UX Designer II

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: UX Designer II

Company: Waystar

Location: Louisville, KY

Job Type: FULL_TIME

Category: User Experience (UX) Design / Product Design

Date Posted: January 29, 2026

Experience Level: 2-5 years

Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• Design intuitive and efficient user experiences for complex business software within the healthcare payments industry, focusing on user-centered design principles.

• Translate business objectives and user needs into actionable UX/UI requirements, wireframes, process flows, and high-fidelity interactive prototypes.

• Collaborate closely with Product Management and Engineering teams to refine design specifications and ensure seamless implementation of user interfaces.

• Take full ownership of design projects within assigned product areas, demonstrating a deep understanding of product features and user value.

• Leverage behavioral metrics and user research (site visits, interviews, surveys) to identify opportunities for continuous UX improvement and innovation.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is positioned within a healthcare technology company (Waystar), implying a need for designers to understand complex workflows, regulatory considerations (though not explicitly stated, common in healthcare), and the critical nature of user efficiency for financial processes. The "II" in the title suggests a mid-level position requiring some autonomy and project ownership, beyond entry-level tasks.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Translate business goals and user needs into comprehensive UX/UI requirements, process flows, and conceptual wireframes, aligning with a user-centered design philosophy.

• Develop high-fidelity interactive prototypes for user testing, stakeholder communication, and requirement validation.

• Conduct thorough user research, including site visits, interviews, and surveys, to gain deep insights into user behaviors, pain points, and workflows within the assigned product domain.

• Utilize advanced behavioral metrics and data analysis techniques to identify and propose opportunities for UX/UI enhancements and product innovation.

• Own the end-to-end design process for specific product areas, managing design projects from conception through to implementation and iteration.

• Maintain an in-depth understanding of the features, functionality, and value proposition of products within the assigned portfolio.

• Collaborate effectively with Product Managers and Engineering teams to vet, refine, and finalize UX/UI requirements and design specifications.

• Provide UX subject matter expertise and design guidance to the immediate design pod and other departments as needed, fostering a shared understanding of user-centered design best practices.

• Act as a liaison between user needs, business objectives, and technical feasibility, ensuring designs are both impactful and implementable.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities emphasize a blend of strategic thinking (transforming business goals), tactical execution (wireframing, prototyping), and analytical rigor (behavioral metrics). The phrase "fully owning design projects" indicates a need for strong self-management and end-to-end responsibility.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: Bachelor’s degree in Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), Interaction Design, Graphic Design, a related field, or equivalent practical experience.

Experience: 2+ years of experience designing user experiences for business software, with a focus on enterprise-level applications.

Required Skills:

• Demonstrated proficiency in UX/UI design principles and methodologies.

• Proven ability to create conceptual wireframes, process flows, and high-fidelity interactive prototypes.

• Strong requirements-gathering and business analysis skills to effectively translate business needs into design solutions.

• Excellent heuristic usability analysis skills to evaluate and improve user interfaces based on established principles.

• Strong visual, verbal, and written communication skills for effective collaboration and presentation.

• Ability to build and grow relationships across teams and departments, fostering a collaborative design environment.

• Experience working in a fast-paced, iterative development environment, with a track record of delivering on time.

• Excellent organizational skills and keen attention to detail.

• Demonstrated ability to solve complex problems through user-centered design approaches.

Preferred Skills:

• Familiarity with emerging technologies, including AI tools and their application in UX.

• Experience conducting user research (site visits, interviews, surveys) and utilizing behavioral metrics.

• Portfolio demonstrating a strong track record of quantifiable results from past UX design projects.

• Experience within the healthcare technology or financial services industry.

📝 Enhancement Note: The requirement for "intermediate knowledge of front-end technologies" suggests that while not a coding role, the UX Designer should possess enough understanding to communicate effectively with developers and ensure designs are technically feasible. The emphasis on "quantifiable results" in the portfolio is critical for demonstrating impact.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A curated collection of UX/UI design projects that clearly showcase your design process, from initial research and ideation to final execution.

• Case studies demonstrating how you translated complex business requirements and user needs into effective design solutions.

• Examples of wireframes, user flows, interactive prototypes, and final UI designs.

• Evidence of user research methodologies employed and how those insights informed design decisions.

Process Documentation:

• For each portfolio project, clearly articulate the problem statement, your role and responsibilities, the design process followed, key decisions made, and the outcome.

• Highlight your approach to user research, requirements gathering, and collaboration with cross-functional teams (Product Managers, Engineers).

• Showcase your proficiency in creating user flows, wireframes, and interactive prototypes using industry-standard tools.

