Senior UX/UI Designer #ESH1000
π Job Overview
Job Title: Senior UX/UI Designer #ESH1000
Company: ExpertHiring
Location: Newton, Massachusetts, United States
Job Type: Contract to Hire
Category: UX/UI Design & Product Design
Date Posted: May 03, 2026
Experience Level: Senior (5-10 years)
Remote Status: On-site
π Role Summary
-
Lead comprehensive, end-to-end design initiatives for digital products across web, mobile, and application platforms, ensuring a user-centered approach.
-
Develop and maintain robust design systems and component libraries, leveraging tools like Figma to ensure consistency and scalability in user interfaces.
-
Collaborate closely with engineering and product management teams to translate complex user needs and business requirements into intuitive and effective digital experiences.
-
Drive design validation through rigorous usability testing, A/B testing, and heuristic evaluations to optimize user journeys and product performance.
-
Champion best practices in user experience, accessibility, and design documentation throughout the product development lifecycle.
π Enhancement Note: This role is positioned as a Senior UX/UI Designer, indicating a need for independent leadership and strategic input in design processes. The "Contract to Hire" nature suggests a strong potential for long-term employment based on performance and business needs. The focus on "education journey" suggests the product development will likely revolve around learning platforms, student support, or educational administration tools.
π Primary Responsibilities
-
Spearhead the entire design process for digital products, from initial concept generation and user research through to final implementation and post-launch analysis.
-
Craft detailed user flows, intuitive wireframes, interactive prototypes, and high-fidelity visual designs that are informed by user research and data-driven insights.
-
Architect, build, and meticulously maintain a comprehensive design system and component library within Figma, ensuring adherence to brand guidelines and usability standards.
-
Partner closely with software developers to ensure precise translation of design specifications into functional and aesthetically aligned product features, providing ongoing design support during the development sprints.
-
Proactively conduct competitive analyses, user interviews, and usability testing sessions, employing A/B testing and heuristic evaluation methodologies to validate design decisions and identify areas for enhancement.
-
Articulate design rationale, present compelling design concepts, and facilitate constructive feedback sessions with diverse stakeholder groups, including executive leadership, product managers, and engineering teams, to drive consensus and strategic alignment.
-
Contribute to the development of product roadmaps by providing design-led insights and identifying opportunities for innovation and user experience improvement.
-
Ensure all design outputs adhere to current accessibility standards (e.g., WCAG) and promote inclusive design principles across all digital platforms.
π Enhancement Note: The responsibilities emphasize a full-cycle design ownership, from strategic ideation to detailed execution and validation. The mention of "complex systems" and "detailed design documentation" points towards a need for a designer capable of handling intricate product architectures and providing thorough design specifications for development teams.
π Skills & Qualifications
Education: Bachelorβs degree in Design, Human-Computer Interaction, Computer Science, or a related field, or equivalent practical experience in UX/UI design.
Experience: A minimum of 5 years of progressive experience in UX/UI design, product design, or a closely related field, with a proven track record of designing for both web and mobile platforms.
Required Skills:
-
UX/UI Design Expertise: Deep understanding of user-centered design principles, interaction design, and visual design best practices.
-
Figma Proficiency: Advanced skills in using Figma for wireframing, prototyping, high-fidelity design, and design system management.
-
Adobe Creative Suite: Strong command of Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, and other relevant tools for graphic design and asset creation.
-
Design Systems: Proven experience in developing, maintaining, and scaling design systems and component libraries.
-
User Research & Validation: Proficiency in conducting user research methodologies, usability testing, heuristic evaluations, and A/B testing.
-
Prototyping: Ability to create interactive prototypes at various fidelities to effectively communicate design concepts and user flows.
-
Design Documentation: Experience in creating comprehensive design specifications, style guides, and component documentation for development teams.
-
Communication & Collaboration: Exceptional verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to effectively present design concepts and collaborate with cross-functional teams and stakeholders.
-
Project Management: Solid understanding of project management principles and the ability to manage design projects from inception to completion.
Preferred Skills:
-
Financial Services or EdTech Experience: Prior experience designing for the financial services or education technology sectors, understanding their unique user needs and regulatory landscapes.
-
Accessibility Standards (WCAG): In-depth knowledge of Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) and practical application in design.
-
Agile/Scrum Methodologies: Familiarity with Agile development processes and experience working within Scrum teams.
