UX Accessibility Lead (Hybrid: Acton, MA or San Diego, CA)
π Job Overview
Job Title: UX Accessibility Lead (Hybrid: Acton, MA or San Diego, CA)
Company: Insulet Corporation
Location: San Diego, California, United States
Job Type: Full time
Category: UX/Product Design Operations
Date Posted: 2026-09-14
Experience Level: 5-10 years
Remote Status: Hybrid
π Role Summary
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Lead strategic and tactical UX design initiatives for Insulet's Omnipod Mobile App Suite, focusing on both Android and iOS platforms to ensure a world-class product experience.
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Drive innovation in UX processes, tools, and design language, acting as a senior individual contributor and leader within an agile development environment.
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Collaborate closely with cross-functional teams, including software development, product management, marketing, systems, QA, user research, and human factors, to deliver safe, effective, and delightful digital experiences.
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Mentor junior staff on UX best practices and contribute to the overall growth and development of the UX team and its impact on Insulet's products.
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Evangelize the importance and practice of UX design across the entire organization, influencing product strategy and customer engagement.
π Enhancement Note: While the title is "UX Accessibility Lead," the provided description focuses heavily on "Staff UX Designer" responsibilities, emphasizing mobile app design, agile development, and cross-functional collaboration. The accessibility aspect is mentioned in the context of FDA guidelines and human factors, suggesting a strong integration of accessibility into the broader UX design process rather than a standalone accessibility specialist role. The enhancement notes will reflect this dual focus.
π Primary Responsibilities
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Lead the planning and execution of strategic and tactical UX design initiatives for the Omnipod Mobile App Suite on Android and iOS platforms.
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Define safe, effective, and delightful user experiences using industry-standard UX/UI tools such as Figma, Sketch, Adobe Creative Cloud, and Invision/Balsamiq/Azure.
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Deliver UX work artifacts including wireframes, asset delivery, and GUI specifications within an agile development framework.
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Work collaboratively within a fast-paced agile development team, utilizing tools like JIRA, Confluence, Aha!, Webex, Zoom, and Miro.
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Lead UX discussions with key technical integration partners, understanding their requirements and APIs, and guiding UX requirements and branding discussions.
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Proactively engage with User Research and Human Factors teams to iteratively test early concepts and apply user-centered design best practices, ensuring designs meet FDA guidelines for medical devices.
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Communicate design concepts and user experience vision compellingly to all levels of the company, from development teams to executive leadership, using various presentation methods like sketches, storyboards, prototypes, and interactive presentations.
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Drive innovation initiatives related to UX process, tools, and the overall design language and experiences for Insulet's products.
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Lead cross-functional teams to define world-class user experiences and a holistic customer journey across multiple touchpoints, including web, mobile, product integrations, and wearables.
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Lead the development and standardization of Insulet's corporate UX design language and frameworks as the brand evolves.
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Mentor junior UX staff, supporting their professional growth and development, and foster a culture of knowledge sharing and continuous learning within the UX team.
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Act as an advocate for UX design across the company, promoting its value and integration into product development lifecycles.
π Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a senior-level role with significant leadership, strategic influence, and cross-functional collaboration. The emphasis on FDA guidelines and human factors strongly implies that accessibility is a core component of "safe and effective" design, rather than a separate, specialized function. The role requires not just design execution but also process improvement and evangelism.
π Skills & Qualifications
Education: Bachelor's or Master's degree in Psychology, Computer Science, HCI, Industrial Engineering, Interaction Design, Design, Human Factors, or an equivalent field.
Experience: 7+ years of relevant experience in UX and product design, with a strong focus on developing and implementing customer-centric products across multiple touchpoints (product, mobile, web) globally.
Required Skills:
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Expert knowledge of industry-standard UX/Dev tools, including but not limited to: Invision/Balsamiq/Azure, Zeplin, Adobe Creative Cloud, Framer, Sketch, Figma.
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Proficiency in HTML, CSS, and JavaScript is beneficial for understanding technical constraints and possibilities.
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Fluent in usability standards, design heuristics, and responsive design techniques.
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Expert knowledge of Android and iOS UI guidelines and best practices for web/responsive platforms.
