Senior UX/UI Designer

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Senior UX/UI Designer

Company: Caterpillar Inc.

Location: Chicago, Illinois, United States (Also open to Peoria, Illinois)

Job Type: FULL_TIME

Category: Digital Product Design / User Experience

Date Posted: June 24, 2026

Experience Level: 5-10 Years

Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• Lead the design and optimization of digital experiences for B2B customer and dealer technicians within the Service Information System (SIS).

• Develop and implement user-centered design (UCD) methodologies and design sprints within an Agile framework.

• Collaborate closely with UX research, product owners, engineers, and other stakeholders to deliver best-in-class user experiences across web and native applications.

• Drive innovation by leveraging design thinking, creating wireframes, user flows, visual designs, and interactive prototypes to solve complex business problems and enhance customer satisfaction.

• Contribute to the strategic roadmap and vision for the Service Information System, ensuring alignment with overall business objectives and customer needs.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the role is for a UX/UI Designer, the context of "Service Information System" and "B2B customer and dealer technicians" implies a strong need for understanding complex technical information, workflow efficiency for field service operations, and the integration of data analytics and potentially AI for improved decision-making. This is not a typical consumer-facing UX role; it requires a deep dive into industrial/heavy equipment service environments.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Create and deliver high-quality UI designs, wireframes, user flows, visual design assets, and interactive prototypes/high-fidelity mockups for the Service Information System (SIS).

• Advocate for and champion user-centered design principles and best practices throughout the product development lifecycle, partnering closely with the UX research team.

• Contribute to the strategic vision, roadmap, and ongoing optimization of the SIS, ensuring it meets the evolving needs of B2B customers and dealer technicians.

• Conceptualize and clearly communicate design ideas, user needs, and strategic recommendations to stakeholders at all levels, including product owners, engineers, and leadership.

• Foster a collaborative cross-functional community by planning and facilitating regular design share-outs, Q&As, and design workshops to drive shared understanding and alignment.

• Partner with UX research to maintain a current understanding of the user experience, identify pain points, and continuously discover opportunities for improvement.

• Develop a holistic view of customer needs and design solutions that address both short-term requirements and long-term strategic vision.

• Familiarize yourself with and leverage design sprints and Agile methodologies to ensure efficient and iterative design processes.

• Explore and integrate AI capabilities to potentially shorten time-to-market for new features and improvements.

• Actively collaborate with product owners, other designers, web and mobile engineers, quality assurance engineers, leadership, and other internal/external partners to solve business problems and create critical user experiences.

• Function as an enabler for teams, pulling input from diverse members to formulate decisions and develop project outputs.

• Make decisions that may affect the job/project team, division, business unit, suppliers, customers, and market perception, potentially causing evolutionary changes in the customer experience.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a blend of hands-on design execution and strategic influence, typical for a senior-level role. The emphasis on "empowering Caterpillar customers and dealers to maintain their assets" and "identify the products they need to manage their business more efficiently" indicates a focus on operational efficiency and a direct impact on customer productivity, which is crucial in B2B industrial contexts.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

• Requires a four-year college degree in Graphic Design, Interaction Design, Industrial Design, New Media Design, Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), Human Factors/Ergonomics, or a related field.

• Equivalent work experience will also be considered as a substitute for formal education. Experience:

• Minimum of 5-10 years of experience is expected for this Senior role.

• Proven experience designing complex and technical information-based digital products for a variety of platforms, including web and mobile (iOS and Android).

• Demonstrated experience with user interface design patterns and standard User-Centered Design (UCD) methodologies across multiple platforms.

• Experience in B2B environments, particularly with complex technical knowledge tools, is highly desirable. Required Skills:

• Figma Proficiency: Must be proficient with Figma, as it is the primary design tool, including its enterprise design system library tools.

• Human-Centered Design (HCD): Deep understanding of HCD principles, models, and concepts, with the ability to empathize with users and create solutions that truly meet their needs.

• User Experience (UX) Design: Expertise in UX design tools, techniques, and approaches to create valued, positively perceived, and utilized applications.

• User Interface (UI) Design: Strong knowledge of user-centered design principles and human-computer interaction, enabling the creation of intuitive, visually appealing, and user-friendly interfaces.

• Wireframing & Prototyping: Ability to create detailed wireframes, user flows, interactive prototypes, and high-fidelity mockups.

• Visual Design: Exceptional design skills, a high level of production value, and meticulous attention to detail.

• Communication: Ability to listen to customers and stakeholders, and effectively communicate design ideas visually.

• Agile Methodology: Familiarity with Agile development processes and design sprints.

