Junior UX Designer (f/m/d)

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Junior UX Designer (f/m/d)

Company: Axpo Group

Location: Baden, Aargau, Switzerland

Job Type: Internship

Category: User Experience (UX) Design / Product Design

Date Posted: 2026-09-10

Experience Level: Entry-Level / Junior

Remote Status: Hybrid

🚀 Role Summary

• This internship offers a foundational opportunity to kickstart a career in User Experience (UX) and User Interface (UI) design within a leading energy company.

• The role involves hands-on contribution to the entire design lifecycle of digital products, from initial user research and ideation through to wireframing, prototyping, and final UI design in Figma.

• Successful candidates will collaborate closely with product managers, developers, and business stakeholders, requiring strong communication and presentation skills to articulate design decisions and rationale.

• Opportunity to gain practical experience in user-centered design methodologies, contribute to design systems, and learn from seasoned UX professionals in a dynamic team environment.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the role is titled "Junior UX Designer," it's explicitly an internship. This means the focus will be on learning, support, and foundational skill development rather than independent ownership of complex projects, though contributions to real products are expected. The "f/m/d" indicates a commitment to gender diversity and inclusivity.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Support the end-to-end design process for user-centered digital products and services, ensuring intuitive and effective user experiences.

• Develop essential design artifacts including user flows, wireframes, interactive prototypes, and high-fidelity UI designs, primarily utilizing Figma.

• Actively participate in user research activities, encompassing user interviews, survey design, and usability testing sessions to gather critical insights.

• Translate research findings, user feedback, and business requirements into actionable design improvements and innovative solutions.

• Collaborate effectively with product managers, software developers, and business stakeholders, presenting and clearly articulating design rationale and decisions to cross-functional teams.

• Contribute to the evolution and maintenance of the company's design system and shared UX best practices, fostering consistency and efficiency across digital products.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities emphasize a supportive role in design, research, and collaboration, typical for an internship. The mention of contributing to a design system indicates an exposure to enterprise-level design practices and a focus on scalability and consistency.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

• A recently completed degree in Design, Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), Psychology, Interaction Design, or a closely related academic field. Experience:

• Demonstrated hands-on design experience through internships, freelance projects, or significant personal projects is highly valued. Required Skills:

• Proficiency in using Figma or comparable design and prototyping tools.

• Solid understanding of core UX and UI design principles, user-centered design methodologies, and interaction design best practices.

• Ability to create foundational design deliverables such as user flows, wireframes, and interactive prototypes.

• Experience participating in or observing user research activities, including usability testing.

• Strong verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to present design ideas and rationale clearly.

• Must currently reside in Switzerland to be eligible for this position. Preferred Skills:

• Familiarity with contributing to or utilizing design systems.

• Basic understanding of agile development methodologies and cross-functional team collaboration.

• Experience with user research techniques beyond usability testing, such as user interviews or surveys.

• A portfolio that showcases a problem-solving approach, detailing the design process and rationale behind visual outcomes.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on a portfolio that shows the approach to design problems, not just final visuals, is a key indicator for evaluating candidates. This suggests the hiring team values critical thinking and process documentation over purely aesthetic output. The requirement to reside in Switzerland is a practical, non-negotiable criterion.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A curated collection of design projects that clearly illustrate your design process, from problem definition to solution.

• Projects should highlight your ability to conduct user research and translate findings into design decisions.

• Examples of wireframes, user flows, prototypes, and final UI designs are expected.

• Demonstrate your understanding of usability principles and how you've applied them.

• Showcasing experience with Figma or similar tools is crucial. Process Documentation:

• Clearly articulate the steps taken in your design projects, including research methodologies, ideation techniques, and iteration cycles.

• Explain the rationale behind key design decisions, referencing user needs and business objectives.

• Detail how user feedback and research findings influenced your design iterations.

• Showcase collaboration efforts with stakeholders or team members, if applicable.

