Sr. Spclst , UX/UI Design

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Sr. Spclst, UX/UI Design
Company: Merck
Location: Rahway, New Jersey, United States; Singapore, Singapore; North Wales, Pennsylvania, United States
Job Type: FULL_TIME
Category: Digital Product Design / User Experience Operations
Date Posted: 2026-01-17
Experience Level: 5-10 Years
Remote Status: Hybrid

🚀 Role Summary

• Leads the User Experience (UX) and User Interface (UI) design strategy for the Digital Regulatory Docs Product Line (DRD PL), ensuring a cohesive and high-quality user experience across all digital products within the portfolio.
• Orchestrates and executes comprehensive user research initiatives, translating findings into actionable insights to drive user-centric design decisions and enhance product development.
• Mentors junior UX designers and researchers, fostering a culture of continuous learning and best practice adoption within the UX team.
• Collaborates closely with product managers, engineers, and business stakeholders to define user stories, requirements, and ensure seamless integration of UX/UI designs into development cycles.
• Drives the end-to-end product design process, from concept ideation and wireframing to prototyping, visual design, and implementation, with a focus on increasing user satisfaction, engagement, and productivity.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the title is "Sr. Spclst, UX/UI Design," the responsibilities and scope clearly indicate a "UX Lead" or "Senior UX Designer" role with significant strategic and mentorship responsibilities within a specific product line. The focus on "Digital Regulatory Docs Product Line" and its partnership with the "Regulatory Organization" suggests a critical role in optimizing internal GTM and operational processes related to regulatory submissions.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Develop and champion the UX strategy for the Digital Regulatory Docs Product Line (DRD PL), aligning design initiatives with overarching business objectives and regulatory compliance requirements.
• Plan, execute, and manage end-to-end user research studies, utilizing a variety of methodologies such as contextual interviews, field studies, focus groups, surveys, and usability testing to gather critical user insights.
• Create detailed research plans, discussion guides, and workshop materials to effectively facilitate user research sessions and design thinking workshops.
• Prioritize and manage UI/UX requests for the DRD PL, developing schedules and allocating resources to ensure timely and efficient completion of UX activities.
• Conduct heuristic evaluations, UI reviews, and usability testing sessions to identify areas for improvement and validate design solutions.
• Synthesize research data into clear, concise recommendations and present findings to product teams, product managers, and executive stakeholders, influencing data-driven product decisions.
• Maintain and advocate for user-centered design principles and standards throughout the product development lifecycle, ensuring consistency and quality across the DRD PL's digital assets.
• Lead design thinking workshops and focus group sessions to foster cross-functional collaboration and innovation in problem-solving.
• Produce comprehensive design artifacts including personas, storyboards, user flows, wireframes, interactive prototypes, and high-fidelity visual mock-ups using industry-standard tools.
• Collaborate effectively with product management, engineering, and business stakeholders to translate user needs and business requirements into detailed user stories and functional specifications.
• Participate actively in test planning and execution to ensure that developed solutions meet both business and non-functional requirements, with a keen eye on user experience validation.
• Work closely with product and engineering teams to develop Minimum Viable Products (MVPs), analyze user feedback post-launch, and iterate on designs to optimize user experience and product performance.
• Actively gather and incorporate user feedback throughout the product lifecycle to support iterative design and data-driven product decisions.
• Drive the entire product design process from initial concept development through to final implementation, ensuring a seamless and intuitive user journey.
• Evangelize UX best practices and methodologies to internal teams, including the DRD product teams, stakeholders, and broader organizational groups.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a strong emphasis on process optimization and efficiency within the regulatory domain, which is crucial for GTM and internal operations. The role requires not just design skills but also strategic thinking and the ability to influence stakeholders, indicative of a senior-level operations-aligned design role.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

• Bachelor’s degree in Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), Computer Science, Graphic Design, Psychology, Cognitive Science, Anthropology, Information Technology, Information Architecture, or a closely related field.

Experience:

• A minimum of five years of relevant professional experience in User Experience (UX) design and user research.
• Proven track record of leading user research studies end-to-end, from planning and moderation to data analysis, documentation, and presentation of findings.
• Demonstrated ability to establish credibility and build trust with diverse audiences, including executive leadership, product managers, and engineering teams.
• Experience in fostering strategic partnerships and effective stakeholder collaboration to influence product decisions.
• A strong commitment to user-centered product development principles and practices.

