Senior UX Designer - Agentic Studio - The Loops
π Job Overview
Job Title: Senior UX Designer - Agentic Studio Company: IFS Location: San Francisco, California, United States Job Type: Full-time Category: Product Design / User Experience Date Posted: August 07, 2025 Experience Level: Mid-Senior Level (5+ years) Remote Status: On-site
π Role Summary
- Lead the design and strategy for human-AI collaboration interfaces within IFS's agentic studio platform, focusing on creating intuitive and powerful user experiences.
- Drive end-to-end design execution for complex agentic workflows, from conceptualization and user research to high-fidelity prototyping and final implementation.
- Collaborate closely with AI/ML engineers, product managers, and researchers to integrate cutting-edge UX design principles into the development of AI-powered solutions.
- Act as a design advocate, presenting and defending design decisions with data-driven insights and user research to senior stakeholders and cross-functional teams.
π Enhancement Note: While the core job title is "Senior UX Designer," the emphasis on "Agentic Studio" and "human-AI collaboration" strongly suggests a focus on designing interfaces for sophisticated AI systems and workflows. This role is critical for bridging the gap between advanced AI capabilities and user understanding, requiring a deep dive into process design, workflow optimization, and the unique interaction paradigms of AI agents. This elevates it beyond a standard UX role into a specialized area of product operations and user experience strategy.
π Primary Responsibilities
- Develop and execute comprehensive design and research strategies for complex agentic workflows, ensuring alignment with business objectives and user needs across multiple product areas.
- Drive the adoption of inclusive design practices and accessibility guidelines, particularly considering the unique needs of users working with AI agents and complex systems.
- Analyze market trends in AI tooling, gather insights from user research, and leverage data analytics to inform design decisions for next-generation human-AI interfaces.
- Diagram complex service flows and agentic workflows, design wireframes, and prototype interactions for key touchpoints as you lead end-to-end design initiatives within the agentic studio domain.
- Design innovative interaction models, flows, wireframes, and high-fidelity mockups that promote intuitive collaboration between humans and AI agents, optimizing user interaction with autonomous systems.
- Create and implement innovative design patterns for agent configuration, task delegation, output review, and iterative refinement processes, ensuring a seamless user journey.
- Collaborate with AI/ML engineers, product managers, researchers, and content strategists to develop designs from concept to execution, ensuring a detailed and technically-informed approach to the design process.
- Partner with other designers on the larger product vision while maintaining deep expertise in agentic interaction paradigms and workflow automation.
- Present design solutions to partners and senior executives, articulating the rationale behind agentic UX decisions and incorporating feedback into the design cycle.
- Defend design decisions with data-driven insights and user research, particularly when proposing novel interaction patterns for AI agent collaboration and process efficiency.
- Evangelize best practices for designing human-AI collaborative experiences across the organization, fostering a culture of user-centricity and operational excellence.
π Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a strategic and leadership-oriented UX role within a specialized AI platform. The emphasis on "agentic workflows," "human-AI collaboration," and "process design" indicates a need for a candidate who can not only design interfaces but also understand and optimize complex operational processes enabled by AI. This requires a strong grasp of workflow design, system integration, and the ability to translate technical AI capabilities into user-friendly experiences that drive operational efficiency.
π Skills & Qualifications
Education:
- Bachelor's degree in Design, Human-Computer Interaction, Computer Science, or a related field; or equivalent practical experience demonstrating a strong foundation in design principles and user-centered methodologies.
Experience:
- 5+ years of progressive experience in UX/UI design, with a proven track record of successfully delivering end-to-end design solutions for complex products.
- Demonstrated experience in designing for workflow optimization, process automation, or productivity enhancement tools is highly valued.
- Experience in user research methodologies, including qualitative and quantitative approaches, and the ability to translate research findings into actionable design improvements.
Required Skills:
- UX/UI Design: Expertise in creating intuitive, user-friendly interfaces and seamless user flows.
- Portfolio: Strong portfolio showcasing end-to-end design process, problem-solving skills, and impactful design solutions.
- Design Tools Proficiency: Mastery of industry-standard design and prototyping tools such as Figma, Sketch, Adobe Creative Suite, InVision, or similar.
