Sr Designer - UX - New York

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Sr Designer - UX

Company: Photon

Location: New York, New York, United States

Job Type: Full-Time

Category: User Experience (UX) Design / Product Design

Date Posted: 2026-05-18T23:36:08

Experience Level: 5-10 Years

Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• Lead the design and development of intuitive user interfaces and client interactions, driving the future of user experience within the organization.

• Translate complex business and user challenges into elegant, user-friendly design solutions, ensuring practicality and efficiency.

• Champion user-centered design principles throughout the product lifecycle, advocating for user needs in all design decisions.

• Integrate AI technology into UX processes and product designs, exploring innovative solutions to enhance user workflows and efficiency.

• Collaborate closely with cross-functional teams, including engineering and product management, to ensure seamless design implementation and adoption.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is categorized under User Experience (UX) Design / Product Design due to the explicit mention of UX, UI, wireframes, prototypes, user research, and user-centric design principles. The emphasis on shaping user interfaces and client interactions, along with translating business challenges into design solutions, strongly aligns with product design responsibilities. The requirement for AI integration also points towards a forward-thinking product design approach.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Develop advanced wireframes, prototypes, and mock-ups using Figma, adhering to user-centered design principles and established design standards.

• Leverage data insights and user research findings to inform design decisions, validate assumptions, and optimize user experiences.

• Present and articulate complex design concepts, trade-offs, and prioritized requirements to diverse stakeholders across all organizational levels.

• Facilitate design thinking workshops and create comprehensive documentation to translate intricate business requirements into actionable design strategies.

• Conduct user research and usability testing, gathering and analyzing feedback to continuously refine and improve product designs.

• Explore and integrate AI technology tools to enhance UX process efficiency and develop strategic AI-driven design solutions within product workflows.

• Stay current with the latest trends and best practices in UX design and the financial services industry to proactively introduce innovative solutions.

• Collaborate closely with end-users to deeply understand their requirements and ensure the delivery of intuitive and frictionless user experiences.

• Champion the user perspective in all aspects of the role, assessing the impact of design changes on user workflows and performance.

• Analyze user feedback to generate clear, actionable insights that drive iterative design improvements.

• Create user-focused tickets with clarity and intent to facilitate smooth development cycles and seamless handoffs to engineering teams.

• Architect and design holistic solutions that encompass the end-to-end workflows of users.

📝 Enhancement Note: The primary responsibilities have been expanded to provide more detail on the practical application of UX design tasks, including the use of specific tools like Figma, the process of leveraging data and research, and the methods of stakeholder engagement. The inclusion of AI integration as a core responsibility has been highlighted, reflecting its growing importance in modern UX roles.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: Bachelor's degree in Design, Human-Computer Interaction, Computer Science, or a related field, or equivalent practical experience.

Experience: Over six (6) years of dedicated experience in UX design, with a proven track record of leading and delivering complex design projects.

Required Skills:

• Advanced UX/UI Design: Proficiency in creating wireframes, prototypes, mock-ups, and high-fidelity designs.

• Figma Expertise: Extensive experience using Figma for design, prototyping, and collaboration.

• User Research & Usability Testing: Demonstrated ability to conduct user research, synthesize findings, and perform usability testing to validate designs.

• Data-Driven Design: Ability to leverage quantitative and qualitative data to inform design decisions and measure impact.

• Stakeholder Communication: Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to clearly articulate design rationale and trade-offs to non-design audiences.

• Problem-Solving: Strong analytical and critical thinking skills to deconstruct complex problems and devise elegant solutions.

• Design Thinking Facilitation: Experience in leading design thinking workshops and collaborative ideation sessions.

• AI Integration: Understanding of AI technologies and their application in enhancing UX processes and product features.

• Financial Services Industry Acumen: Familiarity with the unique design challenges and user needs within the financial services sector.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience with other design and prototyping tools (e.g., Sketch, Adobe Creative Suite).

• Knowledge of front-end development principles (HTML, CSS, JavaScript) to better collaborate with engineers.

• Experience working in an Agile/Scrum development environment.

• Familiarity with design systems and their implementation.

• Experience mentoring junior designers.

📝 Enhancement Note: Specific skills have been elaborated to reflect the seniority of the role and the explicit requirements mentioned in the job description. "Figma Expertise" is highlighted due to its specific mention. The addition of "Financial Services Industry Acumen" is a strategic inference based on the company's potential industry context and the mention of financial services trends. "AI Integration" is explicitly listed as a required skill given its prominence in the responsibilities.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A strong portfolio showcasing at least 5-7 significant UX design projects, demonstrating a clear progression from problem identification to final solution.

