Junior UX Designer (f/m/d)
π 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 (0-2 years)
Remote Status: Hybrid (Up to 50% remote)
π Role Summary
-
This is a paid 6-month internship focused on developing user-centered digital products and services within Axpo Group's UX team.
-
You will gain hands-on experience across the entire design lifecycle, from initial user research and analysis to final UI design and prototyping.
-
The role involves utilizing design tools like Figma to create wireframes, user flows, and interactive prototypes, translating user needs into intuitive digital experiences.
-
Collaboration is key, as you'll work closely with product managers, developers, and business stakeholders, presenting and justifying your design decisions.
-
This position offers a structured learning environment with opportunities to contribute to design systems and shared UX practices, fostering professional growth in a dynamic energy sector company.
π Enhancement Note: While the input data points to a UX Designer role, the output is structured to highlight operations-adjacent responsibilities such as process documentation (design systems), stakeholder management, and contributing to efficient digital product development, aligning with a GTM (Go-To-Market) or product operations context where UX directly impacts product adoption and user satisfaction. The emphasis on collaboration with product managers and developers also touches upon cross-functional operational alignment.
π Primary Responsibilities
-
Support the end-to-end design of user-centered digital products and services, ensuring intuitive and effective user experiences.
-
Develop comprehensive user flows, detailed wireframes, interactive prototypes, and polished UI designs using Figma.
-
Actively participate in user research initiatives, including conducting user interviews, designing surveys, and executing usability testing sessions to gather critical feedback.
-
Synthesize user research findings and stakeholder feedback into actionable design improvements and iterations.
-
Collaborate effectively with product managers, developers, and business stakeholders, clearly presenting and articulating design decisions and rationale.
-
Contribute to the evolution and maintenance of the company's design system and shared UX best practices, fostering consistency and efficiency.
-
Take on increasing ownership of design tasks and projects as proficiency and understanding grow throughout the internship.
π Enhancement Note: The responsibilities are framed to emphasize process creation (user flows, wireframes), data collection and analysis (user research, usability testing), and cross-functional collaboration, which are core to operations roles. The contribution to design systems also highlights a focus on standardization and efficiency.
π Skills & Qualifications
Education: A recently completed degree in Design, Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), Psychology, Interaction Design, or a closely related field.
Experience: Ideally, some hands-on design experience gained through internships, freelance projects, or significant personal projects, demonstrating practical application of design principles.
Required Skills:
-
Proficiency in using Figma or a comparable industry-standard design tool for creating wireframes, prototypes, and UI designs.
-
A solid understanding of fundamental UX and UI design principles, including user-centered design methodologies.
-
Strong communication skills, capable of articulating design concepts and decisions clearly to diverse audiences.
-
A collaborative and curious mindset, eager to learn and engage in usability testing and feedback sessions.
-
Ability to translate research findings and feedback into practical design improvements. Preferred Skills:
-
Experience contributing to or working with design systems.
-
Familiarity with user research methodologies beyond basic usability testing.
-
Basic understanding of front-end development principles to facilitate smoother collaboration with developers.
-
Experience presenting design work and rationale to stakeholders.
π Enhancement Note: The qualifications are augmented to include elements relevant to operations, such as "translating research findings into practical design improvements" which echoes problem-solving and process optimization, and "communicating design decisions" which relates to stakeholder management and clear articulation of operational impacts.
π Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements
Portfolio Essentials:
-
A portfolio that clearly demonstrates your design process and problem-solving approach, not solely showcasing final visual outputs.
-
Examples of user flows, wireframes, and interactive prototypes that illustrate your ability to map out user journeys and interaction logic.
-
Case studies detailing specific design challenges, your approach to research and ideation, and the impact of your design solutions.
-
Visual design examples that highlight your UI design skills, attention to detail, and understanding of visual hierarchy and aesthetics.
-
Evidence of collaboration, such as how you incorporated feedback from peers or stakeholders into your designs. Process Documentation:
-
Showcase examples of how you document your design process, including research findings summaries, user personas, or journey maps.
-
Demonstrate an understanding of how to create and maintain design system components or style guides, contributing to process standardization.
-
Include examples of how you've iterated on designs based on testing or feedback, illustrating a continuous improvement loop.
π Enhancement Note: This section is heavily tailored to operations requirements, emphasizing the "process" aspect of design. The focus on demonstrating the design process, documenting findings, contributing to design systems, and showing iteration directly aligns with operations' need for structured methodologies, documentation, and continuous improvement.
π΅ Compensation & Benefits
Salary Range: As this is a paid internship, a competitive hourly or monthly rate is expected. For a Junior UX Designer internship in Baden, Switzerland (a high-cost-of-living area), a typical range could be between CHF 2,500 - CHF 4,500 per month, depending on experience and the specific duration/scope of the internship.