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Strong portfolio demonstrating exceptional storytelling and presentation skills, showcasing complex UX/product design projects.
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At least 5 years of experience working in an agile development environment, with proficiency in tools such as JIRA and Confluence.
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Ability to collaborate effectively cross-functionally, particularly with clinical partners such as Human Factors, Regulatory, Compliance, and Legal teams.
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Working knowledge of User Research tools and methodologies, with the ability to partner with researchers to drive user-centered design approaches.
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Experience working effectively with cross-functional teams on high-visibility initiatives in a distributed environment. Preferred Skills:
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Proven ability to prototype complex user flows and interactions.
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Thorough knowledge of the diabetes disease state and its implications for user experience.
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Experience with SAFe agile methodologies is preferred.
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Strong technical hardware and software knowledge is a plus.
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Demonstrated success in execution of mobile applications UX for consumer or medical devices, with a preference for experience in medical devices or consumer wearables.
π Enhancement Note: The "Expert knowledge" in various tools and guidelines, coupled with the 7+ years of experience, clearly positions this as a senior-level individual contributor role. The preferred skills indicate a desire for candidates who can hit the ground running with minimal ramp-up time, especially regarding domain knowledge. The inclusion of "accessibility" in the title, while not heavily detailed in the responsibilities, implies that a strong understanding of accessibility principles and their integration into design processes is expected, even if not explicitly listed as a "required skill."
π Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements
Portfolio Essentials:
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Showcase a minimum of 7+ years of UX and product design work, highlighting complex, customer-centric projects with multiple touchpoints (product, mobile, web).
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Demonstrate expertise in defining and delivering user experiences across Android and iOS platforms, with specific examples of UI guidelines adherence.
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Include case studies that illustrate the application of usability standards, design heuristics, and responsive design techniques.
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Feature projects that were developed within an agile environment, ideally mentioning JIRA/Confluence usage and agile methodologies.
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Present examples of successful cross-functional collaboration, particularly with clinical, human factors, regulatory, or legal teams.
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Showcase strong storytelling and presentation skills through compelling visual narratives of design processes and outcomes.
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Include examples of how user research and human factors principles were integrated into the design process to ensure safety, effectiveness, and user delight. Process Documentation:
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Provide evidence of leading and documenting UX design processes from ideation to final delivery, including wireframes, user flows, and GUI specifications.
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Illustrate how design concepts were communicated and validated with stakeholders at various levels of the organization.
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Detail experience in developing and applying design systems, style guides, or design language frameworks for consistent user experiences.
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Showcase how feedback from user research and testing was incorporated to iterate and improve designs.
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Document experience in collaborating with development teams to ensure accurate implementation of design specifications.
π Enhancement Note: For a senior UX role, the portfolio is critical for demonstrating practical application of skills. The emphasis on cross-functional collaboration, agile environments, and medical device regulations suggests that the portfolio should go beyond just visual design and highlight strategic thinking, process adherence, and the ability to navigate complex product development cycles. The "accessibility" aspect in the title should ideally be reflected in portfolio pieces that demonstrate an understanding or implementation of accessible design principles.
π΅ Compensation & Benefits
Salary Range: $156,600 - $234,900 annually.
Benefits:
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Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance plans.
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401(k) retirement savings plan with a company match.
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Generous Paid Time Off (PTO) for work-life balance.
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Additional employee wellness programs designed to support overall health and well-being.
Working Hours: Standard full-time position, likely around 40 hours per week, with flexibility expected due to agile development cycles and cross-functional collaboration needs.
π Enhancement Note: The provided salary range is specific and falls within the upper quartile for a Senior UX Designer/Lead role in a high-cost-of-living area like San Diego, reflecting the seniority and specialized nature of the position. The benefits package is standard for a large corporation. The "Hybrid" work arrangement suggests a balance between in-office collaboration and remote flexibility.
π― Team & Company Context
π’ Company Culture
Industry: Medical Devices, Healthcare Technology. Insulet operates in a highly regulated industry where patient safety, product efficacy, and user experience are paramount. This context drives a culture of meticulousness, adherence to standards, and a strong focus on user well-being.
