Product Designer, Design Systems

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Product Designer, Design Systems

Company: Harvey

Location: San Francisco, California, USA

Job Type: FULL_TIME

Category: Design Operations / Product Design

Date Posted: 2026-08-10

Experience Level: Mid-Level (3-5 years)

Remote Status: Hybrid

🚀 Role Summary

• Drive the creation, maintenance, and evolution of production-ready design system components, patterns, and documentation, with a focus on Figma and emerging AI-native design workflows.

• Act as a hands-on builder and trusted partner within the Design Systems team, ensuring a shared language between design, engineering, and AI for product coherence and scalability.

• Collaborate closely with product designers and frontend engineers to guarantee accurate implementation, consistent adoption, and intuitive usability of system assets.

• Support the scaling of Harvey's visual language and contribute to the development of processes and workflows that enable the Design Systems team to operate efficiently in a fast-moving environment.

• Advocate for exceptional visual craft, consistency, and user-centricity across all product surfaces, ensuring a trustworthy and legible user experience, particularly crucial for an AI-native product.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is specifically focused on Design Systems, which is a specialized area within Product Design. The emphasis on "AI-native design workflows" and "legal and professional services" indicates a unique operational context requiring a blend of traditional design system principles with forward-thinking technology integration. The "Hybrid" work arrangement suggests a need for strong remote collaboration skills alongside in-office presence.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Build, maintain, and evolve production-ready design system components, patterns, documentation, and reusable assets within Figma, leveraging features like auto layout, variables, and component variants.

• Partner with the Senior Design Systems Designer to scale Harvey's visual language and ensure the successful rollout of new system foundations across the product.

• Collaborate with product designers and frontend engineers to ensure system components are intuitive to use, accurately implemented, and consistently adopted across the product.

• Own and create polished production assets, libraries, prototypes, and documentation that empower product teams to build quickly and with confidence.

• Support AI-assisted design workflows by preparing components, documentation, and system assets that are optimized for both human designers and AI tools.

• Maintain the quality and health of the design system through rigorous QA, continuous refinement, organizational improvements, and proactive operational enhancements.

• Champion exceptional craftsmanship, consistency, and usability across all product surfaces, acting as a guardian of the user experience.

• Contribute to defining and improving the processes, workflows, and ways of working that enable the Design Systems team to scale successfully.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a hands-on execution role with significant ownership over design system assets and documentation. The inclusion of "AI-assisted design workflows" is a key differentiator, requiring a designer comfortable with emerging technologies and their integration into design operations.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: Bachelor's degree in Design, Human-Computer Interaction, or a related field, or equivalent practical experience.

Experience: 3–5 years of experience as a Product Designer, Production Designer, UI Designer, or Design Systems Designer working on digital products.

Required Skills:

• Exceptional visual craft with a meticulous eye for detail, layout, spacing, consistency, and production quality.

• Exceptional organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple workstreams while maintaining a high quality bar.

• Proven experience building and maintaining component libraries and design systems in Figma, including proficiency with auto layout, variables, components, and variants.

• Excellent collaboration and communication skills, with a strong desire to learn through close partnership with design and engineering teams.

• Comfort working in a fast-moving, ambiguous environment and enthusiasm for helping shape an evolving Design Systems practice.

• Strong understanding of UI design principles and best practices.

• Experience creating and maintaining design documentation. Preferred Skills:

• Curiosity and demonstrable experience with AI-assisted design tools and evolving implementation workflows.

• Experience collaborating with frontend engineers on the implementation of design systems.

• Familiarity with design operations principles and practices.

• Experience with prototyping tools beyond Figma.

• Understanding of the legal or professional services industry.

📝 Enhancement Note: The experience requirement is specific to "digital products" and emphasizes "design systems" and "Figma proficiency." The preference for "AI-assisted design tools" and "evolving implementation workflows" suggests the company is at the forefront of integrating AI into its design processes.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A curated selection of case studies demonstrating your experience in building, maintaining, or significantly contributing to design systems.

• Examples of complex component creation within Figma, showcasing your mastery of auto layout, variants, and component properties.

• Visual examples of design system documentation, highlighting clarity, organization, and adherence to best practices.

• Prototypes or interactive elements that showcase user flow and component interaction within a system context.

• Evidence of collaboration with engineering teams, illustrating how you bridge the gap between design and implementation. Process Documentation:

• Demonstrations of how you approach documenting design system components, patterns, and guidelines for broad adoption.

• Examples of how you ensure consistency and quality through established processes, including QA and refinement cycles.

• Insights into how you've contributed to or improved workflows for design system management and contribution.

