UX Designer – Schwerpunkt Apps (all genders)

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: UX Designer – Schwerpunkt Apps (all genders) Company: Starface GmbH Location: Karlsruhe, Baden-Württemberg, Germany Job Type: Full-time Category: User Experience (UX) / User Interface (UI) Design Date Posted: February 13, 2025 Experience Level: Mid-Level (2-5 years) Remote Status: Hybrid

🚀 Role Summary

• This role focuses on designing and optimizing user interfaces for modern business communication solutions, specifically for Starface's PBX systems, mobile and desktop applications, and web portals.
• The UX Designer will be instrumental in translating complex user needs and business requirements into intuitive, user-friendly, and aesthetically pleasing digital experiences.
• A key aspect involves the end-to-end design process, from ideation and wireframing to prototyping, usability testing, and collaborating closely with development teams for successful implementation.
• The position requires a proactive approach to improving internal design processes and staying abreast of the latest UX trends and competitive landscape in the B2B communication sector.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the job title is "UX Designer," the responsibilities clearly indicate a strong focus on UI design as well, covering the entire spectrum from user flow to visual execution. The emphasis on "Schwerpunkt Apps" suggests a primary focus on mobile and desktop applications, but also encompasses web portals, indicating a broad scope within the product suite.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Interface Design & Optimization: Conceptualize, design, and refine user interfaces for STARFACE's core products, including PBX systems, desktop applications, mobile apps, and administrative/end-user web portals, ensuring a cohesive and intuitive user experience across all platforms.
• Prototyping & Wireframing: Develop comprehensive wireframes, interactive prototypes, and high-fidelity mockups to effectively communicate design concepts, user flows, and interaction patterns to stakeholders and development teams.
• User Research & Testing: Plan, conduct, and analyze usability tests, user interviews, and other user research methodologies to gather insights, identify pain points, and validate design decisions, driving continuous improvement.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Work intimately with product managers to understand business requirements and technical leads/developers to ensure design feasibility, optimal implementation, and alignment with technical constraints.
• Design Process Improvement: Actively participate in and contribute to the refinement of internal design processes, workflows, and best practices to enhance team efficiency and design quality.
• Trend Analysis & Competitive Benchmarking: Monitor emerging UX/UI trends, design patterns, and competitor offerings within the business communication and SaaS space to ensure STARFACE's products remain innovative and competitive.
• Workshop Facilitation: Lead and facilitate design thinking workshops and brainstorming sessions to effectively gather requirements, foster ideation, and collaboratively solve complex user experience challenges.
• Quality Assurance: Validate the implementation of designs by development teams, ensuring that the final product accurately reflects the intended user experience and meets quality standards.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities emphasize a hands-on approach to design, coupled with a strategic understanding of user needs and business objectives. The mention of "Begleitung der Softwareentwicklung und Validierung der fertigen Benutzeroberflächen" suggests the role involves more than just initial design, extending into the quality assurance of the implemented UX/UI.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

• A completed university degree or vocational training in UX/UI Design, Interaction Design, Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), Computer Science, or a closely related field.

Experience:

• A minimum of 3 years of professional experience in UX/UI design, with a demonstrable track record in designing mobile applications, software, or SaaS products, ideally within a B2B context.
• Proven experience in applying user-centered design principles throughout the product development lifecycle, from concept to launch and iteration.

Required Skills:

• UX/UI Design Expertise: Comprehensive understanding and practical application of UX/UI design principles, user-centered design methodologies, and interaction design patterns.
• Wireframing & Prototyping: Proficiency in creating detailed wireframes, user flows, and interactive prototypes using industry-standard design tools.
• Usability Testing: Experience in planning, executing, and analyzing usability tests to gather actionable user feedback and improve product usability.
• Design Tool Proficiency: Expertise with leading design and prototyping software such as Figma, Sketch, Adobe XD, or similar tools.
• Communication & Presentation: Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to articulate design decisions, present concepts effectively, and gain buy-in from diverse stakeholders.
• Attention to Detail: A keen eye for visual detail, consistency, and aesthetic quality in design outputs.
• Structured Work Style: Ability to manage multiple projects, prioritize tasks effectively, and maintain a structured approach to design and development processes.
• Teamwork: Demonstrated ability to collaborate effectively within cross-functional teams, including developers, product managers, and other designers.
• Initiative: Proactive and self-motivated, with a drive to identify opportunities for improvement and take ownership of design solutions.
• German Language Proficiency: Very good command of the German language, both written and spoken, for effective communication within the team and company.
• English Language Proficiency: Good command of the English language, both written and spoken, for technical documentation and potential international collaboration.

