UI/UX Design & User Researcher (m/w/d)

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: UI/UX Design & User Researcher (m/w/d) Company: Vilor GmbH Location: Remote (Home Office 10, Bayern, DE - 12345) Job Type: Full-time Category: Product Design / User Experience Operations Date Posted: 2025-11-25 Experience Level: 5-10 Years Remote Status: Fully Remote (with optional office presence in Cologne, Germany)

🚀 Role Summary

• Drive end-to-end product design ownership, from ideation and wireframing to prototyping and implementation, ensuring user-centricity throughout the product lifecycle.
• Develop and maintain the company's design system and style guides in collaboration with marketing to ensure brand consistency and a cohesive user interface (UI).
• Conduct comprehensive user research and usability testing, gathering qualitative and quantitative feedback to inform product development and validate design decisions.
• Act as a cross-functional user advocate, working closely with engineering, product, and marketing teams to translate customer needs and feedback into intuitive and effective design solutions.
• Contribute to the growth of a mission-driven company in the Green Tech and renewable energy sector, impacting the "Wärmewende" (heating transition).

📝 Enhancement Note: While the job title is "UI/UX Design & User Researcher," the responsibilities and requirements indicate a role deeply embedded within product development operations. The emphasis on full product lifecycle ownership, design system maintenance, and cross-functional collaboration aligns with a Product Operations or UX Operations function, rather than a purely creative design role. The mention of "agile developer team" and "product development cycle" further reinforces this operational context.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• End-to-End Product Design Ownership: Lead the complete product development cycle, including ideation, user flow mapping, wireframing, prototyping (using Figma), and post-implementation validation and maintenance.
• Design System Management: Maintain and evolve visual and interactive elements of the user interface (UI). Spearhead the creation and upkeep of style guides and design systems to ensure brand consistency across all product touchpoints.
• User Research & Testing: Independently conduct user research, usability tests, and direct customer interactions. Proactively gather feedback on designs and features from app users and sales customers. Maintain a database of personas and research findings.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Work collaboratively with product management, engineering, marketing, and sales teams to build a deep understanding of customer needs. Champion the user's perspective in all product development phases, ensuring a consistent and user-oriented design.
• Agile Development Integration: Actively participate in an agile development environment, contributing UX/UI expertise to sprint planning, reviews, and retrospectives.
• Brand Consistency Assurance: Collaborate with the marketing department to ensure all UI elements and design outputs align with brand guidelines and marketing objectives.

📝 Enhancement Note: The description emphasizes a holistic approach to product design that extends beyond visual aesthetics to encompass the entire user journey and its integration with business objectives. This suggests a need for someone who can not only design but also understand the operational impact of design decisions on user adoption, customer satisfaction, and ultimately, business growth within the renewable energy sector.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: While no specific degree is mandated, a strong portfolio demonstrating relevant skills and experience is paramount. A background in Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), Design, Psychology, or a related field is beneficial.

Experience:

• Minimum 4 years of professional experience in UI/UX Design.
• Minimum 2 years of experience in end-to-end user research.
• Experience with B2C subscription models, ideally within Green Tech or renewable energy sectors, is preferred.
• Familiarity with frontend development (e.g., Vue.js) is a plus but not mandatory.

Required Skills:

• Proficiency in Design Tools: Expert-level command of modern design and prototyping tools, specifically Figma.
• User Research Expertise: Demonstrated ability to conduct qualitative and quantitative user research, usability testing, and customer interviews. Skill in transforming feedback into actionable insights.
• Design System Development: Experience in building, maintaining, and evolving design systems, style guides, and component libraries.
• Product Development Lifecycle Understanding: Comprehensive knowledge of the entire product development cycle, from ideation to validation and iteration.
• Communication Proficiency: Exceptional communication skills in both written and spoken German and English, with the confidence to lead customer interviews and present design concepts.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Proven ability to work effectively with diverse teams (product, engineering, marketing).
• Agile Methodologies: Understanding of and experience working within agile development frameworks.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience in Green Tech or renewable energy sectors.
• Understanding of B2C subscription models.
• Basic knowledge of frontend development technologies (e.g., Vue.js).
• Experience with A/B testing and data-driven design iteration.

