UI Designer / Design System Architect (w/m/d) UI Designer / Design System Architect (w/m/d)

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: UI Designer / Design System Architect (w/m/d)

Company: HENSOLDT

Location: Ulm, Baden-Württemberg, Germany

Job Type: Full-time

Category: UI/UX Design, Design Systems, Software Engineering

Date Posted: May 11, 2026

Experience Level: Mid-Senior Level (5-10 years)

Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• Spearhead the creation and architecture of a scalable, "from scratch" design system for complex software applications.

• Define core design principles, establish a comprehensive component library, and meticulously manage design tokens.

• Ensure UI consistency and adherence to design standards across all product screens and user flows.

• Foster close collaboration with frontend development teams to facilitate seamless design hand-offs and implementation.

• Establish and maintain robust governance processes for the design system's evolution and contribution.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is positioned as a foundational architect for a design system within HENSOLDT's Air SIGINT Software Engineering division. The emphasis on building "from scratch" and establishing governance indicates a significant opportunity for impact and ownership, requiring a candidate with strong strategic thinking and execution capabilities in design system development.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Lead the end-to-end development of a scalable design system, defining its foundational principles, component structures, and token strategy.

• Design and conceptualize reusable, consistent UI components, including states, responsiveness, and intricate interaction behaviors.

• Define, document, and manage design tokens (colors, typography, spacing, icons, motion) and ensure their accurate implementation in code.

• Build and maintain a centralized component and template library, encompassing variants, layout grids, and style guides.

• Execute UI design and finishing touches for key project screens and user flows, ensuring alignment with the established design system.

• Conduct regular UI and system reviews to verify that all layouts and implementations are consistent with the design system guidelines.

• Collaborate closely with frontend developers on component implementation, including design hand-offs, state management, and understanding technical constraints.

• Develop and implement lean governance processes for contribution, versioning, and change management within the design system.

• Drive the continuous evolution and enhancement of the design system beyond the initial project scope.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a dual focus on strategic architecture and hands-on design execution. The emphasis on "from scratch" creation and governance suggests a need for a candidate who can not only design but also establish processes and best practices for long-term system sustainability and adoption.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

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

Experience: Minimum of 5-10 years of progressive experience in UI design for complex web or desktop applications, ideally within industrial or data-intensive environments.

Required Skills:

• Proven expertise in UI design for sophisticated web or desktop applications, with a preference for experience in industrial, data-heavy, or process-intensive contexts.

• Advanced proficiency in professional UI/prototyping tools (e.g., Figma, Axure, Sketch, Adobe XD). The specific tool choice will be made collaboratively.

• Deep understanding of design system principles, including component structures, design patterns, design tokens, style guides, and comprehensive documentation.

• Solid grasp of frontend development fundamentals (e.g., HTML, CSS, JavaScript, component frameworks) to enable effective collaboration with engineers.

• Exceptional attention to detail regarding consistency, typography, layout, contrast, and overall usability, with a strong awareness of accessibility standards (WCAG).

• Strong systemic thinking, proactive problem-solving abilities, and a passion for building new systems from the ground up.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience in defining and implementing design token strategies.

• Familiarity with version control systems and agile development methodologies.

• Experience with design system governance and contribution models.

• Understanding of backend technologies relevant to application development (e.g., Java).

• Portfolio showcasing successful design system projects and complex UI implementations.

📝 Enhancement Note: The requirement for "several years of experience" and the "5-10 years" AI estimate for experience level suggest this role is aimed at a seasoned professional. The emphasis on building "from scratch" and the need for "systemic thinking" points to a candidate who can operate with a high degree of autonomy and strategic foresight.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A comprehensive portfolio demonstrating a strong track record in UI design, with a significant focus on design system development and architecture.

• Detailed case studies showcasing the creation of scalable design systems, including examples of component libraries, design tokens, and style guides.

• Evidence of designing complex UI components and interactions for web or desktop applications, illustrating problem-solving through design.

• Examples of how design systems were implemented and maintained, highlighting collaboration with development teams and adherence to governance.

Process Documentation:

• Showcase examples of how you've documented design processes, workflows, and system guidelines in previous roles.

