User Experience (UX) Design, Co-Op or Intern (Spring 2026)

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: User Experience (UX) Design, Co-Op or Intern (Spring 2026) Company: CodeMettle Location: Atlanta, Georgia, United States Job Type: INTERN Category: User Experience (UX) Design / Product Design Operations Date Posted: September 23, 2025 Experience Level: Entry-Level (0-2 years) Remote Status: Hybrid (2 days in office per week)

🚀 Role Summary

• This co-op/internship role focuses on hands-on experience within a User Experience (UX) design team, providing exposure to real-world product development cycles.
• The position involves direct participation in user research, testing, and the creation of conceptual and prototype designs, offering a comprehensive immersion into UX operations.
• Successful candidates will contribute to problem-solving for complex network, communications, and process management challenges within the defense, government, and telecommunications sectors.
• This role is designed for students seeking academic credit through cooperative education, requiring a commitment of up to three full-time, non-consecutive semesters.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the title is "User Experience (UX) Design," the context of CodeMettle's work in network, communications, and process management suggests a strong emphasis on operational efficiency and user-centricity within complex technical systems. This role can be categorized under Product Design Operations or UX Operations, given the focus on process and system usability for critical infrastructure. The requirement for U.S. citizenship is a critical filtering criterion for this role, impacting the candidate pool significantly.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Actively participate as a member of the User Experience (UX) design team, contributing to all phases of the design process.
• Conduct user research to gather insights into user needs, behaviors, and pain points within the context of CodeMettle's software platform.
• Execute user testing methodologies to validate design concepts and identify areas for improvement in usability and user flow.
• Facilitate and participate in ideation sessions to generate innovative design solutions for complex technical challenges.
• Document research findings, design rationale, and user feedback in a clear and organized manner.
• Develop conceptual designs and user flows that translate user needs and business requirements into functional interfaces.
• Create interactive prototypes using tools like Figma to simulate user experiences and test design hypotheses.
• Collaborate closely with software engineers and project teams, sharing tasks and contributing to the overall product development lifecycle.
• Support the UX team in adhering to design best practices and established UX theories to ensure high-quality user interfaces.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities emphasize a practical, hands-on approach to UX design. The expectation is for interns to be active contributors, not just observers. The mention of "sharing many of their tasks" with software engineers indicates a need for strong collaboration and understanding of the development process, bridging the gap between design and engineering operations.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

• Must be currently enrolled in a Bachelor's or Master's degree program, preferably in Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), User Experience Design, Industrial Design, Graphic Design, Psychology, Computer Science, or a related field.
• Eligibility for academic credit for the co-op/internship experience is a primary requirement.

Experience:

• While formal experience is not strictly required, a foundational understanding of UX theories, design principles, and user-centered design processes is essential.
• Previous exposure to design projects, academic or personal, demonstrating an interest in user experience is highly valued.

Required Skills:

• Solid understanding of UX theories, established design best practices, and the UX design process.
• Proficiency with Figma or a comparable prototyping and design tool (e.g., Sketch, Adobe XD).
• Working knowledge of user research practices, including methods for gathering user feedback and insights.
• Familiarity with user interface (UI) design principles and best practices.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with an ability to translate complex requirements into user-friendly designs.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to articulate design decisions and collaborate effectively within a team.
• Ability to commit to full-time work for up to three semesters (specific dates: Spring 2026 semester from January 12th to May 1st, with potential for subsequent semesters).

Preferred Skills:

• Familiarity with the Adobe Creative Suite (e.g., Photoshop, Illustrator) is a plus.
• Experience with user testing methodologies and usability analysis.
• Exposure to agile development methodologies and cross-functional team collaboration.
• An understanding of the telecommunications, defense, or government sectors is advantageous.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on current enrollment and academic credit signifies this is a structured co-op program. The required skills highlight a need for practical design tool proficiency (Figma) and a theoretical grounding in UX principles. The "working knowledge" and "familiarization" suggest that candidates are expected to have some practical application of these concepts, even if through academic projects.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A portfolio showcasing design projects that demonstrate a strong understanding of user-centered design principles and problem-solving.
• Examples should illustrate the candidate's process, including user research, ideation, wireframing, prototyping, and user testing.
• Projects should highlight the candidate's ability to translate user needs and business requirements into effective design solutions.
• Include case studies that detail the problem statement, the candidate's role, the process followed, design decisions, and the outcomes or learnings.

