Senior UX Designer

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Senior UX Designer

Company: AtkinsRéalis

Location: Cheltenham, United Kingdom

Job Type: Full-time

Category: User Experience Design / Digital Transformation Operations

Date Posted: 2026-08-24

Experience Level: 5-10 Years

Remote Status: Hybrid

🚀 Role Summary

• This role is pivotal in shaping and executing user-centered design (UCD) strategies within a leading engineering services and nuclear organization, impacting digital transformation initiatives.

• Responsibilities include providing expert UX design guidance, managing client relationships, and leading multidisciplinary teams to deliver exceptional user experiences across complex projects.

• The position requires a strong ability to influence and advocate for user needs, translate business objectives into scalable UX solutions, and contribute to the adoption of UCD best practices.

• Success in this role will be measured by the quality of UX artefacts, the improvement of experience metrics, and the successful integration of user-centricity into project lifecycles and client engagements.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the title is "Senior UX Designer," the description heavily emphasizes operational aspects like "UX Design subject matter expertise," "Shape UX contributions to bids and proposals," "Manage client relationships," "Design assurance," and "Technical and team leadership." This suggests a role that bridges pure design with operational GTM strategy and project delivery, requiring strong process orientation and stakeholder management skills typical of operations roles. The "Operations Category" has been broadened to include "Digital Transformation Operations" to reflect this.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Provide expert UX design and user-centered design (UCD) guidance across the full design lifecycle, encompassing interaction design, information architecture, service design, accessibility, and design systems for both internal and external stakeholders.

• Lead and support UX contributions to bids and proposals by developing UX approaches, design strategies, and experience visions that align with internal and external customer demands.

• Foster increased awareness, engagement, and adoption of UCD and UX capabilities across AtkinsRéalis projects and client engagements through strategic advocacy and practical implementation.

• Manage and nurture positive relationships with internal and external customers, thoroughly understanding their needs and ensuring these are met through high-quality, user-centric outcomes.

• Deliver regular, clear updates on design progress, identified risks, and project dependencies, proactively addressing customer inquiries and concerns to maintain strong client satisfaction.

• Conduct design assurance for new UX and service designs, verifying alignment with user needs, accessibility standards (e.g., WCAG), and overarching business objectives.

• Perform reviews and assurance of existing experiences, user journeys, and design practices to identify and mitigate usability, consistency, and experience risks.

• Lead and support multidisciplinary teams, including designers, researchers, developers, and client stakeholders, fostering a collaborative and user-focused environment.

• Provide coaching, mentoring, and UCD thinking to project teams and individuals, elevating the overall design maturity and capability within the organization.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a blend of strategic design leadership and operational project execution. The emphasis on "bids and proposals," "client relationships," "design assurance," and "team leadership" indicates a need for strong project management and GTM operational skills, in addition to core UX expertise.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: Bachelor's degree in Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), Design, Computer Science, Psychology, or a related field. A Master's degree or equivalent practical experience is highly beneficial for a senior role.

Experience: Minimum of 5-10 years of progressive experience in UX design, with a proven track record in leading complex projects and influencing design strategy. Experience in a consulting or large organizational environment is advantageous.

Required Skills:

• Demonstrated expertise in creating high-quality UX artefacts, roadmaps, and plans, including experience strategies, service blueprints, user journeys, and interaction prototypes using a range of industry-standard design tools (e.g., Figma, Sketch, Adobe XD).

• Proven ability to assess user experience and design needs across complex products and services, providing comprehensive guidance throughout the product lifecycle.

• Strong understanding of user-centered design principles, accessibility standards (including WCAG 2.1 AA/AAA), and inclusive design practices.

• Proficiency in managing and improving experience quality metrics, such as usability findings, accessibility compliance scores, customer satisfaction (CSAT), Net Promoter Score (NPS), or behavioral insights.

• Experience in leading and mentoring multidisciplinary teams, fostering collaboration and driving UCD thinking.

• Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills, with the ability to articulate complex design decisions and strategies to diverse audiences, including senior leadership and clients.

• Strategic enterprise and business awareness, with the ability to translate client objectives into coherent, usable, and scalable UX design solutions.

