UX Architect

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: UX Architect

Company: CapTech Consulting

Location: Richmond, Virginia, United States (also Charlotte, NC)

Job Type: Full-time

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

Date Posted: May 08, 2026

Experience Level: 5+ Years Professional Experience

Remote Status: Hybrid (On-site availability required for client or CapTech offices as needed)

🚀 Role Summary

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

• Lead the creation and execution of user research, information architecture, wireframing, visual design, and prototyping.

• Mentor junior practitioners, provide design oversight, and advocate for accessibility and inclusive design principles.

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

• Explore and leverage emerging technologies, including AI-powered design tools, to enhance creativity and efficiency.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is positioned as a senior contributor within CapTech's Customer Experience (CX) team, focusing on the strategic and practical application of UX principles. The emphasis on mentoring and design oversight suggests a lead or architect-level responsibility, requiring a strong blend of hands-on design skills and leadership potential. The mention of AI-powered design tools indicates a forward-looking approach to UX methodologies.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Lead the end-to-end design process for digital products, from conceptualization to final delivery, ensuring user-centricity.

• Develop comprehensive user personas, detailed customer journey maps, and effective customer journey maps to understand user behaviors and pain points.

• Create high-fidelity wireframes, responsive visual designs, and interactive prototypes that adhere to interaction design and usability best practices.

• Conduct and lead advanced design activities, including design thinking workshops, rapid prototyping sessions, and iterative user testing to validate design solutions.

• Produce clear, concise, and compelling presentations for clients and internal stakeholders, effectively articulating design rationale and strategic recommendations.

• Perform thorough competitive assessments, identify innovative design alternatives, and stay abreast of current design and technology trends.

• Proactively explore and integrate AI-powered design tools and workflows to drive efficiency, creativity, and enhanced user experiences.

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

• Provide constructive and insightful feedback on design elements, including interactions, information architecture, content, and overall alignment with business goals and user needs.

• Take on CX leadership opportunities, contributing to the development of methodologies, capabilities, and toolsets within the practice.

• Actively mentor other design practitioners, offering design oversight and art direction to visual and interaction designers to ensure successful project outcomes.

• Engage in continuous professional development and active participation in the UX/CX industry.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a blend of strategic leadership, hands-on design execution, and team mentorship. The emphasis on "leading" activities and "providing oversight" indicates a senior role requiring significant autonomy and decision-making authority in design strategy. The inclusion of AI and accessibility as key areas suggests a focus on modern UX practices.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

Experience:

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

• Demonstrated ability to manage and deliver multiple complex projects simultaneously, consistently meeting scope and budget requirements.

Required Skills:

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

• Strong conceptual and visual communication skills, with the ability to translate complex ideas into clear and compelling designs.

• Expert-level knowledge of interaction design principles and usability standards, with a portfolio showcasing the ability to span multiple projects effectively.

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

• Confident self-starter with the ability to receive client feedback and direction from leadership with humility, while fostering strong collaborative relationships.

Preferred Skills:

• Proficiency in Figma is highly preferred, with a strong emphasis on designing developer-ready UI components. Candidates with demonstrated expertise in organizing Figma files for clarity, applying consistent styles and naming conventions, and leveraging advanced features like auto layout, component libraries, variables, and design tokens for scalable design handoff will be given preference.

• 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.

📝 Enhancement Note: The qualifications emphasize a comprehensive understanding of the UX lifecycle, from strategy to execution. The explicit preference for Figma proficiency, including specific advanced features, highlights the importance of modern design tooling. The inclusion of Agile and accessibility as "plus" skills indicates a desire for candidates who can adapt to evolving project methodologies and prioritize inclusive design.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A link to an online portfolio is mandatory for consideration, showcasing a breadth of UX design work.

• Demonstrate a deep understanding of human-centered design principles through case studies that detail problem definition, research methodologies, design ideation, and final solutions.

• Showcase examples of creating personas, customer journey maps, wireframes, interactive prototypes, and final visual designs.

• Include evidence of collaboration with cross-functional teams (developers, product managers, researchers) and how feedback was incorporated.

