UX Designer, YouTube Connected TV Experience

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: UX Designer, YouTube Connected TV Experience
Company: Google
Location: California, United States
Job Type: Full-Time
Category: UX/Product Design
Date Posted: October 30, 2025
Experience Level: Mid-Senior Level (4-8 years)
Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• Drive the end-to-end design of user journeys and key features for YouTube's Connected TV experience, focusing on live sports, movies, and shows.
• Conceptualize and deliver wireframes, mockups, and high-fidelity prototypes across TV, mobile, and web platforms, ensuring a seamless user experience.
• Champion user-centered design principles and collaborate closely with Product Management, Engineering, and UX Research to translate user insights into impactful product improvements.
• Contribute to the evolution of the Google design language and maintain design consistency across the broader YouTube ecosystem.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the title is "UX Designer," the responsibilities and focus on "Connected TV Experience" and "YouTube" indicate a specialized role within product design, with a strong emphasis on user interface and interaction design for a large-scale consumer-facing platform. The role requires not just design execution but also strategic input to influence product direction.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Design comprehensive user journeys and critical features for the YouTube Connected TV platform, encompassing live sports, movies, and shows.
• Develop detailed wireframes, user interface mockups, and high-fidelity interactive prototypes for various platforms including smart TVs, mobile devices, and web browsers.
• Clearly articulate design concepts, user flows, and interaction specifications through compelling scenarios, storyboards, and presentations.
• Foster strong collaborative relationships with Product Management, Engineering, and UX Research teams to ensure user-centered design solutions are effectively implemented.
• Partner with UX Research to define research hypotheses and leverage user insights to drive iterative design improvements and product enhancements.
• Advocate for user-focused design principles and contribute to the overall UX strategy, ensuring alignment and consistency with the Google design language and the YouTube product ecosystem.
• Proactively identify opportunities to innovate and enhance the streaming experience on Connected TV devices.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a need for a designer who can handle both strategic vision and detailed execution. The emphasis on "end-to-end designs" and "articulate design ideas" suggests a role requiring strong communication and presentation skills, in addition to core design competencies.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

• Bachelor's degree in Design, Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), Computer Science, a related field, or equivalent practical experience.
• Master's degree in a related field is preferred, indicating a desire for advanced theoretical understanding and research capabilities.

Experience:

• Minimum of 4 years of dedicated experience in interaction design, product design, or UX design roles.
• Proven experience in creating, implementing, and defining design systems, ensuring consistency and scalability across products.
• Demonstrable experience with visual design principles and application within product or UX design contexts.
• Extensive experience designing consumer-facing products, with a strong understanding of user behavior and engagement patterns.
• Experience specifically with interactive TV or streaming products is preferred, showcasing domain-specific knowledge.

Required Skills:

• Interaction Design: Deep understanding of user interaction principles and ability to translate user needs into intuitive interfaces.
• Product Design: Holistic approach to product development, considering user experience, business goals, and technical feasibility.
• Design Systems: Proficiency in working with and contributing to design systems for scalable and consistent product experiences.
• Visual Design: Strong aesthetic sensibility and ability to create visually appealing and user-friendly interfaces.
• User-Centered Design: Commitment to user advocacy throughout the design process, utilizing research and testing.
• Prototyping: Skill in creating interactive prototypes using various UX design tools to test and communicate design concepts.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Ability to work effectively with diverse teams including Product Managers, Engineers, and Researchers.
• Consumer-Facing Products: Experience designing for a broad consumer audience with diverse needs and technical proficiencies.