• Ability to analyze, structure, and synthesize qualitative and quantitative data to inform strong design decisions and ensure consistency, usability, and maintainability of designs. Preferred Skills:

• Experience working within Government Digital Service (GDS) projects, with a strong understanding of their assessment processes (Alpha, Beta).

• Familiarity with design systems and component-based design approaches, including contributions to their development or maintenance.

• Experience with service design methodologies and applying them to complex organizational challenges.

• Knowledge of user research methodologies and the ability to collaborate effectively with UX researchers.

• Experience in developing and presenting UX strategies for bids and proposals.

📝 Enhancement Note: The required skills are extensive, emphasizing not just design execution but also strategic thinking, leadership, and client-facing capabilities, which are crucial for operational success in a senior role. The "5-10 years" experience level aligns with the "Senior" title and the depth of responsibilities.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A comprehensive portfolio showcasing a range of UX projects, demonstrating expertise across the full design lifecycle from discovery to delivery.

• Specific case studies detailing experience strategies, service blueprints, user journeys, and interactive prototypes, highlighting the problem, process, and impact.

• Examples of how you have used data analysis (qualitative and quantitative) to inform design decisions and drive improvements.

• Demonstrations of your understanding and application of accessibility standards (WCAG) and inclusive design principles in your work.

• Evidence of contributions to or management of design systems and component libraries. Process Documentation:

• Showcase examples of structured UX process documentation, including user research plans, design specifications, and iteration logs.

• Provide documentation illustrating how you have managed design assurance processes, including review checklists and feedback mechanisms.

• Include examples of how you have tracked and reported on experience quality metrics and the subsequent design improvements implemented.

• Demonstrate experience in documenting and communicating UCD principles and best practices to teams and stakeholders.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a senior operations-focused design role, the portfolio must go beyond visual design to demonstrate a structured approach to problem-solving, process management, and quantifiable impact. This aligns with operations' focus on efficiency, standardization, and measurable outcomes.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: £60,000 - £85,000 per annum, dependent on experience and qualifications.

Benefits:

• Competitive Salaries: Regular salary reviews and performance-based increments.

• Employee Rewards: Access to a comprehensive employee rewards platform with discounts and benefits.

• Health & Wellbeing: Private medical insurance, dental care options, mental health support services, and wellness programs.

• Financial Planning: Pension scheme with employer contributions, life assurance, and potential for share ownership schemes.

• Work-Life Balance: Flexible working policies, including hybrid working arrangements and remote work options, and flexible holiday allowances with the option to purchase additional leave.

• Professional Development: Extensive training and professional development opportunities, including access to online learning platforms, industry conferences, certifications, and internal mentorship programs.

• Family Support: Policies and benefits designed to support family life, including enhanced parental leave.

Working Hours: Standard working hours are typically 40 hours per week, with flexibility offered through hybrid working arrangements and potential for adjusted start/end times depending on project needs and team agreements.

📝 Enhancement Note: Based on the Senior UX Designer role in the UK (Cheltenham), with 5-10 years of experience, and considering the industry (engineering services/nuclear), a salary range of £60,000 - £85,000 is estimated. This is benchmarked against similar roles in the UK market, taking into account employer size and sector. The provided benefits are typical for a large, established organization in the UK and have been expanded for clarity.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Engineering Services, Infrastructure, Nuclear, Consulting. AtkinsRéalis operates across diverse sectors, providing complex engineering solutions and project management, which necessitates a culture that values technical excellence, safety, collaboration, and innovation.

Company Size: Large Enterprise (Over 10,000 employees globally). This size implies a structured environment with established processes, opportunities for diverse career paths, and a global reach, requiring strong coordination and communication.

Founded: 1911 (as WS Atkins & Partners). With over a century of history, the company has a deep-rooted legacy in engineering and a proven ability to adapt and evolve, suggesting a stable yet forward-thinking operational environment.

Team Structure:

• The UX team is likely embedded within larger digital, technology, or project delivery divisions, working collaboratively with project managers, business analysts, developers, researchers, and client representatives.

