The Ultimate Guide to UX Job Boards: From Mainstream to Hidden Gems 🎨
Published on June 16th| 12 min read
The UX job market is more competitive than ever, but here's the secret: while everyone's fighting over the same positions on LinkedIn and Indeed, there's a whole ecosystem of specialized job boards where the real opportunities hide. After analyzing hundreds of platforms and tracking job posting patterns across the design industry, I've compiled the definitive guide to finding your next UX role.
🏆 The Elite UX Job Boards Everyone Should Know
Her UX Path
The Inclusive Opportunity Hub A dedicated platform supporting women and underrepresented groups in UX, featuring companies committed to diversity and inclusive hiring practices. Community of 15K+ women in UX with active mentorship programs and career support.
What you'll find: Diversity-focused companies, mentorship opportunities alongside job listings, remote-friendly positions with family-supportive policies, and companies with transparent pay equity practices. Salary ranges: $80K-160K with emphasis on fair compensation.
Inclusive advantage: Companies posting here have demonstrated commitment to diverse teams and inclusive cultures. Many offer parental leave, flexible schedules, and employee resource groups. The platform also provides career coaching and interview preparation specifically for underrepresented designers.
Community support: Beyond job listings, Her UX Path offers portfolio reviews, salary negotiation workshops, and networking events. The community actively supports members through career transitions and provides industry insights.
Remote Rocket Ship
The Curated Remote Experience A carefully curated remote job platform that emphasizes quality over quantity. Features hand-picked opportunities from companies with proven remote work cultures and strong design teams.
What you'll find: Premium remote design roles ($80K-180K), companies with established remote workflows, and positions at organizations that have successfully scaled distributed teams. The platform sorts by date added, ensuring you see the freshest opportunities first.
Platform advantage: Every job posting is manually reviewed for quality and remote work compatibility. Companies here aren't just "pandemic remote" - they're built for distributed success with proper communication tools, async workflows, and remote-first cultures.
Success strategy: The platform's curation means less competition per role compared to larger job boards. Focus on applying quickly to newly posted positions and emphasize your remote work experience and self-management skills.
Dribbble Jobs
The Visual Designer's Paradise Dribbble isn't just a portfolio platform—it's where design-first companies post their best roles. With over 12 million designers and a strict invitation-only posting system, the quality bar is exceptionally high. Companies here include Stripe, Shopify, and emerging design-led startups that understand visual craft matters.
What you'll find: Senior UX roles ($120K-200K+), Art Director positions, Brand Designer roles, and UI-heavy product design jobs. Many positions offer equity and emphasize creative freedom.
Application tip: Your Dribbble portfolio IS your application. Companies browse profiles directly, so keep your shots current and include case study links. Tag your work strategically—"product design," "mobile app," "SaaS" get the most visibility.
Success metrics: 70% of posted roles are filled within 30 days. Companies report 3x higher application quality compared to general job boards.
Behance Job Board
Adobe's Creative Ecosystem Hub Adobe's creative network attracts Fortune 500 companies and creative agencies looking for visual storytellers. With 30+ million projects hosted, it's where hiring managers scout for proven visual talent. Perfect for UX designers who lean heavily into UI work or have strong illustration/motion design skills.
What you'll find: Hybrid UX/UI roles, Creative Director positions, Design Systems roles at large corporations, Agency positions with global brands. Salary ranges: $80K-180K for mid-senior levels.
Platform advantage: Your Behance portfolio integrates seamlessly with applications. Adobe's partnership with major agencies means exclusive opportunities at Wieden+Kennedy, BBDO, and other creative powerhouses.
Application strategy: Create project case studies that tell stories. Behance users expect to see process, iteration, and final polished outcomes. Include client testimonials and team collaboration details.
AngelList (Wellfound)
The Startup Equity Goldmine The definitive platform for startup opportunities, hosting 8M+ startup profiles and 130K+ active jobs. If you want equity, rapid career growth, and the chance to shape product direction from day one, this is your hunting ground. Companies range from pre-seed startups to unicorns preparing for IPO.
What you'll find: Founding Designer roles (0.5-2% equity), Product Design positions at Series A companies ($100K-160K + equity), Remote-first opportunities, and roles where you'll wear multiple hats (UX/UI/Brand/Research).
Platform advantage: Transparent equity information, salary ranges, funding stage details, and founder backgrounds. You can research company trajectory before applying. Many companies offer "Talent" profiles where they reach out to you first.
Success strategy: Complete your AngelList profile like a mini-pitch deck. Include your risk tolerance, preferred company stage, and equity expectations. Set up job alerts for specific funding stages (Series A companies offer the best risk/reward balance for most designers).
