UX Designer

About the Role:

Fermilab's Accelerator Directorate Controls Department seeks a creative and collaborative UX Designer to join the ACORN project team. You will be instrumental in shaping the user experience for the next generation of applications controlling Fermilab's world-class particle accelerator complex via the ACNET system. Working closely with end-users (operators, physicists, engineers), Human Factors experts, product managers, and software developers, you will translate user research, task analyses, and requirements into intuitive, effective, and visually appealing interfaces for complex scientific software. This role involves formulating and defining the scope and objectives for user interface design within moderately complex software projects.

* This position is not eligible for sponsorship. *

* The position is for a period of up to three (3) years, with the potential for extension considered on a yearly basis thereafter.*

What your day-to-day as a UX Designer at Fermilab will look like: 

• Designing user interfaces for new and enhanced accelerator control applications, creating wireframes, mockups, and interactive prototypes.
• Interpreting and applying user research findings, task analyses, and style guidelines to application design and development.
• Collaborating closely and iteratively with developers and product managers, providing design specifications, feedback, and alternative solutions.
• Conducting usability testing sessions with target users and iterate designs based on feedback.
• Contributing to the development, maintenance, and application of a UI design system and style guide.
• Potentially contribute to front-end code (e.g., HTML, CSS, JavaScript) to implement UI components.
• Design, code, test, and document UI elements, components, and potentially maintain related libraries.
• Participate actively in design discussions, gather requirements and feedback from users, and contribute to design documentation.
• Develop UI/UX specifications for features within small to large projects.
• Communicate design concepts and rationale effectively to team members, stakeholders, and users.
• Abide by and be responsible for performing all duties in accordance with all environmental, health, and safety regulations and practices pertinent to this position.

Required Skills and Attributes for Success:

• High school diploma with 5+ years of experience developing complex software projects.
• Preferred: Bachelor's degree in computer science, HCI, Graphic Design, or related field with 3+ years of experience developing complex software projects or equivalent UX design experience.

Applicable Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

Required

• Strong background and portfolio demonstrating expertise in application UI/UX design, including wireframing and rapid prototyping.
• Experience with user research methods and usability testing.
• Proficiency with modern design and prototyping tools (e.g., Figma, Sketch, Adobe XD, or similar).
• Experience working collaboratively with software developers in an iterative or Agile environment.
• Excellent communication skills (written, verbal, and visual).

Desired

• Experience designing complex systems or data visualization interfaces.
• Knowledge of establishing or working within design systems.
• Experience with web and/or mobile application design.
• Familiarity with front-end web technologies (HTML, CSS, JavaScript/TypeScript, frameworks like React).
• Basic programming knowledge.
• Experience in a scientific or technical domain.
• Strong understanding of relational database concepts is beneficial.

Benefits/Perks:

Fermilab offers a competitive and comprehensive benefits program, including:

• Medical, Dental, Vision and Flexible Spending Accounts
• Paid time off
• Life insurance
• Short and Long-term disability insurance
• Retirement benefits 
• Onsite day care