UI/UX Desginer / Product Designer (m/w/d)

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: UI/UX Designer / Product Designer (m/w/d)

Company: hiqs GmbH

Location: Heilbronn, Germany

Job Type: Full-Time

Category: Product Design / UI/UX Design

Date Posted: October 29, 2025

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

Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• Design and develop user-centered interfaces for sophisticated software solutions, focusing on intuitive usability and aesthetic appeal.

• Collaborate closely with product management and engineering teams to translate complex technical functionalities into clear, user-friendly workflows and visually cohesive designs.

• Create and maintain essential design artifacts, including wireframes, prototypes, and comprehensive design systems, to ensure consistency and efficiency across products.

• Analyze and optimize existing user experiences, driving continuous improvement through data-informed design decisions and a strong understanding of user needs.

• Contribute to the overall visual language and design guidelines of hiqs' product portfolio, particularly within the AI and digital product innovation space.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the title is UI/UX Designer / Product Designer, the core responsibilities heavily lean into product design with a strong emphasis on translating complex software and AI functionalities into user-friendly interfaces. The role requires a blend of visual design, interaction design, and a strategic understanding of product development cycles.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Conceptualize, design, and craft modern, user-centric interfaces for both web and software applications, ensuring optimal usability and aesthetic appeal.

• Develop and continuously refine UI/UX concepts in close partnership with product management and the development teams, fostering a collaborative design process.

• Produce detailed wireframes, interactive prototypes, and robust design systems to guide development and ensure design consistency across all product touchpoints.

• Conduct thorough analysis of existing user experiences, identifying areas for improvement and implementing data-driven optimizations to enhance user satisfaction and product effectiveness.

• Effectively translate complex technical features and functionalities into clear, understandable user flows and intuitive interactions.

• Actively participate in shaping the visual identity and design language of hiqs' products, ensuring a cohesive and professional brand representation.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a need for proactive engagement in the entire design lifecycle, from initial concept to ongoing optimization. Emphasis on translating complex technical features into user-friendly designs suggests a need for strong analytical skills alongside creative design abilities.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

Experience:

Required Skills:

• Proven expertise in UI/UX Design principles and best practices.

• Strong proficiency in Interaction Design, focusing on creating intuitive and efficient user journeys.

• Demonstrated ability in Communication Design, ensuring clear and effective visual messaging.

• Deep understanding of Usability principles and user-centered design methodologies.

• Skill in maintaining and advocating for Design Consistency across diverse product interfaces.

• Ability to analyze and synthesize User Needs, translating them into actionable design solutions.

• Capacity to understand and integrate Technical Requirements into design specifications.

• High levels of Creativity and a keen eye for detail.

• Precision in execution and a commitment to delivering high-quality design work.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience in developing and managing Design Systems.

• Familiarity with prototyping tools beyond basic wireframing (e.g., interactive prototypes).

• Understanding of User Research methodologies and their application in design.

• Experience with designing for Artificial Intelligence (AI) interfaces or complex data visualization.

• Knowledge of agile development methodologies and their impact on design workflows.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on "several years of experience" suggests a mid-level role, requiring more than just foundational skills. The combination of "Usability," "Design Consistency," and "User Needs Analysis" points towards a role that values a user-first approach grounded in practical application within enterprise software.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Showcase a minimum of 2-3 distinct projects demonstrating end-to-end UI/UX and product design experience, ideally within enterprise software or complex digital applications.

• Clearly articulate your role and contributions within each project, highlighting specific design challenges and your innovative solutions.

• Provide examples of wireframes, user flows, interactive prototypes, and final UI designs, illustrating the progression from concept to polished product.

• Include case studies that detail your process for user research, analysis of user needs, and how technical requirements were integrated into the design.

Process Documentation:

• For each portfolio project, detail the design process followed, including any user testing or feedback loops.

• Explain how you approached translating complex technical functionalities into understandable user experiences.

• Showcase examples of how you analyzed and optimized existing user journeys to improve usability and efficiency.

• Illustrate the collaborative process with product management and development teams.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a mid-level UI/UX/Product Designer, a portfolio is critical. It should not just be a gallery of work but a narrative demonstrating problem-solving skills, process, and impact. The focus on translating complex technical features is a key differentiator for this role.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

• Based on industry benchmarks for a UI/UX Product Designer with 2-5 years of experience in Heilbronn, Germany, the estimated annual gross salary range is €45,000 - €65,000.

