Sr. Spclst , UX/UI Design

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Sr. Spclst, UX/UI Design
Company: MSD
Location: Rahway, New Jersey, United States; Singapore, Singapore; North Wales, Pennsylvania, United States
Job Type: Full-Time
Category: User Experience (UX) Design / Human-Computer Interaction (HCI)
Date Posted: 2026-01-12
Experience Level: 5-10 Years
Remote Status: Hybrid

🚀 Role Summary

• Lead the strategic direction and execution of User Experience (UX) and User Interface (UI) design initiatives for the Digital Regulatory Docs Product Line (DRD PL).
• Drive user-centric design principles and methodologies to enhance user satisfaction, engagement, and productivity across digital products within the DRD PL.
• Conduct comprehensive user research, usability testing, and data analysis to translate findings into actionable insights that inform product development and strategic decisions.
• Foster strong collaborative relationships with product managers, engineers, business stakeholders, and other UX designers to ensure consistent and high-quality digital experiences.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is positioned as a Senior Specialist/Lead within a specific product line (Digital Regulatory Docs), indicating a need for strategic thinking, independent decision-making, and the ability to mentor junior team members. The focus on "Digital Regulatory Docs Product Line" and its partnership with the "Regulatory Organization" suggests a need for understanding complex, regulated environments common in the pharmaceutical and life sciences industries.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Develop and champion the UX strategy for the Digital Regulatory Docs Product Line, ensuring alignment with overarching business objectives and digital transformation goals.
• Plan, execute, and analyze end-to-end user research studies, employing a variety of qualitative and quantitative methodologies such as contextual interviews, field studies, focus groups, surveys, and usability testing.
• Translate complex user needs and research findings into tangible design artifacts, including personas, user flows, wireframes, interactive prototypes, and visual mock-ups using industry-standard tools.
• Collaborate closely with product managers and engineering teams to define user stories, prioritize features, and ensure that designs effectively meet both functional and non-functional requirements.
• Conduct heuristic evaluations and UI reviews to identify design gaps and areas for improvement, then formulate data-driven recommendations for product teams and stakeholders.
• Lead and facilitate design thinking workshops, brainstorming sessions, and cross-functional team meetings to foster innovation and drive consensus on design solutions.
• Manage and oversee the intake and prioritization of UI/UX requests for the DRD PL, creating realistic schedules and allocating resources effectively to meet project deadlines.
• Mentor and guide other UX designers and researchers within the product line, promoting best practices and fostering a culture of continuous learning and skill development.
• Advocate for and maintain user-centered design standards and guidelines across all digital products within the DRD PL, ensuring a cohesive and intuitive user experience.
• Participate in test planning and execution phases, verifying that implemented solutions meet user expectations and business requirements.
• Actively gather and analyze user feedback post-launch to inform iterative design improvements and support data-driven product decisions.
• Evangelize UX best practices and the value of user-centered design to internal teams, product stakeholders, and the broader organization.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities emphasize a leadership and strategic component, requiring the candidate to not only execute design tasks but also to define strategy, manage resources, and mentor others. The specific mention of "Digital Regulatory Docs Product Line" and its connection to "Regulatory Organization" points to a nuanced understanding of compliance, data integrity, and regulated workflows within the life sciences sector.

🎓 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 progressive experience in User Experience (UX) design and user research.
• Demonstrated experience in leading user research studies from inception to completion, including planning, moderation, analysis, documentation, and presentation of findings.
• Proven track record of successfully collaborating with cross-functional teams (Product Management, Engineering, Business Stakeholders) to deliver user-centered digital products.
• Experience in managing design backlogs, prioritizing requests, and creating project schedules within a dynamic product development environment.

Required Skills:

• User Experience (UX) & User Interface (UI) Design: Deep understanding of user-centered design principles, interaction design, and visual design best practices.
• User Research Methodologies: Expertise in a wide range of research techniques including contextual inquiry, field studies, focus groups, card sorting, surveys, and usability testing.
• Information Architecture & Wireframing: Proficiency in structuring information logically and creating detailed wireframes to define user flows and layouts.
• Prototyping & Visual Design: Skill in developing interactive prototypes and creating high-fidelity visual mock-ups using current design tools.
• Human-Computer Interaction (HCI): Strong theoretical and practical knowledge of how users interact with technology.
• Design Thinking & Facilitation: Ability to lead design thinking workshops and facilitate collaborative sessions to drive innovation.
• Communication & Presentation: Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to present complex information clearly and persuasively to diverse audiences, including leadership.
• Organizational Skills: Strong ability to manage multiple priorities, work independently, and meet tight deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Stakeholder Management: Proven ability to build trust, establish credibility, and foster strategic partnerships with product managers, engineers, and business stakeholders.
• Tool Proficiency: Familiarity with design and collaboration tools such as Jira, Confluence, Sketch, Figma, and Mural.
• Data Analysis: Ability to analyze qualitative and quantitative data from research and translate it into actionable insights and recommendations.

