Lead UX/UI Designer - Aeroline - Toulouse
π Job Overview
Job Title: Lead UX/UI Designer - Aeroline Company: Sopra Steria Location: Courbevoie, Γle-de-France, France Job Type: Temps complet (Full-time) Category: Design & User Experience Operations Date Posted: October 21, 2025 Experience Level: 6+ Years (Mid-Senior to Lead) Remote Status: Hybrid (Up to 2 days remote per week)
π Role Summary
- Lead and mentor junior UX/UI designers within the SENSE Design Studio, fostering skill development and team growth.
- Oversee the end-to-end design process for complex B2B projects, ensuring high-quality deliverables and adherence to client objectives.
- Drive the implementation and refinement of user-centered design methodologies across various client engagements in diverse sectors like aeronautics, transport, and finance.
- Collaborate closely with cross-functional project teams, including consultants, developers, and Product Owners, to deliver exceptional user experiences.
- Contribute to the strategic development of Design Operations (Design Ops) within Sopra Steria, sharing knowledge and best practices.
π Enhancement Note: This role is positioned as a Lead Designer, implying significant responsibility for team management, project oversight, and quality assurance. The emphasis on B2B projects and diverse sectors suggests a need for adaptability and strong stakeholder management skills. The mention of "Aeroline" in the title might indicate a specific client or project focus within the aeronautics industry.
π Primary Responsibilities
- Design Leadership & Mentorship:
- Lead and guide a team of junior UX/UI designers on client missions, providing constructive feedback and support for their professional development.
- Conduct regular performance reviews and skill assessments for design team members.
- Foster a collaborative and knowledge-sharing environment within the design team.
- Project Management & Delivery:
- Frame and manage the implementation of design methodologies and production within project teams.
- Ensure the timely and budget-conscious delivery of all design-related project phases.
- Act as the primary point of contact for design-related client discussions and approvals.
- Guarantee the overall quality and strategic alignment of design outputs with client business goals.
- User Experience & Interface Design:
- Lead the execution of user research activities, including field studies, user interviews, surveys, and existing system audits.
- Develop user personas, UX maps, impact maps, and define Minimum Viable Products (MVPs) and North Star Metrics.
- Create user flows, journey maps, wireframes, mockups, and interactive prototypes.
- Facilitate user-centered design workshops and co-creation sessions with clients and stakeholders.
- Design Operations & Knowledge Transfer:
- Contribute to the strategic development and operationalization of Design Ops within the SENSE Design Studio.
- Lead internal initiatives, conduct knowledge-sharing sessions (REX - Retour d'ExpΓ©rience), and deliver training to disseminate design best practices.
- Potentially participate in pre-sales activities, contributing design expertise to proposals and client pitches.
- Client Engagement & Strategic Input:
- Animate strategic workshops to define user needs and business objectives.
- Ensure design solutions meet both user needs and client business objectives, driving tangible and sustainable digital transformation benefits.
- Stay abreast of industry trends and emerging design technologies to advise clients and internal teams.
π Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a blend of hands-on design work, team leadership, and strategic contribution to Design Ops. The emphasis on "Aeroline" in the title, coupled with responsibilities in aeronautics, transport, and defense, points to a significant focus on complex, enterprise-level B2B solutions within these sectors. The dual role of leading missions and contributing to internal Design Ops development is a key differentiator.
π Skills & Qualifications
Education:
- Higher education degree in Design or a related field.
- π Enhancement Note: While a specific degree isn't mandated, a strong foundation in design principles from a recognized institution is expected.
Experience:
- Minimum of 6 years of professional experience in UX/UI Design.
- Demonstrated experience in a similar leadership role, operationally managing and mentoring junior UX/UI designers.
- Proven track record of successfully delivering complex B2B design projects.
Required Skills:
- User-Centered Design Methodologies: Mastery of the entire user-centered design process, from research and definition to conception, evaluation, and follow-up.
- Team Leadership & Mentorship: Proven ability to lead, guide, and develop junior designers, providing constructive feedback and fostering skill growth.
- Design Software Proficiency: Expert-level proficiency in Figma for wireframing, prototyping, and interface design.
- Workshop Facilitation: Skilled in animating strategic workshops and user-centered design sessions.
- Communication & Interpersonal Skills: Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to articulate design concepts clearly to diverse stakeholders. Strong collaborative mindset.
