Senior UX/UI Designer

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Senior UX/UI Designer

Company: Vast

Location: Long Beach, California, United States

Job Type: Full-Time

Category: Design Operations / Product Design

Date Posted: May 20, 2026

Experience Level: 8+ Years

Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• Lead the design and development of intuitive user interfaces for mission-critical software systems within the space exploration sector.

• Translate complex technical workflows and operational requirements into clear, user-friendly digital experiences for internal users.

• Drive the evolution of a robust, component-based design system to ensure consistency and efficiency across a suite of internal applications.

• Collaborate closely with engineering, product, and cross-functional teams to deliver high-fidelity designs that meet both functional and aesthetic standards.

• Conduct user research and usability testing to gather insights and iteratively improve design solutions for operational tools.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is deeply embedded within a highly technical and operational environment, requiring a strong focus on designing for reliability, efficiency, and complex data visualization. The "Operations" aspect here refers to the operational tools and systems used by the company to achieve its mission, rather than traditional business operations roles.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Spearhead UX/UI design initiatives for a diverse range of software products, including mission operations tools, advanced data analysis platforms, and internal workflow management applications.

• Conceptualize and design interfaces that effectively manage real-time data streams and support asynchronous operational tasks, ensuring optimal usability and clarity.

• Develop detailed wireframes, interactive prototypes, and high-fidelity mockups to effectively communicate design concepts and validate user flows.

• Engage actively with stakeholders across engineering, product management, brand, and other departments to foster alignment and gather essential design input.

• Champion a user-centered design approach by conducting in-depth user research and rigorous usability testing with internal subject matter experts to refine design solutions.

• Contribute to the ongoing development and expansion of a scalable, component-based design system specifically tailored for technical and operational interfaces.

• Present design rationale, user insights, and final design solutions clearly and persuasively to cross-functional teams and leadership.

• Ensure seamless design handoffs to engineering teams, providing comprehensive documentation and support throughout the development lifecycle.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on "mission operations tools," "data analysis platforms," and "internal workflow applications" indicates a need for designs that prioritize accuracy, speed, and clarity under pressure, common in high-reliability environments.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: [While not explicitly stated, a Bachelor's or Master's degree in Human-Computer Interaction, Graphic Design, Interaction Design, or a related field is typically expected for a Senior UX/UI Designer role.]

Experience: 8+ years of progressive experience in UX/UI design, product design, or a comparable role, with a proven track record of designing complex systems and workflows.

Required Skills:

• Demonstrated expertise in User Experience (UX) and User Interface (UI) design principles and methodologies.

• Strong portfolio showcasing complex systems design, workflow optimization, and the ability to translate technical requirements into intuitive interfaces.

• Advanced proficiency with Figma and modern design workflow tools and practices.

• Proven experience in building, maintaining, and scaling component-based design systems.

• Deep understanding of user-centered design (UCD) principles, information architecture, and usability best practices.

• Experience designing for technical, operational, or data-intensive software applications.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience designing real-time data visualization dashboards, complex monitoring systems, or industrial control interfaces.

• Familiarity with design-to-development workflows, including close collaboration with engineers and support for clear design handoff processes.

• Experience working within high-reliability environments or industries with stringent safety and operational standards (e.g., aerospace, medical devices, critical infrastructure).

• A strong systems-thinking mindset and comfort navigating and solving problems within complex technical domains.

• High degree of curiosity and a proactive approach to deeply understanding new and unfamiliar technical domains.

• Ability to articulate complex design concepts and technical challenges to both technical and non-technical audiences.

• Highly organized, execution-focused, and adept at managing priorities in fast-paced engineering environments.

• A genuine passion for space exploration and a desire to build tools that directly contribute to mission success.

📝 Enhancement Note: The preference for experience in high-reliability environments and real-time data visualization strongly suggests the need for a designer who can handle critical systems where errors have significant consequences. The emphasis on "systems thinking" and "understanding unfamiliar domains" points to the complexity of the underlying technology.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Showcase at least 2-3 complex projects demonstrating your ability to design intricate systems, operational workflows, or data-intensive applications.

• Clearly articulate your role, the problem statement, your design process, key challenges, and the impact of your solutions for each project.

