Senior UI Design Engineer

To apply for the Senior UI Design Engineer position at Merlin, candidates should possess a Bachelor's degree in a relevant field such as human factors, interaction design, or computer science. Additionally, having 5+ years of experience in UI/UX design, particularly in aviation or safety-critical industries, is essential. Familiarity with aviation standards and proficiency in design tools like GLStudio, Qt, and Figma will also enhance your application.

As a Senior UI Design Engineer at Merlin, your primary responsibilities will include designing user interfaces for our autonomous flight technologies, conducting user research with pilots, collaborating with cross-functional teams, and ensuring that your designs comply with stricter aviation standards. You will be a key player in integrating advanced design methodologies while exploring new technologies that can be applied in aviation systems.

In the Senior UI Design Engineer role at Merlin, crucial tools and software include user interface development platforms such as GLStudio and Qt, as well as prototyping tools like Figma, Sketch, and Adobe XD. Proficiency in these tools will enable you to create effective and engaging user interfaces that support pilots and enhance system usability.

Collaboration is key for the Senior UI Design Engineer at Merlin. You'll work closely with engineers, pilots, and software developers to gather user insights, validate design concepts, and implement user interfaces for avionics and flight control systems. This teamwork is vital for ensuring that the designs meet both technical and user-friendly standards.

Yes, the Senior UI Design Engineer position at Merlin typically requires 20-30% travel. This travel is necessary to support team meetings, design activities, and flight testing, allowing you to work closely with the team and directly engage with the systems you'll be designing.

In my design process for creating aviation user interfaces, I start by understanding user needs through research, including interviews and user testing. Next, I create wireframes and prototypes using tools like Figma or GLStudio, followed by iterative feedback sessions with stakeholders to refine the design. I also ensure compliance with aviation standards to create a user-friendly interface.

To ensure my designs meet safety-critical standards, I incorporate industry guidelines such as ARINC 661 and DO-178C from the beginning. I maintain communication with regulatory bodies and experienced colleagues in aviation, and I conduct usability testing to verify that the designs not only comply but also enhance user safety and situational awareness.

One of my most successful projects was designing an avionics interface for an unmanned aerial vehicle. Through extensive user research and iterative testing, I developed an interface that greatly improved pilot situational awareness and reduced workload. The positive feedback from pilots and stakeholders highlighted its effectiveness and usability in critical flight situations.

I stay updated by regularly attending industry conferences, engaging in specialized online courses, and following thought leaders in aviation design. Networking with peers and actively participating in forums allows me to exchange insights and adapt emerging trends into my design philosophy, ensuring my work remains innovative and effective.

In my previous roles, usability testing was a crucial part of my design process. I conducted both qualitative and quantitative tests, gathering feedback through user interaction with prototypes. By analyzing this data, I identified pain points and made informed design decisions that improved overall user experience and functionality in safety-critical environments.

Managing feedback from cross-functional teams involves creating a structured process for collecting, prioritizing, and implementing suggestions. I ensure open communication by hosting regular meetings and design reviews, where team members can express their thoughts. This collaborative approach helps create a design that aligns technical feasibility with user need.

User research plays an integral role in my design process. It provides insights into user behavior, preferences, and pain points. Engaging directly with pilots and potential end-users helps guide my design decisions and ensures the final product effectively meets the needs of those who will use it, particularly in high-stakes environments like aviation.

One notable challenge was designing an interface for a system with conflicting user requirements. To overcome this, I facilitated workshops with stakeholders to understand their priorities while involving users to gauge the real-world impact. By focusing on communication and collaboration, we reached a consensus on a design that balanced functionality with user satisfaction.

Incorporating new technologies such as AI into aviation interface design involves exploring how they can enhance user interaction. For example, AI can be used for predictive analytics to provide pilots with critical information or alerts. By staying informed on technological advances, I can assess and integrate relevant enhancements that improve operational safety and efficiency.

To create engaging UI designs, I use a combination of aesthetic principles and user-centered design practices. This includes maintaining visual consistency, ensuring intuitive navigation, and incorporating feedback mechanisms. I also utilize tools like prototyping and user testing to iterate on designs based on user engagement and experiences, refining until we achieve a compelling interface.