UX Designer (Contract)

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: UX Designer (Contract)

Company: Zymo Research Corporation

Location: Tustin, CA

Job Type: Contract

Category: UX/UI Design, Digital Product Design

Date Posted: 2026-08-26

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

Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• Architect intuitive, goal-driven user experiences for digital platforms, directly impacting product adoption and customer satisfaction.

• Translate business objectives and user needs into effective, user-centered design solutions across web and digital products.

• Maintain and evolve the company’s design system, style guide, and component library to ensure consistency and scalability.

• Collaborate closely with marketing, web, and commercial teams to deliver polished, high-quality design outcomes.

• Drive continuous improvement in design quality and process efficiency through data analysis and user feedback.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is positioned as a Contract UX Designer, emphasizing a project-based engagement with a focus on end-to-end design ownership. The core function revolves around enhancing user engagement with Zymo Research's digital presence, requiring a blend of strategic thinking, creative execution, and collaborative problem-solving. The mention of impacting "product adoption, customer satisfaction, and brand perception on a global scale" suggests a high-visibility role within the company's digital strategy.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Design intuitive user journeys, informed by research, data, and business priorities, to support marketing and commercial strategies.

• Create wireframes, prototypes, and high-fidelity mockups using Figma, ensuring strong hierarchy, visual clarity, and accessibility.

• Develop responsive pages, layouts, and components that align with brand guidelines while prioritizing usability and conversion.

• Conduct light user research, review analytics, and test interactions to proactively identify and propose solutions for UX/UI improvements.

• Maintain and update the company's Figma-based style guide and component library, ensuring accurate design implementation with the web development team.

• Partner with marketers, developers, and content owners to transform ideas into user-centered digital experiences.

• Clearly communicate design rationale and technical specifications to both creative and technical stakeholders.

• Manage multiple design projects concurrently, ensuring timely delivery and alignment with project priorities and business objectives.

• Monitor engagement and usability metrics to evaluate the effectiveness of design solutions and inform iterative improvements.

• Contribute to enhancing workflow processes, from initial project intake to final design handoff and quality assurance.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a hands-on design role with significant strategic input. The emphasis on "architecting intuitive user journeys," "proactively identify UX and UI improvements," and "evaluate the effectiveness of your designs" indicates a need for a designer who can not only execute but also strategize and measure design impact. The requirement to "maintain and evolve the company’s style guide and component library" points to a crucial role in establishing and upholding design consistency.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: While no specific degree is mandated, a background in Design (e.g., Graphic Design, Interaction Design, Human-Computer Interaction), or a related field is implied.

Experience: Minimum of 3–5 years of professional experience in UX/UI design or digital product design.

Required Skills:

• Figma Proficiency: Advanced skills in Figma, including component creation, variants, prototyping, and collaborative design system management.

• UX/UI Design Principles: Strong understanding of user experience best practices, interaction design, information architecture, and user-centered design methodologies.

• Responsive Design: Expertise in designing for various screen sizes and devices, ensuring a seamless user experience across platforms.

• Wireframing & Prototyping: Ability to create detailed wireframes and interactive prototypes to effectively communicate design concepts and user flows.

• Visual Design: Solid grasp of layout, typography, color theory, and visual hierarchy to create aesthetically pleasing and functional interfaces.

• Accessibility Standards: Knowledge of WCAG guidelines and best practices for designing inclusive and accessible digital products.

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

• Organizational Skills: Proven ability to manage multiple projects, prioritize tasks, and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment.

• HTML/CSS Knowledge: Working knowledge of HTML and CSS to facilitate effective communication and collaboration with web development teams.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience with user research methodologies (e.g., user interviews, usability testing, surveys).

• Familiarity with data analysis tools and the ability to interpret analytics to inform design decisions.

• Experience in maintaining and contributing to design systems and component libraries.

• Understanding of marketing and commercial strategies and how design supports business objectives.

• Familiarity with Agile development methodologies.

