UI- / UX- Designer (m/w/d)
π Job Overview
Job Title: UI- / UX- Designer (m/w/d)
Company: synava (medavis GmbH)
Location: Karlsruhe, Baden-WΓΌrttemberg, Germany
Job Type: Vollzeit (Full-Time)
Category: Art & Design / Technology / Healthcare
Date Posted: 2026-09-01
Experience Level: Mid-Level (2-5 years)
Remote Status: On-site
π Role Summary
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This role is pivotal in shaping the User Experience (UX) and User Interface (UI) for a growing portfolio of medical products, with an initial focus on the medavis Radiology Information System (RIS).
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The position involves building and evolving a product-wide Design System, establishing consistent design principles, components, and guidelines across the entire medavis product suite and the radiance365 platform.
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Responsibilities include conducting in-depth User Research and Usability Testing to translate complex medical workflows into intuitive and efficient digital solutions.
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The role requires close collaboration with Product Management and Development teams in an agile environment, ensuring seamless integration of design from discovery through delivery.
π Enhancement Note: While the job title is UI-/UX- Designer, the description emphasizes a strategic role in building and maintaining a Design System, focusing on standardization, quality, and enablement rather than pure pixel production. This suggests a mid-level to senior-leaning role within the design function, with significant influence on product strategy and technical architecture. The emphasis on "Enablement" and "less individual custom work, more standard and system" indicates a need for a candidate who can drive process adoption and efficiency across multiple product teams.
π Primary Responsibilities
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Develop, maintain, and continuously evolve a product-wide Design System, including component libraries, design tokens, pattern libraries, and comprehensive guidelines.
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Define and anchor design principles and interaction patterns to ensure a consistent and intuitive User Experience across the RIS, image management/viewer, and portal products.
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Plan and execute User Research initiatives, including interviews, usability tests, and direct observation of real-world radiology and clinic workflows.
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Synthesize research findings into concrete, data-backed design decisions and actionable insights for product development.
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Create interactive prototypes to validate solution concepts early with users, ensuring the team is addressing the right problems before committing to development.
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Guide products through the entire lifecycle, from problem framing and discovery to conception, design, design handoff, and quality assurance during implementation.
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Foster continuous, close collaboration with Product Management and Development teams within an agile framework.
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Advise product teams on UX/UI-related matters and drive organizational improvement through enablement and knowledge transfer.
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Empower Product Managers and Developers to utilize the Design System effectively, promoting standardization and system-wide efficiency.
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Integrate Accessibility and regulatory requirements specific to the medical device environment, including Usability Engineering according to IEC 62366.
π Enhancement Note: The responsibilities clearly indicate a need for a candidate who can operate strategically by building a Design System while also executing tactically through direct UX research and design work. The emphasis on "Enabling" other teams and driving "less individual custom work, more standard and system" points to a responsibility for process improvement and adoption, a key trait for operations-focused roles.
π Skills & Qualifications
Education:
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A degree in Interaction Design, UX/HCI (Human-Computer Interaction), Interface Design, Media Design, or Communication Design, or a comparable qualification. Experience:
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Several years of experience in UX/Product Design, with a strong emphasis on Design Systems.
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Proven experience in building and operating Design Systems, including component libraries, design tokens, pattern libraries, and guidelines.
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Experience in iterative collaboration with Product Management and Development in an agile environment, covering both discovery and delivery phases. Required Skills:
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Proficiency in User Research methodologies and Usability Testing, with the ability to translate findings into robust design decisions.
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Competence in modern design and prototyping tools, understanding them as means to an end.
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Ability to comprehend complex professional processes and translate them into intuitive, consistent user interfaces.
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Foundational understanding of frontend technologies and a sense for the technical feasibility of designs.
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Strong analytical and logical thinking skills, combined with initiative, pragmatism, and execution strength.
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Independent and structured work style, with a willingness to learn and adapt.
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Excellent communication and consulting skills, team-oriented, and collaborative.
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Ability to integrate diverse perspectives, constructively manage conflicts, and present concepts persuasively. Preferred Skills:
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Experience working with component-based frontend environments, such as Storybook or similar component frameworks.
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Experience in the healthcare sector or medical device industry.
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Good to very good English language skills.
