Web Developer - UX/UI Design Specialist

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Web Developer - UX/UI Design Specialist

Company: Sandfield

Location: Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand

Job Type: FULL_TIME

Category: UX/UI Design & Web Development Operations

Date Posted: 2026-05-08

Experience Level: 5-10 Years

Remote Status: Hybrid (with potential for remote within NZ)

🚀 Role Summary

• Drive exceptional UX and UI designs for internal products and bespoke client solutions, enhancing digital experiences for leading Australasian companies.

• Collaborate with a large team of over 100 developers to integrate user-centric designs that provide a competitive edge.

• Leverage AI-accelerated workflows, including LLMs for design systems and AI-driven interactive prototypes, to revolutionize design and requirements gathering processes.

• Manage the end-to-end design lifecycle, from initial concept and user research to final quality assurance in live web environments.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the title is "Web Developer - UX/UI Design Specialist," the core responsibilities and required skills heavily lean into UX/UI Design with a strong emphasis on front-end literacy for feasibility and collaboration. The "Developer" aspect seems to imply a deep understanding of front-end technologies to inform design decisions and facilitate hand-offs, rather than primary coding responsibilities. The role is positioned as a specialist who bridges design and development operations.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Design & UX Architecture: Architect intuitive user interfaces and craft seamless user journeys for a diverse portfolio of digital products, ensuring optimal user flow and engagement.

• User Research & Optimisation: Conduct thorough user research, usability testing, and data analysis to gather actionable insights and iteratively refine design solutions for maximum impact and efficiency.

• AI-Accelerated Workflows: Proactively explore, integrate, and champion the use of AI tools and LLMs to build and maintain robust design systems, and develop AI-driven interactive prototypes for more engaging requirements gathering.

• Prototyping & Wireframing: Develop detailed wireframes, high-fidelity interactive prototypes, and compelling design mockups to clearly communicate design intent and guide development teams and stakeholders effectively.

• Web Performance & SEO Strategy: Strategically plan and structure web content, navigation, and information architecture to enhance search engine visibility (SEO), improve user findability, and optimize overall web performance.

• Technical & Functional Documentation: Produce comprehensive, high-fidelity documentation and functional specifications, including detailed interaction logic, responsive breakpoints across devices, and precise design token definitions for consistent implementation.

• Quality Assurance & Design Integrity: Oversee the meticulous transition of designs into live web environments, performing rigorous QA to ensure absolute visual and functional integrity aligns with approved designs.

• Full Lifecycle Design Management: Manage the entire design process from initial client brief or internal requirement, through iterative design phases, to final deployment and post-launch quality assurance.

• Mentorship & Skill Development: Provide expert mentorship and guidance to other designers within the team, fostering their skill growth in UX/UI principles, design tools, and AI-assisted workflows.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities emphasize a blend of strategic design thinking, hands-on execution, and forward-looking adoption of AI technologies within a design operations context. The focus on "AI-accelerated workflows" and "AI-driven interactive prototypes" suggests a role that is not only about current best practices but also about shaping future design processes.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: While no specific degree is mandated, a strong portfolio and demonstrated expertise in UX/UI design, front-end development principles, and human-computer interaction are paramount. Relevant certifications or a degree in Design, Human-Computer Interaction, Computer Science, or a related field would be beneficial.

Experience: Minimum of five (5) years of professional experience in UX/UI design, with a significant portion involving web development or close collaboration with development teams. Experience with AI-driven design tools and methodologies is highly desirable.

Required Skills:

• Figma Mastery: Expert-level proficiency and demonstrable experience utilizing Figma for complex prototyping, collaborative design workflows, and design system management.

• Front-end Literacy: Strong, practical understanding of HTML5, CSS3, and modern front-end frameworks (e.g., React, Vue, Angular) to ensure design feasibility, efficient developer hand-off, and an understanding of performance implications.

• Cross-Platform Design Expertise: Proven ability to design and deliver cohesive, user-friendly experiences across various platforms, including desktop web, mobile web, and potentially native applications.

• Human-Computer Interaction (HCI) Principles: Deep theoretical knowledge and practical application of HCI principles to create interfaces that are not only aesthetically pleasing but also cognitively efficient, accessible, and user-friendly.

• User Research & Usability Testing: Proficiency in designing and conducting user research, usability testing sessions, and analyzing results to inform design decisions and drive continuous improvement.

• Prototyping & Wireframing: Advanced skills in creating detailed wireframes, interactive prototypes (low to high fidelity), and visual mockups using tools like Figma.