Benefits:
-
Flexible working hours: To support work-life balance and accommodate personal schedules.
-
Remote work option: Up to 50% remote work flexibility, allowing for a hybrid work model.
-
Generous pension plan: Company contributes 60% of pension contributions for long-term financial security.
-
Health and well-being: 100% continued salary payment in case of illness or accident, and access to an exclusive mental health platform with five free psychologist sessions.
-
Family support: 16 weeks of maternity leave (100% continued pay) and 10 days of paternity leave (100% continued pay).
-
Childcare reimbursement: Up to 20% reimbursement of childcare costs, capped at CHF 4,800 per year.
-
Exclusive discounts: Attractive discounts on petrol, insurance, and mobile telephony with partner companies (e.g., Shell, Avia, Sunrise, Swisscom).
-
Public transportation subsidy: Support for public transport costs with the SwissPass (up to CHF 190).
-
Potential for extension and full-time transition: The internship has the possibility of extension and conversion to a full-time role.
-
Occasional travel: Potential travel to the Madrid office.
Working Hours: The standard workload is 100% (full-time), with flexible working hours available. A hybrid work arrangement is in place, allowing up to 50% remote work.
π Enhancement Note: The salary range is estimated based on Swiss market rates for internships in tech/design roles and the specified location (Baden). The benefits are detailed from the provided text, highlighting aspects that contribute to employee well-being and financial security, which are key considerations for any professional, including those in operations roles.
π― Team & Company Context
π’ Company Culture
Industry: Energy Sector (Utilities, Renewables, Infrastructure). Axpo Group is a major player in energy production, trading, and infrastructure development, with a focus on sustainable energy solutions.
Company Size: Large enterprise, indicated by the extensive benefits package and international presence (mention of Madrid office). This size suggests structured processes, established teams, and significant resources for digital transformation initiatives.
Founded: While not explicitly stated, Axpo is a long-standing energy company, implying a culture that balances established practices with innovation, particularly in its digital product development.
Team Structure:
-
You'll join a small, dedicated UX team that operates collaboratively within the larger product and technology organization.
-
The team works closely with product managers, developers, and business stakeholders, indicating a cross-functional operational model.
-
This structure allows for direct interaction and influence on digital product strategy and execution. Methodology:
-
The UX team emphasizes a user-centered design approach, prioritizing research and feedback to inform design decisions.
-
Collaboration and open exchange of ideas are valued, fostering a culture of continuous learning and improvement.
-
The team actively contributes to and utilizes design systems, promoting consistency and efficiency in design output.
Company Website: https://careers.axpo.com
π Enhancement Note: The company context is expanded to include implications for operations professionals. A large energy company often means complex workflows, regulatory considerations, and a significant impact of digital products on operational efficiency and customer engagement. The "structured processes" and "resources for digital transformation" are key operational aspects.
π Career & Growth Analysis
Operations Career Level: This role is positioned as an entry-level internship, serving as a foundational experience for aspiring UX Designers. It's an opportunity to build a practical understanding of the design process within a corporate environment, akin to an entry-level operations analyst role where foundational process knowledge is gained.
Reporting Structure: You will report to a senior member of the UX team, likely a UX Lead or Senior UX Designer, who will provide guidance and mentorship. The team itself is small, allowing for direct access to leadership and a clear view of how UX contributes to broader business objectives.
Operations Impact: As a Junior UX Designer, your impact will be in contributing to the usability and effectiveness of digital products. Well-designed interfaces directly influence user adoption, customer satisfaction, and operational efficiency by reducing support needs and improving task completion rates. Your work will directly support the company's digital transformation efforts and its ability to deliver services effectively to its customers.
Growth Opportunities:
-
Skill Development: Deepen expertise in UX/UI design principles, user research methodologies, and advanced Figma techniques.
-
Process Mastery: Gain practical experience in contributing to and utilizing design systems, understanding how they streamline design operations.
-
Cross-functional Exposure: Develop strong collaboration and communication skills by working with product management, engineering, and business teams, understanding how design integrates into the broader product development lifecycle.
-
Career Transition: Successful completion and strong performance can lead to opportunities for extension or a full-time Junior UX Designer position, providing a clear pathway into a design career within the energy sector.
π Enhancement Note: The career analysis draws parallels between UX design progression and operations roles. The "Operations Impact" section frames UX contributions in terms of operational efficiency and customer satisfaction, key metrics for many operations functions. "Process Mastery" and "Cross-functional Exposure" are directly aligned with operational development.
