Junior UX Designer Robotics

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Junior UX Designer Robotics

Company: Lely

Location: Maassluis, South Holland, Netherlands

Job Type: Full-time

Category: User Experience (UX) Design / Product Design

Date Posted: 2026-01-30

Experience Level: Junior (0-2 years)

Remote Status: Hybrid (60-100% in office)

🚀 Role Summary

• Design and shape the future of farming by creating intuitive and user-friendly experiences for farmers interacting with Lely's robotic systems.

• Collaborate within a global UX team, including designers, researchers, and developers, to ensure a consistent and recognizable user experience across all touchpoints, from mobile apps to in-tractor displays.

• Drive innovation by conceptualizing new ways for humans, robots, and data to interact, focusing on the overall user journey and experience beyond just screen interfaces.

• Translate strategic visions and abstract ideas into concrete concepts, compelling visuals, and interactive prototypes that effectively communicate design solutions.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is positioned as a Junior UX Designer, indicating a focus on foundational design skills, learning, and development within a structured team environment. The emphasis on "robotics" and "farming" suggests a specialized domain requiring an understanding of complex systems and user needs within an agricultural context. The hybrid work arrangement with a significant office presence highlights the importance of in-person collaboration and team integration.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Develop and refine user interfaces (UI) and user experiences (UX) for Lely's robotic milking systems and related agricultural technology.

• Create wireframes, mockups, user flows, and interactive prototypes to visualize and communicate design concepts to stakeholders and development teams.

• Conduct user research and usability testing to gather insights, validate design decisions, and ensure solutions meet the needs of farmers worldwide.

• Contribute to the development and maintenance of Lely's design system, ensuring consistency and scalability across all products and platforms.

• Collaborate closely with product managers, engineers, and other cross-functional teams in an Agile development environment to deliver high-quality, user-centered solutions.

• Present design concepts and rationale effectively to internal teams and external stakeholders, articulating the value and impact of design solutions.

• Explore and conceptualize innovative interaction models for the next generation of farmer-robot collaboration.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities emphasize a blend of hands-on design execution (UI/UX, prototyping, wireframing) with strategic thinking (conceptualization, user research, interaction design). The requirement to work within a global team and an Agile framework points to a dynamic and collaborative work environment. The focus on "farmer-robot interaction" and "data" within the agricultural sector signifies a specialized application of UX principles.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

Experience:

• 0-2 years of professional experience in UX/UI design, product design, or interaction design.

Required Skills:

• Strong conceptual and creative mindset with a passion for problem-solving through design.

• Proficiency in design and prototyping tools (e.g., Figma, Sketch, Adobe XD, InVision).

• Ability to translate complex requirements and user needs into intuitive and effective design solutions.

• Experience working within multidisciplinary teams and understanding of Agile development methodologies.

• Excellent presentation and communication skills, with the ability to articulate design decisions and rationale clearly to diverse audiences.

• User-centric approach to design, with an understanding of user research principles and usability testing.

Preferred Skills:

• Affinity with data, robotics, or the agricultural sector.

• Experience with design systems or service design methodologies.

• Strong visualization skills, from initial sketches to clickable prototypes.

• Familiarity with front-end development concepts (HTML, CSS, JavaScript) and how they relate to UI implementation.

📝 Enhancement Note: The qualifications highlight a need for a strong creative and conceptual foundation, even at the junior level. The emphasis on presentation and communication skills, coupled with Agile and multidisciplinary team experience, suggests that collaboration and stakeholder management are key. The "preferred" skills indicate areas where candidates can differentiate themselves, particularly those with domain-specific knowledge.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A comprehensive portfolio showcasing a strong design process, from initial concept and user research to final design execution and prototypes.

• Case studies demonstrating problem-solving abilities, detailing the challenges, your approach, the design solutions, and the impact of your work.

• Examples of UI design, interaction design, and user flow creation for digital products.

• Prototypes (interactive or conceptual) that illustrate the user experience and key functionalities.

Process Documentation:

• Clear articulation of your design process: how you approach problem definition, ideation, prototyping, user testing, and iteration.

• Examples of how you've used design principles and methodologies (e.g., user-centered design, design thinking) to achieve project goals.

• Documentation of how you've worked with cross-functional teams (e.g., developers, product managers) throughout the design lifecycle.

