UX Designer and Researcher

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: UX Designer and Researcher Company: Apptronik Location: Austin, TX Job Type: Full-time Category: User Experience (UX) Operations Date Posted: 2025-07-24T16:06:09 Experience Level: Senior (7+ years) Remote Status: Hybrid

🚀 Role Summary

• This role focuses on enhancing the user experience of advanced general-purpose robots designed for real-world human interaction and operation.
• It involves a blend of user research and interaction design, translating user needs into intuitive interfaces for robotic systems, teleoperation, and fleet management software.
• The position requires a strategic thinker who can shape the foundational UX practices within a growing, innovative robotics startup.
• The UX Designer and Researcher will collaborate closely with product, industrial design, and engineering teams to define user workflows and interaction patterns.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the input data doesn't explicitly mention "Revenue Operations" or "Sales Operations," the focus on customer needs assessment, improving holistic solutions, and shaping user experience for commercial applications strongly aligns with the principles of GTM (Go-To-Market) operations and customer success enablement. The role's impact on how users engage with and adopt complex robotic systems directly influences market penetration and revenue generation, making it a critical component of the company's operational success.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Lead end-to-end user research initiatives, including planning, protocol development, data synthesis, and communicating insights to inform design strategy and system-level thinking.
• Design intuitive user flows and interactions for robotic interfaces, virtual reality (VR) environments, and fleet management software.
• Facilitate collaborative workshops and design activities with cross-functional teams to explore concepts, prioritize ideas, and build consensus.
• Develop and maintain key UX artifacts such as user personas, journey maps, and other documentation to represent the needs of internal, external, and end-users.
• Conduct rigorous usability testing on early concepts and prototypes to evaluate clarity, safety, and learnability for complex robotic systems.
• Play a pivotal role in establishing foundational UX tools, templates, and processes for a growing UX practice within a startup environment.
• Collaborate closely with product managers and engineering teams to integrate research-driven design principles into tangible, real-world applications.
• Adapt research and design methodologies to accommodate varying time scales, supporting both quick-turn testing and long-term vision building efforts.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a strong emphasis on foundational UX practice development, which is crucial in a startup environment. This implies an expectation for the candidate to not just execute but also to architect and standardize UX processes, a key component of operational maturity.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

• Bachelor’s degree in User Experience Design, Graphic Design, Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), or a closely related field.
• Equivalent practical experience will also be considered, demonstrating a strong understanding of UX principles and application.

Experience:

• A minimum of 7 years of progressive experience in user experience design, user research, or a hybrid UX role, with a proven track record of delivering impactful designs.
• Demonstrated ability to independently plan, conduct, and synthesize both generative (discovery) and evaluative (validation) user research methodologies.
• Strong interaction design skills, supported by a comprehensive portfolio showcasing systems thinking, complex workflow design, and user-centered solutions.
• Experience designing for hardware-software systems, particularly in industrial environments or for technical/specialized tools, is highly preferred.
• Proficiency in creating and presenting design artifacts that effectively clarify concepts and influence stakeholders, including user flows, wireframes, prototypes, journey maps, and concept boards.
• Excellent facilitation and communication skills, with the ability to engage effectively with both technical and non-technical audiences, including engineers, product managers, and executive leadership.
• Familiarity with industry-standard design and collaboration tools, including but not limited to Figma and Miro.
• Comfort and demonstrated ability to thrive in ambiguous environments, actively shaping structure and processes as the team and company evolve.
• A genuine passion for working at the forefront of human-robot collaboration and advancing the field of robotics.