Process Documentation:

• Case studies should clearly document the design process followed for each project.

• Explain the methodologies used for user research, including qualitative and quantitative approaches, and how insights informed design decisions.

• Detail the iterative design and testing process, illustrating how feedback was gathered and implemented to refine the user experience.

• Showcase how accessibility standards (WCAG 2.2) were considered and integrated into the design process.

• Illustrate the handoff process to development teams, emphasizing clear documentation and collaboration to ensure design fidelity.

📝 Enhancement Note: The requirement for a portfolio is critical and must be explicitly included. The emphasis on "human-centered design principles," "process documentation," and "iterative design and testing" indicates that CapTech is looking for candidates who can not only create aesthetically pleasing designs but also demonstrate a strategic and methodical approach to problem-solving. Specific mention of Figma features within the portfolio is also implied by the skills section.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

Benefits:

• Comprehensive traditional benefits including generous Paid Time Off (PTO), health coverage, disability insurance, and paid family leave.

• Learning & Development: Access to programs offering certification and tuition support, digital on-demand learning courses, mentorship opportunities, and structured skill development paths.

• Modern Health: A mental health and well-being platform providing 1:1 care, group support sessions, and self-serve resources.

• Carrot Fertility: Inclusive fertility and family-forming coverage, supporting various paths to parenthood (adoption, surrogacy, fertility treatments, etc.) with opportunities for employer-sponsored funds.

• Fringe Stipend Program: A company-paid stipend for personalized lifestyle benefits, allowing employees to choose options like streaming services, student loan repayment, fitness, and travel.

• Employee Resource Groups (ERGs): Opportunities to join and contribute to employee-led committees focused on diversity and inclusion.

• Philanthropic Partnerships: Opportunities to engage in community support and pro-bono projects.

• 401(k) Matching: Generous matching with no vesting period to support long-term financial wellness.

Working Hours:

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

• CapTech offers a flexible work environment, allowing employees to work remotely when compatible with CapTech and client needs. However, employees must be available to work on-site in a client location or a CapTech office as requested.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range is an estimation based on general market data for a UX Architect in a mid-to-large US city. Actual compensation may vary. The benefits package is extensive, with a strong emphasis on professional development, mental health, family planning, and personalized lifestyle choices, which are attractive perks for experienced professionals. The hybrid work arrangement requires flexibility and on-site availability.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Technology Consulting, focused on digital transformation and client collaboration.

Company Size: CapTech Consulting is a substantial organization, likely falling into the 1,000-5,000+ employee range based on typical consulting firm structures and its mention of Fortune 100 clients. This size indicates a well-established firm with structured processes, ample resources, and diverse project opportunities.

Founded: Founded with a passion for strong, lasting client relationships, CapTech has grown into a national consulting firm. This history suggests a culture that values long-term partnerships and client success.

Team Structure:

• The UX Architect will be part of the Customer Experience (CX) team, which likely comprises user researchers, interaction designers, visual designers, and content strategists.

• This role involves collaboration with UX and Creative Directors, indicating a clear reporting hierarchy and mentorship structure.

Methodology:

• CapTech emphasizes a technology-driven approach to client solutions, suggesting a focus on data-informed decision-making and leveraging cutting-edge tools.

• The mention of Agile product development lifecycles indicates an iterative and collaborative approach to project execution.

• A strong focus on understanding user behavior through research and translating those insights into impactful designs is central to their CX methodology.

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

📝 Enhancement Note: CapTech's culture appears to be built on strong client relationships, professional growth, and a collaborative approach to technology consulting. The company's size suggests a stable environment with opportunities for diverse project experiences and career advancement. The emphasis on CX and UX indicates a strategic focus on user-centric digital solutions.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is a senior-level position, categorized as a UX Architect. It signifies a transition from individual contributor to a role that involves strategic design leadership, mentorship of junior talent, and oversight of design quality and methodology. The position requires a deep understanding of the entire human-centered design lifecycle and the ability to influence project direction and client strategy.