• Highlight your experience with Figma and any design system contributions or development.

• Include examples of wireframes, prototypes, user flows, and high-fidelity designs that illustrate your design thinking and execution.

Process Documentation:

• Provide examples of how you document design processes, from initial research and ideation through to final handoff.

• Detail your approach to user research, usability testing, and how you synthesize findings into actionable design improvements.

• Illustrate your methods for collaborating with engineering and product teams to ensure successful implementation of designs.

• Show evidence of how you have contributed to or built design systems, including component libraries and style guides.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a Senior UX/UI Designer role, especially in a complex technical field like aerospace, the portfolio is paramount. It needs to go beyond visual aesthetics to demonstrate strategic thinking, problem-solving for complex systems, and a deep understanding of user workflows in operational contexts.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $143,000 - $203,000 USD per year (California)

Benefits:

• Comprehensive health coverage: 100% medical, dental, and vision insurance for employees and dependents.

• Generous Paid Time Off (PTO): Up to 20+ vacation days for exempt staff, with the ability to cash out unused vacation annually.

• Paid parental leave.

• Disability Insurance: Short-term and long-term disability coverage.

• Life Insurance.

• Retirement Savings: Access to a 401(k) retirement plan.

• Wellness & Lifestyle: ClassPass credits, personalized mental healthcare through Spring Health.

• Additional Perks: Discounts and other employee perks.

• Exceptional Food Perks: Complimentary snacks, drip coffee, onsite barista, cold drinks, and dinner meals; subsidized lunch.

• Company Equity: Inclusion in the company's equity program.

Working Hours: Typically 40 hours per week, with flexibility expected to support critical company and mission milestones as needed.

📝 Enhancement Note: The provided salary range is specific to California. For operations roles in other regions, salary benchmarks would need to be researched based on local cost of living, market demand for similar operational expertise, and the specific experience level required. The benefits package is comprehensive, with a notable emphasis on employee well-being and perks like free meals and ClassPass, which can be attractive to professionals in demanding roles.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Aerospace / Space Technology

Company Size: [Company size information not provided, but Vast is a rapidly growing company with a significant mission.]

Founded: [Company founded date not provided, but Vast is focused on next-generation space stations.]

Team Structure:

• The UX/UI Designer will report to the Senior Director of Brand Design, indicating a strong emphasis on brand consistency and visual quality within the design function.

• Close collaboration is expected with engineering, product management, and other cross-functional stakeholders, forming a matrixed team structure common in fast-paced tech environments.

Methodology:

• A strong emphasis on user-centered design, validated through research and testing, will be a core methodology.

• Design system development and adherence will be crucial for maintaining consistency and efficiency across diverse software products.

• Iterative design processes, including wireframing, prototyping, and high-fidelity design, will be used to explore and refine solutions.

• Data-driven decision-making, informed by user feedback and performance metrics, will guide design evolution.

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

📝 Enhancement Note: The company's mission to build space stations implies a culture that values innovation, precision, safety, and long-term vision. The organizational structure, with a Senior Director of Brand Design overseeing UX/UI, suggests a balance between functional design expertise and overarching brand identity.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This is a Senior-level position, indicating a need for significant autonomy, strategic input, and the ability to mentor or guide less experienced designers. The role is responsible for leading design across multiple product areas.

Reporting Structure: The Senior UX/UI Designer reports to the Senior Director of Brand Design. This suggests a career path that could lead into leadership within the design organization, potentially managing design projects or teams, or specializing further in complex system design.

Operations Impact: The work of the Senior UX/UI Designer will directly impact the efficiency, safety, and effectiveness of internal operations critical to achieving Vast's ambitious mission. Well-designed tools can reduce errors, speed up mission control processes, and improve data analysis, all of which are vital for space exploration.

Growth Opportunities:

• Leadership Track: Potential to grow into a Lead UX/UI Designer or Design Manager role, overseeing design strategy for specific product lines or the entire internal tool suite.

• Specialization: Opportunity to deepen expertise in high-reliability systems design, real-time data visualization, or complex workflow optimization within the unique domain of space exploration.

• Cross-functional Influence: Develop strong relationships and influence across engineering, product, and operations teams, contributing to strategic product decisions.

