Senior UX Designer

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Senior UX Designer

Company: Curriculum Associates

Location: Brooklyn, NY, United States / North Billerica, MA, United States

Job Type: Full-time

Category: User Experience (UX) Design / Product Design

Date Posted: 2026-09-14

Experience Level: 5+ Years

Remote Status: Hybrid (Minimum 1 day/week in office)

🚀 Role Summary

• Product Experience Design: Drive the creation of intuitive and engaging user experiences for Curriculum Associates' Educator platform, focusing on transforming complex educational needs into user-friendly digital products.

• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Work closely with product managers, editors, engineers, and visual designers to translate user requirements and business goals into innovative design solutions.

• Prototyping & Iteration: Utilize a range of design techniques, from low-fidelity sketches and wireframes to high-fidelity interactive prototypes, employing tools like Figma and exploring generative AI for rapid ideation and iteration.

• Accessibility & AI Integration: Champion accessible design principles (WCAG, UDL) and integrate AI-enabled features, such as conversational interfaces and personalized content, into product design while adhering to ethical AI practices.

• Strategic Design Contribution: Actively participate in concept development, user research interpretation, and the definition of user requirements, ensuring designs are grounded in evidence and align with educational objectives.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the primary focus is UX Design, the role's integration with educational technology and AI-enabled interfaces suggests a strong need for understanding user engagement principles within learning environments and the ability to translate pedagogical concepts into digital interactions. This role is crucial for driving user adoption and effectiveness of educational tools.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Conceptualization & Design Development: Participate in concept development sessions with editorial, design, and development teams to brainstorm and refine product ideas.

• Iterative Design Process: Employ iterative and collaborative design techniques to transform new concepts into tangible products, creating low-fidelity diagrams, storyboards, sketches, and wireframes, progressing to high-fidelity functional prototypes.

• Documentation & Implementation: Develop clear and comprehensive documentation for user stories, design specifications, and interaction flows, collaborating closely with Agile development teams to ensure accurate and high-quality implementation of designs.

• Product Enhancement & Maintenance: Maintain, update, and continuously improve existing products based on user feedback, performance data, and evolving educational standards.

• Requirements Definition & Problem Solving: Contribute to the definition, planning, and prioritization of user and business requirements, proactively identifying and resolving potential design challenges throughout the product lifecycle.

• User-Centric Design Advocacy: Champion user-centered design principles, ensuring that all design decisions are informed by user research, market insights, and accessibility best practices.

• AI-Driven Design Exploration: Design and iterate on AI-enabled interfaces and workflows, including conversational chatbots, personalized content delivery, and predictive/adaptive systems, staying abreast of AI ethics and best practices.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on "transforming new concepts into products" and "ensuring proper implementation" suggests a hands-on role that bridges strategic design thinking with practical execution within an Agile development cycle. The Senior UX Designer is expected to not only conceptualize but also see designs through to successful development and deployment.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

• While no specific degree is mandated, a Bachelor's or Master's degree in Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), Interaction Design, Graphic Design, Computer Science, or a related field is typically expected for a senior-level UX role. Equivalent practical experience will also be strongly considered. Experience:

• A minimum of 5 years of proven experience designing rich and interactive user experiences, with a strong preference for experience in the education technology sector, specifically for educators and students (K-8).

• A demonstrable track record of creating innovative and thoughtful products that measurably improve user experience. Required Skills:

• User Experience (UX) Design: Deep understanding of UX/UI processes, user-centered design methodologies, user engagement principles, and information architecture.

• Prototyping & Wireframing: Proficiency in creating low-fidelity diagrams, storyboards, sketches, wireframes, and high-fidelity functional prototypes.

• Design Tools: Mastery of UX/UI prototyping tools, with a strong preference for Figma. Experience and curiosity for using generative AI tools (e.g., Figma Make, Claude Code) for rapid ideation and iteration.

• Interaction Patterns: Strong knowledge of mobile and web interaction patterns and best practices.

