UX Architect

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: UX Architect

Company: CapTech Consulting

Location: Reston, Virginia, United States

Job Type: Full-time

Category: Customer Experience (CX) / Design Operations

Date Posted: March 17, 2026

Experience Level: 5+ Years Professional Experience

Remote Status: On-site (with potential for remote work based on CapTech and client needs)

🚀 Role Summary

• Designing sophisticated, intuitive, and impactful digital brand experiences informed by user research and accessibility standards.

• Leading the creation of key UX deliverables such as personas, customer journey maps, wireframes, visual designs, and interactive prototypes.

• Mentoring other UX practitioners, providing design oversight and art direction to ensure successful project delivery and team growth.

• Collaborating closely with cross-functional teams including developers, business system analysts, and creative directors to achieve business objectives and user goals.

• Exploring and leveraging emerging technologies, including AI-powered design tools, to enhance creativity, efficiency, and the overall impact of design solutions.

📝 Enhancement Note: The role of UX Architect at CapTech Consulting, as described, leans heavily into a senior-level individual contributor and potential team lead position within their Customer Experience (CX) practice. The emphasis on mentoring, overseeing work, and advocating for design principles suggests a role that requires not only strong individual design capabilities but also leadership potential and a strategic understanding of how UX contributes to broader business outcomes. The mention of AI-powered design tools indicates a forward-thinking approach to design operations and a need for adaptability.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Lead the end-to-end creation of user-centered design artifacts, including personas, customer journey maps, information architecture diagrams, wireframes, responsive visual designs, and interactive prototypes, adhering to interaction design and usability best practices.

• Spearhead advanced design activities such as facilitating design thinking workshops, rapid prototyping sessions, and conducting iterative user testing to validate and refine design solutions.

• Develop and deliver compelling, concise, and informative presentations to clients and internal stakeholders, clearly articulating the strategic rationale and user-centered approach behind design decisions.

• Conduct thorough competitive assessments, identify innovative design alternatives, and stay abreast of current design and technology trends to inform strategic recommendations.

• Proactively explore, experiment with, and advocate for the integration of AI-powered design tools and workflows to enhance creativity, improve efficiency, and amplify the impact of design outputs.

• Champion the principles of accessible design (WCAG 2.2) and inclusive design, educating clients and team members on their importance and practical application.

• Provide insightful, constructive, and actionable feedback on design elements, including interactions, information architecture, content, and alignment with business goals and user needs.

• Contribute to the advancement of CapTech's CX practice by volunteering for leadership opportunities, including contributing to methodologies, capabilities, approaches, and toolset development.

• Actively mentor junior designers, providing design oversight and art direction to ensure the quality and consistency of visual and interaction designs across projects.

• Engage in continuous professional development and actively participate in industry involvement to maintain and expand expertise.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a blend of hands-on design execution and strategic leadership. The emphasis on "leading" and "spearheading" activities, along with mentoring and contributing to practice development, indicates this is not an entry-level or mid-level role but one that requires significant experience and a proactive, thought-leadership approach within the CX domain. The inclusion of AI tools suggests a need for continuous learning and adaptation.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

Experience:

• A minimum of 5 years of professional experience, ideally gained within a design consultancy or digital agency environment.

• Demonstrated ability to successfully manage multiple projects simultaneously, ensuring delivery against scope, budget, and timelines.

Required Skills:

• Proven expertise in conceptual and visual communication, with a strong portfolio showcasing sophisticated digital brand experiences.

• Expert knowledge of interaction design principles and usability best practices.

• Proficiency in user research and usability testing methodologies, with strong analytical capabilities to derive actionable insights and recommendations.

• Confident self-starter with the ability to take feedback and direction from senior leadership with humility.

• Strong collaborative skills, with experience working effectively within cross-functional project teams.

Preferred Skills:

• Proficiency in Figma, with a strong preference for candidates who can design developer-ready UI components, organize files for clarity, apply consistent styles and naming conventions, and utilize advanced features (auto layout, component libraries, variables, design tokens) for efficient design handoff.

• Proficiency with Adobe Creative Suite (Illustrator, Photoshop, InDesign) and presentation software (PowerPoint).

• Familiarity with user research tools such as Optimal Workshop, UserTesting, and SurveyMonkey.

• Working knowledge of Agile product development lifecycles and practices.

• Familiarity with WCAG 2.2 Accessibility standards and Inclusive Design principles.

📝 Enhancement Note: The preference for Figma proficiency with specific feature mentions (auto layout, component libraries, variables, design tokens) indicates a need for candidates who understand scalable design systems and efficient handoff processes, which are critical for modern design operations. The mention of specific research tools and Agile methodologies suggests the need for practical, project-oriented experience within a consulting or agency setting.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A comprehensive online portfolio is mandatory for consideration, demonstrating a strong track record of designing sophisticated digital brand experiences.

