Principal Product Designer

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Principal Product Designer

Company: Mable

Location: Melbourne, Victoria, Australia; Brisbane, Queensland, Australia; Sydney, New South Wales, Australia

Job Type: Permanent - Full time

Category: Product Design / UX / Design Systems

Date Posted: 2026-08-31

Experience Level: 8+ years (with 4-5+ years in design systems)

Remote Status: Hybrid (with flexibility for remote work within Australia)

🚀 Role Summary

• Lead and evolve a multi-brand design system across Mable and HomeMade, defining its structure, priorities, and future direction.

• Integrate AI tooling (e.g., Claude) into design workflows, ensuring the design system is compatible with AI-assisted design and development processes.

• Design and maintain scalable design tokens, components, and patterns for both web and mobile platforms across multiple brands.

• Drive consistency and consolidation by auditing existing component usage and establishing clear documentation and governance for the design system.

• Champion accessibility standards (WCAG 2.2 AA) and foster a collaborative environment through leading a cross-functional Design System Guild.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is for a Principal Product Designer with a specific focus on Design Systems, particularly in a multi-brand, healthtech environment. The integration of AI tooling is a critical and differentiating aspect of this position, requiring a candidate with forward-thinking systems thinking and practical experience with emerging technologies in design.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Own and strategically evolve the multi-brand design system for HomeMade and Mable, making key decisions on its architecture, roadmap, and implementation.

• Develop and maintain a comprehensive library of design tokens, reusable components, and established patterns that ensure visual and functional consistency across web and mobile applications for both brands.

• Design and implement the framework for how the design system interacts with AI tools like Claude, enabling AI-assisted design and development to leverage accurate and up-to-date system assets.

• Conduct thorough audits of current component usage across Mable and HomeMade products, identify inconsistencies, and drive strategic consolidation efforts to enhance efficiency and maintainability.

• Create and maintain clear, concise documentation and usage guidelines for the design system, ensuring ease of adoption and understanding for both product designers and engineering teams.

• Collaborate closely with engineering teams to ensure seamless synchronization between design specifications and code implementation, overseeing the quality assurance of component integration.

• Establish and enforce robust governance processes for the design system to maintain consistency and quality as contributions and usage grow across the organization.

• Lead the Design System Guild, a cross-functional team comprising product designers and engineers, to foster shared ownership, gather input, and ensure the system continuously evolves to meet user needs.

• Champion accessibility best practices, ensuring all designed components and documentation adhere to WCAG 2.2 AA standards.

• Actively advocate for the value and adoption of the design system across the organization, educating other designers on its effective use and contribution methods.

• Continuously refine and improve the design system based on user feedback, analytics data, and practical insights from AI-assisted workflows.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a leadership role focused on strategic ownership and evolution of the design system. Emphasis is placed on cross-functional collaboration, particularly with engineering and AI teams, and a strong commitment to accessibility and documentation.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

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

Experience: 8+ years of experience in product design, with a dedicated 4-5+ years focused on owning or significantly shaping a design system. Demonstrated experience operating with a high degree of autonomy and setting strategic direction.

Required Skills:

• Advanced proficiency in Figma, including expert-level use of component libraries, variants, variables, and design tokens.

• Proven systems thinking capabilities, evidenced by a portfolio showcasing reusable components across multiple products or brands.

• Experience managing and evolving a multi-brand or multi-product design system.

• Practical experience integrating and utilizing AI tools (e.g., Claude) within a design workflow, with a strong understanding of how design systems and AI tooling can intersect.

• Strong collaboration and communication skills with engineering teams, with a track record of ensuring design components are implemented correctly.

• Solid understanding of accessibility standards (WCAG 2.2 AA) and practical application in design.

• Excellent written communication skills for creating clear documentation and guidelines.

• Confidence and ability to make and own critical decisions, driving the design system forward independently. Preferred Skills:

• Experience in the healthtech industry or a related regulated sector.

• Familiarity with design tokens and their implementation across different platforms and technologies.

• Experience with design system governance frameworks and community management.

• Understanding of front-end development principles and how they relate to component design.

• Experience conducting design system audits and defining consolidation strategies.

