Lead UX Designer - Platform Tools

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Lead UX Designer - Platform Tools

Company: Quince

Location: Palo Alto, California, United States

Job Type: Full-Time

Category: Product Design / UX Design (Internal Tools)

Date Posted: 2026-09-04

Experience Level: Mid-Senior Level (7+ years)

Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• Lead the end-to-end UX design for critical internal Platform Tools that power Quince's operational efficiency, including warehouse management, logistics, and data-heavy interfaces.

• Drive product strategy and detailed design for ambiguous, complex B2B and enterprise-level product areas, requiring strong systems thinking and problem-solving skills.

• Collaborate deeply with Product Management, Engineering, Operations, and end-users to identify needs, define problems, and deliver scalable, user-centric solutions.

• Champion and evolve Quince's design system and AI-native design principles, actively leveraging AI tools to accelerate design processes and innovation.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is positioned as a senior individual contributor with significant ownership and autonomy over specific product areas within Quince's internal platform. The emphasis on "builders by builders" and "challenging the status quo" suggests a fast-paced, innovative environment where proactive problem-solving and strategic thinking are paramount. The explicit mention of AI-native design and tools like Claude and Figma Make indicates a forward-thinking approach to design processes.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Own the entire UX design lifecycle for assigned Platform Tool product areas, from initial problem definition and product strategy through detailed design, implementation oversight, and post-launch iteration.

• Conduct user research, workflow analysis, and stakeholder interviews to deeply understand the needs of diverse operational users and identify key pain points and opportunities for improvement.

• Develop comprehensive information architecture, user flows, wireframes, prototypes, and high-fidelity UI designs for complex, data-rich interfaces and multi-state workflows.

• Translate intricate business requirements and ambiguous problem statements into clear, efficient, and scalable user experiences that support critical business and operational functions.

• Partner closely with Product Managers to refine product roadmaps and with Engineering teams to ensure the successful and high-quality implementation of designed solutions, maintaining design integrity.

• Contribute to and actively utilize Quince's Platform Design System and AI-Native Design System, developing reusable patterns and advocating for design system adoption across the platform.

• Proactively identify opportunities to leverage AI tools (e.g., Claude, Figma Make) to enhance design exploration, rapid prototyping, iteration cycles, and collaboration with engineering.

• Design for complex operational scenarios involving multiple user roles, permissions, exceptions, and interdependencies, ensuring robustness and usability in demanding environments.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a strategic, end-to-end ownership that goes beyond traditional UI design. The role requires a deep understanding of operational workflows, systems thinking, and the ability to navigate ambiguity. Emphasis on AI tools suggests a need for candidates comfortable with emerging design technologies and methodologies.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: A Bachelor's or Master's degree in Human-Computer Interaction, Design, Computer Science, or a related field, or equivalent practical experience.

Experience:

• Minimum of 7 years of dedicated UX or Product Design experience, with a strong emphasis on complex B2B, enterprise, SaaS, or operational product environments.

• Demonstrated experience as a senior individual contributor, capable of independently owning and driving ambiguous product problems from conception to delivery.

• Proven track record of designing and shipping successful complex, data-heavy interfaces and operational workflows. Required Skills:

• Expert UX and Visual Judgment: Ability to craft intuitive and efficient user experiences for complex, data-intensive applications.

• Systems Thinking & Interaction Design: Strong capability in defining information architecture, interaction models, and user flows for intricate systems.

• Problem Definition & Product Strategy: Proficiency in partnering with stakeholders to define problems, scope solutions, and contribute to product strategy.

• Prototyping & Iteration: Hands-on experience creating interactive prototypes to explore design concepts, validate solutions, and facilitate cross-functional alignment.

• Cross-functional Collaboration: Excellent communication and collaboration skills, effectively working with Product Management, Engineering, Operations, and end-users.

• Design System Contribution: Experience contributing to or actively using design systems to ensure consistency and scalability across product lines.

• AI Design Tools Proficiency: Hands-on experience utilizing AI tools such as Claude, Figma Make, or similar AI-powered design and development platforms.

• Understanding of Business & Technical Constraints: Ability to balance user needs with business objectives and technical feasibility.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience in logistics, supply chain, warehouse management, fulfillment, or related operational domains.

• Experience designing user interfaces for physical operational environments.

