UX Designer, Data Visualization- Contractor at Edge Case Research

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: UX Designer, Data Visualization- Contractor

Company: Edge Case Research

Location: United States

Job Type: CONTRACTOR

Category: UX Design, Data Visualization, Product Design

Date Posted: 2025-06-13T00:00:00

Experience Level: 5+ years

Remote Status: Remote

🎨 Role Summary

Design and implement intuitive data visualization experiences for an enterprise platform, focusing on complex datasets from autonomous systems and engineering domains.
Translate complex technical information and real-time data into clear, actionable insights through compelling design solutions.
Own the end-to-end UX design process, from research and ideation to high-fidelity mockups and prototyping, with a focus on user journeys in technical environments.
Collaborate closely with cross-functional teams including engineering, product management, and data science to deliver elegant and functional data visualization designs.

📝 Enhancement Note: The role summary has been enhanced to specifically highlight the focus on data visualization within a technical, enterprise context, emphasizing the translation of complex data into actionable insights, which is a core requirement based on the job description.

🖼️ Primary Responsibilities

Design end-to-end user flows with a focus on creating fluid and actionable user journeys for data visualization within the enterprise platform.
Visualize large, real-time datasets and critical safety engineering elements to enable users to quickly identify trends, anomalies, and critical information.
Skillfully balance the display of detailed information and data lineage with providing quick, actionable insights for rapid decision-making and minimizing operational disruption.
Design specific UX elements for documenting artifacts and other critical elements of safety engineering, ensuring clarity and ease of access for compliance and risk mitigation.
Conduct user research, usability testing, and gather feedback to inform design decisions and iterate on data visualization solutions.
Work closely with product managers, software engineers, data scientists, and domain experts to translate technical requirements into elegant and functional data visualization designs.
Create interactive prototypes using design tools like Figma to effectively communicate design concepts and provide clear specifications for engineering implementation.
Contribute to and evolve the design system, ensuring consistency and scalability of data visualization components and patterns across the platform.
Effectively articulate design decisions and the user experience vision for data visualization to executive leadership and stakeholders, leading compelling storytelling around product value.
Stay current with industry best practices, emerging technologies, and trends in UX design, data visualization, and front-end development to continuously improve the platform's capabilities.

📝 Enhancement Note: Responsibilities are detailed with a strong emphasis on data visualization for complex engineering systems, incorporating specific tasks like documenting safety engineering artifacts and translating technical requirements, which are critical for this specialized UX role.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: A Bachelor's degree in Design, Human-Computer Interaction, Computer Science, or a related field is typically preferred, or equivalent practical experience demonstrating a strong foundation in UX principles and data visualization. Experience with technical domains is highly valued.

Experience: 5+ years of experience as a UX Designer with a substantial focus on data visualization for complex systems, preferably within enterprise-level applications in technical domains such as engineering, automotive, or aerospace. A strong portfolio showcasing expertise in designing impactful data visualization solutions is essential.

Required Skills:

Extensive experience in UX Design with a demonstrated focus on designing data visualization solutions.
Proven ability to design for enterprise-level applications, particularly within technical or engineering domains.
Proficiency with modern design and prototyping tools, with specific expertise in Figma for creating wireframes, prototypes, and high-fidelity mockups.
Solid understanding of information architecture principles, usability principles, and user-centered design methodologies as applied to complex data interfaces.
Excellent communication, collaboration, and interpersonal skills, with the ability to effectively present and defend complex data visualization design decisions to diverse technical and non-technical audiences.
Proven ability to work autonomously, manage multiple design projects simultaneously, and deliver high-quality data visualization designs in a fast-paced, technical environment.
Experience with documenting detailed design specifications and collaborating effectively with engineering teams for seamless implementation of data visualization features.
Ability to visualize and present complex data in a clear, efficient, and actionable manner.

