UX Designer (H/F)

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: UX Designer (H/F)

Company: Thales

Location: Bordeaux, France

Job Type: Full time

Category: User Experience (UX) Design / Digital Transformation Operations

Date Posted: October 2, 2026

Experience Level: Mid-Level (4+ years)

Remote Status: Hybrid

🚀 Role Summary

• This role is pivotal in driving user-centric design within Thales' digital transformation initiatives, focusing on creating useful, usable, and desirable interfaces for complex business applications.

• The UX Designer will operate within an agile framework, collaborating closely with technical teams to ensure seamless integration of user experience principles into software development lifecycles.

• Responsibilities include end-to-end UX design processes, from initial client needs assessment and user research to the delivery of high-fidelity prototypes and iterative testing.

• This position offers opportunities for professional growth within a national UX/UI team, with potential for specialization in expertise or management roles.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the role is for a UX Designer, it is positioned within Thales' digital services and software competency centers, implying a strong connection to operational efficiency and digital transformation processes. The emphasis on "User Efficiency" and "Digital Transformation" suggests that this UX role contributes directly to the operational effectiveness of client-facing and internal applications, making it relevant to a GTM or Revenue Operations context by improving user adoption and efficiency.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Identify client business challenges and define appropriate UX/UI methodologies to address them, ensuring alignment with Thales' strategic objectives.

• Conduct comprehensive user research, including observations, interviews, and analysis of user environments, to deeply understand user needs and pain points.

• Facilitate and animate co-creation workshops using techniques such as persona development, card sorting, user journey mapping, and experience mapping to foster collaborative design.

• Design and conceptualize user interfaces through low-fidelity wireframes, mock-ups, and high-fidelity static and dynamic prototypes, utilizing industry-standard design tools.

• Execute user testing sessions to validate design concepts, gather feedback, and iteratively refine solutions to enhance usability and user satisfaction.

• Collaborate closely with technical teams (developers, product managers) in an agile environment to ensure the practical implementation of designed solutions and maintain design integrity.

• Contribute to the continuous improvement of UX processes and best practices within the User Efficiency competence center and the national UX Agency.

• Develop and present design recommendations and solutions to internal stakeholders and clients, articulating the value proposition and user benefits.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a blend of strategic thinking (identifying client issues, defining methodologies) and tactical execution (research, workshop facilitation, prototyping, testing). This dual focus is characteristic of mid-level operations roles that bridge business needs with technical implementation, aiming to optimize user workflows and drive adoption.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: Master's degree (Bac+5) in UX Design, Cognitive Science, Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), Ergonomics, or a related field. Degrees with a strong focus on Human Factors, Graphic Design, or Web Design may also be considered.

Experience: Minimum of 4 years of professional experience in User Experience (UX) design practice.

Required Skills:

• Demonstrated expertise in User Experience (UX) design methodologies and principles.

• Proficiency in creating wireframes, mock-ups, and interactive prototypes using industry-standard tools such as Axure, Sketch, or Figma.

• Strong understanding and application of Design Thinking principles.

• Experience in conducting user research, including user interviews and observational studies.

• Proven ability to conduct and analyze user testing to inform design iterations.

• Familiarity with agile development methodologies and experience collaborating with technical teams.

• Excellent facilitation skills for co-creation workshops (e.g., persona development, user journey mapping).

• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with a user-centric approach. Preferred Skills:

• Experience in UI design, graphic design, and web design.

• Knowledge of human factors and ergonomics principles.

• Experience in designing for complex business applications within industrial, defense, energy, or banking sectors.

• Familiarity with user journey mapping and experience map creation.

• Ability to manage multiple projects concurrently and prioritize tasks effectively.

• Excellent communication and presentation skills, with the ability to articulate design decisions to diverse audiences.

📝 Enhancement Note: The requirement for 4+ years of experience and a Master's degree positions this as a mid-level to senior-level role within the UX field, demanding not just execution but also strategic input and process ownership. The emphasis on agile environments and collaboration with technical teams is crucial for operations roles that aim to streamline product development and improve business outcomes.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A comprehensive portfolio showcasing end-to-end UX design projects, demonstrating your ability to translate complex user needs into intuitive and effective interface designs.

• Case studies that clearly articulate the problem statement, your design process, the solutions you developed, and the impact of your work (e.g., improved usability, efficiency gains, user satisfaction).

