Sr. UX/UI Designer

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Sr. UX/UI Designer Company: TP-Link Systems Inc. Location: Irvine, California, United States Job Type: FULL_TIME Category: Product Design & User Experience (UX/UI) Date Posted: 2025-12-05 Experience Level: 5-10 years Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• Lead end-to-end design strategy and execution for digital products, ensuring alignment with overarching business objectives and product roadmaps.
• Drive user-centered design initiatives through comprehensive user research, translating complex needs into intuitive and innovative solutions.
• Champion design thinking principles and foster a culture of continuous improvement by establishing and refining design frameworks and UX metrics.
• Provide mentorship and guidance to junior designers, elevating the team's collective design capabilities and fostering collaborative problem-solving.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is positioned as a Senior UX/UI Designer, indicating a need for strategic leadership beyond execution. The emphasis on "leading design initiatives and strategy," "developing UX approaches aligned with business goals," and "mentorship" suggests a candidate who can influence product direction and mentor others, not just execute design tasks. The focus on "sustained user value" and "customer satisfaction" aligns with a GTM (Go-To-Market) operations mindset, where design directly impacts market reception and long-term product success.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Develop and articulate a strategic vision for UX/UI, translating it into actionable design solutions that directly support business objectives and product goals, with a focus on driving market adoption and customer retention.
• Lead and facilitate design-thinking workshops to tackle complex user experience challenges, fostering cross-functional ideation and problem-solving.
• Define, document, and maintain robust design principles, guidelines, and reusable patterns to ensure consistency and scalability across all digital products and touchpoints.
• Provide effective mentorship and constructive feedback to design team members, fostering their professional growth and enhancing overall team performance and collaborative synergy.
• Direct and oversee comprehensive user research initiatives, including user interviews, usability testing, and persona development, to deeply identify user needs, behaviors, and emerging market opportunities.
• Translate research insights into actionable design strategies, innovative solutions, and compelling product enhancements that differentiate TP-Link in a competitive market.
• Stay abreast of emerging design trends, technologies, and competitive landscape to proactively suggest product improvements and drive innovation.
• Develop forward-thinking design concepts and user journeys that establish a competitive advantage and enhance brand perception.
• Establish key UX metrics and analytical frameworks to continuously evaluate design effectiveness, measure user satisfaction, and drive iterative improvements.
• Oversee the end-to-end creation of wireframes, user flows, interactive prototypes, and high-fidelity visual designs, ensuring they meet user needs and business requirements.
• Review and provide critical, objective feedback on design work from team members and stakeholders to ensure the highest standards of quality, consistency, and strategic alignment.
• Make high-level, data-informed design decisions that skillfully balance user needs, technical constraints, and overarching business goals, focusing on maximizing ROI.
• Define scalable interaction models and design patterns that can be effectively applied across a diverse range of products and platforms.
• Ensure strict adherence to brand consistency and visual cohesiveness across all digital touchpoints, reinforcing brand identity and user trust.
• Collaborate closely and proactively with product managers, engineering teams, marketing, and other key stakeholders to ensure seamless product development cycles and successful go-to-market strategies.
• Communicate design decisions, rationale, and user insights effectively to diverse audiences, including executive leadership, fostering understanding and buy-in.
• Create and maintain comprehensive design documentation, including style guides, pattern libraries, and usability testing reports, serving as a central knowledge repository.
• Contribute significantly to TP-Link's evolving design system and component library, promoting reusability and efficiency in design and development processes.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities clearly indicate a strategic leadership role. The emphasis on "business objectives," "product goals," "market opportunities," "competitive differentiation," and "go-to-market strategies" highlights the connection to GTM operations, where design directly impacts business success. The mention of "UX metrics and frameworks" and "measuring user satisfaction" points to an operations-minded approach to design.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: Bachelor's degree in Design, Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), Computer Science, or a closely related field, or equivalent practical experience demonstrating a strong foundation in design principles and methodologies.

Experience: 5+ years of progressive experience in product design or UX/UI design, with a proven track record of leading significant design initiatives from concept to launch. Experience leading user research initiatives and effectively implementing insights into actionable product strategy and design decisions is crucial. Excellence in communication and presentation skills, particularly with executive stakeholders, is essential for articulating design rationale and impact. A strong portfolio demonstrating strategic thinking, design leadership, problem-solving abilities, and a user-centered approach is mandatory.

