User Experience Designer

Colorado State University • Boulder, CO

3d • $110,000 - $130,000 • Hybrid

About The Position

Colorado State University’s Cooperative Institute for Research in the Atmosphere (CIRA) seeks a full-time User Experience Designer to conduct collaborative research and development with NOAA’s Global Systems Laboratory (GSL) in Boulder, Colorado, within the Weather Informatics and Decision Support (WIDS) Division. The primary focus is leading the design of weather-related forecast and decision-support systems, translating operational workflows into clear, intuitive software experiences in collaboration with meteorologists, software engineers, social and behavioral scientists, and partner laboratories. The role may also include project management and principal investigator duties.

The designer will lead product strategy and end-to-end design and technical advancement for WIDS decision-support systems; oversee product roadmaps and backlogs; coordinate sprint planning; and maintain delivery standards across a cross-functional team. The work includes designing wireframes, prototypes, mockups, and high-fidelity interfaces, and developing and maintaining UX design systems and component libraries. The designer will plan and conduct user interviews and usability testing with National Weather Service forecasters and emergency managers, then use findings to improve interfaces, data visualizations, and decision-support communications.

The position also involves producing research plans, usability reports, interaction specifications, and design documentation; sharing findings and recommendations with sponsors and stakeholders; and participating in workshops and conferences. The role does not supervise employees. At least partial onsite presence at GSL in Boulder is strongly preferred; remote work may be considered. Onsite employees may work in a hybrid arrangement with up to two telework days per week, subject to satisfactory performance and coordination with the project team. Employment requires a Tier 1 National Agency Check with Inquiries and a NOAA Common Access Card for systems access. Applicants must be U.S. citizens or lawful permanent residents with a physical USCIS Green Card.

Requirements

• For RA IV: Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field and 10 years of relevant work experience, or a master’s degree and 5 years of relevant work experience, or a Ph.D. and 2 years of relevant work experience.
• For RA III: Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field and 5 years of relevant work experience, or a master’s degree and 2 years of relevant work experience, or a recent Ph.D.
• A portfolio demonstrating end-to-end UX design processes for complex digital experiences, including user research, journey mapping, site maps, user flows, wireframing, interactive prototyping, and final product outcomes.
• Professional experience as a UX Designer, Product Designer, or Interaction Designer working on web or mobile products.
• Demonstrated experience with modern design and prototyping tools, particularly Figma.
• Ability to build upon existing design systems, component libraries, and style guides, adopting established frameworks while advancing them.
• Experience testing software tools and design prototypes with end users, gathering feedback, and iterating to improve usability.
• Experience collaborating directly with developers, partners, and user communities to translate user feedback and operational workflows into intuitive software experiences.
• Ability to communicate research findings effectively through materials such as data visualizations, highlight videos, slide decks, written reports, or demonstrations, evidenced by an online portfolio of research and/or design work.
• Must be a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident holding a physical USCIS Green Card.
• Must complete a National Agency Check with Inquiries (NACI) Tier 1 federal background check and obtain a NOAA Common Access Card for systems access.

Nice To Haves

• Proficiency in front-end development, including HTML, CSS/SCSS, JavaScript, and React.
• Project management experience, particularly using Agile methodology.
• Experience planning and conducting foundational qualitative research, including user interviews, to uncover user needs and shape product vision and roadmaps.
• Experience synthesizing qualitative research findings into actionable design improvements and strategic product direction.
• Knowledge of risk assessment and risk communication.
• Experience executing end-to-end design from sketching through high-fidelity prototyping at feature and overall-product levels using mixed-methods UX research, including foundational, strategic, formative, evaluative, and tactical approaches.
• Familiarity with accessibility and web design best practices.
• Experience in the weather industry, such as using meteorological data or working with weather stakeholders.
• Experience making independent design decisions within a small, lean development team.

Responsibilities

• Lead the design and strategic vision of WIDS decision-support systems, including their user experience and end-to-end technical advancement.
• Oversee product roadmaps and high-volume backlogs, coordinate sprint planning, and maintain delivery standards across a cross-functional development team.
• Design wireframes, prototypes, mockups, and high-fidelity interfaces using Figma and other design tools.
• Develop and maintain UX design systems and component libraries.
• Plan and conduct interviews and usability testing with NWS forecasters and emergency managers to evaluate tools and improve data visualization and decision-support communication.
• Translate user research findings and operational workflows into actionable design enhancements and decision-support displays and systems.
• Collaborate with meteorologists, software engineers, social and behavioral scientists, and partner organizations.
• Lead cross-laboratory collaboration to harmonize UX standards, accessibility practices, and design systems across NOAA.
• Produce research plans, usability reports, interaction specifications, and design documentation for development teams and stakeholders.
• Communicate research findings, project progress, and strategic recommendations to sponsors, stakeholders, and peer organizations.
• Participate in workshops and conferences.
• Potentially serve as principal investigator and project manager.

Benefits

• Colorado State University describes its benefits package as robust and highlights a collaborative atmosphere and focus on work-life balance. Detailed benefits information is available through the university.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level