Head of UX Design and Research

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Head of UX Design and Research

Company: Wing

Location: Palo Alto, California

Job Type: Full-time

Category: Product & UX / Design Leadership

Date Posted: May 19, 2026

Experience Level: 10+ Years

Remote Status: Hybrid

🚀 Role Summary

• Lead and scale a high-performing UX design and research team to architect the future of autonomous logistics within the drone delivery ecosystem.

• Drive user-centric product strategy and execution across consumer-facing applications, partner/merchant integrations, and internal operational tools that power flight operations.

• Define and champion a cohesive design language for the entire Wing ecosystem, ensuring intuitive and human-centric interactions at the physical-digital intersection.

• Collaborate with senior Product, Engineering, and Aviation Operations leaders to shape product direction, from concept through to operational deployment.

• Foster a culture of design excellence, rigorous user testing, and innovation to solve unique challenges in autonomous systems and logistics.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is critical for establishing the user experience of a novel logistics service, requiring a leader who can bridge complex technical systems with human-centered design principles. The "physical-digital intersection" implies a need to consider not just digital interfaces but also the end-to-end service delivery, including physical operations and regulatory compliance.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Architect and lead the UX vision and strategy for Wing's consumer applications, partner integrations, and internal operational tools, ensuring a unified and exceptional user experience.

• Drive deep-dive user research initiatives to uncover insights into user perceptions and interactions with autonomous technology in daily life.

• Craft seamless and intuitive interfaces for mobile applications and develop robust integration frameworks for global partners and merchants.

• Optimize complex service blueprints and end-to-end service journeys, ensuring smooth handoffs between automated systems and human operators in ground operations, hardware maintenance, and logistics.

• Design sophisticated toolsets for operators to monitor, manage, and control a global fleet of autonomous aircraft, prioritizing safety, efficiency, and trust.

• Manage, mentor, and grow a multi-disciplinary team of UX Designers and Researchers, fostering an environment of innovation, collaboration, and rigorous user validation.

• Define and maintain the comprehensive design language and system for the entire Wing ecosystem, ensuring consistency across all touchpoints.

• Collaborate closely with cross-functional leads (Product, Engineering, Aviation Operations, Legal) to navigate the complex regulatory and technical landscapes, ensuring design is a key driver of strategic objectives.

• Champion design thinking methodologies and establish new frameworks to address complexity in a highly collaborative, cross-functional organization.

📝 Enhancement Note: The primary responsibilities emphasize leadership, strategic vision, and hands-on execution across diverse product surfaces. The role requires a leader capable of managing both strategic initiatives and tactical design execution, with a strong focus on user trust in AI-powered and autonomous systems.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: BA/BS degree in Design (e.g., Interaction Design, Film, Graphic Design, Visual Communications, Product Design), or a related field, or equivalent practical experience.

Experience:

• 15+ years of experience in UX Design and/or Product Management.

• 7+ years of experience leading, mentoring, and scaling high-performing product teams.

Required Skills:

• UX Design & Research Leadership: Demonstrated ability to lead, mentor, and scale multi-disciplinary UX design and research teams.

• Strategic Vision Setting: Deep experience in defining product vision, strategy, and roadmaps for complex, interconnected product surfaces.

• Human-Centered Design: Expertise in applying user-centered design principles to solve complex problems, especially at the physical-digital intersection.

• AI/Automation Design: Experience designing for AI-powered systems, automation, or other agentic technologies where building user trust is critical.

• Executive Communication & Stakeholder Management: Exceptional ability to communicate effectively with executive leadership and influence technical and business stakeholders.

• Design Thinking Leadership: Proven experience in establishing new design frameworks and driving organizational change through design methodologies.

• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Ability to work effectively with Product, Engineering, Operations, and other teams in a highly collaborative environment.

• Interaction Design & Visual Communications: Strong foundational skills in interaction design, visual design, and user interface design.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience in the logistics, aviation, or autonomous systems industries.

• Experience with service design and service blueprinting for complex operational workflows.

• Familiarity with regulatory environments for new technologies.

• Experience with building and managing design systems.

• Understanding of cloud-based logistics platforms.

📝 Enhancement Note: The qualifications highlight a need for a seasoned leader with a blend of strategic thinking, team-building capabilities, and hands-on design expertise, particularly in emerging technology domains. The emphasis on AI and automation design is key, suggesting a focus on building trust and managing complex system interactions.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Showcase a minimum of 3-5 significant projects demonstrating leadership in UX design and research strategy.

• For each project, clearly articulate the initial problem statement, your specific role and contributions, the design process followed, key decisions made, and measurable outcomes.

• Highlight projects that involved complex systems, physical-digital interactions, or AI/automation, with a focus on user trust and adoption.