• Reporting structure will likely involve a UX Lead or a Head of Digital/Design, with senior designers mentoring junior team members and contributing to cross-functional project teams.

• Collaboration is key, with a strong emphasis on cross-functional engagement to ensure user needs are integrated into all phases of project delivery, from bid to execution. Methodology:

• Data Analysis & Insights: Emphasis on using qualitative and quantitative data from user research, analytics, and client feedback to inform design decisions and measure impact.

• Workflow Planning & Optimization: Structured approaches to design processes, including Agile methodologies, to ensure efficient delivery, iteration, and alignment with project timelines and client requirements.

• Automation & Efficiency: Exploration and implementation of design tools, systems, and processes that enhance team efficiency, consistency, and scalability across projects.

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

📝 Enhancement Note: The company's scale and industry suggest a professional, process-driven environment where UX design is integrated into broader project delivery and business development, requiring a strong operational mindset from senior designers.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: Senior Individual Contributor / Team Lead. This role represents a significant level of expertise and responsibility within the UX discipline, with potential to influence strategic direction and mentor others. It bridges hands-on design with operational project leadership and client engagement.

Reporting Structure: Typically reports to a UX Manager, Head of Digital, or a Director of Engineering/Project Delivery. The role involves close collaboration with project managers, account leads, and business development teams.

Operations Impact: Directly influences the success of digital transformation initiatives and complex engineering projects by ensuring user needs are met, thereby enhancing client satisfaction, project efficiency, and the adoption of delivered solutions. This role is critical in translating technical capabilities into user-friendly and valuable outcomes for clients.

Growth Opportunities:

• Specialization & Leadership: Opportunity to deepen expertise in specific areas like service design, accessibility, or design systems, or to move into a formal leadership track managing a UX team.

• Strategic Influence: Potential to shape UX strategy across major projects and contribute to AtkinsRéalis's overall digital transformation roadmap.

• Cross-Functional Development: Gaining broader experience in project management, bid strategy, and client relationship management through close collaboration with other departments.

• Industry Recognition: Opportunities to represent AtkinsRéalis at industry conferences, contribute to thought leadership, and build a professional network.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Senior" title and the blend of design, leadership, and client-facing responsibilities point to significant growth potential, including both technical specialization and operational management within the firm.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Modern, professional office environment. AtkinsRéalis typically operates from well-equipped office spaces designed to foster collaboration and productivity.

Office Location(s): Cheltenham, United Kingdom (Cheltenham House). This location serves as a hub for various engineering and project delivery functions. The hybrid work model allows for a balance between in-office collaboration and remote work.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Spaces: Offices are likely equipped with meeting rooms, breakout areas, and open-plan zones to facilitate team discussions, workshops, and cross-functional interactions.

• Tools & Technology: Access to industry-standard design software, collaboration platforms, and necessary hardware to perform UX design and project management tasks effectively.

• Team Interaction: Regular opportunities for face-to-face interaction with design colleagues, project teams, and stakeholders, alongside leveraging digital tools for remote collaboration.

Work Schedule: The hybrid work model offers flexibility, allowing team members to balance on-site collaboration for key meetings and workshops with remote work for focused design tasks. Standard working hours apply, but flexibility can often be accommodated based on project demands and personal needs.

📝 Enhancement Note: The hybrid nature of the role implies a need for strong remote collaboration skills and the ability to structure work effectively across different environments, a common requirement in modern operations roles.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A recruiter or hiring manager will review your application and CV, focusing on relevant experience and skills.

• Technical Interview: This typically involves discussing your UX process, design philosophy, and problem-solving approach. You may be asked to walk through specific case studies from your portfolio.

• Portfolio Review: A dedicated session where you present key projects, explaining your role, design decisions, challenges, and outcomes. Emphasis will be placed on your strategic thinking, UCD principles, and impact measurement.

• Stakeholder/Team Interview: Meeting with potential colleagues, project managers, or business leads to assess cultural fit, collaboration style, and ability to work within a multidisciplinary team.