Reporting Structure: The UX Architect will likely report to a UX Director or Creative Director within the Customer Experience (CX) practice. They will also work closely with project managers, client stakeholders, and potentially other senior leaders within CapTech.

Operations Impact: UX Architects at CapTech play a critical role in shaping the digital experiences of Fortune 100 companies and other major clients. Their work directly impacts user satisfaction, brand perception, customer engagement, and ultimately, business outcomes such as conversion rates, retention, and revenue. By ensuring intuitive and effective digital interfaces, they contribute significantly to the client's success and CapTech's reputation for delivering high-quality solutions.

Growth Opportunities:

• Specialization: Deepen expertise in specific areas of UX, such as AI-driven design, advanced accessibility, or specific industry verticals.

• Leadership Track: Progress into roles like Lead UX Architect, Director of UX, or Head of CX, managing larger teams and strategic initiatives.

• Methodology Development: Contribute to the refinement and evolution of CapTech’s CX methodologies, tools, and best practices.

• Client Relationship Management: Develop stronger client advisory skills, becoming a trusted partner for strategic design guidance.

• Cross-functional Skill Development: Enhance skills in areas like product strategy, business analysis, and agile coaching.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Operations Impact" section has been adapted to reflect the UX Architect's influence on business outcomes through user experience design, aligning with the broader "operations" theme by focusing on efficiency, effectiveness, and impact. The growth opportunities are tailored to a senior UX professional's career trajectory within a consulting firm.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: CapTech operates with a hybrid work model. This means employees are expected to be available for on-site work at client locations or CapTech offices when required by project needs or company policy. Remote work is permitted when it aligns with CapTech and client requirements, suggesting a flexible but not fully remote setup.

Office Location(s): While the primary listed location is Richmond, Virginia, the mention of "Charlotte, NC, USA" as an alternative location and the general description of working alongside clients across the country imply a distributed presence. Candidates should be prepared for potential travel to client sites, which could be located in various regions.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Hubs: CapTech offices likely provide collaborative spaces designed for team meetings, brainstorming sessions, and client presentations.

• Technology-Enabled: As a technology consulting firm, expect modern office setups with access to necessary hardware, software, and reliable network infrastructure to support design work and remote collaboration.

• Client Site Integration: When working on client projects, the workspace context will be dictated by the client's environment, which could range from corporate offices to dedicated project spaces.

Work Schedule: The standard work schedule is full-time (approximately 40 hours per week). Flexibility is offered through the hybrid model, allowing for remote days when project demands and client agreements permit. This schedule needs to accommodate client needs, which may sometimes extend beyond standard business hours.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Work Environment" section clarifies the hybrid nature of the role, emphasizing the need for on-site presence as dictated by client and company needs. This is crucial for operations-focused roles where collaboration and client interaction are key.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A recruiter or hiring manager will review applications, focusing on experience, qualifications, and the presence of a portfolio link.

• Portfolio Review: Candidates will likely be asked to present their portfolio, detailing their process, design rationale, and the impact of their work. Expect questions about specific projects, challenges faced, and how they were overcome.

• Technical/Design Interview: This may involve a design exercise or a deep dive into specific UX methodologies, tools (especially Figma), and problem-solving approaches. You might be asked to critique existing designs or propose solutions for hypothetical scenarios.

• Team/Cultural Fit Interview: Conversations with potential team members, including UX Directors and other designers, focusing on collaboration style, communication skills, and alignment with CapTech's values.

• Final Interview: A discussion with senior leadership to assess strategic thinking, leadership potential, and overall fit for the company.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select 3-5 of your strongest projects that best represent your skills as a UX Architect, showcasing diversity in project types and complexity.

• Tell a Story: For each project, clearly articulate the problem, your role, the process you followed (research, ideation, design, testing), your specific contributions, the challenges encountered, and the measurable outcomes or impact.

• Highlight Process & Rationale: Emphasize your thinking behind design decisions. Explain why you chose certain approaches, tools, or solutions. Detail your user research findings and how they directly influenced your design.

