UX/UI Designer

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: UX/UI Designer

Company: Pavago

Location: Costa Rica

Job Type: Full-Time

Category: Product Design / UX/UI

Date Posted: 2026-08-04

Experience Level: Mid-Level (2-5 years)

Remote Status: Remote Solely

🚀 Role Summary

• Own the complete product design lifecycle, from initial user research to polished, developer-ready interfaces, driving user experience and product engagement.

• Collaborate cross-functionally with product managers, engineers, and stakeholders to craft intuitive, scalable, and user-friendly web and mobile experiences.

• Analyze user behavior and translate insights into actionable product improvements that enhance usability, engagement, and conversion rates.

• Design and maintain robust design systems, component libraries, and style guides to ensure visual consistency and efficiency across all product touchpoints.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is a remote-only position based in Costa Rica, requiring adherence to U.S. Client Business Hours, indicating a need for strong time management and communication skills to bridge geographical and temporal differences. The emphasis on "owning" the design lifecycle suggests a high degree of autonomy and responsibility for the candidate.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Conduct comprehensive user research, including interviews, surveys, and usability testing, to gather critical insights into user needs and pain points.

• Develop detailed user personas, user journeys, and user flows to map out user interactions and identify key areas for improvement.

• Analyze user behavior data from tools such as Hotjar, FullStory, or Google Analytics to inform design decisions and product strategy.

• Translate research findings and data analysis into tangible product improvements, wireframes, high-fidelity mockups, and interactive prototypes.

• Design modern, responsive user interfaces for both web and mobile platforms, ensuring a seamless user experience.

• Build, maintain, and evolve design systems, component libraries, and style guides to ensure brand consistency and streamline the design process.

• Collaborate closely with product managers, engineers, and QA teams throughout the product development lifecycle to ensure alignment and smooth execution.

• Deliver precise, developer-ready design specifications, assets, and documentation, leveraging tools like Figma Dev Mode or Zeplin for efficient handoffs.

• Champion user-centered design principles, adhering to WCAG accessibility standards and responsive design best practices.

• Actively participate in design reviews, usability testing sessions, and A/B testing initiatives to continuously optimize product performance and user satisfaction.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a strong focus on data-driven design and iterative improvement, requiring the candidate to not only design but also to measure and optimize product outcomes. The mention of specific analytics and handoff tools indicates a need for practical, hands-on experience with modern design workflows.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: While no specific degree is mandated, a strong understanding of design principles, user psychology, and human-computer interaction is essential, often gained through formal education or equivalent practical experience.

Experience: A minimum of 2 years of dedicated experience in UX/UI design or Product Design is required, demonstrating a proven track record in creating effective and engaging digital products.

Required Skills:

• A strong portfolio showcasing a deep understanding of UX thinking and high-quality UI design execution across various platforms.

• Proficiency in industry-standard design and prototyping tools, with a primary emphasis on Figma, and secondary experience with Adobe XD or Sketch.

• Proven ability to create wireframes, high-fidelity mockups, and interactive prototypes that effectively communicate design concepts.

• Solid experience in designing responsive layouts and building/maintaining design systems and component libraries.

• Comprehensive understanding of user-centered design methodologies, accessibility principles (WCAG), and best practices for user experience.

• Experience with user research techniques, including usability testing and user flow mapping.

• Ability to collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams, including product management and engineering.

• Skill in performing developer handoffs with clear specifications and assets. Preferred Skills:

• Prior experience designing for SaaS, mobile applications, or e-commerce platforms.

• Basic understanding of front-end development technologies such as HTML and CSS, facilitating better collaboration with engineers.

• Familiarity with analytics tools (e.g., Google Analytics), user testing platforms (e.g., Hotjar, FullStory), or enterprise-level design systems.

• Experience with collaboration and handoff tools like Zeplin.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Nice to Have" section suggests that candidates with a broader technical understanding and experience in specific product verticals (SaaS, mobile, e-commerce) will be more competitive. The emphasis on Figma as the primary tool is a key differentiator.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A curated portfolio that clearly demonstrates a progression from user research and ideation through to final UI design and implementation considerations.

• Case studies that highlight specific UX challenges, the design process undertaken to address them, and measurable outcomes or impact on user behavior/business metrics.

• Examples of interactive prototypes and wireframes that showcase the candidate's ability to map out user flows and interactions effectively.

• Evidence of design system creation or contribution, including style guides, component libraries, and examples of maintaining visual consistency.

