UX Designer (Contract Role - Part Time)

CompassX Group
Full-timeβ€’$40-60/hour (USD)β€’Irvine, United States

πŸ“ Job Overview

Job Title: UX Designer (Contract Role - Part Time)

Company: CompassX Group

Location: Irvine, California, United States

Job Type: Contract

Category: User Experience (UX) Design / Product Design Operations

Date Posted: April 30, 2026

Experience Level: 2-5 Years (Mid-Level)

Remote Status: Remote OK

πŸš€ Role Summary

  • Design and document end-to-end user flows, interaction patterns, and high-fidelity UI screens within Figma, focusing on a Career Pathways platform.

  • Drive platform evolution by gathering and synthesizing direct beta user feedback on usability and accessibility.

  • Identify and address friction points within core user journeys to enhance clarity and flow.

  • Collaborate closely with product managers, engineers, and vendors to support rapid learning and iterative product development.

  • Ensure high design fidelity and consistency across the platform through rigorous auditing and adherence to established design systems.

πŸ“ Enhancement Note: This role is specifically focused on enhancing a "Career Pathways platform" during its beta launch and initial growth phases, indicating a need for a designer adept at working with early-stage products and incorporating user feedback for iterative improvement. The "Part-time" and "Contract" nature suggests a need for efficiency and self-direction within a defined project scope.

πŸ“ˆ Primary Responsibilities

  • Develop comprehensive user flows, interaction models, and detailed high-fidelity UI screens using Figma, ensuring alignment with project objectives.

  • Conduct qualitative user research sessions with beta users to gather insights into usability, accessibility, and overall user sentiment.

  • Analyze AI coach transcripts and workflow data to identify specific areas for user experience enhancement from a customer-centric perspective.

  • Evaluate existing user journeys and platform features to pinpoint friction points and opportunities for improved clarity, efficiency, and engagement.

  • Work collaboratively with product management and engineering teams to translate complex product requirements into intuitive, user-centered design solutions.

  • Perform design audits of the platform against approved specifications to guarantee quality, consistency, and adherence to visual guidelines.

  • Maintain, manage, and evolve established design systems, leveraging components, variants, and auto-layout for streamlined engineering handoffs and scalability.

  • Translate complex business requirements into clear, intuitive, and user-friendly digital solutions that align with the Foundation’s mission and visual identity.

πŸ“ Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a strong emphasis on user research, iterative design based on feedback, and close collaboration with technical teams, which are critical for success in product operations and GTM roles focused on user adoption and platform refinement.

πŸŽ“ Skills & Qualifications

Education: Bachelor's degree in Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), Graphic Design, Computer Science, or a related field; or equivalent practical experience.

Experience: Minimum of 2 years of professional experience in UX, UI, or Product Design, with a strong preference for experience within a consulting environment or a fast-paced digital product setting.

Required Skills:

  • Strong proficiency and hands-on experience with Figma for wireframing, prototyping, UI design, and design system management.

  • Proven ability in user research methodologies, including qualitative data gathering, synthesis, and translation of insights into actionable design improvements.

  • Demonstrated experience in designing end-to-end user experiences for web and/or mobile platforms.

  • Ability to manage and evolve established design systems, utilizing components, variants, and auto-layout features effectively.

  • Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with a proven track record of effective collaboration with product managers, engineers, and other stakeholders.

  • Exceptional attention to detail, with a commitment to maintaining design consistency and quality across all user touchpoints.

Preferred Skills:

  • Experience working with AI-driven platforms, SaaS products, or consumer-facing applications.

  • Familiarity with accessibility standards (WCAG) and incorporating them into design workflows.

  • Experience with project management tools and agile development methodologies.

  • Understanding of business transformation initiatives and their impact on user experience.

  • Experience in a consulting firm, particularly in business or technology consulting.

πŸ“ Enhancement Note: The requirement for 2+ years of experience within a consulting or fast-paced digital environment, coupled with strong Figma and user research skills, positions this as a mid-level role demanding practical application and immediate contribution. The "bonus points" for AI/SaaS experience are crucial for understanding the platform's context.

πŸ“Š Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

  • A comprehensive portfolio showcasing end-to-end design ownership, from initial user research and concept development to final UI delivery.

  • Case studies demonstrating the ability to identify user pain points and translate them into effective, user-centered design solutions.

  • Examples of user flows, wireframes, interactive prototypes, and high-fidelity UI screens created in Figma.

