Lead Designer, UX Research and Prototyping

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Lead Designer, UX Research and Prototyping

Company: QIMA

Location: Lisbon, Portugal

Job Type: Full-time

Category: User Experience (UX) / Product Design Operations

Date Posted: 2026-08-05

Experience Level: 5-10 Years

Remote Status: Hybrid

🚀 Role Summary

• Drive the evolution of QIMA's client digital experience from static mock-ups to functional, code-backed prototypes, directly influencing engineering decisions and accelerating product delivery.

• Lead rigorous UX research and user discovery practices at scale to deeply understand diverse client needs across geographies and industries, ensuring design solutions address real pain points.

• Establish and champion a high standard of UX craft, comparable to leading consumer and enterprise products, focusing on obsessive detail, friction removal, and user-centricity.

• Build strong internal partnerships across sales, marketing, operations, and finance to align design initiatives with business objectives and demonstrate the compounding growth enabled by an improved client experience.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is positioned as a critical driver of digital transformation within QIMA, focusing on a tangible shift in how product development is approached – moving from conceptualization to functional prototypes. The emphasis on "code-backed prototypes" and direct impact on engineering suggests a strong need for candidates who can bridge the gap between design and development, a key aspect of modern GTM and product operations.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Design and execute comprehensive UX research strategies, including user interviews, usability testing, and competitive analysis, to gather actionable insights from QIMA's diverse global client base.

• Develop and iterate on functional, clickable prototypes using advanced tools (e.g., Figma's interactive features, no-code/low-code platforms, basic front-end code) that can be directly leveraged by engineering teams.

• Translate complex business requirements and user needs into intuitive and efficient digital experiences, balancing simplicity for occasional users with speed and control for power users.

• Foster cross-functional collaboration by working closely with product managers, engineers, sales, marketing, and operations teams to ensure design solutions are technically feasible, commercially viable, and strategically aligned.

• Define, track, and report on key UX metrics (e.g., portal adoption, task completion rates, time-to-insight) to measure the impact of design initiatives on business outcomes and inform future product development.

• Champion an agile and iterative design process, breaking down complex problems into manageable roadmap increments and clearing blockers to ensure timely and sustainable delivery.

• Actively integrate AI tools and methodologies into the design workflow, from discovery and research to prototyping and raising the bar for the broader design team's capabilities.

• Advocate for modular platform design principles, ensuring that client digital experiences are scalable, configurable, and adaptable across QIMA's expanding portfolio of services.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a proactive, hands-on approach to design and research, with a strong emphasis on driving measurable business impact. The integration of AI and the need for modular design point to a forward-thinking role focused on scalability and innovation within the client experience.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: While no specific degree is mandated, a strong educational background in Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), Design, Psychology, Computer Science, or a related field is typically expected for roles of this seniority and complexity.

Experience: Approximately 7+ years of progressive experience in UX research, product design, or a directly transferable role, with a proven track record of owning complex, multi-stakeholder design challenges from inception to functional prototype delivery.

Required Skills:

• UX Research & Discovery: Expertise in designing and conducting user research methodologies (interviews, surveys, usability testing) and translating findings into actionable design insights.

• Prototyping Fluency: Advanced proficiency in creating functional, clickable, and code-backed prototypes using tools beyond static design software (e.g., Figma's advanced interactive features, no-code/low-code tools, basic HTML/CSS/JavaScript).

• User-Centric Design: Deep understanding of user-centered design principles and the ability to apply them to create intuitive, efficient, and delightful user experiences.

• Stakeholder Management & Collaboration: Proven ability to build strong relationships and influence stakeholders across various departments (sales, marketing, operations, engineering, finance) to drive consensus and alignment.

• Data Analysis & Metrics: Strong analytical skills to leverage data (quantitative and qualitative) for design decision-making, prioritization, and impact measurement.

• Agile & Iterative Mindset: Demonstrated experience working in agile environments, embracing iterative development, and a bias for action with continuous learning and adaptation.

• AI-Augmented Design: Demonstrable daily use and advanced understanding of AI tools in design workflows to accelerate processes and enhance outcomes.

