Senior UI/UX Developer to lead the design and front-end implementation of intuitive, accessible, and responsive web applications. In this role, you will bridge the gap between user experience design and software engineering—transforming complex functional requirements into user-centered interface designs while writing clean, modern front-end code. You will serve as the champion for web accessibility (ADA/WCAG compliance), establish UI/UX best practices, and collaborate with cross-functional development teams to deliver seamless digital experiences across the university.
Your core responsibilities will include:
- I/UX Design & Architecture: Design intuitive user flows, wireframes, high-fidelity prototypes, and design systems for enterprise web applications.
- Front-End Development: Translate UI/UX designs into production-ready, performant front-end code using modern JavaScript, HTML5, CSS/SASS, and relevant web frameworks.
- ADA & Accessibility Compliance: Lead accessibility audits, remediations, and testing to ensure all web applications comply with ADA standards and WCAG 2.1 AA/AAA guidelines.
- Front-End Testing & QA: Build and execute automated UI testing (e.g., Selenium, Cypress, Playwright) and integration tests to ensure cross-browser compatibility and component reliability.
- Technical Estimation & Scoping: Evaluate UX/UI requirements, estimate implementation timelines, assess browser compatibility, and ensure interface designs integrate cleanly with backend services.
- Mentorship & Design Standards: Establish division-wide UI/UX design patterns, mentor junior developers on accessibility and front-end best practices, and maintain clear design documentation.
- Other duties as assigned.
Flexibility, excellence, and passion are vital qualities within Computing Services. Inclusion, collaboration, and cultural sensitivity are valued competencies at CMU. Therefore, we are in search of a team member who is able to effectively interact with a varied population of internal and external partners at a high level of integrity. We are looking for someone who shares our values and who will support the mission of the university through their work.
Qualifications:
- Experience: 5–7 years of professional experience in UI/UX design and modern front-end web development.
- Front-End Engineering: Solid JavaScript expertise and experience navigating modern JavaScript build tools, package managers, and front-end frameworks/ecosystems.
- ADA & Accessibility (WCAG): Demonstrated experience designing and coding for web accessibility, including ARIA roles, keyboard navigation, contrast compliance, and screen reader compatibility (e.g., NVDA, JAWS, VoiceOver).
- Automated Web & UI Testing: Strong experience with automated web testing tools (e.g., Selenium, Cypress) and unit/component testing frameworks.
- UI Security & Standards: Good understanding of web application security as it impacts the front-end (e.g., preventing XSS, safe state management, and secure form handling).
- Collaborative Leadership: Proven track record of guiding UI/UX initiatives, collaborating closely with backend engineers and project leads, and documenting design systems/components.
A combination of education and relevant experience from which comparable knowledge is demonstrated may be considered.
Preferred / Nice-to-Have Experience:
- Full-Stack Context: Broad familiarity with Java application stacks (Spring Framework, Tomcat) or RESTful API integrations to collaborate effectively with backend developers.
- Database & Data Integration: Basic to solid understanding of SQL/Oracle or data pipelines to better design data-dense dashboards and admin interfaces.
- AI Tooling in UX/Dev: Recent exposure to AI-assisted tools for design, prototyping, or front-end code generation/testing.
- Environment & Tools: Comfort working in Linux-based developer environments, using Git version control, and deploying containerized applications.
- Domain Context: Prior experience designing accessible digital services within a Higher Education or public-sector context.
Key Soft Skills:
- User Empathy & Advocacy: Passion for advocating for diverse user groups, including users with disabilities, to create inclusive digital experiences.
- Visual & Technical Communication: Ability to articulate design decisions clearly to developers, product managers, and non-technical university stakeholders.
- Problem-Solving & Detail Orientation: Sharp eye for visual consistency, user friction points, micro-interactions, and edge-case behaviors.
- Adaptability & Learning: Drive to keep pace with evolving accessibility standards, modern front-end frameworks, and emerging design technologies.
Requirements:
- Successful background check
Are you interested in this exciting opportunity?! Apply today!
