UX/UI Designer - on-call role

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: UX/UI Specialist - On-Call Role

Company: AECOM

Location: Mississauga, Ontario, Canada

Job Type: Full-time

Category: Digital Design & User Experience Operations

Date Posted: 2026-09-08T23:39:40.769

Experience Level: 5-10 Years

Remote Status: Hybrid

🚀 Role Summary

• Drive the user-centered design process for digital solutions within a major infrastructure program, ensuring a seamless and effective user experience.

• Conduct comprehensive user research, leveraging both qualitative and quantitative methodologies to uncover user needs, behaviors, and pain points.

• Translate complex user insights into actionable recommendations and tangible design artifacts, including wireframes and mockups.

• Collaborate cross-functionally with Business Analysis, Delivery, and Change Management teams to align design efforts with project goals and user engagement strategies.

• Contribute to the continuous improvement of digital tools and platforms by advocating for user-centric design principles and best practices.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "On-Call Role" designation suggests a need for flexibility and responsiveness, potentially involving urgent design requests or support during critical project phases. This role is positioned within AECOM's Advisory Business Line, indicating a focus on strategic consulting and solution development for infrastructure clients.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Lead and execute qualitative and quantitative user research activities throughout the digital project lifecycle, including user interviews, surveys, usability assessments, and persona development.

• Design and implement user journey maps to visualize current and future state user experiences, identifying key touchpoints and areas for improvement.

• Develop low- to mid-fidelity wireframes, mockups, and prototypes to effectively communicate design concepts and user flows to stakeholders and development teams.

• Conduct usability testing sessions to gather feedback on designs and iterate based on user insights, ensuring the final product meets defined UX goals.

• Act as a user advocate by translating research findings and user feedback into practical UX recommendations and design specifications for digital solutions.

• Partner with Business Analysis teams to ensure a deep understanding of project requirements and how they translate into user needs.

• Work closely with Delivery teams to integrate UX/UI designs seamlessly into the development process and ensure technical feasibility.

• Support Change Management initiatives by providing design assets and insights that facilitate user adoption and engagement with new digital tools.

• Contribute to the creation of user engagement materials and training documentation by providing clear and concise design explanations.

• Stay abreast of emerging UX/UI design trends, tools, and best practices relevant to the infrastructure and digital solutions sectors.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a hands-on role requiring both strategic thinking (research, journey mapping) and tactical execution (wireframing, mockups, usability testing). The emphasis on collaboration with Business Analysis, Delivery, and Change Management indicates a need for strong communication and integration skills within a project team structure.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

• Bachelor's degree in Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), Design, Psychology, Computer Science, or a related field. Experience:

• A minimum of 6 years of progressive experience in UX/UI design and user research, with a proven track record of supporting digital programs and initiatives. Required Skills:

• UX/UI Design: Comprehensive understanding of user-centered design principles, interaction design, and information architecture.

• User Research: Expertise in planning and conducting qualitative (interviews, focus groups) and quantitative (surveys, analytics) user research.

• Design Tools: Proficiency in industry-standard design and prototyping tools, with a strong preference for Figma.

• Wireframing & Mockups: Ability to create clear and effective wireframes, user flows, and low- to mid-fidelity mockups.

• Usability Assessment: Experience in planning, conducting, and analyzing usability tests to identify design flaws and areas for improvement.

• Cross-functional Collaboration: Proven ability to work effectively with Business Analysts, Developers, Project Managers, and Change Management professionals.

• Communication: Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to articulate design concepts and user insights clearly to diverse audiences.

Preferred Skills:

• 10+ years of experience supporting digital programs and initiatives, ideally within large-scale projects.

• Experience with high-fidelity prototyping and interactive design.

• Familiarity with Agile/Scrum development methodologies.

• Knowledge of accessibility standards (e.g., WCAG).

• Experience in the infrastructure consulting or engineering sector.

• Background in persona development and user journey mapping.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "demonstrated equivalency of experience and/or education" clause provides flexibility for candidates who may not meet the exact degree requirement but possess extensive relevant experience. The explicit mention of Figma as a preferred tool is a key technical requirement.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Showcase a minimum of 3-5 distinct UX/UI design projects demonstrating a clear design process from research to final deliverable.

