✏️ UX Design Lead ✏️

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: ✏️ UX Design Lead ✏️

Company: Mat3ra

Location: Walnut Creek, California, United States

Job Type: FULL_TIME

Category: UX/Product Design Operations

Date Posted: 2025-08-09T01:41:01.402

Experience Level: 5-10 Years

Remote Status: Remote OK

🚀 Role Summary

• Lead the strategic direction and execution of user experience (UX) design for a cutting-edge materials R&D platform, embodying the vision of a real-world J.A.R.V.I.S. for materials science.

• Drive user-centric product design by identifying strategic pathways, collecting valuable user feedback, and implementing product features that directly impact how materials research is conducted.

• Collaborate closely with a world-class team of researchers, engineers, and venture capitalists to translate complex technical concepts into intuitive and powerful user interfaces.

• Develop and refine marketing materials, including case studies and publications, to effectively communicate the value and impact of the platform to leading global enterprises.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is positioned as a leadership opportunity within a highly technical and rapidly growing industry. The UX Design Lead will not only be responsible for design execution but also for shaping product strategy and influencing go-to-market approaches, with a clear path to leadership as the company expands.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Strategic UX Planning: Define and organize UX design workflows, ensuring alignment with product vision and business objectives for the digital materials R&D platform.

• User Engagement & Feedback: Proactively communicate with platform users to solicit, analyze, and incorporate feedback, driving continuous improvement and user satisfaction.

• Product Design & Development: Lead the end-to-end product design process, from concept development and wireframing to high-fidelity prototyping and UI implementation.

• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Work in close partnership with the engineering team, effectively translating and explaining design concepts, user flows, and interaction patterns to facilitate seamless implementation.

• Marketing & Communications: Develop compelling marketing materials, such as case studies, technical publications, and presentations, to showcase platform capabilities and user success stories.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities emphasize a blend of strategic product thinking, hands-on design execution, and effective stakeholder communication, particularly with the engineering team. The role requires a proactive approach to user feedback and a strong understanding of how design contributes to go-to-market strategies.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

Experience:

• 5 or more years of experience in developing and launching products or technologies within sectors such as Cloud, SaaS, enterprise software, internal tools, or supply chain networks.

• 2 or more years of hands-on experience with Figma for design and prototyping.

• Demonstrated prior experience with Material Design / Material UI principles and implementation.

Required Skills:

• UX Design & Product Design: Expertise in user-centered design principles, interaction design, and information architecture.

• User Feedback & Research: Proficiency in user research methodologies, feedback collection, and analysis to inform design decisions.

• Figma Proficiency: Advanced skills in using Figma for wireframing, prototyping, and collaborative design workflows.

• Material Design Implementation: Practical experience applying Material Design guidelines and components within enterprise-level applications.

• Communication Skills: Strong written and oral communication abilities for effective collaboration with management, engineering, and external stakeholders.

Preferred Skills:

• Enterprise Software Background: Prior experience designing or working with complex enterprise software solutions.

• Domain Expertise: Familiarity with materials science, chemistry, physics, or related scientific fields.

• Machine Learning Experience: Understanding or experience with machine learning concepts and their application in product design.

• Analytical & Problem-Solving Skills: Robust ability to analyze complex problems, identify root causes, and develop effective design solutions.

• Time Management & Organization: Excellent skills in managing multiple initiatives, prioritizing tasks, and coordinating implementations within complex projects.

• Attention to Detail: Extreme meticulousness in all aspects of design and documentation.

📝 Enhancement Note: The requirements highlight a strong technical foundation combined with extensive UX/Product Design experience, particularly in enterprise SaaS environments. Proficiency in Figma and Material Design are critical technical skills, while domain knowledge in science and ML is a significant advantage.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Case Studies: Showcase 3-5 detailed case studies demonstrating end-to-end product design process, from problem definition and user research to solution design and implementation.

• Process Optimization: Highlight examples of how your design process has led to measurable improvements in user efficiency, task completion rates, or overall user satisfaction.

