Product Designer (Entry-Level)
Downstream
Job Description
Downstream Systems, Inc. is a leading marketplace platform that's transforming the waste and construction industries from the ground up. We're on a mission to bring simplicity, transparency, and sustainability to two of the most essential—but often overlooked—sectors of our economy.
At Downstream, we make it easy for contractors, builders, and businesses to find and book critical services like dumpster rentals, hauling, and site clean-up—all in just a few clicks. No more endless calls, confusing pricing, or waiting around. Our platform connects customers with vetted, reliable providers so they can get what they need, when they need it—without the headache.
But we’re not just about convenience—we’re about impact. By streamlining logistics and digitizing the supply chain, we’re helping reduce waste, cut emissions, and build a cleaner, more sustainable future for everyone. Whether you're managing a small job site or a major development project, Downstream is here to help you keep things moving—efficiently, affordably, and responsibly.
Let’s build better, together.
We’re hiring someone with strong UX instincts and exceptional attention to detail to help shape how our product actually gets built.
This is not a traditional design role and not a product management role. The work sits extremely close to engineering.
Your job is to work alongside frontend engineers during implementation to ensure that features are intuitive, consistent, and polished. Instead of producing design handoffs, you’ll collaborate directly during the build process to refine flows, layout, spacing, and interactions.
Think of this role as the closest you can get to engineering without writing code. You’ll be deeply involved in how the product behaves and feels in production.
This is an entry-level role. Prior industry experience is not required if you demonstrate strong product instincts and attention to detail.
Requirements
What You’ll Do
- Work directly with frontend engineers as features are being built
- Review interfaces during development and provide immediate feedback
- Refine UX details such as layout, spacing, hierarchy, and interaction states
- Ensure workflows are intuitive and easy to follow
- Identify usability issues and suggest improvements
- Help translate product ideas into clear user flows
- Maintain consistency across the product experience
- Continuously raise the quality bar for how the product feels to use
How This Role Works
This role happens inside the implementation process.
You will be collaborating closely with engineers while features are being built. Together you’ll iterate quickly to ensure the final experience is clean, intuitive, and well-polished.
The focus is on tight feedback loops and high product quality, not long design cycles or static mockups.
What This Role Is Not
- Not a visual design role focused on mockups
- Not a product management role writing specifications
- Not a traditional design handoff workflow
You will be embedded alongside engineers, improving the experience while features are implemented.
What We’re Looking For
- Extremely detail-oriented
- Strong intuition for good UX
- Ability to think through complete user flows
- Natural curiosity about how software works
- Comfortable collaborating closely with engineers
- Clear communicator who can give precise feedback
- Willingness to iterate quickly
Traits That Matter a Lot
- You frequently notice UX problems in products you use
- Small details stand out to you when something feels off
- You enjoy simplifying complex workflows
- You think about how users actually interact with software
- You care deeply about product quality
Helpful Background
- Experience using tools like Figma or similar design tools
- Basic understanding of frontend concepts (HTML, CSS, components)
- Personal or school projects related to software or product design
These are helpful but not required.
Why This Role Exists
In many companies, design and engineering operate separately. That often leads to gaps between what was intended and what actually gets built.
This role exists to close that gap.
You’ll work inside the development process to ensure the final product ships with a tight, polished, high-quality user experience.
How to Apply
In addition to completing this application and attaching your resume, please include the following:
- A portfolio or examples of work (school or personal projects are fine)
- A short explanation of a product whose UX you think works especially well and why. Note: this can be uploaded as a "cover letter" in the application.
We care far more about your product instincts and attention to detail than your years of experience.