Observable is hiring: Senior UX Designer in San Francisco

Observable is the modern platform for developing and hosting powerful and performant data applications. We empower users to create, collaborate on, and deploy bespoke data apps built on a foundation of open-source innovation.

As the creators of D3, Plot, and Observable Framework, visualization is in our DNA. We let teams of all sizes unlock insights and creativity in new, interactive ways. From our thriving community of data practitioners to the growing number of businesses harnessing Observable’s power, we're on a mission to transform how teams everywhere visualize and interpret data.

Join us as we expand our impact across industries and make the world of data more accessible, dynamic, and meaningful!

As a Senior UX Designer at Observable, you’ll have an outsized impact on making our platform intuitive, accessible, and enjoyable for a broad range of users. You’ll work closely with cross-functional teams to shape Observable's evolution, leading high-impact design initiatives that guide product direction and delight our users. From conducting in-depth user research to developing sophisticated prototypes, you’ll drive UX excellence and influence decisions at every stage of product development.

Our team is passionate about learning from our users and understanding their behaviors, challenges, and goals. You’ll play a key role in building an expert UX team dedicated to a user-centered approach that meets our users’ needs and empowers them to achieve even more. If you’re excited to make meaningful contributions in a fast-paced, collaborative environment, we’d love to have you on our team.

• Collaborate and present: Work closely with a cross-functional product team, including designers, engineers, product managers, and advocates, to deliver high-impact features and experiences. You’ll confidently present your ideas, insights, and designs to internal stakeholders, Observable users, and customers, translating user needs into actionable solutions that advance the product vision.
• Drive feature design: Own and contribute to the end-to-end design process for new features, from early exploration to final execution. Provide insightful, constructive feedback on teammates’ designs, fostering a collaborative environment where thoughtful critique and shared design standards drive collective success.
• Conduct user research: Engage directly with users through interviews, usability testing, and surveys to understand their behaviors, challenges, and goals. Translate these insights into user-centered design recommendations that ensure Observable’s platform is intuitive, inclusive, and highly responsive to user needs, nurturing a culture of continuous learning and iteration.
• Prototype and iterate: Collaborate closely with developers to create, refine, and iterate on prototypes and high-fidelity designs, ensuring designs are functional, intuitive, and visually engaging.
• Champion inclusive design: Lead by example in creating accessible and inclusive designs, ensuring that all users—regardless of experience level or background—can effectively engage with and benefit from Observable’s tools. You’ll advocate for best practices in accessibility and diversity within design to help create a more universally intuitive experience.
• Thrive in a diverse team: Thrive in a team of varied expertise, leveraging diverse skills across design, engineering, product, and advocacy to deliver best-in-class user experiences. Your work will inspire and contribute to a culture where creativity, curiosity, and shared goals shape every product decision.

• Bachelor’s degree in Design (e.g., interaction, graphic, visual communications, product, industrial), Human-Computer Interaction, Computer Science, related field, or equivalent practical experience
• 5+ years of experience in a related field
• Knowledge of technical constraints and limitations as they apply to designing for platforms such as desktop and mobile
• Ability to take initiative, prioritize, manage workloads, and meet project deadlines
• Excellent interpersonal skills and problem-solving skills

• Experience with developer-centric products, visualization, data science, or machine learning technologies

Join our team!

We’re a fully remote team that thrives on collaboration, creativity, and a shared passion for data. At Observable, we move fast, experiment often, and believe in building an inclusive, data-driven culture where everyone’s voice matters.

Thank you for considering us. We can’t wait to hear from you and explore how you can make an impact with us!