• English Proficiency: Full professional proficiency in English, with clear and effective written and verbal communication skills.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience in high-growth or scale-up environments demanding both startup scrappiness and strategic design for scale.

• Familiarity with QIMA's industry (quality control, inspection, compliance) and its client base.

• Experience with modular platform design and scalable system architecture.

• Knowledge of front-end development principles and basic coding (HTML, CSS, JavaScript) to facilitate code-backed prototyping.

• Experience with specific analytics and reporting tools relevant to digital product performance.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "approximately 7 years" experience requirement, coupled with the emphasis on ownership and complex problem-solving, indicates a mid-to-senior level role. The explicit mention of "code-backed prototypes" and AI integration sets a high bar for technical and forward-thinking design skills.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A robust portfolio showcasing end-to-end design projects, with a critical emphasis on functional, interactive prototypes rather than solely polished mock-ups.

• Specific case studies detailing how prototypes you built directly influenced engineering decisions, unblocked development, or resolved ambiguities.

• Evidence of rigorous user research and discovery processes integrated into your design workflow, with clear articulation of how insights shaped the final product.

• Examples demonstrating a commitment to UX craft and attention to detail, comparable to leading consumer and enterprise products.

• Projects that illustrate experience in high-growth or scale-up environments, showcasing adaptability and the ability to design for scale. Process Documentation:

• Clearly documented design processes, from initial client discovery and user research to iterative prototyping, testing, and handoff to engineering.

• Demonstrations of how you have established or improved design workflows to enhance efficiency, collaboration, and speed of delivery.

• Examples of how you have defined and tracked key performance indicators (KPIs) for digital products to measure impact and drive continuous improvement.

• Documentation of how AI tools have been integrated into your design processes to accelerate tasks, generate new ideas, or enhance the quality of deliverables.

📝 Enhancement Note: The portfolio requirement is a significant differentiator for this role. Candidates must prove their ability to move beyond static visuals and deliver tangible, functional prototypes that directly impact development. This aligns with a GTM operations focus on product-market fit and efficient Go-to-Market execution.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: Based on industry benchmarks for Lead UX Designers with 7-10 years of experience in major European tech hubs like Lisbon, Paris, or London, and considering the hybrid work arrangement and specialized skills (AI-augmented design, code-backed prototyping), a competitive annual salary range would typically fall between €60,000 and €90,000. This estimate accounts for the specialized nature of the role, the required seniority, and the cost of living in preferred European locations.

Benefits:

• Health Insurance: Comprehensive health, dental, and vision coverage.

• Retirement Savings Plan: Contribution-based pension or 401(k) equivalent.

• Paid Time Off: Generous vacation days, public holidays, and sick leave.

• Professional Development: Budget for conferences, training, courses, and certifications to support continuous learning in UX, AI, and related fields.

• Hybrid Work Flexibility: Core hours with flexibility to structure the week around focused delivery and collaboration needs.

• Potential for Bonuses: Performance-based bonuses tied to individual and company achievements.

• Relocation Assistance: Support for candidates relocating to preferred office locations (Paris, Madrid, London).

Working Hours: 40 hours per week, with flexible core hours to accommodate collaboration and focused work. This hybrid model allows for structuring the week around focused delivery and team needs.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary estimate is based on research for similar Lead UX Designer roles in comparable European cities, factoring in the hybrid nature and the explicit need for advanced prototyping and AI skills. Benefits are typical for tech roles in this region.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Quality Control, Inspection, and Compliance Services. QIMA operates in a B2B service industry critical to global supply chains, serving a wide array of clients from large retailers to small businesses and farmers. This diverse client base necessitates a deep understanding of varied business contexts and user needs.

Company Size: QIMA is a global company with a significant employee base, indicating a structured organization with established processes, yet also likely retaining elements of agility and growth-orientation typical of companies in this sector.

Founded: While the founding date isn't explicitly provided, QIMA has established a global presence, suggesting a history of steady growth and expansion in the quality assurance market.

Team Structure:

• The role is within the Technology department, focusing on product design and client experience.

• The Lead Designer will likely work within a product team structure, collaborating closely with Product Managers, UX Researchers, UI Designers, and Engineering teams.