Preferred Skills:

• Interactive TV/Streaming Products: Specific experience designing for smart TV interfaces, streaming applications, or digital media platforms.
• Multi-Platform Design: Experience designing user experiences that span TV, mobile, and desktop environments, understanding platform-specific constraints and opportunities.
• Strategic Design Thinking: Ability to balance immediate design tasks with long-term product vision and strategic influence.
• UX Research Partnership: Experience collaborating with researchers to formulate hypotheses and interpret findings.
• Advanced Prototyping Tools: Familiarity with a wide array of UX design and prototyping software.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "4 years of interaction design experience" coupled with a Bachelor's degree sets the expectation for a mid-level to senior designer capable of independent work and strategic contribution. The preference for Master's degrees and specific TV/streaming experience suggests that candidates with deeper academic or specialized industry knowledge will be highly valued.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Showcase end-to-end design projects, demonstrating your process from problem definition to final solution.
• Include case studies that highlight your interaction design, visual design, and prototyping skills.
• Provide examples of your work with design systems, illustrating how you contributed to or utilized them.
• Present projects that clearly define user problems, your design rationale, and the impact of your solutions.

Process Documentation:

• Projects should clearly articulate the design process followed, including user research, ideation, wireframing, prototyping, and user testing phases.
• Demonstrate how you leveraged user insights and data to inform design decisions and iterate on solutions.
• Illustrate your ability to collaborate with engineering and product management, showing how you translated designs into implemented features.
• Highlight contributions to or creation of design systems, detailing their structure and application.

📝 Enhancement Note: A strong portfolio is critical for this role. It should not only display polished final designs but also a clear, repeatable process for tackling complex design challenges, especially within a large-scale consumer product environment like YouTube. The emphasis on design systems and cross-functional collaboration is key.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

• Base Salary: $129,000 - $185,000 USD per year.
• Additional Compensation: This range reflects base salary only and does not include potential bonuses, equity grants, or other benefits.
• Methodology: This range is determined by role, level, and location, with individual pay influenced by factors like job-related skills, experience, and education. The provided range is a benchmark for a mid-to-senior level UX Designer in California, USA, considering Google's compensation structure for such roles.

Benefits:

• Bonus: Potential for performance-based bonuses.
• Equity: Opportunity to receive stock options or grants.
• Comprehensive Benefits Package: Includes health insurance (medical, dental, vision), retirement savings plans (e.g., 401k), paid time off (vacation, sick leave, holidays), parental leave, and other employee support programs.
• Professional Development: Access to learning resources, training, and conferences to foster skill growth.
• Employee Perks: Potential for on-site amenities, wellness programs, and employee assistance programs.

Working Hours:

• Standard full-time position, typically 40 hours per week.
• While core hours are expected, Google often offers flexibility for employees to manage their schedules, provided work objectives and collaboration needs are met.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range provided is a guideline for the base salary. The total compensation package, including bonus and equity, can significantly increase the overall remuneration for this role at Google. The specific range for the candidate's location within California will be discussed during the hiring process.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Technology, Software, Digital Media, Entertainment. Google operates at the forefront of innovation in search, cloud computing, artificial intelligence, and digital advertising, with YouTube being a dominant force in online video content and streaming.

Company Size: Google is a massive global organization with tens of thousands of employees, categorized as "Large" (10,000+ employees). This provides ample resources, opportunities for specialization, and a vast network for collaboration.

Founded: Google was founded in 1998. Its long history has established a culture of innovation, data-driven decision-making, and a focus on user experience. The company ethos, "Focus on the user and all else will follow," is central to its product development.

Team Structure:

• User Experience (UX) Team: Comprised of multi-disciplinary professionals including UX Designers, Researchers, Writers, Content Strategists, Program Managers, and Engineers.
• Reporting: This role likely reports to a Design Lead or Manager within the YouTube UX organization, with a direct reporting line to a manager overseeing specific product areas.
• Collaboration: The UX team works in close partnership with Product Management and Engineering teams, fostering a highly collaborative environment where design is integrated into the product development lifecycle from conception to launch.

Methodology:

• User-Centered Design: A core philosophy that guides all product development, ensuring user needs and behaviors are paramount.
• Data-Informed Decisions: Heavy reliance on analytics, A/B testing, and user research to validate hypotheses and drive product improvements.
• Agile Development: Iterative design and development processes that allow for rapid prototyping, testing, and refinement.
• Design Systems: Utilization and evolution of comprehensive design systems to ensure consistency, efficiency, and scalability across Google's vast product suite.