• Information & Communication Design: Excellent information design and communication design skills.

• Requirements Gathering: Strong ability to capture and document user, stakeholder, and business requirements.

• Research Integration: Experience in utilizing user and market research to inform design decisions and articulate design rationale.

• Accessibility Standards: Understanding of accessible design principles, including Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) and Universal Design for Learning (UDL).

• AI-Enabled Design: Experience designing AI-enabled interfaces and workflows (e.g., chatbots, personalization, adaptive systems) and familiarity with current AI best practices and ethics.

• Organizational & Time Management: Highly detail-oriented with strong organizational skills; ability to independently prioritize tasks and meet deadlines without oversight.

• Communication: Outstanding written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to present UX recommendations and design rationales effectively.

• Collaboration: Proven ability to work confidently as a design representative on cross-functional teams in a fast-paced Agile environment.

• Presentation Skills: Demonstrated ability to organize and lead meetings and present UX recommendations to stakeholders, project teams, and leadership.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience in K-8 curricula development or educational content design.

• Previous classroom teaching experience or direct experience working closely with educators and students.

• A proactive approach to professional growth, with a desire to stay current with accessible UX and AI design trends.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on "5+ years designing rich interactive experiences" and a "track record of achievement" highlights the need for a senior candidate with a substantial portfolio. The specific mention of Figma and generative AI tools indicates a requirement for modern design tool proficiency. The inclusion of AI-enabled interfaces as a required skill points to a forward-thinking product development approach.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Demonstration of Impact: A comprehensive portfolio is required, showcasing innovative and thoughtful products that have demonstrably improved user experience. This should include case studies detailing the problem, your process, design solutions, and quantifiable outcomes or user benefits.

• Process Documentation: Portfolio pieces should clearly articulate your design process, including user research, ideation, wireframing, prototyping, user testing, and iteration. Highlight how you translated complex requirements into intuitive solutions.

• System Implementation Evidence: Showcase examples of designs that have been successfully implemented within Agile development environments, demonstrating collaboration with engineering teams.

• Accessibility & AI Focus: Include examples that highlight your understanding and application of accessibility standards (WCAG, UDL) and your experience designing AI-enabled interfaces or workflows.

Process Documentation:

• Workflow Design & Optimization: Demonstrate your ability to map out user journeys, design efficient workflows, and optimize existing processes through thoughtful UX design.

• Implementation & Automation: Provide examples of how your designs have facilitated smooth implementation and, where applicable, automation of user tasks.

• Measurement & Analysis: Show how you have used data and user feedback to measure the success of your designs and drive further improvements.

📝 Enhancement Note: The requirement for a portfolio submission is critical. Candidates must be prepared to present detailed case studies that not only showcase visual design but also the strategic thinking, user research, and problem-solving methodology behind their work, with a clear emphasis on impact and implementation within an Agile context.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

• The stated pay range for this position is $69,250 - $118,250 USD per year. Estimated Salary Range Justification:

• This range is competitive for a Senior UX Designer role in the US market, particularly considering the hybrid work model and the specific industry focus (EdTech). The specific salary offered will depend on the candidate's experience, skills, and qualifications, aligning with the company's compensation philosophy. For locations like Brooklyn, NY, and North Billerica, MA, this range is within market norms for experienced UX professionals. The lower end reflects strong foundational experience, while the upper end accommodates candidates with extensive relevant expertise and a proven track record of significant impact. Benefits:

• Health & Wellness: Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance plans.

• Financial Security: Basic life insurance and a 401k plan with an employer match.

• Work-Life Balance: Flexible vacation and sick leave policies.

• Paid Time Off: Twelve paid holidays per year.

• Holiday Closure: A winter office closure between Christmas and New Year's Day.

• Additional Perks: Access to a number of other company-provided perks and benefits.

