UX SemiSenior en Quito Ecuador
π Job Overview
Job Title: DiseΓ±ador UX Semi Senior
Company: Sofka
Location: Quito, Ecuador
Job Type: Full-time
Category: UX Design / Product Design / Service Design
Date Posted: January 14, 2026
Experience Level: Mid-Level (3-5 years)
Remote Status: On-site
π Role Summary
- Lead and manage the end-to-end user experience (UX) design process, from initial research and ideation through prototyping and evaluation, ensuring user-centric solutions.
- Drive strategic alignment between user needs and business objectives by leveraging service design methodologies and creating comprehensive user journey maps and service blueprints.
- Conduct in-depth user research, including interviews, focus groups, and data analysis, to inform product strategy and identify key areas for improvement.
- Collaborate closely with cross-functional teams, including product managers, engineers, and business stakeholders, to define product roadmaps and service specifications.
π Enhancement Note: While the role title is "UX Semi Senior," the responsibilities and required experience (3-5 years) suggest a mid-level professional with significant autonomy. The emphasis on strategic planning, service design, and leading workshops indicates a role that requires more than just execution, positioning it as a key contributor to product strategy. The specific mention of "Service Blueprints" and "Experience Maps" points towards a strong focus on holistic service design rather than purely digital interface design.
π Primary Responsibilities
- Manage and Coordinate Design Process: Oversee the entire design lifecycle from exploration and ideation to evaluation, ensuring all outputs are user-centered and aligned with project goals.
- Conduct User Research: Proactively identify and execute research methodologies such as user interviews, focus groups, shadowing, and data analysis to deeply understand user needs, behaviors, and contexts.
- Facilitate Co-Creation & Ideation: Lead and facilitate Design Thinking workshops, co-creation sessions, and brainstorming activities to generate innovative strategies and value propositions.
- Develop Strategic Artefacts: Create and utilize key strategic tools including User Journeys, Service Blueprints, Empathy Maps, and Flow Diagrams to visualize and communicate user experiences and service flows.
- Prototype & Validate Concepts: Design and develop low to medium-fidelity prototypes to effectively test and validate concepts, information architecture, and user flows.
- Plan & Execute Usability Testing: Design and conduct comprehensive usability tests to assess product effectiveness, identify pain points, and uncover opportunities for enhancement.
- Collaborate on Roadmaps & Specifications: Partner with product and business teams to define product roadmaps, service specifications, and strategic product direction.
π Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a blend of research, strategy, and execution. The emphasis on facilitating workshops, creating strategic artefacts like Service Blueprints, and collaborating on roadmaps suggests this role is integral to product strategy and requires strong stakeholder management skills beyond typical UX design tasks.
π Skills & Qualifications
Education: Professional degree in Graphic Design, Industrial Design, Interaction Design, Psychology, Sociology, or a related field.
Experience: 3 to 5 years of demonstrable experience in UX Research, Service Design, or Product Design roles, with a strong portfolio showcasing strategic process and impact.
Required Skills:
- User Research Methodologies: Proficient in conducting user interviews, focus groups, usability testing, and analyzing qualitative/quantitative data.
- Service Design Expertise: Deep understanding and practical application of Service Design principles, including Service Blueprints, Experience Mapping, and Customer Journey Mapping.
- Prototyping & Wireframing: Skilled in creating low to medium-fidelity prototypes using tools like Figma for concept validation.
- Design Thinking & Facilitation: Proven ability to facilitate workshops, co-creation sessions, and brainstorming using Design Thinking frameworks.
- Information Architecture: Solid understanding of structuring content and designing intuitive navigation systems.
- Agile Methodologies: Familiarity with Agile development processes and tools such as Jira and Confluence.
- Strategic Thinking: Ability to connect user needs with business objectives and contribute to product strategy and roadmaps.
- Collaboration & Communication: Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to articulate design decisions and collaborate effectively with diverse teams.
Preferred Skills:
- Experience with advanced user research platforms (e.g., Maze, Hotjar, Optimal Workshop).