📝 Enhancement Note: The experience requirement of 3-5 years positions this role at a mid-level, where candidates are expected to be largely autonomous in their design work while also being capable of contributing to strategic discussions and mentoring junior designers if applicable. The emphasis on Figma as a core tool is critical, indicating a need for candidates to be highly proficient in this specific platform. The inclusion of HTML/CSS knowledge suggests a "designer who codes" or at least has a strong enough understanding to collaborate effectively with developers.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A curated portfolio showcasing a minimum of 3-5 distinct UX/UI design projects demonstrating end-to-end design process.

• Projects should highlight a strong understanding of user-centered design principles, problem-solving, and strategic thinking.

• Specific examples of how user research, data analysis, or A/B testing informed design decisions and led to measurable outcomes.

• Demonstrations of experience with Figma, including interactive prototypes, component libraries, and design system contributions.

• Case studies detailing the design process from discovery and ideation through to execution and iteration. Process Documentation:

• Examples of wireframes, user flows, and sitemaps that illustrate complex information architecture.

• Prototypes demonstrating interactive elements and user journey mapping.

• High-fidelity mockups showcasing visual design execution and adherence to brand guidelines.

• Documentation of design patterns, style guides, and component library contributions, emphasizing scalability and consistency.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a UX Designer role, a robust portfolio is paramount. The requirements emphasize showcasing the entire design process, not just final visuals. Candidates should be prepared to detail their decision-making rationale, particularly how they leverage data and user feedback to drive design outcomes. The explicit mention of Figma and design systems means portfolio pieces should ideally reflect proficiency in these areas.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: The estimated base compensation range for this position is $35 to $50 per hour. This is a contract role.

Benefits:

• Medical, Dental, Vision, and Life Insurance Coverages

• Employee Assistance Program (EAP) Sessions

• Vacation Time plus Company Holidays

• Paid Sick Leave

• Generous 401(K) with matching

• Complimentary fruit, snacks, and beverages

• Complimentary catered lunches on Thursdays

• Complimentary EV Charging

Working Hours: The standard working hours are expected to align with a typical full-time schedule (approximately 40 hours per week), though specific daily schedules may vary.

📝 Enhancement Note: The provided hourly rate of $35-$50 USD is within the typical range for contract UX Designers in the Tustin, California area with 3-5 years of experience. This range can fluctuate based on the specific duration of the contract, the complexity of the projects, and the candidate's unique skill set and portfolio. The benefits listed are comprehensive for a contract role, indicating Zymo Research's commitment to their contractors' well-being.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Biotechnology, Life Sciences, Research Tools. Zymo Research is a leading provider of innovative tools for DNA, RNA, epigenetics, microbiomics, protein, and yeast-based research. Their commitment to quality and simplicity has positioned them as a trusted partner in the scientific community.

Company Size: Zymo Research is a significant player in its industry, recognized as a "Top Workplace" by the Orange County Register and "Top Workplace USA," suggesting a positive and supportive work environment. The exact employee count isn't provided, but "growing company" implies a dynamic and expanding organization.

Founded: 1994. With a history spanning over two decades, Zymo Research has established a strong reputation and a stable market presence, allowing for continued investment in innovation and employee development.

Team Structure:

• The UX Designer will join a growing Design Team, working on a contract basis.

• Close collaboration is expected with Marketing, Web, and Commercial teams, indicating a cross-functional operational structure.

• The role requires partnership with web development, suggesting integration within product development lifecycles. Methodology:

• Data-Driven Design: The role emphasizes using research, analytics, and user feedback to inform design decisions and measure effectiveness.

• User-Centered Approach: A core tenet is translating user needs into intuitive and goal-driven experiences.

• Agile Collaboration: The need to work closely with developers and manage multiple projects implies an agile or iterative workflow.

• Continuous Improvement: A proactive approach to identifying UX/UI enhancements and optimizing design processes.