• Include examples of design hand-off processes and collaboration models with development teams.

• Demonstrate experience in establishing and managing governance structures for design systems, including contribution and versioning strategies.

📝 Enhancement Note: Given the "Architect" title and the "from scratch" nature of the role, the portfolio is paramount. It should not only display visual design skills but also the strategic thinking, system design capabilities, and process orientation required to build and sustain a design system.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: Based on industry benchmarks for experienced UI Designers and Design System Architects in Germany, particularly in Baden-Württemberg, a competitive salary range would likely fall between €65,000 and €85,000 annually. This estimate considers the mid-to-senior level experience required, the specialized nature of design system architecture, and the cost of living in Ulm.

Benefits:

• Comprehensive health insurance and retirement plan options.

• Generous paid time off and public holiday allowances.

• Opportunities for professional development, training, and conference attendance.

• Access to modern work tools and technologies.

• Potential for international projects and collaboration within a global defense and technology leader.

• Company-sponsored events and team-building activities.

Working Hours: Standard full-time working hours are approximately 40 hours per week, with potential for flexibility depending on project demands and team agreements.

📝 Enhancement Note: The provided salary range is an estimate based on typical compensation for similar roles in Germany. Actual compensation may vary based on specific experience, qualifications, and HENSOLDT's internal compensation structure.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Defense and Technology. HENSOLDT is a leading European technology group, developing cutting-edge solutions for security and defense. This context implies a focus on high-reliability, security-sensitive, and complex systems.

Company Size: HENSOLDT is a large enterprise, likely employing thousands of individuals globally. This scale suggests structured processes, significant resources, and opportunities for career advancement within a well-established organization.

Founded: HENSOLDT has a long history, tracing its origins back to the development of radar technology in the mid-20th century. This heritage indicates stability, deep technical expertise, and a forward-looking approach to innovation.

Team Structure:

• The role is within the Air SIGINT Software Engineering division, focusing on software for airborne Electronic Warfare systems.

• The UI Designer / Design System Architect will likely be part of a dedicated software engineering team, collaborating closely with frontend developers and potentially product managers or system architects.

Methodology:

• The division utilizes efficient and innovative technologies, processes, and tools for software development.

• Expect a blend of established engineering practices and modern approaches to software architecture and UI development.

• Collaboration with development teams suggests an agile or iterative development methodology might be in place.

Company Website: http://www.hensoldt.net/career

📝 Enhancement Note: The industry (Defense and Technology) is crucial. It implies that the design system will need to prioritize clarity, usability under stress, and potentially stringent security and regulatory compliance in its components and guidelines, which is a key differentiator from consumer-facing product design.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role represents a senior-level position in UI/UX Design, with a specific focus on architectural responsibilities for a design system. It's a blend of a specialized UI Designer and a Design System Architect, requiring both deep design craft and strategic system thinking. This level typically involves leading initiatives, mentoring junior team members, and influencing product direction.

Reporting Structure: The candidate will report into the Air SIGINT Software Engineering division, likely to a lead software engineer, engineering manager, or product owner. They will work closely with frontend developers and potentially other designers or architects.

Operations Impact: The design system architect will have a significant impact on the efficiency of the software development lifecycle, the consistency and quality of user interfaces across HENSOLDT's Air SIGINT products, and ultimately, the user experience for critical defense applications.

Growth Opportunities:

• Specialization: Deepen expertise in design systems, component architecture, and design token implementation.

• Leadership: Transition into a lead design system architect role, managing a team or multiple design systems.

• Cross-functional Expansion: Move into broader product design leadership, UX strategy, or even technical architecture roles, leveraging the understanding of system-level design.

• Industry Expertise: Grow within the defense technology sector, contributing to the design of mission-critical systems.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Architect" title implies a strategic growth path beyond individual contribution. The ability to build and govern a system from the ground up offers a unique opportunity for a candidate looking to establish a significant footprint and influence product development processes.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The role is based on-site in Ulm, Germany. This suggests a traditional office environment within HENSOLDT's facilities, designed for collaborative work.

