Senior UX Designer (m/f/d)

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Senior UX Designer (m/f/d)

Company: Sofico

Location: Porto, Portugal

Job Type: Full-time

Category: User Experience (UX) Design / Product Design

Date Posted: April 15, 2026

Experience Level: Mid-Senior Level (5-10 Years)

Remote Status: Hybrid

🚀 Role Summary

• Drive the creation of intuitive and user-centered digital experiences by translating complex user needs and business objectives into actionable design solutions.

• Lead and execute user research initiatives, including in-depth interviews, surveys, and usability testing, to uncover critical insights that inform design strategy.

• Develop comprehensive user journey maps, personas, and service blueprints to define and optimize end-to-end user flows across multiple digital touchpoints.

• Create detailed wireframes, interactive prototypes, and interaction models to effectively communicate design concepts and validate user experience hypotheses with stakeholders.

• Foster strong collaborative relationships with UI Designers, UX Researchers, Developers, and Product Managers to ensure cohesive product development and successful implementation of user-centric designs.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is positioned as a Senior UX Designer, indicating a need for leadership in design strategy, execution, and collaboration. The emphasis on "shaping meaningful, user-centered experiences" and "design thinking" suggests a strategic approach to product development, not just execution. The mention of "domain modeling and REST APIs" as a plus points to potential involvement in more technical aspects of product design, particularly in a SaaS or complex software environment.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Translate user research findings and business requirements into clear, actionable, and user-centered experience solutions that align with product vision.

• Plan, conduct, and analyze user research activities, including user interviews, surveys, contextual inquiries, and a variety of usability testing methodologies (e.g., moderated, unmoderated, remote, in-person).

• Develop and maintain key UX artifacts such as user personas, empathy maps, user journey maps, customer experience (CX) blueprints, and service blueprints to provide a holistic view of the user and product ecosystem.

• Design and iterate on wireframes, interactive prototypes (low-fidelity to high-fidelity), and detailed interaction models to effectively communicate design concepts, explore different solutions, and facilitate stakeholder buy-in.

• Collaborate closely with UI Designers to ensure a seamless transition from UX concepts to visually appealing and brand-consistent User Interface (UI) designs, maintaining a unified product aesthetic.

• Partner with UX Researchers to synthesize qualitative and quantitative data, identify key usability issues, and continuously inform the iterative improvement of the user experience.

• Proactively identify and articulate usability challenges and propose data-driven design solutions, iterating on designs based on research findings, A/B testing results, and cross-functional team feedback.

• Define, map, and optimize end-to-end user journeys across all digital products and customer touchpoints, ensuring consistency and efficiency in user interactions.

• Work in close partnership with Software Developers, Product Managers, and other cross-functional teams to ensure accurate and effective implementation of designed experiences, providing design support throughout the development lifecycle.

• Act as a vocal advocate for the user throughout the entire product development lifecycle, championing user needs and ensuring they are prioritized in decision-making processes.

• Continuously research and stay abreast of emerging UX methodologies, design tools, industry best practices, and competitor trends to bring innovative ideas and approaches to the team.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities listed are comprehensive for a Senior UX Designer, covering the full spectrum from research to implementation oversight. The emphasis on creating "user journeys," "personas," and "service blueprints" indicates a strategic focus on understanding the broader customer experience, not just isolated product interactions. The requirement to "advocate for the user" highlights the need for strong communication and influence skills within the organization.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: A Bachelor's or Master's degree in Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), Design, Psychology, Computer Science, or a related field is preferred, though equivalent practical experience will be strongly considered.

Experience: A minimum of 5-10 years of professional experience in User Experience (UX) design, with a proven track record of delivering user-centered design solutions for digital products.

Required Skills:

• Demonstrated expertise in User Experience (UX) design principles and user-centered design methodologies.

• A strong portfolio showcasing a range of UX design projects, demonstrating a deep understanding of user-centered design processes, problem-solving, and successful outcomes.

• Proficiency in industry-standard UX design and prototyping tools such as Figma, Adobe XD, Sketch, InVision, or similar platforms.

• Solid understanding and practical application of user research methods, including user interviews, surveys, contextual inquiries, and various forms of usability testing.

• Proven ability to synthesize complex research insights into clear, actionable design decisions and strategic recommendations.

