Senior UI Designer

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Senior UI Designer

Company: Nacar Careers

Location: Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain

Job Type: Full-time

Category: Design Operations / Digital Product Design

Date Posted: April 23, 2026

Experience Level: 7+ Years Professional Experience (Mid-Senior to Lead Level)

Remote Status: Hybrid

🚀 Role Summary

• Lead and manage a team of UI Designers, providing essential career support, guidance, and design direction across a portfolio of digital projects with international impact.

• Drive the end-to-end product design process, from conceptualization and high-level ideation through to detailed wireframes, functional prototypes, and comprehensive Design System development.

• Serve as a key liaison and facilitator, managing planning, execution, and reporting for a diverse group of stakeholders at all organizational levels.

• Ensure seamless collaboration and communication between UI Designers, UX Designers, Visual Designers, and Developers throughout the entire project lifecycle, from initial concept to final implementation validation.

• Contribute to Nacar's mission of humanizing technology experiences by conceptualizing and prototyping innovative, human-centered digital products and services.

📝 Enhancement Note: The title "Senior UI Designer" combined with responsibilities like team management, providing career support, and reviewing multiple projects simultaneously strongly indicates a Lead or Managerial aspect to this role, beyond just individual contribution. The emphasis on "digital product/solution" and "Design Systems" points towards a strategic, operations-focused approach to UI design within Nacar's broader service offerings.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Team Leadership & Management:

  • Manage, mentor, and guide a team of UI Designers, fostering their professional growth and ensuring high-quality design output.
  • Conduct regular performance reviews and provide constructive feedback to team members.
  • Allocate design resources effectively across concurrent projects to meet deadlines and client expectations.

• Product Design & Strategy:

  • Translate business requirements and user expectations into robust digital product and solution designs.
  • Facilitate the entire product design lifecycle, from initial concept development and ideation to detailed wireframing and functional prototyping.
  • Champion human-centered design principles to ensure solutions are intuitive, engaging, and effective.

• Design Systems & Standards:

  • Develop, maintain, and advocate for comprehensive Design Systems to ensure consistency, scalability, and efficiency across digital products.
  • Formalize UI design concepts, requirements, and documentation to establish clear design standards.
  • Ensure adherence to established design principles and brand guidelines across all digital touchpoints.

• Stakeholder & Cross-Functional Collaboration:

  • Plan, execute, and report on design activities for a wide range of stakeholders, including clients and internal teams.
  • Foster strong, continuous communication and collaboration with UX Designers, Visual Designers, and Developers.
  • Work closely with development teams from initial design through to implementation validation, ensuring accurate translation of designs into functional products.

• User Validation & Iteration:

  • Create interactive prototypes to effectively validate design concepts and proposed solutions with target users.

  • Participate actively in user testing and feedback sessions, incorporating insights to refine and iterate on designs.

  • Ensure the final design implementation aligns with user needs and business objectives.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a blend of individual design contribution and team leadership, characteristic of a Senior or Lead UI Designer role. The emphasis on "formalize UI design concepts and requirements," "Design Systems," and "managing planning, working and reporting with a large group of stakeholders" points to a crucial role in operationalizing design processes and ensuring project success through structured methodologies.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

Experience:

• A minimum of 7 years of progressive professional experience specifically in User Interface (UI) Design.

• Demonstrated experience in leading and managing design teams, including providing mentorship and career guidance.

Required Skills:

• UI Design Expertise: Deep understanding of UI design principles, best practices, and user-centered design methodologies.

• Team Leadership & Management: Strong leadership capabilities with a proven ability to guide, inspire, and manage a team of designers.

• Design Systems Proficiency: Extensive experience in creating, implementing, and maintaining robust Design Systems.

• Figma Mastery: Mandatory proficiency in Figma for design, prototyping, and collaboration.

• Wireframing & Prototyping: Advanced skills in creating detailed wireframes and functional interactive prototypes.

• Digital Product Design: Experience in designing for various digital platforms, including desktop applications, mobile apps (iOS/Android), and software solutions.

• Stakeholder Management: Excellent ability to plan, communicate, and report effectively to diverse stakeholders at all levels.

• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Ability to work effectively with UX designers, Visual designers, and development teams.

• Communication Skills: Fluent/bilingual English proficiency is essential for this role to facilitate clear communication in an international environment.

