UX Designer, Construction

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: UX Designer, Construction

Company: John Deere

Location: Urbandale, IA, United States

Job Type: Full-Time

Category: User Experience (UX) Design

Date Posted: June 23, 2026

Experience Level: 2-5 Years

Remote Status: Onsite

🚀 Role Summary

• Design and develop user interaction task flows, wireframes, and prototypes for complex earthmoving equipment interfaces.

• Apply user-centered design principles and human factors knowledge to create intuitive and efficient user experiences.

• Collaborate closely with cross-functional teams, including engineering, software development, marketing, and business leaders, to translate user needs into actionable design specifications.

• Conduct usability testing and gather user feedback to inform design iterations and ensure product alignment with customer requirements.

• Develop and implement process improvements within the UX design lifecycle to enhance efficiency and product quality.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role focuses on UX design within the construction equipment sector, requiring a strong understanding of user interaction within heavy machinery and potentially in-vehicle displays. The emphasis on "moderate complexity" suggests a need for designers who can manage multiple project facets and contribute significantly to the design process.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Develop comprehensive user interaction task flows, wireframes, and interactive prototypes for new and existing earthmoving products, ensuring intuitive navigation and optimal user engagement.

• Apply established usability principles, human factors research, and UI design best practices to craft user-centered system requirements and design solutions.

• Plan, coordinate, and execute UX interaction design and validation activities across a variety of moderate to complex projects.

• Create and maintain essential project and overall system design artifacts, ensuring clarity and consistency for development teams.

• Collaborate effectively with engineering, software development, marketing, and business leaders to ensure seamless implementation of UX designs according to specifications.

• Identify and implement process improvements and enhancements within the UX design workflow to boost efficiency and overall product quality.

• Assist in conducting pre and post-development usability testing to validate design effectiveness and gather critical user insights.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a blend of core UX design deliverables (wireframes, prototypes) and strategic contributions (user-centered requirements, process improvements). The mention of "in-vehicle displays" and "construction" suggests a need for domain-specific UX considerations beyond typical digital products.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

• Bachelor's degree in Human Factors, Graphic Design, Interaction/Visual Design, or a related field, or equivalent practical experience. Experience:

• Two or more years of experience applying User-Centered Design principles to solve moderately complex interface problems within product development lifecycles.

• Two or more years of hands-on experience with visual interface design, specifically applied to web, mobile, or in-vehicle display systems.

• Two or more years of experience working collaboratively with cross-functional teams, including engineering, software development, marketing, and business stakeholders.

• Two or more years of experience effectively translating customer needs and technical requirements into clear design concepts and articulating these designs to both technical and non-technical audiences.

• Two or more years of experience navigating and contributing to technology and product development processes. Required Skills:

• High proficiency with at least two industry-standard design and rapid-prototyping tools, such as: Sketch, Figma, Adobe Illustrator, Adobe XD, or InVision.

• Demonstrated understanding and application of User-Centered Design principles.

• Proven ability in visual interface design for digital products.

• Experience translating complex requirements into user-friendly designs.

• Familiarity with human factors and usability best practices.

• Strong communication and interpersonal skills for effective cross-functional collaboration. Preferred Skills:

• A strong portfolio showcasing UI visual design, task flows, and solutions to user problems.

• Two years of direct experience specifically with Sketch and Figma.

• Experience utilizing UX metrics and a user-centered design process to provide actionable insights to product engineering groups.

• Demonstrated ability to apply design principles related to user flows, accessibility, visual hierarchy, and brand consistency.

• Proven ability to leverage prototyping, user flows, storyboards, and existing research to provide design insights before high-fidelity design delivery.

• Experience designing user interfaces for the construction or agriculture industries, particularly for in-vehicle applications.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "What Makes You Stand Out" section provides crucial insights into preferred tool proficiency and domain experience. Candidates with a portfolio demonstrating specific problem-solving for construction or agriculture equipment will have a significant advantage.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A comprehensive portfolio demonstrating your ability to prototype elegant UX solutions is a mandatory requirement for application. This should include examples of your work in user flows, wireframes, and high-fidelity mockups.

• Showcase specific case studies that highlight how you applied user-centered design principles to solve complex problems within a product development context.

• Examples of your work with in-vehicle displays or complex machinery interfaces are highly recommended.