📝 Enhancement Note: The requirements emphasize practical, hands-on experience with advanced Figma features and a deep understanding of design systems, particularly in a multi-brand context. The integration of AI is a key differentiator, requiring candidates to demonstrate not just theoretical knowledge but practical application.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A comprehensive portfolio showcasing a strong foundation in systems thinking, not just individual product designs.

• Demonstrable examples of reusable components and patterns designed for scalability across multiple products or brands within a single system.

• Case studies detailing the evolution of a design system, including challenges faced, decisions made, and outcomes achieved.

• Evidence of how the candidate has defined structure, priority, and direction for a design system.

• Examples of design tokens, component libraries, and variants created within Figma. Process Documentation:

• Examples of clear, concise documentation and usage guidelines for design system components, demonstrating ease of adoption for designers and engineers.

• Documentation outlining governance models and processes for maintaining design system consistency and quality.

• Case studies illustrating successful collaboration with engineering teams, showing how design and code were kept in sync.

• Documentation related to accessibility standards (WCAG 2.2 AA) and their practical implementation within component design.

• Examples of how feedback and usage data have been incorporated to improve a design system.

📝 Enhancement Note: The portfolio requirements are heavily focused on demonstrating systems thinking and practical application of design system principles, with a specific emphasis on scalability, documentation, and collaboration. The integration of AI tooling into the design system's development and usage should also be reflected.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: Based on industry benchmarks for Principal Product Designer roles with significant design system ownership in major Australian cities (Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane), and considering the required 8+ years of experience and specialized skills, the estimated salary range is AUD $160,000 - $220,000 per annum. This estimate is informed by salary data from platforms like Glassdoor, LinkedIn Salary, and Payscale, adjusted for the senior level and specific expertise in design systems and AI integration.

Benefits:

• Power your career: Opportunities for learning from industry experts, experienced leaders, and on-the-job development.

• Access parental leave: 14 weeks paid leave for primary carers and 6 weeks for secondary carers, with superannuation.

• Work with flexibility: Hybrid workplace model, balancing office and remote work.

• Flexi Leave Days: One extra paid leave day per quarter for personal enjoyment.

• Floating Public Holiday: Ability to take a public holiday on a day that is personally significant.

• Be rewarded: Accessible Reward and Recognition program to celebrate wins and performance.

• Professional Development: Support for continuous learning and skill advancement.

Working Hours: The standard working hours are equivalent to a full-time role, typically around 40 hours per week, with flexibility inherent in the hybrid work model.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range is an estimation based on market data for senior design roles in Australia, tailored to the specific responsibilities of a Principal Product Designer owning a design system. The benefits listed are directly from the provided job description, highlighting Mable's commitment to employee well-being and professional growth.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Healthtech, specifically focused on connecting people with disability and older Australians with independent support workers. Mable operates within the broader care and support sector, leveraging technology to improve outcomes and standards.

Company Size: Mable is part of the Attain Healthtech Group, which implies a growing, dynamic organization. The specific size of the Mable team is not detailed but is described as a "high productivity and dynamic team environment."

Founded: Mable has been facilitating support since 2014, indicating established experience and growth in the sector.

Team Structure:

• The Principal Product Designer will be part of the Customer Experience team, working alongside and receiving support from design managers and other talented product designers.

• The role involves close collaboration with product designers across both HomeMade and Mable brands, as well as engineering teams.

• A key leadership aspect includes leading the cross-functional Design System Guild, comprising product designers and engineers. Methodology:

• Data-Driven Design: Emphasis on using feedback and usage data to continuously improve the design system.

• Systems Thinking: Core to the role is the ability to think in systems that scale and interconnect across multiple brands and integrate with AI tooling.

• Agile Development: Implied through close collaboration with engineering and the need for continuous iteration and improvement.

• User-Centricity: The company's mission and values ("Make It Matter") highlight a strong focus on putting people at the center and creating impactful improvements for users.

Company Website: https://mable.com.au/

📝 Enhancement Note: The company culture is purpose-driven, focused on innovation within the healthtech and care sector. The role's structure emphasizes collaboration, leadership within a specialized guild, and a commitment to data-informed decision-making and user impact.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This is a Principal-level Product Design role, signifying a senior position with significant autonomy and strategic influence. It requires deep expertise in design systems, systems thinking, and the ability to lead initiatives that impact multiple products and brands. The "Principal" title suggests a role that not only executes but also sets direction and mentors others.

