Senior Product Designer - Design Systems

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Senior Product Designer - Design Systems Company: eBay Location: Toronto, Ontario, Canada Job Type: FULL_TIME Category: Product Design / Design Systems Date Posted: 2026-01-27 Experience Level: Mid-Senior Level (5-10 years) Remote Status: Hybrid

🚀 Role Summary

• Drive the evolution and implementation of eBay's comprehensive design system, ensuring consistency and scalability across all customer touchpoints.
• Champion best practices in visual design, interaction design, and systems thinking to elevate the user experience and product efficiency.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to integrate the design system, gather feedback, and drive continuous improvement in product design.
• Mentor fellow designers, sharing expertise on design systems and staying ahead of industry trends to foster innovation.

📝 Enhancement Note: Based on the job title and description, this role is focused on the technical and strategic aspects of design systems within a large e-commerce organization. The "Senior" title implies leadership and mentorship responsibilities. The "Hybrid" work arrangement suggests a need for strong collaboration and communication skills.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Develop and refine eBay's design system, integrating visual design, interaction design, and systems thinking to create intuitive, user-friendly design guidelines, patterns, and libraries that enhance product efficiency and aesthetic appeal.
• Partner with cross-functional domain teams (Product Managers, Engineers, fellow Designers) to assess needs, define and align to business goals, and audit product flows.
• Ensure consistent application and effective implementation of the design system across product features, incorporating feedback and research to iterate and improve the user experience.
• Prototype and deliver high-fidelity visuals that demonstrate the design system's capabilities, ensuring components and templates are adaptable to various eBay experiences and maintain a high standard of design excellence.
• Mentor fellow designers on the strategic use of the design system and stay abreast of industry trends to continuously evolve the system, ensuring it meets the needs of eBay customers and aligns with the latest design innovations.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a blend of strategic design system development, hands-on design execution, and team enablement. Emphasis is placed on ensuring the design system not only functions efficiently but also contributes to a superior aesthetic and user experience, a key differentiator in competitive e-commerce.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: While not explicitly stated, a Bachelor's degree in Graphic Design, Interaction Design, Human-Computer Interaction, or a related field is typically expected for a Senior Product Designer role. Experience: 5+ years of professional experience in Visual Design, Interaction Design, or a related field, with a significant focus on design systems.

Required Skills:

• 5+ years of professional experience in Visual Design, Interaction Design, or a related field, with a focus on design systems.
• Proficiency with design and prototyping tools such as Figma or Framer.
• Familiarity with front-end development concepts, including HTML, CSS, and JavaScript, to inform design decisions and collaborate effectively with engineering teams.
• Strong understanding of design principles, user-centered design methodologies, and systems thinking.
• Experience in developing and maintaining design guidelines, patterns, and component libraries.
• Proven ability to mentor and guide other designers.

Preferred Skills:

• Familiarity with advanced prototyping tools such as Proto.io, Rive, or Play.
• Experience working within a large-scale e-commerce platform.
• Knowledge of accessibility standards (WCAG) and their implementation in design systems.
• Experience with user research and usability testing to inform design system iterations.
• Ability to translate complex requirements into elegant and scalable design solutions.

📝 Enhancement Note: The requirements emphasize hands-on technical skills with industry-standard tools like Figma, alongside foundational knowledge of front-end development, which is crucial for effective collaboration with engineering. The "5+ years" indicates a need for seasoned professionals who can operate autonomously and mentor others.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Demonstrate a strong understanding of design systems, including their architecture, components, and governance.
• Showcase examples of design system development, including how you've contributed to or led the creation of guidelines, patterns, and component libraries.
• Present case studies that highlight your process for integrating a design system across multiple product features or platforms.
• Include examples of high-fidelity prototypes and visual designs that illustrate the application and impact of the design system.
• Quantify the impact of your design system work, where possible, using metrics related to efficiency, consistency, or user experience improvements.

Process Documentation:

• Detail your approach to auditing existing product flows and identifying areas for design system integration or improvement.
• Explain your methodology for collaborating with Product Managers and Engineers to define business goals and align design system development.
• Illustrate how you gather feedback and incorporate research to iterate on design system components and guidelines.
• Showcase your process for mentoring other designers and disseminating knowledge about the design system's strategic use.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a design systems role, the portfolio should not just be about aesthetic visuals but must clearly articulate the strategic thinking, process, and measurable impact of building and scaling design systems. Candidates should be prepared to discuss their role in governance, adoption, and evolution of these systems.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: For a Senior Product Designer - Design Systems role in Toronto, Canada, with 5-10 years of experience, the estimated salary range is CAD $110,000 - CAD $160,000 annually. This estimate is based on industry benchmarks for senior design roles in major Canadian tech hubs, considering the "Senior" title and "Design Systems" specialization.

