UX Designer - UXD/Digital Design System (DDS)

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: UX Designer - UXD/Digital Design System (DDS)

Company: Syncreon Consulting

Location: Austin, Texas, United States

Job Type: Contract

Category: Digital Design / User Experience

Date Posted: 2026-02-06T16:18:14.753

Experience Level: 5-10 Years

Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• This role is critical for enhancing digital and email design patterns and components, contributing to intuitive and coherent website experiences for end-users.

• The position demands a strong understanding of atomic-based design principles within a Digital Design System (DDS) context.

• Collaboration with cross-functional teams, including UX Strategy and Marketing, is essential to align on user experience best practices and research findings.

• The UX Designer will lead discovery work for new design patterns across multiple channels, including web, email, and mobile applications, acting as a self-starter.

📝 Enhancement Note: The job description indicates a "mid-level" UX Designer, which, combined with the 5+ years of relevant experience requirement, suggests a role with significant autonomy and a need for proven expertise in design systems and user-centered design methodologies. The focus on "public-facing experiences" implies a direct impact on customer interaction and brand perception.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain digital and email design patterns and components within the Digital Design System (DDS).

• Create interactive digital experiences that align with UX best practices and user research.

• Collaborate closely with UX Strategy, Creative Center (C2), and other marketing teams to ensure cohesive user journeys.

• Document design patterns and components meticulously in Figma, ensuring clarity and usability for web page builders.

• Lead the discovery and definition of new design patterns and experiences across web, email, and mobile platforms.

• Work within an agile product delivery team to meet sprint deadlines and contribute to iterative development cycles.

• Ensure all designs adhere to current WCAG accessibility standards, promoting inclusivity.

• Conduct user research and leverage findings to inform the creation and evolution of design patterns.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on "leading discovery work" and acting as a "self-starter" for new patterns suggests this role has a proactive component, requiring the individual to identify opportunities for improvement and innovation within the DDS. The involvement in "multiple channels" (web, email, mobile) indicates a need for a versatile designer capable of adapting patterns across different mediums.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: While not explicitly stated, a Bachelor's degree in Design, Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), Computer Science, or a related field is typically expected for roles with 5+ years of experience. A strong portfolio can often substitute for formal education.

Experience: A minimum of five years of relevant experience as a UX Designer or in a closely related role is required. Experience working directly with a Digital Design System (DDS) and understanding atomic-based design principles is crucial.

Required Skills:

• Five+ years of relevant experience in UX Design or a related field.

• Proficiency in Figma, including component creation and documentation.

• Deep understanding of atomic-based design principles within a DDS.

• In-depth knowledge of core design principles: layout, typography, color theory, and composition.

• Demonstrated experience with Jira and agile development methodologies.

• Solid understanding of WCAG accessibility standards and their practical application.

• Proven ability to lead discovery initiatives for new design patterns and user experiences.

• Strong self-starter mentality with the ability to work independently and drive projects forward.

• Experience designing for multiple channels: web, email, and mobile applications.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience contributing to or managing a large-scale Digital Design System.

• Familiarity with user research methodologies and synthesizing findings.

• Experience with other design and prototyping tools (e.g., Sketch, Adobe XD, InVision).

• Understanding of front-end development principles (HTML, CSS, JavaScript) to inform design feasibility.

• Experience working within a large corporate or financial services environment.

📝 Enhancement Note: The requirement for specific Figma proficiency, including component creation and documentation, is a key technical skill. The mention of "C2's UX Strategy Team" and "Schwab Marketing" suggests that candidates familiar with corporate marketing structures and their UX needs will be well-positioned.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A comprehensive portfolio demonstrating at least five years of UX design experience, with a strong emphasis on projects involving Digital Design Systems (DDS).

• Showcase examples of component creation and pattern development within a DDS framework, illustrating understanding of atomic design.

• Include case studies that highlight interactive digital experiences designed for web, email, or mobile applications.

