UX/UI Designer (all genders)

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: UX/UI Designer

Company: STARK

Location: Berlin, Germany / Munich, Germany

Job Type: Permanent employee

Category: Product Design / UX/UI Design

Date Posted: August 20, 2026

Experience Level: Mid-Senior Level (5-10 years)

Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• Design intuitive and clear human interfaces for complex, mission-critical autonomous and defence systems, focusing on user trust and operational effectiveness.

• Leverage AI-native design tools and methodologies to accelerate the design and prototyping process, ensuring speed and efficiency in a high-momentum environment.

• Translate abstract technological concepts into innovative, actionable design solutions that challenge the status quo and simplify high-stakes real-world applications.

• Collaborate closely with subject matter experts, engineers, and diverse stakeholders to build consensus and drive key design decisions for interconnected systems.

• Own the end-to-end design process, from wireframing and high-resolution concepts to interactive prototypes, ensuring seamless user experiences across multiple platforms.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the raw input specifies "UX/UI Designer," the company's focus on defence technology and autonomous systems indicates a need for a designer who can handle complex, mission-critical interfaces where clarity and reliability are paramount. This role transcends typical consumer UX/UI, requiring a deep understanding of systems thinking and high-stakes environments. The "AI-Native" requirement suggests a forward-thinking design team embracing cutting-edge tools.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Conceptualize and design scalable, clean UX/UI interfaces using wireframes, high-resolution mockups, and interactive prototypes for interconnected autonomous and mission-critical systems.

• Transform complex, abstract technological functionalities into innovative, clear, and actionable design solutions, consistently challenging existing paradigms.

• Simplify intricate systems intended for high-stakes real-world environments, ensuring user comprehension and operational efficiency under pressure.

• Take ownership of design decisions, demonstrating accountability and a proactive approach within a fast-paced, agile development cycle.

• Engage in close collaboration with domain experts, engineers, and diverse stakeholders to navigate differing perspectives and forge consensus on critical design choices.

• Champion user-centered design principles while adapting to the unique demands of defence technology and autonomous systems.

• Ensure design consistency and a cohesive user experience across various platforms, including desktop, mobile, and potentially wearable interfaces.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities are framed to highlight the unique challenges of designing for defence and autonomous systems. Emphasis is placed on translating complexity, owning decisions in a high-momentum environment, and stakeholder management, all crucial for this specialized domain.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: While no specific degree is mandated, a strong portfolio demonstrating relevant design skills and thinking processes is essential. Candidates with degrees in Design, Human-Computer Interaction, Computer Science, or related fields may have a foundational advantage.

Experience: 5-10 years of professional UX/UI design experience is expected, with a demonstrated ability to handle complex systems and a portfolio that showcases a deep understanding of the design process. Experience with highly regulated or mission-critical industries is a significant plus.

Required Skills:

• UX/UI Design Expertise: Comprehensive skills across the entire design lifecycle, including user research, information architecture, interaction design, visual design, and usability testing.

• Systems Thinking: Ability to understand and design for "Systems of Systems" or complex, interconnected technological environments.

• Cross-Platform Design: Proven experience designing for multiple interfaces such as desktop, mobile, and wearables, ensuring a cohesive user journey.

• AI-Native Design Tools: Proficiency in leveraging Artificial Intelligence tools for rapid design ideation, prototyping, and asset generation.

• Collaboration & Communication: Exceptional co-creator mentality, with outstanding verbal and written communication skills for clear, tactful, and ego-free presentation of design work.

• Agile Methodology: Experience working within an agile development framework, adapting to iterative feedback and fast-paced project cycles.

• Portfolio of Work: A robust portfolio showcasing all required skills, with a focus on problem-solving, design process, and impactful outcomes.

• English Fluency: Fluent command of the English language for effective daily communication and collaboration.

Preferred Skills:

• German Language Proficiency: C1 level German is desirable, with other languages considered a plus, aiding integration into local teams and stakeholder interactions.

• Defence/Mission-Critical Industry Experience: Prior exposure to design challenges within defence, aerospace, or other high-stakes operational environments.

