Design Systems Architect

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Design Systems Architect

Company: CoreStar

Location: Limassol, Cyprus

Job Type: Full-Time

Category: Design Systems & Frontend Operations

Date Posted: April 21, 2026

Experience Level: Mid-Senior Level (5-10 years implied)

Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• Architect, build, and maintain a robust UI component library and comprehensive design system within Figma, ensuring scalability and ease of use for both design and development teams.

• Drive consistency and efficiency across product development by managing design tokens, component variants, and auto-layout properties to adhere to established design principles.

• Facilitate seamless design-to-development handoff through synchronization of Figma components with frontend code and the creation of detailed documentation and automation tools.

• Enhance team productivity by developing custom Figma plugins and automation scripts that simplify workflows, manage design tokens, and improve the overall design system adoption.

• Conduct regular UI audits to guarantee adherence to the design system, identify inconsistencies, and propose actionable improvements for system integrity and product quality.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is a hybrid of design system architecture and operations, focusing on the infrastructure that supports both design and frontend development. It requires a strong understanding of how design systems function as a central operational asset for product teams. The implied experience level of 5-10 years suggests a need for an individual who can independently lead design system initiatives and mentor others.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Develop and meticulously maintain a scalable UI component library within Figma, ensuring best practices for variants, properties, and auto-layout are implemented.

• Oversee the management and implementation of design tokens (colors, typography, spacing, etc.) across the design system, ensuring consistency and adherence to brand guidelines.

• Architect and evolve the component architecture to support future scalability, reusability, and maintainability by design and development teams.

• Establish and manage the synchronization process between Figma components and their corresponding frontend code components to ensure parity and reduce discrepancies.

• Provide expert support and guidance to designers and developers in the effective adoption and utilization of the design system, fostering a collaborative environment.

• Execute comprehensive UI audits to identify deviations from the design system, document findings, and recommend corrective actions to maintain design integrity.

• Create and maintain comprehensive design system documentation, including detailed component usage examples, onboarding guides for new team members, and best practice guidelines.

• Develop and manage a Storybook instance (or similar component documentation system) to showcase UI components, their states, and usage patterns.

• Design, develop, and maintain custom Figma plugins and automation tools to streamline workflows, simplify design token management, and enhance the design-to-development handoff process.

• Implement and manage scripts and tools for automating design system processes, including version control, publishing, and updates.

• Set up and maintain systems for exporting and synchronizing design tokens between Figma and the codebase, ensuring a single source of truth.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a strong operational focus on standardization, efficiency, and cross-functional enablement, characteristic of a senior role within a GTM or product operations context. The emphasis on automation and tooling suggests a need for proactive problem-solving and system-level thinking.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: While not explicitly stated, a Bachelor's degree in Graphic Design, Human-Computer Interaction, Computer Science, or a related field is typically expected for this level of expertise. Equivalent practical experience will also be strongly considered.

Experience: A minimum of 5-10 years of progressive experience in design systems, UI/UX design, or frontend development with a strong focus on design system architecture and implementation.

Required Skills:

• Proven experience in developing and managing design systems and component libraries within Figma.

• Deep understanding of design system principles, including variants, auto-layout, component architecture, and nested components.

• Expertise in working with and managing design tokens for colors, typography, spacing, and other design elements.

• Experience with Storybook or similar component documentation platforms for showcasing and managing UI components.

• Solid foundational knowledge of HTML and CSS, enabling an understanding of how design system elements translate to code.

• Ability to read and comprehend frontend code (e.g., JavaScript, TypeScript) to facilitate effective communication and synchronization with development teams.

• Experience developing or extensively using Figma plugins or interacting with the Figma API to extend functionality and automate workflows.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience managing large-scale, enterprise-level design systems with diverse user bases.

• Demonstrated experience in synchronizing design tokens and components between design tools (Figma) and frontend codebases.

• Proficiency in JavaScript or TypeScript for developing advanced Figma plugins, automation scripts, or contributing to frontend component development.

• Familiarity with CI/CD pipelines for design system assets.

• Experience with version control systems like Git.

