UX Engineer / Design Technologist

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: UX Engineer / Design Technologist Company: Whalar Group Location: Remote (Preference for NY, NJ, or CT. MA, IL, FL, GA, TX, TN also considered) Job Type: Full-Time Category: Product Design & Engineering Date Posted: December 12, 2025 Experience Level: Mid-Level (Estimated 2-5 years) Remote Status: Fully Remote

🚀 Role Summary

• Design and develop intuitive, high-fidelity user interfaces for web and mobile products, focusing on user adoption, engagement, and retention.
• Collaborate closely with product managers, designers, and engineers to translate complex workflows into simple, user-friendly experiences.
• Integrate cutting-edge AI functionality and generative tools to enhance product features and streamline user workflows.
• Contribute to and evolve a comprehensive design system, ensuring consistency and scalability across all product offerings.
• Champion best practices in accessibility, performance, and responsive design to ensure inclusive and efficient user experiences.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the role is labeled "UX Engineer / Design Technologist," the emphasis on "design and build experiences," "rapidly prototype," and "develop high-fidelity prototypes and production-ready components" strongly suggests a hybrid role that bridges the gap between pure UX design and front-end development. The inclusion of AI integration and the company's focus on data and metrics point towards a need for someone who can not only visualize but also implement and test innovative features. The estimated experience level is derived from the responsibilities requiring independent contribution and collaboration without extensive oversight.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Partner with product managers, designers, and engineers to refine user flows and build engaging interfaces that drive adoption, engagement, and retention.
• Design end-to-end user experiences that balance functionality, accessibility, and delight—helping users understand and trust Foam’s products.
• Rapidly prototype new ideas, translating complex workflows into simple, intuitive patterns and testable concepts.
• Develop high-fidelity prototypes and production-ready components using modern web technologies and frameworks.
• Integrate AI functionality and generative tools where they meaningfully enhance the user experience and operational efficiency.
• Contribute to and evolve Foam’s design system and visual language, ensuring consistency and scalability across products.
• Experiment with AI-driven design and interaction patterns to push the boundaries of what’s possible in the creator tech space.
• Utilize data, research, and user feedback to guide design and development decisions, while also trusting creative instincts.
• Champion accessibility, performance, and responsive design best practices throughout the product development lifecycle.
• Stay ahead of emerging design, front-end, and AI trends, sharing insights to inspire and educate the team.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities clearly outline a role that is deeply involved in the product development lifecycle, from concept to implementation. The emphasis on "integrating AI functionality" and "experimenting with AI-driven design" highlights a forward-thinking approach to product development, aligning with the company's mission to leverage technology for managing digital talent. The need to "champion accessibility, performance, and responsive design" indicates a commitment to robust and inclusive product development.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: While no specific degree is listed, a Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Human-Computer Interaction, Design, or a related field, or equivalent practical experience, is typically expected for this level of role.

Experience: Proven experience (estimated 2-5 years) as a UX Engineer, Design Technologist, or Front-End Designer with a strong portfolio showcasing end-to-end design and development work.

Required Skills:

• Deep understanding of human-centered design principles and their application to complex workflows.
• Hands-on proficiency with modern web frameworks such as React, Vue, or similar.
• Strong command of core web technologies: HTML, CSS, and JavaScript.
• Ability to design and build scalable components and interfaces that align with a unified design system.
• Comfort and experience working with AI tools and services to improve functionality, design exploration, and development efficiency.
• Strong collaboration skills, with the ability to partner effectively with product, design, engineering, and marketing teams.
• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to articulate design decisions clearly to both technical and non-technical stakeholders.
• A proactive, curious mindset and passion for exploring new technologies, paradigms, and creative approaches.
• A genuine interest in the creator economy and the future of human-AI collaboration.
• Experience leveraging AI tools and functionality to enhance creativity, workflow efficiency, and performance.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience with prototyping tools (e.g., Figma, Sketch, Adobe XD) for rapid ideation and user testing.
• Familiarity with AI/ML concepts and their application in user interfaces.
• Knowledge of design system methodologies and implementation.
• Experience with data analysis and user feedback tools to inform design decisions.
• Understanding of back-end development principles to facilitate better cross-functional collaboration.

