#128417 - UX/UI Designer

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: UX/UI Designer (Contract)

Company: Lifted, an Upwork Company™

Location: Texas City, Texas, United States

Job Type: Contract

Category: Product Design / User Experience

Date Posted: August 4, 2026

Experience Level: Mid-Level (2-5 years)

Remote Status: Fully Remote

🚀 Role Summary

• Execute product design work across a defined capability backlog, with an initial focus on chatbot functionality and reusable components for a modular design system.

• Translate broad or ambiguous requirements into accessible, responsive, production-ready web experiences, prioritizing technical constraints of a Content Management System (CMS).

• Design and refine career landing pages, job-board experiences, and custom campaign landing pages, ensuring functional parity across desktop and mobile.

• Support platform-wide theming, branding, accessibility (WCAG, ADA), and SEO considerations for a custom-branded career-site platform.

• Collaborate closely with Product and cross-functional stakeholders to ensure design feasibility and readiness for production implementation.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is a contract position focused on executing product design for a career-site platform. The emphasis on reusable components, design systems, and CMS constraints suggests a need for a designer who can balance creative execution with practical implementation realities. The mention of "Lifted, an Upwork Company™" indicates this is a contract role sourced through Upwork's platform for Lifted.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Execute UX/UI design tasks for the career-site product backlog, partnering with Product Management and other cross-functional teams.

• Design the initial chatbot experience and contribute to additional product priorities following the onboarding phase.

• Develop new, reusable components to enhance a modular, component-based design system.

• Create component designs that are compatible with the technical and authoring limitations of a Content Management System (CMS).

• Design and optimize career landing pages, job board interfaces, and specific campaign landing pages.

• Define responsive behavior and ensure consistent functionality across both desktop and mobile interfaces.

• Contribute to platform-wide theming, branding, accessibility standards (WCAG, ADA), and Search Engine Optimization (SEO) best practices.

• Produce detailed designs, interaction flows, prototypes, and component states using Figma.

• Maintain design consistency across component libraries while accommodating diverse client brands and unique use cases.

• Independently manage workload, resolve ambiguities, and maintain design throughput to meet time-sensitive client opportunities.

• Engage with Product and technical stakeholders to confirm design feasibility and readiness for production.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a blend of strategic design thinking (design systems, accessibility, SEO) and tactical execution (creating components, prototypes, and detailed designs). The need to work within CMS constraints and accommodate various client brands points to a role requiring adaptability and a strong understanding of practical web development limitations.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: Not explicitly stated, but a Bachelor's degree in Design, HCI, Computer Science, or a related field is typically expected for this experience level.

Experience: Minimum of four (4) years of product design or UX design experience, with at least two (2) years specifically focused on design systems or component libraries.

Required Skills:

• Four or more years of product design or UX design experience.

• Strong UX and interaction design capabilities; emphasis on user flow and usability over purely visual aesthetics.

• Minimum of two years of experience working with or creating a design system or component library.

• Proven experience designing reusable components for modular or component-based design systems.

• Expertise in responsive and mobile-first web design principles.

• Demonstrated experience shipping responsive marketing pages, product pages, or similar web experiences into production.

• Working knowledge of Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) and Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) standards.

• Practical experience applying accessibility principles to web experiences, interaction states, and reusable components.

• Experience designing within the technical constraints of a Content Management System (CMS).

• Understanding of how CMS content structures, authoring requirements, and platform limitations influence component design.

• Advanced proficiency in Figma, including mastery of component libraries, variants, and Auto Layout.

• Professional experience utilizing Claude (AI Assistant).

• Professional experience utilizing Claude Code (AI Coding Assistant).

• Demonstrated ability to work independently, prioritize tasks effectively, and navigate broad or ambiguous project scopes. Preferred Skills:

• Experience with additional AI-assisted design or development tools (e.g., ChatGPT, Gemini, Cursor, Figma AI).

• Experience in marketing, landing page, or campaign page design.

• Background in B2B or enterprise SaaS product design.

• Enterprise-level design experience is strongly preferred.

• Experience with SEO-aware web design practices.

• Experience in chatbot or conversational UX design.

• Familiarity with recruiting technology, HR technology, career sites, or comparable sales-enablement client sites.