• Technical Collaboration & Handoff: Expertise in collaborating effectively with developers, providing clear technical specifications, and ensuring smooth design-to-development handoffs for optimal implementation.

• Adaptability & Project Versatility: A hands-on, adaptable approach capable of managing diverse projects with varying budgets, timelines, and client requirements.

Preferred Skills:

• AI Tool Integration: Experience with or a strong aptitude for exploring and integrating AI tools (e.g., LLMs, AI design assistants) into design workflows.

• Web Performance Optimization: Understanding of web performance metrics and techniques to ensure designs contribute positively to load times and responsiveness.

• Accessibility Standards (WCAG): Knowledge of and experience designing in accordance with Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG).

• SEO Best Practices: Familiarity with SEO principles and how design choices impact search engine visibility and content discoverability.

• Design System Management: Experience in building, maintaining, and scaling design systems.

• Agile Methodologies: Familiarity with Agile development processes and experience working within Agile teams.

📝 Enhancement Note: The requirements emphasize a senior-level specialist who can act as a bridge between design and development, with a strong emphasis on modern tools like Figma and emerging technologies like AI in design. The "Front-end Literacy" is crucial for ensuring design feasibility and efficient collaboration.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Demonstrated UX Process: Showcase a clear, step-by-step UX process through case studies, illustrating problem identification, user research, ideation, prototyping, testing, and iteration.

• Design System Examples: Include examples of design systems or style guides you have contributed to or managed, highlighting components, guidelines, and their impact on consistency and efficiency.

• AI Workflow Integration Case Study: Present at least one case study detailing how you explored or implemented AI-accelerated workflows or AI-driven prototypes, detailing the tools used, challenges faced, and outcomes achieved.

• Developer Handoff & Collaboration: Provide examples of how you have facilitated developer handoffs, including detailed documentation, interaction specifications, and examples of successful cross-functional collaboration.

• ROI & Problem-Solving Focus: Quantify the impact of your designs where possible, demonstrating how your solutions solved specific user problems or achieved business objectives (e.g., increased conversion rates, reduced support tickets, improved user satisfaction scores).

Process Documentation:

• Workflow Design & Optimization: Portfolios should include examples of documented design workflows, illustrating how processes were streamlined or optimized for efficiency and scalability.

• System Implementation Standards: Demonstrate an understanding of how designs integrate with broader technology stacks, including knowledge of design tokens, responsive breakpoints, and coding standards for implementation.

• Measurement & Performance Analysis: Showcase how you have used data and analytics to measure the success of your designs post-launch and how this informed subsequent design iterations.

📝 Enhancement Note: The portfolio requirements are tailored to a role that blends design expertise with an understanding of development processes and a forward-thinking approach to AI. Candidates should highlight their ability to document their process and demonstrate measurable impact.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: NZD $100,000 - $140,000 per annum. This range is estimated based on the specified experience level (5-10 years), the specialist nature of the role (UX/UI Design with front-end literacy and AI focus), and the Auckland, New Zealand location. Cost of living in Auckland and typical compensation for senior design and development roles in New Zealand's tech sector were considered.

Benefits:

• Rapid Advancement Opportunities: Sandfield rewards initiative and high performance with clear pathways for accelerated career progression.

• Flexible Working Arrangements: Benefit from flexible working options, supporting a healthy work-life balance.

• Dedicated Soft Skills Training: Opportunities to develop valuable interpersonal and professional soft skills beyond technical expertise.

• Regular Social Events: Engaging in team-building activities and social gatherings to foster a strong community.

• "Fun Food Evenings": Participate in regular social events centered around shared meals and team bonding.

• Well-Stocked Fridge: Access to a well-equipped kitchen/break area with refreshments.

• Diverse Project Exposure: Work on a variety of challenging and interesting projects for leading companies, preventing monotony and fostering continuous learning.

Working Hours: Typically 40 hours per week, with flexibility offered to accommodate work-life balance and individual needs, aligning with the company's flexible working arrangements.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range is an estimation. The benefits are directly pulled from the job description and highlight a supportive and engaging work culture. The "Hybrid" work arrangement implies a balance between in-office collaboration and remote flexibility.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Software Development & IT Consulting. Sandfield specializes in building smart software solutions and high-performance supply chain systems for prominent Australasian companies like Mainfreight and Qube, indicating a focus on enterprise-level solutions and operational efficiency.