• Final Interview: Often with a senior leader, focusing on strategic alignment, leadership potential, and overall fit within AtkinsRéalis.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select 3-5 of your strongest, most relevant projects that showcase your end-to-end UX process, problem-solving skills, and impact. Prioritize projects that align with AtkinsRéalis's industry and challenges (e.g., complex systems, GDS, infrastructure).

• Structure Your Narratives: For each case study, clearly articulate: The Problem (client's challenge, user need), Your Role & Process (your specific contributions, methodologies used, tools), The Solution (design artifacts, prototypes, final outcomes), and The Impact (quantifiable results, learnings, business value).

• Highlight Operational Aspects: Emphasize how you managed stakeholder expectations, collaborated with development teams, ensured accessibility compliance, and contributed to project success within defined timelines and constraints.

• Prepare for Technical Depth: Be ready to discuss specific design decisions, trade-offs, accessibility standards, and how you synthesized research data into actionable design solutions.

• Demonstrate Leadership: Showcase instances where you mentored others, influenced design direction, or led UX efforts on complex projects.

Challenge Preparation:

• Be prepared for potential design exercises or scenario-based questions that assess your problem-solving approach, design thinking, and ability to work under pressure.

• Practice articulating your thought process clearly and concisely, as if explaining it to a client or a non-design stakeholder.

• Research AtkinsRéalis's recent projects, values, and industry challenges to tailor your responses and demonstrate genuine interest.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process for a senior role in a large organization like AtkinsRéalis will likely be thorough, with a strong emphasis on portfolio demonstration and the ability to articulate strategic thinking and operational execution alongside design skills.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Design & Prototyping: Figma, Sketch, Adobe XD, InVision, Axure RP. Proficiency in at least one primary tool is essential, with familiarity in others being a plus.

• Collaboration & Communication: Microsoft Teams, Slack, Zoom, Confluence, Jira. Essential for seamless communication and workflow management within multidisciplinary and remote teams.

• Design Systems: Familiarity with building, contributing to, or utilizing design systems and component libraries.

• User Research & Testing Platforms: UserTesting.com, Maze, Hotjar, Qualtrics for gathering user feedback and insights.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Web Analytics: Google Analytics, Adobe Analytics (familiarity with interpreting user behavior data).

• Data Visualization: Tableau, Power BI (ability to understand and interpret data presented in dashboards).

• Performance Metrics: Experience in tracking and reporting on key UX metrics (usability, accessibility, CSAT, NPS).

CRM & Automation:

• While not directly managing CRM/automation systems, understanding how UX design integrates with these systems (e.g., Salesforce, HubSpot) and impacts user journeys within them is beneficial.

• Familiarity with Agile project management tools like Jira for workflow tracking and task management.

📝 Enhancement Note: The tools listed are standard for senior UX roles, but the emphasis on collaboration platforms, project management tools (Jira), and data interpretation highlights the operational aspects of the role.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• User-Centricity: A deep commitment to understanding and advocating for the user in all design and project decisions.

• Excellence & Quality: Striving for the highest standards in design execution, user experience, and project delivery.

• Collaboration & Teamwork: Valuing diverse perspectives and working effectively across disciplines and with clients to achieve shared goals.

• Integrity & Professionalism: Upholding ethical standards, maintaining confidentiality, and acting with professionalism in all interactions.

• Innovation & Continuous Improvement: Embracing new ideas, technologies, and methodologies to enhance design processes and outcomes.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-Functional Integration: Actively engaging with project managers, engineers, business analysts, and clients to ensure UX is embedded throughout the project lifecycle.

• Constructive Feedback: Open to giving and receiving feedback in a constructive manner to foster continuous improvement and robust design solutions.

• Knowledge Sharing: Proactively sharing insights, best practices, and learnings within the UX team and across project teams to elevate collective capability.

📝 Enhancement Note: The values and collaboration style reflect a professional, results-oriented environment where UX is seen as a critical component of successful project delivery and client satisfaction, aligning with operational priorities.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Complex Stakeholder Environments: Navigating diverse stakeholder needs and priorities across large, complex organizations and client projects.

