UI/UX Lead

Photon is seeking a UI/UX Lead to steer a team of designers and researchers toward user-centered experiences across digital products. This on-site, Dallas-based contract role will shape product strategy, oversee end-to-end UX efforts, and ensure alignment with business goals. The position emphasizes leadership, scalable design systems, and close collaboration with cross-functional partners to deliver a cohesive customer journey.

Responsibilities

• Define and own the UX strategy across core digital products and platforms.
• Lead, mentor, and motivate a team of UX/UI designers and researchers.
• Advocate for user-centered design principles and best practices across the organization.
• Collaborate with Product, Engineering, Marketing, and business stakeholders to align UX work with strategic goals.
• Develop and maintain scalable design systems and workflows.
• Plan and oversee user research efforts including interviews, usability testing, surveys, and analytics review.
• Convert insights into tangible deliverables such as personas, user journeys, flows, wireframes, and prototypes.
• Deliver a cohesive and accessible experience across web, mobile, apps, and other touchpoints.
• Promote data-driven and inclusive design decisions.
• Define KPIs and success metrics for UX improvements.
• Work with developers to ensure faithful implementation of designs.
• Provide design direction, critique, and feedback to team members.
• Drive consistency via documentation, design systems, and UI libraries.
• Present UX concepts, designs, and research findings to leadership and stakeholders.

Requirements

• Expertise in Figma, Sketch, or Adobe XD.
• Proficiency with prototyping tools such as InVision, Framer, Axure, or Protopie.
• Strong knowledge of user research tools including Lookback, Maze, UserTesting, Hotjar, and Google Analytics.
• Familiarity with accessibility standards such as WCAG 2.1 and ARIA.
• Strong leadership, mentoring, and project management skills.
• Excellent communication, storytelling, and presentation abilities.
• Ability to balance user needs with business objectives.
• Collaborates effectively with cross-functional teams including Product, Engineering, and Marketing.
• Understanding of front-end technologies (HTML/CSS/JS) and related development workflows.
• Experience in Agile/Scrum or Lean UX environments.
• Experience with design handoff tools such as Zeplin or Figma Inspect.
• Minimum of 6 years of UX design experience, including at least 2 years in a senior or lead role.
• A strong portfolio demonstrating UX strategy, user research, and end-to-end product design.
• Experience designing for web, mobile apps (iOS/Android), and responsive platforms.
• Proven ability to lead design thinking workshops and foster innovation.
• Bachelor’s degree in Design, HCI, Psychology, or related field (or equivalent experience).

Technologies

• Figma
• Sketch
• Adobe XD
• InVision
• Framer
• Axure
• Protopie
• Lookback
• Maze
• UserTesting
• Hotjar
• Google Analytics
• WCAG 2.1
• ARIA
• HTML/CSS/JS
• Zeplin
• Figma Inspect

Benefits

• Medical, vision, and dental benefits
• 401k retirement plan
• variable pay/incentives
• paid time off
• paid holidays

Compensation, Benefits and Duration

• Minimum Compensation: USD 56,000
• Maximum Compensation: USD 196,000
• Compensation is based on actual experience and qualifications of the candidate. The above is a reasonable and a good faith estimate for the role.
• Medical, vision, and dental benefits, 401k retirement plan, variable pay/incentives, paid time off, and paid holidays are available for full time employees.
• This position is available for independent contractors
• No applications will be considered if received more than 120 days after the date of this post