UX Architect

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: UX Architect

Company: CapTech Consulting

Location: Reston, Virginia, United States

Job Type: Full-time

Category: Customer Experience (CX) / User Experience (UX) Design

Date Posted: May 08, 2026

Experience Level: 5-10 years professional experience

Remote Status: Hybrid

🚀 Role Summary

• Spearhead the design of sophisticated, intuitive, and impactful digital brand experiences that align user goals with business objectives.

• Leverage qualitative and quantitative user research, accessibility best practices, and emerging technologies like AI to inform design decisions.

• Mentor junior practitioners and lead advanced design activities, ensuring successful project delivery and driving the evolution of CX methodologies.

• Collaborate closely with cross-functional teams including UX/Creative Directors, user researchers, developers, and business system analysts.

• Advocate for accessible design and usability, contributing to the continuous improvement of CapTech's CX capabilities and toolset.

📝 Enhancement Note: Based on the title "UX Architect" and the description emphasizing leadership, mentorship, and strategic design, this role is positioned as a senior contributor or lead within the CX/UX practice. The mention of AI-powered design tools indicates a forward-thinking approach to design processes.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Lead the end-to-end creation of design artifacts, including personas, customer journey maps, wireframes, responsive visual designs, and interactive prototypes, adhering to interaction design and usability best practices.

• Facilitate and lead advanced design activities such as design workshops, rapid prototyping sessions, and iterative user testing cycles to gather critical feedback and refine solutions.

• Develop and deliver clear, concise, and compelling presentations to clients and internal teams, effectively articulating the rationale and strategic thinking behind design decisions.

• Conduct thorough competitive assessments, identify innovative design alternatives, and stay abreast of the latest design and technology trends to inform project strategy.

• Explore, integrate, and advocate for the use of AI-powered design tools and workflows, experimenting with new approaches to enhance creativity, efficiency, and overall project impact.

• Champion the principles of accessible design (WCAG 2.2) and inclusive design practices, educating clients and team members on their importance and benefits.

• Provide insightful and constructive feedback on designs, focusing on interactions, information architecture, content strategy, and alignment with overarching business goals and user needs.

• Actively seek and volunteer for CX leadership opportunities, contributing to the development of methodologies, capabilities, and toolsets within the practice.

• Engage in professional development, industry involvement, and lead by example in continuous learning and skill enhancement within the UX domain.

• Proactively mentor junior designers, providing design oversight, art direction, and constructive critique to ensure high-quality output and professional growth for team members.

📝 Enhancement Note: The extensive list of responsibilities highlights a senior-level role with significant ownership, leadership, and strategic input expected. The emphasis on mentoring and contributing to practice development suggests a desire for the candidate to shape the future of CapTech's CX offerings.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

Experience:

• A minimum of 5+ years of professional experience, ideally within a design consultancy or digital agency environment.

• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously, successfully delivering against defined scope, budget, and timelines.

Required Skills:

• Proven expertise in product strategy, heuristic analysis, information architecture, user research methodologies, user interface (UI) design, wireframing, prototyping, and usability testing.

• Strong conceptual and visual communication skills, with expert knowledge of interaction design principles and usability standards.

• Demonstrated ability to span multiple projects and manage diverse design challenges concurrently.

• Analytical capabilities necessary to derive actionable insights and recommendations from user research and data.

• Confident self-starter with the ability to take feedback constructively and collaborate effectively with project teams and leadership.

Preferred Skills:

• Proficiency with Adobe Creative Suite (Illustrator, Photoshop, InDesign) and presentation software (PowerPoint).

• Familiarity with user research tools such as Optimal Workshop, UserTesting.com, and SurveyMonkey.

• Working knowledge of Agile product development lifecycles and practices.

• Familiarity with WCAG 2.2 Accessibility standards and Inclusive Design principles.

📝 Enhancement Note: The requirement for Figma proficiency is highlighted with specific advanced features, indicating a need for a candidate who can contribute to efficient design systems and handoff processes. The preference for agency/consultancy experience suggests a fast-paced, client-facing environment.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A comprehensive online portfolio is mandatory for consideration, showcasing a range of human-centered design projects.

• Demonstrate a strong understanding of the design process from discovery to delivery, including user research, ideation, wireframing, prototyping, and usability testing.

• Showcase examples of successful product strategy, information architecture, and interaction design solutions.

• Include case studies that highlight how designs met specific user needs and business objectives, with clear articulation of the problem, process, and outcomes.