• Examples of wireframes, user flows, interactive prototypes, and final UI designs, highlighting your proficiency with relevant design tools.

• Demonstrations of your experience in user research methodologies and user testing, including how you incorporated feedback into design iterations.

• Evidence of your ability to facilitate workshops and collaborate with cross-functional teams, including technical stakeholders. Process Documentation:

• Ability to document UX design processes, user research findings, and design decisions clearly and concisely.

• Experience in creating user journey maps, experience maps, and other artifacts that visualize user interactions and identify opportunities for improvement.

• Documentation of user testing plans, results, and recommendations for iterative design improvements.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a UX role contributing to operational efficiency, the portfolio should not just showcase aesthetics but also the process by which designs achieve functional improvements and user adoption. This aligns with operations' focus on measurable outcomes and process optimization.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: Based on industry benchmarks for experienced UX Designers in Bordeaux, France, and Thales's position as a major technology employer, an estimated annual gross salary range would be €45,000 - €65,000. This range can vary based on specific experience, qualifications, and negotiation.

Benefits:

• Attractive compensation package.

• Continuous skills development through training programs and internal academies.

• Access to internal communities for knowledge sharing and professional networking.

• An inclusive and supportive work environment that respects employee well-being and work-life balance.

• Participation in a company with a recognized societal and environmental commitment.

• Potential for professional growth and career advancement within Thales.

Working Hours: Typically 40 hours per week, with potential for flexible working arrangements as part of the hybrid work model.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary estimate is based on research of UX Designer roles in Bordeaux, France, considering the specified experience level (4+ years) and the employer's profile (Thales, a large multinational corporation). Benefits are derived directly from the provided job description.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Aerospace, Defense, Security, Transportation, Digital & Cyber. Thales is a global leader in high-technology solutions, operating in critical sectors that demand rigorous standards and continuous innovation.

Company Size: Thales is a large enterprise, employing approximately 85,000 people across 65 countries. This scale implies robust organizational structures, extensive resources, and opportunities for global collaboration and career development.

Founded: Thales has a long-standing history, founded in 1930. This legacy suggests a stable and established organization with deep expertise in its core markets.

Team Structure:

• The UX Designer will join the "User Efficiency" competence center, which focuses on designing and developing core business applications with a strong emphasis on user needs.

• Within this center, you will be part of the "UX Agency," a national team of UX and UI designers dedicated to creating user-centered solutions for Thales' clients.

• This structure suggests a matrixed environment where UX designers contribute to various projects while being part of a specialized, national community for best practices and skill development. Methodology:

• The team operates with a strong adherence to Design Thinking principles, fostering co-creation and deep user understanding.

• Collaboration with clients and end-users is central to the design process, ensuring solutions are relevant and impactful.

• Agile methodologies are employed, requiring close partnership between designers and technical teams.

• The focus is on delivering useful, usable, desirable, and motivating solutions for complex interface challenges.

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

📝 Enhancement Note: Thales's industry focus implies a need for UX designers who can handle complex, high-stakes environments where usability and reliability are paramount. The "User Efficiency" and "UX Agency" structure indicates a dedicated focus on operationalizing user experience within the broader digital transformation efforts.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role represents a mid-level to senior-level position within UX Design. It requires a solid foundation of practical experience (4+ years) and the ability to independently manage design projects from conception to completion. The emphasis on client challenges and methodology definition suggests a move towards strategic design leadership within the UX domain.

Reporting Structure: The UX Designer will be integrated into the UX Agency within the User Efficiency competence center. Reporting lines likely involve a UX Lead or Competence Center Manager, with close daily collaboration with project teams, including product managers and developers.

Operations Impact: The UX Designer's work directly impacts the operational efficiency and effectiveness of Thales's clients by ensuring that critical business applications are intuitive, user-friendly, and meet specific user needs. This leads to improved user adoption, reduced training overhead, and enhanced productivity for clients, ultimately contributing to Thales's value proposition in digital transformation.

Growth Opportunities:

• Expertise Specialization: Develop deep expertise in specific UX domains (e.g., user research, interaction design, accessibility) or industry verticals.

• Management Track: Progress into leadership roles, managing UX teams, projects, or becoming a UX Lead.

• Cross-functional Mobility: Transition into related roles such as Product Management, Service Design, or Digital Strategy, leveraging strong user understanding and design thinking skills.

• Continuous Learning: Access to internal training programs, academies, and communities for ongoing skill enhancement and knowledge sharing in UX and related digital technologies.

