Sr UX Designer, App (REMOTE)
📍 Job Overview
Job Title: Sr. Experience Designer, App (REMOTE)
Company: American Eagle Outfitters
Location: New York, NY, United States
Job Type: Full time
Category: UX/UI Design, Digital Product Design (with strong GTM implications)
Date Posted: 2026-05-20
Experience Level: 5-10 years
Remote Status: Remote OK
🚀 Role Summary
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Design and optimize end-to-end user experiences for American Eagle Outfitters' (AEO) mobile applications (iOS and Android) and in-store digital initiatives, with a strong focus on driving conversion and engagement.
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Collaborate closely with product managers, strategists, developers, and copywriters to translate business objectives and user needs into intuitive, visually engaging, and on-brand digital interfaces.
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Leverage human-centered design principles and a deep understanding of modern UI/UX trends to innovate and modernize core e-commerce functionalities, particularly in checkout and transaction flows.
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Contribute to and evolve the existing design system, ensuring consistency and scalability across AEO and Aerie's digital platforms, while championing accessibility standards (WCAG).
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Develop and execute A/B testing strategies for key conversion points, utilizing data-driven insights to continuously improve user satisfaction and business outcomes.
📝 Enhancement Note: This role, while titled "Sr. UX Designer, App," has significant implications for GTM (Go-To-Market) strategy and revenue generation. The emphasis on conversion optimization, checkout flows, and app-specific user journeys directly impacts sales performance and customer acquisition/retention. Therefore, it's categorized under UX/UI Design and Digital Product Design with strong GTM implications, highlighting its strategic business value within an operations context.
📈 Primary Responsibilities
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Lead the design process for customer-facing checkout, transaction, and international e-commerce experiences across AEO's digital platforms, with a primary focus on iOS and Android applications.
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Create and iterate on low- and high-fidelity prototypes, actively soliciting and incorporating feedback from UX researchers, product managers, cross-functional stakeholders, and leadership throughout the product design lifecycle.
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Explore and present diverse design concepts, rapidly iterating in a fast-paced, experiment-driven environment to identify optimal solutions for user challenges and business goals.
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Apply a sophisticated visual and interaction design aesthetic that seamlessly integrates the distinct brand identities of AE and Aerie within a cohesive design system, contributing to its ongoing evolution and expansion.
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Partner with the UX research team to ensure user insights are strategically integrated into the design process, validating design hypotheses and informing user-centered solutions.
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Deliver polished, detailed design outputs, encompassing happy paths and edge case identification, demonstrating strategic thinking and meticulous attention to detail for successful product launches and experiments.
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Formulate hypotheses and design variations for A/B testing, specifically targeting the optimization of conversion points within the checkout experience and other critical user journeys.
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Maintain a strong understanding of modern UI/UX design trends, best practices, and the latest design tools, with a particular expertise in mobile-first design, form field optimization, and transaction flow enhancement.
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Translate industry standards, such as Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG), into actionable deliverables and provide guidance to other designers and writers to elevate accessibility across all products.
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Champion a collaborative, solutions-oriented mindset, capable of working both independently and as part of a cohesive team to achieve project objectives.
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Confidently communicate and present design strategies, rationale, and outcomes to leadership, leveraging strong storytelling and persuasive communication skills.
📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities emphasize a blend of strategic design leadership and hands-on execution, typical of a Senior role. The focus on international e-commerce, transaction optimization, and in-store technology innovation points to a broad scope within the digital product landscape, directly impacting revenue streams. The emphasis on A/B testing and data-driven decision-making aligns with operational efficiency and performance measurement.
🎓 Skills & Qualifications
Education: While no specific degree is mandated, a Bachelor's degree in Design, HCI, Computer Science, or a related field, or equivalent practical experience, is highly recommended for a Sr. level role.
Experience: 5+ years of progressive experience in User Experience (UX) and User Interface (UI) design, with a strong preference for experience in designing for iOS applications. Demonstrated experience in e-commerce, retail, or app-based product environments is crucial.