• System Implementation: Include examples of collaborative workflows with engineering teams, demonstrating how design specifications were translated into functional product features.

• ROI Demonstration: Quantify the impact of your design work where possible, showing contributions to key business metrics such as user adoption, engagement, or task efficiency gains.

Process Documentation:

• Workflow Design: Provide examples of user flow diagrams, wireframes, and interactive prototypes that illustrate clear and efficient user journeys.

• User Research & Feedback Integration: Demonstrate how user feedback and research findings were systematically integrated into the design iteration process.

• Design System Contribution: If applicable, showcase contributions to or development of design systems, emphasizing consistency, scalability, and efficiency.

📝 Enhancement Note: Candidates are expected to present a portfolio that not only demonstrates design skills but also highlights their ability to manage complex projects, collaborate effectively with technical teams, and articulate the business impact of their design decisions. Specific examples of process optimization and user feedback integration are highly valued.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $120,000 - $180,000 per year

Stock Options: 0.25 - 0.75% equity

Benefits:

• Health Care Plan: Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage.

• Retirement Plan: 401(k) or IRA options to support long-term financial planning.

• Life Insurance: Basic and voluntary life insurance, including Accidental Death & Dismemberment (AD&D).

• Paid Time Off: Generous PTO including vacation days, sick leave, and public holidays.

• Disability Insurance: Short-term and long-term disability coverage to ensure income protection.

• Training & Development: Opportunities for professional growth, skill enhancement, and continuous learning.

• Work From Home: Flexibility to work remotely.

• Perks: Access to free food, snacks, and wellness resources.

• Stock Option Plan: Participation in the company's equity growth.

Working Hours: Standard 40-hour work week, with flexibility to accommodate remote work and project needs.

📝 Enhancement Note: The provided salary range is competitive for a UX Design Lead role in the Walnut Creek, California area, considering the technical nature of the company and the industry. The comprehensive benefits package, including significant equity, reflects the company's investment in its key personnel and the leadership expectations for this role.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Materials Science R&D Software / Enterprise SaaS

Company Size: While not explicitly stated, the mention of growing into leadership roles and working with "leading enterprises" suggests a scaling startup or a well-funded growth-stage company.

Founded: The company's focus on building a "real-world J.A.R.V.I.S." and its innovative approach to materials R&D implies a culture driven by cutting-edge technology and scientific advancement.

Team Structure:

• Operations Focus: The UX Design Lead will likely be part of a product or engineering team, collaborating closely with software engineers, product managers, and potentially materials scientists.

• Reporting: The role is a lead position, suggesting direct reporting to a Head of Product, VP of Engineering, or a similar senior leadership role.

• Collaboration: Expect a highly collaborative environment with cross-functional teams, requiring strong communication and integration with technical disciplines.

Methodology:

• Data-Driven Design: Emphasis on using user feedback and analytics to inform design decisions and product development.

• Agile Development: Likely operates within an agile framework, requiring iterative design and development cycles.

• Process Optimization: A core tenet of the role is to improve processes through thoughtful UX design and platform enhancements.

Company Website: https://exabyte.io/

📝 Enhancement Note: Mat3ra is positioned at the intersection of advanced materials science and cutting-edge technology, aiming to revolutionize R&D. The company culture is likely to be intellectually stimulating, fast-paced, and focused on innovation, attracting individuals passionate about scientific and technological breakthroughs.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This is a senior individual contributor role with leadership responsibilities, often considered a mid-to-senior level position in the UX design field. It bridges hands-on design work with strategic product thinking and team influence.

Reporting Structure: The UX Design Lead will report to senior product or engineering leadership, likely a Director or VP level. They may also mentor junior designers as the team grows.

Operations Impact: The role has a direct impact on the usability and adoption of a critical platform for materials R&D. Success means enabling scientists and engineers to conduct research more efficiently, directly contributing to the company's mission and revenue potential by attracting and retaining enterprise clients.

