UX Designer

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: UX Designer Company: Stedin Location: Rotterdam, Blaak 8 (Kantoor functie), Netherlands Job Type: Full-time Category: User Experience (UX) Design / Product Design Date Posted: November 19, 2025 Experience Level: Mid-Level (implied by 2-5 years, ability to own process, and mentor) Remote Status: Hybrid (approx. 50% office, 50% remote)

🚀 Role Summary

• Drive the end-to-end user experience design process for impactful digital solutions, from initial concept to final implementation, contributing to Stedin's sustainability mission.
• Collaborate extensively with cross-functional teams, including UX colleagues, Developers, Product Owners, and business stakeholders, to ensure cohesive and impactful user-centered designs.
• Translate complex user needs and business objectives into intuitive wireframes, user flows, and high-fidelity designs, leveraging Stedin's design system within Figma.
• Champion a culture of continuous improvement and experimentation within the design team, staying abreast of the latest UX trends, tools, and methodologies.
• Contribute to the development and maintenance of Stedin's design system, ensuring consistency and scalability across all digital products.

📝 Enhancement Note: The role is framed around "Werk waar je trots op kan zijn" (Work you can be proud of) and contributing to a "duurzamere samenleving" (more sustainable society), indicating a strong focus on purpose-driven design within the energy/utility sector. The mention of developing smart applications for field technicians and customer portals ("Mijn Omgeving") points towards B2B and B2C digital product design. The implied experience level is mid-level, suitable for someone who can independently manage the design process and contribute to team knowledge, rather than an entry-level or senior/lead role.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Conduct comprehensive user research, including interviews, surveys, and usability testing, to deeply understand user needs, pain points, and behaviors.
• Translate research findings and business requirements into actionable design artifacts, such as user personas, journey maps, wireframes, prototypes, and high-fidelity visual designs.
• Design and iterate on user interfaces and interaction models for web and mobile applications, ensuring alignment with Stedin's brand guidelines and design system.
• Collaborate closely with Product Owners and Development teams in an Agile SAFe environment to ensure designs are technically feasible, implemented accurately, and meet user expectations.
• Facilitate design thinking workshops and brainstorming sessions to generate innovative solutions and foster cross-functional alignment.
• Present and articulate design decisions, rationale, and user research insights to stakeholders at various levels of the organization.
• Contribute to the evolution and refinement of Stedin's design system, documenting components and guidelines for consistent application.
• Actively participate in design critiques and knowledge-sharing sessions to foster a collaborative and continuously learning design culture.

📝 Enhancement Note: The description explicitly mentions translating user needs and business goals, conducting user tests, and transforming ideas into wireframes/designs in Figma using the design system. It also highlights experimentation and iteration as key aspects of the role, aligning with typical UX responsibilities. Involvement with field technicians ("monteurs") and customer portals suggests a need for practical, user-friendly design solutions for diverse user groups.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

• HBO (Hoger Beroepsonderwijs - Higher Professional Education) work and thinking level, or equivalent practical experience.

Experience:

• Proven experience as a UX Designer, Product Designer, or similar role, managing the full design lifecycle from research to implementation.
• Demonstrated ability to translate user needs and business objectives into intuitive and effective digital products.
• Experience working within an Agile SAFe framework.

Required Skills:

• UX Research: Proficiency in conducting various user research methodologies (interviews, surveys, usability testing) to gather insights.
• Wireframing & Prototyping: Skill in creating low-fidelity wireframes and interactive prototypes to visualize and test design concepts.
• Figma Proficiency: Expert-level ability to design user interfaces, create interactive prototypes, and manage design files within Figma.
• Design Systems: Experience in applying and contributing to design systems to ensure consistency and efficiency.
• Agile SAFe Framework: Understanding of and experience working within Agile methodologies, specifically SAFe.
• Collaboration: Strong ability to work effectively with cross-functional teams (Developers, Product Owners, other Designers).
• Communication: Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to articulate design rationale clearly and persuasively.
• User Testing: Experience in planning, conducting, and synthesizing user testing sessions to validate design decisions.

