Senior UX Design Specialist

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Senior UX Design Specialist

Company: Tapestry Solutions, A Boeing Company

Location: San Diego, CA, United States

Job Type: FULL_TIME

Category: User Experience (UX) Design

Date Posted: 2026-05-05

Experience Level: 5-10 Years

Remote Status: Hybrid

🚀 Role Summary

• Drive user-centered design initiatives for complex maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) systems within Boeing Global Services.

• Develop and refine user interaction models, user flows, wireframes, prototypes, and high-fidelity designs for both web and mobile applications.

• Implement and maintain design consistency across a portfolio of applications by leveraging design tokens and established design systems, adhering to Google Material Design and platform-specific guidelines.

• Collaborate closely with cross-functional teams, including product managers and developers, to translate user needs and business requirements into effective and satisfying user experiences.

• Conduct comprehensive user research using various methodologies to gather insights, validate hypotheses, and advocate for the end-user throughout the entire product development lifecycle.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is positioned within Tapestry Solutions, a subsidiary of Boeing, specifically supporting their Global Services division focused on MRO for complex assets. The description emphasizes a hybrid work arrangement, suggesting a balance between in-office collaboration and remote flexibility. The "Senior" title indicates a need for proven expertise and the ability to mentor or lead design efforts.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Lead the planning and execution of user research activities, employing qualitative and quantitative methods to deeply understand end-user needs, pain points, and workflows related to MRO operations.

• Translate research findings and stakeholder input into intuitive user interaction models, comprehensive user flows, and detailed wireframes that map out the user journey.

• Create high-fidelity mockups and interactive prototypes using industry-standard tools like Figma to effectively communicate design concepts and facilitate stakeholder feedback and user validation.

• Partner with Product Management to define product strategy and roadmap from a UX perspective, ensuring alignment with business objectives and user requirements.

• Work closely with Engineering teams to ensure accurate implementation of designs, providing clear specifications, design assets, and ongoing support throughout the development sprints.

• Champion the adoption and utilization of design tokens and design systems to ensure visual and interactive consistency across the MRO application portfolio, enhancing user trust and reducing development overhead.

• Design responsive web applications following Google Material Design principles and native mobile applications adhering to iOS and Android platform-specific guidelines.

• Continuously research and integrate emerging UX trends, best practices, and technologies to elevate the overall user experience and drive innovation within the product suite.

• Advocate for the user by presenting design rationale, research insights, and proposed solutions to cross-functional teams and executive stakeholders, influencing product direction and prioritization.

📝 Enhancement Note: The primary responsibilities highlight a blend of strategic UX thinking and tactical execution. The emphasis on MRO systems suggests a need for understanding complex workflows and potentially enterprise-level software. The requirement to use design tokens and design systems indicates a mature design practice within the organization.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

Experience:

• Minimum of 5 years of progressive experience in digital product design, with a strong focus on User Experience (UX) best practices.

• Proven track record of designing for both mobile and web applications, demonstrating an understanding of responsive design principles and platform-specific nuances.

• Demonstrated experience in planning and conducting user research, synthesizing findings, and translating them into actionable design solutions.

Required Skills:

• UX Design Expertise: Deep understanding of UX principles, methodologies, and user-centered design processes.

• Prototyping & Wireframing: Proficiency in creating detailed wireframes, interactive prototypes, and high-fidelity mockups.

• User Research: Ability to plan, conduct, and analyze user research, including user interviews, usability testing, and surveys.

• Design Tools: Mastery of industry-standard design and prototyping tools, with a specific emphasis on Figma.

• Communication & Collaboration: Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with a strong ability to articulate design decisions, present findings, and collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams and stakeholders.

• Responsive & Platform Design: Experience designing for web applications (including Google Material Design) and native mobile applications (iOS/Android).

• Design Systems & Tokens: Practical experience in creating and applying design tokens and utilizing design systems for consistent product experiences.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience within the aerospace, defense, or complex enterprise software industries.

• Familiarity with Agile development methodologies and working within Scrum teams.

• Knowledge of accessibility standards (e.g., WCAG).

• Experience with UI animation and micro-interactions.

• A strong portfolio showcasing a range of UX design projects, research initiatives, and problem-solving approaches.

📝 Enhancement Note: While a Bachelor's degree is preferred, the emphasis on 5+ years of experience suggests that practical expertise and a strong portfolio can be equally, if not more, valuable. The explicit mention of Figma as a required tool is a key indicator for candidates.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Case Studies: A minimum of 2-3 comprehensive case studies demonstrating your UX design process from problem identification to final solution. Each case study should detail the challenge, your role, the research conducted, design iterations, key decisions, and measurable outcomes.

• Process Documentation: Clearly articulate your approach to user research, interaction design, wireframing, prototyping, and usability testing within your case studies.

