Principal UX Design Systems Lead (Hybrid-San Diego, CA or Acton, MA)

Job Summary

The Principal UX Design Systems Lead is responsible for building and leading the AI-native platform that transforms how digital experiences are built at Insulet. You will be responsible for building the AI-native platform that will eventually make the traditional design handoffs obsolete.

About the role

We envision a future where code is the primary source of truth. In this future, all functions work natively in code for quick experimentation and production automation. This frees teams to spend time learning faster and framing problems better.

Responsibilities

• Build the Platform
  • Lead the evolution of Insulet's Global Design System.
  • Evolve tokens, theming, primitives, components, templates, and patterns.
  • Establish a machine-readable architecture.
  • Serve as the single source of truth for humans and AI.
  • Ensure true design-to-code parity.
• Build the AI Context Layer
  • Define and evolve structured context that enables AI to generate assets.
  • Create design specifications and documentation.
  • Generate quick prototypes and production-ready code.
  • Automate accessibility validation and compliance checks.
  • Drive automated visual QA.
  • Explore how AI automates manual work safely.
• Build the Community
  • Operate a Core + Extensions federated design system model.
  • Manage the Core shared, unopinionated foundation.
  • Support team-owned Extensions that contribute back.
  • Establish contribution models, governance, and operating rituals.
  • Drive adoption via workshops, office hours, and documentation.
  • Measure success by what others build because of you.
• Build an Observable System
  • Define and own metrics to continuously improve the platform.
  • Track component reuse and design-to-code parity.
  • Monitor percentage of reusable vs. custom code.
  • Measure system adherence and contribution velocity.
  • Track reduction in production defects.
  • Quantify AI-generated output quality.

Qualifications

• You view design systems as product development operating systems.
• You think in systems rather than individual screens.
• You believe constraints create autonomy and standardization enables innovation.
• You use automation to remove repetitive work from creative people.
• You collaborate easily across Design, Engineering, and Product.
• You see governance as an enabler rather than a gatekeeper.

Education & Experience

• Minimum Requirements:
• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent combination of education & practical experience.
• 5+ years of experience leading or building enterprise Design Systems.
• Foundations: Deep understanding of tokens, theming, component architecture, and design-to-code workflows.
• AI Integration: AI is part of your daily workflow.
• Tech Stack: Proven experience connecting AI IDEs (Cursor, Claude Code, VS Code), Design Systems, Figma, and production code.
• Industry: Experience in regulated industries is valuable but not required.

How We'll Assess Candidates

We want to see your coherent model for AI-native product development. During the interview, expect to discuss and demonstrate:

• Structuring context for reliable AI consumption.
• AI generation of specifications, documentation, or code.
• Constraining AI outputs to approved system components.
• Architecting and governing a federated Design System.
• Measuring platform health, impact, and safety.

Why This Role Is Different

Most Design Systems exist to standardize interfaces. Ours exists to transform how digital experiences are built. You won't simply manage components. You will build the infrastructure that enables humans and AI to collaborate safely at enterprise scale. You will help automate the tedious tasks to deliver better experiences faster, improving the lives of people living with diabetes.

Compensation & Benefits

For U.S.-based positions only, the annual base salary range for this role is $189,000.00 - $283,500.00. This position may also be eligible for incentive compensation. We offer a comprehensive benefits package, including:

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• 401(k) with company match
• Paid time off (PTO)

Additional Information

We are looking for highly motivated, performance-driven individuals to be a part of our expanding team. We do this by hiring amazing people guided by shared values who exceed customer expectations. Our continued success depends on it!