• Experience in creating user flows, journey maps, wireframes, and interactive prototypes to communicate design concepts effectively.

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with a strong ability to articulate design rationale, present ideas compellingly, and engage effectively with diverse stakeholders.

• Proven ability to collaborate effectively within cross-functional, multidisciplinary teams, including Product Management, Engineering, and UI Design.

• Strong organizational skills with a proactive approach to managing design processes, timelines, and deliverables.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience with domain modeling and a foundational understanding of REST APIs, particularly beneficial for collaborating with technical teams on complex software products.

• Familiarity with agile development methodologies and experience working within scrum or Kanban frameworks.

• Knowledge of accessibility standards (e.g., WCAG) and experience designing inclusive user experiences.

• Experience with design systems and contributing to their development or maintenance.

• Understanding of front-end development principles and technologies (HTML, CSS, JavaScript) to better collaborate with engineering teams.

📝 Enhancement Note: The preferred skill of "domain modeling and REST APIs" is significant. It suggests that Sofico's products might be complex enterprise software, possibly SaaS, where understanding the underlying data structures and API interactions is crucial for effective UX design, especially when collaborating with backend developers. This differentiates the role from a purely UI-focused position. The experience level of 5-10 years indicates an expectation of seniority and independent contribution.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Showcase a minimum of 3-5 distinct UX design projects that highlight your end-to-end design process, from initial research and ideation to final concept and testing.

• For each project, clearly articulate the problem statement, your role and responsibilities, the methodologies used (e.g., user research, wireframing, prototyping), and the key design decisions made.

• Demonstrate your ability to translate user research insights into tangible design solutions, providing specific examples of how user needs influenced your design direction.

• Include examples of user journey maps, personas, wireframes, and interactive prototypes, showcasing your proficiency with relevant design tools (Figma, Adobe XD, Sketch, etc.).

Process Documentation:

• Provide evidence of your structured approach to UX design, including how you plan and execute user research activities, from participant recruitment to data analysis.

• Illustrate your workflow for creating and iterating on wireframes and prototypes, showing how you incorporate feedback and user testing results.

• Document your collaboration process with cross-functional teams, detailing how you communicate design concepts, gather feedback, and ensure alignment with technical and business requirements.

• Showcase your methods for defining and optimizing user journeys, demonstrating how you map out the complete user experience across different touchpoints.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a Senior UX Designer role, a portfolio is paramount. The emphasis here is on demonstrating not just the final output but the process and impact. The requirement to "quantify the impact" is critical for a senior role, suggesting that Sofico values data-driven design and measurable results, aligning with revenue operations and GTM principles where efficiency and ROI are key.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: Based on industry benchmarks for Senior UX Designers in Porto, Portugal, with 5-10 years of experience, the estimated annual salary range is between €45,000 and €65,000. This estimate considers the competitive nature of tech roles in Portugal and the specific benefits offered by Sofico.

Benefits:

• A competitive salary paid 14 times a year, providing enhanced financial stability.

• Full medical insurance coverage provided by Sofico, ensuring comprehensive health and well-being support.

• A daily meal allowance of €10.46 for each day worked, contributing to daily living expenses.

• Flexibility through adjustable working hours and a hybrid work model, promoting work-life balance and autonomy.

• Access to a sleek, modern office with excellent accessibility and amenities designed for a productive and comfortable work environment.

• Tailored six-month onboarding program with a dedicated job coach to facilitate integration and professional development.

• Regular and exciting team events, fostering a strong sense of community and camaraderie.

Working Hours: Standard full-time working hours are expected, with flexibility through adjustable hours and a hybrid work model, accommodating approximately 40 hours per week.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary estimate is based on research from sources like Glassdoor, SalaryExpert, and local Portuguese job market data for Senior UX Designers. The "14 times a year" salary payment is a common practice in Portugal and is specifically mentioned as a benefit. The meal allowance is also a standard benefit in Portugal, often referred to as "subsídio de alimentação." The hybrid model implies a balance between in-office collaboration and remote work flexibility.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Sofico operates within the Software and Technology sector, specializing in fleet management and mobility solutions. This industry context implies a need for UX designers to understand complex business processes and enterprise-level software requirements.

Company Size: Sofico is a medium-sized company, likely with 250-1000 employees based on typical tech company structures in Europe. This size often offers a good balance between established processes and the agility for individual impact.

