Senior UX/UI Designer (R&D)

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Senior UX/UI Designer (R&D)

Company: Cotality

Location: Dallas, TX; Irvine, CA; Irving, TX; United States

Job Type: Full-Time

Category: UX/UI Design, Research & Development, Product Innovation

Date Posted: April 22, 2026

Experience Level: 5-10 Years

Remote Status: Hybrid

🚀 Role Summary

• This role is critical for driving disruptive ideas and powering the enterprise funnel with innovative product concepts within a dedicated R&D pod.

• The Senior UX/UI Designer will leverage Agentic AI and Large Language Models (LLMs) to revolutionize design workflows, enabling rapid production of backlogs, test scripts, and code from prototypes.

• Focus on high-speed prototyping to move swiftly from ideation to Proof of Concept (POC) and Minimum Viable Product (MVP), showcasing the "art of the possible" in a state-of-the-art innovation center.

• Engage in continuous learning by exploring a vast array of data, models, and cutting-edge technologies to maintain a competitive edge in product development.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the job title is Senior UX/UI Designer, the inclusion of R&D, AI integration, and high-speed prototyping suggests a strong emphasis on innovation and forward-thinking product development, positioning this role as a key contributor to Cotality's strategic growth and technological advancement.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Design & Strategy: Collaborate closely with technical product managers and engineers to conceptualize and design user experiences that directly contribute to revenue growth and enhance long-term customer retention.

• UX Engineering: Develop and maintain multiple interactive prototypes, POCs, and MVPs, ensuring a deep understanding of how underlying web technologies (HTML, JavaScript, CSS) influence and inform interaction design decisions.

• Technical Innovation: Actively integrate Generative AI (GenAI) into production-ready solutions and leverage AI tools to significantly streamline the entire design-to-code pipeline, accelerating development cycles.

• Research & Analysis: Design, plan, and execute comprehensive user research strategies utilizing both qualitative and quantitative methodologies, including in-depth interviews and rigorous usability testing.

• Asset Creation: Produce a wide range of design assets, including detailed process flows, intuitive wireframes, interactive prototypes, custom illustrations, dynamic animations, and clear icons.

• Leadership & Mentorship: Serve as a subject matter expert (SME) for customer experience best practices, actively coaching other designers and leading strategic discussions on evolving UX/UI standards within the organization.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a blend of core UX/UI design, hands-on technical implementation (UX Engineering), strategic innovation through AI, and leadership, indicating a senior-level role with significant impact on product direction and team development.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: Bachelor's degree in Graphic Design, Psychology, Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), or a closely related field.

Experience: 5+ years of professional experience in roles such as UI Designer, Interaction Designer, or a similar design-focused position.

Required Skills:

• Design Software Expertise: Expert proficiency in industry-standard design tools including Figma, Sketch, Miro, and Adobe XD for comprehensive design workflows.

• Creative Suite Proficiency: Competent command of Adobe Photoshop and Adobe Illustrator for asset creation and manipulation.

• Research & Analysis Tools: Experience with user research and analytics platforms such as UserZoom, Hotjar, Optimal Workshop, and UXPin.

• Data & Analytics: Demonstrated experience working with detailed data and sophisticated analytics engines, including proficiency in tools like Excel, SPSS, Python, and Google BigQuery.

• Technical Foundation: Solid understanding of web technologies (HTML, CSS, JavaScript) to effectively inform and guide interaction design decisions.

• Design Systems & Accessibility: Knowledge of Design Systems, the atomic design methodology, and a strong commitment to Accessibility and Inclusive Design principles.

• Professional Communication: Excellent verbal and presentation skills, with the ability to articulate complex business needs clearly to technical teams and manage multiple projects concurrently.

Preferred Skills:

• Prototyping & MVP Development: Experience in building and deploying POCs and MVPs.

• GenAI Integration: Hands-on experience integrating GenAI into design and development processes.

• LLM Application: Familiarity with leveraging LLMs for design tasks and workflow automation.