📝 Enhancement Note: The requirements emphasize a blend of design thinking and technical execution. The explicit mention of modern web frameworks and core web technologies suggests that candidates will be expected to contribute code. The "AI tools and services" requirement is a key differentiator, indicating that familiarity or a strong willingness to learn and apply AI in design and development is crucial. The "proven experience...with a strong portfolio" is a critical requirement for demonstrating practical skills.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Showcase end-to-end design and development projects, demonstrating the entire product lifecycle from ideation to implementation.
• Include case studies that highlight problem-solving methodologies, design decisions, and the technical implementation of features.
• Present prototypes that effectively communicate user flows and interactive elements, ideally with links to live demos or interactive prototypes.
• Demonstrate experience integrating AI or innovative technologies into product designs, explaining the rationale and impact.
• Highlight contributions to design systems, component libraries, or style guides, showing an understanding of scalability and consistency.

Process Documentation:

• Case studies should clearly outline the problem statement, the user research or discovery phase, design iterations, and the final implemented solution.
• For technical contributions, provide examples of code structure, component design, and how accessibility and performance were addressed.
• Explain how user feedback and data were incorporated into the design and development process.
• Detail the collaboration process with cross-functional teams, illustrating how challenges were overcome and ideas were brought to fruition.

📝 Enhancement Note: A strong portfolio is paramount for this role, as it's the primary way to assess a candidate's ability to bridge design and development. The focus should be on demonstrating practical application of skills, particularly in areas like AI integration, rapid prototyping, and building scalable components. The ability to articulate the "why" behind design and technical decisions, supported by data, will be key.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: For a UX Engineer / Design Technologist with an estimated 2-5 years of experience in New York, NY (a high cost of living area), a competitive salary range would typically be between $100,000 - $140,000 per year. This estimate is based on industry benchmarks for similar roles in major tech hubs, considering the hybrid nature of design and development responsibilities, and the company's focus on innovative technology.

Benefits:

• Comprehensive Medical, Dental, and Vision insurance plans.
• Generous Paid Time Off (PTO) policy: 25 days of PTO, plus sick days and a winter break.
• Retirement planning support with an employer match.
• Monthly reimbursement for phone and internet expenses.
• Professional development stipend to support continuous learning and skill enhancement.
• New joiner home office allowance to ensure a productive remote workspace.
• Fertility benefits.
• Up to 16 weeks of paid parental leave.
• Paid volunteer days to support community engagement.
• Access to identity theft protection and legal assistance services.
• Company-paid Life and Disability Insurance.
• Options for extra Voluntary Life Insurance, Voluntary Hospital and Critical Illness Insurance.
• Voluntary Pet insurance.
• Participation in Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) for community and support.

Working Hours: The standard working hours are approximately 40 hours per week. The remote nature of the role and the company's emphasis on flexible benefits suggest a degree of flexibility in how these hours are structured, allowing for work-life balance.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range is an estimation based on the role's unique blend of UX and engineering skills, the specified location (New York, a high-cost-of-living area), and the mid-level experience requirement. The benefits package is extensive and reflects a commitment to employee well-being and professional growth, which are attractive to skilled professionals in the tech industry.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Technology (SaaS, Digital Talent Management, Creator Economy) Company Size: Whalar Group is a growing organization, with Foam operating as a key part of its suite of services. While specific numbers for Foam aren't provided, Whalar Group's overall size indicates a dynamic and expanding environment. Founded: Whalar Group was founded in 2016, signifying a company with established experience and a track record of growth, now expanding its offerings with innovative platforms like Foam.

Team Structure:

• The UX Engineer / Design Technologist will likely be part of a product team that includes Product Managers, UI/UX Designers, and Software Engineers.
• Reporting will likely be to a Product Lead, Design Lead, or Engineering Manager, depending on the team's specific organization.
• Cross-functional collaboration is a core tenet of the role, requiring close partnerships with various departments to ensure product success.