Reporting Structure: The role reports within the Customer Experience team, likely to a Design Manager or Head of Design. The Principal Designer will also lead the Design System Guild, a cross-functional group, indicating influence beyond direct reporting lines.

Operations Impact: The impact of this role is substantial, directly influencing the user experience and development efficiency across Mable and HomeMade. By owning and evolving the design system, the Principal Designer will ensure brand consistency, improve designer and developer productivity, enhance accessibility, and enable scalable innovation, particularly through the integration of AI tooling. This strategic impact is crucial for maintaining Mable's position as a leading healthtech platform.

Growth Opportunities:

• Design System Leadership: Opportunity to become a recognized expert in design systems and AI integration within the healthtech space, potentially leading to broader architectural responsibilities.

• Skill Specialization: Deepen expertise in advanced Figma features, design tokens, accessibility, and the application of AI in design workflows.

• Mentorship & Advocacy: Lead the Design System Guild, mentoring designers and engineers, and advocating for design system best practices across the organization.

• Strategic Influence: Contribute to product strategy and roadmap decisions by defining the foundational elements of the user experience across multiple brands.

• Career Progression: Potential to move into higher leadership roles within design, such as Head of Design, or specialized technical leadership roles focused on design infrastructure.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role offers significant growth potential for an individual passionate about design systems and innovative design practices. The emphasis on AI integration and multi-brand ownership provides a unique opportunity to shape the future of design at Mable and within the industry.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Mable operates a hybrid workplace model, suggesting a balance between in-office collaboration and remote work flexibility. The offices in Sydney and Melbourne are likely equipped for collaborative work, team meetings, and focused individual work.

Office Location(s): The role is based in Sydney (New South Wales), Melbourne (Victoria), or Brisbane (Queensland), Australia. Candidates working remotely from other Australian locations will also be considered, indicating a broad geographic reach for talent.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Hub: Offices likely provide spaces for designers and engineers to connect, brainstorm, and conduct guild meetings, fostering a dynamic team environment.

• Tooling & Technology: Access to industry-standard design tools like Figma is a given, with the expectation of utilizing AI tools and other relevant technologies to enhance design processes.

• Cross-Functional Interaction: Opportunities for regular interaction with product designers, engineering teams, design managers, and potentially product managers, fostering a holistic approach to product development.

Work Schedule: Standard full-time hours (approx. 40 hours/week) are expected, with the flexibility of a hybrid model allowing for a balance between office presence and remote work. This schedule supports deep work required for design system development and component design, while also accommodating collaborative needs.

📝 Enhancement Note: The hybrid nature of the work environment, coupled with the option for remote work across Australia, offers significant flexibility. The emphasis on collaboration within the office and through the Design System Guild is key to the role's success.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: Likely a brief call with a recruiter to assess basic qualifications and cultural fit.

• Portfolio Review & Technical Interview: A deep dive into your portfolio with a Design Manager or senior designer. Expect to discuss your experience with design systems, systems thinking, Figma proficiency, AI tool integration, and accessibility. Be prepared to walk through specific case studies that demonstrate your ownership and impact.

• Cross-Functional Interview: Interview with engineering stakeholders to assess collaboration skills, understanding of implementation challenges, and ability to work effectively with developers.

• Leadership/Principal Level Interview: A discussion with senior leadership (e.g., Head of Design, VP of Product) to evaluate strategic thinking, autonomy, decision-making capabilities, and alignment with Mable's values and vision.

• Final Round: Potentially a final conversation to address any remaining questions and confirm fit.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Highlight Systems Thinking: Clearly showcase your ability to design and manage complex, scalable design systems. Focus on the "why" behind your design decisions.

• Demonstrate Multi-Brand Experience: Provide specific examples of how you've managed design consistency across different brands or products.

• Showcase AI Integration: If possible, include examples or discuss your thought process on how design systems can and should integrate with AI tooling.

