UI/UX Product Designer Contract

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: UI/UX Product Designer (Contract) Company: Jupiter Intelligence, Inc. Location: San Mateo, CA | Boulder, CO | New York, NY (Remote OK for US-based candidates) Job Type: Contractor Category: Product Design / User Experience Date Posted: July 25, 2025 Experience Level: 5-10 Years Remote Status: Remote OK (US-based)

🚀 Role Summary

• Design, prototype, and create intuitive, user-friendly SaaS products and features, focusing on data-driven user experiences.
• Conduct comprehensive UX research, including customer interviews, A/B testing, and prototyping, to inform product roadmap decisions.
• Collaborate extensively with Product, Engineering, Science, Solution, Sales, and Marketing teams to ensure seamless product development and user adoption.
• Own and maintain a robust design system to ensure consistency and efficiency in user interface design across the Jupiter platform.
• Translate customer pain points and business challenges into user-centered design solutions within a fast-paced, agile environment.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the title is "UI/UX Product Designer," the responsibilities heavily emphasize product strategy, user research, and cross-functional collaboration, suggesting a role that bridges design with product management within an operations-centric technology company. The focus on SaaS products and enterprise users in the financial services/data space indicates a need for experience in complex data visualization and workflow design.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Conduct thorough UX research, including user interviews, usability testing, and competitive analysis, to identify user needs and pain points.
• Create and iterate on conceptual diagrams, user flows, wireframes, low-fidelity and high-fidelity mockups, and interactive prototypes.
• Develop and maintain a comprehensive design system, including style guides, component libraries, color palettes, and iconography, to ensure design consistency and scalability.
• Partner closely with Product Managers to define product strategy, roadmap, and feature requirements, translating business objectives into intuitive user experiences.
• Collaborate with Engineering teams during the development lifecycle, providing clear design specifications, assets, and ongoing support to ensure accurate implementation.
• Participate actively in agile development ceremonies (e.g., sprint planning, daily stand-ups, retrospectives) to provide design input and address any implementation challenges.
• Design and optimize user interfaces for data-heavy, business-to-business software offerings, focusing on clarity, efficiency, and actionable insights.
• Support product launches and post-launch analysis by gathering user feedback and iterating on designs for continuous improvement.
• Champion user-centered design principles and best practices throughout the product development process.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities indicate a senior-level designer who is not only executing design tasks but also actively contributing to product strategy and process definition. The emphasis on a "design system" and "SaaS products" for "data-heavy, business-to-business software" suggests a need for candidates experienced in complex enterprise software design, particularly within data analytics or climate risk sectors.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

• Bachelor's degree (BS/BA) in Design, UI Design, UX Design, Visual Design, Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), or a closely related field.

Experience:

• 5+ years of relevant professional experience in UI/UX design, with a focus on developing consumer-like experiences for business/enterprise users.
• Proven experience designing for data-heavy, business-to-business (B2B) software applications, ideally within the financial services, data analytics, or SaaS industries.
• Demonstrable experience in conducting user research, including user interviews, usability testing, and A/B testing.
• Experience in owning and maintaining design systems, including component libraries and style guides.
• Familiarity with agile development methodologies, such as Scrum.

Required Skills:

• UI Design: Expertise in creating visually appealing, intuitive, and user-friendly interfaces.
• UX Design: Deep understanding of user-centered design principles, user journey mapping, and information architecture.
• Prototyping: Proficiency with interactive design and prototyping tools (e.g., Figma, Framer, Sketch, Adobe XD).
• User Research: Ability to plan, conduct, and synthesize user research to inform design decisions.
• A/B Testing: Experience designing and analyzing A/B tests to optimize user experiences.
• Design Systems: Proven ability to create, manage, and evolve design systems for consistency and scalability.
• Visual Design: Strong aesthetic sense and ability to create compelling visual mockups and interfaces.
• Interaction Design: Skill in designing intuitive and efficient user interaction flows.
• HTML/CSS: Understanding of front-end web technologies and their capabilities for design implementation.
• React: Familiarity with React is highly desirable for understanding front-end development constraints and opportunities.
• Agile Development: Ability to work effectively within agile development frameworks.
• Collaboration: Excellent cross-functional collaboration skills with Product, Engineering, and Science teams.
• Storytelling: Strong ability to communicate design rationale and vision effectively.
• Communication: Excellent verbal and written communication skills for presenting designs and ideas.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience with JavaScript, CoffeeScript, or other scripting languages.
• Familiarity with data visualization best practices.
• Experience in the climate risk, environmental science, or financial technology sectors.
• Experience with backend technologies or understanding of data science workflows.