Required Skills:

• User Experience Design (UX Design)
• User Research (Generative & Evaluative)
• Interaction Design
• Systems Thinking
• Design Artifact Creation (Personas, Journey Maps, Flows)
• Usability Testing
• Facilitation & Workshop Leadership
• Cross-functional Collaboration
• Communication (Verbal & Written)
• Figma
• Miro

Preferred Skills:

• Robotics or Automation Systems Design
• Hardware-Software System Integration
• Industrial Environment Design
• VR Interface Design
• Spatial Interaction Design
• 3D Prototyping Tools
• Service Design Principles
• Enterprise-Level Software Design
• Safety Standards for Human-Robot Interaction
• Ethical Frameworks for AI/Robotics

📝 Enhancement Note: The requirement for 7+ years of experience at a "senior-level" suggests the expectation for leadership in UX practice development and strategic input, not just execution. The emphasis on "systems thinking" and "complex workflows" points towards a need for candidates who can manage intricate user interactions across multiple modalities (robot, VR, software).

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Showcase a minimum of two detailed case studies demonstrating end-to-end UX process, from initial user research and problem definition to final design and validation.
• Clearly illustrate systems thinking and the ability to design for complex, interconnected workflows across hardware, software, and potentially VR interfaces.
• Highlight experience in designing for technical or industrial environments, demonstrating an understanding of user needs in these specific contexts.
• Include examples of how user research insights directly informed design decisions and led to measurable improvements in usability, safety, or efficiency.
• Present proficiency in industry-standard design tools (e.g., Figma) and collaboration platforms (e.g., Miro) through the artifacts shared.
• Demonstrate experience in creating and presenting various design artifacts such as user personas, journey maps, user flows, wireframes, and interactive prototypes.

Process Documentation:

• Evidence of establishing or contributing to the standardization of UX processes, including research methodologies, design sprints, and usability testing protocols.
• Examples of creating and maintaining design system components or style guides to ensure consistency and efficiency across product interfaces.
• Documentation of how feedback from cross-functional teams and stakeholders was incorporated into the design process.
• Case studies that detail the iterative nature of the design process, showing how feedback and testing informed subsequent design iterations.

📝 Enhancement Note: Given this is a foundational role in a growing startup, the portfolio should not only showcase finished products but also the candidate's ability to define and implement UX processes and standards. This is a direct indicator of their operational capability within the UX function.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

• Based on industry benchmarks for Senior UX Designers and Researchers in Austin, TX, with 7+ years of experience, a competitive salary range is estimated between $130,000 - $180,000 annually. This range accounts for the specialized nature of robotics UX and the foundational aspect of the role.
• 📝 Enhancement Note: This estimate is derived from general market data for senior UX professionals in a major tech hub like Austin, TX, and adjusted for the specific demands of designing for advanced robotics and complex systems. Actual compensation will depend on the candidate's specific experience, skills, and interview performance.

Benefits:

• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance plans.
• Stock options or equity participation, reflecting the startup environment and growth potential.
• Generous paid time off (PTO) and holidays.
• Opportunities for professional development, including conferences, workshops, and training relevant to UX and robotics.
• Access to cutting-edge technology and tools for design and research.
• Collaborative work environment with a focus on innovation and impact.
• Potential for involvement in shaping company culture and UX best practices.

Working Hours:

• Standard full-time hours, typically around 40 hours per week.
• The role is described as hybrid, requiring a balance of in-office collaboration and remote work flexibility. Specific in-office days and expectations will be communicated by the hiring team.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "hybrid role" description implies a need for flexibility, which is common in modern tech companies. The benefits package is assumed to be competitive for a well-funded startup in a high-demand field.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Robotics and Artificial Intelligence (AI), focused on developing general-purpose robots for real-world applications. Apptronik is at the forefront of innovation in human-robot collaboration and automation. Company Size: Apptronik is a growing startup, indicating a dynamic and fast-paced work environment where individuals can have a significant impact and contribute to shaping the company's future and operational processes. Founded: While the founding date isn't provided, the company's origin from advanced robotics research (dating back to the DARPA Robotics Challenge) suggests a deep technical foundation and a mission-driven approach to solving labor shortages and improving quality of life.

