Director, Product Design & User Research

In the time it takes you to read this job description, RapidSOS will have handled ~1,380 emergencies.

At RapidSOS, we are committed to using technology to build a safer, stronger future and working together to save lives. We’re in an exciting phase of growth, welcoming new members from across the globe to our mission-driven, ambitious, and inclusive team. Our work is founded on our values of trust and safety, pioneering, urgency, and purpose over pride, all of which support a company culture where people can innovate, collaborate, grow, and, above all, make an impact. If that sounds like an exciting opportunity, we want to hear from you!

RapidSOS is an intelligent safety company that harnesses artificial and human intelligence to fuse life-saving data from 540M+ connected devices, apps, and sensors from 200+ global technology companies to over 21,000 public safety agencies in six countries. Whether there’s an unsafe moment or an emergency, RapidSOS Ready devices, vehicles, homes, or buildings deliver essential data to the right place when it matters most. Learn more at www.RapidSOS.com.

What this role is about:
At RapidSOS, we’re on a mission to transform emergency response and protect lives through cutting-edge technology. We’re looking for an innovative and strategic Director of Product Design & User Research to help drive this mission forward. Reporting to the Head of Product, you’ll play a pivotal role in shaping the experience of intuitive, AI-powered solutions that empower first responders and save lives.

In this role, you’ll lead a talented team of 2-3 direct reports and work closely with cross-functional stakeholders to create seamless, intelligent, and user-centered experiences. You’ll leverage your strong foundation in modern web design, human factors, user research, and usability testing to build products that meet the highest standards of design, usability, and effectiveness. 

If you’re passionate about designing technology that truly makes a difference, thrive in fast-paced, mission-driven environments, and are excited about the power of AI to revolutionize emergency response, we’d love to hear from you!

What you’ll do: 
User Research & Insights

• Lead and oversee comprehensive user research initiatives to deeply understand customer needs, pain points, and workflows.
• Translate research findings into actionable insights that shape product design and strategy.
• Advocate for the user and their experience at every stage of the product development lifecycle.

Design Leadership

• Design and oversee intuitive, modern, and visually appealing web interfaces, ensuring a seamless and engaging user experience.
• Ensure that all designs meet usability, accessibility, and scalability standards.
• Lead design reviews and provide constructive feedback to the team.

Team Leadership & Development

• Manage, mentor, and inspire a team of 2-3 researchers and designers, fostering a culture of creativity, collaboration, and continuous learning.
• Set clear goals, provide regular performance feedback, and support professional growth.

Cross-functional Collaboration

• Work closely with Product Management, Engineering, and other stakeholders to align research and design efforts with business objectives.
• Facilitate effective communication between teams to ensure seamless integration of research insights into the product development lifecycle.

Advocacy & Communication

• Champion user-centric design principles across the organization.
• Communicate research findings, design decisions, and project progress effectively to technical and non-technical audiences.
• Advocate for resources, timelines, and priorities to support the research and design team’s success.

What we’re looking for in our ideal candidate: 

• Experience: 8+ years of experience in user research, product design, or related fields, with at least 3 years in a leadership role.
• Background: Strong understanding of modern web design principles and methodologies. Proven expertise in both product design and research, with a hands-on approach and the ability to lead effectively in both disciplines.
• Leadership: Proven ability to manage and mentor a team, fostering an environment of collaboration and innovation.
• Communication: Exceptional verbal, written, and visual communication skills. Strong ability to advocate for design and research priorities.
• Collaboration: Demonstrated success in working cross-functionally with product managers, engineers, and other stakeholders.
• Tools & Methods: Proficiency with research tools, design software (e.g., Figma, Adobe Creative Suite), usability and user testing platforms.
• Travel: This role requires being based in Boston or NYC, or within commutable distance, with the flexibility to work remotely and up to 10% travel.

Nice-to-have experience (but not required!):

• Experience in designing solutions for emergency response, public safety, air traffic control, customer service software, or other critical coordination systems.
• Experience in designing AI solutions.
• Familiarity with Agile product development processes.
• Strong portfolio demonstrating user research outcomes and impactful design solutions.

What we offer: 

• The chance to work with a passionate team on solving one of the largest challenges globally 
• Competitive salary and benefits and equity participation 
• A dynamic, flexible and fun start-up work environment with a highly talented team

If you're curious to learn more about RapidSOS, you can check out https://rapidsos.com/blog/ 

Starting pay for a successful applicant will depend on a variety of job-related factors, which may include experience, relevant skills, training, education, location, business needs, or market demands. The salary range for this role is $200,000 - $220,000. This role will also be eligible to receive equity options. #LI-Remote