  • Evidence of experience working with and contributing to design systems, including examples of components, variants, and auto-layout implementation.

Process Documentation:

  • Examples of documented user research findings and how they informed design decisions.

  • Workflow diagrams or process maps illustrating the design process from problem identification to solution delivery.

  • Case studies detailing the iterative design process, including challenges faced and solutions implemented.

  • Documentation of design system components and their intended usage for engineering handoffs.

πŸ“ Enhancement Note: For a UX role, especially in a contract capacity, a robust portfolio is paramount. It should clearly articulate the candidate's problem-solving process, design decision-making, and ability to deliver tangible improvements, aligning with the operations focus on efficiency and measurable outcomes.

πŸ’΅ Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $40 - $60 per hour.

Benefits:

  • Contract role offering flexibility with a defined work schedule.

  • Opportunity to contribute to a high-impact platform during a critical beta launch phase.

  • Exposure to diverse industries through CompassX Group's client base.

  • Potential for extended engagement based on project needs and performance.

  • Professional development opportunities through project work and CompassX Group's consulting environment.

Working Hours: Part-time, estimated at 15 - 20 hours per week, with flexibility to align with project timelines and team needs.

πŸ“ Enhancement Note: The hourly rate of $40-$60 for a contract UX Designer in Irvine, CA, aligns with mid-level market rates for specialized contract roles. This range reflects the required experience and specific skill set. Benefits are typical for contract positions, emphasizing flexibility and project-based opportunities.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏒 Company Culture

Industry: Business and Technology Consulting. CompassX Group operates within a dynamic consulting landscape, serving Fortune 500 and high-growth clients across sectors like financial services, pharmaceuticals, aerospace, consumer products, and quick-service restaurants. This broad industry exposure means operations professionals often encounter diverse business challenges and require adaptable solutions.

Company Size: CompassX Group is a boutique consulting firm, suggesting a more intimate, collaborative, and potentially agile work environment compared to larger consultancies. This size often fosters closer team relationships and direct impact on client success.

Founded: With over 15 years of proven results, CompassX Group has established a strong reputation and a history of client delivery. This longevity indicates stability and a well-honed approach to consulting methodologies.

Team Structure:

  • The UX Designer will likely be embedded within a client project team, working alongside CompassX consultants and client stakeholders.

  • Collaboration will be cross-functional, involving product managers, engineers, and potentially business analysts or subject matter experts from the client's organization.

Methodology:

  • As a consulting firm, CompassX Group likely emphasizes structured project methodologies, data-driven decision-making, and a focus on delivering measurable business value.

  • Design thinking, agile development, and iterative improvement processes are common in such environments.

  • Emphasis on translating client strategic initiatives into actionable technology and digital solutions.

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

πŸ“ Enhancement Note: CompassX Group's focus on "enterprise transformations" and "digital and data-driven projects" suggests that operations professionals within their projects are expected to contribute to strategic improvements, process optimization, and technology implementation that drive business outcomes.

πŸ“ˆ Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This contract role is positioned at a mid-level, requiring 2+ years of experience. It offers hands-on design work with a specific platform, providing an opportunity to deepen expertise in UX/UI design for early-stage products and AI-driven applications.

Reporting Structure: The designer will report to a Project Lead or Engagement Manager within CompassX Group, while working closely with the client's product team. This dual reporting structure requires strong communication and adaptability.

Operations Impact: The UX Designer's work directly impacts the success of the "Career Pathways platform" during its critical beta launch and initial growth phases. By improving user experience, this role contributes to user adoption, engagement, and overall platform effectiveness, which in turn supports the client's strategic initiatives and CompassX Group's client delivery reputation.

Growth Opportunities:

  • Deepen expertise in AI-driven platforms and SaaS product design through hands-on project work.

  • Gain experience in consulting environments and cross-functional team dynamics, enhancing collaboration and stakeholder management skills.

  • Expand portfolio with successful case studies in platform evolution and user feedback integration.

  • Potential for contract extension or future opportunities with CompassX Group based on performance and client needs.

  • Develop skills in managing design systems and ensuring design fidelity in fast-paced development cycles.

πŸ“ Enhancement Note: For a contract role, growth is often measured by skill acquisition, portfolio enhancement, and breadth of experience. This role offers specific opportunities to gain expertise in a niche area (AI platforms, career pathways) and refine consulting-adjacent skills.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Irvine, CA is listed as a location, but the role is "Remote OK," suggesting a primary remote work arrangement with potential for occasional in-person meetings or collaboration in the Irvine area if needed by the client or CompassX Group.

