Product Designer, Design Systems

Newzealandtradeandenterprise; New Zealand; On-site; NZD 110,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

New Zealand Trade and Enterprise (NZTE) is seeking a Product Designer, Design Systems to own and evolve our design system, delivering reusable components and documentation that ensure consistent, accessible digital experiences across our customer-facing platforms.

Based in New Zealand (Wellington preferred), you will partner with design, product and tech teams, explore AI as a design enabler, and help raise the maturity of our design practice while supporting NZ exporters to go global.

Qualifications

• Strong UI design capability and experience designing within or contributing to design systems.
• Proficient in Figma and able to create scalable component libraries and design patterns.
• Demonstrate systems thinking and an ability to balance customer needs, business goals and platform consistency.
• Be curious about AI, emerging technologies and the future of digital design.

Responsibilities

• Own and evolve NZTE's design system, including reusable components, patterns and documentation.
• Improve consistency, accessibility and quality across our digital products.
• Partner with product and technology teams to ensure design solutions are delivered to a high standard.
• Explore emerging technologies and help shape how AI can be thoughtfully incorporated into design practice.

Skills

UI design

Design systems

Systems thinking

AI curiosity

Collaboration

Tools

Figma

Job description

This role is based in New Zealand within commuting range of our offices , Wellington (preferred)

Who we are

At New Zealand Trade and Enterprise (NZTE), our purpose is to help New Zealand businesses grow internationally, bigger, better, faster. Every day, we work alongside ambitious businesses, helping them take on new markets, seize new opportunities and create greater prosperity for Aotearoa New Zealand.

Our digital products are an important part of that journey. They connect businesses with the insights, tools and support they need to succeed globally. We're investing in strengthening our digital experiences and are looking for a passionate Product Designer, Design Systems to help shape the foundations that enable great design at scale.

What you'll be doing

Design systems sit at the heart of great digital experiences. We are proud of the work so far that we have achieved through our digital platform myNZTE and are looking for someone who will continue raising the bar in how we provide salient and impactful advice that empowers Kiwi exporters to take on the world stage.

In this role, you'll help create consistency, quality and efficiency across NZTE's customer-facing digital products. You'll work closely with designers, developers and product teams to ensure our products feel connected, intuitive and accessible for customers.

The most important work of this role is to:

• Own and evolve NZTE's design system, including reusable components, patterns and documentation.
• Improve consistency, accessibility and quality across our digital products.
• Partner with product and technology teams to ensure design solutions are delivered to a high standard.
• Explore emerging technologies and help shape how AI can be thoughtfully incorporated into design practice.

What you'll need to be successful

We're looking for someone who genuinely cares about design craft and enjoys refining the details that elevate a good experience into a great one. You'll be naturally curious, enjoy solving complex problems, and understand how individual design decisions contribute to a larger system.

Our ideal candidate will:

• Bring strong UI design capability and experience designing within or contributing to design systems.
• Be proficient in Figma and comfortable creating scalable component libraries and design patterns.
• Demonstrate systems thinking and an ability to balance customer needs, business goals and platform consistency.
• Be curious about AI, emerging technologies and the future of digital design.

You may come from a dedicated design systems background or broader product design experience. What matters most is your passion for great design, your commitment to quality, and your ability to work collaboratively with others.

Why you'll love working here

This is an opportunity to work on products that support businesses across New Zealand and make a genuine contribution to New Zealand's economic success.

You'll have the chance to influence the future of NZTE's digital experiences, help grow our design maturity, and contribute to how AI-enabled ways of working evolve within our design practice. You'll be surrounded by smart, supportive people who value collaboration, experimentation and continuous improvement.

At NZTE, we embrace diverse perspectives, flexible ways of working and lifelong learning. We believe our people are our greatest asset, and we're committed to helping them thrive.

What's next

Before applying, we encourage you to explore NZTE's digital products and customer experiences on Grow your business overseas - myNZTE and via the position description - here. We want to hear from people who are excited about the opportunity to improve the way New Zealand businesses interact with NZTE.

Applications close Wednesday 23 September, 11:59pm NZST.

Applicants must be legally entitled to live and work in New Zealand.

We believe New Zealand is good for the World. New Zealand Trade and Enterprise (NZTE) is an equal opportunity employer. At NZTE it is all about our people and we seek diversity of thought; we welcome and encourage you to apply regardless of ethnicity, gender, religion, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, neurodiversity or disability. If we need to make specific accommodations in any part of the interview process, please note this in your application or discuss with the Talent Acquisition Partner.