OPT User Experience UX Jobs
User Experience UX roles qualify for OPT work authorization when the position requires a degree in a relevant field such as Human-Computer Interaction, Interaction Design, or Psychology. Most UX positions at tech companies, agencies, and startups fall within STEM-adjacent or design disciplines, making them strong fits for standard 12-month OPT.
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USER EXPERIENCE DESIGNER
The University of Alabama at Birmingham
General Responsibilities:
To illustrate and communicate complex design solutions by creating user flows, wireframes, prototypes, high fidelity mockups and detailed user interface (UI) and visual design specifications. To collaboratively help define and to execute digital design needs based on the university's digital accessibility and brand standards as well as user experience (UX) best practices. To partner with our user research and analytics teams to understand the user journey qualitatively and quantitatively and ensure design deliverables reflect findings and data.
Key Duties & Responsibilities:
-
Contributes to the university's Digital Design System with accompanying detailed design specifications.
-
Creates, designs and prototypes using Adobe XD and related programs to enhance the templates and modules within UAB's content management systems and digital platforms.
-
Incorporates customer feedback, technical constraints, and usability research findings into design mockups and prototypes.
-
Prepares designs for implementation by our front-end developers and work closely with them to test then give feedback and visual quality assurance.
-
Assists UX Research team with user research and use data collected from a variety of metrics such as research, customer feedback, user testing and market analysis to improve the user experience by creating user-centered designs.
-
Builds storyboards to conceptualize designs to accurately convey project plans.
-
Perform other duties as assigned.
Salary Pay Range: $65,000 – $85,000
Qualifications
Minimum Requirements:
Bachelor's degree in a related field and three (3) years of related experience required. Work experience may NOT substitute for the education requirement.
Preferred:
- Designing for Drupal or component-based digital platforms.
- Support UAB's three-year migration of more than 300 websites from Joomla to Drupal by expanding the Digital Design System, creating reusable design solutions, collaborating with project partners, and shaping future Drupal enhancements.
- Experience applying digital accessibility principles to design work.
- Foundational UX research experience.
- Comfortable taking initiative on basic research activities, such as interviews and usability testing, and analysis of user feedback or website analytics, to inform and validate design decisions.
UAB is an Equal Employment/Equal Educational Opportunity Institution dedicated to providing equal opportunities and equal access to all individuals regardless of race, color, religion, ethnic or national origin, sex (including pregnancy), genetic information, age, disability, and veteran's status. As required by Title IX, UAB prohibits sex discrimination in any education program or activity that it operates. Individuals may report concerns or questions to UAB's Assistant Vice President and Senior Title IX Coordinator. The Title IX notice of nondiscrimination is located at uab.edu/titleix.
Primary Location
: University
Job Category
: Media and Communication
Organization
: 170000000 Office of Marketing & Communications
Employee Status
: Regular
Shift: Day/1st Shift
Work Arrangement (final schedule to be determined by the department/hiring manager): Remote/Hybrid Eligible
Description
USER EXPERIENCE DESIGNER
The University of Alabama at Birmingham
General Responsibilities:
To illustrate and communicate complex design solutions by creating user flows, wireframes, prototypes, high fidelity mockups and detailed user interface (UI) and visual design specifications. To collaboratively help define and to execute digital design needs based on the university's digital accessibility and brand standards as well as user experience (UX) best practices. To partner with our user research and analytics teams to understand the user journey qualitatively and quantitatively and ensure design deliverables reflect findings and data.
Key Duties & Responsibilities:
-
Contributes to the university's Digital Design System with accompanying detailed design specifications.
-
Creates, designs and prototypes using Adobe XD and related programs to enhance the templates and modules within UAB's content management systems and digital platforms.
-
Incorporates customer feedback, technical constraints, and usability research findings into design mockups and prototypes.
-
Prepares designs for implementation by our front-end developers and work closely with them to test then give feedback and visual quality assurance.
-
Assists UX Research team with user research and use data collected from a variety of metrics such as research, customer feedback, user testing and market analysis to improve the user experience by creating user-centered designs.
-
Builds storyboards to conceptualize designs to accurately convey project plans.
-
Perform other duties as assigned.
Salary Pay Range: $65,000 – $85,000
Qualifications
Minimum Requirements:
Bachelor's degree in a related field and three (3) years of related experience required. Work experience may NOT substitute for the education requirement.
Preferred:
- Designing for Drupal or component-based digital platforms.
