Senior Product Designer (UI/UX) – Engineering Simulation

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Senior Product Designer (UI/UX) – Engineering Simulation

Company: Maya HTT

Location: Montreal, Quebec, Canada

Job Type: CONTRACTOR

Category: Product Design / UI/UX (Engineering Software)

Date Posted: 2026-08-11

Experience Level: 7+ years

Remote Status: Hybrid (Telecommute with potential for on-site collaboration)

🚀 Role Summary

• This is a 6-month fixed-term consulting engagement focused on defining and executing the UI/UX strategy for a new thermal simulation application.

• The role requires deep expertise in designing complex technical software for expert users, moving beyond generic SaaS or consumer product design paradigms.

• The Senior Product Designer will collaborate closely with Product Owners, software engineers, and domain experts to create intuitive, efficient, and approachable user interfaces for engineering simulation workflows.

• Key deliverables include wireframes, interactive prototypes, a scalable design system, and comprehensive documentation to support ongoing development by the internal team.

📝 Enhancement Note: The role is explicitly described as a consulting engagement with a defined 6-month duration, indicating a project-based need rather than a permanent hire. The emphasis on "complex technical or scientific software" and "sophisticated expert-user applications" signals a need for a designer experienced in niche, high-functionality software environments, distinct from consumer-facing applications.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Evaluate existing Computer-Aided Engineering (CAE) and engineering simulation workflows to pinpoint opportunities for enhanced usability, efficiency, and clarity.

• Partner with the Product Owner to conceptualize and define the application's overarching UX strategy, including its information architecture, navigation structure, and core interaction model.

• Design detailed wireframes, interactive prototypes, and high-fidelity mockups that clearly illustrate the user experience for critical engineering workflows.

• Define comprehensive user journeys specifically for domain-specific interactions such as thermal model definition, setup, solver configuration, and detailed results reporting.

• Establish and meticulously document a scalable design system and a reusable component library, ensuring it is appropriate for a data-dense engineering application.

• Maintain close collaboration with the Product Owner and the software development team to ensure designs are practical, feasible for implementation, and consistently applied throughout the development lifecycle.

• Conduct thorough usability reviews, both internally with engineers and externally with customers or beta users where feasible.

• Strategically balance the need for expert-user productivity with the discoverability and ease of learning for new or less experienced users.

• Deliver all design documentation, workflow diagrams, prototypes, and handoff materials in a format that the internal Maya HTT team can effectively maintain and build upon post-engagement.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities clearly outline a strategic and hands-on design process. The emphasis on "evaluating existing workflows," "defining UX strategy," and "establishing a design system" indicates a need for a designer who can not only execute but also architect the user experience. The requirement to create "developer-ready" documentation suggests a strong focus on design-to-development handoff efficiency.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: While no specific degree is mandated, a background in Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), Design, Computer Science, or a related technical field is highly beneficial given the nature of the software.

Experience: A minimum of 7 years of dedicated UI/UX design experience is required, with a strong preference for experience in highly technical or scientific software domains.

Required Skills:

• A minimum of 7 years of comprehensive UI/UX design experience.

• Proven track record of designing user interfaces for complex technical or scientific software, such as CAE, CAD, PLM, simulation, GIS, EDA, or other industrial software.

• A robust portfolio that prominently showcases UX work for sophisticated, expert-user applications, rather than primarily consumer-facing products.

• High proficiency in industry-standard design tools such as Figma, Sketch, or equivalent alternatives.

• Demonstrated ability to produce detailed wireframes, interaction flows, and clear design documentation suitable for developer handoff.

• Strong collaboration skills, with the ability to work effectively and directly with Product Owners, software engineers, and technical domain experts.

• Capacity to improve established interaction patterns by applying sound UX principles, rigorous workflow analysis, and user-centered design methodologies.

• Excellent written and verbal English communication skills; proficiency in French is considered an asset. Preferred Skills:

• Familiarity with commercial CAE environments, including but not limited to Siemens Simcenter 3D, Ansys Workbench, Thermal Desktop, or COMSOL Multiphysics.

• Prior experience designing user interfaces specifically for engineering simulation applications, covering areas like thermal, structural, CFD, or systems modeling.

