Tech that takes you places

We’re CarTrawler, the global travel tech company behind seamless connections between people, places and possibilities. From powering car rental to creating smarter ways to move, we make travel smoother for millions worldwide. Our culture is built on curiosity, collaboration and craic where every idea counts and every journey matters. Ready to make an impact? Let’s go places together.

The Principal Product Designer defines and drives the future direction of the organisation’s core product experiences. Operating within the Transform space, the role works across products—well ahead of delivery squads—to shape strategy, unlock new business value, and lead design in complex, high‑impact problem spaces. Taking a holistic view, the Principal Product Designer shapes scalable end‑to‑end journeys across channels and partner contexts. The role also leads strategic initiatives from early concept through validation in close partnership with senior Product and Technology leaders, to shape the roadmap and influence commercial outcomes

As a senior individual contributor, the role sets direction for innovation and product evolution, through craft excellence and product thinking. The Principal raises the bar for design quality, and contributes to the broader design leadership of the organisation.

What you will do as a Director of Engineering

\n

What you'll do as the Principal Product Designer:

Own design direction across core product experiences, setting a cohesive vision for end-to-end journeys across channels and partner contexts
Lead design on complex, ambiguous problem spaces—defining new product capabilities and unlocking high-impact opportunities
Drive strategic initiatives from early concept through to validation, operating ahead of delivery squads and setting direction for execution
Translate opportunities into clear concepts, prototypes, and design artefacts that guide downstream teams
Define scalable, configurable experience patterns that can be applied consistently across products, channels, and partners
Partner with senior Product and Engineering counterparts to shape roadmap direction, ensuring solutions are viable, scalable, and commercially impactful
Balance innovation with feasibility, viability, and user value—making clear trade-offs across complex problem spaces
Use qualitative and quantitative insights to inform direction, validate concepts, and refine solutions
Communicate and present design work at all levels, using storytelling to drive alignment and informed decision-making
Set the standard for design craft across complex work, contributing high-quality interaction and visual design where it adds the most value
Guide and influence design work across squads, ensuring alignment to overarching experience principles and strategic direction
Mentor and support designers, raising the bar for quality, thinking, and impact across the team
Define and evolve the experience vision across core products, ensuring consistency and coherence across end-to-end journeys
Shape product strategy in partnership with senior Product and Technology leaders, influencing roadmap priorities and long-term direction
Establish principles and frameworks for scalable, configurable experiences across channels and partner contexts
Lead in high-ambiguity problem spaces, identifying opportunities for innovation, differentiation, and commercial impact
Align and influence senior stakeholders across Product, Engineering, and Commercial teams to drive strategic outcomes
Communicate and present strategic direction and initiatives clearly to leadership, securing buy-in and momentum
Act as a key member of the Design Leadership Team, contributing to standards, practices, and overall design direction
Contribute to the growth of the design function through mentoring, hiring, and evolving ways of working

What you'll bring to the team:

8+ years in product design, including meaningful experience operating as a senior individual contributor on complex products or platforms
Bachelor’s degree in Design, HCI, Interaction Design, or related field (or equivalent industry experience).
Proven experience influencing product direction beyond individual features or squads
Strong portfolio demonstrating impact at scale and a proven track record solving systemic, multi-product design challenges.
Experience leading design work in ambiguous or early‑stage (0→1) problem spaces
Strong discovery skills, including research, synthesis, concept development, and prototyping
Ability to explore new ideas while also supporting teams to bring solutions into delivery
Experience shaping end‑to‑end journeys and systems rather than isolated screens
Experience mentoring, coaching, or supporting other designers through craft and product thinking
Strong stakeholder management skills, with the ability to engage and influence senior Product, Technology, and Commercial partners
Confidence facilitating workshops and design‑led sessions to drive alignment and decision‑making
Advanced proficiency in Figma (essential)
Experience using digital whiteboarding tools such as Miro, Mural, or FigJam
Exposure to enterprise product architecture and cross-functional collaboration with engineering and product leadership.

\n

Go on, give it a go!

We know that looking for a new job can feel a bit daunting but don’t let a touch of imposter syndrome hold you back. Even if you don’t tick every box, we’d still love to hear from you! Apply today to stay connected.

At CarTrawler, we’re proud to be an equal opportunities employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for everyone. No matter your background, identity, or life experience, if you’re passionate about what you do, you’ll be welcomed here.

Perks for the journey

· Competitive pay and benefits, including a performance-based annual bonus, fully subsidised VHI health insurance and pension matching up to 4%.

· Generous time off and flexible working, including 25 days’ annual leave, extra company days, monthly Friday Unplugged afternoons and the option to work abroad for up to 20 days a year.

· Comprehensive wellbeing support, including access to health and mental health programmes (HeadsUp and EAP) and paid leave for marriage, volunteering and personal wellbeing including menstrual, menopause, and fertility leave.

· Growth and recognition culture with development opportunities through training, coaching and study support plus programmes that celebrate individual and team achievements.

· Everyday perks that make a difference - subsidised canteen (KC Peaches), on-site car parking, Bike to Work and TaxSaver schemes plus an active Sports & Social Club.

Principal Product Designer

Benefits

Job Description