Sr/Staff Software Engineer (UX Design) (Remote - US)

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Sr/Staff Software Engineer (UX Design)

Company: BNSF Railway

Location: Remote US

Job Type: FULL_TIME

Category: UX Design / Product Design / Software Engineering

Date Posted: April 21, 2026

Experience Level: Mid-Senior Level (6+ years)

Remote Status: Fully Remote (US)

🚀 Role Summary

• Design and deliver end-to-end user journeys for AI-native intelligent physical logistic systems, focusing on customer-centricity and data-driven insights.

• Develop proactive and trustworthy user experiences by integrating cutting-edge AI capabilities across various platforms (e.g., mobile, desktop).

• Create and maintain reusable design system components specifically for AI-driven experiences, ensuring consistency and scalability.

• Collaborate closely with Front-end engineering and partner teams to translate technical concepts into performant and intuitive user interfaces.

• Champion best practices in UX design within the Supply Chain and Logistics industry, understanding diverse user personas and their tool expectations.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is a hybrid of Senior/Staff Software Engineer and UX Designer, with a strong emphasis on applying AI capabilities to logistics. The "Sr/Staff" title suggests a need for significant experience and the ability to lead design initiatives, with a focus on both individual contribution and strategic influence within the design and engineering teams. The core focus is on designing for AI-native and multimodal experiences within a complex industrial sector.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Independently own the design and deployment of end-to-end user journeys for designated areas, fostering strong partnerships with Front-end and cross-functional teams.

• Translate customer needs and user requirements into innovative solutions, seamlessly blending AI capabilities with user-facing products for proactive and trustworthy experiences.

• Drive user adoption and iterate on designs based on customer feedback and UX metrics, ensuring continuous improvement and alignment with business objectives.

• Act as a steward for reusability within the UX and design system, identifying opportunities to connect and enhance experiences across different product surfaces.

• Leverage a technical understanding of front-end stacks to design and advocate for performant, efficient, and scalable user experiences.

• Actively engage with engineering and product/business teams through the creation and iteration of mocks and prototypes using tools like Figma.

• Bring industry-leading UX best practices to the Supply Chain and Logistics sector, demonstrating a deep understanding of roles, personas, and their expectations for technology tools.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a significant level of autonomy and ownership. The emphasis on "shipping end-to-end user journeys" indicates a need for a designer who can manage projects from conception through to implementation. The requirement to understand Supply Chain and Logistics roles is critical and suggests that candidates with domain experience will be highly valued.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience at the intersection of Computer Science, Interaction Design, HCI, or a related field.

Experience:

• Minimum of 6 years of experience in Product Design, driving UX initiatives alongside technical teams.

• Proven capability in designing scalable UX solutions collaboratively with engineering teams.

Required Skills:

• Product Design & UX Design: Expertise in end-to-end user journey design, from research and ideation to prototyping and delivery.

• AI-driven Experiences: Understanding and ability to design for AI-native applications, focusing on proactive and trustworthy interactions.

• Design Systems: Experience in building, maintaining, and championing the reusability of design system components.

• Front-end Stacks & Prototyping: Working knowledge of front-end technologies and proficiency with modern design tools such as Figma for creating mocks and prototypes.

• Supply Chain & Logistics Understanding: Familiarity with industry-specific roles, personas, and their operational needs within Supply Chain and Logistics.

Preferred Skills:

• Strong foundation in Engineering or Computer Science, or a core UX Design background with demonstrated collaboration skills.

• Career experience blending Design and Product roles, enabling clear definition of product requirements and effective partnership with engineering.

• Genuine interest in Supply Chain and rail-related products and technologies.

• Experience with multimodal and AI-native design best practices.

• Working knowledge of usability principles and techniques.

• Bias for action and ability to manage multiple priorities in dynamic environments.

📝 Enhancement Note: The experience requirement of "6 years" and the mention of "Sr/Staff" level strongly suggest a candidate who can operate with minimal supervision, mentor junior designers, and contribute to strategic design decisions. The blend of UX and technical skills, particularly around AI and front-end, is a key differentiator.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Showcase end-to-end design projects that demonstrate your ability to take a user journey from concept to completion, emphasizing problem-solving and iterative design.

• Include case studies that highlight your collaboration with engineering and product teams, detailing your role in the development process.

