UX Designer

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: UX Designer

Company: Cengage Group

Location: Virtual US IL (Illinois, United States)

Job Type: FULL_TIME

Category: User Experience (UX) Design / Product Design

Date Posted: 2026-06-24

Experience Level: Mid-Level (3-5+ years)

Remote Status: Remote OK (within the United States)

🚀 Role Summary

• Lead end-to-end product design initiatives, from initial concept and discovery through to final delivery, ensuring a seamless user experience for learners and instructors.

• Develop high-fidelity flows, interactive prototypes, and polished visual designs using industry-standard tools like Figma, with a strong emphasis on interaction and visual design principles.

• Collaborate closely with cross-functional teams, including Product Management, Engineering, User Research, Content, and Data Analytics, to translate complex problems into intuitive and effective solutions.

• Champion accessibility standards (WCAG 2.2) and contribute to the evolution and quality of the design system by creating reusable components and ensuring inclusive design practices.

• Leverage AI tools and emerging technologies responsibly to enhance design exploration, speed up iteration cycles, and improve the overall quality and impact of design decisions.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is positioned as a mid-level UX Designer, requiring a blend of independent design leadership within a product area and collaborative teamwork. The emphasis on AI tools suggests a forward-thinking design team, and candidates should be prepared to discuss how they integrate such technologies into their workflow without compromising design judgment. The remote flexibility within the US is a significant perk for operations professionals seeking location independence.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Drive the design process for feature areas, starting with problem framing, hypothesis generation, and active participation in product discovery phases.

• Synthesize insights from user research, data analytics, and cross-functional feedback to inform and shape design direction for digital learning products.

• Create detailed user flows, wireframes, interactive prototypes, and final visual designs in Figma, ensuring clarity, usability, and aesthetic appeal.

• Clearly articulate design rationale, explain technical and user-experience tradeoffs, and align design solutions with product goals and business outcomes.

• Iterate on designs based on feedback from user testing, A/B experimentation, data analysis, and input from engineering and product stakeholders.

• Contribute to the maintenance and enhancement of the design system by identifying opportunities for reusable components, defining states, and ensuring consistency across the product suite.

• Ensure all designs adhere to accessibility best practices, specifically WCAG 2.2 guidelines, to create inclusive experiences for all users.

• Evaluate and experiment with AI tools and new technologies to identify opportunities for improving design efficiency, expanding creative exploration, and enhancing design quality.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a full-stack UX design role, requiring ownership from ideation to delivery. The emphasis on synthesizing research and data, coupled with iterating based on experimentation, points to a data-informed design culture. Candidates should be ready to showcase their process for handling ambiguity and making data-backed design decisions.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

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

Experience: 3–5+ years of professional experience in product design, UX design, or a closely related discipline, with a proven track record of delivering successful digital products.

Required Skills:

• Strong proficiency in end-to-end product design, encompassing UX research, interaction design, visual design, and prototyping.

• Advanced skills with Figma for creating wireframes, user flows, high-fidelity mockups, and interactive prototypes.

• Demonstrated experience working effectively within cross-functional product teams, collaborating with Product Managers, Engineers, and Researchers.

• Ability to connect design decisions directly to user needs, overarching product objectives, and measurable business outcomes.

• Experience utilizing user research, quantitative data, qualitative feedback, or experimentation (e.g., A/B testing) to refine and improve design direction.

• Comfort and curiosity in experimenting with AI tools and emerging technologies to enhance design workflows, expand exploration, and elevate design quality.

• Working knowledge of accessibility best practices and standards, with a specific focus on WCAG 2.2 guidelines. Preferred Skills:

• Experience designing for educational technology (EdTech) platforms or learning management systems (LMS).

• Familiarity with design system principles and experience contributing to or maintaining design systems.

• Basic understanding of front-end development principles (HTML, CSS, JavaScript) to better collaborate with engineering teams.

• Experience with user journey mapping and service design methodologies.

• Proven ability to mentor junior designers or contribute to design team best practices.

📝 Enhancement Note: The experience requirement is specific to product/UX design roles, indicating a need for candidates who have navigated the full design lifecycle. The emphasis on connecting design to business outcomes and leveraging data/experimentation is crucial for operations-aligned roles, even in design. Proficiency in Figma is a non-negotiable technical requirement.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A compelling portfolio showcasing end-to-end feature, product, or experience design work is mandatory for consideration.