• Projects should highlight expertise in wireframing, prototyping, user research, and user-centered design principles.

• Include case studies that detail the design process, challenges encountered, and the impact of design decisions on user experience and business outcomes.

• Showcase experience with advanced design tools, particularly Figma, and any AI integration efforts in design.

Process Documentation:

• Examples of design documentation, including user personas, journey maps, wireframes, and interactive prototypes.

• Documentation of user research methodologies employed and synthesized findings.

• Evidence of creating detailed design specifications and user-focused tickets for engineering handoff.

• Case studies that clearly articulate the problem, your role, the process followed, the solution, and measurable results.

📝 Enhancement Note: Portfolio requirements have been detailed to guide candidates on what constitutes a strong submission for a senior-level UX role. Emphasis is placed on demonstrating process, impact, and specific tool proficiency, particularly Figma, and the integration of AI. Process documentation examples are specified to give candidates a clear understanding of expectations.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: USD $39,000 - $136,000 per year. Compensation will be commensurate with actual experience and qualifications.

Benefits:

• Medical, vision, and dental insurance.

• 401k retirement plan with potential company match.

• Variable pay/incentives based on performance.

• Generous paid time off (PTO) and paid holidays.

• Opportunities for professional development and continuous learning.

Working Hours: 40 hours per week, typically aligned with standard business hours in New York.

📝 Enhancement Note: The provided salary range is directly quoted. The benefits list has been expanded with typical details relevant to full-time employees in the US. The working hours have been inferred based on the typical 40-hour work week for full-time roles and the location. The note about the position not being for independent contractors is included for clarity.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: While not explicitly stated, the mention of "financial services industry" in the responsibilities suggests Photon operates within or serves this sector. This implies a need for design solutions that prioritize security, reliability, and regulatory compliance, alongside user experience.

Company Size: Based on the Oracle Cloud HCM ATS source, "Photon" is likely a mid-to-large enterprise organization, possibly with a significant number of employees (estimated 1,000+). This size often indicates a structured environment with established processes, but also opportunities for impact.

Founded: The founding date is not provided. However, the need for a "Senior UX Designer" suggests a company that has evolved beyond its initial stages and is investing in mature product development and user experience strategies.

Team Structure:

• The UX team likely comprises designers with varying levels of experience, potentially including UX researchers, UI designers, and interaction designers, all working under a design lead or manager.

• This role reports to a design leadership position, with close collaboration expected with product managers, engineering leads, and potentially marketing or business analysts.

Methodology:

• Data Analysis & Insights: Emphasis on leveraging user data, analytics, and research to drive design decisions.

• Workflow Planning & Optimization: Focus on mapping and improving end-to-end user workflows for efficiency and effectiveness.

• Automation & Efficiency: Exploration and implementation of AI and other technologies to streamline design processes and enhance product features.

Company Website: Photon.com (inferred from domain_derived)

📝 Enhancement Note: Inferences about the company's industry, size, and maturity have been made based on the job description's context (financial services, senior role) and the source of the job posting (Oracle Cloud HCM ATS). The team structure and methodology sections are built upon typical expectations for a senior UX role within a company of this presumed scale and industry focus.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: Senior UX Designer. This level signifies a position of influence, where the individual is expected to lead design initiatives, mentor junior team members, and contribute significantly to the strategic direction of user experience. Responsibilities extend beyond execution to include problem definition, process improvement, and stakeholder alignment.

Reporting Structure: Typically reports to a Design Manager, Director of UX, or Head of Product. This role involves close collaboration with Product Managers, Engineering Leads, and other cross-functional stakeholders, requiring strong communication and influencing skills.

Operations Impact: This role has a direct impact on customer satisfaction, user adoption rates, and ultimately, the success of Photon's products and services. By creating intuitive and effective user experiences, the Senior UX Designer contributes to increased client retention, operational efficiency for users, and potentially revenue growth for the company.

Growth Opportunities:

• Leadership Development: Opportunities to lead design projects, mentor junior designers, and contribute to the strategic roadmap of the UX team.

• Skill Specialization: Deepen expertise in areas such as AI-driven design, complex financial product UX, or advanced user research methodologies.

• Cross-Functional Exposure: Gain broader understanding of product management, engineering processes, and business strategy through close collaboration.

• Advanced Training: Potential for professional development through conferences, workshops, and certifications in emerging UX and AI technologies.

📝 Enhancement Note: The career level is defined based on the "Sr Designer - UX" title and the "over six years of dedicated experience" requirement. The impact and growth opportunities are framed within the context of a senior role and the specific responsibilities outlined, including AI integration and financial services.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: On-site. The job description explicitly states "On-site" and lists a specific New York address, indicating a traditional office-based work environment.

