UI Design Intern

Trimble Inc.
Full-time•Christchurch, Canterbury, New Zealand
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📍 Job Overview

Job Title: UI Design Intern

Company: Trimble Inc.

Location: Christchurch, New Zealand

Job Type: Full-time Internship

Category: UI/Visual Design

Date Posted: 2025-06-09T00:00:00

Experience Level: Internship (0-2 years)

Remote Status: On-site

🎨 Role Summary

  • Gain hands-on visual design experience within a world-leading software product environment, working with heavy equipment brands.
  • Contribute to a small, global User Experience (UX) team, assisting with visual design activities and streamlining processes.
  • Work with industry-standard graphic design tools and source control systems, applying basic graphic design concepts.
  • Develop practical skills in various design areas, including icon and illustration creation, and updating technical diagrams.
📝 Enhancement Note: This is a focused UI Design internship offering exposure to a specialized industry (heavy equipment technology). The role emphasizes visual design execution and process improvement within an established UX team, providing a practical entry point into professional design workflows.

🖼️ Primary Responsibilities

  • Assist the UX team in reducing overhead and clearing technical debt through design-related tasks.
  • Work with graphic design software such as Adobe Illustrator, Adobe Photoshop, Adobe XD, and Figma to create and modify design assets.
  • Utilize source control systems like Git or GitHub for managing design files and collaborating with the team.
  • Provide direct assistance to design-focused members of the UX team on various projects.
  • Identify and implement ways to streamline visual design processes for increased efficiency.
  • Create graphic design assets, including icons and illustrations, for the software product.
  • Update existing technical diagrams to accurately reflect product changes or new hardware components.
📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities indicate a focus on tangible design outputs and operational efficiency. The intern will be involved in core visual design tasks and process improvement, suggesting a need for both creative skills and an organized approach to design workflows.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: Currently studying for a diploma or bachelor’s degree in a UX/UI or design-related field.

Experience: Some graphic design experience or study is required. Experience with design software (Illustrator, Photoshop, Figma, Adobe XD) is beneficial. While specific years of experience aren't listed, the internship nature implies a focus on foundational skills and learning potential rather than extensive professional history. A portfolio showcasing academic projects and relevant visual design work is expected.

Required Skills:

  • Graphic Design principles and basic software concepts.
  • Experience or study with Adobe Illustrator.
  • Experience or study with Adobe Photoshop.
  • Great attention to detail in design execution and asset creation.
  • Strong communication skills for team collaboration and understanding design requirements.

Preferred Skills:

  • Experience with Figma for UI design and prototyping.
  • Experience with Adobe XD for UI design and prototyping.
  • Some interest in user-centred design principles and practices.
  • Familiarity with source control concepts (Git/GitHub) is helpful for managing design assets.
📝 Enhancement Note: The required skills highlight foundational graphic design proficiency and attention to detail, crucial for visual asset creation. Preferred skills lean towards UI design tools and methodologies, indicating an opportunity to develop these areas during the internship. The emphasis is on academic background and foundational skills rather than extensive professional experience.

🎨 Portfolio & Creative Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

  • Showcase projects demonstrating graphic design and visual design skills, even if academic or personal.
  • Include examples of icon design, illustration, or other visual asset creation.
  • Present case studies (even simple ones) that briefly outline the project goal, your role, and the final output.
  • Highlight your attention to detail and ability to create visually appealing designs.

Process Documentation:

  • Briefly explain your design process for showcased projects, focusing on how you approached the visual design tasks.
  • Mention any tools or techniques used in your creative workflow.
  • If applicable, demonstrate an understanding of how visual design fits into a larger design or product development context.
📝 Enhancement Note: Since this is an internship, the focus for the portfolio should be on demonstrating potential and foundational skills. Academic projects are perfectly acceptable. Emphasize visual output and basic process understanding rather than complex user research or advanced UX strategy.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: As this is an internship position in Christchurch, New Zealand, and specific compensation is not listed, a typical intern salary in the design field in New Zealand can range from NZD $20 to $28 per hour. This estimate is based on general market data for design internships in the region, considering the cost of living in Christchurch and the nature of the role within a large company. Specific compensation will depend on the candidate's qualifications and the company's standard intern pay scale.

Benefits:

  • Free parking at the Christchurch headquarters.
  • Access to an onsite gym facility.
  • Participation in an active social club, fostering a positive team environment.

Working Hours: Full-time during the internship period (November 17, 2025 to February 13, 2026). This typically implies standard business hours, likely around 40 hours per week, Monday to Friday.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary estimate is based on typical design internship pay rates in New Zealand, specifically considering Christchurch as a major city. Data sources include general salary aggregators and reported intern wages in similar industries in the region. The provided benefits are standard for many companies and contribute to the overall work environment.