• Experience creating functional prototypes using front-end code or advanced AI-assisted development tools.

• Experience designing AI-powered product experiences or workflows.

📝 Enhancement Note: The experience requirement of 7+ years for a "Lead" individual contributor role signifies a need for seasoned professionals who can operate with significant autonomy and strategic insight. The emphasis on AI tools is a key differentiator, suggesting a preference for candidates who are early adopters and proficient in leveraging these technologies within their design workflow.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• End-to-End Case Studies: Showcase 2-3 detailed case studies demonstrating ownership of complex product problems from discovery and strategy through to detailed design and implementation. Highlight your role in problem definition, user research, and solution development.

• Operational Workflow Design: Include examples of designing complex workflows, data-heavy interfaces, or systems with multiple states, exceptions, and user roles. Clearly articulate the challenges and your design solutions.

• Systems Thinking & IA: Provide evidence of strong information architecture and systems thinking, illustrating how you structured complex information and interactions.

• Design System Contribution: If applicable, showcase contributions to a design system or how you applied existing design system patterns effectively.

• AI Tool Integration: Specifically highlight projects where you leveraged AI tools (e.g., Claude, Figma Make) to accelerate your design process, explore solutions, or enhance collaboration. Detail the impact of these tools.

Process Documentation:

• Problem Definition & Research: Demonstrate your process for identifying and validating user and business problems through research, data analysis, and stakeholder input.

• Design Methodology: Clearly outline your design process, including ideation, wireframing, prototyping, user testing, and iteration.

• Collaboration & Handoff: Illustrate your methods for collaborating with Product and Engineering teams, including design reviews, feedback incorporation, and detailed specification handoffs.

• Systemic Impact: Show how your designs contributed to measurable improvements in efficiency, usability, or operational outcomes.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a senior UX role focused on internal tools, the portfolio needs to go beyond aesthetic appeal. It must demonstrate strategic thinking, problem-solving capabilities, a deep understanding of complex systems and workflows, and the ability to drive impact. Explicitly showcasing AI tool usage is crucial for this role.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $160,000 - $180,000 USD per year (base salary).

Benefits:

• Performance Bonus: Opportunity for an annual bonus based on individual and company performance.

• Equity: Stock options or other equity grants, providing ownership in Quince's growth and success.

• Comprehensive Health Insurance: Medical, dental, and vision coverage for employees and eligible dependents.

• 401(k) Retirement Plan: With potential company match.

• Paid Time Off (PTO): Generous vacation, sick leave, and paid holidays.

• Professional Development: Opportunities for continued learning, training, and conference attendance.

• Commuter Benefits: For on-site employees in Palo Alto.

Working Hours: Standard 40-hour work week, with flexibility expected for a fast-paced, builder-oriented culture. Occasional extended hours may be required to meet project deadlines or address critical operational needs.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range provided is competitive for a Lead UX Designer role in the Palo Alto, California area, reflecting the experience level and the specialized nature of internal platform tool design. The inclusion of bonus and equity signifies a performance-driven compensation structure common in high-growth tech companies. The working hours note implies a demanding yet flexible environment.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: E-commerce, Retail Technology, Direct-to-Consumer (DTC) with a strong Manufacturer-to-Consumer (M2C) model.

Company Size: Quince is a rapidly scaling company, indicated by its growth and the need for detailed operational tools. While exact numbers are not provided, the description suggests a dynamic organization with a significant operational footprint.

Founded: Quince was founded with the mission to provide high-quality essentials at low prices through a unique M2C model, emphasizing innovation and efficiency from its inception.

Team Structure:

• The UX team operates within a product organization that includes Product Management, Engineering, and Operations. As a Lead UX Designer, you will be a senior individual contributor, likely working closely with a dedicated Product Manager and a team of Engineers for your assigned product areas.

• The reporting structure for UX is not explicitly detailed but is typically within a Product or Design leadership function. This role emphasizes close collaboration across departments.

• Cross-functional collaboration is a cornerstone of Quince's culture, especially between Design, Product, Engineering, and Operations teams, to ensure platform tools effectively support real-world business processes. Methodology:

• Quince employs a data-driven approach to identify opportunities and measure success, with a focus on operational efficiency and customer value.

• Workflow planning and optimization are central to the design of internal tools, aiming to streamline complex processes and reduce friction for operational teams.