• Mentorship: Opportunities to mentor junior designers, share best practices, and contribute to the growth of the design culture at Vast.

📝 Enhancement Note: The Senior title implies a trajectory towards leadership or deep specialization. The unique domain of space exploration offers a distinct growth path, combining design expertise with a mission-driven purpose.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: This is an on-site, full-time role in Long Beach, CA, indicating a traditional office-based work environment.

Office Location(s): Long Beach, California, United States. This location is known for its aerospace industry presence.

Workspace Context:

• The workspace is likely collaborative, fostering interaction between designers, engineers, and product managers.

• Expect access to modern design tools and technology, including robust software licenses and hardware.

• Opportunities for direct engagement with users (internal employees operating or managing space systems) will be integral to the design process.

• The environment is described as "fast-moving" and "highly collaborative," suggesting a dynamic and energetic atmosphere.

Work Schedule: While a standard 40-hour work week is implied, the role requires flexibility to support critical company and mission milestones, which can involve extended hours or adjusted schedules during high-priority periods.

📝 Enhancement Note: The on-site requirement suggests a preference for in-person collaboration, essential for complex design challenges where rapid iteration and direct communication are key.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: Likely a review of your resume and portfolio by a recruiter or hiring manager to assess initial fit.

• Portfolio Presentation & Deep Dive: A session where you present your portfolio, discussing specific case studies, your design process, problem-solving approaches, and the impact of your work. Expect in-depth questions about your experience with complex systems and design systems.

• Cross-functional Interviews: Interviews with engineering leads, product managers, and potentially other designers to assess collaboration skills, technical understanding, and cultural fit.

• Design Challenge (Potential): A practical exercise or case study may be given to assess your design thinking and problem-solving skills in a relevant context.

• Final Interview: With Senior Leadership (e.g., Senior Director of Brand Design, VP of Engineering/Product) to discuss strategic alignment and overall fit.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select projects that best highlight your experience with complex systems, operational workflows, and data-intensive applications. Prioritize quality over quantity.

• Tell a Story: For each project, clearly articulate the problem, your role, the design process, key decisions made (and why), challenges overcome, and measurable outcomes.

• Showcase Figma & Design Systems: Explicitly demonstrate your proficiency with Figma and any contributions to or creation of design systems.

• Focus on Impact: Quantify your achievements whenever possible (e.g., "reduced task completion time by X%", "improved data accuracy by Y%").

• Be Prepared to Discuss Details: Expect to dive deep into the technical aspects and user workflows of your presented projects.

Challenge Preparation:

• Understand the Domain: Research Vast's mission, their current space station projects (Haven Demo, Haven-1), and the general challenges of designing for space operations.

• Practice Problem-Solving: Be ready to tackle hypothetical design problems related to mission control, data monitoring, or astronaut interfaces.

• Articulate Your Process: Clearly explain how you would approach a new design challenge, from research and ideation to prototyping and testing.

• Demonstrate Systems Thinking: Show how you consider the broader system and user context when designing individual components or workflows.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on "complex systems," "workflow design," and "high-reliability environments" means your portfolio and interview responses should showcase your ability to handle intricate problems with precision and a focus on user efficiency and safety.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Figma: Essential for wireframing, prototyping, UI design, and design system management.

• Design System Software: Proficiency with tools used to build and maintain component libraries (likely integrated within Figma or a related platform).

• Prototyping Tools: Advanced capabilities within Figma or other dedicated tools for creating interactive prototypes.

Analytics & Reporting:

• User Feedback Tools: Experience with tools for gathering and analyzing user feedback (e.g., surveys, usability testing platforms).

• Data Visualization Tools: While not explicitly stated as a requirement for the designer, familiarity with how data is visualized and presented is crucial, given the role's focus on data analysis platforms.

CRM & Automation:

• Project Management Tools: Familiarity with tools like Jira, Asana, or Trello for tracking design tasks and collaborating with engineering teams.

• Collaboration Platforms: Tools such as Slack for day-to-day communication and team coordination.

📝 Enhancement Note: Proficiency in Figma is a non-negotiable requirement. Experience with design systems is equally critical, as is the ability to work within a fast-paced, collaborative engineering environment that likely uses tools like Jira for workflow management.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Mission-Driven: A deep commitment to Vast's overarching goal of advancing space exploration and enabling a space economy.