Preferred Skills:

• Visual Design: A strong aesthetic sense and ability to create visually appealing and on-brand user interfaces.
• Data Visualization: Experience in designing clear and effective data visualizations for dashboards and reports.
• Application Development Context: Understanding of how designs translate into functional applications, facilitating better collaboration with developers.
• Iterative Design: A mindset geared towards continuous experimentation, iteration, and optimization based on feedback and data.
• Enthusiasm for Sustainability: A genuine interest in contributing to sustainable societal goals through design.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on mastering the "entire process," translating needs, user testing, and transforming ideas into wireframes/designs in Figma with the design system strongly suggests a need for a well-rounded UX professional capable of independent execution. Familiarity with Agile SAFe is explicitly mentioned as a requirement. The implied "2-5 years" experience level is inferred from the balance of owning the process and being part of a team that shares knowledge, making it suitable for someone who has moved beyond junior-level tasks but is not yet a senior lead.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of the end-to-end UX design process, from user research and ideation to wireframing, prototyping, and final UI design.
• Showcase case studies that clearly articulate the problem statement, your role, the design process followed, key decisions made, and the impact/outcomes of your solutions.
• Include examples of wireframes, user flows, interactive prototypes, and final UI designs, ideally created within Figma.
• Highlight contributions to or usage of design systems, demonstrating an understanding of consistency and scalability.
• Quantify impact where possible, using metrics to illustrate improvements in user satisfaction, efficiency, or business goals.

Process Documentation:

• Provide examples of how you document user research findings and translate them into actionable design requirements.
• Illustrate your approach to iterative design, showing how you gather feedback and refine designs over time.
• Showcase your ability to collaborate with developers and product owners, detailing how you hand off designs and ensure accurate implementation.
• Present work that reflects an understanding of Agile SAFe principles, such as adaptability and iterative development.

📝 Enhancement Note: While a formal portfolio isn't explicitly requested in the job description, the emphasis on the "entire process," user testing, transforming ideas into wireframes/designs in Figma, and iteration strongly implies that candidates will be expected to present their work and process. A portfolio is the standard way to do this for UX roles, so requiring it is a reasonable inference. The focus should be on demonstrating the full UX lifecycle and impact.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

• Maximum salary of €6,085.82 gross per month (based on 40 hours/week) for the base salary.
• With the Personal Budget (24% including 8% holiday pay), the total potential monthly earning can reach up to €7,059.55.
• This range is explicitly stated as being dependent on knowledge and experience.

Benefits:

• Personal Budget (PB): 24% of gross salary per month, which can be used for salary increase, extra leave days, or other benefits.
• Holiday Pay: Included within the PB (8%).
• Pension: Contribution to the ABP pension fund.
• Sustainable Employability Budget: €500 gross per year for well-being initiatives (e.g., sports subscription, home gym equipment).
• Home Office Facilities: Provision for a home workspace, with a home office allowance.
• Public Transport Subscription: Free OV-vrij abonnement (unlimited public transport) for commuting and personal use.
• Laptop & Phone: Provided by Stedin, or a Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) allowance.
• Training & Development: Access to events, knowledge sessions, training, and further education.
• Work-Life Balance: Encouragement of a healthy work-life balance, with flexible working arrangements.
• Office Amenities: Good coffee (from Heilige Boontjes) and a canteen with views in the Rotterdam office.

Working Hours:

• Minimum of 32 hours per week, with 36 and 40 hours also negotiable.
• Hybrid work model: approximately 50% at the office in Rotterdam and 50% remote.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary information is very specific, with a clear maximum base salary and an explanation of how the "Personal Budget" can increase the total monthly earnings. The benefits are also detailed, particularly the unique "Personal Budget" and the comprehensive public transport allowance. The working hours are flexible, with a minimum requirement and negotiable options. The salary estimate is based on the provided maximum base salary for a 40-hour week.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Energy & Utilities (specifically grid operator for electricity and gas). Stedin is focused on the "energietransitie" (energy transition). Company Size: Stedin is a significant organization, implied by its structured interview process, formal benefits, and dedicated design team. It's likely a medium to large enterprise within the Dutch utility sector. Founded: While not explicitly stated, Stedin has a long history as a grid operator, evolving from municipal entities. Its modern structure likely dates from the corporatization of utility services.

Team Structure:

• The UX Designer is part of a dedicated, enthusiastic, and growing "design team" within Stedin.
• This team collaborates with other internal and external colleagues across various departments, including Business, IT, and Field Operations (Field Service).
• The role involves close reporting lines and collaboration with other UX Designers, Developers, and Product Owners, likely within an Agile/SAFe structure.

Methodology:

• Agile SAFe: The organization operates using the Scaled Agile Framework (SAFe), indicating a structured approach to project management and product development for large organizations.
• User-Centered Design: A strong emphasis on creating optimal user experiences for diverse user groups (customers, field technicians).
• Data-Driven Decisions: While not explicitly detailed for design, the context of a utility company suggests a reliance on data for operational efficiency and decision-making, which likely extends to product development.
• Design System: The development and utilization of a design system point towards a methodology focused on consistency, scalability, and efficiency in design and development.

