Sr. Visual Designer

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Sr. Visual Designer

Company: Roku

Location: New York, New York

Job Type: Full-time

Category: Creative & Media / Art & Design / Technology

Date Posted: April 22, 2026

Experience Level: 7-9 Years

Remote Status: Hybrid

🚀 Role Summary

• Design innovative and engaging advertising experiences that integrate seamlessly with Roku's platform, enhancing user engagement without disruption.

• Develop and produce high-fidelity, production-ready visual assets that effectively communicate brand narratives across Roku's diverse digital touchpoints.

• Drive the evolution and refinement of robust design systems, ensuring visual consistency and scalability across all user interfaces and brand interactions.

• Collaborate cross-functionally with product, engineering, and business stakeholders to translate strategic objectives into elegant and effective design solutions.

• Champion a user-centric design philosophy, advocating for the end-user’s needs while balancing business goals and partner requirements.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is categorized under Creative & Media, specifically Art & Design within the Technology sector, reflecting Roku's position as a leading streaming platform. The focus on "advertising experiences" and "brand stories" indicates a significant need for visual designers who can balance creative execution with commercial objectives, a common challenge in GTM (Go-To-Market) operations and marketing design functions.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Conceptualize and design compelling advertising experiences that feel additive to the user journey, fostering genuine viewer engagement.

• Translate brand strategies into visually polished, production-ready assets, ensuring high-quality execution across various platform components.

• Partner with product managers, engineers, and business development teams to define and deliver scalable design solutions that meet user needs and business objectives.

• Strategically navigate design constraints, effectively balancing user experience principles with partner requirements and platform capabilities.

• Contribute to the ongoing development and maintenance of Roku's design systems, ensuring consistency and efficiency in visual pattern application.

• Articulate design rationale clearly and persuasively, presenting work with confidence to diverse audiences, including executive leadership.

• Maintain a strong advocacy for the user, ensuring that all design decisions prioritize a positive and intuitive user experience across all touchpoints.

• Collaborate with internal teams to balance the unique visual identity of Roku with the branding requirements of external partners, ensuring cohesive integration.

• Develop comprehensive design guidelines, specifications, and asset packages to empower cross-functional teams and ensure successful implementation.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a blend of creative design execution and strategic collaboration, indicating that this role requires not only strong visual craft but also the ability to influence product direction and work effectively within a matrixed organization. The emphasis on "production-ready assets" and "clear guidelines" suggests a need for meticulous attention to detail and a strong understanding of the end-to-end design-to-delivery process.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: While not explicitly stated, a Bachelor's degree in Graphic Design, Visual Communication, Interaction Design, or a related field is typically expected for a Senior Visual Designer. Equivalent practical experience will also be considered.

Experience: A minimum of 7-9 years of professional design experience, with a proven track record in visual design, UI design, and brand systems.

Required Skills:

• Portfolio: A robust portfolio showcasing exceptional visual craft, thoughtful problem-solving, and experience across diverse brands and digital platforms.

• Visual Craft: Deep understanding and application of typography, layout, color theory, and composition to create aesthetically pleasing and effective designs.

• Design Systems: Proficiency in creating, evolving, and maintaining design systems for consistency and scalability across products and platforms.

• Collaboration: Demonstrated ability to work effectively in cross-functional teams, providing and receiving constructive feedback with an ego-free, team-oriented approach.

• Adobe Creative Suite: Expert-level proficiency in Adobe Photoshop for image manipulation, compositing, and asset creation.

• After Effects: Strong experience in After Effects for motion graphics, animation, and dynamic visual content creation.

• Figma: Proficient use of Figma for interface design, prototyping, and collaborative design workflows.

• AI Tools: Comfortable and experienced in leveraging AI tools and agents to enhance design processes and outcomes.

• UI Design: Solid understanding of User Interface (UI) design principles and best practices.

• Information Architecture: Familiarity with Information Architecture (IA) concepts to ensure logical content organization and navigation.

• Agility: Ability to execute tasks with speed and precision, maintaining high quality and attention to detail in a fast-paced environment.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience in consumer technology or media environments.

• Familiarity with interactive or digital content design, with a focus on production-ready execution.

• Experience designing for streaming platforms or digital advertising ecosystems.

📝 Enhancement Note: The requirement for "7-9 years of design experience" positions this as a senior-level role, demanding not just execution skills but also strategic thinking, mentorship potential, and a deep understanding of design system principles. Proficiency in modern design tools like Figma and emerging AI tools is crucial for efficiency and innovation.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Showcase a minimum of 3-5 distinct projects demonstrating visual design expertise across various platforms (web, mobile, advertising).

• Include case studies that clearly articulate the problem, your design process, your specific contributions, and the measurable impact or outcome.

