UX/UI Designer Internship

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: UX/UI Designer Internship

Company: Glartek

Location: Leiria, Portugal

Job Type: Full-time, Internship

Category: Design Operations / Product Design

Date Posted: October 13, 2025

Experience Level: Entry Level (0-2 years)

Remote Status: Hybrid

🚀 Role Summary

• This internship focuses on contributing to the design of user interfaces for innovative Augmented Reality (AR), mobile, and web applications within the industrial sector.

• The role involves translating complex operational workflows into intuitive and visually engaging user experiences that enhance frontline worker efficiency and safety.

• You will work closely with product managers, developers, and customer teams to iterate on designs, ensuring consistency and user-centricity across all platforms.

• This position offers a hands-on opportunity to gain practical experience in a fast-growing, VC-backed technology company at the forefront of industrial digital transformation.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the title is "UX/UI Designer Internship," the context of Glartek's work in Augmented and Connected Worker solutions for Manufacturing and Asset-intensive industries suggests a strong emphasis on "Design Operations" and "Product Design" within an industrial technology framework. The role requires not just aesthetic design but also a deep understanding of user workflows in complex environments.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Assist in the end-to-end design process for user interfaces across mobile, web, and Augmented Reality (AR) platforms, ensuring a cohesive user experience.

• Translate intricate operational workflows and user needs into simple, accessible, and elegant design solutions that drive adoption and efficiency.

• Develop wireframes, interactive prototypes, and high-fidelity mockups using industry-standard design tools like Figma to visualize design concepts.

• Actively collaborate with cross-functional teams, including Product Managers, Software Developers, and Customer Success Managers, to gather requirements and refine design specifications.

• Support user research initiatives, conduct usability testing sessions, and analyze feedback to drive iterative design improvements and ensure user satisfaction.

• Contribute to and maintain the company's design system, ensuring visual and functional consistency across all product touchpoints and applications.

• Champion a user-first design mindset throughout the product development lifecycle, advocating for user needs and best practices in design decisions.

• Support the marketing team by creating visual assets for presentations, social media content, and product brochures, aligning design with brand messaging.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a holistic approach to UX/UI design, extending from initial concept and wireframing to user testing and supporting marketing collateral. The emphasis on AR platforms and industrial applications signifies a need for specialized design thinking beyond typical consumer applications.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree (ongoing or completed) in Design, Human-Computer Interaction, Interaction Design, or a closely related field.

Experience:

• Demonstrated academic portfolio showcasing UX/UI design projects, preferably with experience or a strong interest in mobile, web, or Augmented Reality (AR) applications.

Required Skills:

• Proficiency in industry-leading design and prototyping tools such as Figma.

• Familiarity with the Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, After Effects) for visual asset creation and manipulation.

• Foundational understanding of user experience (UX) principles, interaction design, and user interface (UI) best practices.

• Basic knowledge of motion design principles and accessibility standards to create inclusive and engaging interfaces.

• Strong creative and problem-solving abilities, with a keen eye for detail and visual aesthetics.

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to articulate design decisions clearly and collaborate effectively with diverse teams.

Preferred Skills:

• Prior exposure or a strong interest in Augmented Reality (AR), Virtual Reality (VR), or mixed reality (MR) design.

• Familiarity with game development engines like Unity, particularly in the context of AR/VR application development.

• Experience or academic exposure to designing for industrial, fieldwork, or manufacturing environments.

• Understanding of design system principles and practical application in maintaining UI consistency.

📝 Enhancement Note: The requirements emphasize practical tool proficiency (Figma, Adobe Suite) and foundational design knowledge, which are standard for UX/UI roles. The "Bonus" section points towards a valuable specialization for candidates interested in Glartek's core business. The IEFP internship compatibility is a critical, non-negotiable requirement for candidates in Portugal.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Showcase a minimum of 2-3 significant UX/UI design projects that demonstrate your design process from problem identification to solution.

• Projects should highlight your ability to create wireframes, user flows, interactive prototypes, and high-fidelity mockups, clearly indicating the tool used (e.g., Figma).