• Quantify the impact of your designs where possible, using metrics related to user satisfaction, efficiency improvements, task completion rates, or business goals achieved.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "quantifiable results" requirement is paramount. Candidates should focus on projects where they can demonstrate measurable improvements or achievements directly attributable to their UX/UI design work, particularly within a business software context.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: Given the role is a UX Designer II with 2+ years of experience in Louisville, KY, and considering the company's industry (healthcare technology), a competitive salary range is estimated to be between $75,000 - $95,000 annually. This estimate is based on national UX designer salary benchmarks for mid-level roles, adjusted for the Louisville, KY cost of living, and Waystar's typical compensation structure for established tech companies.

Benefits:

• Competitive total rewards package (base salary + potential bonus).

• Customizable benefits package including three medical plan options.

• Health Savings Account (HSA) with company match.

• Generous Paid Time Off (PTO) for non-exempt team members: starting with 3 weeks plus 13 paid holidays, including 2 personal floating holidays. Flexible time off for exempt team members + 13 paid holidays.

• Paid parental leave (including maternity and paternity leave).

• Educational assistance opportunities.

• Free LinkedIn Learning access for continuous skill development.

• Free mental health and family planning programs, including adoption assistance and fertility support.

• 401(K) program with company match.

• Pet insurance.

• Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) for community and support.

Working Hours: A standard full-time work schedule is expected, typically around 40 hours per week. While the role is on-site, flexibility may be available depending on team needs and project deadlines.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range is an estimate. Candidates are strongly advised to research current market rates for UX Designers with 2-5 years of experience in Louisville, KY, and to inquire directly with Waystar during the interview process for precise compensation details.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Healthcare Technology. Waystar operates in the complex and critical healthcare payments sector, providing solutions that streamline the revenue cycle for healthcare providers. This industry demands a high level of accuracy, security, and efficiency.

Company Size: Waystar is a significant player in its market, supporting over 500,000 providers and 1,000 health systems and hospitals. This scale indicates a robust organization with established processes but also opportunities for impact.

Founded: While the founding date isn't explicitly stated, Waystar has a history of recognized excellence, with products winning Best in KLAS® awards since 2010 and Black Book™ rankings since 2012. This suggests a company with a strong foundation and a commitment to quality.

Team Structure:

• The UX Design team is likely part of a larger Product or Technology department. This UX Designer II will report to the Head of User Experience and work within a "design pod," indicating a collaborative structure where designers may specialize in specific product areas or work on cross-functional teams.

• Collaboration is expected with Product Managers and Engineering, forming agile or cross-functional teams focused on specific product development initiatives.

Methodology:

• User-Centered Design: This is a core tenet, driving all design decisions from research to implementation.

• Agile Development: The fast-paced environment and iterative delivery imply an agile or lean development methodology.

• Data-Driven Improvements: The use of behavioral metrics suggests a commitment to evidence-based design and continuous optimization.

• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Strong partnerships with Product Management and Engineering are essential for successful product development.

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

📝 Enhancement Note: Waystar's focus on healthcare payments means the UX Designer must be comfortable with complex workflows and the impact of design on financial outcomes and patient care indirectly. The stated company values provide a strong hint about the expected work environment and interpersonal dynamics.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is a mid-level UX Designer (Level II), indicating a position where individuals are expected to contribute independently to projects, own specific design responsibilities, and begin mentoring or guiding junior team members. It's a step beyond entry-level design tasks, requiring a solid understanding of the design process and the ability to apply it effectively to business software.

Reporting Structure: The UX Designer II will report directly to the Head of User Experience. They will also be part of a "design pod" and work closely with Product Managers and Engineering teams within specific product areas. This structure allows for both direct leadership guidance and cross-functional team integration.

Operations Impact: UX Designers at Waystar directly impact the company's success by ensuring their healthcare payment platform is user-friendly, efficient, and effective for providers. High-quality UX leads to increased adoption, reduced training costs, improved provider satisfaction, and ultimately, better financial outcomes for Waystar's clients, reinforcing the company's value proposition. This role contributes to the "better experience" aspect of Waystar's mission.

Growth Opportunities:

• Skill Specialization: Opportunities to deepen expertise in specific areas of UX/UI design, such as interaction design, visual design, user research, or accessibility.

• Leadership Development: Potential to grow into a Senior UX Designer role, taking on more complex projects, mentoring junior designers, and contributing to design strategy.

• Domain Expertise: Developing in-depth knowledge of the healthcare revenue cycle and payment processing, becoming a valuable subject matter expert within the company.

• Cross-Functional Advancement: Potential to move into Product Management or related roles by leveraging a strong understanding of user needs and product development lifecycle.

• AI & Emerging Technologies: Gaining hands-on experience with AI tools and their integration into UX workflows, a key area for future growth in the industry.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "II" designation implies a defined career path. Candidates should look for opportunities to demonstrate leadership potential, strategic thinking, and advanced design skills to position themselves for promotion.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The role is described as "On-site" and located in Louisville, KY. This suggests a traditional office environment where in-person collaboration, team meetings, and spontaneous interactions are encouraged.