Company Size: Large organization (implied by the detailed benefits, multiple global offices, and NASDAQ listing). This size typically offers structured career paths, robust HR support, and opportunities for specialization, but can also involve more complex approval processes and larger, more distributed teams.
Founded: 2000. Insulet has a history of innovation in the diabetes management space, evolving from a startup to a significant player in the medical device market. This suggests a culture that values innovation, growth, and continuous improvement, while also having established processes and a mature operational framework.
Team Structure:
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Operations Team: The role sits within the R&D group, specifically focusing on UX design for mobile applications. This team likely comprises UX Designers, UI Designers, User Researchers, Human Factors Engineers, Product Managers, Software Developers (Android/iOS), and QA Engineers.
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Reporting Structure: The UX Accessibility Lead will likely report to a Director or VP of UX/Product Design, with responsibilities to lead initiatives and mentor junior staff.
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Cross-functional Collaboration: The role is deeply embedded in cross-functional collaboration, working extensively with Software Development, Product Management, Marketing, Systems teams, QA, User Research, Human Factors, Clinical, Regulatory, Compliance, and Legal. This requires strong communication and negotiation skills.
Methodology:
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Agile Development: The team operates in an agile environment, utilizing methodologies and tools like JIRA, Confluence, Aha!, and potentially SAFe Agile. This implies a focus on iterative development, rapid feedback loops, and adaptive planning.
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User-Centered Design: A strong emphasis is placed on user-centered design (UCD) principles, with active engagement with User Research and Human Factors to ensure products are safe, effective, and delightful.
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Data-Driven Insights: While not explicitly stated, the integration of User Research and Human Factors suggests that design decisions are informed by data and user insights. The role also involves communicating design visions and outcomes, implying a need for data to support design rationale.
Company Website: https://www.insulet.com/ and https://www.omnipod.com/
π Enhancement Note: The company's mission to simplify life for people with diabetes and its status as a medical device company are critical context. This means that "accessibility" is not just about compliance but about ensuring that a vulnerable patient population can effectively and safely use the product. The "hybrid" nature of the role implies a need for strong remote collaboration skills alongside in-office presence.
π Career & Growth Analysis
Operations Career Level: This role is a "Staff UX Designer" and "Lead" position, indicating a senior individual contributor with leadership responsibilities. It's a step beyond a standard UX Designer, involving strategic input, project leadership, and mentorship. This level typically signifies expertise and the ability to tackle complex, ambiguous problems independently.
Reporting Structure: The UX Accessibility Lead will likely report to a Director or VP of UX/Product Design within the R&D organization. They will work closely with Product Management leads and Engineering Managers on project teams. The role involves leading other UX designers on specific programs and mentoring junior staff.
Operations Impact: The UX Accessibility Lead has a direct and significant impact on the success of Insulet's core product applications, particularly the Omnipod Mobile App Suite. By ensuring world-class, safe, effective, and accessible user experiences, this role directly influences:
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Patient Outcomes: Improving adherence, usability, and safety for individuals managing diabetes.
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Customer Satisfaction & Loyalty: Creating delightful and intuitive experiences that foster positive brand perception and retention.
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Regulatory Compliance: Ensuring adherence to FDA guidelines and accessibility standards, mitigating compliance risks.
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Market Competitiveness: Differentiating Insulet's products through superior user experience and accessibility.
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Operational Efficiency: Streamlining user workflows and reducing support needs through intuitive design.
Growth Opportunities:
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Leadership Advancement: Potential to move into management roles (e.g., UX Manager, Director of UX) or specialize further in areas like UX strategy, design systems, or accessibility leadership.
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Domain Expertise: Deepen knowledge in diabetes management and medical device UX, becoming a subject matter expert.
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Skill Development: Opportunities to hone skills in advanced prototyping, leading design critiques, influencing product roadmaps, and evangelizing UX across a large organization.
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Cross-functional Impact: Gain exposure to various business functions (Product, Engineering, Marketing, Clinical, Regulatory) which can broaden career perspectives.
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Mentorship: Develop leadership and coaching skills by mentoring junior designers.
π Enhancement Note: The "Staff" designation and leadership responsibilities point towards a career path focused on deep expertise and influence within the UX domain, rather than necessarily moving into people management immediately. The impact on a critical medical device platform for a large, growing company offers substantial career development potential.