π Enhancement Note: The "Das bringst du mit" section explicitly mentions "Erfahrung im Aufbau und Betrieb von Design Systems" and "Erfahrung in der Zusammenarbeit mit Entwicklung und komponentenbasierten Frontend-Umgebungen," which are critical for establishing operational efficiency in design processes. The emphasis on translating complex processes into intuitive interfaces, understanding technical feasibility, and working iteratively in agile teams highlights a strong operational mindset required for product development.
π Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements
Portfolio Essentials:
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Showcase examples of Design System development, including component libraries, pattern documentation, and style guides.
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Present case studies demonstrating the translation of complex user workflows (preferably in technical or regulated environments) into intuitive and efficient UI/UX solutions.
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Include examples of User Research findings and how they directly informed design decisions and product improvements.
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Demonstrate experience with prototyping and user testing, highlighting the iterative design process and problem-solving approach.
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Provide evidence of collaboration within agile teams, showcasing how design was integrated from discovery through delivery. Process Documentation:
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Highlight experience in defining and documenting design principles, interaction patterns, and usability guidelines.
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Showcase examples of how you facilitated knowledge transfer and enabled product teams to effectively use design systems and best practices.
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Illustrate your approach to integrating Accessibility and regulatory compliance (e.g., IEC 62366) into the design and development process.
π Enhancement Note: For a role focused on building and scaling a Design System, a portfolio must demonstrate not just design output but also the strategic thinking behind process creation and standardization. The emphasis on "Enablement" and "less individual custom work, more standard and system" means candidates should highlight how their work has improved efficiency and consistency across teams.
π΅ Compensation & Benefits
Salary Range:
Based on industry benchmarks for a mid-level UI/UX Designer with 2-5 years of experience in Karlsruhe, Germany, specializing in Design Systems and medical software, the estimated annual gross salary range is β¬55,000 - β¬70,000. This estimate considers the specialized nature of Design Systems, the regulated medical device industry, and the cost of living in Karlsruhe.
Benefits:
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Permanent employment contract with a stable, growing company within the health-IT sector.
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Opportunity to shape the UX/UI of a significant medical product portfolio and build a comprehensive Design System from the ground up.
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Collaborative and innovative work environment within the synava Group, fostering cross-company knowledge sharing.
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Direct influence on digital support for complex medical workflows, contributing to societal impact.
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Modern workplace with opportunities for professional development and continuous learning.
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Potential for flexible working arrangements within the on-site model, subject to team coordination.
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Contribution to a company culture that values diversity, inclusion, and individual employee contributions. Working Hours:
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Full-time (Vollzeit) position, typically based on a 40-hour work week.
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While the role is on-site, there may be some flexibility for coordination with team members and project needs, consistent with agile team collaboration.
π Enhancement Note: Salary estimates for Germany are typically provided as annual gross figures. The range is based on typical compensation for UX/UI roles with specialized skills in Design Systems and experience in regulated industries in a major German tech hub like Karlsruhe. Benefits are inferred from typical offerings for permanent roles in established tech companies, especially those focused on innovation and employee development.
π― Team & Company Context
π’ Company Culture
Industry: Health-IT / Medical Software. medavis GmbH develops Radiology Information Systems (RIS) and other solutions for practices, MVZs, and clinics. They are part of the synava Group, which aims to advance digital healthcare. This industry demands high standards for quality, stability, service, and data security, as well as adherence to strict regulatory requirements.
Company Size: medavis GmbH is part of the synava Group. While the exact size of medavis isn't specified, the synava Group likely comprises multiple health-IT companies, suggesting a medium to large organizational footprint with potential for cross-functional collaboration and resource sharing. This size implies structured processes but also the agility to innovate.
Founded: medavis GmbH is based in Karlsruhe. The founding date is not specified, but its position as a key product provider for radiology suggests a well-established presence in the market. Being part of the synava Group indicates a forward-looking strategy for growth and digital transformation in healthcare.
Team Structure:
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The UX Designer will likely be part of a dedicated UX/Product Design team or a cross-functional product team focused on the medavis RIS and other related products.
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Reporting will likely be to a Head of Design, Product Lead, or a similar management role overseeing product development.
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Close collaboration is expected with Product Management, Software Development teams (frontend and backend), and potentially QA/Compliance specialists. Methodology:
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Data Analysis & Insights: User research findings, usability test results, and product analytics will be key inputs for design decisions.
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Workflow Planning & Optimization: The core task involves understanding and optimizing complex medical workflows through intuitive design.