• Data Visualization: Extensive experience in creating compelling and insightful data visualizations.

📝 Enhancement Note: The required toolset is extensive, covering design, creative, research, and analytical aspects. Proficiency in data-related tools (Python, BigQuery) and AI (GenAI, LLMs) indicates a forward-looking role that blends traditional UX with cutting-edge technology. The emphasis on data visualization is a key differentiator.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A strong, well-curated online portfolio is mandatory, showcasing extensive experience in data visualization and user-centered design solutions.

• Demonstrate a clear understanding of problem-solving through design, illustrating the user journey and design decisions made.

• Include case studies that highlight the impact of your designs on user experience and business objectives.

Process Documentation:

• Evidence of designing and implementing user research strategies, including research plans, methodologies used, and synthesized findings.

• Examples of creating detailed process flows, wireframes, and interactive prototypes, detailing the iterative design process.

• Documentation of how user feedback and data analysis were used to refine designs and drive product improvements.

• Case studies that illustrate the integration of AI or advanced analytics into the design and development pipeline.

📝 Enhancement Note: The portfolio requirement is non-negotiable and must explicitly demonstrate expertise in data visualization and user-centered design, with a strong preference for showcasing AI integration and the ability to translate complex data into intuitive user experiences.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $93,800 - $125,000 USD annually.

Benefits:

• Time Off: Generous Paid Time Off (PTO), 11 paid holidays, dedicated well-being time off, and volunteer time off.

• Family Support: Up to 16 weeks of fully paid parental leave and a baby stipend.

• Health & Wellness: Multiple comprehensive medical plan options, including robust mental health and wellness support.

• Retirement: 401(k) plan with a company match, with vesting after one year of service.

• Financial Perks: Annual $400 well-being stipend and up to $5,250 annually for tuition assistance.

• Additional Perks: Recognition Rewards program, referral bonuses, and access to exclusive employee discounts.

Working Hours: 40 hours per week, aligning with a hybrid work arrangement.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range is competitive for a Senior UX/UI Designer role with R&D responsibilities. The benefits package is comprehensive, emphasizing work-life balance, family support, and professional development, which are attractive to experienced professionals. The hybrid work arrangement offers flexibility.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Property Technology (PropTech) and Real Estate Intelligence. Cotality operates within the property industry, aiming to make it faster, smarter, and more people-centric through data and technology.

Company Size: The description mentions 5,000 employees globally, indicating a large, established organization with significant resources and reach.

Founded: While the founding date isn't explicitly stated, the company's mission and global presence suggest a mature organization focused on innovation within a traditional industry.

Team Structure:

• The role is part of a high-impact R&D pod, designed to act as "firepower" for the enterprise by driving disruptive ideas.

• This suggests a lean, agile, and cross-functional team structure focused on rapid experimentation and innovation.

Methodology:

• User-Centric Design: A strong emphasis on a user-centered design process built around empathy, challenging traditional requirement-focused development.

• AI Integration: A core methodology involves leveraging GenAI and LLMs to transform design roles and accelerate the design-to-code pipeline.

• Agile & Iterative: The R&D pod operates in a fast-paced environment with common ambiguities and priority changes, requiring agile methodologies and rapid iteration from ideation to POC/MVP.

• Data-Driven Innovation: Continuous exploration of diverse data, models, and technologies to fuel disruptive product development.

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

📝 Enhancement Note: Cotality positions itself as a technology-driven innovator in the property industry, valuing agility, empathy, and cutting-edge AI integration. The R&D pod structure implies a culture that supports bold ideas and rapid execution.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This is a Senior-level individual contributor role within Research & Development, focused on strategic design innovation and technical execution. It requires significant experience and the ability to act as a subject matter expert and mentor.

Reporting Structure: The role is part of an R&D pod, likely reporting to an R&D Lead, Head of Product Innovation, or a similar senior leadership position within the innovation or product development function. The pod structure suggests autonomy within its defined objectives.

