Staff Product Designer, Design Systems

About the role

A Staff Product Designer, Design Systems is needed to own, evolve, and scale BetterUp's design system across web and mobile platforms. This role integrates AI for implementation, adoption, and continuous improvement.

Responsibilities

• Own the end-to-end strategy, architecture, and evolution of BetterUp’s design system, ensuring it scales across web and mobile product surfaces
• Define and drive AI-powered workflows for design system implementation—including AI-assisted component generation, code translation, and automated quality checks
• Establish and maintain a comprehensive component library with clear documentation, usage guidelines, and contribution standards that enable product teams to move faster
• Partner closely with Engineering, Product, and Brand to ensure the design system reflects both technical feasibility and brand integrity
• Lead the evaluation and integration of cutting-edge AI design tools (e.g., Figma AI, generative design plugins, code-to-design bridges) into the design system workflow
• Build governance frameworks and best practices for responsible, consistent use of AI in design processes across the organization
• Mentor and coach designers across the organization on design systems thinking, AI-augmented workflows, and craft excellence
• Anticipate industry shifts in design tooling and AI capabilities, positioning BetterUp to adopt them ahead of competitors
• Drive measurable improvements in design-to-development handoff speed, component reuse rates, and cross-platform consistency
• Serve as a trusted advisor to Design and Product leadership on design system strategy, AI capabilities, and long-term technical direction

Requirements

• Extraordinary visual design taste—a rigorous, opinionated eye for typography, color, spacing, and detail that sets the quality bar for every surface of the product
• 7+ years of product design experience, with at least 3 years focused on design systems at scale
• Deep expertise in building and scaling design systems across web and mobile platforms, including token architectures, component APIs, and documentation frameworks
• Demonstrated experience integrating AI tools into design and development workflows (e.g., AI-assisted prototyping, generative design, automated component generation)
• Expert-level proficiency with Figma (including Figma Variables, Auto Layout, and component architecture), with experience evaluating and adopting emerging AI-powered design tools
• Strong understanding of front-end technologies (HTML, CSS, React or similar frameworks) and how design systems bridge design and engineering
• Track record of leading cross-functional initiatives that span multiple teams and disciplines
• Exceptional communication skills with the ability to influence VP-level leaders and gain buy-in for strategic design system investments

Qualifications

• Portfolio demonstrating systems-level thinking, craft excellence, and impact at scale

Skills

• AI-native design system tooling
• Open-source design systems
• Design-to-code automation tools
• Accessibility standards (WCAG)
• Inclusive design practices
• Coaching, HR tech, or enterprise SaaS product domains

Benefits

• Access to BetterUp coaching; one for you and one for a friend or family member
• Competitive compensation plan with opportunity for advancement
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• Flexible paid time off
• Volunteer days
• Learning and Development stipend
• Company wide Summer & Winter breaks
• Year-round charitable contribution of your choice on behalf of BetterUp
• 401(k) self contribution

Pay

The base salary range for this role is as follows: New York City and San Francisco: $220,000 - $276,000 Austin and Arlington: $198,000 - $248,000

Schedule

TBD