UX Graphics Designer
📍 Job Overview
Job Title: UX Graphics Designer
Company: CompoSecure
Location: Somerset, NJ
Job Type: FULL_TIME
Category: Creative & Design Operations
Date Posted: 2026-09-10
Experience Level: Mid-level (3-5 years)
Remote Status: On-site
🚀 Role Summary
-
This role is crucial for translating customer visions into tangible, user-centered designs for premium payment cards and related security products.
-
It involves a blend of User Experience (UX) design principles and practical graphic design execution, with a strong emphasis on production readiness for manufacturing.
-
The position requires direct client interaction, necessitating strong communication and presentation skills to guide customers with limited design concepts.
-
A key aspect is ensuring the technical feasibility and aesthetic quality of designs, aligning with both brand standards and CompoSecure's advanced manufacturing processes.
📝 Enhancement Note: While the title is "UX Graphics Designer," the responsibilities heavily lean into production-ready graphic design and client-facing design consultation, rather than deep UX research or strategy development. The emphasis on "card manufacturing processes" and "prepress procedures" indicates a specialized niche within design operations.
📈 Primary Responsibilities
-
Engage directly with external customers, many with nascent design concepts, to guide them through the design process and realize their vision for market-ready card products.
-
Translate customer briefs, brand guidelines, and business requirements into functional wireframes, interactive prototypes, and high-fidelity mockups that effectively communicate design intent.
-
Facilitate collaborative design workshops utilizing techniques such as whiteboarding, user journey mapping, and co-design sessions to build consensus and secure client buy-in.
-
Prepare and meticulously review production-ready design files, performing preflight checks, color correction, proof generation, and ensuring accurate application to pre-set templates for manufacturing.
-
Uphold the highest standards of accuracy and quality for all design files handed off for production, strictly adhering to established prepress procedures for both digital and physical printing workflows.
-
Foster strong cross-functional collaboration with product managers, engineers, print production specialists, and external clients to guarantee that all design solutions are technically viable and consistently align with established brand identity and standards.
-
Develop, maintain, and evolve comprehensive design systems, style guides, and UX standards to ensure a unified and consistent user experience across all customer touchpoints and product offerings.
-
Leverage AI-assisted design tools to optimize the iteration and prototyping phases, ensuring that human-centered design principles remain paramount throughout the creative process.
-
Respond promptly and effectively to any project-related situations requiring corrective action, ensuring timely resolution.
-
Actively participate in and support companywide Safety and Housekeeping Programs.
-
Undertake additional job functions as assigned by management.
📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a dual focus: client-facing design consultation and hands-on production design. The emphasis on "prepress procedures," "color correction," and "application to pre-set templates" suggests a strong need for print production understanding. The mention of "AI-assisted design tools" indicates a forward-thinking approach to design workflow.
🎓 Skills & Qualifications
Education:
-
Bachelor's degree in UX Design, Interaction Design, Graphic Design, Human-Computer Interaction, or a closely related field.
-
Alternatively, equivalent practical work experience demonstrating mastery in the required skills will be considered. Experience:
-
A minimum of 3 years of professional experience in UX design, encompassing user research, wireframing, prototyping, and usability testing.
-
Prior experience working within or closely collaborating with a print production or manufacturing environment is highly preferred. Required Skills:
-
Advanced proficiency in industry-standard design software, including Figma, Adobe Illustrator, and Adobe Photoshop.
-
Expertise in creating wireframes, interactive prototypes, and high-fidelity mockups that clearly convey design intent.
-
Strong understanding of digital prepress processes, color management principles, color correction techniques, and proof generation.
-
Demonstrated ability to conduct user research, develop detailed user personas, and translate research insights into actionable design decisions.
-
Comprehensive knowledge of accessibility standards and inclusive design principles to ensure products are usable by a wide audience.
-
Exceptional attention to detail, with a commitment to ensuring accuracy and quality in all design deliverables, from initial concept to final production files.
-
Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with a proven ability to articulate and defend design decisions effectively to diverse audiences, including clients and internal teams.
-
Highly organized with a demonstrated capacity to manage multiple concurrent projects within a deadline-driven environment.