Insider tip: Follow startup investors (First Round, a16z, Sequoia) to see their latest investments. These companies often hire designers within 6 months of funding rounds.
🎯 Design Systems: The Specialized Hunt
Design systems roles are exploding, but they're scattered across platforms. Here's where to find them:
Design Systems Jobs
The Specialist's Haven A curated platform exclusively for design systems roles, launched in 2022 by former Shopify design systems lead. Small but mighty—every posting represents a company seriously investing in design infrastructure. Average salary: $130K-220K.
What you'll find: Design Systems Designer roles, Design Technologist positions, Design Operations roles, and Component Library Manager jobs. Companies include Atlassian, Spotify, and fast-growing SaaS platforms.
Application edge: Include token specifications, component documentation, and cross-platform thinking in your portfolio. Companies here want to see systematic thinking, not just pretty interfaces.
🌍 Remote Work Revolution
Remote UX work has permanently changed the game. Here are the platforms that get it right:
We Work Remotely
The Remote Work Pioneer The granddaddy of remote job boards with 4.5M+ monthly visitors and a 10-year track record. Their UX/UI section consistently delivers 200+ new opportunities monthly from companies that truly understand distributed work culture.
What you'll find: Global opportunities ($60K-180K depending on location), time-zone flexible roles, contract and full-time positions, and companies offering equipment stipends and co-working allowances.
Remote advantage: Companies here have perfected asynchronous workflows. They value documentation, clear communication, and results over hours worked. Many offer "work from anywhere" policies and annual team retreats.
Application success: Emphasize your remote work experience, communication tools proficiency (Slack, Figma, Miro), and self-management skills. Include timezone availability and preferred overlap hours.
🚀 The Y Combinator Portfolio: A Designer's Startup Paradise
Y Combinator's company directory is one of the most underutilized job hunting resources for UX professionals. With 4,000+ companies and a combined valuation exceeding $600 billion, this portfolio represents the cream of the startup ecosystem.
Why YC Companies Are UX Gold:
Design-forward thinking - YC emphasizes user-centric product development
Rapid growth - Companies often scale from 5 to 50+ employees within 12-18 months
Equity upside - Early employees often see significant equity gains (Airbnb, Stripe, Dropbox all came from YC)
Modern tech stacks - Latest design tools, frameworks, and methodologies
Direct founder access - Small teams mean working directly with decision makers
Uxcel Jobs Platform
The Learning-Integrated Job Hub Uxcel has quietly built one of the most sophisticated job platforms for UX professionals, seamlessly integrating career opportunities with skill development. Unlike traditional job boards, Uxcel understands that the best hires come from continuously learning designers.
What Makes Uxcel Jobs Unique:
Skill-matched opportunities - Jobs aligned with your Uxcel learning path
Competency-based filtering - Companies can see your verified design skills
Global remote opportunities - International companies seeking diverse talent
Learning-forward companies - Employers who value professional development
RemoteOK
Real-Time Global Opportunities Real-time job aggregation with transparent salary data and location-independent compensation. Features 50+ new design roles weekly from 2,000+ remote-first companies. The emoji-heavy interface might seem playful, but the opportunities are serious business.
What you'll find: Startup design roles ($80K-150K), Digital nomad-friendly positions, Cryptocurrency/Web3 design jobs, and short-term contract work (3-12 months).
Unique features: Salary transparency (all roles show compensation), company size indicators, and technology stack details. Filter by salary range, time zones, and company size.
Strategy tip: Set up multiple filtered searches and check daily—the best remote roles get 100+ applications within 48 hours.
Toptal
The Premium Freelancer Network Elite freelancer platform with a 3% acceptance rate. For experienced designers ready to command premium rates ($75-150/hour). Their screening process is rigorous—portfolio review, design challenge, and cultural fit interview—but once you're in, you're connected with Fortune 500 clients.
What you'll find: High-end consulting projects, interim leadership roles, specialized design system implementations, and long-term embedded positions (6+ months).
Client quality: Work directly with companies like Shopify, JP Morgan, and Airbnb. Projects often involve strategic design decisions and cross-functional leadership.
Financial advantage: Top performers earn $150K+ annually while maintaining location independence. Toptal handles contracts, payments, and client relationships.
💎 Hidden Gems: The Secret Job Boards
This is where it gets interesting. These platforms fly under the radar but consistently deliver high-quality opportunities:
UX Blog Jobs
Curated opportunities from companies that value UX content and education.
Smashing Magazine Jobs
The legendary design publication's job board. Companies here appreciate design craft and attention to detail.