• Demonstrations of how user feedback and data analytics were integrated into the design process for iterative improvements. Process Documentation:

• Ability to articulate and document design processes, including user research methodologies, wireframing techniques, and prototyping workflows.

• Experience in creating clear and concise design specifications and asset documentation for developer handoffs.

• Understanding of how to incorporate accessibility standards and responsive design principles into documented processes.

• Familiarity with agile development methodologies and how design processes integrate within sprint cycles.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on a portfolio that showcases "UX thinking" and "measurable outcomes" is critical. Candidates should prepare to discuss not just the aesthetics of their designs, but the strategic rationale behind them and their impact on user engagement and business goals.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: Given the mid-level experience requirement (2-5 years) and the remote nature of the role in Costa Rica, a competitive salary range for a UX/UI Designer would typically fall between CRC 1,500,000 to CRC 3,000,000 per month (approximately USD $2,800 to $5,600 per month), depending on experience, specific skill set, and negotiation.

Benefits:

• Full-time employment with a remote work arrangement, offering flexibility and work-life balance.

• Opportunity to work with U.S. clients, providing exposure to international business practices and diverse projects.

• Contribution to a growing tech-enabled service provider (Pavago) that connects talent with global opportunities.

• Potential for professional development and skill enhancement through exposure to varied design challenges.

• Access to a supportive network through Pavago's platform for remote professionals.

Working Hours: The role requires adherence to U.S. Client Business Hours, which typically translates to approximately 40 hours per week, with a need for flexibility to accommodate time zone differences and project demands.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary estimate is based on current market research for UX/UI Designers with 2-5 years of experience in Costa Rica, considering remote work and the U.S. client context. It's important for candidates to research local cost of living and compare this range against their expectations and the specific demands of the role. Benefits are often provided through the employing entity (Pavago) and may vary.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Pavago operates within the technology and staffing industry, specifically focusing on connecting remote talent with international companies. This means the company culture is geared towards facilitating global collaboration and providing robust support for remote professionals.

Company Size: Pavago is a growing company, likely employing a lean but effective team to manage its platform and client relationships. This suggests a dynamic environment where individual contributions are highly visible and impactful.

Founded: While the founding date of Pavago isn't explicitly stated, its operational model suggests a modern approach to talent acquisition and remote work, likely founded in the last decade to capitalize on the rise of remote employment.

Team Structure:

• The UX/UI Designer will likely be part of a distributed team, working remotely from Costa Rica.

• They will report to a hiring manager or a lead within the client’s organization, with potential touchpoints with Pavago’s internal recruitment or support teams.

• Cross-functional collaboration will be central, involving product managers, engineers, QA testers, and potentially other designers or researchers on the client’s product team. Methodology:

• The client team likely employs agile methodologies, emphasizing iterative development, continuous feedback, and data-driven decision-making.

• Design processes will be user-centric, focusing on research, prototyping, testing, and refinement to achieve optimal user experience and business outcomes.

• Collaboration tools and platforms will be essential for maintaining effective communication and workflow management within a remote setting.

Company Website: https://www.pavago.co/

📝 Enhancement Note: Understanding Pavago's role as a facilitator for remote talent is key. The candidate should expect to work within the client's specific company culture while benefiting from Pavago's remote work support infrastructure.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is positioned as a Mid-Level UX/UI Designer. It requires independent contribution and ownership of design tasks, moving beyond junior-level support to actively driving product design decisions and execution. The scope includes the full product design lifecycle, indicating a significant level of responsibility.

Reporting Structure: The UX/UI Designer will likely report to a Product Manager or a Design Lead within the client company. They will also interface with engineering teams and potentially other stakeholders involved in product development. Pavago may provide an additional layer of support or liaison.

Operations Impact: The UX/UI Designer's impact is directly tied to the usability, engagement, and conversion rates of the client's web and mobile products. Successful design outcomes can lead to increased customer satisfaction, reduced churn, and improved revenue generation through enhanced user experience and product adoption.

Growth Opportunities:

• Skill Specialization: Opportunity to deepen expertise in specific areas like user research, interaction design, design systems, or accessibility.

• Leadership Potential: With proven success, potential to move into Senior UX/UI Designer roles, Lead Designer positions, or even Product Management roles by leveraging a strong understanding of user needs and product strategy.

• Cross-Functional Exposure: Gaining experience in diverse product verticals (SaaS, mobile, e-commerce) and working with different development teams can broaden skill sets and career options.

