Working Student - Product Design (UI) at GLS NXT

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Working Student - Product Design (UI)
Company: GLS NXT
Location: Berlin, Germany
Job Type: Part-Time (Working Student)
Category: Product Design / User Interface Design
Date Posted: August 04, 2025
Experience Level: Entry-Level (0-2 years)
Remote Status: Hybrid

🚀 Role Summary

This role focuses on enhancing UI design capabilities by translating user needs into polished, intuitive interfaces for digital products.
The position requires close collaboration with product and development teams to conceptualize and refine user experiences.
Key activities involve creating wireframes, prototypes, and ensuring visual consistency across all digital touchpoints.
It's an excellent opportunity for students nearing graduation to gain practical experience in a dynamic, tech-driven logistics environment.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the job title is "Working Student - Product Design (UI)," the core responsibilities and required skills align with a Junior UI Designer or UI Design Intern role, emphasizing hands-on design execution and learning within a professional setting. The "Product Design" aspect suggests an understanding of how UI contributes to the overall product strategy, not necessarily full product lifecycle ownership at this stage.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

Assist in the creation of wireframes, mockups, and interactive prototypes for both web and mobile interfaces.
Collaborate closely with senior product designers, UX researchers, and software engineers throughout the design iteration cycles to ensure seamless integration of UI elements.
Uphold and enforce design consistency across all digital products, strictly adhering to established brand guidelines and UI style guides.
Apply core usability and interaction design principles to optimize the user experience, focusing on interface feel, flow, and intuitiveness.
Support the collection and analysis of user feedback through participation in usability testing sessions, incorporating insights into design refinements.
Maintain and update essential design documentation, including style guides, component libraries, and design system assets.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a supportive role in the design process, focusing on execution and adherence to existing design systems and principles. This is typical for a working student or junior position where learning and application of established practices are key, rather than leading design strategy or complex problem-solving independently.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

Currently enrolled in a Bachelor's or Master's degree program in Design, Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), Digital Media, Computer Science with a design focus, or a closely related field.
Ideally, candidates should be in their final year of study, preparing for graduation.

Experience:

Prior experience or a strong portfolio demonstrating practical application of UI design principles and tools.
Experience working in a collaborative team environment, even if through academic projects or internships, is beneficial for understanding cross-functional workflows.

Required Skills:

UI Design Proficiency: Demonstrated ability to create visually appealing and user-friendly interfaces.
Design Tool Mastery: High proficiency in industry-standard UI design and prototyping tools such as Figma, Sketch, or Adobe XD.
English Fluency: Professional-level command of English, both written and spoken, for effective communication and documentation in an international team.
Design Principles: Solid understanding of fundamental UI/UX principles, including layout, typography, color theory, interaction design, and basic accessibility standards.
Detail Orientation: A keen eye for detail, ensuring consistency in design elements, alignment, and visual quality.
Collaboration & Communication: Strong interpersonal and communication skills to effectively work with cross-functional teams (product managers, developers, UX researchers).
User-Centric Approach: Ability to translate user needs and business requirements into intuitive and effective interface solutions.

Preferred Skills:

Interaction Design: Familiarity with principles of interaction design and creating smooth user flows.
Usability Testing: Experience or a strong interest in conducting usability testing and incorporating user feedback into design iterations.
Design Systems: Understanding of design systems, component libraries, and maintaining design consistency at scale.
Visual Design: A strong aesthetic sense and ability to create visually compelling designs that align with brand identity.
Web/Mobile Design: Exposure to designing for different platforms (web, mobile applications) and understanding their unique constraints and best practices.

📝 Enhancement Note: The requirements emphasize practical skills in UI design tools and a foundational understanding of design principles. The "ideally towards the final year" suggests a preference for candidates who can transition into a full-time role post-graduation, although this is not explicitly stated. The encouragement to apply even if not meeting every requirement indicates a willingness to consider candidates with strong potential and a good attitude.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

UI Design Showcase: A curated collection of UI design projects that demonstrate your proficiency in creating wireframes, mockups, and interactive prototypes.
Tool Proficiency Evidence: Projects should clearly indicate the tools used (e.g., Figma, Sketch, Adobe XD), highlighting your expertise.
Process Explanation: For each project, briefly outline your design process, including how you translated user needs and business requirements into the final design solution.
Visual Consistency Examples: Showcase examples of how you've maintained visual consistency and adhered to design guidelines within a project or across multiple touchpoints.
Problem/Solution Framing: Clearly articulate the design challenges you addressed and the solutions you implemented, focusing on user-centricity.

