UI Designer/Developer

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: UI Designer/Developer

Company: Blink UX

Location: Austin, TX

Job Type: Contract

Category: UI/UX Design & Development

Date Posted: 2026-04-30

Experience Level: Mid-Level (2-5 years)

Remote Status: Hybrid (3 days/week in-office)

🚀 Role Summary

• Design and develop visually appealing and functional front-end user interfaces (UI) for clients, translating complex business and customer needs into intuitive experiences.

• Collaborate closely with UX designers and other front-end developers to build and maintain robust, accessible design systems, ensuring consistency and brand integrity across platforms.

• Craft clean, efficient, and maintainable code for the look and feel of user interfaces, focusing on responsive layouts, interactions, and motion.

• Optimize UI code for maximum performance, stability, and long-term maintainability in a fast-paced, client-driven environment.

• Act as a key bridge between design and development, ensuring design integrity is maintained throughout the entire product lifecycle.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role blends UI design artistry with front-end development execution, requiring a candidate who can both conceptualize and code user interface elements. The "Embedded practice" suggests a long-term engagement with a specific Blink UX client, demanding strong client-facing communication and adaptability. The emphasis on "evidence-driven design" and "human-centered design principles" indicates a strategic approach to UI development, not just aesthetic execution.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Design and implement user-facing UI elements, including layouts, typography, color schemes, and interactive components, ensuring a delightful customer experience.

• Translate wireframes, mockups, and user stories into high-quality, production-ready code using modern front-end technologies.

• Develop and maintain responsive and mobile-first web applications, ensuring seamless functionality across various browsers and devices.

• Collaborate with UX/UI designers to iterate on visual designs, providing technical feasibility feedback and contributing to design system enhancements.

• Write and refactor clean, modular, and well-documented code, adhering to coding standards and best practices for maintainability and scalability.

• Optimize application performance by identifying and resolving bottlenecks related to rendering, asset loading, and JavaScript execution.

• Participate actively in cross-functional team meetings, design reviews, and code reviews, offering constructive feedback and insights.

• Create interactive prototypes and proofs-of-concept to explore innovative UI solutions and demonstrate technical possibilities to stakeholders.

• Ensure adherence to accessibility standards (WCAG) in all UI designs and code implementations.

• Work closely with QA engineers to identify, debug, and resolve UI-related defects.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a dual focus on both the visual/interactive design aspects (crafting code for look and feel, motion, interactions) and the technical implementation (writing clean, performant, maintainable code, optimization, debugging). The collaboration with "application/UI software engineers, UI/UX designers, and QA/Validation" signifies a true cross-functional team environment.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

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

Experience: 2-5 years of professional experience in UI design and front-end development, with a strong portfolio showcasing relevant work. Experience in a client-facing or agency environment, particularly within an embedded model, is highly advantageous.

Required Skills:

• Proven expertise in responsive design principles and mobile-first development methodologies.

• Deep understanding of modern UI design patterns, visual hierarchy, and user-centered design philosophies.

• Proficiency in core front-end technologies: HTML5, CSS3 (including preprocessors like Sass/LESS), and JavaScript (ES6+).

• Hands-on experience with the React JavaScript framework for building dynamic user interfaces.

• Familiarity with Node.js and package managers like npm for project development and dependency management.

• Experience using design and prototyping tools such as Sketch, Figma, or Adobe Creative Suite.

• Excellent communication, presentation, and interpersonal skills, with the ability to articulate design and technical concepts clearly.

• Strong collaboration skills, with a proven ability to work effectively within cross-functional teams.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience with accessibility best practices and implementing WCAG standards.

• Familiarity with UI animation libraries and techniques.

• Knowledge of front-end build tools (e.g., Webpack, Babel).

• Experience with version control systems, particularly Git.

• Understanding of UX research methodologies and how to integrate user feedback into design and development.

• Experience with performance optimization techniques for front-end applications.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "2-5 years" experience level suggests a mid-level role where candidates are expected to be largely independent but still learning and growing. The requirement for a portfolio is critical for this role, as it serves as tangible proof of design and development capabilities. The emphasis on both "UI design patterns" and "React JavaScript framework" clearly defines the hybrid nature of the position.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Showcase a minimum of 3-5 distinct projects that demonstrate both UI design proficiency and front-end development capabilities.

• Projects should clearly illustrate your role in the design process, from concept to implementation, highlighting problem-solving and decision-making.

• Include examples of responsive design implementation and how you ensured a consistent experience across various devices and screen sizes.

• Present case studies that detail your process for translating business requirements into functional UI components and interactive elements.

• Provide live links or well-documented code repositories (e.g., GitHub) for selected projects to allow for code inspection.

Process Documentation:

• For each project, outline the design and development process followed, including research, ideation, prototyping, coding, testing, and iteration phases.