Preferred Skills:

Experience with autonomous systems, robotics, or complex embedded systems, providing context for the data being visualized.
Familiarity with safety-critical software development processes and standards (e.g., UL 4600, ISO 26262, DO-178C), which is relevant to the domain.
Experience with data storytelling and the ability to effectively present complex information and insights derived from data visualization to non-technical audiences.
An understanding of front-end technologies and their capabilities, with experience or familiarity with frameworks like Vue.js, which can aid in design handoff and collaboration.

📝 Enhancement Note: Qualifications have been expanded to include typical educational backgrounds and to emphasize the necessity of domain-specific experience in technical fields relevant to autonomous systems and engineering, aligning with the company's focus. The required and preferred skills lists are detailed with explicit connections to data visualization and the technical context of the role.

🎨 Portfolio & Creative Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

Include case studies demonstrating your expertise in designing data visualization solutions for complex, data-rich applications, particularly in technical or enterprise environments.
Showcase your end-to-end design process, highlighting your approach to understanding complex data, defining user needs for visualization, and iterating on design solutions.
Present examples of high-fidelity mockups and interactive prototypes created using tools like Figma, specifically focusing on data dashboards, charts, graphs, and other visualization components.
Demonstrate your ability to balance the display of detailed data with providing actionable insights through your design examples.

Process Documentation:

Clearly articulate your approach to user research and understanding the needs of users working with complex datasets and technical systems.
Document your ideation and iteration process for developing data visualization concepts, including sketching, wireframing, and prototyping stages.
Explain your methodology for usability testing and gathering feedback specifically related to data visualization interfaces and their effectiveness.

📝 Enhancement Note: Portfolio requirements are tailored to emphasize data visualization expertise, focusing on case studies of complex data interfaces, the design process for handling technical data, and the ability to balance detail with actionable insights, which are critical for this specialized role.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: The hourly rate range for this contract position is $75.00 - $100 per hour. This range is based on the specified rate in the job description and reflects the contractor nature and specialized skill set required for a UX Designer focusing on data visualization in a technical domain within the United States.

Benefits:

Competitive hourly compensation within the stated range.
Potential for opportunities for professional growth and development related to data visualization and technical domain expertise.

Working Hours: This is a contract position with a commitment of up to 30 hours per week, offering flexibility in schedule while requiring dedicated focus on project deliverables related to data visualization design.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary information is directly from the provided data. Benefits are listed based on the provided information, acknowledging the contract nature of the role. Working hours are specified as per the job description.

🎯Team & Company Context

🏢 Company & Design Culture

Industry: Information Technology & Services, specializing in autonomous system safety and risk management. Edge Case Research operates within a highly technical and safety-critical market, serving diverse sectors like automotive, mining, defense, insurance, and aerospace.

Company Size: 51-200 employees (LinkedIn). This size indicates a growing company environment where individuals can have a significant impact and likely work in close collaboration across teams.

Founded: 2013. Founded by recognized leaders in autonomous system safety, indicating a strong foundation in the technical domain.

Team Structure:

The UX Designer will work within a dynamic, cross-functional team.
Collaboration is expected with product managers, software engineers, data scientists, and domain experts.
The role involves presenting design decisions and the user experience vision to executive leadership and stakeholders.

Methodology:

Emphasis on designing intuitive and actionable user experiences for complex data visualization.
Utilization of user research, usability testing, and feedback gathering to inform design decisions.
Contribution to and evolution of a design system to ensure consistency and scalability.

Company Website: https://www.ecr.ai/

📝 Enhancement Note: Company and design culture information is derived from the provided company intelligence, focusing on the technical industry, company size implications for designers, founding history, and the collaborative, cross-functional nature of the teams, which is relevant to a UX role.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Design Career Level: This role is for an experienced UX Designer (5+ years), indicating a mid-to-senior level position with significant responsibility in a specialized area (data visualization). The contractor status suggests a project-based engagement, but the level of experience required points to complex design challenges.

Reporting Structure: While a specific reporting structure isn't detailed, the role requires presenting to executive leadership and stakeholders, suggesting visibility and influence within the organization. Collaboration with various technical teams is central.

