UX-DESIGNER

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: UX Designer
Company: Squarehead Technology
Location: Oslo, Norway
Job Type: Full-Time
Category: User Experience Design / Product Design
Date Posted: October 6, 2025
Experience Level: Mid-Level (2-5 Years)
Remote Status: Hybrid

🚀 Role Summary

• Design and develop intuitive user flows for sophisticated applications that process complex API data from advanced microphone arrays, ensuring a seamless user experience for critical decision-making.
• Collaborate closely with a dedicated team of engineers and product managers, fostering a direct and efficient communication channel for rapid problem-solving and iterative development.
• Leverage Figma and other modern design tools to create high-fidelity prototypes and user interfaces, focusing on responsiveness and optimal performance for real-time threat detection systems.
• Contribute to the development of user-centric solutions that translate intricate signal processing and mathematical algorithms into clear, actionable situational awareness for end-users in both civilian and military contexts.

📝 Enhancement Note: The role emphasizes a close-knit team environment with direct access to development and product teams, suggesting a high degree of autonomy and impact for the UX Designer. The focus on "rapid decision making" and "responsive systems" indicates a need for efficient design solutions that prioritize clarity and speed.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Translate complex API data streams from advanced microphone arrays into clear, intuitive user interfaces and visualizations that enable rapid situational awareness and threat detection.
• Design and prototype user flows for proprietary applications, focusing on optimizing the user experience for critical, time-sensitive operations.
• Collaborate daily with software developers and product managers to ensure seamless integration of design elements and user feedback into the development lifecycle.
• Conduct user research and usability testing to gather insights and validate design decisions, ensuring the final product meets the needs of operators in diverse environments.
• Contribute to the continuous improvement of design processes and best practices within a small, agile team, promoting a culture of innovation and efficiency.
• Participate in field testing and real-world scenario simulations to gain a deeper understanding of user needs and operational challenges.

📝 Enhancement Note: The description highlights a need for a UX Designer who can work effectively in a "small team office" environment with "very little overhead for designers," indicating a hands-on role with direct influence on product direction. The emphasis on "tett på utviklingsteam og produktsjefer" suggests a collaborative approach is paramount.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

• A Bachelor's degree in Design, Human-Computer Interaction, Computer Science, or a related field, or equivalent practical experience.

Experience:

• 2-5 years of professional experience in UX/UI design, with a strong portfolio showcasing user-centered design solutions.
• Proven experience designing complex applications, preferably those involving data visualization, real-time information, or technical interfaces.

Required Skills:

• Proficiency in UX design principles and methodologies, with a strong understanding of user-centered design processes.
• Expertise in design and prototyping tools, particularly Figma, for creating wireframes, mockups, and interactive prototypes.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English, essential for team collaboration and stakeholder interaction.
• Ability to translate complex technical concepts (e.g., signal processing, API data) into intuitive and user-friendly designs.
• Strong problem-solving skills and the ability to work independently and manage multiple design tasks effectively.
• Experience with rapid decision-making in a fast-paced environment.

Preferred Skills:

• Familiarity with modern development methodologies and agile workflows.
• Experience with front-end development concepts, understanding how designs are implemented.
• Knowledge of mathematics and signal processing principles, or an interest in learning them.
• Experience working in the defense, security, or technology sectors involving complex hardware and software integration.

📝 Enhancement Note: The requirement for "good written and spoken English skills" is crucial given the international nature of the company's clients and the likely diverse backgrounds of team members. The role also benefits from candidates who can quickly grasp technical concepts, as evidenced by the product's core technology.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Showcase a minimum of 3-5 distinct UX design projects that demonstrate a deep understanding of user-centered design principles and problem-solving.
• Projects should highlight your process, from initial research and user journey mapping to wireframing, prototyping, and final UI design.
• Include examples of how you've translated complex data or technical requirements into user-friendly interfaces.
• Demonstrate your proficiency with design tools, with a strong emphasis on Figma projects.
• Clearly articulate the impact of your design decisions, ideally with measurable outcomes or user feedback.

Process Documentation:

• For each project, provide a concise overview of the design challenge, your approach, and the solutions implemented.
• Detail your wireframing and prototyping methodologies, illustrating the iterative nature of your design process.
• Explain how you incorporated user feedback and testing results into your design iterations.
• Highlight collaboration with engineering and product teams, showcasing your ability to work within a development lifecycle.

