UX Architect

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: UX Architect

Company: CapTech Consulting

Location: Richmond, Virginia, United States (with potential for Salt Lake City, UT, USA)

Job Type: Full-time

Category: Customer Experience (CX) / Design Operations

Date Posted: May 26, 2026

Experience Level: 5-10 years professional experience

🚀 Role Summary

• Lead the design and development of sophisticated, intuitive, and impactful digital brand experiences by leveraging user research and accessibility best practices.

• Drive product strategy, information architecture, and interaction design to ensure seamless alignment between user needs and business objectives.

• Mentor junior practitioners, oversee design quality, and advocate for user-centered design principles within cross-functional teams.

• Utilize advanced design tools, including Figma, to create detailed wireframes, prototypes, and developer-ready UI components, while exploring AI-powered design workflows.

• Contribute to the evolution of CapTech's Customer Experience (CX) methodologies, capabilities, and toolset, fostering a culture of continuous improvement and innovation.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the primary location is Richmond, VA, the mention of "Salt Lake City, UT, USA" as an alternative suggests potential flexibility or a distributed team structure. The role is firmly within the CX/Design Operations domain, focusing on the strategic and architectural aspects of user experience design.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Spearhead the creation of foundational CX deliverables, including user personas, comprehensive customer journey maps, detailed wireframes, responsive visual designs, and interactive prototypes, adhering strictly to interaction design and usability best practices.

• Lead and facilitate advanced design activities such as intensive design thinking workshops, rapid prototyping sessions, and iterative user testing to validate and refine design solutions.

• Develop and deliver compelling, data-driven presentations to both clients and internal stakeholders, clearly articulating the strategic rationale and user-centric foundation behind design decisions.

• Conduct thorough competitive assessments to identify innovative design alternatives and market opportunities, while staying abreast of emerging design and technology trends.

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

• Champion the principles and benefits of accessible design (WCAG 2.2 standards) and inclusive design practices among clients and project teams, ensuring equitable digital experiences.

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

• Take initiative in seeking and contributing to CX leadership opportunities, actively participating in the development of methodologies, capabilities, and toolsets. This includes leading and attending CX meetings and training sessions, and engaging in continuous professional development and industry involvement.

• Proactively mentor other design practitioners, offering guidance and art direction for visual and interaction designers to elevate the quality and consistency of design output across projects.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a blend of hands-on design leadership, strategic thinking, mentoring, and a forward-looking approach towards AI and accessibility, indicating a senior-level role with significant influence.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

Experience:

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

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

Required Skills:

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

• Strong conceptual and visual communication skills, with expert-level knowledge of interaction design principles and usability standards, enabling effective management of multiple complex projects.

• Proven understanding and application of user research and usability testing methodologies, coupled with strong analytical capabilities to derive actionable insights and recommendations.

• Confident self-starter attitude with the ability to receive and integrate feedback from clients and senior leadership (UX/Creative Directors) with humility, while fostering collaborative relationships with project teams.

• Exceptional problem-solving skills and a proactive, collaborative approach to working alongside interaction designers, user researchers, developers, and business system analysts.

Preferred Skills:

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

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

• Working knowledge of Agile product development lifecycles and methodologies.

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

• Experience with multiple domains of human-centered design, including optimization strategies and customer insight analysis.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on Figma proficiency, including specific advanced features and developer handoff capabilities, points to a need for candidates who can bridge the gap between design and development efficiently. The "5+ years" requirement aligns with a senior or lead-level position.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A comprehensive online portfolio is mandatory for consideration, showcasing a strong foundation in human-centered design principles and methodologies.

• The portfolio should demonstrate a clear understanding of product strategy, information architecture, and interaction design, evidenced through case studies of successfully launched digital products or experiences.

• Include examples of user research, persona development, customer journey mapping, wireframing, prototyping, and usability testing results, highlighting the impact of these activities on design decisions.

• Showcase proficiency with design tools, particularly Figma, with examples of complex component libraries, design systems, and efficient design handoff processes.