• Include case studies that detail the user research and usability testing phases, explaining how feedback influenced design iterations and improvements.

• Present designs that address complex workflows and user needs, with a focus on clarity, intuitiveness, and visual appeal.

Process Documentation:

• For each portfolio project, clearly articulate the design thinking methodology employed (e.g., Design Thinking, Lean UX).

• Document the rationale behind key design decisions, linking them back to user needs, business objectives, or technical constraints.

• Illustrate how user feedback and testing results were incorporated into design iterations, showcasing an iterative design process.

• Provide examples of how you contributed to or maintained design consistency, potentially through the use of style guides or design system components.

📝 Enhancement Note: For an internship, the portfolio is paramount. It serves as the primary evidence of a candidate's practical skills and design thinking. Emphasis should be placed on showcasing the process rather than just the final output, demonstrating an understanding of user-centered design methodologies relevant to product development.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

Benefits:

• Relaxed Culture & Flat Hierarchy: Experience an open and collaborative work environment with direct access to leadership.

• 25 Vacation Days: Generous paid time off allowance, including a birthday holiday and extra days around Christmas and New Year.

• Meal Allowance: Provided to support daily meal expenses.

• Learning & Development: Access to 5 paid training days per year and a company library with a curated selection of technical books to foster continuous learning.

• Team Buildings: Regular company events and social gatherings, including an annual hackathon with rewards, to build community and foster innovation.

• Flexible Holidays and Working Hours: Offers a degree of flexibility in scheduling to accommodate work-life balance.

• Hybrid Work: A blend of remote and in-office work, requiring at least 3 full days per week in the Leiria office to facilitate collaboration.

• Office Amenities: Enjoy free coffee and refreshments while in the office.

• IT Setup: Provision of your preferred IT equipment (Mac or PC) and any necessary devices for your role, including test smartphones.

• Latest Tech Stacks: Opportunity to work with modern technologies and industry trends.

• Home Office Setup: Support provided to ensure a comfortable and productive remote working environment.

• Annual Bonus: Potential to receive up to two additional salaries annually, reflecting company performance and individual contribution.

• Referral Program: Incentives for successful candidate referrals.

Working Hours:

• A standard full-time work week, estimated at 40 hours, with flexibility in start and end times. The hybrid model requires presence in the office for a minimum of 3 days per week.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary estimate is based on typical Portuguese internship stipends and the IEFP program requirements, as specific figures are not provided. The benefits package is extensive for an internship, indicating a commitment to employee well-being and professional growth. The hybrid work policy with a specific in-office day requirement is a key detail for applicants.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Technology (Augmented Reality, AI, IoT), Manufacturing, Asset-intensive Industries. Glartek operates at the intersection of cutting-edge technology and heavy industry, providing solutions that fundamentally change how frontline workers operate. This unique positioning requires a blend of technical innovation and practical, user-focused design.

Company Size: Glartek is a VC-backed company founded in 2017, indicating it's a growing scale-up. While the exact employee count isn't specified, its VC backing suggests a significant investment and ambition for rapid growth, likely placing it in the 50-250 employee range. This size offers a dynamic environment with opportunities for impact, but also demands agility and adaptability.

Founded: 2017. This relatively recent founding date means Glartek is likely agile, innovative, and has a modern operational structure. It's a company built on current technological trends like AR, AI, and IoT, aiming to disrupt traditional industrial processes.

Team Structure:

• Product & Development Focus: The intern reports to the "Product Director," indicating a strong product-led approach. The design intern will work closely with Product Managers and Development teams, suggesting a collaborative and integrated product development lifecycle.

• Cross-functional Collaboration: Close interaction with "Customer teams" is mentioned, implying that user feedback and real-world application insights are highly valued and directly integrated into the product development process. This ensures designs are practical and address genuine operational challenges.

• Flat Hierarchy: The company culture is described as having a "Flat Hierarchy," which suggests open communication channels, reduced bureaucracy, and greater autonomy for individuals at all levels, including interns.

