Engineering Manager, Design Systems

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Engineering Manager, Design Systems

Company: Hinge Health

Location: San Francisco, California, United States

Job Type: FULL_TIME

Category: Engineering Management / Design Systems

Date Posted: April 23, 2026

Experience Level: 10+ Years (Overall Professional Experience)

🚀 Role Summary

• Lead and scale a high-performing engineering team focused on building and maintaining a robust design system, driving consistency and efficiency across all Hinge Health digital products.

• Define and execute a technical vision for the design system's component library, design token infrastructure, and accessibility standards, ensuring alignment with product roadmaps and company-wide strategic objectives.

• Foster a culture of technical excellence, continuous improvement, and cross-functional collaboration among engineers, designers, and product stakeholders to enhance developer experience and product quality.

• Implement best practices in frontend development, accessibility (WCAG 2.1 AA), and AI-assisted development tools to accelerate innovation and ensure a high standard of product craftsmanship.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is positioned as a critical leadership position within the engineering organization, directly impacting product development velocity and user experience consistency. The emphasis on "Lead at All Levels" suggests a hands-on management style where the leader is expected to contribute technically while guiding their team.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Lead a team of 4-8 engineers responsible for the design system's architecture, component library, design token management, and accessibility standards.

• Develop and execute a strategic roadmap for the design system, prioritizing initiatives that drive adoption, reduce friction for consuming teams, and enhance overall product quality.

• Establish and refine a contribution model and governance framework for the design system, enabling product engineers to extend and contribute effectively.

• Oversee the development and maintenance of design token pipelines, Storybook documentation, and component APIs to ensure seamless integration and developer experience.

• Implement robust metrics and feedback loops to measure design system adoption, impact, and developer satisfaction, driving continuous improvement.

• Drive improvements in AI integration within the development workflow, exploring and implementing tools like Copilot, Cursor, and Claude Code to enhance engineering productivity.

• Ensure the design system adheres to and operationalizes accessibility standards (WCAG 2.1 AA/AAA) at the component level.

• Lead the development of migration tooling and enforce semantic versioning discipline to manage design system evolution without destabilizing consuming teams.

• Collaborate closely with Design leadership, Product Managers, and frontend engineering teams to align on shared goals and resolve cross-team dependencies.

• Mentor and coach direct reports, focusing on individual growth trajectories, technical skill development, and performance management.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a strategic and hands-on approach to design systems engineering management. The emphasis on metrics, governance, and contribution models points to a mature engineering organization seeking to scale its design system effectively.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

Experience:

• 8+ years of non-internship, full-time professional experience in the technology industry, with a focus on SaaS products and large-scale, complex systems.

• 2+ years of experience managing an engineering team of 4+ direct reports, including hiring, coaching, and performance management.

• 2+ years of experience mentoring and leading team members, collaborating effectively with cross-functional teams (especially design), and contributing to project planning and decision-making.

Required Skills:

• Proven experience in engineering leadership and team management, including hiring, coaching, and performance management.

• Strong understanding of design systems principles, component libraries, and their impact on product development.

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with a demonstrated ability to build trust and collaborate effectively across engineering, design, and product functions.

• A proactive and "learn-it-all" mindset, with a commitment to staying current with frontend tooling, AI-assisted development, and design system best practices.

• Accountability and a commitment to acting in the company's best interest, meeting commitments, and fostering a culture of continuous improvement.

Preferred Skills:

• Frontend development expertise with technologies such as React & React Native.

• Proficiency in TypeScript and modern CSS architecture.

• Hands-on experience building or scaling a design system or component library used across multiple product teams.

• Hands-on experience with AI tooling (e.g., Copilot, Cursor, Claude Code) and architectures.

• Deep understanding of accessibility standards (WCAG 2.1 AA/AAA) and operationalizing them at the component level.

• Experience with design tooling and handoff workflows, particularly Figma plugins, tokens, and design-dev alignment practices.

• Familiarity with tooling such as Storybook, Style Dictionary, Chromatic, Changesets, or similar.

📝 Enhancement Note: The qualifications emphasize a blend of technical depth in frontend and design systems, coupled with strong leadership and collaboration skills. The preference for specific technologies and tools like React, TypeScript, Figma, and Storybook indicates the expected technical stack and workflow.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Showcase examples of technical leadership and team management, highlighting achievements in coaching, mentoring, and performance improvement.

