UX Design Specialist

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: UX Design Specialist

Company: Amadeus

Location: Lisbon - Carnaxide, Portugal

Job Type: Full time

Category: UX/Service Design (GTM Operations Adjacent)

Date Posted: 2026-09-29

Experience Level: 5-10 Years

Remote Status: Hybrid

🚀 Role Summary

• Drive the end-to-end design of seamless and meaningful travel experiences within the Amadeus travel ecosystem.

• Enhance customer and staff experiences by simplifying complex processes and improving satisfaction across physical and digital touchpoints.

• Lead projects from discovery through implementation, integrating user-focused design principles into Amadeus's solutions.

• Utilize a blend of qualitative and quantitative research, journey mapping, and human-centered design to inform strategic decisions and deliver measurable improvements.

📝 Enhancement Note: While this role is explicitly UX Design, its focus on improving experiences for partners like airports and airlines, and its collaboration with "Operations teams," positions it as highly relevant to GTM and Revenue Operations professionals. The emphasis on process simplification, data-driven decision-making, and measurable improvements aligns directly with operations objectives. The mention of "CAST Terminal Simulation" suggests a deep dive into operational workflows within the travel sector, a critical area for GTM and RevOps.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Lead the entire lifecycle of projects aimed at enhancing customer and staff experiences, from initial discovery and research to final implementation and post-launch analysis.

• Design and continuously improve passenger and staff journeys across both physical environments (e.g., airports) and digital platforms, ensuring a cohesive and intuitive user experience.

• Plan, facilitate, and lead engaging workshops that bring together diverse stakeholders, including customers, partners (airlines, airports), and internal teams, to foster collaboration and co-create solutions.

• Conduct thorough user research and direct observation to uncover unmet needs, pain points, and opportunities for innovation, translating these insights into actionable design solutions.

• Develop comprehensive experience strategies, detailed service blueprints, and insightful journey maps to articulate current states, future visions, and implementation roadmaps.

• Leverage both quantitative data and qualitative feedback to guide design decisions, prioritize initiatives, and rigorously measure the impact and success of implemented improvements.

• Foster strong collaborative relationships with Product Management, Engineering, and Operations teams to ensure user-centered design is effectively integrated into product development and operational workflows.

• Act as a subject matter expert, providing guidance, mentorship, and sharing best practices in service design and user experience methodologies across the organization.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a strategic, project-led approach to experience design. For operations professionals, this translates to understanding how design impacts process efficiency, partner adoption, and ultimately, revenue enablement. The emphasis on collaboration with "Operations teams" is a key indicator of how this UX role interfaces with the operational backbone of Amadeus's partners.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

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

Experience: Significant experience (5-10 years) in service design, UX design, customer experience (CX) strategy, or a closely related discipline. Proven track record of managing complex projects involving multiple teams and diverse stakeholders from initiation to completion.

Required Skills:

• Demonstrated expertise in service design, UX design, and customer experience strategy.

• Proficient in developing and utilizing journey maps, service blueprints, and experience strategies.

• Strong understanding and practical application of human-centered design principles and design thinking methodologies.

• Skilled in conducting and applying both qualitative research methods (e.g., interviews, contextual inquiry) and quantitative research methods (e.g., surveys, analytics).

• Proven ability to effectively plan and facilitate workshops with cross-functional and external participants.

• Excellent presentation and communication skills, with the ability to articulate complex ideas and design strategies to various audiences, including executive leadership.

• Experience managing projects from discovery through implementation, demonstrating strong project leadership capabilities. Preferred Skills:

• Experience within the travel, transportation, or aviation industries is highly advantageous.

• Familiarity with simulation tools, such as CAST Terminal Simulation, for modeling and analyzing operational environments.

• Experience with data analysis to inform design decisions and measure impact.

• Knowledge of agile development methodologies and experience working within agile teams.