Preferred Skills:

• B2B/SaaS Experience: Specific experience designing for Business-to-Business (B2B) software or Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) platforms.
• Scrum/Agile Methodologies: Familiarity or experience working within Agile development frameworks, particularly Scrum, and using project management tools like JIRA.
• Business Communication Domain: Prior experience or understanding of business communication technologies, PBX systems, or Unified Communications as a Service (UCaaS) solutions.

📝 Enhancement Note: The requirement for "Mindestens 3 Jahre Erfahrung" clearly places this role at a mid-level. The "Schwerpunkt Apps" combined with B2B experience suggests a preference for candidates who understand the complexities of enterprise software and mobile user experiences in a business context. The inclusion of German and English language skills is critical for a German-based company.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Demonstrated UX Process: Showcase a clear, repeatable UX design process, including user research, persona development, user journey mapping, wireframing, prototyping, and usability testing.
• Case Studies: Present 2-3 in-depth case studies detailing specific design challenges, your approach to solving them, the tools used, and the measurable impact of your design solutions on user experience or business metrics.
• Visual Design Execution: Include examples of high-fidelity UI designs, demonstrating a strong understanding of visual hierarchy, typography, color theory, and component-based design systems.
• Prototyping Skills: Provide links to interactive prototypes (e.g., Figma, InVision) that illustrate user flows and interaction design for key features or applications.
• B2B/App Focus: Prioritize projects that highlight experience with mobile applications, desktop software, or B2B SaaS products.

Process Documentation:

• Workflow Design: Evidence of designing and documenting complex user workflows, ensuring clarity and efficiency for end-users within business applications.
• Usability Improvement: Examples of how you have used user feedback and data to iterate on designs and achieve quantifiable improvements in usability, task completion rates, or user satisfaction.
• System Integration Concepts: While not explicitly stated, demonstrating an understanding of how UX designs integrate with underlying software systems and data structures would be beneficial.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a mid-level UX Designer role, a portfolio is paramount. The emphasis should be on demonstrating not just visual flair but a robust, user-centered design process and the ability to deliver tangible results, especially within the B2B application space. Case studies are crucial for showcasing problem-solving skills and impact.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

• Given the mid-level experience requirement (3+ years) and the location in Karlsruhe, Germany, a competitive annual salary for a UX Designer would typically range from €50,000 to €70,000 gross per year. This estimate is based on industry benchmarks for UX/UI designers in Germany, considering the company's industry (software/technology) and the specific responsibilities outlined.

Benefits:

• Flexible Working Hours: Accommodations for flexible work schedules, allowing for better work-life balance, provided service times are met.
• Flat Hierarchies: A management structure that fosters open communication and quick decision-making, promoting a collaborative work environment.
• No Dress Code: An emphasis on comfort and authenticity, allowing employees to dress as they feel most productive and comfortable.
• Design Freedom: Significant scope for personal ideas and solutions, empowering the designer to influence product direction and implement innovative concepts.
• Company Pension Scheme: Provision for a betriebliche Altersvorsorge (company pension plan) to support long-term financial security.
• Height Adjustable Desks: Ergonomic workstations provided to enhance employee comfort and well-being.
• Fruit Basket & Beverages: Complimentary fresh fruit and drinks available to employees, contributing to a positive workplace environment.
• Regular Company Parties: Opportunities for team bonding and social interaction through company-organized events.
• Remote Work Options: Flexibility to work remotely, including the possibility of working from EU countries for up to two weeks annually, supporting a mobile and flexible work style.