Methodology:

• User-Centric Design: The core mission of enhancing frontline operations through AR, AI, and IoT platforms necessitates a deeply user-centric approach. Design decisions are driven by the need to improve safety, efficiency, and confidence for the end-user.

• Data-Driven Iteration: While not explicitly stated for design, the integration of AI and IoT implies a data-rich environment. Design improvements are likely informed by usage data and performance metrics derived from the connected worker solutions.

• Agile Development: As a tech scale-up, Glartek likely employs agile methodologies, meaning iterative development, rapid prototyping, and continuous feedback loops are integral to their workflow.

Company Website: http://glartek.com

📝 Enhancement Note: Glartek's focus on industrial AR/AI/IoT solutions positions it as an innovator. The company culture, described as "relaxed," "flat hierarchy," and "flexible," suggests an environment conducive to creativity and collaboration, which is ideal for a design intern. The direct reporting to a Product Director highlights the strategic importance of design within the organization.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This is an "Internship" level role, designed for individuals early in their career, typically pursuing a Bachelor's or Master's degree. It provides foundational practical experience in UX/UI design within a professional, technology-driven setting. The scope is focused on assisting senior designers and contributing to specific design tasks under guidance.

Reporting Structure: The intern will report directly to the Product Director. This provides a clear line of communication and mentorship, offering exposure to product strategy and leadership perspectives. Collaboration will extend to Product Managers and Development teams, providing a 360-degree view of the product development process.

Operations Impact: While this is an internship, the work directly contributes to the usability and effectiveness of Glartek's core product offerings. By improving user interfaces for AR, mobile, and web applications, the intern helps enhance the efficiency, safety, and adoption of these solutions for frontline workers in manufacturing and asset-intensive industries. This has a tangible impact on customer operations and Glartek's market position.

Growth Opportunities:

• Skill Specialization: Gain hands-on experience with cutting-edge technologies like Augmented Reality (AR) and its application in industrial settings, a highly sought-after specialization.

• Design System Contribution: Contribute to and learn from a professional design system, understanding its importance in maintaining brand consistency, scalability, and efficiency in product development.

• Cross-functional Exposure: Work closely with product management, engineering, and customer success teams, providing a broad understanding of the product lifecycle and business operations within a tech company.

• Mentorship: Receive guidance from a Product Director and potentially senior designers, fostering professional development and providing insights into career paths within UX/UI design and product development.

• Potential for Future Roles: Successful interns may be considered for future full-time positions within Glartek, based on performance and business needs.

📝 Enhancement Note: The internship is framed as a significant learning opportunity, emphasizing exposure to advanced technologies (AR) and cross-functional collaboration. The direct reporting line to the Product Director is a strong indicator of the value placed on design and the potential for mentorship.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Glartek offers a hybrid work model, requiring interns to spend at least 3 full days per week in their Leiria office. This suggests a modern office environment designed to foster collaboration, innovation, and team cohesion, while also providing flexibility.

Office Location(s): The internship is based in the Leiria Office, Portugal. This location serves as a hub for operations and product development.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Spaces: The hybrid model and flat hierarchy indicate an office designed for teamwork, with areas conducive to brainstorming, design reviews, and cross-functional meetings.

• Technology & Tools: Interns will have access to their preferred IT setup (Mac or PC) and any necessary devices for their work, including test smartphones, ensuring they have the tools needed to perform effectively.

• Team Interaction: The requirement for in-office days facilitates direct interaction with colleagues, fostering a strong team culture, knowledge sharing, and spontaneous collaboration, which is crucial for design feedback and development.

Work Schedule:

• The role involves flexible working hours within a standard 40-hour work week. This flexibility allows interns to manage their schedules effectively, balancing work with academic commitments where applicable, while ensuring sufficient overlap for team collaboration.

📝 Enhancement Note: The hybrid model with a minimum in-office requirement is a key aspect of the work environment, balancing flexibility with the need for in-person collaboration essential for design roles. The provision of preferred IT equipment highlights the company's commitment to employee comfort and productivity.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: Application review focusing on resume, academic background, and crucially, the portfolio.

