Analyst - UX

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Analyst - UX

Company: United Airlines

Location: Chicago, Illinois, United States

Job Type: FULL_TIME

Category: User Experience (UX) Design / Operations

Date Posted: 2026-06-20

Experience Level: Entry to Mid-Level (0-2 years)

Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• Drive the creation of intuitive and user-centric digital experiences across United Airlines' platforms, focusing on enhancing user satisfaction and achieving business objectives.

• Translate complex user needs and business requirements into actionable UX designs, including wireframes, prototypes, and interactive models.

• Collaborate closely with cross-functional teams, including Product Management, UX Research, Visual Design, and Engineering, to ensure seamless integration of UX principles throughout the development lifecycle.

• Champion adherence to design systems, accessibility standards (WCAG AA), and responsive design principles to ensure a consistent and inclusive user experience across all devices and viewports.

• Contribute to a culture of continuous improvement by actively participating in testing, feedback, and iteration cycles, ensuring designs are validated and optimized.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the title is "Analyst - UX," the responsibilities and qualifications point to a core UX/UI Designer role with a focus on digital product development within a large enterprise. The "Analyst" designation may imply a strong emphasis on data-driven decision-making and research synthesis, aligning with operations principles.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Develop wireframes, interactive prototypes, and detailed user flows that effectively address user pain points and deliver measurable improvements in functionality, usability, and overall satisfaction.

• Ensure all digital designs adhere to user-centered design principles, comply with accessibility standards (e.g., WCAG AA), and are optimized for a wide range of devices and screen sizes (responsive and adaptive design for desktop, tablet, and mobile).

• Partner with UX Copywriting to craft clear, consistent, and brand-aligned microcopy across all user touchpoints, enhancing the overall user experience and guiding users effectively.

• Contribute to the development, maintenance, and scalability of enterprise-level design systems, ensuring consistency and efficiency across United's digital products and platforms.

• Collaborate with UX Research to plan and execute usability testing and other research activities, synthesizing findings to inform design iterations and validate design effectiveness.

• Proactively identify opportunities for UX innovation and improvement by staying abreast of industry trends, emerging technologies, and best practices in user experience design.

• Work closely with front-end developers during the implementation phase to ensure design fidelity, provide clear specifications, and resolve any technical challenges that may arise.

• Take ownership of design documentation, including style guides, interaction specifications, and other necessary artifacts, in collaboration with management.

• Actively participate in agile development sprints, providing design support and contributing to iterative workflows to deliver high-quality digital products.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a hands-on UX design role with a strong emphasis on collaboration, documentation, and adherence to established design principles and systems. This role requires a blend of creative design thinking and analytical rigor, typical of operations-focused design roles.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: Bachelor's degree or equivalent relevant experience in UX/UI Design, Human-Computer Interaction, Interaction Design, Digital Design, or a closely related field.

Experience: Minimum of 1+ years of professional experience in a digital design role, with a proven track record of working within cross-functional teams to deliver successful UX/UI solutions.

Required Skills:

• UX/UI Design Proficiency: Demonstrated ability to create wireframes, prototypes, user flows, and high-fidelity mockups using industry-standard design tools.

• Design Tools Mastery: Proficient in leading design software such as Figma, Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, XD), Protopie, Framer, or similar platforms.

• Responsive & Adaptive Design: Strong understanding of designing for multiple devices and viewports, ensuring a consistent and optimized experience across desktop, tablet, and mobile.

• User-Centered Design Principles: Deep knowledge of UX heuristics, usability best practices, and human-computer interaction principles.

• Accessibility Standards: Familiarity with accessibility guidelines such as WCAG AA and inclusive design practices, ensuring digital products are usable by everyone.

• Information Architecture & Content Strategy: Solid understanding of how to structure content logically and create intuitive navigation.

• UX Writing: Basic understanding of copywriting principles focused on UX, ensuring clarity, conciseness, and brand alignment in user interface text.

• Design Systems: Experience in creating, maintaining, and leveraging design systems to ensure consistency and efficiency.

• Agile Development: Experience working within agile development environments or iterative design/development workflows.

• Communication Skills: Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to clearly articulate design decisions, rationale, and collaborate effectively with diverse teams.