Office Location(s): Ulm, Baden-Württemberg, Germany. This location is a hub for technology and engineering in Germany.

Workspace Context:

• The workspace will likely be equipped with standard office amenities and potentially specialized design software and hardware.

• Opportunities for face-to-face collaboration with a team of engineers, designers, and project stakeholders.

• A professional, corporate environment typical of a large defense technology company.

Work Schedule: The standard work schedule is likely aligned with German business hours, approximately 40 hours per week, with potential for some flexibility. Given the project-driven nature of software development, occasional periods of higher intensity might occur, but the emphasis on building a sustainable system suggests a balanced approach.

📝 Enhancement Note: As an on-site role in a large corporation, the work environment will likely be structured and professional, with a strong emphasis on teamwork and adherence to company policies.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A review of your resume and portfolio to assess qualifications and experience.

• Technical Interview(s): Discussions focused on UI design principles, design system architecture, component design, and familiarity with tools like Figma or Axure. Expect to discuss your approach to building systems from scratch and managing design tokens.

• Design Challenge/Case Study: You may be asked to present a detailed case study from your portfolio or tackle a specific design problem related to system architecture or component design. This will assess your problem-solving skills, strategic thinking, and ability to articulate design decisions.

• Team/Cultural Fit Interview: Conversations with potential team members and hiring managers to assess collaboration style, communication skills, and alignment with HENSOLDT's culture.

• Final Interview: A discussion with senior leadership to finalize the decision.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Highlight Design System Expertise: Dedicate a significant portion of your portfolio to your experience with design systems. Showcase the "why" behind your design decisions and the impact of your systems.

• Detail "From Scratch" Projects: If you have experience building a design system from the ground up, clearly articulate the process, challenges, and outcomes. Include examples of foundational elements like design principles, component libraries, and design tokens.

• Showcase Technical Collaboration: Provide examples of how you've worked with developers, including design hand-offs, communication strategies for technical constraints, and how you've ensured implementation fidelity.

• Demonstrate Systemic Thinking: Illustrate your ability to think holistically about UI consistency, scalability, and maintainability.

• Include Process and Governance: If possible, show examples of design process documentation, style guides, and any governance models you've helped establish.

Challenge Preparation:

• Understand Design System Fundamentals: Be prepared to discuss core concepts like atomic design, design tokens, component states, and accessibility guidelines.

• Practice Articulating Design Decisions: Be ready to explain the rationale behind your design choices, especially concerning scalability, reusability, and technical feasibility.

• Research HENSOLDT's Products: If possible, research HENSOLDT's existing product offerings to understand their domain and potential UI challenges.

• Prepare Questions: Develop thoughtful questions about the team, the existing design challenges, and the future vision for the design system.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on "from scratch" and "architect" suggests the interview process will heavily scrutinize the candidate's ability to lead and build foundational elements, not just contribute to existing systems. The portfolio and case studies will be critical for demonstrating this capability.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• UI/Prototyping Tools: Proficiency in professional tools such as Figma, Axure, Sketch, or Adobe XD is essential. The company will collaborate on the final tool choice, indicating a willingness to adapt.

• Design System Management: Experience with tools or platforms specifically designed for managing design systems (e.g., Zeroheight, Storybook for documentation, or even well-structured internal repositories).

Analytics & Reporting:

CRM & Automation:

• Not directly applicable to this role, but familiarity with project management tools like Jira, Confluence, or Asana will be useful for team collaboration and workflow tracking.

📝 Enhancement Note: The explicit mention of "Figma, Axure, o.ä." and the collaborative approach to tool selection indicates that deep expertise in one specific tool is less critical than a strong understanding of the underlying principles of UI design and system architecture that can be applied across different platforms.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Excellence and Precision: In the defense technology sector, there is a paramount focus on accuracy, reliability, and high-quality output in all aspects of work, including design.

• Innovation: A drive to explore and implement efficient, cutting-edge technologies and processes to maintain a competitive edge.

• Collaboration: Strong emphasis on teamwork and cross-functional partnerships, especially between design and engineering.

• Responsibility: Taking ownership of tasks and projects, particularly in building new systems and processes from the ground up.

