Front End UI Designer

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Front End UI Designer

Company: CYOS Solutions

Location: Sydney, New South Wales, Australia

Job Type: CONTRACTOR

Category: User Interface Design & Front-End Development

Date Posted: 2026-04-10

Experience Level: 5-10 Years

Remote Status: Hybrid (Remote considered case-by-case)

🚀 Role Summary

• This role requires a dual-skilled professional adept at both User Interface (UI) Design and Front-End Development, focusing on creating human-centric digital services.

• The position involves a lean design process encompassing rapid prototyping, user testing, and iterative implementation to deliver intuitive and fit-for-purpose interfaces.

• Successful candidates will collaborate within multi-disciplinary teams to enhance product features, user flows, and interfaces, ensuring optimal usability and accessibility.

• Key responsibilities include translating user research into actionable design improvements, developing UI components with HTML/CSS/JavaScript frameworks, and advocating for user-centric solutions.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the job title specifies "Front End UI Designer," the description clearly indicates a need for a hybrid skillset encompassing both design and development. The emphasis on "dual skillset" and "working across both disciplines" suggests a role that bridges the gap between design conceptualization and technical implementation. This is crucial for operations professionals to understand as it implies a need for both creative problem-solving and practical coding abilities.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Drive a human-centric approach to digital service delivery by understanding and balancing customer, business, and technology needs.

• Design and develop user-centric product improvements, features, user flows, and high-fidelity interfaces.

• Create and iterate on user-focused UI designs, specifications, wireframes, and prototypes based on user feedback and research findings.

• Plan and conduct user experience evaluations to ensure usability and accessibility requirements (WCAG 2.1 AA minimum) are met.

• Implement UI components using HTML, CSS, and JavaScript frameworks such as ReactJS and/or Angular, ensuring code quality and best practices.

• Collaborate closely with user researchers and designers to translate usability testing findings into concrete improvements for the user interface.

• Advocate for and problem-solve user-centric design solutions with back-end engineers, coaching them on usability and front-end development best practices.

• Translate designs, Proofs of Concept (POCs), and wireframes into functional modules and high-quality code for optimal usability and accessibility.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a need for a "dual skillset" and "working across both disciplines." This implies that candidates will be expected to not only conceptualize designs but also implement them. The emphasis on "rapid prototyping, testing, and implementation" suggests a fast-paced, iterative environment where a strong understanding of the full development lifecycle is valued.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: Tertiary Qualifications in a design or computer science/ICT related discipline (Human Factors, Communication/Graphic Design, Systems Design, Psychology, Computer Interaction, Web development etc.) is desirable.

Experience: 5-10 years of demonstrated experience in UI design and front-end development.

Required Skills:

• Demonstrated experience designing user interfaces, working within an existing style guide and/or design system.

• Proficiency in front-end technologies: HTML, CSS, and JavaScript frameworks such as ReactJS and/or Angular.

• Effective communication skills with the ability to work with and influence multiple stakeholders, articulating design decisions with a well-reasoned rationale.

• Proven experience translating findings from usability testing into actionable improvements for user interfaces.

Preferred Skills:

• Demonstrated experience designing wireframes, user interfaces, and interactive prototypes with a high attention to detail.

• Ability to rapidly prototype, test, and iterate designs.

• Experience working in a government or public sector environment.

📝 Enhancement Note: The essential criteria strongly emphasize a blend of design and technical skills. The requirement to work within an "existing style guide and/or design system" suggests the need for adherence to established brand guidelines and component libraries, common in larger organizations. The mention of "coaching back-end engineers" implies a senior or lead capability in front-end practices.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Showcase of user-centric UI designs, demonstrating a human-centered approach from concept to implementation.

• Examples of user flows, wireframes, and high-fidelity prototypes, highlighting attention to detail and iterative design processes.

• Case studies demonstrating the translation of usability testing findings into concrete UI improvements and accessibility enhancements.

• Code samples or links to live projects showcasing proficiency in HTML, CSS, and JavaScript frameworks (ReactJS/Angular) with a focus on clean, maintainable, and accessible code.

Process Documentation:

• Evidence of participation in a lean design process, including rapid prototyping, user testing, and iterative implementation.

