Lead UX Designer

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Lead UX Designer

Company: AT&T

Location: Austin, Texas, United States; Dallas, Texas, United States

Job Type: FULL_TIME

Category: Product Design / User Experience

Date Posted: 2026-06-02

Experience Level: 5-10 Years

Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• Lead the end-to-end design and optimization of user experiences for AT&T's mass market products, focusing on acquisition, care, and core product functionalities.

• Drive innovation and strategic product design initiatives by collaborating closely with product managers, UX researchers, and engineering teams to translate complex business needs into intuitive and seamless customer interactions.

• Champion modern design practices, including Design Thinking and Lean UX methodologies, to refine user interfaces and workflows through continuous user testing and feedback.

• Mentor junior designers, foster a culture of innovation, and effectively communicate complex design rationale and strategic vision to senior leadership and non-design stakeholders.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is classified as "On-site" with a requirement for a minimum of 5 days per week in the office, indicating a strong emphasis on in-person collaboration and team synergy within AT&T's product design and innovation hubs.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Design and Prototyping: Create high-fidelity wireframes, interactive prototypes, and user interface elements that align with brand guidelines and deliver exceptional user experiences across various platforms.

• User Research & Information Architecture: Conduct comprehensive user research to deeply understand customer needs and behaviors, and architect information flow and product structure for optimal usability and accessibility.

• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Partner effectively with product managers, UX researchers, engineers, and other stakeholders to ensure cohesive design solutions and drive product development from concept to launch.

• Usability & Accessibility Compliance: Ensure all designs meet stringent usability and accessibility standards, adhering to WCAG guidelines and internal company policies.

• Strategic Leadership & Mentorship: Provide design direction, mentor junior designers, and foster an environment that encourages innovation and the development of groundbreaking solutions.

• Stakeholder Communication: Articulate design rationale and strategic vision clearly and compellingly to senior leaders, including C-suite executives, to secure buy-in and advance design initiatives.

• Process Improvement: Continuously analyze design performance, identify opportunities for enhancement, and stay abreast of industry trends and emerging technologies to elevate AT&T's product design practices.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a blend of hands-on design execution and strategic leadership, emphasizing the candidate's ability to influence product direction and mentor others within a large, established organization like AT&T.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: While specific degree requirements are not listed, a Bachelor's or Master's degree in Design, Human-Computer Interaction, Psychology, or a related field is typically expected for Lead UX Designer roles.

Experience: 7+ years of progressive experience in interaction design, product design, or UX design, with demonstrated success in creating intuitive and engaging user interfaces. A minimum of 3 years leading collaborative design sessions with diverse stakeholders is also required.

Required Skills:

• Interaction & Product Design: Proven expertise in designing user flows, wireframes, and interactive prototypes for complex digital products.

• User-Centered Methodologies: Deep understanding and practical application of Design Thinking and Lean UX principles, including iterative refinement through user testing.

• Portfolio Excellence: A robust portfolio showcasing end-to-end product design process, user-centered thinking, and successful product launches.

• Design Tool Proficiency: Mastery of industry-standard design and prototyping tools, specifically Figma, FigJam, and Lovable.

• Collaboration with Engineering: Experience working closely with engineering teams to translate designs into functional product features and manage release cycles.

• Communication & Presentation: Exceptional verbal and written communication, presentation skills, and the ability to articulate design rationale to both technical and non-technical audiences, including senior leadership.

• Information Architecture & Usability: Strong knowledge of information architecture principles, usability best practices, and accessibility standards (e.g., WCAG).

• Leadership & Mentorship: Demonstrated ability to lead design initiatives, mentor junior designers, and facilitate collaborative design sessions.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience in telecommunications or a related large-scale consumer technology industry.

• Familiarity with A/B testing and data analysis to inform design decisions.

• Experience with design systems and component-based design.