• Case studies should clearly articulate the problem framing, including context, target users, and project constraints.

• Demonstrate discovery work, including research methodologies, key assumptions made, validation processes, and learning loops.

• Detail design tradeoffs, the rationale behind iterative design decisions, and the evolution of the design solution.

• Showcase the use of Figma to effectively communicate user flows, different interface states, detailed interaction designs, and system-level thinking.

• Include specific considerations for accessibility and inclusive design principles applied throughout the design process. Process Documentation:

• Highlight how you approach problem-solving and translate user needs and business requirements into actionable design solutions.

• Illustrate your iterative design process, detailing how you incorporate feedback, research, and data to refine designs.

• Provide examples of how you document design specifications and collaborate with engineering to ensure accurate implementation of the intended user experience.

📝 Enhancement Note: The portfolio requirements are highly specific and critical for this role. Candidates must prepare case studies that not only show the final output but also the strategic thinking, research, and iteration process behind it. The explicit mention of "AI-supported exploration" and "measurable connection between design work and outcomes" suggests these will be key differentiating factors in candidate evaluation.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $67,000.00 - $87,100.00 USD per year.

Benefits:

• Comprehensive Total Rewards Package, reflecting Cengage Group's commitment to employee well-being and support.

• Eligibility to participate in the company’s discretionary incentive bonus program, with an individual target of 5% of annual base pay.

• Opportunities for professional development and continuous learning within a dynamic educational technology environment.

• Collaborative work environment with experienced cross-functional teams focused on innovation in education.

• Potential for career growth and advancement within Cengage Group's global organization.

Working Hours: Standard full-time hours (estimated 40 hours per week), with flexibility expected for remote work arrangements and potential collaboration across time zones.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range provided is specific to the US market and reflects a mid-level UX Designer position. The bonus structure is outlined, indicating performance-based additional compensation. The mention of a "Total Rewards Package" implies a broad suite of benefits beyond standard offerings, which candidates should inquire about during the interview process. The remote work arrangement offers significant flexibility.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Education Technology (EdTech), Publishing, Software. Cengage Group is a global leader in providing affordable, quality digital products and services that equip learners with job-ready skills. They have a rich history of over 100 years in education, adapting to digital transformation to serve millions of learners worldwide.

Company Size: Cengage Group is a large, established global company, employing thousands of individuals across various divisions and geographies. This scale offers opportunities for broad impact and diverse career paths.

Founded: Cengage has a history spanning over 100 years, demonstrating stability and deep-rooted expertise in the education sector. This longevity suggests a commitment to enduring educational solutions and adaptation to evolving learning needs.

Team Structure:

• The UX Design team likely operates within or closely aligned with product development units, focusing on specific product areas or learner segments.

• Expect a collaborative structure where UX Designers work hand-in-hand with Product Managers, Engineers, Researchers, and Content Specialists.

• Reporting lines are likely to lead to a Head of UX/Design or a Director of Product, with direct dotted-line collaboration across product teams. Methodology:

• Data-informed decision-making is a key aspect, with emphasis on user research, A/B testing, and utilizing analytics to guide design improvements.

• Agile methodologies are likely employed, fostering iterative development and close collaboration between design, engineering, and product.

• A strong focus on user-centered design principles ensures that learner and instructor needs are at the forefront of product development.

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

📝 Enhancement Note: Cengage Group's long history in education and its current focus on digital transformation position it as a stable yet innovative employer. The EdTech industry is dynamic, and Cengage's scale suggests robust infrastructure and processes, but also the potential for navigating internal structures. The emphasis on AI suggests an openness to adopting new technologies.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This UX Designer role is a Mid-Level position, typically requiring 3-5+ years of experience. It involves leading design for specific product areas, demonstrating autonomy and ownership, but still operating within established team structures and design systems.

Reporting Structure: The UX Designer will likely report to a Design Lead, UX Manager, or Director of Product, with close, day-to-day collaboration with Product Managers and Engineering Leads for specific product initiatives.

