UI Designer (AR/VR)

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: UI Designer (AR/VR)

Company: TEKsystems

Location: New York City, NY

Job Type: CONTRACTOR

Category: Design Operations / GTM Operations (Creative & Digital Experience)

Date Posted: September 1, 2026

Experience Level: Mid-Level (4+ years)

Remote Status: Hybrid (3 days onsite preferred)

🚀 Role Summary

• Design and deliver high-fidelity, production-ready user interfaces specifically for Virtual Reality (VR) and wearable device experiences, focusing on exceptional visual craft.

• Develop end-to-end user flows, encompassing information architecture, wireframing, and final visual design execution within an agile product development lifecycle.

• Translate complex product requirements into intuitive, visually engaging, and user-friendly interface solutions that enhance immersive digital experiences.

• Collaborate extensively with cross-functional partners, including product managers, engineers, and fellow designers, to ensure cohesive product development and design system integration.

• Contribute to and maintain scalable design systems, ensuring visual consistency and adherence to brand guidelines across diverse product initiatives.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is situated at the intersection of Product Design and Operations, focusing on the user experience of cutting-edge immersive technologies. The emphasis on "high craft" and "production-ready" interfaces suggests a strong operational component in ensuring design quality and deployability. The hybrid nature and specific onsite preference indicate a need for strong on-site collaboration and integration within the existing team structure.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Design high-fidelity, production-ready user interfaces for VR and wearable device experiences, ensuring a high standard of visual polish and usability.

• Create comprehensive end-to-end user flows, from initial information architecture and wireframing to final visual design, for immersive digital products.

• Translate complex product requirements and user needs into intuitive, visually engaging, and functionally sound interface solutions.

• Collaborate closely with cross-functional partners, including product management, engineering, and other design disciplines, to ensure alignment and successful product delivery.

• Maintain and contribute to scalable design systems, ensuring visual consistency, adherence to brand guidelines, and efficient design handoff processes.

• Iterate rapidly on designs based on user feedback, usability testing, and stakeholder input, while effectively managing multiple projects and competing priorities.

• Adapt designs and workflows to evolving business needs and support a variety of product initiatives within the immersive technology space.

• Deliver polished, high-quality design deliverables that meet stringent requirements for usability, visual excellence, and technical feasibility.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a need for end-to-end design ownership, from conceptualization to production. The emphasis on "production-ready" implies a strong understanding of design-to-development handoff and collaboration with engineering teams, a key operational aspect for design teams. The iterative nature of the work also points to a need for robust feedback loops and process management.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: While no specific degree is mandated, a Bachelor's degree in Graphic Design, Interaction Design, HCI, or a related field is often preferred for roles requiring advanced design craft and theoretical understanding. Equivalent practical experience will also be considered.

Experience: 4+ years of professional experience in UI design, visual design, or product design, with a demonstrable track record of creating high-quality digital interfaces. Experience in fast-paced, iterative environments is highly valued.

Required Skills:

• A portfolio showcasing exceptional visual design craft, execution, and a deep understanding of UI principles.

• Expert knowledge of typography, color theory, layout principles, spacing, iconography, and grid systems.

• Advanced proficiency in Figma and other modern, industry-standard design and prototyping tools.

• Proven experience designing end-to-end user experiences and interface flows for digital products.

• Strong ability to manage multiple workstreams simultaneously, adapt to changing priorities, and meet deadlines effectively.

• Exceptional attention to detail and an unwavering commitment to producing high-quality, polished work.

• Excellent communication and collaboration skills, with the ability to articulate design decisions clearly to diverse stakeholders.

• Preference for candidates based in or willing to relocate to the New York City area. Preferred Skills:

• Experience designing for VR, AR, XR, wearable technology, or other emerging device platforms.

• Background in device UI, operating systems, platform experiences, or hardware-adjacent product design.

• Motion design experience or a strong understanding of motion principles and their application in UI.

• Experience working within or contributing to established, complex design systems.

• Experience in large-scale consumer product environments, understanding the nuances of mass-market adoption.

📝 Enhancement Note: The requirement for a strong portfolio underscores the importance of visual execution and design craft in this role. Proficiency in Figma is a critical operational tool for design collaboration and delivery. The preference for NYC-based candidates suggests an emphasis on in-person collaboration and team cohesion, aligning with hybrid work expectations.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Showcase a minimum of 4 years of UI/Visual Design work, with a strong emphasis on the quality of visual craft and execution.

• Include detailed case studies demonstrating end-to-end user experience design, from information architecture and wireframing to final high-fidelity mockups.

• Highlight projects that required a deep understanding and application of typography, color, layout, and grid systems.