Required Skills:
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Expert proficiency in Figma and other industry-standard design and prototyping tools (e.g., Sketch, Adobe Creative Suite).
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Proven ability to design end-to-end user experiences for mobile applications (iOS and Android), with a strong portfolio showcasing complex user flows and interface design.
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Deep understanding of human-centered design principles and methodologies, including user research, persona development, journey mapping, and wireframing.
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Expertise in visual design principles, including typography, color theory, layout, and branding, with a keen eye for detail and aesthetic appeal.
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Experience in designing for conversion optimization, particularly within e-commerce checkout funnels and transaction processes.
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Strong understanding of mobile-first design principles and responsive design techniques.
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Familiarity with Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) and experience integrating accessibility best practices into designs.
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Excellent communication, presentation, and interpersonal skills, with the ability to articulate complex design concepts and rationale to diverse audiences.
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Ability to work effectively in fast-paced, deadline-driven environments, managing multiple projects simultaneously.
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Self-motivated with a strong attention to detail and a passion for UX/UI design and digital innovation.
Preferred Skills:
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Experience contributing to or evolving design systems.
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Experience with in-store technology or retail innovation projects.
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Familiarity with user research methodologies and the ability to collaborate effectively with UX researchers.
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Experience developing hypotheses and designing for A/B testing.
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Basic understanding of front-end development principles (HTML, CSS, JavaScript) to facilitate collaboration with engineers.
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Experience with international e-commerce considerations.
📝 Enhancement Note: The "5+ years of experience, iOS app design experience ideal" requirement strongly suggests a need for candidates who can hit the ground running with minimal ramp-up time. The emphasis on Figma and a strong portfolio highlights the practical, execution-focused nature of this Senior role. The "comfortable with ambiguity" and "thriving in constrained or undefined situations" points to a need for proactive problem-solvers.
📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements
Portfolio Essentials:
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A comprehensive portfolio showcasing a minimum of 5 years of relevant design work, with a significant emphasis on mobile application (iOS preferred) and e-commerce experiences.
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Case studies that clearly articulate the problem, your design process, the solutions you developed, and the measurable impact (e.g., conversion rates, user engagement, satisfaction scores) of your work.
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Demonstrations of expertise in Figma, including examples of complex prototypes, design system components, and user flow diagrams.
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Projects that highlight your ability to translate brand identity into digital interfaces, particularly for distinct brands like AE and Aerie.
Process Documentation:
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Showcase your approach to the end-to-end design process, from initial concept and user research to high-fidelity prototyping and A/B testing design.
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Provide examples of how you have collaborated with cross-functional teams (Product Management, Engineering, Copywriting, Research) to bring designs to life.
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Demonstrate your understanding of how to iterate on designs based on user feedback, data insights, and A/B testing results.
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Include examples of how you have contributed to or utilized design systems to ensure consistency and scalability.
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Illustrate your process for identifying and addressing edge cases and ensuring a polished, detailed final product.
📝 Enhancement Note: For a Sr. UX Designer role, the portfolio is paramount. It needs to go beyond just visual aesthetics to demonstrate strategic thinking, problem-solving capabilities, and a quantifiable impact on business objectives. The emphasis on process documentation within the portfolio is crucial for assessing how candidates approach and execute within a structured design and development lifecycle, a key aspect of operations.
💵 Compensation & Benefits
Salary Range: Given the Sr. Experience level (5-10 years), expert Figma skills, and the New York location, the estimated salary range for a Sr. UX Designer in this role is between $130,000 - $170,000 annually, with potential for bonuses.
Benefits:
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Comprehensive Health Care Benefits: Including medical, vision, and dental insurance plans.
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Wellness Programs: Supporting employee health and well-being.
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Retirement Savings: 401(k) retirement benefits with potential company match.
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Insurance Coverage: Life and disability insurance.
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Equity Opportunity: Employee Stock Purchase Program (ESPP).
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Paid Time Off: Generous paid time off (PTO) accrual.
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Sick Leave: Paid sick leave to support employee health.
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Parental Leave: Comprehensive parental leave benefits.