• Include examples of how you've scaled design teams, influenced product strategy, and collaborated with engineering and product leadership.

Process Documentation:

• Provide examples of how you've documented and optimized complex service blueprints or end-to-end user journeys.

• Illustrate your approach to user research, including methodologies for qualitative and quantitative data collection and analysis, particularly for novel technologies.

• Showcase how you've translated research insights into actionable design solutions and product requirements.

• Include examples of your strategic planning process for design initiatives, from concept to execution.

📝 Enhancement Note: The portfolio requirements emphasize leadership, strategic impact, and the ability to manage complex design challenges. Candidates should be prepared to demonstrate their process for tackling novel technical problems and building user trust in autonomous systems.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $304,000 - $323,000 USD per year.

Benefits:

• Bonus: Performance-based bonus opportunities.

• Equity: Stock options or other equity grants, reflecting long-term commitment and company success.

• Comprehensive Benefits Package: Includes health, dental, and vision insurance, retirement savings plans (e.g., 401k), paid time off, and potentially other wellness programs.

• Professional Development: Opportunities for continued learning, training, and conference attendance.

Working Hours: Standard full-time work hours are expected, typically around 40 hours per week, with flexibility often afforded to leadership roles for managing team and project demands.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range is competitive for a senior leadership role in the Bay Area tech market, particularly for a Head of UX position at a company with Alphabet backing. The inclusion of bonus and equity underscores the performance-driven nature of the role and the company's growth potential.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Drone Delivery / Last-Mile Logistics / Aviation Technology (part of Alphabet/Google's parent company).

Company Size: Wing is a significant entity within Alphabet, indicating a large organizational structure with substantial resources but likely maintaining an agile, startup-like operational pace for its core team. The specific size of the UX team is not detailed but is expected to grow under this leadership.

Founded: Wing was founded in 2012, giving it a decade of experience and development in the nascent drone delivery industry.

Team Structure:

• The Head of UX Design and Research will lead a team comprising UX Designers and UX Researchers.

• This team operates within the broader Product & UX organization.

• Close collaboration is expected with senior leaders in Product Management, Engineering, Aviation Operations, Legal, and Marketing.

Methodology:

• Data-Driven Design: Emphasizes deep user research and data analysis to inform design decisions, especially crucial for autonomous systems where user trust is paramount.

• Agile Development: Likely follows agile or lean methodologies for product development, requiring close integration of design and research with engineering sprints.

• Service Design: Focuses on mapping and optimizing the entire service delivery process, integrating digital interfaces with physical operations.

• Human-Centric Innovation: Prioritizes understanding and meeting user needs in a novel technological context.

Company Website: https://wing.com/

📝 Enhancement Note: Wing's position within Alphabet provides a unique blend of startup agility and corporate backing, suggesting a culture that values innovation, rigorous testing, and long-term vision. The "physical-digital intersection" and "autonomous systems" are key themes that will shape the team's approach to design and operations.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This is a senior leadership role, equivalent to a Director or VP level within a growing organization. It involves significant strategic responsibility, team management, and cross-functional influence. The scope covers a critical aspect of the user experience for a complex, multi-faceted service.

Reporting Structure: The Head of UX Design and Research will likely report to a VP of Product, Chief Product Officer, or another senior executive responsible for the overall product strategy and execution. They will manage a team of UX Designers and Researchers.

Operations Impact: The Head of UX will have a profound impact on Wing's success by shaping how users interact with its drone delivery services. This includes driving adoption, ensuring safety and trust, optimizing operational efficiency through intuitive tools, and differentiating Wing in a competitive market. Their work directly influences customer satisfaction, partner engagement, and operational effectiveness.

Growth Opportunities:

• Organizational Leadership: Opportunity to build and shape a world-class UX function within a pioneering company.

• Industry Influence: Become a recognized leader in the emerging field of UX for autonomous systems and drone logistics.

• Strategic Impact: Influence the long-term product and business strategy of a company at the forefront of a new industry.

• Skill Expansion: Deepen expertise in areas like AI-driven design, complex service systems, and regulatory environments.

• Mentorship: Develop and mentor a team of talented designers and researchers, fostering their career growth.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role offers a significant opportunity for career advancement by leading a critical function in a groundbreaking industry. The growth potential lies in shaping the future of drone delivery UX and building a lasting impact on the company's trajectory.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Wing operates a hybrid work model, requiring the Head of UX Design and Research to be based in Palo Alto, CA. This suggests a modern office environment designed for collaboration, innovation, and hands-on work with hardware or operational teams when necessary.

Office Location(s): Palo Alto, California offers a prime location within the Silicon Valley tech hub, providing access to talent, resources, and a thriving ecosystem of innovation.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Hub: The office space will likely facilitate in-person collaboration with design, research, product, and engineering teams, crucial for tackling complex physical-digital design challenges.