Required Skills:

• UX Research Methodologies: Expertise in a wide range of research techniques including contextual interviews, field studies, focus groups, design thinking workshops, card sorting, surveys, and comprehensive usability testing.
• User-Centered Design: In-depth knowledge of user-centered design principles and their practical application in product development.
• Design & Prototyping Tools: Proficient in creating wireframes, prototypes, and visual mock-ups using current industry-standard tools.
• Collaboration & Communication: Excellent communication and presentation skills, adaptable to various audiences, including leadership, product managers, and developers. Strong organizational skills with the ability to prioritize tasks, work independently, and manage multiple deadlines effectively.
• Technical Familiarity: Familiarity with collaboration and project management tools such as Jira, Confluence, Sketch, Figma, and Mural.
• Domain Knowledge: Understanding of principles related to Anthropology, Business Analysis, Client Counseling, Cultural Anthropology, Customer Experience Design, Graphic Design, Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), Information Architecture, and Social Psychology.
• Process Orientation: Experience in creating user stories, and a foundational understanding of methods and tools for process improvement and knowledge management.

Preferred Skills:

• General or specialized UX certifications in research, user experience, and design.
• Prior experience working within the life sciences or pharmaceutical industry, understanding its unique regulatory and operational landscapes.
• Experience supporting cross-functional initiatives involving Artificial Intelligence/Machine Learning (AI/ML), automation, and other emerging technologies.
• Familiarity with specific operations-related skills such as Measurement Analysis, Strategic Planning, and Waterfall Model project execution.

📝 Enhancement Note: The inclusion of "Jira," "Confluence," "Sketch," "Figma," and "Mural" points towards specific tooling requirements. The "Preferred Qualifications" mentioning life sciences and emerging technologies like AI/ML and automation indicates a strategic direction for the company's operations and technology adoption.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Demonstrations of end-to-end UX research projects, including research plans, methodologies employed, data analysis, and actionable insights derived.
• Case studies showcasing the application of user-centered design principles to solve complex problems and improve user satisfaction, engagement, and productivity in digital products.
• Examples of wireframes, user flows, interactive prototypes, and high-fidelity visual mock-ups that illustrate a strong understanding of usability and user interface design.
• Documentation of collaborative processes, highlighting how you partnered with product managers, engineers, and stakeholders to translate requirements into effective design solutions.
• Evidence of mentoring or leading other UX designers/researchers, including examples of guidance provided and impact on team development.

Process Documentation:

• Examples of developed research plans and discussion guides for user studies, demonstrating a structured approach to information gathering.
• Documentation of design thinking workshops or focus group sessions, illustrating facilitation skills and the synthesis of group input into design directions.
• Case studies that detail the process of iterating on designs based on user feedback and data analysis, showcasing a commitment to continuous improvement.
• Examples of how you have advocated for and maintained user-centered design standards within a product team or organization.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a Senior Specialist/Lead role, a robust portfolio is critical. Candidates should be prepared to walk through their process, focusing on how their design decisions directly impacted business outcomes or operational efficiencies, particularly within a regulated industry context. The emphasis on translating research into actionable insights and influencing product decisions is key.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

• $114,700.00 - $180,500.00 USD per year.

📝 Enhancement Note: This salary range is for the United States locations. For Singapore, a separate market-specific salary benchmark would apply, generally reflecting higher costs of living and compensation standards in that region. Researching local salary data for UX Lead roles in Singapore is recommended for candidates applying there.

Benefits:

• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision healthcare coverage for employees and their families.
• Robust retirement benefits, including a 401(k) plan.
• Paid holidays, vacation time, and compassionate and sick days, supporting work-life balance and employee well-being.
• Eligibility for an annual bonus and long-term incentives, where applicable, recognizing performance and contribution.

Working Hours:

• Standard full-time employment, typically around 40 hours per week.
• The role operates under a Hybrid work model in the US, with three days on-site (Monday-Thursday) and one designated remote day (Friday), unless business critical tasks require on-site presence. Travel is expected to be around 10%.