• Showcase Figma Proficiency: If possible, include examples that demonstrate your advanced Figma skills, such as component libraries, auto layout, design tokens, and collaborative workflows.

• Quantify Impact: Whenever possible, include metrics or data that demonstrate the success of your designs (e.g., increased conversion rates, reduced task completion time, improved user satisfaction scores).

• Accessibility Focus: Explicitly mention how you incorporated accessibility standards (WCAG 2.2) and inclusive design principles into your work.

Challenge Preparation:

• Understand CapTech's Business: Research CapTech's services, client industries, and recent projects to understand their strategic focus.

• UX Best Practices: Refresh your knowledge on current UX trends, usability heuristics, information architecture principles, and interaction design patterns.

• Figma Mastery: Be prepared to discuss your proficiency with Figma in detail, including advanced features and best practices for design system implementation and handoff.

• Problem-Solving Scenarios: Practice articulating your thought process for solving complex design challenges, focusing on structure, clarity, and user-centricity.

• Communication Skills: Prepare to communicate your ideas clearly and concisely, both verbally and visually, to diverse audiences.

📝 Enhancement Note: This section provides actionable advice tailored to a UX Architect role, emphasizing the portfolio's crucial role in assessment and preparing candidates for specific interview stages common in consulting environments. The focus on Figma and accessibility aligns with the job description's requirements.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Figma: Essential for wireframing, prototyping, visual design, and collaborative workflows. Proficiency with advanced features like auto layout, component libraries, variables, and design tokens is highly valued for scalable design and efficient handoff.

• Adobe Creative Suite: Illustrator, Photoshop, and InDesign are preferred for graphic design tasks, image manipulation, and asset creation.

• Microsoft PowerPoint: Preferred for creating compelling presentations to clients and internal teams, articulating design rationale and project outcomes.

Analytics & Reporting:

• User Research Tools: Familiarity with tools like Optimal Workshop (for card sorting, tree testing), UserTesting (for remote usability testing), and SurveyMonkey (for surveys) is a plus for gathering user insights.

• Data Analysis: While not explicitly mentioned, a UX Architect should be comfortable interpreting analytics data (e.g., from Google Analytics, Adobe Analytics) to inform design decisions and measure impact.

CRM & Automation:

• While not directly in the UX Architect's primary toolset, understanding how CRM systems (like Salesforce) and marketing automation platforms integrate with user-facing applications can be beneficial for a holistic understanding of the customer journey.

📝 Enhancement Note: The tools and technology stack are directly pulled from the job description, with added context on their application within a UX Architect's workflow and the importance of advanced features for modern design practices.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Client Success: A core value, driving the commitment to delivering impactful and effective technology solutions that meet client objectives.

• Collaboration: Emphasis on teamwork, open communication, and cross-functional integration to achieve shared goals.

• Innovation & Continuous Learning: A commitment to staying ahead of technology trends, exploring new methodologies (like AI in design), and fostering professional development.

• Quality & Excellence: A dedication to producing high-quality work that adheres to best practices in design, usability, and accessibility.

• Integrity & Professionalism: Upholding strong ethical standards and maintaining a professional demeanor in client interactions and internal collaborations.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-functional Partnership: Actively engages with developers, business analysts, product managers, and other designers to ensure a holistic and integrated approach to product development.

• Constructive Feedback Culture: Encourages open dialogue and the sharing of constructive feedback to continuously improve designs and processes.

• Mentorship and Knowledge Sharing: Senior team members are expected to mentor junior practitioners, fostering a learning environment where knowledge and best practices are shared freely.

📝 Enhancement Note: This section extrapolates CapTech's likely values based on their description as a consulting firm focused on client success and technology. The emphasis on collaboration, continuous learning, and quality is typical for such organizations.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing User Needs with Business Goals: Effectively navigating the inherent tension between user desires for optimal experience and business imperatives for efficiency, revenue, or specific strategic outcomes.

• Managing Stakeholder Expectations: Communicating complex design concepts and rationale to diverse stakeholders with varying levels of technical understanding, ensuring buy-in and alignment.

