Sr. UX Designer

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Sr. UX Designer Company: Rakuten Location: Bellevue, Washington, United States Job Type: FULL_TIME Category: User Experience (UX) Design / Product Design Operations Date Posted: 2025-09-17 Experience Level: Senior (4+ years) Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• Lead the strategic direction and execution of user experience (UX) design for Rakuten's AI & Data Division, ensuring alignment with business objectives and user-centered design principles.
• Drive the creation of intuitive, accessible, and visually appealing user interfaces (UI) through wireframing, mockups, and prototyping.
• Conduct comprehensive user research, analyze data, and translate findings into actionable design improvements for diverse products and services, including AI-driven applications.
• Manage and optimize web content, ensuring clarity, accuracy, and adherence to SEO best practices and brand guidelines.
• Foster strong collaboration with international (specifically Japan-based) and cross-functional teams, including Product Management, Engineering, AI specialists, and Marketing, leveraging bilingual communication skills.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role emphasizes a strategic approach to UX design, integrating user research, data analysis, and content management. The requirement for native-level Japanese proficiency indicates a critical need for seamless collaboration with Rakuten's global headquarters and core Japanese business units, suggesting a focus on cross-cultural UX strategy and execution.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Develop and lead UX strategy for key projects, balancing the achievement of Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) with the enhancement of user experience, particularly for AI-driven products.
• Design intuitive, visually appealing, and accessible user interfaces (UI) that consistently adhere to brand guidelines and usability standards.
• Create detailed wireframes, mockups, and interactive prototypes to effectively communicate complex design concepts and user flows to stakeholders.
• Plan, execute, and analyze various user research methodologies, including usability testing, user interviews, surveys, and A/B testing, to inform design decisions.
• Translate user research findings and data analysis into concrete, actionable design recommendations that drive product improvement.
• Manage web content lifecycle, including creation, editing, and optimization for clarity, brand voice consistency, and SEO performance.
• Administer content workflows and coordinate publishing schedules to ensure timely delivery and alignment with marketing campaigns and business goals.
• Collaborate closely with cross-functional teams (Product, Engineering, AI specialists, Marketing, Legal) and international counterparts, particularly those based in Japan, to ensure cohesive product development and UX strategy.
• Champion user-centered design principles throughout the entire product development lifecycle, advocating for user needs.
• Conduct quality assurance activities such as heuristic evaluations and usability testing to ensure high-quality user experiences across all platforms.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a blend of strategic UX leadership, hands-on design execution, and critical cross-cultural collaboration. The emphasis on AI-driven products and extensive interaction with Japanese teams suggests the need for adaptability and a nuanced understanding of global product development processes.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

• Bachelor's degree in Design, Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), Computer Science, or a closely related field.

Experience:

• A minimum of 4 years of professional experience in UX Design or a comparable role, demonstrating a strong understanding of the product development lifecycle.
• Proven experience partnering effectively with Product Managers, Engineers, Researchers, and Marketing teams to shape broader product strategies and roadmaps.
• Demonstrated success in leading UX strategy and design concept development for complex projects.
• Experience working within an international business environment, with a strong understanding of cross-cultural communication dynamics.

Required Skills:

• Deep knowledge of user-centered design (UCD) principles, interaction design (IxD), and information architecture (IA).
• Exceptional writing, grammatical, and proofreading skills, with a creative flair for crafting compelling product descriptions and UI copy.
• Proficiency in user research methodologies, including planning, conducting, and analyzing usability testing, user interviews, surveys, and A/B testing.
• Strong analytical skills to translate complex research findings and user data into actionable design and content recommendations.
• Excellent communication, collaboration, and presentation skills, capable of articulating research findings and design solutions to diverse stakeholders.
• Native-level Japanese language proficiency is mandatory for frequent and nuanced communication with Tokyo Headquarters and core Japanese business units.
• Proficiency in industry-standard UX design and prototyping tools such as Figma, FigJam, Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, XD), or similar.

Preferred Skills:

• Knowledge of Search Engine Optimization (SEO) best practices and their application to web content.
• Familiarity with web analytics tools, such as Google Analytics, for performance tracking and optimization.
• Experience contributing to or designing for AI-driven products and services.

📝 Enhancement Note: The mandatory requirement for native-level Japanese proficiency is a critical differentiator, emphasizing the need for deep integration with Rakuten's core operations and decision-making processes in Japan. The preference for SEO and analytics tools suggests a data-driven approach to UX and content optimization.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A robust portfolio showcasing a minimum of 4 years of UX design experience, highlighting end-to-end project involvement from research to final implementation.
• Demonstrate a strong grasp of user-centered design principles, interaction design patterns, and information architecture through case studies.
• Include examples of user research initiatives, detailing methodologies used, key insights derived, and how these insights influenced design decisions.
• Showcase proficiency in creating wireframes, high-fidelity mockups, and interactive prototypes using tools like Figma or Adobe Creative Suite.
• Present examples of web content strategy and management, illustrating an ability to create clear, concise, and SEO-optimized copy.
• Provide evidence of successful collaboration with cross-functional teams (Product, Engineering, Marketing) and how your UX contributions impacted project outcomes.
• Highlight experience with accessibility standards and designing inclusive user experiences.