Company Size: 100-250 employees. This size suggests a company that is large enough to offer diverse projects and stable career paths, yet small enough to maintain a relatively flat team structure and a strong sense of community.

Founded: 1989. With a history dating back to 1989, Sandfield has established a strong track record and deep expertise in the software solutions market, indicating stability and longevity.

Team Structure:

• Large Development Pool: The company employs over 100 developers, providing a rich environment for cross-functional collaboration and learning from a broad range of technical expertise.

• Flat Team Structure: Sandfield emphasizes a collaborative and energetic atmosphere, suggesting an environment with fewer hierarchical layers, promoting direct communication and faster decision-making.

• Cross-functional Collaboration: The role explicitly requires collaboration with developers, product managers, and stakeholders, indicating a highly integrated approach to project delivery where design and development work hand-in-hand.

Methodology:

• Data-Driven Design: The role emphasizes conducting user research and usability testing to gather insights and refine design solutions using data, pointing to a data-informed approach to product development.

• Process Optimization: The company's focus on "smart software solutions" and "high-performance supply chains" suggests a culture that values efficiency, continuous improvement, and streamlined processes.

• Innovation & AI Adoption: The explicit mention of exploring and introducing "AI-accelerated design workflows" and "AI-driven interactive prototypes" highlights a forward-thinking approach to adopting new technologies to enhance efficiency and user experience.

Company Website: https://www.sandfield.co.nz/

📝 Enhancement Note: Sandfield appears to be a well-established, stable software company with a strong focus on enterprise solutions and a culture that values collaboration, efficiency, and innovation. The size and history suggest a mature organization with established processes, while the emphasis on AI indicates a commitment to modernizing its operations.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is positioned as a Senior Specialist. It requires a minimum of five years of experience and expert-level proficiency in key design and front-end tools. The responsibilities include not only execution but also strategic input, AI exploration, and mentorship, indicating a level beyond a junior or mid-level designer.

Reporting Structure: The role reports into a design or development leadership function, likely working closely with product managers and a large team of developers. The "flat team structure" suggests direct access to decision-makers and a less formal hierarchy.

Operations Impact: The UX/UI Design Specialist has a direct impact on the "smart software solutions" Sandfield builds. By ensuring exceptional digital experiences and user journeys, the role directly contributes to customer satisfaction, product adoption, competitive advantage for clients, and ultimately, Sandfield's reputation and revenue generation through successful project delivery. The introduction of AI-driven workflows aims to further optimize operational efficiency within the design process itself.

Growth Opportunities:

• Rapid Advancement: The company explicitly states they reward initiative and performance with "rapid advancement opportunities," suggesting clear paths for promotion to lead designer, design manager, or even broader operational roles.

• Skill Development in Emerging Tech: The opportunity to explore and implement "AI-accelerated design workflows" provides a unique chance to become an expert in a cutting-edge field within UX/UI, enhancing marketability and specialization.

• Mentorship & Leadership: Providing mentorship to other designers offers a pathway to developing leadership skills and contributing to team growth, which is often a precursor to management roles.

• Diverse Project Exposure: Working across various client projects and internal solutions allows for broad skill development and exposure to different industries and challenges, broadening experience and potential career pivots within the company.

📝 Enhancement Note: The role offers significant growth potential, not just in traditional design progression but also in specializing in emerging AI applications within design operations. The company's emphasis on rewarding initiative is a strong indicator of internal mobility.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Hybrid. The job listing specifies a "Hybrid Web Developer - UX/UI Design Specialist" role and mentions "flexible working arrangements." While not exclusively remote, it implies a balance between in-office collaboration and remote work.

Office Location(s): Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand. The primary work location is Auckland. The company has been in operation since 1989, suggesting a stable physical presence in Auckland.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative & Energetic: The company culture is described as fostering a "collaborative and energetic atmosphere" with a "flat team structure," indicating an open and interactive workspace conducive to idea sharing.

• Tech-Rich Environment: As a software solutions company, expect access to modern development and design tools, including Figma and potentially other AI-related software. The "well-stocked fridge" and "fun food evenings" also point to a comfortable and well-resourced office environment.

• Cross-functional Interaction: The role necessitates close interaction with a large team of over 100 developers, product managers, and stakeholders, providing ample opportunities for communication and collaboration across different disciplines.

Work Schedule: A standard 40-hour work week is implied, but the "flexible working arrangements" offer significant autonomy. This flexibility is beneficial for operations roles, allowing for focused deep work sessions on complex design tasks or data analysis without rigid time constraints.