📝 Enhancement Note: The hybrid work model in the US offers a degree of flexibility, which is often valued by operations professionals who need to balance focused analytical work with collaborative sessions. The 10% travel requirement suggests involvement in cross-site collaboration or client engagements.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Pharmaceutical & Biotechnology. Merck operates at the forefront of healthcare, developing innovative medicines and vaccines. This industry demands rigorous adherence to compliance, data integrity, and a strong focus on patient outcomes, which significantly influences the operational and design considerations for internal tools and platforms. Company Size: Merck is a large, established global corporation, employing a significant number of individuals worldwide. This scale implies robust processes, extensive resources, and opportunities for impact across a broad spectrum of business functions. Founded: Merck was founded in 1891, signifying a long history of innovation and stability. This longevity suggests a company with deep-rooted expertise and a commitment to long-term growth and development.

Team Structure:

• The UX Lead will be part of the Information Technology (IT) organization, specifically within the Digital Regulatory Docs Product Line (DRD PL).
• This team likely comprises product managers, engineers, UX designers, researchers, and business analysts, working in a cross-functional manner.
• The DRD PL partners closely with the Regulatory Organization, indicating a strong interdepartmental collaboration model focused on advancing technologies for regulatory submissions.

Methodology:

• Data-Driven Decision Making: The role emphasizes converting research findings into insights that motivate user-centric design decisions, reflecting a data-driven approach to product development.
• Agile & Iterative Development: Collaboration with product and engineering teams to create MVPs, analyze feedback, and iterate designs points to an agile or agile-adjacent development methodology.
• User-Centricity: A core tenet of the role is advocating for and maintaining user-centered design standards, ensuring that user needs are paramount throughout the product lifecycle.

Company Website: https://jobs.merck.com/us/en

📝 Enhancement Note: Merck's position in the pharmaceutical industry means that operational roles, including UX/UI Design for internal tools, will be deeply intertwined with compliance, data security, and efficiency in highly regulated processes. Understanding this context is crucial for applicants.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is positioned as a Senior Specialist, effectively functioning as a UX Lead within a specific product line (DRD PL). It represents a mid-to-senior level position requiring significant expertise, leadership, and strategic input in UX/UI design and research. Reporting Structure: The UX Lead will likely report to a UX Manager, Director of IT, or Head of Digital Product Design within the IT organization. They will also work closely with Product Managers for the DRD PL, indicating a matrixed reporting or strong collaborative relationship. Operations Impact: The UX Lead's work directly impacts the efficiency, usability, and effectiveness of digital tools used for regulatory submissions. By improving these processes, the role contributes to faster regulatory cycles, reduced errors, and enhanced compliance, which are critical operational outcomes for a pharmaceutical company.

Growth Opportunities:

• Leadership Advancement: Potential to move into a UX Manager or Director role, overseeing larger teams or multiple product lines, and shaping the overall UX strategy for IT or specific business units.
• Specialization: Deepen expertise in specific areas like regulatory technology, AI/ML in UX, or advanced research methodologies within the life sciences sector.
• Cross-Functional Mobility: Opportunities to transition into Product Management, Program Management, or other strategic IT roles leveraging a strong understanding of user needs and business processes.
• Mentorship & Training: Continuous learning opportunities through industry conferences, certifications, and internal training programs, coupled with the chance to mentor emerging talent.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on regulatory documents and processes suggests a unique niche within operations. Growth here could involve leading UX for other critical GTM or compliance-related functions within Merck.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Merck operates with a hybrid work model for US office-based roles, requiring 3 days on-site per week. This suggests a collaborative office environment designed to foster team interaction, brainstorming, and knowledge sharing. Office Location(s): The role is available in Rahway, New Jersey; Singapore; and North Wales, Pennsylvania. These locations typically house significant R&D, corporate, and operational functions.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Spaces: Offices likely include meeting rooms, project spaces, and potentially open-plan areas conducive to team collaboration and design thinking sessions.
• Technology Access: Employees will have access to the necessary IT infrastructure, software licenses (e.g., Figma, Sketch, Jira), and hardware to perform their design and research duties.
• Cross-Functional Interaction: The hybrid model and project-based nature of the work will encourage regular interaction with product managers, engineers, business analysts, and stakeholders from the Regulatory Organization.

Work Schedule: The standard work schedule is approximately 40 hours per week, with flexibility afforded by the hybrid model in the US. This allows for focused individual work on designated remote days, balanced with in-person collaboration and team engagement.

