Principal Product Designer

Remote (U.S., West Coast time zone preferred)Compensation: $160,000–$195,000 base salary, plus bonus and benefitsAbout Sniffies:Sniffies is a fast-growing, location-based GBTQ+ cruising app that connects users in real-time. As a product-led company, we prioritize innovation, inclusivity, and user experience.Position Overview:As Principal Product Designer at Sniffies, you’ll be both a hands-on maker and a strategic design leader shaping how the Sniffies experience evolves. You’ll help drive the vision, systems, and standards that define our product design, while rolling up your sleeves to craft world-class user experiences across web and mobile. This role is perfect for a designer who thrives at the intersection of craft and strategy. You can think holistically about user journeys and business goals, while obsessing over interaction details, accessibility, and motion. You’ll set the creative direction, lead design initiatives end to end, and establish the processes, rituals, and systems that scale great design across teams.What You’ll DoVision & Strategy Define and evolve Sniffies’ product design vision, aligning aesthetics, usability, and business impact. Partner with Product and Engineering leadership to translate strategic goals into user-centered design initiatives. Represent design at the leadership level, influencing priorities and shaping how Sniffies defines and measures experience quality. Hands-On Design Excellence Lead and execute end-to-end feature design for key initiatives across Web, iOS, and Android. Balance deep execution with design direction, diving into the details when it matters most. Deliver interaction models, visuals, and prototypes that elevate Sniffies’ product experience and strengthen community connection. Systems & Process Development Establish and champion standardized design processes and rituals, including design reviews, critique frameworks, and research protocols. Build and maintain Sniffies’ design system and component libraries for consistency, scalability, and efficiency. Partner with Data and Engineering to align design workflows with product velocity and development quality. Research & Insights Champion a research-driven design culture, integrating qualitative and quantitative insights into design strategy. Collaborate on user research efforts, ensuring findings directly inform the roadmap and execution.Translate data and community feedback into actionable design decisions that balance inclusivity, performance, and engagement.Mentorship & Culture Building Mentor designers and cross-functional peers, fostering growth in craft, process, and creative confidence. Promote a collaborative, feedback-driven design culture rooted in curiosity and respect. Model empathetic leadership and a deep understanding of Sniffies’ users and brand voice. Innovation & Exploration Explore emerging design patterns, motion systems, and interaction models that push Sniffies forward. Bring bold, queer-forward creativity to how connection, safety, and discovery are experienced on the platform. Inspire and challenge the team to experiment thoughtfully and ship confidently. Qualifications 8–10 years of product design experience, including at least 3 years in a senior or principal-level role.Proven ability to work strategically and hands-on, owning initiatives from concept to production. Expertise in Figma and familiarity with prototyping and motion tools (e.g., Framer, Principle, After Effects).Strong visual, interaction, and systems design skills, demonstrated through a thoughtful, high-impact portfolio. Experience defining and scaling design processes, reviews, and research standards. Skilled in presenting and influencing at multiple levels, from cross-functional peers to executive stakeholders. Deep empathy for Sniffies’ audience and the GBTQ+ community, with awareness of its cultural context and needs.Why Join Us?At Sniffies, you’ll shape a critical part of our platform, helping ensure that our vibrant community continues to thrive in a safe and welcoming environment. Join us in leveraging technology to create meaningful connections and experiences for our users.