- User Research: Proficiency in user research methodologies (e.g., interviews, usability testing, surveys) and data analysis to inform design decisions.
- Accessibility & Inclusive Design: Strong understanding and practical application of accessibility standards (WCAG) and inclusive design principles.
- Communication & Presentation: Excellent verbal, written, and visual communication skills, with the ability to articulate design rationale and present solutions effectively to diverse audiences, including executive leadership.
- Figma: Expertise in Figma for collaborative design, prototyping, and design system management.
Preferred Skills:
- AI/ML Product Design: Experience designing for AI/ML products, automation tools, or developer-facing platforms, with an understanding of AI capabilities and limitations.
- Conversational UI/Voice Interfaces: Background in designing for conversational UI, voice interfaces, or other emerging interaction modalities.
- Design Systems: Experience with designing and maintaining design systems and component libraries for complex, technical products.
- Workflow Optimization: Knowledge of AI capabilities and limitations, particularly in creative and analytical domains, with a focus on workflow optimization and productivity enhancement.
- No-code/Low-code Platforms: Familiarity with no-code/low-code platforms or creative software suites, understanding how users interact with configurable systems.
- Data Analytics: Ability to leverage data analytics to inform design decisions and measure the impact of design interventions on user behavior and operational efficiency.
π Enhancement Note: The "5+ years" experience level aligns with a Senior role, requiring not just execution but also strategic thinking and leadership in design. The emphasis on AI/ML product design and workflow optimization is crucial, indicating a need for a candidate who understands how to design for systems that automate or augment human processes. Proficiency in Figma is highlighted, suggesting it's the primary tool for collaborative design and potentially design system management within the team.
π Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements
Portfolio Essentials:
- End-to-End Design Process: Showcase a minimum of 2-3 detailed case studies that clearly articulate your involvement in the entire design lifecycle, from initial problem definition and user research to ideation, prototyping, user testing, and final implementation or iteration.
- Problem-Solving & Strategic Thinking: Demonstrate how you identified user pain points and business needs, and how your design solutions directly addressed these challenges, leading to measurable improvements in user experience or operational efficiency.
- Human-AI Interaction Design: Include examples of designing for complex systems, automation, or AI-driven workflows. Highlight your approach to simplifying intricate processes and making advanced technology accessible and intuitive.
- Metrics & Impact: Quantify the impact of your design work whenever possible. This could include metrics related to user engagement, task completion rates, efficiency gains, reduction in errors, or user satisfaction.
Process Documentation:
- Workflow Mapping & Optimization: Present examples of how you have mapped complex user or system workflows, identified bottlenecks, and designed solutions to streamline or optimize these processes.
- Prototyping & Interaction Design: Showcase interactive prototypes that clearly demonstrate user flows, interaction patterns, and the overall user journey for a specific feature or product.
- User Research Synthesis: Include examples of how user research findings were synthesized and translated into actionable design recommendations or product improvements.
- Design System Contributions: If applicable, demonstrate experience in contributing to or utilizing design systems, showing an understanding of how to maintain consistency and scalability in design.
π Enhancement Note: A strong portfolio is paramount for this role, especially given the innovative nature of designing for AI agents. Candidates must be prepared to demonstrate not just aesthetic design skills but also a deep understanding of user workflows, process optimization, and the ability to translate complex AI functionalities into intuitive user experiences. The focus on "human-AI collaboration" and "agentic workflows" means portfolios should ideally feature projects related to automation, intelligent systems, or complex operational tools.
π΅ Compensation & Benefits
Salary Range: $180,000 - $250,000 per year (plus bonus potential)
Benefits:
- Flexible paid time off, including sick leave and holidays.
- Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance plans.
- 401K retirement plan with company contribution.
- Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs) for healthcare and dependent care.
- Life insurance and disability benefits to provide financial security.
- Tuition assistance to support continuous learning and professional development.
- Opportunities for community involvement and volunteering events, reflecting the company's commitment to social impact.
Working Hours:
- Standard full-time working hours are anticipated, likely aligning with a 40-hour work week. However, the role's senior nature and the dynamic environment of AI product development may require flexibility. The company culture emphasizes getting things done, suggesting a focus on output and impact rather than strict adherence to hours, but core business hours for collaboration will be important.