📝 Enhancement Note: The hybrid model requires individuals to be effective in both remote and on-site settings, balancing independent work with collaborative team activities. Understanding how to leverage both environments for maximum productivity is key.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: HR or recruiter screen to assess basic qualifications, experience, and cultural fit.
• Hiring Manager Interview: Deeper dive into experience, leadership capabilities, and understanding of UX strategy and research methodologies.
• Portfolio Review & Presentation: A critical stage where candidates present selected case studies from their portfolio, demonstrating their design process, problem-solving skills, and impact. Expect to discuss specific projects, methodologies, and outcomes.
• Technical/Team Interview: May involve a design challenge or discussion with team members (engineers, product managers, other designers) to assess collaboration skills and technical proficiency.
• Final Interview: Typically with senior leadership to confirm overall fit and strategic alignment.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select 3-4 projects that best showcase your end-to-end UX process, leadership, research capabilities, and ability to drive impact. Prioritize projects relevant to enterprise software, regulated industries, or complex workflows if possible.
• Tell a Story: For each case study, clearly articulate the problem, your role, the process you followed, the challenges encountered, the solutions you designed, and the measurable outcomes or impact achieved. Quantify results whenever possible.
• Highlight Collaboration: Emphasize how you collaborated with cross-functional teams (product, engineering, business stakeholders) and how you influenced decisions.
• Demonstrate Research Depth: Showcase your ability to select appropriate research methodologies, conduct rigorous research, and translate findings into actionable design recommendations.
• Prepare for Questions: Anticipate questions about your decision-making process, how you handle conflicting feedback, your experience with specific tools, and your understanding of user-centered design principles in a corporate environment.

Challenge Preparation:

• Practice Design Exercises: Be prepared for potential design challenges that might involve problem-solving for a specific user scenario or improving an existing interface. Think about user flows, wireframes, and key interaction points.
• Articulate Your Thinking: Clearly explain your thought process, assumptions, and rationale behind any design decisions made during a challenge. Focus on the user needs and business objectives.
• Time Management: Practice completing design tasks within a given timeframe, demonstrating efficiency and the ability to deliver a coherent solution.

📝 Enhancement Note: The portfolio review is paramount for this role. Candidates should prepare to discuss their process in detail, focusing on how their UX contributions align with operational efficiency and business goals within a large enterprise, particularly in a regulated sector.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Design & Prototyping: Figma, Sketch (highly likely), potentially Adobe Creative Suite.
• Collaboration & Project Management: Jira, Confluence (explicitly mentioned), Mural (explicitly mentioned).
• User Research Platforms: Familiarity with tools for conducting remote usability testing, surveys, and potentially session recording/analysis.

Analytics & Reporting:

• While not explicitly mentioned, familiarity with analytics platforms (e.g., Google Analytics, Amplitude) or the ability to work with data analysts to interpret user behavior data is beneficial.
• Experience in creating dashboards or reports to communicate UX insights to stakeholders.

CRM & Automation:

• Not directly mentioned as a primary requirement for this UX role, but an understanding of how UX integrates with CRM systems (e.g., Salesforce) or automation platforms for user workflows would be advantageous, especially in an operations context.

📝 Enhancement Note: Proficiency in Figma and Jira/Confluence is expected. Experience with Mural indicates a need for strong collaborative and workshop facilitation skills. Familiarity with tools used in the life sciences industry for regulatory document management could be a plus.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• User-Centricity: A core value driving all design and research activities, ensuring that user needs and experiences are prioritized.
• Collaboration & Partnership: Strong emphasis on working effectively with cross-functional teams (Product, Engineering, Business) and stakeholders, fostering a partnership approach.
• Data-Driven Insights: Commitment to using research and data to inform design decisions and measure impact, promoting an evidence-based approach.
• Innovation & Continuous Improvement: Encouraging the exploration of new technologies and methodologies to enhance user experiences and streamline processes.
• Quality & Rigor: Given the industry, a strong emphasis on delivering high-quality, reliable, and compliant solutions.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-Functional Integration: The role requires seamless collaboration with Product Management to define requirements and user stories, and with Engineering to ensure feasibility and effective implementation of designs.
• Stakeholder Management: Proactive engagement with business stakeholders, particularly within the Regulatory Organization, to understand needs, gather feedback, and ensure alignment on design strategy.
• Knowledge Sharing: A culture that encourages sharing best practices, research findings, and design learnings across teams, potentially through presentations, documentation, or informal discussions.

