UX Designer

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: UX Designer

Company: Chefman

Location: Mahwah, NJ (Hybrid)

Job Type: Full-Time

Category: Product Design & User Experience

Date Posted: 2026-05-18T20:40:15

Experience Level: 2-5 Years

Remote Status: Hybrid

🚀 Role Summary

• Lead the end-to-end UX design process for connected kitchen experiences, from initial requirements to production-ready specifications.

• Drive the evolution and maintenance of the company's design system, ensuring consistency and scalability across all products.

• Foster strong partnerships with product managers, engineers, and cross-functional teams to advocate for user needs and deliver intuitive product designs.

• Integrate user research methodologies to inform design decisions and validate solutions throughout the product development lifecycle.

• Leverage and explore AI-assisted design tools to enhance design quality and workflow efficiency.

📝 Enhancement Note: The role emphasizes a comprehensive ownership of the design process, from ideation to implementation, with a strong focus on design systems and cross-functional collaboration, typical for mid-level UX Designer roles in technology-focused companies.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Own the complete UX design lifecycle, translating product requirements into detailed user flows, wireframes, interactive prototypes, and final design specifications for development handoff.

• Actively contribute to the development, maintenance, and documentation of the design system, including reusable components, design tokens, and shared libraries, to ensure product consistency and scalability.

• Collaborate closely with engineering teams to ensure the accurate implementation of designs, providing clear documentation, ongoing support, and timely resolution of technical queries during the build phase.

• Partner effectively with product management and other stakeholders to clarify project requirements, navigate technical and business constraints, and champion user-centric design principles.

• Conduct and synthesize user research, including usability testing and interviews, to gather insights that inform design decisions and validate proposed solutions.

• Stay abreast of emerging design trends and AI-assisted design tools, evaluating and integrating them to improve design quality and process efficiency.

📝 Enhancement Note: Responsibilities highlight a blend of strategic design leadership and hands-on execution, with a clear expectation for contribution to design systems and proactive collaboration with engineering, common for experienced UX Designers in product development environments.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: Not specified, but a Bachelor's degree in Design, Human-Computer Interaction, Computer Science, or a related field is often preferred for UX Design roles.

Experience: 2+ years of professional UX or product design experience, with a demonstrated track record of successfully delivering projects from inception to completion.

Required Skills:

• UX Design & Product Design: Proven ability to manage the full design lifecycle for digital products.

• Figma Proficiency: Advanced skills in Figma for wireframing, prototyping, and design system management.

• Design Systems: Hands-on experience contributing to and utilizing design systems, including components, design tokens, and shared libraries.

• Interaction Design Principles: Strong understanding of usability best practices, user-centered design methodologies, and creating intuitive user interfaces.

• Cross-functional Collaboration: Demonstrated ability to work effectively with product managers, engineers, and other stakeholders.

• User Research: Experience conducting and applying user research (interviews, usability testing) to inform design.

• Communication & Presentation: Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to articulate design decisions clearly to diverse audiences.

• AI-Assisted Design Tools: Familiarity with and curiosity for leveraging AI tools in the design process.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience in the consumer electronics or connected home appliance industry.

• Familiarity with front-end development concepts (HTML, CSS, JavaScript) to better collaborate with engineers.

• Experience with other design and prototyping tools beyond Figma.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on Figma, design systems, and AI-assisted tools suggests a modern, tech-forward design team. The "2+ years" experience level indicates a role that requires foundational knowledge but also offers significant opportunities for growth and impact.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A robust portfolio is strongly encouraged, showcasing end-to-end UX and product design work.

• Include case studies demonstrating your process from understanding requirements to delivering final designs.

• Highlight specific examples of your contributions to and utilization of design systems, including components, tokens, and pattern libraries.

• Showcase interactive prototypes and links to shipped products that illustrate your design impact and problem-solving skills.

Process Documentation:

• Demonstrate experience in documenting user flows, wireframes, and interaction specifications for development handoff.

• Provide examples of how you have contributed to or maintained design system documentation, ensuring clarity and usability for the broader team.

• Showcase your approach to collaborating with engineering on design implementation, including how you provide feedback and resolve issues.

📝 Enhancement Note: The explicit requirement for a portfolio with specific examples of design system contributions and shipped products indicates that practical, demonstrable experience is highly valued. This is typical for roles where design directly impacts product success and requires tangible proof of capability.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $90,000 - $100,000 USD per year. This range is commensurate with experience.

Benefits:

• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance.

• Paid time off (PTO) and paid holidays.

• 401(k) retirement plan with company match.

• Opportunities for professional development and continuing education.

• Employee discounts on Chefman products.

• Hybrid work model promoting work-life balance.