π Enhancement Note: The provided salary range of $180,000 - $250,000 is competitive for a Senior UX Designer role in a high-cost-of-living area like San Francisco, especially within the tech sector and for a company focusing on advanced AI technology. This range reflects the need for specialized skills and significant experience. The benefits package is comprehensive, typical for a large, established tech company like IFS, offering strong support for employee well-being and professional growth.
π― Team & Company Context
π’ Company Culture
Industry: Enterprise Software, Artificial Intelligence (AI) Company Size: 6000+ employees, indicating a large, established organization with significant resources and global reach. Founded: IFS is a billion-dollar revenue company, suggesting a mature business that has successfully scaled its operations and market presence. The founding date is not specified but implies a long-standing presence in the enterprise software market.
TheLoops Specifics: TheLoops, an IFS company, is positioned as a leader in enterprise-grade AI Agent platforms for mission-critical applications. This suggests a fast-paced, innovative environment focused on cutting-edge AI technology and its practical application in business contexts. The company culture emphasizes:
- Global, Diverse Environment: Encourages a broad range of perspectives and experiences.
- Winning Team: Focuses on high performance and achieving success collaboratively.
- Commitment to Sustainability: Integrates environmental and social responsibility into its operations.
- Making a Positive Impact: Aims to leverage its technology to benefit society and its customers.
- Innovation & Original Thinking: Values creativity and new approaches to problem-solving.
- Empowerment: Seeks to empower employees to change the status quo and make a difference.
Team Structure:
- The Senior UX Designer will likely be part of a product design or UX team within TheLoops or a related division at IFS. This team will collaborate closely with Product Management, Engineering (specifically AI/ML engineers), and Research.
- The reporting structure would typically be to a UX Lead, Design Manager, or Head of Product Design.
- Cross-functional collaboration is a core expectation, with designers working alongside engineers, product managers, and researchers to deliver integrated solutions.
Methodology:
- Data-Driven Design: Decisions are informed by user research, analytics, and market trends.
- User-Centered Design: A strong focus on understanding and meeting user needs and driving positive user experiences.
- Agile Development: Likely operates within agile frameworks, requiring iterative design and close collaboration with development teams.
- Process Optimization: Given the "agentic studio" focus, a key methodology will involve mapping, designing, and optimizing complex workflows and human-AI interactions.
Company Website: https://www.ifs.com/
π Enhancement Note: IFS's established presence combined with TheLoops' focus on cutting-edge AI creates a unique environment. The culture appears to be a blend of corporate stability and startup agility, emphasizing innovation, impact, and employee empowerment. Understanding these cultural nuances will be key for a candidate to thrive and contribute effectively. The emphasis on "agentic workflows" suggests a need for designers who can handle complexity and drive operational efficiency through design.
π Career & Growth Analysis
Operations Career Level: This role is positioned as a "Senior" UX Designer, indicating a mid-to-late career stage. It requires not only strong design execution skills but also strategic thinking, leadership potential, and the ability to mentor junior designers. The focus on a novel domain like "agentic studios" means there's significant scope for defining best practices and shaping future product direction.
Reporting Structure: The Senior UX Designer will likely report to a Design Manager or Head of UX/Product Design within TheLoops or IFS. They will collaborate extensively with Product Managers, AI/ML Engineers, Researchers, and other designers. This structure provides opportunities for mentorship from senior design leadership and close collaboration with technical and product stakeholders.
Operations Impact: The role has a direct impact on the usability and effectiveness of IFS's AI Agent platform. By designing intuitive interfaces for human-AI collaboration, this role will influence:
- Customer Adoption & Satisfaction: How easily customers can leverage AI agents to achieve their business outcomes.
- Operational Efficiency: How effectively users can configure, manage, and benefit from AI-driven workflows, leading to increased productivity and reduced errors.
- Product Innovation: Shaping the future of human-AI interaction and positioning IFS as a leader in this emerging space.
- Revenue Generation: By making the platform more valuable and usable, the design directly supports sales and customer success efforts.
Growth Opportunities:
- Specialization in AI UX: Deepen expertise in designing for AI, automation, and complex agentic systems, becoming a subject matter expert.