Required Skills:

• User Experience (UX) Design: Deep understanding of user-centered design principles, user flows, information architecture, and interaction design.
• User Interface (UI) Design: Proficiency in creating visually appealing, intuitive, and consistent user interfaces across various platforms.
• Design Thinking: Ability to lead and facilitate design thinking workshops to solve complex problems and drive innovation.
• User Research: Expertise in planning, conducting, and synthesizing user research (e.g., interviews, usability testing, surveys) to inform design decisions.
• Prototyping & Wireframing: Proficient in creating low-fidelity wireframes, user flows, and high-fidelity interactive prototypes using industry-standard tools (e.g., Figma, Sketch, Adobe XD).
• Design Principles & Guidelines: Ability to define, document, and maintain comprehensive design systems, style guides, and component libraries.
• Mentorship & Leadership: Proven ability to mentor junior designers, provide constructive feedback, and lead design initiatives.
• Communication & Presentation: Exceptional verbal, written, and visual communication skills, with the ability to present design concepts and rationale effectively to diverse audiences, including executive stakeholders.
• Problem-Solving: Strong analytical and critical thinking skills to identify design challenges and develop effective, user-centered solutions.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience designing for complex ecosystems, such as networking products, consumer electronics, or smart home devices, understanding the unique user needs and technical considerations.
• In-depth knowledge of accessibility standards (WCAG) and a commitment to inclusive design principles, ensuring products are usable by everyone.
• Familiarity with advanced research methodologies, A/B testing, and UX analytics tools for data-driven design optimization.
• Basic understanding of front-end development technologies (HTML, CSS, JavaScript) to facilitate better collaboration with engineering teams and understand technical constraints.
• Experience with animation and micro-interaction design to enhance user engagement and product delight.

📝 Enhancement Note: The requirement for a portfolio is critical for any design role, but for a senior position, it must showcase not just execution but also strategic thinking, leadership, and the ability to drive business impact through design. The preferred qualifications hint at a more integrated approach to product development, where designers understand the technical underpinnings and marketing implications of their work.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Strategic Impact: Showcase case studies that clearly demonstrate how your design strategy directly contributed to achieving specific business objectives (e.g., increased user acquisition, improved conversion rates, enhanced customer satisfaction).
• End-to-End Process: Present a minimum of 2-3 comprehensive case studies detailing your involvement in the entire design lifecycle, from initial user research and problem definition through ideation, prototyping, user testing, and final implementation.
• Systemic Thinking: Include examples that illustrate your ability to design for scalability, consistency, and efficiency, such as contributions to design systems, pattern libraries, or multi-product design frameworks.
• Problem-Solving & Innovation: Highlight instances where you tackled complex user challenges with innovative solutions, clearly articulating the problem, your approach, and the resulting user and business outcomes.

Process Documentation:

• User Journey Mapping: Demonstrate experience in creating detailed user journey maps that identify pain points and opportunities for improvement within the user experience.
• Workflow Design & Optimization: Showcase examples of designing or optimizing user workflows to enhance efficiency, reduce friction, and improve task completion rates.
• Usability Testing & Iteration: Document processes for conducting usability tests, analyzing results, and iterating on designs based on user feedback to achieve measurable improvements.
• Design System Contribution: Provide evidence of contributions to design systems or component libraries, detailing how these assets improved design consistency and development efficiency.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a Senior UX/UI Designer, the portfolio is less about a collection of pretty pictures and more about demonstrating a strategic, process-driven approach to solving user and business problems. The emphasis on "business objectives," "scalability," "efficiency," and "measurable improvements" aligns directly with operations and GTM goals.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $140,000 - $165,000 annually.

Benefits:

• Daily Perks: Complimentary snacks and drinks are available throughout the day, with a provided lunch on Fridays to foster team camaraderie.
• Comprehensive Health Coverage: Fully paid medical, dental, and vision insurance for employees, with partial coverage extended to dependents.
• Retirement Savings: Contributions to 401k funds to support long-term financial planning.
• Performance Recognition: Bi-annual performance reviews and annual pay increases are structured to recognize and reward contributions.
• Wellness & Fitness: Health and wellness benefits are provided, including a free gym membership to encourage a healthy lifestyle.
• Team Engagement: Quarterly team-building events are organized to promote collaboration, strengthen relationships, and enhance team cohesion.

Working Hours: The standard workweek is approximately 40 hours, reflecting a full-time commitment. While the role is on-site, there may be opportunities for flexible scheduling or occasional remote work depending on specific project needs and team agreements, though the primary expectation is on-site presence.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range is within the expected band for a Senior UX/UI Designer in the Irvine, California area, considering the required experience and responsibilities. The benefits package is quite comprehensive, indicating a commitment to employee well-being and long-term retention. The mention of "annual pay increases" and "bi-annual reviews" suggests a structured approach to compensation and performance management, relevant to operations.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Technology, specifically focused on networking devices and smart home products. TP-Link Systems Inc. is a significant global player, aiming to enhance connectivity and simplify lifestyles through innovative technology.