• Systemic Thinking: Showcase examples of how you have implemented or contributed to design systems and design tokens to ensure consistency and scalability across multiple applications.

• Impact & ROI: Quantify the impact of your design solutions whenever possible, highlighting improvements in user satisfaction, task completion rates, efficiency gains, or reduction in support tickets.

Process Documentation:

• Workflow Design: Demonstrate your ability to map out complex user workflows and identify areas for optimization or simplification.

• Design System Contribution: Provide examples of how you have contributed to or utilized design system libraries, including the creation or application of design tokens.

• Usability Testing & Iteration: Document your approach to planning, conducting, and analyzing usability tests, and how feedback was incorporated into iterative design improvements.

• Cross-functional Collaboration: Illustrate how you have effectively collaborated with product managers, developers, and other stakeholders throughout the design and development lifecycle.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a Senior UX Design Specialist role, a portfolio is crucial. It should not only showcase visual design skills but also a deep understanding of the UX process, research methodologies, and the ability to work within and contribute to design systems. Demonstrating impact with data is key for a senior-level position.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $123,000 - $142,800 USD per year.

Benefits:

• Comprehensive Health Insurance plans.

• Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs) for healthcare and dependent care.

• Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) for eligible employees.

• Robust Retirement Savings Plans, likely including a 401(k) with potential company match.

• Life Insurance coverage.

• Disability Insurance (Short-term and Long-term).

• Paid Time Off (PTO), including vacation, sick leave, and holidays.

Working Hours:

• Standard full-time work schedule, typically 40 hours per week.

• The role is designated as Hybrid, suggesting a combination of on-site work at the San Diego, CA location and remote workdays, offering flexibility.

📝 Enhancement Note: The provided salary range is specific and falls within the typical mid-to-senior level for UX Design Specialists in a high-cost-of-living area like San Diego, especially within a large aerospace corporation like Boeing. The benefits package is standard for a large enterprise, offering a comprehensive suite of options.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Aerospace & Defense, Information Technology Solutions (Tapestry Solutions is a software/IT solutions provider within Boeing).

Company Size: Tapestry Solutions has approximately 500 professionals. Boeing, as a whole, is a global enterprise with tens of thousands of employees. This means the role benefits from the resources and stability of a large corporation while operating within a more agile, specialized division.

Founded: Tapestry Solutions has over 30 years of industry experience (founded circa late 1980s/early 1990s). Boeing was founded in 1916. This history signifies stability, deep industry knowledge, and established processes.

Team Structure:

• UX Design Team: Likely a dedicated UX team within Tapestry Solutions, possibly structured around product lines or specific MRO system modules. As a Senior Specialist, you may lead specific projects or mentor junior designers.

• Reporting Structure: The role reports into Boeing Global Services (BGS), implying a connection to broader BGS product development and operational strategies. Direct reporting is likely to a UX Design Manager or Director.

• Cross-functional Collaboration: Expect close collaboration with Product Managers, Software Engineers, QA Testers, Business Analysts, and potentially end-users or client representatives involved in MRO operations.

Methodology:

• Data-Driven Design: Emphasis on user research and data analysis to inform design decisions.

• Agile Development: Likely operates within Agile/Scrum frameworks, requiring iterative design cycles and close partnership with development teams.

• User-Centered Approach: A core tenet of the role is advocating for the user throughout the product lifecycle.

• System Integration: Focus on creating cohesive experiences across multiple applications through design systems and tokens.

Company Website: https://www.tapestrysolutions.com/ and https://www.boeing.com/

📝 Enhancement Note: The dual identity of Tapestry Solutions as part of Boeing is significant. Candidates should understand the scale and corporate culture of Boeing, while also appreciating the specific mission and operational focus of Tapestry Solutions within MRO IT.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: Senior UX Design Specialist. This level implies a significant degree of autonomy, expertise, and responsibility for driving design outcomes on complex projects. It suggests a transition point towards potential Lead or Management roles, or deep specialization as a Principal Designer.

Reporting Structure: Reporting to a UX Design Manager or Director within Tapestry Solutions, potentially with indirect ties to product leadership within Boeing Global Services. This structure offers opportunities for mentorship from experienced leaders and exposure to strategic decision-making.

Operations Impact: The role has a direct impact on the usability, efficiency, and effectiveness of critical MRO systems. By improving the user experience, the specialist can contribute to reduced operational costs, increased safety, faster turnaround times, and enhanced customer satisfaction for Boeing's clients.

Growth Opportunities:

• Skill Deepening: Opportunity to become an expert in UX for complex enterprise systems, specifically within the MRO domain, a niche but critical area.

• Design Leadership: Potential to lead design initiatives, mentor junior designers, and contribute to the evolution of the UX practice within Tapestry Solutions.

