Senior UX Designer (Fixed Term - 12 Months)

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Senior UX Designer (Fixed Term - 12 Months)

Company: Fisher & Paykel Appliances

Location: Auckland, New Zealand

Job Type: Full time, Temporary

Category: User Experience (UX) Design / Product Design

Date Posted: 2026-08-26

Experience Level: 6+ years

Remote Status: Hybrid

🚀 Role Summary

• This role focuses on creating premium digital experiences for Fisher & Paykel's web and e-commerce platforms, emphasizing human-centered design principles.

• You will be responsible for the end-to-end design process, from initial discovery and ideation through to high-fidelity design, validation, and implementation.

• The position requires a strong blend of UX thinking and exceptional visual and interface design skills to ensure intuitive, accessible, and commercially effective digital touchpoints.

• This Senior UX Designer will play a crucial role in shaping customer engagement, discovery, and exploration across digital channels, ensuring consistency with the Fisher & Paykel brand identity.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the job title is "Senior UX Designer," the responsibilities listed (full design process, visual and interface design, working with developers, stakeholder communication) strongly indicate a hybrid UX/UI role. The emphasis on "premium digital experiences" and "human-centred design" aligns with a senior-level contribution to brand perception and customer satisfaction within a product-focused organization. The fixed-term nature suggests a project-driven need, potentially related to new product launches, website redesigns, or e-commerce platform enhancements.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Lead the design of digital products and experiences across web and e-commerce channels, ensuring they are intuitive, accessible, and commercially effective.

• Drive the full design process, from discovery and ideation through to high-fidelity design, validation, and implementation, collaborating closely with cross-functional teams.

• Translate customer needs, business requirements, and user insights into compelling concepts, wireframes, and high-fidelity mockups.

• Contribute to or evolve a Design System, including tokens, components, variants, modes, and documentation, ensuring design consistency and efficiency.

• Collaborate closely with developers to ensure seamless design handoff and accurate implementation of designs, understanding developer workflows.

• Apply a strong understanding of usability, accessibility, and customer behavior to inform design decisions and create seamless user journeys.

• Leverage AI tools to enhance the design process, including AI-assisted prototyping, generative design exploration, and staying abreast of AI advancements in design.

• Present design rationale and build confidence with a diverse range of stakeholders, including Digital, Product, Brand, Content, Marketing, and Customer Care teams.

• Challenge existing thinking and propose fresh, forward-looking digital experiences, embodying a naturally curious and proactive mindset.

• Ensure all digital experiences are unmistakably Fisher & Paykel, maintaining brand integrity and aesthetic sensibility.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a senior-level contribution, emphasizing leadership in the design process, contribution to design systems, and strategic thinking beyond just execution. The explicit mention of AI tools suggests a forward-thinking approach to design methodology.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: While no specific degree is mandated, a strong portfolio demonstrating design craft and a deep understanding of UX/UI principles is paramount. Relevant degrees in Design, Human-Computer Interaction, or related fields are often beneficial.

Experience: 6+ years of experience in UX/UI design, with a proven track record in visual and interface design.

Required Skills:

• 6+ years of experience in UX/UI design, with demonstrated strengths in visual and interface design.

• Proven experience designing digital products and experiences, ideally across web, e-commerce, or other customer-facing digital environments.

• Strong understanding of customer journeys, digital commerce, and how design supports both customer and commercial outcomes.

• Extensive experience working in Figma, with robust and disciplined design workflows and file management.

• Experience contributing to or evolving a Design System, including tokens, components, variants, modes, and documentation.

• Ability to translate customer needs, business requirements, and user insights into compelling concepts and wireframes.

• Strong understanding of usability, accessibility, and customer behavior in digital environments.

• Experience working with developers and an understanding of developer workflows, design handoff, and implementation.

• Strong presentation and communication skills, with the ability to articulate design rationale and build confidence with a diverse range of stakeholders.

• Collaborative and proactive approach, with the ability to work effectively across Digital, Product, Brand, Content, Marketing, Customer Care, and other cross-functional teams.