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

📝 Enhancement Note: Zymo Research's "Top Workplace" accolades suggest a culture that values its employees and fosters a collaborative and innovative environment. For a UX Designer, this means an opportunity to work within a supportive team where design is respected and integrated into business strategy. The company's long-standing presence in the scientific research sector implies a dedication to precision and quality, which will likely be reflected in their design standards.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is for a mid-level UX Designer, requiring 3-5 years of experience. It involves significant autonomy in design execution and strategy, with the ability to influence user experience across digital platforms. The contract nature implies a focus on project-specific contributions rather than long-term career progression within Zymo Research, though successful contractors may be considered for future roles.

Reporting Structure: The UX Designer will report to a manager or lead within the Design Team. They will work closely with stakeholders in Marketing, Web, and Commercial departments, requiring strong collaboration and communication skills to navigate interdepartmental projects.

Operations Impact: The UX Designer's work will directly influence critical business metrics such as product adoption, customer satisfaction, conversion rates, and overall brand perception. By creating intuitive and effective digital experiences, they contribute to streamlining user journeys, improving customer engagement, and ultimately supporting Zymo Research's business objectives in the scientific community.

Growth Opportunities:

• Skill Specialization: Opportunity to deepen expertise in specific areas of UX/UI design, such as interaction design, design systems, or user research.

• Cross-Functional Exposure: Gain experience working with diverse teams (Marketing, Web Development, Commercial) to understand broader business goals and operational dynamics.

• Portfolio Enhancement: Build a strong portfolio with high-impact projects that demonstrate end-to-end design ownership and measurable results, valuable for future contract or full-time roles.

• Industry Insights: Deepen understanding of the biotechnology and life sciences industry, applying design principles to scientific research tools and platforms.

📝 Enhancement Note: While this is a contract role, the scope of responsibilities and the emphasis on strategic input offer significant opportunities for professional development. The candidate will be expected to operate with a high degree of independence, which can be a valuable growth experience. The ability to contribute to a "Top Workplace" and work with innovative research tools can also enhance a designer's resume and future career prospects.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: This is a fully on-site role at Zymo Research's Tustin, CA location, specifically at their "Zymo Research Operations" facility.

Office Location(s): 2961 Dow Ave, Tustin, CA 92780. This location is situated in Orange County, California.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Environment: The role requires close collaboration with marketing, web, and commercial teams, suggesting an open or team-oriented workspace designed for interaction.

• Tooling: Access to industry-standard design tools, particularly Figma, will be essential. The company's commitment to being a "Top Workplace" likely means a well-equipped and comfortable working environment.

• Team Interaction: Opportunities to engage with designers, developers, and marketing professionals, fostering a dynamic exchange of ideas and feedback.

Work Schedule: The role is expected to be a full-time contract position, likely adhering to standard business hours (approx. 40 hours per week). The on-site nature requires consistent presence at the Tustin facility.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "fully onsite" requirement is a key detail for candidates. This means daily presence at the Tustin office is mandatory, which is important for those seeking remote or hybrid arrangements. The mention of "complimentary fruit, snacks, and beverages" and "catered lunches on Thursdays" indicates a company culture that invests in employee comfort and well-being within the physical office space.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A review of your resume and portfolio to assess qualifications and experience against the job requirements.

• Portfolio Presentation & Interview: Candidates will likely present their portfolio, discussing their design process, rationale, and project outcomes. This stage will focus on technical skills, problem-solving abilities, and communication clarity. Expect questions related to Figma proficiency, design system experience, and handling of user feedback.

• Cross-Functional Interviews: Discussions with key stakeholders from Marketing, Web, and Commercial teams to evaluate collaboration skills, understanding of business objectives, and cultural fit.

• Final Evaluation: Assessment of overall fit, problem-solving approach, and potential impact on Zymo Research's digital initiatives.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Highlight Process: Focus on showcasing your end-to-end design process, not just final visuals. Explain the "why" behind your design decisions.

