UX Designer

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: UX Designer

Company: Konecranes

Location: Genova (GE), Italy

Job Type: Full-time

Category: UX/UI Design & Product Development

Date Posted: August 07, 2026

Experience Level: 2-4 years

Remote Status: Hybrid

🚀 Role Summary

• Design and develop intuitive and engaging user interfaces for Human-Machine Interaction (HMI) systems within port equipment and industrial machinery.

• Conduct thorough user and customer research, including usability testing, to gather actionable insights and validate design concepts for HMI products.

• Collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams, including developers, product managers, and fellow designers, to translate complex requirements into user-friendly and harmonized HMI designs.

• Create comprehensive design documentation, including user stories, wireframes, prototypes, and high-fidelity mockups, to clearly communicate design vision and functionality.

• Maintain and evolve HMI designs within a Figma design system, ensuring consistency and scalability across multiple product lines.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is specifically focused on HMI (Human-Machine Interface) design within the industrial equipment sector, emphasizing a user-centered approach for complex machinery. The hybrid work arrangement suggests a need for strong remote collaboration skills alongside in-office presence.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Design and develop user interfaces for HMI systems, focusing on intuitive navigation and efficient task completion for operators of port equipment and industrial machinery.

• Conduct user and customer research, including surveys, interviews, and contextual inquiries, to understand user needs, pain points, and workflows in operational environments.

• Execute usability testing on prototypes and existing interfaces to identify areas for improvement and validate design decisions, ensuring optimal user experience.

• Collaborate closely with product managers to gather detailed requirements, define user stories, and align design efforts with product roadmaps and business objectives.

• Work hand-in-hand with software developers to ensure accurate implementation of designs, providing clear specifications and addressing technical constraints throughout the development lifecycle.

• Create detailed wireframes, user flows, interactive prototypes, and high-fidelity mockups using industry-standard design tools to articulate design concepts and user journeys.

• Maintain and contribute to the company's Figma design system, ensuring consistency in visual elements, interaction patterns, and component libraries across all HMI products.

• Iterate on designs based on feedback from stakeholders, end-users, and internal teams, demonstrating an agile and iterative design process.

• Ensure that all HMI designs adhere to established UX harmonization principles, company branding guidelines, and relevant industry standards, including accessibility requirements.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a hands-on design role that requires end-to-end UX process ownership, from research and ideation to implementation support and system maintenance. Emphasis on "harmonization" and "industry standards" points to a need for strategic thinking beyond individual screen design.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: Master’s degree in UX Design, Human-Computer Interaction, Industrial Design, or a closely related field.

Experience: 2–4 years of professional experience in UX design, with a proven track record demonstrated through a strong portfolio.

Required Skills:

• Proven experience in UX design, with a portfolio showcasing end-to-end design processes for digital products, particularly HMI or embedded systems.

• Proficiency in design and prototyping tools, with a strong emphasis on Figma; Adobe Creative Suite proficiency is also highly valued.

• Experience conducting user research methodologies, including user interviews, surveys, and contextual inquiry in industrial or complex operational settings.

• Demonstrated ability to create wireframes, user flows, interactive prototypes, and high-fidelity mockups to effectively communicate design concepts.

• Solid understanding of user-centered design principles and Agile development methodologies.

• Strong problem-solving skills with the ability to analyze complex user needs and translate them into practical and effective design solutions.

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to articulate design rationale and collaborate effectively in English.

• Ability to work independently, manage multiple tasks, and thrive in an international team environment. Preferred Skills:

• Experience in industrial HMI, embedded UI, automotive HMI, or similar domains where complex interfaces are critical.

• Familiarity with Qt or similar technologies used in embedded systems development.

• Experience using AI tools to enhance the design process, such as for ideation, content generation, or user research analysis.

• Understanding of accessibility guidelines and best practices for industrial interfaces.

• Experience contributing to or maintaining design systems.

📝 Enhancement Note: The requirement for a Master's degree and 2-4 years of experience suggests this is an intermediate-level role, expecting a candidate who can operate with some autonomy but also contribute significantly to team projects. The preference for industrial HMI/embedded UI experience is a strong indicator of the specialized nature of this UX role.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Showcase a minimum of 2-3 detailed case studies demonstrating the full UX design process from problem definition to final solution for complex digital interfaces.

• Clearly articulate your role and contributions within each project, especially in collaborative environments.

• Highlight specific UX methodologies employed, such as user research, wireframing, prototyping, and usability testing.

• Include visual examples of wireframes, user flows, prototypes, and final UI designs, with explanations of design decisions and their rationale.