• Naturally curious mindset, with the confidence to challenge existing thinking and propose fresh, forward-looking digital experiences.

• Hands-on experience using AI tools to enhance the design process, including AI-assisted prototyping, generative design exploration, and staying current with the rapidly evolving AI landscape. Preferred Skills:

• Experience with user research methodologies and translating research findings into design solutions.

• Familiarity with other design and prototyping tools beyond Figma.

• Experience working within an Agile or Scrum development environment.

• A keen eye for detail and a passion for creating aesthetically pleasing and functional interfaces.

• Understanding of front-end development principles (HTML, CSS, JavaScript) to facilitate better collaboration with developers.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on Figma, Design Systems, and AI tools are critical technical requirements for this role. The "6+ years" experience coupled with the responsibilities indicates a senior individual contributor role.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A compelling portfolio demonstrating exceptional aesthetic sensibility, attention to detail, and well-honed design craft is mandatory.

• Showcase a range of digital products and experiences, with a focus on web and e-commerce, highlighting your contributions to customer journeys and commercial outcomes.

• Include case studies that illustrate your process from discovery and ideation through to high-fidelity design, validation, and implementation.

• Demonstrate your ability to translate customer needs, business requirements, and user insights into tangible design solutions.

• Present examples of your work with Design Systems, including contributions to components, tokens, or evolving existing systems.

• Showcase your proficiency with Figma, including examples of well-organized files and disciplined workflows.

• Highlight your experience working with developers, including design handoff processes and examples of implemented designs. Process Documentation:

• Provide examples of how you have documented design processes, including user flow mapping, wireframing, and prototyping.

• Showcase instances where you have contributed to or evolved design systems, detailing the process of creating or updating components, variants, and documentation.

• Illustrate how you have collaborated with development teams, detailing your approach to design handoff and implementation support.

• Demonstrate how you have used AI tools within your design process, providing examples of AI-assisted prototyping or generative design exploration.

📝 Enhancement Note: The hiring team explicitly requires a portfolio, emphasizing "skill set, thought process and insights… your story." This indicates a strong focus on the candidate's approach to problem-solving and their ability to articulate their design journey, not just the final output.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: Based on industry benchmarks for Senior UX/UI Designers in Auckland, New Zealand, with 6+ years of experience, the estimated annual salary range is NZD $100,000 - $140,000. This range accounts for the fixed-term nature of the contract and the specialized skills required.

Benefits:

• Competitive salary package.

• Flexible working arrangements.

• Generous discounts on Fisher & Paykel and Haier products.

• Subsidised staff café.

• Free car parking when on-site.

• Opportunity to work with a leading global brand with a strong heritage.

• Exposure to diverse and exciting challenges within the digital function.

Working Hours: 40 hours per week, with flexibility. The hybrid work arrangement allows for a balance between on-site collaboration and remote work.

📝 Enhancement Note: Salary is an estimate based on market research for similar roles in Auckland, New Zealand. The actual compensation will be determined by the candidate's experience, skills, and the final negotiation. The benefits listed are directly from the job description.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Home Appliances, Luxury Goods, Consumer Electronics. Fisher & Paykel operates in a competitive global market, distinguished by its focus on premium design, innovation, and human-centered product development.

Company Size: Large global organization. Fisher & Paykel is part of the Haier Group, indicating a significant operational footprint and resources. This size offers opportunities for broad exposure and impact.

Founded: 1934. With a rich heritage, Fisher & Paykel has a long-standing reputation for quality and innovation, deeply rooted in New Zealand.

Team Structure:

• The role reports to the UX Practice Lead, indicating a structured design team with clear leadership.

• You will be part of a talented, multi-disciplinary Digital Function, suggesting close collaboration with other digital specialists.

• Cross-functional collaboration is a key aspect, involving teams such as Product, Brand, Content, Marketing, and Customer Care. Methodology:

• A strong emphasis on human-centered design, aligning with the company's brand values: real, generous, curious, and sustainably minded.