-
Information Architecture (IA): Experience in structuring and organizing content within digital products to enhance usability and navigation.
π Enhancement Note: The experience requirement is clearly stated as 5+ years, positioning this as a senior-level role. The emphasis on Figma and Adobe Creative Suite highlights the core technical tools required. Preferred experience in financial services or education technology suggests a domain-specific advantage for candidates.
π Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements
Portfolio Essentials:
-
Comprehensive Case Studies: Showcase 3-5 detailed case studies demonstrating end-to-end UX/UI design projects from problem identification to solution implementation and impact.
-
Process Visualization: Clearly illustrate the design process followed in each case study, including user research, ideation, wireframing, prototyping, usability testing, and iteration.
-
Design System Examples: Include examples of design systems or component libraries you have developed or contributed to, highlighting their structure, components, and usage guidelines.
-
Figma/Adobe Proficiency Showcase: Demonstrate complex UI designs, interactive prototypes, and sophisticated visual assets created using Figma and Adobe Creative Suite.
-
Problem-Solving Focus: Each case study should clearly articulate the problem statement, the design challenges faced, and how your solutions effectively addressed user needs and business objectives.
Process Documentation:
-
User Flow Diagrams: Present detailed user flow diagrams that map out user journeys for key features or tasks.
-
Wireframes & Prototypes: Include examples of wireframes and interactive prototypes that effectively communicate layout, navigation, and interaction design.
-
High-Fidelity Mockups: Showcase polished, high-fidelity mockups that reflect visual design principles, branding, and UI elements.
-
Usability Testing Reports: Summarize findings from usability tests or A/B tests, detailing methodologies, key insights, and resulting design iterations.
-
Design System Documentation: Provide samples of design system documentation, style guides, or component specifications.
π Enhancement Note: A strong portfolio is critical for this role. The emphasis is on demonstrating a structured design process, proficiency in core tools, and tangible outcomes from design work, particularly in creating and maintaining design systems.
π΅ Compensation & Benefits
Salary Range: The provided salary is $50 - $68 Hourly, which translates to approximately $104,000 - $141,440 annually for a standard 40-hour work week.
Benefits:
-
Career Advancement: Tremendous opportunities for career growth and advancement within the organization.
-
Health & Wellness: Access to fitness centers/gym subsidies, fitness trackers, and comprehensive health and wellness programs.
-
Financial Security: 401k company match and an employee stock purchase plan provide long-term financial benefits.
-
Insurance: Basic life insurance, comprehensive benefits package including dental and vision insurance, and pet insurance.
-
Work-Life Balance: Very generous Paid Time Off (PTO) policy, 14 paid holidays, and dedicated PTO for volunteer work.
-
Family Support: New parents receive 12 weeks of 100% PTO for birth or adoption.
-
Education: Tuition reimbursement program available for continued learning and development.
-
Flexible Spending Accounts: Available to help manage healthcare and dependent care expenses.
Working Hours: Standard working hours are expected to be around 40 hours per week, aligning with a typical full-time contract to hire role. Flexibility may be available depending on project needs and team collaboration requirements.
π Enhancement Note: The salary range provided is hourly. The listed benefits are extensive and highlight a strong commitment to employee well-being, financial planning, and work-life balance, which can be attractive to senior-level professionals.
π― Team & Company Context
π’ Company Culture
Industry: The company operates within the professional services and talent acquisition sector, likely focusing on providing staffing and recruitment solutions for various industries. The specific client this role is for is in the Education Technology or Financial Services sector, based on preferred qualifications.
Company Size: ExpertHiring appears to be a mid-sized to large organization in the staffing industry, indicated by its extensive reach and the structured nature of its hiring processes. The client company's size is not specified but is likely of a scale that requires dedicated Senior UX/UI design expertise for digital platforms.
Founded: ExpertHiring's founding date is not explicitly provided, but its operational presence and comprehensive service offerings suggest an established company with a significant history in the recruitment market. The client company's founding date is also not specified.
Team Structure:
-
Operations Team: This role will likely operate within a dedicated design team at the client company, reporting to a Design Lead or Head of Product Design.
-
Cross-Functional Collaboration: The Senior UX/UI Designer will collaborate extensively with Product Managers, Software Engineers, QA Testers, and potentially Marketing and User Research teams.
