designer, Digital UX & Design

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Designer, Digital UX & Design Company: Starbucks Location: Seattle, WA, Starbucks Support Center Job Type: Full-Time Category: Digital UX & Design Date Posted: September 11, 2025 Experience Level: Entry-Level (0-2 years) Remote Status: Hybrid

🚀 Role Summary

• Design and deliver user-centered digital experiences across Starbucks' mobile app, web platforms, and in-store digital touchpoints.
• Contribute to the end-to-end design process, from initial research and concepting through wireframing, prototyping, and final design handoff.
• Collaborate closely with cross-functional teams including product managers, engineers, researchers, data analysts, and fellow designers to bring innovative digital solutions to life.
• Play a key role in maintaining and evolving the Starbucks design system to ensure brand consistency, accessibility, and optimal user experience.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the title is "Designer, Digital UX & Design," the core responsibilities and required skills align with a Digital Product Designer or UX/UI Designer role, focusing on customer-facing digital products. The emphasis on user-first perspective and iterative design highlights a strong commitment to user-centered methodologies within a large consumer brand.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Conceptualize, design, and iterate on features and user experiences for millions of Starbucks customers daily across digital platforms.
• Develop intuitive and visually appealing user interfaces for mobile and web applications, adhering to established design principles and brand guidelines.
• Translate user needs, research findings, and business requirements into functional wireframes, interactive prototypes, and high-fidelity mockups.
• Support the design file handoff process, ensuring clear documentation of design specifications, assets, and interaction details for engineering and QA teams.
• Contribute to the continuous improvement and expansion of the Starbucks design system, ensuring consistency, accessibility, and scalability of digital assets.
• Present design solutions and articulate design rationale effectively to diverse stakeholders, including product teams, engineering, and leadership.
• Participate in user research activities and leverage data analytics to inform design decisions and identify opportunities for enhancement.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities indicate a hands-on design role within a fast-paced digital product environment. The emphasis on collaboration with various departments suggests a need to influence and communicate design effectively across teams, a common expectation for designers in large organizations.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: Bachelor's degree in Design (e.g., Graphic Design, Interaction Design, HCI), or equivalent practical experience.

Experience:

• 1+ years of experience in designing customer-facing digital products, with a strong emphasis on user experience (UX) and user interface (UI) design.
• Demonstrated ability to approach design challenges with a problem-solving mindset and a clear, documented design process.

Required Skills:

• Portfolio: A compelling portfolio showcasing strong fundamentals in interaction design, visual design, and a clear understanding of the design process.
• User-Centricity: A user-first perspective, with the ability to empathize with users, understand their needs, behaviors, and preferences to identify design opportunities.
• Design Tools: Proficiency in modern design and prototyping tools, with a specific requirement for Figma for collaboration, prototyping, and iteration.
• Iterative Design: An iterative mindset, demonstrating the ability to incorporate feedback and refine designs based on user testing, stakeholder input, and business objectives.
• Communication: Clear and effective communication skills for presenting design solutions, articulating rationale, and collaborating with cross-functional teams.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience designing for mobile ordering platforms, loyalty programs (e.g., Starbucks Rewards), retail environments, or e-commerce.
• Familiarity with accessibility standards (WCAG) and inclusive design practices to ensure products are usable by all.
• Hands-on experience with advanced prototyping tools such as ProtoPie for creating more complex and interactive prototypes.
• Understanding of emerging design trends and the ability to apply them thoughtfully within brand and product constraints.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "more than years of experience" phrasing indicates that the quality and approach to design are valued over strict tenure. The emphasis on Figma is a critical technical requirement. The preferred skills suggest a desire for candidates who can contribute to specific aspects of Starbucks' digital ecosystem.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Interaction Design: Showcase your ability to map user flows, define interaction patterns, and create intuitive navigation.
• Visual Design: Demonstrate a strong sense of visual hierarchy, typography, color theory, and layout that aligns with brand aesthetics.
• Design Process: Clearly articulate your problem-solving approach, including user research methods, ideation techniques, wireframing, prototyping, and user testing.
• Problem-Solving: Highlight case studies that demonstrate how you identified a user or business problem and designed a solution to address it.
• Digital Product Focus: Prioritize projects that involve digital products, ideally mobile apps or responsive web experiences.

Process Documentation:

• User Flow Mapping: Include examples of user flow diagrams or journey maps that illustrate user interactions with a product.
• Prototyping Examples: Showcase interactive prototypes created in Figma (or similar tools) that demonstrate key features and interactions.
• Design System Contribution: If applicable, provide examples of how you have contributed to or utilized a design system, demonstrating an understanding of its principles and benefits.
• Case Study Narrative: Structure your portfolio pieces as case studies that tell a story about the problem, your process, your role, and the outcome or learnings.

