Senior UX Designer (all genders)

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Senior UX Designer (all genders)
Company: Starface GmbH
Location: Karlsruhe, Germany
Job Type: Full-Time
Category: User Experience (UX) / User Interface (UI) Design Operations
Date Posted: July 10, 2025
Experience Level: Mid-Senior Level (3+ years)
Remote Status: Hybrid

🚀 Role Summary

• Spearhead the establishment and growth of a dedicated UX/UI team, fostering a culture of user-centric design within the organization.
• Drive the strategic UX vision for the STARFACE Group, ensuring cohesive and exceptional user experiences across all digital touchpoints, including PBX systems, mobile applications, desktop apps, and web portals.
• Lead the end-to-end design process, from conceptualization and wireframing to interactive prototyping and rigorous usability testing, ensuring data-driven decision-making.
• Cultivate strong cross-functional partnerships with Product Owners, developers, and other stakeholders to ensure the successful, market-aligned implementation of design solutions.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is positioned as a foundational leadership opportunity within STARFACE's design function. The emphasis on "building a team" and "shaping the UX vision" indicates a strategic and impactful position, likely requiring proactive leadership and the ability to define and implement design processes from the ground up. This is not solely an execution role but one with significant strategic input and team-building responsibilities.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Team Development & Leadership: Establish and build an interdisciplinary UX/UI team, providing mentorship, guidance, and fostering a collaborative design environment.
• UX/UI Strategy & Vision: Define and champion the overall UX/UI strategy for STARFACE Group's digital products, ensuring consistency and excellence across all platforms.
• End-to-End Design Ownership: Conceptualize, design, and continuously improve user interfaces for PBX systems, mobile apps, desktop applications, and web portals for both end-users and administrators.
• Prototyping & Ideation: Develop wireframes, mockups, and interactive prototypes to effectively communicate design concepts and facilitate early user experience validation.
• User Research & Validation: Plan, execute, and analyze user research activities, including usability tests, user interviews, and data analysis, to inform design decisions and product enhancements.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Work closely with Product Owners, development teams, and other stakeholders to ensure the technical feasibility and market relevance of design solutions.
• Process & Standards Establishment: Design, implement, and refine design processes, standards, and toolchains to ensure consistent and high-quality user experiences across all STARFACE products.
• Market & Trend Analysis: Stay abreast of market trends, UX/UI best practices, and advancements in business communication technologies to drive continuous product innovation.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a blend of strategic leadership, hands-on design execution, and process improvement. The role requires not only strong individual design skills but also the ability to influence and build a design function within a growing tech company. The emphasis on "market-oriented implementation" and "continuous improvement" suggests a need for a pragmatic and results-driven approach to design.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

• A completed university degree in UX/UI Design, Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), Interaction Design, or a closely related field.

Experience:

• A minimum of 3 years of professional experience in UX/UI design, with a strong preference for experience within SaaS, software, or mobile product environments, particularly in a B2B context.
• Proven experience in leading design teams or providing technical guidance within design processes is considered a significant advantage.

Required Skills:

• UX/UI Design Expertise: Comprehensive knowledge and practical application of UX/UI design principles, user-cantered design methodologies, and accessibility standards.
• Wireframing & Prototyping: Proficiency in creating detailed wireframes, user flows, and interactive prototypes to effectively communicate design concepts.
• Usability Testing: Strong experience in planning, conducting, and analyzing usability tests, user interviews, and other forms of user research to gather actionable insights.
• Design Tools Proficiency: Expert-level proficiency with industry-standard design and prototyping tools such as Figma, Sketch, Adobe XD, or similar.
• Communication & Presentation: Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to articulate and present design concepts, rationale, and outcomes persuasively to diverse audiences, including technical and non-technical stakeholders.
• Design Systems: Solid understanding and experience in developing or working with design systems to ensure consistency and scalability in user interfaces.
• Agile Methodologies: Familiarity with agile development frameworks, such as Scrum, and experience working within agile teams is highly advantageous.