📝 Enhancement Note: The growth opportunities highlight a clear career path for UX professionals within Thales, moving beyond pure design execution to strategic influence and leadership, which is often a desired progression for operations-minded individuals.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The role is based in Mérignac, near Bordeaux, France, within a dynamic site focused on digital services and critical information systems. This suggests a professional, corporate office environment.

Office Location(s): Mérignac, France (near Bordeaux). This location is part of Thales's French operations.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Environment: The UX Agency fosters a collaborative atmosphere among UX and UI designers, encouraging knowledge sharing and peer support.

• Tools & Technology: Access to industry-standard design and prototyping tools (Axure, Sketch, Figma) and other necessary technological resources for design and research.

• Cross-functional Interaction: Frequent interaction with technical teams (developers, engineers) and client stakeholders, providing exposure to diverse perspectives and project challenges.

Work Schedule: The standard work schedule is typically 40 hours per week. The hybrid work arrangement offers flexibility, allowing for a balance between in-office collaboration and remote work.

📝 Enhancement Note: The hybrid work arrangement and the collaborative nature of the UX Agency suggest a modern work environment that balances focused individual work with team-based synergy, crucial for effective operations and design processes.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: Application review, potentially including a review of your CV and portfolio.

• Technical Interview: Discussion focused on your UX design skills, methodologies, and experience with design tools. You may be asked to walk through specific case studies from your portfolio.

• Case Study/Challenge: A practical exercise or case study may be presented to assess your problem-solving approach, design thinking, and ability to handle complex user interface challenges.

• Team/Cultural Fit Interview: Interaction with potential team members and hiring managers to assess your collaboration style, communication skills, and alignment with Thales's values and the UX Agency's culture.

• Final Interview: May involve senior leadership to discuss your strategic approach and long-term fit within the organization.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Selectively: Choose 3-4 of your strongest, most relevant projects that showcase your end-to-end UX process and impact.

• Tell a Story: For each project, clearly articulate the problem, your role, your process, the challenges you faced, your solutions, and the measurable outcomes or lessons learned.

• Highlight Process: Emphasize your design thinking, research, and testing methodologies, not just the final visual output. Show how you arrived at your solutions.

• Demonstrate Tool Proficiency: Be ready to discuss your use of tools like Figma, Sketch, or Axure and how they aided your design process.

• Focus on Impact: Quantify results where possible (e.g., "improved task completion rate by X%", "reduced errors by Y%", "increased user satisfaction scores").

Challenge Preparation:

• Understand the Context: If given a case study, thoroughly analyze the brief and the implied user needs or business objectives.

• Structure Your Approach: Outline your proposed design process, including research, ideation, prototyping, and testing phases.

• Think Aloud: During live exercises, verbalize your thought process, assumptions, and decision-making criteria.

• Be Pragmatic: Demonstrate an understanding of real-world constraints (time, budget, technical feasibility) in your proposed solutions.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on portfolio review and potential design challenges underscores the practical, results-oriented nature of this role, aligning with operational expectations for tangible contributions.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Wireframing, Mock-ups, Prototyping: Axure, Sketch, Figma (proficiency in at least one is required).

• User Research & Testing Platforms: Familiarity with tools for conducting user interviews, surveys, and usability testing (specific tools not listed but expected).

• Collaboration Tools: Microsoft Teams, Jira, Confluence (common in agile environments for project management and documentation).

Analytics & Reporting:

• While not direct analytics tools, UX Designers often interpret data from analytics platforms (e.g., Google Analytics, Adobe Analytics) to understand user behavior and inform design decisions.

• Experience with A/B testing tools can be beneficial for validating design hypotheses. CRM & Automation:

• While not directly managing CRM systems, understanding how user interfaces interact with backend systems and data flows is important. Awareness of how UX impacts CRM adoption and data quality can be advantageous.

📝 Enhancement Note: Proficiency in specific design and prototyping tools is essential. The mention of agile environments and collaboration platforms points to a need for designers who can integrate seamlessly into development workflows, contributing to the operational pipeline of software delivery.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• User-Centricity: A fundamental commitment to understanding and prioritizing user needs in all design decisions.

• Excellence & Innovation: Striving for high-quality, cutting-edge solutions that push technological boundaries.

• Collaboration: Valuing teamwork, open communication, and shared problem-solving across disciplines.