Founded: Founded in 1991, Sofico has a long-standing history, suggesting stability, established methodologies, and a deep understanding of its market. This longevity often translates to a culture that values expertise and long-term relationships.

Team Structure:

• The UX design team is likely structured to support product development squads or feature teams, ensuring close collaboration with product managers and engineers.

• The reporting structure for a Senior UX Designer would typically be to a Head of Product, UX Lead, or Design Manager, with direct interaction with product stakeholders.

Methodology:

• Data analysis and insights methods are crucial, leveraging user research, analytics, and A/B testing to inform design decisions and measure impact.

• Workflow planning and optimization strategies are applied to streamline the design process and ensure efficient delivery of user-centered solutions.

• Automation and efficiency practices are encouraged, particularly in how design tools and processes can be leveraged to maximize productivity and consistency.

Company Website: https://sofico.global/

📝 Enhancement Note: Sofico's industry (fleet management/mobility solutions) suggests a B2B focus, where user experience must cater to professional users with specific operational needs. The company's founding in 1991 and its global presence indicate a mature organization with potentially established but evolving design processes. The "Senior" title implies a role that contributes to shaping design strategy, not just executing tasks.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This Senior UX Designer role represents a mid-to-senior level position within the design function. It requires not only strong individual contribution and expertise in UX methodologies but also the ability to mentor junior designers, influence product strategy, and lead design initiatives. The scope involves ownership of significant product areas and driving the user experience vision for key features.

Reporting Structure: The Senior UX Designer will likely report to a UX Lead or Head of Design, working within a product-centric organization. They will collaborate closely with Product Managers and Engineering Leads, forming a core part of product development teams. This structure emphasizes cross-functional teamwork and shared ownership of product success.

Operations Impact: The UX Designer directly impacts revenue and business decisions by ensuring products are intuitive, efficient, and valuable to users. A superior user experience can lead to higher customer adoption, retention, and satisfaction, directly influencing market competitiveness and profitability. By advocating for user needs and optimizing workflows, the role contributes to reducing support costs and increasing operational efficiency for Sofico's clients.

Growth Opportunities:

• Operations Skill Advancement: Opportunities to deepen expertise in specialized UX areas such as service design, UX strategy, accessibility, or gaining experience in domain-specific modeling for fleet management.

• Leadership Development: Potential to grow into a Lead UX Designer, UX Manager, or a specialized UX Architect role, taking on team leadership, strategic planning, and mentorship responsibilities.

• Cross-functional Expertise: Opportunity to expand knowledge into product management, business analysis, or technical aspects of software development through close collaboration with other departments.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Operations Impact" section is framed to connect UX design directly to business outcomes, aligning with the goal of enhancing job descriptions for operations-minded professionals. The growth opportunities are contextualized within a design career path, emphasizing both specialization and leadership.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Sofico offers a modern, well-equipped office environment designed to foster collaboration and productivity. It is likely an open-plan or semi-open-plan workspace with dedicated areas for focused work, team meetings, and informal collaboration.

Office Location(s): The primary office is located in Porto, Portugal. This location is known for its vibrant tech scene and accessibility. Specific details about public transport links or parking would typically be available upon further inquiry.

Workspace Context:

• The collaborative environment is supported by meeting rooms equipped with necessary technology for presentations and team discussions, encouraging cross-functional interaction.

• Operations tools and technology are readily available, including high-performance workstations, design software licenses (Figma, Adobe XD, Sketch), and access to relevant collaboration platforms.

• Opportunities for interaction with the operations team and other departments are frequent, facilitated by the hybrid work model and organized team events, promoting a cohesive company culture.

Work Schedule: The hybrid work model allows for a blend of on-site and remote work. Adjustable working hours provide flexibility, enabling individuals to manage their schedules effectively while ensuring coverage and collaboration needs are met, particularly for design sprints and critical project phases.

📝 Enhancement Note: The description emphasizes a modern, collaborative workspace conducive to the hybrid model. The mention of "operations tools and technology" is broad but implies a well-resourced design environment. Flexibility in working hours is a key aspect for many professionals, especially in design roles that may require focused, uninterrupted work periods.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A brief call to assess basic qualifications, experience, and cultural fit, often with an HR representative.