Team Structure:

• The UX team is likely small and foundational, reporting to the Director of UX.
• This role will involve close collaboration with product management, industrial design, and engineering departments, requiring strong cross-functional communication and partnership.
• As a senior member, there's an opportunity to influence team structure and process as the UX practice matures.

Methodology:

• Data-driven decision-making, leveraging user research insights to guide product development and interaction design.
• Iterative design and development processes, incorporating feedback from quick-turn testing and long-term vision building.
• Emphasis on creating elegant, functional, and safe user experiences for complex robotic systems.
• Collaborative approach to problem-solving, involving cross-functional teams in workshops and design activities.

Company Website: apptronik.com

📝 Enhancement Note: The company's focus on "robots for the real world" and "improving human quality of life" suggests a culture that values innovation, impact, and practical application of advanced technology. The startup environment implies agility and a willingness to adapt processes.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This is a Senior-level position, indicating a need for significant autonomy, experience, and the ability to mentor or guide junior team members as the UX practice expands. The role is foundational, meaning the individual will have a substantial impact on defining how UX is practiced. Reporting Structure: The role reports directly to the Director of UX, providing a clear line of management and strategic direction within the UX discipline. Operations Impact: The UX Designer and Researcher will directly influence the usability, safety, and overall adoption of Apptronik's robotic products. By ensuring intuitive human-robot interactions and efficient software management, this role is critical to customer satisfaction, market penetration, and ultimately, revenue generation. Effective UX can reduce support costs and improve customer retention.

Growth Opportunities:

• Operations Skill Advancement: Opportunity to build and scale a UX practice from the ground up, developing expertise in operationalizing UX processes within a hardware/software product company.
• Industry Specialization: Deepen knowledge and expertise in robotics UX, human-robot interaction (HRI), and industrial design principles.
• Leadership Potential: As the company and UX team grow, there is a clear path to leadership roles, such as Lead UX Designer, UX Manager, or Head of UX.
• Cross-Functional Exposure: Gain broad experience working across product, engineering, industrial design, and commercial teams, fostering a holistic understanding of product development.
• Innovation Contribution: Directly contribute to the development of cutting-edge robotic technology and its real-world application, offering a unique and impactful career trajectory.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "foundational role" aspect implies significant opportunity for ownership and impact, which are key drivers for career growth in operations-focused roles. The ability to shape processes is a valuable growth path.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Apptronik operates in a hybrid work model, balancing the benefits of in-office collaboration with the flexibility of remote work. This suggests an environment that values both team cohesion and individual productivity. Office Location(s): The primary work location is Austin, TX. This location is known for its vibrant tech scene, offering access to talent and a supportive ecosystem for innovation.

Workspace Context:

• The workspace is expected to be collaborative, encouraging interaction with cross-functional teams (product, engineering, industrial design) to foster idea exchange and problem-solving.
• Access to necessary design and research tools, including Figma, Miro, and potentially VR/3D prototyping tools, will be provided to facilitate effective work.
• Opportunities for direct interaction with internal users and potentially external customers to gather feedback and validate designs.

Work Schedule:

• The standard work week is approximately 40 hours.
• The hybrid nature of the role allows for flexibility in scheduling workdays, balancing in-office collaboration with remote work. Specific details on required in-office days will be provided by the hiring team.