• Detail Component Design: Present well-documented components, explaining their structure, variants, and intended use.

• Quantify Impact: Whenever possible, use metrics to demonstrate the success of your design system work (e.g., reduction in design/development time, increased consistency scores, improved accessibility compliance).

• Accessibility First: Ensure your portfolio clearly communicates your commitment to and execution of accessibility standards.

Challenge Preparation:

• Design System Audit Exercise: You might be asked to audit a small set of components or a mock UI and identify areas for improvement or consolidation within a hypothetical design system.

• Component Design Challenge: A task to design a new component or pattern that fits within an existing system, considering scalability, accessibility, and potential AI integration.

• System Governance Discussion: Be prepared to discuss how you would establish and maintain governance for a design system, including managing contributions and ensuring quality.

• AI Integration Strategy: Discuss your approach to integrating AI tools with a design system, considering challenges and opportunities.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process is structured to assess not only design skills but also strategic thinking, leadership potential, and the ability to navigate complex technical and collaborative environments, particularly concerning AI integration and multi-brand systems.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Figma: The core design tool, with an expectation of advanced proficiency in component libraries, variants, variables, and design tokens. This will be the primary platform for designing and managing the design system.

• Design System Management Platforms: While not explicitly stated, tools for managing design tokens and component libraries (e.g., Zeroheight, Storybook integration) might be used or considered.

• AI Design Tools: Specifically mentioned are Claude and Claude Code, indicating a need for familiarity and experience with how these AI platforms interact with design systems and code.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Usage Analytics: Tools to track the adoption and usage of design system components by designers and engineers.

• Accessibility Checkers: Tools to ensure compliance with WCAG 2.2 AA standards (e.g., Axe, WAVE, built-in Figma accessibility features).

• Design Audit Tools: Methods and potentially software for auditing component usage and identifying inconsistencies.

CRM & Automation:

• Project Management Tools: Likely tools like Jira, Asana, or Trello for tracking design system development tasks, bug fixes, and feature requests.

• Documentation Platforms: Tools like Confluence, Notion, or specialized design system documentation platforms (e.g., Zeroheight) for creating and hosting guidelines.

• Collaboration Tools: Slack or Microsoft Teams for daily communication and cross-functional team interactions.

📝 Enhancement Note: The technology stack heavily emphasizes Figma and AI tools, highlighting the modern approach Mable is taking to design. Proficiency in these areas, along with tools for documentation and collaboration, is crucial.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Switched On 💡: Demonstrates a commitment to listening, learning, and acting on insights from customers and the sector. This translates to a data-informed approach to design system evolution.

• Bold 📣: Encourages ambition, creativity, and reshaping the industry. This value supports taking innovative approaches to design systems and AI integration.

• One 🤝: Fosters a positive, diverse, and collaborative environment where different skills and perspectives are welcomed. This is crucial for leading the Design System Guild.

• Impactful 🌟: Focuses on working hard to deliver change and make a difference in people's lives. The design system's impact on user experience and efficiency aligns with this value.

• Break New Ground 🧨: Simplifies care with creativity and bold ideas, encouraging innovation.

• Make It Matter 💟: Puts people at the center and creates impact that improves lives, aligning with the user-centric nature of design systems and accessibility.

• Own The Outcome 🥇: Drives excellence and delivers results that last, reflecting the strategic ownership required for the design system.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-Functional Integration: The role requires extensive collaboration with product designers and engineers, leading a cross-functional guild. This suggests an environment that values shared ownership and open communication.

• Feedback-Driven: Continuous improvement based on feedback indicates a culture that is open to constructive criticism and iterative development.

• Knowledge Sharing: Leading the Design System Guild implies a culture of sharing knowledge, best practices, and collective problem-solving.

📝 Enhancement Note: Mable's values are deeply embedded in their mission and clearly translate into expectations for collaborative, impactful, and innovative work. The Principal Product Designer is expected to embody these values, particularly in leading the design system efforts.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Scaling a Multi-Brand System: Evolving a design system to support multiple brands (Mable, HomeMade) while maintaining consistency and distinct brand identities presents a significant challenge in architecture and governance.

