Design Systems Designer - 3 Month FTC (UK/US)

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Design Systems Designer - 3 Month FTC (UK/US)

Company: Zepz

Location: United States

Job Type: Fixed Term Contract

Category: Design Operations / Product Design

Date Posted: April 08, 2026

Experience Level: Mid-Senior Level

Remote Status: Remote (UK/US)

🚀 Role Summary

• Lead the strategic rebuild of Sendwave's design system with a primary focus on AI machine readability and integration.

• Architect a robust design foundation that seamlessly bridges human designers and AI-assisted development workflows.

• Develop and implement advanced Figma component strategies, including Variables, Modes, and Auto Layout 5.0, for enhanced usability and AI interpretability.

• Establish and manage a lightweight component lifecycle process to ensure efficient versioning, deprecation, and release management.

• Drive cross-functional collaboration between Design and Engineering teams to ensure alignment between design components and production code.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is a 3-month fixed-term contract (FTC) focused on a highly specialized area of design systems: AI machine readability. The primary goal is to make the design system interpretable by AI agents and tooling, rather than a typical design system refresh. This requires a deep understanding of both design system architecture and the technical underpinnings of AI-assisted development.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Conduct a comprehensive audit of the existing Sendwave design library, prioritizing machine readability through semantic naming conventions, structured metadata, and a clear token taxonomy (color, typography, spacing).

• Rebuild the design system components and tokens with a first-class requirement for AI interpretation, ensuring direct mapping to engineering variables and components.

• Develop and implement an end-to-end Figma to Code workflow, ensuring design and production code remain synchronized and identifying opportunities for AI-driven automation.

• Prototype at least one AI-assisted workflow that the engineering team can adopt post-contract, demonstrating the practical application of the AI-readable design system.

• Partner closely with the Engineering team to align component structures, enabling AI tools to predictably traverse design and code counterparts.

• Construct "smart" components within Figma utilizing advanced features like Properties, Nested Instances, and Auto Layout 5.0, optimized for both designer usability and AI interpretability.

• Define and implement a lean component lifecycle management process, including versioning, deprecation strategies, and concise release notes, avoiding unnecessary complexity.

• Create living documentation that articulates the "why" behind design decisions, specifically including notes on AI-readability, to maintain system coherence and facilitate future evolution.

• Mentor and coach the design team on best practices for maintaining AI-legibility as the design system library expands and evolves.

📝 Enhancement Note: The core responsibility is to make the design system "AI-legible." This implies a structured approach to naming, categorization, and metadata that AI tools can parse effectively. The output is not just a visual library but a system designed for programmatic consumption.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: While no specific degree is mandated, a strong understanding of design principles, user experience, and software development fundamentals is essential. Equivalent practical experience will be highly valued.

Experience:

• 5-10 years of experience in UI/UX design, with a significant focus on building and scaling design systems.

Required Skills:

• Expert-level proficiency in Figma, with demonstrated mastery of advanced features such as Variables, Modes, Multi-edit, and complex component architecture.

• Deep understanding of design token principles and their implementation across various platforms and technologies.

• Proven experience in designing for machine readability, including semantic naming conventions, structured metadata, and token hierarchies.

• Strong grasp of front-end development fundamentals, including CSS variables, component states, and API design principles. While not required to write production code, fluency in engineering terminology is critical for effective collaboration.

• Demonstrated experience with AI coding tools such as GitHub Copilot, Cursor, V0, or Figma AI, and understanding how they consume design system data.

• Ability to operate effectively in ambiguous environments, identifying high-leverage structural decisions and avoiding over-engineering.

• Experience in building and documenting complex design systems that have demonstrably improved design and development workflows.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience with design-to-code workflows or AI-assisted development processes.

• Familiarity with various design system frameworks and methodologies.

• Experience working in a fast-paced, mission-driven technology company, particularly in the fintech or cross-border payments sector.

• Understanding of component lifecycle management best practices.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "AI-legible" requirement is paramount. Candidates must be able to articulate how they've structured systems for machine consumption, not just for human designers. Portfolio examples demonstrating this specific capability will be highly advantageous. The 5-10 year experience level suggests a need for seasoned professionals who can operate with autonomy and strategic foresight.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Case studies showcasing the design and implementation of complex, scalable design systems.

• Specific examples demonstrating how your design system structure enhanced AI tooling accuracy and usefulness (e.g., improved code generation, reduced design-to-code friction).

• Evidence of building and maintaining design tokens, including their taxonomy and mapping to design properties.

• Examples of "smart" component architecture using advanced Figma features like Variables, Modes, and Auto Layout.

Process Documentation:

• Demonstrated ability to establish and document lightweight component lifecycle processes (versioning, deprecation, release notes).

• Examples of creating living documentation that explains the rationale behind design decisions and system structure.

• Workflows that illustrate how design and engineering teams collaborated to ensure component alignment, with a focus on AI interpretability.

• Prototypes or case studies of Figma-to-Code workflows, highlighting synchronization mechanisms.