📝 Enhancement Note: The hybrid nature and flexible arrangements are key selling points for operations professionals who value autonomy and work-life balance. The collaborative office environment is designed to foster innovation and teamwork.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: Likely an HR or recruiter screening to assess basic qualifications, experience level, and cultural fit. Be prepared to discuss your career trajectory and interest in Sandfield.

• Technical Interview(s): This will involve in-depth discussions about your UX/UI design process, Figma proficiency, front-end knowledge, and understanding of HCI principles. Expect questions about how you approach user research, prototyping, and developer handoffs.

• Portfolio Review: A dedicated session where you will present and walk through your case studies. Focus on clearly articulating your problem-solving approach, design decisions, the tools you used (especially Figma and any AI tools), and the outcomes achieved.

• AI Workflow Discussion: Be ready to discuss your thoughts on AI in design, how you've explored it, and your ideas for integrating AI-accelerated workflows at Sandfield.

• Team/Cultural Fit Interview: An opportunity to meet potential team members or managers to assess collaboration style and alignment with Sandfield's culture.

• Final Interview: Potentially with senior leadership to discuss your strategic vision and long-term fit within the company.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Prioritize Impact: Showcase projects where your design decisions led to measurable improvements (e.g., increased engagement, conversion, efficiency). Quantify results whenever possible.

• Detail Your Process: For each project, clearly outline the problem, your role, your process (research, ideation, design, testing, iteration), the tools used, and the final outcome.

• Highlight AI Integration: If you have AI-related projects or explorations, make them prominent. Explain your approach, the benefits, and any challenges.

• Showcase Figma Expertise: Demonstrate advanced Figma techniques, collaborative features, and how you've built or utilized design systems within the tool.

• Prepare for Technical Questions: Be ready to discuss the feasibility of your designs from a front-end perspective and how you ensure smooth developer handoffs.

• Storytelling: Frame your case studies as compelling narratives that demonstrate your problem-solving skills and creative thinking.

Challenge Preparation:

• Design Exercise: You might be given a hypothetical design challenge to complete within a set timeframe, or asked to critique an existing interface and propose improvements. Focus on your thought process and problem-solving approach.

• AI Prompting/Workflow Design: A challenge could involve designing a workflow for an AI tool or generating prompts for an LLM to assist in design tasks.

• Presentation Skills: Practice articulating your design rationale clearly and concisely, especially when explaining complex technical or strategic concepts.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process heavily emphasizes practical skills, a strong portfolio, and an understanding of emerging AI trends in design. Candidates should be prepared to demonstrate not just their design capabilities but also their strategic thinking and collaborative potential.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Figma: Core tool for prototyping, wireframing, UI design, and collaborative workflows. Expert-level proficiency is a must.

• Front-end Technologies: HTML5, CSS3. Familiarity with modern web frameworks (e.g., React, Vue, Angular) is essential for understanding design feasibility and developer handoff.

• AI Tools & LLMs: Exploration and integration of AI for design systems, interactive prototypes, and workflow acceleration. Specific tool proficiency may vary, but a willingness to learn and adapt is key.

• Web Performance Tools: Understanding of tools and metrics related to website speed and responsiveness.

• Accessibility Checkers: Tools to audit designs against WCAG standards.

Analytics & Reporting:

• User Analytics Platforms: Familiarity with tools like Google Analytics, Mixpanel, or Amplitude to understand user behavior and measure design impact.

• Usability Testing Platforms: Tools that facilitate remote user testing and feedback collection.

CRM & Automation:

• Project Management Tools: Experience with tools like Jira, Asana, or Trello for managing design tasks and collaborating with development teams.

• Documentation Tools: Proficiency in creating clear and comprehensive documentation for design specifications and functional requirements.

📝 Enhancement Note: The technology stack focuses heavily on design tools, front-end development fundamentals, and a proactive stance on AI integration. Demonstrating proficiency in Figma and a strong understanding of how designs translate into code will be critical.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• User-Centricity: A fundamental commitment to understanding and serving user needs through intuitive and effective design.

• Collaboration & Teamwork: A strong emphasis on working together across disciplines, fostering an energetic and supportive team environment.

• Innovation & Forward-Thinking: A proactive approach to exploring and adopting new technologies, such as AI, to enhance processes and outcomes.

• Efficiency & Quality: A dedication to delivering high-quality, performant software solutions through optimized processes and meticulous attention to detail.

