Innovation Designer – Entry Level Sales Program 2026

IBM Client Engineering Innovation Designer

At IBM, we're revolutionizing our approach to technology sales. Our Client Engineering teams are champions of co-creating solutions in real-time to solve complex business challenges. IBM Client Engineering Innovation Designers take a human-centered perspective in value engineering. They understand the human needs behind a client's challenge through lean user research and participative activities in client conversations. Designers can uncover additional client needs to be addressed with IBM Technologies, leading to cross-and up-sell opportunities. Designers are responsible for translating client needs into desirable experiences that connect business, technology, and user goals. We increase client satisfaction with meaningful outcomes and drive adoption by bringing real value to real people. In a world where technology moves at speed, it's essential that we stay ahead of the curve to provide tailored solutions that meet our clients' needs. It's not enough for us to have the technical expertise. We need to be great with people, too. To empathize. To understand. To collaborate on technical solutions that will improve lives all over the world. IBM's comprehensive onboarding and industry leading learning culture will set you up for positive impact and success, whilst ongoing development will continually advance your career. Our sales environment is fast-paced and supportive. Always part of a team, you'll be surrounded by leaders and colleagues who are always willing to help and be helped - as you support pilots that obsess over user-centricity and business impact.

Your role and responsibilities as a Designer within Client Engineering will include, but not be limited to:

• User-Centric Design: Synthesize research, client insights, and requirements to create user experiences that establish enduring connections between individuals and products, services, and brands.
• Facilitate User Sessions: Lead and facilitate user sessions, involving both clients and the IBM team. Utilize modern methods and tools to identify and prioritize technical challenges, revealing opportunities, fostering innovation, and translating ideas into reality.
• UX and Customer Journey Design: Take charge of UX and customer/user journey design for prioritized use cases and Minimal Viable Solutions, often reimagining how work processes are carried out.
• Continuous Learning: Exhibit a growth mindset and an ongoing commitment to learning. Develop concept and process designs to guide clients in solving business challenges and delivering human-centered solutions.
• User Advocacy: Champion the user's perspective to craft meaningful and engaging experiences that bridge the connection between human needs, business objectives and technology solutions.

To be successful in this role, you will need:

• Proven understanding of design thinking and methodologies.
• Ability to use human-centered design to drive business and client value.
• Strong presentation skills with a creative and compelling storytelling style.
• Familiarity with developing and leading workshopping techniques to facilitate a diverse group of business-driven outcomes.
• Adaptability to processes and methodologies based on constraints and needs of the client.

This position requires you to be in one of the following IBM offices: Atlanta GA, Austin TX, Chicago IL, Dallas TX, New York NY, Raleigh NC, San Francisco CA, and Washington DC. Readiness to travel up to 50% annually. IBM will not be providing visa sponsorship for this position now or in the future. Therefore, in order to be considered for this position, you must have the ability to work without a need for current or future visa sponsorship.

Required technical and professional expertise:

• Education: B.S./M.S. in Design, similar discipline or design bootcamp training paired with working experience.
• Design Portfolio: Portfolio with a strong, proven understanding of user-centered design principles and practices that demonstrates, but is not limited to, framing and defining problems, user understanding, ability to synthesize insights, ideate solutions, ability to finalize and communicate user centered outputs.
• Tech Savvy: Ability to understand complex technical problems.
• Team Player: Demonstrates team collaboration and can navigate different communication styles.
• Excellent Communication Skills: Possess verbal, written, and interpersonal skills that are engaging, compelling and influential.
• Self-Starter: Growth mindset, motivated to work with clients and can lead projects independently.

Preferred technical and professional experience:

• Design Thinking/Design Sprint certification or comparable expertise.

IBM is committed to creating a diverse environment and is proud to be an equal-opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, caste, genetics, pregnancy, disability, neurodivergence, age, veteran status, or other characteristics. IBM is also committed to compliance with all fair employment practices regarding citizenship and immigration status.