UX Designer Intern

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: UX Designer Intern

Company: AAA (Auto Club Enterprises)

Location: Costa Mesa, CA, United States

Job Type: Part-Time, Intern

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

Date Posted: May 07, 2026

Experience Level: 0-2 Years (Internship Level)

Remote Status: Hybrid

🚀 Role Summary

• This role focuses on enhancing the member experience across various channels (retail, web, mobile) through user-centered design principles and data-driven insights.

• The intern will actively contribute to product discovery by collaborating with cross-functional teams, including Product Owners, Managers, and Engineering.

• A key aspect involves designing and validating user flows, interactive prototypes, and conducting A/B testing to drive product improvements.

• The position emphasizes the application of user research methodologies and the promotion of UX best practices within the organization.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the title is "UX Designer Intern," the responsibilities and required skills (e.g., A/B testing, data analytics, IA, cross-functional collaboration, stakeholder management) indicate a role that bridges traditional UX design with elements of product operations and growth operations, particularly in driving data-informed product decisions and optimizing the user journey. This is a highly valuable experience for aspiring operations professionals interested in the intersection of design and business strategy.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Collaborate with UX leads and cross-functional teams to identify and define product opportunities and user needs.

• Design concept flows, interactive prototypes, and wireframes for web and mobile applications, ensuring a cohesive user experience.

• Assist in the development of Information Architecture (IA) to create logical and intuitive navigation structures.

• Plan and facilitate user research and usability testing sessions to gather insights and validate design concepts.

• Design and implement A/B tests and analyze results to drive data-informed product decisions and optimize user engagement.

• Support the creation of testing plans for the validation of design solutions and product enhancements.

• Communicate and present research findings, insights, and design concepts effectively to UX leadership and stakeholders.

• Facilitate workshops to scope initiatives, identify opportunities, and generate potential solutions with product teams.

• Partner with Product Owners/Managers to help define product vision and strategy, ensuring alignment with user needs.

• Promote UX design efforts, mindset, and methodologies through presentations and clear communication across teams.

• Conduct Quality Assurance (QA) with engineering teams to ensure the successful implementation of designed experiences.

• Contribute to the continuous improvement of the user experience program by promoting best practices.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities heavily lean into a product operations skillset, focusing on process improvement, data utilization for decision-making, and cross-functional alignment. The emphasis on A/B testing, research, and collaboration with product management and engineering suggests a role that is deeply integrated into the product development lifecycle, aiming to optimize outcomes through user-centric data.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: Bachelor's degree in progress in Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), Design, Computer Science, Psychology, or a related field.

Experience: 0-2 years of experience in UX design, product design, or a related field, typically gained through internships or academic projects.

Required Skills:

• Demonstrated experience in delivering research artifacts for web, mobile, and/or software applications.

• Proven ability to use data to influence UX design decisions, including experience with data analytics or user testing.

• Strong visual design sensibility, including an eye for color, layout, and overall user flow.

• Proficiency in constructing wireframes and interactive prototypes using industry-standard tools such as Sketch or Figma.

• Experience conducting user research and usability testing is highly preferred.

• Experience in requirements discovery, solution conceptualization, and cross-functional collaboration within an enterprise environment.

• Ability to synthesize feedback and input from diverse stakeholders and contribute to prioritization efforts.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience using Adobe Target for A/B testing and/or personalization.

• Experience with data science principles or advanced analytical techniques.

• Familiarity with heat mapping analysis tools.

• Experience working with Product Managers to define product vision and strategy.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "What You'll Need" section highlights a blend of core UX skills and an operational mindset. The emphasis on "using data to influence UX design" and "experience in requirements discovery, solution conceptualization, cross-functional collaboration, prioritization, influencing decision-making, and user advocacy in an enterprise environment" are critical indicators of the operational aspects of this role. The portfolio requirement specifically asks for evidence of process and project execution, not just final designs. This suggests the company values candidates who can articulate their design process and demonstrate impact.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Showcase case studies that clearly articulate the problem statement, your role, the design process undertaken, and the final solution.

• Include examples of research artifacts, user flows, wireframes, and interactive prototypes developed.

• Demonstrate how data (e.g., user testing results, A/B test outcomes, analytics insights) informed your design decisions and led to measurable improvements.

• Highlight your ability to collaborate with mock business stakeholders and cross-functional teams, providing examples of how you synthesized feedback and influenced outcomes.

