UX Design Associate

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: UX Design Associate

Company: Kyndryl

Location: Dallas, Texas, United States; Frisco, Texas, United States

Job Type: Full time

Category: UX/Product Design Operations

Date Posted: September 10, 2026

Experience Level: 2-5 Years

Remote Status: Remote OK

🚀 Role Summary

• Lead user research and design activities to create intuitive human-AI interaction patterns and journey maps for complex autonomous systems.

• Design for non-deterministic UI, handling AI latency, ambiguity, and error states gracefully.

• Facilitate co-creation workshops and collaborate closely with creative technologists and AI engineers.

• Master Human-in-the-Loop (HITL) design, focusing on critical hand-off moments for validation, transparency, and trust.

• Advocate for accessibility, inclusive intelligence, and ethical design principles in AI experiences.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is positioned within an AI UX Design context, requiring a blend of traditional UX methodologies with a forward-thinking approach to human-agent collaboration. The focus on "agentic AI" and "non-deterministic UI" suggests a need for candidates who can design for systems that learn, adapt, and operate with a degree of autonomy, moving beyond static interfaces. This requires a strong understanding of process design and how to create seamless handoffs between human and AI decision-making.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Architect intentional user journeys by leading user research to uncover pain points in the human-AI relationship, creating journey maps that simplify complex agentic reasoning for end-users.

• Design dynamic interaction patterns for non-deterministic UIs that gracefully manage AI latency, ambiguity, and error states, ensuring users maintain control of autonomous processes.

• Facilitate co-creation workshops and usability tests to balance user desirability with technical feasibility, working closely with creative technologists and AI engineers.

• Design critical Human-in-the-Loop (HITL) moments where AI agents require human validation, embedding transparency and trust into automated workflows.

• Champion accessibility and inclusive intelligence, ensuring AI experiences are equitable and function for all users across diverse backgrounds.

• Maintain a strong perspective on how agentic AI drives human-centered design, using clear storytelling to inspire alignment across the full design lifecycle, from discovery to delivery.

• Collaborate with developers and product managers to translate research findings and design concepts into actionable delivery plans.

• Present design concepts and research findings to internal stakeholders and clients, effectively communicating the value and user-centricity of proposed solutions.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities emphasize a proactive and collaborative approach to AI UX design. The "Choreograph the Collaborative Loop" and "Advocate for Inclusive Evolution" themes highlight the need for strong facilitation, communication, and ethical design skills, which are critical for managing complex GTM and product development processes involving AI.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: While not explicitly stated, a Bachelor's or Master's degree in UX Design, Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), Computer Science, Graphic Design, or a related field is typically expected for this level of role.

Experience: 2-5 years of experience in UX/Experience Design, with a proven track record in enterprise or innovation-studio projects.

Required Skills:

• Strong portfolio showcasing enterprise or innovation-studio UX/experience design projects.

• Deep understanding of user-centered design principles, interaction design methodologies, and usability testing techniques.

• Proficiency in facilitating co-creation sessions, workshops, and presenting design concepts to clients and stakeholders.

• Experience with emerging AI assistants such as Figma Make, MiroAI, Adobe Firefly, or Lovable.

• Fluency in design and prototyping tools like Figma, Sketch, or similar platforms.

• Experience collaborating effectively with developers and product managers to translate research insights into deliverable product features.

• Excellent English communication skills, both written and verbal, for clear articulation of design rationale and user needs. Preferred Skills:

• Direct experience designing for AI, agentic AI/UX, and data-driven design processes.

• A well-defined point of view (POV) on how AI can effectively drive human-centered design and foster co-creation.

• Experience designing for Human-in-the-Loop (HITL) systems and understanding critical hand-off moments.

• Familiarity with accessibility standards and best practices for inclusive design in AI.