• Understanding of accessibility standards (WCAG) and their integration into design systems.

📝 Enhancement Note: The required skills emphasize a blend of design thinking, technical proficiency, and operational rigor. The preference for JavaScript/TypeScript and large-scale experience points towards a role that requires leadership and the ability to handle complex, high-impact projects, aligning with a senior operations or architect-level position.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Showcase at least two comprehensive design system projects, detailing the problem, your approach, the tools used (Figma, Storybook, etc.), and the impact on design and development efficiency.

• Include examples of Figma component architecture, demonstrating your understanding of variants, auto-layout, and nested components, along with explanations of your design decisions.

• Present examples of design token implementation and management, illustrating how you've ensured consistency and scalability across a system.

• Demonstrate your experience with creating interactive documentation, such as Storybook components or well-structured Figma libraries, with clear usage guidelines.

Process Documentation:

• Detail your methodology for establishing and maintaining design system documentation, including onboarding guides, component usage examples, and best practice recommendations.

• Outline your process for conducting UI audits, including the criteria used, the methods for identifying inconsistencies, and how you report and track issues.

• Describe your approach to synchronizing design assets between Figma and frontend code, including any tools or workflows implemented to ensure parity.

• Explain your process for gathering feedback from designers and developers to iterate on and improve the design system, demonstrating a user-centric approach.

📝 Enhancement Note: A strong portfolio is critical for this role, as it serves as tangible proof of the candidate's ability to architect, build, and operationalize a design system. The emphasis on process documentation highlights the need for candidates who can clearly articulate their methodologies and ensure the ongoing health and adoption of the system.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: Based on industry benchmarks for a Design Systems Architect with 5-10 years of experience in Cyprus, the estimated annual salary range is €45,000 - €70,000. This range accounts for the specialized skill set, the on-site work arrangement in Limassol, and the company's focus on high-performance solutions.

Benefits:

• Generous Paid Time Off: 24 working days of paid annual leave, providing ample opportunity for rest and rejuvenation.

• Comprehensive Sick Leave: 6 days of paid sick leave, ensuring well-being is prioritized.

• Official Employment: Secure and official employment status with all associated rights and protections.

• Medical Insurance: Provision of medical insurance to cover healthcare needs.

• Office Amenities: Access to a well-stocked coffee zone with complimentary fruits and snacks to fuel your workday.

• Corporate Lunch: Daily corporate lunches provided by the company, fostering team bonding and convenience.

• Wellness Programs: Access to gym facilities and sports classes to support a healthy lifestyle.

• Positive Work Environment: A healthy, friendly, and collaborative work atmosphere.

• Language Development: Partially covered Greek and English language classes to support professional and personal growth.

Working Hours: The standard working hours are approximately 40 hours per week, typical for a full-time role. While specific flexibility isn't detailed, the emphasis on a "healthy and friendly work atmosphere" suggests a supportive approach to work-life balance.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary estimate is based on research of similar roles in Cyprus, considering the specified experience level and the specialized nature of design systems architecture. Benefits are detailed as provided, with emphasis on aspects that contribute to employee well-being and professional development, which are attractive to operations-focused professionals.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Technology, specifically supporting partners in heavy-load industries with high-performance solutions. This implies a focus on robust, scalable, and reliable technology, influencing the demands on design systems to be equally dependable and efficient.

Company Size: While not explicitly stated, the mention of "expert teams" and "startup-driven mindset" suggests a growing company, likely in the small to medium-sized enterprise (SME) range, where individual contributions have a significant impact.

Founded: The company was founded with a mission to provide high-performance solutions, indicating a history of innovation and a commitment to technical excellence. This background shapes a culture that values cutting-edge solutions and efficient execution.

Team Structure:

• The Design Systems Architect will likely be part of a Design or Engineering team, potentially with a dedicated Design Systems function or integrated within a larger Product Development group.

• Reporting is expected to be to a Design Lead, Head of Product, or Engineering Manager, depending on the organizational structure.

Methodology:

• Data Analysis & Insights: The role requires analyzing usage patterns of the design system, UI audit findings, and feedback from teams to drive iterative improvements and prioritize roadmap items.