-
Reporting Hierarchy: The role is likely to have a clear reporting line within the client's product development department, with direct interaction with hiring manager Daman Lyng.
Methodology:
-
User-Centered Design: The core methodology will revolve around understanding user needs and translating them into effective digital solutions.
-
Agile Development: Collaboration with development teams suggests adherence to Agile or Scrum methodologies, involving iterative design and development cycles.
-
Data-Driven Decisions: Emphasis on usability testing, A/B testing, and heuristic evaluations indicates a data-informed approach to design validation and optimization.
Company Website: www.experthiring.com
π Enhancement Note: This role is for a client of ExpertHiring, meaning the candidate will be employed by ExpertHiring on a contract-to-hire basis and placed at their client's organization. Understanding the client's industry is crucial for tailoring one's application.
π Career & Growth Analysis
Operations Career Level: This is a Senior level position, requiring significant autonomy, strategic thinking, and the ability to mentor or guide less experienced designers. The role involves leading design efforts and influencing product direction, rather than just executing tasks.
Reporting Structure: The Senior UX/UI Designer will likely report to a Design Manager, Director of Product, or Head of Design within the client organization. They will also work closely with Product Managers and Engineering Leads on specific projects.
Operations Impact: The Senior UX/UI Designer's work directly impacts user engagement, product adoption, customer satisfaction, and ultimately, the success of the client's digital products. By creating seamless and effective user experiences, they contribute to key business metrics such as conversion rates, retention, and user efficiency, particularly within the education or financial technology domains.
Growth Opportunities:
-
Leadership Development: Potential to grow into a Lead UX/UI Designer, Design Manager, or Product Design Lead role, taking on more strategic responsibilities and managing a team.
-
Skill Specialization: Opportunity to deepen expertise in specific areas such as design systems, user research methodologies, accessibility, or product strategy.
-
Industry Exposure: Gain valuable experience in the Education Technology or Financial Services sectors, which can open doors to future roles within these high-growth industries.
-
Permanent Employment: Successful performance in the contract-to-hire phase offers a pathway to a permanent position with the client company, potentially with enhanced benefits and long-term career stability.
π Enhancement Note: The "Contract to Hire" model presents a unique growth path, offering a trial period to prove capabilities and secure a permanent role with potential for advancement. Senior roles inherently offer opportunities for leadership and strategic influence.
π Work Environment
Office Type: The role is designated as On-site, requiring the designer to work from the client's office located in Newton, Massachusetts. This implies a traditional office setting conducive to in-person collaboration.
Office Location(s): Newton, Massachusetts. This location offers access to the broader Boston metropolitan area's tech and design community. Specific details about office amenities or accessibility would need to be confirmed with the hiring team.
Workspace Context:
-
Collaborative Environment: Expect a dynamic office environment where close collaboration with product managers, developers, and other designers is encouraged through in-person interactions, whiteboarding sessions, and team meetings.
-
Tools and Technology: Access to standard office technology and potentially specialized design software and hardware provided by the client. Proficiency in Figma and Adobe Creative Suite is a given, and the candidate should be prepared to adapt to any client-specific toolset.
-
Team Interaction: Regular opportunities for team stand-ups, design reviews, sprint planning, and cross-functional project discussions to ensure alignment and foster a cohesive team dynamic.
Work Schedule: The standard work schedule is likely to be aligned with typical business hours (e.g., 9 AM to 5 PM), with an expectation of 40 hours per week. Some flexibility might be possible, but on-site presence is mandatory.
π Enhancement Note: The on-site requirement is a key aspect of this role, emphasizing in-person collaboration and integration within the client's physical workspace.
π Application & Portfolio Review Process
Interview Process:
-
Initial Screening: A preliminary call with ExpertHiring (likely with Daman Lyng or a recruiter) to assess basic qualifications, experience, and cultural fit.
-
Portfolio Review: A dedicated session to present and discuss 2-3 selected case studies from your portfolio, focusing on your design process, problem-solving approach, and outcomes. Be prepared to articulate your rationale for design decisions and how you used tools like Figma.
-
Technical/Skills Assessment: This may involve a design challenge or a discussion focused on specific UX/UI principles, design systems, accessibility, and your proficiency with Figma and Adobe Creative Suite.
-
Stakeholder Interviews: Interviews with key stakeholders at the client company, such as Product Managers, Engineering Leads, and potentially other designers, to evaluate collaboration skills, technical depth, and alignment with team dynamics.
