UX Designer

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: UX Designer

Company: ELSA

Location: Singapore, Hong Kong, APAC (Fully Remote)

Job Type: Full-Time

Category: User Experience (UX) / Instructional Design / EdTech

Date Posted: May 18, 2026

Experience Level: Mid-Senior Level (4-6+ years)

Remote Status: Fully Remote

🚀 Role Summary

• Drive the design and iteration of personalized, AI-powered learning paths and interactive exercises for a global user base.

• Integrate pedagogical expertise and learning science principles into intuitive user experiences for digital language learning products.

• Collaborate closely with AI, Product, and Engineering teams as a key subject matter expert in English Language Teaching (ELT/ESL).

• Leverage generative AI tools and prompt engineering to scale content creation and personalize learning journeys effectively.

• Develop and refine learning content and assessment strategies aligned with international standards like CEFR and GSE.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is crucial for ELSA's mission to provide AI-driven English communication training. The emphasis on combining UX design with deep instructional design expertise and practical AI application highlights a specialized and high-impact position within the EdTech sector. The "Individual Contributor (IC)" designation suggests a focus on hands-on design and execution rather than management.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Design, structure, and continuously iterate on personalized learning paths that are directly aligned with individual learner goals, proficiency levels, and in-app behavioral data.

• Apply core user experience (UX) design principles to translate complex language learning objectives into intuitive, engaging, and clear learner journeys and interfaces.

• Prototype, user test, and iterate on novel content formats and learning experiences to rigorously validate user engagement and educational effectiveness.

• Implement diverse pedagogical approaches, such as guided discovery, task-based learning, and flipped classroom models, within digital learning modules, interactive exercises, and assessments.

• Develop robust syllabi that align with international language proficiency frameworks (e.g., CEFR, GSE descriptors) and create targeted assessment strategies to accurately measure learning outcomes.

• Create a variety of content formats, including flows for 1-to-1 or group lessons, educational videos, and animated stories, to cater to diverse learning preferences.

• Partner closely with AI and engineering teams to co-develop, test, and optimize adaptive, AI-powered learning features and interactive exercises, ensuring pedagogical soundness.

• Actively explore, experiment with, and leverage generative AI tools for ideation, creation, adaptation, and scaling of interactive educational materials, demonstrating AI fluency.

• Continuously improve content effectiveness by analyzing learner data, user feedback, and key performance metrics (KPIs) to inform design decisions.

• Serve as the primary Instructional Design/ELT subject matter expert within cross-functional feature development teams, bridging the gap between product goals and pedagogical requirements.

• Translate high-level product priorities into actionable design initiatives that effectively support ELSA’s overarching pedagogical direction and vision.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities emphasize a dual focus: deep UX design for intuitive interfaces and robust instructional design for effective learning. The integration of AI and data analysis for continuous improvement is a critical component, positioning this role at the forefront of modern EdTech development.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

Experience:

• 4–6+ years of hands-on experience in ELT/ESL materials writing, digital curriculum development, or instructional design for digital products.

Required Skills:

• UX Design & Prototyping: Proven ability to design user-centered interfaces, create wireframes, mockups, and interactive prototypes, and conduct user testing.

• Instructional Design & Pedagogy: Deep understanding of language acquisition theories, CEFR/GSE frameworks, task-based learning, assessment design, and various pedagogical approaches.

• ELT/ESL Curriculum Development: Expertise in creating engaging and effective learning materials, syllabi, and lesson plans for English language learners.

• AI Tool Integration & Prompt Engineering: Practical, hands-on experience utilizing AI-powered tools (e.g., generative AI) to scale, adapt, or generate educational content, including proficiency in prompt engineering.

• Data-Driven Decision Making: Ability to analyze learner data, user feedback, and key performance metrics to evaluate content effectiveness and inform design iterations.

• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Strong history of working effectively within diverse teams, translating technical capabilities into pedagogical solutions and vice-versa.