Process Documentation:

• Candidates should be prepared to discuss their personal design process, including how they approach user research, conceptualization, and iteration based on feedback.
• The portfolio should reflect a structured approach to design, demonstrating an ability to manage and document design projects effectively.
• Evidence of how feedback was incorporated into design iterations is highly valued, showcasing an iterative design process.

📝 Enhancement Note: While not explicitly stated as a formal requirement for application, a portfolio is critical for demonstrating practical UX skills. Candidates should prepare to showcase projects that clearly outline their design methodology, from initial research to final prototypes, emphasizing problem-solving and iterative design. This aligns with the operational need to see how candidates approach and execute design tasks.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

• As this is a co-op/intern position, compensation will be structured as a stipend or hourly wage. Based on industry standards for UX Design Interns/Co-ops in Atlanta, GA, the estimated range is typically between $18 - $25 per hour, depending on the candidate's academic year and demonstrated skills.
• 📝 Enhancement Note: This estimate is based on typical intern compensation in the Atlanta tech market for roles requiring design tool proficiency and theoretical knowledge, adjusted for a hybrid work model. Actual compensation should be confirmed with CodeMettle.

Benefits:

• Hands-on experience working on impactful projects within the defense, government, and telecommunications sectors.
• Dedicated mentorship from experienced software engineers and UX designers.
• Opportunity to contribute ideas and gain visibility within a growing company.
• Potential for future career opportunities within CodeMettle, as demonstrated by past co-op conversions.
• Social events and team-building activities to foster relationships and company culture.
• Exposure to a professional, fast-paced work environment with opportunities for learning and skill development.

Working Hours:

• Standard business hours: Monday – Friday, 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM EST.
• Totaling 40 hours per week during the designated semester period.
• This role is hybrid, requiring 2 days per week in the Atlanta office.

📝 Enhancement Note: The benefits highlight the developmental aspect of the role, focusing on mentorship, exposure to critical industries, and potential long-term career paths, which are significant draws for early-career professionals. The fixed working hours and hybrid requirement provide clarity on the expected commitment and work structure.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Software Development, Network Management, Communications Technology, Defense Technology. CodeMettle operates at the intersection of these critical sectors, providing specialized software solutions. Company Size: CodeMettle is a growing company, indicating a dynamic environment where individual contributions can have a significant impact. The exact number of employees is not specified, but the focus on mentorship and direct team involvement suggests a potentially close-knit, collaborative culture. Founded: CodeMettle was founded with a mission to solve complex network and process management challenges, emphasizing innovation and customer focus, particularly within demanding industries.

Team Structure:

• The UX Design Co-Op/Intern will be integrated into the User Experience (UX) design team.
• This team likely works closely with product management, engineering, and potentially client-facing roles to ensure user needs are met within technical constraints.
• Co-ops will have a designated mentor on their project team, indicating a structured support system within the broader engineering or product development structure.

Methodology:

• CodeMettle leverages custom software development and integration services, implying a project-based approach that requires adaptability and problem-solving.
• The company's focus on mission-critical systems suggests a strong emphasis on reliability, efficiency, and rigorous testing in their development and operational processes.
• User-centricity is a key component, as indicated by the need for UX design expertise to ensure usability of complex management software.

Company Website: [CodeMettle Website URL - not provided, but often accessible]

📝 Enhancement Note: The company's focus on defense, government, and telecommunications points to a culture that values precision, security, and robust solutions. For a UX designer, this means understanding and designing for users in high-stakes environments where usability directly impacts operational success and safety. The "growing company" aspect suggests opportunities for learning new processes and contributing to evolving team structures.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This is an entry-level, developmental role designed for students. It serves as a foundational experience in User Experience Design, specifically within an operational technology context. Reporting Structure: The Co-Op/Intern will report to a designated mentor, likely a senior UX designer or a lead engineer overseeing the UX function within a project team. They will work within the broader UX design team structure. Operations Impact: The UX Design Co-Op/Intern will contribute to the usability and effectiveness of CodeMettle's software platform. By improving user experience, they directly impact the efficiency of operations centers for clients in critical sectors, ensuring downtime is minimized and services remain intact.

Growth Opportunities:

• Skill Advancement: Deepen expertise in UX research, prototyping tools (Figma), and user-centered design methodologies through practical application.
• Industry Exposure: Gain exposure to the unique UX challenges and design considerations within the defense, government, and telecommunications industries.
• Career Pathing: Potential to transition from a co-op/intern role into a full-time position at CodeMettle, with opportunities for growth into Junior UX Designer, UX Researcher, or Product Designer roles.
• Mentorship: Benefit from direct guidance and feedback from experienced professionals, accelerating learning and professional development.

