Product Designer - Design System

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Product Designer - Design System

Company: Trade Me

Location: Auckland, New Zealand

Job Type: Part-Time, Contract

Category: Product Design / Design Systems

Date Posted: 2026-09-02

Experience Level: Mid-Level (2-5 years)

Remote Status: Hybrid

🚀 Role Summary

• Design and maintain core components, interaction patterns, and semantic design tokens for Trade Me's Tangram design system, impacting both web and mobile platforms.

• Collaborate closely with front-end engineering teams to ensure seamless implementation, adherence to specifications, and consistent user experiences across all digital products.

• Actively participate in system governance, managing and triaging incoming component requests and proposals to maintain the integrity and evolution of the design system.

• Develop and maintain comprehensive, human-readable, and machine-readable documentation for design decisions, patterns, and tokens, ensuring clarity and accessibility for all stakeholders.

• Drive adoption and alignment of the design system across the business by facilitating workshops, design critiques, and advocating for best practices in visual and interaction design.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is specifically focused on the "Design System" aspect of product design, emphasizing the creation and maintenance of reusable components and patterns. The part-time nature (3 days/week) and 6-month contract duration suggest a project-driven need for expertise in design system development and governance. The emphasis on "Tangram" as Trade Me's next-generation design system indicates a modern and evolving approach to product development.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Design, develop, and maintain a comprehensive library of UI components, interaction patterns, and semantic design tokens applicable to both web and mobile applications.

• Partner with front-end engineers to translate design specifications into functional, accessible, and performant code, ensuring pixel-perfect implementation and consistent behavior.

• Own or significantly contribute to the design system's governance process, including evaluating new component requests, triaging issues, and maintaining system documentation.

• Create and meticulously maintain cross-platform design documentation, clearly articulating rationale for design decisions and ensuring human- and machine-readable guidelines.

• Conduct and facilitate workshops, design critiques, and cross-functional meetings to foster alignment, gather feedback, and champion the design system's value proposition throughout the organization.

• Ensure all design system elements adhere to accessibility standards (WCAG) and best practices for usability and inclusivity.

• Contribute to the strategic evolution of the Tangram design system, identifying opportunities for improvement, scalability, and enhanced developer/designer experience.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a blend of strategic design thinking, hands-on component creation, technical collaboration, and advocacy for design system best practices. The focus on "governance" and "triaging requests" indicates a need for a structured approach to managing design system evolution, often seen in more mature design system teams.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: While no specific degree is listed, a strong portfolio demonstrating product design and design system expertise is paramount. Candidates should possess a deep understanding of design principles and their application in a systems context.

Experience: Minimum of 3 years of product design experience, with a significant portion dedicated to working on design systems, component libraries, or pattern libraries.

Required Skills:

• 3+ years of experience in product design, with a proven track record in developing and maintaining design systems.

• Deep expertise in Figma, including advanced proficiency with component architecture, variants, instances, and dev-mode/code-connect workflows.

• Strong working knowledge of semantic design tokens and their mapping to front-end code.

• A robust systems-thinking mindset, capable of understanding complex interdependencies and designing for scalability.

• High attention to detail, with a keen eye for edge cases, states, and the nuances of user interface design.

• Proficiency in ensuring designs meet accessibility standards (WCAG).

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to articulate complex design decisions clearly and concisely.

• Proven ability to collaborate effectively with front-end engineers, product managers, and other stakeholders. Preferred Skills:

• Experience working with both web and mobile design systems.

• Familiarity with front-end development principles and common frameworks.

• Experience in documenting design systems for both technical and non-technical audiences.

• Facilitation skills for workshops and design critiques.

• Understanding of system governance models and proposal evaluation processes.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on "Deep Figma expertise" and "semantic design tokens" is critical. The "systems-thinking mindset" and "attention to detail for edge cases, states and accessibility standards (WCAG)" point towards a need for a highly organized and meticulous designer who can anticipate issues and design for robustness.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Demonstrate tangible contributions to a design system, component library, or pattern library. This should include examples of designed components, their variations, and how they were implemented.

• Showcase case studies that highlight your process for developing or evolving design system elements, from initial research and ideation through to implementation and iteration.

• Include examples of how you've documented design decisions, patterns, and tokens, illustrating clarity and adherence to standards.

• Present examples of how you've collaborated with engineers to ensure consistency and address technical constraints in component implementation.

• Feature work that explicitly addresses accessibility standards (WCAG) and how these were integrated into the design system. Process Documentation:

• Provide evidence of your ability to document design system components, patterns, and tokens in a clear, human-readable, and machine-readable format.