• Collaborative approach to idea generation and problem-solving.

• Data-driven decision-making is implied through the focus on customer journeys, commercial outcomes, and performance analysis.

• A culture where ideas are heard and innovation is encouraged, particularly in digital experiences and the integration of new technologies like AI.

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

📝 Enhancement Note: The company culture is described as collaborative and human-centered, with a strong emphasis on design and innovation. The expansion into a new campus signifies growth and investment in their future.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: Senior Individual Contributor. This role is for an experienced designer who can operate independently, lead design initiatives, and contribute strategically to the digital product roadmap. It involves mentorship implicitly through contribution to design systems and collaboration.

Reporting Structure: Reports to the UX Practice Lead, placing the role within a dedicated UX/UI team structure. This structure allows for specialized guidance and career development within the design discipline.

Operations Impact: The Senior UX Designer will directly influence customer perception and engagement with the Fisher & Paykel brand through premium digital experiences. Their work will impact key commercial outcomes, such as e-commerce conversion rates, customer satisfaction, and brand loyalty. The role contributes to the company's goal of being the world's #1 human-centered, premium appliance brand.

Growth Opportunities:

• Skill Specialization: Deepen expertise in specific areas of UX/UI, such as e-commerce optimization, design systems, accessibility, or AI-driven design.

• Leadership Exposure: Gain experience in leading design aspects of projects and influencing cross-functional teams, which can pave the way for future design lead or management roles.

• Industry Exposure: Work on high-profile digital projects for a globally recognized premium brand, enhancing your professional portfolio and industry reputation.

• Continuous Learning: Opportunity to stay at the forefront of design trends, particularly with the integration of AI tools, and potentially attend industry events or training.

📝 Enhancement Note: While this is a fixed-term role, the "Senior" title and the responsibilities suggest significant opportunities for skill enhancement and strategic influence. The growth opportunities are framed within the context of gaining valuable experience with a leading brand and advanced design methodologies.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The role is based at Fisher & Paykel's new Global HQ in Penrose, Auckland. This is described as a state-of-the-art campus, suggesting a modern and well-equipped workspace designed for collaboration and innovation.

Office Location(s): The primary location is the Global HQ in Penrose, Auckland, New Zealand. The company also has other key sites like the Distribution Centre in East Tāmaki and the Global Experience Centre in Grey Lynn, emphasizing a connected Auckland presence.

Workspace Context:

• A collaborative environment is emphasized, with opportunities to work alongside a talented, multi-disciplinary team.

• Access to modern design tools and technologies, including a strong focus on Figma and AI-assisted design tools.

• The new campus is designed to foster excellence in design and innovation, providing an inspiring workspace.

• Opportunities for interaction with various departments like Product, Brand, Marketing, and Customer Care.

Work Schedule: Full-time (40 hours/week) with flexible working arrangements. The hybrid model allows for a balance between on-site collaboration and remote work, catering to the needs of complex design processes and individual focus time.

📝 Enhancement Note: The description of the new campus and flexible working arrangements suggests a modern, employee-focused work environment that supports both collaboration and individual productivity.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Application: Submit CV, cover letter, and a design portfolio (or website link).

• Portfolio Review: The hiring team will assess your portfolio for aesthetic sensibility, attention to detail, design craft, and demonstration of the full design process.

• Initial Screening/Interview: Likely a discussion with the UX Practice Lead or hiring manager to assess experience, skill alignment, and cultural fit. Expect questions about your approach to UX/UI, Figma proficiency, and design system experience.

• Design Challenge/Exercise: A practical exercise may be given to assess your problem-solving skills, design thinking, and ability to translate requirements into design solutions. This could involve a short design task or a case study presentation.

• Stakeholder Interviews: Interviews with cross-functional team members (e.g., Product Managers, Developers, Marketers) to evaluate collaboration skills and ability to articulate design rationale.

• Final Interview: Potentially with senior leadership to discuss overall fit and strategic contributions.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select 3-5 strong case studies that best represent your skills in UX/UI, visual design, e-commerce, and design systems. Tailor your selection to highlight experience with premium brands and human-centered design.

