Senior UX Designer, Mobile

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Senior UX Designer, Mobile Company: Fidelity Investments Location: Durham, North Carolina, United States (Also open to Smithfield, Rhode Island, United States) Job Type: Full-Time Category: User Experience Design / Product Design Date Posted: December 04, 2025 Experience Level: Mid-Senior Level

🚀 Role Summary

• Lead the design strategy and execution for native mobile platforms, focusing on creating intuitive, accessible, and engaging user experiences within the financial services sector.
• Drive the definition of design work and deliver measurable business outcomes by collaborating closely with product teams and product owners.
• Champion a customer-centric approach, leveraging data-driven insights and iterative design processes to redefine how users interact with financial products.
• Contribute to the growth and culture of the User Experience Design (UXD) group by sharing expertise, mentoring junior designers, and promoting best practices.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is specifically for a Senior UX Designer with a strong specialization in mobile-first design for native iOS and Android applications. The emphasis on "redefining the financial services industry" and "customer first" indicates a strategic importance for user experience in driving business objectives within Fidelity Brokerage.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Spearhead the end-to-end design process for mobile features and products, from conceptualization and user flows to detailed interaction design and visual specifications.
• Translate complex financial concepts and user needs into simple, elegant, and intuitive mobile interfaces that align with business goals.
• Develop and refine interaction patterns, navigation flows, and micro-interactions that enhance user engagement and drive task completion on native mobile platforms.
• Apply expert knowledge of iOS and Material Design guidelines, responsive layouts, and touch-based interactions to ensure consistency, scalability, and optimal user experience across devices.
• Collaborate closely with Product Managers, Engineering teams, User Researchers, and other stakeholders in an agile environment to ensure design feasibility, alignment with product strategy, and timely delivery of high-quality digital products.
• Utilize user research (qualitative and quantitative) and data analytics to inform design decisions, validate concepts, and identify opportunities for continuous improvement.
• Contribute to and advocate for the adoption of design systems, ensuring consistency and efficiency in design and development efforts.
• Articulate design rationale and present design solutions effectively to diverse audiences, including technical teams, product leadership, and executive stakeholders.
• Proactively identify and propose innovative design solutions that address user pain points and business opportunities within the financial services domain.
• Mentor and coach junior designers, contributing to the overall growth and maturity of the UXD team.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities emphasize leadership in design strategy, execution, and collaboration within an agile framework. The requirement to "consult with the product owner to help inform product strategy" highlights a strategic influence beyond traditional design execution. Proficiency in leveraging both qualitative and quantitative feedback points to a data-informed design approach.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

• A degree in a related field such as Interactive Design, Architecture, Industrial Design, Graphic Design, Human Factors, or a related discipline is preferred.

Experience:

• 4+ years of relevant User Experience (UX) design experience, with a strong focus on native mobile application design.
• Proven experience working within agile development teams to deliver digital products.
• Experience leveraging user research (both qualitative and quantitative) to inform evidence-based design decisions.

Required Skills:

• A strong digital portfolio showcasing a range of mobile UX design projects, interaction patterns, and problem-solving approaches.
• Expert knowledge of iOS and Material Design guidelines, including platform-specific interaction patterns and best practices.
• Proficiency in developing and refining interaction patterns, navigation flows, and micro-interactions for mobile applications.
• Demonstrated ability to apply best practices for responsive layouts and touch-based interactions, with a focus on consistency and driving design system adoption.
• Exceptional communication skills, both written and verbal, with the ability to present complex ideas clearly and persuasively to technical and non-technical audiences, including executives.
• A foundational understanding of web and mobile development principles.
• Familiarity with the principles and value of design systems, including concepts of reuse, scalability, and contribution.
• Proven ability to partner effectively with user research teams to understand and address customer problems.
• Skill in distilling qualitative and quantitative feedback into actionable insights and promoting data-driven design decisions.
• A strong sense of curiosity and a passion for design that translates into joyful user experiences.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience with strategic design methods such as Design Thinking.
• Proficiency in various design skills including visual design, conversational design, information architecture, and advanced prototyping.
• Experience in user research methodologies and their application in design.
• Experience as a writer, presenter, and facilitator in design contexts.
• Experience in the financial services industry, understanding its unique user needs and regulatory environment.