📝 Enhancement Note: The role is positioned as a significant learning opportunity. The growth potential is tied to demonstrating capability and a strong work ethic during the co-op period, with the possibility of a direct pathway to full-time employment. The emphasis on mentorship is a key factor in accelerating a UX professional's development.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Hybrid work model. This involves a combination of remote work and in-office presence. Office Location(s): Atlanta, Georgia. Specific office address details are typically provided upon offer or during the onboarding process.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Environment: Co-ops will be active participants on the UX team, working alongside experienced designers and engineers, fostering a collaborative and knowledge-sharing environment.
• Tooling: Access to industry-standard design and prototyping tools (Figma) will be provided, facilitating hands-on work.
• Team Interaction: Opportunities to engage with team members through project work, ideation sessions, and potential social outlets. The expectation is to be an integrated part of the team, not isolated.

Work Schedule:

• Full-time commitment: Monday – Friday, 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM EST.
• Specific semester dates: January 12th to May 1st, 2026.
• Two days per week are designated for in-office work, allowing for focused collaboration and access to office resources, while the remaining days offer flexibility.

📝 Enhancement Note: The hybrid model balances the flexibility of remote work with the benefits of in-person collaboration crucial for UX design. The structured schedule and office days provide a clear framework for the work arrangement.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: Review of application, resume, and portfolio to assess basic qualifications and fit.
• Technical Interview: Likely involves discussion of UX theories, design process, problem-solving scenarios, and a review of portfolio projects. Candidates may be asked to walk through their design decisions and rationale.
• Team/Hiring Manager Interview: Focus on cultural fit, collaboration skills, and understanding of CodeMettle's mission and client needs.
• Potential Design Challenge: Candidates might be given a small design task or asked to critique an existing interface to assess their critical thinking and design approach.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Showcase Process: Clearly articulate your design process for each project. Highlight how you moved from problem identification through research, ideation, design, and testing.
• Quantify Impact (where possible): If you have data or user feedback that demonstrates the success of your designs, include it. For internships, focus on learnings and insights gained.
• Figma Proficiency: Be prepared to discuss your experience with Figma, its features you utilize, and how it aids your design workflow.
• Tailor to CodeMettle: Understand CodeMettle's business (defense, telecom, government) and try to highlight projects or skills that resonate with the challenges in these complex operational environments.
• Conciseness and Clarity: Ensure your portfolio is well-organized, easy to navigate, and clearly explains your contributions and design thinking.

Challenge Preparation:

• UX Fundamentals: Brush up on core UX principles, usability heuristics, and common design patterns.
• Prototyping Tools: Be ready to discuss your experience with Figma, including specific features and workflows.
• Problem-Solving: Practice articulating how you would approach a UX problem, from discovery to solution. Think about user needs, business goals, and technical constraints.
• Communication: Prepare to clearly and concisely explain your design choices and thought process.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on portfolio review and process discussion indicates that CodeMettle values a candidate's approach to design as much as the final output. Candidates should be prepared to articulate their thinking and demonstrate a structured, iterative design methodology. The U.S. citizenship requirement will be a key part of the initial screening.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Figma: Essential for conceptual design, wireframing, prototyping, and collaboration. Proficiency is a key requirement.
• Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator): Preferred but not mandatory; useful for asset creation and image manipulation.

Analytics & Reporting:

• While not explicitly mentioned for this role, understanding how user data and analytics inform design decisions is valuable. Familiarity with tools that track user behavior on digital platforms could be a plus.

CRM & Automation:

• Not directly relevant to the UX Design role itself, but exposure to how CRM or automation tools function within a business context could provide broader operational understanding.

📝 Enhancement Note: The primary technical requirement is proficiency in Figma. Candidates should be ready to demonstrate their skills and understanding of its collaborative and prototyping capabilities. Any additional familiarity with the Adobe suite or user analytics tools would be a bonus.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Customer Focus: Solving complex problems for discerning customers in critical sectors requires a deep understanding of user needs and a commitment to delivering reliable solutions.
• Innovation: Developing custom software for challenging environments necessitates a culture that encourages new ideas and creative problem-solving.
• Collaboration: Working in cross-functional teams with engineers and stakeholders demands strong teamwork and effective communication.
• Excellence: The nature of the company's work implies a dedication to high quality, precision, and robust execution in both software development and design.
• Continuous Improvement: As a growing company, there’s an inherent value placed on learning, adapting, and refining processes and products.

