Senior Product Designer, Design Systems - 13 Month Contract

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Senior Product Designer, Design Systems - 13 Month Contract

Company: Xero

Location: Parnell, Auckland, New Zealand

Job Type: FULL_TIME

Category: Design Systems / Product Design

Date Posted: 2026-03-19

Experience Level: 5-10 Years (Implied by Senior Title and Responsibilities)

Remote Status: Hybrid

🚀 Role Summary

• Lead the vision, strategy, and execution of Xero's design system (XUI) to shape future product experiences for millions of small businesses globally.

• Drive the rollout of the New Xero Design Language (XDL) and evolve XUI into an AI-ready system, exploring AI-first patterns and tokenized foundations.

• Partner closely with engineering and product management to design and iterate on Figma components and React implementations, enabling over 150 designers to ship cohesive UI efficiently.

• Utilize qualitative and quantitative research to inform system-wide foundation evolution, such as color, spacing, and grids, ensuring a unified customer experience.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is a Senior Product Designer position focused specifically on Design Systems, implying a strategic and hands-on contribution to the company's core UI/UX framework. The emphasis on AI readiness and the "Foundations Organisation" suggests a forward-thinking approach to design and technology integration within Xero's product development. The 13-month contract nature implies a project-driven focus with specific deliverables expected within that timeframe.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Define and champion the future vision, strategy, and end-to-end user experiences within Xero's design system (XUI).

• Lead the successful rollout of Xero's New Design Language (XDL) across core product surfaces, ensuring a modern and unified customer experience.

• Evolve XUI to be AI-ready, researching and designing tokenized foundations and AI-first patterns to enable new agentic customer experiences.

• Collaborate with engineers to design, build, and iterate on Figma components and corresponding React implementations, supporting a large design team.

• Conduct qualitative and quantitative user research to gather insights that inform the evolution of fundamental design system elements like color, spacing, and grid systems.

• Translate complex ideas and data-heavy UI challenges into simple, elegant, and user-centered design solutions.

• Partner with cross-functional teams, including Product Managers and Engineers, to make informed trade-offs and drive alignment on design solutions.

• Advocate for user-centered design principles and contribute to a culture of design excellence within the organization.

• Document design system components and patterns effectively to ensure consistency and usability for other designers and developers.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a blend of strategic leadership in design systems, hands-on design execution, and cross-functional collaboration. The focus on AI readiness and XDL rollout indicates key project deliverables for the contract period.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: While no specific degree is mandated, a strong portfolio and demonstrated experience in product design and design systems are paramount. A background in Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), Graphic Design, or a related field would be beneficial.

Experience: 5-10 years of experience in product design, with a significant portion focused on building, maintaining, and scaling design systems for large platforms.

Required Skills:

• Deep expertise in design systems, including mastery of Figma components, variables, and documentation for large-scale platforms.

• Proven ability to craft elegant interfaces and solve complex, data-heavy UI challenges (e.g., dashboards, dense information layouts).

• Strong systems thinking mindset, with the ability to see connections across user journeys and understand when to follow, extend, or evolve existing patterns.

• Demonstrated track record of effective partnership with engineers and product managers to drive alignment and make informed trade-offs.

• Curiosity and willingness to explore emerging technologies, specifically AI-assisted workflows and agentic UI patterns.

• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to articulate design decisions effectively using evidence and customer insights.

• Experience conducting qualitative and quantitative research to inform design decisions.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience with tokenized design systems and their implementation.

• Familiarity with AI concepts and their application in user interfaces.

• Experience working within a "Foundations Organisation" structure.

• Understanding of accessibility standards and best practices in UI design.

• Experience in a SaaS or FinTech environment.

📝 Enhancement Note: The requirements emphasize advanced design system skills, strategic thinking, and adaptability to new technologies like AI, crucial for a senior role. The portfolio is highlighted as a key differentiator.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A comprehensive portfolio showcasing end-to-end design thinking and execution for complex UI challenges.

• Specific case studies demonstrating experience with design systems, including the creation, evolution, and implementation of components in Figma.

• Examples of how you've applied systems thinking to balance consistency with flexibility across a product portfolio.