• Portfolio pieces should clearly articulate the problem statement, design process, user research methodologies employed, and the impact of the design solutions on user goals and business objectives.

• Showcase a range of deliverables, including personas, customer journey maps, wireframes, visual designs, and interactive prototypes, highlighting your expertise in each.

• Demonstrate your ability to lead advanced design activities, such as design workshops and iterative user testing, and present your findings effectively.

Process Documentation:

• Provide examples of how you document and communicate design decisions, including wireframes, prototypes, and presentation decks.

• Showcase your approach to user research and usability testing, including methodologies used and how findings were translated into design improvements.

• Demonstrate your understanding of design system principles and how you apply them in practice, particularly concerning file organization, style consistency, and component library utilization in tools like Figma.

• Illustrate your experience with Agile workflows, including how UX integrates into development sprints and contributes to iterative product development.

📝 Enhancement Note: The requirement for an online portfolio is standard for UX roles, but the emphasis here is on demonstrating a robust understanding of the entire human-centered design process, from research to strategy to execution and iteration. The specific mention of Figma features in the qualifications section implies a need for portfolio examples that showcase proficiency in these areas, particularly in creating developer-ready assets and managing design systems.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

Benefits:

• Comprehensive Health Coverage

• Disability Insurance

• Paid Family Leave

• Generous Paid Time Off (PTO)

• 401(k) Matching (with no vesting period)

• Modern Health: Mental health and well-being platform with 1:1 care, group sessions, and self-serve resources.

• Carrot Fertility: Inclusive fertility and family-forming coverage.

• Fringe: Personalized lifestyle benefits stipend (e.g., for streaming services, student loan repayment, fitness, travel).

• Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) for diversity and inclusion initiatives.

• Philanthropic Partnership opportunities for community engagement.

Working Hours:

• Standard working hours are typically aligned with a 40-hour workweek. While the role is primarily on-site, CapTech is committed to providing a flexible work environment and allowing remote work when compatible with CapTech and client needs, aiming to support employee work-life balance.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range is estimated based on industry data for UX Architects in the Washington D.C. metropolitan area, considering the specified experience level and the consulting industry context. The benefits listed are directly pulled from the job description and highlight a robust package designed to support employee well-being and professional growth, which are attractive to experienced professionals.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Technology Consulting Services, focused on digital transformation and customer experience.

Company Size: CapTech Consulting is a significant player in the consulting space, indicated by its ability to serve Fortune 100 companies and government agencies, suggesting a large employee base and extensive client reach.

Founded: Founded with a passion for building strong, lasting relationships with clients, CapTech has grown into a reputable consultancy known for delivering technology-driven solutions.

Team Structure:

• The UX Architect will be part of the Customer Experience (CX) team, which consists of various design practitioners.

• This role involves collaboration with UX and Creative Directors, user researchers, other interaction designers, developers, and business system analysts.

Methodology:

• CapTech emphasizes a technology-driven approach to client solutions, focusing on achieving "what's possible" through innovation.

• The CX team operates with a human-centered design methodology, integrating user research, strategic thinking, and iterative design processes.

• There is an explicit focus on staying current with research tools, methods, and emerging technologies, including AI-powered design.

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

📝 Enhancement Note: CapTech's culture appears to be client-centric, results-oriented, and focused on technological innovation. The emphasis on strong relationships, both with clients and internally, suggests a collaborative and supportive work environment. The CX team's methodology aligns with modern design practices, incorporating research, strategy, and technology.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This UX Architect role is positioned at a senior or lead level within the CX practice. It requires significant professional experience (5+ years) and involves leadership responsibilities such as mentoring, providing design oversight, and contributing to practice methodologies.

Reporting Structure: The UX Architect will likely report to a UX Director or Creative Director within the CX team. They will also collaborate closely with project managers and client stakeholders.

Operations Impact: The UX Architect has a direct impact on client success by designing intuitive, impactful, and accessible digital experiences that align user needs with business objectives. Their work influences product strategy, customer satisfaction, and brand perception.

Growth Opportunities:

• Skill Advancement: Opportunities to deepen expertise in specific UX domains, explore new design tools (especially AI-powered ones), and gain certifications.

• Leadership Development: Potential to grow into senior leadership roles, manage larger design initiatives, and contribute more significantly to practice development and strategy.

• Cross-functional Exposure: Experience working across diverse industries and with various client types, broadening understanding of different business challenges and technological solutions.

• Mentorship: Formal and informal opportunities to mentor junior designers, hone leadership and communication skills.

• Industry Involvement: Encouragement to engage in industry events and professional development to stay at the forefront of UX trends.