• Methodology: This estimate is derived from analyzing salary data for similar roles in the Heilbronn region and Germany via platforms like Glassdoor, Kununu, and LinkedIn Salary, adjusted for the specified experience level and the company's focus on advanced technology (AI, software solutions).

Benefits:

• Creative Freedom: Significant scope for personal ideas and the development of innovative, creative solutions.

• Modern Work Environment: Access to a contemporary workspace with high-quality equipment and tools necessary for design excellence.

• Flexible Working Hours: Options for flexible scheduling to accommodate personal needs and promote work-life balance.

• Flat Hierarchies: An organizational structure that facilitates direct communication, quick decision-making, and reduced bureaucracy.

• Valued Collaboration: A supportive and appreciative team environment where mutual respect and collaboration are paramount.

• Exciting Projects: Opportunity to work on cutting-edge projects within the fields of Artificial Intelligence and innovative digital products.

Working Hours:

• The standard working hours are approximately 40 hours per week, with flexibility offered to accommodate individual needs and project demands.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range is an estimate for the German market at this experience level and location. Actual compensation will depend on the candidate's specific qualifications, portfolio, and negotiation. The listed benefits are directly extracted from the provided text and framed for clarity.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Technology, Software Development, Artificial Intelligence (AI) Solutions.

hiqs GmbH operates at the intersection of advanced software development and the practical application of Artificial Intelligence. They focus on helping businesses rethink processes and integrate AI into their daily operations. This context implies a forward-thinking, innovative, and technically adept work environment.

Company Size: While not explicitly stated, the presence of a dedicated HR contact and a structured application process suggests a company beyond a small startup, likely in the Small to Medium-sized Enterprise (SME) range, possibly 50-250 employees.

Founded: The founding date is not provided, but the company's focus on AI and modern software solutions indicates a relatively contemporary establishment or a strong commitment to evolving technologies.

Team Structure:

• The UI/UX Designer will be part of a product development team, working closely with Product Management and Software Engineering.

• Reporting lines are expected to be relatively flat, consistent with the stated company culture.

Methodology:

• Data-Driven Design: The role requires an analytical approach to understanding user behavior and optimizing experiences, likely involving user feedback and analytics.

• Agile Product Development: Collaboration with development teams suggests an agile or iterative approach to product creation and design.

• User-Centricity: A core methodology is translating complex technology into intuitive user experiences, placing the user at the center of the design process.

Company Website: http://hiqs.de

📝 Enhancement Note: The company's focus on AI and process optimization for businesses positions it as a potentially innovative and growth-oriented employer. The culture seems to value creativity, collaboration, and a modern approach to work.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is positioned as a Mid-Level Designer (2-5 years of experience). It requires independent contribution to design tasks, the ability to manage design projects from conception to implementation, and a solid understanding of user-centered design principles within a software development context. The designer is expected to be a key contributor, not just an executor.

Reporting Structure: The UI/UX Designer will likely report to a Product Lead, Head of Product, or a Senior Designer, depending on the team's specific structure. Collaboration is emphasized across product management and engineering.

Operations Impact: The UI/UX Designer's impact is crucial for the successful adoption and usability of hiqs' AI and software solutions. By creating intuitive and engaging interfaces, the designer directly influences customer satisfaction, user efficiency, and ultimately, the market success and perceived value of the company's products. A well-designed product can be a significant competitive advantage.

Growth Opportunities:

• Specialization: Deepen expertise in specific areas of UI/UX design, such as interaction design for complex systems, design systems architecture, or user research methodologies.

• Leadership: Progress into a Senior Designer or Design Lead role, mentoring junior designers and taking ownership of larger design initiatives.

• Product Strategy: Contribute more significantly to product strategy discussions, leveraging design insights to influence product direction and roadmap.

• Skill Development: Opportunities to learn about AI applications and how to design for emerging technologies, expanding the designer's technical and conceptual toolkit.

📝 Enhancement Note: The role offers a clear path for growth within the design discipline, with potential to move into leadership or contribute more strategically to product development, especially given the company's focus on AI.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The description implies a modern, well-equipped office environment conducive to creative and collaborative work. It's an on-site role, suggesting a physical workspace designed for team interaction.

