Senior UI/UX Developer - Computing Services

Carnegie Mellon University; Pittsburgh (Allegheny County); On-site; USD 120,000 - 170,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Bus pass

Childcare support

Fitness center access

Job summary

Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh, PA seeks a Senior UI/UX Developer to lead design and front-end implementation of accessible, responsive web apps. You will transform complex requirements into user-centered interfaces and champion WCAG/ADA compliance while delivering high-quality front-end code.

You'll collaborate with cross-functional teams within Computing Services, mentor junior developers, establish UI/UX standards, and help shape enterprise web platforms that serve diverse

Qualifications

• 5–7 years of professional UI/UX design and front-end web development.
• Strong JS expertise and experience with modern build tools and frameworks.
• Demonstrated accessibility experience with WCAG compliance and ARIA roles.

Responsibilities

• Design intuitive user flows and design systems for enterprise web applications.
• Translate UI/UX designs into production-ready front-end code.
• Lead ADA/ WCAG compliance audits and remediation.
• Build and run automated UI tests across browsers.
• Estimate UX/UI requirements and project timelines.
• Establish UI/UX design patterns and documentation.
• Mentor juniors on accessibility and front-end best practices.

Skills

UI/UX design

Front-end development

JavaScript

Accessibility WCAG

Automated testing

UI security

Collaborative leadership

Tools

Selenium

Cypress

Playwright

Git

Linux

Job description

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

Location

Pittsburgh, PA

Job Function

Software/Applications Development/Engineering

Position Type

Staff – Regular

Full Time/Part time

Full time

Pay Basis

Salary

More 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