Working Hours: Approximately 40 hours per week, with flexibility expected to meet project deadlines. The hybrid arrangement allows for a balance between in-office collaboration and remote work.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range is competitive for a UX Designer with 2-5 years of experience in the New Jersey area. Benefits are standard for full-time roles in the tech and consumer product sectors, with a notable emphasis on product discounts and a hybrid work environment.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Consumer Appliances & Technology. Chefman is a leader in innovative kitchenware, focusing on enhancing the cooking experience through technology and smart design.

Company Size: While not explicitly stated, Chefman is a well-established brand, suggesting a mid-to-large size organization with dedicated product development teams.

Founded: Chefman has a history of innovation in kitchen appliances, implying a company culture that values product development, user experience, and technological advancement.

Team Structure:

• The UX Designer will likely be part of a broader Product Development or Engineering team.

• This team will include Product Managers responsible for product strategy and roadmaps, Software Engineers focused on development, and potentially other designers or UX researchers.

Methodology:

• The team likely employs agile or iterative development methodologies, requiring designers to be adaptable and responsive to feedback.

• Emphasis will be placed on user-centered design principles, data-driven decision-making, and continuous improvement of the product experience.

• The use of design systems points to a structured approach to design and development, promoting efficiency and consistency.

Company Website: chefman.com

📝 Enhancement Note: Chefman's focus on "connected kitchen experiences" suggests a company that is embracing technology and innovation within the traditional appliance market. This implies a dynamic environment where design plays a critical role in differentiating products and creating user loyalty.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is positioned at a mid-level UX Designer capacity. It requires independent work on projects, ownership of design outcomes, and active contribution to team processes and standards like the design system. The experience level (2+ years) supports this positioning.

Reporting Structure: The UX Designer will likely report to a Design Lead, Head of Product Design, or a Director of Product Management. They will work closely with a dedicated Product Manager for specific product initiatives.

Operations Impact: The UX Designer will have a direct impact on the usability, intuitiveness, and overall user satisfaction of Chefman's connected kitchen products. High-quality UX design is critical for customer adoption, retention, and brand perception in a competitive market. Positive user experiences can lead to increased sales, positive reviews, and stronger brand loyalty.

Growth Opportunities:

• Skill Deepening: Opportunity to become an expert in UX design for connected devices and IoT products, alongside advanced proficiency in Figma and design system management.

• Leadership Potential: Potential to grow into a Senior UX Designer role, taking on more complex projects, mentoring junior designers, and contributing more significantly to design strategy.

• Specialization: Possibility to specialize in user research, interaction design, or design system architecture based on interest and performance.

• Cross-functional Exposure: Gaining deeper insights into product management, engineering workflows, and business strategy through close collaboration.

📝 Enhancement Note: The role offers a clear path for career progression within UX design, with opportunities to specialize or move into leadership. The focus on connected kitchen products provides a niche area for developing specialized expertise.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Hybrid work environment, combining remote work with in-office collaboration. This suggests a modern approach to work-life balance.

Office Location(s): Mahwah, NJ. This location will serve as the primary hub for any required in-office days, likely offering collaborative workspaces, meeting rooms, and access to necessary equipment.

Workspace Context:

• The hybrid model allows for focused individual work at home and collaborative brainstorming, team meetings, and design reviews in the office.

• Expect a professional, fast-paced environment typical of a consumer product company.

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

Work Schedule: Standard business hours (approximately 40 hours per week) are expected, with flexibility to accommodate project needs. The hybrid schedule requires clear communication and coordination with team members to ensure effective collaboration.

📝 Enhancement Note: The hybrid arrangement is a key feature, indicating a company that values employee flexibility while recognizing the importance of in-person interaction for design collaboration and team cohesion.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A brief call with a recruiter to assess general qualifications, salary expectations, and cultural fit.

• Portfolio Review & Design Challenge: Presentation of your portfolio, highlighting relevant projects and design process. This may be followed by a design challenge or a practical exercise to assess problem-solving skills and design thinking.

• Team Interviews: Meetings with potential colleagues, including Product Managers and Engineers, to evaluate collaboration style, technical understanding, and communication skills.

• Hiring Manager Interview: A final discussion with the hiring manager to delve deeper into experience, career aspirations, and suitability for the role and team.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Wisely: Select 3-4 of your strongest, most relevant projects that showcase end-to-end UX design, design system contributions, and shipped products.

• Tell a Story: For each project, clearly articulate the problem, your role, the design process, key decisions, and the impact of your work using metrics where possible.

• Highlight Design System Work: Dedicate specific slides or sections to your design system contributions, showing how you've built, maintained, or utilized components and patterns.

• Demonstrate Process: Show your thinking – user flows, wireframes, prototypes, iterations – not just the final polished screens.

• Be Prepared to Discuss: Be ready to answer questions about your design choices, challenges, and how you collaborated with others.

Challenge Preparation:

• If a design challenge is given, focus on understanding the prompt, defining the problem, outlining your approach, and presenting a clear, user-centered solution.

• Practice articulating your design rationale concisely and effectively.