• E-commerce design experience.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Must-Have" qualifications are quite specific, emphasizing practical, production-ready design skills and direct experience with design systems, accessibility, and CMS constraints. The inclusion of Claude and Claude Code suggests a forward-thinking approach to design tooling and AI integration. The "Nice-to-Have" skills point towards a specialization in B2B, SaaS, and HR tech platforms.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Demonstrate a strong portfolio showcasing at least 4+ years of product/UX design experience, with a significant portion dedicated to design systems and reusable components.

• Include case studies that detail the process of designing for CMS constraints and accommodating varied client branding within a modular system.

• Showcase examples of responsive and mobile-first designs, highlighting the thought process behind adapting experiences across devices.

• Present projects where accessibility (WCAG/ADA) was a key consideration, detailing how these principles were integrated into component design and final implementation.

• Provide evidence of experience shipping designs into production, ideally within a SaaS or enterprise context. Process Documentation:

• Detail your process for translating ambiguous requirements into actionable design deliverables, including user flows, wireframes, prototypes, and high-fidelity mockups.

• Explain your approach to collaborating with Product Managers and Engineers, emphasizing how you ensure design feasibility and alignment with technical constraints.

• Illustrate your methodology for creating and maintaining design systems and component libraries, including how you ensure consistency and scalability.

• Showcase your workflow for incorporating AI tools (like Claude) into your design process, explaining how they enhance efficiency or output.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a UX/UI role with this focus, a portfolio is critical. It should not only display visual aesthetics but also deep dives into the design process, problem-solving, system thinking, and practical implementation considerations. Specific case studies on component design, accessibility, and CMS integration will be highly valued.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: As this is a contract role, compensation is typically negotiated based on experience, skills, and location. Based on industry benchmarks for experienced UX/UI Designers with specialized skills in design systems and AI tools, working remotely in the United States, a competitive hourly rate could range from $50 to $80 USD per hour.

Benefits:

• Contract-based engagement with a defined end date (November 30, 2026).

• Approximately 40 hours per week commitment.

• Opportunity to work remotely with a global team (US/LATAM).

• Potential for extension or future contract opportunities with Lifted/Upwork.

• Exposure to cutting-edge AI design tools and enterprise-level SaaS products.

Working Hours: Approximately 40 hours per week. Alignment with Pacific Time (PT) or Central Time (CT) is preferred, suggesting a need for overlap during core business hours for collaboration.

📝 Enhancement Note: Salary is an estimate based on market research for contract UX/UI Designers with 4+ years of experience, specialized skills (design systems, AI tools), and remote work in the US. The specific hourly rate will depend on negotiation and the candidate's demonstrated expertise. Benefits are typical for contract roles, emphasizing flexibility and project scope rather than traditional employee benefits.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Technology, specifically focused on HR Technology and Employer Branding Solutions. Lifted, an Upwork Company™, operates within the professional services and talent marketplace sector.

Company Size: Lifted is part of Upwork, a large global organization. The specific team size for this project is not detailed but is likely a dedicated project team or product pod within Lifted.

Founded: Lifted was acquired by Upwork in 2021, with Upwork itself founded in 2015 through the merger of Elance and oDesk. This indicates a well-established corporate structure with a focus on connecting talent with opportunities.

Team Structure:

• The designer will work within a cross-functional product team, likely including Product Managers, other Designers, and Engineers.

• Collaboration is expected with various stakeholders, including those managing the career-site platform, its clients, and potentially marketing/sales teams.

• Reporting is likely to a Design Lead or Product Manager within the Lifted/Upwork structure. Methodology:

• Agile or iterative development methodologies are likely employed, given the focus on a product backlog and time-sensitive client opportunities.

• Design work will be user-centered, with an emphasis on creating reusable components within a design system and adhering to CMS technical constraints.

• AI-assisted design tools (Claude, Claude Code) are integrated into the workflow, suggesting a modern, efficiency-driven approach.

Company Website: https://www.go-lifted.com/ (Lifted) and https://www.upwork.com/ (Upwork)

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Lifted, an Upwork Company™" branding suggests a blend of specialized service delivery (Lifted) supported by the robust infrastructure and talent network of a large company (Upwork). The culture likely values efficiency, talent utilization, and delivering high-quality, scalable solutions for clients.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is positioned at a Mid-Level (2-5 years of experience) for a UX/UI Designer. It requires independent execution and the ability to translate broad requirements, indicating a level of autonomy beyond junior roles.