Preferred Skills:

• General or specialized UX certifications in research, user experience, and design.
• Prior experience in 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.
• Knowledge of specific UX-related skills such as Anthropology, Business Analysis, Client Counseling, Clinical Development, Cultural Anthropology, Customer Experience Design, Emerging Technologies, Knowledge Management, Methods and Tools, Researching, Social Psychology, Strategic Planning, Teaching, User Experience Analysis, User Experience Evaluation, User Interfaces (UI), Waterfall Model.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Required Skills" section lists a blend of core UX competencies and specific tools. The "Preferred Skills" section further emphasizes industry-specific knowledge (life sciences) and experience with cutting-edge technologies (AI/ML, automation), which are highly relevant for a senior role in a large pharmaceutical company like MSD. The extensive list of "Required Skills" in the raw data suggests a need to integrate these terms naturally into the description, potentially as specialized knowledge areas.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Case Studies in Process Improvement: Showcase at least 2-3 detailed case studies demonstrating your end-to-end UX design process, from problem definition and user research to solution design, iteration, and impact measurement.
• Demonstration of Research Methodology: Provide evidence of your ability to select and apply appropriate user research methodologies (e.g., contextual interviews, usability testing, surveys) to uncover user needs and pain points.
• Wireframing, Prototyping, and User Flows: Include examples of wireframes, interactive prototypes, and user flow diagrams that effectively communicate design concepts and user journeys.
• Impact and ROI: Quantify the impact of your design solutions, where possible, by presenting metrics on user satisfaction, task completion rates, efficiency gains, or other relevant business outcomes.

Process Documentation:

• Workflow Design and Optimization: Demonstrate experience in mapping existing workflows, identifying bottlenecks, and designing optimized user workflows that improve efficiency and user experience.
• User-Centered Design Implementation: Document how you have integrated user feedback and research findings into the design and development lifecycle, ensuring user needs are met.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration Documentation: Provide examples of how you have documented and communicated design decisions, research findings, and project progress to product managers, engineers, and stakeholders.
• Tooling and Best Practices: Illustrate your familiarity with common design and collaboration tools (e.g., Figma, Sketch, Mural, Jira, Confluence) and how you leverage them to support your design process.

📝 Enhancement Note: Given the senior nature of this role and its focus on strategy and mentorship, a portfolio is implicitly expected. The requirements focus on demonstrating a full UX lifecycle, research rigor, and tangible impact, which are critical for evaluating a candidate's strategic and practical capabilities in a regulated environment.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

• $114,700 - $180,500 USD per year.

Explanation of Salary Range:

• This range reflects the compensation for a Senior Specialist/Lead UX/UI Designer in the specified locations, considering the experience level (5-10 years), the specialized nature of the role within the pharmaceutical industry, and the strategic responsibilities involved. The upper end of the range accommodates candidates with extensive experience, specialized skills, and a proven track record of leading successful UX initiatives.

Benefits:

• Comprehensive Health Coverage: Medical, Dental, and Vision healthcare benefits for employees and their families.
• Retirement Planning: Robust retirement benefits, including a 401(k) savings plan.
• Paid Time Off: Generous paid holidays, vacation days, compassionate leave, and sick days.
• Additional Benefits: Comprehensive information available at https://jobs.merck.com/us/en/compensation-and-benefits.

Working Hours:

• Standard full-time work schedule, typically 40 hours per week.
• Hybrid work model: Three days on-site per week (Monday-Thursday), with Friday designated as a remote working day, subject to business needs.
• Travel Requirements: Approximately 10% travel is expected, potentially for cross-site collaboration or user research activities.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range is provided and appears competitive for a senior UX/UI design role in the US and Singapore, considering the industry and experience requirements. The benefits package is comprehensive, typical for a large, established pharmaceutical company. The hybrid work model and travel percentage are clearly stated.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Pharmaceutical & Biotechnology. MSD (Merck Sharp & Dohme) is a global leader in healthcare, dedicated to discovering, developing, manufacturing, and marketing a broad range of innovative medicines and vaccines. The IT organization plays a crucial role in enabling scientific breakthroughs and operational efficiency. Company Size: Large Enterprise (typically 10,000+ employees globally, consistent with MSD's scale). This size implies a structured environment with established processes, ample resources, and opportunities for diverse career paths. Founded: 1891. With a long history, MSD has a deep-rooted culture of scientific innovation, ethical conduct, and commitment to improving global health. Company Specialties: Innovative medicines, vaccines, biologic therapies, animal health products, and digital health solutions.