• Automation and efficiency are key drivers, with an expectation to leverage technology, including AI, to build better systems and scale operations effectively.

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

📝 Enhancement Note: Quince's culture is heavily defined by its "builder" mentality, data-driven approach, and commitment to challenging the status quo in retail. This translates to an environment where designers are expected to be proactive, strategic, and comfortable with ambiguity, especially when designing tools that directly impact operational efficiency. The M2C model implies a need for tools that manage a complex supply chain and direct customer fulfillment.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is a "Lead" individual contributor position, signifying a senior level of expertise and influence within the UX/Product Design function. It requires significant autonomy, strategic input, and the ability to mentor or guide less experienced designers implicitly through collaboration and best practices. The focus is on deep individual contribution and ownership rather than direct management.

Reporting Structure: While not explicitly stated, a Lead UX Designer typically reports to a Head of Design, Director of Product Design, or a senior Product Manager overseeing the platform tools. This role will involve close collaboration with Product Managers and Engineering leads responsible for the platform tools.

Operations Impact: The work of this Lead UX Designer directly impacts the efficiency, scalability, and effectiveness of Quince's core operations. By optimizing internal tools, the role contributes to faster fulfillment, better inventory management, improved data insights, and ultimately, the company's ability to deliver high-quality products at low prices sustainably. The designs will enable Quince to scale its unique M2C model.

Growth Opportunities:

• Deep Domain Expertise: Develop specialized knowledge in logistics, supply chain, and e-commerce operations, becoming a go-to expert for internal tool design within these domains.

• Leadership in Design Systems & AI: Play a key role in shaping and expanding Quince's Platform Design System and its AI-Native Design System, influencing design standards across the organization.

• Strategic Product Influence: Contribute significantly to product strategy for critical internal platforms, with opportunities to influence the direction of operational technology.

• Mentorship: Opportunities to informally mentor junior designers and contribute to building a strong design culture.

• Career Progression: Potential to move into Principal UX Designer roles, or transition into Product Management or Design Leadership roles as the company grows.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Lead" title in this context emphasizes senior-level contribution and strategic impact, rather than people management. Growth opportunities are geared towards deepening expertise in operational design, influencing design systems, and gaining strategic product experience within a rapidly scaling company.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The role is designated as "On-site" in Palo Alto, California, suggesting a preference for in-person collaboration and team synergy. This environment is likely designed to foster innovation and rapid iteration.

Office Location(s): Palo Alto, California, United States, a hub for technology and innovation, offering access to a vibrant professional community.

Workspace Context:

• The workspace is expected to be collaborative, encouraging direct interaction with Product Managers, Engineers, and Operations stakeholders to quickly iterate on designs and solve complex problems.

• Access to a modern technology stack, including design software, collaboration tools, and importantly, AI-powered design and development tools, is a given.

• Opportunities for frequent interaction with end-users of the platform tools will be available, facilitating a deep understanding of their daily challenges and needs.

Work Schedule: A standard 40-hour work week is expected, but the "builder" culture at Quince implies a dynamic environment where flexibility and dedication to tackling challenging problems are valued. Occasional extended hours may be necessary to meet critical deadlines or address urgent operational needs, consistent with a fast-paced startup environment.

📝 Enhancement Note: The on-site requirement in Palo Alto points to a company that values in-person collaboration for complex problem-solving and rapid iteration. The description of the work environment emphasizes a dynamic, tech-enabled space conducive to innovation and close teamwork.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Application & Screening: Initial review of resume and portfolio to assess experience, skills, and alignment with the role's requirements, particularly regarding complex operational products and AI tool usage.

• Hiring Manager Interview: A conversation with the hiring manager to discuss your background, motivations, understanding of UX for internal tools, and alignment with Quince's culture. Expect questions about your approach to ambiguous problems and ownership.

• Design Exercise/Case Study Presentation: A take-home assignment or a live presentation of a past case study from your portfolio. This will focus on your process for tackling complex operational challenges, your systems thinking, and how you leverage AI tools. You'll be expected to articulate your design decisions and their impact.

• Cross-functional Interviews: Meetings with key stakeholders from Product Management and Engineering to assess your collaboration style, communication skills, and ability to work effectively in a cross-functional team.

