UX UI Designer

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: UX/UI Designer

Company: Arc Boat Company

Location: Torrance, CA

Job Type: Full-Time

Category: Design & Product Experience

Date Posted: 2026-08-24T18:21:13

Experience Level: 5-10 Years

Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• Own the full digital product experience, encompassing mobile applications, onboard vessel touchscreens, and the company's marketing website.

• Lead the end-to-end design process, from conceptualization and wireframing to high-fidelity prototyping and final UI asset delivery for engineering.

• Design intuitive and elegant interfaces for complex systems, including recreational boat controls, commercial vessel subsystems, and fleet management solutions.

• Develop and maintain a scalable design system and style guide to ensure brand consistency across consumer and commercial product lines.

• Collaborate closely with product managers, engineers, and marketing teams to translate user needs and business requirements into exceptional digital experiences.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is critical for defining the user-facing technology of an innovative electric marine company. The emphasis on both consumer (Arc Sport) and commercial (Tug/Ferry) applications indicates a need for a versatile designer capable of adapting design principles across different user groups and product complexities. The mention of "software-defined hardware" highlights the integration of digital interfaces with physical products, a key differentiator for this position.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Spearhead the complete UX/UI design lifecycle for all digital platforms, including mobile apps, onboard touchscreens, and the marketing website.

• Translate complex functionalities such as boat controls, tugboat subsystems, and fleet management into user-friendly and visually appealing interfaces.

• Develop detailed wireframes, interactive prototypes, and pixel-perfect UI assets for seamless engineering handoff.

• Design and implement a robust design system and style guide that ensures brand consistency and scalability across diverse product offerings.

• Conduct user research, including usability testing, to gather insights and inform design iterations, ensuring user-centricity.

• Partner with product management and engineering teams to define product requirements, validate design concepts, and iterate based on technical constraints and user feedback.

• Create a compelling and premium brand experience for the marketing website, attracting and engaging potential customers.

• Continuously iterate on designs, embracing a fast-paced approach and adapting quickly to feedback and evolving project needs, even in hands-on, real-world testing scenarios.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities emphasize a hands-on, full-stack design approach, requiring the candidate to manage the entire design process. The inclusion of "Iterating fast, whether you’re in Figma or on a boat" suggests a dynamic work environment where practical application and testing are integral to the design process, requiring a designer comfortable with both digital tools and the product environment.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: While no specific degree is mandated, a strong portfolio demonstrating equivalent practical experience and expertise in UX/UI design principles is essential.

Experience: A minimum of 5 years of dedicated experience in UX/UI design, with a preference for those who have worked on complex digital products, particularly within software-defined hardware environments (e.g., mobile, web, or embedded systems).

Required Skills:

• Proven expertise in UX/UI design principles and methodologies.

• Demonstrated ability to function as a Product Designer, understanding business logic and engineering trade-offs.

• A strong portfolio showcasing end-to-end design process, from research to final UI assets, with concrete examples of translating qualitative and quantitative research into actionable design solutions.

• Fluency in modern design toolchains, including Figma, Sketch, and Adobe Creative Suite.

• Experience leveraging AI tools as a force multiplier for design tasks and creative exploration.

• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, agile environment with frequently shifting priorities.

• Excellent communication, collaboration, and feedback reception skills. Preferred Skills:

• Experience working with premium consumer, technology, or automotive brands.

• Knowledge of front-end development basics (HTML/CSS/JavaScript) to facilitate better collaboration with engineering teams.

• Experience in growing design teams, mentoring junior designers, and contributing to the development of design organizations (potential for future leadership).

📝 Enhancement Note: The requirements highlight a blend of deep design craft, strategic product thinking, and adaptability. The explicit mention of "software-defined hardware" and "embedded systems" suggests a need for designers who can grasp the intricacies of integrating digital interfaces with physical products, a common challenge in hardware-centric tech companies. The "Bonus Qualifications" clearly indicate a potential growth path into a leadership role.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A comprehensive portfolio showcasing a minimum of 5 years of UX/UI design experience, with a strong emphasis on complex digital products.