• Experience in designing complex enterprise-level applications or innovative digital products.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on AI-specific tools and a "POV on how AI can drive human-centered design" suggests that candidates with a forward-thinking mindset and an understanding of emerging AI trends will be highly valued. This is crucial for operations roles that may involve integrating AI into GTM processes or customer-facing tools.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Showcase a minimum of 3-5 enterprise or innovation-studio UX design projects that demonstrate end-to-end design thinking.

• Projects should clearly articulate the problem statement, your role and contributions, the design process followed, key challenges overcome, and the ultimate impact or outcome.

• Include case studies that highlight experience with user research, journey mapping, interaction design, and usability testing.

• Specifically feature projects where you've designed for complex systems, ideally involving AI or advanced technology.

• Demonstrate proficiency with design tools such as Figma or Sketch, and include interactive prototypes where applicable. Process Documentation:

• For each project, clearly document the research methodologies employed (e.g., user interviews, surveys, competitive analysis) and how insights informed design decisions.

• Detail the iterative design process, including wireframing, prototyping, and user testing cycles.

• Explain how you translated complex user needs and system requirements into intuitive user flows and interface designs.

• Showcase examples of how you collaborated with cross-functional teams (e.g., developers, product managers, AI engineers) to ensure successful implementation of designs.

• If possible, include evidence of how your designs addressed accessibility and inclusivity.

📝 Enhancement Note: A strong portfolio is paramount for this role, as it serves as tangible proof of design capabilities and problem-solving skills. For operations roles, a portfolio that demonstrates process optimization, efficiency gains, and successful system implementations would be highly beneficial. Highlighting experience with AI integration and human-AI collaboration is critical.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

• U.S. Base Salary Range: $63,360 to $114,120 per year.

• Specific ranges are provided for various high-cost-of-living areas:

  • 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

• The final compensation will be determined by factors including geography, job-related skills, and experience.

• Compensation will not be below any applicable state, city, or local minimum wage requirements. Benefits:

• Medical coverage

• Dental coverage

• Disability insurance

• Retirement benefits

• Paid leave

• Paid time off

• Eligibility for Kyndryl’s discretionary annual bonus program (based on performance), or a sales commission plan if the role is sales-commission eligible. Working Hours:

• Standard full-time schedule is assumed to be 40 hours per week.

• The role is described as "Remote OK," suggesting potential flexibility in work hours, though specific schedules would be confirmed during the interview process.

📝 Enhancement Note: The provided salary ranges are competitive and reflect the varying cost of living across different U.S. locations. The inclusion of a discretionary annual bonus program or sales commission plan indicates a performance-driven compensation structure, common in roles impacting business outcomes. For operations candidates, understanding how performance is measured and how bonuses are tied to operational efficiency or revenue impact is key.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Information Technology Services, IT Infrastructure, Consulting, and Managed Services. Kyndryl operates at the forefront of technological systems that the world depends on, specializing in designing, building, managing, and modernizing mission-critical IT infrastructure.

Company Size: Kyndryl is a large enterprise, having spun off from IBM. Its global presence and extensive client base indicate a significant employee count and a complex organizational structure.

Founded: Kyndryl was established as an independent entity in November 2021, following its spin-off from IBM. This means it's a relatively new company with a long heritage and established market presence through its previous affiliation.

Team Structure:

• The UX Design Associate will likely be part of a broader Design or Product Development team, potentially within a division focused on AI and Emerging Technologies.

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

• The reporting structure will likely involve a UX Design Lead or Manager, with opportunities for cross-functional collaboration across various Kyndryl business units and client engagements. Methodology:

• Kyndryl emphasizes a purpose-driven approach, focusing on innovation and empowering its people.

• The company champions a growth mindset, customer focus, and a borderless, inclusive work style.

• Design processes will likely integrate user-centered design, agile methodologies, and a strong emphasis on co-creation and iterative development, particularly in the context of AI.

