UX Interaction Design Co-op - Fall 2026

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: UX Interaction Design Co-op - Fall 2026

Company: Crown Equipment Corporation

Location: New Bremen, OH, US

Job Type: Intern

Category: User Experience (UX) Design / Interaction Design

Date Posted: April 25, 2026

Experience Level: 0-2 Years (Co-op/Internship)

Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• This co-op role focuses on the practical application of user experience (UX) and interaction design (IxD) principles within the material handling industry.

• You will gain hands-on experience in researching, designing, and contributing to the implementation of user interfaces for complex equipment like lift trucks, warehouse management systems, and mobile applications.

• The position emphasizes a collaborative environment where you will work closely with experienced IxD professionals and cross-functional teams.

• This is an ideal opportunity for students seeking to build a portfolio and gain real-world design experience in a manufacturing and technology-driven company.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the job title is "UX Interaction Design Co-op," the responsibilities and company context suggest a strong focus on applied UX/IxD within an industrial/manufacturing setting. This differs from typical consumer-facing UX roles and requires an understanding of hardware-software integration and industrial user needs.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Conduct comprehensive user research, including field studies, user interviews, and task analysis, to understand the needs and behaviors of lift truck operators and warehouse personnel.

• Perform competitive analysis and research industry trends to inform innovative design solutions for user interfaces.

• Develop and iterate on user interface designs for lift trucks, warehouse management tools, and associated mobile applications.

• Create interactive prototypes to effectively communicate design concepts, test usability, and support the development process.

• Collaborate with cross-functional teams, including engineering, product management, and other design departments, to ensure seamless integration of UX designs.

• Produce visual documentation, style guides, and specifications to support software development and the evolution of the company's Design System.

• Assist in the implementation and testing of designed interfaces to validate user experience and functionality.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a blend of research, design, and implementation support, typical for a co-op role. The emphasis on "field research" and "lift truck interfaces" indicates a specialized application of UX principles in an industrial environment, requiring candidates to be adaptable and willing to engage with physical product design.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

• Must be currently enrolled in an Associate's or Bachelor's degree program.

Experience:

• 0-2 years of experience, specific to co-op or internship programs.

Required Skills:

• Visual Design Skills: Strong aesthetic sensibility and ability to create visually appealing and functional interfaces.

• Prototyping: Proficiency in creating interactive prototypes using industry-standard tools (e.g., Figma, Adobe XD, Sketch) to demonstrate user flows and interactions.

• User Research Fundamentals: Understanding of user research methodologies, including observation, interviews, and task analysis.

• Communication Skills: Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication abilities to articulate design concepts and collaborate effectively.

• Portfolio: A compelling portfolio showcasing work samples that demonstrate strong visual design skills and understanding of interaction design principles.

Preferred Skills:

• Familiarity with industrial design principles or experience designing for hardware-integrated interfaces.

• Knowledge of Design Systems and experience contributing to their development or utilization.

• Experience with competitive analysis and market research within technology or manufacturing sectors.

• Basic understanding of software development lifecycles and agile methodologies.

📝 Enhancement Note: The requirement for a portfolio is critical. Candidates should curate their submissions to highlight projects demonstrating user-centered design thinking, problem-solving through design, and strong visual execution. For this role, showcasing projects involving complex systems, hardware interfaces, or data visualization would be particularly advantageous.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Showcase a minimum of 2-3 well-documented design projects that highlight your process from problem identification to solution.

• Projects should demonstrate your ability to conduct user research and translate findings into design decisions.

• Include examples of wireframes, user flows, interactive prototypes, and final visual designs.

• Clearly articulate the problem, your role, the process, the solution, and the impact or learnings for each project.

Process Documentation:

• For each portfolio project, clearly outline the research methodologies employed (e.g., user interviews, surveys, field observations).

• Detail the design iterations and rationale behind key design choices, including user testing feedback where applicable.

• Provide insights into how you collaborated with stakeholders or team members during the design process.

• Document the tools and technologies used throughout the design and prototyping phases.

📝 Enhancement Note: Given the industrial context, candidates with projects demonstrating an understanding of usability in physical environments, efficiency improvements, or data-driven decision-making in design will stand out. This includes showing how design impacts operational efficiency or safety.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

• As a co-op position, compensation will be structured as an hourly wage. Based on industry standards for UX/Interaction Design co-ops in Ohio, a range of $18 - $25 per hour is anticipated, depending on the candidate's year in school and demonstrated skills.

Benefits:

• Mentorship Program: Direct guidance and learning opportunities from experienced Interaction Designers and UX professionals.

• Professional Development: Exposure to real-world product development cycles and industry best practices.

• Networking Opportunities: Chance to build connections within Crown Equipment Corporation across various departments.

• Potential for Future Employment: Successful co-op performance can lead to opportunities for future internships or full-time roles.

