Design Director, Product Design & AI (m/f/d)

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Design Director, Product Design & AI (m/f/d)

Company: Edenspiekermann

Location: Los Angeles, California, United States

Job Type: Permanent employee

Category: Product Design & AI Operations

Date Posted: 2026-08-12T14:21:12

Experience Level: Mid-Senior Level (8+ years)

Remote Status: Remote First (Southern California based)

🚀 Role Summary

• Lead complex digital product and design system engagements, integrating AI as a core component of the design and development process.

• Drive innovation by translating user needs, business objectives, and brand intent into tangible product and system direction, with a strong emphasis on AI-enabled experiences.

• Ensure design quality and strategic clarity across all client projects, from initial concept to delivery and continuous improvement, leveraging AI for efficiency and enhanced outcomes.

• Establish and evolve scalable design systems, including Figma libraries, component architectures, and documentation, connecting design decisions to production code and measurable product results.

• Facilitate workshops and guide multidisciplinary teams, including designers, product managers, and engineers, fostering collaboration and a high standard of craft, particularly in the application of AI.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is positioned within a design consultancy that operates at the intersection of product design, design systems, and cutting-edge AI applications. The "Operations" aspect of this role pertains to the operationalization of design processes, the management of design systems, and the strategic implementation of AI within product development workflows, rather than traditional revenue or sales operations. The emphasis is on leading engagements, ensuring quality, and driving adoption of innovative design and AI practices.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Lead client engagements end-to-end, from initial framing and design direction through delivery, adoption, and continuous improvement, ensuring alignment with client goals and Edenspiekermann's strategic vision.

• Translate complex user needs, business objectives, brand intent, accessibility requirements, engineering constraints, content strategies, and compliance mandates into clear, actionable product and system direction.

• Own and uphold the design quality of all work, meticulously balancing strategic clarity with exceptional visual design, interaction design, and systems design craft.

• Direct the creation, maintenance, and evolution of scalable design systems, including Figma libraries, component architectures, variables, design tokens, pattern libraries, interactive prototypes, and comprehensive documentation.

• Collaborate closely with product and engineering leaders to ensure seamless integration of design decisions with production code, release cycles, and quantifiable product outcomes, optimizing the design-to-code pipeline.

• Establish and implement practical governance models and contribution workflows that effectively support distributed teams while maintaining efficiency and preventing overload on central resources.

• Facilitate productive workshops and critical decision-making sessions with senior stakeholders across design, product, engineering, research, content strategy, and compliance departments.

• Guide multidisciplinary teams, mentor and coach junior designers, consistently set a high standard for design craft, and provide clear, constructive, and actionable feedback.

• Integrate Artificial Intelligence (AI) into the daily design practice for research synthesis, ideation, content generation, rapid prototyping, design system development, and design-to-code exploration.

• Prototype and test AI-enabled product experiences, including conversational, adaptive, generative, and agentic interactions, rigorously evaluating their ability to create meaningful value for users.

• Experiment with new AI tools and models at speed, actively share learnings and best practices, and guide the team in building repeatable AI workflows instead of relying on isolated, one-off demonstrations.

• Critically evaluate AI-generated output, establishing practical guardrails for quality, accessibility, data privacy, source material integrity, human review processes, and accountability frameworks.

• Contribute to shaping Edenspiekermann's overall practice in AI-enabled product development and design systems, influencing how the company pitches, delivers, and communicates its work in this domain.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a blend of traditional design leadership with a strong focus on systems thinking and the novel integration of AI. The emphasis on "governance," "contribution models," and "design-to-code connection" points towards a need for operational excellence in design processes, akin to how operations teams manage workflows and systems in other departments.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: While no specific degree is mandated, a strong portfolio and demonstrable experience in product design, UX/UI, or design systems are paramount. A background or strong understanding in areas related to human-computer interaction, computer science, or AI/ML would be advantageous.

