UX Designer at Discovery Cube in Santa Ana, CA

Come join the fun and make a difference with Discovery Cube! For over 25 years, we've been inspiring kids and educators alike with our hands-on science education initiatives and interactive exhibits. Our four core initiatives - STEM proficiency, early childhood education, healthy living, and environmental stewardship - are future-forward in promoting life-long-learning. Plus, with our immersive campuses in Orange County and Los Angeles, as well as our educational outreach programs, there are endless opportunities for learning exploration. As a prominent advocate for modern science education, we believe in empowering our learners with real-world applications and spotlighting science as a solution and force for good. Don't miss out on the excitement and join our important mission today!
Position:
The UX, Exhibit Content & Interactive Experience Designer is responsible for designing engaging exhibit experiences from concept through installation. This role combines user experience design, exhibit content development, interactive technology planning, graphic communication, and project management into one multidisciplinary position. Working alongside Exhibit Development, Education, Software Development, Fabrication, and Creative teams, this individual translates educational goals into intuitive, memorable guest experiences while coordinating the many moving parts required to bring those experiences to life.
The ideal candidate combines strong visual communication and content design skills with a user-centered design mindset. They are equally comfortable crafting compelling exhibit content and validating design decisions through research, technology integration, prototyping, and testing with real guests.
Responsibilities:
Experience & Exhibit Design
Design engaging exhibit experiences from concept through installation.
Translate educational objectives into intuitive, hands-on guest experiences.
Develop exhibit flow, interaction models, and visitor journeys.
Create exhibit concepts, mockups, wireframes, and experience documentation.
UX Research & Testing
Lead UX research throughout exhibit development.
Prototype physical and digital interactions.
Conduct guest testing with children and families.
Analyze guest behavior and improve experiences based on research.
Develop intuitive onboarding moments that minimize guest confusion.
Exhibit Content & Graphic Design
Create exhibit graphics, instructional panels, wayfinding, and educational messaging.
Design user interfaces for interactive exhibits and digital experiences.
Maintain consistent visual standards across exhibits.
Prepare production-ready artwork for fabrication.
Interactive Technology Integration
Collaborate with software developers and technology vendors to define interactive functionality.
Develop functional specifications for digital interactives.
Understand sensors, RFID, projection systems, touchscreens, audiovisual systems, lighting, and exhibit control systems.
Bridge communication between designers, developers, and fabricators.
Participate in technology testing, commissioning, and troubleshooting.
Project Management
Manage multiple exhibit projects simultaneously.
Develop project schedules, milestones, and deliverables.
Coordinate work across Education, Creative, Fabrication, Technology, Marketing, Operations, and outside vendors.
Identify project dependencies and critical paths.
Track budgets and procurement.
Maintain project documentation.
Coordinate exhibit installation and turnover.
Vendor & Fabrication Coordination
Coordinate graphic production.
Review shop drawings and proofs.
Manage fabrication schedules.
Operate or oversee rapid prototyping using 3D printing.
Coordinate exhibit commissioning and punch lists.
Qualifications:
Overall understanding of exhibition development from concept development through installation, as well as standards and best practices for exhibitions.
5+ years of experience in a museum or interpretive position, including; designing interactive exhibits, museums, themed entertainment, science centers, or experiential environments.
Strong portfolio demonstrating UX, exhibit design, interactive design, graphic design, and visitor experience.
Strong project management skills.
Excellent research, writing, editing and oral communications skills, including public speaking.
Ability to manage many projects at one time, prioritizing, meeting deadlines and planning for high efficiency.
Ability to analyze and track results.
Experience managing consultants, vendors and partnerships.
Accountability: we are accountable for delivering on our commitments.
Effectiveness: we believe being effective allows us to best realize the mission of the institution.
Must be available, and/or have reliable transportation to travel to Orange County and Los Angeles campuses as requested, or needed.
Technology Knowledge
Interactive exhibit technologies
RFID systems
AV systems
Touchscreen interfaces
Projection systems
Show control
Lighting integration
Basic software development processes
Hardware integration
Rapid prototyping / 3D printing
Preferred Software
Adobe Creative Suite
Figma
Microsoft Office
AutoCAD or SketchUp (preferred)
Project management software (Monday.com, Asana, Smartsheet, or Microsoft Project)
What’s In It For You:
Medical, dental and vision insurance
Optional supplemental insurance coverage
401K with up to 4% match after one year for full-time employees
14 Free general admission tickets per year
4 Bubblefest tickets plus admission
10% of on-site dining and shopping discount
Employee discounts through ADP
Accrued paid time off for full-time employees
10 paid company holidays
Compensation
Compensation
$100,000—$120,000 USD
Discovery Cube provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws.
This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.