• Demonstrate the impact of your designs, ideally with metrics or qualitative feedback on user experience improvements. Process Documentation:

• Detail your approach to user research, including methods for gathering requirements and understanding user needs in operational contexts.

• Provide examples of your wireframing and prototyping process, illustrating how you translate concepts into tangible user interfaces.

• Showcase your experience with iterative design, including how you incorporate feedback from usability testing and stakeholder reviews to refine designs.

• Document your understanding of design system principles and how you contribute to or leverage existing design systems for consistency and efficiency.

📝 Enhancement Note: A strong portfolio is explicitly stated as a requirement. Candidates should prepare case studies that specifically address industrial or embedded UI challenges, showcasing their ability to manage complexity and drive user-centered outcomes in a B2B or industrial product context.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: EUR 35,000 - EUR 44,000 per year.

Benefits:

• Opportunity to work on cutting-edge industrial HMI systems, contributing to the future of port equipment and material handling technology.

• International collaboration within a strong, global in-house Design team, fostering diverse perspectives and cross-cultural learning.

• High-impact role that directly shapes real-world user experiences for critical industrial machinery.

• Participation in the National Collective Bargain Agreement for employees in the metalworking and plant installation industries (CCNL per i dipendenti dell’industria metalmeccanica e della installazione di impianti).

• Potential for professional development and skill enhancement through exposure to advanced design tools and methodologies.

Working Hours: Approximately 40 hours per week, reflecting a standard full-time position. The hybrid work arrangement allows for flexibility in balancing remote and in-office work.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range provided is EUR 35,000-44,000 annually. This is a competitive range for an intermediate UX Designer in Italy, particularly for a specialized role within an industrial sector. The inclusion of the National Collective Bargain Agreement signifies adherence to Italian labor laws and provides a structured framework for employment conditions.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Manufacturing & Industrial Equipment, specifically Material Handling Solutions (Port Equipment, Cranes, etc.). This industry demands robust, reliable, and user-friendly interfaces for heavy machinery operating in demanding environments.

Company Size: Konecranes is a large, global organization with over 16,000 employees across more than 50 countries. This scale offers opportunities for international collaboration and exposure to diverse markets and operational challenges.

Founded: Konecranes has a long history, with its roots tracing back to 1885. This legacy suggests a company with established processes, a strong market presence, and a commitment to innovation and long-term growth in the material handling sector.

Team Structure: The UX Designer will be part of a global design team, reporting to the Manager of Industrial Design. This structure implies a collaborative environment where designers work together on various projects, likely with specialized roles within the broader design function. Collaboration with product managers and developers is also a key aspect.

Methodology: Konecranes emphasizes a passion-driven approach and believes in diversity as a driver of business success. Their commitment to a place where everyone can be themselves indicates an inclusive culture. In the context of UX design, this likely translates to a user-centered design methodology, integrated with Agile development processes, focusing on creating great customer experiences through thoughtful design.

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

📝 Enhancement Note: Konecranes' focus on "moving what matters" and their established presence in industrial equipment suggest a company that values engineering excellence, reliability, and innovation. The UX Designer will contribute to the critical human-machine interface that operators rely on for safety and efficiency in demanding operational contexts.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is positioned as an intermediate-level UX Designer, requiring 2-4 years of experience. It signifies an individual contributor role focused on executing design tasks, contributing to design strategy, and collaborating within a team. The scope includes designing for HMI systems, which requires specialized knowledge beyond typical web or mobile UX.

Reporting Structure: The UX Designer will report to the Manager, Industrial Design, and will be part of a global design team. This structure offers opportunities for mentorship from experienced industrial designers and collaboration with peers across different geographies. Direct collaboration with product managers and developers is also a key aspect of the role's integration into product development teams.

Operations Impact: The UX Designer's impact is significant, as they will be responsible for shaping the intuitive and engaging user interfaces that operators use to control complex port equipment and systems. Well-designed HMIs directly contribute to operator efficiency, safety, error reduction, and overall productivity, thereby impacting the company's value proposition and customer satisfaction in critical industries.

Growth Opportunities:

• Skill Specialization: Deepen expertise in industrial HMI design, embedded UI, and user-centered design for complex machinery.

• Design System Leadership: Take on more responsibility in maintaining and evolving the Figma design system, potentially leading design system initiatives.

• Cross-functional Collaboration: Expand influence by working more closely with product management and engineering teams on strategic product development.

• Mentorship: Progress towards senior or lead UX designer roles, mentoring junior designers and leading design projects.

• International Exposure: Further develop cross-cultural collaboration skills by working on global projects and engaging with diverse user bases.