Growth Opportunities:

• Leadership Progression: Clear path to managing a UX/Product Design team as the company scales.

• Strategic Influence: Opportunity to significantly shape the product roadmap and company's go-to-market strategy.

• Domain Expertise: Deepen knowledge in materials science and its intersection with AI/ML and cloud platforms.

• Skill Development: Advanced training in enterprise SaaS design, complex system architecture, and potentially leadership development programs.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role offers a unique opportunity for a UX professional to not only excel in design but also to grow into a leadership position within a groundbreaking scientific and technological domain, with tangible impact on how future materials are discovered and developed.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The "Work From Home" benefit suggests a flexible or remote-first work environment, or at least a hybrid model that accommodates remote employees. If there is a physical office, it's likely modern and designed to foster collaboration.

Office Location(s): Walnut Creek, California, United States.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative: Expected to work closely with engineering, product management, and potentially research teams.

• Technology-Rich: Access to industry-standard design tools (Figma) and potentially advanced R&D software.

• Innovation-Focused: An environment that encourages experimentation, problem-solving, and pushing technological boundaries.

Work Schedule: While a standard 40-hour work week is mentioned, the nature of a fast-growing tech company and a leadership role may involve some flexibility and a need to adapt to project demands.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on remote work flexibility combined with a collaborative culture indicates an environment that values autonomy and efficient communication. Professionals who thrive in dynamic, intellectually stimulating settings will find this appealing.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

1. Initial Screening: A brief call with HR or a recruiter to assess basic qualifications and cultural fit.

2. Hiring Manager Interview: Discussion with the hiring manager (e.g., Head of Product) to delve into experience, strategic thinking, and role alignment.

3. Portfolio Review & Design Challenge: Presentation of your portfolio, followed by a discussion or a practical design challenge related to the platform's UX. This will assess your design process, problem-solving skills, and ability to articulate design decisions.

4. Team/Cross-Functional Interviews: Meetings with key engineering and product team members to evaluate collaboration style and technical understanding.

5. Final Interview: Potentially with a senior executive (e.g., CEO, CTO) for final assessment of strategic fit and leadership potential.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Selectively: Focus on 3-5 of your most impactful projects that best demonstrate your skills for this specific role (enterprise SaaS, technical platforms).

• Tell a Story: For each case study, clearly articulate the problem, your role, the process you followed, the challenges you overcame, and the measurable outcomes.

• Highlight Collaboration: Showcase how you worked with engineers and stakeholders, providing examples of communication and problem-solving in a team setting.

• Process Over Polish: While polished visuals are important, emphasize your thought process, research methodologies, and iterative design approach.

• Quantify Impact: Whenever possible, use data and metrics to demonstrate the success of your designs.

Challenge Preparation:

• Understand the Domain: Research materials science, R&D workflows, and the competitive landscape of scientific software.

• Figma Proficiency: Be ready to demonstrate or discuss your Figma workflow and advanced features.

• Problem-Solving: Prepare to tackle a hypothetical design problem related to complex data visualization, workflow management, or user onboarding for scientific users.

• Communication: Practice articulating your design rationale clearly and concisely, anticipating questions from both design and technical perspectives.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process is designed to thoroughly assess not only design skills but also strategic thinking, collaboration capabilities, and domain-specific understanding. A well-prepared portfolio and a clear demonstration of your design process are crucial for success.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Figma: Essential for wireframing, prototyping, and collaborative design. Expect advanced usage and potentially contributions to design systems.

• Material Design / Material UI: Key framework for building the platform's UI components.

• User Research Tools: Potentially including tools for surveys, usability testing, and user interviews.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Product Analytics Tools: Tools like Mixpanel, Amplitude, or Google Analytics to track user behavior and measure design impact.

• Data Visualization Tools: For presenting research findings and performance metrics to stakeholders.

CRM & Automation:

• CRM: While not directly a UX tool, understanding CRM principles might be beneficial for understanding enterprise user contexts.

• Project Management Tools: Tools like Jira, Asana, or Trello for managing design tasks and collaborating with engineering.

