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 Design / Product Design

Date Posted: 2026-09-15

Experience Level: 2-5 Years

Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• Lead user research and design activities to define and optimize human-AI collaboration interfaces, focusing on intuitive user journeys and seamless interaction patterns.

• Design dynamic and responsive user interfaces that effectively manage AI latency, ambiguity, and error states, ensuring a controlled user experience.

• Facilitate co-creation workshops and usability tests to align user desirability with technical feasibility, fostering collaboration between design, AI engineering, and product teams.

• Champion ethical design principles, including accessibility and inclusivity, to ensure AI experiences are equitable and beneficial for all users.

• Develop a strong point of view on how agentic AI drives human-centered design, effectively communicating design strategies and rationale across the entire product lifecycle.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is specifically focused on the intersection of User Experience (UX) Design and Artificial Intelligence (AI), particularly "agentic AI" (AI that can take actions independently). The emphasis is on designing for complex, dynamic interactions where AI plays a significant role, moving beyond traditional static interfaces. The role requires not just design skills but also a strategic understanding of how AI influences user behavior and system interaction.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Conduct in-depth user research to identify pain points and opportunities within human-AI relationships, translating findings into comprehensive journey maps.

• Design and prototype dynamic interaction patterns for AI-driven interfaces, considering factors like AI latency, uncertainty, and error handling.

• Lead and facilitate cross-functional workshops, bringing together stakeholders from design, engineering, and product management to foster collaborative design solutions.

• Define and refine Human-in-the-Loop (HITL) design patterns, ensuring clear and trustworthy hand-off moments between AI agents and human users.

• Develop and maintain design documentation, including wireframes, prototypes, and user flows, to effectively communicate design intent and specifications.

• Advocate for accessibility standards and inclusive design practices to ensure AI experiences are usable and equitable for diverse user populations.

• Present design concepts, research findings, and strategic recommendations to internal teams and external clients, articulating the value of human-centered AI design.

• Collaborate closely with AI engineers and creative technologists to ensure the technical implementation aligns with the designed user experience and interaction models.

• Stay abreast of emerging AI technologies, tools, and design trends to inform and innovate within the AI UX design space.

• Contribute to the evolution of Kyndryl's design system and best practices for AI-driven user experiences.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a strong emphasis on user research, dynamic interface design for AI, and cross-functional collaboration. The "humanize complex intelligence" and "choreograph the collaborative loop" themes suggest a focus on making sophisticated AI systems understandable and manageable for users, and designing the critical points of interaction where humans and AI work together.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: Bachelor's degree in UX/Experience Design, Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), Computer Science, Graphic Design, or a related field, or equivalent practical experience.

Experience: 2-5 years of professional experience in UX/Experience Design, with a demonstrated track record of working on enterprise-level projects or within innovation studios.

Required Skills:

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

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

• Demonstrated ability to facilitate co-creation sessions and present design concepts effectively to clients and stakeholders.

• Proficiency in industry-standard design and prototyping tools such as Figma or Sketch.

• Experience collaborating with developers and product managers to translate research and design insights into deliverable products.

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English, with the ability to articulate complex design ideas clearly. Preferred Skills:

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

• A well-articulated point of view on how AI can drive human-centered design and facilitate co-creation.

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

• Experience designing for Human-in-the-Loop (HITL) systems and understanding the nuances of AI latency and error states.

• Knowledge of accessibility standards (WCAG) and inclusive design principles.

• Experience in journey mapping and architecting complex user flows.

📝 Enhancement Note: The experience level of 2-5 years suggests this role is suitable for individuals who have moved beyond entry-level and have practical experience, but are not yet senior-level strategists. The emphasis on a portfolio and specific AI/agentic AI experience is critical. Proficiency in Figma or Sketch is a hard requirement.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Showcase a minimum of 2-3 significant enterprise or innovation-studio UX/design projects.

• Clearly articulate your role and contributions within each project, especially in team-based environments.

• Demonstrate a deep understanding of the user-centered design process from research through to delivery.

• Include examples of user research methodologies employed and how insights informed design decisions.

• Highlight experience with interaction design and the creation of dynamic user interfaces, particularly if related to AI or complex systems.