Process Documentation:

• Be prepared to discuss your personal design process, including how you approach requirements discovery, ideation, prototyping, testing, and iteration.

• Demonstrate an understanding of how UX design integrates with broader product development and operations workflows.

• Explain how you would approach designing and facilitating workshops for scoping initiatives or generating solutions.

📝 Enhancement Note: The portfolio requirement is a critical component for this role, particularly given its operations-adjacent nature. Candidates are expected to demonstrate not just design output, but the process behind it, including data utilization, stakeholder collaboration, and problem-solving within an enterprise context. This aligns with the need for operations professionals to document and articulate their methodology and impact.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $30 per hour.

Benefits:

• Paid internship experience in a large, established organization (Auto Club Enterprises).

• Opportunity to gain practical experience in User Experience (UX) design and product operations.

• Exposure to cross-functional teams and enterprise-level product development processes.

• Potential for networking and mentorship within the AAA federation.

• Development of a professional portfolio with real-world project examples.

Working Hours: Part-time, with an expected 40 hours per week, consistent with a full-time internship schedule.

📝 Enhancement Note: The stated pay rate of $30/hour is competitive for UX intern roles in the California market, especially for a large organization like AAA. While specific benefits beyond pay are not detailed, the value of this internship lies in the hands-on experience, exposure to enterprise processes, and portfolio building opportunities, which are highly valued in operations and UX career development. The 40-hour work week suggests an immersive internship experience.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Automotive Services, Insurance, Travel, Membership Services. Auto Club Enterprises is a significant part of the national AAA federation, serving millions of members.

Company Size: AAA (Auto Club Enterprises) is a large organization with nearly 17,000 employees across 24 states, serving over 18 million members.

Founded: AAA was founded in 1900, indicating a long-standing reputation and established operational history.

Team Structure:

• The UX Designer Intern will be part of a UX team, likely reporting to a UX Lead or Manager.

• This role requires extensive collaboration with cross-functional teams, including Product Owners, Product Managers, Data Analytics, Engineering, and potentially Marketing.

Methodology:

• Data-driven decision-making is a core methodology, evidenced by the requirement to use data analytics and A/B testing to inform UX design.

• User-centered design principles guide the approach to product development and experience enhancement.

• Agile or iterative development methodologies are likely employed, given the focus on collaboration, prototyping, and continuous feedback.

• A strong emphasis on process, from requirements discovery to QA, indicates a structured approach to product delivery.

Company Website: https://aaa.com/

📝 Enhancement Note: AAA's long history and large membership base suggest a need for robust, scalable, and user-friendly systems. The emphasis on "legendary, lifetime service" and embracing diversity points to a culture that values employee contribution and member satisfaction. For an operations-minded intern, this means an opportunity to learn within a stable, established, and member-centric organization with significant operational scale.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: Internship. This role is designed for individuals early in their career, providing foundational experience in UX design and product operations.

Reporting Structure: The intern will report to a UX Lead or Manager, with close collaboration with Product Owners/Managers. This provides exposure to both design leadership and product strategy.

Operations Impact: The intern's work will directly impact the "member journey," influencing how millions of AAA members interact with the organization across digital and potentially physical touchpoints. Contributions in A/B testing and user research can lead to tangible improvements in user engagement, conversion rates, and overall satisfaction, demonstrating direct operational impact.

Growth Opportunities:

• Skill Development: Deepen expertise in UX design tools (Figma, Sketch), user research methodologies, A/B testing, and information architecture. Gain practical experience in data analysis for design decisions.

• Cross-Functional Exposure: Learn how UX integrates with product management, engineering, and business strategy within a large enterprise. Understand the operational workflows of a major service organization.

• Portfolio Enhancement: Build a robust portfolio with real-world projects, including case studies on process, data utilization, and stakeholder collaboration, which is highly valuable for future operations roles.

• Networking: Connect with experienced professionals in UX, product, and operations within the AAA federation.

📝 Enhancement Note: This internship offers a unique opportunity to blend design skills with an operations perspective. The emphasis on data-driven design, cross-functional collaboration, and understanding the "member journey" provides a strong foundation for a career in product operations, growth operations, or even UX strategy, where understanding business impact and process optimization is key.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Hybrid. Employees are expected to reside within driving distance of either Los Angeles or Costa Mesa, CA offices to attend necessary meetings and team collaboration sessions.

Office Location(s): Los Angeles, CA and Costa Mesa, CA.

Workspace Context:

• The environment is collaborative, requiring active participation in working sessions with cross-functional teams.