π Work Environment
Office Type: Hybrid work arrangement, requiring on-site presence at either the Acton, MA or San Diego, CA office. This indicates a blend of in-office collaboration and remote flexibility. The specific office location will depend on the candidate's preference and business needs.
Office Location(s):
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Acton, Massachusetts, USA
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San Diego, California, USA Workspace Context:
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Collaborative Environment: The hybrid model suggests that office days will be focused on collaborative activities such as team meetings, design workshops, brainstorming sessions, and stakeholder reviews. Access to physical whiteboards and meeting rooms will be available.
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Operations Tools & Technology: The role will leverage a suite of industry-standard UX design and collaboration tools, including Figma, Sketch, Adobe Creative Cloud, Invision/Balsamiq/Azure, JIRA, Confluence, Aha!, Webex, Zoom, and Miro. Access to high-performance workstations and necessary software licenses will be provided.
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Team Interaction: Opportunities for direct interaction with team members, product managers, engineers, and other stakeholders will be frequent, both in person during office days and virtually through collaboration platforms. The role also involves mentoring junior staff, implying regular one-on-one interactions.
Work Schedule: While a standard 40-hour work week is typical, the agile environment may necessitate some flexibility in hours to meet project deadlines or accommodate cross-time-zone collaboration. The hybrid nature allows for some personal scheduling flexibility on remote days.
π Enhancement Note: The hybrid arrangement requires candidates to be comfortable working both independently from a home office and collaboratively in an in-person setting. The specific office choice (Acton or San Diego) might influence team dynamics and local amenities.
π Application & Portfolio Review Process
Interview Process:
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Initial Screening: HR or recruiter call to assess basic qualifications, cultural fit, and interest.
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Hiring Manager Interview: In-depth discussion about experience, leadership style, and approach to UX design, particularly in a regulated medical device environment.
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Portfolio Review & Presentation: A dedicated session where the candidate presents their portfolio, showcasing key projects, design process, problem-solving skills, and impact. This is a critical stage to assess design thinking, communication, and execution. Expect to discuss case studies in detail.
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Cross-functional Team Interviews: Meetings with potential peers and collaborators from Product Management, Engineering, Human Factors, and potentially Marketing to assess teamwork, communication, and ability to integrate into the existing team dynamics.
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Executive/Senior Leadership Interview: Final interview with senior leadership to gauge strategic thinking, vision, and overall fit with the company's direction.
Portfolio Review Tips:
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Curate Strategically: Select 3-5 of your most impactful projects that best demonstrate your senior-level UX and product design capabilities, ideally showcasing mobile app design, cross-functional collaboration, and problem-solving in complex environments. If possible, include examples that touch upon accessibility or inclusive design.
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Tell a Story: For each project, clearly articulate the problem, your role, the design process, key decisions, challenges faced, solutions implemented, and quantifiable outcomes or impact. Focus on "why" you made certain decisions.
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Highlight Process & Collaboration: Emphasize your approach to user research, human factors integration, agile methodologies, and how you collaborated with engineering, product, and clinical teams.
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Showcase Deliverables: Include examples of wireframes, user flows, prototypes, and final UI designs, explaining the rationale behind them.
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Practice Presentation: Rehearse your presentation to ensure it flows logically, stays within the allotted time, and effectively communicates your expertise and value proposition. Be prepared for deep dives into specific project details.
Challenge Preparation:
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Design Exercise: Be prepared for a potential take-home design exercise or a live design challenge. This might involve evaluating an existing interface, proposing improvements, or designing a new feature based on a prompt. Focus on demonstrating your process, critical thinking, and ability to articulate your design rationale under pressure.
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Scenario-Based Questions: Anticipate questions about how you would handle specific design challenges, conflicts with stakeholders, or navigate regulatory constraints. Frame your answers using the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result).
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Accessibility Focus: Given the title, be ready to discuss your understanding of accessibility standards (e.g., WCAG) and how you integrate them into your design process, especially within a medical device context.
π Enhancement Note: The portfolio review is paramount for this role. Candidates should prepare to articulate not just the "what" but the "how" and "why" of their design decisions, demonstrating strategic thinking and a deep understanding of the UX process, user needs, and business objectives. The "Lead" aspect means demonstrating leadership in problem-solving and mentoring.
