.ai is built to change that. It's an AI travel assistant that remembers how you like to travel, lets you change your mind without penalty, and proactively monitors for disruptions so you can travel with confidence. It's a new type of travel product that accounts for your life, not just your itinerary. We've built the beta. Now we need you to come build the rest with us.

Who should apply

You've done 0-to-1 before and you want to do it again. You want autonomy and have the ambition to own a major scope end to end, from strategy to execution. You're comfortable with ambiguity and you're drawn to problems that don't have established patterns yet. You have the taste to know when something is right, not just done. You want the speed of a startup with the stability of an established company behind you. And you measure design by outcomes, not output.

What you'll own

The traveller experience, end to end. You'll shape what an agentic travel product feels like. Nobody has settled that yet. This is a hands-on IC role. You'll design and ship the work yourself, set the craft bar by example, and drive outcomes directly. Today Serko.ai is in closed beta on desktop web; you'll build onto that foundation, bring it to native mobile, and help us dream big as we scale.

Requirements

What you'll do

Strategy & Direction

Own the UX Strategy: Define the end-to-end traveller journey, tying design decisions directly to business outcomes and product vision.
Influence at the Table: Partner cross-functionally with Product, Engineering, and Data to drive high-impact decisions in ambiguous space.

Design & Craft Excellence

Build End-to-End: Lead discovery through delivery to ship world-class UI, UX, and CX across web and mobile.
Scale the System: Define and govern reusable components, design systems, and accessibility standards to maintain quality at scale.
Guard Execution: Collaborate with engineering to bridge design intent and implementation, maintaining an uncompromised quality bar.

AI & Future-Facing UX

Design Intelligent Workflows: Build intuitive AI-augmented experiences—including agentic flows, conversational interfaces, and personalization.
Drive Trust & Legibility: Make complex AI interactions feel natural, transparent, and effortlessly intuitive for users.
Supercharge Productivity: Leverage modern AI tools to accelerate your own workflow from rapid prototyping to pattern generation.

Leadership & Ownership

Operate with Autonomy: Take full accountability for the traveller experience with high trust and minimal oversight.
Elevate the Team: Raise the collective craft through constructive critique, capability building, and mentorship as the team grows.

What you'll bring

Strategic and systems-level. Proven ability to shape product direction, influence roadmap decisions, and align multi-disciplinary stakeholders around a coherent customer vision.
End-to-end craft. A strong portfolio of complex digital products shipped end to end across UX, UI, and CX, with deep design-systems experience.
AI-native instincts. Track record designing AI-powered or data-driven products (conversational interfaces, personalisation, recommendation systems, or agentic experiences) with a feel for making intelligent systems transparent and trustworthy.
Expert tooling. Fluency in Figma and the modern toolchain, UX research, interaction design, information architecture, and accessibility (WCAG), with comfort using data to validate decisions.
AI-forward practice. You actively build AI tools into your own workflow and collaborate closely with engineers to hold design integrity through delivery.

Benefits

At Serko, we aim to create a place where people can come and do their best work. This means you’ll be operating in an environment with great tools and support to enable you to perform at the highest level of your abilities, producing high-quality and delivering innovative and efficient results. Our people are fully engaged, continuously improving, and encouraged to make an impact.

Some of the benefits of working at Serko are:

A competitive base pay
Medical Benefits
Discretionary incentive plan based on individual and company performance
Focus on development: Access to a learning & development platform and opportunity for you to own your career pathways
Flexible work policy
The pay range is between $200,000 - $260,000 USD as a base salary offering annually along with a short term incentive bonus scheme driven by performance.

Apply

Apply at Serko Ltd

About the company

Serko provides business travel management software that lets companies of any size book and manage traveler itineraries. Its platforms GetThere, Zeno, and Booking.com for Business let travelers shop and book flights, hotels, and ground transport from millions of options, and include tools to start trips online and stay online through changes and disruptions. The service targets organizations who want to control travel policies, approvals, and expenses while helping travelers find and book options quickly. Serko differentiates itself by offering multiple brands and platforms under one umbrella, serving mid-market to large enterprises across multiple regions (NZ, US, India, China, Australia) and supporting a global traveler program. The company aims to simplify business travel and make it easier for teams to coordinate trips and adapt to changes.

Company Size

201-500

Company Stage

IPO

Headquarters

Auckland, New Zealand

Founded

1994

Get referred to Serko

See people who can refer or advise you

Simplify's Take

What believers are saying

FY26 total income rose 34%, with 4.3 million completed room nights.
GetThere added $16.1 million revenue and strengthened US market presence.
Serko House and Bengaluru expansion support hiring, partnerships, and product velocity.

What critics are saying

Shane Sampson exits March 2027, risking finance continuity during FY27 expansion.
Booking.com for Business and Navan squeeze pricing and enterprise share.
Serko.ai open beta slips, and US customers defect before monetization.

What makes Serko unique

Booking.com for Business runs on Serko’s Zeno platform, giving massive distribution.
Serko.ai launched closed beta in May 2026, targeting agentic business travel.
FY26 income reached $120.9 million, proving scale beyond a niche software vendor.

