UI Designer

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: UI Designer

Company: SRT Marine Systems plc

Location: Birmingham, England, United Kingdom

Job Type: Full-Time

Category: Product Design / User Experience

Date Posted: April 11, 2026

Experience Level: Experienced (2-5 years)

Remote Status: Hybrid

🚀 Role Summary

• Spearhead end-to-end UI design for innovative maritime surveillance technology, enhancing user interface and experience across desktop, web, and mobile applications.

• Drive the evolution and scaling of a component-based design system, adhering to atomic design principles, to ensure consistency and efficiency in product development.

• Collaborate closely with cross-functional Design, Product, and Engineering teams to translate complex problems into intuitive and user-friendly interfaces.

• Utilize advanced design tools such as Figma, Photoshop, and Illustrator to create wireframes, prototypes, and polished UIs, ensuring seamless developer handoff.

• Contribute to a dynamic, ambitious, and innovative environment focused on delivering cutting-edge Maritime Domain Awareness (MDA) solutions to a global clientele.

📝 Enhancement Note: The role is identified as "UI Designer" but the description emphasizes strong "UX thinking" and "end-to-end design work, from research and wireframes through to polished UI," indicating a hybrid UX/UI role. The mention of "Product Management" department suggests close alignment with product strategy.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Take full ownership of the design lifecycle for new features and product enhancements, from initial concept and wireframing through to final UI delivery for both web and mobile platforms.

• Actively contribute to the maintenance and strategic evolution of the company's design system, ensuring established patterns, UI guidelines, and component libraries remain current and scalable.

• Develop interactive prototypes to test design concepts, gather user feedback, and validate proposed solutions before full-scale development.

• Conduct user research and usability testing to identify pain points and opportunities for continuous improvement in the overall user experience of SRT's software products.

• Articulate and present design decisions clearly and persuasively to internal stakeholders, including product managers, engineers, and leadership, justifying design choices with user-centric reasoning and data.

• Collaborate effectively within an Agile development framework, participating in sprint planning, reviews, and retrospectives to ensure design deliverables align with project timelines and technical constraints.

• Ensure a smooth and efficient developer handoff process by providing comprehensive design specifications, assets, and clear documentation.

📝 Enhancement Note: The explicit mention of "end-to-end ownership" and "developer handoff" suggests a need for a designer who can manage the entire design process from ideation to implementation support, a common expectation for experienced UI/UX professionals in product development environments.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: While no specific degree is mandated, a strong portfolio demonstrating practical application of design principles is essential. A degree in Graphic Design, Human-Computer Interaction, Interaction Design, or a related field is often beneficial.

Experience: Minimum of 2-5 years of professional experience in UI/UX design, with a proven track record of designing complex software applications for web and mobile platforms. Experience in a hybrid work environment is expected.

Required Skills:

• ESSENTIAL - Expert proficiency in Figma: Demonstrated ability to leverage Figma for wireframing, prototyping, UI design, and collaborative design system management.

• ESSENTIAL - Online Portfolio: A comprehensive online portfolio showcasing end-to-end design projects, design thinking process, and visual design capabilities. Link required in application.

• Strong working knowledge of Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator for asset creation and manipulation.

• Proven ability to translate complex technical requirements and user needs into simple, intuitive, and visually appealing user interfaces.

• Demonstrated experience managing the complete design process from initial concept to developer handoff for both mobile and web applications.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience working within an Agile development environment, including familiarity with Scrum or Kanban methodologies.

• Familiarity with component-based design systems and the principles of atomic design.

• Experience with prototyping tools beyond Figma (e.g., InVision, Adobe XD) or user testing platforms.

• Background in the maritime, defense, or technology sectors, providing context for the specific domain of Maritime Domain Awareness (MDA).

• Understanding of accessibility standards and best practices in UI design.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "ESSENTIAL" requirements strongly emphasize Figma and a portfolio. The "Experienced" level, combined with the 2-5 year AI-derived experience, suggests the company is looking for a designer who can operate with significant autonomy and contribute strategically to the design system.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Link to Online Portfolio: A readily accessible link to a professional online portfolio is mandatory. This portfolio should clearly articulate your design process, problem-solving approach, and the impact of your work.

• Case Studies: Include detailed case studies for at least 2-3 significant projects that demonstrate end-to-end UI/UX design ownership. These should cover web and mobile applications.

• Figma Proficiency Showcase: Highlight projects where Figma was the primary tool, demonstrating expertise in its features, component libraries, and design system contributions.

• Visual Design Excellence: Showcase high-fidelity mockups and polished UI designs that reflect strong visual design principles, attention to detail, and aesthetic appeal.

• Process Documentation: Explicitly outline the design process followed for each case study, including research, wireframing, prototyping, user testing, and developer handoff.