📝 Enhancement Note: The portfolio must explicitly address the AI machine readability aspect. Generic design system portfolios will be insufficient. Candidates should be prepared to walk through specific examples of how their system structure facilitated AI interpretation and improved developer efficiency.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: As this is a 3-month fixed-term contract (FTC) role with remote work in the UK/US, compensation will be competitive and commensurate with experience and the specialized nature of the role. Based on industry benchmarks for senior Design System specialists with AI/development integration experience in the US and UK markets, a typical contract rate could range from $70-$120 USD per hour or £400-£700 GBP per day, depending on location, specific expertise, and negotiation. This is an estimate, and actual compensation will be determined by Zepz.

Benefits:

• Unlimited annual leave: Reflects Zepz's high-trust culture, allowing flexibility and work-life balance.

• Healthcare benefits: Comprehensive medical coverage to support employee well-being.

• Employee discounts: Access to perks and discounts, enhancing overall employee value.

• Remote-first flexibility: The freedom to work from your employing country (UK/US) where you are most focused and productive.

Working Hours: The role is structured around a standard full-time commitment, estimated at 40 hours per week. While remote, adherence to core working hours for team collaboration and meetings will be expected, with flexibility built into the overall schedule.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary estimate is based on contract rates for specialized design roles in the UK and US. The "Unlimited annual leave" benefit aligns with Zepz's stated "high trust" culture, but candidates should clarify expectations around its practical application and any required notice periods for taking time off.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Zepz operates in the Fintech sector, specifically focusing on cross-border remittance services through its brands WorldRemit and Sendwave. This industry is characterized by rapid innovation, a strong focus on customer trust, and a mission-driven approach to financial inclusion.

Company Size: Zepz is a significant player with over 800 employees spread across six continents, indicating a large, globally distributed, and diverse workforce. This size implies established processes but also the need for agility and clear communication to maintain cohesion.

Founded: Zepz is the parent company of WorldRemit (founded in 2010) and Sendwave. Its establishment signifies a mature company with a history in the fintech space, now consolidating its brands under a unified structure.

Team Structure:

• The Design Systems team, while likely small given the contract nature, will be embedded within a larger Product Design or Engineering organization.

• Reporting will be to a Design Lead or Head of Product Design, with close collaboration with Engineering Leads and Front-end Developers.

Methodology:

• Data Analysis & Insights: Emphasis on data-driven decisions regarding design system evolution and AI integration effectiveness.

• Workflow Planning & Optimization: Focus on streamlining the design-to-code process and enhancing efficiency through AI.

• Automation & Efficiency: A core tenet of the role is leveraging AI and robust system design to automate processes and improve overall efficiency.

Company Website: https://www.zepz.io/ (and associated brand sites like WorldRemit and Sendwave)

📝 Enhancement Note: Zepz's mission to "break down barriers" and its focus on migrants suggests a company culture that values purpose, diversity, and global impact. The "mission-driven builders" and "Relentless Learners" descriptors point to a dynamic environment that rewards initiative and continuous improvement.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is at a senior individual contributor level, focused on a highly specialized technical design discipline. It requires deep expertise in design systems and a forward-thinking understanding of AI's impact on design and development workflows.

Reporting Structure: The Design Systems Designer will report to a Design Lead or Head of Product, likely within a larger Product or Engineering department. They will work closely with Engineering counterparts to ensure technical feasibility and alignment.

Operations Impact: This role has a direct impact on operational efficiency by:

• Reducing friction in the design-to-code handoff process.

• Accelerating design and development cycles through AI-assisted workflows.

• Ensuring consistency and scalability across Zepz's digital products.

Growth Opportunities:

• Skill Specialization: Deepen expertise in the intersection of design systems, AI, and front-end development.

• Strategic Influence: Contribute to the future direction of Zepz's design and development tooling strategy.

• Project Leadership: Lead a critical initiative with tangible outcomes and potential for adoption by the wider team.

• Mentorship: Coach and educate the design team on advanced design system practices and AI integration.

📝 Enhancement Note: While a 3-month FTC, the impact of successfully rebuilding the design system for AI readability could lead to longer-term consulting opportunities or influence future permanent hires in this specialized area. The role offers a unique chance to work at the forefront of AI in design.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Zepz operates with a "remote-first" culture. This means that while they have a global presence, the primary mode of work is remote. The emphasis is on productivity and focus, allowing individuals to choose their most effective working environment within their employing country.

Office Location(s): While not tied to a physical office for this role, Zepz operates globally with a significant presence in the UK and US, as indicated by the role's target locations. This suggests that while remote, candidates will be part of a distributed team with colleagues in these key regions.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Environment: Despite being remote, the culture promotes high trust and transparency, encouraging open communication and collaboration through digital tools.

• Operations Tools & Technology: Expect access to industry-standard collaboration and design tools, with a specific emphasis on Figma, potentially AI coding assistants, and project management software.

• Team Interaction: Regular virtual meetings, stand-ups, and collaborative sessions will be the norm for design and engineering alignment.

Work Schedule: The role is full-time (approx. 40 hours/week). While remote, candidates will need to be mindful of time zone differences for effective collaboration with team members in the UK and US, likely requiring some overlap with core business hours.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "remote-first" and "high trust" culture suggests a work environment that values autonomy and results. Candidates should be self-motivated and adept at remote communication and collaboration.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A brief call to assess overall fit, experience level, and understanding of the role's unique AI focus.

• Technical Interview (Portfolio Review): In-depth discussion of your portfolio, focusing on specific examples of design system architecture, AI integration, and the "