π Work Environment
Office Type: The role is hybrid, indicating a mix of office-based and remote work. The office environment in Baden is likely professional and corporate, designed to support collaboration and focused work.
Office Location(s): The primary office is located at Parkstrasse 23, 5400 Baden, Switzerland. There is also potential for occasional travel to their Madrid office.
Workspace Context:
-
Collaborative Environment: You'll be part of a small UX team, fostering close-knit collaboration and knowledge sharing. The hybrid model allows for focused individual work remotely and collaborative sessions in the office.
-
Tools & Technology: Access to industry-standard design tools like Figma, along with other collaborative platforms used by Axpo Group for project management and communication.
-
Team Interaction: Regular interaction with product managers, developers, and business stakeholders, providing opportunities to understand different perspectives and contribute to integrated solutions.
Work Schedule: The internship is full-time (100% workload) with the benefit of flexible working hours. This flexibility allows for better management of personal time while ensuring project deadlines and team availability are met, crucial for effective operations and project execution.
π Enhancement Note: The work environment description is enhanced to highlight aspects relevant to operations professionals, such as the hybrid model supporting work-life balance and the collaborative yet structured nature of the workspace, which impacts team efficiency and communication flow.
π Application & Portfolio Review Process
Interview Process:
-
Initial Screening: A review of your application, resume, and portfolio by the recruitment team and hiring manager.
-
First Interview: Likely a virtual or in-person interview with the hiring manager or a senior UX team member to assess your background, motivation, and basic UX/UI knowledge. You may be asked to walk through specific projects from your portfolio.
-
Design Challenge/Case Study: You may be given a small design task or asked to present a detailed case study from your portfolio, focusing on your problem-solving approach, research, and design rationale. This assesses your practical skills and how you think.
-
Final Interview: Potentially with additional team members or stakeholders to evaluate cultural fit, collaboration style, and overall suitability for the team and company.
Portfolio Review Tips:
-
Showcase Your Process: Clearly articulate the problem you were solving, your research methods, ideation process, design iterations, and the final solution. Explain why you made certain design decisions.
-
Highlight Collaboration: If applicable, describe how you worked with others (peers, stakeholders) and incorporated feedback.
-
Focus on Impact: Where possible, quantify the impact of your designs or discuss the intended outcomes.
-
Tailor to the Role: Emphasize projects that align with digital product design, user-centered approaches, and ideally, experience with Figma.
-
Keep it Concise: Present your strongest 2-3 projects in detail. Ensure your portfolio is easily navigable and visually appealing.
Challenge Preparation:
-
Understand the Context: If given a challenge, clarify the problem statement, target users, and any constraints.
-
Think Aloud: When presenting your approach or solution, verbalize your thought process, decision-making, and trade-offs.
-
Demonstrate UX Fundamentals: Show your understanding of user research, information architecture, wireframing, and prototyping.
-
Be Open to Feedback: Approach any discussion about your challenge solution with a willingness to listen and discuss alternative perspectives.
π Enhancement Note: This section provides actionable advice tailored to a design role but framed with operations-like considerations: demonstrating process, showing impact, clear communication, and handling challenges. The emphasis on understanding constraints and thinking aloud during a challenge mirrors problem-solving in operational contexts.
π Tools & Technology Stack
Primary Tools:
-
Figma: The primary tool for wireframing, prototyping, and UI design. Proficiency is essential.
-
User Research Tools: Experience with or ability to quickly learn tools for surveys (e.g., SurveyMonkey, Google Forms), interviews, and usability testing platforms (e.g., UserTesting.com, Lookback).
Analytics & Reporting:
-
While not a primary focus for this junior role, familiarity with how user analytics (e.g., Google Analytics, Amplitude) inform design decisions is a plus.
-
Understanding how to interpret data to identify user pain points or areas for design improvement. CRM & Automation:
-
No direct CRM or automation tools are specified for this UX role, but understanding how digital products integrate with backend systems or customer management platforms can be beneficial for context.
π Enhancement Note: While the role is design-focused, the "Tools & Technology Stack" section is framed to highlight aspects relevant to operations. Mentioning user analytics and understanding how digital products integrate with backend systems touches upon the data-driven and interconnected nature of operations.
π₯ Team Culture & Values
Operations Values:
-
User-Centricity: A core value driving all design decisions, ensuring that user needs and experiences are prioritized. This aligns with operations' goal of delivering value to customers and stakeholders.
-
Curiosity & Learning: The team values a curious mindset and a commitment to continuous learning, essential for staying updated with design trends and user behaviors, mirroring the need for ongoing learning in fast-evolving operations fields.
-
Collaboration: Strong emphasis on teamwork and cross-functional partnership, crucial for integrating design effectively into product development and achieving business objectives.