• Experience in creating and maintaining design systems for applications built with TypeScript or SolidJS.

• Basic understanding or knowledge of C or C# programming languages.

• Familiarity with specific engineering domains such as aerospace, satellite thermal management, or industrial thermal engineering.

📝 Enhancement Note: The distinction between required and preferred qualifications highlights the need for a designer with foundational UI/UX expertise and a specific portfolio demonstrating experience with complex technical software. Preferred qualifications indicate areas where a candidate can immediately add value and potentially contribute to future technical discussions, especially regarding the specific CAE tools and programming languages used by Maya HTT.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Showcase a minimum of 3-5 distinct projects demonstrating end-to-end UI/UX design process for complex technical applications.

• For each project, clearly articulate the problem statement, your role, the design process followed, key challenges, and the final solution.

• Highlight specific examples of user research, workflow analysis, wireframing, prototyping, and usability testing conducted.

• Include visual examples of high-fidelity mockups and, if possible, interactive prototypes.

• Demonstrate experience in designing for data-dense environments and expert user workflows. Process Documentation:

• Provide examples of how you document user flows, information architecture, and interaction patterns.

• Showcase your approach to creating and maintaining design systems, including component libraries and style guides.

• Include examples of design specifications and handoff documentation provided to development teams.

• Demonstrate how you incorporate feedback from user testing and stakeholder reviews into your design iterations.

📝 Enhancement Note: For this role, the portfolio is paramount. It needs to prove the candidate's ability to design for complex, specialized software. The emphasis is on the process behind the design, especially how it addresses the unique challenges of engineering simulation software, rather than just the visual polish of consumer apps. The ability to document and hand off designs effectively is crucial for a consulting role where the internal team will maintain the product.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: As this is a 6-month consulting engagement for a Senior Product Designer in Montreal, Quebec, Canada, a competitive hourly or daily rate is expected. Based on industry benchmarks for senior-level, specialized UI/UX consultants in high-cost-of-living Canadian tech hubs, the estimated rate would likely fall between CAD $70 - CAD $100+ per hour, depending on the candidate's specific experience, portfolio strength, and negotiation. This translates to an annualized equivalent of CAD $145,600 - $208,000+.

Benefits: As a contractor, standard employee benefits are typically not provided. However, benefits may include:

• Flexible work schedule and remote work options.

• Opportunity to work on a cutting-edge engineering simulation software project.

• Potential for contract extension based on project performance and needs.

• Direct collaboration with a leading digital industries software solutions provider.

• Exposure to advanced CAE and thermal modeling technologies.

Working Hours: The standard working hours for this role are estimated at 40 hours per week. The engagement allows for a hybrid work arrangement, with flexibility in scheduling to accommodate remote work, but may require occasional in-person collaboration in Montreal or remote participation in key meetings.

📝 Enhancement Note: Salary estimation for contractors is typically based on hourly or daily rates, reflecting the project-based nature of the engagement. The provided range is an educated estimate based on market data for senior UI/UX consultants in a major Canadian tech city. Benefits for contractors are generally limited compared to full-time employees, so the focus is on the nature of the work and potential for extension.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Maya HTT operates within the Digital Industries and Engineering Software sector, specializing in solutions for engineering and manufacturing. They are a Value Added Reseller (VAR) for Siemens PLM Software, focusing on CAE-based simulation, and also provide engineering services. This positions them at the intersection of advanced technology, software development, and specialized engineering consulting.

Company Size: Maya HTT is part of the broader Siemens Digital Industries Software ecosystem. While specific employee numbers for Maya HTT as a distinct entity aren't readily available, Siemens Digital Industries Software is a large global organization. This implies a robust corporate structure and access to significant resources, while Maya HTT likely maintains a more agile, specialized operational unit.

Founded: Maya HTT leverages decades of experience, building on the legacy of Siemens PLM Software, which has been a significant player in the Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) and simulation space for many years. This history suggests a company with deep roots in engineering innovation and a long-standing commitment to its customer base.

Team Structure:

• The UI/UX consultant will likely be integrated into a product development team, working closely with a dedicated Product Owner and a team of software engineers.