Company Size: TP-Link is a large, established global corporation. While the specific size of the US division isn't explicitly stated, the company's global reach and product diversity suggest a substantial operation. This implies a structured environment with established processes but also opportunities for impact within specific product lines or teams.

Founded: TP-Link was founded in 1996. This long history in the networking industry signifies stability, deep market understanding, and a proven ability to adapt to technological advancements.

Team Structure:

• The UX/UI Design team likely operates within a Product Development or Engineering department. It will involve close collaboration with Product Managers, Software Developers, Hardware Engineers, and potentially Marketing teams.
• As a Senior Designer, you would likely report to a Design Lead, Director of Product, or Head of UX/UI, with a clear reporting structure.
• Cross-functional collaboration is heavily emphasized, requiring designers to work closely with various departments to ensure product vision alignment and successful execution from concept to market launch. This collaborative approach is key to successful GTM strategies.

Methodology:

• Data-Driven Design: The company emphasizes understanding user needs and market opportunities through research and analytics to inform design decisions.
• Agile Development: It's highly probable that TP-Link utilizes agile methodologies, requiring designers to be adaptable and work iteratively with development teams.
• User-Centricity: A core tenet is creating products that enhance users' lives through seamless and effortless experiences, reflecting a strong user-centric approach.

Company Website: https://www.tp-link.com/us/

📝 Enhancement Note: TP-Link's long history and global presence suggest a company with established processes and a mature approach to product development. The emphasis on "innovation," "excellence," and "simplicity" in their mission statement points to a culture that values well-executed, user-friendly solutions. The operations aspect comes into play through their need for efficient product development and successful market penetration.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is a "Senior" position, indicating a level of expertise and responsibility beyond junior or mid-level designers. It requires not only strong design execution skills but also strategic thinking, leadership capabilities, and the ability to influence product direction and mentor peers. This level often serves as a stepping stone to Design Lead or Managerial roles.

Reporting Structure: The Senior UX/UI Designer will likely report to a Design Manager, Director of Product, or Head of UX/UI. They will collaborate closely with Product Managers and Engineering Leads, acting as a key contributor in cross-functional product teams.

Operations Impact: The design of TP-Link's digital products directly impacts customer acquisition, user engagement, product adoption, and overall customer satisfaction. This role is crucial for ensuring that products are not only functional but also desirable and easy to use, which is paramount for successful Go-To-Market (GTM) strategies. Effective UX/UI design can reduce support costs, increase conversion rates, and build brand loyalty, all of which are key operational and business metrics.

Growth Opportunities:

• Leadership Track: Potential to advance into a Lead UX/UI Designer or Design Manager role, overseeing a team, setting design strategy, and managing larger initiatives.
• Specialization: Opportunity to deepen expertise in specific areas such as interaction design, user research methodologies, design systems, or accessibility, becoming a subject matter expert.
• Cross-Functional Influence: Develop stronger strategic partnerships with Product Management, Engineering, and Marketing, becoming a key voice in product strategy and roadmap development.
• Industry Expertise: Gain specialized knowledge in consumer electronics, smart home ecosystems, and networking product design, becoming a highly sought-after professional in a niche market.

📝 Enhancement Note: The Senior level implies a dual focus: deep design craft and strategic influence. The "Operations Impact" section specifically links design to business outcomes, which is crucial for operations professionals. Growth opportunities highlight a clear path for career progression within the design function and beyond.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The role is on-site in Irvine, California. This suggests a traditional office environment designed for collaboration and in-person teamwork, which is typical for hardware and software development companies.

Office Location(s): Irvine, California, United States. This location is a hub for technology and innovation, offering a dynamic professional environment.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Spaces: The office is likely equipped with collaborative spaces, meeting rooms, and potentially dedicated design studios to facilitate brainstorming sessions, design reviews, and cross-functional team interactions.
• Tools & Technology: Access to industry-standard design software, hardware for testing (e.g., smart home devices, routers), and robust IT infrastructure is expected to support design and prototyping workflows.
• Team Interaction: The on-site nature fosters spontaneous interactions, quick feedback loops, and a strong sense of team cohesion, which can accelerate problem-solving and innovation in product development.

Work Schedule: The role is full-time, with an expectation of around 40 hours per week. While adherence to a standard schedule is expected, the emphasis on "seamless, effortless lifestyle" and the nature of design work might allow for some flexibility in daily hours, provided project deadlines and team collaboration needs are met.

