Lead Designer, Design Systems & Structures

Apple Inc.; New York, Northern (NY, KY); Hybrid; USD 185,000 - 325,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Employee stock purchase plan

Discretionary bonuses

Relocation assistance

Education reimbursement

Job summary

Apple Inc. is seeking a Lead Designer to shape the systems and structures that define how content and brand come to life across Services. You will set strategic direction for content design systems and formats and partner with cross-functional teams to scale impact.

The role requires strong systems thinking, leadership of design systems initiatives, and fluency in design tools and AI-powered workflows. You will mentor designers, translate complex requirements into elegant design system

Qualifications

• 12+ years of experience in human interface design, content design and UX design.
• Expert-level proficiency in design tools (Sketch, CS Suite and Figma). Prototyping skills are beneficial.
• Experience working across multiple products and lines of business simultaneously.
• Strong understanding of content strategy, information architecture, and editorial standards.

Responsibilities

• Lead the design, development, and evolution of content design systems used across Apple Services.
• Define and operationalize cohesive content structures that reflect Apple's signature voice, style, and experience principles.
• Leverage AI tools, design tools, and emerging technologies to advance the efficiency and quality of content design at scale.
• Partner with design, engineering, product, and business teams to ensure systems are adopted, maintained, and continuously improved.
• Support the exploration and development of new content formats across Services.
• Mentor and guide IC designers, raising the craft and capability of the team.
• Synthesize complex, cross-functional requirements into clear, elegant design system solutions.

Skills

Human interface design

Content design

UX design

Design leadership

Communication

Tools

Sketch

CS Suite

Figma

Job description

Lead Designer, Design Systems & Structures

New York City, New York, United States Software and Services

At Apple, extraordinary ideas become products, services, and experiences that shape culture. Bring passion and precision to your craft, and there's no limit to what you can build.The Content Design team supports Apple Services products and defines the content experience across some of Apple's most visible products. We focus on how people consume, create and connect across all our applications. We are looking for a lead Designer to shape the systems and structures that define how content and brand comes to life across Apple's Services. This is a rare opportunity to work at the intersection of design, systems thinking, and emerging technology, helping define the next generation of signature Apple content experiences.

Description

As a lead on the Design Systems & Structures team, you will set the strategic direction for content design systems and formats across Services lines of business, partner closely with cross-functional teams, and bring a rigorous, human-centered approach to building scalable frameworks that uphold Apple's standards of quality and craft.Description- Lead the design, development, and evolution of content design systems used across Apple Services- Define and operationalize cohesive content structures that reflect Apple's signature voice, style, and experience principles- Leverage AI tools, design tools, and emerging technologies to advance the efficiency and quality of content design at scale- Partner with design, engineering, product, and business teams to ensure systems are adopted, maintained, and continuously improved- Support the exploration and development of new content formats across Services- Mentor and guide IC designers, raising the craft and capability of the team- Synthesize complex, cross-functional requirements into clear, elegant design system solutions

Responsibilities

• You will be a systems thinker who finds clarity in complexity and can translate broad strategic goals into actionable frameworks
• A seasoned content design and UX leader with a strong portfolio demonstrating design systems work at scale
• Deeply fluent in design tools and current in your knowledge of AI-powered design tooling and emerging technologies
• A clear and confident communicator who can influence without authority across disciplines
• Equally comfortable working at the conceptual level and diving into the details when it matters
• Passionate about content and brand design as a craft and committed to Apple-caliber quality

Minimum Qualifications

• 12+ years of experience in human interface design, content design and UX design
• Demonstrated experience leading owning design systems work in a large, complex organization
• Expert-level proficiency in design tools (Sketch, CS Suite and Figma). Prototyping skills are beneficial.
• Experience working across multiple products and lines of business simultaneously
• Strong understanding of content strategy, information architecture, and editorial standards

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in a consumer technology, media and services environment
• Familiarity with AI-assisted content and design workflows
• Experience developing new content formats and pioneering design system standards from the ground up
• Prior experience mentoring and managing designers

At Apple, base pay is one part of our total compensation package and is determined within a range. This provides the opportunity to progress as you grow and develop within a role. The base pay range for this role is between $184,700 and $324,800, and your base pay will depend on your skills, qualifications, experience, and location.

• Apple employees also have the opportunity to become an Apple shareholder through participation in Apple’s discretionary employee stock programs.
• Apple employees are eligible for discretionary restricted stock unit awards, and can purchase Apple stock at a discount if voluntarily participating in Apple’s Employee Stock Purchase Plan.
• You’ll also receive benefits including: Comprehensive medical and dental coverage, retirement benefits, a range of discounted products and free services, and for formal education related to advancing your career at Apple, reimbursement for certain educational expenses — including tuition.
• Additionally, this role might be eligible for discretionary bonuses or commission payments as well as relocation.

Learn more about Apple Benefits

Note: Apple benefit, compensation and employee stock programs are subject to eligibility requirements and other terms of the applicable plan or program.

Apple is an equal opportunity employer that is committed to inclusion and diversity. We seek to promote equal opportunity for all applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, Veteran status, or other legally protected characteristics. Learn more about your EEO rights as an applicant

At Apple, we believe accessibility is a fundamental human right. You’ll find that idea reflected in everything here — in our culture, our benefits and our digital tools. By welcoming as many perspectives as possible, we help you build a career where you feel like you belong.

Learn about accessibility in Apple’s workplace

Learn about reasonable accommodations for job applicants

Apple accepts applications to this posting on an ongoing basis.