• Design Thinking Facilitation: Experience in leading design thinking workshops and sessions to foster innovation and alignment.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "AI-Native" requirement is a critical differentiator, implying a need for candidates who actively integrate AI into their workflow. Systems thinking is also emphasized due to the nature of the company's products. The experience level is inferred from the phrasing "highly motivated graduate with a portfolio that punches above your weight, or a seasoned pro looking for deeper work," suggesting a spectrum but leaning towards experienced professionals for this specialized role.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Case Studies: Detailed case studies demonstrating the end-to-end design process for complex systems, highlighting problem definition, user research, design iterations, and final solutions.

• Systemic Design Examples: Showcase projects that illustrate "Systems of Systems" thinking or cross-platform design challenges, emphasizing how different interfaces interact.

• AI Tool Integration: Include examples of how AI tools were used to enhance efficiency, speed up prototyping, or generate design assets, explaining the impact.

• High-Stakes Design: Present work that demonstrates an understanding of designing for critical environments where user error has significant consequences, focusing on clarity, reliability, and trust.

• Collaboration & Stakeholder Management: Provide evidence of successful collaboration with diverse teams and stakeholders, illustrating how consensus was built and design decisions were effectively communicated and justified.

• Process Documentation: Clearly articulate the design process followed for each project, including tools used, methodologies applied, and key decision points.

Process Documentation:

• User-Centered Workflow Design: Document the approach to understanding user needs within complex operational contexts and translating them into intuitive workflows.

• Agile Design Iteration: Detail how design processes were integrated into agile sprints, including feedback loops, rapid prototyping, and iterative refinement.

• Cross-Platform Design Standards: Explain methodologies for maintaining design consistency and user experience across desktop, mobile, and wearable interfaces within a unified system.

• AI Tool Implementation Strategy: Describe how AI tools are identified, evaluated, and integrated into the design workflow to achieve specific efficiency or innovation goals.

📝 Enhancement Note: Given the role's emphasis on complex systems and AI, the portfolio must go beyond standard UX/UI deliverables. It needs to demonstrate systemic thinking, AI integration, and the ability to design for high-stakes environments. Process documentation should reflect an agile, iterative approach with a clear understanding of cross-platform design and AI tool utilization.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: For a UX/UI Designer with 5-10 years of experience in Berlin or Munich, Germany, the estimated salary range is €65,000 - €90,000 annually. This range is based on industry benchmarks for experienced design professionals in major German tech hubs, considering the specialized nature of defence technology and the requirement for security clearance, which can influence compensation.

Benefits:

• Comprehensive Health Insurance: Standard German health insurance coverage.

• Retirement Savings Plan: Contributions to a company-sponsored pension scheme.

• Paid Time Off: Generous annual leave allowance, including public holidays.

• Professional Development: Opportunities for training, workshops, and conferences, particularly in AI design tools and defence technology.

• Relocation Assistance: Support for candidates relocating to Germany.

• Security Clearance Support: Assistance and resources to obtain and maintain necessary security clearances.

• Modern Workspace: Access to state-of-the-art design tools and collaborative office environments in Berlin and Munich.

Working Hours: 40 hours per week, with flexibility often available within the standard working day to accommodate agile team rhythms and personal needs, while ensuring on-site presence.

📝 Enhancement Note: Salary is estimated based on typical mid-to-senior level UX/UI Designer roles in Berlin and Munich, Germany. The defence sector and security clearance requirement can command a premium, hence the upper end of the range. Benefits are standard for German employment but highlighted for their relevance to international candidates and the specific industry.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Defence Technology, Autonomous Systems, Security. STARK operates at the forefront of innovation in protecting democratic nations, positioning itself as a critical player in European and allied security infrastructure. This industry demands a high degree of precision, reliability, and discretion.

Company Size: While not explicitly stated, the mention of a "Product Design team" and "Interim Lead Talent Partner" suggests a growing company that has established core functions but is still scaling its operations and design capabilities. This implies a dynamic environment with opportunities for impact.

Founded: The founding date is not provided, but the company's mission to build "autonomous systems designed to protect democratic nations" indicates a relatively modern, forward-looking organization focused on current geopolitical and technological landscapes.

Team Structure:

• Product Design Team: Focuses on human interfaces for complex autonomous and mission-critical systems. This team likely comprises UX/UI designers, researchers, and potentially product managers, working closely with engineering and product leadership.

• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Designers are expected to work intimately with subject matter experts, engineers, and other stakeholders, indicating a highly collaborative and integrated team structure.

• Reporting Structure: Designers will likely report to a Design Lead or Head of Product Design, with close interaction with product managers and engineering leads.

Methodology:

• Agile Development: The team operates in a high-momentum, agile environment, emphasizing iterative design and rapid feedback loops.

• AI-Driven Design: A core methodology involves leveraging AI tools for accelerated design and prototyping.

• Systems-Centric Approach: Design decisions are informed by a deep understanding of interconnected systems and their operational context.

• User-Centricity in Critical Environments: While user-centered, the focus is on reliability, clarity, and mission success in high-stakes scenarios.

Company Website: [STARK Company Website URL - Placeholder as not provided in input]

📝 Enhancement Note: The company's industry and mission are central to understanding the design challenges. The culture is likely to be driven, precise, and focused on impact, with a strong emphasis on collaboration and leveraging cutting-edge technology like AI.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is positioned as a mid-to-senior level UX/UI Designer. It requires significant autonomy and the ability to influence design direction for complex systems. The designer is expected to be a key contributor, translating strategic goals into tangible user interfaces, and potentially mentoring junior designers as the team grows.

Reporting Structure: The designer will report to a Design Lead or Head of Product Design and will work closely with product managers, software engineers, and domain experts. This structure facilitates direct impact and cross-functional learning.

Operations Impact: The UX/UI Designer's work directly impacts the effectiveness, usability, and adoption of STARK's autonomous systems. By creating clear and intuitive interfaces, the designer contributes to mission success, operational efficiency, and the overall reliability of defence technology, thereby playing a crucial role in the company's value proposition and security impact.

Growth Opportunities:

• Specialization in Defence Tech UX: Develop deep expertise in designing for mission-critical, autonomous systems, a highly specialized and in-demand field.

• AI Design Leadership: Become a leader in integrating AI into design workflows, potentially shaping the company's AI design strategy and best practices.

• Cross-Functional Expertise: Gain in-depth knowledge of defence operations, engineering principles, and complex system architectures through close collaboration.

• Mentorship & Team Growth: As STARK scales, opportunities will arise to mentor junior designers and contribute to building out the design function.

• Strategic Design Influence: Influence the product roadmap and strategic direction through impactful design contributions and user advocacy.

📝 Enhancement Note: The growth opportunities are tailored to the specific industry and role, highlighting specialization in defence UX, AI design leadership, and strategic influence within a growing company.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The role is specified as "On-site," indicating a requirement for physical presence in the office. STARK likely provides modern, collaborative office spaces designed to foster teamwork and innovation, particularly important for complex design and engineering projects.

Office Location(s): Berlin and Munich, Germany. These are major European tech hubs, offering vibrant professional environments, excellent infrastructure, and access to talent. The specific office location will depend on the candidate's preference and the company's operational needs.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Hubs: Offices will likely feature open-plan areas, dedicated project rooms, and meeting spaces to facilitate seamless interaction between designers, engineers, and subject matter experts.

• Advanced Tools & Technology: Designers will have access to high-performance workstations, specialized design software, and potentially VR/AR equipment for prototyping and testing complex systems.

• Team Integration: The on-site nature ensures constant interaction with colleagues, fostering a strong sense of team cohesion and enabling rapid problem-solving and knowledge sharing.

Work Schedule: A standard 40-hour work week is typical. While on-site, there may be some flexibility in daily start and end times, but core hours will likely be established to ensure team alignment and collaborative effectiveness, especially within an agile framework.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "On-site" requirement is crucial. The description emphasizes the benefits of this environment for collaboration and access to technology, especially relevant for a company working on complex, interconnected systems.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A review of your application, resume, and portfolio to assess basic qualifications and alignment with the role.

• Portfolio Presentation & Discussion: A dedicated session to walk through selected case studies from your portfolio. Expect to discuss your design process, decision-making, challenges faced, and solutions implemented, with a focus on complex systems and AI integration.

• Technical/Design Challenge: A practical exercise, potentially involving designing a component for a complex system, simplifying an abstract concept, or demonstrating AI tool proficiency. This might be a take-home assignment or an in-person/virtual workshop.