• Evidence of collaboration with engineering and product teams, detailing how you navigated trade-offs and drove alignment.

• Projects that illustrate your ability to translate complex data or business requirements into elegant and user-friendly interfaces.

Process Documentation:

• Candidates are expected to articulate their process for designing, documenting, and advocating for design system components.

• Ability to explain how they approach research, ideation, iteration, and handoff within a design system context.

• Examples of how they've contributed to or managed the evolution of design system foundations (e.g., color, typography, spacing).

• Understanding of how to ensure design system components are implemented consistently by engineering teams.

📝 Enhancement Note: A strong portfolio is critical for this role, specifically highlighting design system work, complex UI problem-solving, and collaborative processes. The ability to articulate process and demonstrate impact through case studies is key.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: For a Senior Product Designer on a 13-month contract in Auckland, New Zealand, with the specified responsibilities and required expertise, the estimated annual salary range would typically be between NZD $120,000 - $170,000. This range is influenced by the seniority of the role, the specialized nature of design systems, and the contract duration.

Benefits:

• Competitive contract rate.

• Opportunity to work with a leading global SaaS company.

• Exposure to cutting-edge design system practices, including AI integration.

• Flexible, hybrid working model with opportunities for in-person collaboration.

• Contribution to a product used by millions of small businesses worldwide.

• Potential for professional development and learning within a dynamic team.

Working Hours: 40 hours per week, with flexibility offered through a hybrid working model. While there are no fixed in-office days, regular connection with the team for offsites and collaboration days is expected.

📝 Enhancement Note: Salary is estimated based on industry benchmarks for senior contract roles in design systems in New Zealand, considering the specified responsibilities and company profile. Benefits focus on the professional advantages and flexibility offered.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Software / Financial Technology (FinTech). Xero is a global leader in cloud accounting software, serving small businesses and their advisors.

Company Size: Xero is a large, established company, employing over 1,000 employees globally. This size indicates a structured environment with established processes, but also opportunities for impact within specialized teams.

Founded: Xero was founded in 2006, giving it significant experience and a strong market presence in the accounting software industry.

Team Structure:

• The role is within the "Experience Systems" team, part of a new "Foundations Organisation."

• This organization likely comprises specialists in AI experience, content design, and prototyping, aiming for high-leverage impact across the company.

Methodology:

• Data-Driven Design: Emphasis on using qualitative and quantitative research to inform design decisions and system evolution.

• Systems Thinking: A core approach to understanding and designing interconnected components and user journeys.

• Agile Collaboration: Working in flexible environments with weekly kick-offs, design critiques, and regular collaborative sessions, valuing asynchronous alignment.

• User-Centricity: Commitment to delivering high-quality outcomes that meet business objectives and empower users.

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

📝 Enhancement Note: Xero's culture likely values innovation, collaboration, and a data-informed approach, especially within the new Foundations Organisation. The design system team operates at a critical intersection of design and technology.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: Senior Product Designer, Design Systems. This level signifies a lead role requiring significant expertise, strategic input, and the ability to mentor or guide others. The focus on design systems means contributing to the foundational elements that impact all product design.

Reporting Structure: The role reports into the Experience Systems team, likely under a Design Lead or Manager within the Foundations Organisation. Close collaboration with Product Managers and Engineering Leads is expected.

Operations Impact: This role has a significant impact on Xero's product portfolio by ensuring consistency, efficiency, and a modern user experience across all touchpoints. A well-maintained and evolving design system directly contributes to faster product development cycles, improved user satisfaction, and stronger brand identity. The exploration of AI-ready patterns positions Xero for future product innovation.

Growth Opportunities:

• Specialization: Deepen expertise in design systems, AI-driven design, and complex UI architecture.

• Leadership: Potentially lead initiatives within the design system space, mentor junior designers, or influence broader design strategy.

• Cross-functional Exposure: Gain insights into AI development, content strategy, and prototyping methodologies within the Foundations Organisation.

• Industry Influence: Contribute to the evolution of design systems in the FinTech space.