Reporting Structure: The designer will likely report to a Product Manager or a Design Lead within the Lifted/Upwork project team. They will collaborate closely with engineers and other cross-functional stakeholders.

Operations Impact: The designer's work directly impacts the usability, brand perception, and effectiveness of client career sites, which are critical for talent acquisition and employer branding. Designing reusable components and a robust design system contributes to scalability and efficiency for Lifted's platform.

Growth Opportunities:

• Skill Specialization: Deepen expertise in design systems, component-based architecture, and AI-assisted design tools.

• Platform Design: Gain experience designing for a complex, multi-tenant SaaS platform catering to diverse enterprise clients.

• Cross-functional Collaboration: Enhance skills in working with Product Management, engineering teams, and potentially client-facing roles.

• Contractual Experience: Build a track record of successful contract engagements within a reputable talent marketplace.

📝 Enhancement Note: While this is a contract role, successful completion can lead to further opportunities within Upwork's network or with Lifted directly. The focus on design systems and AI tools offers valuable specialized experience.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: This is a fully remote contract engagement, meaning there is no physical office requirement. Work is performed from the candidate's chosen location.

Office Location(s): Candidates located in the United States or LATAM are eligible. Pacific Time or Central Time alignment is preferred for collaborative purposes.

Workspace Context:

• Remote Collaboration: Requires strong self-discipline and effective communication tools to collaborate asynchronously and synchronously with a distributed team.

• Tooling: Access to reliable internet and personal equipment capable of running Figma, AI tools, and other necessary software is essential.

• Team Interaction: Opportunities for interaction will be primarily through digital channels like Slack, Zoom, and project management platforms.

Work Schedule: Approximately 40 hours per week. The preference for PT or CT alignment suggests that candidates should be prepared to engage during typical US business hours for meetings and collaborative sessions.

📝 Enhancement Note: The remote nature necessitates excellent communication skills and self-management. The time zone preference indicates a need for availability during specific core hours for team synchronization.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: Likely a review of resume and portfolio to assess core qualifications, especially Figma proficiency, design system experience, and accessibility knowledge.

• Technical Interview: A deep dive into UX/UI design principles, design system methodology, CMS considerations, and experience with AI tools like Claude. This may involve a portfolio walkthrough.

• Design Challenge/Case Study: Candidates may be asked to complete a small design exercise or present a detailed case study from their portfolio, focusing on problem-solving, process, and outcomes.

• Cross-functional Interview: Discussion with Product Managers and/or Engineers to assess collaboration style, communication, and ability to work within technical constraints.

• Final Interview: May involve a discussion with a hiring manager or lead designer to assess cultural fit and overall suitability for the contract role.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Highlight Design Systems: Clearly showcase your contributions to design systems or component libraries, detailing your role, the challenges faced, and the impact of your work.

• Demonstrate Process: For each project, walk through your design process from problem identification to solution. Emphasize user research, ideation, iteration, and final implementation.

• Showcase CMS & Constraints: Include examples where you designed within specific CMS limitations or technical constraints, explaining how you navigated these.

• Accessibility Focus: Dedicate sections or highlight specific examples where you applied WCAG/ADA principles, detailing your approach and the results.

• Figma Mastery: Be prepared to demonstrate your proficiency in Figma, including complex component setups, Auto Layout usage, and prototyping capabilities.

• AI Tool Integration: If possible, showcase how you've used AI tools like Claude to enhance your design process or output.

Challenge Preparation:

• Be ready to discuss your approach to designing reusable components for a modular system.

• Prepare to articulate how you would design a chatbot experience, considering user flows, interaction states, and integration with a CMS.

• Practice explaining your thought process behind responsive design and accessibility for various client brands.

• Be prepared to discuss your understanding of the technical constraints of a CMS and how they impact design decisions.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on a portfolio, design systems, CMS constraints, and AI tools means candidates should tailor their application and portfolio to directly address these specific requirements. Practical demonstration of skills will be key.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Figma: Advanced proficiency required, including component libraries, variants, and Auto Layout. This will be the primary design tool.

• Claude: Professional experience required for AI-assisted design and potentially content generation.