Experience: A minimum of 8 years of progressive experience in product design, UX/UI design, or design systems is required. This must include several years of experience leading complex, end-to-end client or enterprise-level engagements.

Required Skills:

• Proven track record of leading complex digital product and design system engagements from inception to delivery.

• Deep understanding of systems thinking and its application in creating scalable design solutions.

• Expertise in leading the creation and evolution of comprehensive design systems across multiple products, platforms, brands, or teams.

• Proficiency in Figma for design system development, including component libraries, variables, tokens, and prototyping.

• Strong strategic leadership capabilities, with the ability to translate user needs, business goals, and technical constraints into clear design direction.

• Demonstrated experience in regulated or high-accountability environments, with a robust understanding of accessibility as a system requirement.

• Excellent client-facing communication and facilitation skills, with the ability to lead senior stakeholder conversations and drive decision-making.

• Active and proficient user of generative and agentic AI tools in a design context, capable of demonstrating workflows beyond basic prompting and differentiating hype from practical application.

• Fluency in English for effective communication with US and European teams.

• Based in Southern California, with a willingness and ability to travel to client sites across the United States as required.

• Legally authorized to work in the United States without sponsorship. Preferred Skills:

• Experience connecting design systems to production code, versioning strategies, and engineering adoption processes.

• Familiarity with AI/ML concepts and their practical application in product development.

• Experience in global medical technology or other highly regulated industries.

• Skills in prototyping AI-enabled product experiences, including conversational and generative interfaces.

• Ability to establish practical governance and contribution models for distributed design teams.

• Cross-cultural collaboration experience, particularly with European teams.

• A low-ego, collaborative attitude with a focus on collective success.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on AI experience is critical, requiring candidates to demonstrate practical application beyond surface-level prompting. The "systems thinking" and "design system leadership" requirements are core to operationalizing design at scale, aligning with the broader operations focus of the role.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A robust portfolio showcasing significant systems thinking and refined visual craft.

• Demonstrable examples of shipped digital products that reflect strong user-centered design principles.

• At least one substantial case study detailing a complex product or design system initiative, highlighting your role, strategic decisions, and measurable outcomes.

• A credible example of AI-enabled product work or a workflow that effectively leverages AI, demonstrating practical application and value creation.

• Evidence of experience in leading design systems, including their connection to Figma libraries, production code, documentation, versioning, and adoption strategies. Process Documentation:

• Case studies should clearly articulate the design process followed, from initial problem framing to final solution, emphasizing how user needs and business goals were addressed.

• Documentation of how you translated requirements (user, business, brand, accessibility, engineering, content, compliance) into clear product and system direction.

• Examples of how you have established and managed practical governance and contribution models for design systems or distributed teams.

• Documentation or case studies detailing the prototyping and testing of AI-enabled product experiences, including methodologies for evaluating their value.

• Explanation of how design decisions were connected to production code and measurable product outcomes, including any processes for design-to-code integration.

📝 Enhancement Note: The portfolio requirements are highly specific, focusing on systemic approaches, AI integration, and the operational aspects of design systems. Candidates must clearly articulate their process, decision-making, and impact, particularly concerning AI, to align with the role's emphasis on practical application and value.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: The annual salary range for this position is $120,000 to $150,000, depending on experience and qualifications.

Benefits:

• Comprehensive health coverage: Medical, dental, and vision insurance.

• Healthcare Flexible Spending Account (FSA) access.

• Retirement savings: 401(k) plan with a 2% company match.

• Performance-based incentives: Eligibility for a discretionary year-end bonus based on company performance.

• Generous time off: Flexible Paid Time Off (PTO) policy, coordinated around client and team commitments.

• Additional paid time off: Eleven paid holidays and a year-end office closure.

• Remote work support: Monthly internet stipend and wellness stipend.

• Professional development: Support for continuous learning and skill enhancement.

• Career advancement: Opportunities to lead visible, strategically important engagements and shape the company's AI practice.