• Evidence of your ability to prepare assets and documentation optimized for both human designers and potentially AI design tools.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a Design Systems role, the portfolio is critical. It should not only showcase visual design skills but also the ability to think systematically, document thoroughly, and collaborate effectively. The emphasis on "AI-assisted design workflows" means the portfolio should ideally hint at an openness or experience with these emerging technologies.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $150,800 - $226,200 USD per year.

Benefits:

• Comprehensive health coverage

• Dental coverage

• Vision coverage

• Retirement benefits

• 401k match

• Flexible PTO

• Equity plan

Working Hours: The standard working hours are 40 hours per week, with flexibility expected given the nature of a fast-moving tech environment and the need for cross-functional collaboration.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range provided is specific to USD and the San Francisco Bay Area, which is known for its high cost of living and competitive tech salaries. The benefits package is typical for a well-funded tech startup, emphasizing health, financial well-being, and employee ownership through equity.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Artificial Intelligence (AI), Legal Tech, Professional Services Software. Harvey is leveraging frontier agentic AI to transform how critical knowledge work is done.

Company Size: Harvey is a scaling startup, indicated by the need for a Design Systems Designer to support growth and complexity. While not explicitly stated, the rapid scaling and ambition suggest a company that is past the early startup phase and is building robust operational functions.

Founded: Founded with a mission to transform legal and professional services, Harvey is at an "inflection point" with strong product-market fit and investor support, indicating a company with significant traction and growth potential.

Team Structure:

• The Design Systems team is a foundational element within the broader product and design organization.

• This role reports to a Senior Design Systems Designer, indicating a structured approach to design system development and a clear reporting hierarchy.

• Close collaboration is expected with product designers and frontend engineers, highlighting a cross-functional team structure essential for design system success. Methodology:

• Harvey operates with a strong emphasis on "Decisiveness, Simplicity, and Job's Not Finished." This translates to acting quickly, prioritizing straightforward solutions, and maintaining a continuous drive for improvement.

• The company values a fast-paced environment, taking ownership, and pushing for excellence, suggesting a culture of high performance and accountability.

• Data-driven decision-making is implied through the focus on "critical knowledge work" and the need for a scalable, trustworthy AI product.

Company Website: https://www.harvey.ai/

📝 Enhancement Note: Harvey positions itself as a transformative company in the AI and professional services space. The culture emphasizes speed, ownership, and a relentless pursuit of excellence, aligning with the demands of building a generational company in a rapidly evolving field. The "AI-native" aspect is central to their identity and product strategy.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is positioned at a mid-level, specifically within the specialized domain of Design Systems. It requires 3-5 years of dedicated experience, indicating a focus on developing expertise in system design, component development, and design operations. The responsibilities suggest a hands-on contributor role with significant influence on product consistency and development speed.

Reporting Structure: The Product Designer, Design Systems will report to a Senior Design Systems Designer. This structure provides mentorship and guidance while allowing for individual contribution and ownership of specific system elements. This also implies a growing and professionalizing design team.

Operations Impact: The Design Systems team plays a critical role in operational efficiency by providing a standardized, reusable set of components and patterns. This directly impacts the speed and quality of product development, reduces redundant design and engineering effort, and ensures a consistent, trustworthy user experience, which is paramount for an AI-native product in the professional services sector. A well-maintained design system is a key enabler of scalability and efficient product iteration.

Growth Opportunities:

• Specialization: Deepen expertise within Design Systems, potentially moving into a Senior Design Systems Designer role, or specializing further in areas like accessibility, AI integration in design, or design tooling.

• Leadership: With proven success and experience, opportunities may arise to lead specific initiatives within the design system or mentor junior designers.

• Cross-functional Impact: Gain broader exposure to product development cycles, engineering best practices, and AI research, potentially leading to roles in product strategy or design leadership.

• Skill Development: Continuous learning is expected, particularly in emerging AI design tools and workflows, and evolving front-end implementation practices.

📝 Enhancement Note: The growth path for a Design Systems specialist typically involves deepening technical design skills, expanding system scope, and potentially moving into leadership or strategic roles within design operations. The unique AI context at Harvey offers distinct opportunities for skill development in cutting-edge design technologies.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Harvey operates a hybrid work model. This implies a balance between in-office collaboration and remote work flexibility. The San Francisco location suggests a modern office environment designed to foster collaboration and innovation.

Office Location(s): The role is based in San Francisco, California, USA. This location provides access to a vibrant tech ecosystem and talent pool. Specific office details would be provided upon inquiry or during the interview process.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Environment: The hybrid model necessitates a workspace that supports both focused individual work and effective team collaboration, likely featuring meeting rooms equipped for hybrid meetings and open spaces for team interaction.