• Tell Your Story: For each case study, clearly articulate the problem, your role, your process (discovery, ideation, design, validation), the challenges faced, the solutions implemented, and the outcomes (quantified if possible). Use visuals effectively.

• Showcase Figma & Design Systems: Dedicate specific sections or case studies to demonstrate your Figma proficiency and your experience with contributing to or evolving design systems. Detail your understanding of components, tokens, and design system workflows.

• Highlight AI Integration: If possible, include a project where you leveraged AI tools in your design process and explain the benefits and outcomes.

• Professional Presentation: Ensure your portfolio is well-organized, visually appealing, and easy to navigate. Provide clear links and ensure file sizes are within limits.

Challenge Preparation:

• Understand the Brand: Research Fisher & Paykel's brand values, target audience, and existing digital presence. Understand what "premium" and "human-centered" mean in their context.

• Practice Design Thinking: Be ready to articulate your process for tackling design challenges, from understanding user needs to generating solutions and iterating.

• Prepare for Scenario Questions: Anticipate questions about how you would handle design disagreements, collaborate with developers, or balance user needs with business goals.

• Focus on AI: Be ready to discuss your experience and thoughts on using AI in design, showcasing your forward-thinking approach.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on the portfolio as a "story" and the specific requirement for AI tool experience are key indicators for preparation. Candidates should be ready to demonstrate their process and strategic thinking, not just final designs.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Figma: Explicitly required. Expect to demonstrate advanced proficiency in Figma for all aspects of design, including wireframing, prototyping, high-fidelity UI design, and collaboration.

• Design Systems Tools: Experience with creating, contributing to, or maintaining design systems within Figma or similar platforms. This includes managing components, variants, modes, tokens, and documentation.

Analytics & Reporting:

• While not explicitly listed as a primary tool, a strong understanding of how to use analytics data (e.g., Google Analytics, Adobe Analytics) to inform design decisions and measure impact is highly beneficial.

• Experience with A/B testing platforms to validate design hypotheses. CRM & Automation:

• Familiarity with e-commerce platforms and CRM systems can be advantageous for understanding the broader customer journey and business context. Emerging Technologies:

• AI Tools: Hands-on experience with AI tools for prototyping, generative design exploration, and other design enhancements is a key requirement. Candidates should be ready to discuss specific tools and applications.

📝 Enhancement Note: Figma and Design Systems are critical technical skills. The explicit mention of AI tools indicates that familiarity and practical experience with these technologies are highly valued and expected.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Human-Centred Design: A core value, reflected in the company's goal to be the most human-centred appliance brand. This means prioritizing user needs, empathy, and creating genuinely useful and intuitive experiences.

• Curiosity: A driving force for innovation and continuous improvement. This translates to challenging existing thinking and exploring new solutions, including leveraging emerging technologies like AI.

• Realness and Generosity: Implies an authentic approach to design and a collaborative spirit, sharing knowledge and working together to achieve common goals.

• Attention to Detail: Crucial for creating "premium" experiences. This means a meticulous approach to aesthetics, usability, and functionality.

• Sustainability: A growing consideration in design, reflecting a responsible approach to product and digital development.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-functional Integration: Expected to work closely with Digital, Product, Brand, Content, Marketing, and Customer Care teams, requiring strong communication and partnership skills.

• Idea Sharing: A culture where ideas are heard, encouraging open discussion and constructive feedback.

• Proactive Contribution: Encouraged to challenge existing thinking and propose new ideas, demonstrating initiative.

• Developer Collaboration: A key aspect of the role involves working closely with developers, requiring effective design handoff and communication to ensure successful implementation.

📝 Enhancement Note: The company's stated values (real, generous, curious, sustainably minded, human-centered) directly translate into expectations for how team members collaborate and approach their work.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing Premium Aesthetics with Usability: Creating visually stunning and luxurious digital experiences while ensuring they remain intuitive and easy to use for a broad customer base.