Collaboration Style:

• Integrated Teams: UX Co-Ops/Interns are expected to be active members of project teams, working closely with engineers.
• Mentorship-Driven: A structured mentorship program ensures that interns receive guidance and feedback, fostering a supportive learning environment.
• Open Communication: Encouragement for interns to contribute ideas suggests an open communication style where diverse perspectives are valued.

📝 Enhancement Note: The company culture appears to be one that values both technical rigor and collaborative innovation. For a UX designer, this means being able to advocate for the user while understanding the technical realities and business objectives of critical infrastructure software.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Complex User Needs: Designing for users in defense, government, and telecommunications often involves highly specialized workflows and demanding environments, requiring a deep dive into user context.
• Technical Constraints: Balancing user experience ideals with the technical realities and constraints of complex software systems.
• Cross-Functional Communication: Effectively communicating design rationale and user needs to technical teams who may have different priorities or perspectives.
• Adapting to Industry Specifics: Understanding the unique operational requirements and regulatory landscapes of the industries CodeMettle serves.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Mentorship Program: Direct guidance from experienced professionals to hone UX skills and navigate the professional environment.
• Industry Immersion: Gaining practical experience in UX design within high-impact industries.
• Tool Proficiency: Mastering industry-standard UX tools like Figma through extensive use.
• Project Contribution: Contributing meaningfully to real-world projects, building a professional portfolio and gaining valuable experience.
• Career Pathway: Potential to secure full-time employment and continue professional growth within CodeMettle.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges presented are typical for UX professionals entering specialized industries. The growth opportunities are substantial, particularly the mentorship and the potential for full-time conversion, offering a clear path for early-career development.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• Design Process: "Walk me through your design process for a project in your portfolio. How do you approach user research, ideation, and iteration?" (Focus on structured, user-centered methodology.)
• Tool Proficiency: "How do you leverage Figma to create interactive prototypes and collaborate with team members?" (Be specific about features and workflows.)
• Problem-Solving: "Imagine you need to design a dashboard for network monitoring. What are the key user needs and design considerations you would prioritize?" (Think about clarity, data visualization, and user roles.)
• Collaboration: "Describe a time you had to work with engineers or stakeholders with differing opinions on a design. How did you navigate that situation?" (Highlight communication, compromise, and user advocacy.)

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What interests you about CodeMettle and our work in the defense/telecommunications sector?" (Research the company's mission and client base.)
• "How do you see yourself contributing to our UX team and the company's goals?" (Align your skills and aspirations with their needs.)
• "What are your expectations for a co-op/internship experience, and how do you plan to maximize your learning?" (Show enthusiasm and a proactive attitude.)

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Storytelling: Frame each project as a narrative – the problem, your role, the process, the solution, and the outcome/learnings.
• Visual Clarity: Ensure your visuals are clean, well-annotated, and clearly communicate your design decisions.
• Process Emphasis: Dedicate time to explaining how you arrived at your designs, not just showing the final product.
• Concise Explanations: Be prepared to present your key projects within a limited timeframe, highlighting the most relevant aspects.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation should focus on demonstrating a solid understanding of UX principles, practical tool skills, and the ability to communicate effectively within a collaborative, technical environment. Candidates should be ready to discuss their portfolio projects in detail, emphasizing their thought process.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this User Experience Design Co-Op/Intern position:

• Submit your application through the provided link: https://codemettle.bamboohr.com/careers/112
• Portfolio Preparation: Ensure your online portfolio is up-to-date, showcases relevant UX projects, and clearly details your design process and contributions. Be ready to share this during the application or interview stages.
• Resume Optimization: Tailor your resume to highlight UX-specific skills, academic achievements, relevant coursework, and any prior design or research experience, using keywords from the job description.
• Company Research: Familiarize yourself with CodeMettle's mission, the industries they serve (defense, government, telecom), and their software solutions to better understand the context of the UX challenges.
• Interview Practice: Prepare to discuss your portfolio projects, UX methodologies, and problem-solving approaches. Practice articulating your design thinking and how you would contribute to a team.

⚠️ Important Notice: This enhanced job description includes AI-generated insights and operations industry-standard assumptions, particularly regarding the UX Design role within a technical software company. All details, especially regarding U.S. citizenship requirements and specific co-op program details, should be verified directly with CodeMettle during the application process.

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