📝 Enhancement Note: The broad range of "an array of design skills" suggests that while mobile is the primary focus, a candidate with a diverse UX toolkit will be highly valued. The emphasis on "unwavering curiosity to ask why" and "design brings you happiness" highlights a cultural fit requirement for passionate and inquisitive UX professionals.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A comprehensive digital portfolio is required for application review, showcasing a breadth of mobile UX design projects.
• Portfolio pieces should demonstrate the candidate's ability to lead design strategy and execution on product teams, with clear articulation of the problem, process, and solution.
• Evidence of data-informed design decisions through the incorporation of user research findings and quantitative feedback must be evident.
• Examples of designing for native mobile platforms (iOS and Android) with adherence to platform guidelines and best practices are essential.
• Demonstrate experience with interaction patterns, navigation flows, and micro-interactions that enhance user engagement and task completion.

Process Documentation:

• Candidates are expected to articulate their design process, particularly in how they translate user needs and business requirements into intuitive mobile experiences.
• Demonstrate experience in iterative design cycles, including prototyping, user testing, and incorporating feedback to refine designs.
• Showcase understanding of how to collaborate with engineering and product teams within an agile framework to ensure design feasibility and successful implementation.
• Highlight experience in contributing to or leveraging design systems for scalable and consistent user experiences.

📝 Enhancement Note: The portfolio requirement is explicitly stated as "required," indicating it's a critical gate for this role. The emphasis on demonstrating leadership, data-informed decisions, and native mobile platform expertise within the portfolio is paramount.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

• For a Senior UX Designer role in Durham, NC, with 4+ years of experience, a competitive salary range can be estimated between $110,000 - $160,000 annually. This range accounts for the senior level, specialized mobile UX skills, and the financial services industry, which often offers higher compensation.

Benefits:

• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance plans.
• 401(k) retirement plan with company match.
• Generous paid time off (PTO), including vacation, sick leave, and holidays.
• Opportunities for professional development, training, and continuing education.
• Employee stock purchase programs.
• Wellness programs and resources.
• Potential for performance-based bonuses.

Working Hours:

• Standard full-time workweek, typically 40 hours. The role is designated as Hybrid, requiring associates to work onsite in a Fidelity office every other week (all business days, Monday-Friday).

📝 Enhancement Note: Salary estimates are based on industry benchmarks for Senior UX Designers in the Research Triangle Park area (Durham, NC) and general compensation trends for financial services companies. The hybrid work model specifies a structured balance between remote and in-office work.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Financial Services, Investment Management, Technology. Fidelity Investments operates within a highly regulated industry, emphasizing trust, security, and customer advocacy. The company is undergoing digital transformation, making user experience a critical differentiator. Company Size: Fidelity Investments is a large, established financial institution with a global presence, employing tens of thousands of individuals. This size implies a structured environment with numerous opportunities for specialization and career advancement, but also potentially a more bureaucratic decision-making process. Founded: Fidelity Investments was founded in 1946. This long history signifies stability, deep industry knowledge, and a well-established market position.

Team Structure:

• The role sits within Fidelity Brokerage, a division focused on wealth management, retirement planning, and brokerage services, indicating a user base with diverse financial needs and expertise levels.
• This role is also part of the broader User Experience Design (UXD) team, suggesting a community of practice for designers to collaborate, share knowledge, and contribute to a unified design vision.
• Designers typically work in cross-functional product teams, reporting through a UX leadership hierarchy, and collaborating closely with product managers, engineers, and researchers.

Methodology:

• Fidelity emphasizes data-focused, collaborative, and iterative decision-making processes. This aligns with agile methodologies and a continuous improvement mindset.
• User research and data analytics are highlighted as key inputs for design decisions, underscoring a commitment to understanding and serving customer needs.
• The organization values design deeply, suggesting that UX is integrated into the product development lifecycle from early stages.