Benefits:

• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance plans.
• Generous paid time off (PTO), including vacation, sick leave, and holidays.
• Retirement savings plan options (e.g., RRSP matching).
• Employee Stock Purchase Plan (ESPP) or stock options.
• Professional development and continuous learning opportunities, including access to training, conferences, and workshops.
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP) for mental health and well-being support.
• Potential for hybrid work arrangements and flexible working hours.
• Employee discounts and perks related to eBay's platform.

Working Hours: The standard work week is typically 40 hours, from Monday to Friday. While the role is hybrid, specific in-office days may be required, and flexibility may be available depending on team needs and manager approval.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range is an estimation based on market data for similar roles in Toronto. Actual compensation will depend on the candidate's specific experience, skills, and negotiation. Benefits are typical for a large, established tech company like eBay.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: E-commerce, Technology, Online Marketplace. eBay operates in a highly competitive global online retail market, emphasizing innovation and customer-centricity to maintain its position. Company Size: eBay is a large, publicly traded company with tens of thousands of employees globally. This size offers stability and extensive resources but also requires individuals to be adept at navigating larger organizational structures. Founded: eBay was founded in 1995, giving it a long history and deep experience in the e-commerce landscape. This longevity suggests a culture that values adaptation and continuous evolution.

Team Structure:

• The role is within the "OneExperience" team, part of eBay's "Core Product Design" organization. This indicates a centralized design function focused on creating a unified and high-quality user experience.
• The Design Systems team is a specialized unit within Core Product Design, indicating a strategic focus on building foundational design assets.
• This team likely comprises various design disciplines (visual, experience, content, motion) and collaborates closely with Product Management and Engineering.

Methodology:

• The team employs a user-centered design approach, with a strong emphasis on research and feedback to inform design decisions.
• A key methodology is the development and application of a robust design system to ensure consistency, efficiency, and scalability across eBay's diverse product offerings.
• Cross-functional collaboration is crucial, with designers working in partnership with product managers and engineers throughout the product development lifecycle.

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

📝 Enhancement Note: eBay's culture emphasizes customer focus, innovation, and inclusivity. As a large tech company, it likely has established processes for design and development, with a strong focus on data-driven decision-making. The "OneExperience" team highlights a commitment to a unified brand and product experience.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This is a Senior Product Designer role, indicating a level of expertise and autonomy. The focus on Design Systems suggests a specialization within product design that is critical for large-scale product development. This role is suited for individuals who have mastered core design skills and are ready to lead in a specific domain. Reporting Structure: The role reports to the Head of Design Systems in the Core Product Organization. This implies a direct line of communication with leadership responsible for the design system's strategic direction and implementation. Operations Impact: The Senior Product Designer plays a critical role in shaping the visual and interactive foundation of eBay's products. Their work directly impacts the consistency, usability, and aesthetic appeal of the platform, influencing customer perception, engagement, and ultimately, conversion rates. A well-maintained design system leads to faster development cycles and more cohesive user experiences, contributing significantly to business efficiency and customer satisfaction.

Growth Opportunities:

• Specialization Advancement: Deepen expertise in design systems, potentially moving into Lead Design System Designer or Architect roles.
• Leadership Development: Transition into management roles, leading design teams or specific design initiatives within the Core Product Organization.
• Cross-Functional Mobility: Gain exposure to different product areas within eBay, leveraging design system knowledge to solve broader product challenges.
• Industry Influence: Contribute to design system communities, speak at conferences, or develop thought leadership in the field.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Senior" title and "Design Systems" focus point towards a career path that values deep technical expertise and strategic impact. Growth opportunities would likely involve increased scope of influence, leadership responsibilities, and specialization within the design system domain.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The role is designated as "Hybrid," indicating a blend of remote work and in-office presence. This suggests a modern work environment that balances flexibility with the need for in-person collaboration. Office Location(s): Toronto, Ontario, Canada. This location suggests access to a vibrant tech ecosystem and diverse talent pool. Workspace Context:

• The hybrid model facilitates collaboration through planned in-office days for team meetings, brainstorming sessions, and design critiques.
• Access to industry-standard design tools (Figma, Framer) and development technologies (HTML, CSS, JavaScript) will be readily available.
• Opportunities for interaction with a diverse team of designers, product managers, and engineers, fostering a dynamic and collaborative atmosphere.
• The work environment likely supports continuous learning and professional development, encouraging designers to stay current with the latest trends and technologies.