-
Adaptability to changing priorities, client feedback, and production requirements. Preferred Skills:
-
Familiarity with compliance and security considerations relevant to card manufacturing, such as PCI-DSS and ISO standards.
-
Basic understanding of HTML/CSS or front-end development concepts to facilitate smoother developer handoffs.
-
Experience with AI-assisted design tools to enhance design workflows and accelerate iteration.
📝 Enhancement Note: The requirement for experience in "print production or manufacturing environment" and "digital prepress processes" is a critical differentiator, suggesting this role bridges traditional UX/graphic design with the tangible demands of physical product creation. The mention of "AI-assisted design tools" indicates a modern approach to design challenges.
📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements
Portfolio Essentials:
-
Showcase a range of UX and graphic design projects demonstrating a clear understanding of user-centered design principles and their application in real-world scenarios.
-
Include examples of wireframes, prototypes, and high-fidelity mockups that illustrate your design process and problem-solving capabilities.
-
Highlight projects that involved direct client or stakeholder collaboration, showcasing your ability to translate requirements into effective design solutions.
-
Provide evidence of your experience with production-ready design files, including examples related to print or manufacturing workflows if possible, demonstrating attention to detail and adherence to technical specifications.
-
Showcase projects where you've applied design systems, style guides, or ensured brand consistency. Process Documentation:
-
Demonstrate your ability to document design processes, from initial concept and user research through to final production handoff.
-
Present case studies that clearly articulate the problem, your design approach, the solutions implemented, and the outcomes or impact of your work.
-
Illustrate your understanding of workflow optimization, particularly in relation to design production and manufacturing readiness.
-
Provide examples of how you manage feedback and iterate on designs based on user testing or client input.
📝 Enhancement Note: A strong portfolio is essential. Candidates should emphasize projects that demonstrate end-to-end design thinking, from user needs to production-ready assets. Experience with client consultation and adaptation to manufacturing constraints should be clearly visible.
💵 Compensation & Benefits
Salary Range: $56,300 - $70,400 USD per year.
Benefits:
-
Comprehensive medical, prescription, dental, and vision coverage.
-
Flexible Spending Account (FSA) and Health Savings Account (HSA) options.
-
Company-paid life insurance and disability insurance.
-
401(k) retirement plan with a company match.
-
Generous Paid Time Off (PTO) and paid holidays.
-
Annual bonus opportunities, reflecting company and individual performance.
-
Employee Assistance Program (EAP) for confidential support.
-
Opportunities for career growth and professional advancement within the organization.
Working Hours: 40 hours per week, typically standard business hours, with potential for flexibility based on project needs.
📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range is provided and falls within typical market rates for a mid-level UX/Graphic Designer role in the New Jersey area. The benefits package is robust, covering health, financial planning, and work-life balance.
🎯 Team & Company Context
🏢 Company Culture
Industry: Manufacturing (Payment Cards, Security Solutions), Technology.
CompoSecure operates in a dynamic intersection of advanced manufacturing, cutting-edge technology, and the financial services industry. This unique positioning means the company values innovation, precision, and a strong commitment to security and trust, which are paramount in its product offerings like premium metal payment cards and Arculus security solutions.
Company Size: CompoSecure is a publicly traded company (NYSE: CMPO), indicating a significant operational scale and a structured corporate environment. This size suggests opportunities for professional development and exposure to diverse business functions, while also requiring adherence to established processes and quality standards.
Founded: Founded in 2000, CompoSecure has over two decades of experience in the market, establishing itself as a leader in its niche. This history implies a stable company with deep expertise in its specialized manufacturing and technology domains.
Team Structure:
-
The UX Graphics Designer reports to the Graphics & Design Director, indicating a clear reporting line within a dedicated design department.
-
The team likely comprises graphic designers, UX specialists, and potentially production artists who work closely together to serve various internal departments and external clients.
-
Collaboration is expected with product management, engineering, and crucially, the print production teams, highlighting the cross-functional nature of design within a manufacturing context. Methodology:
-
Design work is expected to be user-centered, translating customer needs into functional and aesthetically pleasing designs.