• Access to UX design tools (Figma, Sketch) and potentially analytics platforms will be provided.

• The role involves interaction with various stakeholders, fostering communication and presentation skills.

• The hybrid model allows for flexibility while ensuring in-person collaboration for key activities.

Work Schedule: Part-time, with a commitment of approximately 40 hours per week. This suggests an immersive experience designed to provide substantial learning and contribution.

📝 Enhancement Note: The hybrid nature of this role is typical for many operations-focused positions, balancing the benefits of remote work with the necessity of in-person collaboration for team cohesion, brainstorming, and critical decision-making. Proximity to offices in Los Angeles or Costa Mesa is a key requirement, and candidates should be prepared for regular on-site engagement.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: Likely includes a review of your resume and portfolio to assess basic qualifications and design experience.

• Portfolio Review: A dedicated session where you will present your portfolio, discussing specific projects, your design process, how you used data, and your collaboration experience with stakeholders. Be prepared to articulate your contributions and the impact of your work.

• Skills-Based Interview: May involve scenario-based questions testing your problem-solving abilities, understanding of UX principles, and familiarity with design tools and methodologies. Questions might explore how you would approach specific design challenges or analyze user data.

• Behavioral/Team Fit Interview: Focuses on your ability to collaborate, communicate, and work within a team environment. Questions will likely explore how you handle feedback, resolve conflicts, and contribute to team goals.

• Final Interview: Potentially with a senior leader or hiring manager to discuss overall fit, career aspirations, and confirm alignment with the role and company culture.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Structure Your Narrative: For each project, clearly define the problem, your role, the steps you took (research, ideation, prototyping, testing), the rationale behind your decisions (especially data-driven ones), and the outcome or impact.

• Highlight Process & Data: Emphasize how you used data (analytics, A/B testing, user feedback) to inform your design process and achieve specific results. This is crucial for demonstrating an operations mindset.

• Showcase Collaboration: Provide examples of how you worked with stakeholders and cross-functional teams, synthesized feedback, and managed differing perspectives.

• Quantify Impact: Whenever possible, use metrics to demonstrate the success of your designs (e.g., improvements in conversion rates, task completion times, user satisfaction scores).

• Tailor to the Role: Select projects that best align with the responsibilities outlined, such as web/mobile design, user research, and A/B testing.

Challenge Preparation:

• Be prepared for potential design challenges or case studies that require you to apply your UX skills to a specific problem.

• Practice articulating your thought process clearly and concisely, especially when explaining how you would approach a problem and use data to guide your decisions.

• Research AAA's services and target audience to better understand potential user needs and business objectives.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process and portfolio review for this role are heavily geared towards assessing not just design skills, but also problem-solving capabilities, data literacy, and collaboration effectiveness – all key components of operations roles. A strong portfolio that demonstrates process, data utilization, and stakeholder management will be critical for success.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Prototyping & Wireframing: Figma, Sketch. Candidates are expected to have experience with at least one of these.

• Collaboration & Communication: Likely utilizes internal tools such as Slack, Microsoft Teams, or similar platforms for day-to-day communication and project collaboration.

• Project Management: May involve tools like Jira, Asana, or Trello for tracking tasks, progress, and managing workflows.

Analytics & Reporting:

• A/B Testing & Personalization: Adobe Target (preferred, but experience with similar platforms is valuable).

• Data Analytics: Experience with general data analysis principles is required; familiarity with tools like Google Analytics, Adobe Analytics, or internal BI tools would be beneficial.

• User Research Platforms: Tools for conducting usability tests, surveys, and gathering feedback.

CRM & Automation:

• While not directly managing CRM systems, understanding how UX design impacts customer data and workflows within a CRM context is advantageous.

• Familiarity with the concept of automation in user journeys and workflows.

📝 Enhancement Note: The specified tools like Figma, Sketch, and Adobe Target are standard in UX. However, the emphasis on A/B testing and data analytics, alongside the requirement to use data to influence design, points to a need for proficiency in tools and methodologies that overlap significantly with growth and product operations. Understanding how these tools integrate to drive business outcomes is key.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Member-Centricity: A strong focus on delivering "legendary, lifetime service" and "peace of mind and value" to members. This translates to designing experiences that are intuitive, reliable, and beneficial.

• Data-Driven Decision-Making: An emphasis on using data analytics, A/B testing, and user research to inform product strategy and design choices.