Process Documentation:

• Detailed case studies that clearly outline the design process, including problem definition, research methodologies, ideation, prototyping, user testing, and final design outcomes.
• Demonstrate the impact of your UX designs through quantifiable metrics, such as improved conversion rates, reduced task completion times, or increased user satisfaction scores.
• Illustrate your ability to manage content workflows and optimize web content for SEO and user engagement.
• Showcase examples of how you translated user feedback and data analysis into iterative design improvements.

📝 Enhancement Note: Candidates should prepare a portfolio that not only showcases design skills but also the strategic thinking, research capabilities, and collaborative approach required for a senior role. Quantifiable results and clear documentation of the design process are crucial. The bilingual aspect might be subtly showcased through projects involving internationalization or localization if applicable.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

• USD $88,357.50 - $150,040.00 annually.

Benefits:

• Comprehensive Health Insurance package.
• Vision Insurance coverage.
• Dental Insurance coverage.
• 401k matching program to support retirement savings.
• Paid Time Off (PTO) for work-life balance.
• Volunteer Time Off (VTO) to encourage community involvement.
• Other employee benefits as the company rolls them out.

Working Hours:

• Standard full-time work week, likely around 40 hours. The role is on-site, requiring adherence to typical office working hours, with potential for flexibility depending on project needs and team collaboration schedules, especially with international teams.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range is competitive for a Senior UX Designer in the Bellevue, WA area. The benefits package is standard for a large technology company. The on-site requirement implies a need for consistent availability during core business hours, though project-driven flexibility is common in design roles.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: E-commerce, Digital Marketing, Advertising, Communications, Entertainment, Technology. Rakuten is a global technology leader with a diverse portfolio of services. Company Size: Rakuten Group has over 4,000 employees worldwide, with Rakuten International having a significant presence. This suggests a large, established organization with opportunities for impact and growth. Founded: Rakuten Group was founded in 1997. This history indicates a mature company with established processes and a strong market presence.

Team Structure:

• The role is within the America AI & Data Division, specifically focusing on UX Design.
• You will collaborate with Product Managers, Engineers, AI Specialists, Marketing teams, and Legal departments, indicating a cross-functional and matrixed reporting environment.
• Close collaboration with Japan-based teams (Tokyo Headquarters, core business units) is a key aspect, requiring strong communication and understanding of Japanese business etiquette.

Methodology:

• The company emphasizes user-centered design, data analysis, and iterative improvement (Kaizen, Hypothesize-Practice-Validate-Shikumika).
• Focus on achieving business objectives through enhanced user experiences.
• Likely employs agile or hybrid development methodologies, common in fast-paced tech environments.

Company Website: https://rakuten.com/ (Note: The provided URL was a job portal link, this is the general company site)

📝 Enhancement Note: Rakuten's "Five Principles for Success" (Kaizen, Passionately Professional, Shikumika, Maximize Customer Satisfaction, Speed!! Speed!! Speed!!) deeply influence their culture. Candidates should be prepared to demonstrate how their work aligns with these principles, particularly "Maximize Customer Satisfaction" and "Speed," given the global and customer-centric nature of UX.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: Senior UX Designer. This level implies significant autonomy, responsibility for key project outcomes, and the ability to mentor junior designers. It positions the individual as a thought leader in UX within their domain. Reporting Structure: Likely reports to a UX Lead, Design Manager, or Head of Product Design within the America AI & Data Division. Collaboration will extend across product and engineering teams, as well as with international stakeholders. Operations Impact: The Sr. UX Designer directly influences product usability, user satisfaction, and ultimately, the success of Rakuten's services by ensuring intuitive and engaging user experiences. This impacts customer acquisition, retention, and overall brand perception, contributing significantly to business objectives.

Growth Opportunities:

• Skill Advancement: Deepen expertise in AI-driven product design, advanced UX research techniques, and potentially explore specialization areas like UX strategy or design systems.
• Leadership Development: Opportunities to lead design initiatives, mentor junior designers, and contribute to the overall design vision and strategy for the division.
• Cross-functional Exposure: Gain experience working on a diverse range of products and services across Rakuten's global portfolio, enhancing understanding of different market needs and business models.
• International Collaboration: Develop advanced cross-cultural communication and project management skills by working closely with teams in Japan.