📝 Enhancement Note: The role offers a clear path for career progression within a consulting framework, moving from senior individual contribution to potential team leadership and practice development. The emphasis on continuous learning and exposure to diverse projects is a hallmark of consulting careers, offering significant growth potential for ambitious UX professionals.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: CapTech Consulting operates a hybrid model, requiring employees to be available for on-site work at client locations or CapTech offices as needed. Remote work is permitted when it aligns with CapTech and client requirements, indicating a flexible but client-delivery-focused environment.

Office Location(s): While the specific job posting is for Reston, Virginia, CapTech has a national presence, suggesting potential for varied client site engagements.

Workspace Context:

• The work environment is collaborative, requiring close interaction with project teams, including developers, researchers, and business analysts.

• Access to standard design tools and technologies, with an emphasis on industry-leading software like Figma.

• Opportunities for interaction and knowledge sharing within the CX team and across other CapTech practices.

Work Schedule: The standard work schedule is typically 40 hours per week. Flexibility is offered within the context of client needs and project deadlines, with a focus on achieving work-life balance while ensuring project success.

📝 Enhancement Note: The hybrid work environment is typical for consulting firms, balancing the need for client presence with employee flexibility. The emphasis on collaboration and access to necessary tools supports a productive and engaging work setting for a UX Architect.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A review of your resume and online portfolio to assess experience, skills, and alignment with the role requirements.

• Portfolio Presentation & Discussion: Candidates will likely be asked to present a selection of their work from their online portfolio, discussing their process, rationale, and impact. Be prepared to articulate your approach to user research, interaction design, and problem-solving.

• Skills Assessment: This may involve technical questions related to design tools (e.g., Figma), UX methodologies, and problem-solving scenarios.

• Behavioral & Situational Interviews: Questions designed to assess your ability to collaborate, mentor, handle feedback, manage multiple projects, and fit within CapTech's culture. Expect questions about how you approach challenges and advocate for user needs.

• Final Round: May involve interviews with senior leadership or cross-functional team members to ensure overall fit and strategic alignment.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select 3-5 projects that best showcase your senior-level UX architecture skills, specifically highlighting complex problem-solving, user research integration, and impactful design outcomes.

• Showcase Process: For each project, clearly articulate the problem, your role, the design process (research, ideation, prototyping, testing), key decisions, and measurable results or impact.

• Highlight Figma Proficiency: If Figma is a core tool, ensure your portfolio demonstrates advanced usage, such as structured file organization, component libraries, auto layout, and efficient handoff documentation.

• Emphasize Mentorship: Include examples where you have mentored junior designers or provided design oversight, showcasing your leadership potential.

• Accessibility Focus: Integrate examples that demonstrate your understanding and application of WCAG 2.2 standards and inclusive design principles.

Challenge Preparation:

• Design Exercise: Be prepared for a potential take-home design challenge or a live design exercise focused on a specific problem, requiring you to demonstrate your problem-solving skills, design thinking, and ability to articulate your process under time constraints.

• Methodology Questions: Anticipate questions about your preferred UX methodologies, how you integrate user research into your workflow, and how you handle conflicting stakeholder requirements.

• AI Tool Exploration: Be ready to discuss your experience or interest in AI-powered design tools and how you envision them impacting the UX design process.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process for a UX Architect role in a consulting firm like CapTech is typically rigorous, focusing on both technical design skills and the ability to manage projects, mentor others, and communicate effectively with clients. A strong, well-documented portfolio is paramount.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Figma: Highly preferred for UI/UX design, prototyping, and developer handoff, with an emphasis on advanced features like auto layout, component libraries, variables, and design tokens for scalable design systems.

• Adobe Creative Suite: Proficiency in Illustrator, Photoshop, and InDesign is preferred for asset creation and graphic design tasks.

• Microsoft PowerPoint: Essential for creating client presentations and communicating design rationale.

Analytics & Reporting:

• User Research Tools: Familiarity with tools like Optimal Workshop (for card sorting, tree testing), UserTesting.com (for remote usability testing), and SurveyMonkey (for surveys) is a plus.

• Analytics Platforms: While not explicitly mentioned, experience with web analytics tools (e.g., Google Analytics) to inform design decisions and measure impact would be beneficial.

CRM & Automation:

• Agile Project Management Tools: Familiarity with Agile methodologies suggests potential use of tools like Jira, Asana, or Trello for task management and workflow tracking.

• Collaboration Platforms: Standard office suites and communication tools (e.g., Microsoft Teams, Slack) are expected.

📝 Enhancement Note: The explicit mention of Figma and its advanced features indicates a strong preference for candidates proficient in modern, collaborative design tools that support design systems and efficient handoffs. Familiarity with research tools is crucial for a user-research-informed role.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Client-Centricity: A primary focus on delivering value and achieving client goals through technology and design expertise.

• Collaboration: Emphasis on strong relationships and teamwork, both internally and with clients.