📝 Enhancement Note: The hybrid model is typical for tech companies and allows operations professionals to balance focused work with collaborative sessions effectively.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A review of your resume and portfolio to assess qualifications and experience.
• Hiring Manager Interview: A discussion with the Director of UX to delve deeper into your experience, approach to UX design and research, and understanding of the role.
• Portfolio Presentation & Case Study Review: A dedicated session where you will present your portfolio, focusing on specific case studies that highlight your systems thinking, research methodology, and interaction design skills. Be prepared to discuss your process, challenges, and outcomes.
• Cross-functional Team Interviews: Interviews with members from product, engineering, and potentially industrial design to evaluate your collaboration style, communication skills, and ability to integrate into the team.
• Final Interview: Potentially with senior leadership to discuss strategic fit and long-term vision.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select 2-3 strong case studies that best showcase your experience with complex systems, hardware-software integration, and user research. Prioritize projects where you had significant ownership and impact.
• Structure for Impact: For each case study, clearly articulate the problem statement, your role and responsibilities, the UX process followed (research, ideation, design, testing), key insights, design decisions, and the final outcomes or results. Use visuals (screenshots, prototypes, flow diagrams) to support your narrative.
• Highlight Process & Operations: Emphasize how you gathered user insights, iterated on designs based on feedback, and collaborated with engineering and product teams. Showcase your ability to establish or improve UX processes if applicable.
• Quantify Results: Whenever possible, use metrics to demonstrate the impact of your work (e.g., improved usability scores, increased task completion rates, reduced error rates).
• Tailor to Apptronik: Research Apptronik's products and mission. Be prepared to discuss how your skills and experience align with their specific challenges and goals in human-robot interaction.

Challenge Preparation:

• Process Design Challenge: You might be asked to outline how you would approach a specific UX challenge for Apptronik's robots, or how you would establish a new UX process. Focus on a structured, research-informed approach.
• Scenario-Based Questions: Be ready to answer questions about how you would handle ambiguous situations, manage conflicting stakeholder feedback, or prioritize research efforts.
• System-Level Thinking: Prepare to discuss how you would ensure a cohesive user experience across different touchpoints (robot interface, mobile app, fleet management software).

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on a portfolio presentation and potential process challenges indicates that the company values a practical, hands-on demonstration of skills and operational thinking, not just theoretical knowledge.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Figma: Essential for UI design, prototyping, and collaboration. Proficiency in creating interactive prototypes and design systems is expected.
• Miro: Crucial for collaborative ideation, user journey mapping, workshop facilitation, and research synthesis.
• User Research Platforms: Familiarity with tools for user interviews, surveys, and usability testing (e.g., UserTesting.com, Lookback, Qualtrics, SurveyMonkey).
• Prototyping Tools: Beyond Figma, experience with other prototyping tools (e.g., Adobe XD, InVision) or specialized tools for 3D or VR prototyping would be beneficial.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Analytics Tools: Experience with web/app analytics tools (e.g., Google Analytics, Mixpanel, Amplitude) to understand user behavior post-launch.
• Data Visualization Tools: Ability to use tools like Tableau, Power BI, or even advanced Excel/Google Sheets for analyzing research data and presenting findings.

CRM & Automation:

• While not direct CRM/automation tools for this role, understanding how user feedback and design requirements integrate into product roadmaps and development workflows is key. Familiarity with project management tools like Jira or Asana will be helpful for collaboration with engineering teams.