Preferred Skills:

• Team Leadership/Mentorship: Prior experience in leading design initiatives, mentoring junior designers, or establishing design processes.
• B2B SaaS/Software Experience: Direct experience designing for complex B2B software applications, PBX systems, UCaaS, or business communication platforms.
• Data Analysis & Interpretation: Ability to interpret user data, analytics, and feedback to drive informed design decisions.
• Workshop Facilitation: Experience in moderating workshops for requirements gathering, ideation, and collaborative problem-solving.
• JIRA/Confluence: Familiarity with project management and collaboration tools like JIRA and Confluence for workflow tracking and documentation.

📝 Enhancement Note: The requirement for 3+ years of experience, coupled with the "Senior" title and team-building aspect, suggests that candidates should not only possess strong individual design craft but also demonstrate leadership potential and a strategic understanding of how design contributes to business objectives. Experience in B2B SaaS is particularly valued, indicating a need for understanding complex user workflows and enterprise-level solutions.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Case Studies: Showcase 3-5 detailed case studies demonstrating your end-to-end UX design process for complex digital products (SaaS, mobile, or web applications).
• Process Visualization: Clearly illustrate your design methodology, including user research, wireframing, prototyping, usability testing, and iteration cycles within each case study.
• Problem/Solution Framing: Articulate the user problems or business challenges addressed and how your design solutions effectively solved them, highlighting your strategic thinking.
• Impact & Metrics: Quantify the impact of your design work using relevant metrics (e.g., improved conversion rates, reduced task completion times, increased user satisfaction scores, adoption rates). Demonstrate ROI where possible.
• Tooling & Collaboration: Briefly mention the tools used (e.g., Figma, Sketch, Miro) and highlight instances of cross-functional collaboration within your projects.

Process Documentation:

• Workflow Design: Present examples of designed user flows and information architecture that demonstrate clarity, efficiency, and user-centricity.
• Prototyping Examples: Include links to interactive prototypes or video demonstrations of key user journeys that showcase the intended user experience and functionality.
• Usability Testing Reports: Provide insights into how usability testing was conducted, key findings, and how these insights led to design improvements.

📝 Enhancement Note: Given the senior nature of the role and the emphasis on building a team, the portfolio is critical. It should not only demonstrate design craft but also strategic thinking, process maturity, and the ability to measure and articulate the impact of design. Candidates should be prepared to walk through their process and justify design decisions with data and user insights.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

• For a Senior UX Designer in Karlsruhe, Germany, with 3+ years of experience, the estimated annual gross salary range is typically between €60,000 and €80,000. This estimate is based on industry benchmarks for experienced UX professionals in the German tech market, adjusted for the specific location and the responsibilities outlined.

Benefits:

• Flexible Working Hours: Enjoy flexibility in your work schedule, allowing for better work-life balance.
• Hybrid Work Model: Benefit from a hybrid work arrangement, combining office-based collaboration with remote flexibility.
• Company Events: Participate in regular company events and social gatherings that foster team cohesion and engagement.
• Retirement Plan: Access to a company-sponsored betriebliche Altersvorsorge (company pension scheme) for long-term financial security.
• Ergonomic Workspace: Utilize height-adjustable desks to promote a comfortable and ergonomic working environment.
• Wellness Amenities: Access to a complimentary fruit basket and beverages provided in the office.
• Mobile Office & International Work: Opportunity for mobile office arrangements and the possibility to work from EU countries for up to two weeks annually.
• No Dress Code: Freedom to express yourself through your attire, focusing on comfort and authenticity.
• Open Communication: Experience a flat hierarchy and direct, open communication channels across all levels.

Working Hours:

• Standard working hours are approximately 40 hours per week, with flexibility allowed as long as service times are covered. This allows for adaptation to project needs and personal schedules.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary estimation considers the "Senior" title, the specified experience level, and the location in Karlsruhe, Germany. German tech salaries can vary, but this range is a strong indicator for a role with significant responsibility and team-building potential. The benefits package reflects a modern tech company offering, with a focus on work-life balance, employee well-being, and professional development.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Information Technology and Services, specifically focused on Unified Communications as a Service (UCaaS) and Business Communication solutions. Company Size: STARFACE GmbH is a growing company, likely in the small to medium-sized enterprise (SME) category, focused on developing and providing innovative communication solutions. This size often means more direct impact and less bureaucracy. Founded: STARFACE GmbH was founded in 2005. This history suggests a company with established roots and experience in the industry, while still maintaining a dynamic and entrepreneurial spirit.

