Senior UX Interaction Designer, YouTube Ads

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Senior UX Interaction Designer, YouTube Ads Company: Google Location: New York, NY, United States Job Type: Full-Time Category: User Experience (UX) Design / Product Design Date Posted: 2025-09-29 Experience Level: 6+ Years Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• Drive the user experience and interaction design for YouTube Ads products, ensuring intuitive and engaging interfaces for advertisers.
• Collaborate closely with Product Managers, Engineers, Researchers, and Content Strategists to translate complex requirements into elegant, user-centered design solutions.
• Develop and present a range of design artifacts, including user flows, wireframes, mockups, and high-fidelity prototypes, to effectively communicate design vision and rationale.
• Advocate for design-centric improvements and prioritize user needs throughout the product development lifecycle, balancing technical constraints with user experience goals.
• Contribute to the evolution and application of Google's design language across enterprise advertising platforms, ensuring consistency and innovation.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is positioned as a Senior UX Interaction Designer within the YouTube Ads division at Google. The focus is on enterprise-level product design for advertisers, requiring a strong understanding of business objectives and user needs within the advertising technology space. The "Senior" title implies a need for design leadership and the ability to navigate complex, cross-functional environments.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Partner with Product Managers, Engineers, Researchers, Content Strategists, and other cross-functional stakeholders to deeply understand product requirements, business goals, and user needs for YouTube Ads.
• Conceptualize, design, and iterate on user flows, interaction models, wireframes, storyboards, mockups, and high-fidelity prototypes that clearly articulate the intended user experience.
• Proactively integrate user feedback, research insights, and business requirements into iterative design updates and new product features.
• Champion the prioritization of design-led improvements, advocating for user experience enhancements and refining existing product interactions to drive greater advertiser success.
• Strategically balance platform constraints, technical limitations, compliance requirements, and diverse user needs to deliver effective, intuitive, and compliant design solutions for enterprise advertisers.
• Contribute to the ongoing development and application of Google's design system and UX best practices within the YouTube Ads product suite.
• Lead design discussions and present design concepts to stakeholders at various levels, clearly articulating design rationale and potential impact.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities emphasize a blend of individual contribution and collaborative leadership. The expectation is to not only execute design tasks but also to actively influence product direction through design advocacy and strategic problem-solving, particularly within the context of enterprise advertising solutions where technical and business constraints are significant.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

• Bachelor's degree in Design, Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), Computer Science, a related field, or equivalent practical experience.
• 📝 Enhancement Note: While a Bachelor's is the minimum, a Master's degree is preferred, indicating a desire for advanced theoretical understanding in HCI or design.

Experience:

• Minimum of 6 years of experience in interaction design, user experience (UX) design, or product design.
• Preferred: 3 years of experience working within a complex, cross-functional organizational structure.
• Preferred: 2 years of experience leading design projects or initiatives.

Required Skills:

• Interaction Design: Proven ability to design intuitive and effective user interfaces and workflows for complex applications.
• User-Centered Design (UCD): Deep understanding and practical application of UCD principles to inform design decisions.
• Wireframing & Prototyping: Proficiency in creating wireframes, flow diagrams, mockups, and interactive prototypes using industry-standard tools.
• Collaboration: Demonstrated ability to work effectively with Product Managers, Engineers, Researchers, and other cross-functional teams.
• Visual Communication: Skill in conveying design concepts and user experiences through clear and compelling visual artifacts.
• Product Design: Experience in the end-to-end product design process, from concept to launch.

Preferred Skills:

• Design Leadership: Experience guiding design projects, mentoring junior designers, and influencing design strategy.
• Enterprise Product Design: Specific experience designing for business-to-business (B2B) or enterprise-level products, particularly for advertisers.
• User Research Integration: Ability to effectively synthesize user research findings into actionable design improvements.
• Technical Constraints Management: Experience balancing user needs with technical limitations and platform constraints.
• Design Advocacy: Proven ability to champion design-driven changes and influence product roadmaps.
• Google Design Language: Familiarity with or ability to quickly adopt and apply Google's design principles and systems.

📝 Enhancement Note: The required experience level (6 years) combined with preferred leadership experience (2 years) suggests this role is for a seasoned designer capable of independent work and influencing team direction. The emphasis on enterprise products for advertisers is a key differentiator.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A comprehensive portfolio showcasing a minimum of 6 years of interaction design or UX design work, with a strong emphasis on product design.
• Include detailed case studies that demonstrate your process from problem identification to solution implementation.
• Highlight projects involving complex requirements, cross-functional collaboration, and significant user impact.
• Demonstrate experience with enterprise products, ideally within the advertising technology or B2B SaaS space.
• Provide viewable links to your portfolio website or specific work samples, with clear access instructions if necessary.