• Documentation or explanation of how user experience evaluations were conducted and how findings were used to refine designs and ensure accessibility standards.

• Examples of collaboration within multi-disciplinary teams, detailing how design and development efforts were integrated.

📝 Enhancement Note: A portfolio is critical for this role, as it needs to evidence both design thinking and front-end development capabilities. Candidates should prepare to walk through their process, from initial user research and ideation through to final implementation and accessibility considerations. Highlighting contributions to design systems or style guides will be particularly valuable.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $100 - $120 per hour (inclusive of superannuation)

Benefits:

• Opportunity to work on major government projects that impact Australian businesses and citizens.

• Flexible working arrangements, with remote work considered on a case-by-case basis.

• Contract length of 12 months with potential for extensions (2 x 12 months), offering job security and project continuity.

• Requirement for Baseline Security Clearance, which can enhance future government contracting opportunities.

• Exposure to a multi-disciplinary team environment, fostering collaboration and knowledge sharing.

Working Hours: Standard full-time hours are assumed (e.g., 40 hours per week), with flexibility potentially available based on business needs and remote working arrangements.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range of $100-$120 AUD per hour for a contractor role in Sydney, with experience level 5-10 years, is within the upper quartile for skilled front-end developers and UI designers in Australia. This reflects the specialized dual skillset required and the government sector context. Superannuation is included, which is standard for Australian contractor rates.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Government & Public Sector (Department of Industry, Science and Resources) with a focus on digital transformation and service delivery.

Company Size: The Department of Industry, Science and Resources is a large government entity. The Chief Information Officer Division (CIOD) within it likely comprises a significant number of IT and digital professionals.

Founded: The Department of Industry, Science and Resources has a long history, with its current iteration reflecting a commitment to modernizing government services through technology.

Team Structure:

• The role is within the Chief Information Officer Division (CIOD), specifically supporting major projects in the Corporate and Digital Division.

• You will work in multi-disciplinary teams, implying close collaboration with user researchers, UX designers, back-end engineers, and project managers.

Methodology:

• Emphasis on a human-centric approach to service delivery, prioritizing user needs.

• Adoption of a lean design process involving rapid prototyping, user testing, and iterative improvements.

• Focus on agile development methodologies, collaborating within teams to deliver digital services effectively.

• Commitment to accessibility standards (WCAG 2.1 AA) as a core part of the development and design process.

Company Website: https://www.industry.gov.au/

📝 Enhancement Note: Working within a government department means adherence to public service values, strict security protocols (Baseline Clearance required), and a focus on delivering public good. The culture is likely to be process-oriented, with an emphasis on documentation, compliance, and stakeholder engagement. Collaboration will be key, but within structured team environments.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is positioned as a Senior Front-End UI Designer/Developer, requiring a strong blend of technical expertise and design sensibility. It's a hands-on contributor role with potential for influencing technical direction and mentoring junior team members.

Reporting Structure: The role reports to a supervising manager within the Chief Information Officer Division (CIOD). Collaboration will be extensive with peers in multi-disciplinary teams.

Operations Impact: The impact of this role is directly tied to the success of digital service delivery for the Department of Industry, Science and Resources. By creating intuitive, accessible, and user-friendly interfaces, the role contributes to improved citizen and business engagement with government services, enhancing efficiency and trust.

Growth Opportunities:

• Skill Specialization: Deepen expertise in specific JavaScript frameworks (ReactJS, Angular) or advanced UI/UX design principles and accessibility standards.

• Project Leadership: Potential to lead UI/front-end development streams on future projects, taking on more responsibility for technical architecture and team guidance.

• Government Sector Experience: Gain valuable experience within the Australian public sector, opening doors to future contract or permanent roles within government agencies.

• Mentorship: Opportunity to mentor and coach back-end engineers on front-end development and usability best practices, developing leadership and communication skills.

📝 Enhancement Note: The contractor nature of the role (12 months with extensions) provides stability but also necessitates continuous skill development to remain competitive. The government sector context offers unique opportunities for impact and specialized learning that may not be available in the private sector.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: While the role is designated as "TELECOMMUTE" and remote working is considered, the official work location is NSW. This suggests that a hybrid model is the default, with remote work being an exception approved on a case-by-case basis. The department likely has office spaces in Sydney.