• Detail the specific tools and technologies used for each project, with a focus on React, CSS, HTML, and design software.

• Document how you approached performance optimization and accessibility considerations throughout the development lifecycle.

• Explain your workflow for collaborating with designers, developers, and other stakeholders on projects.

• Provide examples of how you ensured design integrity from concept through to final implementation.

📝 Enhancement Note: Given the dual nature of the role, the portfolio must rigorously demonstrate both design thinking and coding execution. It should not be solely design mockups but should include functional components or live sites where the candidate's code is visible and demonstrable. The emphasis on process documentation is key for understanding their problem-solving methodology.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $100,000 - $107,000 per year (Depending on Experience - DOE)

Benefits: As this is a contract position, benefits typically depend on the specific client engagement and the contracting agency (if applicable). However, standard benefits often associated with contract roles of this nature may include:

• Competitive hourly or project-based rate.

• Potential for contract extension or conversion to full-time employment.

• Access to Blink UX's embedded practice network for support and community.

• Opportunities to work with leading companies and on impactful projects.

• Professional development opportunities through exposure to diverse client challenges.

Working Hours: Standard full-time hours, likely 40 hours per week. The hybrid nature requires 3 days per week in the Austin, TX office, with flexibility for the remaining 2 days (remote).

📝 Enhancement Note: The provided salary range of $100,000-$107,000 for a contract UI Designer/Developer in Austin, TX, aligns with mid-level to senior roles in technology hubs, especially for positions involving specialized skills like React development and client-facing responsibilities. Austin has a strong tech market, and this range reflects the demand for skilled professionals. The "DOE" (Depending on Experience) indicates that candidates with more extensive portfolios and relevant experience may negotiate towards the higher end. The lack of specific benefits listed is typical for contract roles, where compensation is often weighted towards the base rate, and benefits are managed by the individual or a third-party agency.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: User Experience (UX) Design Consulting, Technology Services, Digital Product Development. Blink UX operates at the intersection of design, technology, and business strategy, serving a wide array of industries including e-commerce, tech, healthcare, and finance.

Company Size: Blink UX is a mid-sized firm, with multiple studios (Austin, Boston, San Diego, San Francisco, Seattle) and a significant team of designers, researchers, and strategists. The "Embedded practice" suggests a model where consultants are integrated into client teams for extended periods.

Founded: Blink UX was founded over two decades ago, indicating a mature and established company with a strong reputation and deep industry experience.

Team Structure:

• You will likely be integrated into a client's existing product development team, working alongside their UI/UX designers, front-end developers, software engineers, and QA specialists.

• Within Blink UX, you'll be part of the "Embedded practice," which implies a supportive network of fellow embedded consultants, managed by Blink leadership.

Methodology:

• Blink UX emphasizes "evidence-driven design," meaning decisions are informed by user research and data, not just intuition.

• The company champions "human-centered design principles," ensuring that user needs, motivations, and behaviors are at the forefront of every design solution.

• Collaboration is key, with a focus on cross-functional teamwork and iterative development processes.

• The "Embedded practice" model requires adaptability, strong client relationship management, and the ability to integrate seamlessly into external team structures.

Company Website: https://www.blinkux.com/

📝 Enhancement Note: The company culture is client-focused and emphasizes rigorous, research-backed design processes. The embedded model means the candidate will experience a client's internal culture firsthand, requiring strong adaptability and professional maturity. Blink UX's long history suggests stability and a refined approach to design consulting.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is positioned as a Mid-Level UI Designer/Developer, typically requiring 2-5 years of professional experience. It's a crucial role for individuals looking to deepen their expertise in both UI design and front-end development, bridging the gap between creative conceptualization and technical implementation.

Reporting Structure: You will likely report to a Project Lead or Design/Engineering Manager within the client organization for project-specific tasks and performance. You will also maintain a connection with Blink UX for professional development and potential ongoing support within their embedded practice framework.

Operations Impact: This role directly impacts the usability, appeal, and functionality of client products. By crafting intuitive interfaces and ensuring seamless user experiences, you contribute directly to user satisfaction, engagement, conversion rates, and ultimately, the client's business objectives and revenue. Your work will be visible to end-users and critical for the success of the digital products you help build.

Growth Opportunities:

• Skill Specialization: Deepen expertise in React, advanced CSS techniques, accessibility standards, or specific UI animation libraries.

• Design System Leadership: Take on more responsibility in architecting, building, and maintaining complex design systems for large-scale applications.

• Client Relationship Management: Develop stronger client-facing skills, potentially leading design discussions or technical explanations.

• Cross-Disciplinary Learning: Gain exposure to UX research, product strategy, and other areas within the product development lifecycle.

• Mentorship: As experience grows, potentially mentor junior designers or developers within the Blink UX or client teams.