• Tools & Technology: Access to industry-standard design tools like Figma is a given. The environment will likely support experimentation with new AI-assisted design tools and provide the necessary infrastructure for seamless remote and in-office work.

• Team Interaction: Opportunities will exist for regular interaction with the Design Systems team, product designers, and frontend engineers, fostering a culture of shared learning and problem-solving.

Work Schedule: The role is full-time, with a standard 40-hour work week. However, the fast-paced nature of a scaling startup, especially in the AI sector, often requires flexibility and a willingness to adapt schedules to meet project deadlines and critical business needs. This flexibility is balanced by the benefits of flexible PTO.

📝 Enhancement Note: The hybrid nature of the role requires candidates to be self-motivated and adept at remote collaboration, while also valuing in-person interaction for team building and strategic alignment. The San Francisco location places the role within a hub of technological innovation.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A recruiter or hiring manager will review your application and portfolio for initial fit. Be prepared to articulate your design system experience and your interest in Harvey's mission.

• Portfolio Presentation & Technical Interview: You will likely present your portfolio, focusing on relevant design system projects. Expect questions about your process, decision-making, Figma proficiency, and how you approach collaboration with engineering.

• Design Challenge (Potential): A practical exercise may be assigned to assess your ability to create or refine components, document them, or solve a specific design system problem. This could involve working with Figma or conceptualizing an AI-assisted design workflow.

• Team & Culture Fit Interviews: Discussions with potential team members, including product designers, engineers, and leadership, to assess collaboration style, problem-solving approach, and alignment with Harvey's values (Decisiveness, Simplicity, Job's Not Finished).

• Final Interview: Likely with a senior leader to discuss overall fit, career aspirations, and the strategic impact of the Design Systems role.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Highlight Design Systems Expertise: Clearly showcase your contributions to design systems, focusing on component creation, pattern definition, documentation, and governance.

• Demonstrate Figma Proficiency: Use your portfolio to illustrate mastery of Figma's advanced features like auto layout, variables, and component variants.

• Showcase Collaboration: Include examples or descriptions of how you've worked with engineers and product designers, emphasizing communication and problem-solving.

• Address AI Curiosity: If you have any experience or strong interest in AI-assisted design tools, highlight it. Even conceptual thinking about how AI can integrate with design systems is valuable.

• Quantify Impact: Where possible, articulate the impact of your work on development speed, consistency, or user experience, even if qualitative.

Challenge Preparation:

• Understand Design Systems Principles: Be ready to discuss core concepts like atomic design, component states, theming, and accessibility.

• Figma Best Practices: Brush up on advanced Figma techniques and how to organize complex libraries.

• AI Integration: Think critically about how AI could assist in tasks like component generation, documentation, or pattern discovery within a design system.

• Harvey's Values: Prepare to discuss how your approach aligns with Decisiveness, Simplicity, and the "Job's Not Finished" mentality.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process will heavily scrutinize practical design system skills, Figma expertise, and the candidate's ability to adapt to a rapidly evolving AI-focused product environment. Portfolio presentation is key, and demonstrating an understanding of Harvey's unique values will be important.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Figma: The core tool for design system creation, component management, and collaboration. Proficiency with advanced features like auto layout, variables, components, and variants is essential.

• Design System Management Tools: Potentially other tools for documentation, version control, or asset management, though Figma often serves as the central hub.

Analytics & Reporting:

• While not directly a design system tool, understanding how design system usage is tracked or how design impacts user behavior via analytics (e.g., Amplitude, Mixpanel) would be beneficial for demonstrating impact. CRM & Automation:

• Not directly applicable to the core responsibilities of this role, but awareness of how design systems integrate with broader product development workflows is important. Emerging Technologies:

• AI-Assisted Design Tools: Tools that leverage AI for design generation, optimization, or workflow automation. The company is actively exploring this space, so curiosity and willingness to experiment are key.

📝 Enhancement Note: Figma is the central tool. The emphasis on "emerging AI-native design workflows" means candidates should be aware of and open to integrating new AI tools into their design system practices, even if they don't have direct experience yet.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Decisiveness: Act quickly on clear judgment over perfect information. This applies to making decisions about component architecture, pattern definitions, and prioritizing system updates.

• Simplicity: Believe simplicity is what scales. This means creating straightforward, maintainable components and processes that are easy for other teams to adopt and understand.

• Job's Not Finished: Never be satisfied with where we are. This fosters a culture of continuous improvement, iterative refinement of the design system, and a proactive approach to identifying and addressing issues.