Team Structure:

• The UX/UI team is in its foundational stages, with the Senior UX Designer tasked with building it. This implies a small initial team, likely reporting to a Head of Product or similar senior leadership.
• The Senior UX Designer will collaborate closely with Product Management, Software Development (front-end and back-end), QA, and potentially Customer Support teams.
• Cross-functional collaboration is emphasized, with a culture of "one big STARFACE team" and open, transparent communication across departments.

Methodology:

• The company operates with a strong emphasis on agile methodologies, particularly Scrum, indicated by the mention of JIRA and Confluence as beneficial tools.
• Design decisions are expected to be data-driven, leveraging insights from usability testing, user interviews, and market analysis.
• The focus is on creating intuitive and engaging user experiences that are both technically feasible and market-aligned.

Company Website: http://starface.com

📝 Enhancement Note: The company's focus on communication technology and its established history, combined with a startup-like culture, suggests an environment where innovation and user experience are key differentiators. The opportunity to build a UX/UI team from the ground up is a significant aspect of the role's appeal.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is classified as a "Senior" position, indicating a level of expertise and responsibility beyond that of a mid-level designer. It carries the expectation of not only executing design tasks but also contributing to strategy, process definition, and potentially team leadership.

Reporting Structure:

• The Senior UX Designer will likely report to a Head of Product, VP of Product, or a similar senior management role responsible for product strategy and development.
• As the team grows, the Senior UX Designer may evolve into a Team Lead or Head of Design position, managing and mentoring a team of UX/UI designers.

Operations Impact:

• The UX Designer's impact is directly tied to the usability, adoption, and satisfaction of STARFACE's digital products. By improving user experiences, this role directly influences customer retention, user engagement, and ultimately, the success and revenue generated by the company's software and platforms.
• The ability to build and implement effective design processes will streamline product development and ensure scalable, high-quality user interfaces.

Growth Opportunities:

• Team Leadership: The primary growth path involves building and leading the UX/UI team, transitioning from an individual contributor to a management role.
• Strategic Influence: Grow influence over product strategy and roadmap by championing user-centricity and data-driven design at the executive level.
• Skill Specialization: Deepen expertise in specific areas of UX research, interaction design, or design systems, potentially becoming a subject matter expert within the company or industry.
• Cross-Functional Development: Gain broader exposure to business operations, product management, and engineering, fostering a holistic understanding of product development.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Senior" designation and the explicit mention of building a team strongly suggest a leadership track. Candidates with aspirations to manage a design function and significantly influence product direction will find this role particularly appealing. The company's growth trajectory offers ample opportunities for career advancement.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: STARFACE GmbH operates from a physical office location in Karlsruhe, Germany, offering a hybrid work model. This suggests a blend of in-office collaboration and remote flexibility.

Office Location(s): The primary office is located in the heart of Karlsruhe, Germany. This central location likely offers good accessibility and a vibrant working environment.

Workspace Context:

• The workspace is designed to foster collaboration, with an emphasis on open communication and a "one big STARFACE team" mentality.
• Designers will have access to modern tools and technology, including height-adjustable desks, and likely the necessary software and hardware for their design work.
• Opportunities for interaction with product managers, developers, and other stakeholders are abundant, encouraging a dynamic and integrated working experience.

Work Schedule:

• The standard work week is approximately 40 hours.
• Flexible working hours are offered, provided that essential service times are covered. This allows for a degree of personal autonomy in managing work hours, balancing project demands with individual needs.