• Concrete examples demonstrating the ability to translate user research (qualitative and quantitative) into impactful design solutions.

• Case studies illustrating the end-to-end design process, from initial wireframes and prototypes to final, engineering-ready UI assets.

• Demonstrations of experience in building and maintaining design systems and style guides, highlighting scalability and consistency.

• Examples of designing for diverse platforms such as mobile applications, web interfaces, and embedded systems. Process Documentation:

• Case studies detailing how you have led the design process across multiple platforms (mobile, web, embedded).

• Documentation of your approach to user research and usability testing, including how insights were synthesized and applied.

• Examples of your collaboration with product and engineering teams, illustrating how you navigated technical constraints and user feedback.

• Prototypes and final UI assets that showcase your ability to create elegant and intuitive interfaces for complex systems.

• Demonstrations of how you have leveraged AI tools to enhance your design workflow and creative output.

📝 Enhancement Note: For this role, the portfolio is paramount. It must go beyond visual aesthetics to demonstrate a deep understanding of UX strategy, user research synthesis, cross-functional collaboration, and the practicalities of delivering design for hardware-integrated software. A strong emphasis on process and problem-solving methodology will be key.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $160,000 annually.

Benefits:

• Healthcare benefits: 99% employer-paid medical, dental, and vision coverage.

• Parental leave: 14 weeks of fully paid leave for birthing and non-birthing parents.

• Generous time off: Highly competitive Paid Time Off (PTO) with opportunities for increased accrual based on tenure.

• Income protection: Comprehensive life and disability insurance for all employees.

• Retirement savings: Access to Traditional and Roth 401(k) plans.

• Water fund: An annual stipend of $500 for personal use on water-related activities.

• Professional development: A $500 annual reimbursement for professional development, plus a monthly AI stipend.

• Safety Support: Annual reimbursement for Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), ergonomic equipment, and other safety-related items.

• Captain training: Opportunities for training and access to operate Arcboats.

• Office perks: Daily catered lunches, snacks, and quality coffee provided while onsite.

• Relocation assistance: Available based on role eligibility.

Working Hours: Standard 40-hour work week, with an emphasis on rapid iteration and responsiveness characteristic of a fast-paced startup environment.

📝 Enhancement Note: The stated salary of $160,000 aligns with senior UX/UI Designer roles in high-cost-of-living areas like Torrance, CA, especially within innovative tech sectors. The comprehensive benefits package, including unique perks like the "Water Fund" and "Captain Training," reflects a company culture that values employee well-being and aligns with its marine industry focus. The inclusion of an AI stipend and professional development reimbursement indicates a commitment to continuous learning and technological advancement.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Marine Technology / Electric Propulsion. Arc Boat Company is disrupting the traditional marine industry by electrifying its powertrains and developing advanced software and vessel designs. They are focused on both consumer and commercial applications, aiming to modernize technology that has remained largely unchanged for decades.

Company Size: While not explicitly stated, the description implies a growing, dynamic startup environment. The mention of potentially "growing teams" and "building design organizations" suggests a company that is scaling and investing in its talent.

Founded: The company's mission and the description of their technology ("proven, the momentum is building") suggest a company that has moved beyond the initial startup phase and is now in a significant growth and scaling period, likely founded within the last 5-10 years to be at the forefront of electric marine technology.

Team Structure:

• The UX/UI Designer will likely be part of a Product or Engineering team, collaborating closely with Product Managers and Software Engineers.

• The role involves cross-functional interaction with Marketing, especially for website design and brand representation.

• Potential for growth into a design leadership role suggests an evolving organizational structure where design is gaining prominence. Methodology:

• Data Analysis and Insights: Emphasis on synthesizing qualitative and quantitative research to drive design decisions.

• Workflow Planning and Optimization: Designing elegant, intuitive interfaces for complex systems and ensuring efficient handoff to engineering.

• Automation and Efficiency Practices: Leveraging AI tools as a "force multiplier" and focusing on fast iteration to improve processes and products.