Working Hours:

• The standard working hours are approximately 40 hours per week, with flexibility offered as long as essential service times are covered, allowing for a good balance between structured work and personal needs.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary estimate is based on general market data for UX Designers in Germany, specifically in mid-sized tech companies. The benefits listed are directly extracted from the job description and highlight a modern, employee-centric workplace culture. The remote work option, allowing work from EU countries, is a significant perk for international candidates or those seeking extended travel.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Software / Information Technology and Services, specializing in Business Communication and Unified Communications as a Service (UCaaS). Company Size: While not explicitly stated, the job description implies a growing company with a significant user base ("hundredtausenden Nutzern"). LinkedIn data for Starface GmbH indicates a company size between 51-200 employees. This size suggests a dynamic environment with a blend of startup spirit and established processes. Founded: Starface GmbH was founded in 2005. This longevity indicates a stable company with a proven track record in the market, while still retaining a focus on innovation.

Team Structure:

• Operations Team Integration: The UX Designer will likely be part of or closely collaborate with a Product Development or Engineering team, working alongside Product Managers, Developers (Frontend/Backend), and potentially QA Engineers.
• Reporting Structure: The role likely reports to a Head of Product, Lead Designer, or a similar management position overseeing product design and development.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Collaboration is emphasized as being company-wide, with transparent and cross-departmental communication. The UX Designer will work closely with development and product management, and potentially marketing or customer support for user feedback.

Methodology:

• Agile Development: The mention of "Scrum-Methoden" and "JIRA" suggests that the company operates within an Agile framework, likely Scrum, for its software development processes.
• User-Centered Design: The core of the role is user-centered design, involving user research, testing, and iterative design based on feedback.
• Data-Driven Decisions: Although not explicitly stated for UX, the general tech industry trend and the focus on usability testing imply that design decisions will be informed by data and user insights.

Company Website: http://starface.com

📝 Enhancement Note: The company culture is described as having a "Startup Charakter" but also emphasizes transparency and team cohesion. The size (51-200 employees) is a key indicator of a collaborative environment where individual contributions are visible and impactful. The foundation date suggests a mature yet agile company.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This position is firmly placed at the Mid-Level. It requires a minimum of 3 years of experience and involves significant responsibility in designing core product features, implying a level of autonomy and contribution beyond junior roles. Reporting Structure: The UX Designer will likely report to a senior member of the product or design team, such as a Head of Product, Lead UX/UI Designer, or Product Manager. This structure provides guidance and mentorship while allowing for independent work on assigned projects. Operations Impact: The UX Designer's work directly impacts user adoption, customer satisfaction, and the overall perceived quality of STARFACE's communication products. By creating intuitive and efficient interfaces, they contribute to increased productivity for their B2B customers, indirectly driving revenue and customer retention.

Growth Opportunities:

• Specialization: Develop deeper expertise in specific areas of UX/UI design, such as mobile app design, interaction design for complex enterprise systems, or user research methodologies.
• Leadership: Progress to a Senior UX Designer role, taking on more complex projects, mentoring junior designers, and potentially leading design initiatives or a small design team.
• Cross-Functional Roles: Transition into related fields like Product Management, where a strong understanding of user needs and product strategy is essential.
• Skill Development: The company encourages learning through exposure to modern tools, agile methodologies, and potentially through training or conferences, allowing for continuous professional development in a rapidly evolving field.

📝 Enhancement Note: The company's description of "viel Gestaltungsspielraum" and "flache Hierarchien" suggests an environment conducive to growth and taking on new responsibilities. The emphasis on collaboration and direct impact on customer-facing products provides clear pathways for career advancement within the product development sphere.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The company fosters a dynamic, collaborative office environment that embraces a "startup character." This suggests an open-plan or flexible workspace setup designed to encourage interaction and teamwork. Office Location(s): The primary office is located in Karlsruhe, Germany. This location is known for its vibrant tech and innovation scene. Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Space: The culture promotes company-wide transparency and cross-departmental communication, indicating that the workspace is designed to facilitate easy interaction and idea sharing among team members.
• Tools & Technology: Employees are expected to have access to modern design tools (Figma, Sketch mentioned), and the company likely provides necessary hardware and software to support design and development activities. Height-adjustable desks are provided for ergonomic comfort.
• Team Interaction: Frequent interaction with developers and product managers is expected, suggesting a team-oriented approach to product development where designers are integrated into the development lifecycle.

Work Schedule:

• Standard working hours are around 40 hours per week, with flexibility offered. This allows for personal adjustments to the schedule, provided core business needs and service times are met. The possibility of "Mobile Office" and working from EU countries for up to two weeks annually adds significant flexibility.