• Balancing User Needs with Business Constraints: Finding optimal solutions that satisfy user requirements while adhering to technical limitations, budget, and timelines.

• Driving UCD Adoption: Championing user-centered design principles and methodologies within teams and client organizations that may have varying levels of UX maturity.

• Measuring and Demonstrating Impact: Quantifying the value of UX design and its contribution to business objectives in tangible terms.

• Adapting to Evolving Technologies: Staying current with emerging technologies and design trends to ensure solutions remain relevant and innovative.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Advanced UX Specializations: Opportunities to gain certifications or specialized training in areas such as Service Design, Accessibility Auditing, UX Strategy, or UX Research.

• Industry Conferences & Events: Support for attending leading UX and digital transformation conferences to stay abreast of industry trends and network with peers.

• Mentorship Programs: Access to senior leaders for guidance on career progression, strategic thinking, and leadership development.

• Cross-Departmental Learning: Opportunities to learn about project management, business development, and specific engineering domains to gain a broader understanding of AtkinsRéalis's operations.

📝 Enhancement Note: Identifying potential challenges and growth areas is crucial for candidates to prepare for the realities of the role and to align their career aspirations with the opportunities available at AtkinsRéalis.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you had to advocate for a user's needs against strong business or technical resistance. How did you approach it, and what was the outcome?" (Focus on your persuasion, data-driven approach, and stakeholder management.)

• "How would you approach designing a user experience for a complex infrastructure or nuclear project, considering safety, accessibility, and diverse user groups?" (Demonstrate your process for understanding complex domains and diverse user needs.)

• "Walk me through your process for developing a UX roadmap for a new digital service offering within a large enterprise." (Highlight your strategic planning, iterative approach, and ability to align with business goals.) Company & Culture Questions:

• "What interests you about AtkinsRéalis and this specific role within our organization?" (Research AtkinsRéalis's mission, recent projects, and values. Connect your skills and aspirations to their work.)

• "How do you foster collaboration and ensure effective communication within a hybrid or remote multidisciplinary team?" (Provide examples of your communication strategies and experience with collaboration tools.)

• "How do you measure the success of your UX designs and demonstrate their ROI to stakeholders?" (Prepare specific examples of metrics you've used and the impact you've achieved.) Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Storytelling: Frame each case study as a narrative: the challenge, your journey, and the resolution. Emphasize your thought process and decision-making at each stage.

• Quantify Impact: Wherever possible, use data and metrics to demonstrate the tangible results of your design work (e.g., "reduced task completion time by X%", "increased user satisfaction by Y%", "achieved Z% accessibility compliance").

• Highlight Collaboration: Show how you worked with different teams (developers, product managers, clients) and managed feedback to achieve the best outcome.

• Focus on Process, Not Just Pixels: Explain why you made certain design choices and how they align with user needs and business objectives, rather than just showing final screens.

• Be Prepared for Questions: Anticipate questions about your design decisions, challenges faced, and alternative solutions you considered.

📝 Enhancement Note: These interview questions are designed to probe the candidate's strategic thinking, operational execution, and ability to integrate UX into a complex organizational context, moving beyond pure design execution.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Senior UX Designer position:

• Submit your application through the AtkinsRéalis careers portal via the provided link.

• Portfolio Customization: Ensure your portfolio prominently features case studies demonstrating your experience with complex projects, user-centered design methodologies, accessibility standards (WCAG), and impact measurement. Tailor your selection to highlight experience relevant to engineering, infrastructure, or government sectors if possible.

• Resume Optimization: Update your resume to clearly articulate your 5-10 years of experience, highlighting key responsibilities and achievements related to UX strategy, client management, team leadership, and successful project delivery. Integrate keywords from the job description naturally.

• Interview Preparation: Practice walking through your portfolio case studies, focusing on clear storytelling, quantifiable results, and your strategic approach to design challenges. Prepare to discuss how you would integrate into a hybrid work environment and collaborate with diverse teams.

• Company Research: Thoroughly research AtkinsRéalis, understanding their mission, values, recent projects, and the industries they serve. Consider how your skills and experience can contribute to their "engineering a better future" ethos.

⚠️ 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.