• Provide evidence of contributions to or leadership of design systems, component libraries, or similar foundational engineering initiatives.

• Demonstrate experience in establishing and refining processes, such as contribution models, governance frameworks, or workflow optimization.

• Include examples of how you've driven adoption of technical standards or tools across multiple engineering teams.

Process Documentation:

• Examples of how you've documented technical vision, roadmaps, and strategic plans for engineering initiatives.

• Showcase experience in defining and implementing metrics and feedback loops for tracking project success and team performance.

• Illustrate processes for managing technical debt, ensuring code quality, and implementing semantic versioning for libraries or systems.

• Demonstrate familiarity with agile development methodologies and how you've adapted them for design system teams.

📝 Enhancement Note: For an Engineering Manager role, the portfolio should focus on leadership impact, strategic planning, process implementation, and team development. Demonstrating experience with the lifecycle of building and scaling foundational systems like design systems is crucial.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

Benefits:

• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage.

• Support for gender-affirming care.

• Tools for family and fertility planning.

• Travel reimbursements for healthcare needs not available locally.

• Traditional or Roth 401k retirement plan options.

• 2% company match on 401k contributions.

Working Hours:

• Standard full-time work hours (approximately 40 hours per week).

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range provided is for the US market. For specific locations outside of major hubs, the lower end of the range might be more typical. The benefits package is comprehensive, with a notable emphasis on inclusive healthcare and family planning support, which is a strong selling point for candidates prioritizing well-being.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Healthcare Technology (specifically, scaling and automating healthcare delivery, starting with Musculoskeletal (MSK) conditions). Hinge Health is a leader in digital MSK care, serving over 20 million people through partnerships with health plans and employers.

Company Size: Hinge Health has grown significantly, indicated by its presence in multiple global locations (San Francisco, Montreal, Bangalore) and its impact on millions of people. This suggests a dynamic, scaling organization where operations and systems are crucial for continued growth.

Founded: Founded to address the global challenge of MSK conditions, Hinge Health's mission is to help people move beyond pain through a technology-driven, human-centered care model.

Team Structure:

• The Design Systems team is part of the broader engineering organization, likely reporting up through a VP of Engineering or similar leadership.

• This role involves leading a pod of 4-8 engineers, indicating a focused team structure responsible for core design system components.

Methodology:

• The company leverages a technology-driven, AI-powered, human-centered care model. This implies a strong focus on data, automation, and user experience in all aspects of product development.

• Engineering practices likely include agile methodologies, a focus on developer experience, and continuous integration/continuous deployment (CI/CD).

• The emphasis on design systems suggests a commitment to scalable, efficient product development through shared code and design principles.

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

📝 Enhancement Note: Hinge Health operates at the intersection of healthcare and technology, aiming to democratize access to MSK care. This mission-driven context is important for candidates who value working for a company with a significant social impact. The scale of operations suggests a need for robust, well-managed systems and processes.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This is a senior engineering management role. It sits at the intersection of technical leadership and people management, requiring a "Lead at All Levels" approach. The role is responsible for a critical foundational system that impacts all engineers and designers.

Reporting Structure: The Engineering Manager, Design Systems will report to a Director or VP of Engineering. They will manage a team of 4-8 engineers and will collaborate closely with Design leadership (e.g., Head of Design Systems, Design Leads) and Product leadership.

Operations Impact: The Design Systems team's output directly influences the consistency, quality, accessibility, and development velocity of all Hinge Health products. By providing a shared component library and infrastructure, this role has a force-multiplier effect, enabling faster delivery of features and a more cohesive user experience for millions of members.

Growth Opportunities:

• Technical Specialization: Deepen expertise in design systems architecture, frontend frameworks (React/React Native), TypeScript, CSS, and accessibility standards.

• Leadership Development: Advance into broader engineering management roles (e.g., managing multiple teams, leading larger functional areas) or transition into principal/architect roles focused on technical strategy.

• AI Integration: Gain hands-on experience and leadership in integrating AI tools into development workflows, a key growth area in tech.

• Cross-Functional Leadership: Develop stronger strategic partnerships with design and product, influencing product strategy through foundational technology.