π Tools & Technology Stack
Primary Tools:
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UX/UI Design: Figma, Sketch, Adobe Creative Cloud (Photoshop, Illustrator, XD), Invision, Balsamiq, Zeplin, Framer. Candidates are expected to be expert users of at least one major design tool (e.g., Figma or Sketch).
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Prototyping: Invision, Figma, or other interactive prototyping tools to create high-fidelity prototypes for testing and stakeholder presentations.
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Collaboration & Project Management: JIRA, Confluence, Aha!, Webex, Zoom, Miro. Proficiency in these tools is essential for working within an agile, distributed team.
Analytics & Reporting:
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While not explicitly listed as a primary responsibility for UX design, understanding how to leverage user analytics and research data is crucial. Experience with tools like Google Analytics, Mixpanel, or Amplitude for understanding user behavior post-launch would be beneficial.
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Ability to interpret data from User Research and Human Factors studies. CRM & Automation:
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Not directly applicable to the core UX design function, but understanding how user data is managed within CRM systems (e.g., Salesforce) could provide context for the broader customer journey.
π Enhancement Note: The emphasis on a broad range of design and collaboration tools highlights the need for a versatile UX professional who can adapt to Insulet's existing stack and contribute to its evolution. Expertise in Figma and Sketch is highly desirable in the modern UX landscape.
π₯ Team Culture & Values
Operations Values:
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User-Centricity: A deep commitment to understanding and serving the needs of people living with diabetes, ensuring products are safe, effective, and easy to use.
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Innovation: Continuously seeking new ways to improve the Omnipod platform and the lives of users, fostering a culture of creativity and forward-thinking.
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Collaboration: Working effectively across diverse teams and disciplines to achieve shared goals, valuing diverse perspectives and open communication.
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Excellence & Quality: Upholding high standards in all aspects of work, from design execution to regulatory compliance, driven by a commitment to patient well-being.
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Integrity & Accountability: Acting with honesty, transparency, and taking ownership of responsibilities, especially critical in the medical device industry.
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Efficiency: Driving process improvements and leveraging technology to optimize workflows and deliver value effectively.
Collaboration Style:
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Cross-functional Integration: The role demands active participation in cross-functional teams, requiring strong interpersonal skills to navigate different departmental priorities and perspectives. Expect a highly collaborative environment where UX insights are integrated early and often.
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Process Review & Feedback: A culture that encourages open feedback on designs and processes, with regular critique sessions and iterative improvements.
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Knowledge Sharing: An environment that supports sharing best practices, learnings, and insights across the UX team and with other departments to foster collective growth and maintain design consistency.
π Enhancement Note: The company's mission-driven nature (simplifying life for people with diabetes) is a significant cultural driver. Candidates should demonstrate how their values align with this mission and how they approach collaboration in a regulated, patient-focused industry.
β‘ Challenges & Growth Opportunities
Challenges:
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Balancing Innovation with Regulation: The primary challenge will be to drive innovative and delightful user experiences while strictly adhering to FDA guidelines and human factors requirements for medical devices. This requires a nuanced approach to design.
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Complex Stakeholder Management: Effectively managing the expectations and needs of diverse stakeholders across R&D, product, marketing, clinical, and regulatory departments.
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Distributed Team Collaboration: Working effectively in a hybrid and potentially globally distributed team environment, requiring strong remote communication and collaboration skills.
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Evolving Technology & User Needs: Keeping pace with rapid advancements in mobile technology, wearable devices, and the evolving needs of the diabetes community.
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Elevating UX Impact: Continuously demonstrating and evangelizing the value of UX design to the broader organization, ensuring it's integrated strategically rather than being an afterthought.
Learning & Development Opportunities:
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Accessibility Expertise: Deepen knowledge in accessibility standards (WCAG) and inclusive design principles, becoming a go-to resource for Insulet.
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Medical Device UX Specialization: Become a subject matter expert in the unique challenges and opportunities of designing for medical devices and patient populations.
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Leadership & Mentorship: Develop leadership skills through mentoring junior designers and potentially leading larger strategic initiatives.