• Problem-Solving: Ability to synthesize user feedback, research findings, and stakeholder input into actionable design decisions and identify opportunities for improvement.

Preferred Skills:

• User Research & Usability Testing: Experience in planning, conducting, and analyzing user research and usability testing sessions.

• Data Analysis & Analytics Tools: Knowledge of analytics platforms (e.g., Google Analytics, Quantum) to inform design decisions with user behavior data.

• Front-End Development Awareness: Familiarity with front-end technologies (HTML, CSS, JavaScript) and an understanding of their impact on design feasibility and implementation.

• SEO Fundamentals: Basic knowledge of Search Engine Optimization principles and how they relate to digital content and user experience.

• Communications Strategies: Understanding of broader communication strategies that complement UX design.

📝 Enhancement Note: The minimum qualifications suggest a role for someone early in their UX career, but the emphasis on design systems, accessibility, and cross-functional collaboration indicates a need for a candidate who can quickly grasp complex workflows and contribute meaningfully within a structured operations environment. The preferred skills highlight a desire for candidates who can leverage data and research to drive design outcomes.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Demonstrated UX Process: Showcase a clear design process from research and ideation through to wireframing, prototyping, and user testing, highlighting problem-solving methodologies.

• Cross-Functional Collaboration Examples: Include projects where you worked effectively with product managers, engineers, researchers, and other stakeholders to achieve design goals.

• Design System Contribution: Present examples of contributions to or utilization of design systems, demonstrating an understanding of consistency and scalability.

• Accessibility & Responsive Design: Feature projects that explicitly address accessibility standards (WCAG AA) and demonstrate proficiency in responsive/adaptive design across various devices.

• Metrics & Impact: Where possible, quantify the impact of your designs with relevant metrics (e.g., improved task completion rates, reduced error rates, increased user satisfaction).

Process Documentation:

• Workflow Design: Evidence of creating detailed user flows, journey maps, and wireframes that clearly articulate user interactions and system logic.

• Prototyping & Iteration: Showcase interactive prototypes and describe the iteration process based on feedback and testing.

• Design Specifications: Include examples of detailed design specifications or style guides provided to development teams.

• User Research Synthesis: Demonstrate how user research and feedback were translated into design improvements.

📝 Enhancement Note: For an "Analyst - UX" role with a minimum of 1 year of experience, a portfolio is crucial. It should not only display design output but also the thought process and collaborative efforts behind it. The emphasis on process and systems aligns with the operational discipline of ensuring repeatable, scalable, and measurable design outcomes.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $73,150.00 - $95,224.00 USD annually.

Explanation of Range: This range is based on the provided information and industry benchmarks for an Analyst-level UX Designer in Chicago, Illinois, considering the experience level (0-2 years) and the enterprise nature of United Airlines. The figure is competitive for entry to mid-level roles in a major metropolitan area for a company of this size and industry.

Benefits:

• Comprehensive Health Coverage: Medical, Dental, and Vision insurance plans.

• Protection & Wellness: Life, Accident & Disability Insurance, and an Employee Assistance Program (EAP).

• Work-Life Balance: Parental Leave, Paid Holidays, and Paid Time Off (PTO).

• Retirement Savings: 401(k) plan with potential company match.

• Travel Perks: Flight privileges, a significant benefit for employees of an airline.

• Commuter Benefits: Assistance with commuting costs.

Working Hours: Approximately 40 hours per week, aligning with a standard full-time employment schedule. While specific flexibility is not detailed, typical enterprise environments allow for some degree of schedule management within core business hours.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range appears competitive for the specified experience level and location. The benefits package is robust, particularly the flight privileges, which is a unique differentiator for airline industry roles. The inclusion of specific benefits like parental leave and commuter benefits indicates a focus on employee well-being and work-life integration.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Aviation / Transportation Technology. United Airlines operates within the highly competitive and regulated airline industry, with a significant focus on leveraging technology to enhance operational efficiency, customer experience, and safety.

Company Size: Large Enterprise (United Airlines is a major global airline with tens of thousands of employees). This size implies structured processes, established hierarchies, and opportunities for significant impact within a large-scale digital transformation.

