Visual Design Principal: Lead Design Systems & Motion

Ladders; United States; Remote; USD 167,000 - 280,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Mentorship

Collaborative team

Cutting-edge tools

Automotive digital focus

Job summary

Ladders is seeking a Visual Design Principal to join our client in the Manufacturing & Automotive space. Remote US-based.

You will define and elevate the visual language across digital experiences, with emphasis on design systems, motion, and high craft. Partner with UX, product, and engineering leaders to solve complex design challenges, guide teams, and ensure consistent implementation of visual design principles across platforms.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in graphic design, visual communication, interaction design, or a related field.
• 8+ years of experience in visual design and/or motion for digital products.
• Strong portfolio showcasing high-level visual craft and design systems.
• Experience defining and scaling design principles across products or teams.
• Proficiency with design and prototyping tools like Figma and Adobe Creative Cloud.
• Experience leading design work and influencing partners without formal authority.
• Strong communication skills for explaining design rationale to diverse stakeholders.
• Collaborative approach to critique and shared problem-solving.

Responsibilities

• Set and communicate a clear vision for visual design across digital experiences
• Lead the evolution of visual design and motion standards for the Digital Product Design team
• Shape high-impact design work from exploration through prototyping and delivery
• Create exemplar work that demonstrates quality and interaction principles across products
• Partner with UX, product, and engineering leaders to resolve design challenges
• Guide teams in applying visual design principles consistently across different contexts
• Collaborate with engineering to define implementation approaches and maintain design intent

Skills

Design leadership

Visual communication

Motion design

Design systems

Cross-functional collaboration

Communication

Influencing without authority

Education

Bachelor's degree in graphic design/visual communication/interaction design

Tools

Figma

Adobe Creative Cloud

Job description

Ladders is seeking a Visual Design Principal to join our client in the Manufacturing & Automotive space. Remote US-based.

You will define and elevate the visual language across digital experiences, with emphasis on design systems, motion, and high craft. Partner with UX, product, and engineering leaders to solve complex design challenges, guide teams, and ensure consistent implementation of visual design principles across platforms.