• Stakeholder Interviews: Meetings with potential team members, including engineers, product managers, and possibly subject matter experts, to assess collaboration style, communication skills, and cultural fit.

• Final Interview: A discussion with hiring leadership to confirm overall fit, discuss career aspirations, and cover any remaining questions, including details on security clearance.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Selectively: Choose 3-4 of your strongest projects that best showcase your skills in complex systems design, AI integration, cross-platform thinking, and high-stakes environments.

• Tell a Story: For each project, clearly articulate the problem, your role, the process you followed (emphasizing your systematic approach and AI usage), your design decisions, and the measurable impact or outcome.

• Highlight Process, Not Just Pixels: Demonstrate your thinking, your problem-solving methodology, and how you navigated challenges. Show wireframes, user flows, and prototypes.

• Emphasize AI & Systemic Thinking: Explicitly point out where and how you used AI tools and how your design addresses the interconnected nature of systems.

• Be Prepared for Deep Dives: Anticipate detailed questions about your design choices, user research methods, and how you handle feedback and constructive criticism.

• Showcase Clarity and Confidence: Present your work with clarity, tact, and confidence, without ego.

Challenge Preparation:

• Understand the Context: Research STARK's mission, industry, and the types of systems they build.

• Practice System Simplification: Work on exercises where you simplify complex concepts or processes into intuitive interfaces.

• Familiarize Yourself with AI Design Tools: Be ready to demonstrate or discuss your proficiency with AI tools relevant to UX/UI design.

• Prepare for Stakeholder Scenarios: Think about how you would communicate design rationale to technical and non-technical stakeholders.

📝 Enhancement Note: This section provides actionable advice tailored to the specific requirements of STARK, emphasizing the need to showcase complex systems design, AI integration, and the ability to handle high-stakes scenarios in the portfolio and interviews.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Design & Prototyping Software: Figma, Sketch, Adobe Creative Suite (Illustrator, Photoshop), InVision, Axure RP (or similar advanced prototyping tools).

• AI Design Tools: Proficiency with AI-powered design assistants, image generators, code generators, or other AI tools that accelerate the design process (e.g., Midjourney, Stable Diffusion, AI plugins for design software).

• Wireframing Tools: Balsamiq, Miro, Whimsical, or similar for rapid ideation and flow mapping.

Analytics & Reporting:

• User Analytics Platforms: While less direct for UX/UI, familiarity with tools like Google Analytics, Mixpanel, or Amplitude can provide context for user behavior and product performance.

• Usability Testing Tools: UserTesting.com, Lookback, Maze, for gathering feedback on designs.

CRM & Automation:

• Project Management Software: Jira, Asana, Trello for agile workflow management and collaboration.

• Collaboration Platforms: Slack, Microsoft Teams for day-to-day communication.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on "AI-Native" necessitates highlighting AI design tools. The other tools listed are standard for a UX/UI designer role, particularly in an agile, tech-focused environment.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Clarity and Precision: Reflecting the mission-critical nature of defence technology, a strong emphasis on clear communication, unambiguous design, and meticulous attention to detail.

• Innovation and Agility: A drive to push technological boundaries, embrace new tools (like AI), and adapt quickly to evolving requirements in a fast-paced environment.

• Collaboration and Trust: Fostering a team environment where open communication, mutual respect, and constructive feedback are paramount, especially when working with diverse expertise and in sensitive domains.

• Purpose-Driven Impact: A commitment to STARK's mission of strengthening security, where each design decision contributes to a larger, meaningful goal.

• Ego-Free Ownership: A culture that encourages taking responsibility for design outcomes while remaining open to feedback and collaborative refinement.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-Functional Integration: Designers are embedded within product teams, working daily with engineers, product managers, and domain experts to ensure designs are technically feasible, strategically aligned, and operationally effective.

• Iterative Feedback Loops: A culture of continuous feedback, where designs are shared early and often, and critiques are delivered and received constructively to drive improvement.

• Knowledge Sharing: Encouraging the sharing of best practices, insights from AI tool usage, and lessons learned from complex design challenges across the team.

📝 Enhancement Note: The culture and values are inferred from the company's industry, mission, and the stated qualifications. The emphasis is on precision, innovation, collaboration, and a sense of purpose, all critical for success in this specialized field.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Designing for High-Stakes Environments: The primary challenge is creating interfaces that are not only intuitive but also exceptionally reliable and clear under extreme pressure, where human error can have severe consequences.