• Cross-functional Exposure: Gain deep insights into aerospace MRO operations, supply chain logistics, and enterprise software development through close collaboration.

• Career Progression: Potential pathways include Senior UX Designer, Lead UX Designer, UX Manager, Principal UX Designer, or specializing in areas like UX Research or Interaction Design leadership.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Senior" designation suggests that candidates should be prepared to discuss leadership potential, mentorship, and strategic contributions to the design process, not just individual task execution.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Hybrid. This indicates a blend of in-office presence and remote work. The specific days in office will likely be determined by team needs and manager guidance, fostering a collaborative environment while allowing for focused work.

Office Location(s): San Diego, CA. This location offers a vibrant tech hub environment with access to a diverse talent pool and a strong community of design professionals.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Environment: The hybrid model encourages in-office days for team meetings, brainstorming sessions, design critiques, and cross-functional alignment.

• Tools & Technology: Access to industry-standard design software (Figma), collaboration tools, and potentially specialized MRO software for context.

• Team Interaction: Opportunities to engage with a dedicated UX team, product managers, and engineers, fostering a culture of shared learning and problem-solving.

Work Schedule:

• Standard business hours (Shift 1 in the US) are expected, with the flexibility offered by the hybrid arrangement. The 40-hour work week allows for structured work on design projects, research, and team collaboration.

📝 Enhancement Note: Candidates should be comfortable with a hybrid setup and understand the expectations for in-office collaboration versus remote work. The San Diego location is a significant factor for potential candidates considering relocation or local employment.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: HR or Recruiter call to assess basic qualifications, interest, and cultural fit.

• Hiring Manager Interview: Discussion focused on experience, role expectations, and alignment with team needs.

• Portfolio Review & Design Challenge: A crucial stage involving a deep dive into your portfolio, discussing past projects, design decisions, and research methodologies. This may be followed by a practical design challenge or a whiteboard exercise to assess problem-solving skills and design thinking.

• Cross-functional Team Interviews: Meetings with potential peers (e.g., Product Managers, Engineers) to evaluate collaboration style and technical understanding.

• Final Interview: Potentially with a senior leader to discuss overall fit, strategic thinking, and long-term potential.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select 3-4 of your strongest, most relevant UX projects. Prioritize those that demonstrate your process for complex problem-solving, user research, and delivering impactful solutions.

• Storytelling is Key: For each case study, clearly articulate the problem, your specific role and contributions, the methodologies used, key design decisions and rationale, challenges faced, and the measurable outcomes or learnings.

• Highlight Process: Emphasize your end-to-end UX process – from discovery and research through ideation, design, prototyping, and testing. Show your ability to adapt your process based on project needs.

• Showcase System Thinking: Include examples of how you've applied design systems, design tokens, responsive design, or ensured consistency across multiple platforms.

• Quantify Impact: Wherever possible, use data and metrics to demonstrate the success of your designs (e.g., increased conversion rates, reduced task times, improved user satisfaction scores).

• Be Prepared for Questions: Anticipate questions about your design choices, how you handle feedback, your collaboration style, and your experience with specific tools like Figma.

Challenge Preparation:

• Understand the Context: If a design challenge is provided, take time to understand the problem space, target users, and business goals.

• Focus on Process: Demonstrate your problem-solving approach. It's often more about how you think and approach the problem than the final pixel-perfect solution.

• Time Management: Allocate your time effectively between understanding the problem, ideation, design, and preparation for presentation.

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

📝 Enhancement Note: The portfolio review is paramount for UX roles. Candidates must be prepared to walk through their work methodically, explaining the "why" behind every design decision and showcasing tangible results.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Figma: Explicitly required for wireframing, prototyping, UI design, and collaboration. Mastery is expected.

• Prototyping Tools: While Figma is primary, experience with other prototyping tools (e.g., Adobe XD, Sketch, InVision) might be beneficial for understanding different workflows.

• User Research Platforms: Familiarity with tools for usability testing, surveys, and remote research (e.g., UserTesting.com, Lookback, SurveyMonkey, Qualtrics).

Analytics & Reporting:

• Web/App Analytics: Understanding of tools like Google Analytics, Adobe Analytics, or similar platforms to understand user behavior and track key metrics.

• Data Visualization Tools: Familiarity with tools like Tableau, Power BI, or even advanced Excel for analyzing user data and presenting insights.

CRM & Automation:

• While not a primary focus for UX, understanding how user data flows from CRM systems (like Salesforce) into product usage can be beneficial for context.

• Familiarity with project management and collaboration tools such as Jira, Confluence, Asana, or Trello is common in Agile environments.