• Collaboration & Teamwork: The role actively promotes working with cross-functional teams and synthesizing feedback from diverse stakeholders.

• Efficiency & Process Improvement: While not explicitly stated as a core value, the focus on optimizing the "member journey" and conducting QA implies a drive for efficient and effective processes.

• Diversity & Inclusion: The company explicitly states a commitment to embracing diversity, which contributes to a richer and more inclusive work environment.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-Functional Integration: The intern will work closely with Product Owners, Managers, Engineering, and potentially other departments to ensure a cohesive product vision and execution.

• Feedback-Oriented: An expectation to receive and synthesize feedback from various sources, including UX leads, stakeholders, and users, to refine designs.

• Knowledge Sharing: Encouragement to promote UX design efforts and methods, suggesting an environment where sharing best practices and insights is valued.

📝 Enhancement Note: The company's stated values, particularly member-centricity and data-driven decision-making, are highly aligned with the principles of effective operations. An intern who can demonstrate how their design work contributes to member satisfaction and business metrics will be highly valued. The emphasis on collaboration is also a cornerstone of successful operations teams.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing User Needs with Business Objectives: Effectively translating member needs and business goals into cohesive and functional designs within an enterprise context.

• Data Interpretation: Accurately interpreting A/B test results and user research data to derive actionable insights for design improvements.

• Cross-Functional Alignment: Navigating diverse stakeholder perspectives and ensuring buy-in for design decisions across different departments.

• Rapid Iteration: Adapting to evolving product requirements and feedback loops in a dynamic environment.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• UX Methodology Mastery: Gaining hands-on experience with a full spectrum of UX processes, from research and ideation to prototyping and testing.

• Data-Informed Design: Developing a strong understanding of how to leverage analytics and A/B testing for product optimization, a key skill in operations roles.

• Enterprise Product Development: Learning the workflows, processes, and collaboration dynamics within a large, established organization like AAA.

• Portfolio Building: Creating compelling case studies that showcase not just design skills, but also problem-solving abilities, process documentation, and measurable impact.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges presented are typical for roles at the intersection of design and operations, requiring analytical thinking, strong communication, and the ability to manage complex stakeholder relationships. The learning opportunities are significant, offering a chance to build a robust skill set valuable for a career in operations.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you used data (e.g., user testing, A/B testing results) to inform a design decision. What was the outcome?" - Prepare a specific project example focusing on the data you used, your analysis, and the resulting design changes and their impact.

• "How would you approach designing a new feature for AAA's mobile app to improve member engagement?" - Outline your process, including research, ideation, prototyping, and how you'd measure success. Mention collaboration touchpoints.

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What interests you about AAA and our mission to serve members?" - Research AAA's history, services, and member value proposition. Connect your interest to their mission.

• "How do you see UX design contributing to AAA's overall business goals?" - Think about how improved user experience can lead to increased membership, retention, and satisfaction, linking UX to operational efficiency and business outcomes.

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Start with the 'Why': Clearly articulate the business problem or user need your project addressed.

• Show, Don't Just Tell: Use visuals (wireframes, prototypes, user flows, data charts) to illustrate your process and solutions.

• Emphasize Your Role and Process: Detail your specific contributions and the step-by-step methodology you followed, especially how you incorporated data and feedback.

• Quantify Impact: Use metrics to demonstrate the success of your project. If direct metrics aren't available, discuss expected outcomes or user feedback improvements.

• Be Ready for Deep Dives: Anticipate questions about specific design choices, data interpretations, and collaboration challenges.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview questions are designed to assess your understanding of the UX process, your ability to apply data to solve problems, and your collaborative skills – all essential for operations roles. A strong portfolio presentation that highlights your process and impact will be crucial.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this operations-centric UX Designer Intern position:

• Submit your application through the provided Workday link.

• Customize Your Resume: Highlight experience with UX design tools, user research, A/B testing, data analysis, and cross-functional collaboration. Use keywords from the job description and tailor achievements to demonstrate process and impact.

• Curate Your Portfolio: Select 2-3 strong projects that showcase your design process, data utilization, and collaboration skills. Prepare a narrative for each project that clearly articulates the problem, your solution, and the results.

• Prepare for Portfolio Presentation: Practice walking through your portfolio, focusing on the 'why' behind your design decisions, the data that informed them, and how you worked with stakeholders. Be ready to discuss your entire process.

• Research AAA: Understand AAA's mission, services, and target audience. Consider how UX design contributes to their operational success and member satisfaction.

⚠️ 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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