Retained Recruitment for Product Designer / UX Designers

Most Product Designer / UX Designer searches through our retained model are completed within 21 to 35 business days. Portfolio quality is the single most reliable signal for product design candidates — evaluate the thinking behind design decisions, not just the visual output. Ask candidates to walk through one project from research to shipped product. We provide a realistic timeline at the start of every engagement.

Strong Figma proficiency, a portfolio demonstrating end-to-end product design work (research through shipped product), UX research experience, and understanding of accessibility standards (WCAG). Design systems experience is valued at senior levels.

The best Product Designer / UX Designers are almost always employed and not browsing job boards. Portfolio quality is the single most reliable signal for product design candidates — evaluate the thinking behind design decisions, not just the visual output. Ask candidates to walk through one project from research to shipped product. A retained search means one dedicated recruiter works your role exclusively — conducting passive candidate outreach, pre-screening technically, and presenting only candidates who genuinely match your brief.

Every permanent retained placement includes a 90-day guarantee. If the placed professional departs or is released within 90 days for reasons covered under our guarantee terms, we conduct a full replacement search at no additional fee.

Compensation for Product Designer / UX Designer roles typically ranges from $90,000 – $155,000. Design systems leads and researchers with strong mixed-methods expertise command the top of this range. We include real-time compensation benchmarking in every retained search.