📝 Enhancement Note: For an internship, the portfolio's strength will lie in demonstrating potential and a structured approach to design challenges, rather than a vast portfolio of completed, large-scale projects. The focus is on the candidate's thought process and foundational skills.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

As this is a paid internship, compensation will be provided in line with Swiss internship standards for junior roles in the technology and design sector. While a specific range is not published, typical paid internships in Switzerland for roles requiring a degree and specialized skills can range from CHF 2,500 to CHF 4,000 per month, depending on the company, location, and specific responsibilities.

Benefits:

• Paid Internship: A competitive salary for the duration of the internship.

• Flexible Working Hours: Option for flexible scheduling to accommodate personal needs and promote work-life balance.

• Remote Work Option: Up to 50% remote work flexibility, allowing for a hybrid work model.

• Generous Pension Plan: Axpo contributes 60% towards your pension contributions, ensuring financial security.

• Health & Well-being: 100% continued salary payment during illness or accident, plus access to a mental health platform offering five free psychologist sessions.

• Family Support:

  • 16 weeks of maternity leave with 100% continued pay.
  • 10 days of paternity leave with 100% continued pay.
  • Up to 20% reimbursement of childcare costs (maximum CHF 4,800 per year).

• Exclusive Discounts: Attractive discounts with partner companies (e.g., Shell, Avia, Sunrise, Swisscom).

• Public Transportation: A subsidized SwissPass (up to CHF 190) for affordable travel.

• Potential for Extension/Full-Time: The internship is for 6 months with a possibility of extension and potential transition to a full-time role.

• International Exposure: Occasional travel to the Madrid office may be required.

Working Hours:

• Full-time, 100% workload (approximately 40 hours per week), with flexible working hours to support work-life balance.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary estimation is based on typical paid internship rates in Switzerland for roles requiring specific education and skills, considering the cost of living and industry benchmarks. The comprehensive benefits package, especially for an internship, is a significant draw and reflects Axpo's commitment to employee well-being and long-term support.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Energy Sector (specifically, energy services and trading). Axpo is a major international energy company involved in energy production, trading, and infrastructure. This context means digital products may support complex operational processes, customer interactions, and market analysis.

Company Size: Large Enterprise (Axpo Group is a significant player in the energy market, employing thousands globally, with operations across various countries). This implies a structured environment with established processes, but also opportunities for impact within specific teams.

Founded: 2001 (Axpo Group). This relatively modern founding date suggests a company that has evolved with technological advancements, likely embracing digital transformation initiatives.

Team Structure:

• The UX team is described as small and collaborative, working closely with product managers, technology teams (developers), and business stakeholders.

• This structure suggests a flat hierarchy within the immediate team, fostering direct communication and quick decision-making.

• Cross-functional collaboration is a core element, meaning exposure to diverse perspectives and departments is guaranteed. Methodology:

• The team values curiosity, collaboration, and thoughtful design, indicating an environment that encourages questioning, open communication, and a deliberate approach to problem-solving.

• Emphasis on user-centered design principles and turning research findings into practical improvements.

• Contribution to a design system suggests a commitment to scalable, consistent design practices and efficient workflows.

Company Website: https://careers.axpo.com

📝 Enhancement Note: The industry context of energy is important; digital products might serve internal operations, B2B clients, or B2C customers with complex needs. The company's size offers stability and resources, while the small UX team structure provides intimacy and direct impact.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is positioned as a foundational internship, serving as an entry point into the UX/Product Design field. It's ideal for recent graduates looking to gain practical experience and apply academic knowledge in a real-world setting.

Reporting Structure: The Junior UX Designer will report to senior members of the UX team and collaborate closely with Product Managers and Developers. This provides a strong mentorship structure and exposure to different facets of product development.

Operations Impact: While an intern's direct impact is typically supportive, this role contributes to the improvement of digital products that are crucial for Axpo's business operations, customer engagement, and market presence. The work on real products means the designs have tangible effects on user experience and potentially business efficiency.

Growth Opportunities:

• Skill Development: Intensive learning through hands-on work, mentorship from experienced designers, and exposure to enterprise-level design tools and processes.

• Career Trajectory: Potential to transition into a full-time Junior UX Designer role upon successful completion of the internship, offering a clear path for career advancement within Axpo.

