Lead Product Designer

Job Summary We’re looking for a Lead Product Designer to join the Vertical Squad — a team focused on product experiences that expand how and where members earn Cash Back beyond the core online shopping flow. You’ll set the design direction for the squad’s portfolio of surfaces — gift card redemption, dining, and in‑store shopping — and define what good looks like across all of these experiences. Key Responsibilities Design Ownership: Own end‑to‑end design for your product areas — from problem framing through shipped product. Squad Vision: Develop and communicate a design vision that gives cross‑functional partners a clear sense of direction and impact. Problem Definition: Frame and scope work before applying UI to ensure the right problems are solved. Systems Thinking: Design with awareness of how vertical surfaces connect to Rakuten’s core shopping experience and build on established patterns. Research & Validation: Partner with embedded researcher or drive research yourself to validate direction early, identify friction, and de‑risk before development. Cross‑Functional Collaboration: Work closely with PM and engineering to define what’s being built, why, and how; navigate stakeholder dynamics and communicate decisions up to senior leadership. Design Culture: Contribute to the broader design team’s culture by participating in critiques, sharing learnings, and raising work quality. AI‑Assisted Workflows: Leverage AI tools for research synthesis, rapid prototyping, ideation, or other aspects of the design process to accelerate and clarify work. Qualifications & Minimum Requirements 6+ years of professional design experience working with complex systems. Bachelor’s or Master’s degree (or equivalent) in design, Human‑Computer Interaction (HCI), Industrial Design, Computer Science, or related field. Portfolio demonstrating end‑to‑end product design with clear evidence of process, decision‑making, and measurable outcomes. Proficiency with design and prototyping tools, e.g., Figma, Claude Code. A strong sense of visual and interaction design, with a track record of raising the bar. Preferred Qualifications Experience working in e‑commerce, marketplaces, or consumer‑scale products. Active use of AI tools as part of a design workflow, ideally including AI coding tools for rapid prototyping. Track record of influencing design quality and culture beyond your immediate squad through critiques, mentorship, or team‑level initiatives. Compensation and Benefits USD $132,082.50 – $226,820.00 annually. Benefits include discretionary bonus, health, vision, dental insurance, 401k matching, PTO, Volunteer Time Off (VTO), and other employee benefits as the company implements. Equal Employment Opportunity Rakuten provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type. Rakuten considers applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetic information, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, provincial or local laws. #J-18808-Ljbffr