Process Documentation:

• Examples of how you have led design workshops, conducted user research, and facilitated rapid prototyping sessions.

• Documentation or case studies illustrating your approach to creating personas and customer journey maps to inform design decisions.

• Demonstrations of your proficiency in creating developer-ready UI components and utilizing advanced Figma features for design systems and handoff.

• Portfolios should ideally include examples of contributions to or development of design methodologies, capabilities, or toolsets within a practice.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on a "link to your online portfolio" is critical. Candidates should curate their portfolios to specifically highlight projects demonstrating the required skills, processes, and leadership qualities mentioned in the job description, with a strong focus on human-centered design and impactful outcomes.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

Benefits:

• Comprehensive health coverage, disability insurance, and generous paid family leave.

• Extensive learning and development programs, including certification and tuition support, digital on-demand learning courses, mentorship, and defined skill development paths.

• Access to Modern Health, a mental health and well-being platform offering 1:1 care, group sessions, and self-serve resources.

• Carrot Fertility benefits, providing inclusive coverage for various paths to parenthood.

• Fringe stipend program for personalized lifestyle benefits (e.g., streaming services, student loan repayment, fitness).

• Participation in Employee Resource Groups and philanthropic partnerships.

• 401(k) matching with no vesting period to support financial wellness.

Working Hours:

• Standard full-time hours are expected, typically around 40 hours per week. While CapTech offers a flexible work environment and remote work is permitted when compatible with client needs, employees must be available to work onsite at client locations or CapTech offices as requested.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range is an estimation based on typical compensation for a UX Architect in a high-cost-of-living area like Northern Virginia, combined with the consulting industry's compensation structures. The benefits package is extensive, indicating a strong focus on employee well-being and professional growth.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Consulting (Technology, Digital Transformation, Customer Experience)

Company Size: CapTech Consulting is an award-winning firm that collaborates with clients ranging from Fortune 100 companies to mid-sized enterprises and government agencies. (Implied to be a large, established consulting firm).

Founded: The company was founded with a passion for building strong, long-lasting client relationships. (Specific founding date not provided, but implies a history of stable growth).

Team Structure:

• The CX team likely consists of specialized roles such as UX Architects, User Researchers, Interaction Designers, and Visual Designers, working collaboratively.

• UX Architects are expected to mentor other practitioners and may report to a UX Director or similar leadership role within the CX practice.

Methodology:

• Emphasizes a human-centered design approach, integrating user research, product strategy, and experience design.

• Leverages agile product development lifecycles and practices.

• Encourages exploration and adoption of emerging technologies, including AI-powered design tools.

• Values strong communication, conceptual thinking, and data-driven insights to inform design decisions.

Company Website: https://www.captechconsulting.com/

📝 Enhancement Note: CapTech's positioning as an award-winning consultancy suggests a high-performance culture focused on client success and innovation. The emphasis on relationships and long-term partnerships indicates a client-centric approach.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This is a Senior UX Architect role, signifying a lead contributor with significant experience and a track record of designing complex digital experiences. The role involves mentorship and contributing to the practice's methodologies, placing it at a mid-to-senior level within the UX discipline.

Reporting Structure: UX Architects are expected to take direction from UX and Creative Directors, while also mentoring and overseeing the work of other practitioners. They will collaborate closely with project teams, implying a matrixed reporting structure depending on client engagements.

Operations Impact: UX Architects at CapTech are pivotal in ensuring that technology solutions are not only functional but also intuitive, impactful, and accessible, directly influencing client satisfaction, user adoption, and ultimately, business outcomes. They translate user needs and business objectives into tangible digital experiences that drive engagement and achieve strategic goals.

Growth Opportunities:

• Specialization & Leadership: Opportunities to deepen expertise in specific areas of CX (e.g., AI in design, accessibility, product strategy) or to move into leadership roles managing UX teams or practice areas.

• Skill Development: Continuous learning through internal programs, external certifications, mentorship, and exposure to diverse client projects and industries.

• Advancement Path: Potential to progress to roles like Principal UX Architect, CX Director, or lead strategic initiatives within CapTech's service offerings.

📝 Enhancement Note: The description explicitly mentions "customizable career progression" and "mentorship," indicating a structured approach to employee development. The role is designed for individuals who want to grow beyond individual contribution into leadership and practice development.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: CapTech operates with a hybrid work model. While remote work is supported when compatible with client needs, employees must be available to work onsite in a client location or a CapTech office as requested. This suggests a blend of remote flexibility and in-person collaboration.