• Continuous Learning: Access to client projects that may require learning new tools, methodologies, or industry-specific design challenges.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Operations Impact" is framed through the lens of how design contributes to business objectives like engagement and conversion, which are core metrics in revenue and sales operations. Growth opportunities are geared towards deepening design expertise or expanding into related product roles.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: This is a fully remote position, meaning the primary work environment is the candidate's home office or a suitable remote workspace. Pavago focuses on connecting talent with companies that embrace remote work, suggesting a culture that values autonomy and flexibility.

Office Location(s): The role is specifically open to candidates located in Costa Rica, allowing them to work from anywhere within the country.

Workspace Context:

• The candidate will be expected to maintain a professional and productive remote workspace conducive to design work and virtual meetings.

• Access to reliable internet connectivity and necessary hardware (computer, software) is critical for successful remote collaboration and design execution.

• Opportunities for virtual collaboration will be frequent, requiring active participation in online meetings, design reviews, and team discussions using communication platforms.

Work Schedule: The primary work schedule will align with U.S. Client Business Hours. This typically means a standard 8-hour workday, Monday through Friday, with potential for some flexibility. Candidates must be prepared to manage their time effectively to meet project deadlines and collaborate with team members across different time zones.

📝 Enhancement Note: The remote nature necessitates strong self-discipline, proactive communication, and proficiency with virtual collaboration tools. Candidates should be comfortable working independently while remaining highly connected to their remote team.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Recruiter Screening: A preliminary call with a Pavago recruiter to assess basic qualifications, interest, and cultural fit.

• Video Interview with Pavago Recruiter: A more in-depth conversation, likely focusing on experience and motivation.

• Portfolio Review & Practical Design Task: This is a critical stage where candidates present their portfolio, showcasing their design process, problem-solving skills, and aesthetic capabilities. A practical design task may be assigned to assess real-time design skills and approach.

• Client Interview: An interview with the client's hiring team (e.g., Product Manager, Design Lead) to evaluate technical skills, domain knowledge, and team fit.

• Offer & Onboarding: Successful candidates will receive an offer and undergo onboarding with Pavago.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Storytelling: Structure your portfolio case studies to tell a compelling story: the problem, your process, your solutions, and the impact.

• Process Focus: Emphasize your UX thinking. Detail your research methods, how you ideated, iterated, and validated your designs.

• Visual Clarity: Ensure your mockups and prototypes are high-quality and clearly presented. Use high-fidelity visuals where appropriate.

• Metrics & Impact: Quantify your results whenever possible. Highlight improvements in usability, engagement, conversion, or other relevant business metrics.

• Tool Proficiency: Clearly state the tools used (especially Figma) and your level of proficiency.

• Tailor to Role: Highlight projects most relevant to SaaS, mobile, or e-commerce if applicable.

Challenge Preparation:

• Be prepared for a practical design task that might involve wireframing, creating a UI element, or solving a specific UX problem within a time limit.

• Practice articulating your design decisions clearly and concisely, especially under pressure.

• Research the client's product or industry beforehand to understand their business context and potential design challenges.

📝 Enhancement Note: The inclusion of an "Intro Video" via Spark Hire is a unique initial step. Candidates should prepare a concise, engaging video that highlights their key strengths and enthusiasm for the role, setting the stage for subsequent interviews.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Figma: The primary tool for wireframing, prototyping, UI design, and developer handoffs. Advanced proficiency is expected.

• Adobe XD / Sketch: Secondary tools that may be acceptable or beneficial to know, particularly if the candidate has experience with them.

• Prototyping Tools: Integrated within Figma, but candidates may also have experience with dedicated tools for advanced prototyping.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Hotjar / FullStory: Tools for analyzing user behavior, session recordings, and heatmaps.

• Google Analytics: For tracking website traffic, user engagement, and conversion metrics.

CRM & Automation:

• While not explicitly mentioned for the designer, understanding how design impacts user journeys within a CRM context (e.g., Salesforce, HubSpot) can be beneficial.

• Familiarity with project management tools like Jira or Asana is common for design collaboration. Collaboration & Handoff:

• Zeplin: A common tool for developer handoffs, providing design specs and assets.

• Slack / Microsoft Teams: Essential for team communication and collaboration.

📝 Enhancement Note: Proficiency in Figma is paramount. Candidates should be ready to demonstrate their skills and workflow within this tool. Experience with analytics tools is highly valued for understanding user behavior and optimizing designs.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• User-Centricity: A deep commitment to understanding and serving user needs through thoughtful design.