Process Documentation:

Workflow Clarity: Demonstrate understanding of how UI design fits into a broader product development workflow, including collaboration with developers and product managers.
Design System Contribution: If applicable, include examples or descriptions of how you've worked with or contributed to design systems or component libraries.
Iteration & Feedback: Highlight instances where user feedback or testing informed design iterations and improvements.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a working student role, the portfolio is crucial for demonstrating applied skills and potential. It should focus on the quality of execution, understanding of UI principles, and the ability to use design tools effectively. A clear, concise presentation of the design process behind the visuals is vital, showing an understanding of why certain design decisions were made.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

Based on industry standards for working student positions in Berlin, Germany, with the specified responsibilities and 15-20 hours per week, a competitive hourly rate would likely fall within the range of €15-€20 per hour. This estimate is derived from typical compensation for student roles in the tech and design sectors in major German cities, considering the cost of living and demand for design talent.

Benefits:

Dynamic Workplace: Access to a stimulating digital environment with the opportunity to work on international logistics and e-commerce projects, fostering continuous learning and professional growth.
Flexible Work Conditions: A hybrid working model offering a tailored remote policy, allowing for a balance between in-office collaboration and remote work flexibility.
Physical Space for Ideas: A well-equipped, modern office space located in Berlin Mitte, providing a comfortable and inspiring environment for creative work.
Transparent and Competitive Compensation: A salary package that acknowledges and rewards your skills, experience, and contribution to the team.
Engaging Team Culture: Opportunities to participate in monthly team cooking sessions, regular team events, and offsite activities, promoting strong team cohesion and a positive work atmosphere.
Generous Vacation Policy: 30 days of paid annual leave, offering ample time for rest and personal pursuits.

Working Hours:

The role requires an availability of 15–20 hours per week. The specific schedule can be discussed and arranged to accommodate academic commitments while ensuring consistent contribution and integration with team activities.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary estimate is based on general market data for student positions in Germany. The benefits are clearly articulated and appealing, particularly the hybrid work model, office location, and team culture aspects, which are attractive to students seeking practical experience and a positive work environment.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Logistics and E-commerce Technology. GLS/NXT operates at the intersection of traditional logistics and innovative technological solutions, aiming to redefine experiences within this sector. This means working with established business models while embracing agile development and forward-thinking product design. Company Size: Part of GLS IT Services GmbH, GLS/NXT functions with the agility of a startup while leveraging the resources of a larger corporate entity. This "between Corporate and Startups" approach suggests a dynamic environment that values both speed and stability. Founded: While the founding date of GLS/NXT itself isn't specified, it is part of GLS IT Services GmbH, indicating a connection to a well-established logistics provider. This heritage likely influences the company's approach to innovation, focusing on practical solutions that can scale.

Team Structure:

Project Teams: GLS/NXT comprises various project teams, each operating with business responsibility and defining its own vision and mission, akin to independent startups.
Collaboration Focus: The UI design role is integrated within these project teams, working alongside product managers, UX researchers, and engineers.
Cross-functional Integration: Expect close collaboration with development teams to ensure design feasibility and implementation, and with product stakeholders to align with business objectives.

Methodology:

User-Centric Innovation: GLS/NXT emphasizes starting with user needs to drive technological advancements in logistics.
Agile Development: The "startup speed" aspect suggests an agile or lean methodology for product development and design.
Data-Informed Design: While not explicitly stated, the focus on technology and user experience implies that design decisions are likely informed by data, user research, and performance metrics.

Company Website: https://www.glsnxt.com/

📝 Enhancement Note: The company's positioning as a bridge between startups and corporate entities is a key cultural aspect. It suggests an environment that encourages innovation and rapid iteration while benefiting from the infrastructure and stability of a larger organization. The focus on logistics and e-commerce provides a specific industry context for design challenges.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is positioned as an entry-level "Working Student" or Junior UI Designer. It's designed for individuals early in their design careers, offering foundational experience in a professional setting. Reporting Structure: The working student will likely report to a Senior Product Designer or a Design Lead within one of the project teams. They will also work closely with Product Managers and Engineering leads on specific project initiatives. Operations Impact: While not directly a "Revenue Operations" role, the UI design directly impacts the user experience of GLS/NXT's digital products. A well-designed interface can lead to increased user adoption, customer satisfaction, operational efficiency (through intuitive workflows), and ultimately, contribute to the company's success in the logistics and e-commerce sectors.