• Demonstrate proficiency in Figma, with specific examples of complex component creation and documentation within the tool.

• Provide evidence of collaboration with development teams, showcasing how designs were translated into functional features, ideally within an agile context.

Process Documentation:

• Showcase your process for designing and documenting reusable components and patterns within a DDS.

• Illustrate your approach to leading discovery work, from initial problem definition to the delivery of new design patterns.

• Document your experience working with Jira and participating in agile sprints, including how you manage tasks and communicate progress.

• Provide examples of how you have documented design decisions, user flows, and component specifications for developer handoff.

• Detail your methodology for ensuring design consistency and adherence to brand guidelines across multiple channels.

📝 Enhancement Note: For this role, the portfolio should heavily emphasize the candidate's ability to create and manage design system components and patterns. Demonstrating a clear, documented process for Figma component creation and adherence to atomic design principles will be crucial. The ability to showcase leadership in discovery work and cross-channel design will also be highly valued.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: As a contract position for a mid-level UX Designer with 5-10 years of experience in Austin, TX, the estimated hourly rate would typically range from $50 to $75 USD. This estimate is based on industry benchmarks for contract UX Designers in major tech hubs like Austin, considering the specific requirements for Digital Design System expertise and Figma proficiency.

Benefits: As this is a contract role, standard employee benefits may not apply. However, typical contractor benefits or compensation structures may include:

• Competitive hourly rate.

• Potential for contract extension or conversion to full-time.

• Access to company facilities and resources.

• Opportunities to work on high-impact projects for a well-known financial services company (implied by "Charles Schwab" mention).

• Professional development opportunities through exposure to complex design challenges and systems.

Working Hours: The standard working hours for this role are expected to be 40 hours per week, aligning with typical full-time contract engagements. The role is on-site, suggesting a typical business day schedule (e.g., 9 AM - 5 PM CT).

📝 Enhancement Note: A detailed salary breakdown is provided based on industry data for contract UX Designers in Austin, TX, with 5-10 years of experience. It's important for candidates to note that benefits may differ from permanent positions and to clarify these details with the recruiter.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: The hiring organization, Syncreon Consulting, acts as a recruitment and staffing partner, suggesting it operates within the Human Resources and Professional Services sectors. However, the project itself is for "Charles Schwab," indicating the actual work environment is within the Financial Services industry, specifically focused on digital customer experience. This duality means candidates will experience the culture of a consultancy while working within a large, established financial institution.

Company Size: Syncreon Consulting's description suggests a specialized firm focused on providing tailored staffing solutions. The mention of "leading staffing trade associations" implies a professional and industry-connected organization. The actual client, Charles Schwab, is a large, publicly traded financial services company, indicating a corporate environment with extensive resources and established processes.

Founded: Syncreon Consulting's founding date is not provided, but its description implies a mature business focused on innovative and customized recruitment solutions, driven by research and client partnerships. Charles Schwab was founded in 1971, bringing a long history and deep expertise in the financial sector.

Team Structure:

• The UX Designer will report to the C2's UX Strategy Team Manager, indicating a structured reporting line within the Creative Center (C2).

• The role involves close collaboration with other teams within Schwab, including the DDS team and other marketing functions, suggesting a matrixed or project-based team structure.

Methodology:

• The DDS team utilizes an atomic-based design approach, breaking down interfaces into fundamental elements.

• Agile processes are central to product delivery, emphasizing iterative development and sprint-based work.

• User experience is driven by UX best practices and ongoing research to inform design patterns.

• Emphasis is placed on creating intuitive and coherent digital experiences for end-users.

Company Website: While Syncreon Consulting's URL is not provided, the client's website is www.schwab.com.