Preferred Skills:

• Information Architecture (IA): Experience in structuring and organizing digital content effectively.

• Interaction Design (IxD): Skill in defining how users interact with systems.

• UX Research Collaboration: Experience working closely with UX researchers to gather insights and validate designs.

• B2B Technical Knowledge Tools: Specific knowledge of designing for complex technical information systems is a significant plus.

• Usability & Accessibility: Deep knowledge of UX industry standards, usability best practices, and accessibility guidelines.

• Emerging Technologies: Familiarity with leveraging AI to improve design processes and product delivery.

• Customer Experience (CX): Broader understanding of the end-to-end customer journey.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on Figma, combined with the need for B2B technical product design experience, suggests the company is looking for a candidate who can hit the ground running with established tools and a deep understanding of industrial user workflows. The "5-10 Years" experience level for a "Senior" designation aligns with expectations for significant autonomy and strategic contribution.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Case Studies: Showcase 2-3 detailed case studies demonstrating your process for tackling complex digital product design challenges, particularly in a B2B or technical context.

• Problem/Solution Framing: Clearly articulate the business problem or user need addressed in each case study, followed by your design solutions and the rationale behind them.

• Process Visualization: Include visual representations of your design process, such as user flows, wireframes, interactive prototypes, and final UI designs.

• Figma Examples: Provide specific examples of your work created in Figma, demonstrating proficiency with its features, component libraries, and design systems.

• Metrics & Impact: Quantify the impact of your designs whenever possible, using metrics related to user engagement, task completion, efficiency improvements, or customer satisfaction. Highlight how your designs contributed to business goals.

Process Documentation:

• User-Centered Design (UCD) Demonstration: Showcase how you applied UCD principles, including user research findings, persona development, and user testing feedback, to inform your design decisions.

• Agile/Design Sprint Integration: Illustrate how you've worked within Agile frameworks or utilized design sprints to deliver iterative designs and collaborate with development teams.

• Design System Contribution/Usage: If applicable, demonstrate experience with creating or contributing to design systems, highlighting consistency and scalability in your designs.

• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Provide examples of how you effectively collaborated with product managers, engineers, researchers, and stakeholders throughout the design process.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a Senior UX/UI role, especially one focused on complex industrial systems, the portfolio should go beyond just aesthetics. It needs to demonstrate strategic thinking, problem-solving capabilities, a deep understanding of user workflows in a technical/B2B environment, and the ability to translate those into impactful digital experiences. Proficiency in Figma and an understanding of Agile/design sprints are critical.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $112,710 - $183,140 USD per year.

Explanation of Range:

This range is based on the provided salary information and reflects typical compensation for a Senior UX/UI Designer in the Chicago, Illinois area, considering the experience level (5-10 years) and the specialized nature of designing for industrial B2B systems. Factors such as specific skills, individual performance, and years of experience within this range will influence the final offer.

Benefits:

• Health & Wellness: Medical, Dental, and Vision benefits; Health Savings Account (HSA); Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs); Health Lifestyle Programs; Employee Assistance Program.

• Time Off: Paid time off plan (including Vacation, Holidays, Volunteer time).

• Retirement: 401(k) savings plans.

• Financial: Incentive bonus; Disability benefits; Life Insurance; Adoption benefits; Tuition Reimbursement.

• Work-Life Balance: Parental leave.

• Additional: Voluntary Benefits and Employee Discounts; Career Development opportunities.

Working Hours:

• Typically 40 hours per week.

• Expectations demand that jobs/projects be completed on time, independent of the hours required, acknowledging trade-offs between time, resources, and quality. This suggests a results-oriented environment where flexibility may be needed.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range is provided and appears competitive for a senior-level design role in a major metropolitan area like Chicago. The extensive list of benefits is comprehensive and standard for a large Fortune 100 company like Caterpillar. The note on "independent of the hours required" indicates a focus on output and project completion rather than strict adherence to a 9-to-5 schedule, which is common in demanding project environments.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Heavy Equipment Manufacturing & Technology Solutions (Fortune 100).

Company Size: Caterpillar Inc. is a large, global enterprise, employing tens of thousands of people worldwide. This indicates a well-established corporate structure with robust processes and resources.

Founded: Founded nearly 100 years ago, Caterpillar has a long history of innovation and market leadership. This longevity suggests stability and a deep understanding of its core industries.

Team Structure:

• Cat Digital Focus: This role is within Cat Digital, the digital and technology arm of Caterpillar, emphasizing innovation and leveraging technology for customer and dealer solutions.