• Professional English Proficiency: Exceptional command of written and spoken English, suitable for creating and delivering high-quality educational content.

• Certification: Recognized certification in English language teaching and methodology (e.g., DELTA Module 1, TKT, IH Certificate in Advanced Methodology, or equivalent).

Preferred Skills:

• Experience in the EdTech or SaaS industry, with a focus on digital learning platforms.

• Familiarity with localization best practices, multilingual learning nuances, and the needs of culturally diverse learner populations.

• Basic multimedia design skills, including experience with video editing, graphic design, or animation tools for content creation.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Must-Haves" clearly define the core competencies, emphasizing a blend of UX, instructional design, and AI skills. The "Nice-to-Haves" indicate areas where additional experience would be beneficial but not strictly required, suggesting a willingness to train or develop in those specific areas.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Showcase a minimum of 2-3 detailed case studies demonstrating end-to-end design process for digital learning experiences or curriculum development projects.

• Each case study should clearly articulate the problem statement, your design process, the specific UX/instructional design methodologies employed, and the tools used.

• Highlight examples of personalized learning paths, interactive exercises, or assessment systems you have designed, with a focus on user engagement and learning outcomes.

• Include evidence of data analysis and user feedback integration in your design iterations, demonstrating a data-driven approach to content and experience optimization.

Process Documentation:

• Demonstrate a systematic approach to designing and iterating on learning content, including workflow mapping for content development and review cycles.

• Provide examples of how you document pedagogical frameworks, syllabus structures, and learning objectives for clarity and consistency across projects.

• Showcase methods for evaluating the effectiveness of learning content and user experiences, including the use of KPIs, analytics, and user feedback loops.

• Illustrate experience in collaborating with engineering and product teams, including documentation of user stories, functional requirements, and design specifications.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a UX Designer with a strong instructional design component, a portfolio is critical. The emphasis here is on demonstrating a structured, data-informed, and collaborative design process, with specific attention paid to the application of AI and pedagogical principles in digital learning environments.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

• Estimated Range: $70,000 - $110,000 USD annually.

• Methodology: This estimate is based on industry benchmarks for Senior UX Designers with 4-6+ years of experience in the EdTech/SaaS sector, considering the specialized skills in Instructional Design and AI. Location preferences (Singapore, Hong Kong, APAC) can influence this range; for Singapore, a higher end of the range is more probable due to cost of living and market rates. For Hong Kong, similar considerations apply. For other APAC regions, rates might vary. This range is a general guideline and actual compensation will depend on experience, qualifications, and specific regional market rates.

Benefits:

• Comprehensive employee well-being benefits, likely including health insurance, mental health support, and paid time off.

• Free ELSA Premium courses to enhance personal language skills, offering a direct benefit of the company's core product.

• Opportunity to work with cutting-edge generative AI technology in the language learning space.

• Collaborative and multicultural team environment with talented innovators.

Working Hours:

• Standard full-time work hours, estimated at 40 hours per week.

• Given the remote and global nature of the role and company, some flexibility may be expected to accommodate cross-time zone collaboration, particularly with teams in the US and Asia.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range is an estimation for a senior-level role in a competitive EdTech market. The benefits highlight both standard corporate offerings and unique perks related to ELSA's product and mission. The mention of flexibility in working hours is common for remote, globally distributed teams.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Education Technology (EdTech), Artificial Intelligence (AI), SaaS

Company Size: ELSA is a growing global company, with a significant employee base and learner community (over 50 million learners). Though not explicitly stated, its investor backing and global operations suggest a company size of 50-250+ employees, indicating a dynamic, scaling environment.

Founded: 2016, headquartered in San Francisco, with operations across multiple continents. This indicates a mature startup or scale-up phase, with established processes but still room for innovation and agility.

Team Structure:

• The UX Designer will be part of a cross-functional product development team, working closely with peers in AI, Product Management, Engineering, and potentially Content/Linguistics specialists.