• Final Interview: Potentially with a Design or Product leader to discuss your overall fit, strategic thinking, and long-term potential within Quince.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Focus on Impact: Prioritize case studies that demonstrate quantifiable improvements in efficiency, usability, or operational outcomes. Use metrics where possible.

• Showcase Complexity: Highlight projects involving complex workflows, data-heavy interfaces, or systems with intricate logic and multiple user roles.

• Detail Your Process: Clearly articulate your problem-solving methodology, from discovery and research to ideation, iteration, and final design. Explain why you made certain decisions.

• Emphasize AI Tool Usage: Explicitly call out how you integrated AI tools (Claude, Figma Make, etc.) into your workflow. Detail the benefits and outcomes achieved through their use.

• Demonstrate Ownership: Show clear evidence of your individual contribution and leadership in driving projects forward, especially in ambiguous situations.

• Tailor to Quince: Research Quince's M2C model and operational needs. Frame your experience and case studies to show how your skills align with their specific challenges.

Challenge Preparation:

• Anticipate Operational Problems: Be prepared to discuss how you would approach designing solutions for common operational challenges in e-commerce logistics, inventory management, or warehouse operations.

• Practice AI Integration: Be ready to discuss specific examples of how you've used AI tools in your design process and how you envision their future application in UX.

• Articulate Systems Thinking: Practice explaining complex systems and your approach to designing for them, focusing on information architecture and interaction patterns.

• Prepare for Stakeholder Scenarios: Think about how you would handle conflicting requirements or feedback from different departments (Product, Engineering, Operations).

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process emphasizes a practical demonstration of skills through case studies and discussions about complex operational design and AI tool integration. Candidates should be prepared to articulate their process and impact clearly, showcasing their ability to operate as a senior, autonomous designer.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Design & Prototyping: Figma (as indicated by "Figma Make"), potentially Adobe Creative Suite.

• AI Design Tools: Claude, Figma Make, and other emerging AI-powered tools for design exploration, content generation, prototyping, and code assistance.

• Collaboration & Project Management: Tools like Jira, Confluence, Asana, or similar platforms for workflow management and cross-functional communication.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Experience with data visualization tools and platforms to understand user behavior and operational metrics. While specific tools aren't listed, the role involves designing "data-heavy interfaces," implying an understanding of how to present and interact with data effectively. CRM & Automation:

• While not directly designing CRM, an understanding of how internal tools integrate with or support CRM and other business systems is beneficial, especially for operational workflows.

📝 Enhancement Note: The explicit mention of "Claude" and "Figma Make" strongly suggests that proficiency and active use of these AI-powered design tools are not just preferred, but a core requirement for this role. Familiarity with complex enterprise design tools and an understanding of data visualization principles are also critical.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Builder Mentality: A core value at Quince, encouraging individuals to actively create, innovate, and improve systems rather than just maintaining them. This means taking initiative and being proactive.

• Challenge the Status Quo: A willingness to question conventional thinking and explore new, potentially disruptive approaches to retail and operations.

• Data-Driven Decision Making: Reliance on data and analytics to inform decisions, measure impact, and drive continuous improvement in processes and products.

• High Pace & High Bar: A commitment to moving quickly while maintaining rigorous standards for quality and execution, driven by customer expectations.

• Collaboration & Learning: Valuing teamwork, knowledge sharing, and mutual learning from colleagues across all levels and functions.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-functional Integration: Expect a highly collaborative environment where designers work hand-in-hand with Product Managers, Engineers, and Operations teams on a daily basis. This involves open communication, shared problem-solving, and iterative feedback loops.

• Process-Oriented Feedback: A culture that encourages constructive feedback on processes and designs to drive continuous improvement. This includes design reviews and collaborative problem-solving sessions.

• Knowledge Sharing: Emphasis on sharing insights, best practices, and learnings across teams to foster collective growth and efficiency.

📝 Enhancement Note: The culture at Quince is centered around innovation, efficiency, and a "builder" mindset. Designers are expected to be proactive, data-informed, and highly collaborative. The emphasis on "challenging the status quo" suggests an environment that embraces experimentation and new methodologies, including the integration of AI.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Ambiguity and Complexity: Navigating ill-defined problems and highly interconnected operational workflows within a rapidly scaling business.