-
Emphasis on rigorous production readiness, including adherence to prepress standards and quality control.
-
Utilization of collaborative design sessions and potentially AI-assisted tools to enhance efficiency and client engagement.
-
Maintaining and evolving design systems ensures consistency and scalability across a portfolio of client projects.
Company Website: https://www.composecure.com/ and https://www.getarculus.com/
📝 Enhancement Note: The company's focus on premium products and security means that attention to detail, quality, and a professional demeanor are highly valued. The integration of Arculus technology suggests an innovative and forward-thinking approach.
📈 Career & Growth Analysis
Operations Career Level: This role is positioned at a mid-level, requiring 3+ years of experience. It offers a blend of creative execution and client-facing responsibilities, serving as a key contributor within the design department. The emphasis on production readiness and manufacturing context suggests specialization within the broader design field.
Reporting Structure: The UX Graphics Designer reports to the Graphics & Design Director. This structure provides clear guidance and mentorship opportunities, with potential for exposure to strategic design decisions and departmental leadership.
Operations Impact: The role has a direct impact on customer satisfaction and brand perception through the design of premium payment cards and security solutions. High-quality, user-friendly designs that meet production standards are critical for CompoSecure's reputation and its clients' success in the marketplace. The ability to translate client visions into manufacturable products directly contributes to revenue generation and client retention.
Growth Opportunities:
-
Specialization: Deepen expertise in print production workflows, color management, and compliance standards relevant to card manufacturing, becoming a subject matter expert.
-
Leadership: Potential to advance into a Senior UX Graphics Designer role, taking on more complex projects, mentoring junior designers, and contributing to design strategy.
-
Cross-functional Exposure: Opportunities to work more closely with product development and engineering teams, understanding the broader product lifecycle and potentially transitioning into product design roles.
-
Skill Development: Continuous learning in UX methodologies, emerging design tools (including AI), and industry best practices for manufacturing and security.
📝 Enhancement Note: Growth within this role likely involves deepening expertise in the specific manufacturing and production aspects of card design, rather than purely digital UX. The connection to "operations" here is in the execution and production of physical goods.
🌐 Work Environment
Office Type: The role is primarily on-site in Somerset, NJ, indicating a traditional office and potentially manufacturing floor environment.
Office Location(s): 285 Davidson Ave, Somerset, NJ 08873. This location provides access to the company's operational facilities, including design studios and production areas.
Workspace Context:
-
The workspace is described as an office environment with moderate noise levels, requiring 8+ hours of sustained office work (sitting, typing, etc.).
-
There is also a requirement to perform factory work as needed, which involves standing at machinery, reaching, pulling, and moving through the shop floor, potentially with higher noise levels requiring protective ear coverings.
-
The presence of both office and factory environments suggests a collaborative culture where designers are integrated with production realities.
-
Access to standard office equipment and potentially specialized design software and hardware will be provided.
Work Schedule: Standard 40-hour work week, likely with some flexibility to meet project deadlines and client demands. The on-site nature implies a structured daily presence.
📝 Enhancement Note: Candidates must be comfortable working in both a typical office setting and a manufacturing environment, understanding the practical limitations and requirements of physical production.
📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process
Interview Process:
-
Initial Screening: A review of your resume and portfolio to assess alignment with the core requirements.
-
Technical Interview: This stage will likely involve a deep dive into your design process, tool proficiency (Figma, Adobe Suite), understanding of UX principles, and specifically your knowledge of print production, prepress, and color management. Be prepared to discuss specific projects and challenges.
-
Portfolio Presentation: You will likely be asked to present a selection of your work, focusing on projects that demonstrate your ability to handle client briefs, translate them into design solutions, and prepare production-ready files. This is a critical step to showcase your practical skills and communication abilities.
-
Cross-functional/Manager Interview: Discussions with the Graphics & Design Director and potentially other team members or stakeholders (e.g., production manager) to assess your collaboration style, problem-solving skills, and cultural fit within the team and CompoSecure.
-
Final Interview: May involve senior leadership to discuss your overall fit and potential contributions to the company.