📝 Enhancement Note: The portfolio requirements are standard for a design role but emphasize the demonstration of a structured design process and collaborative capabilities. For a Junior UX Designer, showcasing the learning process and ability to follow established methodologies will be crucial. Detailing the "why" behind design decisions and the resulting impact will be key to demonstrating potential.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

• Starting salary of at least €4,100 gross per month, dependent on knowledge and experience.

Benefits:

• Good working conditions.

• 27 vacation days and 13 ADV (Arbeidsduurverkorting/reduction of working hours) days per year.

• Training budget available for professional development.

• Ample growth opportunities within the company.

• Opportunities for experimentation, learning, and innovation.

Working Hours:

• 32-40 hours per week.

• Hybrid work arrangement: 60-100% of working hours are expected to be spent at the office.

📝 Enhancement Note: The provided starting salary is a strong indicator for junior roles in the Netherlands. The benefits package is generous, including a significant number of paid days off and emphasis on professional development and work-life balance through campus facilities. The hybrid work requirement is clearly defined.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Agritech, Robotics, Sustainable Technology, Engineering. Lely is a global leader in automated systems for dairy farmers, combining advanced robotics with deep agricultural knowledge to promote sustainable and profitable farming.

Company Size: Approximately 2,500+ employees globally, with a significant UX team of around 15 designers and researchers.

Founded: 75 years ago. Lely has a long history of innovation, stemming from a dream in Maassluis, and has evolved into a pioneer in automated dairy farming solutions.

Team Structure:

• The UX team is part of a larger innovation and technology division.

• It is comprised of approximately 15 designers and researchers.

• The team works collaboratively with global product development, engineering, and research departments.

Methodology:

• Data-Driven Design: Utilizing data from robot operations and user interactions to inform design decisions.

• Agile Development: Working in iterative cycles with cross-functional teams to build and refine products.

• User-Centered Design: Placing the farmer and their needs at the forefront of the design process.

• Innovation Focus: Encouraging experimentation and the development of next-generation solutions.

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

📝 Enhancement Note: Lely's culture is rooted in innovation, sustainability, and a deep understanding of the agricultural sector. The company's long history and commitment to R&D suggest a stable yet forward-thinking environment. The dedicated and sizable UX team indicates a strong appreciation for user experience within the organization. The campus facilities also point to a company that invests in employee well-being and community.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: Junior UX Designer. This role is an entry-level position focused on developing core UX/UI design skills, understanding product development cycles, and contributing to specific features or products under guidance. It's a stepping stone to mid-level and senior design roles.

Reporting Structure: The Junior UX Designer will report to a UX Lead or a Design Manager, who will provide mentorship, guidance, and oversee project assignments. They will work closely with senior designers, researchers, and cross-functional teams.

Operations Impact: The impact of this role is significant in shaping the usability and effectiveness of Lely's robotic systems, directly influencing farmer productivity, efficiency, and satisfaction. By creating intuitive interfaces, the designer contributes to the adoption and success of Lely's mission for sustainable farming.

Growth Opportunities:

• Skill Specialization: Develop expertise in areas like interaction design, visual design, service design, or user research through hands-on experience and company-provided training.

• Career Advancement: Progress from Junior UX Designer to UX Designer, Senior UX Designer, UX Lead, or even into specialized roles like Product Design Lead or Research Lead.

• Domain Expertise: Deepen knowledge in agritech, robotics, and sustainable farming practices, becoming a valuable specialist in this niche.

• Leadership Potential: With experience, opportunities may arise to mentor junior designers, lead small design initiatives, or contribute to strategic design direction.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role offers a clear path for growth within a specialized and innovative industry. The company's investment in a dedicated UX team and training suggests a commitment to employee development. The opportunity to gain expertise in agritech robotics is a significant differentiator for career progression.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The job is based at Lely's Campus in Maassluis, which is described as a highly sustainable building and a hub for innovation. It is designed to foster collaboration and well-being.

Office Location(s): The primary office location is Cornelis van der Lelylaan 1, 3147 PB Maassluis, Netherlands.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Environment: The hybrid model (60-100% in office) emphasizes in-person collaboration, team meetings, brainstorming sessions, and knowledge sharing.