📝 Enhancement Note: Figma is the cornerstone tool for this role. Candidates should be prepared to discuss their proficiency and specific use cases within Figma, including its collaboration features and design system capabilities.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Excellence & Ownership: A commitment to delivering high-quality, effective solutions and taking personal responsibility for outcomes.

• Innovation: Encouraging creative problem-solving and the development of novel solutions to complex challenges.

• Collaboration: Valuing teamwork, open communication, and the collective effort to achieve shared goals.

• User Advocacy: Placing the needs and experiences of the end-user at the forefront of all design and development decisions.

• Integrity: Upholding ethical standards and ensuring the safety and reliability of the products designed.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-functional Partnership: A strong emphasis on working collaboratively with diverse teams (product, engineering, business) to achieve integrated solutions.

• Iterative Feedback: A culture that embraces constructive feedback through design critiques, usability testing, and regular check-ins to continuously improve designs.

• Knowledge Sharing: Encouraging the exchange of ideas, best practices, and learnings across the design team and with other departments.

• Data-Informed Decisions: A preference for grounding design decisions in user research and performance data rather than solely on intuition.

📝 Enhancement Note: The values reflect a blend of corporate responsibility (Boeing's emphasis on safety and integrity) and modern tech practices (collaboration, innovation, user-centricity). Candidates should align their responses with these values.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Complexity of MRO Systems: Designing for intricate maintenance, repair, and overhaul processes for large assets requires deep understanding and careful simplification.

• Balancing User Needs with Technical Constraints: Navigating the balance between ideal user experiences and the technical realities, legacy systems, and security requirements inherent in an aerospace company.

• Cross-Disciplinary Communication: Effectively translating complex UX concepts to non-design stakeholders (e.g., engineers, operations specialists, management) who may have different priorities and technical backgrounds.

• Maintaining Consistency at Scale: Ensuring a cohesive user experience across a diverse portfolio of applications, each with its own specific functions and user base, using design systems.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Deep Dive into Aerospace MRO: Gain specialized knowledge in a critical, albeit niche, industry sector.

• Advanced UX Techniques: Opportunities to refine skills in areas like complex workflow design, enterprise system UX, and advanced research methodologies.

• Design System Evolution: Contribute to the growth and refinement of Tapestry Solutions' design system, potentially influencing its strategic direction.

• Mentorship and Leadership: Potential to mentor junior designers and grow into leadership roles within the UX practice.

• Access to Boeing Resources: Leverage resources, training, and industry connections available through the broader Boeing organization.

📝 Enhancement Note: Candidates should be prepared to discuss how they approach complex challenges and leverage growth opportunities to continuously improve their skills and contribute to the team's success.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you had to design for a complex enterprise system with many constraints. How did you approach it, and what was the outcome?" (Focus on process, problem-solving, and balancing needs).

• "How do you ensure user advocacy throughout the product development lifecycle, especially when faced with conflicting priorities from product or engineering?" (Highlight communication, negotiation, and data-driven arguments).

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What interests you about Tapestry Solutions and Boeing, specifically within the MRO domain?" (Show research into the company, industry, and role).

• "How have you collaborated with product managers and software engineers in the past? Describe a successful collaboration and any challenges you overcame." (Assess teamwork and communication skills).

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure: Begin with a brief overview of your background and design philosophy. For each case study, clearly state the problem, your role, the project goals, your process, key decisions, and the results.

• Visuals: Use high-quality visuals (wireframes, mockups, prototypes, research artifacts) to illustrate your points. Ensure they are clear and easy to understand.

• Storytelling: Frame your projects as compelling narratives. Explain the "why" behind your design choices and how they addressed user needs and business objectives.

• Interactive Elements: If possible, demonstrate interactive prototypes to showcase user flows and interactions effectively.

• Conciseness: Be mindful of time. Practice your presentation to ensure you can cover your key points within the allotted time, leaving room for questions.

📝 Enhancement Note: Candidates should prepare specific examples that align with the responsibilities and qualifications listed, particularly those related to enterprise systems, design systems, and user research.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Senior UX Design Specialist position:

• Visit the Boeing Careers website and search for Job ID JR2026507582-1.

• Tailor Your Resume: Highlight your 5+ years of UX design experience, proficiency in Figma, experience with both web and mobile design, and any experience with design systems, design tokens, or enterprise-level applications. Quantify achievements where possible.

• Prepare Your Portfolio: Ensure your portfolio is up-to-date, showcases 2-3 strong case studies demonstrating your end-to-end UX process, and is easily accessible (e.g., via a link in your resume or application).

• Research Tapestry Solutions & Boeing: Understand their mission, the MRO industry, and the specific challenges of designing for complex aerospace assets.

• Practice Your Pitch: Be ready to articulate your design process, rationale behind your decisions, and how your skills align with the requirements of this Senior UX Design Specialist role.

⚠️ 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.