🎯Team & Company Context

🏢 Company & Design Culture

Industry: Software Development, specifically focused on world-leading grade control and automation products for heavy equipment in construction, paving, landfill, and mining industries.

Company Size: Trimble Inc. is a large global company with over 1,001-5,000 employees globally, including over 400 people in New Zealand. The CTCT joint venture with Caterpillar indicates a significant operational scale.

Founded: Trimble was founded in 1978. The CTCT joint venture with Caterpillar has a history focused on developing technology for heavy equipment.

Team Structure:

  • Part of the CTCT (Caterpillar Trimble Control Technologies) UX team.
  • The UX team is described as a small, busy team including user experience design and research professionals.
  • The team has members in 4 global locations, with the intern based at the NZ headquarters in Christchurch.

Methodology:

  • Focus on creating products that improve productivity for heavy equipment operators.
  • Utilize advanced positioning technologies (IMU, GNSS, Laser, Optical, Sonic sensors).
  • Incorporate automation functions into machine operation.
  • Emphasis on accuracy and clear, accurate guidance for operators.

Company Website: Trimble's Privacy Policy (Link provided, main website assumed to be trimble.com)

📝 Enhancement Note: The company context highlights a large, established technology company with a specific focus on industrial applications. The design culture within CTCT likely emphasizes functional, accurate, and usable interfaces for complex machinery. The global nature of the UX team suggests potential for exposure to international collaboration.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Design Career Level: Internship. This role is designed for students to gain practical experience, apply academic knowledge, and explore a potential career path in UI/visual design within a professional setting. It is an entry point into the design field.

Reporting Structure: The intern will assist the CTCT UX team, likely reporting to a more senior UI/UX designer or a UX manager within the Christchurch office.

Design Impact: While an intern, the work directly contributes to improving the visual design and efficiency of processes related to world-leading software products used with heavy equipment. The creation of icons, illustrations, and updated diagrams has a direct impact on the user interface's clarity and usability for operators.

Growth Opportunities:

  • Gain practical experience applying design skills in a real-world industrial context.
  • Develop proficiency with industry-standard design tools like Figma, Adobe XD, Illustrator, and Photoshop.
  • Learn about working within a professional UX team structure and collaborating with experienced designers.
  • Opportunity to understand design workflows, source control, and process improvement in a corporate setting.
📝 Enhancement Note: As an internship, the primary growth opportunity is hands-on learning and skill development in a professional design environment. While a direct career path from intern to full-time isn't guaranteed, successful interns often gain valuable experience that makes them strong candidates for future roles or provides a solid foundation for their design career.

🌐 Work Environment

Studio Type: Standard office environment at Trimble's NZ headquarters. The description highlights amenities like free parking and an onsite gym, suggesting a comfortable and well-equipped workspace.

Office Location(s): Christchurch, New Zealand. The headquarters is described as having a "great team environment."

Design Workspace Context:

  • Work alongside a small, busy UX team in the Christchurch office.
  • Likely involves desk work utilizing design software on computers.
  • Opportunity for in-person collaboration with team members.

Work Schedule: Full-time during the specified internship period (November 17, 2025 to February 13, 2026). This is a fixed-term, intensive work period designed for students.

📝 Enhancement Note: The work environment is described as positive and well-equipped, typical of a large company headquarters. The on-site nature emphasizes the importance of in-person collaboration within the local UX team in Christchurch.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Design Interview Process:

  • Application submission through the provided Workday link.
  • Likely involves initial screening based on resume, academic background, and potentially a portfolio review.
  • Interviewing is scheduled for June/July 2025. This may include one or more rounds, potentially with members of the UX team.
  • Be prepared to discuss your graphic design experience, interest in UI/UX, and how you approach design tasks.

Portfolio Review Tips:

  • Curate your portfolio to showcase your strongest graphic design and visual design projects.
  • For each project, clearly state the goal, your specific contributions, and the tools used.
  • Highlight projects that demonstrate attention to detail and proficiency with relevant design software (Illustrator, Photoshop, Figma, XD).
  • Briefly explain your design process or thinking behind a project, even for academic work.

Challenge Preparation:

  • While not explicitly mentioned, be prepared for the possibility of a small design exercise or discussion during the interview process.
  • This could involve a brief whiteboard exercise or a discussion about how you would approach a simple visual design task.
  • Focus on articulating your thought process and demonstrating your foundational design skills.