• Present case studies that illustrate problem-solving, design iteration, and final solutions. Process Documentation:

• For each project, detail the design process followed, including discovery, ideation, prototyping, and testing phases.

• Document how user feedback and usability testing results were incorporated into design iterations.

• Explain how you collaborated with developers and product managers to ensure successful implementation of designs.

• Provide examples of how you managed design ambiguity and iterated based on technical constraints or AI behavior.

• Illustrate your approach to designing for complex systems or AI-driven interactions, including any specific methodologies used.

📝 Enhancement Note: The portfolio requirements are geared towards demonstrating practical application of UX design principles in a professional, often complex, enterprise context. The emphasis on AI and dynamic interfaces implies that projects showcasing these aspects will be highly valued. Candidates should be prepared to walk through their design process and decision-making.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $63,360 - $114,120 annually (for full-time schedule in most US locations).

Location-Specific Adjustments:

• California (San Francisco Bay Area): $76,080 - $137,040

• California (All Other): $69,720 - $125,640

• Colorado: $63,360 - $114,120

• Massachusetts: $63,360 - $125,640

• New York City: $76,080 - $137,040

• Washington: $69,720 - $125,640

• Washington DC: $69,720 - $125,640 Benefits:

• Comprehensive medical and dental coverage.

• Disability insurance.

• Retirement benefits.

• Paid leave and paid time off.

• Eligibility for Kyndryl’s discretionary annual bonus program (performance-based).

• Potential for sales commission plan if applicable to the specific role (in lieu of bonus).

Working Hours: Typically 40 hours per week, reflecting a full-time schedule.

📝 Enhancement Note: The provided salary ranges are based on a full-time schedule and vary significantly by geographic location within the U.S., reflecting cost of living and market demand. The total compensation package includes a bonus program and a robust benefits suite, which is standard for large enterprise technology companies like Kyndryl. The salary figures are estimates based on the provided range and do not account for specific individual experience beyond the general bracket.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Technology Services / IT Consulting / Managed Infrastructure Services. Kyndryl is a global leader in running and reimagining mission-critical technology systems for enterprises.

Company Size: Large enterprise (Kyndryl is a spin-off from IBM's managed infrastructure services business, indicating a significant global presence and workforce).

Founded: Kyndryl was established as an independent public company in November 2021, spinning off from IBM. This means it's a relatively new entity with a long history of expertise inherited from its predecessor.

Team Structure:

• The UX Design Associate will likely be part of a broader Design or Product Development team, potentially within an AI or innovation-focused division.

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

• The structure emphasizes cross-functional collaboration to bring complex AI solutions to life. Methodology:

• Data-Driven Design: Leveraging user research and analytics to inform design decisions.

• User-Centered Design: Prioritizing the needs and experiences of the end-user throughout the design process.

• Agile/Iterative Development: Working in sprints and cycles to deliver and refine solutions, especially critical for AI development.

• Co-creation: Facilitating collaborative sessions to drive innovation and ensure alignment across diverse teams and stakeholders.

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

📝 Enhancement Note: Kyndryl's focus on "running and reimaging mission-critical technology systems" and its recent spin-off from IBM suggest a culture that values deep technical expertise, client relationships, and innovation within established enterprise environments. The emphasis on AI and "next era of computing" indicates a forward-looking approach.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is an "Associate" level position, typically indicating an entry to mid-level career stage (2-5 years of experience). It's a position focused on executing design tasks under guidance, with opportunities to grow into more senior UX Designer or specialized AI UX roles.

Reporting Structure: The UX Design Associate will likely report to a UX Design Lead, Manager, or Director within the AI or Product Development organization. They will work collaboratively with peers and other cross-functional teams.

Operations Impact: While not a traditional "Revenue Operations" or "Sales Operations" role, this UX Design Associate role has a significant impact on the business by:

• Enhancing the usability and adoption of Kyndryl's AI-powered solutions, directly influencing client satisfaction and retention.

• Driving innovation by designing intuitive interfaces for next-generation technologies, positioning Kyndryl as a leader in AI-driven services.