🌐 International & Niche Job Boards
European Design Jobs
The Dots (UK) - the-dots.com/jobs
Working Not Working - workingnotworking.com
Dribble Europe - dribbble.com/jobs (filter by location)
A11y Jobs - a11yjobs.com
Startup Directories
Y Combinator Companies - ycombinator.com/companies
Techstars Portfolio - techstars.com/portfolio
500 Startups - 500.co/portfolio
Browse their portfolios and check career pages directly. Many YC companies hire designers before posting publicly.
Design Tool Companies
Companies like Figma, Adobe, Framer, and Sketch often have design roles that attract top talent:
Figma Careers - figma.com/careers
Framer Jobs - framer.com/careers
Linear Careers - linear.app/careers
Notion Careers - notion.so/careers
Miro Careers - miro.com/careers
Canva Careers - canva.com/careers
Sketch Careers - sketch.com/careers
Adobe Careers - adobe.com/careers
InVision Careers - invisionapp.com/careers
Webflow Careers - webflow.com/careers
Reddit Communities
r/userexperience - Regular job posting threads
r/web_design - UI/UX crossover opportunities
r/designjobs - Dedicated job hunting space
📱 Mobile-First Job Hunting
The Apps Worth Downloading
AngelList Mobile - Push notifications for startup roles
LinkedIn Mobile - Superior job discovery algorithm
Glassdoor App - Company research on the go
⚡ Advanced Search Strategies
Google Search Operators
"UX designer" "design systems" site:greenhouse.io
"product designer" "remote" site:lever.co
"UX researcher" "early stage" site:workable.comMany companies use these ATS platforms. Search them directly for opportunities that haven't been syndicated elsewhere.
Twitter + LinkedIn Search Magic
"we're hiring" UX designer
"join our team" product design
hiring UX remoteSet up saved searches and get real-time notifications when companies tweet or share on LinkedIn about open roles.
Newsletter Job Alerts
UX Jobs Board Newsletter - Weekly curated opportunities
Designer Jobs Newsletter - Bi-weekly remote-friendly roles
Product Design Jobs - Monthly high-quality positions
🔍 The Application Strategy
Finding the job board is only half the battle. Here's how to stand out:
Portfolio Optimization by Platform
Dribbble: Visual impact first, process second
Behance: Story-driven case studies
AngelList: Business impact and metrics
Design Systems Jobs: Component thinking and systematic approach
Cover Letter Customization
Research the platform's culture:
Startup boards: Emphasize adaptability and growth mindset
Design systems roles: Show systematic thinking and technical collaboration
Remote positions: Highlight communication skills and self-direction
🚀 Emerging Trends to Watch
AI-Assisted Job Matching
Platforms like Hired and Vettery are using AI to match candidates with opportunities. Upload your portfolio and let the algorithm work for you.
Community-First Hiring
More companies are hiring from their user communities. Engage with products you love—you might get recruited by their teams.
Skills-Based Assessments
Expect more companies to use design challenges and portfolio reviews instead of traditional interviews. Platforms like HackerRank for Design are emerging.
💰 Salary Negotiation by Platform Type
Startup Equity Guidelines
Seed stage: 0.5-2% equity for senior UX roles
Series A: 0.1-0.5% for senior roles
Always ask about the current valuation and dilution schedule
Remote Work Premiums
Many remote-first companies pay location-independent salaries. This can mean significant increases for designers outside major tech hubs.
🎯 Action Plan: Your 30-Day Job Search
Week 1: Setup
Create profiles on 5 primary platforms
Set up job alerts with specific keywords
Join 3 relevant communities
Week 2: Optimize
Customize portfolios for different platform audiences
Research 20 target companies
Start engaging in design communities
Week 3: Apply
Submit 10 high-quality applications
Reach out to 5 people at target companies
Follow up on previous applications
Week 4: Network
Attend 2 virtual design events
Share insights on social media
Schedule informational interviews
🔮 The Future of UX Job Hunting
The landscape is evolving rapidly. Keep an eye on:
Web3 and crypto design roles emerging on specialized boards
AI-powered design tools creating new job categories
Sustainability-focused design roles in climate tech
Accessibility specialization becoming a major career path
Final Thoughts
The best UX opportunities aren't always on the biggest job boards. They're in the specialized communities, startup networks, and design-first companies that understand the value of great user experience.
Your next role might be on a platform you've never heard of, posted by a company that's about to change everything. Cast a wide net, but fish in the right waters.
The design industry is growing, remote work is here to stay, and companies finally understand that good design drives business results. Use these resources strategically, and you'll find opportunities that others miss entirely.
Happy hunting! 🎯