• Collaboration will extend to domain engineers (thermal/CAE specialists) who provide critical user insights and functional requirements.

• The structure is designed for focused, project-driven work, emphasizing direct communication and rapid iteration between design, product management, and engineering. Methodology:

• Data-Driven Design: The role emphasizes understanding user behavior and technical requirements to inform design decisions.

• Agile Development Collaboration: The consultant will work within an agile framework, collaborating closely with developers to ensure designs are implemented efficiently and effectively.

• User-Centricity with Expert Focus: While user feedback is key, the design approach must prioritize the specific needs and workflows of experienced engineering professionals.

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

📝 Enhancement Note: Understanding Maya HTT's position as a specialized VAR for Siemens PLM Software is crucial. This means the company operates within a sophisticated B2B engineering software ecosystem. The culture is likely one of technical expertise, problem-solving, and a strong focus on delivering value to enterprise clients. The role's integration into a product team suggests a collaborative, project-oriented approach.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is classified as a Senior-level consultant, specifically in UI/UX design for engineering software. It demands a high degree of autonomy, strategic input, and deep domain-specific design experience. The focus is on impactful project delivery within a defined timeframe.

Reporting Structure: The Senior Product Designer will report directly to the Product Owner for the thermal simulation application. This close reporting line facilitates clear communication, rapid decision-making, and direct feedback loops. The designer will also work collaboratively with software engineers and domain experts.

Operations Impact: The UI/UX consultant's impact is directly tied to the success of the new thermal simulation application. By improving usability, efficiency, and approachability, the designer will enhance user adoption, reduce training overhead, increase productivity for engineers, and ultimately contribute to Maya HTT's ability to deliver cutting-edge solutions to its clients.

Growth Opportunities:

• Specialized Skill Development: Deepen expertise in designing for complex engineering simulation software, a niche and valuable skill set.

• Portfolio Enhancement: Add a significant, high-profile project to the portfolio, showcasing ability to tackle challenging technical design problems.

• Industry Exposure: Gain valuable insights into the thermal engineering and CAE software market, potentially leading to further consulting opportunities in this domain.

• Potential for Extension: Successful completion and project needs may lead to an extension of the contract, offering continued engagement and opportunity.

📝 Enhancement Note: This is a consulting role, so traditional career progression within Maya HTT might not be the primary focus. Instead, growth is measured by successful project completion, skill refinement in a specialized area, and the development of a strong portfolio piece. The impact is direct and measurable through the success of the application.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: This role is classified as TELECOMMUTE, indicating a primary remote work arrangement. However, the derived "Hybrid" work arrangement suggests that while remote work is the default, there may be expectations for occasional on-site meetings or collaboration sessions at a Maya HTT office, likely in Montreal.

Office Location(s): The primary location specified is Montreal, Quebec, Canada. This suggests that any required on-site collaboration would occur within the Montreal area. Remote work is permissible for candidates located elsewhere in Canada.

Workspace Context:

• Remote Collaboration: The work environment will heavily rely on digital collaboration tools for communication, design reviews, and project management.

• Independent Work: The role requires significant self-discipline and ability to manage one's own time and tasks effectively in a remote setting.

• Cross-Functional Interaction: Despite the remote nature, there will be frequent interaction with Product Owners, developers, and domain engineers, requiring proactive communication.

• Tools & Technology: Access to reliable internet, a capable workstation, and proficiency with design software (Figma, Sketch) and collaboration platforms will be essential.

Work Schedule: The role is expected to align with a standard full-time work schedule (approximately 40 hours per week). While remote, adherence to project deadlines and availability for key meetings (potentially across different time zones if applicable, though primarily within Canadian time zones) will be crucial. Some flexibility may be possible, but core availability for team collaboration is expected.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "TELECOMMUTE" designation combined with "Hybrid" implies a flexible remote setup, but candidates should be prepared for potential in-person requirements in Montreal. The work environment will be digitally driven, emphasizing effective remote collaboration and self-management.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A review of your resume and portfolio to assess relevant experience, particularly in complex technical software design.