📝 Enhancement Note: The description of the work environment highlights a modern approach, blending the energy of a startup with the stability of an established company. The emphasis on collaboration and flexibility, including remote work options, is a key draw for many tech professionals.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A review of applications, portfolios, and résumés to assess qualifications and cultural fit.
• Technical/Portfolio Review: An interview focused on discussing the candidate's portfolio, design process, and specific project experiences. Expect questions about your design decisions, problem-solving approaches, and how you handle user feedback.
• Team/Hiring Manager Interview: A conversation with the hiring manager and potentially team members to delve deeper into your skills, experience, and how you would contribute to the team and company culture. This may include behavioral questions.
• Practical Exercise/Case Study (Potential): You might be asked to complete a short design challenge or present a case study from your portfolio in more detail, assessing your practical design skills and communication abilities.
• Final Interview: Potentially a final discussion with senior leadership to confirm fit and discuss terms.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Selectively: Choose your strongest 2-3 case studies that best represent your skills for this specific role (app design, B2B focus).
• Tell a Story: For each case study, clearly articulate the problem, your process, your specific contributions, the challenges faced, and the outcomes or impact. Use visuals effectively.
• Highlight Process: Emphasize your user-centered design methodology, from research and ideation to testing and iteration. Show how you translate insights into design solutions.
• Quantify Impact: Wherever possible, include metrics or qualitative feedback that demonstrate the success of your designs (e.g., improved conversion rates, reduced task completion time, positive user feedback).
• Prepare to Discuss: Be ready to talk through every step of your process for each project and answer detailed questions about your design decisions.

Challenge Preparation:

• Understand the Product: Familiarize yourself with STARFACE's current product offerings, their target audience, and their market position in business communication.
• UX Principles: Refresh your knowledge of core UX/UI principles, usability heuristics, and common design patterns for mobile and desktop applications.
• Design Tools: Be prepared to discuss your proficiency with tools like Figma or Sketch and potentially demonstrate your skills if a live exercise is given.
• B2B Context: Consider how UX differs in B2B environments compared to B2C, focusing on efficiency, workflow integration, and user roles.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process for a design role heavily relies on the portfolio. Candidates should be prepared to articulate their design thinking and demonstrate practical application of UX principles. Understanding the company's product and industry is crucial for tailoring responses.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Design & Prototyping: Figma, Sketch, Adobe XD (Expertise required in at least one). These tools are essential for wireframing, creating mockups, building interactive prototypes, and developing design systems.
• User Research & Testing: Tools for conducting usability tests (e.g., Lookback, UserTesting.com) and gathering user feedback might be utilized.
• Collaboration & Project Management: JIRA (preferred), Confluence, Trello, Asana, or similar tools for task management, workflow tracking, and team collaboration within an Agile environment.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Analytics Platforms: While not explicitly mentioned for UX, understanding how to interpret user analytics (e.g., Google Analytics, Amplitude, Mixpanel) to inform design decisions would be beneficial.
• Feedback Tools: Platforms for collecting user feedback through surveys or in-app feedback mechanisms.

CRM & Automation:

• CRM: Familiarity with CRM systems (e.g., Salesforce, HubSpot) might be helpful for understanding customer data and business processes, though not a direct requirement for the UX role.
• Integration Tools: Understanding how designs are implemented and integrated within the broader software architecture is key.

📝 Enhancement Note: Proficiency in modern design tools like Figma is a core requirement. Familiarity with Agile tools like JIRA is a strong plus, indicating how the UX team integrates with development workflows.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• User-Centricity: A commitment to understanding and serving the needs of the user, ensuring that all design decisions are user-informed.
• Collaboration & Transparency: Open communication across departments and teams, fostering a shared understanding and collective ownership of product development.
• Innovation & Quality: A drive to create cutting-edge solutions while maintaining high standards for usability, functionality, and aesthetics.
• Efficiency & Improvement: A continuous effort to optimize processes, workflows, and product performance for both users and the internal team.
• Authenticity & Comfort: Encouraging employees to be themselves and feel comfortable in their work environment, fostering a positive and productive atmosphere.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-Functional Integration: The UX Designer is expected to be an integral part of the product development process, working closely with Product Managers and Developers.
• Feedback Exchange: A culture that values constructive feedback, both giving and receiving, to drive continuous improvement in designs and processes.
• Knowledge Sharing: Encouragement of sharing best practices, design techniques, and learnings within the design and product teams.