• Understanding of front-end development principles (HTML, CSS, JavaScript) to better collaborate with engineers.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on specific tools like Figma, FigJam, and Lovable, alongside methodologies like Design Thinking and Lean UX, indicates AT&T's commitment to modern design practices and efficient workflow. The requirement for senior leadership communication highlights the strategic impact expected from this role.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• End-to-End Case Studies: Showcase at least 3-5 comprehensive case studies detailing your process from problem identification and user research through to final design solutions and their impact.

• Problem Framing & Solution: Clearly articulate the user problem or business challenge addressed in each case study and how your design solution effectively resolved it.

• Process Documentation: Illustrate your design process, including user research methods, wireframing, prototyping, usability testing, and iteration cycles.

• Visual Design & Interaction: Present high-fidelity mockups and interactive prototypes that demonstrate your UI design skills and understanding of interaction design principles.

• Quantifiable Impact: Whenever possible, include metrics demonstrating the success of your designs, such as improvements in conversion rates, task completion times, user satisfaction scores, or reduction in support tickets.

Process Documentation:

• Workflow Design: Demonstrate experience in mapping out and optimizing user workflows for acquisition, care, or product usage scenarios.

• Design System Contribution: Evidence of contributing to or utilizing design systems to ensure consistency and efficiency across multiple products.

• Collaboration Protocols: Showcase how you document and share design decisions and rationale with cross-functional teams.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a Lead UX Designer role at a company like AT&T, a portfolio must go beyond just showcasing polished visuals. It needs to clearly demonstrate strategic thinking, a robust understanding of user-centered methodologies, and the ability to drive tangible business outcomes through design.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $143,800.00 - $215,800.00 USD Annually.

• Note on Salary: The stated salary range is competitive for a Lead UX Designer role in major US tech hubs. The final salary will be determined by factors such as geographic location (Austin and Dallas are both significant markets), the candidate's specific experience, expertise, and educational background.

Benefits:

• Comprehensive Health: Medical, Dental, and Vision coverage.

• Retirement Savings: 401(k) plan with company contributions.

• Professional Development: Tuition reimbursement program to support continuous learning.

• Generous Paid Time Off: A minimum of 23 days of vacation annually, plus 9 company-designated holidays.

• Family Support: Paid Parental Leave, Paid Caregiver Leave, and Adoption Reimbursement.

• Income Protection: Short-term and long-term disability benefits, Life and Accidental Death Insurance.

• Supplemental Benefits: Critical Illness, Accident Hospital Indemnity, and Group Legal services.

• Wellness & Support: Employee Assistance Programs (EAP), extensive employee wellness programs.

• Exclusive Discounts: Up to 50% off eligible AT&T mobility plans, accessories, internet, and phone services.

Working Hours: 40 hours per week. This is a full-time, regular position, with a clear expectation of 5 days per week in the office.

📝 Enhancement Note: AT&T offers a robust benefits package, common for large telecommunications and technology companies, emphasizing health, well-being, and financial security. The inclusion of generous PTO and family leave policies reflects a commitment to work-life balance, despite the on-site requirement.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Telecommunications, Technology, Media. AT&T operates at the intersection of these critical sectors, providing a dynamic environment with constant innovation in connectivity, entertainment, and enterprise solutions.

Company Size: Large Enterprise (typically 100,000+ employees). This scale offers opportunities for broad impact, exposure to diverse projects, and structured career paths, but also implies navigating a complex organizational structure.

Founded: 1983 (as AT&T Corporation, with roots tracing back to the Bell System). This long history signifies stability, a deep understanding of core infrastructure, and a continuous evolution to remain a leader in a rapidly changing market.

Team Structure:

• Reporting: The Lead UX Designer reports to the AVP of Product Design and Innovation for Mass Markets.

• Team Composition: The team includes product designers, UX researchers, and product managers, fostering a multidisciplinary approach to product development.

• Organizational Context: This team is part of a newly formed discipline and organization reporting to the Chief Product Officer (CPO), indicating a strategic focus on elevating product design and innovation across AT&T.