📝 Enhancement Note: Candidates should be prepared for a dual culture: the professional, client-focused environment of Syncreon Consulting and the corporate, regulated, and large-scale operational environment of Charles Schwab. The emphasis on DDS and agile methodologies points to a modern, tech-forward approach within the financial services industry.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is positioned as a mid-level UX Designer, requiring 5+ years of experience. It implies a level of autonomy and responsibility beyond entry-level roles, with expectations for independent work and leadership in specific project areas (e.g., discovery for new patterns). The individual will be expected to contribute significantly to the DDS and its application in creating digital experiences.

Reporting Structure: The UX Designer reports to the C2's UX Strategy Team Manager. This structure suggests guidance and oversight from a senior UX leader, with potential for mentorship. However, the role also requires close collaboration with product delivery teams and other stakeholders, indicating a need for strong interpersonal and cross-functional communication skills.

Operations Impact: The work directly impacts the user experience of Charles Schwab's public-facing digital properties. By contributing to the DDS, the designer helps ensure consistency, usability, and accessibility across web, email, and mobile platforms. This has a direct effect on customer engagement, satisfaction, and ultimately, the company's brand perception and business objectives.

Growth Opportunities:

• Skill Specialization: Deepen expertise in Digital Design Systems, atomic design, and Figma component libraries.

• Cross-Channel Mastery: Gain experience in adapting and optimizing design patterns for web, email, and mobile applications within a large enterprise.

• Agile & Product Development: Further hone skills in agile methodologies and collaborate with product teams to influence product roadmaps.

• Accessibility Expertise: Become a subject matter expert in WCAG compliance and inclusive design practices.

• Potential for Full-Time Conversion: Contract roles often offer a pathway to permanent positions, providing long-term career growth within Charles Schwab.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "mid-level" designation, coupled with the 5+ years of experience and self-starter requirement, suggests this role offers significant opportunities for an individual to take ownership and drive key aspects of the DDS. The potential for impact on a major financial institution's digital presence is substantial.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The role is explicitly stated as "On-site" in Austin, TX. This suggests a traditional office environment where in-person collaboration is expected. The mention of "C2's UX Strategy Team" and Charles Schwab implies working within a corporate office setting.

Office Location(s): The job description specifies Austin, TX, near "State Highway 71." This location is likely a corporate office for Charles Schwab or a dedicated facility for their marketing and creative teams.

Workspace Context:

• The workspace is expected to be collaborative, facilitating direct interaction with UX strategists, DDS team members, product managers, and developers.

• Access to standard office technology and software, including Figma and Jira, will be essential.

• The environment is likely fast-paced, characteristic of both a consulting firm's project delivery and a large financial institution's operational demands.

• Opportunities for spontaneous discussions and feedback sessions with team members are probable in an on-site setting.

Work Schedule: The role is on-site and likely follows standard business hours, typically 40 hours per week. While the contract nature might offer some flexibility, the on-site requirement suggests adherence to a typical office schedule (e.g., Monday-Friday, 9 AM - 5 PM CT).

📝 Enhancement Note: The on-site requirement is a key differentiator for this role. Candidates should be prepared for a structured office environment and prioritize in-person collaboration, which can be beneficial for rapid design iteration and team cohesion.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A recruiter from Syncreon Consulting will likely conduct an initial screening to assess basic qualifications, experience, and cultural fit.

• Hiring Manager Interview: An interview with the C2's UX Strategy Team Manager will follow, focusing on UX design methodology, DDS experience, and problem-solving skills.

• Portfolio Review: A dedicated session will be held to review the candidate's portfolio, focusing on specific DDS projects, Figma proficiency, and case studies demonstrating design process and impact.

• Technical/Team Interview: This may involve a practical design exercise or a discussion with other DDS team members and product delivery team members to assess collaboration and technical aptitude.

• Final Interview: Potentially a final interview with a senior stakeholder, assessing overall fit and strategic alignment.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• DDS Focus: Curate your portfolio to prominently feature projects where you significantly contributed to or led the development of a Digital Design System. Highlight your role in creating components, patterns, and documentation.

