Be ready to go over:

• Problem definition – Clearly stating the user problem and the business goals of the project.
• Iterative design – Showing early sketches, wireframes, and user testing feedback that shaped the final product.
• Design system integration – Demonstrating how you utilized, maintained, or expanded a shared design system to ensure consistency.
• Advanced concepts (less common) – High-fidelity micro-interactions, motion design, and designing for multi-platform environments (like tvOS or FireTV).

Example scenarios:

• "Walk us through a project where user testing completely changed your initial design direction."
• "Show us a case study that demonstrates how you handled complex navigation or content discovery challenges."

Behavioral & Team Collaboration

The design team at NBCUniversal values collaboration and adaptability. They want to know how you handle the fast-paced, sometimes chaotic nature of a major media company.

Be ready to go over:

• Conflict resolution – How you handle pushback on your designs from product managers or engineering constraints.
• Thriving in fast-paced environments – Managing tight deadlines, live-production constraints, and sudden shifts in project scope.
• Feedback reception – How you synthesize critique from multiple stakeholders and use it to improve your work.

Example scenarios:

• "Tell me about a time you had to deliver a design on an extremely tight deadline. What trade-offs did you have to make?"
• "How do you handle a situation where a product manager wants to move forward with a design that you believe has usability flaws?"

As a UX/UI Designer at NBCUniversal, your day-to-day work will be highly collaborative and fast-paced. You will be embedded within a product team, working alongside product managers, engineers, and researchers to design features that enhance the user experience across digital platforms.

Your primary responsibility will be translating complex user flows and business requirements into clean, intuitive, and visually compelling interfaces. This involves conducting initial user research, creating wireframes and interactive prototypes, and delivering high-fidelity UI designs. You will also spend a significant amount of time collaborating with front-end engineers to ensure your designs are implemented accurately and maintain high quality across all devices.

Additionally, you will actively contribute to and help maintain NBCUniversal's digital design systems. This ensures visual and functional consistency across different brands and platforms. You will also participate in regular design critiques, presenting your work to the broader design team and incorporating constructive feedback to iterate on your designs.

The ideal candidate for a UX/UI Designer position at NBCUniversal possesses a strong blend of visual design craft, systematic thinking, and collaborative skills.

• Must-have skills – A strong digital portfolio demonstrating end-to-end UX/UI design process, proficiency in Figma, experience designing responsive web and mobile applications, and a solid understanding of user-centered design principles and accessibility standards (WCAG).
• Nice-to-have skills – Experience designing for 10-foot interfaces (Smart TVs and streaming devices), basic knowledge of HTML/CSS to better collaborate with engineers, and experience working with large-scale design systems.
• Experience level – Typically, the team looks for mid-to-senior level designers with 3+ years of professional experience, though they also recruit for associate and internship roles. Prior experience in media, entertainment, or streaming services is highly valued.
• Soft skills – Strong presentation skills, the ability to articulate design decisions clearly, a collaborative mindset, and resilience when navigating ambiguity or rapid project pivots.

Q: What is the automated video interview like, and how should I prepare? A: The automated interview requires you to record video responses to pre-recorded questions through a portal. You are typically given two attempts per question and can select your best take. Prepare by practicing your elevator pitch, setting up a quiet space with good lighting, and keeping your answers concise and structured.

Q: How long does the entire interview process take? A: The timeline can vary, but it generally takes between 3 to 6 weeks from the initial automated screen to a final decision. There can sometimes be a delay of a couple of weeks between the automated screen and the scheduling of live interviews with the design team.

Q: What should I focus on during the portfolio review? A: Focus on storytelling. Clearly state the problem, your specific role in the project, your design process (including research and iterations), and the ultimate outcome or business impact. Avoid just showing finished screens without explaining the journey of how you got there.

Q: How does the team handle remote or hybrid work? A: Depending on the office location (such as New York, London, or Los Angeles), NBCUniversal typically operates on a hybrid model, requiring employees to be in the office a set number of days per week. Be sure to clarify the specific location and hybrid expectations with your recruiter early in the process.

Optimizing your preparation can make a significant difference in how you stand out during the NBCUniversal hiring process.

• Optimize your LinkedIn and portfolio: Real interview experiences indicate that recruiters place a high value on your LinkedIn profile and portfolio presentation. Ensure your LinkedIn is up-to-date, highlights your design achievements, and links directly to a clean, easy-to-navigate portfolio website.

• Prepare for ambiguity: During final panel interviews, design team members have been known to advise candidates to "expect chaos" and "be ready for the unexpected." Frame this positively in your interviews by showcasing your adaptability and sharing examples of how you have successfully navigated shifting project requirements in the past.

• Show passion for media and entertainment: Take the time to understand NBCUniversal's business model. Be prepared to talk about streaming trends, digital content consumption, and how design can drive engagement in a highly competitive digital media landscape.

Securing a UX/UI Designer role at NBCUniversal is an incredible opportunity to shape the digital experiences of millions of users worldwide. The role allows you to work at a massive scale, designing for household names in entertainment, sports, and news. By focusing your preparation on a strong, process-oriented portfolio, practicing your presentation skills, and demonstrating your ability to adapt to a fast-paced environment, you will position yourself as a highly competitive candidate.

The salary data reflects the competitive compensation packages offered by NBCUniversal to attract top-tier design talent. When preparing your salary expectations for recruiter conversations, consider your experience level, portfolio strength, and the cost of living in major hubs like New York or London. Focused preparation is your best tool for success; take the time to refine your case studies, practice your storytelling, and explore additional interview insights and resources on Dataford to confidently take the next step in your career.