• Highlight projects involving the creation or significant contribution to design systems, illustrating how you ensured consistency and scalability.

• Feature examples of work designed for advertising experiences or brand integrations, demonstrating an understanding of commercial goals and user engagement.

Process Documentation:

• For each project, briefly outline the design process followed, from initial concept and research through to final production-ready assets.

• Detail how you collaborated with cross-functional teams (Product, Engineering, Business) and incorporated their feedback.

• Illustrate how you leveraged design systems or contributed to their development for the projects presented.

• Explain how you ensured the quality and consistency of final assets delivered for implementation.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a Senior Visual Designer role, the portfolio is paramount. It should not only display aesthetic talent but also demonstrate strategic thinking, problem-solving capabilities, and the ability to manage complex design projects end-to-end. The emphasis on "production-ready assets" and "design systems" means candidates should be prepared to discuss the practical application and implementation of their designs.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: The estimated annual salary for this position in New York is between $110,000 to $130,000 annually.

Benefits:

• Comprehensive health insurance (medical, dental, and vision).

• Equity awards.

• Life insurance.

• Disability benefits.

• Generous parental leave.

• Wellness benefits.

• Paid time off (vacation and personal time).

• Global access to mental health support and resources.

• Global access to financial wellness support and resources.

• Retirement options (e.g., 401(k)/pension plans, where applicable).

• Commuter benefits.

Working Hours: The role is based on a 40-hour work week.

📝 Enhancement Note: The provided salary range for New York is competitive for a Senior Visual Designer role, reflecting the cost of living and the demand for experienced creative talent in the region. The extensive benefits package underscores Roku's commitment to employee well-being and long-term engagement.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Roku operates within the Technology sector, specifically in the streaming media and connected TV platform industry. They are a dominant force in the U.S., Canada, and Mexico, aiming to power televisions globally.

Company Size: Roku is a publicly traded company, indicating a mid-to-large enterprise size with significant resources and established processes, yet they emphasize a culture where individual contributions are highly valued.

Founded: Founded in 2002, Roku has a substantial history and experience in pioneering the streaming TV market, suggesting a culture that values innovation, pragmatism, and a long-term vision.

Team Structure:

• The design team is described as "small, experienced," suggesting a highly skilled and collaborative unit.

• It operates with a culture of "trust, candor, and shared ownership," indicating open communication and a flat hierarchy where ideas are valued regardless of title.

Methodology:

• The team's approach is characterized by a blend of strong visual craft and a deep commitment to collaboration.

• They value "clarity over ego," promoting an environment where the best ideas and solutions take precedence.

• A pragmatic approach to innovation, driven by a "penchant for action" and a focus on delivering tangible results to customers.

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

📝 Enhancement Note: Roku's culture is described as fast-paced, collaborative, and focused on execution. The emphasis on "fewer number of very talented folks" suggests a high-performance environment where individual impact is significant. The "problem-solver" identity and "penchant for action" highlight a bias towards practical innovation and delivery.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is a Senior Visual Designer, indicating a mid-to-senior level position. It requires substantial experience (7-9 years) and a high degree of autonomy in design execution, problem-solving, and system thinking. The role is expected to mentor and influence junior designers, contribute strategically to product development, and uphold high design standards.

Reporting Structure: While not explicitly detailed, senior designers typically report to a Design Lead, Design Manager, or Director of Design. The team structure suggests close collaboration with Product Managers, Engineering Leads, and Business Partners, implying a matrixed reporting or strong project-based collaboration model.

Operations Impact: As a Visual Designer, the impact is on user perception, brand consistency, and the overall effectiveness of advertising and content discovery experiences. This directly influences user engagement, advertiser satisfaction, and ultimately, Roku's market position and revenue through effective platform design and ad solutions.

Growth Opportunities:

• Skill Advancement: Deepen expertise in design systems, motion design, AI-assisted design workflows, and potentially explore specialized areas like brand identity or advertising creative strategy.

• Leadership Potential: Transition into a Lead Visual Designer or Design Manager role, taking on greater responsibility for team direction, project management, and mentorship.

• Cross-Functional Exposure: Gain broader experience through projects involving different product areas, marketing initiatives, or strategic partnerships within Roku.

• Industry Influence: Contribute to shaping design best practices within the streaming and advertising technology sectors.

📝 Enhancement Note: The Senior Visual Designer role at Roku offers a clear path for growth, moving from individual contribution to leadership and strategic influence. The emphasis on design systems and cross-functional collaboration prepares individuals for roles with broader scope and impact within the technology and media landscape.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Roku employs a hybrid work model, with teams generally working in the office Monday through Thursday. Fridays offer flexibility for remote work, unless the role requires a full five days in the office. This suggests a balance between in-person collaboration and individual focus time.