📝 Enhancement Note: The hybrid model, with an expectation of at least 3 days in the office, indicates a preference for in-person collaboration and team building, while still offering flexibility. The "startup character" mentioned in the company description suggests an energetic and adaptable work environment.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A review of your application and portfolio to assess qualifications and alignment with the role.
• Hiring Manager/Team Interview: A discussion with the hiring manager and potentially key team members (e.g., Product Owner, Lead Developer) to delve into your experience, design process, and approach to team building.
• Portfolio Presentation/Design Challenge: You may be asked to present a case study from your portfolio, detailing your process, rationale, and outcomes. Alternatively, a design challenge might be presented to assess your problem-solving skills and design thinking in real-time.
• Cross-Functional Interviews: Conversations with stakeholders from Product Management and Engineering to evaluate your collaboration skills and ability to work effectively in a cross-functional environment.
• Final Interview: Potentially with senior leadership to discuss strategic vision and cultural fit.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Storytelling: Structure your portfolio case studies as compelling narratives. Clearly define the problem, your role, the process you followed, the solutions you designed, and the measurable impact.
• Process Depth: Don't just show final screens. Detail your research, ideation, iteration, and testing phases. Explain why you made certain design decisions.
• Quantify Impact: Use data and metrics wherever possible to demonstrate the success of your designs. This is crucial for a senior role.
• Tailor to STARFACE: If possible, research STARFACE's existing products and mention how your skills and approach could specifically benefit their offerings.
• Conciseness: While detailed, ensure your presentation is clear and to the point, respecting the interviewers' time.

Challenge Preparation:

• Understand the Context: If given a design challenge, ensure you fully understand the problem statement, target users, and business goals. Ask clarifying questions.
• Time Management: Allocate your time effectively across research, ideation, design, and presentation.
• Articulate Your Process: Be prepared to explain your thought process and design decisions clearly and concisely. Focus on the how and why.
• Consider Trade-offs: Acknowledge potential design trade-offs and justify your chosen approach based on project constraints and objectives.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on building a team and shaping strategic vision means interviewers will look for not only strong design skills but also leadership potential, strategic thinking, and the ability to influence and collaborate effectively. A well-prepared portfolio presentation is paramount.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Design & Prototyping: Figma (highly probable, industry standard), Sketch, Adobe XD. Proficiency in at least one of these is essential.
• Collaboration & Ideation: Miro, Mural, or similar digital whiteboarding tools for workshops and brainstorming sessions.

Analytics & Reporting:

• User Analytics: Tools like Google Analytics, Mixpanel, Amplitude, or Hotjar for understanding user behavior and product usage patterns.
• Data Visualization: Tools like Tableau, Power BI, or Looker for creating dashboards and reporting on key UX metrics, though direct hands-on use might be less critical than interpreting reports.

CRM & Automation:

• Project Management: JIRA and Confluence are mentioned as advantageous, indicating their use for tracking development tasks, bug reporting, and documentation.
• CRM (Indirect): While not a direct UX tool, understanding how customer relationship management systems (e.g., Salesforce, HubSpot) store customer data and feedback can inform user research and design.

📝 Enhancement Note: Proficiency in Figma or Sketch is a baseline expectation for a Senior UX Designer. Familiarity with agile project management tools like JIRA and Confluence is highly beneficial for seamless integration with development workflows. The ability to interpret user analytics data is also a key requirement for data-driven design.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• User-Centricity: A deep commitment to understanding and advocating for user needs in all design decisions and product development processes.
• Collaboration: A strong belief in working together across disciplines (Product, Engineering, Marketing) to achieve shared goals and build exceptional products.
• Innovation: Encouraging new ideas, experimentation, and continuous improvement in both product design and internal processes.
• Data-Driven Decisions: Valuing empirical evidence and user feedback as the foundation for strategic choices and design iterations.
• Efficiency & Pragmatism: Balancing ideal design solutions with practical implementation realities and business objectives.

Collaboration Style:

• Open & Transparent: The company promotes open communication and transparency, fostering an environment where ideas and feedback are shared freely across all levels and departments.
• Cross-Functional Integration: Expect close collaboration with Product Managers to define requirements and roadmaps, and with Developers to ensure feasible and high-quality implementation of designs.
• Feedback Culture: A willingness to give and receive constructive feedback is essential for continuous improvement and team growth.