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

📝 Enhancement Note: As a relatively new, independent company, Kyndryl is likely fostering a culture that balances established enterprise practices with a drive for innovation and agility. The emphasis on UX Design for AI suggests a strategic focus on future technologies, which would appeal to operations professionals looking to work on cutting-edge solutions and influence GTM strategies for new products.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is an Associate-level position, typically suited for individuals with 2-5 years of experience. It represents an early to mid-stage career opportunity for a UX Designer. In an operations context, this would translate to contributing to the design and optimization of operational workflows, systems, and user experiences that support sales, service delivery, or internal processes.

Reporting Structure: The UX Design Associate will likely report to a UX Design Lead or Manager. They will work collaboratively with cross-functional teams including AI Engineers, Creative Technologists, Product Managers, and potentially Business Analysts or Operations Specialists who define business requirements and process needs.

Operations Impact: While primarily a design role, the UX Design Associate's work will have a significant impact on operational efficiency and effectiveness. By humanizing complex AI systems and designing intuitive interfaces, they will:

• Improve user adoption and proficiency with AI-powered tools, reducing training overhead and support costs.

• Streamline complex workflows, leading to faster task completion and increased productivity for internal users or clients.

• Enhance the overall user experience of Kyndryl's offerings, contributing to client satisfaction and retention.

• Inform the development of new AI-driven products and services, directly influencing Kyndryl's market position and revenue generation potential. Growth Opportunities:

• Skill Specialization: Deepen expertise in AI UX design, Human-in-the-Loop (HITL) systems, and advanced interaction patterns for autonomous agents.

• Leadership Development: Progress to a Senior UX Designer or UX Lead role, taking ownership of larger projects, mentoring junior designers, and influencing design strategy.

• Cross-Functional Mobility: Transition into Product Management, AI Product Strategy, or even specialized Operations roles focused on AI implementation and process optimization within Kyndryl.

• Industry Certifications: Pursue certifications in UX, AI, or specific Kyndryl-supported platforms (e.g., Microsoft, Google, Amazon) to enhance professional credentials.

• Client Engagement: Gain experience presenting to and collaborating with Fortune 100 clients, developing strong client management and communication skills.

📝 Enhancement Note: For operations professionals, this role offers a unique opportunity to bridge the gap between technology design and operational execution. Understanding how UX principles can enhance the adoption and efficiency of AI-driven operational tools is a valuable skill set. The growth paths suggest opportunities to influence technology strategy and operational process design.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Kyndryl offers a hybrid work environment. The role is designated as "Remote OK," indicating that significant work can be performed remotely. However, the presence of specific AI Hub locations like "Dallas Frisco AI HUB (FRI)" suggests that in-person collaboration, client meetings, or team events may occur at these physical sites.

Office Location(s):

• Primary listed location: USDALFRI - Dallas Frisco AI HUB (FRI), Dallas/Frisco, Texas, United States.

• Other potential locations are implied by the broader compensation ranges and the company's global presence. Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Environment: The role requires active participation in co-creation workshops, usability testing, and close collaboration with diverse teams (engineers, product managers, strategists). This necessitates strong virtual collaboration tools and practices.

• Operations Tools & Technology: Access to industry-standard design and prototyping software (Figma, Sketch), AI assistant tools, and potentially project management and communication platforms (e.g., Slack, Microsoft Teams, Jira).

• Team Interaction: Opportunities for regular interaction with design peers, AI specialists, and project stakeholders through virtual meetings, design reviews, and potentially in-person gatherings at designated hubs.

Work Schedule:

• The standard working hours are 40 hours per week.

• Given the "Remote OK" status and the nature of design work, there is likely flexibility in daily scheduling, allowing for asynchronous collaboration and work-life balance, provided project deadlines and team needs are met.

📝 Enhancement Note: The hybrid nature of the work environment and the "Remote OK" status are significant advantages for operations professionals who may value flexibility. The mention of an "AI HUB" suggests a focus on innovation and dedicated spaces for collaborative development, which can be stimulating for those involved in GTM strategy or process improvement.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A review of your resume and portfolio to assess alignment with required skills and experience, particularly in UX design and AI-related projects.

