Lead Product Designer, New Verticals

Role: Lead Product Designer for Rakuten's Vertical Squad, focusing on expanding Cash Back experiences beyond core online shopping into gift cards, dining, and in-store shopping. Responsibilities include owning end-to-end design, developing and communicating design vision, framing and scoping problems, designing cohesive systems connected to core shopping, validating concepts through research, collaborating cross-functionally with product managers and engineers, and contributing to design culture. The role emphasizes leveraging AI tools throughout the design process. Requirements: 6+ years of professional experience in complex systems design, a degree in design or related fields, a compelling portfolio demonstrating end-to-end product design and process, proficiency in Figma and prototyping tools, and strong visual and interaction design skills. Preferred: experience in e-commerce or consumer products, active use of AI in design workflows, and influence on team design culture. The role reports to the Director of Product Design and involves working closely with multifaceted teams to create simple, rewarding, and integrated experiences for members. Location is flexible with an emphasis on high-impact, cross-disciplinary design work.