Methodology:

• Data-Driven Design: Foam's core offering is powered by real-time, certified metrics, indicating a strong reliance on data to inform product decisions and strategies.
• Agile Development: Given the tech industry standard and the need for rapid iteration, an agile or agile-like development methodology is highly probable, involving iterative cycles of design, development, and testing.
• User-Centricity: The emphasis on human-centered design and creating effortless yet powerful experiences underscores a commitment to understanding and serving user needs.

Company Website: https://whalargroup.com/ and https://www.foam.io/

📝 Enhancement Note: Whalar Group, through its platform Foam, is positioned at the intersection of digital talent management and the rapidly evolving creator economy. This context suggests a fast-paced, innovative environment where data analytics, AI integration, and user experience are paramount. The company's stated commitment to DEI also points to an inclusive and forward-thinking culture.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role represents a mid-level position, suitable for individuals who have moved beyond junior responsibilities and can independently contribute to complex projects. It bridges the gap between pure design and development, offering a unique growth path for those interested in product innovation.

Reporting Structure: The UX Engineer / Design Technologist will likely report into a Product or Engineering leadership role, working collaboratively within cross-functional product squads. This structure allows for direct contribution to product strategy and execution.

Operations Impact: The role has a direct impact on the success of Foam by shaping user experiences that drive adoption, engagement, and retention. By crafting intuitive interfaces and integrating innovative features, this role directly contributes to the platform's value proposition for creators, agencies, and brands, ultimately influencing revenue and market position.

Growth Opportunities:

• Specialization: Deepen expertise in AI-driven design, advanced front-end development, or comprehensive design system management.
• Leadership: Progress to Senior UX Engineer, Lead Design Technologist, or potentially a Product Design Lead role, mentoring junior team members and guiding product strategy.
• Cross-functional Mobility: Opportunities to move into Product Management or specialized front-end engineering roles.
• Skill Development: Continuous learning through professional development stipends, industry conferences, and exposure to cutting-edge AI technologies and design paradigms.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "UX Engineer / Design Technologist" title itself suggests a growth path that combines deep technical skills with a strong understanding of user experience. The company's focus on AI and the creator economy provides fertile ground for developing specialized, in-demand skills. Growth here is likely to be both vertical (leadership) and horizontal (specialization).

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Fully Remote. The company offers flexible benefits and collaborative work environments/experiences, allowing employees to work productively in a setting that best suits their needs. Office Location(s): While the role is remote, preference is given to candidates located in NY, NJ, or CT. Other states considered include MA, IL, FL, GA, TX, and TN. This suggests a distributed team structure with potential for virtual collaboration and occasional in-person meetups if feasible.

Workspace Context:

• Remote Collaboration: Expect to utilize a suite of digital collaboration tools for communication, project management, and design reviews.
• Technology Stack: Access to modern design and development tools, likely including Figma, code editors, version control systems (Git), and potentially AI-powered design assistance tools.
• Team Interaction: Regular virtual stand-ups, design critiques, and cross-functional meetings to maintain alignment and foster a collaborative spirit.

Work Schedule: The role is approximately 40 hours per week, with potential for flexibility in scheduling due to the remote nature. This allows operations professionals to manage their workflows and integrate personal commitments effectively.