📝 Enhancement Note: The company values emphasize a blend of user focus, teamwork, and a proactive approach to improvement, reflecting a modern tech company culture. The "startup character" likely means a more informal yet highly collaborative environment.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing User Needs with Business Goals: Effectively translating user requirements and business objectives into cohesive and intuitive designs for complex communication software.
• Evolving Technology Landscape: Staying current with rapid advancements in UX/UI design trends, mobile technologies, and business communication platforms.
• Cross-Platform Consistency: Ensuring a consistent and high-quality user experience across diverse platforms (desktop, mobile, web) while adhering to platform-specific design conventions.
• Process Optimization: Driving improvements in internal design workflows and collaboration with development teams to enhance efficiency and output quality.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Skill Enhancement: Opportunity to deepen expertise in specific UX/UI areas, such as advanced prototyping, user research methodologies, or design system management.
• Industry Exposure: Potential to attend industry conferences, webinars, or workshops related to UX/UI design and business communication technologies.
• Mentorship: As part of a growing team, there may be opportunities for mentorship from senior designers or product leads, fostering career growth and skill development.

📝 Enhancement Note: The role presents opportunities to tackle complex design challenges in a dynamic tech sector, with ample room for professional growth and skill enhancement, particularly within the B2B communication space.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• Design Process: Be prepared to walk through your entire UX design process for a project in your portfolio, detailing how you approach problem-solving, research, ideation, and validation.
  • Example: "Describe a time you had to design for a technically complex feature. How did you ensure usability and communicate the design to engineers?"
• Collaboration: Discuss how you collaborate with product managers and developers. What are your strategies for handling design disagreements or technical constraints?
  • Example: "How do you ensure your designs are technically feasible and effectively implemented by the development team?"
• Problem-Solving: Expect questions that present a hypothetical design problem related to business communication apps. Articulate your approach to solving it.
  • Example: "Imagine users are struggling to find a key feature in our mobile app. How would you diagnose and address this issue?"

Company & Culture Questions:

• Company Research: Demonstrate your understanding of STARFACE, its products, and its market position.
• Team Dynamics: Discuss your preferred working style within a team and how you contribute to a positive collaborative environment.
  • Example: "How do you handle feedback on your designs, especially if it's critical?"
• Impact Measurement: Explain how you measure the success of your UX designs and what metrics are important to you.
  • Example: "What KPIs do you consider most important for evaluating the success of a mobile app's user experience?"

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Contextualize Each Project: For each case study, clearly state the project's goals, your role, the target audience, and the key challenges.
• Visual Storytelling: Use your portfolio to visually guide the interviewer through your design journey. Showcase wireframes, user flows, prototypes, and final UI designs.
• Focus on Impact: Emphasize the results of your work. How did your design improve the user experience or achieve business objectives? Use data and user feedback to support your claims.
• Be Prepared for Deep Dives: Anticipate detailed questions about your design decisions, the tools you used, and the trade-offs you made.
• Enthusiasm for STARFACE: Express genuine interest in STARFACE's mission and products, and how your skills can contribute to their future development.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process will heavily scrutinize the candidate's portfolio and their ability to articulate their design thinking. Candidates should prepare specific examples that demonstrate their problem-solving skills, collaborative approach, and understanding of user-centered design in a B2B context.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this UX Designer position:

• Submit your application directly through the provided link on join.com.
• Portfolio Tailoring: Ensure your portfolio highlights projects most relevant to mobile app design and B2B software, showcasing your UX process and UI execution. Prioritize case studies that demonstrate problem-solving and measurable impact.
• Resume Optimization: Update your resume to clearly articulate your 3+ years of experience, specific design skills (wireframing, prototyping, usability testing), proficiency in design tools (Figma/Sketch), and any relevant B2B or communication software experience. Use keywords from the job description.
• Interview Preparation: Practice discussing your portfolio projects in detail, focusing on your design rationale, collaboration techniques, and how you translate user needs into effective solutions. Prepare answers for behavioral and situational questions.
• Company Research: Thoroughly research STARFACE GmbH, their products (PBX systems, mobile/desktop apps, web portals), and their market. Understand their mission and values to articulate your fit and enthusiasm during the interview.

⚠️ 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.