• Workflow Planning & Optimization: A core function involves planning and optimizing workflows related to design system creation, maintenance, and adoption, with a focus on automation.

• Automation & Efficiency: The company's "startup-driven mindset" and focus on "efficiency" suggest a culture that embraces automation and tools to minimize manual effort and accelerate development cycles.

Company Website: https://corestar-corp.com/

📝 Enhancement Note: The company's focus on "high-performance solutions" and a "startup-driven mindset" suggests a dynamic environment where efficiency, innovation, and robust tooling are highly valued. This context is crucial for a Design Systems Architect, as the system itself is a critical operational tool for achieving these goals.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is positioned as a senior or architect-level position within the design operations and frontend development sphere. It requires a high degree of autonomy, strategic thinking, and the ability to lead initiatives that have a broad impact across product teams. The focus is on building and maintaining foundational operational assets (the design system) that enable efficient and consistent product delivery.

Reporting Structure: The Design Systems Architect will report to a senior leader within Design, Product, or Engineering. This position often acts as a bridge between design and development, requiring strong communication and collaboration with peers across these functions.

Operations Impact: The primary impact of this role is on operational efficiency, product quality, and brand consistency. By establishing and maintaining a robust design system, the architect directly contributes to faster development cycles, reduced technical debt, improved user experience, and a stronger, more cohesive brand identity. This role is pivotal in scaling design and development efforts effectively.

Growth Opportunities:

• Specialization: Deepen expertise in advanced design system methodologies, tooling (e.g., AI in design systems), and frontend integration strategies.

• Leadership: Transition into a lead role for a design systems team, managing other architects or contributing to the strategic direction of product development tooling.

• Cross-Functional Advancement: Move into product management, engineering leadership, or specialized roles focusing on developer experience (DevEx) or design operations strategy.

• Skill Development: Opportunities to learn and apply new technologies, contribute to open-source design system projects, and attend industry conferences.

📝 Enhancement Note: The growth trajectory for a Design Systems Architect is strong, particularly within companies that prioritize scalable product development. The role offers a blend of technical depth and strategic influence, making it a valuable stepping stone for various leadership and specialized operational roles.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The role is specified as "On-site," indicating a traditional office-based work environment. This suggests opportunities for in-person collaboration, spontaneous ideation, and direct interaction with colleagues.

Office Location(s): The office is located in Limassol, Cyprus. This location offers a Mediterranean lifestyle and a growing tech hub environment. Specific details regarding office accessibility or amenities beyond those listed in benefits would need to be confirmed.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Environment: The company emphasizes a "healthy and friendly work atmosphere," suggesting an environment conducive to teamwork and open communication.

• Tools & Technology: As a technology company focused on high-performance solutions, the workspace is expected to be equipped with modern technology and tools necessary for design and development, including powerful workstations and reliable network infrastructure. The role itself will heavily utilize Figma, Storybook, and potentially IDEs for scripting.

• Team Interaction: The on-site nature facilitates direct interaction with designers, developers, and product managers, fostering a strong sense of team cohesion and enabling efficient problem-solving.

Work Schedule: The standard full-time work schedule (around 40 hours per week) is implied. While the company culture promotes a healthy atmosphere, specific policies on flexible working arrangements within the on-site context would need clarification.

📝 Enhancement Note: The on-site requirement in Limassol suggests a company that values in-person collaboration and team synergy, which can be highly beneficial for operational roles requiring constant communication and alignment.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A brief call with HR or a recruiter to assess basic qualifications, cultural fit, and interest in the role.

• Technical Interview(s): One or more interviews with design leads, engineering managers, or senior developers. These will focus on your technical skills, understanding of design systems, and problem-solving abilities. Expect discussions around Figma usage, component architecture, and design token implementation.

• Portfolio Review Session: A dedicated session where you will walk through your design system portfolio. Be prepared to explain your design decisions, the challenges you faced, the solutions you implemented, and the impact of your work. Focus on the operational aspects and efficiency gains.