Company Website: https://www.google.com, https://www.youtube.com/about/

📝 Enhancement Note: Google's culture is characterized by innovation, a data-driven approach, and a strong emphasis on user experience. The scale of operations means that design decisions have a massive impact, and there's a significant focus on scalability and consistency through design systems.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role sits at a mid-to-senior level within the UX design discipline. It requires not only strong execution skills but also the ability to influence product strategy and contribute to the long-term vision of the YouTube Connected TV experience.

Reporting Structure: The designer will likely report to a Design Manager and collaborate closely with Product Managers and Engineering Leads on specific feature development. There will be opportunities to influence design direction for the broader team and contribute to cross-functional initiatives.

Operations Impact: The designer's impact will be direct and significant, shaping how billions of users interact with YouTube on their primary entertainment devices. Success will be measured by user engagement, satisfaction, retention, and the adoption of new features and content within the streaming ecosystem.

Growth Opportunities:

• Skill Specialization: Deepen expertise in designing for TV interfaces, streaming media, and large-scale consumer platforms.
• Leadership Development: Opportunities to mentor junior designers, lead design initiatives for specific features, and influence design strategy.
• Cross-Functional Leadership: Develop stronger partnerships with Product Management and Engineering, taking on more strategic roles in product planning.
• Platform Expansion: Potentially contribute to design efforts across other Google products or platforms, leveraging core skills.
• Industry Recognition: Work on high-impact projects that contribute to Google's reputation as a leader in UX design and digital media.

📝 Enhancement Note: The role offers a clear path for growth within UX design, moving from execution to strategic leadership. The scale and impact of YouTube provide unparalleled opportunities for professional development and career advancement within the tech industry.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: This is an on-site role, implying a traditional office environment at one of Google's California campuses. These campuses are known for fostering collaboration, innovation, and providing extensive amenities.

Office Location(s): California, United States. Specific office location (e.g., Mountain View, Sunnyvale) will be confirmed during the hiring process. These locations are hubs for Google's product development and offer vibrant working environments.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Spaces: Offices are designed with a mix of open-plan areas, meeting rooms, and private spaces to support different work styles and collaboration needs.
• Tools & Technology: Access to state-of-the-art hardware, software, and internal tools necessary for high-quality UX design, including advanced design and prototyping software, and robust internal development environments.
• Team Interaction: Frequent opportunities for face-to-face interaction with design peers, product managers, engineers, and researchers to foster rapid iteration and problem-solving.
• Amenities: Google campuses typically offer extensive amenities such as cafes, fitness centers, recreation areas, and quiet zones, supporting employee well-being and productivity.

Work Schedule: Standard 40-hour work week, with flexibility in daily scheduling as long as collaboration and project timelines are met. The on-site requirement emphasizes the importance of in-person collaboration and team integration.

📝 Enhancement Note: The on-site requirement suggests a preference for fostering strong team cohesion and enabling spontaneous collaboration, which is often valued in fast-paced product development environments. The California locations are major tech hubs with excellent infrastructure and resources.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A recruiter will review your application and portfolio.
• Hiring Manager/Recruiter Call: A brief discussion to assess basic qualifications, cultural fit, and interest.
• Design Portfolio Review: A dedicated session where you present your portfolio to a panel of designers and/or product managers. This is a critical stage to showcase your process, skills, and impact.
• On-site/Virtual Interviews: A series of interviews (typically 3-5) focusing on:
  • Design Skills & Process: Deep dives into your portfolio projects, design thinking, and problem-solving approaches.
  • Technical & System Design: Questions related to design systems, cross-platform design, and technical constraints.
  • Collaboration & Communication: Assessing your ability to work with cross-functional teams and articulate your ideas.
  • Behavioral Questions: Understanding your past experiences, how you handle challenges, and your alignment with Google's culture.
• Hiring Committee Review: Your interview feedback is compiled and reviewed by a committee for a final hiring decision.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select 3-4 projects that best showcase your interaction design, visual design, and problem-solving skills, with a focus on consumer-facing products and ideally, TV or streaming experiences.
• Tell a Story: For each project, clearly articulate the problem, your role, the design process, key decisions, challenges, and the measurable impact of your work.
• Show, Don't Just Tell: Use wireframes, mockups, interactive prototypes, and user flows to visually communicate your design thinking.
• Highlight Process: Emphasize your user-centered approach, how you incorporated user feedback, and how you collaborated with teams.
• Design Systems Focus: If you have experience with design systems, dedicate a section or project to demonstrating your understanding and contribution.
• Be Prepared for Questions: Anticipate questions about your design rationale, trade-offs made, and how you would approach similar problems in the future.