Portfolio Review Tips:
-
Curate Strategically: Select 3-5 projects that best represent your skills in UX design, graphic design, client interaction, and production readiness. Prioritize projects that showcase your ability to work with constraints and deliver polished, manufacturable assets.
-
Tell a Story: For each project, clearly articulate the client's brief/problem, your design process (research, ideation, iteration), the solutions you developed, and the final outcome. Emphasize how your design met the client's needs and production requirements.
-
Showcase Production Expertise: Include examples of your work on files prepared for print or manufacturing. Highlight your understanding of color correction, prepress checks, and adherence to templates. If you have examples related to card design or similar physical products, these will be highly advantageous.
-
Demonstrate Tool Proficiency: Be ready to discuss your use of Figma, Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, and any prototyping tools.
-
Highlight Collaboration: Show how you've worked with clients and internal teams to achieve design goals.
Challenge Preparation:
-
Be prepared for a design exercise that might involve taking a client brief and developing initial concepts or a production-ready file snippet, potentially with specific constraints related to card manufacturing.
-
Focus on demonstrating your problem-solving approach, efficiency, and ability to apply design principles under pressure.
-
Practice articulating your design choices clearly and concisely, justifying them based on user needs, brand guidelines, and production feasibility.
📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process will heavily weigh practical design skills, especially those related to production and client interaction. The portfolio is paramount and must demonstrate end-to-end capability, including manufacturing considerations.
🛠 Tools & Technology Stack
Primary Tools:
-
Figma: For wireframing, prototyping, and high-fidelity UI design. Proficiency expected for collaborative design and rapid iteration.
-
Adobe Illustrator: Essential for vector graphics, logo design, and creating scalable design assets for print and digital.
-
Adobe Photoshop: Crucial for image editing, color correction, and preparing raster assets for various outputs.
-
Prototyping Platforms: Experience with tools beyond Figma for creating interactive prototypes to test user flows and gather feedback.
Analytics & Reporting:
-
While not a primary focus for this role, understanding how design impacts user engagement metrics is beneficial. Familiarity with analytics dashboards used by product or marketing teams could be an advantage. CRM & Automation:
-
Not directly applicable to this design role, but understanding how design assets are managed and deployed within a CRM or marketing automation context might be useful for broader awareness. Specialized Tools:
-
Prepress Software: Familiarity with software used in the printing industry for preparing files for output.
-
Color Management Tools: Understanding of color profiles and calibration for consistent color reproduction.
-
AI-assisted Design Tools: Experience with any AI tools that aid in design generation, iteration, or asset creation.
📝 Enhancement Note: The core tools are standard for UX/Graphic Designers, but the emphasis on print production and prepress indicates a need for specialized knowledge beyond typical digital design software.
👥 Team Culture & Values
Operations Values:
-
Precision & Quality: A strong emphasis on accuracy, detail, and delivering high-quality output, especially critical given the manufacturing context and premium product nature.
-
Customer Focus: Dedication to understanding and meeting external customer needs, guiding them through the design process to ensure satisfaction.
-
Collaboration: A proactive approach to working with cross-functional teams (production, engineering, product) to achieve shared goals.
-
Innovation: Embracing new tools and methodologies, such as AI-assisted design, to enhance creative output and efficiency.
-
Reliability: Being dependable in meeting deadlines and ensuring that design deliverables are always production-ready.
Collaboration Style:
-
Client-Centric: Actively engaging with clients to understand their vision and provide expert guidance.
-
Cross-functional Integration: Working seamlessly with production teams to ensure designs are feasible and meet manufacturing specifications.
-
Feedback-Driven: Open to constructive criticism from colleagues and clients, using it to refine designs and processes.
-
Team-Oriented: Contributing to a supportive team environment where knowledge is shared, and collective success is prioritized.
📝 Enhancement Note: The culture likely values a blend of creative excellence and practical execution. The "operations" aspect here relates to the efficient and accurate production of physical goods, requiring designers to be mindful of manufacturing constraints and quality control.
⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities
Challenges:
-
Bridging Design & Manufacturing: Effectively translating creative concepts into designs that are technically feasible and cost-effective for card manufacturing.
-
Managing Diverse Client Needs: Working with clients who have varying levels of design understanding and guiding them to successful outcomes.