📝 Enhancement Note: This senior role offers a clear path for professional development within a global technology leader. The emphasis on AI and international collaboration provides unique growth avenues beyond traditional UX roles, potentially leading to design leadership or strategic product roles.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: On-site role, suggesting a typical office environment within Rakuten's Bellevue, Washington location. Office Location(s): Bellevue, Washington, USA. This location is a major technology hub, offering access to a vibrant tech community.

Workspace Context:

• Expect a collaborative workspace where interaction with product managers, engineers, researchers, and marketing professionals is frequent.
• Access to standard design tools and technologies will be provided.
• Opportunities for team brainstorming, design critiques, and cross-functional project meetings are integral to the role.

Work Schedule:

• Primarily standard office hours, Monday through Friday. However, given the global nature of Rakuten and the need to collaborate with teams in different time zones (especially Japan), some flexibility in working hours may be required to accommodate meetings and project deadlines.

📝 Enhancement Note: The on-site requirement in Bellevue suggests a dynamic, collaborative office setting typical of tech companies. The need to interface with Japan-based teams implies that strong time management and communication skills across time zones will be essential.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: HR or Recruiter screen to assess basic qualifications, language proficiency, and cultural fit.
• Hiring Manager Interview: Discussion focused on experience, approach to UX design, strategic thinking, and understanding of Rakuten's business.
• Portfolio Review & Design Challenge: A critical stage where you'll present your portfolio, likely discussing specific case studies in detail. This may be followed by a design challenge or a deep dive into a hypothetical problem relevant to Rakuten's services.
• Cross-Functional Team Interviews: Meetings with Product Managers, Engineers, and potentially other designers to assess collaboration skills, technical understanding, and alignment with team dynamics.
• Senior Leadership/Executive Interview: Final interview with senior management to discuss strategic vision, leadership potential, and overall cultural alignment.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select 3-4 of your strongest projects that best showcase your skills in user-centered design, research, UI design, and problem-solving. Prioritize projects that align with Rakuten's business areas (e-commerce, AI, data services).
• Tell a Story: For each project, clearly articulate the problem, your role, the process you followed (research, ideation, design, testing), the solutions you developed, and the impact/results achieved (use metrics!).
• Highlight Collaboration: Explicitly mention how you worked with cross-functional teams and stakeholders.
• Showcase Bilingualism: If possible, include a project that involved localization or internationalization, or be prepared to discuss how you'd approach UX challenges in a bilingual context.
• Prepare for Questions: Anticipate questions about your design decisions, your approach to user research, how you handle feedback, and how you prioritize tasks.

Challenge Preparation:

• Understand Rakuten: Research Rakuten's products, services, mission, and values. Familiarize yourself with their user interface and user experience where possible.
• Practice UX Problem-Solving: Be ready to tackle a design challenge. Focus on defining the problem clearly, outlining your research and ideation process, and presenting a well-reasoned solution, even if time is limited.
• Demonstrate Communication: Practice articulating your thought process clearly and concisely, as if presenting to a diverse group of stakeholders.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process is likely multi-stage and rigorous. A strong emphasis will be placed on your portfolio, your ability to articulate your design process, and your communication skills, particularly your fluency and cultural understanding in both English and Japanese.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• UX/UI Design & Prototyping: Figma, FigJam, Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, XD), Sketch (potentially). Proficiency in at least one of these is essential.
• User Research: Tools for usability testing platforms (e.g., UserTesting.com, Lookback), survey tools (e.g., SurveyMonkey, Typeform), and potentially A/B testing platforms.
• Collaboration: Tools like Slack, Microsoft Teams, Confluence, Jira for team communication and project management.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Web Analytics: Google Analytics (preferred), Adobe Analytics, or similar platforms for tracking user behavior and website performance.
• Data Analysis: Tools like Excel, Google Sheets, and potentially more advanced data visualization tools (e.g., Tableau, Power BI) if data analysis is a significant part of the role.

CRM & Automation:

• While not directly a CRM role, understanding how UX design impacts CRM functionality or customer journeys within a CRM context can be beneficial. Experience with marketing automation platforms might be a plus for content optimization aspects.
• Integration Tools: Awareness of how design integrates with front-end development frameworks and APIs.

📝 Enhancement Note: Strong proficiency in Figma and the Adobe Creative Suite is expected. Familiarity with web analytics tools like Google Analytics is a plus, indicating a data-driven approach to design optimization.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Always improve, Always Advance (Kaizen): A commitment to continuous improvement in design processes, user experiences, and personal skill development.
• Passionately Professional: Dedication to delivering high-quality work with an uncompromising approach.
• Hypothesize - Practice - Validate (Shikumika): A structured, experimental approach to problem-solving and innovation.
• Maximize Customer Satisfaction: A core focus on user needs and ensuring positive customer experiences.
• Speed!! Speed!! Speed!!: An emphasis on efficiency, agility, and timely execution.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-functional Integration: Expect close collaboration with diverse teams, requiring strong interpersonal skills and the ability to bridge communication gaps between different disciplines.
• Bilingual Communication: Essential for effective collaboration with Japan-based colleagues, demanding cultural sensitivity and clear communication in both English and Japanese.
• Data-Driven Decision Making: A culture that values insights derived from user research and analytics to inform design choices.
• Iterative Design: An environment that encourages feedback, iteration, and continuous refinement of designs.