• This role is an Individual Contributor (IC), meaning direct design and execution are prioritized over team management.

Methodology:

• Data-driven product development: Leveraging learner data, A/B testing, and user feedback to inform design and product decisions.

• Agile development practices are likely employed, facilitating rapid iteration and collaboration.

• Focus on learning science and pedagogical effectiveness integrated into AI-driven features.

• Emphasis on user-centered design principles to ensure intuitive and engaging learning experiences.

Company Website: https://elsaspeak.com/

📝 Enhancement Note: ELSA positions itself as a leader in AI for language learning, backed by significant investment and a large user base. The culture likely blends a startup's pace and innovation with a global company's structure and mission. The emphasis on data and learning science is key to their operational methodology.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This is a Senior Individual Contributor (IC) role, signifying a level of expertise and autonomy. It's positioned as a core contributor, expected to drive significant aspects of product design and pedagogical strategy.

Reporting Structure: The UX Designer will likely report to a Product Lead, Design Manager, or Head of Product, working in close conjunction with Engineering and AI teams. This structure emphasizes collaboration and cross-functional impact.

Operations Impact: The role directly impacts the core product's effectiveness and user experience, influencing learner acquisition, retention, and success rates. By shaping the learning journey and content, this role is instrumental in driving ELSA's mission and revenue through improved user outcomes and product adoption.

Growth Opportunities:

• Specialization: Deepen expertise in AI-driven personalized learning, advanced pedagogical design for digital environments, or specific areas of UX research and strategy within EdTech.

• Leadership: Potentially transition into a Lead UX Designer or Design Manager role as the team grows, or become a Principal UX Designer/Architect focusing on complex system design.

• Skill Expansion: Develop advanced skills in user research, data analysis, AI prompt engineering for educational content, and potentially multimedia production.

• Cross-Functional Leadership: Become a key stakeholder and thought leader in product strategy, influencing the direction of ELSA's learning product offerings.

📝 Enhancement Note: As a senior IC role in a growing EdTech company, this position offers substantial opportunities for both technical and strategic growth. The focus is on deepening expertise and influencing product direction rather than immediate people management, which is common for senior individual contributor tracks.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Fully Remote. This offers flexibility and access to global talent.

Office Location(s): Preferred locations are Singapore, Hong Kong, and the broader APAC region to facilitate collaboration with regional teams and markets. However, the role is open to remote work within these areas.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Environment: While remote, the role necessitates strong collaboration through digital tools (e.g., Slack, Zoom, Miro, Figma). Expect frequent video calls, asynchronous communication, and collaborative design sessions.

• Tools & Technology: Access to industry-standard design and collaboration software will be provided. The role will heavily involve using design tools (Figma/Sketch/Adobe XD), prototyping tools, and AI platforms.

• Team Interaction: Regular team meetings, design critiques, and cross-functional syncs are key for staying aligned and fostering a sense of team cohesion despite the remote setup.

Work Schedule:

• Standard full-time, estimated at 40 hours per week.

• Flexibility is inherent in a remote role, but core working hours may be established to ensure overlap with key team members, especially those in the US and other parts of Asia. Proactive communication and time management are essential.

📝 Enhancement Note: The fully remote nature of this role requires strong self-discipline and excellent virtual communication skills. The emphasis on APAC locations suggests a strategic focus on that region, potentially aligning with market growth or team presence.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A brief call with a recruiter to assess basic qualifications, cultural fit, and understanding of the role.

• Portfolio Review & Design Challenge: A deeper dive into your portfolio, potentially followed by a take-home design challenge or a live design exercise focused on a specific ELSA learning scenario. This will assess your UX/instructional design skills, problem-solving abilities, and approach to AI integration.

• Cross-Functional Interviews: Interviews with Product Managers, Engineers, and/or AI specialists to evaluate collaboration style, technical understanding, and ability to articulate design decisions in a cross-functional context.