Working Hours:

• The role is full-time, generally expected to involve approximately 40 hours per week. The hybrid nature allows for flexibility in scheduling work between home and the office, though a minimum of one day per week in the designated office location is required.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range is provided, and the benefits package is robust, offering standard but comprehensive coverage for health, financial planning, and time off, which are key considerations for senior-level professionals. The winter office closure is a notable perk for work-life balance.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Education Technology (EdTech)

Company Size: While not explicitly stated in the provided text, Curriculum Associates is a significant player in the EdTech space, serving over a third of the nation's K-8 students. Based on the number of employees often associated with such reach, it's likely a mid-to-large sized organization (hundreds to a few thousand employees).

Founded: Over 50 years ago.

Team Structure:

• Cross-Functional Product Teams: The Senior UX Designer will be part of interdisciplinary teams that include subject matter experts, editors, product managers, engineers, and visual designers, working within an Agile framework.

• Design Leadership: The role reports to the Lead UX Designer, indicating a structured design department with opportunities for mentorship and collaboration with senior design leadership.

• Collaborative Environment: The company emphasizes diversity in thinking and encourages collaboration, aiming for better products for teachers and students.

Methodology:

• User-Centered Design: A core methodology, emphasizing evidence-based design driven by user and market research.

• Agile Development: Designs are developed and implemented within an Agile framework, requiring close collaboration with development teams.

• Iterative Design: Concepts are transformed into products through iterative processes, using low-fidelity to high-fidelity prototypes.

• Data-Informed Decisions: User and market research are used to drive creative decisions and design rationale.

Company Website: curriculumassociates.com

📝 Enhancement Note: Curriculum Associates has a long-standing history in EdTech, suggesting a stable yet innovative environment. The company's mission-driven approach ("changing the face of education technology") and emphasis on diversity and inclusion ("a diverse team leads to diversity in thinking") are key cultural indicators for potential candidates.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: Senior Individual Contributor. This role is for an experienced UX Designer who can work independently, mentor junior designers (implicitly), and significantly influence product direction. It represents a mid-to-senior level in a UX career path.

Reporting Structure: Reports to the Lead UX Designer, indicating a clear line of communication and mentorship within the design team. Collaboration extends across product, engineering, and editorial departments.

Operations Impact: The Senior UX Designer directly impacts the effectiveness and usability of educational technology products used by millions of students and educators. Their work influences user adoption, learning outcomes, and the overall success of Curriculum Associates' offerings in the competitive EdTech market.

Growth Opportunities:

• Skill Specialization: Opportunity to deepen expertise in AI-enabled interface design, accessible UX, and specific educational technology domains.

• Leadership Development: Potential to grow into a Lead UX Designer or UX Manager role, mentoring other designers and leading design initiatives.

• Product Strategy Influence: As a senior member, the role offers opportunities to contribute to product strategy and roadmap planning, influencing the future direction of educational tools.

• Continuous Learning: Encouragement to stay current with trends in accessible UX and AI design, potentially through conferences, training, or self-study, supported by the company.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Senior" title implies a path towards leadership or deeper specialization. The company's long history suggests stability, while the focus on AI and modern design tools indicates a commitment to evolving practices, offering growth through staying current with industry advancements.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Hybrid work model, requiring a minimum of one day per week in the office. This suggests a modern office setup designed for collaboration and focused work.

Office Location(s):

• Brooklyn, NY (Jay St)

• North Billerica, MA

Candidates are expected to be local to one of these locations.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Spaces: The office environment likely provides spaces conducive to cross-functional team meetings, design critiques, and brainstorming sessions.

• Technology & Tools: Access to industry-standard design software (Figma) and potentially AI tools, along with necessary IT infrastructure.

• Team Interaction: Opportunities for in-person collaboration with colleagues, fostering team cohesion and knowledge sharing, complementing remote work.

Work Schedule:

• Full-time, approximately 40 hours per week. The hybrid model offers some flexibility in how the work week is structured between remote and in-office days.

📝 Enhancement Note: The hybrid model is a key differentiator, offering a blend of remote flexibility and in-office collaboration. Candidates should be prepared for a structured hybrid approach, with at least one day per week dedicated to in-office presence in either Brooklyn or North Billerica.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: Application review, focusing on resume and portfolio. Candidates must submit a portfolio to be considered.