• Integrity: Upholding high ethical standards and delivering reliable, secure solutions, especially critical in Thales's sectors.

• Efficiency: Designing for usability and effectiveness to optimize user workflows and contribute to operational performance.

Collaboration Style:

• Co-creation: Actively involving clients, users, and technical teams in the design process to ensure alignment and buy-in.

• Agile Partnership: Working closely with developers and product managers in iterative cycles, providing design support and adapting to evolving requirements.

• Knowledge Sharing: Participating in the UX Agency community to share best practices, learn from peers, and contribute to collective improvement.

• Feedback Integration: Openness to receiving and providing constructive feedback to continuously refine designs and processes.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on user-centricity, collaboration, and efficiency aligns closely with the core tenets of operational excellence. These values are crucial for a UX designer who aims to drive tangible improvements in how users interact with technology.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Complex Domain Challenges: Designing for critical applications in sectors like defense or aerospace requires a deep understanding of user needs in high-stakes environments and adherence to stringent requirements.

• Balancing User Needs with Technical Constraints: Effectively translating user desires into feasible technical solutions within project timelines and system limitations.

• Cross-functional Alignment: Ensuring consistent understanding and buy-in for UX principles across diverse teams (e.g., engineering, product management, sales) with potentially different priorities.

• Evolving Technology Landscape: Staying abreast of rapid advancements in UX/UI tools, methodologies, and user behavior trends.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Specialized UX Training: Access to advanced training in user research, interaction design, accessibility, and emerging UX technologies.

• Industry Conferences: Opportunities to attend relevant UX and technology conferences to gain insights and network.

• Mentorship Programs: Potential for mentorship from senior UX designers or leaders within Thales.

• Cross-disciplinary Projects: Engaging in projects that expose you to different aspects of the digital transformation lifecycle, broadening your skill set.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges are typical of senior-level operations roles where complexity, stakeholder management, and continuous adaptation are key. The growth opportunities focus on deepening expertise and expanding influence, crucial for career progression in operations.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you had to balance conflicting user needs with business objectives. How did you approach it, and what was the outcome?" (Focus on your problem-solving methodology and negotiation skills).

• "Walk me through a complex UX project from your portfolio. What were the key challenges, your design process, and the measurable impact of your solution?" (Prepare to articulate your process and results clearly).

• "How do you ensure your designs are not only user-friendly but also contribute to operational efficiency for the client?" (Connect your UX work to business outcomes and process improvements). Company & Culture Questions:

• "Why are you interested in working for Thales, and specifically in the User Efficiency competence center?" (Research Thales's mission, values, and recent projects in digital transformation).

• "How do you approach collaboration with technical teams in an agile environment?" (Highlight your understanding of agile processes and cross-functional teamwork).

• "What are your thoughts on Thales's commitment to societal and environmental impact, and how might that influence your design decisions?" (Show alignment with company values). Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure is Key: Use a clear, consistent structure for each case study: Problem, Role, Process, Solution, Impact.

• Visuals Matter: Use high-quality images of wireframes, mockups, and prototypes. Animated prototypes can be very impactful.

• Quantify Impact: Whenever possible, present metrics that demonstrate the success of your designs (e.g., user satisfaction, task completion rates, efficiency gains).

• Be Concise: Present your work efficiently, focusing on the most critical aspects of each project. Be prepared for follow-up questions.

📝 Enhancement Note: Preparing for these types of questions requires demonstrating not just design skills but also strategic thinking, business acumen, and an understanding of how UX contributes to operational success – key attributes for candidates in revenue or sales operations contexts.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this UX Designer position:

• Submit your application through the Thales careers portal using the provided URL.

• Customize Your Resume: Tailor your resume to highlight the 4+ years of UX design experience, proficiency in key tools (Figma, Sketch, Axure), experience with Design Thinking and agile methodologies, and any relevant domain experience (transport, defense, etc.). Use keywords from the job description.

• Prepare Your Portfolio: Ensure your portfolio is up-to-date, showcases your best work with clear case studies, and demonstrates your end-to-end UX process, research, and testing capabilities. Make it easily accessible (e.g., via a link).

• Research Thales: Understand Thales's business sectors, recent innovations, and their approach to digital transformation. Familiarize yourself with their company values and culture.

• Practice Your Narrative: Be ready to articulate your experience, design philosophy, and how your skills align with the responsibilities and Thales's objectives, especially regarding user efficiency and client-facing 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.

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