📝 Enhancement Note: A strong portfolio is explicitly stated as a requirement, emphasizing the need for candidates to clearly demonstrate their design process, problem-solving skills, and proficiency in core design tools, particularly Figma. The focus is on tangible outputs that reflect real-world design application.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

• Estimated Annual Salary: $70,000 - $95,000 USD
• Hourly Rate: $33.65 - $45.67 USD

📝 Enhancement Note: Starbucks does not publicly disclose salary ranges for all roles. Based on industry averages for a Digital UX/UI Designer with 0-2 years of experience in Seattle, WA, this range is a professional estimate. Factors such as specific skills, interview performance, and internal equity will influence the final offer. This estimate is derived from analyzing similar roles in the Seattle tech and retail design market.

Benefits:

• Health & Wellness: Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance; basic and supplemental life insurance; short-term and long-term disability coverage.
• Work-Life Balance: Paid parental leave, family expansion reimbursement, paid vacation from date of hire, sick time accrual, eight paid holidays, and two personal days per year.
• Financial Security: 401(k) retirement plan with employer match, discounted company stock program (S.I.P.), Starbucks equity program (Bean Stock), incentivized emergency savings, and access to financial well-being tools.
• Education: 100% upfront tuition coverage for a first-time bachelor's degree through Arizona State University's online program (Starbucks College Achievement Plan), student loan management resources, and other educational opportunities.
• Additional Perks: Backup care, DACA reimbursement, and compliance with state/local leave laws.

Working Hours:

• Standard full-time commitment, generally 40 hours per week.
• Hybrid work arrangement, allowing for up to one day per week of remote work for partners in the greater Seattle area.

📝 Enhancement Note: Starbucks offers a robust benefits package, particularly strong in educational support and financial planning tools, which are attractive to early-career professionals. The hybrid model with one designated remote day is specific to the Seattle location.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Food & Beverage / Retail / Coffeehouse Company Size: Large (over 10,000 employees) Founded: 1971 Company History: Starbucks began as a roaster and retailer of whole bean coffee. Today, it is a global coffeehouse chain known for its commitment to quality, customer experience, and community engagement. The company has a strong focus on digital innovation to enhance customer loyalty and engagement.

Team Structure:

• The UX & Design team is part of the larger Digital organization, indicating a strategic focus on digital product development.
• Designers likely work within product-specific squads or feature teams, collaborating closely with product managers, engineers, and researchers.
• The team structure encourages cross-functional collaboration, with designers expected to integrate seamlessly with development and product strategy.
• Reporting likely flows up through a Design Lead or Director, who oversees the digital design vision and execution.

Methodology:

• User-Centered Design: A core principle, emphasizing understanding user needs and translating them into effective digital solutions.
• Agile & Iterative: Design work is likely integrated into agile development cycles, involving continuous feedback, iteration, and refinement.
• Data-Informed: Design decisions are informed by user research, analytics, and A/B testing to measure impact and optimize user journeys.
• Brand Consistency: Maintaining brand integrity and a cohesive user experience across all digital touchpoints is paramount.

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

📝 Enhancement Note: Starbucks' culture is deeply rooted in its mission and values, emphasizing connection and service. For a designer, this translates to working on products that impact millions daily, with a strong emphasis on brand experience and customer loyalty programs. The digital organization is key to their future growth.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: Entry-Level Digital Designer Reporting Structure: This role likely reports to a Senior Designer, Design Manager, or Director within the Digital UX & Design team. The designer will be part of cross-functional product teams, collaborating with peers in product management, engineering, and research.

Operations Impact:

• The work of a Digital UX & Design Designer directly influences customer engagement with Starbucks' digital platforms, including mobile ordering, rewards programs, and overall brand interaction.
• Successful designs contribute to increased customer satisfaction, loyalty, and revenue through improved usability, efficiency, and user experience.
• The role has the potential to impact millions of customer interactions daily, making it a significant contributor to the company's digital success.

Growth Opportunities:

• Skill Development: Opportunities to deepen expertise in UX/UI design, prototyping, user research, and design systems. Exposure to a wide range of digital products and features.
• Career Progression: Potential to advance to Mid-Level Designer, Senior Designer, Lead Designer, or specialize in areas like UX Research, Design Systems, or Product Strategy.
• Cross-Functional Learning: Gain valuable experience working with diverse teams, understanding product development lifecycles, and contributing to business strategy.
• Brand Exposure: Work on a globally recognized brand, building a strong resume and portfolio with impactful projects.