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Automation & Efficiency: Building a Design System inherently drives efficiency by standardizing components and processes, reducing redundant work.
Company Website: synava Group: synava.com (inferred from domain_derived)
π Enhancement Note: The context of medical software and the synava Group implies a culture that balances innovation with rigorous quality and compliance. The emphasis on "system thinking" and "enablement" suggests a culture that values process, standardization, and shared knowledge to achieve scalable growth.
π Career & Growth Analysis
Operations Career Level: This role is positioned as a mid-level position (2-5 years of experience) with significant strategic responsibility in establishing and scaling design operations through a Design System. It offers a pathway to become a Design System Lead or a Senior UX/Product Designer with deep expertise in the medical domain.
Reporting Structure: The UI-/UX- Designer will likely report to a Design Lead, Product Manager, or Head of Product/Development within medavis or the synava Group. They will work closely with cross-functional teams, including Product Management and Software Development.
Operations Impact: The role's impact is significant, as it directly influences the usability, efficiency, and consistency of critical medical software. By establishing a robust Design System, the designer will streamline development processes, improve user satisfaction, reduce technical debt, and ensure compliance, all of which contribute to the company's operational excellence and market competitiveness.
Growth Opportunities:
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Design System Specialization: Deepen expertise in Design Systems, becoming a go-to authority for component architecture, governance, and adoption strategies.
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Leadership Potential: Transition into a Lead UX Designer or Design System Manager role, mentoring junior designers and leading design initiatives.
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Product Strategy Involvement: Gain deeper involvement in product strategy and roadmap planning, leveraging UX insights to drive product direction.
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Industry Expertise: Develop specialized knowledge in healthcare IT and medical device regulations, becoming a valuable asset in a highly regulated and impactful sector.
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Cross-functional Skill Development: Enhance skills in agile methodologies, stakeholder management, and technical understanding through close collaboration.
π Enhancement Note: The emphasis on building a Design System and enabling other teams points to a role that is inherently about operationalizing design. Growth opportunities would naturally involve scaling these operational efforts, potentially leading a team dedicated to design operations or system governance.
π Work Environment
Office Type: The position is explicitly "On-site," indicating a traditional office-based work environment at the specified Karlsruhe address. This setup is conducive to close team collaboration, spontaneous discussions, and direct mentorship, which are often crucial for developing and implementing complex design systems.
Office Location(s): Bannwaldallee 60, 76185 Karlsruhe-Beiertheim - Bulach, Deutschland. This location in Karlsruhe provides access to a vibrant tech and research ecosystem in Baden-WΓΌrttemberg.
Workspace Context:
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Collaborative Environment: The on-site nature suggests a workspace designed for team interaction, potentially including shared design studios, meeting rooms, and open collaboration areas.
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Operations Tools & Technology: Access to modern design and prototyping tools (as mentioned in qualifications) will be standard. The team likely uses agile project management tools and communication platforms.
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Team Interaction: Opportunities for direct interaction with Product Management, developers, and other designers will be frequent, facilitating the iterative design process and knowledge sharing essential for Design System adoption.
Work Schedule:
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Standard full-time working hours (likely 40 hours/week) are expected.
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While on-site, the agile nature of the work may allow for some degree of flexibility in daily scheduling, provided project milestones and team collaboration are maintained.
π Enhancement Note: The "On-site" requirement for a UI/UX role, particularly one focused on building a Design System, suggests an environment that prioritizes in-person collaboration for rapid iteration, knowledge transfer, and fostering a cohesive design culture. This is often beneficial for operationalizing complex processes like design system adoption.
π Application & Portfolio Review Process
Interview Process:
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Initial Screening: A review of your CV and portfolio by HR and the hiring manager (Elsa Brunner) to assess qualifications and relevant experience, particularly in Design Systems.
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Technical Interview / Portfolio Review: A deeper dive into your past projects, focusing on your experience with Design Systems, UX research, and problem-solving. You will likely present specific case studies from your portfolio. Expect questions about your approach to building and scaling design systems, user research methodologies, and collaboration in agile settings.
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Team/Cultural Fit Interview: An opportunity to meet with potential team members (Product Managers, Developers) to assess collaboration style, communication skills, and alignment with the company's values and operational approach.
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Final Interview: Likely with a senior leader to discuss strategic vision, long-term impact, and final alignment on the role and compensation.