• Portfolio Review & Technical Interview: A deeper dive into your portfolio, discussing specific projects, design process, problem-solving approaches, and your experience with user research and prototyping tools. This may involve a live design exercise or case study presentation.

• Team/Hiring Manager Interview: Discussions with the hiring manager and potential team members to evaluate your collaboration style, leadership potential, and how you align with the team's dynamics and Sofico's culture.

• Final Interview: Potentially with a senior leader or department head to discuss strategic alignment and overall fit for the role and company.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select projects that best showcase your skills relevant to Sofico's industry (e.g., B2B software, complex workflows) and the Senior UX Designer responsibilities.

• Tell a Story: For each project, clearly articulate the problem, your unique contribution, the design process, challenges faced, and the measurable outcomes. Use visuals effectively to guide the reviewer.

• Highlight Process: Emphasize your research methodologies, decision-making rationale, and how you iterated on designs based on feedback and data. Showcase your ability to create comprehensive UX artifacts.

• Demonstrate Impact: Quantify results whenever possible. If exact metrics aren't available, articulate the anticipated benefits or lessons learned.

• Tool Proficiency: Be ready to discuss your experience with Figma, Adobe XD, Sketch, and other prototyping tools, explaining why you chose specific tools for certain tasks.

Challenge Preparation:

• Design Exercise: Be prepared for a take-home assignment or a live design exercise that may involve analyzing a problem, sketching solutions, or creating a prototype for a specific feature or user flow.

• Case Study Presentation: Practice presenting one or two of your portfolio projects concisely and compellingly, focusing on your problem-solving approach and impact.

• Stakeholder Management: Anticipate questions about how you handle conflicting feedback, manage stakeholder expectations, and advocate for user needs within a team environment.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process outline is standard for senior design roles. The portfolio review tips are critical and emphasize demonstrating process, impact, and strategic thinking, which are key for senior-level operations and GTM roles. The "challenge preparation" section highlights the need for practical application and presentation skills.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Figma: The primary tool for UI design, wireframing, prototyping, and collaboration. Proficiency is expected for creating high-fidelity mockups and interactive prototypes.

• Adobe XD: An alternative or complementary tool for UI design and prototyping, often used for specific project needs or by teams with existing workflows.

• Sketch: Another industry-standard vector-based design tool for UI design, widely used for creating interfaces and prototypes.

• Prototyping Tools (e.g., InVision, Marvel): Used for creating interactive prototypes, user flow visualization, and gathering feedback on design concepts.

Analytics & Reporting:

• User Analytics Platforms (e.g., Google Analytics, Mixpanel, Amplitude): While not a primary design tool, understanding how to interpret user behavior data from these platforms is beneficial for informing design decisions and measuring impact.

• Usability Testing Platforms (e.g., UserTesting.com, Lookback): Essential for conducting remote and moderated usability tests, gathering qualitative feedback on designs.

CRM & Automation:

• Domain Modeling & REST APIs: A foundational understanding is advantageous for collaborating with developers on the technical architecture of the product, especially in complex software solutions.

• Jira/Confluence: Commonly used for project management and documentation, facilitating collaboration with engineering and product teams on design tasks and requirements.

📝 Enhancement Note: The tools listed are standard for UX design. The inclusion of "Domain Modeling & REST APIs" under CRM & Automation is a bit of a miscategorization in the original data, but it highlights the technical understanding that is a plus for this role. The emphasis on Figma, Adobe XD, and Sketch indicates the core software suite expected.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• User-Centricity: A core value that places the user's needs and experience at the forefront of all design and product development decisions. This is demonstrated through rigorous user research and iterative design.

• Collaboration: A strong emphasis on teamwork and open communication, fostering an environment where designers work closely with product managers, developers, and other stakeholders to achieve shared goals.

• Innovation & Curiosity: Encouraging a mindset of continuous learning, exploration of new design techniques, and a proactive approach to solving complex problems with creative solutions.

• Data-Driven Decision Making: Valuing the use of data from user research, analytics, and testing to inform design choices, validate hypotheses, and measure the effectiveness of solutions.

• Quality & Craftsmanship: A commitment to delivering high-quality, polished, and impactful design work that meets both user needs and business objectives.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-functional Integration: Designers are embedded within product teams, working daily with engineers, product managers, and other specialists to ensure seamless product development.