Preferred Skills:

• HTML/CSS Knowledge: Previous experience or foundational understanding of HTML and CSS, beneficial for understanding development constraints and possibilities.

• UX Design Principles: Familiarity with User Experience (UX) design principles and how they integrate with UI design.

• Agile Methodologies: Experience working within Agile development frameworks.

• Visual Design Acumen: A strong sense of visual aesthetics and brand identity.

📝 Enhancement Note: The requirement for "at least 7 years of professional experience" and "strong leadership skills" positions this role beyond a standard Senior UI Designer, leaning towards a Lead or Design Manager capacity. The mandatory Figma skill and the "plus" for HTML/CSS indicate a practical, hands-on approach within a development-centric environment, where understanding the technical implementation is valued.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Comprehensive Case Studies: Showcase at least 2-3 detailed case studies demonstrating end-to-end UI design projects, ideally including complex digital products or solutions.

• Design System Examples: Include specific examples of Design Systems you have contributed to or led, detailing component libraries, style guides, and their impact on consistency and efficiency.

• Prototyping & User Flows: Present interactive prototypes that clearly illustrate user flows, interaction design, and the problem-solving approach taken.

• Leadership & Collaboration Evidence: If possible, include examples or descriptions of how you have managed design teams, facilitated stakeholder communication, and collaborated with development teams.

• Metrics & Impact: Quantify the impact of your design work where possible. Highlight improvements in user engagement, conversion rates, task completion times, or efficiency gains resulting from your design solutions and Design Systems.

Process Documentation:

• Demonstrate experience in documenting design processes, including:

  • Workflow design and optimization for UI design tasks.

  • Implementation of Design Systems and their integration into development workflows.

  • Methods for user research, ideation, prototyping, and validation.

  • Processes for managing design feedback and iterating on solutions.

📝 Enhancement Note: Given the "Lead" aspect implied in the role and the emphasis on Design Systems and complex digital products, a portfolio that clearly articulates process, leadership, and measurable impact will be crucial. Candidates should be prepared to discuss not just the what but the how and why behind their design decisions and team management strategies.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

Benefits:

• Permanent Contract: Offers job security and long-term commitment.

• Competitive Salary: With annual job performance appraisals to ensure fair compensation.

• Hybrid Working Model: Flexibility to work from home or from the company's studio in Palo Alto, Barcelona.

• Dynamic International Community: Opportunity to join a diverse team of over 15 nationalities and participate in team-building activities.

• Nacar Academy Training Program: Access to continuous learning and development opportunities, aligned with personalized career path creation.

• Generous Paid Vacation: 26 days of paid vacation per year.

• Home Office Support: Monthly allowance for internet costs and a budget for working-from-home materials.

• Health Insurance: Comprehensive health coverage.

• Flexible Working Hours: Adaptable schedule to promote work-life balance.

• Studio Amenities: Enjoy free coffee and a pleasant working environment in the studio's garden.

• Palo Alto Market Access: Free tickets to the local Palo Alto Market events.

Working Hours:

• Flexible working hours are offered, supporting work-life balance. A standard full-time workload is expected, typically around 40 hours per week, with the flexibility to manage daily schedules.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary estimate is based on data from reputable salary aggregators and industry reports for similar roles in major European tech hubs, adjusted for Barcelona's market. The benefits package is comprehensive, with a strong emphasis on professional development, work-life balance, and employee well-being, which are attractive to experienced design professionals.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Strategic Design Agency / Innovation Consulting

Company Size: Over 130 creative professionals. This size indicates a well-established agency with capacity for large-scale projects and a diverse talent pool, offering opportunities for collaboration and learning from specialists across various disciplines.

Founded: Nacar was founded with a vision to be a place where people can grow and impact the world, focusing on strategic design and innovation. The company emphasizes its agile and international team, highlighting a dynamic and forward-thinking environment.

Team Structure:

• Design Specialization: The team comprises over 130 creative professionals, including Design Strategists, Researchers, Product Designers, UX/UI Designers, and Engineers. This multidisciplinary structure fosters cross-pollination of ideas and comprehensive project execution.

• Reporting Structure: The Senior UI Designer will manage a team of UI Designers, reporting to a higher-level design lead or director. This role acts as a bridge between individual contributors and senior leadership.

• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Collaboration is central to Nacar's operations, with a strong emphasis on working with UX, Visual Design, and Development teams to deliver integrated solutions. The "phygital" future focus suggests a seamless blend of physical and digital experiences.

