What is a UX Engineer and how do you become one?

A so-called UX Engineer (User Experience Engineer) develops and designs digital products such as websites and apps using UX principles. UX engineers typically deal with the front end of these products, i.e. the parts that users interact with, such as buttons, layouts, and flow of the user interface. You can work on both development and design teams, or act as a liaison between these two areas.

What exactly does a UX Engineer do?

As a mix of developer and UX designer, the work of a UX engineer includes both UX principles and technical tasks. Below is a breakdown of the responsibilities of a UX Engineer:

• Planning and design of websites and applications: A UX engineer uses UX principles to create digital products. This may mean creating blueprints of what a website or app will look like using wireframes, prototypes, and design tools.
• Program the frontend: UX Engineers are different from UX Designers because they can code. A UX engineer uses front-end programming languages ​​such as HTML, CSS, or Javascript to create layouts, interactive features, or implement other design ideas
• Collaborate with UX and development teams: As professionals who have both design and programming skills, UX engineers often act as a bridge between the two teams. UX engineers can work with designers, backend developers and editors to develop products. You can also conduct user testing, A/B testing, and other forms of research in collaboration with the UX team.

The tasks of UX engineers are similar to those of UX developers, front-end developers, product design engineers or UI engineers, although they may differ slightly.

Salary and job prospects for UX Engineers

UX Engineering is a relatively new profession, originally introduced by Google. In Europe, the profession is still in its infancy and there is little data about it. However, in order to provide guidance, we rely on the US figures. In the USA, a UX Engineer earns according to Glassdoor in December 2021 an average salary of $117,444 (including bonuses, commissions, etc.). It is an area that is likely to see healthy growth in the future. The US Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts that the number of jobs for web developers and digital designers will increase by eight percent between 2019 and 2029.

How to Become a UX Engineer?

There are several paths to becoming a UX engineer. Whether you're an experienced web developer looking to make the leap into the UX industry, fresh out of college, or somewhere in between, here are some ways you can get started.

1. Match your skills

The skills you bring are important in convincing others to hire you as a UX Engineer. Even if you don't have all of the technical skills expected for this job, there are many courses you can take to learn the basics. Here are some of the skills you should have and how you can acquire them.

• Programming languages: Since UX engineers typically deal with the front end of websites and apps - the menus, layouts, and navigation pages - learning the programming languages ​​you can use to build the structure and style of your products is crucial. This includes HTML, CSS and Javascript.
• UX concepts: What UX is and how to implement these practices in your work is what differentiates UX Engineers from Frontend Engineers. Knowing what user-centered design means, how to find pain points, how to prototype, and being able to conduct user research should be a priority if you are new to it. You can Earn a professional certificate in UX Design from Google , which introduces you to the fundamentals of the field and gives you the opportunity to create your own UX portfolio.
• Sense of design and design tools: A flair for design isn't necessarily something artistically inclined people are born with - many concepts can be learned. Having a good understanding of design practices will not only make you a better UX engineer, but it will also help you communicate with the designers on your team. You can start with a few design tools and skills like Figma , Sketch , color theory, image design, etc.

In our blog post, Get your first skills for your first remote tech job: the best courses and platforms for learning new skills , find a list of suitable platforms for learning these skills.

2. Create a portfolio

A portfolio where you can show off what you're capable of can be a quick way to demonstrate that you have what it takes to get the job done. If you have already completed some projects, you can post them on LinkedIn. You can also create a portfolio using a website hosting service like Wix or SquareSpace. Customizable websites can be a great way to put your UX engineering skills to work. Focus on clean, intuitive design and ensure your code is functional and error-free.

3. Get to know the industry

Starting out in a new field can be overwhelming - there's new jargon to learn, tools to master, and jobs to find. You can familiarize yourself with the terminology, issues, and thinking in the UX world by joining networking groups, browsing forums, or searching for resources such as books and podcasts (registration may be required).

Once you become familiar with the field, you can reach out to others to expand your professional network. Here you can find more information about networking to land interviews.

4. Consider a degree or certification

If you're still studying or considering going back to school, a degree can be a structured way to develop your UX engineering skills. Consider studying in one of the following areas:

• Computer Science
• Human-Computer interaction (HCI)
• Design
• Psychology

Is a degree not what you're looking for? There are several UX certification programs and bootcamps that can serve as a crash course in the UX world. Although they can cost several hundred or even thousands of dollars, they can still be cheaper than a full closing.

Take the next step

UX Engineering is a new and growing role that combines artistic sensitivity with your ability to code. If you know you want to become a UX engineer, you can start by filling gaps in your skills, building a portfolio, and familiarizing yourself with the industry.