• Dedicated UX Team: You will be part of a dedicated user experience team that includes research specialists.

• Global Presence: The UX team is global, with centers in the US, India, and Slovakia, suggesting a diverse and potentially distributed collaboration model.

• Cross-functional Collaboration: The role requires close partnership with product owners, UX researchers, web and mobile engineers, QA engineers, leadership, and other internal and external stakeholders.

Methodology:

• User-Centered Design (UCD): A core methodology, emphasizing understanding and meeting user needs.

• Agile & Design Sprints: Familiarity with these iterative development and rapid prototyping approaches is expected.

• Data-Driven Approach: While not explicitly detailed for UX, the broader Cat Digital mission involves leveraging data, advanced analytics, telematics, and AI, suggesting that data insights will influence design decisions.

• Innovation & Future Building: Caterpillar's mission is to build a better, more sustainable world, implying a culture that values forward-thinking and impactful solutions.

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

📝 Enhancement Note: Caterpillar's positioning as a Fortune 100 leader in heavy equipment, combined with its significant investment in digital transformation through Cat Digital, presents a unique opportunity. The culture likely balances established industrial processes with a drive for innovation in technology. The UX team's global nature means candidates must be comfortable with remote collaboration and diverse perspectives.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: Senior UX/UI Designer. This level implies significant autonomy, the ability to lead projects, mentor junior designers, and influence strategic direction within the UX domain. It's a position of expertise and leadership within the design function.

Reporting Structure:

• While not explicitly stated, a Senior UX/UI Designer typically reports to a UX Design Manager, Director of Product Design, or Head of UX within Cat Digital.

• The role involves close collaboration with Product Owners and Engineering Leads for specific product lines, such as the Service Information System (SIS). Operations Impact:

• The role directly impacts customer and dealer success by improving the efficiency and effectiveness of using Caterpillar's Service Information System.

• By designing intuitive and powerful digital tools, this position contributes to customer loyalty, operational efficiency for dealers, and potentially reduces equipment downtime.

• This role is instrumental in Cat Digital's mission to leverage technology and data to drive revenue growth, create competitive advantages, and deliver "unexpectedly great experiences." Growth Opportunities:

• Leadership Development: Potential to grow into a Lead UX Designer, UX Manager, or Head of UX roles, managing teams and shaping design strategy.

• Specialization: Opportunity to deepen expertise in specific areas like industrial UX, complex B2B systems, AI-driven design, or accessibility within heavy industry.

• Cross-Functional Mobility: Experience within Cat Digital could open doors to product management, program management, or other technology leadership roles within Caterpillar.

• Continuous Learning: Access to Caterpillar's development opportunities, including conferences, certifications, and internal training programs, to stay at the forefront of UX trends and technologies.

• Global Exposure: Opportunity to work with global teams, potentially leading to international project involvement or relocation possibilities.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Senior" title and the description of decision-making impact suggest this role is crucial for shaping the digital experience of Caterpillar's core B2B users. Growth opportunities are likely tied to demonstrated impact and leadership within the growing Cat Digital organization.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The role is listed as "On-site" with primary locations in Chicago, Illinois, and Peoria, Illinois. This indicates a traditional office-based work environment.

Office Location(s):

• Chicago, Illinois: A major metropolitan hub offering extensive amenities, transportation, and a vibrant professional ecosystem.

• Peoria, Illinois: Caterpillar's global headquarters, likely offering a more focused, campus-like environment with deep company integration.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Spaces: Expect modern office environments designed to foster collaboration, likely including meeting rooms, open work areas, and potentially dedicated design studios.

• Technology & Tools: Access to standard office technology, robust internet connectivity, and the necessary software for design (Figma) and collaboration.

• Team Interaction: Frequent interaction with UX researchers, product managers, engineers, and other designers, both locally and globally, through in-person meetings, video conferencing, and digital collaboration tools.

Work Schedule:

• Primarily a 40-hour work week, but with an expectation of project completion regardless of strict hours. This implies a results-driven culture where dedication to project success is paramount, potentially requiring flexibility.

📝 Enhancement Note: The on-site requirement in either Chicago or Peoria suggests candidates need to be comfortable with a physical presence at one of these locations. The emphasis on collaboration and project completion indicates an environment that values teamwork and output, common in large engineering and technology firms.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

1. Initial Screening: HR or a recruiter will likely conduct a brief phone screen to assess basic qualifications, interest, and cultural fit.

2. Portfolio Review & Technical Interview: A core part of the process will likely involve presenting your portfolio to a panel of UX designers, researchers, and potentially product leads. Be prepared to walk through your case studies, explain your design process, and answer technical questions about your skills, tools (especially Figma), and methodologies.