Methodology:

• Innovation & Human-Centered Design: Nacar focuses on conceptualizing and prototyping new, human-centered products and services, leveraging technological capabilities to drive innovation.

• Agile & Collaborative: The agency operates with an agile mindset, valuing communication, collaboration, proactivity, and positivity to "humanize technology experiences."

• Project-Based Work: The team is accustomed to working on diverse projects, from industrial and brand design to digital and service design, often with international clients.

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

📝 Enhancement Note: Nacar's positioning as an "award-winning Strategic Design Agency" suggests a high standard of work and a focus on client impact. The emphasis on "humanize technology experiences" and the "phygital future" indicates a commitment to user-centricity and forward-thinking design solutions, making it an attractive environment for design professionals.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is positioned at a Lead or Senior level within the UI Design discipline. It involves not only advanced individual design contributions but also team leadership, strategic input into design processes, and direct client/stakeholder engagement. It represents a significant step from a purely individual contributor role into a position of influence and mentorship.

Reporting Structure: The Senior UI Designer will likely report to a Head of Design, Design Director, or a similar senior leadership position within Nacar's design department. They will, in turn, manage a team of UI Designers. This structure allows for clear lines of communication and strategic alignment.

Operations Impact: The Senior UI Designer plays a critical role in ensuring the successful execution of digital product strategies. By leading the UI design team, standardizing design processes through Design Systems, and ensuring seamless collaboration with development, this role directly impacts the quality, usability, and successful launch of client products. Their work contributes to client satisfaction, Nacar's reputation, and ultimately, the company's revenue through successful project delivery.

Growth Opportunities:

• Leadership Advancement: Potential to progress into a Design Manager or Head of Design role, overseeing larger teams and broader design strategies.

• Specialization & Expertise: Opportunity to deepen expertise in specific areas like advanced Design Systems, interaction design for complex platforms, or innovation strategy.

• Cross-Disciplinary Learning: Exposure to Industrial, Brand, and Service Design through Nacar's integrated approach, broadening skill sets beyond UI.

• Client-Facing Roles: Development of skills in client management, presentation, and strategic consultation.

• Nacar Academy: Formal training programs and personalized career paths designed for professional development and skill enhancement.

📝 Enhancement Note: The role offers a clear path for growth from a Senior individual contributor to a leadership position. The emphasis on "career support and guidance" for direct reports, alongside strategic responsibilities, suggests Nacar invests in developing its talent into future leaders.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Nacar operates from a unique studio space located in Palo Alto, an old restored factory in Poblenou, Barcelona. This setting is described as an "urban oasis" and a space converted into studios for designers and artists, suggesting a creative, inspiring, and collaborative physical environment.

Office Location(s): The primary office is located in Poblenou, Barcelona, a vibrant district known for its tech and creative hubs. This location is desirable for its accessibility and proximity to other innovative companies.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Hub: The studio environment is designed to foster interaction and collaboration among creative professionals. The "agile and international team" suggests a dynamic and energetic atmosphere.

• Tools & Technology: While specific tools are detailed in a separate section, the environment likely supports the use of industry-standard design software and hardware necessary for high-quality digital product design.

• Team Interaction: The hybrid model allows for flexibility, but the physical studio space is intended to be a hub for team-building, brainstorming, and focused work sessions, encouraging regular interaction with colleagues.

Work Schedule:

• Hybrid Model: Offers the flexibility to work either remotely or from the studio, balancing personal preferences with team collaboration needs.

• Flexible Working Hours: Employees have the autonomy to manage their work schedules, promoting better work-life integration. This is particularly beneficial for roles that require deep focus or personal commitments.

📝 Enhancement Note: The description of the office as an "urban oasis" and a "restored factory" suggests a unique, aesthetically pleasing, and inspiring workspace that contributes to the company's creative culture. The hybrid and flexible hours are key benefits for attracting talent seeking work-life balance.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A review of your resume and portfolio to assess qualifications and experience alignment.

• Portfolio Presentation & Discussion: A session where you present your selected case studies, focusing on your role, design process, decision-making, and leadership contributions. Be prepared to discuss your approach to Design Systems and stakeholder management.

• Team/Hiring Manager Interview: In-depth discussion about your leadership style, team management experience, problem-solving skills, and how you align with Nacar's culture and values.

• Technical/Skills Assessment: Potentially a design challenge or a more detailed discussion on specific tools like Figma and your understanding of development constraints.