📝 Enhancement Note: For an early-career designer, this role offers a strong foundation within a major consumer brand. The structured environment and emphasis on established processes provide a clear path for learning and growth, with opportunities to contribute to high-impact projects that shape customer behavior.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Starbucks Support Center (Corporate Office) Office Location(s): Seattle, WA (Primary location for this role).

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Hub: The Seattle Support Center is designed to foster collaboration, likely featuring open workspaces, meeting rooms, and common areas to facilitate interaction between teams.
• Digital Tools: Access to industry-standard design software, hardware, and collaboration platforms essential for digital product design.
• Team Interaction: Regular opportunities to connect with design peers, product managers, engineers, and researchers through meetings, design critiques, and project collaboration.
• Hybrid Model: The hybrid arrangement allows for focused individual work at home and collaborative, in-person interaction at the office, balancing flexibility with team cohesion.

Work Schedule:

• A standard 40-hour work week is expected.
• The hybrid model allows for one day of remote work, providing flexibility for personal focus time while maintaining in-office collaboration.

📝 Enhancement Note: The Starbucks Support Center in Seattle is a hub for innovation and collaboration. The hybrid work model indicates a modern approach to office work, balancing employee flexibility with the benefits of in-person teamwork, which is crucial for design-centric roles.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

1. Initial Screening: HR or recruiter reviews application, resume, and portfolio for basic qualifications and fit.
2. Hiring Manager/Team Screen: A brief interview with the hiring manager or a senior designer to discuss experience, motivations, and suitability for the role.
3. Portfolio Review & Design Challenge: A more in-depth session where candidates present their portfolio, discuss their design process, and potentially complete a design exercise or case study relevant to Starbucks' digital products. This may involve a take-home assignment or a live design challenge.
4. Cross-Functional Interviews: Interviews with key collaborators such as Product Managers, Engineers, or Researchers to assess collaboration skills and understanding of the product development lifecycle.
5. Final Interview: Potentially with a Director or VP of Design/Digital to assess overall fit, strategic thinking, and alignment with company values.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Tell a Story: Structure your portfolio pieces as case studies. Clearly define the problem, your role, the process you followed, the decisions you made, and the outcomes or learnings.
• Showcase Process: Don't just show final screens; include sketches, wireframes, user flows, prototypes, and research insights to demonstrate your thinking.
• Highlight Figma Proficiency: Explicitly mention and showcase work done in Figma, as it's a key tool requirement.
• User-Centricity: Emphasize how user needs drove your design decisions and how you incorporated user feedback.
• Brand Alignment: For Starbucks, demonstrate an understanding of brand consistency and how your designs fit within the existing Starbucks ecosystem.
• Conciseness: Be prepared to walk through key projects efficiently, focusing on the most impactful aspects.

Challenge Preparation:

• Understand Starbucks Digital: Familiarize yourself with the Starbucks mobile app, website, and loyalty program. Identify areas for potential improvement or innovation.
• Practice Design Thinking: Be ready to articulate your approach to solving a design problem, from understanding the brief to presenting a solution.
• Figma Skills: Ensure you are comfortable using Figma for rapid prototyping and design iteration.
• Communication: Practice articulating your design decisions clearly and concisely, as if presenting to stakeholders. Be prepared to answer "why" for your choices.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process is comprehensive, emphasizing not just design skills but also collaboration and problem-solving. The portfolio is a critical component, requiring candidates to demonstrate their process and tool proficiency effectively. A design challenge is highly probable.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Figma: Essential for UI design, prototyping, collaboration, and design system management.
• Prototyping Tools: Figma's built-in prototyping capabilities; potentially ProtoPie for more advanced interactions.
• Design & Wireframing Tools: Sketch, Adobe Creative Suite (Illustrator, Photoshop) may be used in conjunction with Figma or for specific asset creation.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Analytics Platforms: Familiarity with tools like Google Analytics, Adobe Analytics, or internal BI tools to understand user behavior and track feature performance.
• Data Visualization: Ability to interpret data and potentially use tools for creating dashboards or reports to communicate insights.

CRM & Automation:

• CRM Systems: While not a direct user, understanding how design impacts CRM-driven campaigns or customer data management is beneficial.
• Project Management Tools: Jira, Asana, Trello, or similar tools for task tracking and workflow management.