• Innovation: A drive to explore new technologies and approaches, such as AI-powered design, to deliver cutting-edge solutions.

• Excellence: A commitment to high-quality work, intuitive design, and impactful outcomes.

• Continuous Learning: Encouragement for professional development, skill enhancement, and staying current with industry trends.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-functional Integration: UX Architects work closely with developers, business analysts, researchers, and creative directors, requiring strong communication and the ability to translate design intent effectively.

• Mentorship and Feedback: A culture that values knowledge sharing, with senior practitioners mentoring junior team members and providing constructive feedback.

• Workshop Facilitation: Experience leading collaborative workshops to foster shared understanding and co-create solutions.

📝 Enhancement Note: CapTech's values emphasize client success, innovation, and a collaborative spirit, which are essential for a consulting environment. The culture supports professional growth and encourages proactive engagement in both client work and internal practice development.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing Client Needs and User Advocacy: Effectively championing user needs while aligning with diverse client business objectives and constraints.

• Managing Multiple Stakeholders: Navigating complex stakeholder landscapes, gathering requirements, and managing expectations across different client departments.

• Rapidly Evolving Technology: Staying ahead of emerging design tools, methodologies, and technologies, particularly AI, and integrating them effectively into practice.

• On-site/Hybrid Demands: Adapting to client-specific work environments and schedules, which may require travel or extended on-site presence.

• Practice Development Contribution: Taking initiative to contribute to CapTech's CX methodologies and toolset beyond individual project work.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Advanced Tool Proficiency: Deepening expertise in Figma and exploring new AI-driven design tools.

• Strategic Design Leadership: Developing skills in product strategy, information architecture, and leading complex design initiatives.

• Consulting Acumen: Enhancing client management, presentation, and business development skills.

• Industry Specialization: Gaining deeper knowledge in specific industries or client sectors CapTech serves.

• Formal Training & Certifications: Access to programs for certification and tuition support, fostering continuous skill enhancement.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges are typical for senior roles in consulting, focusing on strategic impact, stakeholder management, and continuous adaptation. The growth opportunities are well-defined, offering a clear path for professional development and career advancement within the firm and the broader CX field.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a complex digital brand experience you designed. What was the business objective, your process, and the impact?" (Focus on your strategic thinking, user research integration, and quantifiable results.)

• "How do you balance user needs with business constraints and technical feasibility in your designs?" (Prepare to discuss trade-offs and problem-solving approaches.)

• "How do you approach mentoring junior designers or providing art direction? Can you give an example?" (Highlight your leadership and communication skills.)

Company & Culture Questions:

• "Why CapTech Consulting, and what interests you about this UX Architect role?" (Research CapTech's values, client work, and CX practice.)

• "Describe a time you had to collaborate with developers or business analysts to achieve a design goal. What were the challenges and how did you overcome them?" (Demonstrate your collaborative spirit and communication effectiveness.)

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Tell a Story: For each project, frame it as a narrative: the challenge, your specific role, the journey of discovery and design, the solutions, and the outcomes.

• Quantify Impact: Wherever possible, use metrics (e.g., conversion rates, task completion times, user satisfaction scores) to demonstrate the success of your designs.

• Show, Don't Just Tell: Use visuals effectively – sketches, wireframes, interactive prototypes, and final designs – to illustrate your points clearly.

• Highlight Figma Expertise: If presenting Figma work, be ready to discuss your workflow, component library management, and how you ensure design consistency and efficient handoff.

• Be Prepared for Deep Dives: Anticipate follow-up questions on any aspect of your work, from your research methods to your specific design choices.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation should focus on demonstrating senior-level strategic thinking, leadership potential, and a deep understanding of the UX design process, particularly within a consulting context. Being able to articulate your process, justify your decisions, and showcase your impact is critical.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this UX Architect position:

• Submit your application through the provided link on SmartRecruiters.

• Portfolio Customization: Tailor your online portfolio to highlight 3-5 of your most relevant projects, emphasizing complex challenges, your strategic design process, user research integration, and measurable impact. Ensure your Figma proficiency and any experience with AI design tools are evident.

• Resume Optimization: Update your resume to clearly articulate your 5+ years of professional experience, focusing on achievements related to UX architecture, digital brand experiences, user research, and leadership/mentorship. Use keywords from the job description naturally.

• Interview Preparation: Practice presenting your portfolio, articulating your design rationale, and answering behavioral questions related to collaboration, problem-solving, and leadership. Be ready to discuss your understanding of Agile methodologies and accessibility standards.

• Company Research: Thoroughly research CapTech Consulting's values, client work, recent projects, and their CX practice. Understand their approach to consulting and how your skills align with their mission and culture.

⚠️ Important Notice: This enhanced job description includes AI-generated insights and operations industry-standard assumptions. All details should be verified directly with the hiring organization before making application decisions.

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