Product Designer | Remote

Buck Institute for Education, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization (dba PBLWorks) headquartered in Northern California, is the industry leader in providing professional development and support services related to Project Based Learning (PBL). PBLWorks creates, collects, and shares high-quality PBL tools and resources with K-12 teachers and leaders across the country. At PBLWorks, we believe that all students — no matter where they live or what their background — to have access to quality PBL instruction to deepen their learning and achieve success in college, career, and life.

Position Summary 

PBLWorks is poised for its next phase of growth, innovation, and impact. Our Strategic Plan 2024–2028 expands our focus from professional learning to support teachers in designing PBL units to the development of new products and redesigned services that enable all teachers to implement PBL by creating curriculum units that teachers to adapt and the creation of a digital platform that teachers can access from anywhere at any time.  

We seek a creative and motivated Product Designer to join our small, dynamic SaaS Product Development team at PBLWorks. The Product Designer will lead the design process from concept to implementation, creating user-centered designs for a series of new web applications for K-12 teachers, students, and leaders. This role involves close collaboration with cross-functional teams to ensure seamless and impactful product experiences. The ideal candidate will bring a strong portfolio of innovative design solutions, excellent communication skills, and a passion for creating impactful products in a collaborative, mission-driven environment with strong core values.

Key Responsibilities 

Design and Development

• Lead the design process from concept to final implementation, creating wireframes, prototypes, high-fidelity mockups, and pixel-perfect, developer-ready designs.

• Develop user flows and detailed design specifications to guide development.

• Collaborate with product managers and engineers to ensure feasibility and fidelity of design implementations.

• Conduct usability testing and gather feedback to refine and improve product designs.

• Review the implemented designs and provide feedback to the development team to ensure that the final product matches the design specifications.

User Research

• Conduct user research to understand the needs, pain points, and behaviors of our target audience, especially for educators serving Black and Brown students. 

• Analyze and interpret user data to inform design decisions and validate product concepts.

• Stay up-to-date with industry trends and best practices to ensure our products remain user-focused and competitive.

Collaboration and Communication

• Work closely with cross-functional teams to ensure alignment and clear communication throughout the design process.

• Present design ideas and prototypes to stakeholders and incorporate feedback effectively.

• Collaborate with marketing and content teams to ensure consistent branding and messaging across all user touchpoints.

• Design and develop training materials (walkthroughs, videos, slideshows, etc.) for major new features.

Project Management

• Manage multiple design projects simultaneously, ensuring timely delivery and adherence to project goals.

• Maintain organized design documentation and assets for easy access and reference.

• Develop and maintain design systems and guidelines to ensure consistency across products.

• Manage external contractors for special design projects.

Contribution to PBLWorks’ Mission, Vision, and Racial Equity Imperative 

• Work with other PBLWorks team members to further PBLWorks’ mission, vision, core values, racial equity imperative, and strategic direction. 

• Through effective collaboration and teamwork, support PBLWorks colleagues and contribute to the full breadth of the organization's work and culture.

• Engage in ongoing individual and collective learning about advancing racial equity through Project Based Learning for all students, especially Black and Brown students. 

• Attend on-site meetings in Novato, CA, as needed; at least two times/year. 

• Other duties as assigned. 

Requirements, Skills, and Abilities

The successful candidate will bring this experience to the role:

• 5+ years of experience as a Product Designer, UX/UI Designer, or similar role with a strong portfolio showcasing pixel-perfect, user-centered design solutions.

• Experience designing responsive SaaS products is highly preferred.

• Experience with user research methods and usability testing.

• Familiarity with non-profits and K-12 education is a plus.

• Experience working in diverse organizations that serve racially diverse student groups is a plus.

• Experience working on remote development teams across multiple time zones.

The successful candidate will possess these skills and abilities:

• Proficiency in design tools such as Sketch, Figma, Adobe Creative Suite, or similar software.

• Strong understanding of user-centered design principles and best practices.

• Excellent problem-solving skills with the ability to translate complex requirements into intuitive designs.

• Exceptional attention to detail and commitment to delivering high-quality work.

• Outstanding communication skills, both verbal and written, with the ability to articulate design decisions clearly.

• Exceptional collaborator who works quickly and can adapt to the evolving needs of the product development team and larger organization.

• Great listener who takes feedback well.

• Ability to manage multiple projects and prioritize tasks in a fast-paced environment.

The successful candidate will reflect these attributes:

• Integrity, a positive attitude, and a self-directed approach to work.

• Passionate about the mission of the organization and driven to make a positive impact through design.

• Belief in transparency and open communication, fostering a collaborative work environment.

• A team player who can work effectively with a diverse group of colleagues located across the globe.

• Strong work ethic, passion for continuous learning, and commitment to professional growth.

Physical Requirements

Prolonged periods of sitting or standing at a desk and working on a computer.

Reporting Relationships

The Product Designer reports to the Chief Product and Technology Officer, who is located in the San Francisco Bay Area.

Location

The Product Designer position is remote and may be located anywhere within the contiguous United States. Ideally, the candidate would be located in the Pacific or Mountain Time Zones. PBLWorks’ office is in Marin County, California, one hour north of San Francisco. Travel up to 10% may be required.

Compensation and Benefits

This full-time role offers full health benefits (including medical, dental, and vision), a 403b, and life and disability insurance. PBLWorks offers a competitive salary (commensurate with experience) and a generous benefits package.  

Salary range is $100,000-$110,000 depending on experience.

How to Apply

Qualified candidates should send a cover letter and resume using the Paycom link. Please be sure to include a link to your professional portfolio. https://www.paycomonline.net/v4/ats/web.php/jobs/ViewJobDetails?clientkey=9ED07ADC80A0C098545E3C75EBC51F2F&job=112485&utm_medium=referral&utm_source

Additional Requirements

PBLWorks participates in E-Verify and will provide the federal government with your Form I-9 information to confirm that you are authorized to work in the U.S. We will only use E-Verify once a newly hired employee has accepted a job offer and completed the Form I-9.

As a company, we celebrate and embrace diversity. We actively seek a diverse pool of candidates in every hiring process. Buck Institute for Education is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, gender, age, veteran status, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, or disability (in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act).