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Performance-Based Incentives: Potential for discretionary bonuses and other incentives.
Working Hours: Standard full-time employment, typically around 40 hours per week. While the role is remote, there may be expectations for availability during core business hours for team collaboration and meetings.
📝 Enhancement Note: The salary estimate is based on industry benchmarks for Sr. UX Designers in major US metropolitan areas like New York, considering the specified experience level and the competitive nature of tech and retail design roles. The benefits package is comprehensive, reflecting a standard offering for a large retail organization.
🎯 Team & Company Context
🏢 Company Culture
Industry: Apparel & Fashion Retail, E-commerce. American Eagle Outfitters is a well-established global retailer known for its brand portfolio including American Eagle and Aerie, focusing on fashion-forward apparel and lifestyle products. This industry context means a strong focus on customer experience, brand consistency, and adapting to fast-changing consumer trends and digital landscapes.
Company Size: American Eagle Outfitters is a large, publicly traded company, likely employing tens of thousands of individuals globally. This size indicates a structured environment with established processes, but also opportunities for significant impact due to the scale of operations. For operations professionals, this means working within established frameworks while having the potential to influence large-scale initiatives.
Founded: American Eagle Outfitters was founded in 1977. Its long history in retail suggests a deep understanding of its customer base and market dynamics, combined with a commitment to innovation to stay relevant in the evolving retail and digital space.
Team Structure:
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The Experience Design team is likely part of a larger Digital Product or Technology organization.
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The Sr. UX Designer reports to a Manager of Experience Design, indicating a clear reporting hierarchy.
Methodology:
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Data-Driven Design: Emphasis on using data insights and A/B testing to inform design decisions and measure impact on key metrics like conversion and engagement.
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Human-Centered Design: A core philosophy ensuring that user needs and experiences are at the forefront of all design decisions.
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Agile/Iterative Development: Working in fast-paced, experiment-driven environments suggests an agile methodology, with continuous testing and iteration.
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Design System Utilization: Adherence to and contribution to a design system ensures brand consistency and efficient scaling of design efforts.
Company Website: https://www.aeo.com/
📝 Enhancement Note: Understanding AEO's dual-brand strategy (AE and Aerie) is crucial. The Sr. UX Designer needs to be adept at maintaining distinct brand expressions within a unified digital framework. The retail industry context implies a high volume of transactions and a constant need to optimize the customer journey from discovery to purchase and beyond.
📈 Career & Growth Analysis
Operations Career Level: This is a Senior-level individual contributor role within the Experience Design function. It signifies a high degree of autonomy, expertise, and responsibility for core product features that directly impact business outcomes. The role requires not only design craft but also strategic thinking, leadership potential, and the ability to mentor others.
Reporting Structure: The Sr. UX Designer reports to a Manager – Experience Design. This structure provides guidance and mentorship while allowing for independent execution on design projects. The role will likely interact heavily with Product Management and Engineering leads, fostering cross-functional leadership.
Operations Impact: The impact of this role is directly tied to revenue generation and customer loyalty. By optimizing the app user experience, particularly in checkout and transaction flows, the Sr. UX Designer directly influences conversion rates, average order value, and customer retention. Insights and designs provided by this role will inform critical business decisions related to digital product development and GTM strategies for new features and optimizations.
Growth Opportunities:
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Leadership Development: Potential to move into a Lead UX Designer or Principal UX Designer role, taking on more complex projects or leading design initiatives.
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Management Track: Progression to a Manager – Experience Design position, overseeing a team of designers.
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Specialization: Deepen expertise in specific areas like mobile-first design, e-commerce optimization, design systems, or in-store technology innovation.
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Cross-Functional Exposure: Opportunities to work on broader digital strategy initiatives or collaborate with marketing and merchandising teams to align digital experiences with broader GTM campaigns.
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Mentorship: Formal or informal opportunities to mentor junior designers, sharing expertise in Figma, UX/UI best practices, and accessibility.