• Quantify Impact: Wherever possible, use metrics or qualitative feedback to demonstrate the success of your designs (e.g., improved conversion rates, reduced bounce rates, increased user satisfaction).

• Figma Expertise: Clearly demonstrate your proficiency with Figma, including examples of component libraries, design systems, and interactive prototypes.

• Problem/Solution Structure: For each project, clearly articulate the problem you were solving, your approach, the solutions you designed, and the results.

• Tailor to Zymo: If possible, subtly tailor your presentation to Zymo Research's industry (biotech/life sciences) and their stated needs for intuitive, goal-driven design.

Challenge Preparation:

• Be prepared for a design challenge, potentially involving a hypothetical problem related to Zymo Research's digital platforms or a similar scenario.

• Focus on demonstrating your problem-solving methodology, your ability to think critically, and how you would approach design within constraints.

• Practice articulating your thought process clearly and concisely, as if presenting to a mixed audience of designers and non-designers.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process for a UX Designer role typically places a heavy emphasis on the portfolio. Candidates should be prepared to walk through their work in detail, explaining their design choices and the impact of their contributions. Given the contract nature, the company will be looking for someone who can quickly integrate and deliver results, so demonstrating project management and communication skills is also crucial.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Figma: The core design tool for wireframing, prototyping, UI design, and managing design systems and component libraries. Proficiency is a hard requirement.

• Prototyping Tools: Figma's built-in prototyping capabilities are essential.

• Design Systems: Experience in creating, maintaining, and utilizing design systems and component libraries.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Web Analytics Tools: While not explicitly listed, familiarity with tools like Google Analytics or similar platforms would be beneficial for understanding user behavior and design impact.

• Data Interpretation: Ability to interpret data and analytics to inform design decisions and measure design effectiveness.

CRM & Automation:

• Collaboration Platforms: Tools like Slack, Asana, Trello, or Jira may be used for project management and team communication.

• Version Control: Understanding of version control principles, especially as they apply to design assets and design systems.

📝 Enhancement Note: Figma is explicitly called out as a required skill, making it the most critical tool for this role. A candidate's proficiency in Figma, particularly with its advanced features like components, variants, and collaborative design systems, will be heavily scrutinized. While other tools aren't specified, a general understanding of web analytics and project management software is always beneficial for roles involving cross-functional collaboration and data-driven decision-making.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Innovation: Zymo Research is dedicated to providing innovative research tools, suggesting a culture that embraces new ideas and continuous improvement in product and process.

• Quality & Reliability: A core philosophy of providing high-quality, reliable products translates to an expectation of meticulous attention to detail and excellence in design execution.

• Simplicity: The company aims for products that are simple to use, indicating a preference for clear, intuitive design solutions that minimize user friction.

• Collaboration: The need to work closely with multiple departments suggests a collaborative environment where cross-functional teamwork is valued.

• Scientific Advancement: A passion for contributing to scientific progress is likely a unifying value for employees.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-Functional Integration: Expect a collaborative style that involves close partnerships with marketing, web development, and commercial teams to ensure design aligns with broader business goals.

• Feedback-Driven: A culture that likely encourages constructive feedback to refine designs and processes, fostering continuous improvement.

• Agile & Iterative: The fast-paced nature of digital product development and the contract role suggest an agile approach, with iterative design cycles and efficient handoffs.

• Clear Communication: Emphasis on clearly communicating design rationale and technical specifications to ensure alignment across different functional groups.

📝 Enhancement Note: The company's "Top Workplace" status suggests a positive and employee-centric culture. For a designer, this likely translates to a supportive environment where creativity is encouraged and design contributions are valued. The emphasis on "simplicity" and "reliability" in their product philosophy will likely extend to their design standards, favoring clean, user-friendly interfaces.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing Stakeholder Needs: Effectively integrating feedback and priorities from Marketing, Web, and Commercial teams to create cohesive designs.