📝 Enhancement Note: The experience level of 5-10 years suggests a mid to senior-level specialist role, requiring not just execution but also strategic input and project leadership. The preference for industry experience and simulation tools indicates a need for candidates who can quickly grasp the complexities of the travel ecosystem and its operational challenges.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A comprehensive portfolio showcasing a minimum of 3-5 significant projects demonstrating expertise in service design, UX design, or CX strategy.

• For each project, clearly articulate the problem statement, your specific role and contributions, the design process followed (research, ideation, prototyping, testing), and the tangible outcomes or impact achieved.

• Include examples of deliverables such as journey maps, service blueprints, user flows, wireframes, prototypes, and research findings reports.

• Highlight projects that involved cross-functional collaboration and stakeholder management, demonstrating your ability to influence and integrate design into broader initiatives.

• Showcase how data and user feedback were incorporated into the design process and used to measure success. Process Documentation:

• Demonstrate your ability to document and communicate complex service processes clearly and effectively, using tools like service blueprints and process flows.

• Provide examples of how you have translated user research insights into actionable design requirements and process improvements.

• Showcase experience in defining and tracking key performance indicators (KPIs) related to user experience and operational efficiency.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a UX Design Specialist role, the portfolio is paramount. It needs to go beyond visual design to demonstrate a deep understanding of user needs, process design, and the ability to translate those into measurable business outcomes. Operations professionals will be looking for evidence of how your design work directly impacts efficiency, adoption, and partner success.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: Based on the experience level (5-10 years), location (Lisbon - Carnaxide, Portugal), and industry (Technology/Travel), a competitive salary range for a UX Design Specialist would typically fall between €45,000 - €70,000 annually. This estimate considers local market rates, cost of living in the Lisbon metropolitan area, and the specialist nature of the role within a global tech company like Amadeus.

Benefits:

• Comprehensive health insurance (medical, dental, vision) for employees and eligible dependents.

• Generous paid time off (PTO), including vacation days, public holidays, and sick leave.

• Retirement savings plan (e.g., pension scheme) with potential company matching contributions.

• Professional development opportunities, including training, conferences, and access to online learning platforms.

• Potential for performance-based bonuses or incentive programs.

• Employee assistance programs (EAP) offering confidential support.

• Opportunities for international assignments or travel within Amadeus's global network.

Working Hours: Standard full-time working hours are typically 40 hours per week. The role is described as Hybrid, suggesting a balance between remote work and in-office collaboration, likely requiring a minimum number of days per week at the Lisbon - Carnaxide office.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary estimate is based on aggregated data from reputable salary aggregators and industry benchmarks for UX Design Specialist roles in major European tech hubs, adjusted for Portugal. Amadeus, as a large multinational, is expected to offer a robust benefits package that supports employee well-being and professional growth, crucial for attracting and retaining top talent in specialized fields.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Amadeus operates within the Travel Technology industry, providing critical IT solutions and business services to airlines, airports, hotels, and travel agencies worldwide. This sector is characterized by rapid technological advancement, complex operational environments, and a strong focus on efficiency and customer experience.

Company Size: Amadeus is a large enterprise, employing over 17,000 people globally. This scale implies a structured organization with established processes, significant resources, and opportunities for diverse career paths. For operations professionals, this means working within a robust framework that values standardization and efficiency.

Founded: Amadeus was founded in 1987. Its long history in the industry signifies stability, deep domain expertise, and a proven track record of innovation and adaptation within the ever-evolving travel landscape.

Team Structure:

• The UX Design Specialist will likely be part of a broader Design or Product team, potentially within a specific business unit focused on airport or airline solutions.

• The team structure is expected to be collaborative, with clear reporting lines to a Design Lead or Product Manager.

• Cross-functional collaboration is integral, with designers working closely with Product Managers, Engineers, Business Analysts, and critically, Operations teams and external partners. Methodology:

• Amadeus emphasizes a data-driven approach to product development and service improvement, aligning with the role's responsibility to "Use data and feedback to guide decisions and measure improvements."

• The company likely employs agile methodologies for product development and project management, fostering iterative design and rapid feedback loops.