• Mentorship: Continue to mentor and develop engineering talent, building a strong track record in people management.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role offers significant opportunities for both individual technical growth and career advancement in engineering management. The strategic importance of design systems within a scaling tech company provides a strong foundation for future leadership roles.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Hinge Health operates a hybrid model. Employees in hybrid roles are required to be in the office 3 days per week for the full duration of a typical business day. The San Francisco office is described as dog-friendly.

Office Location(s): The primary location for this role is San Francisco, California. The company also has offices in Montreal and Bangalore, indicating a global presence and potential for diverse team interactions.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Environment: The hybrid model and emphasis on cross-functional collaboration suggest a work environment where in-person interaction is valued for brainstorming, alignment, and team building, while remote flexibility is also accommodated.

• Tools and Technology: Engineers will have access to modern development tools, including potentially AI-assisted coding tools, robust design systems infrastructure (Storybook, Figma integration), and standard SaaS development environments.

• Team Interaction: Expect regular team meetings, design reviews, cross-functional syncs, and potentially informal interactions in a dog-friendly office setting.

Work Schedule: Employees are expected to work approximately 40 hours per week, with 3 days per week in the San Francisco office. The hybrid model allows for flexibility in managing work-life balance, while still maintaining in-person collaboration.

📝 Enhancement Note: The hybrid work model is a key aspect of the work environment. Candidates should be comfortable with structured in-office days for collaboration and team building, alongside remote work flexibility. The San Francisco office location implies access to a vibrant tech hub.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screens: Likely involve an HR screen to assess basic qualifications and cultural fit, followed by a hiring manager interview focusing on leadership experience, technical vision, and team management philosophy.

• Technical Deep Dive: Expect interviews focused on design systems architecture, frontend technologies (React, TypeScript, CSS), accessibility standards, and experience with relevant tooling (Storybook, Figma, etc.). This might involve coding exercises or deep discussions on past projects.

• Cross-Functional Collaboration Interview: An interview with design or product stakeholders to assess collaboration skills, ability to influence, and empathy for different team perspectives.

• Team Interview / System Design: This could involve a system design exercise related to scaling a design system or a discussion with potential direct reports to gauge leadership style and team fit.

• Final Round: A discussion with senior leadership to finalize the decision, focusing on strategic thinking, long-term vision, and overall impact.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Focus on Impact: For each project or experience, clearly articulate the problem, your role, the solution, and the measurable impact (e.g., adoption rate increase, reduction in UI bugs, faster feature delivery).

• Showcase Leadership: Highlight instances where you led a team, mentored individuals, influenced technical direction, or resolved complex challenges.

• Demonstrate Technical Breadth and Depth: Include examples of your work with design systems, component libraries, frontend development, accessibility, and any relevant AI tooling integration.

• Process and Governance: Present examples of how you've established processes, governance models, or contribution frameworks for engineering initiatives.

• Storytelling: Frame your experience as compelling narratives that showcase your problem-solving abilities and strategic thinking.

Challenge Preparation:

• System Design: Be prepared for system design questions related to scaling a design system, managing component lifecycles, or architecting design token infrastructure.

• Leadership Scenarios: Practice answering questions about conflict resolution, team motivation, performance management, and cross-functional collaboration.

• Technical Scenarios: Review modern frontend development best practices, accessibility guidelines, and the nuances of building robust, maintainable component libraries.

• AI Integration: Think about how AI tools can be practically applied to design systems engineering, from code generation to documentation enhancement.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process is designed to assess a candidate's technical acumen, leadership capabilities, and collaborative spirit. A strong portfolio that clearly demonstrates impact and leadership is paramount.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Frontend Frameworks: React & React Native (highly preferred).

• Languages: TypeScript (expertise preferred), modern CSS architecture.

• Design System Tools: Storybook, Style Dictionary, Chromatic, Changesets (familiarity expected).

• Design Tooling Integration: Figma plugins, design token management, design-dev alignment practices.

• AI-Assisted Development: Copilot, Cursor, Claude Code (hands-on experience preferred).

Analytics & Reporting:

CRM & Automation:

• Not directly applicable to this role's core function, but understanding how the design system integrates with broader product development workflows and potentially CI/CD pipelines is important.

📝 Enhancement Note: Proficiency in React, TypeScript, and modern frontend tooling is essential. Experience with specific design system-related tools like Storybook and Figma integration is a significant plus. Familiarity with AI coding assistants is increasingly becoming a competitive advantage.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• "Lead at All Levels": Expectation for proactive ownership and contribution regardless of role.