📝 Enhancement Note: The requirement for "5+ years of relevant work experience" and a "stellar portfolio" in "data-heavy, business-to-business software offerings" indicates this is not an entry-level or junior role. The emphasis on specific tools like Figma and familiarity with front-end technologies like React and Material UI suggests a need for a designer who can work closely with developers and understand technical feasibility.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A comprehensive portfolio showcasing a range of UI/UX design projects, with a strong emphasis on data-heavy, business-to-business (B2B) software.
• Detailed case studies that clearly articulate the problem, your role, design process, solutions, and measurable outcomes (e.g., user adoption, efficiency improvements).
• Examples demonstrating your ability to conduct user research, create wireframes, prototypes, and high-fidelity designs for complex applications.
• Projects illustrating your experience in building or contributing to design systems, showcasing component libraries and style guides.
• Demonstration of your ability to translate complex data into intuitive visualizations and user-friendly interfaces.

Process Documentation:

• Evidence of established and effective design processes, including how you gather requirements, conduct research, iterate on designs, and collaborate with stakeholders.
• Examples of how you have documented design specifications, user flows, and interaction patterns for development teams.
• Showcase of your approach to maintaining design consistency and quality through design systems and style guides.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a contract role, the portfolio is paramount. It needs to explicitly demonstrate experience with complex enterprise SaaS products, data visualization, and B2B user interfaces. Candidates should be prepared to walk through their design process and justify their decisions with data and user insights, particularly relating to efficiency and clarity in complex domains.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

• $65 - $75 per hour.

Benefits:

• As a contractor, benefits are typically not provided directly by the company, but this may vary based on the specific contract terms. Candidates should inquire about potential benefits or the structure of their compensation package.

Working Hours:

• Standard full-time hours are expected, likely around 40 hours per week. The role is described as "fast-paced" with "fast feedback loops," suggesting a dynamic work environment. Flexibility may be available, but adherence to project deadlines and team collaboration needs is essential.

📝 Enhancement Note: The hourly rate of $65-$75 positions this as a mid-to-senior level contract role. Given the contract nature, candidates should factor in self-employment taxes and the lack of traditional employee benefits (health insurance, retirement plans, paid time off) when evaluating the total compensation.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Climate Tech / Enterprise Software / Data Analytics. Jupiter Intelligence is a leader in analytics for climate risk management, providing solutions to understand and mitigate the impact of extreme weather events on businesses and economies. Company Size: Jupiter Intelligence is a growing company, likely falling into the small to medium-sized business (SMB) category, but with significant market leadership. This means a dynamic environment where individuals can have a direct impact. Founded: Founded on the principle of preparing economies for climate change, Jupiter Intelligence is driven by pioneers in data, climate science, and technology.

Team Structure:

• The UI/UX Product Designer will be part of the Product team.
• Close collaboration is expected with Engineering, Science, and Solution groups, indicating a multidisciplinary approach to product development.
• Interaction with Sales and Marketing teams is also noted, suggesting involvement in go-to-market strategies and customer feedback loops.

Methodology:

• The company emphasizes data-driven decision-making and a user-centered design approach.
• Agile development methodologies are utilized, requiring adaptability and iterative progress.
• A focus on "intuitive simplicity" for complex data-driven products highlights a commitment to user experience excellence.

Company Website: jupiterintel.com

📝 Enhancement Note: Jupiter Intelligence operates in a critical and growing sector (Climate Tech). The company culture appears to be mission-driven, focused on innovation, diversity, and making a tangible impact on global resilience. The work environment is likely fast-paced and collaborative, requiring individuals who are comfortable with rapid iteration and cross-functional teamwork.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is positioned as a mid-to-senior level Product Designer, requiring 5+ years of experience and a strong portfolio. It offers the opportunity to influence product direction and user experience within a specialized, high-impact industry. Reporting Structure: Likely reports to a Product Manager or Head of Product/Design, working closely with cross-functional teams. Operations Impact: The designer's work directly impacts the usability and effectiveness of Jupiter's climate risk analytics platform. By creating intuitive, data-driven interfaces, the designer enables clients to better understand and manage complex climate risks, directly contributing to the company's mission and commercial success.