• Cross-Functional Exposure: Gaining a holistic understanding of product development by working with various departments, which can broaden career perspectives.

• Design System Contribution: Learning and contributing to a design system provides valuable experience in scalable design and component-based design thinking.

📝 Enhancement Note: The internship structure is designed for rapid learning. The "possibility of extension and the potential to transition into a full-time role" is a significant indicator of Axpo's investment in developing talent.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The job listing implies a hybrid work environment, suggesting a modern office space that supports both in-person collaboration and remote flexibility. The mention of occasional travel to Madrid indicates an international company with interconnected offices.

Office Location(s): The primary location is Baden, Switzerland. Occasional travel to Madrid is also noted.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Environment: The small UX team structure and close collaboration with product and development teams foster a dynamic and interactive workspace.

• Tools & Technology: Access to industry-standard design tools like Figma is provided, along with exposure to enterprise design systems.

• Team Interaction: Opportunities for daily interaction with experienced designers, product managers, and developers, facilitating continuous learning and knowledge sharing.

Work Schedule:

• Full-time (100%) with flexible working hours, allowing for a balanced approach to work and personal life. The hybrid model (up to 50% remote) further enhances this flexibility.

📝 Enhancement Note: The hybrid model and flexible hours are modern work environment features designed to attract talent and promote well-being, which is increasingly important in specialized fields like UX design.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: Review of applications, focusing on degree, relevant experience, and portfolio.

• Portfolio Review & Discussion: Candidates will likely present their portfolio, discussing their design process, problem-solving approach, and rationale behind their design decisions.

• Skills Assessment: Potential for a design challenge or practical exercise, either take-home or live, to evaluate Figma proficiency, problem-solving, and design thinking.

• Team & Stakeholder Interviews: Meetings with potential team members (UX, Product, Dev) to assess cultural fit, collaboration style, and communication skills.

• Final Interview: May involve a senior leader to discuss career aspirations and overall fit.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Structure: Organize your portfolio logically. For each project, clearly state the problem, your role, the process undertaken, the solutions, and the outcomes/learnings.

• Process Over Polish: Emphasize your thought process, research methods, iterations, and how you arrived at your final designs. Show your problem-solving skills, not just the aesthetic outcome.

• Figma Showcase: Ensure examples of your work in Figma are clearly presented, demonstrating your proficiency with its features.

• User-Centricity: Highlight how user needs and research informed your design decisions.

• Conciseness: Be prepared to walk through your key projects efficiently, focusing on the most relevant examples for this internship.

Challenge Preparation:

• Figma Practice: Ensure you are comfortable with common Figma features, including components, prototyping, auto-layout, and collaboration tools.

• Design Thinking: Be ready to articulate your approach to a given design problem using a structured methodology (e.g., empathize, define, ideate, prototype, test).

• Communication: Practice explaining your design choices clearly and concisely, as if presenting to a mixed audience of designers, developers, and non-design stakeholders.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on portfolio review and potential design challenges is standard for UX roles. For an internship, the focus will be on potential and process, making it crucial for candidates to showcase their learning journey and problem-solving aptitude.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Figma: This is explicitly mentioned as the primary design tool. Proficiency in Figma for wireframing, prototyping, UI design, and potentially design system components is essential.

• Prototyping Tools: Figma's built-in prototyping capabilities are key, but familiarity with other tools might be a plus.

Analytics & Reporting:

• While not explicitly stated for the intern, exposure to analytics platforms (e.g., Google Analytics, Mixpanel) or understanding how user data informs design decisions would be beneficial. CRM & Automation:

• Not directly relevant to the UX design role itself, but understanding how designs integrate with backend systems or CRM functionalities could be an advantage.

📝 Enhancement Note: The explicit mention of Figma is a critical keyword. Candidates should be prepared to demonstrate their skills and understanding of this specific tool.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Curiosity: An open mind to explore new ideas, ask questions, and delve into user needs and business challenges.

• Collaboration: A strong emphasis on working effectively with diverse teams (product, tech, business) and valuing collective input.