Operations Impact: The Senior UX/UI Designer will have a direct impact on the "art of the possible" for Cotality's enterprise. By driving disruptive ideas, leveraging AI, and rapidly prototyping solutions, this role will shape the future of Cotality's product offerings, directly influencing user adoption, customer retention, and potentially new revenue streams. The focus on accelerating the design-to-code pipeline also impacts development efficiency and time-to-market for innovations.

Growth Opportunities:

• Technical Specialization: Deepen expertise in AI-driven design tools, GenAI applications, and advanced data visualization techniques.

• Leadership Development: Grow into a team lead or mentor role within R&D or other product development teams, guiding junior designers and shaping design strategy.

• Strategic Influence: Contribute to long-term product roadmaps and innovation strategies, potentially transitioning into product management or a dedicated innovation strategy role.

• Cross-Functional Exposure: Gain broad experience across different facets of the property industry and technology stack through collaboration with various enterprise teams.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role offers significant growth potential for an experienced designer looking to specialize in cutting-edge technologies like AI within a large, established company. The R&D focus provides a unique platform for innovation and strategic impact.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The role is designated as Hybrid, meaning it involves a combination of working from home and working from a physical Cotality office. The mention of a "state-of-the-art innovation center" suggests access to advanced facilities for prototyping and collaboration.

Office Location(s): The position is available in Dallas, TX; Irvine, CA; and Irving, TX. This offers flexibility in geographic location for candidates within these regions.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Hub: The innovation center will likely serve as a hub for collaboration, brainstorming, and hands-on prototyping, especially for the R&D pod.

• Technology-Rich: Expect access to the latest design and AI tools, visualization platforms, and potentially specialized hardware for rapid prototyping.

• Agile Setting: The fast-paced R&D environment implies a dynamic workspace that encourages quick iteration, open communication, and cross-functional interaction.

Work Schedule: Standard 40-hour work week, with the flexibility afforded by a hybrid model. The nature of R&D and prototyping may sometimes require focused, intensive work sessions.

📝 Enhancement Note: The hybrid model and available locations provide flexibility. The emphasis on an "innovation center" suggests a workspace designed to foster creativity and rapid development, aligning with the R&D pod's goals.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: Likely a review of your resume and online portfolio to assess basic qualifications and experience, particularly in data visualization and user-centered design.

• Portfolio Deep Dive: A dedicated session focused on your portfolio. Be prepared to walk through 2-3 key projects, explaining your design process, the challenges faced, your solutions, and the impact/results achieved.

• Technical & Skills Assessment: Interviews may include questions on UX principles, interaction design, research methodologies, and your experience with specific tools (Figma, AI tools, data analytics platforms). You might be asked to discuss how you'd approach specific design challenges or integrate GenAI.

• R&D Pod Fit: Discussions will likely center on your ability to thrive in a fast-paced, ambiguous R&D environment, your approach to innovation, and your collaboration style within a cross-functional team.

• Leadership/Mentorship Discussion: As a senior role, expect questions about your experience coaching others and leading design discussions.

• Final Round: May involve a presentation of a concept or a more in-depth discussion with senior leadership about strategic alignment and potential impact.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select projects that best showcase your expertise in data visualization, user-centered design, and complex problem-solving. Include examples that demonstrate your ability to work with data and potentially integrate AI.

• Tell a Story: For each project, clearly articulate the problem, your role, the user research conducted, the design process (including iterations), your specific contributions, and the measurable outcomes or impact.

• Highlight Data Visualization: Emphasize how you translated complex data into understandable and actionable insights for users.

• Showcase AI Integration (if applicable): If you have experience using AI tools in your design process or designing for AI-powered features, highlight these prominently.

• Demonstrate Tool Proficiency: Ensure your portfolio reflects your claimed expertise in Figma, Sketch, Miro, Adobe XD, and other relevant tools.

• Accessibility Focus: Include examples demonstrating your understanding and application of accessibility and inclusive design principles.