• Trust Builder: Emphasis on effective communication, empathy, and building strong relationships across teams.

• Learn-it-all: Commitment to continuous learning, staying abreast of industry trends, and seeking knowledge.

• Accountable: Taking ownership, meeting commitments, and fostering a culture of responsibility and improvement.

• Systems Thinking: Understanding how individual components and processes fit into the larger organizational picture.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-Functional Integration: Strong emphasis on seamless collaboration between engineering, design, and product teams.

• Empathetic Communication: Resolving dependencies and conflicts with understanding and clarity.

• Feedback Loops: Openness to feedback and a culture of continuous improvement driven by data and team input.

• Shared Goals: Aligning diverse teams around common objectives for product success and member well-being.

📝 Enhancement Note: The company culture values proactive leadership, collaboration, and continuous learning. Candidates who can demonstrate these qualities and thrive in a mission-driven, fast-paced environment will be a good fit.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Scaling the Design System: Ensuring the design system can scale effectively to meet the growing needs of a rapidly expanding product suite and engineering team.

• Driving Adoption: Encouraging and facilitating the widespread adoption of the design system across diverse product teams with varying technical maturity.

• Managing Technical Debt: Balancing the need for new features with the ongoing maintenance and refactoring required to keep the design system robust and up-to-date.

• Cross-Team Dependencies: Navigating complex interdependencies with various product engineering teams and design initiatives.

• Evolving Technologies: Keeping pace with rapid advancements in frontend technologies, AI, and accessibility standards.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Leadership Advancement: Opportunities to grow into larger management roles or principal engineering positions.

• Technical Mastery: Deepen expertise in design systems, frontend architecture, and AI integration.

• Industry Exposure: Potential for involvement in industry conferences or workshops related to design systems and frontend development.

• Mentorship Programs: Access to mentorship from senior leaders within Hinge Health.

• Skill Development: Continuous learning through hands-on experience, team knowledge sharing, and company-provided resources (e.g., stipends).

📝 Enhancement Note: This role presents significant challenges in scaling and managing a critical foundational system. Overcoming these challenges will provide immense growth opportunities in both technical and leadership capacities.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you had to lead a team through a significant technical challenge or change. What was your approach, and what was the outcome?" (Focus on leadership, problem-solving, and communication).

• "How would you approach building a contribution model for a design system to encourage adoption and contributions from product engineers?" (Focus on process, governance, and cross-functional collaboration).

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What interests you about Hinge Health's mission, and how do you see your role contributing to it?" (Focus on mission alignment and impact).

• "Describe your ideal collaboration style with design teams. How do you ensure alignment and resolve disagreements?" (Focus on cross-functional partnership).

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure: For each portfolio item (e.g., a project, a leadership achievement), use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result).

• Quantify Impact: Where possible, use metrics to demonstrate the success of your initiatives (e.g., "Increased design system adoption by 30%", "Reduced UI bug reports by 15%").

• Highlight Leadership: Clearly articulate your role, responsibilities, and leadership actions within each example.

• Showcase Technical Solutions: Be prepared to discuss the technical architecture, challenges, and solutions involved in your design system or frontend projects.

• Tailor to Hinge Health: Connect your experiences and examples to the specific needs and context of Hinge Health's mission and operations.

📝 Enhancement Note: Prepare specific examples that showcase your leadership, technical expertise in design systems and frontend development, and your ability to collaborate effectively. Quantifying achievements and linking them to business impact will be crucial.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Engineering Manager, Design Systems position:

• Submit your application through the provided Ashby link.

• Tailor your resume: Highlight your experience in engineering management, design systems, frontend development (React, TypeScript), accessibility, and AI tools. Use keywords from the job description.

• Prepare your portfolio: Gather examples of projects where you've led engineering teams, built or scaled design systems, implemented processes, and driven adoption. Focus on quantifiable results and leadership impact.

• Research Hinge Health: Understand their mission, products, and company culture. Prepare to articulate how your skills and experience align with their goals, particularly in scaling healthcare technology.

• Practice interview responses: Rehearse answers to common interview questions related to leadership, technical challenges, design systems, and collaboration, using your portfolio examples.

⚠️ 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.