• Portfolio Presentation & Discussion: A dedicated session where you will present key projects from your portfolio, explaining your design process, rationale, and impact. Be prepared to discuss your approach to user research, workflow analysis, and design systems.

• Technical/Domain Discussion: An interview with the Product Owner and potentially a domain engineer to delve into your understanding of engineering simulation challenges and your proposed solutions.

• Collaboration & Fit Assessment: A discussion focused on your collaboration style, how you work with developers and product managers, and your ability to integrate into a project team.

• Final Review: A concluding interview to discuss terms, scope, and confirm mutual fit for the 6-month engagement.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select 3-5 projects that best demonstrate your experience with complex technical or scientific software. Prioritize projects where you had significant influence on the UX strategy and execution.

• Tell a Story: For each project, clearly articulate the problem, your specific role, the methodology used (user research, ideation, prototyping, testing), key design decisions, and measurable outcomes or impact.

• Highlight Process: Emphasize your approach to understanding user needs, analyzing complex workflows, and building scalable design systems. Show, don't just tell, your process.

• Demonstrate Technical Aptitude: If possible, include examples that show an understanding of data density, complex information architecture, and expert user productivity needs.

• Prepare for Questions: Anticipate questions about your design choices, how you handle conflicting requirements, and your experience working with engineering teams.

Challenge Preparation:

• Case Study Deep Dive: Be ready to discuss the engineering simulation domain and how you would approach designing for it. Think about common pain points in CAE software.

• Design System Thinking: Prepare to discuss your philosophy on creating and maintaining design systems, especially for technical applications.

• Collaboration Scenarios: Consider how you would communicate design decisions to developers, gather feedback from domain experts, and manage scope creep in a consulting engagement.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process will heavily weigh the portfolio. Candidates must be prepared to present their work methodically, explaining the "why" behind their design decisions, especially in the context of complex engineering software. The focus will be on practical application of UI/UX principles to solve specific technical challenges.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Design Software: Strong proficiency required in Figma or Sketch for wireframing, prototyping, and high-fidelity design.

• Prototyping Tools: Familiarity with in-tool prototyping (Figma/Sketch) and potentially dedicated tools for more complex interactions.

• Collaboration Platforms: Experience with tools like Slack, Microsoft Teams, Zoom, or similar for communication and virtual meetings.

• Project Management Tools: Familiarity with tools like Jira, Asana, or Trello for tracking tasks and project progress.

Analytics & Reporting:

• While not a primary focus for the designer, understanding how user analytics might inform design decisions is a plus. Experience with tools that track user engagement or feature usage within software applications could be beneficial. CRM & Automation:

• Not directly relevant to the core design responsibilities, but an awareness of how user data is managed within engineering software ecosystems is helpful. Front-end Technologies (Contextual):

• TypeScript: The application is being built with TypeScript. While the designer isn't expected to code, understanding TypeScript's role in defining types and structuring code can aid in communication with developers.

• SolidJS: The front-end framework is SolidJS. Familiarity with its declarative nature and component-based architecture can enhance collaboration with the development team.

📝 Enhancement Note: The technology stack information is critical for a UI/UX designer. While the designer won't be coding, familiarity with TypeScript and SolidJS will enable more effective communication and collaboration with the engineering team, leading to more practical and implementable designs. Proficiency in Figma/Sketch is a mandatory requirement.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Technical Excellence: A strong emphasis on deep technical knowledge and problem-solving within the engineering software domain.

• Customer Focus: Commitment to delivering high-value solutions that meet the complex needs of enterprise engineering clients.

• Innovation: Driving forward the capabilities of engineering simulation software through cutting-edge technology and user experience design.

• Collaboration: Fostering a team environment where open communication and shared expertise are valued, especially between design, product, and engineering.

• Efficiency & Precision: Reflecting the nature of engineering itself, there's an inherent value placed on accuracy, efficiency, and optimized workflows.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-Functional Integration: The role necessitates close, day-to-day collaboration with Product Owners, software developers, and domain experts to ensure design alignment with technical feasibility and user needs.

• Iterative Design Feedback: Expect a culture of continuous feedback, where designs are reviewed and refined based on input from various stakeholders, including engineers and potentially end-users.

