Product Designer – Accessibility Focused

This is a fully remote position, open to applicants in Germany.

📋 Description

• Lead design initiatives focused on accessibility across various product areas, spanning from initial discovery to prototyping, delivery, and ongoing iterations.

• Perform accessibility evaluations and usability testing with a diverse range of user groups, including individuals who utilize assistive technologies.

• Design with WCAG 2.1 AA (or higher) compliance as a foundational requirement, ensuring that products align with or exceed recognized accessibility standards.

• Create wireframes, user flows, prototypes, and refined visuals that emphasize accessible interactions and inclusive design patterns.

• Collaborate closely with engineers to ensure that implementations uphold accessibility standards and are accurately coded with semantic HTML, ARIA when applicable, and dependable keyboard navigation.

• Develop and uphold accessibility guidelines within our design system to ensure uniformity across products.

• Partner with product and data teams to establish and monitor accessibility metrics and refine inclusive design practices.

• Promote accessibility and inclusive design in all product decisions, serving as an advocate for users with a range of abilities.

⛳️ Requirements

• A robust portfolio showcasing WCAG-compliant design work — tangible examples of accessible design solutions are crucial.

• Demonstrated experience in designing digital products with a strong focus on accessibility (in a startup, agency, or product team environment).

• Comprehensive understanding of WCAG 2.1 guidelines (minimum Level AA) and practical experience implementing them in product design.

• Experience in conducting accessibility testing using screen readers (NVDA, VoiceOver, JAWS), keyboard-only navigation, and other assistive technologies.

• Proficiency in designing for a wide range of user needs, including visual, auditory, motor, and cognitive differences.

• Strong understanding of accessible color contrast, typography, focus indicators, and interaction patterns.

• Familiarity with accessibility testing tools (Axe, WAVE, Lighthouse) and the ability to interpret and act upon their findings.

• Proficient with design tools such as Figma, Sketch, or Adobe XD, including accessibility-related plugins and features.

• Excellent communication abilities and capacity to educate and influence cross-functional teams regarding accessibility best practices.

• Bonus points for IAAP certification (CPACC, WAS, or CPWA) or similar accessibility qualifications.

• Experience working directly with users who depend on assistive technologies.

• Knowledge of international accessibility standards beyond WCAG (Section 508, EN 301 549, ADA).

• Background in inclusive design research methodologies.

• Minimum of 3 years focused specifically on accessibility design, although demonstrated expertise is the highest priority.

🏝️ Benefits

• Competitive salary along with a benefits package that promotes your overall well-being.

• Flexible working arrangements and a genuine commitment to work-life balance.

• A culture where accessibility is ingrained in our design and development processes, rather than an afterthought.

• Opportunities for professional growth in accessibility and inclusive design.

• The opportunity to influence products that significantly impact people's lives and establish industry benchmarks for accessibility.