• Systemic Thinking: An approach that values understanding the interconnectedness of components and processes to build robust and scalable solutions.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-functional Integration: Close working relationships with frontend developers, likely involving regular design reviews, joint problem-solving sessions, and clear communication channels.

• Process-Oriented: A culture that values well-defined processes for design contribution, versioning, and feedback loops to ensure system integrity.

• Constructive Feedback: An environment where ideas are shared openly, and feedback is given and received constructively to drive continuous improvement.

📝 Enhancement Note: The company's industry (defense) strongly influences its culture, emphasizing rigor, reliability, and a serious commitment to quality. The "from scratch" aspect of the design system role implies a culture that encourages initiative and building foundational structures.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Building from Scratch: Establishing a comprehensive design system for a complex, potentially legacy-heavy, software environment requires significant strategic planning, stakeholder buy-in, and execution.

• Cross-Disciplinary Alignment: Bridging the gap between design vision and engineering implementation, especially within a large, established organization with diverse technical stacks.

• Adoption and Governance: Ensuring the design system is adopted effectively by development teams and maintaining its relevance and integrity through robust governance processes.

• Balancing Innovation with Constraints: Integrating new design trends and technologies while adhering to the specific requirements and constraints of defense applications.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Deep Dive into Design Systems: Become a subject matter expert in design system architecture, tooling, and best practices.

• Influence Product Strategy: Play a key role in shaping the user experience and design direction of critical defense software.

• Mentorship: Opportunity to mentor junior designers and guide the company's approach to UI/UX design.

• Industry Exposure: Gain in-depth knowledge of the defense technology sector and its unique design challenges.

📝 Enhancement Note: The primary challenge lies in the "from scratch" nature of the role, requiring a candidate who is not only skilled but also possesses the vision and drive to build a foundational system and drive its adoption.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe your process for building a design system from the ground up. What are the key phases and considerations?" (Focus on structure, phases, and foundational elements like principles and tokens.)

• "How would you define and manage design tokens to ensure consistency across different platforms and applications within HENSOLDT?" (Emphasize token structure, naming conventions, and implementation strategy.)

• "What strategies would you employ to gain buy-in and ensure adoption of a new design system by development teams?" (Highlight communication, collaboration, and demonstrating value.)

Company & Culture Questions:

• "How do you see your role contributing to HENSOLDT's mission of providing innovative security and defense solutions?" (Connect design impact to the company's objectives.)

• "What are your expectations regarding collaboration with frontend developers and other engineering teams?" (Showcase teamwork and communication skills.)

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure for Impact: Organize your portfolio to clearly showcase your design system expertise. Start with your most relevant "from scratch" design system projects.

• Tell a Story: For each project, explain the problem, your approach, the key decisions made, the challenges encountered, and the results achieved (e.g., improved efficiency, consistency, user satisfaction).

• Detail the "How": For design systems, specifically detail the component structure, token strategy, governance model, and the collaborative process with developers. Use visual aids and clear diagrams.

• Be Prepared for Technical Deep Dives: Anticipate questions about the technical feasibility of your designs and your understanding of frontend implementation.

📝 Enhancement Note: Candidates should prepare to articulate their vision for a design system, demonstrate their ability to build foundational elements, and explain how they would integrate this system into a complex, enterprise-level development environment, particularly within the defense sector.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this UI Designer / Design System Architect position:

• Submit your application exclusively online through the HENSOLDT career portal, including your resume and certificates.

• Curate Your Portfolio: Select and refine your portfolio to prominently feature your design system architecture experience, emphasizing "from scratch" projects, component libraries, and design token strategies.

• Tailor Your Resume: Optimize your resume to highlight keywords and experience directly relevant to UI design, design systems, and frontend collaboration, quantifying achievements where possible.

• Prepare Your Presentation: Rehearse presenting your portfolio, focusing on articulating your strategic approach to building and governing design systems, and be ready to discuss technical collaboration.

• Research HENSOLDT: Gain a thorough understanding of HENSOLDT's business, its role in the defense industry, and its commitment to innovation to align your application and interview responses.

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

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