Office Location(s): 115 W 30th ST STE 910, New York, NY 10001-4000. This location is in the heart of Manhattan, suggesting a vibrant and accessible work environment.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Environment: The role emphasizes collaboration, suggesting an office layout that supports teamwork, design reviews, and spontaneous interactions.

• Tools & Technology: Access to industry-standard design software (Figma is explicitly mentioned), potentially along with other relevant UX research and prototyping tools.

• Team Interaction: Opportunities for regular face-to-face interaction with design colleagues, product managers, and engineers, fostering a cohesive team dynamic.

Work Schedule: Standard business hours (approximately 40 hours per week), with potential for some flexibility depending on project needs and company policy. The on-site nature suggests a commitment to in-office presence during core working hours.

📝 Enhancement Note: The work environment details are derived directly from the "On-site" status and the provided address. The workspace context is inferred based on the collaborative nature of the role and the typical resources available in a professional design setting.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: Review of resume and portfolio to assess qualifications and experience against role requirements.

• Portfolio Presentation: A dedicated session where the candidate presents their portfolio, highlighting key projects, design process, and problem-solving approaches. Expect to discuss your role, challenges, and outcomes.

• Design Challenge/Case Study: A practical exercise or deep dive into a specific design problem, potentially involving a take-home assignment or an in-person/virtual whiteboard session. This will assess your problem-solving skills, design thinking, and ability to articulate solutions.

• Stakeholder Interviews: Meetings with potential team members, product managers, engineering leads, and hiring managers to evaluate technical skills, cultural fit, and collaboration style.

• Final Interview: Discussion with senior leadership to confirm overall fit and strategic alignment.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Selectively: Showcase 3-5 of your strongest, most relevant projects that demonstrate a range of skills and impact.

• Tell a Story: For each project, clearly articulate the problem, your specific role and contributions, the design process, key decisions, challenges overcome, and measurable results.

• Highlight Figma & AI: Explicitly demonstrate your proficiency with Figma and any innovative use of AI in your design process or outcomes.

• Focus on Process: Emphasize your thought process, research methodologies, and how you arrived at your solutions, not just the final visuals.

• Quantify Impact: Wherever possible, use data and metrics to demonstrate the success of your designs (e.g., increased conversion rates, reduced task completion time, improved user satisfaction scores).

• Prepare for Questions: Anticipate questions about your design decisions, trade-offs, collaboration, and how you handle feedback.

Challenge Preparation:

• Understand the Problem: Thoroughly analyze any design challenge or case study prompt. Ask clarifying questions if needed.

• Outline Your Approach: Before diving into solutions, outline your strategy, including research, ideation, and validation steps.

• Prioritize and Justify: Be prepared to explain your priorities and justify your design choices with user-centered reasoning and data.

• Consider Constraints: Think about technical feasibility, business goals, and time constraints.

• Practice Articulation: Rehearse explaining your process and solutions concisely and clearly, as if presenting to stakeholders.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process and portfolio review tips have been detailed to provide actionable guidance for candidates applying for a senior UX role. Emphasis is placed on demonstrating process, impact, and specific tool/technology proficiency (Figma, AI), which are critical for this position.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Figma: The core design and prototyping tool for wireframing, mock-ups, and interactive prototypes. Proficiency is essential.

• Adobe Creative Suite: Potentially used for asset creation, image editing, or other graphic design tasks.

• AI Design Tools: Emerging tools for ideation, content generation, workflow automation, or user simulation. Familiarity and willingness to explore these are key.

Analytics & Reporting:

• User Analytics Platforms (e.g., Google Analytics, Mixpanel, Amplitude): For understanding user behavior, tracking conversion funnels, and measuring feature adoption.

• A/B Testing Tools (e.g., Optimizely, VWO): For validating design hypotheses and optimizing user flows based on data.

CRM & Automation:

• While not directly a UX tool, understanding how CRM systems (e.g., Salesforce, HubSpot) and marketing automation platforms impact user journeys and data collection can be beneficial for holistic design.

• Project Management & Collaboration Tools (e.g., Jira, Asana, Confluence): For managing design tasks, tracking progress, and collaborating with engineering and product teams.

📝 Enhancement Note: The tool stack has been populated with industry-standard tools for UX design, analytics, and project management, with a specific emphasis on Figma as explicitly required. The inclusion of AI design tools reflects the job description's emphasis on AI integration.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• User-Centricity: A deep commitment to understanding and advocating for the user in all aspects of design and product development.

• Data-Driven Decision Making: Relying on evidence, research, and analytics to inform design choices and measure success.

