UX Design Associate

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: UX Design Associate

Company: Kyndryl

Location: Frisco, Texas, United States

Job Type: Full time

Category: User Experience (UX) Design / AI Design

Date Posted: 2026-09-10

Experience Level: Early Career / Associate (Implied by title and typical salary range)

Remote Status: Remote OK (with potential for hybrid in Dallas Frisco AI HUB)

🚀 Role Summary

• Lead the design of AI-driven user experiences, focusing on seamless human-AI collaboration and intuitive interaction patterns.

• Architect intentional user journeys for complex autonomous systems, translating AI reasoning into user-friendly interfaces.

• Design dynamic interaction patterns that gracefully handle AI latency, ambiguity, and error states, ensuring user control.

• Facilitate co-creation workshops and usability tests to balance user desirability with technical feasibility.

• Advocate for ethical, accessible, and inclusive AI design principles across the entire design lifecycle.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is positioned at the intersection of UX Design and cutting-edge AI, specifically focusing on "agentic AI." The emphasis is on designing for systems where AI agents perform tasks autonomously and interact with humans, requiring a deep understanding of human-AI collaboration, dynamic interfaces, and ethical considerations. The "Associate" title suggests it's an entry-level to mid-level role, ideal for individuals with a foundational portfolio and a strong desire to specialize in AI UX.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Conduct user research to identify pain points and opportunities in human-AI interactions, developing comprehensive journey maps.

• Design and prototype dynamic user interfaces that adapt to AI system behavior, including latency and error handling.

• Lead and facilitate co-creation workshops with cross-functional teams, including AI engineers and creative technologists.

• Develop and refine Human-in-the-Loop (HITL) design patterns for critical validation and decision-making moments.

• Champion accessibility, inclusivity, and ethical considerations in all AI design solutions.

• Present design concepts and research findings to stakeholders and clients, advocating for user-centered AI.

• Collaborate closely with developers and product managers to ensure successful translation of research and design into production.

• Maintain a strong point of view on how AI drives human-centered design and co-creation, influencing the design lifecycle from discovery to delivery.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a blend of strategic design thinking, hands-on prototyping, and strong facilitation skills. The emphasis on "agentic AI" and "Human-in-the-Loop" indicates a need for candidates who can design for complex, evolving systems rather than static applications. The role requires influencing stakeholders and driving alignment across teams, suggesting a need for strong communication and advocacy skills.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

• Bachelor's degree in UX/Experience Design, Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), Computer Science, Psychology, or a related field.

• Equivalent practical experience in a relevant design discipline will also be considered. Experience:

• A strong portfolio showcasing enterprise or innovation-studio UX/experience design projects is essential.

• Demonstrated experience in user-centered design principles, interaction design methodologies, and usability testing.

• Experience working with developers and product managers to translate design concepts into tangible products. Required Skills:

• Proficiency in user-centered design principles and interaction design.

• Expertise in conducting user research and usability testing.

• Strong portfolio demonstrating end-to-end UX design process and impactful projects.

• Fluency in design and prototyping tools such as Figma or Sketch.

• Excellent communication and presentation skills, with the ability to articulate design decisions and research findings clearly.

• Comfort in facilitating co-creation sessions and presenting to clients.

• A clear point of view on how AI can drive human-centered design and co-creation. Preferred Skills:

• Direct experience with AI, agentic AI/UX, and data-driven design methodologies.

• Familiarity with emerging AI assistant tools (e.g., Figma Make, MiroAI, Adobe Firefly, Lovable).

• Experience designing for complex enterprise systems or innovation studios.

• Understanding of accessibility standards and inclusive design practices within AI contexts.

• Experience working in agile development environments.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "preferred skills" section indicates a strong desire for candidates with direct exposure to AI and agentic systems. The mention of specific AI tools suggests that hands-on experience with these emerging technologies is highly valued. The emphasis on a "strong portfolio" is critical, especially for an Associate role, implying it needs to clearly demonstrate problem-solving abilities and design thinking applied to complex challenges, ideally including some AI-related projects if possible.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A comprehensive portfolio showcasing at least 3-5 significant UX/experience design projects.

• Projects should demonstrate a clear understanding of the user-centered design process, from research and ideation to prototyping and testing.

• For AI-focused projects (even if conceptual), highlight the unique challenges of designing for AI, such as handling uncertainty, transparency, and human-AI collaboration.

• Showcase your ability to translate complex problems into intuitive and effective design solutions.

• Include case studies that detail your role, the problem statement, your process, key decisions, and the impact or outcomes of your design work. Process Documentation:

• Within your portfolio, clearly document your design process for each project. This should include:

  • User research methodologies employed (e.g., interviews, surveys, usability tests).