- Familiarity with user analytics tools for data-driven insights.
- Experience in designing complex digital ecosystems.
- Knowledge of UX design systems.
π Enhancement Note: The required experience level (3-5 years) aligns with a "Semi Senior" title, indicating a need for candidates with proven experience and a solid portfolio, rather than entry-level skills. The emphasis on "strategic processes" in the portfolio requirement suggests that candidates should demonstrate how their UX work contributes to overarching business goals.
π Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements
Portfolio Essentials:
- Demonstrate Strategic Process: Showcase a clear, documented design process from problem definition and research through ideation, prototyping, and validation, highlighting strategic decision-making.
- Showcase Service Design artefacts: Include examples of Service Blueprints, User Journey Maps, Empathy Maps, or similar strategic deliverables that illustrate a holistic understanding of the user experience ecosystem.
- Highlight Problem-Solving: Present case studies that clearly articulate the problem addressed, the research conducted, the proposed solution, and the measurable impact or outcomes achieved.
- Evidence of Collaboration: Illustrate how you collaborated with cross-functional teams (product, engineering, business) and incorporated feedback into the design process.
Process Documentation:
- Workflow Design & Optimization: Provide examples of how you have mapped and optimized user workflows or service processes to improve efficiency and user satisfaction.
- Research & Validation Methods: Detail the research methodologies employed and how findings were translated into actionable design improvements, including usability testing results.
- System Thinking: Showcase an understanding of how individual design solutions fit into larger product or service systems, demonstrating an ability to think holistically.
π Enhancement Note: The emphasis on "strategic processes" and "Service Blueprints" in the portfolio requirements is crucial. Candidates should focus on presenting case studies that go beyond UI design to demonstrate strategic thinking, research-driven insights, and the application of service design principles to solve complex problems.
π΅ Compensation & Benefits
Salary Range: Based on industry benchmarks for a UX Semi Senior role in Quito, Ecuador, with 3-5 years of experience, a competitive salary range would typically be between $1,500 - $2,500 USD per month. This estimation considers the cost of living in Quito, the demand for UX talent, and the specified experience level.
Benefits:
- Indefinite Term Contract: Offering long-term employment security and commitment.
- Continuous Learning Ecosystem (KaizenHub/Sofka U): Access to programs, mentorship, and coaching for professional development and skill enhancement.
- Wellness Programs (Happy Kaizen): Initiatives focused on physical and mental well-being.
- Collaborative and Supportive Culture: A work environment that fosters learning, growth, and teamwork.
- Mentorship and Coaching: Direct guidance to foster talent and career progression.
Working Hours: Standard full-time working hours, likely around 40 hours per week, with potential for some flexibility given the Agile and continuous improvement culture.
π Enhancement Note: Salary estimation is based on general market research for UX Semi Senior roles in South America, specifically Ecuador, taking into account the company's size and industry. Benefits are directly pulled from the provided text and framed for operations professionals.
π― Team & Company Context
π’ Company Culture
Industry: Technology, Consulting, Software Development. Sofka positions itself as a technological ally focused on transforming people's lives. The company operates within a dynamic tech landscape, emphasizing innovation and client-centric solutions.
Company Size: Sofka is a growing organization that fosters a close-knit, supportive environment. The "KaizenHub" and "Happy Kaizen" programs suggest a culture that values employee development, well-being, and continuous improvement, akin to a mid-sized tech firm aiming for a strong employee experience.
Founded: While the founding date is not specified, Sofka's emphasis on transformation and technological partnership implies a forward-thinking and established presence in the tech sector.
Team Structure:
- Cross-functional Collaboration: The UX Semi Senior will work within multidisciplinary teams, likely including Product Managers, Developers, and other UX/UI designers.
- Agile Environment: Expect a structure that supports agile methodologies, with regular sync-ups, sprints, and iterative development cycles.
- Learning-Oriented: The presence of "Sofka U" and "KaizenHub" indicates a culture where knowledge sharing, mentorship, and continuous learning are actively encouraged and integrated into team dynamics.