Process Documentation:

• Case studies should clearly articulate the problem statement, your role and responsibilities, the design process followed (e.g., user research, ideation, wireframing, prototyping, testing), key design decisions, and the final outcomes/impact.
• Showcase your ability to navigate technical constraints and business requirements while prioritizing user needs.
• Demonstrate proficiency in using various design tools and methodologies.
• Evidence of iterating on designs based on feedback and data is highly valued.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a senior role at Google, the portfolio is paramount. It needs to go beyond just showcasing final designs; it must illustrate strategic thinking, process rigor, collaboration skills, and the ability to drive measurable results for complex products.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $151,000 - $222,000 USD per year (Base Salary) Note: This range is for the US base salary only and does not include bonus, equity, or benefits. Individual pay will be determined by factors such as work location, job-related skills, experience, and education.

Benefits:

• Bonus: Performance-based bonus opportunities.
• Equity: Stock options or grants as part of the compensation package.
• Comprehensive Benefits Package: Includes health insurance (medical, dental, vision), retirement savings plans (e.g., 401k), paid time off (vacation, sick leave, holidays), parental leave, and more.
• Professional Development: Opportunities for learning, training, and attending industry conferences.
• Wellness Programs: Access to various employee wellness initiatives.

Working Hours:

• Standard full-time work schedule, typically around 40 hours per week.
• While the role is on-site, Google often offers some flexibility in work hours, subject to team needs and project deadlines.

📝 Enhancement Note: The provided salary range is a strong indicator of a senior-level position in a high-cost-of-living area like New York City. The inclusion of bonus and equity signifies a comprehensive compensation structure typical for major tech companies.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Technology (Internet Services & Software) Company Size: Large (100,000+ employees globally) Founded: 1998 Company Description: Google is a global technology leader focused on organizing the world's information and making it universally accessible and useful. It operates through various segments, including Search, Ads, Cloud, Hardware, and more. The company is known for its innovative culture, data-driven approach, and commitment to user experience. Company Specialties: Search Engine Technology, Online Advertising, Cloud Computing, Artificial Intelligence, Software Development, Hardware Manufacturing, User Experience Design.

Team Structure:

• The UX team at Google is a multi-disciplinary group comprising UX Designers, Researchers, Writers, Content Strategists, Program Managers, and Engineers.
• This specific role is within the YouTube Ads division, which focuses on building and improving advertising products for YouTube.
• Design teams typically operate in a matrixed structure, collaborating closely with dedicated Product Management and Engineering teams responsible for specific product areas.

Methodology:

• Google emphasizes a user-centered design (UCD) methodology, prioritizing user needs and behaviors throughout the product development lifecycle.
• Data-driven decision-making is core, utilizing analytics, user research, and A/B testing to inform design and product strategy.
• Agile development methodologies are commonly employed, fostering iterative design, rapid prototyping, and continuous feedback loops.
• Strong emphasis on collaboration and cross-functional teamwork to ensure alignment and efficient product development.

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

📝 Enhancement Note: The culture at Google is characterized by innovation, data-driven decision-making, and a strong emphasis on user experience. The size and global reach of Google mean that operations professionals will work within a structured, yet dynamic, environment with access to extensive resources and opportunities for impact.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: Senior Individual Contributor (IC)

• This role is a Senior UX Interaction Designer, indicating a position of significant influence and expertise within the design function. It's a step beyond mid-level, requiring independent problem-solving, strategic thinking, and the ability to guide less experienced designers.

Reporting Structure:

• Typically, a Senior UX Interaction Designer reports to a UX Manager or Lead Designer within the YouTube Ads product area.
• They will work closely with Product Managers and Engineering Leads for their assigned product initiatives.
• Cross-functional collaboration is a key aspect of the reporting dynamic, requiring effective communication and alignment with diverse stakeholders.

Operations Impact:

• The work of a UX Interaction Designer directly impacts Google's advertising revenue by making YouTube Ads products more effective, efficient, and appealing to advertisers.
• By improving the user experience for advertisers, this role contributes to advertiser retention, acquisition, and overall satisfaction, which in turn drives ad spend and revenue growth for YouTube and Google.
• Well-designed products lead to higher adoption rates, better campaign performance for advertisers, and ultimately, a stronger advertising ecosystem.