Company Website: https://www.stedin.net/ (Inferred from domain)

📝 Enhancement Note: Stedin's core business as a grid operator places it at the forefront of the energy transition in the Netherlands. This mission-driven aspect is a key cultural element. The company operates on a large scale with structured processes (SAFe), suggesting a need for designers who can navigate this environment and contribute to impactful, large-scale solutions. The "Stedin@Work" concept highlights a modern approach to work flexibility.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This UX Designer role is positioned as a mid-level contributor. The responsibilities include owning the design process for specific projects, collaborating with various teams, and potentially mentoring or sharing knowledge with other designers ("deelt je kennis en enthousiasmeert andere collega’s"). It's a role where independence and execution are key, with opportunities to influence design direction and process.

Reporting Structure:

• The UX Designer reports into the Design Team.
• They will work closely with Product Owners and Developers within specific product teams or project squads.
• The role implies a matrixed reporting structure common in Agile environments, where individuals report to a functional manager (Head of Design, Design Lead) and are assigned to project teams.

Operations Impact:

• The primary impact of this role is on enhancing user experience for Stedin's digital products, which directly affects customer satisfaction, operational efficiency for field staff, and adoption of new digital services.
• By developing intuitive applications and customer portals, the UX Designer contributes to Stedin's goals of customer self-service, efficient field operations, and ultimately, a smoother energy transition.
• Contributions to a design system have a broader impact by ensuring brand consistency and accelerating future development cycles across the organization.

Growth Opportunities:

• Skill Specialization: Deepen expertise in specific UX areas such as user research, interaction design, information architecture, or accessibility.
• Design System Contribution: Become a key contributor or owner of the design system, driving its evolution and adoption.
• Leadership Potential: Progress to a Senior UX Designer role, taking on more complex projects, mentoring junior designers, or leading design initiatives.
• Cross-functional Exposure: Gain deeper understanding of business needs, technical constraints, and field operations by working on diverse projects.
• Agile/SAFe Expertise: Further develop skills in contributing design within a large-scale Agile framework.

📝 Enhancement Note: The role is described as being part of a "growing team" with opportunities to "share knowledge" and "inspire colleagues," suggesting a mid-level position with potential for growth and leadership. The emphasis on the "entire process" and translating needs implies a level of autonomy beyond entry-level tasks. The "Big Room Safari" and "Big Room Planning" mention implies exposure to broader organizational strategic planning where design plays a role.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Stedin offers a hybrid work model ("Stedin@Work") where employees work approximately 50% at the office and 50% remotely. The office in Rotterdam is described as being in the city center ("hartje Rotterdam") and features a canteen on the 18th floor with panoramic views. Office Location(s):

• Primary office location: Rotterdam, Blaak 8.
• The "Big Room Safari" and "Big Room Planning" events are mentioned as taking place in Utrecht, suggesting potential interaction or collaboration with teams based there as well.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Environment: The office is designed for interaction, with opportunities to "check-in" with colleagues, "spar" with other designers, and participate in meetings. The mention of "Big Room Safari" in Utrecht further emphasizes collaborative events.
• Tools & Technology: Employees are provided with a laptop and phone (or BYOD allowance). Home office facilities and a home working allowance are provided for remote work.
• Team Interaction: Daily check-ins with UX colleagues, opportunities to seek feedback, and informal interactions like sharing pet photos are part of the daily rhythm.

Work Schedule:

• Flexible hybrid model (50/50 office/remote).
• Working hours are negotiable, with a minimum of 32 hours, and 36 or 40 hours also possible.
• The emphasis on "Stedin@Work" suggests a modern, flexible approach to work hours and location.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Stedin@Work" concept is central to the work environment, clearly defining the hybrid nature of the role and the company's commitment to flexibility. The Rotterdam office is highlighted as a hub for collaboration and offers amenities like a canteen with a view. The mention of events in Utrecht suggests potential for broader organizational engagement.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Application: Submit application via the provided link.
• Pre-Employment Screening & Online Assessment: A screening and online assessment are part of the procedure. This may include psychometric tests, cognitive ability tests, or a portfolio review component.
• "Big Room Safari" / "Big Room Planning" (Utrecht): Candidates are invited to attend these events on December 10-11, 2025. This is a significant part of the process, offering a chance to experience Stedin, meet teams, and potentially engage in planning sessions. This is likely a key stage for assessing cultural fit and collaborative ability.
• Subsequent Interviews: Likely includes interviews with HR, the hiring manager, and potential team members to assess skills, experience, and cultural fit. This may involve discussing past projects and problem-solving scenarios.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Structure: Present 2-3 well-documented case studies that clearly show your process for solving a specific user problem. For each case study:
  • Problem: Clearly define the user need and business goal.
  • Your Role: Specify your contributions and responsibilities.
  • Process: Detail the steps taken (research, ideation, wireframing, testing, iteration).
  • Solution: Showcase the final designs and explain key decisions.
  • Outcome: Quantify the impact if possible (e.g., improved conversion, reduced task time, higher satisfaction).
• Tool Proficiency: Ensure your portfolio showcases your Figma skills, including wireframes, prototypes, and your interaction with design systems.
• Agile Context: If possible, highlight how your design process integrates with Agile methodologies like SAFe.
• Presentation: Be prepared to walk through your portfolio, articulate your design rationale, and answer questions about your decision-making process.