Methodology:
- User-Centric Design: The core methodology revolves around understanding and designing for the user.
- Design Thinking: Applied extensively for problem-solving, ideation, and strategy development.
- Agile Development: Integrated into project execution and team workflows.
- Continuous Improvement (Kaizen): Embedded in the company's philosophy, encouraging ongoing refinement of processes, products, and personal skills.
Company Website: https://oportunidades.sofka.com.co
π Enhancement Note: The company culture is heavily emphasized in the job description, focusing on continuous improvement ("Kaizen"), employee well-being, and a supportive learning environment. This is a significant differentiator and should be highlighted for candidates.
π Career & Growth Analysis
Operations Career Level: This role is positioned as a "Semi Senior" UX Designer, typically indicating a professional who has moved beyond junior tasks and can independently manage significant design projects. They are expected to contribute strategically, mentor junior designers (though not explicitly stated, it's common at this level), and drive user-centered initiatives. The scope includes leading research, facilitating workshops, and influencing product roadmaps, suggesting a key contributor role.
Reporting Structure: The exact reporting structure isn't detailed, but it's typical for UX designers to report to a UX Lead, Design Manager, Product Lead, or Head of Product/Design within an organization. Given the focus on collaboration, they will likely work closely with Product Managers and Engineering leads on a day-to-day basis.
Operations Impact: The UX Semi Senior role directly impacts the success of Sofka's technological solutions by ensuring they are intuitive, effective, and desirable for users. This translates to higher user adoption, satisfaction, and ultimately, business success for Sofka's clients. By bridging user needs with business goals through strategic design, this role is critical for delivering value and differentiating Sofka's offerings in the market.
Growth Opportunities:
- Specialization: Deepen expertise in specific areas of UX research, service design, or interaction design.
- Leadership: Progress to a Senior UX Designer or UX Lead role, potentially managing projects or small teams.
- Cross-functional Mobility: Transition into Product Management or specialized roles within the product development lifecycle.
- Continuous Learning: Leverage Sofka's learning ecosystem (Sofka U, KaizenHub) for ongoing skill development, certifications, and potential advanced training.
π Enhancement Note: The growth opportunities are strongly tied to the company's stated commitment to learning and development. Candidates should look for opportunities to leverage "KaizenHub" and "Sofka U" for career advancement.
π Work Environment
Office Type: The job is listed as "On-site" in Quito, Ecuador. This suggests a traditional office environment where in-person collaboration is valued. Sofka's culture emphasizes a "close-knit" and "connected" team, reinforcing the idea of a collaborative physical workspace.
Office Location(s): Quito, Ecuador. This location implies a vibrant urban environment with access to local talent and resources. Specific office amenities or accessibility details are not provided but can be inferred as standard for a professional tech office.
Workspace Context:
- Collaborative Spaces: Expect an environment designed for teamwork, with meeting rooms, whiteboarding areas, and open spaces conducive to workshops and brainstorming sessions.
- Tools & Technology: Access to industry-standard design tools like Figma, collaboration platforms like Miro/Mural, and Agile management tools like Jira.
- Team Interaction: Frequent opportunities for direct interaction with colleagues, fostering a sense of community and shared purpose.
Work Schedule: Standard full-time hours (likely 40 hours/week) are expected. While the role is on-site, the Agile methodology and emphasis on continuous improvement might offer some degree of flexibility in daily task management, though core working hours will be consistent with office operations.
π Enhancement Note: The "On-site" nature of the role suggests that candidates who thrive in collaborative, in-person environments will be a good fit. The emphasis on connection and learning within the company culture implies the workspace is designed to support these values.
π Application & Portfolio Review Process
Interview Process:
- Initial Screening: A review of your resume and portfolio to assess qualifications and experience.
- Technical Interview(s): Discussions focusing on UX methodologies, research techniques, service design principles, and your problem-solving approach. Expect questions about your experience with specific tools and processes.
- Portfolio Presentation: A dedicated session where you will present case studies from your portfolio, detailing your process, strategic thinking, and impact.