• Simplifying Extreme Complexity: Translating highly abstract and complex autonomous system functionalities into user interfaces that are easily understood and operated by diverse users.

• Integrating AI Seamlessly: Effectively leveraging AI tools to enhance design workflows without compromising quality, user trust, or the unique human touch required for critical systems.

• Navigating Diverse Stakeholder Needs: Balancing the perspectives of technical experts, end-users, and strategic leadership to arrive at optimal design solutions.

• Security Clearance Requirements: The necessity of obtaining and maintaining security clearance can be a process hurdle for some candidates.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Specialized Domain Expertise: Deepen knowledge in defence technology, autonomous systems, and mission-critical operations, becoming a sought-after expert in this niche.

• Advanced AI Design Techniques: Explore and master cutting-edge AI applications in design, potentially leading to new methods and tools for the industry.

• Cross-Disciplinary Skill Development: Gain insights into engineering, AI, and the operational realities of defence, broadening your understanding of technology development.

• Leadership Potential: Opportunities to lead design initiatives, mentor junior team members, and contribute to shaping the future of STARK's product design function.

📝 Enhancement Note: Challenges are framed around the unique aspects of the industry and role, while growth opportunities focus on specialization and leadership within this niche field.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you had to design an interface for a complex system with high-stakes consequences. What was your process, what challenges did you face, and what was the outcome?" (Focus on process, problem-solving, and impact.)

• "How do you approach translating abstract technical concepts into intuitive user experiences? Provide an example." (Demonstrate your ability to simplify complexity.)

• "How are you currently using AI tools in your design workflow? What benefits have you seen, and what are the potential drawbacks?" (Showcase your "AI-Native" mindset and critical thinking.)

• "Imagine you're designing an interface for an autonomous drone control system. What are the key considerations, and how would you ensure user trust and operational clarity?" (Test your domain understanding and design thinking.) Company & Culture Questions:

• "What attracts you to STARK and our mission in defence technology?" (Show genuine interest and alignment with the company's purpose.)

• "How do you handle constructive criticism or disagreement on design decisions from stakeholders with different expertise?" (Assess your collaboration and communication style.)

• "Describe your experience working in an agile environment. How do you manage your design process within sprint cycles?" (Verify your agility and workflow management.)

• "What does 'Systems of Systems' design mean to you, and how have you applied it in your work?" (Gauge your understanding of complex system architecture.) Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure Your Narrative: For each case study, clearly outline the problem, your role, the target users, your design process (including AI tool usage), key design decisions and rationale, iterations, and the final outcome/impact.

• Show, Don't Just Tell: Use visuals effectively – wireframes, user flows, high-fidelity mockups, interactive prototypes. Explain your design choices and how they address user needs and project goals.

• Quantify Impact: Whenever possible, use metrics to demonstrate the success of your designs (e.g., improved efficiency, reduced error rates, positive user feedback).

• Be Ready for Technical Questions: Expect questions about your specific design choices, the tools you used, and how your designs integrate with underlying technology.

• Highlight Your AI Integration: Make it clear where and how AI tools were used to enhance your process or output.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview questions are crafted to probe the candidate's ability to handle complexity, leverage AI, and align with STARK's mission and culture, with specific advice on portfolio presentation.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this operations position:

• Submit your application through the provided application link on the STARK careers portal.

• Tailor Your Resume: Highlight keywords and experiences directly relevant to UX/UI design for complex systems, AI-native tools, cross-platform design, and any experience in defence or mission-critical sectors. Quantify achievements where possible.

• Curate Your Portfolio: Select 3-4 of your strongest projects that best demonstrate your skills in complex system design, AI integration, and high-stakes environments. Ensure each case study clearly outlines the problem, your process, your decisions, and the impact.

• Prepare Your Presentation: Practice walking through your portfolio case studies, focusing on clear storytelling, articulating your design rationale, and demonstrating your AI tool proficiency and systematic thinking.

• Research STARK: Understand the company's mission, products, and industry. Prepare thoughtful questions about their design challenges, culture, and the specific role. Be ready to discuss your eligibility for security clearance.

⚠️ 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.