- Leadership Development: Opportunities to lead design initiatives, mentor junior designers, and potentially move into a Lead UX Designer or Design Manager role.
- Cross-Functional Influence: Gain experience influencing product strategy and technical roadmaps by effectively communicating user needs and design rationale to senior leadership.
- Industry Recognition: Contribute to defining best practices in a nascent field, potentially leading to thought leadership opportunities.
- Broad Exposure: Work across different product areas or industries where IFS's AI technology is applied, broadening design experience.
π Enhancement Note: This role offers significant growth potential for a UX professional interested in the cutting edge of AI. The opportunity to shape a new product category ("agentic studios") and define the design principles for human-AI collaboration is substantial. Candidates should view this not just as a design role, but as a chance to influence product strategy and become a leader in a rapidly evolving technological landscape.
π Work Environment
Office Type: The role is listed as "On-site," indicating a traditional office-based work environment. This suggests a collaborative workspace designed for in-person interaction, team meetings, and brainstorming sessions.
Office Location(s): San Francisco, California, USA. This location places the designer within a major tech hub, offering access to a vibrant ecosystem of talent, innovation, and networking opportunities.
Workspace Context:
- Collaborative Environment: Expect a workspace that facilitates teamwork, with shared spaces for design reviews, cross-functional meetings, and ideation sessions. Proximity to engineers and product managers will be key for agile development processes.
- Tools & Technology: Access to industry-standard design software (Figma mentioned), collaboration tools (e.g., Slack, Jira, Confluence), and potentially internal IFS systems for research and data analysis.
- Team Interaction: Regular interaction with other designers, product managers, AI/ML engineers, and researchers will be integral to the role, fostering a dynamic and knowledge-rich environment.
Work Schedule: While the standard is likely 40 hours per week, the emphasis on "getting things done" and the innovative nature of AI product development may mean some flexibility is needed to meet project deadlines or collaborate across time zones if applicable. However, the "on-site" designation implies a primary focus on in-office presence during core business hours.
π Enhancement Note: The "On-site" requirement in San Francisco is significant. It suggests the company values in-person collaboration for complex, innovative work, particularly in a field like AI design where rapid iteration and spontaneous brainstorming can be crucial. Candidates should be prepared for a structured office environment that fosters close team integration.
π Application & Portfolio Review Process
Interview Process:
- Initial Screening: A recruiter or hiring manager will likely review your application, resume, and portfolio for basic qualifications and alignment with the role.
- Portfolio Review & Discussion: A dedicated session to walk through your portfolio. Be prepared to discuss your process, design decisions, challenges faced, and the impact of your work, particularly on projects involving complexity, workflow, or AI/automation.
- Design Challenge/Exercise: You may be given a take-home assignment or a live design exercise focused on a specific problem related to agentic workflows or human-AI interaction. This will assess your problem-solving approach, design skills, and ability to articulate your thinking.
- Cross-Functional Interviews: Interviews with Product Managers, AI/ML Engineers, and potentially other designers to assess your collaboration skills, technical understanding, and ability to work within a team.
- Hiring Manager/Executive Interview: A final interview, likely with the Design Manager or a senior leader, to assess overall fit, strategic thinking, and leadership potential.
Portfolio Review Tips:
- Curate Selectively: Choose 3-5 of your strongest projects that best demonstrate your skills relevant to this role, especially those involving complex systems, AI, or workflow optimization.
- Tell a Story: For each project, clearly articulate the problem, your role, the process you followed, the challenges you overcame, your design decisions (and the rationale behind them), and the outcome or impact. Use visuals effectively.
- Highlight AI/Workflow Experience: Emphasize any projects where you designed for automation, complex processes, intelligent systems, or human-AI interaction.
- Showcase Process: Detail your user research, wireframing, prototyping, and iteration stages. Demonstrate how you used data and user feedback to drive your designs.
- Be Prepared for Questions: Anticipate questions about your design choices, how you handle feedback, collaboration with engineers, and your understanding of AI capabilities.
Challenge Preparation:
- Understand Agentic Workflows: Familiarize yourself with concepts of AI agents, task delegation, autonomous processes, and human-AI collaboration.
- Focus on Problem-Solving: For any design challenge, articulate your understanding of the problem, define your approach, and walk through your solution logically.