• Thoughtful Design: A commitment to creating user experiences that are not only functional but also well-considered, user-friendly, and aligned with business goals.

• Continuous Learning: The company culture encourages personal growth, and the internship itself is framed as a learning opportunity.

• Inclusivity: Axpo explicitly states a commitment to non-discrimination, tolerance, and inclusion, welcoming applications from all backgrounds.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-functional Integration: The team operates closely with Product Managers and Developers, requiring a collaborative approach to product development.

• Feedback Exchange: Openness to giving and receiving constructive feedback on designs and processes.

• Knowledge Sharing: The small team structure and focus on shared UX practices encourage an environment where knowledge and best practices are actively shared.

📝 Enhancement Note: The stated values of curiosity, collaboration, and thoughtful design are key indicators of the team's working ethos. Applicants should align their personal values and experiences with these principles.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing Learning and Contribution: As an intern, the challenge will be to learn quickly while contributing effectively to real product development cycles.

• Translating Academic Knowledge to Practice: Bridging the gap between theoretical design principles learned in academia and their practical application in a corporate environment.

• Cross-Functional Communication: Effectively communicating design ideas and rationale to stakeholders with varying technical backgrounds.

• Navigating Enterprise Processes: Understanding and working within established design systems and development workflows of a large organization.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Mentorship: Direct guidance and learning from experienced UX designers within the team.

• Hands-on Experience: Working on actual digital products provides invaluable practical experience.

• Tool Proficiency: Deepening expertise in Figma and other relevant design tools.

• Industry Exposure: Gaining insight into the energy sector and how UX design contributes to business success in this industry.

• Networking: Building professional connections within Axpo Group and the broader UX community.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges are framed to highlight areas where an intern can grow and develop, making them opportunities rather than just obstacles.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• Design Process: "Walk me through a project in your portfolio. What was the problem, how did you approach it, what were your key design decisions, and what was the outcome?" (Prepare to detail your process, research, and rationale).

• Tool Proficiency: "Describe your experience with Figma. What features do you find most useful for prototyping and collaboration?" (Be ready to discuss specific Figma functionalities).

• User Research: "How would you approach conducting user research for a new feature on our energy management app?" (Demonstrate understanding of user research methodologies).

• Collaboration: "Describe a time you collaborated with others on a design project. What challenges did you face, and how did you overcome them?" (Highlight teamwork and communication skills).

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What interests you about Axpo Group and the energy industry?" (Research Axpo's mission, values, and recent projects).

• "What do you know about UX design within the energy sector?" (Show awareness of industry-specific design considerations).

• "How do you think your design approach aligns with our values of curiosity and collaboration?" (Connect your personal approach to the company's stated values). Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Storytelling: Frame your projects as narratives with a clear beginning (problem), middle (process), and end (solution/outcome).

• Visuals: Use high-quality visuals of your work, clearly labeling wireframes, prototypes, and final UI.

• Conciseness: Be prepared to present your most impactful projects within a given time frame. Focus on quality over quantity.

• Process Emphasis: Dedicate significant time to explaining how you arrived at your design solutions. Show your problem-solving journey.

• Interactive Demo: If possible, be ready for a brief live demo of a prototype in Figma to showcase your interactive design skills.

📝 Enhancement Note: Preparation should focus on demonstrating a structured design process, enthusiasm for learning, and a good cultural fit. The portfolio is the primary tool for showcasing these attributes.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this operations position:

• Submit your application through the Axpo Group careers portal link provided.

• Portfolio Customization: Ensure your portfolio prominently features projects that showcase your design process, Figma proficiency, and understanding of user-centered design principles. Tailor the emphasis to highlight problem-solving and research, as requested.

• Resume Optimization: Highlight relevant academic achievements, any prior design internships or projects, and specific skills like Figma and user research. Use keywords from the job description naturally.

• Interview Preparation: Practice articulating your design process and rationale for key portfolio projects. Research Axpo Group and its digital initiatives to prepare for company-specific questions.

• Company Research: Understand Axpo's role in the energy sector and their commitment to digital transformation. Familiarize yourself with their values regarding collaboration and innovation.

⚠️ 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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