- Organizational & Project Management Skills: Ability to manage multiple projects, prioritize tasks, and ensure timely delivery within budget constraints.
- Accessibility Standards: Strong understanding of accessibility requirements (e.g., WCAG) as they relate to design.
- English Proficiency: Comfortable communicating in English in a professional environment.
Preferred Skills:
- Experience in Design Operations (Design Ops) principles and practices.
- Familiarity with design systems and their implementation.
- Experience in the aeronautics, transport, or defense industries.
- Knowledge of other design and prototyping tools.
- Experience with agile development methodologies.
π Enhancement Note: The requirement for 6+ years of experience, coupled with leadership responsibilities, positions this role at a senior or lead level. Proficiency in Figma is explicitly stated, making it a critical technical requirement. The emphasis on personality traits like being pedagogical, rigorous, organized, proactive, and collaborative is crucial for fitting into Sopra Steria's team culture.
π Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements
Portfolio Essentials:
- Comprehensive Case Studies: Showcase at least 2-3 detailed case studies demonstrating your end-to-end UX/UI design process for complex B2B products or services.
- Leadership & Mentorship Examples: Include examples or descriptions of how you have mentored, guided, or led junior designers on projects.
- Methodology Application: Clearly articulate the user-centered design methodologies employed, including research, ideation, prototyping, and testing phases.
- Problem-Solving & Impact: Detail the specific design challenges faced, your approach to solving them, and the measurable business or user impact achieved (e.g., improved conversion rates, user satisfaction scores, efficiency gains).
- Tool Proficiency Showcase: Highlight your proficiency in Figma through examples of complex interfaces, interactive prototypes, or design system components.
Process Documentation:
- Workflow Design: Demonstrate your ability to define and document design workflows, from initial concept to final asset handoff.
- User Research Documentation: Provide examples of how you document user research findings, personas, and journey maps to inform design decisions.
- Design System Contribution: If applicable, showcase contributions to or management of design systems, including style guides, component libraries, and governance processes.
- Collaboration Protocols: Illustrate how you establish and maintain effective communication and collaboration protocols with development teams, product managers, and clients.
π Enhancement Note: For a Lead UX/UI Designer role, the portfolio should not only showcase design execution but also leadership, process maturity, and strategic thinking. Candidates should be prepared to discuss their approach to team management, client interaction, and contributing to the broader Design Ops framework. The "Aeroline" context might require showcasing experience with complex, data-intensive interfaces.
π΅ Compensation & Benefits
Salary Range:
- Based on industry benchmarks for Lead UX/UI Designers with 6+ years of experience in the Γle-de-France region, a competitive salary range is estimated to be between β¬55,000 and β¬75,000 gross per year. This range can vary based on the candidate's specific experience, the complexity of past projects, and negotiation.
- π Enhancement Note: This estimate is derived from publicly available salary data for similar roles in France, considering the cost of living in the Paris region and the seniority of the position. Sopra Steria's size and industry standing often command competitive compensation packages.
Benefits:
- Hybrid Work Arrangement: Option to work remotely up to 2 days per week, offering flexibility and work-life balance.
- Comprehensive Health Coverage: Includes mutuelle (complementary health insurance).
- Employee Well-being: Access to a CSE (ComitΓ© Social et Γconomique - Staff Committee) providing various benefits and social activities.
- Meal Vouchers: Titres restaurants to cover daily food expenses.
- Profit Sharing: An accord d'intΓ©ressement (profit-sharing agreement) allows employees to benefit from the company's financial performance.
- Vacation Bonuses: Primes vacances (holiday bonuses) to supplement annual leave.
- Co-optation Bonuses: Bonuses for successfully referring new employees to the company.
- Career Development: Multiple career opportunities across over 30 professional families and extensive training via Sopra Steria Academy.
- Civic Engagement: Opportunity to engage with a non-profit organization through the company's civic engagement platform.
- Professional Community: Access to the Tech'Me UP collective for training, conferences, and industry insights.
Working Hours:
- Standard full-time working hours, typically around 35-40 hours per week in France, with flexibility offered through the hybrid work policy.
- π Enhancement Note: While standard hours apply, the hybrid model allows for some adaptation to personal schedules, particularly important for managing design sprints and collaborative sessions.