📝 Enhancement Note: The "Sr." title implies a trajectory towards leadership or deep specialization. For operations-minded candidates, the direct link between design work and revenue impact is a key selling point, offering tangible metrics for success and career advancement.
🌐 Work Environment
Office Type: While the role is designated as REMOTE OK, American Eagle Outfitters likely maintains corporate offices. For remote employees, the environment is largely self-directed, emphasizing strong communication and collaboration tools to bridge geographical distances.
Office Location(s): The primary listed location is New York, NY. However, as a remote role, candidates from other locations within the US may be considered, with potential proximity to major hubs being an advantage for occasional in-person meetings if required.
Workspace Context:
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Remote Collaboration: Expect a heavy reliance on digital collaboration tools (e.g., Slack, Zoom, Miro, Figma comments) to maintain team cohesion and facilitate design reviews.
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Digital Tool Integration: Access to and proficiency with a suite of digital tools for design, project management, and communication is essential. This includes Figma, and potentially other platforms for wireframing, prototyping, and user testing.
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Cross-Functional Interaction: Opportunities for regular interaction with designers, product managers, engineers, and other stakeholders, fostering a dynamic and collaborative work environment, albeit virtually.
Work Schedule: The standard work schedule is likely Monday to Friday, approximately 40 hours per week. Flexibility may be offered, but core hours for team synchronization and meetings are generally expected. The remote nature allows for some adjustment in daily scheduling, provided project deadlines and collaborative needs are met.
📝 Enhancement Note: For a remote role, the emphasis will be on asynchronous communication and proactive engagement. Candidates should be comfortable with self-management and possess excellent virtual collaboration skills. The New York location might imply a connection to a significant design hub or executive presence.
📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process
Interview Process:
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Initial Screening: A recruiter or hiring manager will review your application and portfolio for alignment with the role's requirements.
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Portfolio Presentation & Design Challenge: Expect a session where you present your portfolio, discuss key projects, and potentially complete a design exercise or case study. This is where you'll demonstrate your design thinking, problem-solving skills, and ability to articulate your process and rationale.
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Cross-Functional Interviews: Interviews with product managers, engineers, or other designers to assess collaboration style, technical understanding, and cultural fit.
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Leadership Interview: A final interview with the Manager – Experience Design or a higher-level leader to evaluate strategic thinking, leadership potential, and overall fit for the team and company.
Portfolio Review Tips:
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Curate Strategically: Select 3-5 of your strongest projects that best represent your experience with mobile app design, e-commerce, and conversion optimization. Tailor your selection to highlight skills directly relevant to AEO's business.
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Tell a Story: For each case study, clearly outline the problem statement, your role, the design process (research, ideation, prototyping, testing), your specific contributions, the final solution, and, most importantly, the measurable outcomes and impact. Use data and metrics to support your claims.
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Showcase Figma Expertise: Demonstrate your proficiency with Figma tools, including component libraries, auto layout, prototyping capabilities, and any design system contributions.
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Highlight Brand Sensitivity: Show how you've designed for specific brand identities and ensured brand consistency across digital touchpoints.
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Focus on Impact: Quantify results whenever possible. Did your design increase conversion rates? Reduce cart abandonment? Improve user satisfaction scores?
Challenge Preparation:
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Understand the Business: Research American Eagle Outfitters, Aerie, their target audience, competitors, and recent digital initiatives. Understand their business objectives related to e-commerce and app engagement.
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Anticipate Design Prompts: Be prepared for design challenges that might involve optimizing a checkout flow, designing a new feature for the app, or improving an existing user journey.
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Articulate Your Process: Clearly explain your thought process, the assumptions you're making, the trade-offs you're considering, and how you would validate your solutions with data and user feedback.
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Focus on Key Metrics: Think about the KPIs that would be most relevant to the challenge (e.g., conversion rate, time on task, task completion rate, customer satisfaction).
📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process will heavily scrutinize the candidate's portfolio and their ability to translate design decisions into tangible business results. The "design challenge" is a critical component for assessing practical skills and problem-solving under pressure, directly relevant to operations' need for efficient and effective solutions.