Company Website: arcboats.com

📝 Enhancement Note: Arc Boat Company operates at the intersection of cutting-edge technology and a traditional industry. The culture likely values innovation, speed, and a hands-on approach, as evidenced by the "iterating fast, whether you’re in Figma or on a boat" statement. The focus on electrifying the marine industry positions them as a leader in sustainability and technological advancement within their sector.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is positioned as a Senior Individual Contributor (IC) with significant autonomy, owning the full digital product experience. The explicit mention of "potential to grow beyond its IC origins" and "ability to grow teams, mentor designers, and build design organizations" indicates a clear pathway toward a Design Lead or Managerial role.

Reporting Structure: The UX/UI Designer will likely report to a Head of Product, VP of Engineering, or a similar senior leadership role overseeing product development and design. They will work closely with Product Managers and Engineers.

Operations Impact: The designer's work directly impacts user adoption, satisfaction, and brand perception across all customer touchpoints – from initial website engagement to the daily use of their boats and commercial vessels. This role is crucial for translating complex technology into accessible and desirable user experiences, directly influencing customer loyalty and market competitiveness.

Growth Opportunities:

• Operations Skill Advancement: Deepen expertise in designing for complex hardware-software integrations, embedded systems, and premium brand experiences.

• Leadership Development: Potential to transition into a team leadership role, mentoring designers, and shaping the design strategy and organizational structure.

• Industry Specialization: Become a recognized expert in UX/UI design for the burgeoning electric marine technology sector, a niche but rapidly growing field.

• Cross-functional Exposure: Gain experience working across consumer and commercial product lines, collaborating with diverse teams from engineering to marketing.

📝 Enhancement Note: The career trajectory for this role is well-defined, offering both deep specialization in UX/UI for hardware-integrated products and a clear path into design leadership. The company's growth phase suggests ample opportunities for individuals who can contribute strategically and build out design functions.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The role is described as "On-site" in Torrance, CA. This suggests a physical office environment where collaboration and hands-on interaction with the product (including boats) are encouraged.

Office Location(s): Torrance, California, USA. This location is within the greater Los Angeles area, a hub for technology and innovation.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Environment: The emphasis on working closely with engineers, product managers, and marketing implies a highly collaborative workspace.

• Hands-on Product Access: The mention of "iterating fast, whether you’re in Figma or on a boat" suggests designers may have opportunities to interact with and test designs directly on Arc's products.

• Tools and Technology: Access to a modern design toolchain (Figma, Sketch, Adobe Creative Suite) and AI tools will be standard. The company's focus on technology implies a well-equipped digital workspace.

Work Schedule: While a standard 40-hour work week is implied, the "fast-paced environment with shifting priorities" and "iterating fast" suggest a dynamic schedule that may require flexibility. The company's values of "urgency" and "pragmatism" also point towards a work environment that prioritizes results and efficient execution.

📝 Enhancement Note: The on-site requirement in Torrance, CA, combined with the company's industry, suggests a workspace that might blend traditional office settings with unique opportunities related to marine product development. The emphasis on collaboration and hands-on testing indicates a culture that values direct engagement with the product.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: Likely a review of resume and portfolio by a recruiter or hiring manager to assess basic qualifications and design quality.

• Portfolio Presentation: A dedicated session where the candidate presents their portfolio, discussing key projects, design process, and problem-solving approaches. Expect questions on how you synthesized research, navigated trade-offs, and collaborated with stakeholders.

• Design Challenge/Case Study: A practical exercise, either take-home or during an interview, to assess design skills, problem-solving ability, and strategic thinking. This might involve designing a feature for one of their platforms or improving an existing interface.

• Team Interviews: Meetings with Product Managers, Engineers, and potentially other designers to evaluate collaboration style, technical understanding, and cultural fit.

• Final Interview: Likely with senior leadership (e.g., Head of Product, CTO, CEO) to discuss overall vision, strategic impact, and long-term potential.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Showcase End-to-End Process: Clearly articulate the problem, your role, the research conducted, design decisions, iterations, and the final outcome. Use visuals effectively.