- Prioritize User Needs & Business Goals: Ensure your solutions are user-centered while also aligning with business objectives and technical feasibility.
- Practice Articulation: Be ready to clearly explain your design decisions and reasoning, especially under time constraints.
π Enhancement Note: The interview process for a role like this will likely be rigorous, focusing heavily on practical design skills, strategic thinking, and the ability to navigate complex technical domains. A well-prepared portfolio that showcases relevant experience and a clear, data-informed design process is crucial for success. Candidates should anticipate a deep dive into their problem-solving methodologies.
π Tools & Technology Stack
Primary Tools:
- Figma: Explicitly mentioned as a required proficiency, indicating it's the primary tool for UI design, prototyping, and likely collaborative workflows and design system management.
- Sketch, Adobe Creative Suite: Mentioned as other potential design tools, suggesting flexibility but a strong preference for Figma.
- Prototyping Tools: Proficiency in tools like InVision, Principle, or Figma's built-in prototyping capabilities is expected for creating interactive user experiences.
Analytics & Reporting:
- While not explicitly listed, a Senior UX Designer in this context would likely interact with or utilize data from:
- Web Analytics Tools: Google Analytics, Adobe Analytics for understanding user behavior on web platforms.
- User Feedback Platforms: Tools for collecting and analyzing user feedback (e.g., survey tools, feedback widgets).
- Product Analytics Tools: Mixpanel, Amplitude, Heap for in-depth analysis of user interactions within the application.
- Data Visualization Tools: Tableau, Power BI, or Looker for interpreting and presenting data insights to stakeholders.
CRM & Automation:
- CRM: While not a direct tool for the designer, understanding how CRM systems (like Salesforce) integrate with enterprise software and how user data might be managed or utilized can be beneficial.
- Project Management/Collaboration Tools: Jira, Confluence, Asana, Trello for managing design tasks, tracking progress, and collaborating with engineering teams.
- AI/ML Platforms: Familiarity with the underlying concepts and potential interfaces of AI agent platforms will be advantageous.
π Enhancement Note: The emphasis on Figma points to a modern, collaborative design workflow. While specific analytics and CRM tools aren't listed as requirements for the designer, understanding how to leverage data and integrate with broader enterprise systems is a valuable asset for a senior role focused on impact and optimization.
π₯ Team Culture & Values
Operations Values:
- Innovation & Forward-Thinking: A core value, especially within TheLoops, driving the pursuit of cutting-edge AI solutions and new ways of working.
- User-Centricity: Deep commitment to understanding and serving user needs through thoughtful design and research.
- Collaboration & Teamwork: Emphasis on working together across disciplines to achieve common goals and deliver integrated solutions.
- Impact & Results-Orientation: Focus on delivering tangible business outcomes and making a positive impact with technology.
- Continuous Learning: Encouraging exploration of new technologies, methodologies, and design approaches, particularly in the rapidly evolving AI space.
Collaboration Style:
- Cross-Functional Integration: Designers are expected to work seamlessly with product management, engineering, and research teams, acting as integral members of product development squads.
- Data-Informed Decision Making: Collaboration involves leveraging user data and research to validate design decisions and drive consensus.
- Open Communication: Encouraging open dialogue, constructive feedback, and transparency in all interactions.
- Agile & Iterative: A collaborative approach that embraces iterative design cycles, feedback loops, and adaptability to evolving requirements.
π Enhancement Note: The company culture blends the stability of a large enterprise (IFS) with the innovative drive of a tech startup (TheLoops). The values emphasize pushing boundaries in AI while maintaining a strong user focus and collaborative spirit. Understanding and aligning with these values will be important for cultural fit.
β‘ Challenges & Growth Opportunities
Challenges:
- Designing for Novelty: Creating intuitive interfaces for AI agents and complex, potentially abstract, agentic workflows presents a unique design challenge, requiring pioneering new interaction paradigms.
- Balancing User Needs with AI Capabilities: Effectively translating sophisticated AI functionalities into user-friendly experiences while managing user expectations about AI capabilities and limitations.
- Cross-Disciplinary Communication: Bridging the gap between design, product, and highly technical AI/ML engineering teams, ensuring clear understanding and alignment.