• Showcase examples of how you have mapped semantic design tokens to code, demonstrating an understanding of their technical application.

• Include documentation related to system governance, such as how component requests were evaluated or how design decisions were made and ratified.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a Design System Designer role, the portfolio is paramount. It needs to clearly articulate the candidate's ability to think systematically, design reusable elements, document them effectively, and collaborate with engineering. Demonstrating experience with Figma's advanced features and an understanding of semantic tokens will be key.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: As this is a contract role for 6 months, the compensation will likely be structured as a daily or weekly rate. Based on typical Product Designer rates in Auckland, New Zealand, for mid-level experience with specialized design system skills, an estimated range would be NZD $500 - $750 per day. This estimate is derived from industry benchmarks for contract design roles in major New Zealand cities, considering the specific skill set required for design systems and Figma expertise.

Benefits:

• Contract-Specific: A 6-month contract duration providing focused project engagement.

• Flexibility: Support for finding a work-life balance, including a home office setup and utilities allowance.

• Hybrid Work Model: Opportunity to work from the Auckland office on Mondays and at least one other day per week, balancing in-office collaboration with remote work.

• Wellness: Access to resources for physical and mental wellbeing.

• Leave: 5 days of wellness leave annually and 10 days of sick leave from day one.

• Social: Company-paid lunches on payday, regular Friday drinks and nibbles, annual company awards, and celebrations.

• Learning & Development: Opportunities for on-the-job learning, formal training, and mentoring. Internal mobility is encouraged.

• AI Skilling: Dedicated opportunities to grow and learn in AI technologies.

Working Hours: This is a part-time role, working 3 days per week. A standard full-time week is considered 40 hours, so this role would typically involve approximately 24 hours of work per week, with flexibility in scheduling those hours in collaboration with the team.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary estimate is based on industry standards for contract Product Designers in Auckland, New Zealand, with a specialization in design systems. The benefits listed are drawn directly from the provided text and are tailored to highlight aspects relevant to a contract position and general employee well-being. The "AI and Tech" benefit is particularly noteworthy for its forward-looking approach.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: E-commerce & Online Marketplaces, Classifieds. Trade Me is a prominent New Zealand-based company connecting people for various transactions.

Company Size: Trade Me is a large organization, indicated by its extensive operations and employee benefits, likely falling into the 500-1000+ employee range based on typical tech company structures in major markets.

Founded: Trade Me was founded in 1999. This long history suggests a stable company with a deep understanding of the New Zealand market and a culture that has evolved over time.

Team Structure:

• The role reports into a design function that likely includes other Product Designers, UX Researchers, and potentially a Design Lead.

• Collaboration is expected with front-end engineers, product managers, and other squads within the business that utilize the Tangram design system.

• The design system team itself may be a dedicated unit or a shared responsibility, with this role being a key contributor to its maintenance and evolution. Methodology:

• Data-Driven Design: Trade Me emphasizes using data and AI in daily tasks, suggesting that design decisions are informed by user behavior and performance metrics.

• Agile Development: Common in tech companies, an agile methodology is likely employed, involving iterative development cycles and cross-functional team collaboration.

• Design System Centricity: The creation and maintenance of the Tangram design system indicate a mature approach to product development, prioritizing consistency, efficiency, and scalability.

Company Website: https://www.trademe.co.nz/

📝 Enhancement Note: Trade Me's vision "to be the place where Kiwi look first" underscores its importance in the New Zealand digital landscape. The company's long history and focus on AI and technology indicate a blend of established presence and forward-thinking innovation. The emphasis on "connecting Kiwi" suggests a customer-centric culture.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is positioned as a Mid-Level Product Designer with a specialization in Design Systems. It requires a solid foundation in product design principles and practical experience in building and maintaining design system components. The role involves a degree of ownership and responsibility for a critical part of the product development lifecycle.

Reporting Structure: The Product Designer will report to a Design Lead or Manager within Trade Me's product development structure. They will work closely with engineering teams and product managers, requiring strong cross-functional collaboration skills.

Operations Impact: The Design System Designer's work directly impacts the efficiency and consistency of product development across Trade Me. By providing a robust and well-documented design system, they enable faster iteration cycles, ensure brand consistency, improve accessibility, and reduce redundant design and development efforts, ultimately contributing to a better user experience and more efficient product delivery.

Growth Opportunities:

• Specialization: Deepen expertise in design systems, component architecture, design tokens, and accessibility.

• Leadership: Potential to grow into a Senior Design System Designer or Design Lead role, mentoring junior designers and influencing design strategy.

• Cross-Functional Experience: Gain valuable experience working across different product squads and collaborating closely with engineering and product management.