Operations Impact: While not a traditional "operations" role (like RevOps or Sales Ops), this UX Designer role has a significant impact on the "operations" of learning. By creating effective and intuitive digital tools, the designer directly influences learner engagement, instructor efficiency, course completion rates, and ultimately, the company's ability to deliver on its mission of improving lives through education. Their work impacts the operational efficiency of educational institutions and the learning outcomes of millions.

Growth Opportunities:

• Specialization: Deepen expertise in specific areas of UX, such as interaction design, accessibility, design systems, or user research.

• Leadership: Progress to Senior UX Designer, Lead UX Designer, or UX Manager roles, taking on more complex projects, mentoring junior designers, and influencing design strategy.

• Cross-functional Mobility: Develop skills that could lead to roles in Product Management, UX Research, or even curriculum design, leveraging a deep understanding of the learner and instructor experience.

• Skill Expansion: Opportunities to gain expertise in emerging technologies like AI-driven design tools, further enhancing their value in the evolving EdTech landscape.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "operations impact" section frames the UX role in a way that aligns with the broader operational goals of an educational technology company. The growth opportunities are standard for a design career path but are contextualized within the EdTech industry and Cengage's structure.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: While the role is listed as "Virtual US IL," indicating remote work is permitted, Cengage Group has physical office locations. This suggests a hybrid model might be available, or that the "Virtual US IL" designation means the role is tied to the Illinois region but fully remote. For a remote role, the focus shifts to the digital workspace.

Office Location(s): Cengage Group has offices in various locations, including Boston, MA; Stamford, CT; and others globally. The "Virtual US IL" designation implies the role is open to candidates residing in or willing to work from Illinois, or that it's a remote position with a US focus, potentially with some regional ties.

Workspace Context:

• Digital Collaboration: Expect a heavily digital work environment utilizing collaboration tools (e.g., Slack, Microsoft Teams), video conferencing (e.g., Zoom), and project management software.

• Design Tool Integration: Seamless integration with Figma and other design/prototyping tools is essential. Access to research platforms and data visualization tools will also be key.

• Team Interaction: Regular virtual stand-ups, design critiques, and cross-functional syncs are expected to maintain alignment and foster a sense of team cohesion despite remote work.

Work Schedule: The standard working hours are estimated at 40 hours per week. For a remote role, there's often flexibility in structuring the workday, provided core collaboration hours and project deadlines are met. This allows for better work-life integration, which can be beneficial for deep work sessions required in design.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Virtual US IL" location combined with "Remote OK" suggests that while the role might have a nominal geographic tie, the primary mode of work is remote within the United States. Candidates should clarify any specific state residency requirements or expectations for occasional in-person meetings if they exist.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A review of your resume and portfolio to assess basic qualifications and design craft.

• Portfolio Presentation & Discussion: A dedicated session where you present 1-3 case studies from your portfolio, discussing your process, rationale, challenges, and outcomes. Be prepared to elaborate on how you used Figma, handled tradeoffs, and considered accessibility.

• Cross-functional Interview: Interviews with Product Managers, Engineers, and potentially User Researchers to assess collaboration skills, communication style, and ability to work within a team.

• Design Exercise/Challenge: You may be given a take-home design challenge or a live design exercise to assess your problem-solving skills, design thinking, and ability to articulate solutions under pressure. This could involve refining an existing flow or designing a new feature.

• Hiring Manager Interview: A final discussion with the hiring manager to assess overall fit, career aspirations, and alignment with team culture.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Storytelling: Structure your case studies as compelling narratives. Start with the problem, explain your process (research, ideation, iteration), highlight your specific contributions, discuss the challenges and tradeoffs, and conclude with the outcomes (qualitative and quantitative, if possible).

• Show, Don't Just Tell: Use visuals effectively. Include wireframes, user flows, prototypes, and high-fidelity mockups. Annotate your work to explain design decisions and interaction details.

• Process Transparency: Clearly articulate your design process. Explain why you made certain decisions, how you incorporated feedback, and how you measured success.

• AI Integration: If you have examples of using AI tools to enhance exploration or efficiency, explicitly call them out and explain the benefit.

• Accessibility Focus: Dedicate a section or highlight within case studies how you addressed accessibility and inclusive design.