📝 Enhancement Note: Figma is the non-negotiable core tool. Familiarity with analytics and project management tools is beneficial for understanding the broader product development context and cross-functional collaboration.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Customer Connection: A deep commitment to creating meaningful connections with customers through exceptional experiences, both digital and physical.
• Inclusion & Diversity: Valuing diverse perspectives and backgrounds, fostering a welcoming environment where everyone feels they belong.
• Excellence: Striving for high quality in all aspects of work, from product design to customer service.
• Innovation: Embracing new ideas and technologies to continuously improve and evolve the brand experience.
• Partnership: Fostering a collaborative spirit where team members support each other and work together towards common goals.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-Functional Integration: Designers are expected to be integrated members of product teams, working collaboratively with product managers, engineers, and researchers.
• Open Feedback: A culture that encourages constructive feedback through design critiques and team reviews to refine solutions.
• Knowledge Sharing: Encouraging the sharing of best practices, learnings, and insights within the design team and across departments.
• Agile Mindset: Adapting to changing priorities and requirements, working efficiently within iterative development cycles.

📝 Enhancement Note: Starbucks' culture emphasizes creating positive experiences and fostering a sense of community. For designers, this means creating intuitive, delightful, and inclusive digital products that reflect these core values. Collaboration and a willingness to share knowledge are key to success.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing User Needs and Business Goals: Navigating the complexities of designing for a large user base while meeting diverse business objectives and brand requirements.
• Scalability and Consistency: Ensuring design solutions scale effectively across multiple platforms and maintain brand consistency while introducing new features.
• Working in a Large Organization: Adapting to established processes, stakeholder management, and navigating a large corporate structure.
• Rapid Iteration: Keeping pace with evolving user expectations and market trends in the fast-moving digital landscape.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Mentorship: Opportunities to learn from experienced designers and product leaders within the Starbucks digital organization.
• Skill Specialization: Potential to develop specialized skills in areas like mobile UX, loyalty program design, accessibility, or design systems.
• Industry Exposure: Exposure to cutting-edge digital design practices and technologies used by a leading global brand.
• Professional Development: Access to company-sponsored training, workshops, and potentially industry conferences to enhance design skills.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role presents opportunities to tackle significant design challenges on a global scale, offering substantial learning and development potential for an early-career designer looking to build a strong foundation in digital product design.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Tell me about a time you had to balance conflicting feedback on a design." (Demonstrate negotiation and decision-making skills.)
• "How do you approach designing for accessibility?" (Showcase your understanding of inclusive design principles.)
• "Walk me through a project in your portfolio where you used data or user research to inform your design decisions." (Highlight your process and analytical thinking.)
• "How would you approach designing a new feature for the Starbucks Rewards program?" (Assess your ability to think strategically about the existing ecosystem.)
• "Describe your experience with Figma and how you use it for prototyping and collaboration." (Directly address the key tool requirement.)

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What excites you about designing for Starbucks?" (Research Starbucks' digital presence and brand values.)
• "How do you stay updated on design trends and best practices?" (Showcase your passion for continuous learning.)
• "How do you collaborate with engineers and product managers?" (Emphasize your teamwork and communication skills.)

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure: Use a clear narrative for each case study: Problem, Your Role, Process, Solution, Outcomes/Learnings.
• Visuals: Ensure your presentation is visually clean, on-brand, and easy to follow. Use high-quality mockups and prototypes.
• Figma Focus: Explicitly mention and, if possible, show examples of your work within Figma, demonstrating your proficiency.
• Concise Storytelling: Be prepared to present 2-3 key projects within the allotted time, focusing on your most impactful contributions.
• Q&A Readiness: Anticipate questions about your design choices, challenges faced, and how you would handle specific scenarios.

📝 Enhancement Note: Preparation should focus on demonstrating a strong design process, user-centricity, Figma proficiency, and an understanding of Starbucks' digital ecosystem. Be ready to articulate your contributions and decision-making rationale clearly.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Digital UX & Design position:

• Submit your application through the provided link on the Starbucks careers portal.
• Portfolio Customization: Ensure your portfolio prominently features projects showcasing your UX/UI design process, interaction design, visual design skills, and proficiency in Figma. Tailor the case studies to highlight relevant experience, such as mobile apps or loyalty programs if available.
• Resume Optimization: Update your resume to clearly articulate your years of experience, key skills (especially Figma, prototyping, user-centered design), and quantifiable achievements where possible. Use keywords from the job description.
• Interview Preparation: Practice presenting your portfolio, focusing on your design process and problem-solving approach. Prepare to discuss your experience with Figma and answer questions about collaboration and user-centric design.
• Company Research: Familiarize yourself with Starbucks' digital products (mobile app, rewards program), brand values, and recent digital initiatives. Understand how your design philosophy aligns with the company's mission.

⚠️ 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.