  • Ideation and conceptualization phases, including wireframes and user flows.

  • Prototyping tools and techniques used.

  • Iterative design and testing cycles.

  • Collaboration with cross-functional teams (developers, product managers).

  • Specific considerations for AI systems (e.g., designing for AI latency, error states, HITL).

📝 Enhancement Note: For an Associate UX Designer role, especially one focused on AI, the portfolio is paramount. It needs to go beyond just visual design and demonstrate a robust understanding of the design process, problem-solving capabilities, and an ability to articulate complex design decisions. For AI-specific projects, demonstrating an understanding of the unique challenges and opportunities of designing for intelligent systems will be a significant differentiator.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

• Base Range (US): $63,360 to $114,120 per year (for full-time schedule).

• Variations by Location:

  • California (San Francisco Bay Area): $76,080 to $137,040
  • California (All Other): $69,720 to $125,640
  • Colorado: $63,360 to $114,120
  • Massachusetts: $63,360 to $125,640
  • New York City: $76,080 to $137,040
  • Washington: $69,720 to $125,640
  • Washington D.C.: $69,720 to $125,640

• Note: Actual compensation will depend on geography, job-related skills, and experience. Compensation will not be below applicable state, city, or local minimum wage requirements.

Benefits:

• Comprehensive medical and dental coverage.

• Disability insurance.

• Retirement benefits.

• Paid leave.

• Paid time off.

• Kyndryl's discretionary annual bonus program (based on performance).

• This position may be eligible for a sales commission plan in lieu of the bonus program if it's a sales commission eligible role. Working Hours:

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

• The role is described as "hybrid-friendly," suggesting flexibility in work location and potentially hours, though specific details would be clarified during the interview process.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary ranges provided are specific and location-dependent, reflecting a standard practice for roles with potential remote work across various US states. The inclusion of a discretionary bonus and comprehensive benefits package is typical for a full-time corporate role. The mention of "hybrid-friendly" coupled with the physical location of the AI Hub suggests a blend of remote work with potential on-site collaboration needs.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Information Technology Services & Consulting, focused on IT infrastructure and managed services. Kyndryl specializes in running and reimaging mission-critical technology systems for global businesses.

Company Size: Large enterprise (Kyndryl is a spin-off from IBM's Managed Infrastructure Services business, indicating a significant global workforce).

Founded: Kyndryl was established as an independent company in November 2021.

Team Structure:

• The role is within an AI UX Design team, likely part of a broader digital transformation or innovation group.

• This team will collaborate closely with AI engineers, creative technologists, product managers, and potentially client-facing teams.

• The structure likely emphasizes cross-functional collaboration to integrate AI capabilities into client solutions. Methodology:

• Kyndryl emphasizes a purpose-driven, customer-focused approach, leveraging AI-powered insights to drive innovation and competitive advantage.

• Design methodologies will likely be user-centered, with a strong emphasis on research, co-creation, and iterative development, particularly for AI initiatives.

• Data-driven design is a key component, with a focus on understanding user behavior and system performance.

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

📝 Enhancement Note: Kyndryl is a relatively new entity but built on a deep legacy of IT services. The focus on "running and reimaging" suggests a dual approach of maintaining existing critical systems while innovating for the future. The explicit mention of an "AI HUB" in Dallas Frisco indicates a strategic investment in AI technology and talent, making this role central to their future direction. The culture promotes well-being, flexibility, and continuous learning.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This is an "Associate" level UX Design role, indicating an early to mid-career stage. It's a foundational position for specializing in AI UX design.

Reporting Structure: The Associate UX Designer will likely report to a UX Design Lead or Manager, who in turn reports into a broader digital, product, or AI innovation leadership structure.

Operations Impact: The role's impact is significant as it directly influences how users interact with cutting-edge AI technologies. Successful designs will enhance client adoption, improve operational efficiency, and drive innovation for Kyndryl's clients, thereby contributing to revenue and client satisfaction.

Growth Opportunities:

• Specialization: Deepen expertise in AI UX, agentic AI, and human-AI collaboration.

• Skill Development: Gain hands-on experience with emerging AI tools and design patterns. Access to certifications with major platforms (Microsoft, Google, Amazon) and continuous learning opportunities.

• Leadership: Progress to Senior UX Designer, Lead UX Designer, or specialized AI Design roles. Opportunities for mentorship and leadership development within a growing AI practice.

• Cross-functional Exposure: Work with diverse teams across engineering, product management, and client services, broadening understanding of the IT services landscape.