📝 Enhancement Note: The explicit mention of Figma and Miro highlights their importance in daily operations. Experience with user research platforms is critical for the research aspect of the role.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Customer-Centricity: A deep commitment to understanding and advocating for user needs to ensure the success and adoption of robotic solutions.
• Innovation & Curiosity: A drive to explore new technologies and approaches in human-robot interaction and to push the boundaries of what's possible.
• Collaboration & Transparency: Open communication and close teamwork across disciplines to achieve shared goals and build robust, user-friendly products.
• Data-Driven Decision Making: Reliance on research and analytics to inform design strategies and validate solutions, ensuring efficiency and effectiveness.
• Impact & Ownership: A sense of responsibility for the end-user experience and a proactive approach to identifying and solving problems.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-functional Integration: Active participation in joint brainstorming sessions, design reviews, and project planning with product managers, engineers, and industrial designers.
• Constructive Feedback: A culture that encourages open and honest feedback among team members to refine designs and processes.
• Knowledge Sharing: Willingness to share learnings from research and design activities to benefit the broader team and company.
• Agile and Iterative: Embracing an agile mindset, adapting to changes and iterating quickly based on new information and feedback.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on customer-centricity, innovation, and collaboration aligns with the operational imperative of building successful, market-ready products.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Designing for Novel Interactions: Creating intuitive user experiences for novel human-robot interactions in dynamic, real-world environments presents significant design challenges.
• Balancing Stakeholder Needs: Effectively managing and synthesizing input from diverse stakeholders (engineering, product, commercial, end-users) to create cohesive designs.
• Establishing UX Best Practices: As a foundational role in a startup, a key challenge will be defining and implementing robust UX processes, tools, and standards from the ground up.
• Rapidly Evolving Technology: Staying abreast of advancements in robotics, AI, and human-robot interaction to ensure designs are cutting-edge and future-proof.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Specialized UX for Robotics: Gain deep expertise in Human-Robot Interaction (HRI) design and user experience for complex mechanical systems.
• Startup Growth: Contribute to the growth and scaling of a promising robotics company, gaining experience in a fast-paced, innovative environment.
• Process Development: Opportunity to architect and implement UX methodologies, tools, and workflows, building significant operational experience.
• Industry Exposure: Engage with leading minds in robotics and AI, potentially attending industry conferences and contributing to the advancement of the field.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges presented are inherent to working with cutting-edge technology in a startup, offering significant opportunities for professional growth and skill development in operationalizing UX.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you had to design for a complex hardware-software system. What were the key challenges, and how did your UX approach address them?" (Prepare a case study focusing on systems thinking and technical constraints.)
• "How would you approach establishing a user research plan for a new robotic feature, considering both internal and external user needs?" (Demonstrate your understanding of research operations and methodology.)
• "Walk us through your process for synthesizing user research findings and translating them into actionable design recommendations for an engineering team." (Focus on clarity of communication and impact.)
• "Imagine you need to design an interface for controlling a fleet of robots. What are the critical user needs and potential interaction patterns you would explore?" (Showcase your ability to handle ambiguity and complex system design.)

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What excites you most about Apptronik's mission and the future of robotics?" (Research the company's mission and be prepared to articulate your passion.)
• "How do you approach collaboration with engineering and product management teams to ensure successful product development?" (Highlight your cross-functional communication and teamwork skills.)
• "Describe your experience working in a startup or fast-paced environment. How do you adapt to ambiguity and drive progress?" (Emphasize your agility and proactive approach.)

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Narrative Flow: Structure your portfolio presentation like a story – problem, your solution, the journey, and the outcome.
• Focus on Process: Spend significant time explaining your research methodology, design iterations, and how you incorporated feedback. This is key for a role focused on UX operations.
• Highlight Impact: Quantify the results of your work whenever possible. If direct metrics aren't available, discuss the qualitative impact on user experience and stakeholder satisfaction.
• Be Prepared for Q&A: Anticipate questions about specific design choices, research methodologies, and your collaboration process.

📝 Enhancement Note: Preparing specific examples that demonstrate your understanding of UX operations, process implementation, and cross-functional collaboration will be critical for success in the interview process.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this UX Designer and Researcher position:

• Submit your application through the provided Greenhouse link.
• Portfolio Customization: Ensure your portfolio is easily accessible and clearly showcases your best work, with a strong emphasis on case studies detailing your UX process, research insights, and systems thinking. Tailor your selection to highlight experience relevant to hardware-software systems and complex workflows.
• Resume Optimization: Update your resume to highlight your 7+ years of experience, specific UX research and design skills, and any experience in robotics, industrial environments, or complex systems. Use keywords from the job description, such as "user research," "interaction design," "systems thinking," and "hardware-software integration."
• Interview Preparation: Practice presenting your portfolio case studies, focusing on articulating your operational process, research methodologies, and the impact of your design decisions. Prepare to discuss how you would approach building foundational UX practices.
• Company Research: Thoroughly research Apptronik's mission, products, and recent news. Understand their commitment to improving quality of life through robotics and be ready to discuss how your skills align with their vision and operational goals.

⚠️ 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.