• AI Integration Complexity: Seamlessly integrating AI tooling with the design system requires anticipating future needs, defining clear interfaces, and ensuring data integrity and usability for both designers and AI.

• Cross-Functional Alignment: Gaining buy-in and ensuring consistent adoption of the design system across diverse teams (product design, engineering) with varying priorities requires strong advocacy and communication.

• Maintaining Governance: As the system grows and more contributors are involved, establishing and enforcing governance to prevent fragmentation and maintain quality is an ongoing challenge.

• Balancing Innovation and Stability: Introducing new components or patterns while ensuring the existing system remains stable and reliable for current product development.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• AI in Design Specialization: Become an expert in leveraging AI for design system creation, maintenance, and application, a rapidly evolving field.

• Advanced Systems Architecture: Deepen knowledge in designing scalable, maintainable, and adaptable design systems for complex organizations.

• Leadership & Mentorship: Develop leadership skills by guiding the Design System Guild and mentoring junior designers and engineers.

• Industry Best Practices: Stay at the forefront of design system trends, accessibility standards, and AI advancements through continuous learning and participation in industry events.

• Strategic Product Impact: Gain exposure to broader product strategy by defining the foundational elements of user experience for multiple Mable Group entities.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges presented are inherent to a senior role focused on design systems and emerging technologies. The growth opportunities are significant, offering a chance to become a leader in a specialized and in-demand field.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe your approach to evolving a multi-brand design system. What are the key considerations for scaling consistency and brand identity?" (Focus on your systems thinking, governance, and decision-making process.)

• "How would you integrate AI tools like Claude into a design system? What are the potential benefits and challenges, and how would you address them?" (Prepare to discuss practical applications, technical considerations, and your vision for AI-assisted design.)

• "Walk us through a complex design system challenge you've faced and how you resolved it. What was your specific role and the outcome?" (Use a STAR method approach, highlighting your ownership, problem-solving skills, and impact.) Company & Culture Questions:

• "What interests you about Mable's mission and our work in the healthtech sector?" (Research Mable's impact, values, and recent news. Connect your passion for design to their purpose.)

• "How do you embody Mable's values of 'Switched On,' 'Bold,' 'One,' and 'Impactful' in your work?" (Prepare specific examples that demonstrate your alignment with these values.)

• "How do you approach collaboration with engineering teams to ensure design system components are implemented effectively?" (Highlight your communication style, understanding of development constraints, and experience in bridging design and code.) Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure for Impact: Organize your portfolio to clearly showcase your design system expertise. Start with high-level strategy and systems thinking, then dive into specific component examples, AI integration concepts, and accessibility efforts.

• Tell the Story: For each case study, articulate the problem, your solution, the process you followed, your specific contributions, and the measurable outcomes.

• Highlight AI Integration: Dedicate a section or clearly explain your experience or vision for how AI tools can work with design systems.

• Demonstrate Figma Mastery: Be ready to dive into Figma to show your advanced skills with components, variants, variables, and tokens.

• Focus on Governance & Documentation: Show examples of how you've documented components and established governance processes.

📝 Enhancement Note: Preparation should focus on demonstrating not only technical design skills but also strategic thinking, leadership potential, and a deep understanding of how design systems drive organizational efficiency and user value, especially in the context of emerging AI technologies.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Principal Product Designer position:

• Submit your application through the provided Lever application link.

• Customize your Resume: Tailor your resume to highlight your extensive experience in design systems, systems thinking, advanced Figma proficiency, AI tool integration, and multi-brand design. Use keywords from the job description, such as "design tokens," "component libraries," "WCAG 2.2 AA," and "AI tooling."

• Curate Your Portfolio: Ensure your portfolio prominently features your strongest design system work. Prioritize case studies that demonstrate ownership, scalability, AI integration, and impact. Include clear documentation examples and accessibility considerations.

• Prepare for the Interview: Practice articulating your design system philosophy, your experience with AI in design, and your approach to cross-functional collaboration. Be ready to discuss Mable's mission and values and how your skills align.

• Research Mable: Thoroughly understand Mable's products (Mable, HomeMade), their mission in the healthtech sector, and their company values. This will be crucial for demonstrating cultural fit and strategic alignment during the interview process.

⚠️ 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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