• Portfolio Presentation & Discussion: Candidates will likely be asked to present their portfolio, walking through 1-2 key projects. This stage assesses design thinking, problem-solving skills, and communication abilities. Expect questions about your design process, rationale, and how you handled challenges.

• Technical/Skills Assessment: Potential for a short design exercise or a more in-depth discussion about specific design tools (Figma, Adobe Suite) and principles (interaction design, accessibility).

• Cultural Fit & Team Interview: Discussions with the Product Director and potentially other team members to assess alignment with Glartek's culture, collaborative style, and enthusiasm for their mission.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Selectively: Choose projects that best showcase your skills relevant to Glartek's work (e.g., mobile, web, AR applications, industrial contexts if possible). Quality over quantity.

• Tell a Story: For each project, clearly articulate the problem, your role, the process you followed (research, ideation, design, testing), the solutions you implemented, and the outcome or learnings.

• Highlight Your Process: Emphasize your design thinking, user research, and iterative design stages. Show how you used feedback to improve your designs.

• Demonstrate Tool Proficiency: Clearly indicate which tools you used (especially Figma) and be prepared to discuss your workflow within them.

• Visual Clarity & Professionalism: Ensure your portfolio is well-organized, visually appealing, and easy to navigate. Include high-quality mockups and prototypes.

• Tailor to Glartek: If possible, include a project that shows an understanding of industrial applications, AR, or complex workflows.

Challenge Preparation:

• Be prepared for potential design challenges, which might involve a quick task to assess problem-solving or a short case study to design a specific feature.

• Focus on articulating your thought process, even if you don't have a fully polished solution. Demonstrate how you approach problems systematically.

• Practice explaining your design choices concisely and effectively, as if presenting to product managers or developers.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process will heavily rely on the candidate's portfolio. Candidates should prepare to not only show their work but also to articulate the "why" behind their design decisions and their ability to collaborate effectively within a product development team.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Figma: This is explicitly mentioned as a required tool. Proficiency in Figma for wireframing, prototyping, and high-fidelity design is essential. Expect to use it for creating UI elements, user flows, and interactive mockups.

• Adobe Creative Suite: Familiarity with tools like Photoshop and Illustrator is required for asset creation, image editing, and graphic design tasks, particularly for marketing materials.

Analytics & Reporting:

CRM & Automation:

• Not directly relevant to the UX/UI Design Intern role, but understanding that Glartek's products integrate with industrial systems implies a need for robust backend and integration capabilities.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Tools & Technology Stack" for this role is highly focused on design creation and prototyping. Figma is the cornerstone tool, with Adobe Creative Suite serving a supporting role for visual assets. A strong understanding of these tools is critical for any applicant.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Innovation & Technology Forward: Glartek is at the forefront of AR, AI, and IoT for industrial applications, valuing continuous innovation and the adoption of new technologies to solve real-world problems.

• User-Centricity: A strong emphasis on enhancing the frontline worker experience, prioritizing safety, efficiency, and ease of use in their product designs.

• Collaboration & Teamwork: The company fosters an open, collaborative environment with a flat hierarchy, encouraging teamwork and open communication across all departments.

• Impact & Purpose: Working on solutions that significantly improve industrial operations, contributing to greater efficiency, safety, and productivity in critical sectors.

• Agility & Adaptability: As a growing scale-up, Glartek likely values individuals who are adaptable, can work in a fast-paced environment, and are comfortable with iterative processes.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-functional Integration: Design is deeply integrated with product management and development. Expect regular collaboration with these teams to ensure designs are technically feasible and meet product goals.

• Open Feedback Culture: The flat hierarchy and relaxed culture imply an environment where constructive feedback is encouraged and valued, both given and received.

• Knowledge Sharing: Opportunities to learn from experienced professionals and share insights, particularly within design and product development contexts.

📝 Enhancement Note: The company values align with those of a forward-thinking tech company focused on impactful solutions. The emphasis on collaboration and user-centricity is particularly important for a design intern who will be working within a cross-functional product team.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Designing for Industrial AR: Applying UX/UI principles to Augmented Reality interfaces, especially for industrial settings, presents unique challenges related to spatial computing, user immersion, context-awareness, and avoiding cognitive overload.