📝 Enhancement Note: The requirement for fluent German and English, coupled with the specific mention of conducting German customer interviews, highlights the critical importance of strong communication and cultural understanding for this role. The preference for Green Tech/renewable energy experience suggests the company values domain-specific knowledge and passion.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• End-to-End Case Studies: Showcase at least 2-3 comprehensive case studies demonstrating your involvement across the entire product development lifecycle – from initial problem definition and user research to wireframing, prototyping, user testing, and final implementation.
• Design System Contribution: Include examples of your work on design systems, style guides, or component libraries, illustrating your understanding of scalability, consistency, and maintainability.
• User Research Insights: Present clear examples of how your user research findings directly influenced design decisions and led to measurable improvements in user experience or product outcomes.
• Process Documentation Examples: Provide samples of process documentation, such as user flow diagrams, user journey maps, or usability test reports, that clearly articulate your design process and methodologies.
• Figma Proficiency: Ensure your portfolio prominently features work created using Figma, demonstrating your mastery of its features for wireframing, prototyping, and design system management.

Process Documentation:

• Demonstrate experience in documenting design processes, including user flows, information architecture, and interaction design specifications.
• Exhibit an ability to articulate the rationale behind design choices, linking them to user needs and business objectives.
• Showcase how you gather, analyze, and synthesize user feedback to iterate on designs and improve product usability.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a UI/UX and User Research role, the portfolio is paramount. It serves as the primary evidence of skills and experience. The emphasis on "end-to-end" and "process" indicates that candidates should prepare to discuss their methodologies, decision-making frameworks, and how they translate research into tangible design outcomes, rather than just showcasing final visual outputs.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: For a UI/UX Designer & User Researcher with 5-10 years of experience in Germany, particularly in a remote capacity for a startup in the Green Tech sector, the estimated salary range is typically between €60,000 and €85,000 per year. This estimate is based on industry benchmarks for similar roles in Germany, considering the company's stage (startup) and the specialized nature of the required skills (UI/UX, research, design systems, Green Tech interest).

Benefits:

• Flexible Work Arrangement: 100% remote work option or hybrid model with access to a modern office in Cologne.
• Career Growth: Opportunities for professional development and career advancement within a rapidly growing startup.
• Impactful Work: Contribute to the "Wärmewende" (heating transition) and make a tangible impact on climate-friendly heating solutions.
• Agile & Collaborative Environment: Work in a dynamic, agile team with flat hierarchies and open communication.
• Team Engagement: Regular virtual events and in-person meetups in Cologne to foster team spirit and cohesion.
• Equipment: Provision of necessary tools and technology to facilitate remote work.

Working Hours: The standard working hours are approximately 40 hours per week, with flexibility offered to accommodate remote work and agile team collaboration.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range is an estimate for the German market and a role of this seniority and specialization. Actual compensation may vary based on the candidate's specific experience, qualifications, and negotiation. The benefits are inferred from the "Warum wir?" section, emphasizing flexibility, impact, and growth, which are common in startup environments.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Technology, Energy, Environmental & Sustainability, Software. Vilor GmbH operates within the Green Tech and renewable energy sector, focusing on climate-friendly heating solutions as part of the "Wärmewende" (heating transition).

Company Size: While not explicitly stated, the description implies a growing startup environment with an agile development team and ambitions for significant market impact. This suggests a company size that allows for influence and direct contribution, likely between 50-200 employees.

Founded: The founding date is not provided, but the company's focus on a critical market transition (Wärmewende) and its startup characteristics suggest it is likely a relatively young, dynamic organization.

Team Structure:

• The UI/UX Designer & User Researcher will be an integral part of an agile development team, working closely with product managers, engineers, and marketing specialists.
• The role involves cross-functional collaboration, indicating a matrixed or project-based team structure where individuals contribute their expertise to various product initiatives.
• Flat hierarchies are mentioned, suggesting an environment where direct communication and input from all team members are valued.

Methodology:

• User-Centric Design: The core methodology revolves around user-centricity, ensuring all product decisions are informed by user needs and research data.
• Agile Development: The team operates within an agile framework, emphasizing iterative development, continuous feedback, and adaptability.
• Data-Driven Insights: User research and customer feedback are leveraged to generate actionable insights that drive product improvements and strategic decisions.
• Cross-Functional Teamwork: Emphasis on collaboration across departments (Tech, Marketing, Sales) to achieve common goals.

