Product Designer

About this role

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…