Office Location(s): The primary office is located in Heilbronn, Germany, at Lise-Meitner-Straße 8, 74074 Heilbronn. This location is central to the company's operations.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Atmosphere: The emphasis on "wertschätzendes Miteinander" (appreciative togetherness) and collaboration indicates a workplace where teamwork and open communication are encouraged.

• Tools & Technology: A "moderne Arbeitsumgebung mit hochwertiger Ausstattung" suggests access to up-to-date hardware, software, and design tools necessary for high-quality work.

• Team Interaction: Being an on-site role, there will be ample opportunity for face-to-face interaction with colleagues in product management, development, and potentially other designers.

Work Schedule: Flexible working hours are offered, allowing employees to structure their workday within general operational needs, balancing personal life with project requirements. This flexibility is beneficial for deep work sessions required for design tasks.

📝 Enhancement Note: The on-site requirement in Heilbronn, combined with flexible hours, suggests a company that values in-person collaboration and team synergy while still offering some autonomy in scheduling.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A review of your application, CV, references, and most importantly, your portfolio, to assess your foundational skills and experience.

• Portfolio Presentation & Discussion: Likely an interview where you present selected projects from your portfolio, discussing your design process, user-centric approach, and how you translated technical complexities into user-friendly solutions. Expect questions about your decision-making rationale.

• Team/Stakeholder Interviews: Meetings with members of the product management and development teams to evaluate collaboration skills, cultural fit, and your understanding of their workflows.

• Technical/Design Challenge (Potential): You might be asked to complete a small design exercise or a case study to assess your problem-solving abilities, creativity, and approach to specific design challenges relevant to hiqs' products.

• Final Interview: Possibly with a senior leader to discuss overall fit, career aspirations, and confirm mutual interest.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Selectively: Choose projects that best showcase your skills in UI/UX and Product Design, especially those involving complex software or AI. Highlight your problem-solving process rather than just the final visuals.

• Tell a Story: For each project, clearly outline the problem, your role, the process you followed (research, ideation, prototyping, testing), your design decisions, and the outcome/impact.

• Showcase Process: Include wireframes, user flows, and interactive prototypes to demonstrate your design thinking. Explain why you made certain choices.

• Quantify Impact: If possible, include metrics or qualitative feedback that demonstrate the success of your designs (e.g., improved conversion rates, reduced task completion time, positive user feedback).

• Tailor to hiqs: Briefly explain why your skills and experience are a good fit for hiqs' focus on AI and innovative software solutions.

Challenge Preparation:

• Understand the Context: If a challenge is given, ensure you fully grasp the problem statement and the business/user context provided by hiqs.

• Focus on Process: Demonstrate a clear, logical design process. It's often more about how you approach a problem than arriving at a single "perfect" solution.

• Communicate Clearly: Articulate your thought process, assumptions, and design decisions concisely and effectively.

• Be Realistic: Given time constraints, focus on core user needs and key interactions.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on translating complex technical functions and AI into user-friendly designs means your portfolio should ideally contain examples that address this. Be prepared to discuss your process extensively.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Design & Prototyping: Proficiency in industry-standard design tools is expected. This likely includes:

  • Figma: For collaborative design, wireframing, prototyping, and design system management.
  • Sketch: Another popular tool for UI design, especially on macOS.
  • Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator): For asset creation and graphic design tasks.
  • Prototyping Tools: Such as InVision, Marvel, or built-in Figma/Sketch prototyping features for creating interactive user flows.

• Design Systems: Experience in creating, contributing to, or utilizing design systems for maintaining consistency and efficiency.

Analytics & Reporting:

CRM & Automation:

• Generally not directly used by UI/UX designers, but understanding how CRM systems (like Salesforce, HubSpot) and automation platforms integrate with user-facing applications can provide valuable context.

📝 Enhancement Note: The core requirement is proficiency in design and prototyping tools essential for UI/UX and Product Design. Given the company's focus on software and AI, familiarity with tools that support complex interface design and system integration is a plus.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Passion for Technology & Design: A shared enthusiasm for combining cutting-edge technology with excellent design execution.

• Creativity & Innovation: Encouragement to bring forward new ideas and explore innovative solutions, especially in the AI space.

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

• Quality & Precision: A dedication to high standards in both technical development and design execution.

• Collaboration & Appreciation: A culture that fosters mutual respect, open communication, and a supportive team environment.