π― Team & Company Context
π’ Company Culture
Industry: Information Technology Consulting, Services, and Digital Solutions. Sopra Steria operates across diverse sectors including aeronautics, transport, energy, banking, and defense. Company Size: Over 50,000 employees across nearly 30 countries. Founded: Sopra Steria was formed through the merger of Sopra and Steria in 2014, but its roots trace back much further, reflecting a long history in IT services.
Team Structure:
- SENSE Design Studio: A dedicated team of over thirty designers based in Paris and Toulouse, working on high-impact projects for major clients.
- Reporting Structure: The Lead UX/UI Designer will report to a Design Manager or Head of the Design Studio, with direct oversight of junior designers on their project teams.
- Cross-functional Collaboration: Works closely with consultants, developers, Product Owners, and client stakeholders, fostering a collaborative project environment.
Methodology:
- User-Centric Approach: The core of the design process is centered around understanding and meeting user needs.
- Agile & Iterative: Design processes are integrated into agile project methodologies, allowing for flexibility and continuous improvement.
- Data-Driven Insights: Design decisions are informed by user research, analytics, and performance metrics.
- Design Operations Focus: Emphasis on optimizing design processes, tools, and workflows for efficiency and scalability.
Company Website: https://www.soprasteria.fr/
π Enhancement Note: Sopra Steria's scale and global presence offer stability and diverse project opportunities. The SENSE Design Studio acts as an internal hub for design excellence, promoting a strong community of practice. The company's commitment to digital transformation and innovation is a key cultural driver.
π Career & Growth Analysis
Operations Career Level: This role is a Lead position, signifying a transition from individual contributor to team leadership and project oversight. It requires not only strong design craft but also people management, strategic thinking, and process optimization skills.
Reporting Structure: The Lead UX/UI Designer will report to a senior design leader within the SENSE Studio. They will directly manage and mentor junior designers assigned to their projects, fostering a hierarchical yet collaborative team dynamic.
Operations Impact: As a Lead Designer, you will directly influence the success of client projects by ensuring user adoption, satisfaction, and the achievement of business objectives through well-designed digital products and services. Your leadership will drive design quality and efficiency, impacting client satisfaction and Sopra Steria's reputation.
Growth Opportunities:
- Team Leadership: Progress to a Design Manager role, overseeing larger teams and strategic design initiatives.
- Specialization: Deepen expertise in specific areas such as Design Systems, Design Ops, Service Design, or UX Research.
- Client Account Management: Transition into roles with greater client-facing responsibilities and strategic account oversight.
- Internal Process Improvement: Lead initiatives to further mature Sopra Steria's Design Ops framework and methodologies.
- Industry Expertise: Develop deep domain knowledge in sectors like aeronautics or defense, becoming a go-to expert.
π Enhancement Note: The "Lead" title indicates a significant growth opportunity beyond individual contribution. Sopra Steria's commitment to internal mobility and training provides a robust framework for career advancement within the design discipline or related fields.
π Work Environment
Office Type: The role involves working within Sopra Steria's modern office spaces, part of the SENSE Design Studio. These environments are designed to foster collaboration and creativity. Office Location(s): Primarily based in Toulouse, with potential for client site visits. The hybrid policy allows for remote work up to 2 days per week. Workspace Context:
- Collaborative Spaces: Offices are equipped with meeting rooms, brainstorming areas, and flexible workspaces to encourage team interaction and design thinking sessions.
- Tools & Technology: Access to industry-standard design software (Figma), collaboration tools, and potentially internal design systems and asset libraries.
- Team Interaction: Regular opportunities to interact with fellow designers, project managers, consultants, and developers, both in person and virtually. Work Schedule: Standard full-time hours with a hybrid arrangement allowing for 2 days of remote work per week, providing flexibility for managing personal schedules alongside project demands and collaborative sessions.
π Enhancement Note: The hybrid model balances the benefits of in-office collaboration and team cohesion with the flexibility of remote work, which is increasingly important for design professionals.
π Application & Portfolio Review Process
Interview Process:
- Initial Screening: A recruiter or hiring manager will review your application and CV. Be sure to highlight your leadership experience and relevant project successes.
- Technical Interview / Portfolio Review: You will likely present your portfolio to a panel of senior designers or Design Studio leads. Prepare to walk through 2-3 key projects, detailing your role, process, challenges, and outcomes.