🛠 Tools & Technology Stack
Primary Tools:
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Figma: Expert proficiency is a mandatory requirement. This will be the primary tool for UI design, prototyping, and collaboration. Candidates should be able to leverage advanced features for efficiency and design system management.
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Prototyping Tools: While Figma is primary, familiarity with other prototyping tools (e.g., InVision, Adobe XD) might be beneficial.
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Design System Tools: Experience working with and contributing to design systems, leveraging tools like Storybook or internal documentation platforms.
Analytics & Reporting:
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Analytics Platforms: Familiarity with tools like Google Analytics, Adobe Analytics, or similar platforms to understand user behavior, track key metrics (conversion rates, engagement, traffic sources), and inform design decisions.
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A/B Testing Platforms: Experience with tools like Optimizely, VWO, or Google Optimize for designing and analyzing A/B tests.
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Data Visualization Tools: Basic understanding of how to interpret data visualizations and dashboards to inform design strategies.
CRM & Automation:
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While not a primary tool for UX designers, an understanding of how CRM systems (e.g., Salesforce) and marketing automation platforms influence customer journeys and data collection can be beneficial for designing integrated experiences.
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Project Management Tools: Proficiency with tools like Jira, Asana, or Trello for managing design tasks and collaborating with development teams.
📝 Enhancement Note: Figma is the cornerstone of this role's toolset. Proficiency here is non-negotiable. The mention of A/B testing and analytics platforms underscores the data-driven nature of the role, linking design to measurable operational outcomes and GTM performance.
👥 Team Culture & Values
Operations Values:
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Customer-Centricity: A deep commitment to understanding and serving the customer's needs, ensuring every design decision enhances the user experience and drives satisfaction.
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Data-Driven Decision Making: Valuing insights derived from user research, analytics, and A/B testing to inform and validate design strategies, ensuring efficiency and effectiveness.
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Collaboration & Transparency: Fostering an open environment where ideas are shared freely, feedback is constructively given and received, and cross-functional teams work cohesively towards common goals.
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Innovation & Iteration: Embracing a culture of experimentation, continuous improvement, and a willingness to adapt and evolve designs based on performance data and market trends.
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Brand Integrity: Upholding and enhancing the distinct brand identities of American Eagle and Aerie through consistent, high-quality design.
Collaboration Style:
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Cross-Functional Synergy: The team thrives on close collaboration between design, product management, engineering, and marketing. Proactive communication and shared ownership are key.
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Feedback-Rich Environment: Designers are encouraged to provide and receive constructive feedback throughout the design process, fostering continuous learning and improvement.
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Agile & Iterative Practices: Work is often organized in sprints, with regular stand-ups, design reviews, and retrospectives to ensure alignment and adapt to changing priorities.
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Shared Ownership of Success: The team collectively owns the success of digital products, with a focus on achieving key business objectives through user-centered design and data-informed optimization.
📝 Enhancement Note: The values emphasize a blend of creative excellence and operational rigor. For operations professionals, the focus on data, iteration, and cross-functional collaboration aligns perfectly with the principles of effective revenue operations and GTM execution.
⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities
Challenges:
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Balancing Brand Identities: Designing for both AE and Aerie, which have distinct brand personalities, within a unified design system requires careful consideration and strategic execution.
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Optimizing Complex Flows: Enhancing the checkout and transaction processes, which are critical for revenue but can be complex and sensitive to change, requires a nuanced and data-backed approach.
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Rapid Iteration in a Retail Environment: The fast-paced nature of retail and e-commerce demands quick design cycles and the ability to adapt designs based on evolving trends and market feedback.
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Integrating In-Store and Digital Experiences: Bridging the gap between app functionality and in-store customer experiences presents unique opportunities for innovation and operational integration.
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Staying Ahead of Mobile Trends: Continuously adapting to the rapidly evolving landscape of mobile operating systems, device capabilities, and user expectations.
Learning & Development Opportunities:
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Advanced Design System Contribution: Opportunities to take on more significant roles in the evolution and governance of the AEO design system.