📝 Enhancement Note: Given the focus on "responsive systems" and "rapid decision making," portfolio pieces that demonstrate efficiency in design and quick iteration cycles will be highly valued. Candidates should be prepared to discuss how their designs contribute to operational effectiveness.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

• Based on industry benchmarks for a Mid-Level UX Designer (2-5 years experience) in Oslo, Norway, the estimated annual salary range is NOK 600,000 - NOK 850,000. This range accounts for cost of living, market demand, and the specialized nature of Squarehead Technology's work.

Benefits:

• Subsidized canteen offering convenient and affordable meal options.
• Indoor bicycle and car parking facilities, promoting sustainable commuting.
• Organized physical activity, with Padel-tennis being the current employee-chosen activity for 2025, fostering team well-being.
• Rooftop terrace providing a space for breaks, relaxation, and company social events like summer parties.
• Flexible work schedule and the possibility to work from home occasionally, supporting work-life balance.
• Modern work equipment, including high-performance Macs, with some flexibility for personalized gear.
• Opportunities for professional development through conferences and hackathons.

Working Hours:

• Standard full-time employment, typically around 40 hours per week, with a flexible workday structure to accommodate individual needs and team collaboration.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary estimate is based on data from Norwegian job boards and salary aggregators for UX Design roles in Oslo, adjusted for the specified experience level. Benefits are directly pulled from the provided text and presented with context relevant to a tech professional.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Technology, specializing in advanced acoustic sensing and signal processing for threat detection (e.g., drones). This niche places Squarehead Technology at the forefront of security and defense innovation. Company Size: Small, indicated by descriptions like "small and nice team," "small team offices," and "very little overhead for designers." This suggests a close-knit, agile environment where individual contributions are highly visible. Founded: While the founding date is not explicitly stated, the company's focus on advanced, proprietary technology implies a history of innovation and development. The mention of developing "everything locally on our office, including the hardware" suggests a strong R&D foundation.

Team Structure:

• Operates with small, focused teams that foster direct collaboration between designers, developers, and product managers.
• Emphasizes a flat hierarchy with "no micromanagement," granting designers significant autonomy in their work.
• Promotes cross-functional interaction, encouraging designers to work closely with hardware and software experts, as well as machine learning specialists.

Methodology:

• Employs modern work methods, prioritizing agile development and rapid decision-making.
• Focuses on user-centric design, ensuring that the user experience is paramount for critical applications.
• Values practical application and testing, with opportunities for "field trips to test our systems in practice."

Company Website: https://careers.sqhead.com

📝 Enhancement Note: The company culture appears to be one that values autonomy, direct impact, and a strong sense of purpose. The "small team" dynamic is a key characteristic, promising a collaborative yet independent work environment for operations professionals.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is positioned as a Mid-Level UX Designer, typically requiring 2-5 years of experience. It offers a significant opportunity for an individual to make a tangible impact on product development and user experience within a specialized technology domain. The role involves contributing directly to product strategy through user insights and design execution.

Reporting Structure: The UX Designer will likely report to a Product Manager or Head of Design, with a dotted line to engineering leads. The emphasis on "tett på utviklingsteam og produktsjefer" means daily interactions will be with these groups, fostering a collaborative and integrated workflow.

Operations Impact: The UX Designer's work directly influences the effectiveness and usability of critical threat detection systems. By ensuring clear situational awareness and responsive interfaces, the designer plays a vital role in the operational success of Squarehead Technology's clients, impacting national security and civilian safety.

Growth Opportunities:

• Skill Specialization: Deepen expertise in UX for complex technical systems, signal processing visualization, and defense/security applications.
• Leadership Potential: As the team grows or projects expand, opportunities may arise to lead design initiatives, mentor junior designers, or influence product roadmaps.
• Cross-Disciplinary Learning: Gain exposure to cutting-edge hardware and software development, machine learning, and acoustics through close collaboration with experts in these fields.
• Professional Development: Access to conferences and hackathons provides avenues for continuous learning and staying abreast of industry trends.