• Maintaining Design Consistency: Ensuring brand and UI consistency across a growing digital presence, especially when working with established style guides and component libraries.

• Technical Constraints: Collaborating with developers to understand and work within technical limitations while still achieving optimal user experience.

• Project Management: Managing multiple concurrent design projects with varying deadlines and priorities in a contract capacity.

• Remote vs. On-site: For candidates accustomed to remote work, adapting to a fully on-site role will be a primary adjustment.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Deepen Figma Expertise: Opportunities to master advanced Figma features and contribute to sophisticated design system management.

• Industry-Specific Design: Gain valuable experience designing for the biotechnology and life sciences sector, understanding the unique needs of scientific researchers.

• Cross-Functional Collaboration Skills: Enhance abilities in communicating design effectively to non-design stakeholders and working within diverse teams.

• Portfolio Building: Contribute to significant projects that can be showcased to demonstrate expertise in user-centered design and digital product development.

• Process Optimization: Contribute to improving design workflows and handoff processes, enhancing efficiency for the design and development teams.

📝 Enhancement Note: The primary challenge will be navigating the contract nature of the role, which often requires quick adaptation and immediate contribution. The opportunity lies in gaining experience within a reputable scientific company and honing skills in a highly sought-after design tool (Figma) within a structured design system environment.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you had to balance conflicting feedback from multiple stakeholders. How did you approach it, and what was the outcome?" (Focus on communication, negotiation, and prioritization skills.)

• "Walk us through your process for designing a complex user journey or feature, from initial concept to final implementation." (Highlight your UX methodology, problem-solving, and iterative approach.)

• "How do you ensure accessibility and responsiveness in your designs? Can you provide an example?" (Demonstrate your understanding of inclusive design principles and multi-platform best practices.)

• "Describe your experience with Figma and design systems. How have you contributed to or maintained a component library?" (Prepare to discuss specific Figma features and your role in design system management.) Company & Culture Questions:

• "What interests you about Zymo Research and the biotechnology industry?" (Research the company's mission, products, and recent news.)

• "How do you stay current with UX/UI trends and best practices?" (Showcase your commitment to continuous learning.)

• "Describe your ideal work environment and how you collaborate with development teams." (Align your preferences with the on-site, collaborative nature of the role.) Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure Your Narrative: For each project, clearly state the problem, your role, your process, the solution, and the impact (quantified if possible).

• Showcase Figma Work: Highlight specific examples of your Figma skills, such as complex component structures, interactive prototypes, or design system contributions.

• Explain Your Rationale: Be ready to defend your design decisions, explaining the user research, data, or strategic thinking that informed them.

• Be Concise and Engaging: Practice your presentation to ensure it's clear, engaging, and within the allotted time. Focus on the most relevant projects for this role.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation for this role should heavily focus on demonstrating practical application of Figma, understanding of design systems, and a clear, user-centered design process. Candidates should be ready to articulate how their design decisions lead to tangible business outcomes, aligning with Zymo Research's goals of product adoption and customer satisfaction.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this UX Designer (Contract) position:

• Submit your application through the provided link on app.trinethire.com.

• Portfolio Customization: Ensure your portfolio prominently features projects demonstrating expertise in Figma, design systems, responsive design, and user-centered problem-solving. Tailor your case studies to highlight your ability to translate business needs into effective user experiences.

• Resume Optimization: Update your resume to clearly articulate your 3-5 years of UX/UI design experience, specifically mentioning Figma proficiency, experience with component libraries, and any relevant work within scientific or technical industries. Use keywords from the job description.

• Prepare for Portfolio Review: Practice presenting your portfolio, focusing on explaining your design process, rationale, and the impact of your work. Be ready to discuss your experience with user research, analytics, and collaboration with development teams.

• Company Research: Familiarize yourself with Zymo Research's products, mission, and recent achievements (e.g., "Top Workplace" awards) to demonstrate genuine interest and understanding of their business context.

⚠️ 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.