• Feedback-Rich Environment: An open culture for constructive feedback, where design ideas are shared early and often, and critiques are used constructively to refine solutions.

• Knowledge Sharing: Encouraging the sharing of best practices, insights from research, and learnings from design challenges through informal discussions, presentations, and documentation.

📝 Enhancement Note: The values and collaboration style are framed to align with typical tech company cultures and specifically highlight how these translate to the operations of the design function and its interaction with other departments.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing User Needs with Business Constraints: Effectively navigating the tension between ideal user experiences and technical limitations, budget, or timelines, requiring strong negotiation and problem-solving skills.

• Designing for Complex Domains: Understanding and designing for Sofico's specific industry (fleet management/mobility solutions) requires a steep learning curve to grasp complex workflows and user requirements.

• Driving Design Adoption: Ensuring that user-centered design principles are consistently applied across product teams and that designs are implemented accurately as intended by development teams.

• Evolving UX Methodologies: Staying current with rapidly evolving UX tools, techniques, and best practices in a dynamic technology landscape requires a commitment to continuous learning.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Specialized UX Training: Opportunities for advanced training in areas like Service Design, UX Strategy, Interaction Design patterns, or specific domain knowledge relevant to Sofico's products.

• Industry Conferences & Workshops: Support for attending relevant UX conferences, workshops, and online courses to expand knowledge and network with peers.

• Mentorship & Leadership: Potential for mentorship from senior design leaders and opportunities to mentor junior designers, fostering leadership skills and contributing to team growth.

📝 Enhancement Note: This section aims to provide a realistic outlook on the role, highlighting potential hurdles and the support systems in place for professional development, which is crucial for attracting and retaining talent in competitive fields like UX design.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you had to balance conflicting stakeholder requirements with user needs. How did you approach it, and what was the outcome?" (Focus on your negotiation, communication, and decision-making process.)

• "How do you approach designing for a complex B2B domain where users have very specific, often technical, workflows?" (Prepare to discuss your research methods for understanding specialized user groups and their needs.)

Company & Culture Questions:

• "Based on what you know about Sofico and the fleet management industry, what do you see as the biggest UX challenges for our products?" (Research Sofico's offerings and the industry to offer informed insights.)

• "How do you typically collaborate with product managers and developers to ensure a shared understanding of design goals and to facilitate effective implementation?" (Highlight your communication strategies and experience working within cross-functional teams.)

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure for Impact: Organize your presentation logically, typically following a problem-solution-outcome structure for each project. Clearly state the business and user goals upfront.

• Highlight Your Role: Be explicit about your contributions, especially if it was a team project. Use "I" when discussing your direct actions and "we" when referring to team efforts.

• Show, Don't Just Tell: Use visuals of your wireframes, prototypes, user flows, and research artifacts to illustrate your process. Interactive prototypes are highly effective.

• Quantify Outcomes: Wherever possible, present metrics that demonstrate the success of your designs (e.g., increased task completion rates, reduced error rates, improved user satisfaction scores). If exact numbers aren't available, discuss anticipated impact or qualitative feedback.

• Be Prepared for Deep Dives: Anticipate detailed questions about your design choices, research methodology, and how you handled challenges. Practice articulating your rationale clearly and concisely.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview questions are designed to probe critical skills for a Senior UX Designer: strategic thinking, problem-solving, communication, and domain adaptability. The portfolio presentation strategy emphasizes impact and clarity, which are essential for senior roles.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Senior UX Designer position:

• Submit your application through the provided link on Greenhouse.

• Tailor your resume and cover letter: Highlight your experience in user-centered design, your proficiency with UX tools (Figma, Adobe XD, Sketch), and your experience with user research and prototyping. Quantify achievements wherever possible.

• Prepare your portfolio: Ensure it is well-organized, showcases your best end-to-end UX design projects, clearly articulates your process, and demonstrates measurable impact. Be ready to present 1-2 key projects in detail.

• Research Sofico: Familiarize yourself with Sofico's products, services, and the fleet management industry. Understand their market position and potential UX challenges.

• Practice your interview responses: Prepare for behavioral questions, technical discussions about UX methodologies, and potential design challenges. Rehearse your portfolio presentation to ensure clarity and impact.

⚠️ 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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