• Balancing User Needs with Technical Constraints: Translating complex industrial workflows into user-friendly interfaces while adhering to the technical limitations and capabilities of AR hardware, mobile devices, and web platforms.

• Cross-Platform Consistency: Ensuring a seamless and consistent user experience across diverse platforms (mobile, web, AR wearables) requires careful planning and adherence to design systems.

• Rapid Iteration in a Growing Company: Adapting to a fast-paced, evolving product roadmap and incorporating feedback from diverse stakeholders (customers, product managers, developers) effectively.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Specialized AR/VR Design Skills: Gaining practical experience in designing for immersive technologies, a rapidly growing field with high demand.

• Industrial UX Expertise: Understanding the specific needs and challenges of frontline workers in manufacturing and asset-intensive industries, developing empathy and domain knowledge.

• Design System Mastery: Learning how to contribute to and leverage professional design systems for scalable and consistent product design.

• Mentorship from Product Leadership: Direct guidance from a Product Director offers invaluable insights into product strategy, career development, and leadership in the tech industry.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges presented are inherent to Glartek's innovative field. These challenges also represent significant growth opportunities, particularly in gaining expertise in AR/VR design and industrial applications.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• Design Process & Problem-Solving: "Describe a challenging UX/UI project from your portfolio. What was the problem, your approach, the solution, and what did you learn?" Focus on articulating your thought process, user research, and iterative design.

• Tool Proficiency: "How do you leverage Figma to create interactive prototypes? Can you walk us through a specific feature you designed using it?" Be ready to discuss specific tools and techniques.

• Collaboration & Teamwork: "How do you collaborate with developers and product managers to ensure your designs are implemented effectively? Describe a time you received constructive feedback on your design and how you responded."

• User-Centricity: "How do you ensure your designs meet user needs, especially when dealing with complex industrial workflows?"

Company & Culture Questions:

• Motivation: "Why are you interested in Glartek and this specific internship role, particularly our focus on AR and industrial solutions?" Show genuine curiosity and alignment with the company's mission.

• Adaptability: "How do you handle working in a fast-paced environment with evolving requirements?"

• Learning Aptitude: "What are you hoping to learn during this internship, and how do you approach continuous learning in design?"

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Concise Storytelling: For each project, have a clear, brief narrative: Problem -> Your Role/Process -> Solution -> Outcome/Learnings.

• Focus on Process: Emphasize user research, ideation, wireframing, prototyping, and testing phases. Show how you arrived at your solutions.

• Highlight Key Deliverables: Clearly show wireframes, user flows, interactive prototypes, and final mockups.

• Explain Rationale: Be ready to defend your design choices and explain the reasoning behind them.

• Interactive Elements: If possible, have your prototype ready to demonstrate live or as a video walkthrough.

• Tailor to Glartek: If you have any projects related to AR, industrial applications, or complex workflows, prioritize those.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation should focus on demonstrating not just design skills but also a strong understanding of the design process, collaborative capabilities, and enthusiasm for Glartek's specific domain (AR/industrial tech).

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this UX/UI Designer Internship position:

• Submit your application through the provided link on join.com.

• Portfolio Customization: Tailor your resume and portfolio to highlight relevant UX/UI design skills, particularly any experience or academic projects involving mobile, web, or AR design. Emphasize your proficiency with Figma and the Adobe Creative Suite.

• Resume Optimization: Ensure your resume clearly states your academic background, relevant coursework, and any design-related projects or achievements. Use keywords from the job description like "UX/UI Design," "Figma," "Prototyping," and "User Research."

• Portfolio Walkthrough Practice: Prepare to present 1-2 key projects from your portfolio, focusing on your design process, problem-solving approach, and the outcomes. Practice articulating your design decisions clearly and concisely.

• Company Research: Familiarize yourself with Glartek's mission, products (especially their AR/Connected Worker solutions), and company culture. Understand their target industries (Manufacturing, Asset-intensive) and how design contributes to their value proposition.

⚠️ 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.