-
Final Interview: A final discussion, potentially with a senior leader, to confirm fit, discuss compensation, and outline the contract-to-hire terms.
Portfolio Review Tips:
-
Select Relevant Projects: Choose 3-5 case studies that best showcase your experience in complex systems, design systems, and user-centered design for web and mobile platforms. Prioritize projects relevant to EdTech or FinTech if possible.
-
Tell a Story: Structure each case study as a narrative, clearly defining the problem, your role, the process you followed, your design solutions, the challenges you overcame, and the measurable impact of your work.
-
Highlight Process & Tools: Explicitly detail your design process and demonstrate your mastery of Figma and Adobe Creative Suite through your work samples and explanations. Show, don't just tell, your Figma skills with interactive prototypes.
-
Quantify Impact: Whenever possible, use metrics (e.g., conversion rate improvements, user satisfaction scores, task completion times) to demonstrate the business value and effectiveness of your designs.
-
Prepare for Questions: Anticipate questions about your design decisions, how you handle feedback, your approach to collaboration, and your experience with accessibility and design systems.
Challenge Preparation:
-
Design Challenge: If a design challenge is given, focus on understanding the problem statement thoroughly. Prioritize user needs and business goals. Document your assumptions and design rationale clearly.
-
Time Management: Practice time management for design exercises, as you may have a limited window to complete and present your work.
-
Presentation Skills: Prepare to articulate your design thinking process and solutions concisely and effectively. Practice presenting your work as you would in the portfolio review.
π Enhancement Note: The interview process is likely multi-stage, with a strong emphasis on portfolio review and practical demonstration of design skills and process. Preparing case studies that highlight design systems and complex problem-solving will be key.
π Tools & Technology Stack
Primary Tools:
-
Figma: Essential for wireframing, prototyping, UI design, and collaborative design system development. Advanced proficiency is expected.
-
Adobe Creative Suite: Including Photoshop and Illustrator for graphic design, asset creation, and potentially advanced image manipulation.
-
Prototyping Tools: While Figma is primary, experience with other prototyping tools might be beneficial.
Analytics & Reporting:
-
Usability Testing Platforms: Tools for conducting remote or in-person usability tests (e.g., UserTesting.com, Lookback).
-
A/B Testing Tools: Familiarity with platforms used for A/B testing and conversion rate optimization.
-
Analytics Platforms: Understanding of how to interpret data from platforms like Google Analytics or similar product analytics tools to inform design decisions.
CRM & Automation:
-
Project Management Tools: Experience with tools like Jira, Asana, Trello, or Monday.com for managing design tasks and collaborating with development teams within Agile frameworks.
-
Collaboration Tools: Proficiency with communication platforms such as Slack, Microsoft Teams, or Zoom for daily team interaction and remote collaboration.
π Enhancement Note: Figma proficiency is highlighted as a critical requirement. The role also implies a need for understanding how designs translate into actionable data through analytics and testing tools.
π₯ Team Culture & Values
Operations Values:
-
User-Centricity: A deep commitment to understanding and advocating for the user throughout the design and development process.
-
Collaboration: A strong emphasis on teamwork, open communication, and cross-functional partnership to achieve shared goals.
-
Excellence & Quality: A drive for delivering high-quality, polished, and effective design solutions that meet both user needs and business objectives.
-
Innovation & Problem-Solving: A proactive approach to identifying challenges and developing creative, efficient solutions through design.
-
Continuous Improvement: A culture that encourages learning, feedback, and iterative refinement of processes and products.
Collaboration Style:
-
Transparent Communication: Open sharing of ideas, feedback, and progress updates with all team members and stakeholders.
-
Cross-Functional Integration: Working closely with product managers, engineers, and other departments to ensure designs are technically feasible, aligned with business strategy, and meet user expectations.
-
Constructive Feedback: A willingness to give and receive constructive criticism in a professional manner to elevate the quality of work.
-
Shared Ownership: A sense of collective responsibility for the success of the product, fostering a supportive and collaborative team environment.
π Enhancement Note: The emphasis on user-centricity and cross-functional collaboration aligns with modern product development practices and is crucial for a Senior UX/UI Designer role.