• Global exposure: Regular collaboration with international colleagues across Europe and the United States.

Working Hours: While specific daily hours are not stated, the role is described as full-time. The flexible PTO policy and coordinated time off suggest a focus on outcomes and client/team needs rather than strict adherence to a 9-to-5 schedule, though a standard 40-hour work week is implied.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range provided is specific to the US market and Los Angeles area for a senior design leadership role with AI expertise. The benefits package is comprehensive, reflecting a modern, remote-first work environment with a focus on employee well-being and professional growth, which are key considerations for operations professionals seeking stability and development.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Design Consultancy / Digital Product Development. Edenspiekermann operates within the professional services sector, specializing in design, strategy, and digital transformation for leading organizations. Their experience spans over 40 years, indicating a stable yet forward-thinking company.

Company Size: The exact size is not specified, but the mention of a "US team" and "international portfolio" suggests a moderately sized global organization with multiple offices or teams. The emphasis on direct access to partners and senior leadership implies a structure that is not overly hierarchical.

Founded: The company was founded over 40 years ago, signifying a long-standing reputation and deep industry experience.

Team Structure:

• The US team is a significant component, with this role being a central position within it.

• The role involves leading multidisciplinary teams, suggesting collaboration with designers, product managers, engineers, researchers, and content strategists.

• There's a clear emphasis on cross-functional collaboration, both within client engagements and with European colleagues, indicating a globally integrated operational structure.

• The team culture is described as "high-craft, low-ego," promoting constructive feedback and individual contribution. Methodology:

• The company's approach to design is user-centric, combining conceptual thinking, sophisticated design understanding, and deep knowledge of web and app development.

• They emphasize agile and interdisciplinary team structures for developing digital products and services.

• A key methodology involves advising and coaching client teams to enhance customer experience, suggesting a consultancy model focused on knowledge transfer and empowerment.

• The integration of AI into their practice is a core, evolving methodology, used for research, ideation, prototyping, and delivery.

Company Website: https://www.edenspiekermann.com/

📝 Enhancement Note: The company's long history combined with its focus on AI and digital transformation suggests a blend of established expertise and a commitment to innovation. The "high-craft, low-ego" culture is a significant cultural indicator for operations professionals who value collaboration and mutual respect. The methodology emphasizes structured, user-focused delivery with a consultative approach, which is highly relevant to how operations roles are managed.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is a senior leadership position, equivalent to a Director or Lead level within a design or product operations context. It requires significant experience in leading complex engagements, managing systems, and influencing strategic decisions at both client and internal levels. The focus on AI integration positions this as a forward-looking role at the cutting edge of design operations.

Reporting Structure: While not explicitly stated, a Design Director typically reports to a higher-level executive (e.g., Head of Design, Partner, or Managing Director) and leads teams of designers and potentially design operations specialists. The mention of "direct access to partners and senior leadership" indicates a relatively flat hierarchy for senior roles.

Operations Impact: The impact of this role is significant, influencing the success of client product development and digital transformation initiatives. By leading complex engagements, ensuring design quality, and operationalizing design systems and AI integration, this role directly contributes to client satisfaction, product effectiveness, and Edenspiekermann's reputation and revenue. The focus on measurable product outcomes underscores the operational importance of design.

Growth Opportunities:

• Leadership Expansion: Potential to grow into a more senior leadership role within Edenspiekermann's US or global operations, potentially leading larger teams or expanding the AI practice area.

• Specialization Development: Deepen expertise in AI-enabled product design and design systems, becoming a recognized thought leader and key contributor to the company's strategic direction in this domain.

• Mentorship and Coaching: Opportunity to formally mentor and coach junior designers and contribute to the development of emerging talent within the organization, enhancing the overall capability and operational efficiency of the design team.

• Strategic Contribution: Influence company-wide strategies for AI integration, design system governance, and client engagement methodologies, contributing to the business development and operational framework of the consultancy.