Challenge Preparation:

• Design Challenges: Be prepared for potential design exercises during the interview process, which might involve sketching UI solutions, critiquing existing designs, or solving a hypothetical UX problem.
• Behavioral Questions: Prepare to answer questions about your collaboration style, how you handle feedback, your approach to problem-solving, and your motivation for working at Stedin, especially regarding the energy transition.
• "Big Room Safari" Preparation: Understand Stedin's mission, current projects (if publicly available), and the principles of SAFe. Be ready to actively participate and engage with others during the event.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Big Room Safari" and "Big Room Planning" events are critical components of this application process, serving as immersive experiences to assess candidates and allow them to assess Stedin. This suggests a strong emphasis on cultural fit, collaboration, and real-time problem-solving within a SAFe context. Candidates should view these events as high-stakes interview stages.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Figma: Explicitly mentioned as the tool for wireframing, designing, and prototyping, and for working with the design system. This is the core design tool for this role.
• Design Systems: Experience with applying and contributing to design systems is required, implying familiarity with component libraries and style guides.

Analytics & Reporting:

• While not explicitly stated for the UX Designer role, Stedin likely uses analytics tools to track user behavior on their digital platforms. Designers may be expected to interpret basic analytics or collaborate with analysts on user data.
• Data Visualization: Skills in data visualization are listed as preferred, suggesting a need to present complex information clearly.

CRM & Automation:

• Stedin operates large-scale customer management systems and operational platforms. While the UX Designer may not directly manage these, understanding how designs integrate into such systems (e.g., customer portals, field service applications) is beneficial.
• Agile Project Management Tools: Likely used by development teams (e.g., Jira, Azure DevOps) with which the UX Designer will collaborate.

📝 Enhancement Note: Figma is the primary design tool specified. The requirement to work with a design system implies a structured approach to UI development. While specific analytics or CRM tools are not listed for the UX role, understanding the context of these systems within a utility company is important for designing integrated solutions.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Sustainability & Societal Impact: A core value driving the company's mission, encouraging employees to contribute to a "more sustainable society."
• Collaboration & Teamwork: High emphasis on working together, sparring, sharing knowledge, and supporting colleagues, both within the design team and across departments.
• Continuous Learning & Experimentation: Stedin values staying updated with the latest trends, experimenting with new tools and ways of working, and fostering a proactive learning environment.
• User-Centricity: The "user experience" is paramount, with a drive to create solutions that genuinely meet user needs.
• Flexibility & Adaptability: Reflected in the "Stedin@Work" concept and the Agile SAFe framework, valuing adaptability in processes and work arrangements.

Collaboration Style:

• Proactive & Open: Encouragement to "spar" and seek feedback regularly.
• Cross-functional Integration: Designers work closely with Developers, Product Owners, and business stakeholders, requiring strong communication and empathy for different perspectives.
• Knowledge Sharing: A culture where sharing expertise and enthusiasm for the field is encouraged.
• Inclusivity: Stedin explicitly states, "Wie je ook bent, wat je ook doet, bij ons ben je welkom. Want als je jezelf bent, werkt het net wat beter" (Whoever you are, whatever you do, you are welcome with us. Because when you are yourself, it works a bit better), indicating a commitment to diversity and inclusion.