• Include case studies that highlight problem definition, user research methodologies employed, design challenges, and the iterative design process.

• Present wireframes, mockups, and prototypes that clearly illustrate user flows and interface design.

• Demonstrate how user feedback and research findings were incorporated into design iterations and improvements.

• Quantify the impact of your design solutions where possible, using metrics related to user satisfaction, task completion rates, or efficiency gains. Process Documentation:

• For each portfolio project, provide a brief overview of the project lifecycle and your specific role within it.

• Detail the user research methods used and key insights gained from those activities.

• Clearly articulate the design rationale behind key UI elements and user flows.

• Explain how collaboration with stakeholders and development teams was managed.

• Document any usability testing conducted and the resulting design adjustments.

📝 Enhancement Note: Given the emphasis on research and collaboration, portfolios should ideally showcase projects where user research directly informed design decisions and where collaboration with cross-functional teams was critical to success. Demonstrating proficiency with Figma in the portfolio is highly recommended.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: CAD $85,000 - $110,000 per year.

Explanation of Range: This salary range is based on AECOM's provided compensation data for a UX/UI Specialist in the Mississauga, Ontario area, considering the experience level of 5-10 years and the hybrid work model. The specific salary offered will depend on the candidate's qualifications, experience, and alignment with the role's requirements.

Benefits:

• Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance: Comprehensive health coverage for employees and eligible dependents.

• Life Insurance and AD&D: Financial protection for employees and their families.

• Disability Benefits: Short-term and long-term disability coverage to support employees during periods of illness or injury.

• Paid Time Off (PTO) and Leaves of Absences: Generous PTO policy and provisions for various types of leaves.

• Voluntary Benefits: Additional insurance options and benefits available for selection.

• Flexible Work Options: Hybrid work model promoting work-life balance.

• Well-being Resources: Access to programs and resources focused on employee health and wellness.

• Employee Assistance Program (EAP): Confidential counseling and support services.

• Business Travel Insurance: Coverage for employees traveling for business purposes.

• Service Recognition Awards: Acknowledgment and rewards for employee loyalty and contributions.

• Retirement Savings Plan: Company-sponsored plan to help employees save for retirement.

• Employee Stock Purchase Plan (ESPP): Opportunity to purchase AECOM stock at a discounted rate. Working Hours:

• The standard working hours are typically 40 hours per week.

• The hybrid work arrangement allows for flexibility, with employees expected to be in the office for certain days to facilitate collaboration and team engagement.

• As an "on-call" role, there may be an expectation for occasional availability outside of standard business hours for urgent support or critical project needs, though specific details would be clarified during the interview process.

📝 Enhancement Note: The provided salary range is specific to the Mississauga, Ontario region and reflects the "5-10 years" experience level indicated. The comprehensive benefits package is typical for a large, established corporation like AECOM, with specific offerings listed. The "on-call" nature implies a need for flexibility beyond standard 9-to-5 operations.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Infrastructure Consulting and Engineering. AECOM operates globally, providing professional services for a wide range of infrastructure projects, including transportation, water, environment, energy, and buildings.

Company Size: Fortune 500 firm with over 50,000 employees worldwide. This large scale indicates a structured environment with robust processes, ample resources, and diverse career opportunities.

Founded: AECOM has a long history, though the specific founding date isn't detailed in the provided text, the company is established as a global leader. This implies a culture of experience, stability, and a proven track record in delivering complex projects.

Team Structure:

• The UX/UI Specialist will be part of a digital solutions team supporting a major infrastructure program.

• This team likely includes Business Analysts, Delivery Managers, Developers, and Change Management specialists, requiring strong cross-functional collaboration.

• The role will report within a Business Line structure (Advisory) and Operating Group (Americas), indicating a matrixed organizational framework. Methodology:

• AECOM emphasizes a collaborative approach, leveraging deep technical abilities and data-driven insights to solve complex client challenges.