- Keeping Pace with AI Advancements: The rapid evolution of AI technology requires continuous learning and adaptation of design approaches.
- Defining Best Practices: As a new domain, thereβs an opportunity to establish industry best practices for designing human-AI collaboration.
Learning & Development Opportunities:
- Specialized AI UX Expertise: Gain deep knowledge in designing for AI, machine learning, automation, and agentic systems.
- Industry Conferences & Training: Potential to attend leading UX and AI conferences (e.g., CHI, NeurIPS, UXPA) and participate in specialized training programs.
- Mentorship: Opportunities to learn from experienced design leaders and AI professionals within IFS.
- Thought Leadership: Contribute to defining the future of human-AI interaction design, potentially through publications or presentations.
- Broad Product Exposure: Work on diverse applications of AI technology across different enterprise sectors.
π Enhancement Note: This role presents significant learning and growth opportunities by placing the designer at the forefront of a transformative field. The challenges are substantial but offer a chance to develop highly sought-after skills in a rapidly expanding area of technology.
π‘ Interview Preparation
Strategy Questions:
- Design Process for AI: "Describe your process for designing user experiences for AI-powered systems or complex workflows. How do you approach understanding and simplifying abstract AI capabilities for end-users?"
- Human-AI Collaboration: "How would you design an interface that facilitates effective collaboration between a human user and an AI agent on a complex creative or analytical task? What are the key considerations?"
- Problem-Solving & Iteration: "Walk me through a challenging design problem you solved. How did you approach it, what were the trade-offs, and how did you iterate based on feedback or data?"
- Data-Driven Design: "How do you integrate user research and data analytics into your design process to ensure your solutions are effective and user-centered?"
- Handling Ambiguity: "This role involves designing for a new and evolving area. How do you approach situations with ambiguity or unclear requirements?"
Company & Culture Questions:
- IFS & TheLoops: "What do you know about IFS and TheLoops? What excites you about our mission to develop an AI Agent platform?"
- Team Collaboration: "Describe your ideal collaboration with Product Managers and Engineers. How do you ensure alignment and effective communication?"
- Design Advocacy: "How do you advocate for user-centered design and champion user needs within a cross-functional team, especially when technical constraints are present?"
Portfolio Presentation Strategy:
- Narrative Structure: Frame each project as a story: Problem -> Your Role -> Process -> Solution -> Outcome/Impact.
- Visual Clarity: Ensure your visuals are clean, well-organized, and effectively communicate the user experience and design rationale.
- Highlight Key Decisions: Be ready to explain why you made specific design choices, referencing user research, design principles, or business goals.
- Quantify Impact: Whenever possible, present metrics that demonstrate the success or impact of your designs.
- Be Prepared for Deep Dives: The interviewers will likely ask detailed questions about your process and decisions, so be ready to go into depth.
π Enhancement Note: Preparation should focus on demonstrating a strong understanding of user-centered design principles applied to complex, AI-driven systems. Candidates should be ready to articulate their thought process clearly and provide concrete examples from their portfolio that showcase problem-solving, strategic thinking, and effective collaboration.
π Application Steps
To apply for this Senior UX Designer position:
- Submit your application through the provided link on SmartRecruiters. Ensure your resume and portfolio are up-to-date and tailored to the role.
- Portfolio Customization: Curate your portfolio to highlight 2-3 projects that best demonstrate your experience with complex systems, workflow design, AI/automation, or human-AI interaction. Clearly articulate your role, process, and the impact of your work.
- Resume Optimization: Tailor your resume to include keywords from the job description, such as "UX/UI Design," "User Research," "AI/ML Products," "Workflow Optimization," and "Human-AI Collaboration." Quantify achievements where possible.
- Company Research: Familiarize yourself with IFS and TheLoops' mission, products, and values. Understand their focus on AI Agents and enterprise solutions.
- Practice Your Narrative: Prepare to walk through your portfolio projects confidently, explaining your design process, rationale, and problem-solving approach, especially concerning the unique challenges of designing for AI.
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 5+ years of experience in UX/UI design and a strong portfolio demonstrating the end-to-end design process. A Bachelor's degree in Design or a related field is required, along with proficiency in design tools and methodologies.