• On-site Amenities: Access to company facilities and resources during your co-op term.

Working Hours:

• This is a full-time co-op position, typically requiring 40 hours per week.

• Standard business hours are expected, with potential for some flexibility managed by the direct supervisor.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range is an estimate based on typical co-op compensation for design roles in the Midwest region. Actual compensation will be determined by the company's internal pay bands and the candidate's specific qualifications and academic standing.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Manufacturing (Material Handling Equipment)

Company Size: Large (10,000+ employees)

Founded: 1960

Team Structure:

• The UX Interaction Design team is likely part of a larger Product Development, Engineering, or Technology division.

• You will report to an IxD Manager or Lead Designer, with direct mentorship provided by experienced designers.

Methodology:

• Crown Equipment likely employs a structured product development process, incorporating user feedback and design thinking principles.

• Emphasis is placed on creating robust, reliable, and efficient solutions for industrial applications.

• Data-driven decision-making and continuous improvement are probably core tenets of their operational philosophy.

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

📝 Enhancement Note: Crown Equipment is a well-established leader in material handling. Their culture likely balances innovation with a strong focus on product reliability and customer ROI, which will influence the design approach—prioritizing functionality and efficiency over purely aesthetic trends.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: Intern/Co-op

Reporting Structure: You will report to a UX/Interaction Design Lead or Manager, who will provide guidance and oversee your projects. This role is designed for learning and skill development rather than independent project ownership.

Operations Impact: While this is a co-op role, your contributions will directly influence the user experience of critical industrial equipment and software, impacting operator efficiency, safety, and overall customer satisfaction. Your work will be visible within the product development lifecycle.

Growth Opportunities:

• Skill Development: Deepen understanding of UX/IxD principles, user research techniques, prototyping tools, and design system development.

• Industry Exposure: Gain invaluable experience in the material handling and heavy equipment manufacturing sector, understanding unique user needs and design challenges.

• Portfolio Enhancement: Build a robust portfolio with real-world projects that can significantly boost future job prospects.

• Networking: Establish professional connections that could lead to future employment opportunities, either at Crown Equipment or within the broader industry.

• Potential for Return: High-performing co-ops may be invited back for subsequent co-op terms or offered full-time positions upon graduation.

📝 Enhancement Note: This co-op is an entry point. Growth is primarily measured by skill acquisition, portfolio development, and demonstrating potential for future roles. The "impact" is in learning and contributing to ongoing projects, not necessarily driving strategic direction at this stage.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Primarily on-site within a corporate or R&D environment.

Office Location(s): New Bremen, OH. This is a key manufacturing and engineering hub for Crown Equipment.

Workspace Context:

• You will likely work in a collaborative office space shared with other designers and potentially engineering teams.

• Access to necessary design software, hardware, and potentially prototypes or physical equipment for research and testing will be provided.

Work Schedule:

• A standard 40-hour work week is expected, aligning with typical business hours for the New Bremen location.

• While flexibility is often part of co-op roles, adherence to a defined schedule for project work and team collaboration is essential.

📝 Enhancement Note: The on-site requirement means candidates must be prepared to work from the New Bremen facility, potentially requiring relocation or a significant commute. The environment will be professional and geared towards industrial product development.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: HR or a hiring manager will review your resume and application, focusing on your academic background and any prior relevant experience.

• Portfolio Review: This is a critical stage. You will be asked to present your portfolio, walking through selected projects to demonstrate your design process, problem-solving skills, and visual design capabilities. Be prepared to discuss your role, decisions, and learnings.

• Technical/Skills Interview: May involve discussions about design tools, UX methodologies, and potentially a small design exercise or case study related to interaction design challenges.

• Behavioral/Cultural Fit Interview: Questions will assess your communication skills, teamwork ability, problem-solving approach, and how well you align with Crown Equipment's values and work environment.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Selectively: Choose 3-4 of your strongest projects that best represent your skills relevant to industrial UX/IxD.

• Tell a Story: For each project, clearly articulate the problem, your specific contributions, the design process undertaken, the challenges faced, your solutions, and the outcomes or lessons learned.

• Highlight Process: Emphasize your user-centered approach, research methods, iterative design process, and how you translated user needs into tangible design solutions.

• Visual Clarity: Ensure your presentation is visually clean, well-organized, and easy to follow. Use high-quality mockups and prototypes.

• Practice Your Pitch: Rehearse your presentation to ensure you can articulate your thoughts clearly and concisely within the allotted time. Be ready for in-depth questions.

Challenge Preparation:

• Be prepared for potential small design challenges that assess your ability to think on your feet, apply design principles, and communicate your thought process. These might involve sketching quick wireframes or discussing hypothetical design scenarios.

• Brush up on fundamental UX/IxD principles, common design patterns, and usability heuristics.