📝 Enhancement Note: An on-site role in a tech hub like Irvine suggests a dynamic, collaborative environment. The focus on "collaboration," "quick feedback loops," and "team cohesion" is important for understanding the day-to-day work experience and how design processes are integrated with engineering and product management.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A recruiter or hiring manager will review your resume and portfolio link for initial fit. Be prepared to articulate your core strengths and relevant experience concisely.
• Portfolio Presentation & Design Challenge: Expect a session where you present 1-2 key case studies from your portfolio, focusing on your strategic thinking, process, and impact. This may be followed by a design exercise or whiteboard challenge to assess your problem-solving skills and design approach in real-time.
• Cross-Functional Interviews: Interviews with Product Managers and Engineering Leads will assess your collaboration skills, ability to understand technical constraints, and how you integrate design with business goals.
• Stakeholder/Executive Interview: A final interview with senior leadership to evaluate your strategic vision, leadership potential, communication skills, and cultural fit within TP-Link's values.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Quantify Impact: For each case study, clearly state the problem, your role, your process, and the quantifiable results (e.g., X% increase in conversion, Y% reduction in task time, Z score improvement in user satisfaction). Use metrics relevant to business operations and GTM success.
• Showcase Strategy First: Begin by explaining the business and user problem you were solving, then detail your strategic approach to design before diving into specific UI elements.
• Highlight Collaboration: Mention how you worked with other teams (product, engineering, marketing) and how you incorporated their feedback. This demonstrates your understanding of the broader product development ecosystem.
• Visual Storytelling: Use clear visuals, flowcharts, and mockups to tell the story of your design process. Ensure your portfolio is easily navigable and accessible.

Challenge Preparation:

• Understand the Business: Research TP-Link's product lines, target audience, and competitive landscape. Think about how design contributes to their market position and GTM strategy.
• Practice Design Exercises: Be ready for typical UX challenges like "improve the onboarding flow for a smart home app" or "design a new feature for a router management interface." Focus on your thought process, not just the final solution.
• Articulate Trade-offs: Be prepared to discuss design decisions and the trade-offs you considered (e.g., user needs vs. technical feasibility vs. business goals). This shows mature decision-making.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process emphasizes a holistic evaluation, from design craft to business acumen and collaboration. The portfolio review tips are geared towards demonstrating the impact of design on business outcomes, a key aspect for operations roles.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Design & Prototyping Software: Proficiency in industry-standard tools such as Figma, Sketch, Adobe XD, or similar for wireframing, UI design, and interactive prototyping.
• Design System Tools: Experience with or ability to contribute to and maintain design systems and component libraries, potentially using tools like Storybook, Zeroheight, or similar.
• Collaboration Platforms: Familiarity with tools like Jira, Confluence, Asana, or Trello for project management, task tracking, and cross-functional team coordination.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Analytics Tools: Experience with or understanding of web and app analytics platforms (e.g., Google Analytics, Mixpanel, Amplitude) to interpret user behavior data and measure design impact.
• User Feedback Tools: Familiarity with tools for collecting and analyzing user feedback, such as surveys (e.g., SurveyMonkey, Typeform) or in-app feedback mechanisms.

CRM & Automation:

• While not a direct CRM/Automation role, understanding how design impacts user journeys within CRM systems or automated marketing funnels is beneficial. Familiarity with the principles of conversion rate optimization (CRO) and how UX/UI contributes to it would be advantageous.
• Integration Tools: Understanding how design decisions might interface with backend systems or APIs, though direct experience with integration tools is not typically required for UX/UI.

📝 Enhancement Note: The tools listed are standard for a Senior UX/UI Designer. The inclusion of analytics and collaboration tools highlights the need for data-informed decision-making and efficient teamwork, aligning with operations principles.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Professionalism: Upholding high standards in design execution, communication, and collaboration, ensuring reliability and quality in all deliverables.
• Innovation: Continuously seeking new and better ways to solve user problems and improve product experiences, driving forward the company's technological edge.
• Excellence: Striving for superior quality in design, user satisfaction, and business outcomes, with a focus on meticulous detail and impactful solutions.
• Simplicity: Creating intuitive, straightforward, and easy-to-use products that enhance users' lives without unnecessary complexity, reflecting efficient design principles.
• Data-Driven Approach: Emphasizing the use of research and analytics to inform design decisions and measure their effectiveness, ensuring that designs contribute to tangible business and user value.