📝 Enhancement Note: As a senior contract role, the growth is primarily in deepening expertise and influencing strategic direction within the design system domain and its integration with emerging technologies.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Hybrid working model. This means a blend of remote work and in-person collaboration.

Office Location(s): Parnell, Auckland, New Zealand. This is a prime business location in Auckland.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Environment: While hybrid, the role emphasizes regular opportunities for in-person connection for offsites and collaboration days, fostering team cohesion and idea exchange.

• Tools & Technology: Access to industry-standard design tools (Figma) and development frameworks (React) is a given. The team likely uses collaboration platforms and project management tools to facilitate asynchronous and synchronous work.

• Team Interaction: Regular weekly kick-offs, design crits, and collaborative sessions ensure continuous interaction and feedback loops within the Experience Systems team and with broader product teams.

Work Schedule: Standard full-time hours (approximately 40 hours per week) with a flexible hybrid arrangement, allowing for a balance between focused remote work and in-person collaboration.

📝 Enhancement Note: The hybrid model balances flexibility with the need for in-person collaboration, typical for design system teams where visual alignment and brainstorming are crucial.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: Review of resume and portfolio to assess core skills and experience alignment with design systems and complex UI challenges.

• Portfolio Presentation & Discussion: A dedicated session where the candidate presents their portfolio, focusing on design system work, problem-solving, and collaboration. This is a critical stage.

• Technical/Design Deep Dive: Discussions with design leads and potentially engineers to assess systems thinking, Figma proficiency, and understanding of component implementation.

• Cross-functional Interview: Conversation with a Product Manager or Engineering Lead to evaluate collaboration skills, communication, and ability to navigate trade-offs.

• Final Interview: Potentially with a senior design leader to discuss strategic alignment, cultural fit, and long-term vision.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Highlight Design System Expertise: Showcase specific examples of components designed, documented, and implemented. Emphasize variables, component libraries, and documentation standards.

• Demonstrate Systems Thinking: Clearly articulate how you approach pattern consistency, evolution, and the balance between system integrity and product needs.

• Showcase Complex Problem-Solving: Detail challenging UI problems you've solved, particularly those involving data density or complex workflows. Explain your process and the impact of your solutions.

• Illustrate Collaboration: Provide examples of how you've worked with engineers and PMs, including instances of negotiation, trade-offs, and successful alignment.

• Emphasize AI Curiosity: If possible, include any exploration or conceptual work related to AI in UI or agentic experiences.

• Quantify Impact: Where possible, use metrics to demonstrate the success of your design system contributions (e.g., increased design efficiency, reduced UI inconsistencies, faster feature delivery).

Challenge Preparation:

• Be prepared to discuss your process for creating and maintaining design system documentation.

• Anticipate questions about how you handle conflicting design requests or disagreements with engineering on implementation.

• Practice articulating the value proposition of a strong design system to different stakeholders (design, engineering, product, business).

• Be ready to discuss your thoughts on the future of design systems, particularly in the context of AI.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process heavily relies on the candidate's portfolio and their ability to articulate their design system expertise and collaborative approach.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Figma: Essential for component design, prototyping, and documentation. Mastery of components, auto layout, variants, and variables is expected.

• Design System Management Tools: While Figma is primary, experience with related tools for documentation (e.g., Zeroheight, Storybook integration) may be beneficial.

Analytics & Reporting:

CRM & Automation:

Development Context:

• React: Essential to understand how Figma components translate into React code. Familiarity with React component structure and best practices is highly valued.

• CSS/Styling: Understanding of CSS, preprocessors, and design tokens for implementation.

📝 Enhancement Note: Figma proficiency is non-negotiable. Understanding the implementation side (React) is a significant advantage for a design systems role that partners closely with engineering.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Design Excellence: A commitment to high-quality, user-centered design across the entire product portfolio.

• Collaboration: Strong emphasis on working effectively with cross-functional teams (engineering, product, content) to achieve shared goals.

• Innovation: Curiosity and willingness to explore new technologies and approaches, such as AI integration in design.

• Efficiency & Scalability: Building systems that enable designers and developers to work more effectively and consistently.

• Data-Informed Decisions: Using research and analytics to guide the evolution of the design system.

