Senior UX and Product Design Lead

As the Senior UX and Product Design Lead at Derex Technologies, your main responsibilities will include leading large-scale UX/UI design efforts, conducting user research, and performing usability testing to understand user needs better. You'll also be creating compelling wireframes and mockups, especially using tools like Figma. Additionally, you'll collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure that our products are accessible and meet the Federal Accessibility Guidelines.

For the Senior UX and Product Design Lead position at Derex Technologies, you’ll need over 10 years of experience in software product development and UX/UI design. Strong writing and communication skills are essential, along with a proven track record of leading large-scale UX/UI initiatives. Familiarity with federal accessibility standards is also required, as well as experience with tools like Figma for creating prototypes.

A successful candidate for the Senior UX and Product Design Lead at Derex Technologies will have a blend of technical and soft skills. You'll need significant expertise in wireframing and mockups, user research practices, and usability testing. Strong leadership skills will also be important, as you will be leading efforts across various teams, and an ability to communicate effectively is key.

The Senior UX and Product Design Lead position at Derex Technologies is initially expected to last for 8 months, with the possibility of extension up to 24 months. This gives candidates a unique opportunity to contribute significantly to projects over a substantial timeframe.

At Derex Technologies, the work environment for the Senior UX and Product Design Lead is hybrid, allowing for a combination of on-site collaboration in Austin, TX, and remote flexibility. This model fosters a dynamic team atmosphere while also acknowledging the importance of work-life balance.

When discussing your approach to user research, highlight the importance of understanding user needs and behaviors to inform your design decisions. Explain how you initiate research by identifying goals, selecting appropriate methodologies (like surveys, interviews, or usability tests), and synthesizing findings to create user personas or user journeys that guide the design process.

To answer effectively, express your familiarity with prioritization frameworks like the MoSCoW method or the Kano model. Discuss how you balance user needs, business goals, and technical constraints to prioritize features that deliver the most value while ensuring a design aligns with overall project objectives.

In your answer, mention industry-standard tools like Figma, Sketch, or Adobe XD. Discuss how you select the tool based on the project needs, team collaboration, and prototyping requirements. Highlight your experience in creating interactive prototypes to test design concepts before full development.

When answering this question, emphasize your knowledge of ADA compliance and WCAG guidelines. Explain your process for reviewing designs to ensure accessibility, using tools for testing, and gathering feedback from users with disabilities. Share examples of how you have adapted your designs to improve accessibility.

Choose a specific project that illustrates your problem-solving skills. Describe the challenges you faced, the methods you employed to understand user needs, and how you collaborated with your team to overcome obstacles. Highlight the final outcome and user feedback to demonstrate the impact of your efforts.

Discuss different methods of usability testing such as moderated vs. unmoderated tests, A/B testing, and remote vs. in-person sessions. Explain how you choose a method based on the project goals and user demographics and share how you analyze the results to inform design improvements.

Describe your strategies for communicating design concepts clearly to stakeholders, such as creating visual presentations, using storytelling techniques, and being open to feedback. Stress your ability to adapt your communication style based on the audience, whether they are technical or non-technical.

When answering, highlight your experience in mentoring junior designers, fostering a collaborative team environment, and driving design processes. Share specific examples of how you’ve motivated your team, managed conflicts, and ensured that the team meets deadlines while achieving high-quality outputs.

Express your commitment to staying informed by following industry blogs, attending webinars and conferences, and participating in design communities. Share any resources you find particularly valuable, such as design podcasts or magazines, and how you apply new trends to your work.

In your answer, connect your passion for UX design with Derex Technologies' commitment to quality and innovation. Discuss how your values align with the company culture, and express enthusiasm for the opportunity to contribute to impactful projects across various industries, enhancing user experiences that drive results.