-
Balancing Speed and Quality: Meeting tight deadlines while maintaining the high level of detail and accuracy required for production.
-
Staying Current with Technology: Integrating new design tools and AI capabilities without compromising core design principles or production requirements.
-
Navigating Production Constraints: Understanding and working within the specific limitations of printing and card manufacturing processes.
Learning & Development Opportunities:
-
Advanced Production Training: Opportunities to deepen knowledge in specialized print production techniques, color science, and material science relevant to card manufacturing.
-
Client Management Skills: Developing stronger client communication, negotiation, and presentation skills.
-
Emerging Design Technologies: Training on new design software, AI tools, and digital prototyping advancements.
-
Industry Standards & Compliance: Learning more about PCI-DSS, ISO standards, and other relevant regulations impacting payment card design and security.
-
Mentorship: Guidance from the Graphics & Design Director and senior team members on career progression and skill enhancement.
📝 Enhancement Note: The primary challenges and growth areas revolve around the unique intersection of design, client management, and physical product manufacturing.
💡 Interview Preparation
Strategy Questions:
-
"Describe a time you had to guide a client with limited design ideas to a successful concept. What was your process?" (Focus on client engagement, idea generation, and consensus building.)
-
"How do you ensure your designs are production-ready for manufacturing, especially concerning print specifications and color accuracy?" (Highlight your understanding of prepress, color management, and attention to detail.)
-
"Walk me through a project where you had to balance user experience needs with technical or manufacturing constraints." (Showcase your problem-solving skills and ability to find creative solutions within limitations.)
-
"How do you approach collaborating with production teams to ensure designs are feasible and meet quality standards?" (Emphasize your cross-functional communication and teamwork.) Company & Culture Questions:
-
"What interests you about CompoSecure and our specific products (e.g., metal payment cards, Arculus)?" (Research the company's products, mission, and recent news.)
-
"How do you see your design skills contributing to CompoSecure's mission of enabling trust through elegant, secure experiences?" (Connect your skills to the company's values and offerings.)
-
"Describe your experience working in a hybrid office/manufacturing environment." (Discuss your adaptability and comfort with different work settings.) Portfolio Presentation Strategy:
-
Structure Your Narrative: For each project, clearly define the problem, your role, your process, the solution, and the outcome. Use visual aids effectively.
-
Highlight Production Readiness: Explicitly point out how your designs were prepared for manufacturing, discussing any specific challenges related to materials, printing, or finishing.
-
Quantify Impact (if possible): If your designs led to client satisfaction, improved production efficiency, or met specific business goals, try to quantify it.
-
Be Ready for Technical Questions: Anticipate questions about your software proficiency, design principles, and production-specific knowledge.
-
Showcase Adaptability: Be prepared to discuss how you handle feedback, revisions, and changing project requirements.
📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation should strongly focus on practical design execution, understanding of manufacturing processes, and client interaction skills. The portfolio is the primary tool for demonstrating these capabilities.
📌 Application Steps
To apply for this UX Graphics Designer position:
-
Submit your application through the provided link on the CompoSecure careers portal.
-
Portfolio Customization: Tailor your portfolio to highlight relevant projects, focusing on client-facing experience, graphic design for physical products (if possible), and production-ready file preparation. Ensure it clearly demonstrates your proficiency in Figma, Adobe Illustrator, and Photoshop.
-
Resume Optimization: Update your resume to prominently feature your 3+ years of UX/graphic design experience, specific tool proficiencies, and any experience in print production, manufacturing environments, or client consultation. Use keywords from the job description.
-
Interview Preparation: Practice articulating your design process, problem-solving approach, and experience with production workflows. Prepare questions about the team, company culture, and specific design challenges at CompoSecure.
-
Company Research: Familiarize yourself with CompoSecure's products (metal cards, Arculus), their market position, and their commitment to security and customer trust. Understand how your role contributes to these aspects.
⚠️ 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 a bachelor's degree in a design-related field and at least 3 years of professional UX design experience. Proficiency in design tools like Figma and Adobe Creative Suite, along with an understanding of print production processes, is required.