Product Designer & Consultant

We’re looking for thoughtful and practical problem solvers who are passionate about finding success for our clients, teams, and end-users through the human-centered design process. Company Since 2001, Atomic Object has designed and developed software products for web, mobile, desktop, and embedded devices. We were founded on the belief that not all software is created equal. Many people can write code, but it takes a close-knit team of passionate people to create exceptional, innovative products that change the way people do business. We’re an employee-owned company with 100+ Atoms based in our Grand Rapids, Ann Arbor, Chicago, and Raleigh offices. Unlike many other technology companies, we have a flat organization. There is no corporate ladder to climb. As a company that values transparency, we practice open-books management. At Atomic, you can stay close to the craft of making software for your entire career without missing out on owning a part of the company and its profits. Job Overview POSITION Atomic makers collaborate in self-managed, cross-functional teams of 2–10, bringing together designers, developers, delivery leads, and testers. They collaborate to create products for our clients, from the idea phase through launch and beyond. Projects typically include new product development, product enhancement or product modernization. Projects typically span 3 to 18 months, so you will have many opportunities to work with different people and tackle new challenges. As a product designer at Atomic, you will guide the product design vision by balancing the needs of end-users, the client’s business goals, and technical constraints. You will operate as both a leader and generalist to pinpoint the needs of a project and execute across the gamut of design demands. On one project, you may plan and conduct user testing, develop wireframe solutions, create a visual design language, and support the development team with detailed design specs. On another project, you may help a client define the problem they're trying to solve through facilitating workshops, discovery sessions, and user research. No matter the project, you need to have a strong design toolkit, and know when to use the right tool. Alongside delivery and technical leads, you will guide the team towards a solution at the intersection of desirable, feasible, and viable. You will work across all project phases, in both strategic and tactical capacities, executing on work from early concepts through implementation. You will work alongside other Atomic designers to constantly push the design practice forward through the use of new AI-driven tools and processes. Additionally, you’ll help broaden the impact of our services by serving as a product design marketer through opportunities like attending and hosting local design meetups and contributing to our shared company blog. Key Responsibilities HUMAN-CENTERED DESIGN PRACTICES Facilitate workshops and activities with clients, developers, and end-users to inform product design. Drive product design via the use of qualitative research and the development of user personas. Synthesize research into key findings and artifacts that bring clarity to the product’s vision, such as user journey maps, workflow diagrams, and product guidebooks. Create user testing frameworks and facilitate testing on an as-needed basis. Design through a lens of usability, accessibility, and inclusion while balancing business goals and technical feasibility. Stay current with evolving design practices, tools, and technologies — to continually refine and improve product design approaches. UX & UI DESIGN Establish the information architecture of digital products and services. Produce low–high fidelity wireframes and design prototypes. Establish visual language patterns, transforming wireframes into high-fidelity UI specs. Deliver visual design assets needed for technical implementation, such as icons, illustrations, and animation specs. COLLABORATION Pair with other team members to transfer knowledge and experience gained. Possess a kind, curious, and low-ego approach to collaboration with Atomic and client teams. Understand that mentorship is a two-way street; we can all learn from one another. Be comfortable working on teams with members of varying levels of experience. AGILE METHODOLOGIES Support developer utilization by designing product functionality several sprints ahead. Participate in the Agile project flow by providing solutions and feedback. Work with Atomic and client teams to define and prioritize project work. Find success when requirements aren’t clearly spelled out. Adapt to changing project circumstances. ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE Leverage new AI tools to develop wireframes and clickable prototypes. Understand best practices and models to use based on desired outcomes. Design for AI experiences and interactions within software products. Develop AI frameworks that enable team and client success. Contribute to Atomic’s AI toolkit and develop reusable prompts. GENERAL EMPLOYMENT RESPONSIBILITIES Work out of our Ann Arbor office for a minimum of 60% of your workweek. Work a full-time job (generally 40-42 hours per week). Engage in professional development and continued learning outside of work hours. Periodically contribute to Atomic’s blog. Travel occasionally—as needed and possible. Desired Skills LEADERSHIP & CULTURE Teaches and mentors where appropriate Effective at creating opportunities for other team members to grow Ability to support the growth of the office by contributing to ideas that strengthen design practices Demonstrates strong facilitation skills in team settings Builds trust and positive working relationships across teams and clients Encourages open, constructive feedback—both giving and receiving Contributes to a healthy, inclusive, and collaborative team culture CONSULTING & COLLABORATION Ability to present, communicate, and influence stakeholders at all levels, including executive and C-level Skilled in client management: setting expectations, guiding decisions, and maintaining partnerships Effective at navigating complexity: clarifying ambiguity, identifying tradeoffs, and aligning stakeholders Excellent verbal, visual and written communication skills High emotional intelligence and interpersonal skills Ability to be a strategic consultant and lead tough conversations for the success of the team or project Strong collaborator who works effectively with cross-functional teams STRATEGY & IMPACT Ability to conduct or support user research and synthesize insights into actionable design direction Adapts to changes in project strategies, client priorities, and team dynamics Contributes to product strategy by identifying opportunities and risks Balances feasibility, usability and viability with clients and team members Connects design decisions to measurable business outcomes Brings order to chaos: identifying patterns through a systems-thinking approach Self-starter with strong time-management across short- and long-term horizons Demonstrates financial stewardship: prioritizing work efficiently and using project budgets responsibly Effective at framing problems and clarifying goals PRODUCT & CRAFT Skilled in early-stage concepting: sketches, wireframes, and low-fidelity prototypes Capable of delivering high-definition visual design and on-brand, production-ready assets Proficiency in modern interaction design paradigms, workflows, patterns, and UI conventions Experience with prototyping tools, design systems, and implementation-ready specifications Skilled in user-testing practices and incorporating findings into design iterations Applies AI tools throughout the design process to improve efficiency, quality, and exploration Understands implementation considerations and collaborates closely with developers Familiarity with Agile/lean UX and Human-Centered Design (HCD) practices Stays informed of new tools and trends in the field of design and the tech industry more broadly Requirements Applicants should have prior experience as a product designer on teams building software products. We’re looking for someone with the following attributes: 8+ years experience working as a professional product designer Practitioner of human-centered design in all phases of the product development lifecycle Skill in user research, user experience, and user interface design Track record of designing software applications via constructing and managing a design plan that achieves the project objectives Experience with product design and applying the user-centered design process to a variety of business problems Comfortable collaborating with clients/stakeholders, designers, developers, and delivery leads The total cash compensation range for this role is $135,000 -170,000 per year. Total cash compensation includes base pay plus profit-sharing bonuses. Compensation is determined by a number of factors including job-related knowledge, skills, education and experience. In addition to the stated total cash compensation, our total compensation package includes the following benefits: Paid time off and holidays Atomic-sponsored health insurance (including dependents) with HSA contributions Access to Dental & Vision Insurance with Competitive Premiums Employee ownership Regular 401(k) company contributions (3%) Parental leave Long and short-term disability insurance Reports To The Product Designer & Consultant will report to Atomic’s Ann Arbor Managing Partners, Jonah Bailey and John Fisher. You will also be provided with a Career Development Manager to help you pursue professional and career goals and find success within company guidelines and expectations. Why Atomic? Atomic is a great place to do awesome work. As an Atom, you'll: Join a tight-knit group of makers working in an atmosphere of friendship, exploration, and respect. Work on a variety of projects and help make pipelines safer, cities greener, healthcare smarter, and old products new again. Be part of a transparent, employee-owned company that’s active in making the software community stronger, smarter, and more diverse. Receive great benefits, including support for professional development, schedule flexibility, employee ownership, 401(k) contributions, and generous vacation time. #J-18808-Ljbffr