Process Documentation:

• Workflow Design: Demonstrate experience in mapping out user flows and application workflows, simplifying complex user journeys into intuitive experiences.

• System Implementation: Show evidence of contributing to or maintaining a design system, including the creation and management of UI components and style guides.

• Measurement and Analysis: While not explicitly stated for UI design, it's beneficial to show how design decisions were informed by user feedback, usability testing, or performance metrics where applicable.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on an online portfolio and Figma proficiency means candidates must curate their portfolio to highlight these specific requirements. Demonstrating a structured design process is crucial.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: Based on the "Experienced" level, location in Birmingham, UK, and industry standards for a UI Designer with strong Figma and UX skills, a competitive salary range is estimated between £35,000 - £55,000 per annum. This range can vary based on the candidate's specific experience, portfolio strength, and interview performance.

Benefits:

• Highly Competitive Salary: A salary structure designed to attract and retain experienced design talent.

• Comprehensive Pension Scheme: Employer-contributed pension plan to support long-term financial security.

• Hybrid Working Model: Flexibility to balance office-based collaboration with remote work, with a requirement of 1 day per week in the Cardiff office.

• Development Opportunities: Access to training, workshops, and potential for career advancement within the company, supporting skill enhancement and professional growth.

Working Hours: The standard working hours are likely to be around 40 hours per week, typical for a full-time experienced role in the UK. The hybrid arrangement offers some flexibility in how these hours are managed across office and remote days.

📝 Enhancement Note: Salary estimation is based on UK market data for experienced UI Designers in hybrid roles. The benefits listed are directly from the job description. The mention of Cardiff office for hybrid working is a critical detail to note, as the primary location is listed as Birmingham. This might indicate flexibility or a typo in the original listing. The job description mentions "hybrid working position based from our Cardiff office, you will be required to attend office 1 day per week as per the team’s requirements", but the location derived is Birmingham. This discrepancy needs clarification. For this enhancement, I've prioritized the explicit mention of Cardiff for the hybrid aspect.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Maritime surveillance technology, focusing on Maritime Domain Awareness (MDA). SRT Marine Systems plc is a global leader in this niche, providing advanced products and systems for security, safety, and environmental protection. This sector demands high reliability, precision, and innovation.

Company Size: SRT Marine Systems plc is a multi-national company. While an exact headcount isn't provided, its "plc" status and global customer base suggest a significant, established organization, likely falling into the medium to large enterprise category (500+ employees). This implies a structured environment with established processes but also opportunities for impact.

Founded: Founded in 1987, SRT Marine Systems plc has a long history and deep expertise in the marine technology sector, positioning itself as a stable and experienced player.

Team Structure:

• Design, Product, and Engineering: The UI Designer will work closely with these core teams, indicating a collaborative and integrated product development approach.

• Product Management Department: The role is listed under "PRODUCT MANAGEMENT," highlighting a strong alignment with product strategy and business objectives.

• Cross-functional Collaboration: The role requires close interaction with various departments, emphasizing a team-oriented and communicative work environment.

Methodology:

• Agile Development: Experience in an Agile environment is beneficial, suggesting that the company utilizes iterative development cycles, regular feedback loops, and cross-functional team collaboration.

• User-Centric Design: The emphasis on UX thinking and user experience improvement points to a methodology that prioritizes user needs and feedback throughout the product development process.

• Design Systems: The focus on scaling component-based design systems indicates a commitment to efficiency, consistency, and maintainability in design and development.

Company Website: https://www.srt-marine.com/

📝 Enhancement Note: The company's niche in maritime surveillance technology is a key differentiator. Candidates should understand the critical nature of these systems, where reliability and clarity are paramount. The "plc" status and founding date suggest a mature, established company. The hybrid work location discrepancy (Birmingham vs. Cardiff) is noted.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is positioned as an "Experienced" UI Designer, typically requiring 2-5 years of dedicated experience. It implies a level beyond junior roles, where the designer is expected to take significant ownership, manage projects independently, and contribute strategically to design systems and product direction. They are expected to be proficient in core design tools and methodologies.

Reporting Structure: The UI Designer will report into a Design Lead or Head of Product, working closely with Product Managers and Engineering leads. The reporting line is likely within the Product Management department, given the job listing's categorization.

Operations Impact: The UI Designer's impact is direct and significant, shaping the user experience of critical maritime surveillance software. Effective UI/UX design directly influences user adoption, operational efficiency, safety, and the overall perception of SRT's technology. Strong design can lead to clearer interfaces, reduced training times, fewer errors, and enhanced customer satisfaction, all contributing to the company's competitive advantage.

Growth Opportunities:

• Design System Leadership: Opportunity to take on more responsibility for the design system, potentially leading its growth and advocating for its best practices across the organization.

• UX Specialization: Deepen expertise in User Experience research, usability testing, and user journey mapping, potentially transitioning into a more specialized UX role or a UX/UI Lead position.