• Present examples of design system components you have developed or contributed to, illustrating their reusability and impact.

• Feature projects that involve AI-driven features or experiences, explaining how you designed for user trust and proactive interaction.

Process Documentation:

• Detail your design process, including user research methodologies, ideation techniques, wireframing, prototyping, and user testing.

• Explain how you gather and incorporate user feedback and UX metrics to drive iterative improvements and adoption.

• Describe your approach to working with engineering teams, including handoff processes and ensuring design integrity during implementation.

• Outline your understanding of design operations and how you contribute to efficient design workflows.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a role at this level, a portfolio must go beyond just visual design. It needs to clearly articulate the candidate's design process, problem-solving approach, collaboration skills, and impact on business metrics, especially in the context of AI and complex industrial applications. Demonstrating a structured approach to design operations and system thinking will be crucial.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $150,000 - $250,000 per year

• L5 Level: $150,000 - $200,000

• L6 Level: $200,000 - $250,000

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range provided is based on the provided job description and aligns with market rates for Senior to Staff level UX Designers/Software Engineers in the US, particularly for roles involving specialized technologies like AI and in large, established companies like BNSF. The distinction between L5 and L6 levels suggests a tiered compensation structure based on experience, impact, and scope of responsibility. The range is competitive for remote US-based roles in technical fields.

Benefits:

• Retirement: Industry-leading 401(k) and renowned Railroad Retirement program.

• Health & Wellness: Comprehensive health care options (medical, dental, vision, telemedicine, mental health, cancer support), Health Savings Account (HSA) with employer contributions.

• Insurance: Life and disability insurance provided at no cost.

• Family Support: Parental, pediatric, family building support, adoption and surrogacy reimbursement, dependent care spending account with employer match.

• Perks: Discounts on travel, gym memberships, counseling services, and wellness support.

• Incentives: Annual bonus (Incentive Compensation Program).

• Leave: Generous leave/time off policies.

Working Hours:

• Standard 40 hours per week.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Freight Railroad / Transportation / Logistics Technology

Company Size: Large Enterprise (as indicated by BNSF's scale as one of the largest US railroads)

Founded: BNSF Railway has a long history, with its modern form established in 1995 through the merger of Burlington Northern and Santa Fe Railway. BNSF|Tech is its forward-looking technology division.

Team Structure:

• The role is within BNSF|Tech, the technology division driving innovation.

• You will be part of a team focused on UX Design, likely integrated with Product Management and Software Engineering.

Methodology:

• Customer-Centricity: A core philosophy of BNSF|Tech, emphasizing understanding and serving customer needs through design.

• Data-Driven: Utilizing data and UX metrics to inform design decisions and measure impact.

• AI Integration: A strategic focus on leveraging AI to elevate products and tools, setting new standards in software design.

• Agile/Iterative Development: Implied by the need to "ship end-to-end user journeys" and "iterate with customers."

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

📝 Enhancement Note: BNSF Railway is a massive, established company. BNSF|Tech represents its commitment to modernizing through technology. The culture likely balances a strong emphasis on safety and operational excellence (inherent in a railroad) with a drive for innovation in its tech division. As a remote employee, understanding how to integrate into this culture and collaborate effectively across distances will be key.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role sits at the Sr/Staff level, indicating a position requiring significant experience, technical depth, and a degree of strategic influence. It's beyond a junior or mid-level designer, implying leadership in design execution and potentially mentorship.

Reporting Structure: While not explicitly stated, a Sr/Staff UX Designer typically reports to a UX Design Manager, Director of Product Design, or potentially a Product Lead. Collaboration will be extensive with engineering leads and product managers.

Operations Impact: The role is critical in shaping the user experience for BNSF's customer-facing and internal products, directly impacting operational efficiency, customer satisfaction, and the adoption of new AI technologies. Success here translates to improved logistics, better decision-making for internal users, and potentially new revenue streams or cost savings.

Growth Opportunities:

• Technical Specialization: Deepen expertise in AI-driven UX, multimodal interfaces, and advanced design systems.

• Leadership: Potential to mentor junior designers, lead design initiatives for major projects, and contribute to design strategy.

• Domain Expertise: Develop specialized knowledge in Supply Chain and Logistics technology, becoming a go-to expert within BNSF.