• The company champions innovation and digital transformation, suggesting an openness to new technologies and methodologies in design and development.

• A focus on delivering a "better world" implies a commitment to sustainability, resilience, and long-term impact in project outcomes.

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

📝 Enhancement Note: AECOM's status as a global infrastructure leader suggests a culture that values expertise, reliability, and large-scale project execution. The emphasis on "delivering a better world" points to a mission-driven organization where employees contribute to tangible, societal improvements. The "hybrid" work model indicates a balance between in-office collaboration and remote flexibility.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is positioned as an experienced specialist, requiring 6+ years of dedicated experience in UX/UI design and user research. It represents a mid-to-senior level position within the digital design function, focusing on specialized expertise rather than broad management.

Reporting Structure: The UX/UI Specialist will likely report to a Design Lead, Program Manager, or a Digital Solutions Manager within the Advisory Business Line. They will collaborate closely with peers in Business Analysis, Delivery, and Change Management, forming a project-centric reporting dynamic.

Operations Impact: The UX/UI Specialist's impact is critical in ensuring that digital solutions developed for AECOM's infrastructure clients are user-friendly, efficient, and meet business objectives. By optimizing the user experience, this role directly contributes to client satisfaction, project success, and the adoption of new technologies, ultimately enhancing AECOM's reputation and service delivery capabilities.

Growth Opportunities:

• Skill Specialization: Deepen expertise in specific UX/UI areas such as service design, accessibility, or advanced prototyping.

• Leadership Development: Transition into a Lead UX/UI Designer role, mentoring junior designers and overseeing design strategy for larger programs.

• Cross-functional Mobility: Leverage design expertise to move into roles in Product Management, Digital Strategy, or specialized areas within AECOM's diverse business lines.

• Industry Knowledge Expansion: Gain in-depth understanding of the infrastructure sector and its unique digital challenges, becoming a subject matter expert.

• Continuous Learning: Access AECOM's award-winning training programs and potentially industry certifications to stay at the forefront of design practices.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "on-call" aspect of the role might offer opportunities to work on a variety of urgent or critical projects, providing diverse experiences that accelerate learning and career progression. The large size of AECOM suggests numerous internal pathways for growth and development.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Hybrid Work Model. This means the role involves a combination of working remotely and from AECOM's Mississauga office. The specific number of days in the office is not defined, but it's implied that in-person collaboration is a key component.

Office Location(s): Primary location is AECOM's office at 5090 Explorer Drive, Mississauga, Ontario. This location is within a commercial business park, likely offering standard office amenities and accessibility via public transport or car.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Environment: The hybrid model encourages collaborative sessions in the office, fostering idea exchange and team cohesion. Employees will have access to meeting rooms and shared workspaces for team-based activities.

• Tools & Technology: Access to AECOM's standard IT infrastructure, including necessary software licenses (e.g., Figma), hardware, and network resources.

• Team Interaction: Opportunities for direct interaction with designers, business analysts, project managers, and change management professionals, facilitating knowledge sharing and problem-solving.

Work Schedule:

• Standard 40-hour work week, with flexibility inherent in the hybrid model.

• The "on-call" designation suggests potential needs for responsiveness outside of typical hours, which would be clarified during the interview process and likely managed through flexible scheduling to maintain work-life balance.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Day 1 onboarding at an AECOM office location" requirement underscores the importance of in-person integration for new hires, even within a hybrid framework. This suggests a culture that values face-to-face interaction for key onboarding milestones.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: HR or recruiter review of application and resume, focusing on keyword alignment and minimum qualifications.

• Hiring Manager Interview: Discussion with the hiring manager to assess technical skills, experience, and cultural fit. Expect questions about past projects and problem-solving approaches.

• Portfolio Review: Presentation of your design portfolio to the hiring team. This is a critical stage where you'll walk through your process, rationale, and impact for selected projects.

• Team/Cross-functional Interview: Meeting with potential colleagues from Business Analysis, Delivery, or Change Management to evaluate collaboration style and ability to integrate with different teams.