• Balancing Stakeholder Needs: Effectively managing competing priorities and requirements from various departments (Product, Engineering, Operations, end-users).

• Designing for Diverse Operational Users: Creating intuitive experiences for users in potentially high-pressure, physical environments (e.g., warehouse staff) who may have varying technical proficiencies.

• Integrating AI Seamlessly: Effectively incorporating AI tools into the design process and designing AI-powered features that genuinely enhance user workflows without introducing new complexities.

• Scaling Design Systems: Contributing to and scaling design systems to support a growing platform with diverse functionalities.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Deep Operational Domain Expertise: Gain in-depth knowledge of e-commerce logistics, supply chain management, and warehouse operations, becoming a specialist in designing for these critical business functions.

• AI Design Innovation: Become a leader in the application of AI tools and methodologies within the design process, contributing to Quince's AI-native product strategy.

• Strategic Product Influence: Influence the direction and roadmap of critical internal platforms, gaining experience in product strategy and business impact.

• Mentorship & Leadership: Opportunities to mentor emerging designers and contribute to the growth of the design function.

• Industry Exposure: Potential to attend industry conferences or workshops related to UX, AI, and e-commerce operations.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role presents significant challenges related to complexity and ambiguity, but also offers substantial growth opportunities in specialized operational domains and cutting-edge AI design practices, aligning with Quince's innovative and fast-paced culture.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you owned an ambiguous product problem end-to-end. How did you define the problem, what was your process, and what was the outcome?" (Focus on your structured approach, problem definition, and impact.)

• "How do you approach designing for complex operational workflows with multiple user roles and dependencies? Walk us through an example." (Highlight systems thinking, IA, and user flow mapping.)

• "Tell us about your experience using AI tools like Claude or Figma Make in your design process. What benefits did they provide, and what were the limitations?" (Be specific about your workflows and the impact.)

• "How do you balance user needs, business goals, and technical constraints when designing for enterprise or B2B products?" (Demonstrate your pragmatic approach and negotiation skills.) Company & Culture Questions:

• "What interests you about Quince's M2C model and our mission?" (Research Quince thoroughly and connect it to your passion for design and efficiency.)

• "How do you embody the 'builder' mentality in your work?" (Provide examples of proactively identifying issues and creating solutions.)

• "How would you contribute to our culture of 'challenging the status quo' as a Lead UX Designer?" (Discuss your innovative thinking and willingness to question assumptions.)

• "How do you ensure your designs align with data-driven decision-making and operational efficiency goals?" (Explain how you use metrics and feedback to inform design.) Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure Your Case Studies: For each case study, clearly outline: Problem, Your Role, Process, Solution, and Impact. Use visuals effectively to tell the story.

• Highlight AI Integration: Dedicate a section or specific call-outs within your case studies to showcase how you leveraged AI tools. Explain the "before and after" of using AI.

• Quantify Impact: Whenever possible, present metrics that demonstrate the success of your designs (e.g., reduction in task completion time, increase in efficiency, decrease in errors).

• Articulate Your Thought Process: Be prepared to walk through your wireframes, user flows, and UI decisions, explaining the rationale behind each choice.

• Engage with Questions: Be ready for in-depth questions about your design decisions, problem-solving approaches, and how you handle challenges.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation should focus on demonstrating end-to-end ownership, strategic problem-solving, strong systems thinking, and a clear understanding of how to leverage AI tools within a complex operational context. Candidates must be ready to articulate their process and impact with concrete examples.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Lead UX Designer position:

• Submit your application through Quince's Greenhouse portal.

• Curate Your Portfolio: Select 2-3 of your most relevant case studies that showcase your experience with complex B2B/enterprise/operational products and your proficiency with AI design tools. Ensure each case study clearly outlines the problem, your process, your specific contributions, and the impact achieved.

• Tailor Your Resume: Highlight your 7+ years of UX/Product Design experience, emphasizing achievements related to complex workflows, data-heavy interfaces, systems thinking, and AI tool integration. Use keywords from the job description.

• Prepare Your Presentation: Practice presenting your portfolio case studies, focusing on clear communication, storytelling, and articulating your design rationale and the impact of your work, particularly concerning AI tool usage.

• Research Quince: Understand Quince's M2C model, their mission, and their "builder" culture to articulate your alignment and interest effectively 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.