• Hiring Manager Interview: A final discussion with the hiring manager to assess overall fit, strategic thinking, and alignment with ELSA's vision and values.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select 2-3 of your strongest projects that best demonstrate your UX design, instructional design, and AI application skills relevant to ELSA.

• Showcase Process: Clearly articulate your design process for each project. This includes problem definition, user research, ideation, prototyping, testing, iteration, and final implementation. Explain why you made certain decisions.

• Highlight Impact: Quantify your achievements whenever possible. Use metrics to show how your designs improved user engagement, learning outcomes, or other key business objectives.

• Emphasize ELT/AI Integration: Specifically call out projects where you applied pedagogical principles, designed for language learning, or leveraged AI tools. Explain the challenges and solutions.

• Prepare to Discuss: Be ready to walk through your portfolio in detail, answer questions about your process, and discuss potential applications of your skills to ELSA's product.

Challenge Preparation:

• Understand ELSA's Product: Thoroughly research ELSA's app, its features, target audience, and its core AI technology.

• Pedagogical Thinking: Review CEFR/GSE frameworks and common ELT methodologies. Think about how to design effective, engaging digital learning experiences for English language learners.

• AI Application: Consider how generative AI could be used to create personalized exercises, feedback, or content for language learning. Practice prompt engineering for educational contexts.

• UX Principles: Be prepared to apply standard UX principles to design intuitive interfaces for learning modules, assessments, or feedback systems.

• Communication: Practice clearly articulating your thought process, design decisions, and proposed solutions, especially in a cross-functional context.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process is designed to assess a blend of UX, instructional design, and AI proficiency. The portfolio is paramount, and candidates should tailor their presentation to highlight relevant experience and a strong understanding of ELSA's specific domain.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Design & Prototyping: Figma (highly probable, industry standard), Sketch, Adobe XD. Expect to use these for wireframing, UI design, prototyping, and collaboration.

• Collaboration & Communication: Slack, Zoom, Google Workspace (Docs, Sheets, Slides), Miro or similar virtual whiteboarding tools for ideation and brainstorming.

• AI Tools: Experience with generative AI platforms (e.g., ChatGPT, Claude, Bard) for content ideation, scripting, or generating variations. Familiarity with prompt engineering techniques is crucial.

• Project Management: Tools like Jira, Asana, or Trello may be used for tracking tasks and project progress within development teams.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Familiarity with analytics platforms (e.g., Google Analytics, Amplitude, Mixpanel) to understand user behavior, track engagement metrics, and evaluate content effectiveness.

CRM & Automation:

• While not a direct CRM role, understanding how user data is managed and how personalization is driven within the platform is important. Experience with learning management systems (LMS) or similar educational platforms may be beneficial.

📝 Enhancement Note: Proficiency in modern UX design tools like Figma is almost a given. The emphasis on AI tools and analytics platforms signifies the data-driven and technologically advanced nature of ELSA's product development.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Mission-Driven: A strong commitment to transforming language learning and empowering global learners. Expect a focus on impact and purpose.

• Innovation & AI Forward: Embracing cutting-edge technology, particularly AI, to solve complex problems and create novel learning experiences.

• Data-Informed: Decisions are guided by user data, research, and performance metrics, fostering a culture of continuous improvement.

• Collaboration & Inclusivity: Working effectively in multicultural, cross-functional teams, valuing diverse perspectives and fostering open communication.

• User-Centricity: A deep focus on understanding and meeting the needs of learners to ensure effective and engaging educational experiences.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-functional Integration: Expect to work closely with product managers, engineers, and AI specialists, contributing your expertise to shared goals.

• Asynchronous & Synchronous Communication: A blend of real-time meetings and asynchronous communication is standard for remote, global teams. Clear, concise written communication is vital.

• Feedback Culture: An environment that encourages constructive feedback on designs, content, and processes to drive collective improvement.

• Agile & Iterative: A willingness to adapt, iterate quickly, and embrace change as product development progresses.