- Behavioral & Leadership Interview: Expect questions assessing your leadership style, mentoring capabilities, problem-solving approach, and how you handle team dynamics and client interactions.
- Team Fit & Cultural Interview: An opportunity to meet potential team members and assess cultural alignment. Demonstrate your collaborative spirit and passion for design.
- Final Interview: Potentially with a senior leader or client stakeholder, focusing on strategic alignment and overall fit.
Portfolio Review Tips:
- Storytelling: Structure your case studies as compelling narratives. Clearly define the problem, your approach, your specific contributions (especially as a lead), the solutions you designed, and the impact achieved.
- Quantify Impact: Whenever possible, use metrics and data to demonstrate the success of your designs (e.g., increased user engagement, reduced task completion time, improved satisfaction scores).
- Highlight Leadership: Explicitly detail your responsibilities in leading, mentoring, or guiding junior designers. Provide examples of feedback you've given and how you've supported their growth.
- Process Clarity: Visually map out your design process for each case study, emphasizing the user-centered aspects and any innovative techniques you employed.
- Tool Proficiency: Showcase your advanced skills in Figma through interactive prototypes or by explaining how you leverage its features for efficiency and collaboration.
Challenge Preparation:
- Design Exercise: You may be given a short design challenge or asked to critique an existing interface. Focus on demonstrating your analytical skills, problem-solving approach, and ability to articulate design rationale.
- Stakeholder Management Scenarios: Be prepared to discuss how you would handle difficult client feedback, conflicting requirements, or disagreements within a project team.
- Design Ops Contribution: Think about how you would contribute to improving design processes, tools, or team collaboration within Sopra Steria's SENSE Studio.
π Enhancement Note: The interview process is designed to assess not only your design skills but also your leadership potential and ability to integrate into Sopra Steria's collaborative culture. A well-prepared portfolio that highlights leadership and process is crucial.
π Tools & Technology Stack
Primary Tools:
- Figma: Essential for UI design, wireframing, prototyping, and design system management. This is a mandatory skill.
- Prototyping Tools: Proficiency in creating interactive prototypes to simulate user flows and gather feedback. (e.g., InVision, Axure, or advanced Figma prototyping).
- User Research Tools: Experience with tools for conducting user interviews, surveys, and usability testing (e.g., UserTesting.com, Maze, SurveyMonkey).
Analytics & Reporting:
- Familiarity with analytics platforms (e.g., Google Analytics, Adobe Analytics) to understand user behavior and measure design impact.
- Experience with A/B testing tools and methodologies to validate design hypotheses.
CRM & Automation:
- While not directly a CRM role, understanding how design integrates with CRM and marketing automation platforms can be beneficial for B2B product design.
Design Ops Tools:
- Familiarity with tools for collaboration, project management, and knowledge sharing (e.g., Jira, Confluence, Miro, Slack).
- Understanding of version control and asset management principles within a design context.
π Enhancement Note: Proficiency in Figma is a non-negotiable requirement. The emphasis on B2B projects and potential client engagements suggests a need for strong documentation and presentation skills, often facilitated by tools like Miro or Confluence.
π₯ Team Culture & Values
Operations Values:
- Excellence & Quality: A commitment to delivering high-quality, impactful design solutions that meet both user needs and client business objectives.
- Collaboration & Teamwork: Strong emphasis on collective work, knowledge sharing, and mutual support within the design team and across project teams.
- Innovation & Transformation: Driving digital transformation for clients through creative and forward-thinking design approaches.
- Human-Centricity: Placing the user at the heart of all design decisions and fostering a culture of empathy.
- Continuous Improvement: A proactive approach to refining processes, learning new skills, and adapting to evolving industry trends.
Collaboration Style:
- Cross-functional Integration: Seamless collaboration with consultants, developers, and product owners to ensure designs are feasible, aligned with business goals, and technically implementable.
- Open Communication: Encouraging open dialogue, constructive feedback, and transparent communication within the team and with clients.
- Knowledge Sharing: Actively participating in internal design community events, sharing learnings, and contributing to the collective expertise of the SENSE Studio.
π Enhancement Note: Sopra Steria's culture appears to prioritize a blend of technical excellence, strong interpersonal skills, and a commitment to client success. The SENSE Design Studio acts as a nucleus for design culture, fostering a supportive and growth-oriented environment.