• Excellence & Ownership: High bar for quality, taking ownership of work, and pushing for personal and professional growth.

• Customer Proximity: Staying close to customers (both internal product teams and external users) to understand their needs and inform design system development.

Collaboration Style:

• Partnership: Working closely with product designers and frontend engineers is a core aspect of the role. This requires open communication, active listening, and a willingness to iterate based on feedback.

• Shared Language: The design system serves as the shared language. The designer's role is to ensure this language is clear, consistent, and well-understood across disciplines.

• Process-Oriented: A collaborative approach to defining and refining design system processes, workflows, and contribution guidelines.

📝 Enhancement Note: Harvey's core values of Decisiveness, Simplicity, and "Job's Not Finished" are central to their operational philosophy and will heavily influence how teams collaborate and make decisions. The Design Systems team embodies these values by building efficient, scalable, and continuously improving foundational elements for the product.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Scaling the System: As Harvey grows rapidly, the design system must scale to accommodate new features, products, and potentially new AI-driven interfaces without becoming unwieldy or inconsistent.

• AI Integration Complexity: Integrating AI-native workflows and components into a design system requires navigating new technical and design paradigms, ensuring both human and AI usability.

• Adoption & Governance: Ensuring consistent adoption of the design system across multiple product teams and maintaining governance over its evolution can be challenging in a fast-paced environment.

• Balancing Speed and Quality: The company's emphasis on decisiveness and speed can sometimes create tension with the meticulous detail required for high-quality design system work.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• AI Design Frontier: Gain hands-on experience at the cutting edge of AI-native product design and its impact on design systems.

• System Architecture: Deepen expertise in designing scalable, maintainable, and accessible design systems.

• Cross-functional Acumen: Enhance collaboration skills with engineering and product teams, understanding their technical constraints and workflows.

• Process Optimization: Contribute to shaping and improving the processes that govern design system development and maintenance.

• Industry Engagement: Potential to attend relevant industry conferences or engage with the broader design systems community.

📝 Enhancement Note: The primary challenges revolve around managing growth, integrating novel AI technologies, and maintaining system integrity. The growth opportunities are significant, particularly in gaining expertise in AI-driven design and system scalability within a high-impact startup environment.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "How would you approach building a new component for our design system, considering both human designers and AI tooling?"

• "Describe a time you had to advocate for design system consistency when faced with pressure to move faster. What was the outcome?"

• "How do you ensure your design system components are accessible and usable by a diverse range of users and AI agents?"

• "What are your thoughts on how AI could evolve the role of a design system in the future?" Company & Culture Questions:

• "How do Harvey's values of Decisiveness, Simplicity, and 'Job's Not Finished' resonate with your work style?"

• "Describe your experience working in a fast-moving, ambiguous startup environment. How do you maintain focus and quality?"

• "What excites you most about Harvey's mission to transform legal and professional services?"

• "How do you approach collaboration with engineering teams, especially when bridging the gap between design and implementation?" Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Storytelling: Frame your case studies as narratives of problem, solution, and impact. Clearly articulate the "why" behind your design decisions for system components.

• Figma Demo: Be prepared to walk through a relevant Figma file, showcasing your organizational structure, component mastery, and documentation process.

• Focus on Systems Thinking: Emphasize your ability to think holistically about the system, not just individual components.

• Quantify Impact: If possible, use metrics to demonstrate the benefits of your design system work (e.g., reduction in design debt, increase in design/dev velocity).

• AI Readiness: If you have AI-related experience, integrate it naturally into your presentations. If not, express your enthusiasm and willingness to learn.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation should focus on demonstrating strong foundational design system skills, Figma expertise, and a proactive, collaborative approach that aligns with Harvey's values and the unique challenges of an AI-native product.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Product Designer, Design Systems position:

• Submit your application through the provided link on Ashby.

• Portfolio Customization: Tailor your portfolio to highlight your most relevant design systems work, specifically showcasing Figma proficiency and any experience with component libraries, documentation, or AI-assisted design concepts.

• Resume Optimization: Ensure your resume clearly articulates your 3-5 years of experience in product/UI/design systems design, using keywords like "Figma," "design systems," "component libraries," "UI design," and "AI-assisted design." Quantify achievements where possible.

• Cover Letter Strategy: If a cover letter is optional or required, briefly express your enthusiasm for Harvey's mission and articulate why your design systems expertise, particularly your curiosity for AI integration, makes you a strong candidate.

• Company Research: Familiarize yourself with Harvey's product, mission, and company values (Decisiveness, Simplicity, Job's Not Finished). Understand the context of AI in legal and professional services.

⚠️ 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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