• Be prepared to discuss trade-offs and alternative solutions.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on a portfolio review and potential design challenge highlights the company's focus on practical skills and problem-solving ability. Candidates should prepare to articulate their design process and demonstrate tangible outcomes.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Figma: The core tool for UX design, wireframing, prototyping, and design system management. Expect advanced usage and potential for contributing to team-wide Figma best practices.

• Design Systems Tools: Familiarity with concepts like design tokens, component libraries, and style guides within Figma is crucial.

Analytics & Reporting:

• While not explicitly mentioned, experience with analytics tools (e.g., Google Analytics, Mixpanel, Amplitude) to understand user behavior and inform design decisions would be beneficial.

CRM & Automation:

• Not directly relevant to the UX Designer role, but understanding how products integrate with backend systems or user accounts might be advantageous.

📝 Enhancement Note: Figma is clearly the primary tool. The role also implies a need for understanding how design systems are built and maintained, which often involves collaboration with developers on implementation and consistency checks.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• User-Centricity: A deep commitment to understanding and advocating for the user throughout the product development process.

• Collaboration: Strong emphasis on teamwork, open communication, and shared ownership across product, design, and engineering.

• Innovation: A drive to push boundaries in kitchen technology and create novel user experiences.

• Quality & Craftsmanship: A dedication to delivering polished, well-executed designs that are both functional and aesthetically pleasing.

• Efficiency: Utilizing tools and processes, like design systems and AI, to optimize the design workflow and accelerate product delivery.

Collaboration Style:

• Expect a highly collaborative environment where designers, product managers, and engineers work closely together.

• Open feedback loops and constructive critiques are likely encouraged to refine designs and ensure alignment.

• Designers are expected to be proactive in seeking input and aligning on decisions.

📝 Enhancement Note: The values suggest a team that is user-focused, innovative, and values collaboration. The emphasis on efficiency through tools like design systems and AI indicates a forward-thinking approach to product development.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing User Needs with Business Goals: Effectively navigating competing priorities to create designs that satisfy users while meeting business objectives.

• Designing for Connected Devices: Understanding the complexities of IoT, multi-device interactions, and user onboarding for new technologies.

• Evolving Design System: Keeping the design system up-to-date, scalable, and adopted across various product initiatives.

• Rapid Iteration: Adapting to fast-paced development cycles and incorporating feedback quickly without compromising design quality.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Specialized UX Expertise: Deepen skills in UX for hardware-software integration and connected consumer products.

• Design System Leadership: Opportunity to take on more responsibility in the strategic direction and growth of the company's design system.

• AI in Design: Explore and master new AI tools that can transform the UX design workflow.

• Cross-Functional Acumen: Develop a broader understanding of product strategy, engineering processes, and market dynamics.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges are typical for UX designers in innovative tech companies, requiring adaptability, strong problem-solving skills, and a proactive approach to learning. The growth opportunities are well-aligned with enhancing core UX skills and expanding into strategic or leadership areas.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Walk me through a project where you had to balance user needs with significant technical constraints."

• "Describe your process for contributing to or building a design system. What are the key components and challenges?"

• "How do you approach user research? Can you give an example of how research findings directly influenced your design decisions?"

• "Tell me about a time you collaborated closely with engineers. How did you ensure your designs were implemented accurately?"

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What interests you about Chefman and our mission to shape the future of cooking?"

• "How do you stay updated on the latest UX design trends and AI tools?"

• "Describe your ideal team environment and how you contribute to a positive collaborative culture."

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Start with Impact: Begin by clearly stating the problem and the outcome of your project.

• Show, Don't Just Tell: Use visuals (wireframes, prototypes, final screens) to illustrate your process and solutions.

• Explain Your 'Why': Articulate the rationale behind your design decisions, connecting them back to user needs and business goals.

• Highlight Design System Contributions: Clearly show what you built or how you utilized the design system.

• Be Concise: Practice your presentation to fit within the allotted time, focusing on the most critical aspects of each project.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation should focus on demonstrating a structured design process, strong collaboration skills, a user-centric mindset, and practical experience with design systems and relevant tools like Figma. Be ready to showcase your portfolio effectively.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this UX Designer position:

• Submit your application through the provided link on the Greenhouse platform.

• Tailor Your Resume: Highlight your 2+ years of UX/product design experience, specific Figma proficiency, and any experience with design systems or AI-assisted design tools. Use keywords from the job description.

• Prepare Your Portfolio: Ensure your portfolio is polished, easily navigable, and clearly showcases end-to-end UX work, including design system contributions and shipped products. Have specific case studies ready to discuss in detail.

• Research Chefman: Understand their product offerings, brand mission, and recent innovations. Consider how your design philosophy aligns with their focus on connected kitchen experiences.

• Practice Your Pitch: Be ready to articulate your design process, problem-solving approach, and collaborative style during interviews. Practice presenting your portfolio confidently.

⚠️ 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.

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