• Claude Code: Professional experience required, indicating potential use in generating or refining code snippets related to UI elements.

• Content Management Systems (CMS): Working knowledge of designing within CMS technical and authoring constraints is essential. Specific CMS platform experience is not required, but understanding the principles is.

Analytics & Reporting:

• While not explicitly mentioned, familiarity with web analytics tools (e.g., Google Analytics) and UX analytics platforms would be beneficial for understanding user behavior and measuring design impact. CRM & Automation:

• Not directly mentioned, but an understanding of how career sites integrate with HRIS or Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) may be advantageous.

📝 Enhancement Note: The explicit mention of Figma, Claude, and Claude Code highlights the core technology stack for this role. A strong understanding of CMS principles is also critical.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Efficiency and Scalability: Focus on creating reusable components and a modular design system to ensure efficient platform development and scalability for multiple clients.

• User-Centricity: Commitment to designing accessible, responsive, and user-friendly experiences that meet the needs of job seekers and employers.

• Technical Pragmatism: A value for designing solutions that are not only aesthetically pleasing but also feasible within technical constraints, particularly those of a CMS.

• Collaboration and Communication: Emphasis on working effectively with cross-functional teams, providing clear design rationale, and actively seeking feedback.

• Innovation: Openness to leveraging AI-assisted design tools like Claude to enhance productivity and design quality.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-functional Integration: Expect close collaboration with Product Managers to understand requirements and Engineers to ensure designs are implementable.

• Iterative Design: A process that involves feedback loops, prototyping, and refinement to achieve optimal solutions.

• Clear Communication: Articulating design decisions, user needs, and technical considerations effectively through documentation, presentations, and discussions.

📝 Enhancement Note: The culture likely values pragmatism, efficiency, and a collaborative approach to problem-solving, especially given the remote nature and contract structure.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing Reusability and Customization: Designing components that are generic enough for a modular system yet adaptable to diverse client branding and specific use cases.

• CMS Technical Constraints: Navigating the limitations of a CMS that may restrict design flexibility or require workarounds.

• Ambiguous Requirements: Translating broad or vague project briefs into concrete, production-ready designs independently.

• AI Tool Integration: Effectively leveraging new AI tools like Claude and Claude Code to enhance productivity without compromising design quality or user experience.

• Remote Collaboration: Maintaining seamless communication and collaboration with a distributed team across different time zones.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Design Systems Expertise: Deepen knowledge and practical application of design system principles, component architecture, and scalability.

• AI-Driven Design: Gain hands-on experience with cutting-edge AI tools for design and coding assistance, becoming proficient in their application.

• SaaS Platform Design: Develop a strong understanding of designing for enterprise SaaS products, particularly within the HR Tech and employer branding space.

• Contract Management: Enhance skills in managing projects, communicating with stakeholders, and delivering results within a contract framework.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role offers a chance to hone skills in high-demand areas like design systems, AI tools, and enterprise SaaS design, which are valuable for future career growth.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe your experience designing reusable components for a modular design system. How do you ensure consistency and scalability across different client brands within a CMS?"

  • Preparation: Prepare a case study from your portfolio that specifically addresses this. Focus on your process, the challenges, and the solutions you implemented. Highlight your Figma skills and how you structured your component library.

• "How do you approach designing within the technical constraints of a Content Management System (CMS)? Can you provide an example where CMS limitations influenced your design decisions?"

  • Preparation: Think about past projects where you had to adapt designs due to platform limitations. Be ready to discuss your problem-solving approach and how you communicated these constraints to stakeholders.

• "Walk me through your process for designing a chatbot experience. What are the key UX considerations, and how would you ensure it integrates effectively with a career site?"

  • Preparation: Outline your steps from understanding user needs to defining conversational flows, interaction states, and potential integrations. Mention any experience with conversational UX if applicable.

• "How have you used AI-assisted design tools like Claude in your workflow? What benefits did you observe, and what are the potential drawbacks?"

  • Preparation: Be ready to discuss specific instances where you used Claude or similar tools. Focus on how they improved efficiency, ideation, or problem-solving, and acknowledge any limitations or ethical considerations. Company & Culture Questions:

• "What interests you about Lifted and this contract opportunity?"

  • Preparation: Research Lifted and Upwork. Understand their mission and how this role fits into their broader strategy. Highlight