• Portfolio Presentation: A dedicated session where you will present 1-3 key projects from your portfolio, walking through your design process, rationale, challenges, and outcomes. Be prepared to discuss your role in detail, especially in collaborative efforts.

• Technical/Skills Assessment: Interviews focusing on UX methodologies, interaction design principles, user research techniques, and your understanding of AI/agentic AI UX. You may be asked scenario-based questions related to designing for complex AI systems.

• Behavioral & Cultural Fit: Questions designed to assess your growth mindset, customer focus, inclusivity, and ability to collaborate effectively within a team and with clients.

• Hiring Manager/Team Interview: A final discussion with the hiring manager or key team members to evaluate overall fit and address any remaining questions.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select projects that best demonstrate your skills in user research, interaction design, and ideally, experience with AI or complex systems. Highlight your problem-solving approach and the impact of your designs.

• Structure Your Narrative: For each project, clearly articulate the problem, your process, your specific contributions, challenges encountered, and the results achieved. Use visuals effectively.

• Highlight AI/Agentic AI Experience: If you have direct experience with AI, agentic AI, or related emerging technologies, make this a central theme in your chosen case studies. Emphasize how you designed for non-deterministic UIs, human-in-the-loop interactions, or complex reasoning processes.

• Demonstrate Collaboration: Showcase how you worked with developers, product managers, and other stakeholders. Clearly define your role versus the team's collective effort.

• Be Ready for Technical Deep Dives: Anticipate questions about your design decisions, tool proficiency (Figma, Sketch), and understanding of user-testing methodologies.

Challenge Preparation:

• AI UX Scenarios: Prepare for hypothetical design challenges related to AI interactions, such as designing a user interface for an autonomous agent, handling AI errors gracefully, or creating a seamless human-AI collaboration workflow.

• Process Optimization Mindset: Think about how UX design can improve operational efficiency. Be ready to discuss how intuitive interfaces can reduce errors, training time, and support requests.

• Communication & Storytelling: Practice articulating your design process and rationale clearly and concisely. Focus on storytelling that highlights user empathy and business impact.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on portfolio presentation and specific AI UX scenarios indicates that candidates need to be prepared to showcase their practical application of design skills in the context of advanced technology. For operations candidates, this means framing their experience in terms of process improvement, efficiency, and user adoption for AI-driven tools.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Design & Prototyping: Figma, Sketch, or similar industry-standard tools. Proficiency in creating interactive prototypes is essential.

• AI Assistant Tools: Experience or familiarity with emerging AI tools such as Figma Make, MiroAI, Adobe Firefly, or Lovable.

• User Research & Testing Platforms: Tools for conducting user interviews, surveys, and usability tests (e.g., UserTesting.com, Lookback, Maze).

Analytics & Reporting:

• While not a primary focus for this UX role, an understanding of how design impacts user behavior analytics (e.g., Google Analytics, Adobe Analytics) and conversion rates is beneficial.

• Familiarity with data visualization tools to present research findings or user behavior patterns might be advantageous. CRM & Automation:

• Not directly specified for this UX role, but awareness of how UX design integrates with CRM systems (e.g., Salesforce) or automated workflows to improve user experience within those platforms is valuable for operations-minded candidates.

• Understanding of how design impacts the adoption and effectiveness of AI-driven automation tools.

📝 Enhancement Note: The explicit mention of AI assistant tools is a key differentiator for this role. For operations professionals, understanding how these tools can be integrated into workflows or how UX design can optimize the use of AI in operational processes is crucial. This highlights a growing trend in operations to leverage AI for efficiency and effectiveness.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Purpose-Driven: A commitment to designing and building technology solutions that serve a meaningful purpose for clients and communities.

• Innovation: A drive to explore and implement cutting-edge technologies, particularly in the AI space, to create next-generation experiences.