📝 Enhancement Note: Merck's culture, especially within IT and regulated sectors, likely emphasizes accountability, thoroughness, and a dedication to quality. Candidates should demonstrate how they embody these values in their work.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing User Needs with Regulatory Constraints: Navigating the complex regulatory landscape of the pharmaceutical industry while ensuring a positive and efficient user experience.
• Driving Adoption of UX Best Practices: Evangelizing UX principles and methodologies within teams that may not have a strong design background.
• Managing Diverse Stakeholder Needs: Effectively gathering requirements and managing expectations from various departments, each with unique priorities.
• Integrating Emerging Technologies: Applying AI/ML and automation to regulatory documentation processes while ensuring user trust and compliance.
• Global Consistency: Ensuring a consistent UX across digital products used by a global workforce with varying technical proficiencies and regional needs.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Specialized Industry Training: Opportunities to gain deeper knowledge of the pharmaceutical and regulatory industries, enhancing domain expertise.
• Advanced UX Research Techniques: Access to training and resources for mastering cutting-edge research methodologies and tools.
• Leadership Development Programs: Merck likely offers programs to develop leadership, strategic thinking, and management skills for senior roles.
• Cross-Functional Exposure: The opportunity to work on diverse projects across different product lines and collaborate with various business units provides broad exposure and learning.
• Industry Conferences & Certifications: Support for attending relevant UX, design, and technology conferences, as well as pursuing professional certifications.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges are directly tied to the operational complexities of a large, regulated enterprise. Growth opportunities lie in mastering these complexities and leveraging them to drive innovation.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe how you would develop a UX strategy for a new digital product within the DRD Product Line, considering both user needs and regulatory compliance." (Focus on strategic planning, research integration, and compliance awareness).
• "How do you balance the needs of multiple stakeholders with potentially conflicting requirements when designing a solution?" (Prepare examples of negotiation, prioritization, and consensus-building).
• "Walk us through a time you used user research to identify a critical problem and how your design solution addressed it, leading to measurable improvements." (Be ready with a detailed case study showcasing your process and impact).

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What do you know about Merck and our role in the pharmaceutical industry? How does this influence your approach to UX design?" (Demonstrate research into the company and industry context).
• "How do you foster a user-centered design culture within a team or organization?" (Discuss your experience in evangelizing UX and mentoring).
• "Describe a time you had to advocate for a design decision that was not initially popular. How did you approach it?" (Highlight your communication, persuasion, and data-driven approach).

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure Your Narrative: For each case study, clearly define the problem statement, your specific role and contributions, the methodologies employed, the key insights gained, the design solutions developed, and the measurable outcomes or impact.
• Quantify Impact: Whenever possible, use metrics (e.g., increased task completion rates, reduced error rates, improved user satisfaction scores, time savings) to demonstrate the value of your work.
• Showcase Your Process: Be prepared to discuss your thought process, design iterations, and how you handled challenges or feedback. Highlight your collaboration with engineers and product managers.
• Tailor to Merck: If possible, select projects that resonate with enterprise software, complex workflows, or regulated environments to demonstrate relevance.
• Engage Your Audience: Present with confidence, be open to questions, and show enthusiasm for the role and Merck's mission.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process will heavily scrutinize your ability to apply UX principles within a complex, regulated corporate environment. Demonstrating strategic thinking, strong research skills, and effective collaboration is key.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this operations-aligned design position:

• Submit your application through the Merck careers portal via the provided link.
• Portfolio Customization: Curate your portfolio to highlight 3-4 of your strongest UX/UI design and research case studies. Prioritize projects that showcase your ability to solve complex problems, drive efficiency, and deliver user-centered solutions, ideally within enterprise or regulated environments.
• Resume Optimization: Tailor your resume to emphasize keywords from the job description, such as "User Experience," "User Research," "Usability Testing," "Wireframing," "Prototyping," "Stakeholder Collaboration," "Design Thinking," and any relevant experience in the pharmaceutical or life sciences industry. Quantify achievements with specific metrics.
• Interview Preparation: Practice articulating your design process, research methodologies, and the impact of your work. Prepare to discuss your approach to user-centered design, stakeholder management, and problem-solving in a corporate setting. Rehearse your portfolio presentation, focusing on storytelling and quantifiable results.
• Company Research: Thoroughly research Merck, its mission, its position in the pharmaceutical industry, and the specific challenges faced by the Digital Regulatory Docs Product Line. Understand their commitment to innovation and regulatory compliance.

⚠️ 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.