• Highlight Complex Systems: Include projects that demonstrate your ability to design for intricate functionalities, software-defined hardware, or complex user flows, like those found in marine applications.

• Demonstrate Research Synthesis: Provide concrete examples of how you used qualitative and quantitative data to inform your design choices.

• Emphasize Collaboration: Detail how you partnered with engineering and product teams, and how you handled feedback and trade-offs.

• Showcase Design Systems: If applicable, present examples of design systems you've built or contributed to, highlighting scalability and consistency.

• Integrate AI Tool Usage: If you used AI tools, explain how they enhanced your process or outcomes.

Challenge Preparation:

• Understand Arc's Products: Research Arc's current offerings (Arc Sport, Tug, Ferry) and their mission to electrify the marine industry.

• Anticipate Problem Types: Be prepared for challenges related to designing for complex controls, user onboarding, fleet management interfaces, or premium brand website experiences.

• Focus on Process: Demonstrate your systematic approach to problem-solving, not just the final visual output.

• Practice Articulation: Be ready to clearly explain your design rationale, trade-offs, and how your solutions align with business goals and user needs.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process is likely rigorous, focusing on both design craft and strategic product thinking. A strong portfolio that clearly articulates process, impact, and collaboration is crucial. The "on a boat" iteration implies a practical, hands-on approach to design evaluation.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Figma: Expected to be the primary tool for wireframing, prototyping, and UI design. Proficiency is essential for collaborative workflows.

• Sketch: May be used, or candidates should be able to adapt if it's part of the existing toolchain.

• Adobe Creative Suite: Likely used for asset creation, image editing, and potentially other graphic design tasks.

• Prototyping Tools: Beyond Figma, experience with tools like InVision, Principle, or similar for creating interactive prototypes.

Analytics & Reporting:

• While not explicitly mentioned for the designer, understanding how user behavior is tracked and analyzed (e.g., via analytics platforms) will be beneficial for informing design decisions. CRM & Automation:

• Not directly relevant to the core UX/UI design tasks, but awareness of how designs integrate with broader product ecosystems can be advantageous. Emerging Technologies:

• AI Tools: Explicitly mentioned as a requirement ("experience using AI tools as a force multiplier and creative engine"). This indicates the company is keen on leveraging AI for design ideation, asset generation, or workflow optimization.

📝 Enhancement Note: Proficiency in Figma is almost certainly a prerequisite. The emphasis on AI tools suggests that candidates who can demonstrate creative and efficient use of AI in their design workflow will stand out. Familiarity with the broader technology stack, particularly how designs integrate with software and hardware, is a significant plus.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Ownership: Taking responsibility for the digital product experience, from conception to implementation, and contributing to the company's overall success.

• Empathy: Understanding the needs and perspectives of both end-users (boat owners, commercial operators) and internal stakeholders (engineers, product managers).

• Humility: Approaching problem-solving collaboratively, being open to feedback, and learning from mistakes.

• Pragmatism: Making sensible, efficient decisions quickly, especially in a fast-paced, evolving environment. Navigating ambiguity effectively.

• Inclusion: Valuing diverse backgrounds, opinions, cultures, and perspectives in design solutions and team interactions.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-functional Integration: Working seamlessly with product managers, engineers, and marketing to ensure cohesive product development and brand messaging.

• Iterative Feedback Loop: Actively participating in design reviews, user testing debriefs, and engineering discussions to refine designs based on input.

• Knowledge Sharing: Openness to sharing design insights, best practices, and learnings within the team and broader organization.

📝 Enhancement Note: The company's five core values are deeply integrated into their operational philosophy. For a UX/UI Designer, embodying these values means taking ownership of the user experience, empathizing with diverse user needs, maintaining humility in the design process, making pragmatic decisions, and fostering an inclusive design approach. Collaboration is key, with an emphasis on rapid, iterative feedback.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Designing for Complexity: Translating intricate marine systems (boat controls, tug subsystems, fleet management) into intuitive and user-friendly interfaces.