Growth Opportunities:

• Skill Specialization: Deepen expertise in designing for complex data visualization, enterprise SaaS, and climate risk analytics.
• Product Influence: Gain experience in shaping product strategy and roadmap through user research and design advocacy.
• Cross-functional Exposure: Develop a broader understanding of product development lifecycles by working with diverse teams (Science, Engineering, Sales).
• Design System Leadership: Opportunity to lead the evolution and implementation of a critical design system.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a contract role, "growth" is often measured by the depth of experience gained and the quality of projects added to one's portfolio. This role offers exposure to a unique and important industry, allowing for specialized skill development in a niche market.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Jupiter Intelligence has offices in San Mateo, CA, Boulder, CO, and New York, NY. However, the "Remote OK" status indicates a distributed workforce is a key aspect of their hiring strategy. Office Location(s):

• San Mateo, CA
• Boulder, CO
• New York, NY

Workspace Context:

• The company culture encourages collaboration and innovation. Expect a dynamic environment where teamwork is essential.
• As a remote-friendly company, expect reliance on digital collaboration tools and communication platforms.
• The fast-paced nature suggests a work environment that values efficiency, quick iteration, and adaptability.

Work Schedule:

• Standard full-time hours (approximately 40 hours/week).
• The emphasis on "fast feedback loops" and "rapid prototyping" suggests a need for designers who are responsive and available for real-time collaboration, especially during key project phases.

📝 Enhancement Note: Candidates should be comfortable working remotely, managing their time effectively, and proactively communicating with team members across different locations and time zones. Proficiency with collaboration tools will be key.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screen: A brief call to assess basic qualifications, experience, and cultural fit.
• Portfolio Review: A dedicated session where you will present your portfolio, walking through key projects, your design process, and the impact of your work. Be prepared to discuss specific challenges and solutions.
• Skills Assessment/Challenge: Potentially a design exercise or case study to evaluate your problem-solving skills, design thinking, and ability to translate requirements into tangible designs.
• Team/Stakeholder Interviews: Meetings with members of the Product, Engineering, or Science teams to assess collaboration skills and technical understanding.
• Final Interview: Likely with a hiring manager or senior leadership to discuss overall fit, strategic thinking, and long-term potential.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Selectively: Focus on 2-4 projects that best showcase your experience with data-heavy B2B SaaS products and your process.
• Tell a Story: For each project, clearly outline the problem, your role and responsibilities, the design process (research, ideation, prototyping, testing), the solution, and the outcome/impact. Use metrics where possible.
• Highlight Data Visualization: Given Jupiter's focus, showcase any experience you have in designing effective data dashboards, charts, and complex information displays.
• Demonstrate Design System Skills: If you have experience building or contributing to design systems, highlight this with examples of components and style guides.
• Be Ready for Deep Dives: Expect questions about your decision-making process, trade-offs you made, and how you incorporated user feedback.

Challenge Preparation:

• Anticipate a challenge that requires you to design a feature or solve a problem related to data analysis, climate risk, or enterprise workflow.
• Focus on demonstrating your process: understanding the brief, asking clarifying questions, outlining assumptions, ideating, and presenting a clear solution with rationale.
• Practice articulating your thought process and design choices concisely.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process for a design role at a tech company typically involves rigorous portfolio review and potentially a design challenge. Candidates should prepare to articulate their design philosophy, process, and the impact of their work with clear, data-backed examples. Understanding Jupiter's specific domain (climate risk analytics) will be beneficial.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Design & Prototyping: Figma, Framer, Sketch, Adobe XD (Figma is explicitly mentioned as a strong proficiency requirement).
• Collaboration: Tools like Jira, Confluence, Slack, Miro, or similar platforms for task management, communication, and ideation.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Familiarity with analytics tools (e.g., Google Analytics, Amplitude, Mixpanel) for understanding user behavior, though direct usage may be limited for a designer.
• Ability to interpret and leverage data insights from these tools to inform design decisions.

CRM & Automation:

• While not directly managing CRM, understanding how user data flows from CRM into product interfaces can be beneficial.
• Familiarity with front-end technologies like HTML, CSS, and React is crucial for effective collaboration with engineering.

📝 Enhancement Note: Proficiency in Figma is a key requirement. Understanding front-end technologies like HTML, CSS, and React is also important for bridging the gap between design and development, ensuring feasibility and efficient implementation of designs.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• User-Centricity: A strong commitment to understanding and solving user problems through design.
• Data-Driven: Decisions are informed by user research, analytics, and performance metrics.
• Collaboration: Working effectively with diverse teams to achieve common product goals.
• Innovation & Agility: Embracing new ideas, rapid iteration, and adapting to change in a fast-paced environment.
• Mission-Driven: A shared purpose of helping organizations manage climate risk and build resilience.