Office Location(s): Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.

Workspace Context:

• The work environment is collaborative, involving multi-disciplinary teams. Expect regular communication and interaction with designers, researchers, and developers.

• Access to a range of digital tools and technologies will be provided, supporting the design and development lifecycle.

• The focus is on delivering digital services, so the environment is likely dynamic and project-driven, with an emphasis on iterative development and feedback loops.

Work Schedule: Standard full-time hours are expected, but the possibility of remote work suggests a degree of flexibility may be offered, contingent on business needs and manager approval. This allows for better integration of work and personal life, which is beneficial for focused design and development tasks.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "TELECOMMUTE" designation combined with "Remote working arrangements may be considered on a case-by-case basis" indicates that while remote is possible, it's not guaranteed. Candidates should be prepared for a hybrid arrangement, potentially requiring some in-office presence in Sydney, depending on team and project needs.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Application Review: Your CV and responses to essential/desirable criteria will be assessed against the requirements. Focus on quantifiable achievements and specific examples.

• Technical/Portfolio Screening: Expect a review of your portfolio to assess your UI design skills, front-end development capabilities, and understanding of accessibility. Be prepared to discuss your design process and technical choices.

• Interview(s): Likely to involve one or more interviews with the hiring manager and team members. Questions will cover your experience, problem-solving approach, collaboration style, and understanding of human-centric design and accessibility.

• Reference Checks: Standard procedure for government contracts.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Dual Focus: Ensure your portfolio clearly demonstrates both strong UI design principles (wireframes, prototypes, user flows) and robust front-end development skills (code examples, live projects).

• Accessibility Champion: Highlight specific projects where you've implemented WCAG 2.1 AA standards and explain your process for ensuring accessibility.

• Iterative Process: Showcase examples of how you've used user feedback and testing to refine designs and improve interfaces.

• Style Guide/Design System: Include examples of your work within existing style guides or design systems, or demonstrate your ability to create/contribute to them.

• Concise Case Studies: For each project, clearly articulate the problem, your solution (design and development), the process, and the outcome, using metrics where possible.

Challenge Preparation:

• Be ready for a potential coding challenge or a design exercise that requires you to demonstrate your skills in HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and potentially a framework like React or Angular.

• Prepare to discuss your approach to solving common UI/UX problems and your rationale behind design decisions.

• Understand the principles of human-centric design and how to apply them in practice.

• Be familiar with the WCAG 2.1 guidelines and how to implement them.

📝 Enhancement Note: The application requires specific written responses to essential and desirable criteria (max 5000 characters each). This is a critical part of the screening process. Candidates should craft these responses carefully, providing concrete examples and aligning them with the job description.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Front-End Frameworks: ReactJS, Angular (proficiency in at least one is essential).

• Core Web Technologies: HTML5, CSS3 (including pre-processors like Sass/Less, if applicable).

• JavaScript: ES6+ standards.

• Design & Prototyping Tools: Figma, Sketch, Adobe XD, InVision, or similar tools for wireframing, prototyping, and interface design.

• Version Control: Git (and platforms like GitHub, GitLab, Bitbucket).

Analytics & Reporting:

• Usability Testing Tools: UserTesting.com, Maze, or similar platforms for gathering user feedback.

• Analytics Platforms: Google Analytics, Adobe Analytics (or similar, to understand user behavior on implemented interfaces).

CRM & Automation:

• While not explicitly mentioned, understanding how front-end interfaces integrate with back-end systems and potentially CRM data is beneficial. Familiarity with API integrations might be advantageous.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on ReactJS and/or Angular suggests that candidates with experience in these modern JavaScript frameworks will be highly sought after. Proficiency in design tools like Figma or Sketch is also implicitly required given the UI design aspect of the role.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• User-Centricity: A deep commitment to understanding and serving the needs of end-users (citizens and businesses) in all design and development decisions.

• Collaboration: Working effectively within multi-disciplinary teams, valuing diverse perspectives and fostering open communication.

• Excellence & Quality: Striving for high-quality, well-crafted code and intuitive, accessible user interfaces that meet rigorous standards.