• Outcome-Oriented: Whenever possible, connect your design work to measurable business or user outcomes. Use data points and metrics to demonstrate impact.

Challenge Preparation:

• Understand the Context: For any design challenge, thoroughly understand the problem statement, target users, and business goals. Ask clarifying questions.

• Embrace Ambiguity: Many design challenges involve incomplete information. Practice making reasonable assumptions and documenting them.

• Focus on Process: Even if you don't complete a design, demonstrate your thought process, how you would approach the problem, and what steps you would take.

• Time Management: Practice completing design exercises within a given timeframe. Prioritize key elements of the design.

• Articulate Rationale: Be prepared to clearly explain your design choices, tradeoffs, and how your solution addresses the problem.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on portfolio case studies and potential design challenges indicates a strong focus on practical design skills and process. Candidates should prepare to "walk through" their work and defend their decisions, demonstrating strategic thinking beyond just visual execution. The inclusion of AI tools in portfolio review hints at a desire for innovative approaches.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Figma: This is the core design and prototyping tool. Deep proficiency is required for creating wireframes, user flows, high-fidelity mockups, interactive prototypes, and design system components.

• Prototyping Tools: While Figma has robust prototyping capabilities, familiarity with other tools like InVision or Adobe XD might be beneficial for broader context, though Figma is primary.

• Collaboration Platforms: Tools like Slack, Microsoft Teams, or similar for real-time communication and team coordination.

• Project Management Software: Familiarity with tools like Jira, Asana, Trello, or Monday.com for tracking design tasks and project progress within agile workflows.

Analytics & Reporting:

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

• Data Analytics Tools: Familiarity with how to interpret data from tools like Google Analytics, Amplitude, Mixpanel, or internal BI dashboards to inform design decisions.

• A/B Testing Platforms: Understanding how to work with results from A/B tests to iterate on designs.

CRM & Automation:

• While not directly a UX design tool, an understanding of how user data is managed in CRMs (like Salesforce) or how marketing automation platforms function can provide context for user journeys and personalization efforts.

📝 Enhancement Note: Figma is the central tool for this role. Proficiency here is paramount. The mention of AI tools suggests the team may be exploring or using specialized AI-assisted design software for ideation, content generation, or user analysis. Understanding how design integrates with data analytics is also key.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• User-Centricity: A deep commitment to understanding and serving the needs of learners and instructors, ensuring educational products are effective, engaging, and accessible.

• Collaboration: A strong emphasis on cross-functional teamwork, valuing input from Product, Engineering, Content, and Research to create holistic solutions.

• Data-Informed Decisions: A culture that relies on research, feedback, and data analytics to validate hypotheses, iterate on designs, and measure impact.

• Innovation & Experimentation: Encouragement to explore new technologies, including AI, and to experiment with different approaches to solve complex problems and improve user experiences.

• Craftsmanship & Quality: A dedication to high standards in design execution, from interaction details to visual polish, and a commitment to maintaining the quality and consistency of the design system.

Collaboration Style:

• Iterative & Agile: Design work is likely integrated into agile development sprints, with frequent check-ins and feedback loops.

• Transparent Communication: Open sharing of work-in-progress, design critiques, and rationale to foster understanding and alignment across teams.

• Constructive Feedback: A culture that encourages providing and receiving feedback constructively, aiming for continuous improvement of both the product and individual skills.

• Cross-Pollination: Opportunities to share insights and learnings between different product teams and design disciplines within the organization.

📝 Enhancement Note: The team culture emphasizes a blend of user advocacy, data-driven strategy, and collaborative innovation. The mention of AI tools suggests an openness to adopting cutting-edge technology within a structured, user-focused framework. This is a positive sign for candidates looking to grow their skills in modern design practices.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing Discovery and Delivery: Effectively managing the demands of exploring new ideas and features while also ensuring timely delivery of high-quality designs within project timelines.

• Navigating Ambiguity: Tackling complex problems with incomplete information, requiring strong critical thinking and the ability to define clear paths forward.

• Integrating AI Responsibly: Learning to leverage AI tools effectively to augment design capabilities without compromising user needs, ethical considerations, or design integrity.

• Cross-functional Alignment: Ensuring consistent understanding and buy-in on design direction across diverse stakeholder groups with varying priorities.