📝 Enhancement Note: For an Associate role, the emphasis is on learning and development. Kyndryl's commitment to growth, certifications, and hands-on experience positions this as a strong starting point for a career in AI UX design. The "hybrid-friendly" and "Be Well" programs suggest a supportive environment for personal and professional development.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The role is based in the "Dallas Frisco AI HUB (FRI)," suggesting a modern, technologically advanced workspace designed for innovation and collaboration. It is also described as "hybrid-friendly," implying a flexible arrangement that may include remote work and on-site presence.

Office Location(s): Dallas Frisco, Texas, United States. This location is a hub for AI development and innovation.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Environment: The "AI HUB" designation implies a space designed for intensive collaboration, workshops, and brainstorming sessions among AI specialists, designers, and engineers.

• Tools & Technology: Access to cutting-edge design tools (Figma, Sketch), AI prototyping tools, and potentially specialized hardware or software for AI development and testing.

• Team Interaction: Opportunities for frequent interaction with a dedicated AI UX team, AI engineers, product managers, and potentially clients, fostering a dynamic and engaging work environment.

Work Schedule:

• A standard 40-hour work week is typical for a full-time role.

• The "hybrid-friendly" nature suggests flexibility in scheduling, allowing for remote work days, but on-site presence in the Dallas Frisco AI HUB may be required for specific collaborative activities, client meetings, or team events.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "AI HUB" location is a key differentiator, suggesting a dedicated environment for cutting-edge AI work. The hybrid model offers flexibility, which is attractive to many professionals, but candidates should be prepared for potential on-site requirements for collaborative sessions critical to AI development.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: Application review, focusing on resume and portfolio. A recruiter will likely conduct an initial call to assess basic qualifications and cultural fit.

• Portfolio Review & Design Challenge: A more in-depth review of your portfolio, often followed by a design challenge. This challenge might involve analyzing an AI interaction problem, proposing design solutions, or critiquing an existing AI interface.

• Team Interviews: Interviews with potential team members (UX designers, AI engineers, product managers) to assess technical skills, collaboration style, and cultural fit. Expect questions related to your design process, problem-solving approach, and experience with AI.

• Hiring Manager Interview: A discussion with the hiring manager to assess overall fit, career aspirations, and understanding of the role's strategic importance.

• Final Round/Offer: Potential final interviews with senior leadership, followed by an offer.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select projects that best showcase your UX process, problem-solving skills, and any experience or understanding of AI, even if conceptual.

• Tell a Story: For each project, clearly articulate the problem, your role, your process, key decisions made, and the impact or learnings. Use visuals effectively.

• Highlight AI Relevance: If you have AI-related projects, emphasize the unique challenges and solutions you developed for human-AI interaction, data-driven design, or agentic systems. If not, demonstrate how your existing UX principles can be applied to AI contexts.

• Showcase Tools: Clearly mention the tools used (Figma, Sketch, prototyping tools) and your proficiency.

• Be Ready to Discuss: Prepare to walk through your portfolio and answer detailed questions about your design choices and process.

Challenge Preparation:

• Understand AI UX: Familiarize yourself with current trends and challenges in AI UX, agentic AI, Human-in-the-Loop design, and ethical AI.

• Practice Problem-Solving: Be ready to tackle hypothetical design problems related to AI interfaces, user control in autonomous systems, or user trust in AI.

• Articulate Your Process: Clearly explain your thought process, even if you don't have a perfect solution. Focus on how you would approach the problem.

• Consider Constraints: Think about feasibility, technical limitations, and ethical implications when proposing solutions.

📝 Enhancement Note: The portfolio review is critical for this role. Candidates should be prepared to not only showcase their design skills but also their understanding of the complexities of AI and how to design for human-AI collaboration. The design challenge will likely test their ability to apply UX principles to novel AI scenarios.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Design & Prototyping: Figma (highly preferred), Sketch, Adobe Creative Suite.

• AI-Specific Tools: Familiarity with emerging AI assistants like Figma Make, MiroAI, Adobe Firefly, or similar platforms is a plus.

• Collaboration Tools: Jira, Confluence, Slack, Microsoft Teams.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Experience with analytics platforms to understand user behavior (e.g., Google Analytics, Mixpanel, Amplitude) is beneficial.

• Ability to interpret data to inform design decisions. CRM & Automation:

• While not a primary focus for UX, understanding how CRM systems (e.g., Salesforce) and automation tools integrate with user-facing applications can be advantageous for enterprise design contexts.

📝 Enhancement Note: Proficiency in Figma is explicitly mentioned as a requirement. A strong understanding of the core UX design toolset is expected. Familiarity with AI-specific design tools is a significant advantage, indicating Kyndryl's commitment to leveraging these technologies.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Purpose-Driven: A focus on meaningful work that powers human progress and provides advantage for clients.

• Customer-Focused: Prioritizing customer success and delivering impactful solutions.

• Growth Mindset: Encouraging continuous learning, personal development, and embracing new challenges.