• Final Interview: May involve senior leadership to discuss overall fit and strategic alignment with the company's vision.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select 2-3 of your strongest case studies that best represent your UI design leadership, Design System expertise, and ability to manage complex digital projects.

• Focus on Impact: Clearly articulate the problems you solved, your design process, your specific contributions (especially as a leader/manager), and the measurable outcomes or impact of your work. Use data and metrics whenever possible.

• Highlight Leadership: For this role, emphasize instances where you managed a team, mentored designers, influenced design strategy, or managed stakeholder expectations effectively.

• Showcase Design Systems: Dedicate a section or a case study to your experience with Design Systems. Detail your approach to building, maintaining, and scaling them.

• Demonstrate Figma Proficiency: Be ready to walk through your Figma files, explaining your file structure, component usage, and collaboration features.

• Tell a Story: Structure your case studies as compelling narratives that guide the interviewer through the project's journey, challenges, solutions, and results.

Challenge Preparation:

• Design Challenge: If a design challenge is presented, focus on understanding the brief thoroughly. Prioritize key user needs and business goals. Demonstrate your structured approach to problem-solving, ideation, and UI design within the given constraints.

• Presentation Skills: Practice articulating your thought process clearly and concisely. Be ready to explain your design decisions and justify them with user-centered principles and business objectives.

• Stakeholder Simulation: Be prepared for questions that simulate stakeholder interactions, testing your ability to communicate design rationale, manage feedback, and negotiate solutions.

📝 Enhancement Note: Given the lead responsibilities, expect the interview process to heavily scrutinize leadership capabilities, team management, and strategic thinking, in addition to core UI design skills. A strong portfolio demonstrating these aspects will be critical for success.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Figma: Mandatory and core tool for UI design, wireframing, prototyping, and collaboration. Expect advanced usage, including complex component libraries, auto-layout, and team collaboration features.

• Prototyping Tools: While Figma's prototyping capabilities are primary, familiarity with other tools like InVision, Adobe XD, or Principle might be beneficial for specific project needs or historical context.

• Design System Management: Tools and methodologies for creating and managing design systems, which could include Figma libraries, Zeplin, Abstract, or custom-built solutions.

Analytics & Reporting:

• User Analytics Platforms: Familiarity with tools like Google Analytics, Mixpanel, Amplitude, or similar platforms to understand user behavior and inform design decisions.

• A/B Testing Tools: Experience with tools that facilitate A/B testing and conversion rate optimization (e.g., Optimizely, VWO).

• Data Visualization Tools: Understanding of how to interpret data presented in dashboards from tools like Tableau, Power BI, or Looker.

CRM & Automation:

• Project Management Software: Proficiency in tools like Jira, Asana, Trello, or Monday.com for managing project workflows, tasks, and team progress.

• Collaboration & Communication Tools: Slack, Microsoft Teams for daily team communication and project coordination.

• Version Control (for Design Systems): Tools like Abstract or Git-based solutions for managing design system iterations and contributions.

Development Interface:

• HTML/CSS: A plus, indicating an understanding of front-end development languages and their implications for UI design implementation.

📝 Enhancement Note: The mandatory requirement for Figma highlights its central role. The "plus" for HTML/CSS suggests that practical understanding of front-end development is highly valued, enabling more efficient collaboration with engineers. The emphasis on analytics and project management tools points to a data-driven and process-oriented approach to design operations.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Humanize Technology Experiences: A core mission that drives all design decisions, focusing on creating intuitive, empathetic, and user-centric digital products.

• Collaboration & Communication: A strong emphasis on open dialogue, mutual respect, and effective communication across all disciplines and levels.

• Proactivity & Positivity: An environment that encourages taking initiative, seeking solutions, and maintaining an optimistic outlook, especially when facing complex challenges.

• Innovation & Agility: A commitment to exploring new ideas, adapting to change, and delivering cutting-edge solutions in a dynamic market.

• Growth & Impact: A culture that supports continuous learning, professional development, and the desire to make a tangible impact on the world through design.

Collaboration Style:

• Multidisciplinary Integration: Nacar fosters a highly collaborative environment where designers, strategists, researchers, and engineers work closely together, breaking down traditional silos.

• Feedback-Driven Process: Openness to receiving and giving constructive feedback is encouraged as a means to refine designs and improve processes.