📝 Enhancement Note: The role offers a clear path for specialization within industrial UX, a niche but critical area. Growth will likely involve increasing design leadership, strategic input, and potentially managing design aspects of larger product lines or system integrations.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Hybrid. This indicates a blend of remote work and in-office presence, allowing for flexibility while maintaining team cohesion and collaboration.

Office Location(s): The primary location is Genoa (GE), Italy. This city is a major port and industrial hub, providing relevant context for Konecranes' business.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Environment: The hybrid model suggests opportunities for in-person brainstorming sessions, design critiques, and team meetings, fostering a strong sense of collaboration with the local and global design teams.

• Tools and Technology: Access to industry-standard design software like Figma and Adobe Creative Suite will be essential. The team likely utilizes project management and communication tools for effective hybrid work.

• Team Interaction: Regular interaction with product managers, developers, and other designers will be integral to the role, facilitating knowledge sharing and problem-solving in a dynamic environment.

Work Schedule: The role is full-time, with an estimated 40 hours per week. The hybrid arrangement offers flexibility in managing workdays, potentially allowing for adjusted schedules to accommodate personal needs while ensuring project deadlines are met.

📝 Enhancement Note: The hybrid nature of this role in Genoa, Italy, suggests a balance between remote autonomy and in-office collaboration. Candidates should be comfortable with both modes of working and adept at using digital tools to maintain seamless communication and productivity.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: Review of CV and portfolio to assess qualifications, experience, and design capabilities.

• Portfolio Presentation & Discussion: Candidates will likely present selected case studies from their portfolio, detailing their UX process, design decisions, and the impact of their work. This is a critical stage to evaluate problem-solving skills and communication.

• Technical/Skills Assessment: Potential for a design exercise or a deeper dive into specific design tools (e.g., Figma) and methodologies.

• Team/Cultural Fit Interview: Discussion with the hiring manager (Johannes Tarkiainen) and potentially other team members to assess collaboration style, problem-solving approach, and alignment with Konecranes' values.

• Final Interview: May involve higher-level stakeholders to discuss strategic fit and long-term potential.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Focus on HMI/Industrial Cases: Prioritize case studies that demonstrate experience with complex interfaces, industrial equipment, or similar domains.

• Showcase Process: Clearly outline your UX process for each case study – from problem identification and research to ideation, design, and testing.

• Quantify Impact: Whenever possible, use metrics or qualitative feedback to demonstrate the positive impact of your designs on user experience, efficiency, or safety.

• Visual Clarity: Ensure your portfolio is visually appealing, well-organized, and easy to navigate. High-quality mockups and prototypes are essential.

• Explain Your "Why": Be prepared to articulate the rationale behind your design decisions, demonstrating critical thinking and a user-centered approach.

Challenge Preparation:

• Familiarize with Konecranes: Research Konecranes' products, target industries, and existing HMI interfaces to understand their context and potential design challenges.

• Practice Design Exercises: Prepare for potential design challenges by practicing common UX tasks like sketching interfaces, defining user flows, or solving specific usability problems.

• Understand Agile: Be ready to discuss how you integrate into Agile development cycles and collaborate with development teams.

• Articulate Design Principles: Be prepared to discuss your core design principles and how they apply to industrial HMI design.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on a portfolio and potential design challenges suggests that practical application of UX skills is highly valued. Candidates should prepare to demonstrate their thought process and ability to solve real-world design problems relevant to Konecranes' industry.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Figma: This is a core requirement for HMI design, maintenance of the design system, and collaborative design work. Proficiency in creating components, variants, and managing design system libraries is essential.

• Adobe Creative Suite: While Figma is primary, familiarity with Adobe tools (e.g., Photoshop, Illustrator) is often expected for asset creation or integration.

Analytics & Reporting:

• While not explicitly mentioned for the UX Designer role, understanding how user data and analytics inform design decisions is beneficial. This could involve familiarity with tools used by product teams to track user behavior and gather insights. CRM & Automation:

• Not directly applicable to the UX Designer role's primary responsibilities, but awareness of how HMI systems integrate with broader operational or CRM systems could be an advantage.

📝 Enhancement Note: Figma is clearly the central design tool. Candidates should highlight their expertise in Figma, including advanced features like component creation, auto-layout, and design system management, as this will be crucial for maintaining design consistency across Konecranes' product portfolio.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Passion and Drive: Demonstrated enthusiasm for creating great customer experiences and improving the functionality of industrial equipment.

• Diversity and Inclusion: Contributing to an environment where diverse backgrounds and skills are welcomed and contribute to business success.

• Customer Focus: A commitment to understanding and meeting the needs of users who operate heavy machinery in demanding environments.

• Innovation: A mindset geared towards finding safer, more productive, and sustainable ways to improve material handling solutions.