📝 Enhancement Note: The fully remote nature of this role, with a preference for specific US states, indicates a modern work environment that prioritizes flexibility and talent acquisition beyond geographical constraints. The emphasis on "flexible benefits and collaborative work environments/experiences" suggests a culture that supports diverse working styles and needs.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A recruiter or hiring manager will review your application and portfolio to assess basic qualifications and cultural fit.
• Technical/Portfolio Review: Expect a deep dive into your portfolio. This may involve a presentation where you walk through 1-2 key projects, explaining your process, design decisions, technical approach, and the impact of your work. Be prepared to discuss your experience with AI tools and integrating them into your workflow.
• Design/Engineering Challenge: A take-home assignment or a live coding/design exercise to evaluate your practical skills in prototyping, coding, and problem-solving. This might involve creating a component, designing a user flow, or integrating a small AI feature.
• Cross-Functional Interviews: Meetings with product managers, designers, and engineers to assess collaboration skills, communication style, and technical understanding.
• Final Interview: Typically with a senior leader to discuss your vision, career goals, and overall fit with the company culture and mission.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Selectively: Choose 2-3 of your strongest projects that best represent your UX engineering and design technologist capabilities, especially those involving AI integration or complex user flows.
• Tell a Story: For each project, clearly articulate the problem, your role, your process (research, ideation, design, development), the challenges faced, the solutions implemented, and the measurable outcomes or impact.
• Showcase Technicality: For engineering aspects, highlight your code quality, component structure, use of frameworks, and how you ensured performance and accessibility.
• Demonstrate AI Integration: Clearly explain how you used AI tools or concepts, the benefits they brought, and any challenges encountered.
• Prepare for Questions: Anticipate questions about your design rationale, technical choices, how you handle feedback, and your experience with remote collaboration.

Challenge Preparation:

• Understand the Scope: If a take-home challenge is provided, thoroughly read and understand the brief. Clarify any ambiguities before starting.
• Focus on Process: Even if the output is a prototype or code snippet, the interviewers will be looking at your thought process, problem-solving approach, and how you communicate your reasoning.
• Time Management: Be mindful of any time constraints for live exercises or deadlines for take-home challenges. Prioritize key features and demonstrate your core skills effectively.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process is designed to thoroughly assess both the design sensibility and the engineering capability of candidates. The portfolio review is critical, and candidates should be prepared to articulate their contributions to both the user experience and the technical implementation, with a particular focus on AI.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Design & Prototyping: Figma, Sketch, Adobe XD (or similar industry-standard tools) for wireframing, UI design, and interactive prototyping.
• Web Frameworks: React, Vue, or similar modern JavaScript frameworks for building scalable and interactive user interfaces.
• Front-End Technologies: Deep proficiency in HTML5, CSS3 (including preprocessors like Sass/LESS), and modern JavaScript (ES6+).
• Version Control: Git (and platforms like GitHub, GitLab, or Bitbucket) for collaborative code management.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Analytics Platforms: Google Analytics, Mixpanel, Amplitude, or similar for tracking user behavior and product performance.
• Data Visualization: Tools that can integrate with analytics data to create dashboards and reports, potentially including Tableau, Power BI, or custom solutions.

CRM & Automation:

• While not explicitly mentioned for this role, familiarity with CRM systems (e.g., Salesforce) and marketing automation tools might be beneficial for understanding the broader business context and user journey.
• AI & ML Tools: Experience with or exposure to AI tools for design assistance, generative AI for content creation, or AI integration for enhanced functionality.

📝 Enhancement Note: The technology stack emphasizes modern front-end development practices and tools. A strong candidate will be proficient in at least one major front-end framework and have a solid understanding of HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. The explicit mention of AI tools points to a need for candidates who are not only current with technology but also forward-thinking in its application.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Innovation & Experimentation: A culture that encourages exploring new technologies, AI tools, and creative approaches to design and development.
• Collaboration & Transparency: Strong emphasis on working together across teams, sharing insights, and maintaining open communication.
• User-Centricity: A deep commitment to understanding and meeting user needs, ensuring products are intuitive, delightful, and trustworthy.
• Data-Driven Decision Making: Utilizing metrics and user feedback to inform and validate design and development choices.
• Excellence & Quality: A drive to create high-quality, performant, accessible, and scalable products.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-Functional Integration: Expect to work closely with product managers, designers, and engineers in a highly integrated manner, sharing responsibilities and perspectives.
• Agile & Iterative: A flexible and iterative approach to product development, with regular feedback loops and opportunities for refinement.
• Knowledge Sharing: A culture that values sharing expertise, learning from each other, and collectively improving processes and outcomes.