📝 Enhancement Note: The company culture emphasizes a collaborative, agile, and user-focused approach. The ideal candidate will be comfortable working in a dynamic environment, proactively engaging with stakeholders, and contributing to a positive team dynamic. The "startup character" suggests a culture that is adaptable and open to new ways of working.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Building a UX/UI Team: Establishing a new team from the ground up presents challenges in recruitment, defining roles, setting processes, and fostering a strong design culture.
• Cross-Functional Alignment: Ensuring consistent understanding and prioritization of UX needs across different departments (Product, Engineering, Sales, Marketing) can be challenging.
• Technical Constraints: Balancing ideal user experiences with the technical realities and complexities of PBX systems and software development.
• Market Dynamics: Staying ahead of evolving user expectations and technological trends in the competitive UCaaS and business communication markets.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Leadership Development: Direct opportunity to develop leadership and team management skills by building and mentoring a UX/UI team.
• Strategic Product Input: Influence the product roadmap and strategy by championing user-centric design principles and providing data-backed insights.
• Industry Exposure: Gain deep understanding of the UCaaS and business communication technology sector, including market trends and competitive landscapes.
• Process Innovation: Opportunity to design and implement best-in-class UX/UI processes and toolchains that can set standards for the company.

📝 Enhancement Note: The primary challenge and growth opportunity lie in the leadership aspect of building and shaping the UX/UI function. Candidates who thrive on establishing new processes, mentoring others, and driving strategic initiatives will find this role highly rewarding.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• Team Building Philosophy: "Describe your approach to building and growing a high-performing UX/UI team. What are the key components you focus on?" (Be ready to discuss recruitment, onboarding, skill development, and fostering collaboration.)
• UX Vision Setting: "How would you establish a user-centric design vision for STARFACE Group across its diverse product portfolio? What steps would you take in the first 90 days?" (Focus on research, stakeholder alignment, and process definition.)
• Balancing User Needs & Business Goals: "How do you prioritize user needs when they conflict with business objectives or technical limitations? Can you provide an example?" (Demonstrate your ability to find pragmatic solutions and advocate for the user.)
• Process Improvement: "What are the essential elements of a robust UX/UI design process, and how would you implement them at STARFACE? How would you measure their effectiveness?" (Discuss research, design, testing, and iteration cycles, and key performance indicators.)

Company & Culture Questions:

• STARFACE's UX: "What are your initial impressions of STARFACE's current user experience? Where do you see the biggest opportunities for improvement?" (Research their products beforehand and formulate thoughtful observations.)
• Cultural Fit: "STARFACE emphasizes a flat hierarchy and open communication. How do you contribute to such a culture as a senior team member?" (Highlight your collaborative, communicative, and proactive nature.)
• Agile Environment: "How do you integrate UX into an agile development workflow? What are the key challenges and how do you overcome them?" (Discuss your experience with Scrum, sprint planning, and cross-functional team collaboration.)

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Focus on Impact: For each case study, clearly state the problem, your specific contributions, the process followed, the design solutions, and the measurable outcomes (KPIs).
• Demonstrate Process: Walk through your design thinking. Explain your research methods, wireframing approach, prototyping tools, and how you incorporated user feedback.
• Tell a Story: Make your presentation engaging. Connect your work to user needs and business goals.
• Prepare for Q&A: Anticipate questions about your design decisions, trade-offs, and how you handle challenges. Be ready to defend your choices with data and rationale.
• Technical Considerations: Show awareness of technical feasibility and how you collaborate with developers to ensure successful implementation.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process will heavily scrutinize your ability to not only design but also to lead, strategize, and collaborate. Be prepared to discuss your leadership style, your vision for UX at STARFACE, and demonstrate how your past work translates into future success for the company.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Senior UX Designer position:

• Submit your application through the provided link on join.com.
• Portfolio Customization: Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your experience in building design teams, strategic UX vision, and B2B SaaS/software design. Ensure your portfolio prominently features case studies demonstrating your end-to-end process and measurable impact.
• Resume Optimization: Use keywords from the job description such as "UX Design," "UI Design," "Wireframing," "Prototyping," "Usability Testing," "Team Leadership," and "Agile Methodologies." Quantify your achievements with specific metrics whenever possible.
• Interview Preparation: Practice presenting your portfolio case studies, focusing on storytelling, process articulation, and demonstrating quantifiable results. Prepare answers to common interview questions related to team building, strategic UX, and agile collaboration.
• Company Research: Thoroughly research STARFACE GmbH, its products (PBX systems, apps), and its market position. Understand their current UX/UI and identify potential areas for improvement to discuss during interviews.

⚠️ 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.