Design Operations Manager

Glydways; United States; Remote; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

An innovative transit company in the United States seeks an experienced Design Manager to lead cross-functional design projects. The role involves integrating hardware and software design to ensure seamless end-to-end user experiences. Ideal candidates will have over 8 years of experience, exceptional communication skills, and a strong attention to detail. Join us to create a revolutionary transit system that enhances accessibility and sustainability.

Qualifications

• 8+ years managing cross-functional design projects is preferred.
• Deep understanding of design processes and human-centered design.
• Thrives in fast-paced environments with a bias toward action.

Responsibilities

• Integrate hardware and software design for seamless experiences.
• Oversee the design portfolio balancing execution and priorities.
• Plan projects from early concept through production.

Skills

Cross-functional design project management

Design process integration

Exceptional communication skills

Attention to detail

Job description

Overview

Glydways is reimagining what public transit can be. We believe that mobility is the gateway to opportunity—connecting people to housing, education, employment, commerce, and care. By making transportation more accessible, affordable, and sustainable, we empower communities to thrive and unlock economic and social prosperity.

Our mission is to revolutionize transit with a solution that delivers high capacity, exceptional user experiences, unmatched affordability, and minimal environmental impact.

The Glydways system is a groundbreaking network of carbon-neutral, interconnected transit pathways powered by standardized autonomous vehicles on dedicated roadways. Operating 24/7 with on-demand access, it offers personalized and efficient mobility—without the burden of heavy upfront infrastructure costs or ongoing taxpayer subsidies.

With Glydways, we’re building more than a transportation system; we’re creating a future where everyone, everywhere, has the freedom to move.

Meet the team

Our Design team represents the rider and operator in every Glydways experience. We design vehicles, apps, kiosks, stations, infrastructure, and operations centers. Our team blends industrial design, interface design, research, and prototyping expertise. Building something that has never existed before means rethinking, exploring, and challenging assumptions to find better solutions. We test ideas through physical and digital prototypes to form strong, intuitive opinions—allowing us to move quickly and confidently. We work closely with engineering, product, and marketing to ensure every experience is as delightful as it is functional.

• Integrate hardware and software design to deliver a seamless end-to-end product experience.
• Translate rider and operator needs into clear, actionable direction for design, product, and engineering teams.
• Oversee the design portfolio at the program level, balancing near-term execution with long-term priorities.
• Own and refine the inbound request process, aligning resources and timelines with business needs.
• Plan, organize, and guide projects from early concept through production.
• Facilitate clear communication across Industrial Design, Human Interface, Engineering, and Product teams.
• Anticipate and resolve execution challenges before they become blockers.
• Maintain clear, accessible documentation of priorities, milestones, and key decisions.
• Champion the rider and operator experience while meeting safety, accessibility, and operational requirements.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• 8+ years managing cross-functional design projects with both hardware and software experience strongly preferred.
• Deep understanding of design processes and the ability to integrate them across disciplines to deliver human-centered experiences at a high level of craft.
• Exceptional communication and facilitation skills with proven ability to influence without authority and turn ambiguity into clarity and momentum.
• Thrives in fast-paced, iterative environments with a bias toward action and strong attention to detail.

Glydways provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.

Voluntary Self-Identification

For government reporting purposes, we ask candidates to respond to a voluntary self-identification survey. Completion is entirely voluntary, confidential, and will not be used in the hiring process to determine eligibility or status.