• Initiative & Performance: Valuing and rewarding individuals who take initiative and consistently deliver high performance, with opportunities for rapid advancement.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-Functional Integration: Seamless collaboration between design, development, and product management is a cornerstone, ensuring designs are technically feasible and align with business objectives.

• Open Communication: The "flat team structure" suggests an environment where open dialogue, feedback exchange, and direct communication are encouraged.

• Knowledge Sharing: Mentorship and working within a large pool of developers provide opportunities for continuous learning and sharing best practices in design and development.

📝 Enhancement Note: The culture at Sandfield appears to be progressive, collaborative, and results-oriented, with a clear emphasis on employee growth and the adoption of innovative technologies like AI within its design operations.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Integrating AI Effectively: Navigating the evolving landscape of AI in design and identifying practical, impactful applications beyond hype, while ensuring ethical considerations and quality control.

• Balancing Diverse Project Needs: Adapting design strategies and workflows to meet the unique requirements, budgets, and timelines of a variety of client projects and internal initiatives.

• Ensuring Seamless Developer Handoffs: Continuously refining processes to ensure clear, concise, and effective communication with a large development team to minimize misinterpretations and rework.

• Staying Ahead of Design Trends & Technologies: Keeping pace with rapid advancements in UX/UI design, front-end development, and AI tools to maintain a cutting-edge approach.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Specialization in AI Design: Becoming a go-to expert in leveraging AI for design system development, prototyping, and workflow automation.

• Advanced UX/UI Techniques: Deepening expertise in complex interaction design, user research methodologies, and accessibility standards.

• Leadership & Mentorship: Developing leadership capabilities through mentoring junior designers and contributing to team strategy.

• Exposure to Enterprise Solutions: Gaining valuable experience working on large-scale, high-performance software solutions for established industry leaders.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges presented are typical for a forward-thinking role in the tech industry, offering significant learning opportunities. The growth potential is tied to embracing new technologies and developing leadership skills.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you used user research to significantly change a product's direction. What was your process, and what was the outcome?" (Focus on your data-driven approach and impact).

• "How would you approach designing an AI-driven interactive prototype for a complex supply chain management feature? What AI tools would you consider, and what are the potential pitfalls?" (Demonstrate your understanding of AI applications in design and your strategic thinking).

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What excites you about Sandfield's mission to build 'smart software solutions' for companies like Mainfreight?" (Show you've researched the company and understand its impact).

• "Our culture emphasizes collaboration and a flat team structure. How do you contribute to a positive and productive team environment, especially when working in a hybrid model?" (Discuss your collaboration style and how you build relationships).

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure Your Narrative: For each case study, clearly define the problem, your role, your strategic approach, the specific design solutions, the tools used (emphasizing Figma and any AI tools), and the quantifiable results.

• Quantify Impact: Whenever possible, use metrics (e.g., conversion rates, task completion times, user satisfaction scores, efficiency gains) to demonstrate the value of your work.

• Showcase AI Exploration: If you have explored AI in design, dedicate time to explaining your experiments, the insights gained, and potential future applications.

• Be Ready for Technical Deep Dives: Prepare to discuss the technical feasibility of your designs and how you collaborate with developers for effective implementation.

• Engage Your Audience: Make your presentation interactive, asking questions and inviting discussion to demonstrate your communication and collaboration skills.

📝 Enhancement Note: Preparation should focus on showcasing a blend of design proficiency, technical understanding, strategic thinking, and a proactive embrace of AI. Demonstrating a clear process and measurable impact in your portfolio is crucial.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this operations position:

• Submit your application through the provided link on Workable.

• Curate Your Portfolio: Select 2-3 of your strongest case studies that best highlight your UX/UI design process, Figma expertise, front-end literacy, and any experience or exploration with AI-accelerated workflows. Tailor the presentation to showcase your problem-solving skills and quantifiable impact.

• Optimize Your Resume: Ensure your resume clearly articulates your 5+ years of experience, highlighting key skills such as Figma mastery, HTML/CSS understanding, user research, prototyping, and AI tool exploration. Use keywords relevant to UX/UI design and front-end operations.

• Prepare Your Presentation: Practice walking through your portfolio case studies, focusing on clear storytelling, articulating your design decisions, and demonstrating your understanding of developer handoffs and AI integration. Prepare answers for common UX/UI and situational interview questions.

• Research Sandfield: Familiarize yourself with Sandfield's website, client projects (Mainfreight, Qube), and company culture. Understand their focus on "smart software solutions" and "high-performance supply chains" to tailor your responses and demonstrate 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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