Joining the CMU team opens the door to an array of exceptional benefits.
Benefits eligible employees enjoy a wide array of benefits including comprehensive medical, prescription, dental, and vision insurance as well as a generous retirement savings program with employer contributions. Unlock your potential with tuition benefits, take well-deserved breaks with ample paid time off and observed holidays, and rest easy with life and accidental death and disability insurance.
Additional perks include a free Pittsburgh Regional Transit bus pass, access to our Family Concierge Team to help navigate childcare needs, fitness center access, and much more!
For a comprehensive overview of the benefits available, explore our Benefits page.
At Carnegie Mellon, we value the whole package when extending offers of employment. Beyond credentials, we evaluate the role and responsibilities, your valuable work experience, and the knowledge gained through education and training. We appreciate your unique skills and the perspective you bring. Your journey with us is about more than just a job; it’s about finding the perfect fit for your professional growth and personal aspirations.
Are you interested in an exciting opportunity with an exceptional organization?! Apply today!
Location
Pittsburgh, PAJob Function
Software/Applications Development/EngineeringPosition Type
Staff – RegularFull Time/Part time
Full timePay Basis
SalaryMore Information:
Please visit “Why Carnegie Mellon” to learn more about becoming part of an institution inspiring innovations that change the world.
Click here to view a listing of employee benefits
Carnegie Mellon University is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Disability/Veteran.
Statement of Assurance
Skills Required
- 5-7 years of professional experience in UI/UX design and modern front-end web development
- Solid JavaScript expertise and experience with modern JavaScript build tools, package managers, and front-end frameworks
- Experience designing and coding accessible web applications using ARIA, keyboard navigation, contrast compliance, and screen-reader compatibility
- Experience with automated web testing tools such as Selenium or Cypress and unit/component testing frameworks
- Understanding of front-end web application security, including XSS prevention, safe state management, and secure form handling
- Experience guiding UI/UX initiatives, collaborating with backend engineers and project leads, and documenting design systems and components
- Successful background check
- Familiarity with Java application stacks, including Spring Framework and Tomcat, or RESTful API integrations
- Understanding of SQL or Oracle and data pipelines
- Exposure to AI-assisted tools for design, prototyping, front-end code generation, or testing
- Experience with Linux-based development environments, Git, and containerized application deployment
- Experience designing accessible digital services in higher education or public-sector environments
Carnegie Mellon University Compensation & Benefits Highlights
The following summarizes recurring compensation and benefits themes identified from responses generated by popular LLMs to common candidate questions about Carnegie Mellon University and has not been reviewed or approved by Carnegie Mellon University.
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Retirement Support — Retirement support is positioned as a standout, with automatic employer contributions to a TIAA-administered plan at 8% of base salary (and 9.78% for 9‑month academic appointments), plus optional employee deferrals. Vesting after three years is clearly specified, which helps set expectations for long-term value.
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Parental & Family Support — Parental and family support is strengthened by 100% paid parental leave for six weeks and 100% paid maternity leave for 6–8 weeks (delivery-type dependent), effective July 1, 2024. Childcare support is also referenced through a Cyert Center subsidy up to $5,000 per family, alongside no-cost EAP access.
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Wellbeing & Lifestyle Benefits — Wellbeing and lifestyle benefits include free Pittsburgh Regional Transit access and access to fitness classes and facilities, adding recurring non-cash value to the overall package. Pittsburgh’s relatively affordable cost of living can further increase the perceived adequacy of a given salary compared with higher-cost coastal hubs.
Carnegie Mellon University Insights
What We Do
Carnegie Mellon University founder Andrew Carnegie said: "My heart is in the work." No statement better captures the passion and drive of our people to make a real difference. At Carnegie Mellon, we're not afraid of the work. Our educational environment creates problem solvers, drivers of innovation and pioneers in technology and the arts. Employers in every field say our graduates are ready to hit the ground running the day they graduate. So, join us. Whether you're looking for a career or an education. Or both.