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Cross-functional Exposure: Gain a comprehensive understanding of the end-to-end product development lifecycle in a regulated industry.
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Industry Conferences & Training: Opportunities to attend relevant UX, accessibility, and medical device industry conferences and training sessions.
π Enhancement Note: The role offers a unique opportunity to work at the intersection of cutting-edge UX design, healthcare technology, and regulatory compliance. Success will depend on the ability to navigate these complexities and drive impactful user experiences.
π‘ Interview Preparation
Strategy Questions:
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"Describe a complex UX design challenge you faced in a regulated industry or medical device context. How did you approach it, and what was the outcome?" (Focus on balancing user needs with compliance, showcasing your problem-solving process and strategic thinking.)
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"How would you lead a cross-functional team to integrate accessibility best practices into the mobile app development lifecycle from the outset?" (Demonstrate your leadership, understanding of accessibility principles, and ability to influence diverse teams.)
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"Walk us through a project where you had to translate a high-level business or user need into a compelling digital experience. What was your process, and how did you measure success?" (Highlight your ability to innovate, design thinking, and focus on measurable outcomes.) Company & Culture Questions:
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"Based on your research, what do you see as the biggest UX opportunity for Insulet's Omnipod platform, and how would you approach it?" (Showcase your understanding of the company's mission, products, and market.)
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"How do you approach mentoring junior designers, and what's your philosophy on fostering a collaborative UX team environment?" (Assess your leadership potential and team-building skills.)
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"How do you ensure your design decisions are data-driven and aligned with business objectives, especially when dealing with user feedback and technical constraints?" (Evaluate your analytical approach and ability to balance competing priorities.) Portfolio Presentation Strategy:
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Structure for Impact: Begin with an executive summary of your role and the project's objective. Then, detail the problem statement, user research/insights, your design process (ideation, wireframing, prototyping, testing), key design decisions and rationale, final solution, and quantifiable results/impact.
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Visual Storytelling: Use high-fidelity mockups, interactive prototypes, and clear annotations to guide the audience through your design. Avoid overwhelming slides with text; let your visuals and narrative speak.
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Focus on "Why": For each decision, explain the reasoning behind it, linking it back to user needs, business goals, or technical constraints.
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Highlight Collaboration: Explicitly mention how you collaborated with engineers, product managers, human factors, and other stakeholders.
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Address Accessibility: If possible, weave in how accessibility considerations were part of your design process or highlight specific accessible design choices made.
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Practice Delivery: Rehearse your presentation to ensure it's engaging, concise, and within the allocated time. Be prepared for follow-up questions that probe deeper into your process and decisions.
π Enhancement Note: Candidates should prepare to articulate their thought process, design rationale, and ability to navigate complex, regulated environments. Demonstrating leadership in design, collaboration, and a strong understanding of accessibility within the medical device context will be key.
π Application Steps
To apply for this UX Accessibility Lead position:
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Submit your application: Navigate to the Insulet Careers site and submit your application through the provided online portal. Ensure all required fields are completed accurately.
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Tailor your Resume: Optimize your resume to highlight your 7+ years of UX and product design experience, focusing on mobile app design, agile methodologies, cross-functional collaboration, and any experience with medical devices or regulated industries. Use keywords from the job description.
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Prepare Your Portfolio: Curate a portfolio that showcases your most relevant and impactful projects. Prioritize case studies demonstrating leadership, complex problem-solving, mobile UX expertise (Android/iOS), and your design process. If possible, include examples that touch on accessibility or inclusive design. Ensure your portfolio tells a compelling story with clear articulation of challenges, solutions, and outcomes.
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Research Insulet and Omnipod: Familiarize yourself with Insulet's mission, products (especially Omnipod), and company values. Understand their position in the diabetes management market and the importance of user experience and accessibility for their patient base.
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Practice Your Presentation: Rehearse your portfolio presentation thoroughly. Be ready to articulate your design decisions, process, and impact clearly and concisely, and prepare for potential scenario-based questions related to leadership, collaboration, and design challenges.
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 possess a Bachelor's or Master's degree in a relevant field and at least 7 years of experience in UX and product design. Expert knowledge of industry-standard design tools and mobile UI guidelines, along with experience in an agile development environment, is required.