Entry Level User Experience Researcher Jobs in Iowa

Iowa 18600 S John Deere Rd Dubuque, IA 52001, USA

RFA Engineering (www.rfamec.com) is an engineering service provider dedicated to delivering our clients with timely engineering support and expertise. We are seeking a growth-oriented candidate to become an integral part of our engineering team. The selected candidate will work with an experienced engineering staff using state-of-the-art engineering tools & processes. This position will operate onsite at our customer's world‑class engineering and manufacturing facility.

This is a full‑time position with a full benefit package listed below that includes opportunities for professional growth, direct hire by our customers, and additional opportunities within our own organization.

As a UX Designer, you will support projects of moderate complexity through the development of user interaction task flows, wireframes, prototypes, and final production‑ready designs for new and existing products.

• Develop user interaction task flows, wireframes, mockups, and interactive prototypes for new and existing products.
• Apply user‑centered design principles, usability standards, and human factors methodologies to create intuitive and effective user experiences.
• Plan, coordinate, and execute UX design and validation activities across multiple projects of moderate complexity.
• Conduct and support usability testing activities before and after product development to validate design decisions and improve user satisfaction.
• Create, maintain, and update UX design artifacts, documentation, and system‑level design standards.
• Translate customer needs, business objectives, and technical requirements into user‑centered design solutions.
• Make strategic design recommendations related to product features, workflows, navigation structures, and user interactions.
• Collaborate closely with software developers, engineers, product managers, and stakeholders throughout the product development lifecycle.
• Ensure implemented features align with established UX requirements, design specifications, and usability goals.
• Develop process improvements and contribute to UX best practices, standards, and methodologies across project teams.
• Support accessibility, visual hierarchy, branding, and consistency across user interfaces.

• Bachelor's degree in Human Factors, Graphic Design, Interaction Design, Visual Design, User Experience Design, or a related field; equivalent experience will also be considered.
• Minimum of 2 years of experience applying User‑Centered Design (UCD) principles to moderately complex interface challenges.
• Minimum of 2 years of experience designing user interfaces for web, mobile, or in‑vehicle display applications.
• Minimum of 2 years of experience collaborating with cross‑functional teams including engineering, software development, marketing, and business stakeholders.
• Experience translating customer needs and user requirements into effective design solutions and communicating those solutions to both technical and non‑technical audiences.
• Understanding of product development processes and technology‑driven development environments.
• High proficiency with at least two UX design and rapid prototyping tools such as Figma, Sketch, Adobe XD, Adobe Illustrator, or InVision.
• Strong communication, presentation, and problem‑solving skills.

• Strong portfolio demonstrating visual design, interaction design, task flows, prototyping, and user‑centered problem solving.
• Experience using Figma and Sketch in professional product development environments.
• Experience utilizing UX metrics, usability data, and user research to influence product design decisions.
• Knowledge of accessibility standards, visual hierarchy, information architecture, and brand‑driven design systems.
• Experience creating storyboards, user journeys, workflows, and prototypes to validate concepts before high‑fidelity design.
• Experience designing user interfaces for construction, agriculture, off‑highway, or industrial equipment applications.
• Familiarity with in‑vehicle displays, machine controls, or embedded user interface systems.

A portfolio demonstrating the ability to design intuitive user experiences, create task flows, develop wireframes and prototypes, and deliver polished user interface solutions is required as part of the application process. Portfolio submissions may be provided as a website URL or attachment.

Visa sponsorship is NOT available for this position.

Pay Range: $75,000-$110,000 – Commensurate with experience

RFA Engineering has provided product development and engineering services to industry leading customers since 1943. Our primary focus is the development of off‑highway equipment including agricultural, construction, mining, recreational, industrial, and special machines.

Our work includes concept development, product design, documentation, problem solving, simulation, optimization, and testing of components, systems and complete machines.

Our engineering staff is located at our Engineering Center in Minneapolis, branch office in Dubuque, IA, and at numerous customer sites throughout the U.S.

• Health and Dental Insurance
• Health Savings Account
• TelaDoc: Virtual Health Care
• Vision Insurance
• Company Paid / Supplemental Life Insurance
• Company Paid Long‑Term Disability
• Supplemental Short‑Term Disability
• Retirement Savings Account (Traditional 401k & Roth 401k)
• Flexible Spending Plan Dependent Care
• Bonus Plan (Exempt Employees Only)
• Paid Time Off (PTO)
• Paid Holidays
• Employee Assistance Programs (EAP)
• Education Assistance

Equal Opportunity Employer. This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.