• Figma Mastery: Be prepared to walk through specific Figma files, demonstrating your component creation skills, use of variants, auto layout, and documentation practices.

• Atomic Design Clarity: Clearly articulate your understanding and application of atomic design principles – showing how you break down UI into smaller, reusable elements.

• Collaboration Stories: Use case studies to illustrate how you collaborated with developers, product managers, and other designers. Emphasize how your designs addressed business needs and user pain points.

• Accessibility Integration: Showcase examples where you actively incorporated WCAG guidelines into your design process and deliverables.

• Problem/Solution/Result: Structure your case studies using the problem-solution-result framework, quantifying impact where possible.

Challenge Preparation:

• DDS Scenario: Be ready for a hypothetical scenario where you need to design a new component or pattern for the DDS, explaining your process, considerations (accessibility, reusability, scalability), and documentation approach.

• Figma Exercise: A short, timed exercise in Figma might be given to assess your speed and proficiency in creating a component or modifying an existing one according to DDS guidelines.

• Agile Workflow Discussion: Prepare to discuss how you integrate into agile sprints, manage your workload, and communicate progress and roadblocks.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process will heavily scrutinize the candidate's practical experience with Digital Design Systems and Figma. Candidates should prepare detailed case studies that specifically highlight their contributions to DDS initiatives and their ability to articulate design decisions and processes clearly.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Figma: Essential for UI design, component creation, prototyping, and documentation within the DDS. Proficiency in advanced features like variants, auto layout, and design system management is expected.

• Jira: Required for project management, task tracking, sprint planning, and collaboration within agile development teams.

• Prototyping Tools (e.g., InVision, Axure): While Figma is primary, familiarity with other prototyping tools may be beneficial for showcasing interactive experiences.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Web Analytics Tools (e.g., Google Analytics): Understanding how user behavior data informs design decisions and post-launch analysis is valuable, though not explicitly stated as a primary requirement.

• Reporting Dashboards: Familiarity with tools used to track design system adoption and impact could be a plus.

CRM & Automation:

• While not directly related to UX design, understanding how user experience impacts CRM adoption and customer engagement is beneficial. Familiarity with the underlying systems that support digital experiences might be advantageous.

📝 Enhancement Note: Figma and Jira are explicitly called out as critical tools. Candidates must demonstrate strong, hands-on experience with both. The emphasis on DDS implies that experience with design system management features within Figma is highly desirable.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• User-Centricity: A core value will be prioritizing the end-user experience through research, best practices, and intuitive design.

• Collaboration: Strong emphasis on working effectively with cross-functional teams (UX, Marketing, Development, Product) to achieve shared goals.

• Efficiency & Reusability: The DDS inherently promotes efficiency and reusability, so a value placed on creating scalable and maintainable design solutions is expected.

• Quality & Consistency: Maintaining high standards for design quality and ensuring consistency across all digital touchpoints is paramount.

• Accessibility & Inclusivity: A commitment to designing for all users, adhering to WCAG standards, is a non-negotiable value.

Collaboration Style:

• Agile & Iterative: The team likely operates with an agile mindset, embracing iterative design and development cycles with frequent feedback loops.

• Cross-Functional Integration: Expect close integration with product managers, developers, and marketing specialists, requiring open communication and shared ownership.

• Design System Advocacy: Team members are expected to champion the DDS, educating others on its use and benefits, and contributing to its ongoing evolution.

• Data-Informed Decisions: While not explicitly stated, a modern UX team will likely leverage data and user research to inform design decisions and measure impact.

📝 Enhancement Note: The culture is expected to be a blend of a fast-paced, collaborative consulting environment and the structured, quality-driven approach of a large financial institution. Candidates who thrive in environments that value both user advocacy and systematic, efficient design processes will be a good fit.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing DDS Standards with Project Needs: Ensuring that individual project requirements do not compromise the integrity and consistency of the Digital Design System.

• Cross-Functional Adoption: Encouraging and guiding various teams to effectively adopt and utilize the DDS components and patterns.