Office Location(s): Louisville, KY. This location serves as the primary work base.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Environment: The company culture emphasizes teamwork and positive interactions ("joyful, optimistic & fun"). The "design pod" structure and close collaboration with Product and Engineering suggest an environment where designers work closely with their immediate team and stakeholders.

• Tools and Technology: Access to standard UX/UI design software, prototyping tools, and potentially specialized tools for user research and analytics. Familiarity with front-end technologies is also beneficial, implying an environment where technical discussions are common.

• Team Interaction: Regular opportunities for design critiques, brainstorming sessions, and project reviews with fellow designers, product managers, and engineers.

Work Schedule: A standard 40-hour work week is typical for a full-time, on-site role. While the environment is described as fast-paced, Waystar also emphasizes "joyful" and "optimistic," suggesting a balanced approach to workload and team morale.

📝 Enhancement Note: For an on-site role, candidates should consider the accessibility and amenities of the Louisville office as part of their decision-making process. The emphasis on collaboration suggests an open office plan or dedicated team spaces.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A recruiter or hiring manager will likely review your resume and portfolio for basic qualifications and experience.

• Technical Interview: Expect interviews with UX team members (potentially the Head of UX and other designers) focusing on your design process, problem-solving skills, and portfolio walkthrough. This may include scenario-based questions and discussions about specific projects.

• Cross-Functional Interview: Interviews with Product Managers and/or Engineers to assess collaboration skills, communication clarity, and understanding of the product development lifecycle.

• Final Interview: Potentially with senior leadership to discuss strategic alignment, cultural fit, and overall potential.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select 3-5 of your strongest projects that best demonstrate your skills in business software UX, problem-solving, and quantifiable results. Ensure variety in the types of problems solved and solutions presented.

• Tell a Story: For each project, clearly articulate the problem, your role, the process you followed (research, ideation, design, testing), key decisions, and the measurable impact or outcome. Use visuals (wireframes, prototypes, final designs) to illustrate your journey.

• Highlight Process: Emphasize your thought process and how you arrived at design solutions, not just the final polished screens. Show your understanding of user needs, business goals, and technical constraints.

• Quantify Impact: Wherever possible, include data, metrics, or testimonials that demonstrate the positive results of your work. This is crucial for showing ROI and effectiveness.

• Tailor to Waystar: If possible, demonstrate an understanding of Waystar's industry (healthcare payments) and its user base. Show how your skills can address their specific challenges.

Challenge Preparation:

• Design Exercise: Be prepared for a take-home design challenge or a live design exercise during the interview. This will likely involve a prompt related to a common UX problem in business software.

• Focus on Process: During a challenge, focus on clearly outlining your assumptions, research approach (even if simulated), ideation, and proposed solutions.

• Communication is Key: Practice articulating your design decisions clearly and concisely, as if presenting to product managers or engineers. Be ready to explain the "why" behind your choices.

• Time Management: If given a timed exercise, practice managing your time effectively to deliver a complete solution.

📝 Enhancement Note: A strong portfolio that clearly demonstrates a structured design process and quantifiable results is the single most important element for this application. Candidates should be ready to walk through their portfolio projects in detail, explaining their contributions and the impact of their work.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Design & Prototyping: Proficiency in industry-standard tools such as Figma, Sketch, Adobe XD, InVision, or similar. Figma is increasingly common for collaborative, cloud-based design.

• Wireframing & Flow Tools: Tools like Balsamiq, Axure RP, Lucidchart, or Miro for creating conceptual wireframes and user flows.

• User Research & Testing Platforms: Experience with tools for conducting user interviews, usability testing, and gathering feedback (e.g., UserTesting.com, Maze, Lookback).

Analytics & Reporting:

• Familiarity with analytics platforms (e.g., Google Analytics, Amplitude, Mixpanel) to understand user behavior and identify areas for improvement.

CRM & Automation:

• While not a direct CRM role, understanding how UX design integrates with broader business systems like CRMs or ERPs is beneficial.

• Awareness of how user designs might feed into automated workflows or customer management processes.

📝 Enhancement Note: While specific tool requirements aren't detailed, proficiency in a modern, collaborative design tool like Figma is highly recommended. The mention of "emerging technologies, including AI tools" suggests an openness to exploring new software and methodologies.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Honesty: Transparency in communication and design decisions.

• Kindness: Collaborative and supportive interactions within the team and with stakeholders.

• Passion: A genuine enthusiasm for creating great user experiences and solving user problems.

• Curiosity: A drive to understand users, explore new technologies, and continuously learn.

• Fanatical Focus: Dedication to delivering high-quality work and achieving project goals.

• Best Work, Always: Commitment to excellence in design output and process.