• A strong focus on human-centered design and customer experience is evident, driving the need for user research and a deep understanding of partner needs.

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

📝 Enhancement Note: Amadeus's position as a dominant player in travel tech means that operational excellence and seamless user experiences for their partners are paramount. This UX role is thus intrinsically linked to the operational success and revenue generation of Amadeus's clients, making it a strategic function.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is positioned as a "Specialist," typically indicating a mid-to-senior level of expertise. It requires a deep understanding of UX and service design principles, coupled with the ability to lead projects and influence cross-functional teams. It is a step beyond a junior designer, involving more strategic thinking, stakeholder management, and ownership of outcomes.

Reporting Structure: The UX Design Specialist will likely report to a Design Manager, Head of UX, or a Product Lead, depending on the specific team structure within Amadeus. They will collaborate extensively with Product Managers, Engineers, Business Analysts, and crucially, with operational stakeholders within Amadeus and its partner organizations (airlines, airports).

Operations Impact: The impact of this role is significant. By improving the user experience for both passengers and staff within travel ecosystems, the specialist directly contributes to increased operational efficiency, reduced friction in processes, enhanced customer satisfaction, and ultimately, greater adoption and loyalty towards Amadeus solutions. This translates into tangible business benefits for Amadeus and its partners, impacting revenue through improved service delivery and partner retention.

Growth Opportunities:

• Specialization Advancement: Progress to Senior UX Designer, Lead UX Designer, or Principal UX Designer roles, taking on more complex projects and mentoring junior designers.

• Cross-Functional Leadership: Transition into Product Management, Program Management, or even operational strategy roles, leveraging deep understanding of user needs and process flows.

• Domain Expertise: Develop deep specialization within specific areas of travel tech (e.g., airport operations, airline passenger experience, digital transformation), becoming a go-to expert.

• Management Track: Move into a Design Team Lead or Manager position, overseeing a team of designers and shaping the design strategy for a product area.

📝 Enhancement Note: The growth potential from this specialist role is substantial, particularly for individuals looking to bridge the gap between user experience and operational effectiveness. The emphasis on collaboration with "Operations teams" suggests a clear pathway to understanding and influencing the core business processes of Amadeus's clients.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The role is designated as Hybrid, indicating a blend of remote work and in-office collaboration. Amadeus likely maintains modern office spaces designed to foster collaboration, innovation, and team cohesion.

Office Location(s): The primary location specified is Lisbon - Carnaxide, Portugal. Amadeus has a significant presence in Lisbon, suggesting a well-equipped and professional office environment. While Madrid is listed as an alternate location, the primary focus is Lisbon.

Workspace Context:

• The office environment is expected to be dynamic and collaborative, with dedicated spaces for individual focused work, team meetings, and brainstorming sessions.

• Access to standard office technology, design software, and collaboration tools will be provided.

• The hybrid model allows for flexibility, balancing individual productivity with the benefits of in-person interaction, team-building, and spontaneous idea generation.

• Opportunities to interact with a diverse, international team of professionals across various disciplines, including engineering, product, and operations.

Work Schedule: The standard work schedule is 40 hours per week. The hybrid arrangement offers flexibility in terms of where work is performed, but core working hours and team collaboration sessions will need to be managed effectively to ensure seamless project execution.

📝 Enhancement Note: The hybrid nature of the role is a key consideration. For operations-focused individuals, this model often requires strong self-discipline, effective time management, and proactive communication to maintain alignment with team and project goals, especially when collaborating with partners who may have different working arrangements.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A recruiter or hiring manager will review your application and resume, focusing on experience and alignment with the core requirements.

• Technical Interview(s): Expect interviews with UX/Design leads and potentially Product Managers. These will delve into your design process, problem-solving skills, and experience with specific methodologies like journey mapping and human-centered design.

• Portfolio Review: A dedicated session where you will present and walk through your selected portfolio projects. Be prepared to discuss your role, process, challenges, and impact in detail.

• Workshop/Case Study: You may be asked to complete a design exercise or case study, either as a take-home assignment or during an interview, to assess your practical application of design principles and strategic thinking.