Team Structure:

• The role is within the Information Technology (IT) organization, specifically partnering with the Digital Regulatory Docs Product Line (DRD PL).
• The DRD PL collaborates closely with the Regulatory Organization, implying a need for understanding highly regulated processes and compliance requirements.
• The UX Lead will likely work within a matrixed structure, collaborating with Product Managers, Engineers, Business Analysts, and other UX designers/researchers.
• The role involves mentoring other UX designers, suggesting a team structure where the Sr. Spclst provides guidance.

Methodology:

• The IT organization operates as a business partner, proposing innovative solutions and collaborating internationally.
• Emphasis on user-centric design, research-driven insights, and data-driven product decisions.
• Agile methodologies are likely employed, given the mention of user stories, MVPs, and iterative design.
• Cross-functional collaboration is a core operational tenet, with a focus on delivering services and solutions that enhance productivity and innovation.

Company Website: https://jobs.msd.com/gb/en

📝 Enhancement Note: Information about MSD's industry, size, and history is integrated to provide context for the IT organization's role and the UX Lead's potential impact. The emphasis on regulated environments and cross-functional collaboration is crucial for operations candidates.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: Senior Specialist / Lead. This indicates a mid-to-senior level role requiring significant independent contribution, strategic input, and the ability to mentor others. It sits above individual contributor roles and below management, focusing on subject matter expertise and project leadership.

Reporting Structure:

• The UX Lead will likely report into a UX Manager, Head of Digital Experience, or IT Director overseeing digital product lines.
• Close collaboration with Product Managers and Engineering Leads within the DRD PL is essential, forming key cross-functional reporting relationships.

Operations Impact:

• This role directly impacts the efficiency and effectiveness of regulatory submission processes by improving the digital tools used by the Regulatory Organization.
• By enhancing user experience, the role contributes to faster, more accurate submissions, potentially accelerating drug development and market access.
• The UX Lead's insights can influence strategic product roadmaps and investment decisions for digital solutions within the regulatory domain.

Growth Opportunities:

• Specialization & Depth: Deepen expertise within the life sciences/pharmaceutical regulatory domain, becoming a go-to expert for UX in regulated industries.
• Leadership Development: Transition into a formal UX Management role, leading larger teams or broader product portfolios.
• Strategic Influence: Move into roles focusing more heavily on UX strategy, design operations, or digital transformation initiatives across MSD.
• Cross-Functional Mobility: Leverage UX expertise to move into Product Management or Business Analysis roles within IT or R&D functions.
• Continuous Learning: Opportunities to engage with emerging technologies (AI/ML, automation) and advanced UX research techniques, supported by the company's commitment to learning.

📝 Enhancement Note: The analysis focuses on how a UX Lead role fits within a large enterprise like MSD, highlighting the impact on critical business functions (regulatory submissions) and potential career trajectories within the operations/IT function.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Hybrid work model, with 3 days on-site and 2 days remote per week for US-based roles. This suggests a blend of focused individual work (remote) and collaborative team activities (on-site). Office Location(s): Roles are available in Rahway, NJ; Singapore; and North Wales, PA. These are significant R&D and operational hubs for MSD.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Spaces: On-site days will facilitate direct interaction with Product Managers, Engineers, and fellow UX team members, crucial for design sprints, workshops, and feedback sessions.
• Technology Environment: Access to industry-standard UX/UI design software (Figma, Sketch), collaboration tools (Mural, Confluence), and project management systems (Jira).
• Innovation Focus: The IT organization is described as proposing innovative solutions, suggesting an environment that encourages exploration and adoption of new technologies and methodologies.
• Cross-functional Integration: The role necessitates working closely with diverse teams, fostering an environment of shared problem-solving and knowledge exchange.

Work Schedule:

• Standard business hours, with flexibility inherent in the hybrid model.
• The 10% travel requirement indicates potential for off-site meetings, conferences, or site visits to support research or stakeholder engagement.