📝 Enhancement Note: The portfolio review is the most crucial step for this role. Candidates should prepare to deeply explain their design decisions, demonstrating not just aesthetic skill but also a logical, user-centered reasoning process. Expect questions about how you handle feedback and collaborate.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Design & Prototyping Software: Proficiency in industry-standard tools such as Figma, Adobe XD, Sketch, or similar is expected.

• Wireframing Tools: Familiarity with tools used for creating low-fidelity representations of interfaces.

• User Research Tools: Experience with survey platforms or tools for capturing user feedback.

Analytics & Reporting:

CRM & Automation:

• Not directly relevant to this UX Interaction Design role.

📝 Enhancement Note: While specific tools are not listed, proficiency in leading UI/UX design and prototyping software is a given. Candidates should be ready to discuss their experience with specific tools and their rationale for choosing particular tools for different stages of the design process.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Innovation: A drive to create cutting-edge solutions that improve efficiency and user experience.

• Customer Focus: Designing with the end-user (operators, warehouse personnel) and their operational needs at the forefront.

• Quality & Reliability: A commitment to building robust, dependable products that perform in demanding industrial environments.

• Teamwork: A collaborative spirit that encourages cross-functional cooperation and shared problem-solving.

• Integrity: Upholding high ethical standards in all aspects of design and business.

Collaboration Style:

• The design team likely operates with a collaborative model, encouraging peer reviews and feedback sessions.

• Strong cross-functional communication with engineering, product management, and other departments is essential for successful product development.

• A willingness to share ideas, receive constructive criticism, and work towards common goals is highly valued.

📝 Enhancement Note: Crown Equipment's culture likely emphasizes practicality, durability, and efficiency, reflecting its core business. The UX team will need to align with these values, ensuring that design innovations are not only user-friendly but also contribute to the overall performance and reliability of the equipment.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Designing for Industrial Users: Adapting design thinking to the specific needs, environments, and skill sets of industrial operators, which can differ significantly from consumer users.

• Hardware-Software Integration: Understanding the constraints and opportunities presented by integrating digital interfaces with physical machinery.

• Balancing Innovation with Reliability: Ensuring new design features are functional, intuitive, and do not compromise the proven reliability of Crown's equipment.

• Field Research Logistics: Navigating the practicalities of conducting research in active warehouse or manufacturing environments.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Mentorship: Direct guidance from experienced UX/IxD professionals.

• Real-World Project Experience: Contributing to actual product development lifecycles.

• Industry Insight: Gaining a deep understanding of the material handling industry and its technological advancements.

• Portfolio Building: Creating tangible assets that showcase expertise to future employers.

📝 Enhancement Note: The primary challenge will be applying UX principles to a specialized industrial context. Success will come from embracing these unique challenges as learning opportunities and demonstrating adaptability.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a project from your portfolio where you had to balance user needs with technical constraints. How did you approach it?" (Focus on your problem-solving process and trade-offs).

• "Imagine you need to design a new interface for a lift truck's control panel. What would be your first steps in the research and design process?" (Demonstrate your understanding of user research and iterative design).

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What interests you about working in the material handling industry, specifically with Crown Equipment?" (Research Crown's mission, products, and values).

• "How do you see your skills contributing to a company that manufactures heavy equipment?" (Connect your UX/IxD skills to industrial applications and efficiency).

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Focus on Process: For each project, walk through your thought process: problem definition, user research, ideation, prototyping, testing, and iteration.

• Highlight Your Role: Clearly state what you did on the project, especially if it was a team effort.

• Quantify Impact (if possible): If your design led to measurable improvements (even in a school project), mention it.

• Be Prepared for Deep Dives: Anticipate questions about specific design choices, tools used, and challenges encountered.

• Showcase Visual Design: Ensure your visual mockups and prototypes are clean, well-presented, and effectively communicate your design intent.

📝 Enhancement Note: Be ready to discuss the unique aspects of designing for industrial equipment. Think about safety, efficiency, durability, and the operator's environment. Your ability to articulate how UX principles apply to these specific contexts will be key.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this UX Interaction Design Co-op position:

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

• Portfolio Customization: Ensure your resume and portfolio are tailored to highlight relevant UX/Interaction Design skills, visual design capabilities, and any experience with complex systems or hardware interfaces.

• Resume Optimization: Clearly list your degree program, expected graduation date, and any previous co-op or internship experience. Use keywords from the job description.

• Portfolio Walkthrough Practice: Prepare a concise and compelling presentation of your portfolio, focusing on 2-3 key projects that demonstrate your design process and problem-solving abilities. Practice articulating your role and design decisions.

• Company Research: Familiarize yourself with Crown Equipment's products, mission, and values. Understand their position in the material handling industry and consider how UX/IxD contributes to their success.

⚠️ 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.