Growth Opportunities:

• Design Leadership: Potential to move into Lead UX Designer, Principal UX Designer, or UX Manager roles, overseeing larger teams or more strategic design initiatives.
• Specialization: Deepen expertise in specific areas of advertising technology, UX research, or product strategy.
• Cross-Functional Mobility: Transition into Product Management, UX Research, or other related roles within Google.
• Mentorship: Opportunities to mentor junior designers, contributing to the growth of the design community within Google.
• Learning & Development: Access to Google's extensive internal learning resources, workshops, and external conferences to continuously enhance skills in UX, design, and technology.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Senior" title suggests a clear career path toward leadership or deep specialization within Google's UX organization, with opportunities to influence product strategy and mentor others.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: On-site (Google's New York City office) Office Location(s): Google has a significant presence in New York City, with multiple office locations catering to different product areas. The specific location will be confirmed during the hiring process.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Spaces: Google offices are designed with collaboration in mind, featuring open workspaces, meeting rooms, and common areas that encourage interaction among team members.
• State-of-the-Art Tools: Access to industry-leading design software, hardware, and internal tools necessary for UX design and prototyping.
• Team Interaction: Frequent opportunities for informal and formal interactions with designers, researchers, engineers, and product managers, fostering a dynamic and innovative work environment.
• Amenities: Google offices typically offer extensive amenities, including cafes, fitness centers, and recreational areas, supporting employee well-being and work-life integration.

Work Schedule:

• The role is on-site, requiring regular attendance at the New York City office.
• While a standard 40-hour work week is expected, Google often supports flexible work hours to accommodate individual productivity peaks and personal needs, provided project deadlines and team collaboration are maintained.

📝 Enhancement Note: The on-site requirement in a major tech hub like New York City suggests a highly collaborative and resource-rich environment, typical of Google's operational standards.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: Application review, followed by a recruiter screen to assess general qualifications and interest.
• Portfolio Review: A dedicated session where candidates present their portfolio, discussing key projects, design process, and impact. This is a critical step to evaluate design thinking and communication skills.
• Design Challenges/Interviews: Multiple rounds of interviews, which may include:
  • Technical Design Interviews: Assessing interaction design skills, problem-solving abilities, and understanding of UCD principles.
  • Cross-Functional Interviews: Evaluating collaboration skills with Product Managers and Engineers, understanding of business context, and ability to balance constraints.
  • Leadership/Behavioral Interviews: Assessing experience in leading projects, mentoring, and navigating complex organizational dynamics.
• Hiring Committee Review: Final review of all interview feedback by a hiring committee to make a decision.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Select 3-4 strong, relevant case studies that showcase your best work, particularly projects involving complex problem-solving, enterprise products, or advertising technology.
• For each case study, clearly articulate:
  • The problem statement and business goals.
  • Your specific role and contributions.
  • The design process you followed (research, ideation, iteration, testing).
  • Key design decisions and the rationale behind them.
  • The impact of your work (quantified where possible with metrics).
• Be prepared to discuss trade-offs, challenges encountered, and lessons learned.
• Practice presenting your work concisely and engagingly, anticipating questions about your process and decisions.

Challenge Preparation:

• Review Google's design principles and common UX challenges in advertising technology.
• Practice whiteboarding exercises for sketching user flows and interaction models.
• Prepare to discuss how you would approach designing for specific user needs within the YouTube Ads ecosystem.
• Understand how to balance user experience with technical feasibility and business objectives.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process at Google is rigorous and multi-faceted, with a strong emphasis on a candidate's portfolio and their ability to articulate their design process and strategic thinking.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Design & Prototyping: Figma, Sketch, Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator), InVision, Principle, Framer.
• Collaboration & Communication: Google Workspace (Docs, Sheets, Slides, Meet), Slack, Jira, Confluence.
• User Research & Analytics: Google Analytics, UserTesting.com, Qualtrics, internal Google research tools.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Experience interpreting data from analytics platforms to inform design decisions and measure impact.
• Familiarity with A/B testing methodologies and how to use results to iterate on designs.

CRM & Automation:

• While not a direct CRM/automation role, understanding how design impacts advertiser workflows within advertising platforms is crucial. Familiarity with concepts of marketing automation and CRM integrations from a user perspective is beneficial.

📝 Enhancement Note: Proficiency in industry-standard UX design and prototyping tools is essential. Experience with Google's internal tools and platforms is a plus, but adaptability to new technologies is key.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• User Focus: A deep commitment to understanding and serving the needs of users (in this case, advertisers) is paramount.
• Data-Driven: Decisions are informed by rigorous analysis, user research, and performance metrics.
• Collaboration: Working effectively across diverse teams (Product, Engineering, Research, Marketing) to achieve shared goals.
• Innovation: Continuously seeking new and better ways to solve problems and create impactful user experiences.
• Excellence: Striving for high quality in all aspects of design and product development.
• Impact: Focusing on delivering measurable value and positive outcomes for users and the business.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-Functional Integration: Designers are integral members of product teams, working hand-in-hand with PMs and Engineers from ideation through launch and iteration.
• Open Feedback Culture: Encouraging constructive feedback and open dialogue to refine designs and improve processes.
• Knowledge Sharing: Actively participating in design critiques, sharing learnings, and contributing to the broader UX community within Google.