Design Impact: The UX Designer will have a direct impact on customer satisfaction and experience by transforming complex technical data into understandable and actionable visualizations, directly contributing to building trust and strengthening the brand in a safety-critical domain.

Growth Opportunities:

Opportunity to deepen expertise in designing data visualization for highly technical and safety-critical systems.
Exposure to cutting-edge domains like autonomous systems, robotics, and complex embedded systems.
Potential to contribute significantly to the evolving design system and influence design patterns for complex interfaces.

📝 Enhancement Note: Career growth analysis interprets the experience level and responsibilities to provide context on the potential impact and learning opportunities within this specialized technical design role, despite the contractor status.

🌐 Work Environment

Studio Type: Remote. This is a fully remote position within the United States.

Office Location(s): Edge Case Research has physical locations in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and Munich, Germany, but this specific role is remote within the US.

Design Workspace Context:

Requires the ability to work autonomously and manage projects effectively in a remote setting.
Relies on strong communication and collaboration tools for interaction with cross-functional teams.
Demands self-discipline and the ability to deliver high-quality work in a distributed team environment.

Work Schedule: Up to 30 hours per week, offering some flexibility while requiring consistent contribution to project goals.

📝 Enhancement Note: Work environment details confirm the remote nature of the role and provide context on the implications of a distributed team for a design professional, emphasizing the need for autonomy and effective remote collaboration skills.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Design Interview Process:

Expect initial screening interviews to assess your background and experience, particularly in data visualization and technical domains.
Prepare to discuss your portfolio in detail, focusing on case studies that highlight your process for designing data visualizations for complex systems and enterprise applications.
You may be given a design challenge related to data visualization or asked to walk through a case study demonstrating your problem-solving approach in a technical context.
Interviews will likely involve discussions with product managers, engineers, and potentially data scientists to assess your collaboration skills and technical understanding.

Portfolio Review Tips:

Curate your portfolio to prominently feature projects involving data visualization for technical or enterprise applications.
For each relevant case study, clearly articulate the problem you were solving, the complex data involved, your design process, the rationale behind your visualization choices, and the impact of your design.
Showcase your proficiency in using design tools like Figma for creating detailed data visualization mockups and interactive prototypes.
Highlight your ability to balance the need for detailed data representation with the need for actionable insights in your designs.

Challenge Preparation:

Review best practices in data visualization design, particularly for complex datasets and technical users.
Practice articulating your design process and rationale clearly, focusing on how you approach understanding complex data and translating it into effective visualizations.
Be prepared to discuss trade-offs and constraints in designing for enterprise-level, data-intensive applications.

ATS Keywords: UX Design, Data Visualization, User Experience, UI/UX, Product Design, Information Architecture, Usability, User-Centered Design, Figma, Prototyping, Wireframing, Mockups, User Research, Usability Testing, Collaboration, Design System, Enterprise Applications, Complex Systems, Technical Domain, Engineering, Automotive, Aerospace, Safety Engineering, Autonomous Systems, Robotics, Real-time Data, Data Analysis, Data Storytelling, Vue.js, UL 4600, ISO 26262, DO-178C, Design Specifications, Cross-functional Teams, Remote Work.

📝 Enhancement Note: The application and portfolio review section is significantly enhanced with specific guidance tailored to a data visualization UX role in a technical domain. It provides actionable advice on portfolio content, interview preparation, and keywords for resume optimization, directly addressing the needs of a design candidate.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Design Tools:

Figma: Expected to be proficient in using Figma for end-to-end design activities, including wireframing, prototyping, and creating high-fidelity mockups for data visualization interfaces.
Other modern design and prototyping tools may also be used, but Figma is specifically highlighted as essential.

Collaboration & Handoff:

Tools for documenting design specifications and collaborating with engineering teams for seamless implementation of data visualization features.
Collaboration tools for working effectively with product managers, data scientists, and domain experts in a remote environment.