📝 Enhancement Note: The growth trajectory in a small, specialized company like Squarehead Technology often involves taking on broader responsibilities and becoming a subject matter expert, rather than following a rigid hierarchical path.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Small, dedicated team offices, explicitly avoiding open-plan layouts. This suggests a more focused and private working environment conducive to deep work and concentration. Office Location(s): Nydalsveien 28, Oslo, Norway (0484). The office is conveniently located near the T-banen (metro) station in Nydalen, ensuring easy accessibility.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Atmosphere: Despite private offices, the culture promotes close interaction with development and product teams ("prater vi sammen og får ting gjort").
• Tools & Technology: Access to modern equipment, including "good Macs" and some flexibility in choosing personal equipment, supports efficient design workflows.
• Team Interaction: Opportunities for informal interaction and collaboration occur naturally within the close-knit office setting and through organized activities.

Work Schedule:

• Flexible working hours are offered, supporting a healthy work-life balance.
• The role is hybrid, allowing for occasional remote work, balancing office-based collaboration with personal flexibility.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on private offices combined with close team interaction suggests a balanced approach to work environment, prioritizing both focused individual work and collaborative synergy.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: Review of application and portfolio to assess relevant experience and design skills, particularly with Figma.
• Technical Interview: Discussion focused on UX design process, problem-solving approaches, and practical application of design principles to the company's domain. Expect questions about how you've handled complex data visualization or real-time information systems.
• Portfolio Presentation: Candidates will likely be asked to present a key project from their portfolio, detailing their process, challenges, and outcomes. Prepare to discuss your design rationale and how it aligns with user needs and business objectives.
• Team/Cultural Fit Interview: Conversations with team members (developers, product managers) to assess collaboration style, communication skills, and alignment with Squarehead Technology's values.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Highlight Process: Clearly articulate your design journey for each project, focusing on research, ideation, iteration, and final execution.
• Showcase Figma Skills: Include examples of complex Figma prototypes demonstrating user flows, interactive elements, and responsive design.
• Quantify Impact: If possible, include metrics or user feedback that demonstrate the positive impact of your designs on user efficiency or product performance.
• Tailor to Squarehead: Emphasize projects that involved complex data, real-time information, or technical interfaces, and show an understanding of the company's mission in threat detection.
• Be Prepared for Technical Depth: Understand that the company works with advanced technology, so be ready to discuss how you approach designing for technical users or complex data.

Challenge Preparation:

• Be ready for a potential design exercise, which might involve a small task related to data visualization or optimizing a user flow for a technical application.
• Practice articulating your design decisions concisely and persuasively, as communication is key in this role.
• Prepare to discuss how you would approach designing for a system that requires "rapid decision making" and "highly responsive systems."

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process is likely to be thorough, with a strong emphasis on practical design skills, problem-solving abilities, and cultural fit within a collaborative, specialized team.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Figma: The primary tool for UX/UI design, wireframing, prototyping, and collaboration. Proficiency is essential.
• Mac-based OS: The company provides Macs, so familiarity with the macOS environment is expected.

Analytics & Reporting:

• While not explicitly mentioned, be prepared to discuss how you would leverage analytics or user feedback tools to inform design decisions and measure success. Examples might include tools for user session recording, heatmaps, or A/B testing platforms.

CRM & Automation:

• This is less relevant for a UX Designer role, but understanding how user data and feedback might be managed through CRM or project management tools (like Jira, Asana, etc.) could be beneficial.

📝 Enhancement Note: The explicit mention of Figma is a critical requirement. Candidates should be ready to demonstrate advanced proficiency and share how they leverage its features for complex projects.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Meaningful & Cool Projects: A strong emphasis on working on projects that are impactful, important, and exciting.
• Friendly & Supportive Environment: Fosters a positive and collaborative atmosphere where team members feel supported.
• Autonomy & Freedom: Designers are given the liberty to solve problems in their own way, without micromanagement.
• Collaboration & Direct Communication: Encourages close working relationships with development and product teams, facilitating efficient problem-solving.
• Innovation & Continuous Improvement: Openness to modern work methods, development opportunities, and practical testing in real-world scenarios.

Collaboration Style:

• Integrated Teams: Designers work very closely with development and product management, breaking down traditional silos.
• Open Dialogue: "We talk together and get things done" implies a culture of open communication and proactive problem-solving.
• Cross-Functional Expertise: Encourages learning from and collaborating with experts in machine learning, acoustics, and programming.

