UI/UX Lead

Critical Manufacturing is dedicated to empowering high-performance operations to make Industry 4.0 a reality with the most innovative, comprehensive, and modular MES software. We have a global presence, but our headquarters, and the main technical center, are in Porto (Maia), Portugal, where we develop a state-of-the-art solution for Semiconductor, Electronics, Life Sciences, and Industrial Equipment.

Recognized as a Leader by Gartner, we are part of ASMPT, the world's largest supplier of best-in-class equipment, and technological process partner for the electronics and semiconductor industries.

The Role

Critical Manufacturing is seeking an experienced UI/UX Lead to drive user experience strategy and lead our design team in building next-generation Manufacturing Execution Systems (MES) and industrial automation software. In this role, you will lead a high-performing team of UI/UX designers and researchers while shaping intuitive, error-resilient, and high-efficiency interfaces for shop floor operators, plant managers, quality engineers, and process engineers.

You will bridge the gap between complex industrial workflows (such as ISA-88/ISA-95 standards, Master Batch Records, batch execution, and traceability) and modern, human-centered design. You will balance team management, strategic UI/UX vision, and hands-on design leadership to transform complex operational data into seamless, mission-critical software solutions.

What You Will Do

• Lead & Mentor: Manage, coach, and support a dedicated team of UI/UX designers and researchers; strengthen team cohesion, set clear expectations, improve delivery, conduct regular 1-on-1s, drive skill development, and set clear performance benchmarks.
• Resource & Capacity Management: Manage project allocation across core MES product modules, evaluate design staffing needs, and lead hiring and onboarding for new UI/UX talent.
• Establish user experience frameworks tailored to shop floor conditions, operator efficiency, rapid data entry, alarm management, and context-aware operational dashboards.
• Scale and maintain an industrial-grade Design System optimized for high-density data, tactile/touchscreen interactions, shop floor lighting environments, and accessible UI patterns.
• Cross-Functional Partnership: Work closely with Product Managers and Engineering teams to shape feature roadmaps and system capabilities, bringing customer insights into every design decision through direct contact with users.
• Conduct and guide contextual research (including plant floor observational studies and operator interviews) to translate operational constraints into actionable design requirements.
• Ensure UI/UX workflows support industry regulations (e.g., FDA 21 CFR Part 11, GAMP 5, ISO standards, and ISA-88/95 models) including audit trails, electronic signatures, and batch record accuracy.

What Success Looks Like

Within your first year, you will have:

• Develop an understanding of our MES product suite, shop floor persona workflows, review existing tools and design processes, design components, and establish working relationships with your design team and product leads.
• Complete a UX/UI evaluation across key shop floor and plant monitoring modules, establish individual development plans for your direct reports, and streamline design-to-engineering handoff workflows.
• Deliver a unified strategic UX roadmap for key MES modules, define core usability KPIs for operator interfaces, and actively lead team output on core product releases.

Why Join Us

• Be part of a company shaping the future of manufacturing software.
• Work directly with executives and cross-functional leaders to define how we go to market.
• Enjoy the freedom to experiment, innovate, and create systems that will last.
• Join a team where storytelling, strategy, and technology meet to make Industry 4.0 real.

What you must have:

• 5+ years of professional UI/UX Product Design experience, with a proven track record in enterprise software, industrial automation, MES, SCADA, ERP, or complex B2B SaaS platforms.
• 2+ years of formal experience managing and leading design teams.
• Demonstrates expertise in solving complex visual and functional information architectures, high-density data visualization, workflow simplification, and team leadership.
• Deep understanding of operator workflows, shop floor ergonomics, and high-density industrial dashboards.
• Advanced mastery of Figma, prototyping tools, and scalable Design Systems, as well as the application of AI tools for UI/UX.
• Proficiency in quantitative and qualitative research methodologies suitable for industrial or enterprise environments.
• Exceptional ability to communicate complex technological and operational concepts clearly to engineering teams, executive stakeholders, and plant supervisors.
• Passion for mentoring designers and translating raw industrial data into intuitive human experiences.
• Excellent spoken and written English communication skills.

What we consider a plus (not mandatory):

• UX/UI for Industrial Systems

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion are a source of commitment and innovation

At Critical Manufacturing, we welcome and encourage applications from individuals of all backgrounds, regardless of disabilities, diverse abilities, identities, or experiences. Our commitment is to create an inclusive environment where everyone has equal opportunities to succeed and thrive. 

If you need accommodation during the recruitment process, please let us know - we're happy to support you.