• Safety and Reliability: An unwavering focus on precision, accuracy, and risk mitigation in all aspects of design and development.

• Innovation and Excellence: A drive to push boundaries, develop cutting-edge solutions, and maintain the highest standards of quality.

• Collaboration and Transparency: An open and communicative environment where teamwork and information sharing are highly valued.

• Data-Informed Decisions: A culture that leverages data and user insights to guide strategic choices and design iterations.

Collaboration Style:

• Highly collaborative, with designers working closely alongside engineers, product managers, and other stakeholders.

• Emphasis on clear communication, active listening, and constructive feedback.

• Iterative approach, encouraging continuous feedback loops to refine designs and ensure alignment with technical constraints and user needs.

• Cross-functional teams are the norm, requiring designers to effectively integrate their work with broader project goals.

📝 Enhancement Note: The company's mission in space exploration suggests a culture that values meticulousness, problem-solving, and a shared sense of purpose. Collaboration will be key to navigating the complex interdependencies of designing for such an advanced technological endeavor.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Designing for Extreme Environments: Creating intuitive interfaces for users operating in high-stress, mission-critical situations where errors can have severe consequences.

• Translating Complex Technical Concepts: Simplifying highly technical information and intricate operational workflows into understandable and actionable user interfaces.

• Balancing Innovation with Reliability: Ensuring that new design features enhance usability without compromising the robustness and safety required for space operations.

• Rapid Iteration Cycles: Keeping pace with fast-moving engineering schedules and evolving project priorities while maintaining design quality.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Deep Domain Expertise: Gaining in-depth knowledge of space station operations, microgravity research, and the unique challenges of human spaceflight.

• Advanced UX/UI Skills: Honing skills in designing for complex systems, real-time data visualization, and high-reliability interfaces.

• Cross-Functional Mastery: Developing strong collaboration and communication skills with diverse technical teams.

• Contribution to a Monumental Mission: Playing a direct role in building the future of space exploration and enabling a new space economy.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges in this role are unique and stimulating, offering significant opportunities for professional growth by tackling complex problems in a groundbreaking industry.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you designed a complex system or workflow. What were the key challenges, and how did you ensure usability and efficiency?"

• "How do you approach designing for users in high-stakes, real-time environments? What specific considerations do you prioritize?"

• "Walk us through your process for building or evolving a design system. What are the critical components, and how do you ensure its adoption and scalability?"

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What excites you about Vast's mission and the space exploration industry?"

• "How do you handle situations where priorities shift rapidly or unexpected challenges arise in a project?"

• "Describe your experience working in collaborative, cross-functional teams. What is your preferred communication style?"

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Focus on Process: Emphasize your thought process, problem-solving approach, and iterative design journey for each case study.

• Highlight Impact: Quantify the results of your designs whenever possible, demonstrating their value to users and the business.

• Showcase Figma Mastery: Be prepared to demonstrate specific Figma features or workflows you utilized, especially those related to design systems or complex prototyping.

• Address Technical Complexity: Clearly explain how you translated complex technical requirements and operational needs into user-friendly designs.

• Be Ready for Deep Dives: Anticipate detailed questions about your design decisions, user research findings, and collaboration methods.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interviewers will be looking for evidence of your ability to handle complexity, your systematic approach to design, your collaboration skills, and your genuine enthusiasm for Vast's mission in space exploration.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Senior UX/UI Designer position:

• Submit your application and portfolio through the provided application link.

• Tailor your resume: Highlight your experience with complex systems, workflow design, Figma proficiency, and any experience in high-reliability environments. Use keywords from the job description.

• Curate your portfolio: Select 2-3 of your strongest projects that best demonstrate your ability to design for technical workflows, complex systems, and data-intensive applications. Ensure clear case study narratives.

• Prepare for your portfolio presentation: Practice articulating your design process, rationale, and the impact of your work, focusing on how you addressed user needs and technical challenges.

• Research Vast: Understand their mission, current projects (Haven Demo, Haven-1), and the unique challenges of designing for space exploration. This will help you tailor your answers and demonstrate genuine interest.

⚠️ 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.

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