📝 Enhancement Note: Proficiency with Figma and a strong understanding of Material Design are non-negotiable. Familiarity with product analytics and project management tools will enhance collaboration and demonstrate a data-driven approach to design.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Innovation: A drive to push boundaries and create novel solutions for materials R&D.

• Collaboration: Emphasis on teamwork, open communication, and cross-functional partnerships.

• User-Centricity: A commitment to understanding and serving the needs of scientists and engineers.

• Excellence: Striving for high quality in design, execution, and impact.

• Data-Driven Decision Making: Relying on evidence and insights to guide product development.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-Functional Integration: Designers are expected to work closely with engineers and product managers, fostering a shared understanding of goals and challenges.

• Iterative Process: A culture that encourages continuous feedback and iteration on designs.

• Knowledge Sharing: Openness to sharing insights, best practices, and learnings within the team and across departments.

📝 Enhancement Note: The company culture appears to value intellectual curiosity, collaborative problem-solving, and a commitment to making a significant impact in the scientific community. Candidates who are proactive, communicative, and passionate about technology will likely thrive.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Complex Domain: Designing for a specialized field like materials science requires understanding technical concepts and user workflows.

• Enterprise-Scale Platform: Building a comprehensive platform for enterprise users demands robust design for scalability, data management, and complex interactions.

• Balancing User Needs and Technical Constraints: Effectively translating user requirements into feasible and high-performing technical solutions.

• Rapid Growth Environment: Adapting to a fast-paced, evolving startup environment with potential ambiguity.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Industry Exposure: Gain deep insights into the materials science industry and its R&D processes.

• Technical Skill Enhancement: Deepen expertise in cloud platforms, SaaS architecture, and potentially AI/ML integration.

• Leadership Development: Opportunities to grow into management roles and influence product strategy.

• Professional Networking: Connect with leading researchers, engineers, and venture capitalists.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role presents significant challenges that are also opportunities for substantial professional growth. Overcoming these challenges will build expertise in a high-demand niche and prepare individuals for advanced leadership positions.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a complex technical product you designed. What were the key UX challenges, and how did you address them?"

• "How do you balance user needs with technical constraints when designing for an enterprise SaaS platform?"

• "Walk me through your process for gathering and incorporating user feedback into your design iterations."

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What interests you most about Mat3ra's mission and the materials R&D industry?"

• "How do you approach collaboration with engineering teams, especially when there are differing opinions on design implementation?"

• "Describe a time you had to influence stakeholders to adopt your design vision."

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure: Start with an overview of Mat3ra's mission and how your skills align. For each case study: Problem -> Your Role -> Process -> Solution -> Outcome -> Learnings.

• Focus: Emphasize your strategic thinking, problem-solving approach, and the impact of your designs.

• Interaction: Be prepared for interactive questions about your design choices and how you would approach specific challenges related to the platform.

• Technical Context: Demonstrate an understanding of the technical aspects of building a SaaS platform and how UX integrates with it.

📝 Enhancement Note: Prepare to articulate your design philosophy, demonstrate your problem-solving process, and showcase how your experience directly applies to Mat3ra's unique challenges and opportunities. Quantifiable results and clear communication are key.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this UX Design Lead position:

• Submit your application through the provided link on Workable.

• Portfolio Customization: Tailor your portfolio to highlight projects demonstrating enterprise SaaS experience, technical product design, and collaboration with engineering teams. Emphasize case studies showing process optimization and user feedback integration.

• Resume Optimization: Ensure your resume clearly outlines your years of experience, key skills (Figma, Material Design, user research), and achievements relevant to this role. Use keywords from the job description.

• Interview Preparation: Practice explaining your design process, articulating your contributions to product vision, and discussing your experience with technical teams. Prepare specific examples for behavioral questions.

• Company Research: Thoroughly research Mat3ra, its mission, and the materials R&D industry. Understand their product (exabyte.io) and how UX can drive its success.

⚠️ 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.