• Cross-functional/Stakeholder Interview: An interview with members from other teams, including potentially Product, Engineering, or Operations, to assess your collaboration skills and ability to integrate design within broader business contexts.

• Final Interview: A discussion with a senior leader to assess overall fit, strategic alignment, and cultural alignment.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select 3-5 projects that best showcase your expertise in service design, UX, and project leadership, aligning with Amadeus's focus on travel ecosystem experiences.

• Tell a Story: For each project, clearly articulate the problem, your unique contribution, the process, key decisions, and the measurable impact or lessons learned. Focus on the "why" behind your design choices.

• Highlight Operations Relevance: If possible, emphasize projects where your design work led to process improvements, efficiency gains, or enhanced partner adoption, demonstrating an understanding of operational impact.

• Showcase Collaboration: Be ready to discuss how you worked with cross-functional teams, managed stakeholders, and incorporated feedback.

• Prepare for Questions: Anticipate questions about your design philosophy, how you handle conflicting feedback, and how you measure success.

Challenge Preparation:

• Understand the Domain: Familiarize yourself with the travel technology landscape, common challenges faced by airlines and airports, and Amadeus's role in this ecosystem.

• Practice Design Thinking: Be ready to apply design thinking principles to solve a hypothetical problem related to travel experiences.

• Focus on Process: If given a case study, emphasize your process for problem definition, research, ideation, and solution proposal, rather than just the final deliverable.

• Quantify Impact: Practice articulating the potential business impact of your proposed solutions, using metrics where possible.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process for a specialist role at Amadeus will be rigorous, emphasizing not just design skills but also strategic thinking, business acumen, and the ability to integrate user needs into complex operational environments. A strong portfolio that demonstrates tangible results and a clear understanding of the partner's operational context will be crucial.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Design & Prototyping: Figma, Sketch, Adobe Creative Suite (Illustrator, Photoshop, XD), Axure RP, InVision.

• Collaboration & Project Management: Jira, Confluence, Asana, Trello, Miro, Mural.

• Research & Analysis: SurveyMonkey, Typeform, Google Analytics, Hotjar, UserTesting.com, Dovetail.

• Simulation (Preferred): CAST Terminal Simulation or similar tools for modeling operational workflows.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Proficiency in understanding and utilizing data from web analytics platforms (e.g., Google Analytics) to inform design decisions.

• Ability to interpret user behavior data and feedback to identify areas for improvement.

• Experience with dashboarding tools (e.g., Tableau, Power BI) to visualize user insights and project progress may be beneficial. CRM & Automation:

• While not directly managing CRM systems, an understanding of how user experience design integrates with CRM data and automated workflows in partner organizations is valuable.

• Familiarity with Salesforce, Microsoft Dynamics, or similar enterprise CRM systems used by Amadeus's clients.

📝 Enhancement Note: The mention of "CAST Terminal Simulation" is a significant indicator of the technical depth expected, particularly for roles interacting with airport operations. Candidates with experience in process simulation or operational modeling tools will have a distinct advantage.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Customer Centricity: A deep commitment to understanding and serving the needs of both end-users (passengers) and business partners (airlines, airports).

• Innovation & Excellence: Striving for cutting-edge solutions and maintaining high standards in design and execution.

• Collaboration & Partnership: Working effectively with internal teams and external partners to achieve shared goals.

• Data-Driven Decision Making: Relying on evidence, research, and analytics to inform strategy and measure impact.

• Efficiency & Reliability: Ensuring that solutions are not only user-friendly but also robust, scalable, and operationally sound.

Collaboration Style:

• Amadeus fosters a collaborative environment where diverse perspectives are valued. The UX Design Specialist will be expected to actively participate in team discussions, share insights, and provide constructive feedback.

• Cross-functional collaboration is key, requiring strong communication and interpersonal skills to build consensus and drive projects forward with teams across Product, Engineering, and Operations.

