Product Designer (Technologist)

Are you passionate about creating technology that empowers every learner? The Civics Innovation Lab at the Bill of Rights Institute is seeking a versatile Product Designer with expertise in systems engineering and universal design (UX/UD) to help redefine the future of civic education. In this role, you’ll blend creativity with technical acumen, building accessible and intuitive digital experiences that inspire curiosity, foster understanding, and make learning civic principles engaging for all students, regardless of their ability or background.

The Bill of Rights Institute has a unique organizational culture we value and support. Our culture is affirming and collegial. We are achievers. We enjoy working with each other; our interactions are positive, respectful, and filled with good humor. We reward excellence and achievement. We embrace all diversity in our work and our workforce. It is that special here!

Job Summary

The Civics Innovation Lab seeks a Product Designer with a broad background in systems engineering and universal design (UX/UD) to help shape the future of civic education. This role prioritizes user experience, accessibility, and inclusive design while maintaining sufficient technical literacy to collaborate effectively with back end vendors and technology partners. By focusing on universal design and systems-level thinking, this position ensures our products are usable and engaging for all learners, including those with physical disabilities, while remaining adaptable to evolving hardware and software needs.

Responsibilities

Universal Design

• Champion universal design (UX/UD) as the foundation for all digital learning tools, ensuring accessibility and usability for learners and educators of diverse abilities and backgrounds.
• Lead user research, usability testing, and participatory design workshops to capture authentic student and teacher experiences.
• Develop personas, workflows, and journey maps to guide design decisions.
• Design front-end interfaces that are intuitive, inclusive, and compliant with accessibility standards.
• Partner with educators, civic experts, and instructional designers to ensure products are both pedagogically effective and user-friendly.
• Translate user insights and stakeholder feedback into product requirements, design prototypes, and clear roadmaps.

Technology Integration

• Apply a systems-engineering perspective to evaluate and integrate tools, anticipating needs across both hardware and software environments.
• Assess and recommend technology partners, platforms, and vendors, balancing short-term feasibility with long-term scalability.
• Collaborate closely with back end developers and external vendors to ensure smooth technical integration without requiring deep full-stack implementation.
• Use data analysis and feedback loops to inform continuous product improvement.
• Support the integration of multimedia, design assets, and interactive components into learning products.

Collaboration & Learning Materials

• Work with educators, civic experts, and instructional designers to ensure the quality, accuracy, and relevance of digital learning resources.
• Use data analysis and feedback loops to assess and improve the effectiveness of learning tools.
• Support integration of multimedia and design assets, potentially utilizing graphic design software when needed.