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Benefits

Health Insurance
Life Insurance
Flexible Work Hours
Remote Work Options
Hybrid Work Options

Company News

ShareChat

Sep 25th, 2026

SKO - Serko announces CFO transition.

SKO - Serko announces CFO transition. Serko Limited (NZX/ASX: SKO) today announces that Chief Financial Officer Shane Sampson will step down from the role after more than five years, departing Serko in March 2027. Mr Sampson will continue as CFO for an extended notice period of six months, as part of an orderly transition and to support the delivery of Serko's FY27 financial reporting. A comprehensive search to appoint a new CFO has commenced. Since joining Serko in October 2021, Mr Sampson has transformed the finance and capital management function, leaving Serko in outstanding shape to deliver its next phase of growth. Serko Chief Executive Officer and co-founder Darrin Grafton said: "Shane has been instrumental in delivering increased financial rigour and capability and has played a critical role in reshaping the business and its direction. Sharechat is seeing strong momentum as Sharechat execute on its US-focused strategy and are well positioned for the future. I thank Shane for his leadership and for his significant contribution to Serko. "We will be searching for a successor who will build on this foundation and support the business to deliver its strategic initiatives and global growth." Serko Chief Financial Officer Shane Sampson said: "I leave Serko with confidence in the business, its leadership and where it's headed. After five years with Serko, and with the business entering a new phase, I believe this is the right time to make this transition. "I'm proud of what our finance and legal teams have achieved together, and the depth of the capability across Serko. I remain fully committed to the business through to the end of the financial year and to ensuring a smooth transition."

Idealog

Sep 18th, 2026

Serko House: a new hub for technology and innovation.

Serko House: a new hub for technology and innovation. Global travel technology company Serko has launched its new headquarters in central Auckland, aptly named Serko House. Located at 125 The Strand in Parnell, the building was formerly home to creative agency Saatchi & Saatchi New Zealand for 35 years. Serko's new home will be more than just an office - they've designed it as a space that creates support and connection for innovators across Aotearoa, says Serko CEO and co-founder Darrin Grafton. Here they host meetings and events, all of which help bring together early-stage startups, scale-ups, ecosystem partners and advocates. As such, the travel tech company celebrated the opening of Serko House with a party on September 10, hosted together with startup community Caffeine Daily. Every element of the party showcased Kiwi startups. New music app Lume provided the entertainment, with Leeroy and Isla Noon performing, while The Kitchen Project graduates and students served food from their own businesses, Chackal and Nusa Culinary. Connect, collaborate and thrive. Having built a global business from Aotearoa, Serko wants to give back to New Zealand's tech sector and support the next generation of entrepreneurs. Grafton says: "Every company starts somewhere. Myself and Bob [Shaw], we started on a kitchen bench in a mouldy underground flat." From that humble beginning, Serko went on to become a pioneer in online travel. "Serko's technology powers some of the biggest brands in the world like Booking.com. And today we're building one of the first AI agentic travel technology platforms in the world. How cool is that?" says Grafton. "When we thought about Serko House, I didn't want us to just create another corporate headquarters. I wanted to create something that brings people together." Through its partnership with Caffeine Daily, Serko's new office will "maintain an open-door policy for events across the broader tech ecosystem," Grafton adds. While anchored in technology, the space also serves as a gathering point for the wider innovation community. "We regularly host workshops and events designed to bring the community together to learn, network and support one another - including a recent session hosted at Serko House for Caffeine's 'Customer Success Week'," says Grafton. Here for you. Caffeine Daily founder James Hurman opened the event by saying Serko House is about starting, building and growing companies "around creative, innovative, novel products that are a big part of the future of its economy. "If you look at the compound annual growth rate of dairy exports and compare it with tech exports, we see those lines crossing somewhere in the mid-2030s. So we've got about 10 years before tech becomes New Zealand's number one export," says Hurman. "[Caffeine Daily's] mission is to try and accelerate New Zealand towards becoming very, very good at creating and scaling technology businesses. And the way that we do that is by the Daily Shot." Daily Shot is Caffeine Daily's newsletter, offering insights into the startup ecosystem, sharing event news and connecting people through community meetups. "Whether you're an investor wanting to understand what's happening in this ecosystem better, an operator in a company wanting to learn how to do your job better or an ecosystem partner, we're there for all of you," Hurman adds. Bring Kiwi smarts to the globe. As part of that effort to accelerate Kiwi tech businesses, Serko House will be used for events during festival Techweek. Grafton says: "We're doing global knowledge sharing with companies like Zendesk and others." Around 500 guests attended the event, alongside Auckland mayor Wayne Brown and finance minister Nicola Willis. Before declaring Serko House officially open, Willis praised the company for its success and commitment to New Zealand's tech industry: "Serko had the extraordinary success they have had, connecting millions of travelers around the world with their technology, bringing New Zealand smarts to the globe, that they're now saying, 'How can we share what we have learned and make more of it here at home?' That I think is what it is to be Kiwi, and it is really awesome to see them wanting to make that contribution."

