UI Design Intern

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: UI Design Intern

Company: Plantible

Location: Eldorado, TX / Texas

Job Type: Part-Time, Intern, Temporary

Category: Operations Technology / UI/UX Design

Date Posted: 2026-02-25

Experience Level: 0-2 Years

Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• This internship focuses on translating complex operational data into intuitive, user-friendly interfaces for plant operations.

• Responsibilities include auditing current dashboards, designing high-fidelity mockups, and contributing to a scalable component library.

• The role requires an analytical mindset to transform raw data into actionable insights and clear visualizations for plant operators.

• Candidates will design with a specific focus on the factory floor environment, considering accessibility and usability in challenging conditions.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the title is "UI Design Intern," the description strongly emphasizes a connection to "plant data systems," "plant operators," and "factory floor" environments. This indicates the role is within the operational technology (OT) or industrial software space, requiring a blend of UI/UX design skills with an understanding of operational processes and environments. The target audience for this role would be design students or early-career professionals interested in industrial applications of their skills, rather than typical consumer-facing web or mobile UI design.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Conduct comprehensive audits and discovery sessions by shadowing plant operators to understand their interaction with current dashboards and workflows in a high-pressure production setting.

• Design high-fidelity mockups for selected dashboards, real-time sensor monitors, or inventory workflows as part of defined improvement projects, ensuring clarity and efficiency.

• Contribute to the development and refinement of a scalable component library, including elements like buttons, cards, and data visualizations, in close collaboration with the engineering team.

• Create interactive prototypes for critical workflows such as "Batch Approval" or "Emergency Shutdown," incorporating feedback from operators and engineers to ensure foolproof usability.

• Design user interfaces with specific considerations for the factory floor environment, including high-contrast needs, large touch targets for "gloved-hand" use, and optimal performance in low-light conditions.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities clearly delineate a hands-on approach to understanding operational challenges and translating them into practical UI solutions. The emphasis on "auditing," "shadowing operators," and designing for "production environment" and "factory floor" conditions highlights a practical, operations-centric application of UI design principles. This goes beyond typical UI design tasks by requiring an understanding of industrial workflows and user needs in a non-office setting.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: Currently pursuing or recently completed a degree in UI/UX Design, Graphic Design, Human-Computer Interaction, Industrial Design, or a related field.

Experience: 0-2 years of experience in UI/UX design, demonstrated through academic projects, internships, or personal projects.

Required Skills:

• A strong portfolio showcasing clean, functional UI work that prioritizes logic and usability over purely aesthetic "Dribbble-style" design.

• Proficiency in Figma, including advanced features like auto-layout and component creation.

• An analytical mindset capable of transforming complex operational data into clear, actionable charts and visualizations.

• A deep understanding of user use cases, with a focus on the end-user experience in demanding environments (e.g., a 4:00 AM shift in a cold production room).

Preferred Skills:

• Familiarity with VueJS (NuxtJS) or NextJS for component structures, facilitating collaboration with the engineering team.

• Basic understanding of HTML/CSS.

• Prior experience with industrial or B2B software design.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on a "logic and usability over pure 'dribble-style' aesthetics" portfolio requirement is crucial. It signifies that Plantible is looking for designers who can solve practical problems and create functional interfaces for industrial settings, rather than just visually appealing ones. The preference for VueJS/NextJS indicates a potential for the intern to work with actual code frameworks, bridging the gap between design and development.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Showcase clean, functional UI work with a clear emphasis on logic, usability, and problem-solving for operational challenges.

• Include case studies demonstrating the process of translating complex data or operational workflows into intuitive interfaces.

• Highlight examples of designing for specific environmental constraints (e.g., high contrast, large touch targets) if applicable.

Process Documentation:

• Portfolios should ideally show the design process, from initial research (e.g., shadowing operators) and ideation to final mockups and prototypes.

• Evidence of iterative design, incorporating user feedback (from operators and engineers) to refine designs.

• Examples of contributions to or development of design systems or component libraries.

📝 Enhancement Note: For an intern role, the "portfolio" is the primary evaluation tool. The emphasis here is on demonstrating a thoughtful design process, understanding of user needs in an industrial context, and technical proficiency in Figma, rather than a history of shipped products. The "process documentation" aspect means showing how they arrived at their designs, not just the final output. They should be prepared to walk through their thought process for selected portfolio pieces.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $20/hour

Benefits:

• Paid internship experience.

• Opportunity to work on impactful projects in a sustainable agriculture startup.

• Hands-on experience in a fast-paced, high-impact startup environment.

• Exposure to industrial operational environments and technology.

• Potential for networking and career development within the operations technology and sustainable agriculture sectors.

Working Hours: Approximately 20–25 hours per week, with some flexibility based on project needs and academic schedules. The internship duration is approximately 10–12 weeks, from late May/early June through August.