β‘ Challenges & Growth Opportunities
Challenges:
- Managing Diverse Client Needs: Adapting design strategies and deliverables to the unique requirements and constraints of various B2B clients across different industries.
- Balancing Design Vision with Project Constraints: Navigating client expectations, technical limitations, and tight deadlines while maintaining design integrity and quality.
- Mentoring Junior Talent: Effectively guiding and developing less experienced designers, ensuring their growth while meeting project demands.
- Driving Design Ops Adoption: Contributing to the development and widespread adoption of Design Ops best practices within Sopra Steria and for clients.
- Staying Ahead of the Curve: Continuously learning and adapting to new design trends, tools, and technologies in a rapidly evolving digital landscape.
Learning & Development Opportunities:
- Advanced Design Training: Access to Sopra Steria Academy for continuous skill enhancement in UX/UI, Design Ops, and related fields.
- Industry Conferences & Events: Opportunities to attend relevant design conferences and workshops to stay updated on industry best practices.
- Mentorship Programs: Benefit from mentorship from senior leaders within Sopra Steria and potentially clients.
- Leadership Development: Structured pathways for developing leadership and management skills.
π Enhancement Note: The challenges presented are typical for a lead role in a consulting environment, emphasizing adaptability, stakeholder management, and team development. The growth opportunities align with a career path focused on design leadership and strategic impact.
π‘ Interview Preparation
Strategy Questions:
- "Describe a time you had to lead a team of designers through a challenging project with tight deadlines. What was your approach, and what was the outcome?" (Focus on leadership, problem-solving, and process management.)
- "How do you ensure your design solutions align with both user needs and complex business objectives in a B2B context?" (Highlight your strategic thinking and ability to balance different stakeholder needs.)
- "Walk us through your process for defining the MVP and North Star Metric for a new product or feature." (Demonstrate your understanding of product strategy and outcome-oriented design.)
Company & Culture Questions:
- "What interests you about Sopra Steria, and specifically the SENSE Design Studio?" (Research the company's mission, values, and recent projects; connect your aspirations to their offerings.)
- "How do you approach mentoring and providing feedback to junior designers?" (Emphasize your pedagogical skills, empathy, and commitment to team growth.)
- "How do you contribute to a collaborative team environment, especially within a hybrid work setting?" (Provide examples of proactive communication and team engagement.)
Portfolio Presentation Strategy:
- Lead with Impact: Start with your most impactful projects, clearly stating your role as a lead and the tangible results achieved.
- Showcase Process, Not Just Pixels: Detail your methodology at each stage β research, ideation, design, testing β and explain why you made certain decisions.
- Highlight Mentorship: Specifically address how you guided junior designers, delegated tasks, and fostered their development within the project context.
- Figma Mastery: Be ready to demonstrate advanced Figma techniques or explain how you leveraged it for complex workflows, collaboration, or design systems.
- Concise Storytelling: Practice presenting your case studies within a set timeframe (e.g., 10-15 minutes per project) to respect the interviewer's time.
π Enhancement Note: Prepare specific examples that showcase your leadership, strategic thinking, and ability to drive results. Tailor your responses to Sopra Steria's culture and the specific requirements of the Lead UX/UI Designer role.
π Application Steps
To apply for this Lead UX/UI Designer position:
- Submit your application through the provided link on Sopra Steria's careers portal.
- Portfolio Customization: Ensure your portfolio prominently features case studies that demonstrate your leadership experience, your end-to-end UX/UI design process, and your proficiency with Figma. Highlight projects relevant to B2B environments or complex enterprise solutions.
- Resume Optimization: Tailor your CV to emphasize your 6+ years of experience, leadership responsibilities, project management skills, and specific technical proficiencies (especially Figma and user-centered design methodologies). Use keywords from the job description.
- Interview Preparation: Practice articulating your design process, leadership approach, and problem-solving skills. Be ready to present your portfolio confidently and answer behavioral questions with concrete examples. Research Sopra Steria and the SENSE Design Studio.
- Company Research: Understand Sopra Steria's mission, values, and the types of clients and projects they undertake. Familiarize yourself with the concept of Design Ops and how it contributes to client success and operational efficiency.
β οΈ 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.
Application Requirements
Candidates should have a higher education background in design and at least 6 years of experience in user-centered design methodologies. Strong communication skills and proficiency in Figma are essential, along with the ability to work collaboratively in a team environment.