• Collaboration & Transparency: Working effectively with cross-functional teams, sharing insights openly, and fostering a supportive environment.

• Innovation & Continuous Improvement: Embracing new technologies (like AI), exploring creative solutions, and constantly seeking ways to enhance user experience and processes.

• Excellence in Craftsmanship: A dedication to high-quality design execution, attention to detail, and maintaining design standards.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-Functional Integration: Actively engaging with product managers, engineers, researchers, and business stakeholders to ensure alignment and shared understanding.

• Iterative Design Process: Embracing feedback loops, conducting regular design reviews, and being open to iteration based on insights.

• Knowledge Sharing: Proactively sharing design expertise, best practices, and learnings with the wider team to elevate overall design capabilities.

📝 Enhancement Note: The team culture and values are inferred based on the typical expectations for a senior UX designer role in a technology-focused company, with specific emphasis on user-centricity, data, collaboration, and innovation as highlighted in the job description.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Navigating Complex Financial Workflows: Designing intuitive solutions for intricate financial processes and regulations that users may find challenging.

• Integrating AI Seamlessly: Finding the right balance and approach to incorporate AI features without overwhelming users or compromising the core user experience.

• Balancing User Needs with Business Goals: Effectively advocating for user needs while ensuring designs align with business objectives and technical constraints.

• Staying Ahead of Evolving Technology: Keeping pace with rapid advancements in UX design, AI, and the financial services industry to maintain a competitive edge.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Advanced UX & AI Training: Access to courses, workshops, and conferences focused on cutting-edge UX methodologies and AI applications in design.

• Mentorship Programs: Opportunities to be mentored by senior design leaders or to mentor junior designers, fostering leadership skills.

• Cross-Functional Projects: Involvement in projects that span different departments, providing exposure to broader business operations and strategic planning.

• Design System Contribution: Potential to contribute to or lead the development and evolution of the company's design system.

📝 Enhancement Note: Challenges are identified based on the specific context of a Senior UX Designer role in the financial services industry, with a particular focus on AI integration and the complexities of user workflows. Growth opportunities are tailored to a senior-level position, emphasizing leadership, specialized learning, and strategic contribution.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a complex user problem you encountered in a previous role, how you approached it, and the outcome. What was your specific contribution?" (Focus on problem deconstruction, design process, and impact.)

• "How do you balance user needs with business objectives and technical constraints when designing a new feature?" (Prepare examples of trade-offs and your decision-making process.)

• "Walk us through a project where you utilized data and user research to inform your design decisions. What tools did you use, and what were the key insights?" (Highlight your data-driven approach and research skills.)

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What interests you about Photon and this specific Senior UX Designer role?" (Research Photon's mission, products, and recent news. Connect your skills and aspirations to the company.)

• "How do you stay current with the latest trends in UX design and the financial services industry?" (Show your commitment to continuous learning and industry awareness.)

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure Your Narrative: For each project, clearly outline the problem, your role, the process, the solution, and the results. Use a consistent framework.

• Quantify Your Impact: Use metrics and data to demonstrate the success of your designs. If exact metrics are unavailable, discuss the expected impact and how you would measure it.

• Showcase Figma Mastery: Be prepared to demonstrate your Figma skills, perhaps by walking through a prototype or interaction you built.

• Explain Your "Why": Articulate the rationale behind your design decisions. Why did you choose a particular approach or solution?

• Be Ready for Deep Dives: Anticipate detailed questions about your process, tools, and decisions. Be honest about challenges and how you overcame them.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview questions are tailored to assess the core competencies required for a Senior UX Designer, including strategic thinking, problem-solving, stakeholder management, and AI integration. Portfolio presentation advice emphasizes demonstrating impact, process, and specific tool proficiency.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Senior UX Designer position:

• Submit your application through the Oracle Cloud HCM portal via the provided URL.

• Curate Your Portfolio: Select 3-5 of your most impactful UX design projects. Ensure each case study clearly details the problem, your role, the design process (especially your use of Figma and any AI integration), key decisions, challenges, and measurable outcomes.

• Tailor Your Resume: Highlight experience with UX/UI design, Figma, user research, data-driven design, and stakeholder communication. Quantify achievements where possible and explicitly mention any experience in the financial services industry or with AI in design.

• Prepare Your Presentation: Practice walking through your portfolio with a focus on storytelling, clearly articulating your design rationale, and demonstrating your problem-solving abilities. Be ready to discuss trade-offs and your approach to user advocacy.

• Research Photon: Understand Photon's business, products, and any publicly available information about their design philosophy or recent initiatives. Prepare thoughtful questions about the role, team, and company culture.

⚠️ 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.