Office Location(s): Primary locations mentioned are Richmond and Reston, Virginia. Candidates should be prepared to work from these or other client-designated locations.

Workspace Context:

• The environment is client-facing and project-driven, requiring adaptability and strong collaboration skills.

• Expect access to industry-standard design tools, including a strong emphasis on Figma, and potentially other Adobe Creative Suite applications.

• Opportunities for frequent interaction with diverse project teams, clients, and fellow CX practitioners are inherent to the role.

Work Schedule: While standard full-time hours (approx. 40/week) are expected, the consulting nature may sometimes require flexibility to meet client deadlines or project milestones. The hybrid model allows for a balance between focused remote work and collaborative in-office sessions.

📝 Enhancement Note: The hybrid nature necessitates strong self-management skills for remote work, coupled with the ability to engage effectively in in-person client meetings and team sessions.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: Resume and portfolio review to assess qualifications and experience against job requirements.

• Hiring Manager Interview: Discussion with Laura Massa (or relevant hiring manager) to delve into experience, motivations, and cultural fit.

• Design Challenge/Case Study: A practical exercise to evaluate problem-solving skills, design thinking, and proficiency with design tools (e.g., Figma). This may involve presenting a solution to a defined problem or critiquing an existing design.

• Team/Director Interviews: Meetings with other UX practitioners or leadership to assess collaboration style, mentorship capabilities, and strategic thinking.

• Final Interview: Potential discussion with senior leadership to confirm fit and discuss role expectations.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select 3-5 of your strongest projects that best demonstrate the required skills (product strategy, IA, interaction design, research, Figma proficiency, accessibility).

• Tell a Story: For each project, clearly articulate the problem, your role, the process you followed, the tools you used (especially Figma), the challenges you faced, and the measurable outcomes or impact.

• Highlight Figma Expertise: Showcase examples of complex component libraries, auto layout usage, variables, design tokens, and efficient design handoff processes.

• Demonstrate Impact: Quantify results whenever possible (e.g., improved conversion rates, reduced user errors, increased task completion times). If quantitative data isn't available, articulate the qualitative impact and strategic rationale.

• Accessibility Focus: If possible, include projects or discuss your approach to designing for accessibility (WCAG 2.2) and inclusive design.

• Professional Presentation: Ensure your online portfolio is well-organized, visually appealing, and easy to navigate.

Challenge Preparation:

• Understand the Brief: Carefully read and understand any design challenge prompt. Ask clarifying questions if needed.

• Emphasize Process: Focus on explaining your thought process, decision-making, and how you would approach solving the problem, rather than just presenting a final solution.

• Figma Proficiency: Be prepared to demonstrate your Figma skills live or discuss how you would use specific features to build a solution efficiently.

• Time Management: Allocate your time wisely during the challenge. It's often better to present a well-reasoned approach to a partial solution than an incomplete solution to the whole problem.

• Articulate Rationale: Be ready to clearly explain the "why" behind your design choices, linking them back to user needs and business goals.

📝 Enhancement Note: The portfolio is a critical component. Candidates must tailor their presentation to explicitly address the requirements for Figma proficiency, human-centered design, and leadership/mentorship aspects.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Figma: Essential for wireframing, prototyping, UI design, component libraries, design systems, auto layout, variables, and design tokens. Expected to be used for developer-ready handoffs.

• Adobe Creative Suite: Proficiency preferred in Illustrator, Photoshop, and InDesign for supporting design tasks and asset creation.

• Microsoft PowerPoint: Preferred for client and internal presentations, requiring strong visual communication skills.

Analytics & Reporting:

• User Research Tools: Familiarity with tools like Optimal Workshop (for IA testing), UserTesting.com (for remote usability testing), and SurveyMonkey (for surveys) is a plus.

CRM & Automation:

• Agile Development Tools: Working knowledge of Agile product development lifecycles and practices is a plus, indicating familiarity with project management and collaboration tools common in software development (e.g., Jira, Confluence).

📝 Enhancement Note: Figma is the standout tool requirement, with specific advanced features mentioned. This indicates a need for a candidate who can contribute to and leverage robust design systems and efficient workflows.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Client Success: A core focus on delivering impactful results and building lasting relationships with clients.

• Collaboration: Strong emphasis on teamwork, cross-functional partnerships, and open communication.