Founded: Founded in 1926 (as United Air Lines), United Airlines has a long history, indicating stability and a deep understanding of the aviation sector. This history suggests a culture that values tradition while adapting to modern technological advancements.

Team Structure:

• Digital Technology Team: This role is part of the Digital Technology team, which is described as comprised of talented individuals working with cutting-edge technology.

• Cross-Functional Collaboration: The UX Analyst will be embedded within or work closely with cross-functional teams, including Product Management, UX Research, Visual Design, and Engineering. This structure is typical for agile development environments.

• Reporting Hierarchy: Likely reports to a UX Design Manager or Lead, within a broader Digital Technology or Product Development organization.

Methodology:

• Agile Development: The description explicitly mentions experience working within agile development environments or iterative workflows, suggesting a fast-paced, collaborative, and iterative approach to product development.

• User-Centered Design: A core tenet of the role is understanding user needs and translating them into actionable designs, emphasizing a user-centric methodology.

• Data-Driven Decisions: With a mention of analytics tools and synthesizing feedback, the team likely employs a data-informed approach to design and product strategy.

Company Website: https://www.united.com/

📝 Enhancement Note: Working within a large, established company like United Airlines means navigating complex organizational structures and processes. However, the focus on Digital Technology and UX indicates a commitment to modernizing the customer and employee experience through digital innovation, presenting a significant opportunity for impact.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is positioned as an "Analyst - UX," typically indicating an entry-level to early-career professional (0-2 years of experience). It serves as a foundational role for developing core UX/UI design skills within a large corporate structure.

Reporting Structure: The Analyst will likely report to a Senior UX Designer, UX Lead, or UX Manager, who provides guidance, mentorship, and oversight. Collaboration will be extensive with peers in UX Research, Product Management, and Engineering.

Operations Impact: The UX Analyst's work directly impacts the usability and effectiveness of United Airlines' digital platforms. By creating seamless user experiences, they contribute to customer satisfaction, operational efficiency, and potentially revenue generation through improved conversion rates and engagement on booking platforms, loyalty programs, and internal tools.

Growth Opportunities:

• Skill Specialization: Opportunities to deepen expertise in specific areas of UX, such as user research, interaction design, accessibility, or design systems.

• Career Progression: Potential to advance to Senior UX Designer, Lead UX Designer, or specialized roles like UX Researcher or Product Designer, depending on performance and organizational needs.

• Cross-Functional Learning: Exposure to various aspects of product development, including business strategy, technical constraints, and marketing, fostering a holistic understanding of digital product creation.

• Industry Exposure: Gaining invaluable experience within the aviation industry and understanding the unique challenges and opportunities in designing for a global transportation network.

📝 Enhancement Note: For an early-career professional, this role offers a solid platform to build a career in UX within a well-established company. The "Analyst" title, combined with the experience level, suggests a structured learning environment where mentorship and guidance are likely to be key components of professional development.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: On-site. This role is based in Chicago, Illinois, at one of United Airlines' primary operational hubs.

Office Location(s): Chicago, Illinois, United States. This provides access to a major metropolitan area with extensive amenities and transportation links.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Spaces: Expect a work environment that facilitates collaboration, with dedicated areas for team meetings, brainstorming sessions, and cross-functional work.

• Technology Access: Will have access to standard office equipment and the necessary software and hardware for UX design, likely including high-performance workstations and access to company-wide design tools and systems.

• Team Interaction: Regular interaction with UX team members, product managers, engineers, and other stakeholders, fostering a dynamic and communicative work environment.

Work Schedule: The role is full-time, with an expected 40 hours per week. While specific flexibility details are not provided, large enterprises often offer some flexibility in start/end times, provided core business hours are covered and team collaboration needs are met. The on-site nature emphasizes in-person collaboration and adherence to a traditional work schedule.

📝 Enhancement Note: The on-site requirement is typical for roles that necessitate close collaboration and integration with broader business units, especially in a large organization where physical presence can be important for team cohesion and quick problem-solving.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: HR or recruiter screening to assess basic qualifications, interest, and cultural fit.

• Technical Interview/Portfolio Review: A session with UX design managers or senior designers to review the candidate's portfolio. This will involve discussing past projects, design process, problem-solving approaches, and tool proficiency. Be prepared to walk through 1-2 key projects in detail.