Portfolio Review Tips:
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Highlight Design System Experience: Dedicate significant space to your experience building, maintaining, or contributing to Design Systems. Showcase specific examples of components, patterns, guidelines, and the impact these had.
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Process & Problem-Solving Focus: For each case study, clearly articulate the problem, your research process, the design decisions made, and the measurable outcomes. Emphasize how you translated complex requirements into intuitive solutions.
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Showcase Collaboration: Include examples of how you worked with developers and product managers. Highlight your role in enabling other teams to use design standards effectively.
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Demonstrate Impact: Quantify where possible. Did your Design System reduce design/development time? Improve user satisfaction scores? Increase consistency?
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Tailor to Medical Context: If you have healthcare or medical device experience, highlight it. If not, draw parallels to other complex or regulated industries where meticulous design is critical.
Challenge Preparation:
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Design System Challenge: Be prepared for a hypothetical challenge related to expanding or improving a design system. This could involve defining new components, establishing governance rules, or outlining an adoption strategy.
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User Research Scenario: You might be presented with a typical radiology workflow and asked to outline how you would approach understanding user needs and designing a solution.
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Agile Collaboration Discussion: Be ready to discuss how you integrate into agile teams, handle feedback, and manage design handoffs.
π Enhancement Note: The emphasis on "Enablement" and "less individual custom work, more standard and system" means interviewers will be looking for candidates who can not only design but also operationalize design processes and drive adoption. Your portfolio and interview responses should reflect this strategic, process-oriented mindset.
π Tools & Technology Stack
Primary Tools:
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Design & Prototyping: Modern design and prototyping tools are essential. Candidates should be proficient in industry-standard software like Figma, Sketch, Adobe XD, InVision, or similar. The job description mentions these are "means to an end," implying a focus on strategic application rather than tool mastery for its own sake.
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Design Systems: Experience with tools and platforms for managing Design Systems is crucial. This includes component libraries, design tokens, and pattern documentation.
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Frontend Integration: Familiarity with component-based frontend environments like Storybook or similar component frameworks is highly desirable.
Analytics & Reporting:
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While not explicitly listed as a primary responsibility for this role, understanding how to leverage user analytics and product performance data to inform design decisions is beneficial. Tools like Google Analytics, Mixpanel, or specific product analytics platforms might be used by the broader team. CRM & Automation:
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Not directly relevant to the core UX/UI design function, but an awareness of how design integrates with broader product development workflows, which may involve CRM or automation tools for customer feedback and product management, is a plus.
π Enhancement Note: The explicit mention of "Storybook or comparable component frameworks" indicates a strong connection between design and development, highlighting the operational aspect of bridging these two disciplines. Proficiency in design systems management tools and platforms is paramount.
π₯ Team Culture & Values
Operations Values:
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User-Centricity: Consistently placing the user's perspective at the forefront of all design decisions.
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System Thinking & Standardization: Prioritizing systemic solutions over individual screens, aiming for consistency and efficiency through established patterns and components.
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Data-Driven Decisions: Utilizing user research, usability testing, and analytics to inform and validate design choices.
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Collaboration & Enablement: Working closely with Product Management and Development, and actively empowering these teams to utilize design standards effectively.
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Quality & Compliance: Upholding high standards for product quality, stability, and adherence to regulatory requirements in the medical device sector.
Collaboration Style:
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Agile & Iterative: Working in close, continuous collaboration with Product Management and Development teams in an agile environment, participating in discovery and delivery phases.
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Consultative & Enabling: Acting as a UX/UI consultant to product teams, providing guidance and transferring knowledge to foster a shared understanding and effective use of the Design System.
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Cross-Functional Integration: Bridging the gap between design, product strategy, and technical implementation, ensuring that user needs are met within technical and business constraints.
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Feedback-Oriented: Open to constructive feedback, comfortable with iterative refinement, and adept at synthesizing diverse perspectives to achieve optimal solutions.
π Enhancement Note: The emphasis on "Enablement" and "less individual custom work, more standard and system" strongly suggests a culture that values process, efficiency, and shared responsibility in achieving design excellence. The company likely promotes a collaborative environment where design is seen as an integrated part of the product development lifecycle, not an isolated function.
β‘ Challenges & Growth Opportunities
Challenges:
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Balancing Standardization with Innovation: Developing a Design System that is robust and consistent yet flexible enough to accommodate future product needs and innovations.