• There will be significant cross-functional interaction with Sales, Marketing, Operations, and Finance departments to align design strategy with business goals. Methodology:

• Data-Driven Design: Emphasis on using quantitative and qualitative data from user research and analytics to inform design decisions and measure impact.

• Agile & Iterative Development: A commitment to agile methodologies, rapid prototyping, continuous feedback, and iterative delivery to ensure speed and adaptability.

• Client-Centricity: A core philosophy of understanding and serving the diverse needs of QIMA's global client base.

• AI Integration: A strategic focus on leveraging AI to enhance design processes, accelerate delivery, and innovate client offerings.

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

📝 Enhancement Note: QIMA's industry requires a blend of technical understanding, robust process management, and a strong client focus. The company's scale suggests that operational efficiency and scalability are key concerns, making this UX role crucial for business growth.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role represents a Lead position within the UX/Product Design function, indicating significant autonomy, strategic influence, and potential mentorship responsibilities. It bridges individual contribution with strategic direction, focusing on driving tangible improvements in client-facing digital products.

Reporting Structure: The Lead Designer will likely report to a Head of Product, Director of Design, or a senior technology leader. They will collaborate closely with product management and engineering leadership.

Operations Impact: The role's direct impact is on enhancing the client digital experience, which is a critical component of QIMA's Go-to-Market strategy. By improving usability, efficiency, and access to insights, this role directly contributes to client satisfaction, retention, adoption rates, and ultimately, revenue growth by making QIMA's services more accessible and valuable.

Growth Opportunities:

• Leadership Development: Potential to grow into a Design Manager or Head of Design role, overseeing larger teams and broader product portfolios.

• Specialization: Opportunity to deepen expertise in AI-augmented design, complex B2B product strategy, or specific client segments.

• Cross-Functional Leadership: Develop stronger business acumen and influence by leading design initiatives that span multiple departments and strategic objectives.

• Mentorship: Opportunity to mentor junior designers and researchers, shaping the future talent within QIMA's design team.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is positioned as a significant growth opportunity for experienced UX professionals, offering both technical specialization and leadership potential within a vital business function. The emphasis on impact and growth aligns well with career progression in GTM and product operations.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Hybrid work model. This means a blend of remote work and in-office collaboration, with preferred office locations in Paris, Madrid, or London.

Office Location(s): Preferred locations include Paris, France; Madrid, Spain; and London, UK. The company also states that candidates based elsewhere in Europe are encouraged to apply if the hybrid model can still work, suggesting flexibility.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Environment: The hybrid model necessitates intentional collaboration, with opportunities for in-person brainstorming, workshops, and team syncs during office days.

• Tools & Technology: Access to industry-standard design and prototyping tools (e.g., Figma), with a strong emphasis on leveraging AI tools and potentially no-code/low-code platforms.

• Cross-Functional Interaction: Ample opportunities to interact with diverse teams (engineering, product, sales, marketing, operations) to gain a holistic understanding of the business and contribute to strategic decisions.

Work Schedule: Flexible core hours within a 40-hour work week. This allows for individual work optimization while ensuring availability for essential team meetings and collaborative sessions.

📝 Enhancement Note: The hybrid nature and preferred locations suggest a global company with a strong presence in key European tech hubs, offering a balance of flexibility and in-person collaboration crucial for design and product development.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: Review of resume and portfolio to assess experience, skills, and alignment with role requirements.

• Portfolio Deep Dive: A session focused on presenting and discussing key projects from the portfolio, with specific emphasis on functional prototypes and research methodologies. Expect questions about challenges, solutions, and impact.

• Design Challenge/Case Study: A practical exercise, potentially involving a real-world problem or scenario, to assess problem-solving skills, design thinking, and prototyping capabilities. This may be presented live or as a take-home assignment.

• Stakeholder Interviews: Meetings with Product Management, Engineering Leads, and potentially representatives from Sales or Operations to evaluate collaboration style, business acumen, and cultural fit.