• Access to Operations: Proximity to operational teams and potentially flight centers may allow for direct observation and understanding of the real-world logistics and flight operations.

• Technology Enabled: The workspace will be equipped with the necessary tools and technology to support design, research, and communication for a hybrid team.

• Innovation Focus: The environment is expected to foster creativity, experimentation, and a proactive approach to problem-solving.

Work Schedule: A hybrid schedule means a balance of in-office and remote work. While specific days in the office may vary, leadership roles typically require significant in-person presence for team management, strategic meetings, and fostering culture. The nature of operations in drone delivery might also necessitate occasional flexibility outside standard hours.

📝 Enhancement Note: The hybrid nature of the role in Palo Alto implies a need for strong remote collaboration skills alongside the ability to leverage in-office time for strategic alignment and team cohesion. The physical location is advantageous for networking and talent acquisition within the tech industry.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A recruiter or hiring manager will conduct an initial screening to assess qualifications and alignment with the role.

• Hiring Manager Interview: A more in-depth discussion about experience, leadership philosophy, and strategic approach to UX and research.

• Portfolio Review & Presentation: Candidates will present their portfolio, showcasing key projects, design process, leadership impact, and strategic thinking. This is a critical stage.

• Cross-Functional Interviews: Interviews with peers and senior leaders from Product, Engineering, and Operations to assess collaboration style, technical understanding, and strategic partnership capabilities.

• Executive Interview: A final interview with a senior executive (e.g., VP Product, CPO) to evaluate overall fit, vision, and strategic alignment with Wing's mission.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Focus on Impact: Clearly articulate the business and user impact of your work, using metrics where possible.

• Demonstrate Leadership: Showcase how you've led teams, mentored individuals, and influenced product strategy.

• Highlight Process: Explain your design and research methodologies, emphasizing adaptability and problem-solving for complex, novel challenges.

• Showcase Strategy: Illustrate your ability to set vision and strategy for design initiatives, especially in areas like AI and autonomous systems.

• Address the Physical-Digital Intersection: Be prepared to discuss how you've approached design challenges that span digital interfaces and physical operations.

• Storytelling: Structure your presentation as a compelling narrative, explaining the context, your role, the challenges, your solutions, and the outcomes.

Challenge Preparation:

• Strategic UX Questions: Anticipate questions about how you would approach defining the UX for a new autonomous logistics service, building user trust in AI, or scaling a design team in a fast-paced environment.

• Leadership Scenarios: Prepare for questions about managing team conflict, influencing stakeholders, and driving organizational change through design.

• Problem-Solving: Be ready to discuss how you would tackle specific design challenges related to Wing's service, such as optimizing flight operations tools or designing partner integrations.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process is designed to be rigorous, assessing not only design and research skills but also leadership, strategic thinking, and cross-functional collaboration. The portfolio review is a central component, requiring candidates to articulate their vision and impact effectively.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Design Software: Figma, Sketch, Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator).

• Prototyping Tools: InVision, Figma prototypes, Principle, ProtoPie.

• User Research Platforms: UserTesting.com, Lookback, Maze, Dovetail for qualitative and quantitative insights.

• Collaboration & Project Management: Jira, Confluence, Asana, Trello for workflow management and documentation.

• Design System Tools: Figma components, Storybook, or similar for managing design systems.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Web/App Analytics: Google Analytics, Amplitude, Mixpanel for tracking user behavior and product performance.

• Data Visualization: Tableau, Power BI, Looker Studio for creating dashboards and reporting on key metrics.

• Experimentation Platforms: Optimizely, VWO, or internal A/B testing tools for validating design changes.

CRM & Automation:

• While not directly managed by UX, understanding CRM systems (e.g., Salesforce) and marketing automation tools might be relevant for partner integration design and understanding the broader business context.

• Integration Platforms: Familiarity with API concepts and how systems communicate will be beneficial for designing partner integrations.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the specific tools for UX are standard, the emphasis on analytics and understanding integration platforms highlights the data-driven and complex system nature of Wing's operations. The Head of UX will need to be proficient in leveraging data to inform design and understanding how Wing's digital products interface with external systems and internal operations.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Safety First: A paramount value in aviation and autonomous systems, extending to design that prioritizes user safety and trust.

• User-Centricity: A commitment to understanding and serving the needs of consumers, merchants, and operators through intuitive design.

• Innovation & Agility: Fostering a culture that embraces new technologies, experiments, and adapts quickly to market and regulatory changes.

• Data-Driven Decision Making: Utilizing insights from research and analytics to guide product development and strategic choices.

• Collaboration & Transparency: Encouraging open communication and teamwork across disciplines to achieve shared goals.