• Making It Happen: Proactive approach to problem-solving and project completion.

• Joyful, Optimistic & Fun: Maintaining a positive and engaging work environment.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-Functional Integration: Strong emphasis on working closely with Product Managers and Engineers to ensure designs are aligned with business goals and technically feasible. This involves active participation in team meetings and discussions.

• Iterative Feedback: A culture that embraces feedback from peers, stakeholders, and users to refine designs. This implies open critiques and a willingness to iterate based on input.

• Knowledge Sharing: Encouraging the sharing of best practices, design patterns, and insights within the design pod and across the broader team to elevate the overall quality of design work.

📝 Enhancement Note: The explicit listing of company values is a strong indicator of Waystar's desired workplace culture. Candidates should be prepared to demonstrate how their work style and approach align with these values, particularly "fanatical focus," "best work, always," and "making it happen" in the context of challenging design projects.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing User Needs with Business Goals: A common challenge in UX design, especially in a B2B/enterprise software context, is finding the optimal balance between creating an ideal user experience and meeting strict business requirements, technical limitations, and project timelines.

• Designing for Complex Workflows: The healthcare payments industry involves intricate processes. Designing intuitive interfaces for these complex workflows requires deep understanding, empathy, and meticulous attention to detail.

• Adoption of New Technologies: Staying current with emerging technologies like AI and integrating them effectively into UX workflows and product features can be a challenge, requiring continuous learning and experimentation.

• Remote vs. On-site Collaboration: While this role is on-site, companies are increasingly navigating hybrid models. Ensuring effective collaboration and knowledge transfer, even within an on-site team, requires deliberate effort.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Advanced UX/UI Skills: Opportunities to attend workshops, webinars, and conferences focused on cutting-edge UX design techniques, interaction design patterns, and accessibility standards.

• Industry-Specific Knowledge: Deepening understanding of healthcare revenue cycle management, payment processing, and regulatory compliance through company resources and on-the-job learning.

• AI & Emerging Tech Integration: Hands-on experience applying AI tools and concepts to enhance user experiences, which is a significant growth area in the tech industry.

• Mentorship and Leadership: Potential to be mentored by senior UX leaders and eventually mentor junior designers, developing leadership capabilities.

📝 Enhancement Note: Candidates should be prepared to discuss how they approach these challenges, demonstrating resilience, strategic thinking, and a proactive learning mindset.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you had to balance competing priorities between user needs and business requirements. How did you resolve it?" (Focus on your process for negotiation, compromise, and finding win-win solutions.)

• "Walk me through a complex UX project from your portfolio. What was the problem, your approach, and the quantifiable outcome?" (Be ready to go deep on one or two key projects, emphasizing your thought process and impact.)

• "How do you stay updated on emerging technologies like AI, and how might you incorporate them into UX design for a healthcare payments platform?" (Show curiosity, research skills, and an understanding of potential applications.)

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What interests you about Waystar and the healthcare payments industry?" (Research Waystar's mission, values, and recent news. Align your interest with their goals.)

• "How do you embody Waystar's values, such as 'Fanatical Focus' or 'Joyful, Optimistic & Fun,' in your daily work?" (Provide specific examples of your behavior.)

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure is Key: For each project, use a clear narrative: Problem -> Your Role -> Process -> Solution -> Outcome/Impact.

• Visuals are Essential: Use high-quality images of wireframes, flows, prototypes, and final designs. Annotate them to explain key decisions.

• Quantify Everything Possible: Whenever you present results, use numbers, percentages, or clear metrics to demonstrate the success of your design.

• Be Ready for Deep Dives: Anticipate questions about specific design choices, trade-offs, and your personal contributions to team projects.

• Practice Your Pitch: Rehearse your presentation to ensure it's concise, engaging, and within the allotted time.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process will heavily scrutinize not only your design skills but also your ability to collaborate, communicate effectively, and integrate into Waystar's specific culture and industry.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this UX Designer II position:

• Submit Your Resume and Portfolio: Ensure your resume highlights relevant experience and skills. Your portfolio is critical; make sure it's polished, easy to navigate, and showcases your best work with clear case studies.

• Tailor Your Application: Customize your resume and cover letter (if required) to specifically address the requirements and responsibilities listed in the job description, emphasizing your experience in business software UX and your understanding of Waystar's industry.

• Prepare Portfolio Walkthrough: Practice presenting your portfolio projects, focusing on your process, decision-making, and quantifiable results. Be ready to articulate your contributions clearly and concisely.

• Research Waystar: Understand Waystar's products, mission, values, and recent achievements. This will help you tailor your responses and demonstrate genuine interest during interviews.

• Anticipate Design Challenges: Familiarize yourself with common UX challenges in enterprise software and practice problem-solving approaches that align with user-centered design principles.

⚠️ 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.

---