📝 Enhancement Note: The growth opportunities highlight the potential for career progression within a specialized, high-demand area. For operations professionals, understanding these paths is crucial for long-term career planning and skill development, emphasizing the strategic and operational impact of design leadership roles.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: This is a "remote-first" role, with the primary work location being home-based. However, the role requires availability for travel to client sites across the United States as engagements demand. This hybrid approach necessitates strong self-management and communication skills.

Office Location(s): The role is based in Southern California, with the expectation of travel to client locations throughout the US. While the specific address listed is Los Angeles, the "remote-first" nature means the candidate can work from home within that region.

Workspace Context:

• Remote Workspace: Candidates are expected to maintain a suitable home office environment conducive to focused work and client calls.

• Collaborative Environment: Despite being remote-first, collaboration is central. This involves regular virtual meetings, workshops, and team interactions using digital collaboration tools. The need to travel for in-person client engagements highlights the importance of adaptability and in-person communication skills.

• Tools & Technology: Access to and proficiency with standard design software (like Figma), communication platforms, and project management tools is essential for seamless remote collaboration and project execution.

Work Schedule: The role is full-time, with a flexible PTO policy. While a standard 40-hour work week is typical, the emphasis on client and team commitments suggests that flexibility in working hours may be expected to meet project deadlines and stakeholder needs, aligning with the operational demands of a consultancy.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "remote-first" and "travel required" combination is a common operational model for consultancies. Candidates need to be comfortable with both independent remote work and the necessity of client-facing travel, managing their schedule effectively to balance these demands.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: Review of CV and portfolio to assess experience, skills, and alignment with the role's requirements, particularly AI and design systems expertise.

• Portfolio Presentation & Discussion: A session where candidates present their portfolio, focusing on case studies that demonstrate systems thinking, AI integration, and leadership in complex engagements. Expect detailed questions about their role, decisions, and measurable impact.

• Client Engagement Simulation/Discussion: Potential for a discussion or exercise simulating client interactions, problem-solving scenarios, or leading a workshop, assessing facilitation and strategic thinking skills.

• Team & Stakeholder Interviews: Meetings with other team members, potentially including partners or senior leadership, to evaluate cultural fit, collaboration style, and leadership potential.

• Final Interview: Likely with senior leadership to discuss overall fit, strategic vision for the role, and alignment with Edenspiekermann's goals.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select 2-3 strong case studies that best represent your capabilities in product design, design systems, and AI-enabled work. Ensure each case study clearly outlines the problem, your approach, your specific contributions, the tools/processes used (especially AI), the outcomes, and any lessons learned.

• Highlight AI Integration: For AI-enabled work, clearly explain how AI was used (e.g., for research synthesis, ideation, prototyping, content generation, design-to-code), what specific tools or models were employed, and the tangible value it added or the efficiency it brought. Differentiate between experimental use and integrated workflows.

• Demonstrate Systems Thinking: Showcase your ability to think holistically about products, design systems, and their interconnectedness. Illustrate how you've managed scalability, consistency, and adoption.

• Quantify Impact: Wherever possible, use metrics and data to demonstrate the measurable contribution of your work, especially concerning client business goals or product outcomes. For AI work, this could include efficiency gains, novel user experiences, or improved output quality.

• Articulate Leadership: Clearly define your leadership role in each case study, emphasizing strategic decision-making, team guidance, and stakeholder management.

Challenge Preparation:

• AI Strategy: Be prepared to discuss your perspective on the current and future role of AI in product design and design systems, including both opportunities and potential pitfalls (e.g., ethics, quality control, hype vs. reality).

• Design System Governance: Understand common challenges in design system adoption and maintenance, and be ready to propose practical governance and contribution models for distributed teams.

• Client Problem-Solving: Practice articulating how you would approach a new client engagement, from discovery and framing to strategy development and solution design, especially when AI is a key component.