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

📝 Enhancement Note: The company's long history in financial services, combined with its focus on digital transformation and customer-centricity, suggests a dynamic environment where established practices meet innovative approaches. The emphasis on collaboration and data-driven decisions is crucial for understanding how this UX role will operate.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This is a "Senior" UX Designer role, indicating a level of autonomy and expertise. Senior designers are expected to lead design initiatives, mentor others, and contribute to strategic product discussions. They often act as subject matter experts and are responsible for driving design quality and impact on their assigned product areas.

Reporting Structure: The role is part of the User Experience Design (UXD) team and will likely report to a UX Design Manager or Director. Within their product team, they will collaborate closely with a Product Owner and Engineering Lead. The hybrid work model means interaction will be a mix of in-person and remote.

Operations Impact: UX design at Fidelity is positioned as critical to "redefining the financial services industry" and making investing "simple and accessible." Therefore, this role has a direct impact on customer acquisition, retention, satisfaction, and ultimately, business outcomes for Fidelity Brokerage. The ability to translate complex financial products into intuitive mobile experiences is a key driver of this impact.

Growth Opportunities:

• Specialization: Deepen expertise in mobile UX, potentially exploring areas like conversational design for financial assistants or advanced accessibility for diverse user needs.
• Leadership: Progress to Lead UX Designer, Principal UX Designer, or management roles (UX Manager/Director) by taking on larger projects, leading design initiatives, and mentoring teams.
• Cross-Functional Experience: Gain exposure to different product areas within Fidelity Brokerage or other divisions, broadening understanding of the financial services landscape.
• Skill Development: Access internal training, workshops, and potentially external conferences to stay current with UX trends, tools, and methodologies.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Senior" title, combined with the mandate to "lead design strategy and execution," suggests this role is pivotal. The growth opportunities lean towards deepening technical UX expertise or moving into leadership and strategic product roles within the financial services domain.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The role is designated as Hybrid, meaning a blend of remote work and in-office presence. Fidelity offices are typically modern, professional environments designed to support collaboration and focused work. Office Location(s): The primary locations mentioned are Durham, NC (100 New Millennium Way, Bldg 1) and Smithfield, RI. These are significant Fidelity hubs. The hybrid model requires associates to work onsite every other week, specifically Monday-Friday, at one of these designated office locations.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Environment: Hybrid work model encourages in-person collaboration during designated weeks, fostering team cohesion and facilitating workshops, brainstorming sessions, and design reviews.
• Tools and Technology: Access to standard corporate IT infrastructure, including workstations, software licenses for design tools (e.g., Figma, Sketch), and collaboration platforms.
• Team Interaction: Opportunities to interact with a diverse range of professionals, including product managers, engineers, researchers, and fellow designers, both virtually and in person.

Work Schedule: Standard full-time hours (approx. 40 hours/week). The hybrid schedule requires specific weeks onsite, which needs to be factored into personal planning. This structure aims to balance the benefits of remote flexibility with the advantages of in-person collaboration.

📝 Enhancement Note: The specific requirement of "onsite every other week (all business days, M-F)" for hybrid roles is a key detail for candidates to consider regarding their work-life integration and commuting arrangements.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A recruiter or hiring manager will likely review applications, focusing on experience and portfolio. A clear, well-organized portfolio is crucial here.
• Portfolio Review & Discussion: A dedicated session to walk through selected portfolio pieces, discussing your design process, rationale, and impact. Be prepared to elaborate on specific projects, challenges, and outcomes.
• Skills-Based Interview: May include questions on UX methodologies, mobile design best practices, agile workflows, and problem-solving scenarios.
• Cross-Functional Interview: Discussions with potential collaborators (e.g., Product Manager, Engineering Lead) to assess teamwork, communication, and fit within the product team.
• Cultural Fit Interview: Assessing alignment with Fidelity's values, such as curiosity, customer focus, data-driven decision-making, and collaborative spirit.
• Final Round: Potentially with senior leadership to discuss strategic thinking and overall fit.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Selectively: Choose 3-5 strong, relevant projects that showcase your mobile UX expertise, problem-solving skills, and impact. Prioritize projects that align with financial services if possible.
• Structure for Clarity: For each project, clearly define the problem statement, your role, the process undertaken (research, ideation, design, testing), key decisions made, challenges overcome, and measurable outcomes/impact. Use visuals effectively.
• Highlight Mobile Expertise: Explicitly demonstrate your understanding of native iOS and Android design patterns, interaction models, and responsive design principles.
• Showcase Process: Explain your design thinking, how you incorporated user feedback and data, and how you collaborated with cross-functional teams.
• Be Ready to Defend: Prepare to discuss your design choices, trade-offs, and how you would approach similar challenges in the future.