• Cross-functional Advancement: Opportunities to move into Product Management or broader technology leadership roles, leveraging design and technical understanding.

• Industry Exposure: Contribute to shaping the future of technology in a critical US infrastructure sector.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Sr/Staff" designation implies a path for growth into technical leadership, Principal Designer roles, or management. The focus on AI and logistics offers a unique niche for career development within a stable, essential industry.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Fully Remote within the contiguous 48 states of the United States.

Office Location(s): Remote US. Occasional travel (up to 20%) is required to the corporate headquarters in Fort Worth, TX.

Workspace Context:

• Remote Collaboration: Expect a highly collaborative remote environment, relying on digital tools for communication and teamwork.

• Technology & Tools: Access to standard enterprise technology and specialized design tools (e.g., Figma) will be essential.

• Team Interaction: Regular virtual meetings with design, product, and engineering teams will be the primary mode of interaction.

Work Schedule:

• Primarily a standard 40-hour work week.

• Flexibility may exist, but the role requires dedicated time for collaboration, design work, and potential travel. The emphasis on "shipping end-to-end user journeys" suggests a results-oriented approach.

📝 Enhancement Note: As a fully remote role, strong self-discipline, communication skills, and comfort with virtual collaboration tools are paramount. The required travel, though limited, indicates the company values some in-person connection for strategic alignment and team building.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Application Screening: Initial review of resume and portfolio for required experience and skills.

• Recruiter Screen: A call to discuss your background, interest in the role, and basic qualifications.

• Hiring Manager Interview: In-depth discussion about your experience, design philosophy, and fit for the team. This may include behavioral questions.

• Design Challenge/Portfolio Review: A session where you present your portfolio, walking through specific case studies. You might be given a small design exercise or asked to critique an existing interface. Expect questions about your process, decision-making, and ability to collaborate.

• Technical/Engineering Interview: A conversation with engineering team members to assess your understanding of front-end stacks, AI integration, and technical collaboration capabilities.

• Final Round/Leadership Interview: A conversation with senior leadership to assess strategic thinking, cultural fit, and overall potential impact.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select 3-4 strong projects that best represent your skills in AI-driven UX, end-to-end journey design, and collaboration with engineering.

• Tell a Story: For each project, clearly articulate the problem, your role, your process, the challenges faced, the solutions implemented, and the measurable outcomes (UX metrics, adoption rates).

• Highlight AI & Logistics: Explicitly showcase any experience or understanding relevant to AI, multimodal design, and the Supply Chain/Logistics industry.

• Demonstrate Collaboration: Explain how you worked with engineers and product managers, showing your communication and partnership skills.

• Be Prepared for Technical Questions: Be ready to discuss technical constraints, front-end implications, and how your designs are feasible.

Challenge Preparation:

• Understand the Domain: Research BNSF Railway, its operations, and the challenges within the freight rail and logistics industry.

• AI UX Principles: Refresh your knowledge on designing for AI, focusing on transparency, user control, and building trust.

• Design Systems: Be ready to discuss your experience with design systems and how they facilitate scalable and consistent UX.

• Problem-Solving: Practice articulating your problem-solving process for complex UX challenges, especially those involving new technologies like AI.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process is likely rigorous, given the Sr/Staff level and specialized nature of the role. A strong portfolio that clearly demonstrates AI UX design expertise, understanding of complex systems (like logistics), and effective collaboration is crucial. Be prepared to discuss your process in detail.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Design & Prototyping: Figma (explicitly mentioned), potentially Sketch, Adobe Creative Suite, InVision.

• Collaboration: Slack, Microsoft Teams, Zoom, Confluence, Jira.

• Design Systems: Experience with creating, contributing to, or utilizing established design systems.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Familiarity with UX metrics tools and data analysis platforms to track user adoption and performance.

CRM & Automation:

• While not a primary focus for UX, understanding how design impacts CRM and automation workflows within logistics could be beneficial.

📝 Enhancement Note: Proficiency in Figma is a must. Experience with enterprise-level collaboration and project management tools is expected. A foundational understanding of how designs integrate into broader software development lifecycles, including analytics and CRM systems, will be advantageous.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Safety: Paramount in a railroad environment, likely extending to data security and system reliability in tech.