Research & Testing:

Tools and methodologies for conducting user research and usability testing specific to data visualization interfaces to gather feedback and inform design iterations.

📝 Enhancement Note: The tools and technology section focuses on the primary design tool (Figma) and infers the use of collaboration, handoff, research, and testing tools common in a professional design environment, particularly important for a remote role collaborating with technical teams.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Design Values:

Emphasis on crafting intuitive and powerful data visualization experiences that are both functional and actionable for complex enterprise users.
Value placed on translating complex technical information into clear, understandable, and actionable insights through design.
Commitment to user-centered design methodologies to ensure that data visualization solutions meet the needs of users in safety-critical and technical domains.
Encouragement of collaboration and effective communication within cross-functional teams to deliver integrated and impactful design solutions.

Collaboration Style:

Close collaboration with product managers, software engineers, data scientists, and domain experts is essential.
Requires the ability to effectively present and defend design decisions to diverse audiences, including technical teams and executive leadership.
Likely involves participation in design critiques and feedback sessions to refine data visualization concepts and solutions.

📝 Enhancement Note: Team culture and values are interpreted based on the job description's emphasis on collaboration, translating complex information, and the safety-critical nature of the domain, highlighting values relevant to a design role focused on data visualization in this context.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Design Challenges:

Designing data visualization solutions that effectively balance the need to display detailed information with the need to provide quick, actionable insights for users working with large, real-time datasets in complex engineering environments.
Translating highly technical concepts and data from autonomous systems and safety engineering into intuitive and understandable visual representations for a diverse user base.
Working effectively within a cross-functional team that includes deep technical experts, requiring strong communication and the ability to bridge the gap between design and complex engineering realities.
Continuously adapting data visualization designs to keep pace with the evolving nature of autonomous systems data, safety engineering standards, and user needs.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

Opportunity to become a specialist in data visualization design within the high-growth and impactful field of autonomous systems safety.
Gain valuable experience in designing for safety-critical applications and understanding relevant industry standards (e.g., UL 4600, ISO 26262).
Enhance collaboration skills by working closely with leading experts in autonomous vehicles, machine learning, and functional safety.

📝 Enhancement Note: Challenges and growth opportunities are specifically framed within the context of data visualization for autonomous systems and safety engineering, highlighting the unique complexities and learning potential of this specialized design role.

💡 Interview Preparation

Design Process Questions:

Be prepared to discuss your end-to-end design process for a data visualization project, focusing on how you approached understanding the data, user needs, and technical constraints.
Articulate how you balance displaying detailed information with providing actionable insights through your design choices, using examples from your portfolio.
Discuss your experience with user research and testing methodologies specifically applied to data visualization interfaces and how you incorporate feedback into your designs.

Company Culture Questions:

Research Edge Case Research's work in autonomous system safety and be prepared to discuss how your data visualization skills can contribute to their mission.
Ask questions about the composition of the design team (if any beyond this role) and how designers collaborate with engineers and data scientists on data visualization projects.
Inquire about the company's approach to design critique and how feedback is incorporated into the design process.

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

Select case studies that best demonstrate your expertise in data visualization for complex or technical domains.
Structure your presentation to clearly explain the problem, the data involved, your design process, key design decisions for visualization, and the impact of your work.
Be ready to walk through interactive prototypes in Figma or a similar tool to showcase the user flow and functionality of your data visualization solutions.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation advice is tailored to the specific focus on data visualization and the technical domain, providing concrete examples of questions to anticipate and strategies for presenting a relevant portfolio.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this design position:

Submit your application through this link.
Customize your resume to highlight your experience in UX design, particularly your expertise in data visualization and working with complex systems or technical domains. Use relevant ATS keywords throughout.
Prepare a compelling online portfolio that showcases your best work in data visualization, including detailed case studies that explain your process and the impact of your designs. Ensure your portfolio link is easily accessible in your application materials.
Review the job description and company information thoroughly to understand the specific requirements and context of designing for autonomous system safety.

⚠️ 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.

UX Designer, Data Visualization- Contractor