Office Location(s): The role is based in New York, New York. Specific office details regarding amenities, accessibility, and workspace layout would typically be available upon further inquiry or during the interview process.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Environment: The hybrid model encourages in-office collaboration on core workdays, facilitating spontaneous brainstorming, design reviews, and team cohesion.

• Tools & Technology: Access to industry-standard design tools (Adobe Suite, Figma) and emerging technologies like AI tools is expected. The work environment will likely support efficient digital workflows.

• Team Interaction: Opportunities for regular interaction with design colleagues, product managers, engineers, and business stakeholders will be integral to the role, fostering a dynamic and communicative atmosphere.

Work Schedule: The standard work schedule is 40 hours per week, with the hybrid model providing flexibility on Fridays for remote work. This structure allows for focused work and project management while accommodating personal needs.

📝 Enhancement Note: The hybrid work environment at Roku is designed to balance the benefits of in-office collaboration with the flexibility of remote work. For a visual designer, this means structured opportunities for team synergy and feedback, alongside dedicated time for deep creative work.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A review of your resume and portfolio to assess qualifications and alignment with the role's requirements.

• Portfolio Presentation: A dedicated session where you will present your portfolio, discussing key projects, your design process, and your rationale. Be prepared to articulate your contributions and the impact of your work.

• Cross-Functional Interviews: Meetings with Product Managers, Engineers, and Business Partners to evaluate your collaboration skills, communication style, and understanding of business objectives.

• Design Deep Dive: A more in-depth discussion with design leadership or senior designers to assess your visual craft, systems thinking, and problem-solving abilities.

• Final Round: Potentially an interview with a higher-level executive to assess cultural fit and strategic alignment.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select 3-5 of your strongest, most relevant projects. Prioritize those that showcase visual craft, problem-solving, design systems, and experience with advertising or brand integrations.

• Tell a Story: For each project, clearly outline the challenge, your role, your process, the solutions you developed, and the outcomes (quantifiable if possible). Use visuals effectively to support your narrative.

• Highlight "Why": Be prepared to explain the reasoning behind your design decisions. Articulate how your work aligns with user needs and business goals.

• Showcase Systems Thinking: If you have experience with design systems, clearly demonstrate your understanding of their principles and how you've applied or contributed to them.

• Production Readiness: Emphasize your ability to deliver production-ready assets and clear specifications for implementation.

Challenge Preparation:

• Design Exercise: You may be given a design challenge (e.g., a small UI task, a concept for an ad experience) to assess your problem-solving and design skills under time constraints. Focus on your process and rationale.

• Stakeholder Scenarios: Be ready to discuss how you would handle hypothetical situations involving conflicting stakeholder feedback or challenging project constraints.

• Tool Proficiency: Be prepared to discuss your experience with the required tools (Photoshop, After Effects, Figma) and how you leverage them effectively.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process emphasizes a holistic assessment, evaluating not just design skills but also collaboration, strategic thinking, and communication. A well-prepared portfolio presentation is critical, serving as the primary vehicle to demonstrate expertise and problem-solving capabilities.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Adobe Photoshop: Essential for advanced image editing, compositing, digital painting, and asset creation. Expect to demonstrate expert-level proficiency.

• Adobe After Effects: Crucial for creating motion graphics, animations, and dynamic visual content for advertising and platform elements. Strong experience is required.

• Figma: A key tool for interface design, collaborative workflows, prototyping, and design system management. Proficiency is expected for modern UI design processes.

Analytics & Reporting: While not a primary responsibility, understanding how design impacts user behavior and business metrics is important. Familiarity with analytics platforms (e.g., Google Analytics, internal Roku analytics tools) can be beneficial for understanding design performance.

CRM & Automation: Not directly relevant to this design role, but understanding how advertising experiences are managed and delivered might involve exposure to CRM or ad tech platforms.

Emerging Technologies:

• AI Tools: Explicitly mentioned as a requirement, indicating Roku's interest in leveraging AI for design ideation, asset generation, or workflow optimization. Experience with AI-powered design tools is a significant plus.

📝 Enhancement Note: The technology stack heavily emphasizes core design execution tools, with a specific inclusion of AI tools. This signals Roku's forward-thinking approach to design and a desire for candidates who can integrate cutting-edge technologies into their workflow to enhance efficiency and creativity.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Collaboration & Trust: A core value, emphasizing teamwork, open communication, and mutual respect among team members and cross-functional partners.

• Candor: Encouraging honest and direct feedback to foster continuous improvement and address challenges effectively.

• Shared Ownership: Promoting a sense of collective responsibility for project success and team outcomes, where everyone contributes to the final result.