3. Design Challenge/Workshop: You may be asked to complete a design exercise (either take-home or live) to assess your problem-solving skills, design thinking, and ability to apply UCD principles to a given scenario relevant to SIS. This could involve sketching, wireframing, or ideation.

4. Stakeholder Interviews: Interviews with product owners, engineering leads, and potentially other senior stakeholders to assess your ability to collaborate, communicate, and understand business objectives.

5. Final Interview: A discussion with a hiring manager or senior leader to finalize assessment of fit, strategic thinking, and potential impact.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select 2-3 of your strongest projects that best showcase your experience with complex B2B systems, technical information design, and Figma. Prioritize projects that align with Caterpillar's mission and the SIS context.

• Tell a Story: For each case study, clearly articulate the problem, your role, your process, the challenges encountered, your solutions, and the measurable outcomes. Focus on the why behind your design decisions.

• Demonstrate Process: Show the evolution of your designs – from initial research and wireframes to high-fidelity mockups and prototypes. Highlight how user feedback and iteration shaped the final product.

• Highlight Figma Skills: Be ready to discuss your Figma workflow, how you use components, design systems, and any plugins or advanced features that enhance your productivity and design quality.

• Quantify Impact: Whenever possible, include metrics (e.g., increased task completion rate, reduced error rate, improved user satisfaction scores) to demonstrate the business value of your work.

Challenge Preparation:

• Understand the User: Research the typical roles and challenges of Caterpillar dealer technicians and B2B customers. What are their primary tasks, pain points, and goals when using service information?

• Familiarize with SIS: If possible, try to find information about Caterpillar's existing Service Information System to understand its scope and potential areas for improvement.

• Practice Design Thinking: Be ready to brainstorm solutions, sketch ideas quickly, and articulate your thought process for solving a given UX problem.

• Focus on Efficiency: Given the B2B context, emphasize how your designs improve efficiency, reduce errors, and simplify complex tasks.

📝 Enhancement Note: This section is crucial for candidates. The emphasis on a strong portfolio, particularly showcasing Figma skills and B2B/technical design experience, is paramount. Expect a rigorous interview process that tests not only design execution but also strategic thinking and collaborative capabilities within an enterprise environment.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Figma: This is the primary and required design tool. Candidates must demonstrate proficiency in creating wireframes, user flows, visual designs, and interactive prototypes using Figma, including its enterprise design system library tools.

• Prototyping Tools: While Figma includes prototyping capabilities, broader experience with other prototyping tools (e.g., InVision, Axure) might be beneficial for demonstrating versatility.

• Wireframing Tools: Experience with tools for creating low-fidelity representations of designs.

Analytics & Reporting:

• UX Research Tools: Familiarity with tools used in user research (e.g., UserTesting.com, Qualtrics, Hotjar) to understand user behavior and gather feedback.

• Data Analysis (Indirect): While not a data analyst role, understanding how user data informs design decisions is key. Experience with analytics platforms (e.g., Google Analytics, Adobe Analytics) for web applications could be a plus for understanding user behavior post-launch.

CRM & Automation:

• Service Information System (SIS): Deep understanding of how the SIS functions and how UX design can optimize its use for technicians and dealers.

• Potentially AI/ML Tools: Familiarity with how AI can be leveraged in design tools or product features to enhance user experience and efficiency.

📝 Enhancement Note: Figma is the non-negotiable tool. The ability to integrate with existing design systems and leverage enterprise-level features is expected. While not explicitly listed, understanding how to interpret user analytics and working with research platforms will be essential for a data-informed design approach.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Customer Focus: A strong emphasis on understanding and serving the needs of B2B customers and dealers, ensuring their success through great digital experiences.

• Innovation & Progress: Commitment to leveraging technology, data, and AI to drive efficiency, create competitive advantages, and build a better, more sustainable future.

• Collaboration & Teamwork: Fostering a supportive and collaborative environment where individuals from diverse backgrounds work together to solve complex problems.

• Excellence & Quality: Striving for the highest quality in design and execution, with a meticulous attention to detail.

• Continuous Improvement: An ongoing drive to discover opportunities and implement improvements in user experience and product functionality.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-Functional Integration: Encourages close partnerships between design, product, engineering, and research teams to ensure holistic product development.

• Open Communication: Values open dialogue, regular share-outs, and Q&A sessions to maintain alignment and transparency.

• Mentorship & Development: A culture that supports the growth of its team members through coaching, mentoring, and development opportunities.