📝 Enhancement Note: The company values align with a modern, mission-driven tech company. The emphasis on AI and data, combined with a collaborative and user-centric approach, defines the operational ethos.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing UX and Pedagogy: Effectively merging complex learning science principles with intuitive, user-friendly design for a global audience with diverse learning styles and technical proficiencies.

• AI Integration Complexity: Ensuring AI-generated content and features are pedagogically sound, accurate, and genuinely enhance learning outcomes, rather than just being technically impressive.

• Scaling Content: Developing processes and leveraging AI to efficiently create and adapt high-quality learning materials for a vast and growing user base across different proficiency levels and needs.

• Remote Collaboration: Maintaining strong team cohesion, communication, and design alignment across different time zones and geographical locations.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Cutting-Edge AI Applications: Gaining hands-on experience with generative AI in an educational context, pushing the boundaries of AI-driven learning.

• Advanced Instructional Design: Deepening expertise in digital pedagogy, learning science, and curriculum design for AI-enhanced platforms.

• Global Product Design: Understanding and designing for a diverse, international user base, considering cultural nuances and varying educational contexts.

• Cross-Functional Expertise: Developing a strong understanding of AI development, product management, and data analytics through close collaboration.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges are inherent to working at the forefront of EdTech, blending complex human learning with advanced AI. The growth opportunities are significant, positioning the individual to become a leader in a rapidly evolving field.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you designed a personalized learning path. What was your process, and how did you measure its effectiveness?" (Focus on process, data, and learner outcomes.)

• "How would you approach designing an AI-powered exercise to help learners improve their English pronunciation? What pedagogical principles would you incorporate?" (Assess pedagogical thinking and AI application.)

• "Walk us through a project where you collaborated with engineers and product managers to launch a new feature. What were the challenges, and how did you overcome them?" (Evaluate cross-functional collaboration and problem-solving.)

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What interests you most about ELSA's mission and our use of AI in language learning?" (Show genuine interest and alignment with the company's purpose.)

• "How do you see your role contributing to ELSA's vision of becoming the global standard for English communication training?" (Connect your skills to the company's strategic goals.)

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure Your Narrative: For each case study, clearly outline the problem, your approach, the solution, and the results. Use storytelling to engage the interviewers.

• Highlight Your Role: Clearly define your contributions, especially if it was a team project.

• Focus on Impact: Quantify results whenever possible (e.g., "increased user engagement by 15%", "improved learning outcome scores by 10%").

• Explain Design Rationale: Be prepared to deeply explain why you made specific design choices, referencing UX principles, learning science, and data insights.

• Demonstrate AI Use: Explicitly show how you used AI tools or designed for AI-driven features, explaining the benefits and challenges.

• Be Ready for Q&A: Anticipate questions about your process, decisions, and how you would approach similar challenges at ELSA.

📝 Enhancement Note: Preparation should focus on demonstrating a strong understanding of ELSA's domain (AI, EdTech, ELT), showcasing a robust design process, and articulating how your skills directly contribute to the company's mission and product success.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this UX Designer position:

• Submit your application through the ELSA teamtailor portal.

• Prepare Your Portfolio: Curate 2-3 key projects that highlight your UX design, instructional design, and AI application experience. Ensure each project clearly outlines the problem, your process, your solutions, and measurable outcomes. Tailor your portfolio to showcase relevant EdTech or AI-driven learning experiences.

• Optimize Your Resume: Highlight experience with ELT/ESL, digital curriculum development, AI tools, prompt engineering, and cross-functional collaboration. Use keywords from the job description to ensure ATS compatibility.

• Research ELSA: Familiarize yourself with ELSA's product, mission, values, and recent news. Understand their approach to AI in language learning and their target audience.

• Practice Your Pitch: Be ready to articulate your passion for EdTech, your design philosophy, and how your unique skillset can contribute to ELSA's growth and success. Practice walking through your portfolio with clear, concise explanations.

⚠️ 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.