• Clearly articulate your design process, decision-making rationale, and the impact of your design contributions on user experience and product success. Process Documentation:

• Candidates are expected to demonstrate a structured approach to UX design, including user research, ideation, prototyping, and validation phases.

• Ability to document design specifications, user flows, and interaction patterns clearly for engineering and development teams.

• Experience in iterative design processes, incorporating feedback from usability testing and cross-functional stakeholders.

📝 Enhancement Note: The explicit requirement for a portfolio is critical. Applicants must ensure their portfolio is readily accessible (website URL or attachment) and showcases relevant work that aligns with the responsibilities and preferred skills, particularly those related to complex interfaces and user-centric problem-solving.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $86,892.00 - $130,332.00 per year

Benefits:

• Flexible work arrangements are currently available.

• Highly competitive base pay.

• Savings & Retirement benefits, including 401K and Defined Contribution plans.

• Comprehensive healthcare benefits with a generous company contribution to Health Savings Accounts (HSA).

• Adoption assistance program.

• Employee Assistance Programs (EAP) for support.

• Tuition assistance for continued education and professional development.

• Fitness subsidies and access to on-site gyms at specific John Deere locations.

• Charitable contribution matching program.

• Employee Purchase Plan offering discounts on John Deere products.

• Numerous additional discount programs for personal use.

• Paid Vacation and Holiday Pay.

Working Hours: 40 hours per week; eligible for flexible work schedule arrangements.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range provided is competitive for a UX Designer role with 2-5 years of experience in a major metropolitan area like Des Moines/Urbandale. The extensive benefits package, including flexible work arrangements, reflects John Deere's commitment to employee well-being and work-life balance.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Heavy Equipment Manufacturing (Construction & Agriculture)

Company Size: Large Enterprise (John Deere is a global leader with tens of thousands of employees)

Founded: 1837 (John Deere has a long-standing history of innovation and reliability)

Team Structure:

• The UX Designer will be part of the User Experience (UX) team within the John Deere Intelligent Solutions Group (ISG).

• This team likely collaborates closely with product management, software engineering, hardware engineering, and marketing teams within the construction and agriculture divisions.

• The UX team is responsible for ensuring that John Deere's equipment and related software solutions are intuitive, efficient, and user-friendly for operators and stakeholders. Methodology:

• John Deere emphasizes a user-centered design approach, integrating human factors and usability principles into the product development lifecycle.

• The company likely employs agile or iterative development methodologies, requiring UX designers to work closely with development teams throughout sprints.

• Data-driven decision-making is crucial, with UX insights derived from user research, usability testing, and performance metrics informing design strategies.

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

📝 Enhancement Note: John Deere's long history and position as a global leader in heavy equipment manufacturing suggest a culture that values reliability, innovation, and customer focus. The Intelligent Solutions Group implies a strong emphasis on technology integration within traditional machinery.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: Mid-Level UX Designer

This role is positioned as a mid-level UX Designer, indicating a need for candidates with proven experience and the ability to work with moderate complexity. The role requires independent contribution to design tasks and collaboration with cross-functional teams. It's a step beyond entry-level, focusing on applying established UX principles to real-world product challenges.

Reporting Structure:

The UX Designer will likely report to a UX Design Manager or Lead within the Intelligent Solutions Group. They will work closely with Product Managers, Engineering Leads, and Software Developers, acting as a key contributor to product feature development.

Operations Impact:

The work of a UX Designer at John Deere directly impacts the usability, efficiency, and operator satisfaction of complex construction and agricultural equipment. By creating intuitive interfaces, this role contributes to improved productivity, reduced errors, enhanced safety, and ultimately, customer loyalty and revenue for John Deere’s product lines.

Growth Opportunities:

• Specialization: Develop deep expertise in UX design for heavy machinery, in-vehicle systems, or specific product lines (e.g., excavators, tractors).

• Leadership: Progress to Senior UX Designer, UX Lead, or UX Manager roles, overseeing design projects and mentoring junior designers.

• Cross-functional Mobility: Transition into Product Management, Design Research, or other roles within the ISG or broader John Deere organization.