Methodology:

• Customer-Centricity: The team is focused on discovering customer problems and applying user-centered solutions.

• Innovation Focus: Emphasis on driving AT&T's future growth through innovative technology solutions and differentiated customer experiences.

• Agile & Iterative: While not explicitly stated, the mention of Design Thinking and Lean UX implies an iterative approach to design and development, working closely with engineering to deliver features.

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

📝 Enhancement Note: Joining AT&T's Product and Innovation Design team offers a chance to influence the direction of a major player in the tech and telecommunications industry. The recent organizational structure under the CPO suggests a high level of executive support and investment in design's strategic role.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: Lead UX Designer. This position signifies a senior-level individual contributor role with significant responsibility for guiding design strategy, execution, and team mentorship. It sits above mid-level designers and below design managers or directors.

Reporting Structure: Reports directly to an Assistant Vice President (AVP), indicating visibility and direct access to senior leadership within the product design and innovation function. This also suggests significant autonomy in project execution and design strategy.

Operations Impact: The role is pivotal in shaping customer experiences for AT&T's mass market offerings, directly impacting customer acquisition, retention, and overall satisfaction. The designs developed will influence how millions of customers interact with AT&T's products and services, contributing to revenue growth and brand loyalty.

Growth Opportunities:

• Leadership Progression: Potential to move into a Design Manager or Director role, overseeing larger teams and broader product portfolios.

• Specialization: Opportunity to deepen expertise in specific areas such as accessibility, design systems, or product strategy within the mass markets domain.

• Cross-Functional Leadership: Develop stronger partnerships with product and engineering leadership, potentially leading to roles with broader strategic influence across the product organization.

• Innovation Leadership: Contribute to shaping AT&T's future product roadmap and driving innovation through design.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Lead" title implies not just technical expertise but also leadership potential. The reporting structure to an AVP and the focus on C-suite communication suggest a clear path for career advancement into more strategic and managerial roles within AT&T's product organization.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The job description specifies "this position requires office presence of a minimum of 5 days per week." This indicates a traditional office environment, likely within a corporate campus or office building, designed for in-person collaboration.

Office Location(s): Austin, Texas, and Dallas, Texas. These are major technology and business hubs, offering a vibrant professional ecosystem. The specific address mentioned for Austin (9505 Arboretum Blvd) suggests a dedicated corporate office space.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Spaces: Expect a work environment designed to foster collaboration, likely including meeting rooms, brainstorming areas, and open-plan workspaces that facilitate interaction with design, product, and engineering teams.

• Technology & Tools: Access to high-performance workstations, design software (Figma, FigJam, Lovable), and other necessary technological infrastructure to support complex design work.

• Team Interaction: Frequent opportunities for direct interaction with colleagues, including designers, researchers, product managers, and engineers, enabling seamless project execution and knowledge sharing.

Work Schedule: A standard 40-hour work week is expected. While the role is on-site, AT&T's benefits suggest a focus on work-life balance, with generous PTO and family leave policies. However, the on-site requirement means flexibility for remote work is not an option for this position.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on a minimum of 5 days per week in the office is a key differentiator. Candidates should be prepared for a fully on-site role, valuing in-person collaboration and team dynamics. The locations in Austin and Dallas are significant tech centers, offering good work-life balance outside of office hours.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A recruiter or hiring manager will likely review your resume and portfolio for alignment with the core requirements.

• Portfolio Presentation: Expect a dedicated session where you present your portfolio to the hiring team. This is a critical opportunity to showcase your design process, strategic thinking, and impact. Be prepared to walk through 2-3 key case studies in detail.

• Design Challenge/Case Study: You may be given a take-home assignment or an in-person/virtual design challenge to assess your problem-solving skills, design approach, and ability to work within constraints.

• Stakeholder Interviews: Interviews with cross-functional partners (Product Managers, Engineering Leads, UX Researchers) to assess collaboration style, communication skills, and ability to integrate design into the broader product development lifecycle.