• User Delight: A primary focus on creating experiences that are not only functional but also enjoyable and engaging for Roku users.

• Pragmatic Innovation: A drive to solve real problems with practical, actionable solutions, valuing execution and delivery as much as ideation.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-Functional Integration: Designers work closely with product managers, engineers, and business stakeholders, requiring strong communication and negotiation skills to align on objectives and solutions.

• Feedback-Driven: A culture that embraces constructive criticism and iterative design processes, treating feedback as an opportunity for enhancement.

• Ego-Free Environment: Emphasis on prioritizing the best ideas and outcomes over individual ego, fostering a supportive and productive working atmosphere.

📝 Enhancement Note: Roku's culture emphasizes a results-oriented, collaborative, and user-focused approach. The values of trust, candor, and shared ownership are crucial for success in this team, especially for senior members expected to lead by example and foster a positive team dynamic.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing Brand Needs: Effectively integrating diverse brand identities (partners') with Roku's established platform design and IP requires careful navigation and creative problem-solving.

• Scalability and Consistency: Ensuring that designs are not only visually appealing but also scalable across a rapidly growing platform and a wide range of devices.

• Ad Experience Design: Creating advertising experiences that are engaging and valuable to users without being intrusive or disruptive, a constant challenge in the digital advertising space.

• Fast-Paced Environment: Adapting to rapid iteration cycles and evolving project requirements in a dynamic tech company.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Design System Mastery: Opportunity to become a subject matter expert in Roku's design system, contributing to its growth and advocating for its best practices.

• AI in Design: Hands-on experience and learning opportunities with AI tools for design, staying at the forefront of industry trends.

• Cross-Disciplinary Learning: Gaining deeper insights into product strategy, engineering constraints, and business objectives through close collaboration.

• Mentorship: Potential to mentor junior designers and contribute to the overall growth and development of the design team.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges presented are typical for senior designers in a large, fast-growing tech company with a significant advertising component. The growth opportunities are geared towards deepening expertise and expanding influence within the design function and the broader organization.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you had to balance conflicting stakeholder needs (e.g., business goals vs. user experience) in a design project. How did you approach it, and what was the outcome?" (Preparation: Focus on your problem-solving methodology, communication strategy, and ability to find compromises.)

• "How do you approach designing for a platform that needs to accommodate both Roku's own brand identity and the distinct branding of various advertising partners? Walk us through a hypothetical approach." (Preparation: Think about design systems, brand guidelines, and flexible UI patterns.)

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What excites you about Roku's mission and its role in the streaming TV industry?" (Preparation: Research Roku's latest news, products, and market position. Connect it to your passion for design.)

• "Roku values trust, candor, and shared ownership. How do you embody these values in your daily work and team interactions?" (Preparation: Provide specific examples of how you've demonstrated these qualities in previous roles.)

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure is Key: Begin with an overview of your career and design philosophy. Then, dive into your selected projects, dedicating 5-7 minutes per project.

• Focus on Process and Rationale: For each project, clearly explain the problem, your process, your specific contributions, the tools you used, and the rationale behind your design decisions.

• Visual Storytelling: Use your visuals strategically to illustrate your points. Don't just show final screens; include sketches, wireframes, or prototypes to demonstrate your thought process.

• Quantify Impact: Whenever possible, present measurable results or outcomes of your design work (e.g., increased engagement, conversion rates, efficiency gains).

• Be Prepared for Q&A: Anticipate questions about your design choices, challenges, and how you handle feedback. Be honest and thoughtful in your responses.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation should focus on demonstrating not only technical design skills but also strategic thinking, collaborative aptitude, and alignment with Roku's culture. The portfolio presentation is a critical opportunity to showcase your problem-solving process and communication abilities.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Sr. Visual Designer position at Roku:

• Submit your application through the official Roku careers portal via the provided link.

• Portfolio Customization: Tailor your portfolio to highlight projects that best demonstrate your visual craft, experience with design systems, and ability to design engaging advertising experiences. Ensure it aligns with Roku's industry and brand aesthetic.

• Resume Optimization: Update your resume to clearly articulate your 7-9 years of experience, specific tool proficiencies (Photoshop, After Effects, Figma, AI tools), and achievements relevant to the responsibilities outlined. Use keywords from the job description.

• Interview Preparation: Practice presenting your portfolio with clarity and confidence, focusing on your design process, rationale, and impact. Prepare to discuss your experience with collaboration and your understanding of Roku's culture.

• Company Research: Thoroughly research Roku's platform, recent product launches, advertising offerings, and company culture. Understand their position in the market and how your design skills can contribute to their success.

⚠️ 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.