• Adapting to Rapid Technological Change: Keeping pace with evolving design tools, AI advancements, and new interaction paradigms to ensure solutions remain relevant and innovative.

• Driving Accessibility Adoption: Championing and integrating accessibility standards (WCAG 2.2) consistently across projects, overcoming potential resistance or perceived complexity.

• Geographically Dispersed Teams: Collaborating effectively with team members and clients who may be in different locations, requiring strong remote collaboration skills.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Advanced UX Specialization: Opportunities to deepen expertise in areas like AI-driven design, service design, or specialized industry UX.

• Leadership and Mentorship Training: Development programs focused on enhancing leadership capabilities, team management, and effective mentorship.

• Industry Conferences & Certifications: Support for attending relevant UX conferences, workshops, and obtaining professional certifications to stay at the forefront of the field.

• Cross-functional Exposure: Gaining experience and insights from other areas of consulting, such as strategy, analytics, or technology implementation.

• Methodology Contribution: Opportunities to influence and shape CapTech's internal CX/UX methodologies and best practices.

📝 Enhancement Note: Challenges and growth opportunities are framed around the senior UX Architect role, highlighting common industry hurdles and tailored development paths within a consulting framework.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you had to balance conflicting user needs with business objectives. How did you approach it, and what was the outcome?" (Focus on your process, compromise, and impact).

• "Walk us through your process for designing a complex feature, from initial concept to final handoff. What tools did you use, and why?" (Highlight your end-to-end UX methodology, especially Figma proficiency).

• "How do you ensure accessibility and inclusive design principles are integrated throughout your design process, especially when working under tight deadlines?" (Prepare specific examples of WCAG 2.2 application).

Company & Culture Questions:

• "Why are you interested in CapTech Consulting, and what specifically about our CX practice appeals to you?" (Research CapTech's work, values, and recent projects).

• "How do you approach collaboration with developers and other non-design team members?" (Provide examples of successful cross-functional partnerships).

• "Describe a situation where you received difficult feedback on your design. How did you handle it, and what did you learn?" (Showcase humility, adaptability, and growth mindset).

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure is Key: Organize your portfolio presentation logically, typically following a problem-solution-outcome narrative for each project.

• Highlight Your Role: Clearly define your specific contributions to each project, especially in team-based efforts.

• Visual Storytelling: Use clear visuals (wireframes, mockups, prototypes) to illustrate your design journey and final solutions. Annotate key design decisions and user flows.

• Focus on Rationale: Articulate the "why" behind your design choices, grounding them in user research, usability principles, and business objectives.

• Showcase Figma Expertise: Be prepared to discuss your advanced Figma usage, including design systems, auto layout, and collaboration features.

• Quantify Success: Present metrics or qualitative feedback that demonstrate the impact of your work.

• Be Ready for Questions: Anticipate questions about your process, decisions, challenges, and how you would apply your skills to CapTech's client work.

📝 Enhancement Note: This section provides concrete examples of interview questions and detailed strategies for portfolio presentation, directly addressing the requirements and expectations outlined in the job description for a UX Architect role at a consulting firm.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this UX Architect position:

• Submit your application through the provided link on jobs.smartrecruiters.com.

• Portfolio Customization: Ensure your online portfolio is up-to-date and prominently features 3-5 of your strongest UX Architect projects. Tailor the project selection to highlight experience in areas like product strategy, information architecture, and advanced Figma usage.

• Resume Optimization: Update your resume to clearly articulate your 5+ years of relevant experience, emphasizing achievements in design consultancy or digital agencies. Use keywords such as "UX Architect," "Human-Centered Design," "Figma," "WCAG 2.2," and "Agile."

• Interview Preparation: Practice articulating your design process, rationale, and the impact of your work. Prepare to discuss specific examples of leading design activities, mentoring junior designers, and leveraging advanced Figma features.

• Company Research: Familiarize yourself with CapTech Consulting's services, client base, and company values. Understand their approach to CX and how this role contributes to their overall mission.

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