• Excellence & Rigor: A drive for high-quality execution and meticulous attention to detail in all aspects of design and operations.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-Functional Partnership: A highly collaborative approach, working hand-in-hand with Product Management, Engineering, Aviation Operations, Legal, and Marketing to ensure integrated solutions.

• Design as a Strategic Partner: Positioning UX and Research as integral to strategic planning, not just a late-stage execution function.

• Feedback-Rich Environment: Encouraging constructive feedback loops within the design team and across departments to refine solutions.

• Shared Ownership: Fostering a sense of collective responsibility for the success of Wing's products and services.

📝 Enhancement Note: Wing's culture likely mirrors that of innovative tech companies, with a strong emphasis on execution, data, and user focus, amplified by the unique demands of the aviation and autonomous systems industry. The values will guide how the Head of UX leads their team and interacts with the broader organization.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Novelty of the Domain: Designing for drone delivery and autonomous logistics is a nascent field, requiring pioneers to define best practices and user expectations from scratch.

• Building User Trust: Instilling confidence in consumers and partners regarding the safety, reliability, and security of autonomous drone operations.

• Physical-Digital Integration: Seamlessly bridging the gap between digital interfaces and the complex physical realities of flight, delivery, and ground operations.

• Regulatory Landscape: Navigating evolving and complex aviation regulations that impact product design and user experience.

• Scaling a Team & Function: Growing a high-performing UX and Research team while maintaining quality and strategic focus in a rapidly expanding company.

• Cross-Functional Alignment: Ensuring alignment and buy-in from diverse stakeholders (engineering, operations, legal, marketing) on design vision and priorities.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Pioneering UX: Opportunity to define and lead the UX for one of the world's most advanced drone delivery services.

• Industry Expertise: Deepen knowledge in aviation, autonomous systems, logistics, and regulatory affairs.

• Leadership Development: Enhance skills in scaling teams, strategic planning, executive communication, and driving organizational change.

• Innovation Hub: Work at the cutting edge of technology, contributing to the future of last-mile logistics.

• Mentorship: Develop and guide a team of talented designers and researchers, shaping the next generation of UX leaders in emerging tech.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges presented are significant but also offer immense growth opportunities for a driven and innovative leader. Tackling these challenges will be key to success and career advancement within Wing and the broader industry.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "How would you establish a design vision and strategy for a complex, physical-digital ecosystem like Wing's drone delivery service?"

• "Describe your approach to building user trust in AI-powered and autonomous systems. What are the critical design considerations?"

• "How would you structure and scale a UX Design and Research team to support multiple product lines (consumer apps, partner integrations, internal tools) simultaneously?"

• "What methodologies would you employ to understand and optimize the end-to-end service journey for drone delivery, considering both digital and operational aspects?"

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What excites you about Wing's mission and the future of drone delivery?"

• "How would you foster a culture of design excellence and user-centricity within a highly technical organization?"

• "Describe a time you had to influence senior leadership or stakeholders to adopt a design-led approach. What was the outcome?"

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Narrative Arc: Frame your portfolio presentation around a clear story: the problem, your approach, your solution, and the impact.

• Leadership Focus: For each project, clearly articulate your leadership role, strategic contributions, and how you guided your team.

• Process Agility: Show how you adapt your design and research processes to different contexts, especially for novel technologies.

• Metrics & Outcomes: Quantify the impact of your work whenever possible (e.g., increased conversion, reduced error rates, improved user satisfaction scores).

• Visual Clarity: Use high-quality visuals and concise explanations. Avoid overwhelming slides with text.

• Q&A Readiness: Be prepared to dive deeper into any aspect of your work, defend your decisions, and discuss alternative approaches.

📝 Enhancement Note: Candidates should prepare to discuss their strategic thinking, leadership style, and ability to navigate complex, novel technological challenges. The portfolio presentation is a key opportunity to demonstrate these capabilities through concrete examples.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Head of UX Design and Research position:

• Submit your application through the provided link on the Wing careers page.

• Tailor Your Resume: Highlight your extensive UX/Product leadership experience, team scaling achievements, and specific experience with AI, automation, or complex systems. Quantify your impact wherever possible.

• Curate Your Portfolio: Select 3-5 of your most impactful projects that best demonstrate your strategic leadership, team management, and ability to tackle complex physical-digital or autonomous system design challenges. Ensure clear articulation of your role, process, and outcomes.

• Prepare Your Narrative: Practice presenting your portfolio, focusing on telling a compelling story about your leadership, strategic vision, and the impact of your work. Be ready to discuss your approach to building user trust and scaling design functions.

• Research Wing: Thoroughly understand Wing's mission, technology, business model, and the competitive landscape of drone delivery. Identify potential UX challenges and opportunities specific to their service.

⚠️ 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.