• Growth Mindset: Encouraging continuous learning, personal development, and embracing new challenges with a proactive attitude.

• Customer-Focused: Prioritizing client success and user satisfaction through empathetic design and collaborative problem-solving.

• Open & Borderless: Fostering an inclusive environment where diverse perspectives are welcomed, and collaboration transcends traditional boundaries.

Collaboration Style:

• Co-creation: Actively engaging stakeholders, including clients, engineers, and product managers, in the design process to ensure alignment and shared ownership.

• Cross-functional Integration: Working seamlessly with technical teams (AI engineers, developers) and business teams (product managers, strategists) to translate user needs into feasible and impactful solutions.

• Iterative Feedback: Embracing a culture of continuous feedback and iteration, using user testing and stakeholder input to refine designs throughout the development lifecycle.

• Knowledge Sharing: Encouraging the sharing of insights, best practices, and learnings, especially concerning the evolving landscape of AI UX.

📝 Enhancement Note: The company values strongly align with desirable traits for operations professionals: a focus on purpose, innovation, continuous improvement (growth mindset), customer satisfaction, and inclusivity. The collaborative style emphasizes the importance of clear communication and cross-functional teamwork, essential for successful GTM strategies and operational execution.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Designing for AI Ambiguity: Navigating the inherent uncertainty and evolving nature of AI, particularly in designing for non-deterministic UIs and graceful error handling.

• Human-AI Collaboration Design: Defining effective interaction models and hand-off points for complex human-AI partnerships, ensuring trust and user control.

• Ethical AI Considerations: Advocating for and implementing accessible, inclusive, and ethical design principles in AI systems, mitigating bias and ensuring equity.

• Rapid Technological Evolution: Keeping pace with the fast-changing landscape of AI and related design tools and methodologies.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• AI UX Specialization: Opportunities to become a subject matter expert in the rapidly growing field of AI UX design.

• Cross-Disciplinary Learning: Gaining exposure to AI engineering, data science, and product management within a large enterprise context.

• Client-Facing Experience: Developing strong presentation and client management skills through direct engagement with Fortune 100 clients.

• Platform Certifications: Access to extensive learning resources and certifications in major cloud platforms (Microsoft, Google, AWS) and other relevant technologies.

• Mentorship: Potential to learn from experienced design leaders and AI specialists within Kyndryl.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges presented are inherent to working with cutting-edge AI technology. For operations professionals, these challenges translate into opportunities to develop expertise in integrating advanced technologies into business processes, thereby enhancing efficiency and creating new GTM opportunities. The learning and development opportunities are substantial, offering paths for specialization and leadership.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you had to design for a system with inherent ambiguity or unpredictable outcomes. How did you approach it, and what was the result?" (Focus on AI UX principles, error handling, and user confidence.)

• "How would you approach designing the Human-in-the-Loop (HITL) interaction for an AI system that needs human validation for critical decisions? What factors would you prioritize?" (Focus on transparency, trust, and clear hand-off points.)

• "Imagine you're designing an AI assistant for a complex enterprise process. What are the key user research questions you would ask to understand user needs and pain points?" (Focus on user-centered design, research methodology, and process understanding.) Company & Culture Questions:

• "What interests you about Kyndryl's focus on AI and its mission-critical technology systems?" (Showcase research on Kyndryl's business and connect it to your design interests.)

• "How do you embody a 'growth mindset' and 'customer-focused' approach in your design work?" (Provide specific examples of continuous learning and client-centric problem-solving.)

• "Describe a situation where you had to advocate for inclusive design or accessibility. What was the outcome?" (Demonstrate commitment to ethical and equitable design practices.) Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Storytelling is Key: For each case study, craft a compelling narrative that highlights the problem, your thought process, your unique contributions, and the impact of your design.

• Focus on AI/Agentic AI: If possible, select projects that showcase your understanding of designing for AI, even if it's a conceptual project. Explain the specific challenges of AI interaction design you addressed.

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