• On-Campus Amenities: Employees have access to facilities like Padel courts, sports classes, a fitness center, and a barista, promoting a healthy and engaging work-life balance.

• Technology Rich: As a robotics and technology company, expect access to modern design tools, hardware, and development environments.

• Cross-functional Interaction: Opportunities to work closely with engineers, product managers, researchers, and other design professionals.

Work Schedule: The standard work schedule is 32-40 hours per week, with flexibility in organizing work, but with a strong requirement to be present in the office for a significant portion of the week.

📝 Enhancement Note: The Lely Campus environment is a significant draw, offering not just a workspace but a community and a range of amenities designed to support employee well-being and productivity. The hybrid model ensures that while flexibility exists, the emphasis is on in-person collaboration.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A recruiter or hiring manager will review your application and portfolio. Be prepared to articulate your design journey and suitability for the role.

• Technical Interview/Portfolio Review: This stage will likely involve a deeper dive into your portfolio. You may be asked to present specific case studies, explain your design process, and discuss your problem-solving approach. Expect questions about your experience with UI/UX principles, prototyping, and user-centered design.

• Case Study/Design Challenge: You might be given a design challenge or a take-home assignment to assess your practical design skills, conceptual thinking, and ability to work within Lely's domain.

• Team/Stakeholder Interviews: Interviews with potential team members (other designers, researchers) and stakeholders (product managers, engineers) to assess cultural fit, collaboration style, and communication skills.

• Final Interview: Potentially with a senior leader or department head to discuss overall fit, career aspirations, and confirm offer details.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Effectively: Select 3-4 strong projects that best showcase your skills, process, and impact, especially those demonstrating conceptual thinking and problem-solving.

• Tell a Story: For each project, clearly articulate the problem, your role, the process you followed, key design decisions, challenges faced, and the outcome or impact. Use visuals (sketches, wireframes, mockups, prototypes) to illustrate your narrative.

• Highlight Process: Emphasize your design methodology, how you translated user needs into solutions, and how you iterated based on feedback. For a junior role, showing a structured approach is key.

• Domain Relevance: If possible, include projects that touch upon complex systems, hardware interfaces, data visualization, or any experience relevant to robotics or specialized industries.

• Be Concise: Prepare a clear, concise overview for each project, ready to elaborate on specific details when asked.

Challenge Preparation:

• Understand the Domain: Research Lely, their products, the agricultural industry, and the challenges farmers face. This will help you approach any design challenge with relevant context.

• Focus on Process: Even if you don't have the "perfect" solution, demonstrating a thoughtful and systematic design process is crucial.

• Prioritize: If given a challenge, identify the core problem and focus your efforts on addressing it effectively. Consider how you would prioritize features or design elements.

• Communicate Clearly: Practice articulating your thought process and design decisions clearly and concisely, as you would in an interview.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process is designed to assess both design proficiency and cultural fit. For a junior role, the emphasis will be on demonstrating potential, a strong learning mindset, and a solid understanding of fundamental design principles and processes, rather than extensive experience.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Design & Prototyping: Figma (highly probable, given industry trends and collaborative nature), Sketch, Adobe XD, InVision. Proficiency in at least one major tool is essential.

• User Research & Testing: Tools like UserTesting.com, Maze, or internal platforms for conducting remote or in-person usability studies.

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

• Communication: Slack, Microsoft Teams for daily team communication.

Analytics & Reporting:

CRM & Automation:

• Lely likely uses a CRM system for customer management, but direct interaction for a UX Designer is usually limited. Understanding how data flows from user interactions within the product to CRM or business intelligence systems can provide valuable context.

📝 Enhancement Note: Proficiency in modern design and prototyping tools like Figma is almost a given. The ability to integrate with Agile workflows and understand how user data informs design is increasingly important for UX professionals. While direct experience with CRM or advanced analytics tools might not be mandatory for a junior designer, awareness of their role in the business ecosystem is a plus.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Innovation: A core value, encouraging exploration of new technologies and approaches to solving agricultural challenges.

• Sustainability: Deep commitment to creating solutions that support sustainable farming practices for the future.

• Collaboration: Strong emphasis on teamwork, cross-functional partnerships, and open communication.

• User Focus: Dedicated to understanding and serving the needs of farmers, making their lives easier and more profitable.