• Transition to Senior Roles: Progress to Senior UI Designer/Developer roles, taking on more complex projects and strategic responsibilities.

📝 Enhancement Note: The growth opportunities emphasize both technical depth in UI/React and soft skills like client management. The "embedded practice" model offers unique exposure to diverse corporate environments, which can accelerate learning and career progression by working on different product challenges and within varied team structures.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: This is a hybrid role requiring 3 days per week in the Blink UX client's office located in Austin, TX. The remaining 2 days can be worked remotely. This offers a blend of in-person collaboration and remote flexibility.

Office Location(s): The specific client office location in Austin, TX, will be provided upon engagement. Austin is a vibrant tech hub with a well-developed infrastructure, offering a dynamic work environment.

Workspace Context:

• In-Office: Expect a typical corporate office environment with collaborative spaces, meeting rooms, and individual workstations. This setting facilitates direct interaction with client team members, fostering spontaneous discussions and team cohesion.

• Remote: Access to a stable internet connection and a dedicated workspace at home will be necessary for remote workdays.

• Tools & Technology: You will have access to the client's standard technology stack, including necessary hardware, software licenses, and collaboration tools (e.g., Slack, Microsoft Teams, Jira).

Work Schedule: The standard work schedule is expected to be around 40 hours per week, with the hybrid model allowing for 3 days in the office and 2 days remote. Flexibility may be available based on client needs and team agreements, but core hours for collaboration will likely be established.

📝 Enhancement Note: The hybrid arrangement is standard for many roles post-pandemic, balancing the benefits of in-person collaboration with the flexibility of remote work. The candidate must be comfortable navigating both environments and adapting their work style accordingly. The specific client's office culture and amenities will shape the in-office experience.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A brief call with a Blink UX recruiter to assess basic qualifications, experience alignment, and interest in the role and embedded practice model.

• Portfolio Review & Technical Interview: A more in-depth session with Blink UX leadership and potentially client stakeholders. This will involve presenting your portfolio, discussing your design process, and answering technical questions related to UI design and front-end development (React, CSS, HTML). Be prepared to walk through specific projects, detailing your contributions and problem-solving approaches.

• Client Interview: If successful, you will likely have interviews with the client team you would be embedded with. This may include discussions with potential managers, team leads, and peers to assess cultural fit and direct project alignment.

• Final Offer: A formal offer will be extended by Blink UX, outlining the contract terms, compensation, and start date.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select projects that best showcase your blend of UI design creativity and robust front-end development skills, particularly using React.

• Tell a Story: For each project, clearly articulate the problem, your role, your process, the challenges faced, and the successful outcomes. Quantify impact where possible.

• Code Samples: Be ready to share links to live projects or well-organized GitHub repositories that demonstrate your coding proficiency, clean architecture, and adherence to best practices.

• Highlight Collaboration: Emphasize how you worked with designers, developers, and stakeholders to achieve project goals.

• Tailor to the Role: Ensure your portfolio highlights experience with responsive design, accessibility, and performance optimization, as these are key requirements.

Challenge Preparation:

• Design Challenge (Optional): You might be given a small design or coding challenge to complete within a set timeframe. This could involve creating a UI component, optimizing a piece of code, or responding to a design brief.

• Technical Questions: Prepare for questions on React fundamentals, state management, component lifecycle, CSS specificity, responsive techniques, and debugging strategies.

• Behavioral Questions: Anticipate questions about teamwork, handling feedback, managing competing priorities, and adapting to new environments (especially relevant for embedded roles).

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process is designed to validate both technical skills and the ability to integrate into a client's team. The portfolio is paramount, serving as the primary evidence of capability. Candidates should be prepared to present their work articulately and defend their technical and design decisions.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Design & Prototyping: Sketch, Figma, Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator). Candidates should be proficient in at least one, ideally with experience across multiple.

• Front-end Framework: React.js is a core requirement.

• Core Web Technologies: HTML5, CSS3 (including preprocessors like Sass/LESS), JavaScript (ES6+).

• Development Environment: Node.js, npm (Node Package Manager).

• Version Control: Git (with platforms like GitHub, GitLab, or Bitbucket).

Analytics & Reporting:

• While not explicitly listed as a requirement for this role, familiarity with basic analytics tools (e.g., Google Analytics) and understanding how UI impacts user behavior metrics is beneficial.

CRM & Automation:

• Not directly applicable to the UI Designer/Developer role, but understanding how UI integrates with CRM systems or marketing automation platforms from a user experience perspective can be a plus if the client's product involves such integrations.

• Experience with project management tools like Jira or Asana is common in client environments.