Office Location(s): Irvine, California, United States. While the role is remote, understanding the client's potential physical presence in Irvine can be relevant for coordination.

Workspace Context:

  • The work environment is expected to be primarily remote, requiring self-discipline and effective virtual communication tools.

  • Collaboration will occur through digital platforms, emphasizing asynchronous and synchronous communication with cross-functional teams.

  • Access to necessary design software (Figma) and a reliable internet connection will be essential.

  • The role involves working with a "boutique consulting firm," which often implies a dynamic, results-oriented, and client-focused atmosphere.

Work Schedule: Part-time (15-20 hours per week) with flexibility. This arrangement requires strong time management to meet project deadlines while balancing other commitments. The flexibility is beneficial for operations professionals who may need to manage data analysis, reporting, or other operational tasks alongside design work.

πŸ“ Enhancement Note: The "Remote OK" status for a role based in Irvine, CA, indicates a flexible work arrangement, common for contract positions. Operations professionals often value this flexibility for managing diverse tasks and optimizing their productivity.

πŸ“„ Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

  • Initial Screening: A brief call with a CompassX Group recruiter to assess basic qualifications, experience, and interest in contract roles.

  • Hiring Manager/Team Interview: A more in-depth discussion with the hiring manager or a member of the client's product team. This will focus on design philosophy, problem-solving skills, and experience with Figma and user research.

  • Portfolio Review: A dedicated session to walk through selected case studies from your portfolio. Be prepared to discuss your process, decisions, and the impact of your designs.

  • Skills Assessment (Potentially): A short design exercise or a discussion about how you would approach a specific UX challenge related to the Career Pathways platform.

  • Final Decision: Based on overall fit, skills, and portfolio presentation.

Portfolio Review Tips:

  • Curate Strategically: Select 2-3 of your strongest case studies that best represent the skills required for this role (end-to-end design, Figma, user research, platform evolution).

  • Focus on Process: Clearly articulate your design process for each case study. Explain the problem, your approach, the tools you used (especially Figma), your role, and the outcomes.

  • Highlight Impact: Quantify results where possible (e.g., "improved user completion rate by X%", "reduced user errors by Y%"). If quantitative data is unavailable, focus on qualitative improvements and user feedback.

  • Showcase Figma Proficiency: Be ready to demonstrate your Figma skills, including design system management, auto-layout, and prototyping capabilities.

  • Address Platform Context: If you have experience with similar platforms (SaaS, AI, career development), highlight how that experience translates.

Challenge Preparation:

  • Understand the Platform: Research the "Career Pathways platform" if publicly available, or prepare thoughtful questions about its goals and target users.

  • Anticipate UX Problems: Think about common challenges in onboarding, user engagement, and feedback collection for digital platforms.

  • Structure Your Response: If given a design challenge, outline your approach: clarify goals, identify user needs, brainstorm solutions, sketch ideas, and explain how you'd test and iterate.

πŸ“ Enhancement Note: For this contract UX role, the portfolio is the primary evaluation tool. Candidates should prepare case studies that directly address the responsibilities outlined, demonstrating their ability to execute independently and deliver high-quality design solutions within a project framework.

πŸ›  Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

  • Figma: Essential for end-to-end design, including user flows, wireframing, high-fidelity UI screens, prototyping, and design system management. Candidates must demonstrate strong proficiency.

  • Design System Tools: Experience with building, maintaining, and evolving components, variants, and auto-layout within Figma is critical for efficient handoffs and consistency.

Analytics & Reporting:

CRM & Automation:

  • Not directly specified, but understanding how user experience impacts CRM data quality and automation workflows within a SaaS context can be advantageous.

πŸ“ Enhancement Note: Figma is explicitly called out as a required tool, underscoring its central role in this position. Proficiency in managing design systems within Figma is also a key requirement, indicating a need for a designer who can contribute to scalable design solutions.

πŸ‘₯ Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

  • Client-Centricity: A strong focus on understanding and meeting client needs, delivering strategic value, and building long-term relationships.

  • Excellence & Quality: Commitment to high standards in deliverables, design fidelity, and project execution.

  • Collaboration: Working effectively in cross-functional teams, fostering open communication and shared problem-solving.