• Efficiency & Optimization: A drive to improve processes and product experiences, aligning with the company's mission to help businesses optimize their operations.

Collaboration Style:

• Interdisciplinary: The role thrives on close collaboration with product managers and developers, requiring clear communication and mutual understanding across different functional areas.

• Iterative: A willingness to engage in iterative design processes, incorporating feedback and adapting designs based on team input and user testing.

• Knowledge Sharing: An environment where ideas are shared openly, and team members learn from each other's expertise.

📝 Enhancement Note: The company culture appears to be a blend of technical innovation and human-centric design, with a strong emphasis on teamwork and continuous improvement.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Translating Complexity: The primary challenge is effectively translating intricate AI functionalities and sophisticated software processes into simple, intuitive, and visually appealing user interfaces.

• Balancing Needs: Harmonizing diverse stakeholder needs (users, product management, engineering, business objectives) into cohesive and effective design solutions.

• Staying Current: Keeping pace with rapid advancements in AI technology and design trends to ensure products remain innovative and competitive.

• Design System Evolution: Contributing to and evolving a design system that supports a growing product suite and diverse functionalities.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• AI Design Expertise: Gain specialized knowledge in designing user experiences for Artificial Intelligence applications, a rapidly growing field.

• Advanced Design Methodologies: Deepen skills in areas like advanced prototyping, user research, and design strategy.

• Cross-functional Understanding: Develop a stronger grasp of software development lifecycles, product management strategy, and business operations integration.

• Industry Exposure: Work on projects that are at the forefront of digital transformation and AI adoption for businesses.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges are directly tied to the company's core business—innovative AI and software solutions—presenting unique design problems that can foster significant professional development.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• Design Process: "Walk me through your process for designing a new feature for a complex enterprise software application. How do you approach user research, ideation, and iteration?"

• Translating Complexity: "Describe a time you had to design an interface for a technically challenging or abstract concept. How did you make it intuitive and user-friendly?"

• Handling Feedback: "How do you handle constructive criticism or conflicting feedback from stakeholders (e.g., product managers vs. engineers) on your designs?"

• Design Systems: "What is your experience with design systems? How do you ensure consistency and scalability in your designs?"

Company & Culture Questions:

• Company Alignment: "What interests you about hiqs GmbH and our focus on AI solutions for businesses?"

• Collaboration: "How do you prefer to collaborate with developers and product managers? What makes a successful cross-functional design partnership?"

• Motivation: "What drives your passion for UI/UX and product design, especially in the context of technology?"

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Focus on Impact: For each project, clearly state the problem, your solution, and the tangible outcome or impact of your design. Use metrics where possible.

• Explain Your 'Why': Be ready to articulate the rationale behind your design decisions—why you chose a particular layout, interaction pattern, or visual element.

• Demonstrate Process: Show the journey from initial sketches/wireframes to high-fidelity mockups and prototypes. This showcases your problem-solving approach.

• Interactive Elements: If presenting prototypes, ensure they are smooth and effectively demonstrate key user flows. Be prepared to navigate them confidently.

• Conciseness: Structure your presentation to be engaging but to the point, respecting the interviewers' time.

📝 Enhancement Note: Expect interviewers to probe deeply into your design process and your ability to handle the unique challenges of designing for complex technology like AI. Your portfolio is your primary tool for demonstrating this.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this UI/UX Designer / Product Designer position:

• Submit your application through the provided link on join.com, including your CV, relevant certificates, and any other requested documents.

• Portfolio Customization: Ensure your portfolio prominently features projects that demonstrate your experience in UI/UX design, product design, and ideally, experience with complex software or AI-related interfaces. Tailor your project selection to highlight your ability to translate technical complexity into user-friendly designs.

• Resume Optimization: Highlight keywords such as "UI/UX Design," "Product Design," "Interaction Design," "User-Centered Design," "Prototyping," "Wireframing," and any experience with AI or enterprise software. Quantify achievements where possible.

• Interview Preparation: Practice articulating your design process, decision-making, and problem-solving skills. Be ready to present your portfolio projects with confidence and answer questions about your experience with technical translation and user needs analysis.

• Company Research: Familiarize yourself with hiqs GmbH's mission, products, and their focus on AI solutions. Understand their values regarding collaboration, innovation, and user experience to demonstrate your alignment during the interview.

⚠️ 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.