• Leadership Interview: A final interview with the AVP or other senior leaders to evaluate strategic thinking, leadership potential, and cultural fit.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Focus on Process: Clearly articulate the "why" behind your design decisions, not just the "what." Detail your research methods, ideation process, and iteration cycles.

• Quantify Impact: Wherever possible, use data and metrics to demonstrate the success and business value of your designs.

• Tell a Story: Structure your case studies as compelling narratives that highlight the problem, your approach, and the positive outcomes.

• Tailor to AT&T: Understand AT&T's business and customer base. Highlight projects that demonstrate experience with large-scale consumer products, complex systems, or user acquisition/care scenarios.

• Showcase Leadership: Include examples of how you've mentored others, led design discussions, or influenced stakeholders.

Challenge Preparation:

• Understand the Context: If given a design challenge, ensure you fully understand the problem statement, target audience, and business goals. Ask clarifying questions.

• Structure Your Approach: Outline your steps before diving into solutions. Consider user research, ideation, sketching, wireframing, and key user flows.

• Communicate Your Thinking: Clearly articulate your assumptions, decisions, and rationale throughout the challenge.

• Focus on Key Deliverables: Aim to deliver a polished solution that demonstrates your core competencies, even if time is limited.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process for a Lead role at AT&T will heavily scrutinize not only design skills but also leadership capabilities, strategic thinking, and the ability to influence at various organizational levels. A well-prepared and impactful portfolio presentation is paramount.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Figma: The core tool for UI design, wireframing, prototyping, and collaboration. Proficiency is essential for creating high-fidelity designs and interactive prototypes.

• FigJam: Utilized for collaborative whiteboarding, brainstorming, user flow mapping, and ideation sessions, facilitating real-time teamwork.

• Lovable: Likely a proprietary or specialized tool within AT&T for specific design functions, component management, or design system adherence. Understanding its purpose and integration is key.

Analytics & Reporting:

• While specific tools aren't listed, expect to work with data from platforms like Google Analytics, Adobe Analytics, or internal AT&T dashboards to understand user behavior and measure design impact.

• Proficiency in interpreting data from these sources to inform design iterations and strategy is crucial. CRM & Automation:

• Not directly listed as a UX tool, but understanding how UX designs integrate with CRM systems (like Salesforce) and automation platforms to deliver end-to-end customer journeys is beneficial.

• Familiarity with how user data from these systems informs UX research and design decisions.

📝 Enhancement Note: The explicit mention of Figma, FigJam, and Lovable indicates AT&T's standardized design toolkit. Candidates should be prepared to demonstrate deep proficiency in these tools and understand how they are integrated into a larger product development ecosystem.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Customer Obsession: A deep commitment to understanding and solving customer problems to create exceptional experiences.

• Innovation & Growth: Driving future business growth through creative solutions and embracing new technologies and methodologies.

• Collaboration & Partnership: Working effectively across diverse teams to achieve shared goals and deliver cohesive products.

• Excellence & Quality: Maintaining high standards in design execution, documentation, and user experience.

• Data-Driven Decision Making: Leveraging insights from user research and analytics to inform design strategies and measure impact.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-Functional Integration: A strong emphasis on working closely with Product Management, Engineering, and UX Research to ensure alignment and holistic product development.

• Open Communication: Encouraging open dialogue, feedback exchange, and transparent sharing of design rationale and decisions.

• Mentorship & Knowledge Sharing: A culture where senior team members actively mentor junior colleagues and knowledge is shared freely to elevate the team's collective expertise.

• Agile Mindset: Embracing iterative development, flexibility, and continuous improvement in processes and outcomes.

📝 Enhancement Note: AT&T's culture, especially within its product innovation groups, likely values a blend of structured process and creative problem-solving. The emphasis on collaboration and customer-centricity is paramount for success in this role.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Scale and Complexity: Navigating the intricate systems and massive user base of a company like AT&T, ensuring designs are scalable, performant, and accessible to millions.