Challenge Preparation:

• Understand the Context: Be ready for potential design challenges or exercises that might simulate real-world problems related to YouTube's Connected TV experience.
• Focus on Process: Even if given a short timeframe, demonstrate your structured approach to problem-solving, ideation, and solutioning.
• Articulate Your Thinking: Clearly communicate your thought process, assumptions, and rationale behind your design choices.
• Consider Constraints: Be mindful of technical limitations, business goals, and the user experience when proposing solutions.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process at Google is rigorous and emphasizes a combination of design craft, strategic thinking, collaboration, and cultural fit. A well-prepared, compelling portfolio presentation is paramount.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Design & Prototyping Software: Proficiency in industry-standard tools such as Figma, Sketch, Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator), and prototyping tools like InVision, Principle, or Framer is expected. Figma is widely used at Google for its collaborative capabilities.
• Wireframing Tools: Tools like Balsamiq, Axure, or even basic digital whiteboarding tools for early-stage ideation.
• User Flow Tools: Tools to map out user journeys and interaction sequences.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Familiarity with data analysis and reporting tools is beneficial, as designers are expected to understand user behavior and measure the impact of their designs. This may include tools like Google Analytics, Tableau, Looker, or internal Google analytics platforms.

CRM & Automation:

• While not the primary focus for a UX Designer, understanding how user data is managed and how design impacts user journeys within CRM systems (like Salesforce, though less likely directly used by designers) and marketing automation platforms can provide valuable context.

Collaboration & Project Management:

• Internal Google Tools: Experience with Google's internal suite of collaboration and project management tools (e.g., Google Workspace, internal bug tracking systems, project management software) is a plus.
• Version Control: Understanding principles of version control, especially for design assets and system components, can be advantageous.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the job description doesn't explicitly list tools, Google is a heavy user of Figma for design collaboration. Demonstrating proficiency with modern, collaborative design tools and an understanding of how design integrates with data and development workflows is crucial.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• User Focus: A fundamental principle at Google, ensuring that user needs, satisfaction, and experience are at the forefront of all design decisions.
• Innovation: A culture that encourages experimentation, creative problem-solving, and pushing the boundaries of technology and design.
• Collaboration: Strong emphasis on teamwork, open communication, and cross-functional partnerships to achieve shared goals.
• Data-Driven Approach: Utilizing data and insights from user research and analytics to inform design choices and measure success.
• Excellence & Quality: A commitment to delivering high-quality, polished, and impactful products that set industry standards.
• Inclusivity: Designing for a global audience with diverse needs and backgrounds, ensuring accessibility and equitable experiences.

Collaboration Style:

• Integrated Teams: Designers work as integral parts of product teams, closely aligned with Product Managers and Engineers.
• Open Feedback: A culture of constructive feedback is encouraged, with regular design critiques and peer reviews to refine work.
• Knowledge Sharing: Active participation in design communities of practice, sharing learnings, and contributing to the broader design knowledge base within Google.
• Agile & Iterative: Collaborative efforts are often structured around agile methodologies, allowing for rapid iteration and continuous improvement.