📝 Enhancement Note: The company culture appears to be a significant selling point, emphasizing a purpose-driven mission, employee autonomy, and a highly collaborative, supportive team environment that values innovation and direct contribution.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Designing for Complexity: Translating intricate signal processing and mathematical algorithms into intuitive user interfaces for critical applications presents a significant design challenge.
• Balancing Responsiveness and Detail: Ensuring systems are highly responsive while also providing operators with sufficient, clear situational awareness requires careful design trade-offs.
• Security Clearance Requirements: The potential need for security clearance adds a layer of complexity to the onboarding and employment process.
• Rapidly Evolving Technology: Staying current with advancements in acoustics, signal processing, and AI in the defense sector requires continuous learning.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Deep Dive into Specialized Tech: Gain in-depth knowledge of advanced microphone array technology, signal processing, and threat detection systems.
• Professional Development: Access to conferences and hackathons to enhance skills and explore new industry trends.
• Mentorship & Leadership: Opportunities to grow within a small, dynamic team, potentially taking on more responsibility or leadership roles as the company scales.
• Cross-Disciplinary Exposure: Work alongside experts in machine learning, programming, and hardware development, fostering a broad technical understanding.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges are directly tied to the cutting-edge nature of the company's work, offering substantial opportunities for professional growth and skill diversification for ambitious UX designers.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• Design Process: "Describe a complex project where you had to design an interface for technical users or visualize complex data. What was your process, and what were the key challenges and outcomes?" (Focus on methodology, user research, and problem-solving).
• Figma Proficiency: "How do you utilize Figma's advanced features (e.g., components, variants, auto layout, prototyping) to create efficient and scalable design systems?" (Be ready to discuss specific techniques).
• Collaboration & Impact: "How do you ensure effective collaboration with developers and product managers, especially in a fast-paced environment? Can you provide an example of how your design decisions directly impacted product success or user experience?" (Highlight communication, teamwork, and results).

Company & Culture Questions:

• Mission Alignment: "What interests you about Squarehead Technology's mission in threat detection, and how do you see your UX design skills contributing to our goals?" (Show genuine interest and understanding).
• Work Environment: "The company emphasizes small teams, autonomy, and close collaboration. How do you thrive in such an environment?" (Align your working style with their culture).
• Problem-Solving: "Imagine you need to design a dashboard for real-time drone threat detection. What would be your initial considerations, and how would you approach the design process?" (Demonstrate analytical and design thinking).

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Storytelling: Structure your portfolio presentation as a narrative, detailing the problem, your role, your process, the solution, and the results.
• Visual Clarity: Use high-quality visuals (screenshots, mockups, prototypes) to showcase your work effectively.
• Focus on Process: Emphasize the "why" behind your design decisions, not just the "what." Explain your rationale based on user needs and technical constraints.
• Interactive Demo: If possible, provide a brief live demo of a key Figma prototype to showcase interactivity and user flow.
• Quantify Impact: Be prepared to discuss metrics, user feedback, or any measurable outcomes that demonstrate the success of your designs.

📝 Enhancement Note: Preparation should focus on demonstrating not only design skill but also the ability to work effectively in a highly collaborative, technically advanced, and mission-critical environment.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this UX Designer position:

• Submit your application through the Squarehead Technology careers portal at https://careers.sqhead.com/jobs/6567092-ux-designer.
• Curate Your Portfolio: Select 2-3 of your strongest UX projects that best highlight your skills in Figma, complex data visualization, and user-centered design. Ensure each project clearly outlines the problem, your process, your solutions, and the impact.
• Tailor Your Resume: Emphasize keywords such as "UX Design," "Figma," "User Experience," "Prototyping," "Wireframing," "API Data Visualization," "Responsive Design," and any experience with technical or real-time systems. Quantify achievements where possible.
• Prepare Your Pitch: Practice explaining your portfolio projects concisely, focusing on your design rationale and how you collaborate with cross-functional teams. Be ready to articulate why you are a good fit for Squarehead Technology's mission and culture.
• Research Squarehead Technology: Understand their product, technology (acoustic sensing, signal processing), and market. Familiarize yourself with their company values as described in this enhanced job description.

⚠️ 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.

---