• Innovation & Iteration: Embracing a lean design process of rapid prototyping, testing, and continuous improvement to deliver optimal solutions.

• Accessibility & Inclusivity: Ensuring digital services are usable by everyone, regardless of ability or background, adhering to WCAG standards.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-functional Integration: Close collaboration between designers, developers, and user researchers to ensure seamless translation of insights into tangible digital products.

• Feedback-Driven: An open culture for providing and receiving constructive feedback on designs and code to drive continuous improvement.

• Knowledge Sharing: Encouraging the sharing of best practices in UI design, front-end development, and accessibility across teams.

📝 Enhancement Note: The culture within a government department like the Department of Industry, Science and Resources is likely to be aligned with public service values, emphasizing integrity, accountability, and service delivery. The "human-centric" and "lean design" aspects suggest a modern, agile approach within this framework.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing Dual Roles: Effectively managing time and responsibilities between UI design and front-end development tasks.

• Government Bureaucracy: Navigating established processes, security clearances, and stakeholder management within a large public sector organization.

• Accessibility Implementation: Ensuring strict adherence to WCAG 2.1 AA standards across all deliverables, which can be complex.

• Rapid Iteration: Maintaining quality and consistency while working within a lean, iterative design and development cycle.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Advanced Framework Skills: Opportunity to deepen expertise in ReactJS or Angular through practical application on significant projects.

• Accessibility Mastery: Becoming a subject matter expert in web accessibility within a government context.

• Government Digital Standards: Learning the specific standards and best practices for digital service delivery in the Australian public sector.

• Cross-Disciplinary Learning: Gaining insights into the work of user researchers, back-end developers, and project managers, broadening your understanding of the product development lifecycle.

📝 Enhancement Note: The requirement for a Baseline Security Clearance is a significant hurdle and potential challenge for some candidates, but also an opportunity to gain valuable clearance for future government roles.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a complex UI challenge you faced and how you used a lean design process (prototyping, testing, iteration) to solve it, detailing both your design and front-end development contributions."

• "How do you ensure accessibility (WCAG 2.1 AA) is integrated into your design and development workflow from the outset, rather than as an afterthought? Provide specific examples."

• "Walk us through a project where you had to translate user research findings into actionable design improvements. What was your process, and what was the outcome?"

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What interests you about working for the Department of Industry, Science and Resources and contributing to government digital services?"

• "How do you approach working within a government department's established style guides and design systems?"

• "Describe a time you had to influence stakeholders or other team members to adopt a user-centric or accessibility-focused approach. What was your strategy?"

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure: Organize your portfolio to clearly distinguish between design-focused projects and development-focused contributions. Use case study formats for key projects.

• Storytelling: For each project, tell a clear story: the problem, your approach (design and code), the tools used, the challenges overcome, and the measurable impact.

• Live Demos: Be prepared to demo live projects or interactive prototypes if possible.

• Code Snippets: Have examples of well-structured, accessible HTML, CSS, and JavaScript code ready to discuss.

• Accessibility Focus: Explicitly point out how accessibility was addressed in your showcased work.

📝 Enhancement Note: Given the emphasis on "responses to essential and desirable criteria," interviewers will likely probe deeper into the written answers provided. Candidates should be prepared to elaborate on and provide specific evidence for every claim made in their application.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this operations position:

• Submit your application through the provided Breezy HR link.

• CV Optimization: Ensure your CV (max 3-5 pages) clearly highlights your experience in both UI design and front-end development, using keywords from the job description (e.g., HTML, CSS, JavaScript, ReactJS, Angular, WCAG, prototyping, human-centric design). Quantify achievements where possible.

• Criteria Responses: Carefully craft your written responses to the essential and desirable criteria. Each response is limited to 5000 characters, so be concise, specific, and use concrete examples that directly address the requirements.

• Portfolio Preparation: Assemble a portfolio that showcases your dual skillset. Include examples of UI designs, wireframes, prototypes, and front-end code. Prepare to discuss your process, design rationale, and technical implementation details, with a strong emphasis on accessibility.

• Company Research: Familiarize yourself with the Department of Industry, Science and Resources' mission, values, and digital service initiatives. Understand the importance of human-centric design and accessibility in the public sector.

⚠️ 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.