Work Schedule: Standard 40-hour work week, Monday to Friday. The hybrid arrangement offers some flexibility in structuring the work week, balancing remote productivity with collaborative in-office sessions.

📝 Enhancement Note: The hybrid nature of the role is a key aspect of the work environment, requiring strong self-management and communication skills. The Toronto location places it within a significant tech hub, offering potential networking and professional development opportunities.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A recruiter or hiring manager will review your application and resume, focusing on relevant experience in design systems and product design.
• Portfolio Review: A deep dive into your submitted portfolio, assessing your design system expertise, case studies, and impact. Be prepared to articulate your process, rationale, and results.
• Technical/Design Interview: This may involve design challenges, system-building exercises, or discussions about your approach to solving complex design problems. You might be asked to critique existing designs or propose solutions using design system principles.
• Cross-Functional Interviews: Interviews with Product Managers and Engineers to assess your collaboration skills, understanding of technical constraints, and ability to integrate design systems effectively.
• Hiring Manager/Leadership Interview: Final discussion to assess cultural fit, leadership potential, and alignment with the team's strategic goals.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Highlight Design System Impact: Clearly articulate your contributions to design systems, focusing on scalability, consistency, and efficiency gains. Use quantifiable metrics where possible (e.g., reduction in design/dev time, increase in consistency score).
• Showcase Process: Detail your methodology for creating, implementing, and maintaining design systems. Include examples of how you've handled feedback, iteration, and cross-functional collaboration.
• Demonstrate Tool Proficiency: Include examples of your work in Figma or Framer, showcasing your ability to create robust components and prototypes.
• Address Mentorship: If applicable, include examples of how you've mentored or guided other designers in the use of design systems.
• Tailor to eBay: Research eBay's current platform and design language. Consider how your experience aligns with their needs and how you would approach their specific challenges.

Challenge Preparation:

• Design System Audit: Be prepared to analyze a product or feature and identify opportunities for design system application or improvement.
• Component Design: You might be asked to design a new component that fits within an existing system, considering its adaptability and scalability.
• System Integration Scenarios: Discuss how you would approach integrating a new feature or product into an established design system, addressing potential conflicts or gaps.
• Collaboration Scenarios: Prepare to discuss how you would work with engineers to ensure accurate implementation of design system components.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process for a Senior Design Systems role will heavily scrutinize the candidate's practical experience with design systems, their ability to articulate complex design rationales, and their collaborative approach. A strong portfolio demonstrating tangible impact is essential.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Design & Prototyping: Figma (primary), Framer (proficiency required).
• Advanced Prototyping (Preferred): Proto.io, Rive, Play.
• Collaboration Tools: Likely Jira, Confluence, Slack, Microsoft Teams for project management and communication.

Analytics & Reporting:

• While not directly designing analytics tools, familiarity with how user data and analytics inform design decisions is beneficial. Tools like Google Analytics, Adobe Analytics, or internal eBay analytics platforms may be used by collaborating teams.

CRM & Automation:

• Not directly applicable for this design role, but understanding how design systems impact CRM and other business systems might be beneficial for broader context.