• Final Interview: Discussion with senior leadership to assess strategic thinking, leadership potential, and overall alignment with QIMA's vision.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Highlight Prototypes: Clearly showcase functional prototypes and explain their role in the development process. Be ready to demonstrate them.

• Quantify Impact: Whenever possible, use data and metrics to demonstrate the business impact of your design work (e.g., increased conversion, reduced errors, improved efficiency).

• Showcase Research Process: Detail your approach to user research and discovery, explaining how insights informed your design decisions.

• Explain AI Integration: Be prepared to discuss how you've used AI tools to enhance your design process and outcomes.

• Tell a Story: Structure your case studies as narratives, clearly outlining the problem, your approach, the solution, and the results.

Challenge Preparation:

• Understand QIMA's Business: Research QIMA's services, target clients, and industry to contextualize any design challenges.

• Focus on Prototype Deliverables: Prepare to demonstrate your ability to quickly create functional prototypes that address specific user needs or business problems.

• Emphasize Collaboration: Be ready to articulate how you would collaborate with engineering, product, and other stakeholders to deliver solutions.

• Data-Driven Justification: Practice using hypothetical data or making logical assumptions to justify design decisions.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on functional prototypes and AI integration in the interview process suggests that QIMA is looking for designers who are not only creative but also highly practical and forward-thinking, capable of directly contributing to product development velocity.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Prototyping & Design: Figma (advanced interactive features), potentially other no-code/low-code prototyping tools (e.g., ProtoPie, Axure RP), and basic front-end code (HTML, CSS, JavaScript) for code-backed prototypes.

• UX Research: Tools for surveys, interviews, usability testing (e.g., UserTesting.com, Lookback, SurveyMonkey, Typeform).

• AI-Augmented Design: Various AI tools for ideation, content generation, image creation, code assistance, and workflow acceleration (specific tools will depend on the candidate's daily usage).

Analytics & Reporting:

• Web Analytics Platforms (e.g., Google Analytics, Adobe Analytics) for tracking user behavior and digital product performance.

• Data Visualization Tools (e.g., Tableau, Power BI, Looker) for creating dashboards and reporting on key UX metrics.

• A/B Testing Platforms (e.g., Optimizely, VWO) for experimental design and optimization. CRM & Automation:

• While not directly a design tool, understanding how CRM systems (e.g., Salesforce) and marketing automation platforms impact client journeys can be beneficial for context.

📝 Enhancement Note: The technology stack emphasizes a modern, integrated approach to design and product development, with a clear need for proficiency in advanced prototyping tools and a proactive stance on leveraging AI for efficiency and innovation.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Client Focus: A deep commitment to understanding and serving the needs of QIMA's diverse global client base, ensuring digital experiences are valuable and user-friendly.

• Excellence & Craftsmanship: Upholding high standards of quality, attention to detail, and continuous improvement in design work, akin to leading consumer and enterprise products.

• Collaboration & Partnership: Fostering strong working relationships across departments to achieve shared business objectives and ensure design solutions are well-integrated.

• Innovation & Agility: Embracing new technologies (like AI) and agile methodologies to deliver value iteratively and at pace.

• Ownership & Accountability: Taking initiative, driving projects forward, and being accountable for outcomes and impact.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-Functional Integration: Working hand-in-hand with engineering, product, sales, marketing, and operations to ensure alignment and effective execution.

• Evidence-Based Decision Making: Relying on data, research insights, and prototype feedback rather than opinions to guide design direction.

• Iterative Feedback Loops: Encouraging continuous feedback and iteration among team members and stakeholders to refine designs and processes.

• Knowledge Sharing: Proactively sharing insights, best practices, and learnings to elevate the collective capability of the design and product teams.

📝 Enhancement Note: The culture emphasizes a blend of rigorous execution, client-centricity, and forward-thinking innovation, driven by data and collaborative effort. This is characteristic of successful GTM and product operations teams focused on growth and efficiency.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Bridging Design & Engineering: The primary challenge is effectively translating complex design concepts into functional, code-backed prototypes that engineering can build from directly, minimizing ambiguity and handoff friction.

• Diverse User Needs: Catering to a remarkably diverse global client base, each with unique pain points, workflows, and technical proficiencies, requires sophisticated research and design strategies.