• Learning & Development: Access to internal training, mentorship programs, and potentially external conferences or workshops focused on design systems and product design.

• AI Integration: Opportunity to explore and integrate AI tools and methodologies within the design system workflow.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "growth opportunities" are inferred from the nature of design system work and Trade Me's stated commitment to learning and development. The role provides a clear path for specialization within the design field.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Trade Me operates from a modern office space in Auckland, as indicated by the address provided. The culture described includes in-person collaboration days, suggesting a physical workspace designed for team interaction.

Office Location(s): Level 4, 155 Fanshawe Street, Auckland, 1010, New Zealand. This is a central Auckland location.

Workspace Context:

• Hybrid Model: The work environment supports a hybrid model, with 2 mandatory in-office days per week (Monday and at least one other day). This fosters a balance between focused remote work and collaborative team engagement.

• Collaborative Spaces: The office likely includes collaborative workspaces, meeting rooms, and potentially dedicated areas for design and development teams to interact.

• Tools & Technology: Employees have access to necessary technology and tools, including support for home office setups. The role emphasizes deep Figma expertise, indicating this is a primary tool within the design environment.

Work Schedule: The role is part-time, 3 days a week (approximately 24 hours total). While the specific hours are flexible, the hybrid model requires presence in the Auckland office on designated days.

📝 Enhancement Note: The description of the office environment emphasizes flexibility and collaboration, aligning with modern tech company practices. The hybrid model with specific in-office days is a key detail for candidates.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: Review of resume and cover note, focusing on design system experience and Figma proficiency.

• Portfolio Review: A deep dive into the candidate's portfolio, assessing their design system contributions, process, documentation, and collaboration examples. Expect to walk through specific case studies.

• Skills-Based Interview: Discussion around design system principles, token mapping, accessibility standards, and systems thinking. Technical questions related to Figma's advanced features may be included.

• Collaboration & Culture Fit: Interviews with potential team members (designers, engineers, product managers) to assess communication, collaboration style, and alignment with Trade Me's values.

• Contract Specifics: Discussion around contract terms, availability, and expectations for the 6-month duration.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Highlight Design System Impact: Clearly articulate your role in building or maintaining design systems. Showcase specific components, patterns, and tokens you've designed or contributed to.

• Showcase Process & Rationale: For each project, explain your thought process, design decisions, and how you applied systems thinking. Detail your approach to documentation and governance.

• Emphasize Figma Mastery: Demonstrate your advanced Figma skills, including component architecture, variants, and how you leverage features like dev mode or code-connect.

• Quantify Achievements: Where possible, use metrics or qualitative feedback to show the impact of your design system work (e.g., improved development efficiency, consistency gains, reduced bugs).

• Address Accessibility: Clearly show how you incorporated WCAG standards into your design system work.

Challenge Preparation:

• Be prepared to discuss hypothetical design system challenges, such as introducing a new component type, handling complex states, or resolving conflicting design requests.

• Practice articulating the benefits of a design system and advocating for its adoption to different stakeholders (engineers, product managers, business leads).

• Review Trade Me's existing products and website to understand their current design language and identify potential areas for the Tangram system.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process is expected to be rigorous, focusing heavily on practical skills and the ability to articulate complex design system concepts. The portfolio is the central piece of evidence.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Figma: This is the core design tool. Proficiency with its advanced features, including component/variant architecture, instances, auto-layout, and dev-mode/code-connect workflows, is essential.

• Design System Platforms: While not explicitly named, candidates should be familiar with the principles of managing and distributing design systems, potentially through tools like Storybook (for documentation and component browsing) or similar internal platforms.

Analytics & Reporting:

• While not directly responsible for analytics, a Design System Designer should be aware of how user data and analytics inform design decisions and how design system elements contribute to trackable user flows. Familiarity with tools like Google Analytics, Amplitude, or similar is beneficial for understanding user behavior. CRM & Automation:

• Not directly applicable to this role, though understanding how design systems integrate with broader product development workflows is important.

📝 Enhancement Note: Figma is clearly identified as the primary tool. The emphasis is on utilizing its advanced capabilities for creating and managing a robust design system.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Customer Centricity: Trade Me's vision ("connecting Kiwi to create the life they want," "place where Kiwi look first") implies a strong focus on the user and their needs.

• Curiosity & Open Mind: Highlighted in the "AI and Tech" section, encouraging exploration of new technologies and approaches.

• Collaboration: The hybrid work model and emphasis on partnering with engineers and other squads underscore the importance of teamwork.

• Growth & Learning: Stated commitment to professional development, mentoring, and internal mobility.

