Senior UX/UI Designer (Contractor)

Description
Job Opportunity: Senior UX/UI Designer
Location: Anywhere in USA
Type: Contractor. Candidates must be authorized to work in US without visa sponsorship.
Experience Level: +5 years
Salary range: $90-$105 US dollars per hour
About the Role:
Our designers are strategic problem-solvers and meticulous creators. They lead projects from discovery through design with confidence, blending user-first thinking with business goals and technical realities. Whether untangling complex UX challenges or crafting high-fidelity, accessible designs, they bring clarity and precision to every stage of the process. Working seamlessly with internal teams, developers, and clients, they ensure that every design decision is intentional, impactful, and built to scale.
Key Responsibilities:
Craft Exceptional Designs

• Deliver high-fidelity prototypes that illustrate complex user flows, interactions, and states (hover, focus, keyboard shortcuts).
• Solve usability challenges like navigation, information hierarchy, and accessibility.
• Push UI constraints (e.g., dark mode) while maintaining accessibility and alignment with design systems.
• Create detailed artifacts (e.g., personas, empathy maps, information architectures) to inform design strategy.
• Identify gaps and opportunities in client visual systems, recommending enhancements.

Lead Discovery Efforts

• Lead design discovery efforts, from preparation and facilitation to synthesis and actionable concepts.
• Drive alignment within cross-disciplinary teams, ensuring clarity on project goals and user needs.
• Represent Design in project estimations, helping scope future work based on discovery findings.
• Uncover user needs through structured exercises, turning insights into actionable recommendations.
• Continuously improve discovery exercises, identifying new ways to refine design strategy.

Collaborate with Confidence

• Communicate clearly and persuasively across internal teams, clients, and stakeholders.
• Lead design-centric meetings, ensuring discussions are productive and aligned with project goals.
• Present work with polish and clarity, connecting design rationale to user needs and business objectives.
• Model effective workflow management, prioritizing and balancing work to meet deadlines.
• Contribute to team documentation, improving processes and knowledge sharing.

Deliver Measurable Impact

• Drive design planning conversations, making a strong case for impactful design decisions.
• Identify and implement efficiencies that move projects forward, collaborating closely with project owners.
• Ensure design handoffs to developers are clear, detailed, and easy to implement.
• Participate in retrospectives to evaluate project success and integrate learnings into future work.

What We're Looking For:

• Education: Bachelor's degree in graphic design, multimedia design, or a related field (or equivalent experience)

• Experience: 5+ years of professional UX/UI design experience, including leading projects independently.

• Technical Proficiency: Expert proficiency in Figma, including wireframing, prototyping, and high-fidelity design. Strong understanding of UX principles, with a proven ability to create intuitive, innovative experiences. Deep knowledge of visual design principles and the ability to advocate for strong UI execution. Experience designing for accessibility (WCAG compliance) and responsive, scalable design systems. Ability to balance design constraints, including business goals, technical feasibility, and brand consistency.

• Softskills: Highly organized and self-directed, able to manage multiple projects and deadlines efficiently. Confident, persuasive communicator who can present work clearly to clients and internal teams . Strong problem-solving skills, balancing usability, brand expression, and business objectives.

Portfolio: A strong portfolio showcasing complex design solutions, strategic thinking, and leadership in projects.
Why Join Us?
At Adage, we believe in empowering our people, fostering a collaborative environment, and providing opportunities for growth. We are committed to creating an inclusive workplace that celebrates diversity and encourages innovation. We bring world-class organizations closer to their users. Our work is grounded in user research, strategic thinking, and collaborative execution. We value designers who take initiative, push boundaries, and elevate those around them.
Equal Opportunity Employer
We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer, committed to fostering an inclusive environment where all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or veteran status, in accordance with Illinois and federal laws.