📝 Enhancement Note: The specific hourly rate and part-time nature are clearly stated. While traditional benefits might be limited for an internship, the "benefits" section highlights the experiential and developmental aspects crucial for an intern's career growth, such as working on impactful projects and gaining industry exposure in a growing sector.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Sustainable Agriculture Technology / Biotechnology. Plantible is developing innovative ways to produce high-quality protein from plants, focusing on sustainability and efficiency.

Company Size: Venture-backed startup. This implies a dynamic, fast-paced environment with a strong emphasis on innovation, growth, and adaptability.

Founded: Plantible Foods was founded to revolutionize protein production. This mission-driven aspect likely influences the company culture, attracting individuals passionate about sustainability and technological advancement.

Team Structure:

• The UI Design Intern will likely work closely with plant operators, engineers, and potentially a broader product or technology team.

• Collaboration is expected to be cross-functional, bridging the gap between operational needs and design solutions.

Methodology:

• Data-driven decision-making is implied by the need to translate "complex operational data" into interfaces.

• Emphasis on user-centric design, specifically for industrial end-users in challenging environments.

• Agile or iterative development methodologies are likely employed, given the startup environment and the need for rapid prototyping and feedback.

Company Website: https://plantiblefoods.com/

📝 Enhancement Note: Understanding that Plantible is a venture-backed startup in the sustainable agriculture space is key. This context suggests a culture of innovation, rapid development, and a mission-driven approach. The operations technology that the intern will be designing for is critical to the company's core business of plant-based protein production, making this role highly impactful.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: Intern. This is an entry-level, temporary position designed for learning and skill development.

Reporting Structure: The intern will report to a manager or lead within the product/engineering/operations technology team, receiving guidance and project direction.

Operations Impact: While an intern role, the work directly impacts the usability and efficiency of operational systems on the factory floor. Improvements to dashboards and workflows can lead to better data capture, reduced errors, and increased operational efficiency, contributing to the company's core mission.

Growth Opportunities:

• Develop practical UI/UX design skills in an industrial/B2B context, a niche but growing field.

• Gain hands-on experience with Figma and potentially other design and development tools.

• Learn to design for specific environmental constraints (e.g., factory floor conditions), a valuable specialization.

• Build a professional portfolio with real-world projects that can be showcased to future employers.

• Network with professionals in sustainable agriculture, biotechnology, and operations technology.

• Potential for future full-time opportunities at Plantible or within the broader sustainable tech industry.

📝 Enhancement Note: For an intern, the "growth" is primarily about skill acquisition, portfolio building, and gaining industry exposure. The unique aspect here is the specialization in industrial UI design, which can open doors to specific career paths within manufacturing, automation, and operational technology.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: On-site at the "Ranchito facility." This suggests a blend of office space for design work and direct exposure to the operational environment (plant floor).

Office Location(s): Eldorado, Texas. This is a specific facility location, implying the intern will be based there.

Workspace Context:

• The intern will spend time shadowing operators on the plant floor, requiring adaptability and awareness of a production environment.

• Design work will likely be done in an office or designated workspace within the facility.

• Opportunities for direct interaction with operators and engineers will be frequent, fostering a collaborative and hands-on work environment.

• Access to relevant operational technology systems and data for design purposes.

Work Schedule: Part-time (20-25 hours/week) during standard business hours, with some flexibility to accommodate academic schedules and project needs.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "on-site" requirement at a specific "Ranchito facility" in Eldorado, TX, is important. It means the intern will be immersed in the company's operational setting, which is crucial for understanding the user context. This isn't a remote design role; it requires physical presence and engagement with the plant environment.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: Review of resume and portfolio to assess basic qualifications and design capabilities.

• Portfolio Review & Technical Interview: A deeper dive into the candidate's portfolio, focusing on design process, problem-solving, and Figma proficiency. This may involve discussing specific projects and design decisions.

• Situational/Behavioral Interview: Questions assessing analytical mindset, understanding of user needs in demanding environments, and ability to collaborate with operators and engineers.

• Facility Visit/Shadowing (Potentially): An opportunity to see the operational environment firsthand and potentially interact with team members.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Highlight Process: Clearly articulate your design thinking process for each project. Show your journey from understanding the problem to reaching the solution.

• Focus on Usability: Emphasize how your designs solve user problems and improve efficiency, especially for operational tasks.

• Demonstrate Figma Skills: Be prepared to show your mastery of Figma, including auto-layout, components, and prototyping features.

• Address Industrial Context: If you have any projects related to B2B, industrial, or data-heavy applications, highlight them. Explain how you considered the specific user and environmental constraints.

• Quantify Impact (if possible): Even for academic projects, discuss the intended or achieved impact of your design solutions.

Challenge Preparation:

• Be ready to discuss how you would approach designing for a user who is operating machinery in a noisy, potentially hazardous environment.

• Prepare to analyze a sample dataset or workflow and explain how you would visualize it effectively.