📝 Enhancement Note: The application process emphasizes a strong portfolio that showcases practical AI application and systems thinking. The interview preparation advice focuses on demonstrating strategic leadership and operational acumen in design, which is crucial for this role.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Figma: Essential for design system development, component libraries, prototyping, and collaboration. Proficiency in advanced features like variables, tokens, and auto layout is expected.

• Prototyping Tools: Beyond Figma, familiarity with tools that facilitate rapid prototyping, especially for AI-enabled interfaces (e.g., interactive AI integrations, conversational UI mockups).

• AI Tools: Active daily use of generative AI tools (e.g., ChatGPT, Midjourney, Stable Diffusion, etc.) and potentially agentic AI platforms for research synthesis, ideation, content creation, code exploration, and workflow automation. Understanding how to prompt effectively and critically evaluate output is key.

Analytics & Reporting:

• While not explicitly listed, an understanding of product analytics tools (e.g., Google Analytics, Amplitude, Mixpanel) would be beneficial for understanding product performance and user behavior, informing design decisions and measuring impact. CRM & Automation:

• As a design consultancy, direct CRM interaction might be less frequent for this role, but understanding client management tools and project management software (e.g., Asana, Jira, Monday.com) is important for engagement execution and team coordination. Automation tools may be relevant for streamlining design workflows or AI processes.

📝 Enhancement Note: The explicit mention of Figma and the expectation of active use of generative and agentic AI tools are critical technical requirements. This highlights the operational need for designers to be proficient with the latest technologies that enhance efficiency and innovation in product development.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Craftsmanship & Quality: A commitment to high-quality design execution and a refined aesthetic, balanced with strategic thinking.

• Curiosity & Innovation: A drive to explore new technologies like AI, experiment with them, and integrate them into practice to create better products and workflows.

• Collaboration & Low Ego: A team-oriented approach where ideas are shared openly, feedback is constructive, and individual contributions serve the collective success of the team and clients.

• Judgment & Accountability: The ability to exercise sound decision-making, particularly in complex or ambiguous situations, and to take ownership of outcomes.

• User-Centricity: A fundamental focus on understanding and serving user needs throughout the design and development process.

• Practicality & Efficiency: A focus on creating workable, scalable solutions and efficient processes, including the operationalization of design systems and AI workflows.

Collaboration Style:

• Agile & Interdisciplinary: Working within agile frameworks and collaborating closely with diverse skill sets (design, product, engineering, research, content, compliance).

• Consultative: Advising and coaching client teams, fostering a partnership approach rather than simply delivering design assets.

• Distributed & Connected: Effective collaboration across remote teams and international offices, leveraging digital tools while also engaging in in-person client interactions.

• Feedback-Driven: A culture that encourages constructive feedback and continuous improvement through open communication channels.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on values like "curiosity & innovation," "judgment & accountability," and "practicality & efficiency" are highly relevant to operations professionals. These values inform how work is executed, how decisions are made, and how processes are optimized within the team.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• AI Integration Maturity: Navigating the rapidly evolving landscape of AI tools and models, distinguishing hype from genuine value, and establishing repeatable, reliable AI workflows for product design and development.

• Balancing Innovation with Governance: Integrating cutting-edge AI capabilities while maintaining design quality, accessibility, privacy, and ethical standards, especially in regulated industries.

• Client Education & Adoption: Guiding clients who may be less familiar with AI-driven design and systems, helping them understand the value and adopt new approaches effectively.

• Remote Collaboration Dynamics: Maintaining strong team cohesion, effective communication, and high design quality across a distributed, remote-first team, balanced with the need for client travel.

• Complexity of Design Systems: Managing and evolving scalable design systems that connect seamlessly with production code and support diverse products and platforms, ensuring adoption and contribution from distributed teams.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• AI Specialization: Deepen expertise in AI applications for design, exploring new models, tools, and methodologies to become a thought leader in this niche.

• Advanced Design Systems: Further develop skills in complex design system architecture, governance, and integration with engineering workflows.