📝 Enhancement Note: Proficiency in Figma and Framer is a hard requirement. Familiarity with advanced prototyping tools and a general understanding of front-end technologies (HTML, CSS, JavaScript) are crucial for effective collaboration with engineering teams and for informing design decisions within the context of a design system.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Customer Obsession: A deep commitment to understanding and serving eBay customers, ensuring the design system enhances their experience.
• Innovation: Encouraging bold ideas and new approaches to design system development and implementation.
• Inclusivity: Fostering a diverse and inclusive environment where all team members can contribute their unique perspectives.
• Collaboration: Valuing teamwork and cross-functional partnerships to achieve shared goals.
• Data-Driven Decisions: Utilizing insights from user research and analytics to inform design system evolution and product improvements.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-Functional Integration: Actively partnering with Product Management, Engineering, and other design disciplines to ensure the design system is well-understood, adopted, and effectively implemented.
• Constructive Feedback: Engaging in open and honest feedback loops to continuously refine design systems and individual contributions.
• Knowledge Sharing: Proactively sharing best practices, learnings, and updates related to the design system to empower the broader design and development community.
• Agile Methodologies: Likely working within agile frameworks, emphasizing iterative development and frequent communication.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on "OneExperience" and "Core Product Design" suggests a strong focus on cohesive user journeys and a unified brand identity. The values likely reflect eBay's broader commitment to customer centricity, innovation, and inclusivity.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Scalability and Maintenance: Ensuring the design system remains scalable and maintainable as eBay's product suite grows and evolves.
• Adoption and Governance: Driving consistent adoption of the design system across diverse product teams and managing its governance effectively.
• Balancing Consistency with Flexibility: Finding the right balance between enforcing design system standards and allowing teams the flexibility to innovate and meet specific user needs.
• Keeping Pace with Technology: Continuously updating the design system to align with evolving front-end technologies and design trends.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Advanced Design System Techniques: Opportunities to explore and implement cutting-edge design system strategies and tooling.
• Cross-Disciplinary Exposure: Working closely with engineers and product managers to deepen understanding of technical constraints and business objectives.
• Leadership and Mentorship: Developing leadership skills through mentoring junior designers and contributing to the strategic direction of the design system.
• Industry Engagement: Representing eBay at design conferences or contributing to design system communities.

📝 Enhancement Note: The primary challenges revolve around the practical implementation and ongoing management of a large-scale design system within a complex organization. Growth opportunities are focused on deepening expertise, leadership, and broader strategic impact.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "How would you approach auditing an existing product suite to identify opportunities for design system implementation or improvement?" (Focus on methodology, criteria, and stakeholder engagement.)
• "Describe a time you had to advocate for the adoption of a design system or a specific pattern. What was your approach, and what was the outcome?" (Highlight communication, persuasion, and problem-solving skills.)
• "Given a new feature requirement, how would you determine whether to use an existing design system component, adapt one, or create a new one? What factors would you consider?" (Demonstrate strategic thinking and understanding of design system principles.)

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What excites you about eBay's mission and its position in the e-commerce market?" (Show research and genuine interest.)
• "How do you see the 'OneExperience' team contributing to eBay's overall success?" (Connect your role to the broader organizational goals.)
• "Describe your experience working in a hybrid environment. How do you ensure effective collaboration and communication?" (Address adaptability and teamwork.)

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure: Organize your portfolio by case study, clearly outlining the problem, your role, the process, the solution, and the impact. For design systems, dedicate specific sections to system architecture, component libraries, and governance.
• Storytelling: Narrate your design process, emphasizing your decision-making rationale and how you leveraged design systems to achieve specific outcomes.
• Quantify Impact: Whenever possible, use metrics to demonstrate the value of your work (e.g., improved efficiency, consistency, user satisfaction).
• Technical Depth: Be prepared to discuss the technical considerations of your designs and how they translate into code.
• Visual Clarity: Ensure your presentations are visually clean, well-organized, and easy to follow.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation should focus on demonstrating a deep understanding of design systems' strategic value, practical implementation, and the ability to collaborate effectively. Candidates should be ready to articulate their thought process and showcase tangible results.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Senior Product Designer - Design Systems position:

• Submit your application through the provided eBay Careers portal link.
• Portfolio Customization: Ensure your portfolio prominently features your experience with design systems, including case studies on their development, implementation, and impact. Tailor your presentation to highlight how your skills align with eBay's "OneExperience" vision.
• Resume Optimization: Update your resume to clearly articulate your years of experience, proficiency in Figma/Framer, and familiarity with front-end development concepts. Use keywords from the job description, such as "Design Systems," "Visual Design," and "Interaction Design."
• Interview Preparation: Practice articulating your design process, especially concerning design system strategy and collaboration. Prepare to discuss specific examples from your portfolio that demonstrate leadership and problem-solving in a hybrid work environment.
• Company Research: Familiarize yourself with eBay's current product offerings, recent design initiatives, and their overall brand strategy to demonstrate genuine interest and alignment with their customer-centric approach.

⚠️ Important Notice: This enhanced job description includes AI-generated insights and industry-standard assumptions. While every effort has been made to provide a comprehensive overview, candidates should verify all details directly with eBay during the application and interview process.