• Efficiency & Quality: Implicit in the creation of a design system, which aims to streamline development and ensure a high-quality, consistent user experience.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-functional Partnership: Close collaboration with front-end engineers is critical for component implementation and feedback loops.

• Advocacy: The role requires advocating for the design system's value and best practices across various teams and stakeholders.

• Workshop Facilitation: Actively engaging teams through workshops and critiques to drive alignment and gather input.

• Documentation-Driven: A clear and accessible documentation strategy is key to enabling others to use the design system effectively.

📝 Enhancement Note: The company culture seems to foster innovation (AI skilling), collaboration, and continuous improvement, all of which are vital for a successful design system team.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Maintaining Consistency: Ensuring that the design system remains consistent and up-to-date across evolving product needs and multiple platforms (web/mobile).

• Driving Adoption: Persuading and enabling various product squads to adopt and effectively use the design system, overcoming potential resistance or differing priorities.

• Balancing Flexibility and Rigidity: Designing components that are flexible enough to accommodate diverse use cases while maintaining the core integrity and consistency of the system.

• Technical Debt: Managing and mitigating potential technical debt within the component library as it grows and evolves.

• Cross-Team Dependencies: Navigating dependencies and communication needs with numerous engineering and product teams.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Design System Specialization: Opportunity to become a recognized expert in design systems, a highly sought-after skill in the tech industry.

• Figma Advanced Techniques: Deepen expertise in Figma's capabilities for design system management.

• Accessibility Best Practices: Enhance knowledge and application of WCAG standards and inclusive design principles.

• Front-End Integration: Gain a better understanding of front-end development workflows and how design systems interface with code.

• Mentorship: Benefit from Trade Me's mentorship programs and learn from experienced professionals within the organization.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges are typical for design system roles, requiring strong problem-solving, communication, and strategic thinking skills. The growth opportunities are focused on deepening specialized design expertise.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe your experience building or contributing to a design system. What was your specific role, and what were the key outcomes?"

• "How do you approach designing reusable components? What principles guide your decisions regarding variants, states, and accessibility?"

• "Walk me through your process for mapping semantic design tokens to front-end code. What are the benefits of this approach?"

• "How would you handle a request for a new component that doesn't quite fit the existing system's patterns or principles?"

• "How do you ensure your designs meet WCAG accessibility standards? Can you provide an example?"

• "Describe a time you had to advocate for the design system or a specific design decision to a skeptical stakeholder." Company & Culture Questions:

• "What interests you about Trade Me and our vision to be the place where Kiwi look first?"

• "How do you see the Tangram design system contributing to Trade Me's goals?"

• "What are your thoughts on hybrid work environments and how to maintain team connection?"

• "How do you approach continuous learning and staying updated with design trends and technologies, especially in AI?" Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure Your Narrative: For each case study, clearly outline the problem, your role, the process you followed, the solutions you designed, and the impact of your work.

• Focus on Design System Specifics: Highlight your contributions to component libraries, pattern definition, token creation, and documentation.

• Demonstrate Figma Proficiency: Be ready to share your Figma files or specific examples of complex component setups, variants, and how you've leveraged advanced features.

• Show, Don't Just Tell: Use visuals effectively to showcase your designs and the components you've created. Explain the rationale behind your design choices.

• Quantify Impact: If possible, present metrics that demonstrate the value of your design system work (e.g., increased design efficiency, reduced bug count related to UI, improved consistency scores).

• Prepare for Technical Questions: Be ready to discuss the technical aspects of design systems, such as token implementation and collaboration with engineers.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation should focus on demonstrating a deep understanding of design system principles, practical application through Figma, and the ability to collaborate effectively and advocate for best practices.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Product Designer - Design System position:

• Submit your application through the provided link on the Trade Me careers site.

• Tailor Your Resume: Highlight your 3+ years of product design experience, specifically emphasizing any work on design systems, component libraries, or pattern libraries. Use keywords like "Figma," "design tokens," "WCAG," and "systems thinking."

• Craft a Compelling Cover Note: Briefly explain why you are excited about this specific role and Trade Me. Outline your "Why" for applying, focusing on your passion for design systems and how your skills align with the requirements.

• Prepare Your Portfolio: Ensure your portfolio clearly showcases your design system experience. Include case studies demonstrating your process, Figma proficiency, documentation examples, and any contributions to accessibility standards. Have specific examples ready to discuss during an interview.

• Research Trade Me: Familiarize yourself with Trade Me's products and services. Understand their vision and how a design system supports their business objectives. Consider their current design aesthetic and how the Tangram system fits in.

⚠️ 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.