📝 Enhancement Note: The technology stack is heavily focused on modern front-end development with React, complemented by industry-standard design tools. Proficiency in these specific technologies is critical for success in this role. The expectation is that candidates are not only users of these tools but can also optimize their use for efficiency and quality.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• User-Centricity: A deep commitment to understanding and serving user needs through thoughtful design and development.

• Collaboration: Valuing teamwork, open communication, and constructive feedback to achieve shared goals.

• Excellence: Striving for high-quality outcomes in both design aesthetics and code performance.

• Adaptability: Embracing change, learning new technologies, and integrating effectively into diverse client environments.

• Data-Driven Decisions: Using research and analytics to inform design and development choices.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-functional Integration: Working closely with UX researchers, UX/UI designers, front-end developers, back-end engineers, product managers, and QA testers.

• Iterative Feedback Loops: Regularly sharing work, soliciting feedback, and incorporating it into subsequent iterations of designs and code.

• Knowledge Sharing: Proactively sharing insights, best practices, and learnings with team members to elevate the collective skill set.

• Client Partnership: Maintaining a professional and collaborative relationship with the client team, acting as a trusted advisor and contributing positively to their internal culture.

📝 Enhancement Note: The values reflect a professional services environment focused on client success and high-quality deliverables. The collaborative style is essential for the embedded model, requiring strong interpersonal skills and a proactive approach to team integration.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing Design and Development: Effectively managing the dual responsibilities of creating aesthetically pleasing designs and writing technically sound, performant code.

• Client Integration: Seamlessly integrating into a client's existing team culture, workflows, and technology stack, which may differ significantly from Blink UX's internal practices.

• Fast-Paced Environments: Adapting to tight deadlines and rapidly evolving project requirements common in client-facing roles.

• Technical Debt Management: Working with existing codebases that may have varying levels of technical debt and implementing improvements efficiently.

• Stakeholder Alignment: Navigating different opinions and priorities among various client stakeholders to ensure cohesive product development.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Exposure to Diverse Industries: Gaining experience across a wide range of client industries, each with unique user bases and business challenges.

• Advanced Tooling & Techniques: Learning and applying new features in React, advanced CSS, and emerging UI development patterns.

• Client-Specific Processes: Understanding and adapting to various client project management methodologies (Agile, Scrum, Kanban, Waterfall).

• Embedded Practice Network: Access to ongoing learning resources and peer support from other Blink UX consultants in embedded roles.

• Portfolio Enhancement: Each client project provides valuable additions to your professional portfolio, demonstrating versatility and impact.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges are typical for embedded consultants, emphasizing adaptability and problem-solving. The growth opportunities are significant, driven by the variety of client engagements and the exposure to different business and technical environments.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a complex UI challenge you faced and how you approached it, covering both design and development aspects." (Focus on your process, tools, and solutions.)

• "How do you ensure your UI designs are accessible and performant across different devices and browsers?" (Highlight specific techniques, tools, and standards.)

• "Walk us through your process for translating a business requirement into a functional UI component using React." (Demonstrate your end-to-end workflow.)

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What interests you about Blink UX and our embedded practice model?" (Research Blink's mission, values, and recent work.)

• "How do you adapt to new team dynamics and company cultures quickly?" (Share examples of successful integrations into past teams.)

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure Your Narrative: For each project, use a clear "Problem -> Solution -> Outcome" framework.

• Show, Don't Just Tell: Use visual aids (screenshots, mockups, live demos) extensively. For code examples, highlight specific sections that demonstrate key skills.

• Quantify Impact: Wherever possible, use metrics and data to demonstrate the success of your work (e.g., improved conversion rates, reduced bounce rates, positive user feedback).

• Be Ready for Deep Dives: Prepare to answer detailed questions about your design decisions, coding choices, and problem-solving approach for each project.

• Highlight Collaboration: Explicitly mention how you interacted with other team members and stakeholders throughout the project lifecycle.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation should focus on demonstrating the candidate's ability to think critically, solve problems, and communicate effectively about both design and technical aspects. For embedded roles, adaptability and team integration are key themes.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this operations position:

• Submit your application through the provided link on Lever.co.

• Portfolio Customization: Tailor your resume and portfolio to prominently feature projects that showcase your UI design skills alongside your front-end development expertise, particularly with React. Ensure your portfolio includes live examples or well-documented code.

• Resume Optimization: Highlight your experience with responsive design, modern UI patterns, and specific technologies (React, HTML, CSS, JavaScript, Figma/Sketch). Quantify achievements with metrics where possible.

• Interview Preparation: Practice articulating your design process, coding methodology, and collaborative experiences. Prepare to present your portfolio and discuss your problem-solving approaches for both design and development challenges.

• Company Research: Familiarize yourself with Blink UX's mission, values, and client portfolio. Understand the benefits and challenges of an embedded consulting model. Research the potential client industry if known to anticipate their specific needs.

⚠️ 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.

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