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Driving Adoption: Effectively encouraging and supporting cross-functional teams (Product Management, Development) to adopt and consistently use the Design System.
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Complex Domain: Translating intricate medical workflows and regulatory requirements (e.g., IEC 62366) into intuitive and compliant user experiences.
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Technical Integration: Ensuring seamless integration of the Design System with various frontend technologies and development pipelines.
Learning & Development Opportunities:
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Design System Expertise: Opportunity to become a specialist in Design System architecture, governance, and scaling, a highly sought-after skill.
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Healthcare IT Domain Knowledge: Deepen understanding of the medical device industry, its regulations, and user needs, becoming an expert in this specialized sector.
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Product Strategy Influence: Contribute directly to product strategy through UX insights, potentially influencing roadmaps and feature prioritization.
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Cross-Functional Leadership: Develop skills in leading cross-functional initiatives, mentoring junior designers, and driving process improvements across teams.
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Continuous Learning: Access to resources for staying updated on UX trends, design system best practices, and advancements in health-tech.
π Enhancement Note: The challenges are directly tied to operationalizing design at scale. Growth opportunities are framed around deepening expertise in these operational areas and expanding influence within the company and industry.
π‘ Interview Preparation
Strategy Questions:
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"Describe your process for building a Design System from scratch or significantly evolving an existing one. What were the key challenges and how did you overcome them?" (Focus on methodology, governance, and adoption strategies.)
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"How do you ensure a Design System is adopted and used effectively by diverse teams (e.g., Product Managers, Developers)? What are your enablement strategies?" (Highlight your experience with workshops, documentation, and support.)
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"Walk us through a complex user workflow you've designed. How did you research user needs, translate them into an intuitive interface, and ensure technical feasibility and compliance?" (Prepare a case study that demonstrates your problem-solving, research, and design execution skills.) Company & Culture Questions:
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"What interests you about working in the health-IT sector, specifically with medical software like a Radiology Information System?" (Research medavis and the synava Group's mission and impact.)
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"How do you approach collaboration with Product Management and Development teams, especially in an agile setting?" (Emphasize your consultative and enabling approach.)
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"How do you balance the need for design consistency with the need for product innovation and unique features?" (Discuss your approach to Design System flexibility and evolution.) Portfolio Presentation Strategy:
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Structure for Impact: Organize your portfolio around key projects, ideally starting with your strongest Design System contributions or complex workflow redesigns.
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Tell a Story: For each case study, clearly articulate the problem, your role, the process (research, ideation, design, testing), the solution, and the outcome/impact.
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Highlight System Thinking: Explicitly point out how your work contributes to broader system efficiency, consistency, and scalability.
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Show, Don't Just Tell: Use visuals effectively β mockups, prototypes, component examples, research summaries.
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Prepare for Q&A: Be ready to elaborate on any aspect of your work, especially your decision-making process, challenges, and how you collaborated with others.
π Enhancement Note: Given the role's emphasis on building and scaling a Design System, interviewers will be looking for evidence of strategic thinking, process improvement, and the ability to influence and enable other teams. Your preparation should focus on demonstrating these operational capabilities.
π Application Steps
To apply for this UI-/UX- Designer position:
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Submit your application through the provided link on smartrecruiters.com.
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Portfolio Customization: Tailor your resume and portfolio to prominently feature your experience with Design Systems, UX research, and process optimization. Showcase specific examples of component libraries, pattern documentation, and how your work improved efficiency or consistency.
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Resume Optimization: Ensure your resume clearly highlights keywords from the job description, such as "Design Systems," "UX Design," "UI Design," "User Research," "Agile," "Medical Software," and "IEC 62366." Quantify achievements where possible.
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Interview Preparation: Practice articulating your design process, particularly your approach to building and scaling Design Systems, your user research methodologies, and your collaborative experiences. Prepare to present 1-2 key portfolio pieces that best demonstrate your fit for this role.
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Company Research: Familiarize yourself with medavis GmbH, the synava Group, their products (especially the RIS), and the broader health-IT industry. Understand their mission and the importance of design in regulated medical software.
β οΈ 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.
Application Requirements
Candidates must hold a degree in Interaction Design, UX/HCI, or a related field and possess several years of experience in product design and design systems. Proficiency in modern design tools, agile collaboration, and an understanding of frontend technologies are essential for this role.