- Cultural Fit / Behavioral Interview: An assessment of your alignment with Sofka's values, such as continuous improvement, collaboration, and a proactive mindset. Questions might explore how you handle challenges and learn from feedback.
- Final Interview: Potentially with a senior leader to discuss overall fit, career aspirations, and role expectations.
Portfolio Review Tips:
- Focus on Strategy: Clearly articulate the "why" behind your design decisions. Showcase how you translated user needs and business goals into effective solutions.
- Detail Your Process: Walk through your end-to-end UX process for each case study, emphasizing research, ideation, prototyping, and validation.
- Showcase Service Design: Highlight any work involving Service Blueprints, Customer Journey Maps, or holistic experience design.
- Quantify Impact: Whenever possible, use metrics to demonstrate the success of your designs (e.g., improved conversion rates, increased user satisfaction, reduced task completion time).
- Tailor to the Role: Emphasize experience that aligns with the job description's requirements, particularly in research, service design, and facilitation.
Challenge Preparation:
- Be Ready for UX Challenges: Prepare to discuss hypothetical UX problems or be given a small design exercise related to service design or user research.
- Articulate Your Thinking: Practice explaining your thought process clearly and concisely, especially when discussing complex design challenges or strategic decisions.
- Research Sofka: Understand Sofka's mission ("Transforming people's lives"), its technological focus, and its culture of continuous improvement. Be ready to discuss how your skills and values align with theirs.
π Enhancement Note: The portfolio review is a critical component. Candidates should prepare to deeply articulate their strategic process and demonstrate their expertise in service design and user research, not just UI execution.
π Tools & Technology Stack
Primary Tools:
- Figma: Essential for design and prototyping, expected proficiency for creating low to medium-fidelity mockups and interactive prototypes.
- Miro, Mural, FigJam: Collaboration platforms crucial for facilitating workshops, co-creation sessions, brainstorming, and mapping out user journeys and service blueprints.
- Maze, Hotjar, Optimal Workshop: Tools for user research and usability testing, indicating a need for candidates familiar with data-driven user feedback collection and analysis.
Analytics & Reporting:
- Familiarity with user analytics platforms (specifics not listed, but general understanding is key) for data-driven insights into user behavior and product performance.
CRM & Automation:
- Jira, Confluence: Agile project management and documentation tools, essential for working within development teams and tracking project progress.
π Enhancement Note: The listed tools cover the full spectrum of UX design, from ideation and research to prototyping and collaboration. Proficiency in Figma and at least one collaborative whiteboard tool is paramount. Experience with research platforms like Maze or Hotjar is a strong plus.
π₯ Team Culture & Values
Operations Values:
- Continuous Improvement (Kaizen): A core value driving a culture of ongoing learning, feedback, and process refinement. Expect to be encouraged to identify and implement improvements in your work and team processes.
- Employee Well-being: Programs like "Happy Kaizen" demonstrate a commitment to supporting employees' physical and mental health, fostering a balanced work environment.
- Collaboration & Connection: Sofka strives for a "close-knit" and "connected" team, emphasizing teamwork, mutual support, and shared purpose.
- Purpose-Driven: The company's mission to "TRANSFORM the life of people" suggests a desire for employees who are motivated by making a meaningful impact through technology.
- Learning & Growth: The "KaizenHub" and "Sofka U" programs highlight a strong emphasis on personal and professional development, encouraging curiosity and skill acquisition.
Collaboration Style:
- Cross-functional Integration: Expect to work closely with product, engineering, and business teams, requiring strong communication and the ability to translate design insights into actionable plans for different disciplines.
- Workshop-Oriented: A collaborative style that heavily utilizes facilitation and co-creation techniques to involve stakeholders in the design process.
- Feedback-Rich: A culture that values and actively seeks feedback, both giving and receiving, as a tool for continuous improvement and growth.
π Enhancement Note: The company's values are a significant part of its identity. Candidates should be prepared to discuss how they embody these values, particularly continuous improvement and collaboration, and how they align with Sofka's mission.