📝 Enhancement Note: The hybrid nature of the work is a key aspect, influencing how collaboration and individual work are structured. The established locations suggest well-equipped office environments.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: HR or Recruiter screen to assess basic qualifications, experience, and cultural fit.
• Hiring Manager Interview: In-depth discussion about experience, approach to UX strategy, leadership style, and understanding of the DRD PL's objectives.
• Portfolio Review & Presentation: A dedicated session where the candidate presents 2-3 key UX case studies from their portfolio, demonstrating their process, problem-solving skills, and impact. This is critical for evaluating practical application of UX principles.
• Team/Cross-functional Interviews: Interviews with Product Managers, Engineers, and potentially other UX designers to assess collaboration skills, technical understanding, and ability to integrate into the team.
• Final Interview: May involve senior leadership or a panel to make a final decision, focusing on strategic alignment and overall fit.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select case studies that best showcase your leadership, research-driven approach, and ability to solve complex problems relevant to regulated industries.
• Structure Your Narrative: For each case study, clearly articulate the problem, your role and process, the solutions you designed, the challenges you overcame, and the measurable outcomes (user satisfaction, efficiency gains, etc.).
• Highlight Research & Data: Emphasize how user research informed your design decisions and how you leveraged data to validate your solutions.
• Showcase Collaboration: Illustrate how you worked with cross-functional teams and stakeholders to achieve project goals.
• Tool Proficiency: Briefly mention the tools used for design, prototyping, and research, but focus on the why and how rather than just listing tools.
• Tailor to MSD: If possible, subtly connect your experience to the pharmaceutical or regulatory context, demonstrating an understanding of the unique challenges.

Challenge Preparation:

• Design Exercise: Be prepared for a take-home design challenge or an in-person/virtual whiteboarding session focused on a UX problem. This might involve analyzing a user flow, ideating solutions for a specific feature, or outlining a research plan.
• Whiteboarding: Practice articulating your thought process verbally while sketching out ideas. Focus on problem decomposition, user-centric ideation, and justifying your design choices.
• Stakeholder Scenarios: Anticipate questions about how you would handle conflicting stakeholder opinions, manage design scope creep, or gain buy-in for your UX recommendations.

📝 Enhancement Note: This section provides practical advice for candidates, focusing on how to best present their qualifications and prepare for the specific interview stages, with an emphasis on portfolio presentation and potential design challenges relevant to a UX Lead role.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Design & Prototyping: Figma, Sketch – Essential for creating wireframes, interactive prototypes, and high-fidelity visual designs. Proficiency in at least one is expected, with Figma being a strong industry standard.
• Collaboration & Documentation: Jira, Confluence – Critical for managing design tasks, tracking progress, documenting user stories, and maintaining project knowledge bases.
• Whiteboarding & Ideation: Mural – A valuable tool for remote collaboration, design thinking workshops, journey mapping, and brainstorming sessions.

Analytics & Reporting:

• While not explicitly listed as primary UX tools, familiarity with analytics platforms (e.g., Google Analytics, Adobe Analytics, or custom internal tools) would be beneficial for understanding user behavior post-launch.
• Proficiency in summarizing data from user research and usability testing for reporting to stakeholders.

CRM & Automation:

• While not directly a UX tool, understanding how CRM systems (e.g., Salesforce) and automation platforms integrate with user-facing applications can provide valuable context for designing seamless user experiences.

📝 Enhancement Note: The listed tools (Figma, Sketch, Jira, Confluence, Mural) are standard for UX/UI design and project management. Highlighting familiarity with these will be crucial for applicants. The mention of emerging technologies like AI/ML in preferred qualifications suggests a forward-looking approach to technology adoption.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Patient Focus: A core value in pharmaceutical companies, emphasizing that all work ultimately serves to improve patient outcomes. For UX, this translates to designing solutions that are accessible, effective, and safe for end-users.
• Integrity & Ethics: Upholding the highest ethical standards in research, design, and communication, particularly critical in a regulated industry like pharmaceuticals.
• Innovation & Collaboration: Encouraging new ideas, cross-functional teamwork, and a willingness to challenge the status quo to find better solutions.
• Excellence & Accountability: Driving for high-quality outcomes, taking ownership of responsibilities, and continuously striving for improvement.
• Inclusion & Diversity: Valuing diverse perspectives and experiences to foster a rich and innovative work environment.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-functional Partnership: Actively engaging with Product Managers, Engineers, and Business Stakeholders to co-create solutions and ensure alignment.
• Data-Driven Decision Making: Relying on user research and analytics to guide design choices and present persuasive arguments.
• Open Communication: Fostering an environment where feedback is shared constructively, and design challenges are discussed openly.
• Mentorship and Knowledge Sharing: A culture where senior members (like the UX Lead) actively support and develop junior talent, and team members share best practices.