Challenge Preparation:

• Design Challenge: You might be given a hypothetical mobile design problem related to financial services to solve within a set timeframe. Focus on your process: problem definition, user empathy, ideation, and sketching/wireframing key flows.
• Whiteboard Exercise: Be prepared to sketch out user flows or interface concepts on a whiteboard (physical or virtual) while explaining your thought process.
• Behavioral Questions: Prepare STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) responses for questions about teamwork, conflict resolution, handling feedback, and leadership.

📝 Enhancement Note: The portfolio is explicitly stated as "required," so candidates must have it ready and polished. The interview process will likely probe deeply into the candidate's ability to apply UX principles to the specific context of mobile financial services and their collaborative approach within an agile, hybrid environment.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Design & Prototyping: Figma (highly probable for collaborative design and prototyping), Sketch, Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator).
• Collaboration & Communication: Slack, Microsoft Teams, Jira, Confluence.
• Project Management: Jira, Asana, or similar agile project management tools.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Familiarity with analytics platforms (e.g., Google Analytics, Adobe Analytics, Mixpanel) to understand user behavior and inform design is beneficial.
• Experience with A/B testing tools and interpreting results for design iteration.

CRM & Automation:

• While not a direct user-facing tool for UX designers, understanding how CRMs (like Salesforce) and marketing automation platforms integrate with user journeys can provide valuable context.

📝 Enhancement Note: While specific tools aren't listed, modern UX design roles in large tech/finance companies heavily rely on collaborative platforms like Figma. Experience with agile tools like Jira is also a strong expectation.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Customer Focus: A deep commitment to understanding and serving customer needs, making financial services simple and accessible.
• Data-Driven Decisions: Utilizing qualitative and quantitative feedback to inform design strategy and execution.
• Collaboration: Working effectively across diverse teams (product, engineering, research) to achieve shared goals.
• Curiosity & Learning: An "unwavering curiosity to ask why" and a continuous drive to learn and innovate.
• Design Excellence: A passion for creating high-quality, intuitive, and delightful user experiences.
• Integrity & Trust: Essential in the financial services industry, influencing how user data is handled and experiences are designed.

Collaboration Style:

• Agile & Iterative: Working within agile sprints, embracing iterative design and development cycles.
• Cross-Functional Partnership: Close collaboration with Product Managers to shape strategy and Engineers to ensure feasibility and quality implementation.
• Research Integration: Working hand-in-hand with User Researchers to gather insights and validate designs.
• Feedback Culture: Openness to receiving and providing constructive feedback to improve designs and processes.