ATS Keywords: Graphic Design, UI Design, Visual Design, User Interface, UX/UI, Adobe Illustrator, Adobe Photoshop, Adobe XD, Figma, Sketch, Design Thinking, User-Centered Design, Wireframing, Prototyping, Icon Design, Illustration, Digital Design, Design Process, Collaboration, Attention to Detail, Communication, Graphic Design Software, Design Tools, Source Control, Git, GitHub, Intern, Internship, Student, Diploma, Bachelor's Degree, Design Field, Christchurch, New Zealand.

📝 Enhancement Note: The application process follows a standard timeline for internships. Emphasizing portfolio content that aligns with the required and preferred skills (graphic design, software proficiency, attention to detail) is crucial for candidates. Preparing to articulate their process and potentially tackle a small design task will be beneficial.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Design Tools:

  • Adobe Illustrator: Required for graphic design and illustration tasks. Proficiency is expected based on the job description.
  • Adobe Photoshop: Required for graphic design and image creation. Proficiency is expected.
  • Figma: Preferred tool for UI design and potentially prototyping. Experience is helpful.
  • Adobe XD: Preferred tool for UI design and potentially prototyping. Experience is helpful.

Collaboration & Handoff:

  • Git or GitHub: Required for source control, indicating collaboration on design files and version management.
  • Likely other internal communication and project management tools used by the team (not specified).

Research & Testing:

  • Some interest in user-centered design principles suggests exposure to, though not necessarily direct use of, research and testing tools.
  • The role primarily focuses on visual design execution rather than extensive research.
📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on Adobe Creative Suite (Illustrator, Photoshop) and modern UI tools (Figma, XD) reflects a blend of traditional graphic design needs and contemporary UI design workflows. The requirement of source control highlights the team's adoption of development-like practices for design asset management.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Design Values:

  • Focus on creating world-leading products that enhance productivity for users in demanding environments.
  • Emphasis on accuracy and providing clear guidance through the user interface.
  • Value of a great team environment and active social club, suggesting a focus on positive team dynamics.
  • Commitment to inclusiveness, diversity, equity, and inclusion as core values.

Collaboration Style:

  • Work within a small, busy UX team.
  • Collaboration with design and research professionals.
  • Likely cross-functional interaction, particularly when updating technical diagrams based on product changes (involving engineering or product teams).
  • Use of source control (Git/GitHub) indicates a collaborative approach to managing design assets.
📝 Enhancement Note: The cultural emphasis appears to be on producing high-quality, impactful products for a specific industry, supported by a positive and inclusive team environment. Collaboration is key within the small UX team and likely extends to other technical departments.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Design Challenges:

  • Adapting design skills to the specific needs and constraints of heavy equipment software interfaces.
  • Working within established visual design guidelines and potentially contributing to design system maintenance.
  • Managing design assets effectively using source control systems like Git/GitHub.
  • Balancing creative execution with the need for technical accuracy in diagrams and illustrations.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

  • Deepen proficiency in industry-standard design software (Illustrator, Photoshop, Figma, XD).
  • Gain exposure to design workflows and best practices in a large corporate environment.
  • Understand the unique design considerations for industrial software and heavy equipment interfaces.
  • Develop skills in managing design assets using source control.
📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges are specific to the industry and the nature of working on technical software. The growth opportunities directly align with the skills and responsibilities listed, providing a clear path for learning and development during the internship.

💡 Interview Preparation

Design Process Questions:

  • Be prepared to walk through a visual design project from your portfolio, explaining your approach and decisions.
  • Discuss your process for creating icons or illustrations.
  • Explain how you ensure attention to detail in your design work.

Company Culture Questions:

  • Research Trimble and the CTCT division to understand their products and industry.
  • Show genuine interest in working on software for heavy equipment.
  • Be prepared to discuss how you collaborate in a team environment.

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

  • Select 2-3 projects that best showcase your relevant skills (graphic design, visual design, software proficiency).
  • For each project, concisely explain the context, your role, the tools used, and the final outcome.
  • Highlight your technical illustration or diagramming skills if you have examples.
📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation should focus on demonstrating foundational design skills, software proficiency, attention to detail, and an ability to learn and adapt. Showing interest in the specific industry and company will also be beneficial.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this design position:

  • Submit your application through this link
  • Prepare a resume that highlights your academic background, relevant coursework, and any graphic or UI design experience.
  • Curate a design portfolio showcasing your best visual design work, including examples of icon design, illustration, or interface elements.
  • Tailor your cover letter to express your specific interest in UI design for industrial software and why you are a good fit for the CTCT team at Trimble.
  • Be ready to discuss your skills with Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, and ideally Figma or Adobe XD during the interview process.
⚠️ Important Notice: This enhanced job description includes AI-generated insights and design industry-standard assumptions. All details should be verified directly with the hiring organization before making application decisions.
Apply NowApply before: June 23, 2025