Challenge Preparation:

• Design Exercise: Be prepared for a take-home design challenge or a live design exercise. This might involve a problem statement related to data interpretation or improving a user flow for a complex system. Focus on demonstrating your process, not just the final output.

• AI Integration Scenario: Consider how you might use GenAI or LLMs to accelerate parts of the design process for the given challenge.

• Presentation Skills: Practice presenting your work concisely and effectively, anticipating questions about your decisions and rationale.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on a strong portfolio, particularly in data visualization and AI integration, is paramount. Candidates should prepare to articulate their design process, problem-solving approach, and the measurable impact of their work.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Design Tools:

• Figma: Expert proficiency is required for core design, prototyping, and collaboration.

• Sketch: Expected proficiency, often used in conjunction with Figma or as an alternative.

• Miro: Essential for collaborative ideation, user journey mapping, and workshop facilitation.

• Adobe XD: Proficiency is expected, potentially for specific project needs or legacy workflows.

Creative & Asset Tools:

• Adobe Photoshop: Competent command for image editing, manipulation, and asset preparation.

• Adobe Illustrator: Competent command for vector graphics, icons, and illustrations.

Research & Analysis Tools:

• UserZoom / Hotjar / Optimal Workshop: Proficiency in user research platforms for gathering qualitative and quantitative feedback, usability testing, and analytics.

• UXPin: Experience with prototyping and design tools that may include advanced interaction features.

• Excel / SPSS / Python / Google BigQuery: Essential for data analysis, research synthesis, and working with large datasets. Python and BigQuery are particularly relevant for advanced data handling and potential scripting.

Emerging Technologies:

• GenAI Platforms: Experience or strong understanding of integrating Generative AI into design workflows.

• LLMs (Large Language Models): Familiarity with how LLMs can be leveraged for tasks like backlog generation, script writing, and code generation from prototypes.

Core Technologies:

• HTML, CSS, JavaScript: Fundamental knowledge to inform interaction design decisions and understand technical feasibility.

• Design Systems: Experience working with or contributing to Design Systems and understanding atomic design principles.

• Accessibility Tools: Familiarity with tools and guidelines for ensuring inclusive and accessible design.

📝 Enhancement Note: The technology stack is extensive, blending traditional UX/UI tools with advanced data analysis and cutting-edge AI technologies. Proficiency in Figma, data tools (Python, BigQuery), and a demonstrated understanding of GenAI/LLMs are key requirements.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Innovation & Disruption: A core value is to "drive disruptive ideas" and showcase the "art of the possible," encouraging bold thinking and challenging the status quo.

• User-Centricity & Empathy: The design process is built around empathy, prioritizing user needs and experiences over rigid requirements.

• Speed & Agility: The R&D environment demands high-speed prototyping and rapid iteration, valuing quick movement from idea to POC/MVP.

• Continuous Learning: An emphasis on exploring diverse data, models, and technologies to foster ongoing professional development and stay at the forefront of innovation.

• Collaboration & Empowerment: The company culture aims to inspire innovation through collaboration, valuing individual contributions and empowering employees to feel valued.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-Functional Synergy: Expect close collaboration with technical product managers and engineers within the R&D pod, requiring clear communication and mutual understanding of design and technical constraints.

• Mentorship & Knowledge Sharing: As a senior designer, you'll act as an SME, coaching other designers and leading discussions, fostering a culture of shared learning and best practices.

• Agile & Iterative Feedback Loops: The fast-paced nature of R&D implies frequent feedback loops and iterative adjustments based on rapid prototyping and testing.

• Data-Informed Decision Making: Collaboration will likely involve leveraging data and insights from research and analytics tools to inform design decisions.

📝 Enhancement Note: The culture emphasizes innovation, speed, and a user-first approach, heavily influenced by technology and continuous learning. The collaborative style is expected to be fast-paced and cross-functional, with a strong emphasis on mentorship.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Navigating Ambiguity: The R&D environment inherently involves ambiguity and frequent priority shifts, requiring adaptability and resilience.