• Product Strategy Contribution: As the designer gains more domain knowledge and understands the business objectives, there's potential to contribute more significantly to product strategy and roadmap discussions.

• Cross-functional Skill Development: Exposure to product management and engineering workflows can broaden understanding of the product lifecycle, fostering a more holistic approach to design.

• Mentorship: As an experienced designer, there may be opportunities to mentor junior designers as the team grows.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Experienced" level suggests a candidate ready for more autonomy and strategic input. The growth opportunities focus on specialization within design, leadership in design systems, and broader product involvement.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The role is a hybrid position, requiring 1 day per week in the office. This suggests a collaborative office environment designed for team interaction, meetings, and focused work sessions, balanced with remote flexibility. The office is specified as being in Cardiff.

Office Location(s): The primary listed location is Birmingham, but the job description explicitly states the hybrid role is based from their Cardiff office, requiring attendance there one day per week. This is a crucial detail for candidates.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Hub: The office space likely facilitates team collaboration, design reviews, and cross-functional brainstorming sessions, essential for a hybrid team.

• Design Tools & Technology: Access to industry-standard design software (Figma, Photoshop, Illustrator) and necessary hardware will be provided. The company's focus on advanced technology suggests a modern tech stack.

• Team Interaction: The hybrid model requires intentional efforts for team connection. The office day is likely structured to maximize face-to-face interaction with design, product, and engineering colleagues.

Work Schedule: The standard work schedule is likely 9 am to 5 pm, Monday to Friday, totaling approximately 40 hours per week. The hybrid nature allows for remote work on days not spent in the Cardiff office, offering a degree of flexibility.

📝 Enhancement Note: The discrepancy between the listed Birmingham location and the described Cardiff office for hybrid work is a significant point. Candidates must clarify this during the application process. The hybrid model implies a need for self-discipline and effective communication for remote work, alongside active participation during office days.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A review of your application, focusing on your resume and the mandatory online portfolio link.

• Portfolio Review & Discussion: A dedicated session where you will walk through selected case studies from your portfolio, explaining your design process, problem-solving approach, and the rationale behind your design decisions. Expect questions on your use of Figma and UX/UI principles.

• Technical/Skills Assessment: Potentially a design challenge or a more in-depth discussion on your Figma skills, design system experience, and ability to handle complex UI problems.

• Team/Cultural Fit Interview: Meeting with members of the design, product, and engineering teams to assess collaboration style, communication skills, and alignment with SRT's company culture.

• Final Interview: Likely with a senior leader (e.g., Head of Product, CTO) to discuss your overall fit, career aspirations, and strategic contributions.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select projects that best showcase your end-to-end design process, UX thinking, and proficiency in Figma. Prioritize projects relevant to software applications (web/mobile).

• Tell a Story: Walk through each case study as a narrative: the problem, your approach, your solutions, and the impact. Clearly articulate the "why" behind your design choices.

• Highlight Figma & Design Systems: Explicitly demonstrate your Figma skills, including component usage, auto-layout, and any contributions to design systems or style guides. Use visuals to illustrate these points.

• Quantify Impact: Where possible, use metrics or qualitative feedback to demonstrate the success of your designs (e.g., improved conversion rates, reduced error rates, positive user feedback).

• Be Prepared for UX Questions: Since UX thinking is emphasized, be ready to discuss user research, personas, user flows, and usability testing.

• Articulate Developer Handoff: Explain your process for handing off designs to developers, including the types of documentation and assets you provide.

Challenge Preparation:

• Understand the Domain: Familiarize yourself with SRT Marine Systems' business and the maritime surveillance industry. Think about the unique UI/UX challenges in this domain (e.g., information density, critical alerts, diverse user roles).

• Practice Design Thinking: Be ready to apply your design thinking process to a given problem. Focus on user needs, ideation, and iterative solutions.

• Figma Proficiency: Ensure you can quickly and effectively demonstrate your Figma skills if required.

• Communication: Practice articulating your thought process clearly and concisely, especially under pressure.

📝 Enhancement Note: The portfolio review is critical. Candidates should prepare to deeply discuss their process, tool usage (especially Figma), and results. Understanding the company's domain is a significant advantage.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Figma: ESSENTIAL for wireframing, UI design, prototyping, and design system management. Expect advanced usage requirements.

• Adobe Photoshop: Strong working knowledge required for image editing, asset creation, and manipulation.

• Adobe Illustrator: Required for vector graphics creation, icons, and other visual assets.

Analytics & Reporting:

CRM & Automation:

• Not directly relevant to the UI Designer's core responsibilities, but awareness of how user interfaces connect with underlying systems and data management principles is helpful.