Kalkine New Zealand Limited

Aug 7th, 2026

Why is Serko expanding its global business travel technology platform?

Why is Serko expanding its global business travel technology platform? 07 August 2026 06:38 PM NZST Summarize with AI You are reading a free article with opinions that may differ from the recommendation given by Kalkine in its paid research reports. Become a Kalkine member today to get access to its research reports, in-depth technical and fundamental research. Learn more Highlights * Serko continues developing its digital platform for business travel management. * The company focuses on expanding global partnerships and customer adoption. * Automation and software solutions remain key drivers of future opportunities. Serko Limited (NZX:SKO) continues building its position as a provider of business travel technology solutions, helping organisations manage corporate travel through digital platforms. The company develops software that supports travel booking, expense management and travel policy compliance for businesses globally. Serko's strategy focuses on increasing platform adoption, strengthening partnerships and improving automation across corporate travel processes. The recovery and evolution of business travel markets have created opportunities for technology providers offering efficient digital solutions. Serko continues investing in product development and market expansion while operating in a competitive software environment. Future performance will depend on customer growth, platform utilisation, partnership execution and the company's ability to scale its technology offering internationally. Digital Travel Platform Supports Corporate Market Transformation Serko provides technology solutions designed to simplify business travel management for organisations. Its platform helps companies manage travel bookings, policy compliance and reporting through integrated digital tools. The corporate travel sector has undergone significant changes as businesses seek more efficient ways to manage employee travel requirements. Companies are increasingly adopting technology platforms that provide better visibility, automation and control over travel expenses. Serko's software-based model provides opportunities to build long-term customer relationships as organisations rely on technology platforms for ongoing travel management needs. Expanding usage among existing customers and attracting new businesses remain important growth areas. The company continues focusing on enhancing its platform capabilities and improving the user experience for travellers and corporate administrators. However, the travel technology sector remains competitive, with companies needing to continuously invest in innovation to meet changing customer expectations. Global Partnerships and Software Adoption Shape Outlook Serko's growth strategy includes expanding its presence across international business travel markets through partnerships and technology integration. Collaboration with travel industry participants provides opportunities to increase platform reach and improve customer access. The company's future performance is linked to the continued recovery and development of corporate travel activity, along with increasing demand for digital travel management solutions. Growth in software adoption can support higher platform usage and recurring revenue opportunities. Serko also faces challenges including changes in business travel demand, competition from global technology providers, implementation requirements and ongoing investment needs. Managing costs while expanding internationally remains an important consideration. Going forward, Serko's ability to strengthen its technology platform, grow customer relationships and execute its global expansion strategy will influence its long-term performance. The company remains focused on using automation and digital solutions to address evolving corporate travel requirements. FAQs. Q: what does Serko Limited provide? A:Serko provides digital technology solutions for managing business travel. Q: Who uses Serko's platform? A:Corporates, travel managers and business travellers use Serko's technology solutions. Q: What supports Serko's future growth? A:Platform adoption, global partnerships and increasing demand for travel technology support growth opportunities. Download Free Report - Explore 3 Stock Ideas & Industry Insights Unlock 3 stock ideas and key industry insights in its free report. This information is general in nature and does not consider your personal objectives, financial situation, or needs. It is not financial advice. All investments involve risk - consider independent advice before making any investment decisions. Disclaimer:

NBR

Apr 9th, 2026

Serko's multi-agent AI tool will connect 'fractured' market - CEO.

Serko's multi-agent AI tool will connect 'fractured' market - CEO. Listed business travel booking specialist is seeking to broaden its usefulness as an end-to-end travel companion via its new AI tool. WATCH: Serko CEO Darrin Grafton speaks to Will Mace (C) All content copyright NBR. Do not reproduce in any form without permission, even if you have a paid subscription. The creator of a new artificial intelligence platform for corporate travel says it could be the tool to unite the "fractured" ecosystem of AI travel assistants that is springing up around the world. Business travel booking specialist Serko unveiled an early version of the new tool, called Want to read more? It's easy. Choose your subscription. Smartphone only subscription. NZ$29.95 / monthly. Monthly premium online subscription. NZ$49.95 / monthly. Smartphone only annual subscription. NZ$299.00 / yearly. Yearly premium online subscription. NZ$499.00 / yearly. Individual Group membership NBR Marketplace Student. Exclusive FREE offer for uni students studying at a New Zealand university (valued at $499). News tip? Question? Typo? Let us know: [email protected] (C) All content copyright NBR. Do not reproduce in any form without permission, even if you have a paid subscription. I'm already subscribed/joined Company profile Powered by: Change: 3.9% 09/04/2026, 6:30 pm Previous Close

PhocusWire

Apr 1st, 2025

Ai Drives Cost Savings In Corporate Travel, Despite Implementation Challenges

Artificial intelligence (AI) tools have yielded returns in. corporate travel via cost reductions, process efficiency and traveler. satisfaction, according to survey data from Serko

Serko

Principal Product Designer

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