• Knowledge Sharing: The "Nacar Academy" and team activities likely facilitate the sharing of best practices, learnings, and expertise across the organization.

• Project-Based Teamwork: Teams are often formed around specific client projects, requiring adaptability and a strong sense of shared ownership and responsibility.

📝 Enhancement Note: The company values align well with a senior design role focused on leadership and impactful product development. The emphasis on "humanizing technology" and "innovation" suggests a forward-thinking and user-centric design philosophy that a Senior UI Designer would champion.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Managing Multiple High-Stakes Projects: Balancing the demands of leading UI design for several international projects simultaneously, each with unique client requirements and deadlines.

• Elevating Design Standards: Continuously pushing the boundaries of UI design quality and innovation within the agency and for clients, while adhering to brand and user needs.

• Bridging Design and Development: Ensuring seamless translation of complex designs into functional, high-quality digital products, requiring strong communication and understanding of technical constraints.

• Team Development & Motivation: Inspiring and guiding a team of talented designers, ensuring their continued growth and engagement, especially within a hybrid work model.

• Adapting to Evolving Technologies: Staying abreast of new design tools, methodologies, and technological advancements to maintain Nacar's competitive edge.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Leadership Development: Formal training and mentorship programs through Nacar Academy to hone management and strategic leadership skills.

• Cross-Disciplinary Exposure: Opportunities to learn from and collaborate with experts in UX, Brand, Service, and Industrial Design, broadening your design perspective.

• Industry Trends & Conferences: Potential for participation in industry events, workshops, and conferences to stay updated on the latest in UI/UX and digital product design.

• Mentorship: Access to senior leaders and experienced professionals for guidance and career advice.

• Mastering Design Systems: Deepening expertise in creating scalable, maintainable, and impactful Design Systems.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges presented are typical for a lead role in a dynamic agency environment. The growth opportunities are robust, emphasizing both leadership progression and continuous skill enhancement, aligning with Nacar's stated commitment to employee development.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe your approach to managing and mentoring a team of UI Designers. How do you foster their growth and ensure design quality?"

• "Walk us through a complex digital product design project you led from concept to launch. What were the key challenges, your specific contributions, and the outcome?"

• "How do you approach building or evolving a Design System? What are the critical components, and how do you ensure its adoption and maintenance?"

• "Describe a situation where you had to manage conflicting stakeholder expectations or feedback. How did you navigate it to achieve a successful design outcome?"

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What interests you about Nacar's mission to 'humanize technology experiences' and its focus on the 'phygital' future?"

• "How do you see yourself contributing to Nacar's collaborative and agile culture?"

• "Based on your understanding of Nacar, how would you approach integrating our company values into your team's daily work?"

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Lead with Impact: Begin each case study by stating the core problem and the measurable impact achieved.

• Show, Don't Just Tell: Use visuals (screenshots, wireframes, prototypes) to illustrate your process and final solutions.

• Highlight Leadership Role: Clearly delineate your responsibilities and contributions, especially in team management and stakeholder communication.

• Explain Design Rationale: For every significant design decision, explain the "why" – linking it back to user needs, business goals, or design principles.

• Discuss Tooling: Be prepared to talk about your proficiency with Figma and any other relevant tools, including how you leverage them for efficiency and collaboration.

• Quantify Results: Whenever possible, present data to support the success of your designs (e.g., improved conversion rates, reduced user errors, increased engagement).

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation should focus on demonstrating leadership, strategic thinking, and a deep understanding of the end-to-end design process, especially concerning Design Systems and cross-functional collaboration. Be ready to articulate your approach with concrete examples.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Senior UI Designer position:

• Submit your application through the provided link on the Nacar Careers portal.

• Curate Your Portfolio: Select 2-3 of your strongest case studies that best showcase your UI design leadership, Design System expertise, and experience with complex digital products. Prioritize projects with measurable impact.

• Tailor Your Resume: Highlight your 7+ years of UI design experience, leadership responsibilities, proficiency in Figma, and experience with Design Systems and stakeholder management. Use keywords from the job description.

• Prepare Your Narrative: Practice presenting your portfolio case studies, focusing on your role, process, decision-making, and leadership contributions. Be ready to articulate your approach to team management and cross-functional collaboration.

• Research Nacar: Familiarize yourself with Nacar's work, client portfolio, and company culture. Understand their mission to "humanize technology experiences" and their "phygital" vision.

⚠️ 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.