• Case Study/Practical Exercise: You may be asked to complete a take-home assignment or a live coding/design exercise related to building a component, documenting a system, or solving a design system problem. This will assess your practical skills and approach.

• Team/Culture Fit Interview: An opportunity to meet potential team members and discuss how you collaborate and fit into the company culture.

• Final Interview: Likely with a senior stakeholder (e.g., Head of Product/Engineering) to finalize the decision.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Structure for Impact: Organize your portfolio to clearly present each project's context, your role, the problem statement, your solution, and measurable outcomes (e.g., reduced dev time, improved consistency).

• Showcase Operations: Highlight how your design system work contributes to operational efficiency, scalability, and smoother handoffs. Quantify benefits whenever possible.

• Figma Expertise: Demonstrate advanced Figma skills, including complex component structures, auto-layout mastery, and efficient use of variants.

• Documentation Clarity: Present examples of clear, concise, and actionable documentation that facilitates adoption.

• Automation Focus: If you've built plugins or scripts, explain the problem they solved and the efficiency gains achieved. Show code snippets if possible.

• Tell a Story: Frame your projects as narratives of problem-solving and innovation, making your contributions memorable.

Challenge Preparation:

• Design System Fundamentals: Refresh your knowledge on core design system principles, component patterns, and best practices.

• Figma & Tooling: Practice using Figma features relevant to component creation and management. Be ready to discuss your experience with Storybook and any automation tools.

• Code Comprehension: Review basic HTML, CSS, and potentially JavaScript/TypeScript concepts to discuss how design system elements translate to code.

• Problem-Solving Scenarios: Anticipate questions about how you would approach common design system challenges (e.g., inconsistent adoption, complex component needs, scaling issues).

• Communication: Practice articulating technical concepts clearly and concisely to both technical and non-technical audiences.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process for this role is heavily focused on practical application and portfolio demonstration, underscoring the importance of the design system as a core operational asset. Candidates should prepare to showcase not just design skills, but also their ability to manage and optimize this critical infrastructure.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Figma: The central tool for design system architecture, component creation, prototyping, and collaboration. Proficiency in advanced features like components, variants, auto-layout, styles, and libraries is essential.

• Storybook: A platform for developing, documenting, and testing UI components in isolation. Experience in setting up, configuring, and populating Storybook is highly valued.

• Design Tokens Management Tools: Tools or custom solutions for defining, managing, and synchronizing design tokens (e.g., Style Dictionary, proprietary scripts, or Figma plugins).

Analytics & Reporting:

• UI Audit Tools/Methods: While not specific software, this involves systematic processes for reviewing UI consistency. This could involve checklists, automated scripts, or manual review against design system guidelines.

• Documentation Platforms: Systems for organizing and sharing design system information, such as Confluence, Notion, or built-in Storybook documentation.

CRM & Automation:

• Figma Plugins/API: For custom tool development, workflow automation, and integration with other systems.

• Scripting Languages (JavaScript/TypeScript): For developing Figma plugins, automation scripts, and potentially contributing to frontend component logic.

• Version Control (Git): For managing code and potentially design system asset versions.

📝 Enhancement Note: The technology stack for this role is heavily skewed towards design and frontend development tooling, but with a strong operational overlay. The emphasis on Figma plugins, automation, and synchronization highlights the need for a technically adept individual who can build and maintain the infrastructure that bridges design and code.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Efficiency: A strong drive to optimize processes, automate repetitive tasks, and reduce friction in design and development workflows.

• Consistency: Commitment to maintaining high standards of design and brand consistency across all product touchpoints through robust system governance.

• Collaboration: Fostering an environment where designers and developers work together seamlessly, sharing knowledge and providing mutual support.

• Innovation: Encouraging the exploration of new tools, techniques, and methodologies to continuously improve the design system and development processes.

• Data-Driven Decisions: Utilizing data from UI audits, usage analytics, and team feedback to inform design system updates and strategic direction.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-Functional Integration: Actively engaging with designers, frontend developers, product managers, and QA to ensure the design system meets diverse needs and integrates smoothly into existing workflows.

