UIUX Designer NOW HIRING!

Join Branch and help us invent the future of structural design software!

Branch is a software startup within StructureCraft

StructureCraft is an award-winning structural engineering, manufacturing, and construction company that specializes in timber structures. StructureCraft’s mission is to improve the built environment by demonstrating how the integrated Engineer-Build model produces better, more beautiful, and more efficient structures than the typical adversarial and fragmented construction process. Branch is an extension of StructureCraft’s mission: Branch aims to change how the building industry works by building a smart, modern, end-to-end design tool.

Project Overview

Branch is next-generation 3D design platform for mass timber structures. Branch aims to let users explore designs at a high level (like building massing) and immediately see the impact in terms of literal nuts and bolts (shop drawings, BOMs, CNC files, etc.). Branch is highly interactive and hackable, allowing designers to explore options without limitations. We believe that integrating data from all aspects of the process allows for faster exploration and holistic, elegant designs.

Project Goals

• Develop user-centric workflows that allow architects and structural engineers to input building parameters and receive real-time feedback on structural options i.e. mass timber, steel, and concrete systems.
• Create an intuitive user interface that balances simplicity for early-stage design with the depth needed for more detailed structural and material analysis e.g. how to build a 3D massing model, develop a workflow to allow a user to edit the model and compare different design options and their corresponding data sets.
• Develop ‘lens’ workflows to view engineering mode, which allows user to review the structural analysis data and modelling mode, which will allow the user to create and modify massing schemes.

Key Deliverables

1 - Workflow Design & User Journeys:

• Map out user workflows for key use cases (e.g., initial concept design, real-time optimization, adjusting parameters based on structural feedback, comparison features, carbon dashboards).
• Develop user journey maps that cover different personas (e.g., architects, structural engineers, developers).
• Develop user journey for real-time collaboration mode e.g. use of the tool by multiple stakeholders in design charettes e.g. early design, schematic design, prepare for costing, etc)

2 - Wireframes & Prototypes:

• Create wireframes that outline the core screens and navigation for the software, focusing on usability and efficiency in mass timber design.
• Develop interactive prototypes for testing the user flows and design decisions.
• Develop data dashboards for carbon, structural sizing, supplier selection, material selection.
• Develop UX and UI to support the switching between the engineering and modelling lens.

3 - UI Design:

• Design the user interface, ensuring alignment with Branch’s branding and accessibility standards.
• Develop initial icon and colour library for prototype
• Develop a series of dashboards e.g. carbon, area calculations, compare function, engineering dashboards, etc.
• Collaborate with the product and engineering teams to ensure feasibility and smooth implementation of the UI designs.

4 - Usability Testing & Iteration:

• Conduct usability testing sessions with internal and external stakeholders, including architects and engineers.
• Incorporate feedback and iterate on designs to ensure they meet the needs of the target audience.

Skills & Qualifications

• Proven experience in UI/UX design, with a focus on software tools for architecture, engineering, or construction (AEC) industries.
• Minimum 4-5 years in a UI/UX role or equivalent.
• Proficiency in design and prototyping tools (e.g., Miro, Figma, Sketch, Adobe XD).
• Familiarity with design tools like Rhino or Revit, and experience working on projects involving mass timber or sustainable building practices is a plus.
• Strong communication skills and ability to collaborate with cross-functional teams (engineers, product managers, architects).
• Duration: 3 months, starting [November/December 2024].
• Location: Remote location but eastern time or pacific time zones strongly preferred.
• Daily check-ins with the product team and weekly check-in with engineering teams.