Company Website: Vilor GmbH (domain inferred as vilor.com from data, but not explicitly provided in listing)

📝 Enhancement Note: The company culture is described as dynamic, mission-driven, and focused on impact within the renewable energy sector. This suggests a workplace that values passion, innovation, and collaborative problem-solving. The emphasis on "real depth, no buzzwords" implies a preference for substance and genuine technical/economic expertise.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is positioned as a mid-to-senior level position within the Product Design and User Experience function. It requires significant autonomy in executing design and research tasks, managing a part of the product lifecycle, and contributing to strategic decisions related to user experience. The "End-to-End Product Design Ownership" responsibility points towards a significant level of trust and responsibility.

Reporting Structure: The UI/UX Designer & User Researcher will report into a Product or Engineering leadership role, likely a Head of Product, Lead Designer, or CTO, within the agile development team. They will collaborate closely with product managers and engineering leads.

Operations Impact: The role's impact is directly tied to enhancing user adoption, satisfaction, and retention for Vilor GmbH's climate-friendly heating solutions. By ensuring intuitive and effective product design and user experiences, this role contributes significantly to the company's mission, market competitiveness, and revenue generation through its subscription models.

Growth Opportunities:

• Specialization: Deepen expertise in UI/UX design for Green Tech or specific subscription models, becoming a subject matter expert.
• Leadership: Progress into a Lead UX Designer or Product Design Manager role, overseeing a team and setting design strategy.
• Broader Product Scope: Expand responsibilities to encompass more complex product areas or new feature development initiatives.
• Process Improvement: Lead initiatives to refine and optimize the product development and design processes within the organization.
• Industry Expertise: Become a recognized expert in UX for the renewable energy sector.

📝 Enhancement Note: The growth opportunities are framed within the context of a growing startup. This implies that individuals who demonstrate initiative, strong performance, and adaptability can expect significant opportunities for advancement and increased responsibility as the company scales. The emphasis on "making career" suggests a path for individual contributors to grow into leadership roles.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Vilor GmbH offers a flexible office environment. Candidates can choose between working 100% remotely or utilizing a modern office space located in Cologne, Germany. This hybrid approach is designed to cater to individual work preferences while maintaining team cohesion.

Office Location(s): The primary physical office location mentioned is Cologne, Germany. This serves as a central hub for potential in-person meetings, team events, and for those who prefer an office-based work setting.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Spaces: When in the Cologne office, expect modern facilities designed to foster collaboration and innovation.
• Remote Work Support: For remote employees, the company provides the necessary tools and technology to ensure a productive and integrated work experience.
• Team Interaction: Regardless of location, the company actively promotes team spirit through regular virtual events and periodic in-person gatherings in Cologne, ensuring remote team members remain connected.
• Agile Setting: The workspace supports an agile methodology, characterized by dynamic team interactions, quick feedback loops, and a focus on iterative development.

Work Schedule: The standard work schedule is approximately 40 hours per week. The company emphasizes flexibility, particularly for its remote workforce, allowing individuals to manage their time effectively while ensuring collaboration and meeting deadlines within the agile framework.

📝 Enhancement Note: The dual option of 100% remote or hybrid work in Cologne provides significant flexibility. The company's commitment to fostering team spirit through virtual and in-person events indicates a deliberate effort to bridge the gap between remote and office-based employees, creating an inclusive work environment.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A review of your application and portfolio to assess experience, skills, and alignment with the role's core requirements. Expect a call from a recruiter or hiring manager to discuss your background and motivations.
• Portfolio Presentation & Technical Interview: A session where you will present key projects from your portfolio, discussing your design process, user research methodologies, and problem-solving approaches. This will likely involve a detailed discussion of your Figma proficiency and design system experience.
• Cross-Functional Interview: An interview with members of the agile development team (e.g., Product Manager, Lead Engineer) to assess your collaboration skills, understanding of agile processes, and ability to advocate for the user within a technical context.
• Cultural Fit & Motivation Interview: A discussion focused on your motivation for joining Vilor GmbH, your understanding of the company's mission (Wärmewende), and how you align with the company's values and culture.
• Final Interview: Potentially with a senior leader (e.g., CTO, CEO) to finalize the decision and discuss role expectations.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Selectively: Choose 2-3 of your strongest, most relevant projects that showcase end-to-end product design and user research. Prioritize projects that align with B2C subscription models or Green Tech if possible.
• Tell a Story: For each project, clearly articulate the problem, your role, the process you followed (research, ideation, design, testing), the tools used (especially Figma), the challenges faced, and the measurable outcomes or impact.
• Highlight Process: Emphasize your methodology, decision-making rationale, and how you translated user insights into design solutions. Showcase your understanding of design systems and their implementation.
• Demonstrate Figma Mastery: Be prepared to walk through specific screens or prototypes in Figma, explaining your techniques and workflow.
• Quantify Impact: Wherever possible, use metrics to demonstrate the success of your designs (e.g., improved conversion rates, reduced task completion time, increased user satisfaction scores).