📝 Enhancement Note: Google's culture values individuals who are not only skilled but also collaborative, data-informed, and driven by a desire to create meaningful impact for users.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Designing for a complex enterprise product (YouTube Ads) with diverse advertiser needs and technical constraints.
• Balancing the needs of multiple stakeholders, including advertisers, publishers, and Google itself.
• Integrating new features and updates seamlessly into an existing, widely-used platform.
• Staying ahead of evolving trends in digital advertising and user interface design.
• Advocating for design improvements within a fast-paced, engineering-driven environment.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Specialized Training: Access to Google's internal training programs on UX, product strategy, advertising technology, and leadership.
• Industry Exposure: Opportunities to attend and present at leading UX and advertising technology conferences.
• Mentorship Programs: Formal and informal mentorship opportunities with senior designers and leaders within Google.
• Cross-Disciplinary Learning: Exposure to cutting-edge research in AI, machine learning, and their applications in advertising and UX.
• Career Pathing: Clear pathways for advancement into senior individual contributor roles or management positions.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges are inherent to working on large-scale, complex products at a company like Google. The growth opportunities are extensive, leveraging Google's vast resources for professional development.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Tell me about a time you designed a complex enterprise product. What were the biggest challenges, and how did you overcome them?"
  • Preparation: Focus on a case study that highlights your ability to handle intricate requirements, technical limitations, and diverse user needs. Emphasize your process, decision-making, and the measurable impact.
• "How do you approach integrating user feedback and research into your design process, especially when it conflicts with initial ideas?"
  • Preparation: Discuss your methods for synthesizing feedback, prioritizing insights, and iterating on designs. Provide examples of how you've managed conflicting input to arrive at a better solution.
• "Describe a situation where you had to advocate for a design-centered change that faced resistance. How did you build consensus and achieve your goal?"
  • Preparation: Prepare a story that demonstrates your persuasive skills, ability to articulate the value of design, and how you collaborated with stakeholders to gain buy-in.

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What interests you most about designing for YouTube Ads at Google?"
  • Preparation: Research YouTube Ads, its role in the advertising ecosystem, and Google's broader advertising strategy. Connect your skills and interests to the specific challenges and opportunities of this role.
• "How do you see your design philosophy aligning with Google's user-centered approach?"
  • Preparation: Familiarize yourself with Google's UX principles and demonstrate how your own approach emphasizes user needs, data, and iterative improvement.
• "Describe your experience collaborating with engineers and product managers. How do you ensure effective communication and alignment?"
  • Preparation: Highlight examples of successful cross-functional partnerships, focusing on your communication strategies, problem-solving approaches, and ability to build strong working relationships.

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure: Organize your presentation logically, starting with an overview of your role and the project's goals, followed by a deep dive into your process, key decisions, and outcomes.
• Storytelling: Frame each case study as a narrative, highlighting the journey from problem to solution and the impact achieved.
• Visuals: Use high-quality visuals (wireframes, mockups, prototypes, data charts) to illustrate your points effectively.
• Conciseness: Be mindful of time and focus on the most impactful aspects of your work. Anticipate questions and be ready to elaborate on specific details.
• Interactivity: If possible and appropriate, use interactive prototypes to demonstrate user flows and interactions.

📝 Enhancement Note: Preparation should focus on demonstrating not just design skills but also strategic thinking, collaboration capabilities, and a deep understanding of user-centered design within a complex business context like advertising technology.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Senior UX Interaction Designer position:

• Submit your application through the official Google Careers portal via the provided link.
• Curate Your Portfolio: Ensure your portfolio prominently features 3-4 robust case studies showcasing your interaction design expertise, particularly within complex or enterprise product environments. Tailor the case study selection to highlight experience relevant to advertising technology or B2B SaaS if possible.
• Optimize Your Resume: Clearly articulate your 6+ years of experience in UX/Interaction Design, emphasizing achievements and responsibilities that align with the job description, such as cross-functional collaboration, design leadership, and enterprise product development. Integrate keywords like "User-Centered Design," "Interaction Design," "Prototyping," and "Enterprise Products."
• Prepare Your Presentation: Practice presenting your portfolio case studies, focusing on clear communication of your design process, strategic decisions, and measurable impact. Be ready to articulate your rationale for design choices and discuss trade-offs.
• Research Google & YouTube Ads: Understand Google's design philosophy, the YouTube Ads product suite, and the broader advertising technology landscape. Prepare thoughtful questions to demonstrate your engagement and interest.

⚠️ 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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