- Support UAB's three-year migration of more than 300 websites from Joomla to Drupal by expanding the Digital Design System, creating reusable design solutions, collaborating with project partners, and shaping future Drupal enhancements.
- Experience applying digital accessibility principles to design work.
- Foundational UX research experience.
- Comfortable taking initiative on basic research activities, such as interviews and usability testing, and analysis of user feedback or website analytics, to inform and validate design decisions.
UAB is an Equal Employment/Equal Educational Opportunity Institution dedicated to providing equal opportunities and equal access to all individuals regardless of race, color, religion, ethnic or national origin, sex (including pregnancy), genetic information, age, disability, and veteran's status. As required by Title IX, UAB prohibits sex discrimination in any education program or activity that it operates. Individuals may report concerns or questions to UAB's Assistant Vice President and Senior Title IX Coordinator. The Title IX notice of nondiscrimination is located at uab.edu/titleix.
Primary Location
: University
Job Category
: Media and Communication
Organization
: 170000000 Office of Marketing & Communications
Employee Status
: Regular
Shift: Day/1st Shift
Work Arrangement (final schedule to be determined by the department/hiring manager): Remote/Hybrid Eligible
See all 60+ OPT User Experience UX Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new OPT User Experience UX Jobs.
Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding OPT Sponsorship in User Experience UX
Frame your portfolio around business impact
UX hiring managers want to see outcomes, not just deliverables. Quantify your case studies with metrics like task completion rates, user satisfaction scores, or conversion improvements. Numbers make your work legible to both designers and non-designers in the hiring process.
Know which OPT category your degree falls under
Human-Computer Interaction and Information Science degrees often qualify for STEM OPT extension. Confirm your CIP code with your DSO before applying to roles, so you can accurately communicate your authorization timeline to recruiters during the interview process.
Apply early in the OPT window
UX hiring cycles often run four to eight weeks from first-round interview to offer. Starting your search three to four months before your OPT start date gives employers enough runway to complete the process before your authorization becomes urgent.
Target companies with established design teams
Larger organizations with dedicated UX departments are more experienced with OPT work authorization. They have HR processes already in place, which reduces friction and delays compared to smaller companies encountering OPT documentation requirements for the first time.
Be explicit about your authorization type upfront
State clearly that you have OPT work authorization and whether you qualify for the STEM extension. Employers often assume international students require immediate H-1B visa sponsorship, so correcting this early in the conversation removes a common barrier to moving forward.
Highlight transferable research skills for UX roles
User research, usability testing, and synthesis methods translate directly from academic psychology, anthropology, and information science backgrounds. Connecting your coursework to practical UX research methods helps recruiters understand your qualifications even if your degree title is unconventional.
User Experience UX OPT: Frequently Asked Questions
Do User Experience UX jobs qualify for F-1 OPT work authorization?
Yes, UX roles qualify for OPT when the position is directly related to your degree field. Degrees in Human-Computer Interaction, Interaction Design, Information Science, Psychology, and Computer Science all support UX job authorization. Your DSO can confirm the connection between your specific degree and the role before you accept an offer.
Can I get a STEM OPT extension working as a UX designer or researcher?
It depends on your degree's CIP code, not the job title itself. Degrees classified under Computer Science, Information Technology, or Human-Computer Interaction typically qualify for the 24-month STEM OPT extension. Design-only degrees without a STEM classification generally do not. Confirm your CIP code with your international student office before banking on an extension.
How do I find UX jobs where employers are open to hiring OPT students?
Migrate Mate is built specifically for F-1 OPT and visa-sponsored job seekers, so the roles listed there are from employers already familiar with or open to OPT work authorization. Filtering by UX or design roles on Migrate Mate surfaces positions where you won't spend time convincing employers that OPT is a valid work authorization type.
Does my OPT need to start before I begin a UX internship or full-time role?
Yes. You cannot work before your OPT start date appears on your EAD card, even if your employer is ready to onboard you. Coordinate your OPT application timeline with your DSO well in advance, since USCIS typically takes three to five months to process EAD applications from the date of filing.
What documentation do UX employers typically ask for when hiring OPT students?
Employers will request your EAD card, current F-1 visa, I-20 with OPT authorization endorsed by your DSO, and passport. Some employers also ask for your I-94 arrival record to confirm your lawful admission. Keep digital copies of all documents ready, since onboarding teams often need them before your first day to complete Form I-9 verification.