📝 Enhancement Note: Candidates should be prepared to demonstrate how their working style aligns with Rakuten's five core principles. The emphasis on customer satisfaction and speed, combined with the need for bilingual and cross-cultural collaboration, will be key cultural indicators.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing Global and Local Needs: Designing for a global user base while potentially needing to cater to specific regional preferences or requirements, especially between US and Japan markets.
• Integrating AI into UX: Staying ahead of the curve in designing intuitive and ethical user experiences for increasingly sophisticated AI-driven products and services.
• Cross-Cultural Communication Nuances: Navigating communication and design collaboration challenges effectively across different time zones and cultural contexts with Japanese teams.
• Managing Diverse Stakeholder Expectations: Aligning UX goals with varied business objectives and priorities from different departments and international counterparts.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• AI Design Specialization: Gaining hands-on experience and expertise in designing user interfaces for artificial intelligence applications.
• Global UX Practices: Enhancing understanding of international UX standards, localization, and cross-cultural design principles.
• Strategic Influence: Opportunities to shape product strategy and influence the direction of user experience across Rakuten's diverse service portfolio.
• Mentorship and Leadership: Potential to mentor junior designers and lead design initiatives, developing leadership capabilities.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role presents a unique opportunity to tackle complex challenges in AI and global UX design, offering substantial growth potential for ambitious designers. The ability to adapt and learn in a fast-paced, international environment will be crucial.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• On UX Strategy: "Describe a time you developed a UX strategy for a complex product. How did you balance user needs with business goals, and what was the outcome?" (Prepare to discuss KPI alignment and your process.)
• On AI/Data Products: "How would you approach designing a user experience for an AI-powered recommendation engine or a data analytics dashboard? What are the key UX considerations?" (Focus on transparency, control, and interpretability.)
• On Collaboration: "How have you collaborated with engineering and product teams in the past? Describe a situation where you had to influence stakeholders with differing opinions." (Highlight your communication and negotiation skills.)
• On Japanese Collaboration: "Given the need to work closely with our Japan teams, how would you ensure effective communication and cultural understanding in UX design processes?" (Emphasize your bilingual skills and awareness of Japanese business etiquette.)

Company & Culture Questions:

• On Rakuten Values: "How does your design philosophy align with Rakuten's 'Five Principles for Success,' particularly 'Maximize Customer Satisfaction' and 'Speed'?" (Prepare specific examples.)
• On Team Dynamics: "What is your preferred team environment for design collaboration? How do you handle constructive criticism from peers?" (Focus on teamwork, feedback, and adaptability.)
• On Impact Measurement: "How do you measure the success of your UX designs? What metrics do you typically track?" (Be ready to discuss conversion rates, task completion, user satisfaction, etc.)

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure: For each project: Problem Statement -> Your Role -> Research & Discovery -> Design Process (Wireframes, Mockups, Prototypes) -> Testing & Iteration -> Final Solution & Impact.
• Storytelling: Frame your projects as narratives that highlight your problem-solving skills and impact.
• Quantify: Use data and metrics to demonstrate the success of your designs whenever possible.
• Bilingual Readiness: Be prepared to discuss projects or concepts in Japanese if prompted, or highlight how you've handled internationalization/localization if applicable.
• Conciseness: Respect the time allocated for your presentation; be clear, focused, and engaging.

📝 Enhancement Note: Prepare detailed case studies that showcase your strategic thinking, research capabilities, and impact. Understanding Rakuten's culture and values, along with demonstrating your bilingual proficiency and cross-cultural awareness, will be critical for success.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Sr. UX Designer position at Rakuten:

• Submit your application through the provided Workday portal link.
• Portfolio Customization: Tailor your portfolio to highlight projects demonstrating user-centered design, research, UI design, and successful cross-functional collaboration, with a preference for projects involving complex products or data/AI services.
• Resume Optimization: Ensure your resume clearly articulates your 4+ years of UX experience, lists proficiency in relevant design tools (Figma, Adobe Creative Suite), highlights your research methodologies, and prominently states your native-level Japanese language proficiency.
• Interview Preparation: Practice articulating your design process, research findings, and problem-solving approach. Prepare specific examples that align with Rakuten's core values and the role's responsibilities, especially those involving international collaboration.
• Company Research: Thoroughly research Rakuten's products, services, mission, and "Five Principles for Success." Understand their market position and the specific challenges within the AI & Data Division.

⚠️ 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.