Design Systems Lead

Into Design Systems; Irvine (CA); Hybrid; USD 140,000 - 200,000; Full time

Job summary

Taco Bell is seeking a Design Systems Lead to build, scale and govern its design system as a core product ecosystem across mobile apps, web platforms, kiosk experiences and internal tools. You will own both strategic evolution and operational execution in a hybrid role based in Irvine, CA.

You will lead architecture, tokens, components and documentation, partner with Engineering and Product, drive system consistency across multi-surface platforms, and enable organization-wide adoption with

Qualifications

• 8+ years of experience in design with deep specialization in design systems.
• Proven experience building and scaling enterprise design systems.
• Expert proficiency in design systems tooling and system architecture across platforms.
• Deep understanding of multi-surface platforms (mobile, web, kiosk, internal tools).
• Strong experience partnering with engineering teams on system implementation.

Responsibilities

• Lead the architecture, evolution and governance of the design system across foundations, tokens, components, patterns and documentation.
• Manage cross-functional relationships with Engineering, Product, Merchandising, Marketing, Brand and Platform teams.
• Drive system consistency across mobile, web, kiosk, internal tools and future platforms.
• Partner closely with engineering teams to align design intent with technical implementation.
• Define contribution models, lifecycle management, versioning and system scalability standards.
• Lead enablement, adoption, education and system rollout across the organization.

Skills

Design systems

Figma

Design tokens

System architecture

Cross-functional collaboration

Tools

Figma

Job description

Taco Bell is hiring a Design Systems Lead to build, scale and govern its design system as a core product ecosystem rather than a UI toolkit, driving consistency, scalability and cross-platform cohesion across the business. The role shapes an enterprise design platform that powers mobile apps, web platforms, kiosk experiences, internal tools and future digital products, and owns both the strategic evolution and the operational execution of that platform. Reports to the Senior UX Manager / Creative Director. Hybrid schedule with onsite expectations Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, plus a year-round flex day Friday. No visa sponsorship is offered, applicants must already be authorized to work in the United States on a full-time, permanent basis.

What you'll do

• Lead the architecture, evolution and governance of the design system across foundations, tokens, components, patterns, modules and documentation
• Manage cross-functional relationships with Engineering, Product, Merchandising, Marketing, Brand and Platform teams
• Drive system consistency across mobile, web, kiosk, internal tools and future platforms
• Partner closely with engineering teams to align design intent with technical implementation
• Define contribution models, lifecycle management, versioning and system scalability standards
• Lead enablement, adoption, education and system rollout across the organization

What they're looking for

• 8+ years of experience in design, with deep specialization in design systems
• Proven experience building and scaling enterprise design systems
• Expert proficiency in Figma, design tokens, component libraries and system architecture
• Deep understanding of multi-surface platforms (mobile, web, kiosk, internal tools)
• Strong experience partnering directly with engineering teams on system implementation
• Ability to operate at both strategic and execution levels within complex organizations
• Authorization to work in the United States on a full-time, permanent basis without sponsorship