Growth Opportunities:

Skill Specialization: Opportunity to deepen expertise in UI design tools (Figma, Sketch, Adobe XD), interaction design, and potentially user research methodologies.
Industry Exposure: Gain valuable insights into the logistics and e-commerce industries, understanding the unique design challenges and opportunities within these sectors.
Portfolio Development: Build a robust portfolio with real-world projects, showcasing contributions to product development and design processes.
Mentorship: Potential to receive guidance and mentorship from experienced design professionals within the GLS/NXT teams.
Full-Time Transition: For exceptional performers, there may be opportunities for full-time employment upon completion of their studies, depending on business needs and performance.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is primarily about skill development and gaining practical experience. The growth path is focused on mastering UI design craft and understanding its application within a specific industry context. The connection to GLS IT Services GmbH suggests potential long-term career paths within a larger organization, though the immediate focus is on the project-team level.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The company describes a "great office space in Berlin Mitte." This suggests a modern, well-equipped physical workspace designed to foster collaboration and creativity, likely with dedicated areas for design work and team interaction. Office Location(s): The primary office location is Berlin Mitte, Germany. This central location is known for its accessibility and vibrant business environment.

Workspace Context:

Collaborative Hub: The office likely serves as a central point for team meetings, brainstorming sessions, and cross-functional collaboration, especially for hybrid work models.
Design Tools & Technology: Expect access to high-tier equipment and the necessary software licenses for industry-standard design tools (Figma, Sketch, Adobe XD).
Team Interaction: Opportunities to engage directly with fellow designers, product managers, engineers, and UX researchers, facilitating knowledge sharing and continuous learning through informal interactions and structured meetings.

Work Schedule:

The working hours are flexible, requiring 15-20 hours per week. This allows students to balance their academic responsibilities with their work at GLS/NXT. The hybrid nature of the role means a portion of these hours will be spent in the Berlin office, with the remainder being remote.

📝 Enhancement Note: The Berlin Mitte office location is a significant draw, offering a desirable working environment. The hybrid model implies a need for self-discipline and effective remote collaboration skills, in addition to in-office presence for key activities.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

Initial Screening: Review of CV, portfolio, and cover letter to assess qualifications and fit.
Hiring Manager/Team Interview: A conversation focused on your background, design experience, understanding of UI principles, and motivation for the role. This may include discussing your portfolio.
Design Challenge/Portfolio Review: A practical exercise or a detailed walkthrough of your portfolio where you'll be asked to explain your design process, decision-making, and how you approach specific design problems.
Team Fit/Cultural Interview: An assessment of your collaboration skills, communication style, and how you'd fit into the team and company culture.
Final Interview (if applicable): Potentially with a senior leader or department head.

Portfolio Review Tips:

Curate Select Projects: Choose 3-4 of your strongest UI design projects that best showcase your skills relevant to the job description (wireframing, prototyping, visual design, tool proficiency).
Tell a Story: For each project, clearly articulate the problem, your role, the design process (research, ideation, iteration), your specific contributions, and the outcome or learnings. Use visuals to support your narrative.
Highlight Tool Proficiency: Explicitly mention the tools used (Figma, Sketch, Adobe XD) and demonstrate your mastery through the quality of your work.
Showcase Process, Not Just Polish: While polished visuals are important, demonstrating your thought process, how you handled constraints, and how you incorporated feedback is equally crucial.
Prepare for Questions: Be ready to answer questions about your design choices, how you handle feedback, and your understanding of UI/UX principles.

Challenge Preparation:

Understand the Context: If a design challenge is provided, thoroughly analyze the brief, identify the core problem, and understand the target audience and business goals.
Time Management: Allocate your time wisely across research, ideation, design, and presentation.
Focus on Process: Even if you can't complete a full design, show your thought process, potential approaches, and how you would tackle the problem.
Presentation Skills: Practice presenting your work clearly and concisely, focusing on your reasoning and design decisions.

📝 Enhancement Note: The portfolio is a critical component for this role. Applicants should prepare to discuss their projects in detail, focusing on their design thinking and practical application of UI tools. The interview process likely aims to assess both technical design skills and the candidate's ability to integrate into a team environment.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

UI Design & Prototyping: Figma, Sketch, Adobe XD. Proficiency in at least one of these is essential.
Collaboration & Communication: Tools like Slack, Microsoft Teams, or similar platforms for daily team communication and project updates.
Project Management: Potentially tools like Jira, Asana, Trello, or Monday.com for task tracking and workflow management, depending on the project team's setup.

Analytics & Reporting:

Familiarity with analytics platforms like Google Analytics or similar tools might be beneficial for understanding user behavior, though not a primary requirement for this specific role.