• Cross-Functional Interviews: Interviews with product managers, engineers, or UX researchers to assess collaboration skills, understanding of development processes, and ability to articulate design rationale.

• Behavioral/Situational Interviews: Questions designed to assess problem-solving abilities, adaptability, teamwork, and alignment with company values.

• Final Interview: Potentially with a senior leader within the Digital Technology organization.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select 2-3 projects that best showcase your UX process, problem-solving skills, and ability to deliver user-centric solutions, aligning with the responsibilities of this role (e.g., digital platforms, responsive design, design systems).

• Tell a Story: For each project, clearly articulate the problem, your role, the process you followed (research, ideation, design, testing), the challenges faced, your solutions, and the measurable outcomes or impact.

• Highlight Collaboration: Explicitly mention how you collaborated with different teams and stakeholders, and how their input influenced your designs.

• Showcase Tools & Systems: Clearly indicate the tools used (Figma, Adobe Suite, etc.) and any experience with design systems or accessibility standards.

• Be Prepared for Deep Dives: Expect to be asked detailed questions about your design choices, the rationale behind them, and how you would approach similar challenges in the future.

Challenge Preparation:

• Design Exercise: Be prepared for a potential take-home design challenge or an in-person whiteboard exercise. This might involve designing a feature for an existing application or solving a hypothetical UX problem related to travel or customer service.

• Focus on Process: Even in a timed exercise, demonstrate your thought process, sketching out ideas, and explaining your rationale.

• Consider Constraints: Think about business goals, technical limitations, and user needs when approaching any challenge.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process for a UX Analyst role at a large corporation like United Airlines will be structured and thorough. A strong portfolio that demonstrates a clear design process, collaborative skills, and an understanding of operational efficiency (through well-defined, scalable designs) will be critical for success.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• UX/UI Design Software: Figma, Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, XD), Protopie, Framer. Proficiency in at least one of these is essential.

• Prototyping Tools: Figma, Protopie, Framer, or Adobe XD for creating interactive prototypes.

• Design System Tools: Experience with or understanding of how to work with and contribute to design systems.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Web Analytics: Google Analytics, Quantum (or similar platforms) for understanding user behavior and informing design decisions.

• Data Visualization: While not explicitly mentioned, familiarity with tools for visualizing user data and performance metrics would be beneficial.

CRM & Automation:

• N/A: This role is primarily focused on front-end UX/UI design, not directly on CRM or marketing automation tools. However, understanding how user data from these systems informs UX is valuable.

Collaboration & Project Management:

• Agile Tools: Familiarity with tools like Jira, Confluence, or similar platforms used in agile development environments.

• Communication Platforms: Microsoft Teams, Slack, or internal company equivalents.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on Figma and Adobe Creative Suite, alongside prototyping tools, is standard for UX roles. The mention of analytics tools and agile platforms indicates that the UX team is integrated into a data-driven, iterative product development process, which is a hallmark of operational excellence in tech.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• User-Centricity: A fundamental value driving all design decisions, ensuring that user needs and satisfaction are prioritized.

• Collaboration & Teamwork: Strong emphasis on working effectively with diverse teams across Product, Engineering, and Research to achieve shared goals.

• Data-Driven Decision Making: Utilizing research, analytics, and user feedback to inform design choices and measure impact.

• Innovation & Continuous Improvement: A commitment to staying ahead of industry trends and constantly seeking ways to enhance user experiences and operational efficiency.

• Reliability & Accountability: As an essential function of the position, reliable attendance and taking ownership of design commitments are expected.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-Functional Integration: Active participation in cross-functional teams, contributing design expertise to product strategy and development.

• Feedback-Oriented: Open to giving and receiving constructive feedback to foster a culture of learning and continuous improvement.

• Iterative Design Process: Embracing an iterative approach where designs are refined based on ongoing feedback, testing, and evolving requirements.

• Clear Communication: Maintaining transparent and effective communication with all stakeholders to ensure alignment and manage expectations.

📝 Enhancement Note: The values and collaboration style described are typical of modern, efficient product development teams. For a UX role at United Airlines, these values translate to creating user experiences that are not only delightful but also efficient, reliable, and aligned with the operational demands of a global airline.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing User Needs with Business Objectives: Navigating the inherent tension between delivering ideal user experiences and meeting the complex business requirements and technical constraints of a large enterprise like United Airlines.