• Balancing Scale & Specificity: Designing a modular platform experience that is scalable across divisions while also meeting the specific needs of different client segments and services.

• Demonstrating ROI: Clearly articulating and measuring the business impact of UX improvements and design initiatives to secure continued investment and prioritization.

• AI Integration at Scale: Effectively embedding AI into design workflows and client-facing products in a way that genuinely enhances user experience and business value, not just as a novelty.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Advanced Prototyping Techniques: Deepening skills in code-backed prototyping, no-code/low-code tools, and leveraging AI for rapid iteration.

• AI in Design and Product: Staying at the forefront of AI's application in UX research, design generation, and product feature development.

• B2B Product Strategy: Gaining deeper insights into the complexities of B2B product development, client acquisition, and retention strategies in a global service industry.

• Cross-Functional Leadership: Developing stronger business acumen and influence by leading design initiatives that impact multiple departments and strategic goals.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges are directly tied to the role's core responsibilities, emphasizing practical execution, strategic thinking, and adaptation to evolving technologies and user needs. The growth opportunities are aligned with career progression in design leadership and specialized technical skills.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you moved a product from static mock-ups to a functional prototype that directly influenced engineering. What was your process, and what was the outcome?" (Focus on process, impact, and prototype utility)

• "How do you approach user research for a diverse, global client base with varying needs? Provide an example of how your research directly shaped a design decision." (Focus on research methodology, insight synthesis, and decision-making)

• "Explain your philosophy on setting and maintaining a high standard of UX craft. How would you translate that standard to QIMA's client experience?" (Focus on design principles, attention to detail, and brand alignment)

• "How do you build internal partnerships and alignment for design initiatives, especially when dealing with stakeholders from different departments like sales, operations, or finance?" (Focus on communication, influence, and cross-functional collaboration) Company & Culture Questions:

• "Based on your understanding of QIMA and the role, what do you see as the biggest opportunity for the client digital experience?" (Demonstrate research and strategic thinking)

• "How do you balance the need for simplicity for occasional users with the demand for speed and control for power users, as mentioned in the job description?" (Showcase nuanced design thinking)

• "What is your experience working in a hybrid environment, and how do you ensure effective collaboration and delivery?" (Assess adaptability and teamwork)

• "How do you stay ahead of the curve with AI-augmented design practices, and how would you integrate them into QIMA's workflow?" (Evaluate proactive learning and AI proficiency) Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure: Begin with a high-level overview of the project, followed by the problem statement, your role, research/discovery, design process (emphasizing prototypes), key decisions, challenges, and quantifiable results.

• Prototype Demonstration: Be ready to walk through interactive prototypes, explaining the user flow and the rationale behind design choices.

• Quantify Impact: Use metrics and data points to highlight the success of your projects. If exact numbers aren't available, use logical reasoning and estimated impact.

• AI Integration: Clearly articulate where and how AI tools were used in your projects and the benefits they provided.

• Conciseness: Focus on the most impactful projects that best demonstrate your skills relevant to this role.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation should focus on demonstrating practical application of design skills, understanding of business impact, and proactive adoption of new technologies like AI, all within a collaborative, client-centric framework.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Lead Designer, UX Research and Prototyping position:

• Submit your application through the QIMA careers portal or the provided link.

• Customize Your Resume: Tailor your resume to highlight your experience in UX research, functional prototyping, stakeholder management, and AI-augmented design, using keywords from the job description. Quantify achievements wherever possible.

• Curate Your Portfolio: Select 2-3 of your most relevant projects that showcase your ability to create functional prototypes, conduct rigorous research, and drive measurable business impact. Ensure these projects clearly demonstrate your skills in areas like AI integration and hybrid work collaboration.

• Prepare Your Presentation: Practice walking through your portfolio projects, focusing on clear storytelling, demonstrating interactive prototypes, and articulating the business value and impact of your work. Be ready to discuss your experience with AI tools and hybrid collaboration.

• Research QIMA: Familiarize yourself with QIMA's services, client base, industry, and recent news to demonstrate your understanding and interest during 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.