Collaboration Style:

• Asynchronous Alignment: Valuing clear documentation and communication that allows team members to work effectively across different schedules and locations.

• Regular Critiques & Feedback: A culture of constructive feedback through design crits and collaborative sessions.

• Partnership: Building strong working relationships with engineering and product management to ensure successful design system implementation and adoption.

• Advocacy: Actively promoting the value and best practices of the design system across the organization.

📝 Enhancement Note: The culture emphasizes a pragmatic, collaborative, and forward-looking approach to design systems, aligning with Xero's position as a technology leader.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing System Needs with Product Velocity: Ensuring the design system supports rapid product iteration without becoming a bottleneck or overly restrictive.

• Driving Adoption Across a Large Organization: Persuading and supporting over 150 designers and numerous engineering teams to adopt and consistently use the design system.

• Integrating Emerging Technologies: Effectively exploring and integrating new paradigms like AI into established design systems, requiring significant research and experimentation.

• Maintaining Consistency with Evolving Design Language: Leading the rollout of XDL while ensuring legacy components are managed or migrated effectively.

• Contract Duration Limitations: Delivering significant impact and driving key initiatives within a 13-month timeframe.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• AI in Design: Direct experience in exploring and designing for AI-powered user experiences and agentic UI.

• Large-Scale Design System Management: Gaining hands-on experience managing and evolving a mature design system for a global product.

• Foundations Organisation Exposure: Learning from specialists in AI, content design, and prototyping.

• Strategic Influence: Opportunity to shape the foundational design language of a major SaaS company.

• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Deepening partnerships with engineering and product management in a complex organizational structure.

📝 Enhancement Note: The role presents exciting challenges related to innovation and adoption, coupled with significant opportunities for professional growth in cutting-edge areas of design.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe your approach to evolving a design system to become 'AI-ready.' What are the key considerations for tokenized foundations and AI-first patterns?" (Focus on your process, research, and conceptual thinking.)

• "Walk us through a time you had to balance the needs of a design system with the urgent requirements of a specific product feature. How did you navigate that trade-off with engineering and product management?" (Prepare a STAR method example highlighting collaboration and problem-solving.)

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What excites you most about Xero and our mission to empower small businesses?" (Research Xero's values and market position.)

• "How do you see the role of a design system evolving in the next 3-5 years, especially with the rise of AI?" (Demonstrate forward-thinking and industry awareness.)

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure is Key: Organize your portfolio presentation into clear case studies, each with a problem statement, your process, key decisions, solutions, and outcomes.

• Design System Focus: Dedicate a significant portion to your design system work. Show your Figma skills (components, variables, documentation), your systems thinking, and how you've driven consistency.

• Illustrate Collaboration: For each project, clearly articulate who you collaborated with and how. Use specific examples of discussions, feedback loops, and trade-offs.

• Quantify Impact: If possible, present metrics that demonstrate the success of your design system contributions or UI solutions.

• Tell a Story: Make your presentation engaging. Explain the 'why' behind your design decisions and the impact they had.

• Be Ready for Deep Dives: Expect detailed questions about your Figma files, component architecture, and decision-making processes.

📝 Enhancement Note: Preparation should focus on demonstrating deep design systems expertise, strategic thinking, strong collaboration skills, and an understanding of how design systems drive business value, especially in the context of emerging technologies.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Senior Product Designer position:

• Submit your application via the provided link on Ashby.

• Portfolio Customization: Ensure your portfolio prominently features your experience with design systems, including detailed case studies on component creation, Figma mastery (variables, components), and how you've applied systems thinking.

• Resume Optimization: Tailor your resume to highlight your experience in design systems, complex UI problem-solving, and cross-functional collaboration with engineering and product management. Use keywords from the job description.

• Interview Preparation: Practice articulating your design process, especially for design system work, and prepare specific examples for behavioral questions related to collaboration and problem-solving. Be ready to present your portfolio confidently.

• Company Research: Familiarize yourself with Xero's products, mission, and recent design initiatives. Understand their market position and the importance of design systems in their strategy.

⚠️ 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.

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