-
Thoughtful Design: A commitment to creating well-considered, effective, and usable digital experiences, reflecting an operational focus on quality and efficiency.
Collaboration Style:
-
Integrated Teamwork: The UX team works closely with product, technology, and business colleagues, fostering an integrated approach to product development.
-
Open Feedback Culture: Encouragement of sharing ideas and constructive feedback to collectively improve designs and processes.
-
Knowledge Sharing: Active participation in sharing insights, best practices, and learnings within the team and across departments.
π Enhancement Note: The team culture section translates UX values into operational terms. "User-Centricity" is linked to customer value in operations. "Curiosity & Learning" is framed as essential for adapting to operational changes. "Collaboration" is emphasized for integrated product development, a key operational goal.
β‘ Challenges & Growth Opportunities
Challenges:
-
Balancing User Needs with Business Goals: Effectively reconciling user desires with business objectives and technical constraints, a common challenge in operations where resource allocation and strategic alignment are critical.
-
Translating Abstract Concepts into Concrete Designs: Moving from user research and abstract ideas to tangible wireframes and prototypes requires strong conceptualization skills.
-
Incorporating Feedback: Navigating diverse stakeholder feedback and making informed decisions about design iterations.
-
Staying Current: Keeping up with rapidly evolving design trends, tools, and user expectations in the digital product space.
Learning & Development Opportunities:
-
Mentorship: Guidance from experienced UX designers and team leads on design craft and professional development.
-
Practical Experience: Hands-on involvement in real-world digital product development projects, building a strong foundation for a career in UX or related fields like product management or operations.
-
Industry Exposure: Gaining insight into the operations of a major energy company and the role of digital products within it.
-
Networking: Building professional connections within Axpo Group, potentially opening doors for future career opportunities.
π Enhancement Note: The challenges are framed to reflect operational complexities, such as balancing competing priorities and integrating feedback. Growth opportunities are described in terms of skill acquisition and industry exposure, relevant to career development in any professional field, including operations.
π‘ Interview Preparation
Strategy Questions:
-
Design Process: "Walk me through a project in your portfolio. What was the problem, your approach, what did you learn, and what was the outcome?" Be prepared to discuss your decision-making at each stage.
-
Tool Proficiency: "How do you use Figma for prototyping and collaboration? What are your favorite features and why?"
-
User Research: "Describe a time you conducted user research. What methods did you use, and how did you translate the findings into design changes?"
-
Collaboration: "How do you handle feedback from stakeholders, especially when it conflicts with your design vision?"
Company & Culture Questions:
-
Motivation: "Why are you interested in UX design at Axpo Group specifically?" Research Axpo's digital initiatives or sustainability goals.
-
Teamwork: "Describe your ideal team environment. How do you contribute to a collaborative team?"
-
Learning: "How do you stay updated with UX trends and best practices?"
Portfolio Presentation Strategy:
-
Storytelling: Structure your portfolio presentations as narratives, guiding the interviewer through your problem-solving journey.
-
Visual Clarity: Use clear, well-annotated visuals for wireframes, user flows, and final designs.
-
Focus on Process: Emphasize your thought process, research, and iterations over just the final polish.
-
Conciseness: Be mindful of time and focus on the most impactful aspects of your projects.
π Enhancement Note: Interview questions are designed to probe for operational thinking β process, problem-solving, collaboration, and impact β even within a design context. Portfolio presentation tips focus on articulating process and rationale, which is crucial for demonstrating operational understanding.
π Application Steps
To apply for this operations-adjacent UX design position:
-
Submit your application through the Axpo Group careers portal, ensuring your resume and portfolio are attached.
-
Tailor your resume: Highlight relevant coursework, projects, and any internship or freelance experience that demonstrates UX/UI skills, problem-solving abilities, and collaborative experience. Use keywords from the job description.
-
Curate your portfolio: Select 2-3 strong projects that showcase your design process, from research to final design. Ensure it's easily accessible (e.g., a link to a personal website or PDF) and clearly articulates your role, challenges, and solutions.
-
Prepare for portfolio review: Be ready to verbally walk through your chosen projects, explaining your thought process, design decisions, and any lessons learned. Practice articulating your contributions clearly and concisely.
-
Research Axpo Group: Understand their business in the energy sector, their digital transformation efforts, and their commitment to sustainability. This will help you tailor your answers and demonstrate genuine interest.
β οΈ Important Notice: This enhanced job description includes AI-generated insights and operations industry-standard assumptions. All details should be verified directly with the hiring organization before making application decisions.
Application Requirements
Requires a recently completed degree in Design, HCI, Psychology, or a related field. Candidates should have experience with Figma and a strong understanding of UX/UI design principles.