• Open & Borderless: Fostering inclusivity, collaboration, and diverse perspectives.

• Well-being: Prioritizing employee well-being through comprehensive programs and a supportive environment.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-functional Integration: Close collaboration with AI engineers, creative technologists, product managers, and potentially client stakeholders.

• Co-creation: Active participation in workshops and collaborative sessions to foster innovation and shared understanding.

• Empathy & Shared Success: A culture that values understanding colleagues and clients, working towards collective achievements.

• Restless Learning: A commitment to continuous improvement, staying ahead of industry trends, and sharing knowledge.

📝 Enhancement Note: Kyndryl's stated values of "Kinship" and "The Kyndryl Way" emphasize a strong focus on belonging, empathy, and collaboration. The emphasis on AI and innovation suggests a culture that embraces forward-thinking and continuous adaptation.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Designing for Uncertainty: Creating intuitive user experiences for AI systems that are inherently non-deterministic and can have unpredictable outputs.

• Human-AI Collaboration: Architecting seamless handover points and trust-building mechanisms between humans and autonomous AI agents.

• Ethical AI Design: Ensuring fairness, accessibility, and transparency in AI systems to prevent bias and promote equitable outcomes.

• Rapid Technological Evolution: Keeping pace with the fast-moving field of AI and its impact on user interaction paradigms.

• Translating Complex Concepts: Effectively communicating and designing for intricate AI logic and multi-step reasoning processes for end-users.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• AI UX Specialization: Becoming an expert in designing for AI, agentic systems, and future interaction models.

• Industry Certifications: Opportunities to gain certifications from major cloud providers (AWS, Azure, Google Cloud) and AI platforms.

• Exposure to Cutting-Edge Tech: Hands-on experience with emerging AI tools and technologies within a leading IT services company.

• Mentorship: Access to experienced designers and AI professionals for guidance and career development.

• Cross-Disciplinary Learning: Gaining insights into AI engineering, data science, and client business challenges.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role presents a significant opportunity to be at the forefront of AI UX design. The challenges are inherent to a rapidly evolving field, but Kyndryl's commitment to learning and development provides a strong framework for addressing them and fostering professional growth.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you designed for a complex system with inherent uncertainty or variability. How did you ensure user control and trust?" (Focus on your process, user research, and how you handled ambiguity.)

• "How would you approach designing the interaction for a system where an AI agent needs to ask for human validation before completing a task?" (Discuss HITL, transparency, and user experience at critical junctures.)

• "What are the key ethical considerations when designing AI-powered user experiences, and how do you incorporate them into your design process?" (Highlight your awareness of bias, accessibility, and responsible AI principles.) Company & Culture Questions:

• "What interests you about Kyndryl and our focus on AI innovation?" (Research Kyndryl's AI initiatives and articulate your alignment.)

• "How do you stay updated on the latest trends in UX design and AI?" (Showcase your commitment to continuous learning.)

• "Describe a situation where you had to collaborate with engineers or product managers to bring a design to life. What was your approach?" (Emphasize teamwork, communication, and problem-solving.) Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure Your Narrative: For each project, clearly define the problem, your role, your process, key decisions, and outcomes. Use a consistent structure.

• Highlight AI Relevance: If you have AI-related projects, explicitly call them out and discuss the specific AI challenges you addressed. If not, explain how your UX principles apply to AI contexts.

• Showcase Your Process: Demonstrate your understanding of research, ideation, prototyping, and testing. Explain why you made certain decisions.

• Be Ready for Deep Dives: Prepare to answer detailed questions about your design choices, trade-offs, and the impact of your work.

• Practice Your Pitch: Rehearse your presentation to ensure it's concise, engaging, and within the allotted time.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation should focus on demonstrating both strong foundational UX skills and an understanding of the unique challenges and opportunities presented by AI. The ability to articulate a clear design process and a forward-thinking perspective on AI is crucial.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this UX Design Associate position:

• Submit your application through the provided link on the Kyndryl careers portal.

• Portfolio Customization: Tailor your resume and portfolio to highlight UX design skills, any AI-related experience or conceptual work, and your proficiency with Figma/Sketch. Emphasize projects demonstrating user research, interaction design, and problem-solving.

• Resume Optimization: Ensure your resume clearly outlines your experience with user-centered design, prototyping, and collaboration. Use keywords from the job description like "UX Design," "Interaction Design," "User Research," "AI," and "Figma."

• Interview Preparation: Practice articulating your design process, case studies from your portfolio, and your understanding of AI UX challenges. Prepare to discuss your point of view on AI's role in human-centered design.

• Company Research: Familiarize yourself with Kyndryl's mission, values, and recent AI initiatives. Understand their commitment to customer success and innovation.

⚠️ 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.