• Present examples of contributions to or creation of design systems, demonstrating an understanding of scalability and consistency.

• Include projects that involved close collaboration with engineering and product teams, illustrating effective design handoff and iteration processes. Process Documentation:

• Demonstrate experience in documenting user flows and interaction patterns clearly and concisely.

• Provide examples of how feedback and iteration were incorporated into the design process, showing a structured approach to refinement.

• Showcase an understanding of design system documentation standards for maintaining consistency and usability across a product suite.

• Include work that reflects a process for translating product requirements into actionable design specifications.

📝 Enhancement Note: The portfolio is central to this role, acting as the primary artifact for demonstrating design operations capabilities. The emphasis on "production-ready" designs and design system contributions indicates a need for candidates who understand the operational aspects of design – scalability, consistency, and efficient handoff.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $90.00 - $110.00 per hour. This range is based on the provided information and typical market rates for a contract UI Designer with 4+ years of experience in New York City, focusing on specialized areas like AR/VR.

Benefits:

• Medical, Dental & Vision insurance.

• Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital Insurance.

• 401(k) Retirement Plan (Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions).

• Voluntary Life Insurance & AD&D for employee and dependents.

• Short and Long-Term Disability coverage.

• Health Spending Account (HSA).

• Transportation benefits.

• Employee Assistance Program (EAP).

• Paid Time Off (PTO), Vacation, or Sick Leave, as applicable to contract status and local regulations.

Working Hours: Standard 40-hour work week, with flexibility expected to meet project deadlines and collaboration needs within the hybrid work model.

📝 Enhancement Note: The hourly rate is competitive for a specialized contract role in a high-cost-of-living area like New York City. The benefits package, while typical for contract roles through TEKsystems, offers a comprehensive safety net and retirement savings option. The "standard 40-hour work week" is a baseline, with the understanding that project demands in design operations can necessitate additional hours.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Technology Services & Staffing (TEKsystems is a major IT staffing and services firm). The role itself is within a client project focused on cutting-edge immersive technology (VR/AR).

Company Size: TEKsystems is part of Allegis Group, a global leader with 80,000+ employees worldwide. This indicates a large, structured organization with established processes and resources.

Founded: TEKsystems was founded in 1983. This long history suggests stability and deep industry experience within the IT and talent services sector.

Team Structure:

• The role is likely part of a project-specific team within a client organization, managed by TEKsystems. This team will include other designers, product managers, and engineers focused on AR/VR product development.

• The reporting structure will be a blend: functional reporting to a design lead or manager at TEKsystems, and project-specific reporting to a client-side product owner or project manager.

• Cross-functional collaboration is central, requiring close partnerships with engineering (for implementation), product management (for requirements), and potentially UX researchers (for user insights). Methodology:

• Design work will likely follow agile or iterative development methodologies, emphasizing rapid prototyping, user feedback loops, and continuous improvement.

• Data analysis will be crucial, with the designer needing to understand user engagement metrics and conversion rates from their designs, even if not directly performing the analysis.

• Workflow planning and optimization will be key, as the designer must efficiently move from concept to polished, production-ready assets within project timelines.

• Automation and efficiency practices will be supported through the use of design tools like Figma and adherence to design system principles.

Company Website: https://careers.teksystems.com/us/en

📝 Enhancement Note: Understanding TEKsystems' role as a staffing and services provider is crucial. This means the candidate will likely be embedded within a client's team. The "About TEKsystems" sections highlight their scale and focus on transformation, suggesting clients are often large enterprises looking for specialized talent to drive innovation.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This position is a Mid-Level role (4+ years of experience) focused on specialized UI/Visual Design within the immersive technology (AR/VR) space. It requires a high degree of craft and execution, operating with a significant degree of autonomy on design tasks.

Reporting Structure: The candidate will report functionally to a TEKsystems representative (e.g., a staffing manager or design lead) and operationally to a client-side project lead or product manager. This dual reporting structure is common in contract roles.

Operations Impact: The UI Designer's work directly impacts the user's perception and interaction with cutting-edge AR/VR products. Success in this role leads to intuitive, engaging user experiences that drive product adoption and user satisfaction, ultimately contributing to the client's business objectives and market competitiveness in the immersive technology sector.

Growth Opportunities:

• Specialization: Deepen expertise in AR/VR/XR UI design, becoming a go-to specialist in this niche field.

• Design Leadership: With proven success and experience, transition into a Senior UI Designer or Lead Designer role on future projects, potentially mentoring junior designers.

• Broader Design Scope: Explore opportunities in UX strategy, interaction design, or product design leadership within TEKsystems' client engagements.