• Knowledge Sharing: A proactive approach to sharing design insights, user research findings, and best practices within the project team is encouraged.

📝 Enhancement Note: The team culture is likely to be highly technical and results-oriented. The emphasis on "technical excellence" and "precision" suggests that designers must be rigorous in their approach and able to justify their decisions with data and sound reasoning, especially when dealing with complex engineering requirements.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Designing for Expert Users: The primary challenge is to create an intuitive and efficient interface for highly technical users who are accustomed to specific, often complex, workflows. Balancing deep functionality with ease of use is key.

• Translating Technical Complexity: Effectively translating intricate CAE concepts and data-dense information into clear, actionable UI elements and workflows.

• Limited Timeframe: A 6-month engagement requires rapid understanding of the domain, efficient design execution, and timely delivery of high-quality assets.

• Remote Collaboration Dynamics: Ensuring effective communication and design iteration within a remote or hybrid team structure.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Domain Specialization: Deepen expertise in the nuances of thermal engineering simulation software and the CAE industry.

• Technical Stack Familiarity: Gain practical exposure to modern front-end development stacks like TypeScript and SolidJS, improving collaboration with engineering teams.

• Design System Mastery: Hone skills in creating and managing robust design systems for complex applications, a highly marketable skill.

• Consulting Experience: Enhance problem-solving and client-facing communication skills within a project-based consulting framework.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges are specific to the domain of engineering software design. Candidates who can frame these challenges as opportunities for growth and demonstrate a proactive approach to overcoming them will be highly valued. The learning opportunities are significant for a designer looking to specialize in a high-demand technical niche.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you designed a complex technical or scientific application. What were the key challenges, and how did you address them?" (Focus on your process, user research, and problem-solving.)

• "How would you approach understanding the specific workflows and pain points of thermal engineers using simulation software?" (Demonstrate your user research and analytical skills.)

• "Walk us through your process for defining and documenting a design system for a data-dense application. What are the critical components?" (Showcase your system design thinking.)

• "How do you balance the needs of expert users with the goal of making software more approachable for less experienced users?" (Highlight your user-centered approach and strategy.) Company & Culture Questions:

• "What interests you about designing for engineering simulation software at Maya HTT?" (Show genuine interest and research.)

• "How do you envision collaborating with Product Owners, software engineers, and domain experts in a remote/hybrid setting?" (Emphasize your communication and teamwork skills.)

• "What are your expectations for a 6-month consulting engagement?" (Align expectations and demonstrate professionalism.) Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure Your Narrative: For each selected project, clearly state the problem, your role, the solution, and the impact. Use a consistent structure.

• Show, Don't Just Tell: Use visuals (wireframes, mockups, prototypes) to illustrate your design process and final outcomes. Annotate key design decisions.

• Quantify Impact (If Possible): If you have metrics on usability improvements, efficiency gains, or user adoption, present them to demonstrate your value.

• Be Ready for Deep Dives: Anticipate detailed questions about your design choices, the trade-offs you made, and how you handled user feedback or technical constraints. Practice explaining your rationale clearly and concisely.

• Address the Domain: Be prepared to discuss how your design principles apply to the specific challenges of engineering simulation software.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation should focus on demonstrating a deep understanding of UI/UX principles applied to complex technical domains. Candidates need to articulate their process, justify their decisions, and showcase their ability to collaborate effectively in a specialized engineering software environment.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Senior Product Designer (UI/UX) position:

• Submit your application through the provided Ashby link.

• Tailor Your Resume: Highlight your 7+ years of UI/UX experience, specifically emphasizing projects involving complex technical, scientific, or engineering software. Use keywords from the job description.

• Curate Your Portfolio: Select your strongest 3-5 projects that best demonstrate your ability to design for expert users in technical domains. Ensure clear explanations of your process, role, and outcomes.

• Prepare Your Presentation: Practice presenting your portfolio projects, focusing on your design rationale, problem-solving approach, and collaboration experience. Be ready to discuss your understanding of engineering simulation software challenges.

• Research Maya HTT: Understand their role as a Siemens PLM VAR and their focus on CAE simulation to tailor your application and interview responses.

⚠️ 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.