• Organizational Inertia: Influencing change and driving adoption of modern design practices within a large, established organization, which may involve overcoming legacy processes or resistance.

• Balancing Stakeholder Needs: Effectively managing and synthesizing requirements from diverse stakeholders (business, technical, user) to create unified and effective design solutions.

• Maintaining Design Quality: Ensuring consistent high quality and adherence to design standards across a broad portfolio of products and features, especially under tight deadlines.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Strategic Impact: Opportunity to shape the product direction for AT&T's mass market offerings, impacting millions of users.

• Leadership Development: Formal and informal mentorship opportunities to develop leadership skills, project management, and strategic influence.

• Industry Exposure: Working with cutting-edge technologies and understanding the telecommunications and media landscape at a deep level.

• Advanced Design Skills: Opportunities to hone expertise in areas like accessibility, design systems, and advanced prototyping techniques through challenging projects.

• Cross-Disciplinary Learning: Gaining deeper insights into business strategy, engineering constraints, and product management methodologies.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role offers significant challenges inherent to leading design at a large enterprise, but these challenges are directly tied to substantial growth and development opportunities, particularly in strategic leadership and influencing organizational change.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you had to present a complex design strategy to C-suite executives. How did you tailor your message and what was the outcome?" (Focus on storytelling, business rationale, and impact.)

• "How do you approach organizing and creating holistic product design at scale within a large organization?" (Highlight experience with design systems, process standardization, and cross-functional alignment.)

• "Walk us through a situation where you had to simplify an ambiguous or complex problem space for your team and stakeholders." (Demonstrate your problem-framing skills and ability to create clarity.) Company & Culture Questions:

• "What excites you most about AT&T's mission or its role in the telecommunications industry?" (Research AT&T's current strategic initiatives, recent news, and market position.)

• "How do you foster a culture of innovation and collaboration within a design team and with non-design partners?" (Provide examples of mentoring, workshops, or communication strategies.)

• "How do you measure the success of your design work and communicate its value to business stakeholders?" (Prepare to discuss metrics, ROI, and impact on business objectives.) Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure is Key: Begin with a brief overview of your role and the scope of your work. Then, dive into 2-3 detailed case studies.

• Problem-Solution-Impact: For each case study, clearly define the problem, outline your design process and key decisions, and showcase the quantifiable impact of your solution.

• Visuals & Interactivity: Use high-fidelity mockups and interactive prototypes to bring your designs to life. Ensure smooth transitions and clear demonstrations of user flows.

• Be Conversational: Engage your audience, invite questions, and be prepared to discuss your choices and challenges openly. Show your passion for design and problem-solving.

• Highlight Leadership: Weave in examples of your leadership, mentorship, and collaboration throughout your presentation.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation should focus on demonstrating not just design proficiency but also strategic thinking, communication prowess, and leadership potential. Quantifiable results and a clear understanding of AT&T's business context will be critical.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Lead UX Designer position:

• Submit your application through the AT&T Workday portal using the provided link.

• Portfolio Customization: Ensure your portfolio is up-to-date and prominently features end-to-end case studies that align with AT&T's focus on customer experience, scale, and strategic impact. Highlight projects involving user acquisition, care, or complex product interactions.

• Resume Optimization: Tailor your resume to highlight 7+ years of relevant experience, specific UX methodologies (Design Thinking, Lean UX), proficiency in Figma/FigJam/Lovable, and leadership/mentorship achievements. Use keywords from the job description.

• Interview Preparation: Practice articulating your design process, rationale, and the impact of your work. Prepare to discuss your experience in leading design sessions and communicating with senior leadership.

• Company Research: Familiarize yourself with AT&T's current products, services, target markets, and recent company news to demonstrate genuine interest and understanding of their business context.

⚠️ Important Notice: This enhanced job description includes AI-generated insights and industry-standard assumptions. All details should be verified directly with the hiring organization before making application decisions.