Staff Product Designer, Design Systems

Motive Software; San Francisco (CA); On-site; USD 220,000 - 276,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Access to BetterUp coaching

Competitive compensation plan

Medical, dental, and vision insurance

Flexible paid time off

401(k) self-contribution

Job summary

Motive Software in San Francisco is seeking a Staff Product Designer to evolve and scale the design system across web and mobile platforms. The role involves strategy ownership, AI-powered workflows, and collaboration with engineering and product teams.

The ideal candidate has at least 7 years of experience in product design, including 3 years focused on design systems. You'll ensure consistency and enhance team velocity through comprehensive documentation and AI integration efforts.

Qualifications

• 7+ years of product design experience, including at least 3 years focused on design systems at scale.
• Deep expertise in building and scaling design systems across web and mobile platforms.
• Expert-level proficiency with Figma and evaluating emerging AI-powered design tools.

Responsibilities

• Own the end-to-end strategy, architecture, and evolution of the design system.
• Define and drive AI-powered workflows for design system implementation.
• Establish and maintain a comprehensive component library.

Skills

Visual design taste

Product design experience

Building design systems

Integrating AI tools

Proficiency with Figma

Understanding front-end technologies

Leading cross-functional initiatives

Exceptional communication skills

Education

7+ years of product design experience

Experience focused on design systems

Tools

Figma

HTML

CSS

React

Job description

Staff Product Designer, Design Systems – Overview

BetterUp is seeking a Staff Product Designer to own, evolve, and scale our design system across web and mobile platforms. The role sits at the intersection of craft, systems thinking, and AI-powered design, ensuring consistent, accessible, and velocity-focused product experiences.

What You’ll Do

• Own the end-to-end strategy, architecture, and evolution of BetterUp’s design system to scale across web and mobile product surfaces
• Define and drive AI-powered workflows for design system implementation—including AI-assisted component generation, code translation, and automated quality checks
• Establish and maintain a comprehensive component library with clear documentation, usage guidelines, and contribution standards that enable product teams to move faster
• Partner closely with Engineering, Product, and Brand to ensure the design system reflects both technical feasibility and brand integrity
• Lead the evaluation and integration of cutting-edge AI design tools (e.g., Figma AI, generative design plugins, code-to-design bridges) into the design system workflow
• Build governance frameworks and best practices for responsible, consistent use of AI in design processes across the organization
• Mentor and coach designers across the organization on design systems thinking, AI-augmented workflows, and craft excellence
• Anticipate industry shifts in design tooling and AI capabilities, positioning BetterUp to adopt them ahead of competitors
• Drive measurable improvements in design-to-development handoff speed, component reuse rates, and cross-platform consistency
• Serve as a trusted advisor to Design and Product leadership on design system strategy, AI capabilities, and long-term technical direction

What You’ll Bring

• Extraordinary visual design taste with rigorous, opinionated eye for typography, color, spacing, and detail
• 7+ years of product design experience, including at least 3 years focused on design systems at scale
• Deep expertise in building and scaling design systems across web and mobile platforms (token architectures, component APIs, documentation frameworks)
• Demonstrated experience integrating AI tools into design and development workflows (e.g., AI-assisted prototyping, generative design, automated component generation)
• Expert-level proficiency with Figma (including Variables, Auto Layout, and component architecture) and evaluating emerging AI-powered design tools
• Strong understanding of front-end technologies (HTML, CSS, React or similar frameworks) and how design systems bridge design and engineering
• Track record of leading cross-functional initiatives that span multiple teams and disciplines
• Exceptional communication skills with the ability to influence VP-level leaders and gain buy-in for strategic design system investments
• Portfolio demonstrating systems-level thinking, craft excellence, and impact at scale

You’ll Thrive Here If You

• Have experience building AI-native design system tooling or contributing to open-source design systems
• Have a background in accessibility standards (WCAG) and inclusive design practices baked into system-level components
• Excel with design-to-code automation tools and workflows
• Have familiarity with coaching, HR tech, or enterprise SaaS product domains
• Possess external thought leadership through speaking, writing, or open-source contributions in the design systems space

Benefits

• Access to BetterUp coaching – one for you and one for a friend or family member
• A competitive compensation plan with opportunities for advancement
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• Flexible paid time off
• Per year:
  • All federal/statutory holidays observed
  • 4 BetterUp Inner Workdays
  • 5 Volunteer Days
  • Learning and Development stipend
  • Company-wide Summer & Winter breaks
• Year-round charitable contribution of your choice on behalf of BetterUp
• 401(k) self-contribution

Salary Range

New York City and San Francisco: $220,000 – $276,000
Austin and Arlington: $198,000 – $248,000

Equal Employment Opportunity

BetterUp Inc. provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, genetics, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status. In addition to federal law requirements, BetterUp Inc. complies with applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment in every location in which the company has facilities. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.