📝 Enhancement Note: The culture values initiative, collaboration, and a relentless pursuit of user satisfaction and product excellence. Designers are expected to be proactive, communicative, and willing to embrace a data-informed, iterative design process.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Designing for Scale: Creating intuitive and engaging experiences for billions of users across diverse devices and contexts requires meticulous attention to detail and a deep understanding of user behavior.
• Balancing Stakeholder Needs: Effectively navigating the needs and priorities of various stakeholders (Product, Engineering, Marketing, Legal) while remaining a strong advocate for the user.
• Rapid Technological Evolution: Staying ahead of evolving technologies in streaming, AI, and interactive media to ensure YouTube's Connected TV experience remains cutting-edge.
• Maintaining Design Consistency: Ensuring a cohesive and branded user experience across multiple platforms and product surfaces within the vast YouTube ecosystem.
• Impact Measurement: Quantifying the impact of design decisions on user engagement, retention, and business objectives can be complex.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Specialized Training: Access to internal and external training programs focused on advanced UX techniques, emerging design trends, and platform-specific design challenges.
• Mentorship Programs: Opportunities to be mentored by senior designers or to mentor junior talent, fostering leadership and skill development.
• Industry Conferences & Workshops: Participation in leading design conferences and workshops to stay abreast of industry best practices and network with peers.
• Cross-Functional Exposure: Gaining deeper insights into product management, engineering processes, and user research methodologies through close collaboration.
• Design System Contribution: Opportunities to contribute to and evolve Google's extensive design systems, enhancing expertise in scalable design solutions.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges presented are typical of large-scale tech companies and offer significant opportunities for professional growth. Tackling these challenges will build valuable experience in designing for global audiences and influencing product strategy.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• Design Process & Rationale: Be prepared to walk through your portfolio projects in detail, explaining your design process, the problems you solved, the decisions you made, and why. Focus on user-centered methodologies.
• Problem-Solving: Expect hypothetical scenarios related to YouTube's Connected TV experience. Articulate how you would approach diagnosing the problem, gathering insights, and proposing solutions.
• Collaboration & Influence: Describe situations where you had to collaborate with difficult stakeholders or influence product direction. Highlight your communication and negotiation skills.

Company & Culture Questions:

• Google/YouTube Understanding: Research Google's mission, YouTube's role in the digital media landscape, and the specific focus on Connected TV and streaming. Understand the "Focus on the user" principle.
• Teamwork & Values: Prepare examples that demonstrate your ability to work collaboratively, handle feedback, and align with Google's values of innovation, user focus, and data-driven decision-making.
• Impact & Metrics: Discuss how you measure the success of your designs and your understanding of key UX metrics relevant to streaming platforms (e.g., watch time, engagement, retention, conversion).

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure: Organize your presentation logically, typically starting with an overview, then diving into 2-3 key projects. For each project, clearly define the problem, your role, the process, your solutions, and the outcomes/impact.
• Visuals: Use high-quality visuals – wireframes, mockups, prototypes, user flows. Ensure they are clear, concise, and effectively communicate your design intent.
• Storytelling: Frame your projects as stories. What was the challenge? How did you overcome it? What was the result?
• Conciseness: Be mindful of time. Practice your presentation to ensure you cover the most important points effectively within the allotted time.
• Engagement: Be ready to answer in-depth questions about your design choices and be open to discussing alternative approaches.

📝 Enhancement Note: Preparation is key. Understand the role's specific focus on Connected TV and YouTube. Practice articulating your design process and impact clearly and concisely, as this will be heavily scrutinized during portfolio reviews and interviews.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this UX Designer position:

• Submit your application through the official Google Careers portal link provided. Ensure all required fields are completed accurately.
• Portfolio Customization: Tailor your portfolio to highlight projects demonstrating interaction design, visual design, and experience with consumer-facing products, ideally with a focus on TV or streaming interfaces. Emphasize your design process and problem-solving approach.
• Resume Optimization: Ensure your resume clearly articulates your 4+ years of relevant UX/product design experience, highlighting achievements and skills using keywords from the job description (e.g., Design Systems, Prototyping, Consumer-Facing Products).
• Interview Preparation: Thoroughly review potential interview questions focusing on design process, problem-solving, collaboration, and your portfolio. Practice presenting your case studies clearly and concisely.
• Company Research: Deepen your understanding of Google's culture, YouTube's mission, and the specific challenges and opportunities within the Connected TV streaming space.

⚠️ 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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