• Skill Development: Continuous learning in new UX tools, methodologies, and emerging technologies relevant to the industry.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on "construction" and "earthmoving" suggests that growth opportunities may also involve specializing in specific types of heavy equipment or advanced technological integrations like autonomous operation UI.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Onsite Position (Urbandale, IA)

Office Location(s): Urbandale, IA, and potentially Dubuque, IA (as mentioned in the description). The role is primarily based in Urbandale.

Workspace Context:

• The work environment is described as "Onsite," indicating a preference for in-person collaboration. However, it also mentions eligibility for a "flexible work schedule arrangement," suggesting a hybrid model may be possible after initial training and acclimation.

• The role will involve working within a collaborative team structure, interacting with engineers, developers, and product managers.

• Access to modern design tools and technology is expected, enabling the creation of wireframes, prototypes, and high-fidelity designs. Work Schedule:

• Standard full-time work hours (40 hours/week) are expected.

• The role is eligible for flexible work schedule arrangements, which could mean adjusted start/end times or a hybrid on-site/remote split, subject to business needs and management approval.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the role is designated as "Onsite," the mention of flexible work arrangements suggests that candidates should inquire about the specific details of hybrid expectations during the interview process.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A review of your resume and, critically, your portfolio. A strong portfolio demonstrating relevant UX work is essential for moving forward.

• Hiring Manager Interview: Discussion about your experience, UX philosophy, and how your skills align with the role's responsibilities. Expect questions about your process for tackling design challenges.

• Technical/Design Assessment: This may involve a take-home design challenge or a live design exercise where you'll be asked to solve a specific UX problem, potentially related to construction equipment interfaces. You will likely be asked to present your process and rationale.

• Cross-functional Team Interviews: Meetings with engineers, product managers, and potentially other UX designers to assess your collaboration skills, communication style, and ability to integrate into the existing team dynamic.

• Final Interview: A discussion with senior leadership to finalize the decision.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Selectively: Showcase 3-5 of your strongest projects that best align with the job description, focusing on user-centered design, interaction design, and visual design.

• Detail Your Process: For each project, clearly outline the problem, your role, the design process followed (research, ideation, prototyping, testing), your design decisions, and the outcomes/impact. Use visuals effectively.

• Highlight Relevant Skills: Emphasize projects involving complex interfaces, in-vehicle systems, or heavy equipment if possible. Demonstrate proficiency with tools like Figma and Sketch.

• Quantify Impact: Wherever possible, include metrics or evidence of how your designs improved user experience, task completion, or efficiency.

• Professional Presentation: Ensure your portfolio is well-organized, easy to navigate, and professionally presented. Provide a clear link or attachment.

Challenge Preparation:

• Understand the Domain: Familiarize yourself with the challenges and typical user workflows of construction equipment operators. Research John Deere's current product offerings and their UX.

• Practice Design Exercises: Work through common UX challenge prompts, focusing on structured problem-solving, ideation, and rapid prototyping.

• Articulate Your Rationale: Be prepared to explain why you made specific design choices, linking them back to user needs, business goals, and UX principles.

• Consider Constraints: For any challenge, think about technical limitations, time constraints, and business objectives that would influence design decisions in a real-world scenario.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on a portfolio and the mention of potential design challenges highlight the practical, skills-based nature of this hiring process. Candidates should prepare to demonstrate their design thinking and execution capabilities thoroughly.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Design & Prototyping: High proficiency required with at least two of the following: Sketch, Figma, Adobe Illustrator, Adobe XD, InVision. Figma and Sketch are specifically called out as preferred.

• Collaboration: Tools like Jira, Confluence, Slack, or Microsoft Teams are likely used for cross-functional communication and project management.

Analytics & Reporting:

• While not explicitly listed, experience with tools that provide user behavior analytics (e.g., Hotjar, Google Analytics for web interfaces) or product usage data would be beneficial for informing design decisions and demonstrating impact. CRM & Automation:

• Primarily relevant for understanding how UX designs integrate with broader business systems, but direct experience with CRM or automation tools is not a core requirement for this UX role.

📝 Enhancement Note: Proficiency in Figma and Sketch is a significant differentiator. Candidates should be prepared to discuss their experience with these tools and how they leverage them for rapid prototyping and detailed interface design.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• User-Centricity: A deep commitment to understanding and serving the needs of the end-user, particularly construction equipment operators.

• Innovation: Driving forward with new technologies and design solutions to enhance product performance and user experience.