• Global Perspective: Embraces diverse technical and cultural backgrounds, fostering an inclusive environment for global collaboration.

📝 Enhancement Note: The culture at Caterpillar, particularly within Cat Digital, seems to blend traditional industrial values of quality and reliability with a forward-looking, tech-driven approach to innovation and customer success. Collaboration is key, especially given the global nature of the team and the complexity of the products.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Designing for Complex B2B Needs: Translating intricate technical information and demanding operational workflows for heavy equipment service technicians into intuitive and efficient digital experiences.

• Balancing Short-Term Needs with Long-Term Vision: Delivering immediate improvements while contributing to a cohesive and sustainable long-term product strategy for the Service Information System.

• Global Collaboration: Effectively working with diverse teams across different time zones and cultural backgrounds to achieve design consistency and consensus.

• Integrating Emerging Technologies: Exploring and incorporating AI and other advanced technologies into the design process and product features while managing technical constraints and business objectives.

• Driving Adoption: Ensuring that new designs are not only functional but also adopted and valued by the end-users, who may have established workflows.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Advanced UX Skills: Opportunities to deepen expertise in areas like interaction design for complex systems, information architecture for technical data, and advanced prototyping techniques.

• Industry Trends: Stay abreast of the latest trends in UX/UI design, B2B digital products, and industrial technology.

• AI & Data Analytics: Gain exposure to how AI and data analytics are used within Caterpillar to inform design and product strategy.

• Leadership & Mentorship: Develop leadership skills through mentoring junior designers and potentially leading design initiatives.

• Cross-Disciplinary Knowledge: Learn about the intricacies of heavy equipment, service operations, and Caterpillar's business model, providing a unique context for design work.

📝 Enhancement Note: The role presents significant challenges related to the complexity of the B2B industrial environment. However, these challenges are also fertile ground for professional growth, allowing designers to develop highly specialized skills and contribute to impactful, large-scale digital solutions.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you designed a complex B2B digital product. What were the key challenges, and how did you approach them?" (Focus on your process, user research, and problem-solving.)

• "How do you balance the needs of different stakeholders (e.g., technicians, dealers, product managers, engineers) when designing a system like SIS?" (Highlight your communication and negotiation skills.)

• "Walk me through a project where you had to simplify a highly technical or complex user workflow. What was your solution, and what was the outcome?" (Demonstrate your ability to translate complexity into usability.)

• "How would you approach designing for accessibility and usability for a user base that might have varying levels of technical proficiency and be working in challenging environments?" (Showcase your understanding of user context and inclusive design.) Company & Culture Questions:

• "What interests you about designing for Caterpillar and its B2B customers, specifically within the Service Information System?" (Research Caterpillar's mission, values, and the importance of SIS.)

• "How do you see your role contributing to Caterpillar's mission of building a better, more sustainable world?" (Connect your design impact to broader company goals.)

• "Describe your experience working within Agile methodologies and design sprints. How do you collaborate effectively with engineering teams?" (Highlight your adaptability and teamwork.) Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure Your Narrative: For each case study, clearly outline the problem, your role, the research conducted, the design decisions made (and why), the final solution, and the measurable results.

• Show, Don't Just Tell: Use visuals extensively – wireframes, user flows, interactive prototypes, and final UI screens. Explain your iterative process and how feedback shaped the design.

• Highlight Figma Expertise: Be prepared to discuss your Figma workflow, component usage, and how you leverage its features for design efficiency and system consistency.

• Focus on Impact: Emphasize how your design solutions solved user problems and delivered business value. Quantify results where possible.

• Be Ready for Q&A: Anticipate questions about your specific contributions, design rationale, and how you handle challenges.

📝 Enhancement Note: Candidates should prepare to articulate their experience with complex B2B systems, demonstrate their Figma prowess, and show how their design thinking aligns with Caterpillar's mission. The interview process will likely assess both technical design skills and strategic problem-solving capabilities.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Senior UX/UI Designer position:

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

• Tailor Your Resume: Ensure your resume highlights your experience with complex digital products, B2B environments, Figma proficiency, and UCD methodologies. Quantify achievements where possible.

• Curate Your Portfolio: Select 2-3 strong case studies showcasing your best work, focusing on projects relevant to technical B2B systems and demonstrating your Figma expertise.

• Prepare Your Presentation: Practice walking through your portfolio, clearly articulating your design process, rationale, and the impact of your work. Be ready to discuss your contributions and collaborate.

• Research Caterpillar: Understand the company's mission, values, and the significance of the Service Information System (SIS) to their customers and dealers.

⚠️ 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.