• Process Review & Feedback: Encouraging a culture of continuous feedback and process improvement, where team members feel comfortable suggesting enhancements to the design system and its associated workflows.

• Knowledge Sharing: Facilitating the sharing of best practices, component usage guidance, and updates through documentation, workshops, and direct support.

📝 Enhancement Note: The company's values and desired collaboration style are deeply intertwined with the operational nature of a design system. A successful candidate will not only be technically proficient but also a strong collaborator and advocate for efficient, consistent product development practices.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Adoption & Governance: Ensuring widespread adoption of the design system across multiple teams and projects, and maintaining governance to prevent divergence.

• Synchronization Complexity: Managing the technical challenges of keeping Figma components and frontend code components perfectly in sync, especially as projects scale.

• Tooling Maintenance: Keeping custom plugins and automation scripts up-to-date with Figma updates and evolving team needs.

• Balancing Innovation & Stability: Striving for continuous improvement and introducing new features while ensuring the core system remains stable and reliable for ongoing development.

• Cross-Team Alignment: Facilitating communication and alignment between diverse teams with potentially different priorities and workflows.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Advanced Design System Concepts: Deepen expertise in areas like accessibility, internationalization, performance optimization, and AI-driven design system tools.

• Frontend Development Skills: Enhance knowledge of modern frontend frameworks (e.g., React, Vue, Angular) and their integration with design systems.

• Tooling & Automation: Explore advanced scripting, API integrations, and CI/CD practices for design systems.

• Leadership & Strategy: Develop skills in strategic planning, team leadership, and influencing product development roadmaps.

• Industry Engagement: Participate in design system conferences (e.g., Clarity, DesignOps events) and contribute to the broader design systems community.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role presents significant opportunities for professional growth by tackling complex operational challenges within a critical product development infrastructure. The company's support for learning and development indicates a commitment to employee advancement.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe your process for creating a new component within a design system, from initial concept to implementation and documentation." (Focus on process steps, collaboration, and documentation).

• "How do you ensure consistency and prevent 'drift' when multiple teams are using and contributing to a design system?" (Focus on governance, audits, and communication strategies).

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What interests you most about CoreStar and our mission to support heavy-load industries?" (Show research into the company and align your skills with their goals).

• "How do you approach collaboration with both designers and frontend developers, considering their different perspectives and needs?" (Highlight your bridging role and communication skills).

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Start with the "Why": For each project, clearly articulate the problem the design system or component solved and the business or operational impact.

• Show, Don't Just Tell: Use live demos or well-annotated screenshots of Figma, Storybook, and any custom tools. Walk through an example component's lifecycle.

• Highlight Operational Wins: Emphasize how your work improved efficiency, reduced errors, sped up development, or enhanced consistency. Quantify these wins with data.

• Explain Your Decisions: Be ready to justify your architectural choices, component patterns, and tooling decisions.

• Be Prepared for Deep Dives: Expect questions about specific Figma features, code structure, and your understanding of frontend concepts.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation should focus on demonstrating both technical expertise in design systems and a strong understanding of their operational value. Candidates should be ready to articulate how they build, maintain, and evolve this critical infrastructure to support business objectives.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Design Systems Architect position:

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

• Customize Your Resume: Tailor your resume to highlight specific achievements in design system architecture, component development, Figma expertise, automation, and cross-functional collaboration. Use keywords from the job description, such as "Figma," "Design Systems," "Component Libraries," "Design Tokens," and "Storybook."

• Curate Your Portfolio: Select your strongest design system projects that demonstrate your ability to build, manage, and document robust systems. Ensure your portfolio clearly articulates the operational impact and efficiency gains of your work, with specific examples of Figma component architecture and automation tools.

• Prepare for the Interview: Practice articulating your experience with design systems, your approach to documentation, and your problem-solving methodologies. Be ready to walk through your portfolio and discuss how you would contribute to CoreStar's product development efficiency. Research CoreStar's industry and product offerings to tailor your responses.

• Research CoreStar: Understand the company's focus on "high-performance solutions" and its "startup-driven mindset." Consider how your design system expertise can directly support these values and contribute to efficient product delivery.

⚠️ 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.