• Final Interview: Potentially with a senior leader or program director, focusing on strategic alignment and overall suitability for the role and AECOM's mission.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select projects that best showcase your UX/UI process, research capabilities, and proficiency with tools like Figma. Prioritize projects relevant to large-scale programs or infrastructure if possible.

• Tell a Story: For each project, articulate the problem, your role, the process followed, key decisions made, challenges overcome, and the measurable outcomes or impact.

• Showcase Your Process: Clearly explain how you arrived at your design solutions, emphasizing user research, iteration, and feedback incorporation. Use visual aids like journey maps, wireframes, and prototypes effectively.

• Quantify Impact: Whenever possible, present metrics that demonstrate the success of your designs (e.g., improved user satisfaction, reduced task time, increased conversion rates).

• Be Prepared for Questions: Anticipate questions about your design choices, trade-offs, and how you handle feedback or conflicting stakeholder opinions.

Challenge Preparation:

• Be ready for a potential design challenge or case study that might involve a simplified problem statement related to digital solutions for infrastructure.

• Focus on demonstrating your thought process, user-centric approach, and ability to articulate design decisions under time constraints.

• Prepare to present your findings and recommendations clearly and concisely.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on collaboration with Business Analysis, Delivery, and Change Management suggests that interviewers will be looking for candidates who can not only design effectively but also integrate seamlessly into project teams and communicate their vision persuasively. The "on-call" nature might also lead to questions about your ability to manage urgent requests and adapt quickly.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Figma: Essential for wireframing, prototyping, and UI design. Proficiency is strongly preferred.

• Adobe Creative Suite: Photoshop, Illustrator for asset creation and manipulation.

• Sketch: (Potentially used, though Figma is preferred) For UI design and prototyping.

Analytics & Reporting:

• User Analytics Platforms: (e.g., Google Analytics, Adobe Analytics, Hotjar) for understanding user behavior on digital platforms.

• Survey Tools: (e.g., SurveyMonkey, Typeform, Qualtrics) for gathering quantitative user feedback.

• Data Visualization Tools: (e.g., Tableau, Power BI) for presenting research findings and performance metrics.

CRM & Automation:

• Project Management Tools: (e.g., Jira, Asana, Trello) for task tracking and workflow management within project teams.

• Collaboration Platforms: (e.g., Microsoft Teams, Slack) for communication and team coordination.

• User Research Platforms: (e.g., UserTesting.com, Lookback) for remote usability testing and research participant recruitment.

📝 Enhancement Note: While Figma is explicitly mentioned, familiarity with other common design and prototyping tools is beneficial. Experience with analytics and research platforms is crucial for informing design decisions with data.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Collaboration: AECOM values teamwork and cross-functional cooperation to achieve shared goals. For this role, it means actively engaging with Business Analysis, Delivery, and Change Management teams.

• Innovation: A drive to deliver better solutions and embrace new technologies is encouraged. This role should bring fresh design thinking to infrastructure challenges.

• Integrity & Trust: AECOM upholds high ethical standards and is committed to being a trusted partner. This applies to design processes and client interactions.

• Excellence: A commitment to delivering high-quality work and exceeding expectations is paramount. This role is expected to produce polished, effective user experiences.

• Sustainability: A core value at AECOM, aiming to create lasting positive impacts. Design solutions should consider long-term usability and efficiency.

Collaboration Style:

• User-Centric Advocacy: Actively championing the user's needs and perspective within project discussions.

• Data-Informed Design: Basing design decisions on user research, analytics, and usability testing findings.

• Iterative Improvement: Embracing a mindset of continuous refinement through feedback and testing.

• Transparent Communication: Openly sharing design progress, rationale, and challenges with team members and stakeholders.

• Problem-Solving Focus: Working collaboratively to identify and solve complex user experience challenges within project constraints.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "on-call" nature may foster a culture of rapid response and adaptability, requiring team members to be highly responsive and flexible. The company's mission of "delivering a better world" suggests a purpose-driven culture where work contributes to meaningful societal outcomes.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing User Needs with Technical/Business Constraints: Effectively translating user desires into feasible designs within project budgets, timelines, and technical limitations.