• Designing for Scale and Complexity: Creating intuitive user interfaces for a broad range of digital products that serve millions of users globally, each with diverse needs and contexts.

• Adhering to Brand and Compliance Standards: Ensuring all designs are consistent with United's brand identity and comply with industry regulations, accessibility mandates, and security protocols.

• Keeping Pace with Evolving Technologies: Staying current with the rapid advancements in UX/UI design tools, methodologies, and front-end technologies to ensure designs remain innovative and feasible.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Mentorship: Access to experienced UX designers and leaders who can provide guidance, feedback, and career advice.

• Formal Training: Opportunities for workshops, online courses, and certifications in specialized UX areas or new design tools.

• Industry Conferences: Potential to attend industry events (e.g., UXPA, IA Summit) to learn about emerging trends and network with peers.

• Cross-Departmental Exposure: Gaining a deeper understanding of other functions within United Airlines, such as operations, marketing, and customer service, which can inform design strategy.

• Career Path Development: Clear pathways for advancement within the UX discipline or into related roles like Product Management or specialized research.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges presented are common in large-scale UX roles. The opportunities for growth highlight a supportive environment for professional development, emphasizing that United Airlines invests in its employees' skills and career progression within the operations and technology domains.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• Design Process Deep Dive: "Walk me through a project in your portfolio where you had to balance conflicting user needs and business requirements. How did you approach it, and what was the outcome?" Prepare to detail your problem-solving methodology, research, and decision-making rationale.

• Collaboration Scenarios: "Describe a time you disagreed with a stakeholder or team member regarding a design decision. How did you handle it, and what was the resolution?" Focus on your communication, negotiation, and collaborative problem-solving skills.

• Design System Application: "How have you contributed to or utilized a design system in your previous work? What are the key benefits and challenges of using design systems?" Be ready to discuss scalability, consistency, and efficiency.

Company & Culture Questions:

• Motivation & Fit: "Why are you interested in United Airlines and this specific UX Analyst role?" Research United's recent digital initiatives, customer experience efforts, and company values.

• Agile Environment: "Describe your experience working in an agile development environment. How do you typically collaborate with developers and product managers in sprints?"

• Impact Measurement: "How do you measure the success of your designs? Can you provide an example of how your design resulted in a measurable business or user outcome?"

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure for Impact: For each project: Problem Statement -> Your Role -> Process -> Challenges -> Solutions -> Outcomes/Impact.

• Visual Clarity: Use high-quality visuals, clear annotations, and interactive prototypes where possible.

• Concise Storytelling: Be articulate and to the point. Focus on demonstrating your thought process and problem-solving skills, not just the final UI.

• Quantify Success: Whenever possible, present metrics that demonstrate the positive impact of your design solutions.

• Anticipate Questions: Be ready to answer in-depth questions about your design choices, trade-offs made, and how you would iterate further.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation for this role should focus on demonstrating not only design craft but also a strong understanding of process, collaboration, and the ability to contribute to operational efficiency within a large enterprise. Quantifying impact and articulating a clear design process are key to success.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this operations-focused UX position:

• Submit Your Application: Complete the online application form via the provided link.

• Tailor Your Resume: Highlight relevant keywords and experiences that align with UX design, digital technology, agile methodologies, and cross-functional collaboration. Emphasize your 1+ years of experience and proficiency in key design tools.

• Curate Your Portfolio: Ensure your portfolio showcases 2-3 strong UX projects that demonstrate your design process, problem-solving skills, and ability to create user-centric, accessible, and responsive designs. Be prepared to discuss the operational impact of your work.

• Prepare for Interviews: Review common UX interview questions, practice articulating your design process, and research United Airlines' digital presence and company values.

• Research the Company: Understand United Airlines' mission, its position in the aviation industry, and any recent technological advancements or customer experience initiatives. This will help you tailor your responses and demonstrate genuine interest.

⚠️ Important Notice: This enhanced job description includes AI-generated insights and operations industry-standard assumptions. All details should be verified directly with the hiring organization before making application decisions.