• Collaboration: Working effectively within a global team, sharing knowledge, and supporting colleagues across different functions and geographies.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-functional Integration: Close collaboration with product managers, developers, and other designers is expected, requiring strong communication and the ability to translate design concepts into actionable requirements.

• User-Centricity: A shared commitment to placing the user at the center of the design process, ensuring that solutions are practical, intuitive, and effective for operators.

• Iterative Feedback: An open approach to receiving and providing constructive feedback, essential for refining designs through multiple iterations and ensuring high-quality outcomes.

• Global Teamwork: Adapting to working with international colleagues, respecting different perspectives, and leveraging diverse insights to create globally relevant HMI solutions.

📝 Enhancement Note: Konecranes' emphasis on passion, diversity, and innovation suggests a dynamic and forward-thinking work environment. The UX Designer should be prepared to contribute to a culture that values collaboration and strives for continuous improvement in product design and user experience.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Designing for Diverse Users: Adapting designs for operators with varying levels of technical proficiency, different cultural backgrounds, and specific operational needs across global markets.

• Complexity of Industrial HMI: Balancing rich functionality required for complex machinery with the need for simplicity, intuitiveness, and safety in high-stakes operational environments.

• Technical Constraints: Working within the limitations of embedded systems, hardware capabilities, and development timelines, requiring creative problem-solving and pragmatic design solutions.

• Maintaining Design Consistency: Ensuring a harmonized user experience across a wide range of port equipment and industrial systems, each with unique operational contexts.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Specialized UX Training: Opportunities to attend workshops or courses focused on industrial design, HMI best practices, or advanced UX research methodologies.

• Cross-Industry Exposure: Learning from and contributing to design solutions for various segments within material handling, broadening understanding of different operational workflows.

• Design System Advancement: Gaining expertise in building and managing robust design systems for complex product ecosystems.

• Mentorship from Senior Designers: Learning from experienced industrial designers within the global team to refine design skills and strategic thinking.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges inherent in industrial HMI design offer significant opportunities for growth. Candidates who can navigate technical constraints and user complexity will develop highly valuable and specialized UX skills.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a challenging HMI project you worked on. What were the key challenges, your approach, and the outcome?" (Focus on problem-solving, process, and impact.)

• "How do you ensure UX harmonization across multiple products or platforms, especially within a large organization?" (Assess understanding of design systems and strategic thinking.)

• "How would you approach user research for an operator of heavy port equipment who may have limited technical literacy?" (Evaluate research methodology and user empathy.)

• "Explain your process for collaborating with developers and product managers to translate requirements into user-friendly designs." (Gauge teamwork and communication skills.) Company & Culture Questions:

• "What interests you about Konecranes and our role in the material handling industry?" (Showcase research and genuine interest.)

• "How do you contribute to a diverse and inclusive team environment?" (Align with company values.)

• "How do you stay updated on the latest trends in UX design, particularly for industrial applications?" (Demonstrate continuous learning.) Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure Your Narrative: For each case study, clearly define the problem, your role, the process, the solution, and the results.

• Highlight Key Decisions: Explain why you made specific design choices, referencing user research, usability testing, or design principles.

• Show, Don't Just Tell: Use visuals effectively – wireframes, prototypes, user flows, and final UI screens. Interactive prototypes are highly impactful.

• Be Concise and Engaging: Present your work clearly and enthusiastically, allowing time for questions and discussion. Tailor the depth of detail to the interviewer's interest.

• Connect to Konecranes: Where possible, draw parallels between your experience and the challenges Konecranes faces in its industry.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interviewers will likely focus on practical application of UX skills in complex environments. Candidates should be prepared to discuss their design process, problem-solving abilities, and how they manage the unique demands of industrial HMI design.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this UX Designer position:

• Submit your CV and a comprehensive portfolio through the 'Apply now' button on the SmartRecruiters platform by August 14th, 2026.

• Portfolio Customization: Ensure your portfolio highlights 2-3 strong case studies, prioritizing those related to industrial HMI, embedded systems, or complex interfaces. Clearly articulate your process and impact.

• Resume Optimization: Tailor your resume to emphasize your 2-4 years of UX design experience, proficiency in Figma, experience with user research and prototyping, and any relevant industrial/embedded UI background. Use keywords from the job description.

• Interview Preparation: Practice presenting your portfolio case studies, focusing on explaining your design rationale and the user-centered approach. Prepare to discuss your experience with Agile methodologies and cross-functional collaboration.

• Company Research: Thoroughly research Konecranes, their products (especially port equipment and material handling solutions), and their commitment to customer experience. Understand their global presence and industry position.

⚠️ 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.