• Innovation & Learning: Encouragement to explore new technologies (like AI in design), continuously learn, and contribute to evolving methodologies.

• Excellence & Quality: Commitment to high standards in design, usability, and accessibility.

• Inclusivity & Diversity: Fostering an environment where unique ideas, backgrounds, and experiences are valued and incorporated.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-functional integration: Working closely with developers, business analysts, and creative directors to ensure holistic product development.

• Mentorship and Feedback: A culture of constructive feedback and proactive mentorship, where senior members guide junior talent.

• Knowledge Sharing: Encouragement to share best practices, contribute to internal methodologies, and participate in CX community meetings and trainings.

📝 Enhancement Note: CapTech's emphasis on relationships and its commitment to diversity and inclusion suggest a collaborative and supportive work environment, balanced with a drive for high performance and client satisfaction.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing User Needs and Business Goals: Navigating complex client requirements to create solutions that satisfy both user experience and business objectives.

• Adapting to Evolving Technologies: Staying current with rapid advancements in design tools, AI, and digital trends, and integrating them effectively into practice.

• Client Management & Communication: Effectively managing client expectations, presenting design rationale, and advocating for UX best practices in diverse stakeholder environments.

• Mentorship and Leadership: Developing strong leadership and mentorship skills to guide junior designers and contribute to practice development.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Skill Advancement: Pursuing specialized training in areas like advanced Figma techniques, AI-driven design, accessibility standards, or product strategy.

• Industry Exposure: Opportunities to attend industry conferences, participate in professional development programs, and engage with the broader design community.

• Leadership Development: Pathways to take on more significant leadership roles, manage larger projects, or contribute to CapTech's strategic growth and service offerings.

📝 Enhancement Note: The role offers a clear path for growth from a senior individual contributor to a leadership position, with ample opportunities for continuous learning and skill enhancement within the dynamic field of UX design.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you had to balance conflicting user needs and business requirements. How did you approach it, and what was the outcome?" (Prepare a STAR method response focusing on your process, decision-making, and impact.)

• "How do you stay current with emerging design trends and technologies, particularly AI in design? Can you give an example of how you've incorporated a new tool or approach into your work?" (Highlight your proactive learning and practical application.)

Company & Culture Questions:

• "Why are you interested in CapTech Consulting specifically, and what attracts you to our CX practice?" (Research CapTech's recent projects, values, and awards. Connect your aspirations to their offerings.)

• "How do you approach mentoring junior designers, and what feedback have you received on your mentorship style?" (Be ready to discuss your philosophy and provide specific examples.)

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• High-Level Overview: Start with a brief introduction to CapTech and the role, setting the context for your portfolio review.

• Project Selection: Choose 3-4 key projects that best represent the required skills (Figma, IA, research, strategy, mentorship).

• Narrative Structure: For each project, clearly outline the problem, your role, the process (emphasizing Figma usage and any research/strategy), challenges, solutions, and quantifiable/qualitative outcomes.

• Figma Deep Dive: Be prepared to discuss specific Figma features you utilized (auto layout, component libraries, variables, design tokens) and how they contributed to efficiency and scalability.

• Interactive Discussion: Be ready to answer questions about your design decisions, trade-offs, and how you would approach similar problems in the future.

📝 Enhancement Note: Candidates should prepare to not only showcase their design work but also articulate their strategic thinking, leadership potential, and ability to contribute to CapTech's practice development.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this UX Architect position:

• Submit Application: Complete the application process through the provided link on jobs.smartrecruiters.com.

• Curate Your Portfolio: Ensure your online portfolio is up-to-date and features projects that directly demonstrate your expertise in human-centered design, information architecture, interaction design, and advanced Figma proficiency. Tailor your project selection to highlight your ability to lead, mentor, and integrate AI-powered tools.

• Optimize Your Resume: Highlight your 5+ years of relevant experience, focusing on achievements in design consultancy or digital agencies. Use keywords from the job description, such as "UX Architect," "Figma," "Information Architecture," "User Research," "Prototyping," and "AI-powered design tools."

• Prepare Your Case Studies: Practice presenting your portfolio projects, focusing on the problem, your process, your role, the tools used (especially Figma), challenges overcome, and measurable outcomes. Be ready to discuss your approach to accessibility and mentorship.

• Research CapTech: Familiarize yourself with CapTech Consulting's work, values, and their approach to customer experience. Understand their client base and industry focus to tailor your responses during interviews to demonstrate cultural fit and strategic alignment.

⚠️ 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.