Principal Designer, Design System (24 months)

Export Development Canada; Winnipeg; On-site; CAD 109,000 - 147,000; Full time

Job summary

A federal agency in Canada seeks a Principal Designer for a 24-month contract. You will lead the evolution of a design system, manage a design library in Figma, and partner with product teams to ensure compatibility. The ideal candidate has over 7 years of UX/UI design experience and strong proficiency in front-end technologies and design standards. This position offers a hybrid work environment and competitive compensation.

Benefits

Competitive compensation

Generous paid vacation

Professional development opportunities

Wellness programs

Community engagement initiatives

Qualifications

• 7+ years in UX/UI design with at least 2 years managing or contributing to a design system.
• Deep proficiency with Figma and experience building scalable design libraries.
• Strong understanding of front‑end technologies, such as HTML and CSS.

Responsibilities

• Build and manage the design system: Create a scalable design library in Figma.
• Establish guidelines for design system adoption and lead workshops.
• Work with digital product teams to ensure component compatibility.

Skills

UX/UI design

Figma

HTML

CSS

React

Angular

Collaboration

Tools

Storybook

Zeroheight

Tokens Studio

Job description

Position

Principal Designer, Design System (24 months) -0005IM

Location

Ontario-Ottawa (hybrid work environment; requiring office presence 2 days per week). This role can be performed from EDC’s headquarters in Ottawa or any regional hub within Canada.

Employment Type

Contract (24‑month term)

Compensation

UX / UI Designer 19: Salaries typically range from $109,810 to $146,413 annually, based on qualifications and experience.

About EDC

Export Development Canada (EDC) is a financial Crown corporation that empowers Canadian businesses to succeed globally by providing innovative financial solutions and expert insights. EDC offers financial tools, risk mitigation, and growth support to help businesses explore new markets.

Why Join EDC?

• Comprehensive Benefits: Competitive compensation, generous paid vacation, corporate closure period, and no meeting Fridays.
• Work‑Life Balance: Hybrid work options and 3–4 weeks paid vacation.
• Professional Development: Continuous learning opportunities, workshops, and language training.
• Inclusive Culture: Commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and employment equity.
• Wellness Programs: Wellness initiatives, mental health support, and fitness programs.
• Community Engagement: Volunteer opportunities and corporate social responsibility programs.

Team Overview

As a key member of the Customer Experience Centre of Excellence (CX COE), the Principal Designer will lead the evolution of a global design system, consolidating multiple custom design kits into a unified library. The role is a senior individual contributor working within the Design Operations team and collaborating with product design and development teams to scale quality, consistency, and accessibility.

What you will be doing

• Build and manage the design system: Create a scalable, component‑based design library in Figma, ensuring consistency, accessibility, and brand alignment across platforms.
• Governance and collaboration: Establish guidelines, documentation, and workflows for design system adoption; lead workshops and set success metrics.
• Cross‑functional partnership: Work with digital product teams to ensure component compatibility with tech stacks such as React and Angular.
• Champion accessibility and inclusion: Ensure components meet WCAG 2.2 AA and CAN/ASC EN 301 549 standards and collaborate with accessibility specialists.
• Enable and mentor: Support onboarding and training for designers and developers; act as a mentor to promote quality design and user‑centered thinking.
• Advocate and evangelize: Drive adoption of the design system across teams and facilitate co‑creation workshops.
• Industry trends and best practices: Monitor evolving design trends and emerging best practices to keep the design system relevant and well‑maintained.

What we are looking for

• 7+ years in UX/UI design with at least 2 years managing or contributing to a design system.
• Deep proficiency with Figma and experience building scalable design libraries.
• Strong understanding of front‑end technologies (HTML, CSS, design tokens, React/Angular).
• Experience collaborating across diverse teams and product environments.
• Excellent facilitation, collaboration, and communication skills.
• Experience in B2B or enterprise environments with accessibility and compliance requirements.
• Ability to lead through ambiguity.
• Strong systems thinking and strategic mindset.
• Empathetic and curious mindset, driven to understand team dynamics and user needs through active listening and thoughtful inquiry.

What will make you stand out

• Knowledge of analytics and UX metrics.
• Familiarity with Figma plugins, REST APIs, and developer handoff workflows.
• Experience with tools such as Storybook, Zeroheight, or Tokens Studio.
• Accessibility or UX design certification (e.g., CPACC, WAS).
• Bilingual in English and French.

Eligibility

EDC is committed to fair employment practices. Preference will be given to candidates who can work legally in Canada at the time of application (Canadian citizens or permanent residents). Candidates must meet required government security screening requirements. The position is open to those who meet all essential requirements and whose applications are received by the closing date.

Application Deadline

November 28, 2025 (11:59:00 PM)

Application Process

Apply today!

Employment Equity

Export Development Canada is dedicated to fostering employment equity and building a diverse workforce. We actively encourage applications from women, Indigenous peoples, visible minorities, persons with disabilities, and members of the 2SLGBTQI+ community. EDC will not consider any candidate if they are not able to work legally in Canada. Qualified candidates may be considered for similar roles at this level within EDC.

Accommodation

EDC is committed to maintaining confidentiality and ensuring that any accommodations are tailored to support your needs during the recruitment process. Please contact us directly for any accommodation requests.