• Skill Development: Continuous learning through industry conferences, online courses, and hands-on experience with emerging design tools and platforms.

📝 Enhancement Note: For contract roles, "growth" often means expanding skill sets and project complexity rather than traditional internal promotions. This role offers a chance to build a strong portfolio in a high-demand, emerging technology field, which can open doors to future high-impact opportunities.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Hybrid work environment. The role requires 3 days per week onsite at the client's New York City office, with the remaining days potentially remote. This blend aims to foster collaboration while offering some flexibility.

Office Location(s): New York City, NY (specific office details would be provided by TEKsystems or the client). Proximity to public transportation is often a consideration for roles in Manhattan.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Environment: Onsite days are intended for close collaboration with product managers, engineers, and other designers, fostering team cohesion and rapid problem-solving.

• Operations Tools & Technology: Access to industry-standard design software (Figma), collaboration tools (e.g., Slack, Jira), and potentially VR/AR development environments or testing hardware.

• Team Interaction: Opportunities to engage directly with the client's product development team, gaining insights into their workflows, culture, and strategic priorities.

Work Schedule: A standard 40-hour work week is expected, typically Monday through Friday. However, project deadlines in design and technology can necessitate flexible hours or occasional overtime to meet critical milestones.

📝 Enhancement Note: The hybrid model with a preference for 3 days onsite emphasizes the importance of in-person collaboration for complex design challenges and team building, a common operational requirement for creative roles in fast-paced tech environments.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: Likely conducted by a TEKsystems recruiter to assess basic qualifications, experience, and fit for contract roles.

• Portfolio Review: A crucial step where candidates present their portfolio to the hiring manager or design lead. Expect to walk through 2-3 key projects, detailing your process, challenges, solutions, and impact.

• Technical/Skills Interview: May involve a practical design exercise or a deeper dive into specific design tools (Figma) and principles.

• Cross-functional/Team Interview: Discussions with product managers and engineers to assess collaboration style, communication skills, and ability to integrate with the client's team.

• Final Interview: Potentially with a senior stakeholder to confirm alignment with project goals and company culture.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate for Relevance: Select projects that best demonstrate your UI/visual design craft, end-to-end design process, and experience with complex interfaces (ideally AR/VR if applicable).

• Tell a Story: For each project, clearly articulate the problem, your role, the design process, key decisions, challenges overcome, and the final outcome/impact.

• Highlight Craftsmanship: Emphasize the details – typography, color, layout, iconography – and explain the rationale behind your choices.

• Showcase Collaboration: If possible, mention how you collaborated with engineers and product managers, and show examples of design system contributions.

• Prepare for Figma Questions: Be ready to discuss your proficiency and workflows within Figma.

Challenge Preparation:

• Design Exercise: If a design challenge is provided, focus on understanding the prompt thoroughly. Prioritize clear problem definition, a structured approach, and delivering a high-quality, well-reasoned solution within the given timeframe.

• Presentation Skills: Practice articulating your thought process and design rationale concisely and effectively. Be prepared to present your work and answer questions thoughtfully.

• Stakeholder Communication: Demonstrate your ability to communicate design concepts and justify decisions to both technical and non-technical audiences.

📝 Enhancement Note: The portfolio is paramount. Candidates should treat the portfolio review as a guided storytelling session, showcasing not just the final output but the strategic thinking and operational rigor behind it. Understanding the client's focus on immersive tech will be key to tailoring project selection.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Figma: Essential for UI design, wireframing, prototyping, and collaboration. Advanced proficiency is expected.

• Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator): May be used for asset creation, image manipulation, or specific graphic design tasks.

• Prototyping Tools: Figma's built-in prototyping capabilities, or potentially others like Principle or After Effects for more complex animations.

Analytics & Reporting:

• While the designer may not directly manage analytics, understanding how to interpret user data (e.g., engagement metrics, conversion rates) to inform design decisions is beneficial. Familiarity with tools like Amplitude, Mixpanel, or Tableau could be a plus. CRM & Automation:

• Jira/Confluence: Commonly used for project management, task tracking, and documentation within agile development teams.

• Slack/Microsoft Teams: For daily communication and team collaboration.

📝 Enhancement Note: Figma proficiency is a non-negotiable operational requirement for this role. The ability to leverage design tools for efficient collaboration, prototyping, and handoff is critical. Understanding how designs integrate with project management tools like Jira is also important for operational workflow.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Craftsmanship & Quality: A strong emphasis on delivering visually polished, high-quality design work that meets exacting standards.

• Collaboration & Communication: Fostering open communication and teamwork across diverse disciplines to achieve common goals.