Challenge Preparation:

• Design Challenge: Be prepared for a take-home design challenge or a live design exercise that tests your problem-solving skills, ability to work within constraints, and application of UI/UX principles. This may involve designing a new feature or improving an existing one.
• User Research Scenario: You might be asked to outline how you would approach user research for a specific hypothetical product or feature.
• Process Explanation: Be ready to explain your approach to building or maintaining a design system, or how you would integrate user feedback into an agile sprint.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process is designed to thoroughly evaluate both technical skills and cultural fit. The emphasis on portfolio presentation and potential design challenges means candidates should invest significant time in preparing compelling case studies that clearly articulate their process and impact. Demonstrating fluency in German during interviews will be crucial.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Figma: Essential for wireframing, UI design, prototyping, and collaborative design work. Mastery is a key requirement.
• Prototyping Tools: Beyond Figma, familiarity with other prototyping tools might be beneficial, though Figma's integrated capabilities are likely sufficient.
• Design System Management Tools: Experience with tools and methodologies for creating and maintaining robust design systems.

Analytics & Reporting:

• User Research Platforms: Tools for conducting user interviews, surveys, and usability tests (e.g., UserTesting.com, Maze, Lookback, SurveyMonkey).
• Analytics Software: Familiarity with product analytics tools (e.g., Google Analytics, Mixpanel, Amplitude) to understand user behavior and measure design impact.
• Data Visualization Tools: Ability to interpret and present data insights clearly, potentially using tools like Tableau or Power BI, or through Figma's integration capabilities.

CRM & Automation:

• CRM Systems: While not a primary focus, understanding how UI/UX design impacts CRM workflows and customer data collection is beneficial. Familiarity with common CRMs like Salesforce or HubSpot could be a plus.
• Collaboration Tools: Proficiency with team collaboration platforms such as Slack, Microsoft Teams, and project management tools like Jira or Asana is expected for agile team integration.

📝 Enhancement Note: The explicit mention of Figma as a primary tool indicates a deep reliance on this platform. Candidates should be prepared to showcase their advanced Figma skills, including component libraries, auto layout, and interactive prototyping. Familiarity with tools that support user research and product analytics is also highlighted as important for understanding user behavior and validating design decisions.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• User-Centricity: A fundamental value driving all design and research efforts, ensuring products meet user needs and provide exceptional experiences.
• Impact-Driven: A focus on creating tangible positive change, particularly in the context of the "Wärmewende" and climate-friendly solutions.
• Collaboration & Teamwork: Strong emphasis on working together across disciplines, valuing open communication and mutual support within an agile framework.
• Innovation & Agility: Embracing new ideas, iterating quickly, and adapting to a fast-paced startup environment.
• Ownership & Responsibility: Encouraging individuals to take initiative, drive projects forward, and contribute actively to team and company success.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-Functional Integration: Seamless collaboration with product managers, engineers, and marketing to ensure a unified product vision and execution.
• Open Communication: A culture that encourages direct and honest feedback, fostering a transparent and supportive working environment.
• Iterative Design Process: Working in cycles of design, feedback, and refinement with continuous input from stakeholders and users.
• Knowledge Sharing: Encouraging team members to share insights, best practices, and learnings to collectively improve the team's capabilities.