• Inclusion & Belonging: Explicitly stated as a core value, emphasizing equal opportunity and a supportive environment.

• Excellence: Striving for high performance and quality in all aspects of work.

• Customer-Centricity: A driving principle for BNSF|Tech, focusing on delivering value to customers.

• Innovation: Driving change and embracing new technologies like AI to reshape the future of freight rail.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-functional Integration: Close partnership with engineering, product, and business teams is essential.

• Data-Informed: Decisions are supported by data and UX metrics.

• Iterative and Agile: A culture that embraces continuous improvement and adapting to feedback.

• Remote-First Mindset: Effective communication and collaboration strategies tailored for a distributed workforce.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on safety, inclusion, and excellence, combined with a forward-looking approach to technology, suggests a culture that values both stability and innovation. Candidates should demonstrate how they embody these values in their work and collaboration.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Designing for a Complex Industry: Understanding and designing for the intricate needs of the Supply Chain and Logistics sector, which has unique operational constraints and user behaviors.

• Integrating AI Effectively: Translating cutting-edge AI capabilities into practical, trustworthy, and user-friendly experiences without overwhelming users.

• Balancing Innovation with Legacy Systems: Working within a large, established company that may have existing infrastructure while pushing for modern, AI-driven solutions.

• Remote Collaboration at Scale: Maintaining strong team cohesion and effective communication across a distributed team and numerous departments.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• AI UX Specialization: Becoming a leader in designing for AI-native applications within a critical industry.

• Supply Chain Domain Expertise: Gaining deep knowledge of logistics operations and technology, a valuable and specialized skillset.

• Design System Leadership: Contributing to and evolving a large-scale design system for a major enterprise.

• Mentorship: Opportunity to mentor junior designers and influence design strategy within BNSF|Tech.

• Industry Conferences & Training: Potential for participation in relevant UX, AI, and industry-specific events.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges presented are significant but also offer substantial opportunities for professional growth and skill development, particularly in the emerging field of AI UX for industrial applications.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a complex user journey you designed from end-to-end. What was the problem, your approach, and the outcome?" (Focus on process, problem-solving, and measurable results).

• "How do you approach designing for AI? What are the key considerations for building trust and ensuring user control?" (Demonstrate understanding of AI UX principles).

• "How do you ensure your designs are scalable and reusable, especially when working with design systems?" (Highlight your experience with design systems and component-based design).

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What interests you about BNSF Railway and the opportunity to apply UX design to the logistics industry?" (Demonstrate research and genuine interest).

• "How do you contribute to an inclusive and collaborative team environment, especially in a remote setting?" (Align with BNSF's stated values).

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure Your Narrative: For each case study, clearly outline the problem statement, your role, the target users, your design process (research, ideation, prototyping, testing), key design decisions, the final solution, and the impact/results.

• Quantify Impact: Use metrics wherever possible (e.g., increased adoption, reduced error rates, improved efficiency).

• Highlight AI/ML: Explicitly call out how AI was leveraged or considered in your design solutions.

• Showcase Collaboration: Explain how you partnered with engineers and product managers throughout the project lifecycle.

• Be Prepared for Q&A: Anticipate questions about your design choices, trade-offs, and alternative solutions.

📝 Enhancement Note: Prepare to articulate your design process thoroughly and connect your work directly to business impact and user needs. Given the role's focus, expect detailed questions about AI UX and your ability to translate complex technical capabilities into user-friendly experiences.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this operations position:

• Submit your application through the official BNSF job portal via the provided URL.

• Resume Optimization: Tailor your resume to highlight your 6+ years of experience in Product Design and UX, emphasizing your work with technical teams, front-end stacks, AI-driven experiences, and design systems. Use keywords from the job description.

• Portfolio Preparation: Ensure your portfolio is up-to-date, clearly showcases your best work (especially AI UX and end-to-end journeys), and is easily accessible. Prepare a concise presentation narrative for your portfolio review.

• Company Research: Familiarize yourself with BNSF Railway's operations, its commitment to technology (BNSF|Tech), and its stated values regarding safety, inclusion, and innovation.

• Interview Practice: Prepare for behavioral questions, design strategy discussions, and be ready to articulate your design process and problem-solving approach in detail. Practice presenting your portfolio.

⚠️ 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.