• Portfolio Review & Discussion: A dedicated session where the candidate presents their portfolio, discussing their process, design rationale, and impact. This is a critical stage.

• Skills-Based Interview: May include technical questions related to UX/UI principles, design tools (Figma), AI design, and accessibility.

• Behavioral & Situational Interviews: Assessing collaboration skills, problem-solving abilities, communication style, and cultural fit within a cross-functional Agile team.

• Hiring Manager/Lead UX Designer Interview: Final discussion to assess overall fit, strategic thinking, and alignment with the team's vision.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select 3-5 strong case studies that best represent your skills and experience relevant to EdTech, AI-enabled design, and accessibility.

• Tell a Story: For each case study, clearly articulate the problem, your role, the design process (research, ideation, testing, iteration), your specific contributions, and the impact/outcomes. Use visuals effectively.

• Highlight Process: Emphasize your thought process, decision-making, and how you navigated challenges. Show, don't just tell, your UX methodology.

• Showcase Tools: Demonstrate proficiency with Figma and any experience with generative AI tools.

• Address AI & Accessibility: Explicitly highlight projects where you incorporated AI features or adhered to accessibility standards.

• Quantify Impact: Whenever possible, include metrics or qualitative feedback that demonstrate the success of your designs.

Challenge Preparation:

• Design Challenge: Be prepared for a potential design exercise, either take-home or live, that simulates a real-world problem relevant to educational technology. Focus on demonstrating your process, not just a polished final output.

• Scenario-Based Questions: Prepare to discuss how you would approach specific design challenges, handle conflicting stakeholder feedback, or integrate new technologies like AI into existing platforms.

• Company & Product Research: Understand Curriculum Associates' mission, products (especially i-Ready), and target audience. Think critically about how UX can enhance their educational offerings.

📝 Enhancement Note: The portfolio is paramount. Candidates should treat the portfolio presentation as a core part of the interview, preparing to articulate their design decisions and impact with clarity and confidence, especially regarding AI and accessibility.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• UX/UI Prototyping: Figma (required, preferred)

• Generative AI Tools: Experience with or curiosity for tools like Figma Make, Claude Code, or similar for rapid ideation and prototyping.

• Wireframing & Diagramming: Tools for creating low-fidelity concepts (e.g., Balsamiq, Miro, Sketch, Adobe XD).

• Collaboration Platforms: Tools for team communication and project management (e.g., Slack, Microsoft Teams, Jira, Confluence).

Analytics & Reporting:

• Familiarity with how user analytics and A/B testing results inform design decisions. Specific tools not listed, but an understanding of data-driven design is implied. CRM & Automation:

• Not directly specified for this role, but an understanding of how UX integrates with broader product ecosystems is beneficial.

📝 Enhancement Note: Figma is explicitly called out as the preferred tool. Candidates should be prepared to discuss their proficiency with Figma and their willingness to explore and integrate emerging AI tools into their design workflow.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Commitment to Education: A strong mission-driven focus on improving educational outcomes for students and supporting educators.

• Diversity & Inclusion: Valuing diverse perspectives and backgrounds to create better products.

• Lifelong Learning: Encouraging continuous professional growth and staying current with industry trends, especially in areas like AI and accessibility.

• Collaboration & Teamwork: Working effectively within cross-functional teams to achieve common goals.

• Innovation: Driving the "face of education technology" through continuous improvement and new program development.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-Functional Integration: Actively collaborating with product, engineering, and editorial teams in an Agile setting.

• Design Representation: Confidently representing the design perspective in team discussions and stakeholder meetings.

• Feedback Exchange: Openness to giving and receiving constructive feedback to refine designs and processes.

• Knowledge Sharing: Contributing to a culture of shared learning and best practices within the design team and broader organization.