📝 Enhancement Note: The values are deeply tied to Stedin's mission of energy transition and sustainability, combined with a modern, collaborative, and flexible work culture. The explicit statement on inclusivity is a significant cultural indicator.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Navigating Large-Scale Agile (SAFe): Adapting design processes to fit within the structured, multi-team SAFe framework can be challenging. Designers need to ensure their work remains user-focused amidst complex planning cycles.
• Balancing User Needs with Business & Technical Constraints: For a large utility company, there are often significant legacy systems, regulatory requirements, and operational realities that can limit design possibilities. Finding creative solutions within these constraints is key.
• Diverse User Groups: Designing for a wide range of users, from technical field staff to various customer segments, requires deep empathy and the ability to cater to different needs and digital literacy levels.
• Driving Design Adoption: As part of a growing team, there might be a challenge in ensuring design best practices and user-centered thinking are consistently applied across all projects and teams.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Deep Dive into Energy Transition: Gain in-depth knowledge of the energy sector and contribute to its digital transformation.
• Mastering SAFe: Become an expert in integrating UX design principles within scaled agile environments.
• Design System Evolution: Play a pivotal role in shaping and expanding Stedin's design system.
• Cross-Functional Expertise: Develop a strong understanding of IT infrastructure, utility operations, and customer engagement strategies.
• Mentorship: Opportunity to learn from experienced UX designers and potentially mentor more junior members as the team grows.
• Industry Events: Participation in events like the "Big Room Safari" and potentially other industry conferences to stay updated and network.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges highlighted are common for UX roles in large, established organizations undergoing digital transformation, particularly in regulated industries. The growth opportunities are framed around deepening expertise within Stedin's specific context and career progression within the design discipline.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• Design Process: "Describe your end-to-end UX design process. How do you typically approach a new project from understanding user needs to delivering final designs?" (Be ready to use a case study from your portfolio to illustrate this).
• Collaboration & Feedback: "How do you collaborate with developers and product owners? How do you handle constructive criticism or pushback on your design decisions?"
• Problem Solving & Iteration: "Tell me about a time you had to iterate on a design based on user feedback or technical constraints. What was the challenge, and what was your approach?"
• Design System Contribution: "What is your experience with design systems? How do you ensure consistency when using one, and how might you contribute to its development?"
• Agile SAFe Context: "How do you see UX design fitting into the SAFe framework? What are the key considerations for designers working in this environment?"

Company & Culture Questions:

• Motivation: "Why are you interested in Stedin and our mission of the energy transition? What excites you about this specific UX Designer role?"
• Team Fit: "How do you contribute to a team environment? Describe your ideal team dynamic."
• Stedin@Work: "What are your thoughts on the hybrid work model, and how do you ensure productivity and collaboration in a hybrid setting?"
• Values Alignment: "How do you embody values like sustainability, collaboration, and continuous learning in your work?"

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Select Key Case Studies: Choose 2-3 projects that best showcase your end-to-end process, problem-solving skills, and impact. Prioritize projects that align with Stedin's goals (e.g., improving efficiency, customer self-service, or digital product adoption).
• Tell a Story: For each case study, narrate the journey from problem to solution, clearly explaining your rationale and decisions at each step.
• Highlight Figma & Design System Use: Explicitly show your work in Figma and explain how you leveraged or contributed to a design system.
• Quantify Impact: Whenever possible, use metrics to demonstrate the success of your designs. If direct metrics are unavailable, discuss anticipated outcomes or qualitative feedback.
• Be Prepared for Questions: Anticipate questions about your design choices, trade-offs made, and how you would adapt your approach to Stedin's specific context.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process heavily features the "Big Room Safari" and "Big Room Planning," so preparation for these immersive events is paramount. Expect questions that assess not just design skills but also cultural fit, collaborative ability, and alignment with Stedin's mission.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this UX Designer position at Stedin:

• Submit your application through the provided link on the Stedin careers portal.
• Craft a Targeted Resume: Ensure your resume highlights your experience with the full UX design process, proficiency in Figma, work within Agile/SAFe environments, and any experience related to utility sectors or sustainability initiatives. Use keywords identified in the job description.
• Prepare Your Portfolio: Curate 2-3 strong case studies showcasing your problem-solving skills, design process, Figma proficiency, and impact. Ensure it's easily accessible (e.g., link to a personal website or PDF). Be ready to present it.
• Research Stedin & the Energy Transition: Understand Stedin's mission, current projects, and the broader context of the energy transition in the Netherlands. This will be crucial for the "Big Room Safari" and subsequent interviews.
• Prepare for the "Big Room Safari" (Dec 10-11, 2025): Treat this event as a significant interview stage. Be ready to engage actively, ask thoughtful questions, and demonstrate your collaborative spirit and problem-solving approach in a dynamic environment.
• Practice Interview Questions: Anticipate behavioral and technical questions related to UX design, agile methodologies, and your ability to work in a hybrid environment.

⚠️ Important Notice: This enhanced job description includes AI-generated insights and operations industry-standard assumptions. The "Big Room Safari" and "Big Room Planning" events are key, so candidates should prioritize understanding these and preparing for them. All details should be verified directly with the hiring organization before making application decisions.