• Managing Stakeholder Expectations: Navigating diverse opinions and requirements from various stakeholders (clients, internal teams) to arrive at optimal design solutions.

• "On-Call" Responsiveness: Adapting to potentially urgent design requests or support needs outside of standard working hours, requiring strong time management and prioritization skills.

• Designing for Complex Infrastructure Programs: Understanding and designing for specialized user groups and complex workflows inherent in large-scale infrastructure projects.

• Keeping Pace with Evolving Digital Trends: Continuously updating skills and knowledge to incorporate the latest UX/UI best practices and technologies.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Advanced UX/UI Training: Access to AECOM's extensive learning resources for specialized skills in areas like service design, interaction design, or UX strategy.

• Industry Conferences & Workshops: Opportunities to attend relevant design and technology events to network and learn from industry leaders.

• Mentorship Programs: Potential to be mentored by senior designers or leaders within AECOM, or to mentor junior team members.

• Cross-Disciplinary Projects: Exposure to diverse infrastructure projects, allowing for the development of broader industry knowledge and understanding of various user contexts.

• Certification Support: Encouragement and potential support for obtaining relevant professional certifications in UX/UI design or related fields.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "newly created role" aspect indicates an opportunity to shape processes and contribute to the foundational UX/UI practices for this specific program, which can be a significant growth opportunity.

💡 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, compromise, and rationale.)

• "How do you stay updated with the latest UX/UI trends and tools, especially those relevant to large-scale digital programs?" (Highlight continuous learning and adaptability.)

• "Imagine you're tasked with designing a user interface for a critical piece of infrastructure monitoring software. What would be your first steps, and what key considerations would guide your design process?" (Demonstrate structured thinking and user-centricity.) Company & Culture Questions:

• "What interests you about AECOM and our work in infrastructure consulting?" (Show research into AECOM's mission and projects.)

• "How would you contribute to a hybrid work environment and foster collaboration with remote and in-office team members?" (Emphasize communication and team-building skills.)

• "How do you ensure your design work aligns with a company's broader mission, such as 'delivering a better world'?" (Connect your design philosophy to AECOM's values.) Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure Your Narrative: For each project, clearly outline the problem, your role, the user research conducted, key design decisions and rationale, iterations based on feedback, and the final impact (quantified if possible).

• Highlight Your Process: Visually demonstrate your UX/UI process, using artifacts like user journey maps, personas, wireframes, and interactive prototypes. Explain why you chose specific methods.

• Emphasize Collaboration: Discuss how you worked with stakeholders, business analysts, and developers, and how you incorporated their input.

• Showcase Figma Proficiency: If using Figma, demonstrate its capabilities in your presentation, from collaborative design to interactive prototyping.

• Be Ready for Deep Dives: Anticipate questions about specific design choices, trade-offs you made, and how you would handle potential issues or further iterations.

📝 Enhancement Note: Given the "on-call" nature, be prepared for questions about your availability, how you manage urgent requests, and your ability to remain calm and effective under pressure.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this UX/UI Specialist position:

• Submit your application through the provided link on jobs.smartrecruiters.com.

• Tailor Your Resume: Ensure your resume clearly highlights your years of experience in UX/UI design, user research, and your proficiency with Figma. Use keywords from the job description, such as "user research," "wireframing," "mockups," "journey mapping," and "usability assessment."

• Curate Your Portfolio: Prepare a digital portfolio (PDF or live link) that showcases 3-5 of your strongest UX/UI projects. Prioritize projects demonstrating your process, research-driven design, and collaboration skills. Make sure it's easily accessible and well-organized.

• Practice Your Portfolio Presentation: Rehearse walking through your portfolio projects, focusing on clear storytelling, explaining your design rationale, and articulating the impact of your work. Be ready to do this virtually or in person.

• Research AECOM: Familiarize yourself with AECOM's projects, mission ("delivering a better world"), and values. Understand their role as a global infrastructure consulting firm to better tailor your responses during interviews.

⚠️ 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.