• Balancing Consumer vs. Commercial Needs: Designing distinct yet cohesive experiences for both premium consumer boat owners and commercial operators with different priorities and workflows.

• Software-Defined Hardware Integration: Ensuring seamless integration and user experience between digital interfaces and the physical hardware of the vessels.

• Rapid Iteration in a Fast-Paced Environment: Adapting quickly to shifting priorities and project scopes common in a scaling tech startup.

• Building and Scaling Design Systems: Developing a robust design system that can effectively scale across a growing product portfolio.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Specialized UX/UI Expertise: Gaining deep experience in UX for hardware-integrated software, a niche but growing field.

• Leadership Potential: Opportunity to grow into a design leadership role, mentoring designers and shaping the company's design strategy.

• Industry Immersion: Becoming an expert in the unique challenges and opportunities of the electric marine technology sector.

• AI Tool Integration: Developing advanced skills in leveraging AI for design innovation and efficiency.

• Cross-Product Design: Broadening experience by designing for distinct product lines (consumer boats, commercial vessels, marketing).

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges present significant opportunities for growth. Overcoming the complexity of designing for marine technology will build unique expertise. The company's growth phase offers a clear path for individuals looking to take on more responsibility and leadership within the design function.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe your process for designing a complex digital product from scratch. How do you balance user needs, business goals, and technical constraints?" (Prepare with a case study showcasing your end-to-end process.)

• "How would you approach designing an interface for a tugboat's control system, considering the unique environment and user needs of a commercial operator?" (Think about safety, efficiency, and information hierarchy.)

• "Tell us about a time you had to synthesize conflicting user feedback or stakeholder opinions. How did you reach a design decision?" (Focus on your communication, empathy, and pragmatic problem-solving skills.) Company & Culture Questions:

• "Based on our mission and values, how do you see yourself contributing to Arc's success as a UX/UI Designer?" (Research Arc's mission, values, and products thoroughly.)

• "How do you leverage AI tools in your design workflow? Can you provide an example?" (Be ready to discuss specific AI tools and their practical application in your work.)

• "Describe your experience working in a fast-paced, evolving environment. How do you manage shifting priorities?" (Highlight your adaptability, pragmatism, and ownership.) Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Storytelling: Frame each project as a narrative – the challenge, your role, your process, the solution, and the impact.

• Visual Clarity: Ensure your visuals are high-quality and clearly illustrate your design thinking. Use annotated screenshots or interactive prototypes where possible.

• Process Emphasis: Don't just show the final screens; explain why you made certain design decisions, referencing research and user feedback.

• Quantify Impact: Whenever possible, use metrics to demonstrate the success of your designs (e.g., improved conversion rates, reduced error rates, increased user satisfaction scores).

• Conciseness: Be mindful of time. Focus on your most relevant and impactful projects.

📝 Enhancement Note: Prepare to discuss your design process in detail, emphasizing how you translate complex requirements into user-centric solutions. Be ready to articulate your understanding of Arc's unique market position and how your skills align with their innovative approach. Demonstrating comfort with AI tools and a pragmatic, ownership-driven mindset will be key.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this UX/UI Designer position:

• Submit your application through the provided link on Greenhouse.

• Tailor your resume: Highlight your 5+ years of UX/UI design experience, specifically mentioning work on complex digital products, software-defined hardware, and any experience with mobile, web, or embedded systems. Integrate keywords from the job description naturally.

• Curate your portfolio: Select 3-5 of your strongest projects that best showcase your end-to-end design process, research synthesis, and ability to design for complexity. Ensure it clearly demonstrates your proficiency in Figma, AI tool usage, and collaboration.

• Prepare your portfolio presentation: Practice walking through your selected projects, focusing on the problem, your process, design decisions, and outcomes. Be ready to answer detailed questions about your approach and rationale.

• Research Arc Boat Company: Understand their mission, products (Arc Sport, Tug, Ferry), target markets, and company values. Prepare thoughtful questions to ask the interviewers.

⚠️ 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.