Principal Design and research operation

Job Description Candescent is a forward-thinking technology company transforming how financial institutions deliver Intelligent Banking experiences. We unite digital banking, account opening, and branch solutions that power and connect digital banking, account opening, and branch solutions—creating seamless engagement across digital, remote, and in-person channels. Our Experience-Led, Intelligence-Driven approach combines human-centered design with data, automation, and cloud-based innovation. Built on an API-first architecture, our extensible ecosystem enables institutions to adapt quickly, integrate easily, and unlock new opportunities for growth—turning every customer interaction into a moment of clarity, confidence, and connection. About Candescent Candescent is the leading cloud-based digital banking solutions provider for financial institutions. We are transforming digital banking with intelligent, cloud-powered solutions that connect account opening, digital banking, and branch experiences for financial institutions. Our advanced technology and developer tools enable seamless, differentiated customer journeys that elevate trust, service, and innovation. Success here requires flexibility in a fast-paced environment, a client-first mindset, and a commitment to delivering consistent, reliable results as part of a performance-driven, values-led team. With team members around the world, Candescent is an equal opportunity employer. Job Title: Principal Design & Research operations Job Summary Role Purpose We are looking for exceptional Unicorn Designers - rare hybrids who excel in UX, UI, interaction design, prototyping, and visual craft. You should be able to move effortlessly from problem framing to polished interfaces, blending logic with creativity. You must also have strong understanding of accessibility and WCAG standards, ensuring every design is inclusive, compliant, and usable for all users. This role is perfect for someone who is a self‑initiator, handles ambiguity with clarity, and influences the team through both thinking and craft.. Key Responsibilities And Deliverables What you will be responsible for and what you will do End-to-End Product Design - Own UX across complex, multi-step workflows — research understanding, flows, wireframes, UI, and prototypes. - Convert ambiguous requirements into structured, intuitive solutions - Design seamlessly for both mobile and web with responsive logic. Visual & Interaction Craft - Deliver pixel-perfect UI with strong hierarchy, spacing, grid systems, and visual detailing - Craft purposeful micro‑interactions and micro‑animations that improve clarity and delight - Maintain consistency with the design system while pushing visual quality forward Accessibility & Inclusiveness - Ensure all designs align with WCAG accessibility standards. - Apply accessible color contrast, touch targets, semantic structure, keyboard navigation, and clear affordances - Advocate inclusive design thinking during reviews and discussions Prototyping & Experimentation - Build high‑fidelity prototypes showcasing complex interactions and behaviors. - Run quick validation cycles to refine decisions based on feedback. Strategic Thinking & Collaboration - Understand business goals, user needs, and engineering constraints to make balanced decisions. - Communicate concepts clearly to PMs, engineers, and stakeholders. - Translate complex ideas into simple, digestible visual representations. Self‑Initiation & Mentorship - Proactively identify UX and UI issues and propose improvements. - Mentor junior designers on craft, interaction thinking, accessibility, and structured reasoning. - Raise the quality bar across the design team. Qualifications And Experience Demonstrated skills, competencies, and required experiences - Bachelor's /master's degree in design, HCI, Human Factors Engineering, Product design Communication design, Behavioral Science, or related field. - 5+ years in UX/UI or Product Design with a strong hybrid portfolio. - Strong expertise in UX flows, IA, visual design, and interaction logic. - Experience designing for both web and mobile platforms. - Deep understanding of WCAG accessibility standards and inclusive design best practices. - Strong skills in spacing, grids, typography, layout systems, and pixel‑level detailing. - Strong Figma expertise and experience working with modern design systems. - Proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite, or any other visual design & wireframing tools. - Excellent prototyping skills (high‑fidelity, interactive). - Strong ability to grasp complexity quickly and convert it into structured clarity. - Self‑starter mindset with a strong sense of ownership. - Strong communication and design storytelling skills. Preferred Distinctions Additional Accomplishments - Experience in fintech, payments, or data-heavy interfaces. - Comfort with micro‑interactions, motion, easing, and interaction feedback. - Knowledge of motion design tools (Rive, ProtoPie, After Effects, Principle). - Expertise with AI tools ( cursor or any similar tools) - Experience contributing to design systems. - Ability to facilitate workshops and design critiques. - Basic exposure to research or usability testing. What You'll Get - Ownership of high-impact, high-visibility product areas. - Ability to shape the visual and interaction standards across platforms. - A design-forward environment that values speed, clarity, and craft. Statement to Third Party Agencies To ALL recruitment agencies: Candescent only accepts resumes from agencies on the preferred supplier list. Please do not forward resumes to our applicant tracking system, Candescent employees, or any Candescent facility. Candescent is not responsible for any fees or charges associated with unsolicited resumes.