• Integrating AI Effectively: Navigating the rapidly evolving AI landscape to identify and implement tools that genuinely enhance the design process and user experience, rather than just being a novelty.

• Cross-functional Alignment: Ensuring consistent design vision and execution across multiple departments (Product, Marketing, Brand, etc.) with potentially diverse priorities.

• Fixed-Term Nature: Adapting to a project-based workflow and delivering significant impact within a 12-month timeframe.

• Design System Evolution: Contributing to or evolving a design system requires meticulous planning, documentation, and buy-in from various stakeholders.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• AI in Design: Gaining hands-on experience with cutting-edge AI tools and methodologies in a practical, product-focused environment.

• Premium Brand Design: Developing a deeper understanding of designing for luxury markets and high-end consumer brands.

• Cross-Disciplinary Exposure: Working closely with diverse teams provides broad business and product understanding.

• Design System Expertise: Enhancing skills in creating and maintaining robust, scalable design systems.

• Project Leadership: Taking ownership of significant design initiatives within the 12-month contract.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges are framed to also highlight opportunities for growth, particularly in the areas of AI integration and premium brand design.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• Design Process & Methodology: "Walk me through a complex digital project from start to finish. How did you approach discovery, ideation, design, and implementation? What was your role?"

• Figma & Design Systems: "Describe your experience with Figma. How have you contributed to or managed a design system? Can you show an example of your work on components, tokens, or design system documentation?"

• AI in Design: "How have you used AI tools in your design process? What are the benefits and potential drawbacks of using AI for prototyping or generative design?"

• Problem-Solving: "Describe a time you faced a significant design challenge or disagreement. How did you resolve it?"

• Stakeholder Management: "How do you communicate your design rationale to non-design stakeholders? How do you ensure buy-in?"

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What attracts you to Fisher & Paykel and our focus on human-centered design?"

• "How do you embody our brand values of being real, generous, and curious in your work?"

• "How do you approach collaboration with developers and other cross-functional teams?"

• "What does 'premium' mean to you in the context of digital design?" Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure: Start with a brief overview of your career and design philosophy. Then, present 3-5 key case studies, dedicating 5-10 minutes per case.

• Storytelling: For each case study, clearly define the problem, your role, your process, challenges, solutions, and outcomes (quantified where possible). Emphasize your "thought process and insights."

• Visuals: Use high-quality mockups, wireframes, user flows, and prototypes. Explain your design decisions.

• Figma & AI: Explicitly point out examples of your Figma work and any AI tool usage within your case studies.

• Q&A: Be prepared to answer detailed questions about your design choices, process, and any specific technical aspects.

Challenge Preparation:

• Practice Design Exercises: Familiarize yourself with common UX/UI challenges, such as redesigning a feature, creating a new user flow, or solving a specific usability issue.

• Focus on Speed & Rationale: For timed challenges, prioritize defining the problem, sketching out core ideas, and presenting a clear rationale for your chosen solution.

• AI Integration: Consider how AI could be applied to solve a hypothetical design problem.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview preparation emphasizes practical demonstration of skills, articulate communication of process, and understanding of the company's specific values and design ethos.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this operations position:

• Submit your application through the provided link, including your CV and a cover letter.

• Portfolio Customization: Ensure your design portfolio (or website link) is up-to-date and showcases your best work relevant to web/e-commerce, visual/interface design, and design systems. Tailor your case studies to highlight your experience with premium brands and human-centered design.

• Resume Optimization: Update your resume to clearly highlight your 6+ years of UX/UI experience, proficiency in Figma, experience with design systems, and any relevant AI tool usage. Quantify achievements where possible.

• Interview Preparation: Practice articulating your design process, design rationale, and experience with Figma and AI tools. Prepare specific examples for behavioral questions and be ready to present your portfolio confidently.

• Company Research: Thoroughly research Fisher & Paykel's brand, products, and digital presence. Understand their "human-centered" approach and how you can contribute to their premium positioning.

⚠️ 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.