• Rapid Evolution of Digital Platforms: Keeping pace with evolving user expectations and technological advancements across web, email, and mobile channels.

• Accessibility Compliance at Scale: Ensuring consistent adherence to WCAG standards across a broad range of digital assets developed by multiple teams.

• Working within a Large Corporate Structure: Navigating established processes and stakeholder management within a large financial institution.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Deep Dive into DDS Architecture: Gaining in-depth knowledge of how large-scale design systems are structured, maintained, and scaled.

• Advanced Figma Techniques: Mastering advanced Figma features for efficient design system management and component creation.

• Financial Services UX: Understanding the unique user needs, regulatory constraints, and design considerations within the financial services industry.

• Agile Product Development Lifecycle: Gaining hands-on experience within a mature agile product development process.

• Mentorship: Potential for mentorship from senior UX strategists within the Creative Center (C2).

📝 Enhancement Note: This role presents an opportunity to tackle complex challenges related to scaling design systems and ensuring consistent user experiences across a major financial brand. The growth potential lies in becoming an expert in DDS management and financial services UX.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe your experience with Digital Design Systems. What is your philosophy on atomic design, and how have you applied it in past projects?" (Focus on DDS, atomic principles, and practical application).

• "Walk me through a project where you designed a new component or pattern for a design system. What was the process, what challenges did you face, and how did you document it in Figma?" (Highlight DDS contribution, Figma skills, and process documentation).

• "How do you ensure accessibility (WCAG) is integrated into your design process, especially when working with reusable components?" (Emphasize WCAG knowledge and practical implementation).

• "Describe your experience working in an agile environment. How do you collaborate with product managers and developers to meet sprint deadlines?" (Focus on agile workflow and collaboration).

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What do you know about Charles Schwab's digital presence and design approach?" (Research their website and app).

• "How do you see a Digital Design System contributing to a company like Charles Schwab?" (Connect DDS benefits to business objectives).

• "Describe a time you had to influence stakeholders to adopt a new design pattern or process." (Assess influencing and communication skills).

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Narrative Flow: For each DDS case study, clearly articulate the problem, your proposed solution (the design pattern/component), the process you followed, the tools used (especially Figma), and the outcome/impact.

• Figma Deep Dive: Be prepared to share your screen and demonstrate specific Figma files, showcasing your component structure, variants, documentation, and overall system logic.

• Quantify Impact: Where possible, use metrics to demonstrate the success of your designs (e.g., improved usability scores, increased adoption of components, reduced development time).

• Focus on Reusability: Emphasize how your designs were modular, reusable, and scalable, aligning with the core purpose of a DDS.

• Concise and Focused: Keep the presentation focused on the most relevant projects and be ready to answer detailed questions about your contributions and design decisions.

📝 Enhancement Note: Candidates should prepare to demonstrate their Figma skills live and articulate their thought process for creating reusable components within a design system framework. The ability to connect design decisions to user needs and business objectives will be key.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this operations position:

• Submit your application through the provided link on SmartRecruiters.

• Portfolio Curation: Select 2-3 of your strongest projects that specifically highlight your experience with Digital Design Systems, Figma component creation, and cross-channel design. Ensure these projects clearly demonstrate your understanding of atomic design and WCAG compliance.

• Resume Optimization: Tailor your resume to emphasize keywords such as "UX Designer," "Digital Design System," "Figma," "Atomic Design," "WCAG," "Agile," and "Component Development." Quantify achievements where possible.

• Interview Preparation: Practice articulating your design process, especially for DDS projects. Prepare to walk through your portfolio, focusing on demonstrating Figma proficiency and explaining your approach to documentation and collaboration.

• Company Research: Familiarize yourself with Charles Schwab's digital offerings and Syncreon Consulting's services. Understand the company culture and prepare questions that demonstrate your interest and understanding of the role's impact.

⚠️ 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.

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