Process Documentation:

• Ability to articulate and document design processes, from initial research and ideation through to final design and testing, for both client presentations and internal knowledge sharing.

• Experience in leading design workshops and collaborative sessions, documenting outcomes and action items effectively.

• Showcase how design processes were adapted or optimized to fit specific project constraints or methodologies (e.g., Agile).

📝 Enhancement Note: A strong portfolio is explicitly stated as a requirement, underscoring its critical importance. The focus is on demonstrating a systematic approach to UX design, from research to implementation support, with a clear preference for Figma expertise and an understanding of design systems.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

The provided job description does not include specific salary details. However, based on industry benchmarks for a UX Architect with 5-10 years of experience in a major US metropolitan area like Richmond, VA, a competitive salary range would typically fall between $100,000 and $150,000 annually. This estimate can vary based on the specific client engagement, the candidate's full skill set, and negotiation.

Benefits:

• Comprehensive traditional benefits package including:

  • Generous Paid Time Off (PTO)
  • Health Coverage
  • Disability Insurance
  • Paid Family Leave

• Extended and modern benefits to support employee well-being and lifestyle:

  • Learning & Development Programs: Offering certification and tuition support, digital on-demand learning courses, mentorship, and dedicated skill development paths.
  • Modern Health: Access to a mental health and well-being platform for 1:1 care, group support, and self-serve resources.
  • Carrot Fertility: Inclusive fertility and family-forming coverage (adoption, surrogacy, treatments, pregnancy) with employer-sponsored funds.
  • Fringe: A company-paid lifestyle benefits stipend, allowing employees to choose personalized benefits (e.g., streaming services, student loan repayment, fitness, travel).
  • Employee Resource Groups (ERGs): Committees focused on embracing diversity and inclusion.
  • Philanthropic Partnerships: Opportunities for community engagement and pro-bono projects.

Working Hours:

• Standard full-time working hours, typically around 40 hours per week.

• Employees must be available to work onsite at client locations or CapTech offices as requested.

• Remote work is permitted when compatible with CapTech and client needs, indicating a hybrid work model.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range is an estimation based on industry standards for a UX Architect in the US. The benefits package is extensive, with a strong emphasis on professional development, mental health, family support, and personalized lifestyle choices. The hybrid work model is clearly defined.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Technology Consulting / Professional Services

Company Size: The provided data indicates CapTech Consulting has a significant presence, likely falling into the "Large" category (1,000+ employees) based on typical consulting firm structures and client engagements ranging from Fortune 100 to mid-sized enterprises. This scale suggests a structured yet dynamic environment with opportunities for diverse project exposure.

Founded: The company was founded with a vision to build strong, long-lasting relationships with clients through technology. This foundational principle likely translates into a culture that values client success, professional integrity, and sustained partnerships.

Team Structure:

• The Customer Experience (CX) team likely comprises various specialists, including UX Architects, User Researchers, Interaction Designers, Visual Designers, and Content Strategists.

• As a UX Architect, you would likely report to a UX Director or Creative Director, with direct collaboration across project teams that include Business Analysts, Developers, Project Managers, and client stakeholders.

Methodology:

• CapTech emphasizes a technology-driven approach to client solutions, suggesting a focus on data-informed decision-making and leveraging technology to achieve business outcomes.

• For CX, this likely involves a blend of established human-centered design methodologies and an openness to innovative approaches, including AI-powered tools and agile development practices.

• The company's consultative nature means processes are often tailored to client needs, requiring adaptability and a strong understanding of project management frameworks.

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

📝 Enhancement Note: CapTech's emphasis on technology and strong client relationships suggests an environment where operational excellence and strategic thinking are valued. The consulting nature implies a fast-paced, project-oriented environment with a focus on delivering tangible results.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This UX Architect role is positioned at a senior to lead level within the CX/Design Operations domain. It requires not only deep individual expertise in UX design principles and tools but also the ability to mentor others, lead design initiatives, and contribute to the strategic direction of the CX practice. The role demands a blend of hands-on execution and strategic leadership.