• Entrepreneurial Spirit: Even within a large company, a drive to innovate and make a tangible impact.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-functional Integration: Designers work closely with engineers, product managers, and researchers, participating actively in team rituals like sprint planning, reviews, and retrospectives.

• Open Feedback Culture: Encouragement of constructive feedback among team members to continuously improve designs and processes.

• Knowledge Sharing: Regular opportunities to share learnings, best practices, and insights within the UX team and broader development community.

• Agile Mindset: Adaptability, iterative development, and a focus on delivering value in increments.

📝 Enhancement Note: Lely's values are strongly reflected in its mission and operational approach. The emphasis on innovation, sustainability, and user-centricity will likely permeate the daily work and decision-making processes within the UX team. The collaborative and agile nature of the team suggests a dynamic and supportive environment.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Domain Complexity: Understanding the intricacies of dairy farming, robotics, and the specific needs of farmers worldwide requires a steep learning curve.

• Balancing Innovation and Usability: Developing cutting-edge solutions while ensuring they are intuitive and practical for users with varying technical proficiencies.

• Global Consistency: Designing for a diverse international user base with different cultural contexts, languages, and operational environments.

• Hardware-Software Integration: Designing interfaces that seamlessly interact with physical robotic systems.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Mentorship: Receive guidance from experienced designers and researchers within Lely's established UX team.

• Skill Workshops: Access to training budgets for courses, conferences (e.g., UXPA, Interaction Week), and workshops focused on UX/UI, design systems, service design, or specific tools.

• Cross-functional Exposure: Gain insights into engineering, product management, and agricultural science through close collaboration.

• Career Pathing: Clear opportunities for progression within the UX design discipline or into related roles within Lely.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges present unique opportunities for growth. Overcoming the complexity of the agritech domain and contributing to innovative, globally relevant solutions can be highly rewarding. Lely's investment in training and its established team structure provide a strong foundation for professional development.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe your design process for a complex product. How do you ensure user needs are met at each stage?" (Focus on your structured approach, user research methods, and iterative design).

• "How would you approach designing an interface for a farmer who may have limited technical experience, operating a sophisticated robot?" (Emphasize simplicity, clarity, intuitive controls, and potential for progressive disclosure of complexity).

• "Tell me about a time you had to present a design concept to stakeholders who were resistant to your ideas. How did you handle it?" (Highlight your communication skills, ability to articulate value, and persuasive techniques).

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What interests you about Lely and our mission in sustainable farming and robotics?" (Research Lely's mission, values, and recent news. Connect it to your passion for design and impact).

• "How do you approach collaboration within a multidisciplinary team, especially in an Agile environment?" (Discuss your experience with cross-functional teams, communication, and adaptability).

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure Your Narrative: For each project, clearly define the context, problem, your role, process, solution, and outcomes. Use a consistent structure.

• Visualize Your Process: Show, don't just tell. Include sketches, wireframes, user flows, prototypes, and final UI designs. Explain why you made certain design choices.

• Quantify Impact (if possible): If you have metrics on how your design improved user satisfaction, efficiency, or adoption, present them. For junior roles, focus on the potential impact and the learning derived.

• Be Prepared for Deep Dives: Anticipate questions about specific design decisions, trade-offs you made, and how you handled challenges.

• Show Enthusiasm: Convey your passion for design and for Lely's mission.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation should focus on demonstrating a strong foundational understanding of UX principles, a structured and iterative design process, excellent communication and collaboration skills, and a genuine interest in Lely's mission and domain. For a junior role, potential and a willingness to learn are as important as existing skills.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Junior UX Designer position:

• Submit your application through the Lely careers portal via the provided link.

• Tailor your Resume: Highlight relevant experience, skills (UX/UI design, prototyping, Agile), and education. Use keywords from the job description.

• Prepare Your Portfolio: Ensure it is accessible online (e.g., personal website, Behance, PDF) and clearly showcases your design process, problem-solving abilities, and key projects. Focus on 2-3 strong case studies.

• Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Briefly explain why you are a good fit for Lely, your passion for UX design, and your interest in the agritech/robotics industry.

• Research Lely: Understand their mission, products, and company culture to articulate your interest and prepare for interview questions.

⚠️ 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.

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