β‘ Challenges & Growth Opportunities
Challenges:
- Bridging User Needs and Business Goals: Continuously balancing the demands of user experience with the strategic objectives and technical constraints of Sofka's clients.
- Driving Adoption of UX Best Practices: Educating and influencing stakeholders and development teams to prioritize user-centered design principles and service design methodologies.
- Managing Complex Ecosystems: Designing solutions that integrate seamlessly into broader digital or service ecosystems, requiring a holistic and strategic approach.
- Adapting to Evolving Technologies: Staying current with the latest UX trends, tools, and methodologies in a rapidly changing technological landscape.
Learning & Development Opportunities:
- Skill Advancement: Access to "Sofka U" and "KaizenHub" for specialized training, workshops, and certifications in UX, service design, and related fields.
- Mentorship & Coaching: Direct guidance from experienced professionals and coaches to accelerate skill development and career progression.
- Industry Exposure: Potential opportunities to work on diverse projects for various clients, gaining broad industry experience.
- Leadership Track: Pathway to Senior UX roles, team leadership, or specialized design positions based on performance and development.
π Enhancement Note: The challenges are framed around the strategic and collaborative aspects of the role, requiring adaptability and continuous learning. The growth opportunities are directly linked to the company's investment in employee development programs.
π‘ Interview Preparation
Strategy Questions:
- "Describe a time you had to balance conflicting user needs with business requirements. How did you approach it, and what was the outcome?" (Focus on your strategic decision-making and negotiation skills.)
- "Walk us through a Service Blueprint you've created. What problem did it solve, and how did it influence the product or service strategy?" (Prepare to articulate your process and the impact of strategic artefacts.)
- "How do you approach user research when you have limited time or resources? Can you provide an example?" (Demonstrate your adaptability and resourcefulness in research.)
Company & Culture Questions:
- "What does 'Kaizen' mean to you, and how have you applied principles of continuous improvement in your previous roles?" (Connect your experience to Sofka's core values.)
- "Describe your ideal team collaboration environment. How do you contribute to a positive and productive team dynamic?" (Highlight your teamwork and communication skills.)
- "How do you stay updated with the latest trends in UX and Service Design?" (Showcase your commitment to continuous learning.)
Portfolio Presentation Strategy:
- Structure Your Narrative: For each case study, clearly define the problem, your role, your process, the solutions you designed, and the results achieved.
- Emphasize Strategic Impact: Don't just show screens; explain why you made certain design decisions and how they contributed to overarching goals. Highlight your use of research and strategic tools.
- Be Prepared for Deep Dives: Anticipate detailed questions about your research methods, design choices, and how you handled challenges within your projects.
- Showcase Service Design: If you have Service Design examples, ensure they are prominently featured and you can explain their value clearly.
π Enhancement Note: Interview preparation should focus on demonstrating strategic thinking, a deep understanding of UX and Service Design methodologies, and alignment with Sofka's culture of continuous improvement and collaboration.
π Application Steps
To apply for this UX Semi Senior position:
- Submit your application through the provided link on Sofka's careers page.
- Curate Your Portfolio: Select 2-3 of your strongest case studies that best showcase your strategic process, user research capabilities, and experience with service design artefacts like Service Blueprints. Ensure your portfolio clearly details your role, process, and the impact of your work.
- Tailor Your Resume: Highlight keywords from the job description, such as "UX Research," "Service Design," "Design Thinking," "Prototyping," "User Journeys," and "Service Blueprints." Quantify achievements where possible.
- Prepare Your Presentation: Practice walking through your portfolio case studies, focusing on articulating your strategic thinking, problem-solving approach, and collaborative efforts. Be ready to explain your process clearly and concisely.
- Research Sofka: Familiarize yourself with Sofka's mission, values, and its emphasis on continuous improvement (Kaizen). Understand how your skills and approach align with their culture and client-focused technological solutions.
β οΈ 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.
Application Requirements
Candidates should have a degree in relevant fields and 3 to 5 years of experience in UX roles. A portfolio demonstrating strategic processes is required.