Reporting Structure:

• You will likely report to a senior leader within the CX or Digital Transformation practice, such as a UX Director, Creative Director, or Practice Lead.

Operations Impact:

• As a UX Architect, your primary impact will be on enhancing the user experience of digital products and services, leading to increased user satisfaction, engagement, and conversion rates.

• By ensuring designs are intuitive, impactful, and accessible, you directly contribute to client business objectives, such as improved customer loyalty, operational efficiency, and revenue growth.

Growth Opportunities:

• Specialization: Deepen expertise in specific areas like AI-driven design, advanced accessibility, or specialized industry UX (e.g., FinTech, Healthcare).

• Leadership: Progress into roles such as UX Director, leading larger design teams, managing client relationships at a strategic level, or heading up specific practice areas within CX.

• Strategy: Move towards more strategic roles in product strategy, digital transformation consulting, or service design leadership.

• Mentorship & Training: Take on formal mentorship roles, develop training materials, and contribute to CapTech’s internal knowledge base and methodology development.

• Industry Involvement: Represent CapTech at conferences, contribute to industry publications, and build a personal brand within the UX community.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role offers significant growth potential, moving beyond individual contribution to leadership, strategic influence, and practice development within a respected consulting firm. The emphasis on mentorship and contributing to methodologies points to career paths involving internal leadership and expertise development.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: CapTech operates as a consulting firm, meaning the work environment is often project-dependent. This can involve working from CapTech's own offices, client-site offices, or a hybrid arrangement. The description implies a commitment to flexibility balanced with client needs, suggesting a modern, collaborative workspace in their own offices and a professional, client-focused environment when on-site.

Office Location(s):

• Primary: Richmond, Virginia, United States.

• Potential secondary/flexible location: Salt Lake City, UT, USA.

Workspace Context:

• Collaboration: Expect a highly collaborative environment, working closely with diverse teams of designers, researchers, developers, and business stakeholders. This necessitates strong communication and interpersonal skills.

• Tools & Technology: Access to industry-standard design software (Figma, Adobe Creative Suite) and user research tools is expected, along with modern communication and project management platforms. The role also encourages exploration of emerging technologies like AI design tools.

• Team Interaction: Regular team meetings, design reviews, client presentations, and workshops will be part of the routine, fostering a dynamic and interactive work setting.

Work Schedule:

• While standard full-time hours (approx. 40/week) are expected, consulting roles often require flexibility to meet client deadlines and project demands.

• The hybrid work model allows for remote work when feasible, offering a degree of autonomy and work-life balance, provided client needs and onsite requirements are met.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on client-facing work and the hybrid model means candidates should be comfortable with a mix of remote and in-person collaboration, adapting to different project environments.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

1. Application Screening: Initial review of your resume and, crucially, your online portfolio. A strong, relevant portfolio is the primary gatekeeper for this role.

2. Recruiter/HR Screen: A preliminary conversation to assess general fit, experience, salary expectations, and understanding of the role and company.

3. Hiring Manager/Team Lead Interview: A deeper dive into your experience, focusing on specific UX architecture skills, problem-solving abilities, and your approach to user research, design strategy, and tool proficiency (especially Figma).

4. Portfolio Presentation & Design Challenge: You will likely be asked to present a case study from your portfolio, walking the team through your process, rationale, and outcomes. A design challenge or a deep-dive discussion on a hypothetical UX problem may also occur.

5. Stakeholder/Cross-Functional Interview: Meeting with potential team members (e.g., developers, business analysts) and senior leadership to assess collaboration style, communication skills, and cultural fit.

6. Final Interview/Offer: Discussion with senior leadership, followed by an offer if successful.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Selectively: Choose 3-4 of your strongest, most relevant projects that showcase your UX Architecture skills, problem-solving approach, and impact. Prioritize projects that align with consulting work and demonstrate a full lifecycle of design.