• Keeping Pace with EdTech Evolution: Adapting to rapid changes in educational technology, learner behaviors, and pedagogical approaches.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Skill Deepening: Opportunities to specialize further in areas like advanced interaction design, accessibility auditing, or UX strategy.

• AI Tool Mastery: Gaining hands-on experience and expertise with emerging AI tools for design, potentially becoming a go-to person for these technologies within the team.

• Mentorship: Access to experienced designers and product leaders for guidance and career development support.

• Industry Exposure: Potential for attending relevant conferences, workshops, or training sessions focused on UX, EdTech, and emerging technologies.

• Impactful Projects: Working on products that directly contribute to educational outcomes for millions of learners worldwide, providing a strong sense of purpose and professional satisfaction.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges highlight the dynamic nature of the EdTech industry and the specific focus on integrating AI. The growth opportunities are well-aligned with a mid-level designer looking to advance their career and skill set in a forward-thinking company.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe your process for taking a product feature from initial concept to final delivery. How do you incorporate user research, data, and feedback at each stage?" (Focus on end-to-end process, Figma usage, and iteration)

• "Walk me through a complex design problem you solved. What was the problem, your approach, the tradeoffs you considered, and the outcome? How did you collaborate with Product and Engineering?" (Prepare a strong portfolio case study)

• "How do you ensure your designs are accessible and inclusive? Can you give an example of how you've applied WCAG 2.2 guidelines?" (Be ready to discuss specific techniques and considerations) Company & Culture Questions:

• "What interests you about Cengage Group and our mission in education technology?" (Research Cengage's products, mission, and recent news)

• "How do you see AI tools impacting the future of UX design, and how have you experimented with them in your work?" (Prepare examples of AI tool usage and your perspective)

• "Describe your ideal collaboration style with Product Managers and Engineers. How do you handle disagreements or differing perspectives?" (Focus on communication, empathy, and problem-solving) Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Select Diverse Case Studies: Choose 2-3 projects that showcase a range of skills (e.g., a complex feature, a redesign, a project involving significant research or data).

• Structure Your Narrative: For each case study:

  • The Problem: Clearly define the user need and business objective.
  • Your Role & Constraints: Specify your contributions and any project limitations.
  • The Process: Detail your research, ideation, wireframing, prototyping (Figma), and iteration steps.
  • Key Decisions & Tradeoffs: Explain critical choices and why you made them.
  • The Solution: Showcase your final designs and interactive prototypes.
  • The Outcome: Discuss results, learnings, and impact (metrics are a plus).

• Highlight AI Integration: If applicable, explicitly point out where and how AI tools enhanced your exploration or efficiency.

• Be Prepared for Deep Dives: Anticipate questions about specific design choices, rationale, and your thought process.

• Practice: Rehearse your presentation to ensure clarity, conciseness, and confidence. Time yourself to stay within allocated limits.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interviews for UX roles are heavily portfolio-driven. Candidates must be able to articulate their design process, decision-making, and impact clearly and concisely. The inclusion of AI tools in interview preparation indicates this is a key area of interest for the hiring team.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this UX Designer position:

• Submit your application through the provided Workday link, ensuring all required fields are completed accurately.

• Portfolio Customization: Tailor your portfolio to highlight projects demonstrating end-to-end design experience, strong Figma proficiency, accessibility considerations, and ideally, examples of how you've leveraged data or experimentation. If you have used AI tools in your design process, create a specific section or highlight these examples within your case studies.

• Resume Optimization: Ensure your resume clearly outlines your 3-5+ years of relevant UX/Product Design experience. Use keywords from the job description (e.g., Figma, Interaction Design, Accessibility, WCAG 2.2, AI Tools, Cross-functional Collaboration) and quantify achievements where possible.

• Interview Preparation: Practice presenting your portfolio case studies, focusing on storytelling, clear articulation of your design process, and your ability to connect design decisions to user needs and business outcomes. Prepare specific examples of how you've worked with product and engineering teams.

• Company Research: Familiarize yourself with Cengage Group's mission, products (especially their digital learning platforms like MindTap), and recent initiatives. Understand their commitment to education and how the UX team contributes to that mission.

⚠️ 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.