  • Adaptability & Agility: Ability to navigate changing project requirements, adapt to new information (especially user feedback), and iterate quickly.

  • Data-Driven Improvement: Using user feedback and platform data to inform design decisions and drive continuous enhancement.

Collaboration Style:

  • Cross-functional Integration: The role requires close collaboration with product managers and engineers, necessitating clear communication and mutual understanding of roles and processes.

  • Feedback-Oriented: A culture that embraces constructive feedback, both giving and receiving, to refine designs and improve the user experience.

  • Agile & Iterative: Working in a dynamic environment that values rapid prototyping, testing, and iterative development cycles.

πŸ“ Enhancement Note: The values of a consulting firm like CompassX Group often emphasize client success, delivery excellence, and collaborative problem-solving. For an operations-focused role, this translates to a need for efficiency, clear communication, and a results-oriented approach.

⚑ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

  • Early-Stage Product Evolution: Navigating the complexities of designing for a platform during its beta launch, where requirements may evolve rapidly based on user feedback.

  • Balancing Speed and Quality: Meeting project deadlines for a contract role while ensuring high design quality and user experience standards.

  • Cross-Functional Alignment: Effectively communicating design decisions and rationale to diverse stakeholders (engineers, product managers, potentially client leadership) who may have differing priorities.

  • Remote Collaboration: Maintaining strong communication and team cohesion in a remote, part-time contract setting.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

  • Specialized Platform Experience: Gaining in-depth experience with AI-driven platforms and the specific challenges of designing for career development tools.

  • Consulting Project Exposure: Understanding how design integrates into broader business and technology transformation initiatives.

  • Design System Mastery: Further refining skills in building and managing scalable design systems within Figma.

  • User Research Acumen: Enhancing abilities in direct user engagement and translating qualitative feedback into design impact.

πŸ“ Enhancement Note: The primary challenge will be adapting quickly to the needs of a beta platform and delivering high-impact design improvements within a limited timeframe and part-time capacity, which is characteristic of many operations-focused contract roles.

πŸ’‘ Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

  • "Describe a time you had to design for a product in its beta phase. What were the key challenges, and how did you approach them?" (Focus on iterative design, feedback integration, and adaptability.)

  • "How do you balance user needs with business requirements and technical constraints in your design process?" (Highlight your problem-solving approach and ability to find practical solutions.)

Company & Culture Questions:

  • "What interests you about working with CompassX Group as a consultant, and what do you know about our firm's approach?" (Research CompassX Group's values, client types, and project focus.)

  • "How do you approach collaboration with product managers and engineers, especially in a remote setting?" (Emphasize communication, empathy, and proactive engagement.)

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

  • Storytelling: Frame each case study as a narrative, clearly defining the problem, your role, your process, the solutions, and the outcomes.

  • Figma Demonstration: Be ready to share your screen and briefly showcase key Figma files, highlighting your use of components, auto-layout, and prototyping.

  • Focus on Impact: For each project, emphasize the tangible results or improvements achieved through your design work.

  • Prepare for Questions: Anticipate questions about your design decisions, trade-offs you made, and how you handled feedback.

πŸ“ Enhancement Note: Interview preparation should focus on demonstrating a strong understanding of the UX design process, proficiency with Figma and design systems, and the ability to collaborate effectively in a consulting/client-focused environment. Emphasize how your skills can drive user adoption and platform success.

πŸ“Œ Application Steps

To apply for this operations position:

  • Submit your application through the provided Leverage link.

  • Portfolio Customization: Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight specific experience with Figma, user research, design systems, and digital product design, particularly for web/SaaS platforms. Ensure your portfolio is easily accessible and showcases relevant case studies.

  • Resume Optimization: Clearly articulate your 2+ years of UX/UI/Product Design experience, emphasizing achievements and responsibilities that align with the job description, such as designing user flows, conducting research, and working with design systems.

  • Interview Preparation: Practice walking through your portfolio case studies, focusing on your process, design decisions, and the impact of your work. Prepare thoughtful questions about the Career Pathways platform, the client, and the project scope.

  • Company Research: Familiarize yourself with CompassX Group's services, client industries, and any recognized values or methodologies. Understand their focus on business and technology consulting.

⚠️ 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.


Application Requirements

Candidates must have at least 2 years of experience in UX, UI, or Product Design with strong proficiency in Figma. A proven background in user research and the ability to translate complex requirements into intuitive design solutions are essential.