Collaboration Style:

• Expect a highly collaborative environment where designers work hand-in-hand with Product Managers, Engineers, and Scientists.
• Open communication, constructive feedback, and a willingness to share knowledge are likely valued.
• Designers are expected to be proactive in seeking input and providing design expertise to cross-functional teams.

📝 Enhancement Note: The company values diversity and inclusivity, as stated in their "About Us" section. The "Jupiter Promise" initiative suggests a culture of social responsibility and giving back, which may appeal to candidates seeking purpose-driven work.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Designing for Complexity: Translating sophisticated climate science data and risk analytics into intuitive and actionable user interfaces for enterprise clients.
• Balancing User Needs with Technical Constraints: Working within the realities of software development and existing technical architecture.
• Fast-Paced Environment: Adapting to rapid iteration cycles and quick feedback loops without compromising design quality.
• Cross-Functional Alignment: Ensuring all stakeholders (Science, Engineering, Product, Sales) are aligned on design decisions and priorities.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Domain Expertise: Gaining deep knowledge in climate risk modeling, enterprise software, and data analytics.
• Advanced Design Skills: Enhancing skills in data visualization, complex UI design, and design system management.
• Product Strategy Input: Contributing to product vision and roadmap development.
• Agile Methodologies: Refining skills in working within agile development frameworks.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges presented are typical of senior design roles in specialized tech companies. The growth opportunities are significant for a designer looking to specialize in a high-demand, impactful industry.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• Product Vision: "How would you approach designing a new feature for our climate risk platform that helps users visualize potential flood impacts on their supply chain?" (Focus on your process: research, user needs, data visualization, iteration).
• Design Process: "Walk me through a challenging project from your portfolio. What were the key design decisions, and how did you arrive at them?" (Highlight your methodology, problem-solving, and rationale).
• Collaboration: "Describe a time you had to work with engineers who had technical constraints that impacted your design. How did you resolve it?" (Focus on communication, compromise, and finding solutions).
• Design Systems: "What are the benefits of a design system, and how would you approach building or contributing to one at Jupiter?" (Showcase your understanding of consistency, scalability, and efficiency).
• User Research: "How do you ensure your designs are truly user-centered, especially when dealing with complex B2B users?" (Emphasize your research methods and how you incorporate feedback).

Company & Culture Questions:

• Research Jupiter Intelligence's mission, products, and recent news.
• Understand their focus on climate risk and resilience.
• Prepare to discuss how your values align with their mission and culture (e.g., diversity, innovation, impact).

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure: Begin with an overview of Jupiter's product and your understanding of the role. Then, present 2-3 key portfolio pieces, dedicating ample time to each.
• Narrative: For each project, tell a clear story: the problem, your role, the user, your design process, the solution, and the impact.
• Visuals: Use high-quality mockups, prototypes, and flow diagrams. Explain your design choices and rationale clearly.
• Metrics: Quantify the impact of your designs whenever possible (e.g., "increased user task completion by X%", "reduced error rates by Y%").
• Q&A: Be prepared for in-depth questions about your process, decisions, and how you handle challenges.

📝 Enhancement Note: Be ready to demonstrate not just design skills but also strategic thinking, problem-solving abilities, and a strong understanding of the B2B SaaS product development lifecycle. Tailoring your examples to data visualization and complex enterprise software is crucial.

📌 Application Steps

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

• Submit your Cover Letter and Resume via the provided link.
• Portfolio Preparation: Ensure your portfolio is up-to-date, easily accessible, and specifically highlights relevant B2B SaaS and data-heavy design projects. Prepare a concise narrative for each case study.
• Resume Optimization: Tailor your resume to emphasize your 5+ years of experience, proficiency in design tools (especially Figma), experience with enterprise software, and any relevant industry knowledge (financial services, data analytics). Quantify achievements where possible.
• Interview Practice: Rehearse your portfolio presentation, focusing on clear storytelling and articulating your design process. Practice answering common UI/UX interview questions and prepare examples demonstrating collaboration and problem-solving.
• Company Research: Familiarize yourself with Jupiter Intelligence's mission, products, and the climate tech industry to demonstrate genuine interest and understanding during the interview.

⚠️ Important Notice: This enhanced job description includes AI-generated insights and operations industry-standard assumptions based on the provided data. All details should be verified directly with Jupiter Intelligence, Inc. before making application decisions, especially regarding contract terms, benefits, and specific project details.