• Collaboration: Working effectively across diverse teams to achieve common goals and deliver integrated solutions.

• Quality & Reliability: Upholding John Deere's reputation for durable and dependable products through meticulous design and development.

• Efficiency: Striving for streamlined processes and intuitive product designs that maximize productivity for users.

Collaboration Style:

• The role necessitates a highly collaborative approach, working closely with engineering, product management, and business stakeholders.

• Expect a culture that values open communication, constructive feedback, and a shared responsibility for product success.

• Designers are expected to articulate their vision clearly and be receptive to input from various disciplines.

📝 Enhancement Note: John Deere's values likely emphasize a strong work ethic, a commitment to quality, and a customer-focused mindset, which are all critical for success in a UX role within their industry.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Designing for Complex Environments: Creating intuitive interfaces for heavy machinery operating in harsh, demanding conditions requires a deep understanding of user context, safety, and operational efficiency.

• Balancing User Needs with Technical Constraints: Integrating advanced UX features within the physical and software limitations of construction equipment.

• Cross-Disciplinary Communication: Effectively translating complex UX concepts and user needs to engineering and business teams who may have different technical backgrounds and priorities.

• Staying Ahead of Technology: Keeping pace with evolving technologies in areas like IoT, AI, and advanced display systems for heavy equipment.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Industry Specialization: Deepen expertise in UX for industrial equipment, human factors in high-risk environments, and in-vehicle HMI (Human-Machine Interface) design.

• Advanced Tooling: Master new features and workflows in design and prototyping tools like Figma and Sketch, and potentially explore AR/VR applications.

• Formal Training: Access to John Deere's internal training programs, workshops, and potentially external conferences or certifications in UX design and human factors.

• Mentorship: Opportunities to learn from experienced UX professionals and potentially mentor junior designers as you grow.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges presented are inherent to designing for industrial applications, offering significant opportunities for specialized skill development and career advancement within a niche but critical area of UX.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe your process for designing a new feature for a complex piece of machinery. How do you ensure user needs are met while considering technical limitations?"

• "Walk me through a project where you had to translate user feedback into design changes. What was the impact?"

• "How do you approach designing for accessibility and safety in user interfaces, especially for environments like construction sites?"

• "Describe a time you had to persuade a cross-functional team about a design decision. What was your approach and the outcome?" Company & Culture Questions:

• "What interests you about John Deere and the construction equipment industry?"

• "How do you see your UX skills contributing to the development of John Deere's intelligent solutions?"

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

• "How do you stay updated on the latest UX trends and technologies relevant to industrial design?" Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Start with the "Why": Clearly articulate the problem you were trying to solve for the user and the business.

• Showcase Your Process: Walk through your steps – research, ideation, wireframing, prototyping, testing – and explain the rationale behind your decisions at each stage.

• Highlight Key Deliverables: Focus on user flows, interaction designs, and visual mockups.

• Emphasize Impact: Discuss the outcomes of your design. If possible, use metrics to demonstrate success (e.g., improved task completion time, reduced errors, positive user feedback).

• Be Prepared for Deep Dives: Expect questions about specific design choices, tool usage, and how you handled challenges within your projects.

📝 Enhancement Note: Candidates should prepare to discuss their experience with the specific tools mentioned (Figma, Sketch) and be ready to articulate how their design process accounts for the unique demands of industrial equipment UX.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this UX Designer position:

• Submit your application through the John Deere careers portal, ensuring you include a link to your online portfolio or attach it as requested.

• Portfolio Customization: Tailor your portfolio to highlight projects that demonstrate your experience with user-centered design, complex interfaces, and ideally, in-vehicle or industrial applications. Showcase your proficiency in tools like Figma and Sketch.

• Resume Optimization: Ensure your resume clearly lists your years of experience in UX design, visual interface design, and cross-functional collaboration. Use keywords from the job description such as "User-Centered Design," "Wireframing," "Prototyping," and specific tool names.

• Interview Preparation: Practice articulating your design process, problem-solving methodologies, and the impact of your work. Prepare to discuss specific projects from your portfolio in detail.

• Company Research: Familiarize yourself with John Deere's mission, values, and its role in the construction and agriculture industries. Understand their commitment to innovation and intelligent solutions.

⚠️ 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.