📝 Enhancement Note: The company culture appears to be a blend of startup dynamism and mission-driven purpose. The emphasis on user-centricity, impact, and collaboration suggests a workplace where individuals are empowered to make a difference while working in a supportive and agile team environment.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing User Needs with Business Goals: Effectively translating user research findings and design principles into solutions that also meet business objectives and technical constraints within a fast-paced startup.
• Rapid Iteration in a Growing Market: Adapting designs and research strategies quickly to evolving user feedback and market demands in the dynamic Green Tech sector.
• Maintaining Brand Consistency with Growth: Ensuring a cohesive user experience and brand identity as the product suite and user base expand.
• Remote Collaboration Effectiveness: Maintaining strong team cohesion and efficient communication workflows across a distributed or hybrid team environment.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Domain Expertise: Opportunity to become a specialist in UI/UX for the renewable energy and Green Tech sector, a rapidly growing and impactful field.
• Design System Advancement: Deepen expertise in building and scaling sophisticated design systems.
• Agile & Product Operations: Gain hands-on experience in integrating UX/UI into agile development processes and contributing to product operations.
• Startup Environment Acumen: Develop skills in navigating and thriving within a high-growth startup, understanding its unique challenges and opportunities.
• Cross-Functional Skill Development: Enhance abilities in collaborating with diverse teams, from engineering to marketing and sales.

📝 Enhancement Note: The role presents a significant opportunity for professional growth by tackling challenges inherent in a growing startup within a critical and evolving industry. The company appears to support continuous learning and development, particularly in areas related to specialized domain knowledge and agile product development.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you had to balance conflicting user needs with business requirements. How did you approach it, and what was the outcome?" (Focus on your process, decision-making, and negotiation skills).
• "How would you approach user research for a new feature designed to increase subscription renewals for our heating solutions?" (Demonstrate your research planning, methodology, and ability to connect research to business goals).
• "Walk us through your process for designing and maintaining a design system. What are the key components, and how do you ensure adoption and scalability?" (Highlight your systematic approach and understanding of design system best practices).
• "How do you ensure brand consistency across different product touchpoints, especially in a rapidly evolving startup environment?" (Showcase your awareness of brand strategy and its integration with design).

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What interests you about Vilor GmbH's mission to drive the 'Wärmewende'?" (Articulate your passion for the industry and company purpose).
• "How do you envision contributing to our agile development team as a UI/UX Designer and User Researcher?" (Explain your collaborative approach and understanding of agile workflows).
• "Describe your experience working in a remote or hybrid team environment. What strategies do you use to stay connected and productive?" (Provide concrete examples of effective remote collaboration).

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure: Begin with a brief overview of your background and then dive into 2-3 selected case studies. For each case study, clearly define the problem, your role, your process (research, ideation, design, testing), key decisions, challenges, and the final impact or learnings.
• Visuals: Use high-quality visuals from your portfolio, but focus more on explaining the why and how rather than just showing the final product. Use Figma screenshots or live demos where appropriate.
• Engagement: Be prepared to answer questions throughout your presentation and engage in a discussion about your work. Show enthusiasm and a genuine interest in the company's products and mission.
• Metrics: Clearly present any quantifiable results or impact your work has achieved. If direct metrics are unavailable, discuss how you would measure success or the potential impact of your design.

📝 Enhancement Note: Candidates should prepare to discuss their thinking process and problem-solving skills in detail, not just present finished work. Demonstrating adaptability, a proactive approach to research, and a clear understanding of how design contributes to business objectives will be key to success. Fluency in German during these discussions is expected.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this UI/UX Design & User Researcher position:

• Submit your application through the provided link on Vilor GmbH's careers page.
• Portfolio Customization: Tailor your portfolio to highlight projects that demonstrate end-to-end product design ownership, user research expertise, and experience with design systems, especially using Figma. Prioritize case studies that align with B2C subscription models or the Green Tech sector if possible.
• Resume Optimization: Ensure your resume clearly outlines your years of experience in UI/UX design and user research, explicitly mentioning proficiency in Figma and any relevant industry experience (Green Tech, renewable energy). Quantify achievements where possible.
• Interview Preparation: Practice articulating your design process, research methodologies, and collaborative approach. Prepare to present specific portfolio projects and discuss how you contribute to user-centric product development within an agile framework. Rehearse answers to common behavioral and situational interview questions.
• Company Research: Thoroughly research Vilor GmbH, its mission related to the "Wärmewende," its products, and its company culture. Understand their target market and how your design skills can contribute to their success. Be ready to discuss your motivations for joining their team.

⚠️ Important Notice: This enhanced job description includes AI-generated insights and operations industry-standard assumptions. All details should be verified directly with Vilor GmbH before making application decisions. The location data derived (Suez, Egypt) appears to be an anomaly and should be disregarded in favor of the explicitly stated German location requirements and remote work options.