📝 Enhancement Note: The company's stated values, particularly around innovation, collaboration, and data-driven decision-making, align well with the requirements of a UX Engineer / Design Technologist role. The emphasis on DEI within Whalar Group suggests an inclusive and respectful work environment where diverse perspectives are valued.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Bridging Design and Code: Effectively translating complex design visions into functional, high-quality code while maintaining a strong user experience.
• AI Integration Complexity: Successfully integrating AI tools and generative features in a way that genuinely enhances user experience without adding unnecessary complexity or compromising usability.
• Rapidly Evolving Landscape: Staying current with fast-paced advancements in UX design, front-end development, and AI technologies.
• Remote Collaboration Dynamics: Ensuring seamless communication and collaboration within a distributed team environment.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• AI & Generative Design: Opportunities to experiment with and master new AI tools and their application in product development.
• Advanced Front-End Techniques: Deepen expertise in modern frameworks, performance optimization, and building complex, scalable UIs.
• Design System Mastery: Contribute to and lead aspects of design system development and implementation.
• Industry Exposure: Access to professional development stipends for courses, conferences, and certifications relevant to UX, front-end development, and AI.
• Mentorship: Potential to learn from experienced product, design, and engineering leaders within Whalar Group.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges presented are inherent to a role at the cutting edge of technology, particularly in integrating AI. These challenges also represent significant growth opportunities for individuals eager to develop specialized skills in high-demand areas.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• Design Process & Problem Solving: "Describe a complex user flow you designed and built. What were the challenges, how did you approach them, and what was the outcome?" Focus on your end-to-end process, including user research, design iterations, technical implementation, and impact.
• AI Integration Rationale: "How have you used AI tools or concepts in your past projects? What was the problem you were trying to solve, and what was the impact of the AI integration?" Be ready to discuss specific tools, your reasoning, and any lessons learned.
• Technical Implementation: "Walk me through the architecture of a component you built using [React/Vue]. How did you ensure it was scalable, performant, and accessible?" Be prepared to discuss your coding standards and best practices.

Company & Culture Questions:

• Creator Economy Interest: "What interests you about the creator economy and how AI can play a role in it?" Research Foam's mission and the broader industry trends.
• Collaboration Style: "How do you typically collaborate with product managers and designers? Describe a time you had a disagreement and how you resolved it." Highlight your communication and teamwork skills.
• Staying Current: "How do you stay updated on the latest trends in UX, front-end development, and AI?" Demonstrate your proactive learning approach.

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure Your Narrative: For each project, clearly define the problem, your role, your process (design and development), the solutions, and the results (quantifiable if possible).
• Highlight AI Contributions: Explicitly call out where and how you utilized AI in your projects. Explain the benefits and any challenges.
• Showcase Technical Skills: Be ready to discuss the code, frameworks, and development choices you made. If possible, have a live demo or interactive prototype ready.
• Emphasize Impact: Focus on the outcomes of your work – how did it improve user experience, drive adoption, or solve a business problem?

📝 Enhancement Note: Preparation should focus on demonstrating a strong understanding of both design principles and front-end development, with a specific emphasis on how AI can be leveraged. Candidates should be ready to articulate their thought process and the tangible impact of their work.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this UX Engineer / Design Technologist position:

• Submit your application through the provided link on Greenhouse.
• Tailor Your Resume: Highlight experience and skills directly relevant to UX engineering, design technology, front-end development, and AI integration. Use keywords from the job description.
• Curate Your Portfolio: Select 2-3 of your strongest projects that showcase your end-to-end design and development capabilities, especially those involving AI. Ensure your portfolio is easily accessible and clearly explains your contributions.
• Prepare Your Narrative: Practice articulating your project details, design rationale, technical approach, and the impact of your work, particularly concerning AI integration. Be ready to present this during an interview.
• Research Foam & Whalar Group: Understand their mission, products, and the creator economy landscape. This will help you tailor your responses and demonstrate your genuine interest.

⚠️ 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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