CRM & Automation:

While not directly involved in CRM management, an understanding of how user interfaces interact with backend systems and data flows within a CRM context could be advantageous.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis is clearly on proficiency in core UI design software. The other tools mentioned are standard in modern tech workplaces and indicate the collaborative and digitally integrated nature of GLS/NXT's operations.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

User-Centricity: A core value is to "always start with the user's needs," driving design decisions and product development.
Innovation & Agility: Operating "between Corporate and Startups" fosters a culture of innovation, speed, and adaptability.
Collaboration: Strong emphasis on working together across different teams and disciplines to achieve shared goals.
Quality & Craftsmanship: A commitment to high standards in design execution, ensuring visually appealing and functional interfaces.
Continuous Learning: Encouragement to learn and grow within a dynamic environment, embracing new challenges and best practices.

Collaboration Style:

Cross-Functional Integration: Designers work closely with product managers, UX researchers, and engineers, requiring strong communication and teamwork.
Feedback-Driven: Openness to feedback from peers and users is key, with a process for incorporating insights into design refinements.
Knowledge Sharing: The team culture likely encourages sharing design knowledge, best practices, and learnings to foster collective growth.

📝 Enhancement Note: The culture appears to be a blend of startup dynamism and corporate structure, valuing user focus, innovation, and collaborative teamwork. This environment is suitable for individuals eager to learn and contribute in a fast-paced setting.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

Balancing Startup Speed with Corporate Structure: Navigating the dual nature of the company, ensuring agility while adhering to broader corporate standards.
Translating Complex Logistics Needs into Simple UIs: The logistics sector can involve intricate processes, requiring designers to simplify complex functionalities for end-users.
Maintaining Consistency Across Diverse Projects: With multiple project teams acting as startups, ensuring a cohesive user experience and brand identity across different products can be a challenge.
Learning Curve for Industry Specifics: Gaining a deep understanding of the logistics and e-commerce domain to inform design decisions effectively.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

UI Design Skill Enhancement: Opportunities to refine skills in Figma/Sketch/Adobe XD, explore advanced prototyping techniques, and deepen understanding of interaction design.
Industry Insight: Exposure to the operational realities and user needs within the logistics and e-commerce sectors.
Cross-Functional Exposure: Learning how UI design integrates with product management, engineering, and business strategy.
Portfolio Building: Direct contribution to tangible product features, creating strong assets for future career growth.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges are typical for roles in innovative companies that operate within established industries. The growth opportunities are clearly focused on honing design skills and gaining industry-specific knowledge, which are valuable for a student role.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

Design Process: "Walk me through a UI design project from your portfolio. What was the problem, your role, your process, and the outcome?" Focus on clearly articulating your steps, decision-making, and any challenges overcome.
Tool Proficiency: "How proficient are you with Figma/Sketch/Adobe XD? Can you describe a complex feature you designed using these tools?" Be ready to demonstrate your understanding of advanced features.
User-Centricity: "How do you ensure your designs meet user needs and business goals?" Prepare examples of how you've incorporated user feedback or research into your designs.
Collaboration: "Describe a time you collaborated with developers or product managers. How did you handle disagreements or feedback?" Highlight your communication and teamwork skills.

Company & Culture Questions:

Motivation: "Why are you interested in a working student role at GLS/NXT, specifically in the logistics/e-commerce sector?" Research the company's mission and express genuine interest.
Team Fit: "How do you approach working in a hybrid environment or as part of a project team?" Demonstrate your adaptability and collaborative spirit.
Learning Goals: "What do you hope to learn and achieve in this role?" Align your goals with the opportunities the position offers.

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

Concise Storytelling: For each project, aim for a 2-3 minute overview that hits the key points: problem, solution, your role, and outcome.
Visual Clarity: Ensure your portfolio is well-organized and visually appealing. Use high-quality mockups and interactive prototypes where possible.
Highlight Key Contributions: Clearly state what you specifically did, especially if it was a team project.
Be Prepared for Deep Dives: Have detailed knowledge of your projects to answer in-depth questions about specific design decisions or technical aspects.
Enthusiasm and Curiosity: Show genuine interest in the company, the role, and the opportunity to contribute and learn.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation should heavily focus on showcasing practical UI design skills through the portfolio and articulating the design process clearly. Demonstrating an understanding of the company's mission and a willingness to learn are also key factors.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this working student position:

Submit your application: Complete the application form on the join.com platform.
Tailor your Resume: Customize your resume to highlight relevant UI design skills, tool proficiency (Figma, Sketch, Adobe XD), academic projects, and any prior work experience or internships. Use keywords from the job description.
Prepare Your Portfolio: Ensure your portfolio is up-to-date, showcases your best UI design work, and clearly explains your design process for each project. Have a link readily available.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Briefly express your interest in GLS/NXT, highlight why you're a good fit for a working student role, and mention your availability and academic program.
Research GLS/NXT: Familiarize yourself with the company's mission, industry, and any recent news or projects to demonstrate informed interest during potential interviews.

⚠️ 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.

Working Student - Product Design (UI)