📝 Enhancement Note: The company culture emphasizes a blend of established financial industry values (trust, integrity) with modern tech-driven approaches (data, iteration, customer-centricity). The UX team specifically values curiosity and a passion for designing excellent experiences.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Complexity of Financial Products: Translating intricate financial concepts, regulations, and diverse user needs into simple, intuitive mobile interfaces.
• Navigating a Large Organization: Working within a large, established company like Fidelity may involve navigating established processes, securing buy-in from multiple stakeholders, and adapting to corporate structures.
• Balancing Innovation with Regulation: Striking a balance between introducing innovative UX solutions and adhering to strict financial industry regulations and security protocols.
• Hybrid Work Model Dynamics: Effectively collaborating and maintaining team cohesion with a hybrid work schedule that requires alternating between remote and in-office presence.
• Driving Design System Adoption: Ensuring consistent application and contribution to design systems across various mobile product initiatives.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Specialized Mobile UX Training: Deepen expertise in mobile-first design principles, platform-specific guidelines, and emerging mobile technologies.
• Financial Services Domain Knowledge: Gain in-depth understanding of wealth management, retirement planning, and brokerage services, enhancing ability to design for specific user needs.
• Leadership Development: Opportunities to lead design initiatives, mentor junior designers, and develop strategic product thinking.
• Industry Conferences & Certifications: Support for attending relevant UX and design conferences or pursuing certifications to stay abreast of industry trends.
• Cross-Divisional Exposure: Potential to work on projects impacting different areas of Fidelity's vast product portfolio.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges presented are typical for senior roles in large, regulated industries. The growth opportunities are strong for those looking to deepen their UX expertise within a specific domain or move into leadership roles.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you led the design strategy for a complex mobile feature. What was your process, and what was the outcome?" (Focus on leadership, strategy, process, and measurable results.)
• "How do you approach designing for users with varying levels of financial literacy? Provide an example." (Tests user empathy, segmentation, and ability to simplify complex information.)
• "Imagine we want to introduce a new feature for [specific brokerage service]. How would you approach understanding user needs and designing the mobile experience?" (Assesses your structured approach to new product design, research integration, and mobile-first thinking.)
• "How do you balance adhering to platform-specific design guidelines (iOS/Android) with maintaining a consistent brand experience?" (Evaluates your understanding of native patterns vs. brand identity.)

Company & Culture Questions:

• "Why are you interested in designing for Fidelity Investments, specifically within the financial services industry?" (Showcase your research on Fidelity and understanding of the industry's unique UX challenges.)
• "How do you contribute to a positive and productive team culture, especially within a hybrid work environment?" (Demonstrate your collaborative spirit and adaptability.)
• "How do you handle constructive criticism or feedback on your designs?" (Assess your openness to feedback and growth mindset.)
• "What does 'customer-first' mean to you in the context of financial product design?" (Align your definition with Fidelity's stated values.)

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Tell a Story: For each project, frame it as a narrative: the problem, the user, your role, the journey, the solution, and the impact.
• Quantify Impact: Whenever possible, use metrics (e.g., increased conversion, reduced error rates, improved task completion time, user satisfaction scores) to demonstrate the effectiveness of your designs.
• Explain Trade-offs: Be ready to discuss decisions where you had to make compromises, and why. This shows critical thinking and practical problem-solving.
• Focus on Mobile: Explicitly highlight how your designs leverage mobile capabilities and adhere to best practices for native platforms.
• Showcase Collaboration: Mention how you worked with product managers, engineers, and researchers, and how you incorporated their input.

📝 Enhancement Note: Expect interview questions to be highly scenario-based, focusing on how you apply UX principles to real-world problems within the financial services domain, especially for mobile platforms. Your portfolio presentation is your primary tool to showcase your capabilities.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Senior UX Designer, Mobile position:

• Submit your application through the provided link on the Fidelity Careers portal.
• Customize Your Resume: Tailor your resume to highlight keywords from the job description, such as "Senior UX Designer," "Mobile Design," "iOS," "Android," "Agile," "User Research," "Prototyping," and "Design Systems." Quantify your achievements with specific metrics.
• Prepare Your Portfolio: Ensure your digital portfolio is polished, easily navigable, and showcases 3-5 of your strongest mobile UX projects. Be ready to walk through your process, design rationale, and the impact of your work.
• Research Fidelity: Understand Fidelity Investments' mission, values, recent news, and the specific role of Fidelity Brokerage. Familiarize yourself with their existing mobile applications.
• Practice Interview Responses: Prepare for behavioral and situational questions using the STAR method, focusing on your experience with mobile UX, agile methodologies, collaboration, and problem-solving in a financial services context.

⚠️ 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.