• Improving operational efficiency for clients by making complex AI systems easier to interact with and manage. Growth Opportunities:

• Skill Specialization: Deepen expertise in AI UX design, agentic AI interfaces, and human-AI collaboration patterns.

• Career Progression: Advance to Senior UX Designer, Lead UX Designer, or specialized roles like AI Interaction Designer or UX Researcher focused on AI.

• Leadership Potential: Develop skills in workshop facilitation, client presentations, and mentoring junior designers, paving the way for team leadership.

• Cross-functional Exposure: Gain experience working across different technology stacks, client industries, and product teams within Kyndryl.

• Learning & Development: Access to Kyndryl's extensive learning resources, including certifications with major tech partners (Microsoft, Google, Amazon) and hands-on project experience.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Associate" title clearly defines the career stage. The growth opportunities are framed within the context of a large technology services firm, emphasizing specialization in AI UX, leadership development, and leveraging partnerships for continuous learning.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Hybrid-friendly culture. While the role is listed as "On-site," Kyndryl emphasizes a hybrid approach, suggesting a balance between in-office collaboration and remote flexibility. The specific "AI HUB" location in Dallas/Frisco implies a modern facility designed for collaboration and innovation.

Office Location(s):

• Dallas, Texas, United States

• Frisco, Texas, United States

These locations are within the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex, a significant hub for technology and business.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Environment: The "AI HUB" designation suggests a space designed for teamwork, ideation, and hands-on development, likely equipped with modern collaboration tools and meeting spaces.

• Technology Access: As an IT services leader, Kyndryl likely provides employees with state-of-the-art hardware, software, and access to necessary development and design tools.

• Team Interaction: Opportunities for regular interaction with UX designers, AI engineers, product managers, and potentially clients, fostering a dynamic and engaging work atmosphere.

Work Schedule: Standard full-time working hours (approximately 40 hours per week), with a hybrid model allowing for flexibility in work location as per Kyndryl's policies.

📝 Enhancement Note: The hybrid nature of the work environment is a key consideration. While the role is "On-site," the company culture promotes flexibility, suggesting that the expectation may be regular office presence for collaboration rather than a strict 5-day-a-week requirement. The "AI HUB" location points to a specialized facility focused on cutting-edge technology.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: HR or Recruiter review of application and resume, assessing basic qualifications and fit.

• Portfolio Review: A critical stage where the hiring manager and/or senior designers evaluate your submitted portfolio for design quality, process, and relevance to AI UX.

• Technical/Design Interview: In-depth discussion about your past projects, design process, problem-solving approach, and understanding of UX principles, with a specific focus on AI/agentic AI. This may include a design challenge.

• Team/Cultural Fit Interview: Meeting with potential team members and hiring manager to assess collaboration style, communication skills, and alignment with Kyndryl's values.

• Final Interview: Potentially with a senior leader to discuss strategic thinking and overall fit for the role and company.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select projects that best showcase your skills in user research, interaction design, and ideally, any experience with complex systems or AI.

• Tell a Story: For each project, clearly outline the problem, your role, the process you followed, the challenges you faced, your solutions, and the impact of your work (using metrics if possible).

• Highlight AI Relevance: If you have projects involving AI, machine learning, or complex automation, emphasize them. Explain your approach to designing for uncertainty, latency, or human-AI collaboration.

• Showcase Process: Clearly demonstrate your understanding of the UX design lifecycle, from discovery and research to iteration and delivery.

• Tool Proficiency: Mention the tools used (Figma, Sketch, etc.) and your comfort level with them.

Challenge Preparation:

• Understand the Context: If given a design challenge, ensure you understand the problem statement, target users, and business goals.

• Focus on Process: Demonstrate your thought process, research approach, and how you would iterate on solutions, rather than just presenting a polished final design.

• AI Considerations: If the challenge relates to AI, think about how you would design for trust, transparency, and user control in an AI-driven interaction.

• Presentation Skills: Practice articulating your ideas clearly and concisely, as you may need to present your challenge solution.

📝 Enhancement Note: The portfolio review is highlighted as a critical step. Candidates should prepare to not only show their work but also to articulate the "why" behind their design decisions, especially concerning AI and complex systems. A design challenge is likely, so practicing problem-solving and presentation is key