Collaboration Style:

• Proactive Cross-Functional Integration: Actively engaging with Product Management, Engineering, Marketing, and other stakeholders to ensure design is integrated early and often into the product development lifecycle, supporting cohesive Go-To-Market strategies.
• Constructive Feedback Culture: Participating in and providing constructive critique during design reviews and team discussions, fostering a culture of continuous improvement and shared learning.
• Knowledge Sharing: Willingness to share expertise, best practices, and insights with team members and across departments to elevate the collective understanding and execution of user-centered design.

📝 Enhancement Note: The company's stated values of "professionalism, innovation, excellence, and simplicity" directly translate into operational efficiency and product quality. The emphasis on "data-driven approach" and "constructive feedback" are hallmarks of effective operations teams.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing User Needs with Business/Technical Constraints: Navigating the inherent trade-offs between creating ideal user experiences and adhering to product roadmaps, development timelines, and technical limitations.
• Designing for a Diverse Product Ecosystem: Ensuring consistency and a cohesive user experience across a wide range of potentially complex products (e.g., networking hardware, smart home devices, mobile apps).
• Staying Ahead of Evolving Technology: Keeping pace with rapid advancements in consumer electronics, IoT, and networking technologies, and translating these into intuitive user interfaces.
• Driving User Adoption of New Technologies: Educating and guiding users through complex or novel technological features to ensure successful adoption and satisfaction.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Deep Dive into Consumer Tech: Gain specialized expertise in the design of networking, smart home, and IoT products, a growing and dynamic sector.
• Influence Product Strategy: Develop skills in strategic product planning and roadmap influence, moving beyond execution to shaping the future direction of TP-Link's digital offerings.
• Advanced Design Systems: Contribute to and potentially lead the evolution of TP-Link's design system, mastering scalable design practices.
• Cross-Disciplinary Learning: Enhance understanding of hardware development, software engineering, and market dynamics through close collaboration with diverse teams.

📝 Enhancement Note: Identifying potential challenges allows candidates to prepare mitigation strategies and showcases their foresight. The growth opportunities are tailored to advancing within the specialized field of consumer tech design and increasing strategic influence.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you led a significant UX/UI initiative from conception to launch. What was your strategic approach, and what were the key business outcomes?" (Focus on demonstrating strategic thinking, leadership, and quantifiable impact on GTM success.)
• "How do you balance user needs with business objectives and technical constraints when designing complex products? Provide an example." (Highlight your process for making trade-offs and integrating diverse requirements.)
• "How would you approach defining and implementing UX metrics to measure the success of a new feature for a smart home device?" (Showcase your understanding of data-driven design and its contribution to operational performance.)

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What interests you about TP-Link and our specific product categories (networking, smart home)?" (Research their latest products, market position, and mission.)
• "How do you ensure design consistency across a diverse product portfolio like ours?" (Refer to your experience with design systems, guidelines, and collaborative processes.)
• "Describe your experience mentoring junior designers. What is your philosophy on fostering growth within a design team?" (Showcase your leadership and team-building capabilities.)

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Problem-Solution-Outcome Framework: Structure each case study with a clear problem statement, your strategic approach and design process, and the quantifiable outcomes achieved. Emphasize the "why" behind your decisions.
• Focus on Strategic Impact: For each project, clearly articulate how your design work contributed to business goals such as increased user engagement, improved conversion rates, or enhanced customer satisfaction.
• Demonstrate Collaboration: Explain how you interacted with product managers, engineers, and other stakeholders, and how this collaboration influenced the final product.
• Be Prepared for Deep Dives: Anticipate detailed questions about your design choices, research methodologies, and the specific challenges you encountered and overcame.

📝 Enhancement Note: These questions are designed to probe the candidate's strategic thinking, leadership, and understanding of how design drives business value. The advice focuses on demonstrating operational impact and a holistic approach to product development.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Sr. UX/UI Designer position:

• Submit your application through the provided Workable application link.
• Curate Your Portfolio: Select 2-3 of your most impactful case studies that best demonstrate your strategic thinking, leadership in design, and ability to drive measurable business outcomes. Ensure these showcase your process from research to execution and highlight collaboration.
• Tailor Your Resume: Optimize your resume to highlight keywords such as "User Experience," "User Interface," "Design Strategy," "User Research," "Product Design," "Mentorship," and "Cross-functional Collaboration." Quantify your achievements whenever possible.
• Prepare Your Presentation: Practice presenting your portfolio case studies, focusing on articulating the business problem, your strategic design approach, the solutions implemented, and the quantifiable results. Be ready to discuss trade-offs and collaboration.
• Research TP-Link: Thoroughly research TP-Link's products, mission, and recent company news. Understand their market position and identify opportunities where your UX/UI expertise can contribute to their business objectives and GTM success.

⚠️ 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.