• Rapid Prototyping & Iteration: Moving quickly from ideation to POC and MVP demands efficient workflows and the ability to make swift, informed decisions.

• Integrating Emerging Technologies: Effectively integrating GenAI and LLMs into design workflows and production solutions requires continuous learning and experimentation.

• Balancing Innovation with Enterprise Needs: Demonstrating the value of disruptive ideas and ensuring they align with broader enterprise goals and scalability concerns.

• Leading Without Formal Authority: As a senior individual contributor, effectively influencing and coaching peers and stakeholders on UX/UI best practices.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• AI & ML Specialization: Deepen expertise in applying AI and ML principles to UX/UI design and product development.

• Advanced Data Visualization: Enhance skills in creating complex, interactive, and insightful data visualizations for diverse audiences.

• Product Strategy & Innovation: Gain exposure to strategic product planning and the innovation pipeline within a large organization.

• Leadership & Mentorship: Develop leadership skills through coaching, mentoring, and leading design initiatives.

• Industry Insights: Continuous exposure to new technologies, market trends in PropTech, and evolving user expectations.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role presents opportunities to tackle cutting-edge challenges in AI-driven design and rapid innovation, with significant potential for professional growth in specialized areas and leadership.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you used user research to significantly influence a product's direction. What was the outcome?" (Focus on methodology, impact, and data visualization if applicable.)

• "How would you leverage GenAI to accelerate the design process for a new feature in our property intelligence platform?" (Demonstrate understanding of AI's role in design, workflow efficiency, and potential applications.)

• "Walk us through a complex data visualization you designed. What was the data, what was the user goal, and how did you ensure clarity and actionability?" (Prepare a case study from your portfolio emphasizing data translation.)

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What do you know about Cotality's mission and the property industry? How does your design philosophy align with our goal of making the industry 'faster, smarter, and more people-centric'?" (Research the company and tailor your response.)

• "How do you handle ambiguity and changing priorities in a fast-paced R&D environment?" (Highlight your adaptability, resilience, and problem-solving approach.)

• "Describe your experience working with engineers and product managers. How do you ensure effective collaboration and alignment?" (Focus on communication, empathy, and shared goal achievement.)

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure is Key: For each project, use a clear structure: Problem, Your Role, Process (Research, Ideation, Design, Testing), Solution, and Impact/Results.

• Quantify Impact: Whenever possible, use metrics to demonstrate the success of your designs (e.g., increased engagement, improved task completion rates, reduced errors, revenue impact).

• Showcase Data Visualization Expertise: Dedicate specific slides or sections to highlight your data visualization projects, explaining the insights derived and how the design facilitated understanding.

• Explain AI/Tech Integration: If applicable, clearly explain how you used AI tools or other technologies to enhance the design process or the final product.

• Be Prepared for Deep Dives: Anticipate detailed questions about your design decisions, rationale, and trade-offs made during the process.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interviews will heavily focus on practical application of UX/UI principles, data visualization, AI integration, and the ability to thrive in an innovative, fast-paced R&D setting. Your portfolio will be your primary tool for demonstrating these capabilities.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Senior UX/UI Designer (R&D) position:

• Submit your application through the provided Workday link.

• Curate Your Portfolio: Ensure your online portfolio prominently features your strongest work in data visualization, user-centered design, and any relevant AI/GenAI integration projects. Tailor it to showcase your ability to design for complex data.

• Optimize Your Resume: Highlight your 5+ years of experience, specific tool proficiency (especially Figma, data analysis tools, and AI tools), and achievements in driving user experience and innovation. Use keywords from the job description.

• Prepare Your Narrative: Practice articulating your design process, problem-solving approach, and the impact of your work using STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) for behavioral questions. Be ready to present 2-3 key portfolio projects in detail.

• Research Cotality: Understand Cotality's mission, its position in the property industry, and its commitment to innovation and AI. Prepare to discuss how your skills and philosophy align with their goals.

⚠️ 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.

---