• Tell a Story: For each project, clearly outline the problem, your role, the process (research, ideation, design, testing), the tools used, your specific contributions, the challenges overcome, and the measurable outcomes or impact. Use visuals effectively.

• Highlight Figma Expertise: Specifically showcase examples of complex Figma usage, such as design system components, auto layout, variables, and efficient developer handoff documentation.

• Demonstrate Strategy: Clearly articulate the strategic thinking behind your design decisions, linking them to user needs and business goals.

• Accessibility Focus: If possible, include a project where accessibility (WCAG 2.2) was a key consideration and demonstrate how you addressed it.

• Conciseness: Be prepared to present your portfolio concisely and answer specific questions about your process and decisions.

Challenge Preparation:

• Understand the Context: If given a design challenge, ensure you fully grasp the problem statement, target users, and business objectives. Ask clarifying questions.

• Process Over Perfection: Focus on demonstrating your thought process, problem-solving approach, and how you would tackle the challenge using UX principles, rather than delivering a fully polished final design within a limited time.

• Communicate Your Thinking: Verbally walk through your steps, assumptions, and rationale. Explain why you are making certain decisions.

• Consider Constraints: Be mindful of potential constraints (time, technical feasibility) and how you would navigate them.

• Embrace Collaboration: If the challenge involves collaboration, demonstrate your ability to work effectively with others.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process heavily emphasizes practical application and demonstration of skills, particularly through the portfolio and potential design challenges. Candidates must be prepared to articulate their design process and strategic rationale clearly.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Figma: Essential and preferred tool for UI design, prototyping, and creating developer-ready assets. Expertise in advanced features like auto layout, component libraries, variables, and design tokens is highly valued for efficient design handoff and scalability.

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

• Prototyping Tools: Beyond Figma's capabilities, familiarity with other advanced prototyping tools may be beneficial.

• Wireframing Tools: Tools for low-fidelity design and concept exploration.

Analytics & Reporting:

• User Research Tools: Familiarity with platforms like UserTesting.com, Optimal Workshop, and SurveyMonkey for conducting user research, usability testing, and gathering feedback.

• Data Analysis Tools: While not explicitly listed, the ability to interpret analytics data (e.g., from web analytics platforms) to inform design decisions is a strong asset.

• Presentation Software: Proficiency in PowerPoint for creating client-facing presentations and communicating design rationale.

CRM & Automation:

• While not directly a UX tool, understanding how UX integrates with CRM systems and marketing automation platforms can be beneficial for holistic GTM strategies. Familiarity with Agile methodologies is also a plus for development lifecycle integration.

📝 Enhancement Note: Figma proficiency is a critical differentiator for this role. The expectation is for candidates to leverage advanced Figma features for robust design systems and efficient collaboration with development teams.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Client-Centricity: A strong focus on understanding and solving client challenges through innovative technology and design solutions. This means prioritizing client success and building lasting relationships.

• Excellence & Quality: A commitment to delivering high-quality, impactful work that meets rigorous standards. This applies to both the final product and the design process itself.

• Collaboration & Teamwork: Valuing the collective intelligence of the team, encouraging open communication, and fostering a supportive environment where diverse perspectives are welcomed.

• Innovation & Continuous Learning: A culture that encourages exploration of new technologies, methodologies (like AI in design), and continuous professional development to stay at the forefront of the industry.

• Integrity & Professionalism: Upholding high ethical standards in all interactions with clients and colleagues.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-Functional Integration: Seamless collaboration with developers, business analysts, researchers, and project managers is fundamental. This involves clear communication, shared understanding of project goals, and mutual respect for different disciplines.

• Feedback-Driven: An environment where constructive feedback is regularly exchanged, both giving and receiving, to refine designs and processes. This requires humility and a focus on continuous improvement.

• Knowledge Sharing: Encouraging the sharing of best practices, learnings, and insights across projects and teams to elevate the collective expertise within CapTech.