📝 Enhancement Note: The company culture emphasizes impact, collaboration, and continuous improvement, aligning well with the values typically found in successful EdTech organizations. Candidates should demonstrate an alignment with these principles, particularly the mission-driven aspect of education.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing User Needs with Technical Constraints: Designing intuitive experiences for educators and students while working within the realities of Agile development cycles and technical limitations.

• Integrating AI Ethically and Effectively: Developing AI-enabled features that genuinely enhance learning without introducing bias or compromising user trust.

• Designing for Diverse Learners: Creating accessible and inclusive designs that cater to a wide range of student needs and learning styles, adhering to WCAG and UDL principles.

• Rapidly Evolving EdTech Landscape: Staying ahead of technological advancements and pedagogical shifts in the education technology sector.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Advanced UX Skills: Deepen expertise in specialized areas like AI-driven UX, inclusive design, and user research methodologies.

• Industry Engagement: Potential to attend conferences or workshops focused on UX, EdTech, or AI.

• Mentorship: Opportunities to learn from and contribute to the growth of the Lead UX Designer and potentially junior team members.

• Product Strategy Input: Influence the direction of innovative educational products.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges highlight the dynamic nature of the EdTech industry and the increasing role of AI and accessibility. The growth opportunities are geared towards developing expertise in these cutting-edge areas and advancing within a mission-oriented company.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a complex educational problem you tackled with UX design. What was your process, and what was the outcome?" (Focus on process, user-centricity, and impact).

• "How would you approach designing an AI-powered tutoring feature for K-8 students? What are the key ethical considerations?" (Demonstrate understanding of AI design, ethics, and target audience).

• "Walk us through a project where you had to balance conflicting stakeholder requirements or technical constraints. How did you resolve it?" (Showcase problem-solving, negotiation, and communication skills).

• "How do you ensure your designs are accessible to all users, including those with disabilities?" (Detail your knowledge of WCAG, UDL, and practical implementation). Company & Culture Questions:

• "What interests you about Curriculum Associates' mission and our role in education technology?" (Research the company's values and products).

• "How do you approach collaboration within a cross-functional Agile team?" (Provide examples of your teamwork and communication style).

• "How do you stay current with UX trends, particularly in AI and accessibility?" (Highlight your commitment to continuous learning). Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure: Begin with a brief overview of your career, then dive into 2-3 key case studies. For each:

  1. Context: Company, product goal, your role.
  2. Problem: User pain point or business challenge.
  3. Process: Research, ideation, wireframing, prototyping, testing.
  4. Solution: Key design decisions and rationale.
  5. Impact: Quantifiable results, user feedback, lessons learned.

• Highlight AI/Accessibility: Explicitly call out any projects that showcase your expertise in these areas.

• Tool Proficiency: Be ready to discuss your use of Figma and any AI tools.

• Conciseness: Be mindful of time; practice your presentation to be clear, engaging, and within allotted timeframes.

📝 Enhancement Note: Preparation should focus on demonstrating a deep understanding of UX principles, practical application of design tools (especially Figma), a strong commitment to accessibility and AI ethics, and the ability to articulate impact through compelling case studies.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Senior UX Designer position:

• Submit Application: Navigate to the provided Workday job portal link and submit your application.

• Portfolio Customization: Ensure your resume and portfolio are tailored to highlight your experience in UX/UI design, particularly within educational technology, AI-enabled interfaces, and accessibility standards. Select case studies that best showcase your process and impact.

• Resume Optimization: Incorporate keywords from the job description (e.g., "UX Designer," "Figma," "WCAG," "AI-enabled interfaces," "Agile," "prototyping," "user-centered design") to ensure ATS compatibility and relevance.

• Interview Preparation: Practice articulating your design process, decision-making, and project outcomes for potential interview questions and portfolio presentations. Research Curriculum Associates' mission and products thoroughly.

• Company Research: Familiarize yourself with Curriculum Associates' products (like i-Ready), their mission, and their commitment to education. Understand how their values might align with your own professional approach.

⚠️ 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.