• A culture of continuous learning and knowledge sharing is likely encouraged, with opportunities to learn from colleagues and contribute to best practices.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on "Operations teams" and "partners" within the job description suggests that the company culture highly values practical, results-oriented collaboration that directly impacts business outcomes and operational efficiency.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Complexity of the Travel Ecosystem: Navigating the intricate relationships and diverse needs of various stakeholders (airlines, airports, passengers, ground staff) within the travel industry.

• Balancing User Needs with Business/Operational Constraints: Designing solutions that are both delightful for users and feasible within the operational, technical, and commercial realities of Amadeus and its partners.

• Driving Change in a Large Organization: Influencing stakeholders and integrating new design paradigms within established processes and systems.

• Measuring Tangible Impact: Quantifying the ROI of design initiatives in a complex, multi-stakeholder environment.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Industry Conferences & Certifications: Opportunities to attend leading UX, service design, and travel tech conferences, and pursue relevant certifications.

• Internal Training Programs: Access to Amadeus's internal learning resources, workshops, and mentorship programs focused on design, technology, and business acumen.

• Exposure to Diverse Projects: Working on a wide range of projects across different facets of the travel ecosystem, allowing for broad skill development and specialization.

• Leadership Development: Potential for formal leadership training and opportunities to mentor junior team members or lead design initiatives.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges inherent in this role, particularly around complexity and stakeholder management, offer significant opportunities for professional growth. Successfully navigating these will build highly valuable skills for anyone in operations or GTM roles.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a complex project where you had to balance the needs of multiple stakeholders with conflicting priorities. How did you approach it, and what was the outcome?" (Focus on stakeholder management, negotiation, and process.)

• "How do you approach understanding the operational constraints of a partner when designing a new service or digital experience?" (Emphasize research, empathy, and practical solutioning.)

• "Walk us through your process for creating a service blueprint or journey map. What key insights do you typically look for, and how do you ensure it drives actionable change?" (Highlight process methodology and impact.) Company & Culture Questions:

• "What interests you about Amadeus and the travel technology industry?" (Research Amadeus's mission, recent news, and its role in the travel ecosystem.)

• "How do you see UX design contributing to operational efficiency for airlines and airports?" (Connect design principles to tangible business benefits.)

• "Describe a time you had to advocate for a user-centered solution that faced resistance. How did you build consensus?" (Demonstrate influence and communication skills.) Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

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

• Quantify Impact: Wherever possible, use metrics to demonstrate the success of your designs (e.g., improved efficiency, increased satisfaction scores, reduced error rates).

• Explain Your 'Why': Be prepared to articulate the rationale behind your design decisions, linking them back to user needs and business objectives.

• Showcase Collaboration: Highlight instances where you worked effectively with cross-functional teams, including operations and engineering.

• Be Ready for Deep Dives: Anticipate detailed questions about your process, the tools you used, and the challenges you overcame.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation should focus on demonstrating not just design proficiency but also strategic thinking, business acumen, and the ability to translate user needs into operational improvements within the complex travel industry.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this UX Design Specialist position:

• Submit your application through the Amadeus careers portal via the provided link.

• Portfolio Customization: Curate your portfolio to highlight 3-5 of your most impactful projects that demonstrate expertise in service design, UX design, and project leadership, with a focus on how your work improved user experiences and/or operational efficiency.

• Resume Optimization: Tailor your resume to explicitly mention skills and experiences relevant to Amadeus's focus on travel technology, partner collaboration, and operational improvement. Use keywords from the job description such as "service design," "journey mapping," "human-centered design," and "stakeholder management."

• Interview Preparation: Practice articulating your design process, project outcomes, and collaborative approach. Prepare to present your portfolio with a focus on storytelling and quantifiable results. Research Amadeus and the travel tech industry to demonstrate genuine interest and understanding.

• Company Research: Gain a thorough understanding of Amadeus's business, its key partners (airlines, airports), and the challenges within the travel ecosystem. Consider how your UX design expertise can directly contribute to solving these operational and experiential challenges.

⚠️ 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.