• User-Centricity: Designing with a deep understanding of user needs and a commitment to creating intuitive and engaging experiences.

• Adaptability & Agility: Embracing change, iterating quickly based on feedback, and thriving in fast-paced, evolving project environments.

• Efficiency & Scalability: Contributing to design systems and processes that ensure consistency and allow for efficient scaling of designs.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-functional Integration: Actively participating in team meetings, design reviews, and sprint planning, working closely with product managers and engineers.

• Constructive Feedback: Open to receiving and providing constructive feedback to enhance designs and improve team processes.

• Knowledge Sharing: Willingness to share insights, best practices, and design patterns within the team and contribute to a culture of continuous learning.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on "high craft" and "visual excellence" points to a culture that values meticulous design execution. The hybrid model and cross-functional collaboration suggest a need for proactive communication and a team-oriented approach to problem-solving.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Designing for Immersive Interfaces: Navigating the unique challenges and design paradigms of VR/AR/wearable technology, which differ significantly from traditional 2D interfaces.

• Balancing Craft and Speed: Delivering highly polished designs within tight project timelines and iterative development cycles.

• Ambiguous Problem Spaces: Working on cutting-edge technology where user behaviors and best practices are still evolving, requiring creative problem-solving and exploration.

• Cross-functional Alignment: Ensuring all stakeholders (product, engineering, design) are aligned on design direction and technical feasibility.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Immersive Technology Design: Gaining hands-on experience and deep expertise in AR/VR/XR design principles and best practices.

• Advanced Tool Proficiency: Mastering advanced features of Figma and exploring new design and prototyping tools relevant to immersive experiences.

• Design System Development: Contributing to or building scalable design systems for emerging platforms.

• Industry Trends: Staying abreast of the latest advancements in immersive technology, UI design trends, and user interaction patterns.

📝 Enhancement Note: The primary challenge lies in the novelty and complexity of designing for AR/VR. Growth opportunities are heavily focused on skill development within this specialized and rapidly evolving field.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you had to design for a platform with unique interaction constraints (e.g., VR controller, gesture input). How did you approach it?"

• "How do you balance delivering high-fidelity, polished designs with the need for rapid iteration in an agile environment?"

• "Walk us through a project where you significantly contributed to or created a design system. What were the key principles and challenges?"

• "Describe your process for translating ambiguous product requirements into concrete UI designs." Company & Culture Questions:

• "What interests you about designing for AR/VR and immersive technologies?"

• "How do you approach collaboration with engineers and product managers to ensure successful design implementation?"

• "Given TEKsystems' role as a staffing partner, how do you see yourself integrating into a client's team?"

• "How do you stay updated on the latest trends in UI design and immersive technology?" Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure: For each project, aim for: Problem/Goal -> Your Role -> Process (Research, Ideation, Wireframing, UI Design, Prototyping, Iteration) -> Solution -> Outcome/Impact.

• Highlight Craft: Spend time detailing the visual design decisions – typography, color, spacing, iconography – and the rationale behind them.

• Showcase Process: Explain how you arrived at the solution, not just what the solution is. Show sketches, wireframes, and iterations.

• Quantify Impact: If possible, use data or user feedback to demonstrate the success of your designs.

• Be Ready for Figma Deep Dive: Be prepared to share your screen and demonstrate specific workflows or features within Figma.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation should focus on demonstrating both design excellence and operational effectiveness. Candidates need to articulate their process, their collaborative abilities, and their understanding of how design fits into the broader product development lifecycle, especially within the context of a contract role.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this operations position:

• Submit your application through the TEKsystems careers portal link provided.

• Portfolio Customization: Tailor your portfolio to highlight projects demonstrating exceptional UI/visual design craft, end-to-end design process, and ideally, any experience with AR/VR or complex interfaces. Ensure it’s easily accessible (e.g., via a link).

• Resume Optimization: Ensure your resume clearly outlines your 4+ years of relevant experience, specific skills (Figma, typography, layout), and achievements. Use keywords from the job description such as "UI Designer," "VR," "AR," "Figma," and "visual craft."

• Interview Preparation: Practice walking through your portfolio projects, focusing on explaining your design process, problem-solving approach, and collaborative efforts. Prepare answers to common behavioral and situational questions.

• Company Research: Familiarize yourself with TEKsystems' services and values, and research the current landscape of AR/VR technology and design trends to demonstrate your industry interest and understanding.

⚠️ Important Notice: This enhanced job description includes AI-generated insights and operations industry-standard assumptions. All details should be verified directly with TEKsystems or the hiring organization before making application decisions.