As we expand beyond wildfire reporting into additional disaster types and scale nationally, we’re looking for a Senior Product Designer to help shape the future of our platform. If you care deeply about clarity, speed, and building tools that matter when it matters most, we’d love to meet you.

Department: Product
Reports To: Chief Product Officer
Employment Type: Full-Time, Exempt. Employment classification and eligibility for overtime may vary based on the employee's work location and applicable state law.
Location: Remote (U.S.-based preferred)
Salary: $150,000 - $175,000 per year plus benefits

About the Role

This is a high-impact, hands-on design role. You will shape the user experience for millions of people who rely on Watch Duty during high-stress, time-critical moments.

You’ll work across mobile and web, collaborating closely with Product, Engineering, Reporting Operations, and Leadership to design intuitive, fast, and highly legible experiences that perform under pressure.

This is not a pixel pusher role — it’s a systems-level design role. You’ll help define interaction patterns, map behaviors, visual hierarchies, and workflows that support real-time public safety intelligence.

You will help us answer questions like:

• How should complex map-based data be presented for clarity under stress?
• How do we simplify dense technical information for non-technical users?
• How do we design for both everyday awareness and emergency moments?
• How do we maintain trust through design?

Responsibilities

• Design user-centric interfaces and experiences for web and mobile applications
• Lead end-to-end design for new features — from discovery through implementation
• Translate product strategy and operational needs into elegant, intuitive solutions
• Create wireframes, prototypes, high-fidelity designs, and interaction specifications
• Collaborate deeply with engineering to ensure high-quality implementation
• Conduct user research, usability testing, and rapid validation cycles
• Establish and evolve design systems, components, and patterns
• Ensure accessibility and legibility (WCAG best practices) across experiences
• Design for map-based interfaces and spatial data visualization
• Partner with Reporting Ops to understand real-world workflows and field constraints
• Contribute to brand evolution and visual coherence across product surfaces

Requirements & Skills

• 5+ years of experience as a Product Designer or Senior Product Designer
• Strong portfolio demonstrating shipped digital products (mobile and web)
• Deep understanding of user-centered design principles and interaction design
• Experience designing complex, data-rich interfaces
• Strong visual hierarchy and typography skills
• Proficiency in Figma (preferred) or similar design/prototyping tools
• Experience working closely with engineers in an agile environment
• Ability to communicate rationale clearly and defend design decisions
• Experience conducting research and translating insights into product decisions
• Strong systems thinking and ability to design scalable patterns
• Experience with accessibility and inclusive design principles
  
  

Nice to Have

• Experience designing map-based interfaces or geospatial products
• GIS familiarity
• Experience in public safety or civic tech
• Experience working in a startup or small team environment

What We’re Building

We are expanding our technology platform to serve communities better nationwide.

We build whatever it takes to help residents and first responders stay safe during natural disasters. That has meant:

• Mobile and web apps delivering real-time wildfire intelligence
• Automation systems that empower our reporting team
• Advanced map-based data layers (air quality, cameras, river gauges, and more)
• Tools that scale nationally while maintaining local accuracy

As we expand into flooding, severe weather, and other hazards, the complexity and importance of our design challenges grow.

Your work at Watch Duty will directly impact people in the path of natural disasters.

Work Environment

Remote (U.S.-based):
This is a primarily remote position operating in a distributed environment.

Work Hours:
Standard operating hours are aligned with Pacific Time, with flexibility required during high-impact incidents or operational needs.

Travel:
Approximately 5–10% travel may be required for partner engagements, training, or operational planning. Travel expenses are reimbursed per company policy.

Benefits

Watch Duty offers a competitive benefits package for full-time employees, including:

• Unlimited PTO: Flexible time off coordinated with your manager.
• Paid Sick Leave: Minimum of 40 hours annually, accruable after 90 days, capped at 80 hours.
• Health Insurance: Medical, dental, and vision coverage with company contributions.
• Retirement Plan: 401(k) with employee contribution options.
• Additional Perks: Remote flexibility, mission-driven work, and professional development opportunities.

Full details are outlined in the Watch Duty Employee Handbook.

Legal Compliance & Disclaimers

Equal Opportunity Employment
Watch Duty is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We do not discriminate based on race, color, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, national origin, disability, veteran status, or any other protected characteristic.

At-Will Employment
Employment with Watch Duty is at-will. Either the employee or Watch Duty may terminate employment at any time, with or without cause or notice, unless otherwise stated in a written agreement signed by the employee and CEO.

FLSA Exempt Status Justification
This role qualifies as FLSA-exempt based on executive and administrative duties, independent judgment, discretion in decision-making, and impact on organizational operations.

Role Evolution Disclaimer
This job description is not intended to be exhaustive. Responsibilities may evolve based on organizational needs, operational demands, and applicable law.