• Collaboration: Valuing teamwork, open communication, and constructive feedback to achieve shared goals.

• Data-Driven Decision Making: Using research and analytics to inform design choices and measure success.

• Efficiency & Scalability: Designing solutions that are not only effective but also maintainable and scalable for future growth.

• Continuous Improvement: A mindset of iterating and refining designs based on feedback and performance data.

Collaboration Style:

• Proactive and transparent communication is key in a remote environment.

• Active participation in design reviews, stand-ups, and cross-functional meetings.

• Willingness to provide and receive constructive feedback to elevate the product.

• Collaborative problem-solving with engineers and product managers to find the best solutions.

📝 Enhancement Note: The values emphasize a blend of user advocacy, teamwork, and a results-oriented approach, all within the context of a remote, international work setting.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Remote Collaboration: Effectively communicating and collaborating with a distributed team across different time zones and cultures.

• Balancing User Needs with Business Goals: Finding design solutions that satisfy users while also meeting business objectives and technical constraints.

• Maintaining Design Consistency: Ensuring a cohesive user experience across multiple platforms and features, especially as the product evolves.

• Adapting to U.S. Client Business Hours: Managing personal schedules to align with client expectations and team meetings.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Deepen UX Expertise: Opportunities to specialize in advanced user research methodologies, interaction design patterns, or usability testing techniques.

• Master Design Systems: Gaining experience in building and scaling complex design systems for large products.

• Industry Exposure: Working on diverse projects for U.S. clients can provide insights into different market needs and design trends.

• Technical Acumen: Improving understanding of front-end development to foster better collaboration with engineering teams.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges are typical for remote roles and the nature of product design. Growth opportunities are geared towards enhancing core design skills and broadening technical and business understanding.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you had to balance conflicting user needs with business requirements. How did you approach it, and what was the outcome?" (Focus on your process, trade-offs, and resolution.)

• "Walk us through a challenging UX problem you solved. What was the problem, your design process, and the impact of your solution?" (Prepare a detailed case study from your portfolio.)

• "How do you approach designing for accessibility (WCAG)? Can you give an example of an accessibility consideration you've implemented?" (Demonstrate your understanding of inclusive design principles.)

• "How do you collaborate with engineers and product managers during the design process? What are your strategies for effective developer handoffs?" (Highlight your teamwork and communication skills.) Company & Culture Questions:

• "What interests you about Pavago and this specific client opportunity?" (Research Pavago's mission and the client's industry.)

• "How do you stay updated on the latest UX/UI design trends and best practices?" (Showcase your commitment to continuous learning.)

• "Describe your ideal work environment and how you thrive in a remote setting." (Align your response with the remote nature of the role.) Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure: Begin with an overview of your design philosophy, then dive into 2-3 strong case studies.

• Focus: For each case study, clearly articulate the problem statement, your role, your design process (research, ideation, iteration, testing), key decisions, challenges, and measurable results.

• Visuals: Use high-quality mockups, wireframes, user flows, and interactive prototypes. Explain why you made specific design choices.

• Tools: Explicitly mention your proficiency with Figma and any other relevant tools used in the projects.

• Conciseness: Be prepared to present efficiently and answer questions thoroughly. Aim for 15-20 minutes of presentation, leaving ample time for Q&A.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Intro Video" via Spark Hire is a crucial first step. Prepare a 1-2 minute video introducing yourself, highlighting your passion for UX/UI design, your key skills (especially Figma and user-centered design), and why you're a great fit for this remote role.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this UX/UI Designer position:

• Submit your application through the provided link on Workable.

• Prepare Your Intro Video: Upon application, you will receive an email from Spark Hire. Record a short, engaging video introducing yourself, highlighting your experience, your passion for UX/UI design, and your enthusiasm for this remote opportunity. Check your inbox and spam folders for this invitation.

• Curate Your Portfolio: Select 2-3 of your strongest case studies that showcase your UX thinking, UI design skills, and impact. Ensure they highlight your process, problem-solving abilities, and proficiency with tools like Figma. Tailor your portfolio to emphasize experience in SaaS, mobile, or e-commerce if applicable.

• Optimize Your Resume: Highlight your 2+ years of UX/UI or Product Design experience, specific tool proficiencies (Figma), and key responsibilities like user research, wireframing, prototyping, and design systems. Use keywords from the job description.

• Research the Client: If possible, research Pavago and the client they are hiring for. Understand their products, target audience, and any known design challenges to better tailor your application and interview responses.

⚠️ 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.