📝 Enhancement Note: The company culture emphasizes client success, quality, and continuous improvement, supported by a collaborative and learning-oriented environment. This is crucial for a consulting role where adaptability and strong interpersonal skills are key.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing Diverse Needs: Juggling the often-competing needs of users, business stakeholders, and technical constraints requires strong negotiation, prioritization, and strategic thinking.

• Rapidly Evolving Technology: Staying current with new design tools, AI advancements, and emerging digital trends requires a commitment to continuous learning and adaptation.

• Consulting Pace: Adapting to the fast-paced, project-driven nature of consulting, which may involve tight deadlines, shifting priorities, and diverse client environments.

• Driving Adoption of UX Best Practices: Advocating for user-centered design principles and accessibility standards within organizations that may have varying levels of UX maturity.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Formal Training: Access to certification programs, tuition support, and a wide array of digital on-demand learning courses covering design, technology, and business skills.

• Mentorship: Opportunities to be mentored by senior leaders and to mentor junior designers, fostering skill development and leadership capabilities.

• Industry Exposure: Engaging with industry conferences, professional networks, and contributing to thought leadership within the UX community.

• Skill Specialization: The chance to deepen expertise in areas like AI-powered design, advanced accessibility, design systems, or specific industry verticals through project work and dedicated learning paths.

📝 Enhancement Note: The role presents opportunities to tackle complex design challenges and grow significantly within the UX field, particularly in areas like AI integration and strategic design leadership.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a complex digital product you architected. Walk us through your process from initial concept to final design, highlighting your strategic decisions and how you balanced user needs with business goals." (Focus on your portfolio case study).

• "How do you approach leading design workshops and ensuring productive collaboration with cross-functional teams, including developers and business analysts?" (Prepare examples of facilitation and stakeholder management).

• "Tell us about a time you had to advocate for a design decision that was met with resistance. How did you approach it, and what was the outcome?" (Demonstrate your communication, persuasion, and problem-solving skills).

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What attracts you to CapTech Consulting, and how do you see your skills and experience contributing to our CX practice?" (Research CapTech's values, client work, and CX offerings).

• "Describe your ideal team environment and how you contribute to a collaborative culture." (Align your answer with CapTech's emphasis on teamwork and client success).

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure Your Narrative: For each selected project, follow a clear story arc: Problem -> Your Role -> Process -> Solution -> Impact/Results.

• Quantify Impact: Where possible, use metrics to demonstrate the success of your designs (e.g., increased conversion rates, reduced task completion time, improved user satisfaction scores).

• Showcase Figma Mastery: Explicitly highlight your use of advanced Figma features, design systems, and efficient handoff processes. Be ready to show examples of your file organization and component libraries.

• Explain Your 'Why': Be prepared to articulate the rationale behind every significant design decision you made, linking it back to user research or business objectives.

• Practice Delivery: Rehearse your presentation to ensure it's concise, engaging, and within any time limits. Anticipate questions about your process and decisions.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process is geared towards assessing practical application, strategic thinking, and communication skills. Candidates must be prepared to deeply discuss their past work, demonstrate tool proficiency, and articulate their design philosophy.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this UX Architect position:

• Submit your application through the provided link on SmartRecruiters.

• Portfolio Customization: Ensure your online portfolio is up-to-date and prominently features 3-4 of your most impactful UX Architecture projects, specifically highlighting your Figma proficiency, strategic thinking, and client-focused outcomes.

• Resume Optimization: Tailor your resume to align with the job description, emphasizing keywords like "UX Architect," "Human-Centered Design," "Figma," "Information Architecture," "User Research," "Prototyping," "Accessibility," and "Consulting." Quantify achievements wherever possible.

• Interview Preparation: Practice articulating your design process, rationale, and project outcomes. Be ready to present a portfolio case study and discuss your experience with AI-powered design tools and Agile methodologies.

• Company Research: Familiarize yourself with CapTech Consulting's mission, values, client work, and their approach to Customer Experience. Understand their consultative model and how this role fits within it.

⚠️ 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.