β‘ Challenges & Growth Opportunities
Challenges:
-
Balancing User Needs and Business Goals: Effectively navigating the inherent tension between creating ideal user experiences and meeting business objectives, timelines, and technical constraints.
-
Designing for Complex Systems: Tackling the intricacies of designing for sophisticated platforms within the EdTech or FinTech sectors, which often involve complex workflows and data structures.
-
Maintaining Design Consistency: Ensuring a cohesive and consistent user experience across multiple platforms and feature sets, especially with evolving design systems.
-
Stakeholder Management: Effectively communicating design rationale and managing expectations with diverse stakeholders who may have varying levels of design understanding.
Learning & Development Opportunities:
-
Advanced Design System Mastery: Opportunity to become a subject matter expert in design systems, contributing to their strategic evolution and implementation.
-
Industry-Specific Knowledge: Deepening expertise in the nuances of the Education Technology or Financial Services industries, understanding their unique user bases and regulatory environments.
-
Mentorship and Guidance: Potential to mentor junior designers, sharing knowledge and best practices, and contributing to the overall growth of the design team.
-
Leadership Opportunities: As a senior member, taking on lead roles in specific projects or initiatives, potentially paving the way for future management positions.
π Enhancement Note: The challenges presented are typical for senior design roles, focusing on strategic trade-offs, complex problem-solving, and stakeholder alignment. The growth opportunities are geared towards leadership and specialized expertise.
π‘ Interview Preparation
Strategy Questions:
-
"Describe a complex digital product you designed from concept to launch. What were the biggest challenges, and how did you overcome them?" (Focus on your process, Figma usage, and problem-solving skills.)
-
"How do you approach building and maintaining a design system? What are the key components, and how do you ensure its adoption?" (Demonstrate your understanding of scalability and consistency.)
-
"Walk me through a time you had to balance conflicting stakeholder requirements with user needs. What was your strategy?" (Highlight your negotiation and communication skills.)
Company & Culture Questions:
-
"What interests you about working in the EdTech/FinTech industry, and what do you see as the unique design challenges in this space?" (Research the client's specific sector.)
-
"How do you prefer to collaborate with product managers and engineers? What's your ideal team dynamic?" (Align your answer with the described collaborative environment.)
Portfolio Presentation Strategy:
-
Structure Your Narrative: For each case study, clearly outline the problem, your role, the research and discovery phase, ideation/design exploration, key solutions, testing and iteration, and final outcomes/impact.
-
Show, Don't Just Tell: Use visuals effectively. Showcase wireframes, user flows, interactive prototypes (live demo if possible), and high-fidelity mockups.
-
Articulate Your "Why": Be ready to explain the rationale behind every significant design decision. Why this layout? Why this interaction?
-
Quantify Success: Whenever possible, present metrics that demonstrate the positive impact of your design work on user behavior or business goals.
-
Be Prepared for Deep Dives: Expect questions that probe into specific aspects of your process, your tool usage (especially Figma), and your problem-solving approach.
π Enhancement Note: Interview preparation should focus on demonstrating a structured design process, strong problem-solving abilities, proficiency with Figma, and an understanding of the client's industry.
π Application Steps
To apply for this Senior UX/UI Designer position:
-
Submit Your Application: Apply directly through the provided link on ExpertHiring's Zoho Recruit portal.
-
Tailor Your Resume: Highlight your 5+ years of UX/UI and product design experience, emphasizing your proficiency in Figma, Adobe Creative Suite, and design systems. Use keywords from the job description such as "user-centered design," "wireframing," "prototyping," and "usability testing." Quantify achievements where possible.
-
Curate Your Portfolio: Select 2-3 of your most relevant and impactful case studies that showcase your end-to-end design process for web and mobile platforms. Ensure your portfolio clearly demonstrates your skills in Figma, design systems, and problem-solving.
-
Prepare for the Portfolio Review: Practice presenting your case studies, focusing on articulating your design rationale, process, and the impact of your work. Be ready to discuss your experience in complex systems and accessibility.
-
Research the Client's Industry: Understand the nuances of the Education Technology or Financial Services sectors, as this will be crucial for tailoring your responses and demonstrating your interest and suitability for the client's needs.
β οΈ 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.
Application Requirements
Requires a Bachelor's degree and over 5 years of UX/UI or product design experience. Proficiency in Figma and Adobe Creative Suite is essential, with a strong understanding of accessibility standards.