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Leadership Training: Access to programs focused on developing leadership skills, project management, and team management for potential future management roles.
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Industry Conferences & Workshops: Support for attending relevant UX/UI design conferences, workshops, and training sessions to stay abreast of the latest trends and technologies.
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Cross-Functional Project Leadership: Opportunities to lead design efforts on larger, more strategic initiatives that may involve deeper collaboration with marketing, merchandising, and business operations teams.
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Mentorship Programs: Formal or informal mentorship opportunities to learn from senior leaders within the design or digital product organizations.
📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges highlight the dynamic and demanding nature of the role, requiring adaptability and strategic thinking. The growth opportunities are well-defined, offering clear paths for career advancement within design or towards broader leadership roles, which is crucial for retaining talent in operations-focused functions.
💡 Interview Preparation
Strategy Questions:
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"Describe a time you had to design for two distinct but related brands within a single product ecosystem. How did you ensure brand integrity while maintaining a cohesive user experience?" (Focus on your ability to handle brand complexity and systems thinking.)
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"Walk us through a complex checkout or transaction flow you designed. What were the key challenges, how did you optimize it for conversion, and what were the results?" (Prepare a case study emphasizing your conversion optimization skills and data-driven approach.)
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"How do you approach A/B testing for design improvements? Describe a hypothesis you developed, the test you ran, and the insights you gained." (Showcase your understanding of experimental design and data analysis for optimization.)
Company & Culture Questions:
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"What excites you about American Eagle Outfitters and the Aerie brand specifically?" (Research recent campaigns, brand values, and express genuine interest.)
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"How do you ensure accessibility (WCAG) is integrated into your design process from the outset?" (Highlight your commitment to inclusive design.)
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"Describe your experience working with design systems. How have you contributed to or leveraged them?" (Showcase your understanding of scalable design solutions.)
Portfolio Presentation Strategy:
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Structure Your Narrative: For each project, clearly define the problem, your role, your process, your solutions, and the impact. Use a consistent structure for all case studies.
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Highlight Your Figma Skills: Be prepared to demonstrate specific Figma features or workflows that showcase your expertise, especially if asked to elaborate on a particular design.
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Quantify Your Impact: Use data points, metrics, and user feedback to demonstrate the success of your designs. Focus on metrics relevant to revenue and customer engagement.
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Be Ready for Deep Dives: Anticipate questions about your design choices, the rationale behind them, and how you would iterate further based on new information or challenges.
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Showcase Collaboration: Explain how you worked with cross-functional teams and how their input influenced your design decisions.
📝 Enhancement Note: The interview questions are designed to assess not only design craft but also strategic thinking, business acumen, and operational alignment. Candidates should prepare to discuss their work in terms of measurable business impact, demonstrating how their design decisions contribute to revenue and customer acquisition/retention goals.
📌 Application Steps
To apply for this operations-aligned UX/UI design position:
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Submit your application through the provided Oracle Cloud portal link.
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Customize Your Resume: Tailor your resume to highlight your 5+ years of experience in mobile app design (especially iOS), e-commerce, conversion optimization, and expert Figma proficiency. Use keywords from the job description to ensure ATS compatibility.
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Prepare Your Portfolio: Curate a portfolio that prominently features case studies demonstrating your UX/UI process, problem-solving skills, and quantifiable impact on conversion rates, user engagement, or other key business metrics. Ensure your Figma expertise is evident.
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Research AEO and Aerie: Deeply understand American Eagle Outfitters and Aerie's brand identities, target audiences, recent digital initiatives, and competitive landscape. This will enable you to articulate your interest and align your design philosophy with their business objectives.
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Practice Your Presentation: Rehearse presenting your portfolio and design case studies, focusing on clear storytelling, articulating your strategic rationale, and highlighting the business impact of your work. Be ready to discuss your approach to collaboration and problem-solving.
Application Requirements
Requires over 5 years of experience with a strong portfolio in e-commerce or app design and expert proficiency in Figma. Candidates must demonstrate strong communication skills and the ability to thrive in fast-paced, ambiguous environments.