📝 Enhancement Note: The tool stack is heavily focused on core design software, with Figma being the absolute centerpiece. Proficiency here is non-negotiable.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Innovation & Ambition: SRT strives to be at the forefront of maritime surveillance technology, encouraging innovative solutions and ambitious goals.

• Quality & Results: A focus on delivering high-quality products and services that meet the demanding needs of global customers.

• Impact: The company values employees who can make a real impact in the marine industry through their work and contributions.

• Rewarding Environment: A commitment to making SRT a rewarding and challenging place to work for talented individuals.

• Inclusivity: SRT Marine Systems plc is an equal opportunity employer, committed to creating an inclusive working environment and encouraging diversity.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-functional Integration: Close collaboration between Design, Product, and Engineering is fundamental to their product development process.

• Agile Practices: Likely involves frequent communication, iterative feedback, and shared responsibility within project teams.

• Open Communication: The need to articulate design decisions to stakeholders suggests an environment that values clear and open communication.

📝 Enhancement Note: The company culture emphasizes innovation, quality, and impact, which are crucial for a technology-driven organization. The commitment to inclusivity is also a key cultural aspect.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Complex Domain: Designing for maritime surveillance technology requires understanding a specialized and critical domain, where user needs can be highly specific and the consequences of design failures significant.

• Hybrid Work Dynamics: Effectively collaborating and maintaining team cohesion in a hybrid environment, especially with only one day per week in the office, requires proactive communication and intentional engagement.

• Scaling Design Systems: Continuously evolving and scaling a design system to meet the needs of growing product lines and diverse applications presents an ongoing challenge.

• Balancing UX and UI: Ensuring strong UX thinking is integrated into polished UI deliverables, particularly when working on complex software with detailed requirements.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Domain Expertise: Opportunity to build deep knowledge in Maritime Domain Awareness (MDA) technology and the needs of global marine sector clients.

• Advanced Design System Development: Contribute to and potentially lead the evolution of a mature design system, gaining experience in governance, scalability, and best practices.

• Cross-Disciplinary Learning: Gain insights into product management strategies and engineering challenges, fostering a broader understanding of the product development lifecycle.

• Industry Exposure: Work on cutting-edge technology that has a real-world impact on global security, safety, and environmental protection.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges are tied to the specialized industry, hybrid work model, and the complexities of design system management. Growth opportunities focus on domain expertise and design system leadership.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe your process for taking a complex feature from concept to a fully designed UI ready for developer handoff. How do you ensure user needs are met throughout?" (Focus on your end-to-end process, UX thinking, and Figma usage).

• "Walk us through your experience with Figma and how you've contributed to or scaled design systems. What are the core principles of atomic design, and how have you applied them?" (Be ready to demonstrate your Figma skills and design system knowledge).

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What interests you about SRT Marine Systems and our work in Maritime Domain Awareness?" (Research the company's mission, products, and impact).

• "How do you adapt your design process to work effectively in a hybrid environment, especially with limited in-office time?" (Discuss your communication and collaboration strategies).

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure Your Presentation: Clearly define the problem, your role, your process, key challenges, design solutions (with visuals), and the outcomes/impact for each case study.

• Emphasize Figma and UX: Dedicate time to showing your Figma work, demonstrating component usage, prototyping capabilities, and how UX principles informed your UI decisions.

• Tell a Compelling Story: Engage your audience by explaining the "why" behind your decisions, not just the "what."

• Be Ready for Deep Dives: Anticipate questions about specific design choices, trade-offs, and your understanding of the user.

• Discuss Developer Handoff: Detail your methods for ensuring smooth collaboration with engineering teams.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation should focus on demonstrating Figma expertise, a robust design process, an understanding of UX principles, and the ability to work effectively in a hybrid, collaborative setting within a specialized industry.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this UI Designer position:

• Submit your application through the provided link on the SRT Marine Systems plc careers page.

• Portfolio Customization: Ensure your online portfolio prominently features your strongest UI/UX case studies, with a clear emphasis on your Figma proficiency and experience with design systems. Tailor the featured projects to highlight relevant skills for software applications.

• Resume Optimization: Update your resume to clearly state your years of experience, highlight proficiency in Figma, Photoshop, and Illustrator, and list any experience with Agile methodologies or design systems. Use keywords from the job description.

• Prepare Your Portfolio Walkthrough: Practice presenting 2-3 key case studies from your portfolio. Be ready to articulate your design process, the problems you solved, your Figma application, and the impact of your work.

• Company Research: Thoroughly research SRT Marine Systems plc, its mission, products, and the Maritime Domain Awareness (MDA) sector. Understand their commitment to innovation and quality. Clarify the Birmingham vs. Cardiff office location for hybrid work.

⚠️ Important Notice: This enhanced job description includes AI-generated insights and operations industry-standard assumptions. All details, particularly regarding the office location for hybrid work, should be verified directly with SRT Marine Systems plc before making application decisions.