📝 Enhancement Note: Values like "Patient Focus" and "Integrity" are specific to the pharmaceutical industry and heavily influence how UX decisions are made and prioritized. The collaboration style emphasizes a strong partnership approach.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Navigating Regulatory Constraints: Designing within strict regulatory guidelines (e.g., for drug submissions) requires a deep understanding of compliance and a meticulous approach to design.
• Balancing User Needs with Business Requirements: Effectively advocating for user needs while ensuring designs meet complex business objectives and technical limitations.
• Managing Stakeholder Expectations: Working with diverse stakeholders who may have differing priorities or levels of understanding regarding UX principles.
• Adopting New Technologies: Integrating emerging technologies like AI/ML into UX workflows requires continuous learning and adaptation.
• Global Consistency: Ensuring a consistent and high-quality user experience across different digital products and potentially different geographical regions.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Specialized UX Training: Access to courses and certifications focused on UX research, design for regulated industries, or emerging technology integration.
• Industry Conferences: Opportunities to attend leading UX and life sciences conferences to stay abreast of trends and best practices.
• Internal Mobility: Potential to move into different product lines or IT functions within MSD, broadening experience.
• Leadership Development Programs: Structured programs to enhance leadership, strategic thinking, and team management skills.
• Mentorship: Direct mentorship from experienced leaders within MSD's IT or UX organizations.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges are tailored to a senior UX role in a regulated industry, emphasizing the need for expertise beyond basic design skills. Growth opportunities are framed within the context of a large enterprise like MSD.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "How would you develop a UX strategy for the Digital Regulatory Docs Product Line, considering its partnership with the Regulatory Organization?" (Focus on alignment, research, and stakeholder engagement).
• "Describe a situation where you had to balance conflicting stakeholder requirements. How did you approach it, and what was the outcome?" (Assess negotiation, communication, and problem-solving skills).
• "Imagine we need to redesign a critical workflow for regulatory submissions. What would be your first steps, and how would you involve users and stakeholders?" (Evaluate your process, user-centricity, and collaboration approach).

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What do you know about MSD and the pharmaceutical industry, and how might this influence your approach to UX design?" (Demonstrate industry awareness and strategic thinking).
• "How do you foster a user-centered design culture within a team and across different departments?" (Assess your ability to evangelize UX and influence others).
• "How do you measure the success of your UX designs, particularly in a regulated environment?" (Focus on metrics, ROI, and impact on critical business processes).

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure for Impact: For each case study, start with the business problem or user challenge, clearly define your role and contribution, walk through your process (research, ideation, design, testing), highlight key decisions and trade-offs, and conclude with the measurable outcomes and lessons learned.
• Quantify Where Possible: Use metrics (e.g., % improvement in task completion, reduction in errors, increase in user satisfaction scores) to demonstrate the tangible value of your work.
• Showcase Collaboration: Explain how you worked with cross-functional teams, managed feedback, and navigated potential roadblocks.
• Be Prepared for Deep Dives: Expect detailed questions about specific design choices, research methodologies, and your reasoning behind them.

Challenge Preparation:

• Design Thinking: Be ready to outline a design thinking process for a given problem.
• User Flow/Wireframing: Practice sketching user flows and low-fidelity wireframes quickly on a whiteboard or digital tool, explaining your thought process as you go.
• Research Planning: Prepare to outline a research plan for a hypothetical product or feature, detailing objectives, target users, methodologies, and expected deliverables.

📝 Enhancement Note: This section provides specific examples of potential interview questions and preparation strategies, tailored to a senior UX role in a pharmaceutical context, emphasizing strategic thinking, problem-solving, and portfolio presentation.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this operations position:

• Submit your application through the MSD careers portal via the provided link: https://jobs.msd.com/gb/en/job/R378404/Sr-Spclst-UX-UI-Design.
• Curate Your Portfolio: Select 2-3 of your most impactful UX case studies that highlight your leadership, research methodology, problem-solving skills, and measurable outcomes. Ensure they demonstrate your ability to work in complex environments and with cross-functional teams.
• Tailor Your Resume: Update your resume to prominently feature keywords related to UX/UI Design, User Research, HCI, Design Thinking, Agile methodologies, and any relevant industry experience (e.g., life sciences, regulated environments). Quantify achievements wherever possible.
• Prepare Your Presentation: Practice presenting your portfolio case studies, focusing on storytelling, clarity of your process, and the impact of your work. Be ready to articulate your UX strategy and how you would approach challenges within MSD.
• Research MSD: Thoroughly research MSD's mission, values, products (especially in the regulatory space if possible), and recent innovations. Understand the company's commitment to patient outcomes and innovation.

⚠️ 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.

---