• Think about how you would incorporate feedback from non-designers (operators, engineers) into your design process.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process will heavily rely on the portfolio. Candidates should be prepared to defend their design choices, explain their process, and demonstrate how they think about user needs in a practical, operational context. The "analytical mindset" and "understanding use cases" will be key themes.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Figma: Required for UI design, mockups, and prototyping. Proficiency in auto-layout and components is essential.

• Prototyping Tools: Figma's built-in prototyping capabilities will be heavily utilized.

Analytics & Reporting:

CRM & Automation:

Development Frameworks (Plus):

• VueJS (NuxtJS) / NextJS: Familiarity with these frameworks is a plus, indicating a potential for closer collaboration with the engineering team on component implementation and design system integration.

📝 Enhancement Note: Figma is the core tool. The mention of VueJS/NextJS suggests that the design system might be built using these technologies, and the intern could contribute to component design that aligns with these frameworks. This is a key piece of information for candidates to understand the technical underpinnings of the design work.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Sustainability: A core mission of the company, driving innovation in agriculture.

• Innovation & Agility: As a venture-backed startup, there's a strong drive for new solutions and quick adaptation.

• User-Centricity: A focus on understanding and serving the needs of plant operators and engineers.

• Data-Driven: Decisions and design solutions are informed by operational data.

• Collaboration: Strong emphasis on cross-functional teamwork between design, engineering, and operations.

Collaboration Style:

• Expect close collaboration with plant operators to gather insights and feedback.

• Frequent interaction with engineers to discuss design feasibility and component implementation.

• A team environment that values hands-on learning and practical problem-solving.

• Openness to feedback and iterative design processes.

📝 Enhancement Note: The company's mission in sustainable agriculture is a significant cultural driver. The intern should align with this mission and be excited about applying design skills to solve real-world problems in this industry. The collaborative aspect with operators and engineers is crucial for success.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Designing for a non-traditional user base (plant operators) with specific environmental and workflow constraints.

• Translating complex, real-time operational data into easily digestible and actionable UI elements.

• Balancing aesthetic considerations with the critical need for usability and foolproof functionality in a production environment.

• Adapting to the fast-paced, evolving nature of a startup environment.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Gain specialized experience in industrial UI/UX design, a valuable niche.

• Deepen expertise in Figma and prototyping for complex systems.

• Develop an understanding of operational technology (OT) and manufacturing processes.

• Build a strong portfolio with tangible projects that demonstrate impact.

• Learn to collaborate effectively with diverse stakeholders, including front-line operators and technical engineers.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges are unique to industrial design and offer significant learning opportunities. Candidates who embrace these challenges will gain a distinct skill set that differentiates them in the job market.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you had to design for a user with specific environmental constraints (e.g., poor lighting, need for large touch targets). How did you approach it?" (Focus on your process, research, and design decisions).

• "How would you approach understanding the needs of a plant operator who is using a dashboard while managing critical machinery?" (Emphasize shadowing, empathy, and iterative feedback).

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What interests you about Plantible's mission in sustainable agriculture?" (Show genuine interest in the company's purpose).

• "How do you approach collaboration with engineers and non-design stakeholders?" (Highlight communication skills and understanding of different perspectives).

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Select 2-3 strong projects: Prioritize those that best demonstrate your skills in Figma, analytical thinking, and understanding of user needs in demanding contexts.

• Structure your narrative: For each project, explain the problem, your role, your process (research, ideation, iteration), the solution, and the impact (or intended impact).

• Highlight Figma Mastery: Be prepared to demonstrate specific Figma features you used (auto-layout, components, prototyping) and why.

• Be ready for critique: Understand that your design decisions might be questioned; view this as an opportunity to discuss your rationale and adaptability.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview will be very portfolio-centric. Candidates should be prepared to "reverse-engineer" their design process and articulate their rationale clearly. The ability to connect design decisions to operational outcomes and user needs will be paramount.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this operations technology design position:

• Submit your application through the provided link on rippling.com.

• Portfolio Customization: Ensure your portfolio clearly showcases your Figma skills, analytical approach to data, and any relevant experience or projects related to B2B, industrial, or data-intensive applications. Tailor your presentation to highlight how you can translate complex operational data into user-friendly interfaces.

• Resume Optimization: Highlight specific design tools (especially Figma), any coursework or projects involving data visualization or user research, and any experience demonstrating an analytical mindset or problem-solving skills.

• Interview Preparation: Practice walking through your portfolio projects, focusing on your design process, problem-solving approach, and ability to consider user needs in challenging environments. Be ready to discuss your understanding of Plantible's mission.

• Company Research: Familiarize yourself with Plantible Foods' mission in sustainable agriculture and their focus on plant-based protein. Understand the context of a venture-backed startup and the importance of operational efficiency in their business model.

⚠️ Important Notice: This enhanced job description includes AI-generated insights and operations industry-standard assumptions based on the provided information. All details, especially regarding company culture, specific project scope, and interview expectations, should be verified directly with the hiring organization, Plantible, before making application decisions.