• Client Strategy & Leadership: Enhance skills in strategic client consulting, complex problem-solving, and senior stakeholder management.

• Industry Engagement: Opportunities to contribute to Edenspiekermann's AI practice, potentially through thought leadership, speaking engagements, or developing new service offerings.

• Cross-Continental Collaboration: Gain experience working with and learning from international teams, broadening perspectives on design practices and market trends.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges and growth opportunities highlight areas where proactive problem-solving and continuous learning are essential. For operations professionals, understanding these challenges provides insight into the operational complexities and strategic priorities of the role, as well as the avenues for professional development.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a complex digital product or design system engagement you led from start to finish. What were the key strategic decisions, and how did you measure success?" (Focus on end-to-end ownership, strategic thinking, and outcome measurement.)

• "How have you integrated AI into your design process to improve efficiency or create new product experiences? Provide a specific example, detailing the tools used, your role, and the measurable impact." (Prepare a case study demonstrating practical AI application and value.)

• "How would you approach establishing practical governance and contribution models for a design system within a distributed team? What are the key considerations for ensuring adoption and scalability?" (Demonstrate understanding of operationalizing design systems.)

• "Imagine a client is hesitant about adopting AI-driven features due to concerns about quality and ethics. How would you address their concerns and guide them toward a solution?" (Prepare to discuss risk management, guardrails, and client education.) Company & Culture Questions:

• "What excites you about Edenspiekermann's approach to design and AI, and how do you see yourself contributing to our practice?" (Research the company's work, values, and recent initiatives.)

• "How do you embody a 'high-craft, low-ego' culture in your work and team interactions?" (Prepare examples of collaboration, constructive feedback, and humility.)

• "Describe a time you had to facilitate a difficult decision among senior stakeholders from different disciplines (e.g., design, engineering, product). What was your approach?" (Showcase facilitation and stakeholder management skills.) Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Narrative Structure: For each case study, tell a compelling story: the challenge, your strategic approach, your specific actions and decisions (especially with AI), the results, and your learnings.

• Visual Clarity: Use clear, concise visuals that effectively communicate complex ideas. Ensure Figma library examples are well-organized and easy to understand.

• Quantify AI Impact: Be ready to articulate the ROI or specific benefits derived from AI usage – e.g., time saved in research synthesis, novel ideation outputs, accelerated prototyping, or improved design-to-code handoff.

• Interactive Elements: If possible, include interactive prototypes or live demos that showcase the user experience and functionality, especially for AI-enabled features.

• Address Role & Ownership: Clearly define your specific role, contributions, and decision-making authority within each project, particularly in team-based engagements.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview preparation focuses on demonstrating strategic thinking, operational acumen in design systems and AI, and strong leadership skills. Candidates need to be ready to articulate their experience with tangible examples, especially concerning AI's practical application and impact.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Design Director position:

• Submit your application through the provided link on the Edenspiekermann careers page.

• Portfolio Customization: Tailor your portfolio to highlight your strongest examples of product design, design systems leadership, and credible AI-enabled work. Ensure case studies clearly articulate your process, role, and measurable impact, especially concerning AI integration.

• Resume Optimization: Update your CV to emphasize your 8+ years of experience in leading complex engagements, your expertise in design systems, and your practical application of AI in design workflows. Use keywords from the job description, such as "AI-enabled product development," "design systems," "systems thinking," and "client engagement leadership."

• Prepare Your Narrative: Practice articulating your experience and approach to AI in design, design system governance, and client facilitation. Be ready to walk through your portfolio case studies with clarity and confidence, focusing on your strategic decisions and the outcomes achieved.

• Company Research: Familiarize yourself with Edenspiekermann's work, values, and their stated interest in AI. Understand their consultancy model and how they approach client partnerships.

⚠️ Important Notice: This enhanced job description includes AI-generated insights and operations industry-standard assumptions. All details should be verified directly with the hiring organization before making application decisions.