Product Designer, Design Systems - New York

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Product Designer, Design Systems

Company: Photon

Location: New York, New York, United States

Job Type: Full-Time

Category: Product Design / Design Systems

Date Posted: July 17, 2026

Experience Level: 4+ Years (Product Design), 2+ Years (Design Systems)

Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• Design and build reusable UI components, patterns, and tools that enable consistent, high-quality user experiences across various internal and external products.

• Define and evolve system-level patterns specifically for AI-assisted workflows, agentic experiences, and generative or dynamic UI, ensuring scalability and maintainability.

• Collaborate closely with cross-functional teams, including designers, engineers, and product managers, to ensure the design system's feasibility, consistent implementation, and alignment with product needs.

• Advocate for and integrate accessibility standards (e.g., WCAG) into all design system work, particularly for new AI-driven experiences.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is specifically focused on Design Systems with a strong emphasis on integrating AI and agentic workflow patterns. The candidate will be instrumental in shaping how AI is experienced by users through a consistent and scalable design language. This is a core Product Design role with a systems-level responsibility.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Design, maintain, and evolve shared UI libraries, component libraries, templates, and design tokens within Figma, ensuring adherence to established design principles.

• Develop UX patterns for multi-step task orchestration, human-in-the-loop review processes, and other AI-supported workflows to enhance user efficiency and control.

• Translate emerging product needs and AI interaction models into scalable design system solutions, documenting patterns and guidance for effective team adoption and extension.

• Partner with engineering and product management to review system pattern implementation, identify gaps, and drive continuous improvement based on product needs and user feedback.

• Establish design system guardrails to minimize ad-hoc AI UX decisions, thereby improving overall consistency, quality, and speed of product development.

• Contribute to the strategic evolution of the design system in response to new AI interaction models and the emergence of more adaptive product experiences.

• Conduct design system usage reviews to proactively identify areas for improvement, simplification, and enhanced user experience.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a proactive approach to system evolution, emphasizing the integration of emerging AI technologies and user workflows. The role requires not just maintenance but also strategic contribution to the future direction of the design system, particularly in novel AI interaction spaces.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

• Bachelor’s/University degree required.

• Formal UX education or equivalent professional experience is expected. Experience:

• Minimum of 4+ years of product design experience within a product-focused technology organization.

• Minimum of 2+ years of dedicated experience in designing, evolving, and maintaining design systems, including reusable components, patterns, and comprehensive documentation. Required Skills:

• Strong visual design, interaction design, and prototyping skills, evidenced by a portfolio showcasing desktop and mobile work.

• Advanced proficiency in Figma, including experience with component libraries, variables, and complex system workflows.

• Proven experience designing and shipping AI-enabled product experiences, such as AI-assisted workflows, agentic interactions, or generative UI.

• Ability to independently define new patterns when necessary, while also working effectively within established design direction.

• Demonstrated experience in close collaboration with cross-functional partners, particularly engineering and product management.

• Excellent organizational and communication skills, with the ability to articulate complex concepts clearly and document decisions effectively.

• Experience designing and advocating for accessibility standards, such as WCAG, across design system components. Preferred Skills:

• Experience defining design system guidance specifically for AI-enabled product experiences.

• Prior experience creating patterns for adaptive, dynamic, or context-aware interfaces.

• Familiarity with design tokens, variables, and an implementation-minded approach to system thinking.

• Ability to connect diverse product needs to scalable, reusable system solutions that drive consistency and reduce rework.

• Experience mentoring or guiding teams in the adoption and effective utilization of design systems.

• Comfort working in ambiguous environments and a proven ability to shape standards in rapidly evolving fields like AI UX.

📝 Enhancement Note: The distinction between required and preferred skills emphasizes a strong preference for candidates who have direct experience with AI-driven product design and the unique challenges it presents for design systems. Proficiency in Figma is a critical technical requirement.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Comprehensive demonstration of design system work, including UI components, pattern libraries, and system documentation.

• Case studies showcasing product design for AI-enabled or workflow-heavy experiences, highlighting problem-solving and user impact.

• Examples of how you have defined and evolved system-level patterns for complex user tasks or AI interactions.

• Evidence of your ability to create scalable, reusable solutions that maintain consistency across various products.

• Documentation samples that clearly articulate design principles, usage guidelines, and system logic. Process Documentation:

• Workflow design and optimization for creating and maintaining design system components and patterns.

• Implementation and automation methods for ensuring system consistency and adherence across product teams.

• Measurement and performance analysis of design system adoption and its impact on product development speed and quality.

📝 Enhancement Note: The portfolio is a critical component for this role, serving as the primary evidence of a candidate's ability to handle both the technical demands of design systems and the strategic challenges of integrating AI. Candidates should prepare to walk through specific examples that demonstrate their process and impact.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $36,000 - $129,000 USD annually This range is a good-faith estimate based on the provided minimum and maximum compensation. Actual compensation will be determined by the candidate's specific experience and qualifications.

Benefits:

• Medical Insurance

• Vision Insurance

• Dental Insurance

• 401k Retirement Plan

• Variable Pay/Incentives

• Paid Time Off

• Paid Holidays These benefits are available for full-time employees. Working Hours:

• Approximately 40 hours per week.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range is broad, indicating that compensation will be highly dependent on the candidate's demonstrated experience and alignment with the specific requirements, particularly in AI-driven design systems. The inclusion of a comprehensive benefits package is standard for full-time roles.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Technology / Software (Implied by "Product Builder" audience and AI focus)

Company Size: Photon is likely a mid-to-large sized technology company, given the need for a dedicated design systems team and the scope of work described.

Founded: Information not available, but the focus on evolving AI interaction models suggests a forward-thinking, innovative organization.

Team Structure:

• The Design System team operates within the broader Design and UX function, collaborating closely with Product Management and Engineering.

• You will be part of a team responsible for user experience and UI libraries across multiple internal and external products.

• Expect a collaborative environment where designers, engineers, and design managers work together on a wide array of design challenges. Methodology:

• Emphasis on creating consistent, high-quality user experiences through a unified design language.

• Data-driven approach to refining system patterns and ensuring they meet product needs and user expectations.

• Iterative design and development process, with continuous evaluation and improvement of the design system.

• Focus on enabling designers and engineers through well-documented, reusable components and patterns.

Company Website: photon.com (Inferred domain)

📝 Enhancement Note: The company culture appears to value consistency, quality, and innovation, with a strong emphasis on cross-functional collaboration. The focus on "product builders" as an audience suggests Photon might be a platform or tools company, where a robust design system is critical for their users.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is for an experienced Product Designer with specialized expertise in Design Systems, positioned at a mid-to-senior level. It requires a deep understanding of system design principles and the ability to influence product development at a foundational level.

Reporting Structure: The role reports into Design Management, likely a Design Manager or Director, within the broader Design and UX organization. Collaboration with engineering and product management is key.

Operations Impact: The impact is significant and foundational. By creating and maintaining robust design system components and AI interaction patterns, this role directly influences the consistency, quality, usability, and development speed of all products that adopt the system. This translates to improved user experience, reduced development costs, and faster time-to-market.

Growth Opportunities:

• Specialization: Deepen expertise in AI interaction design, generative UI, and advanced design system methodologies.

• Leadership: Potential to become a lead or principal designer for the design system, guiding its strategic direction and mentoring junior designers.

• Cross-functional Influence: Expand influence across multiple product teams, driving adoption and championing best practices.

• Emerging Technology: Stay at the forefront of design trends, particularly in AI and adaptive interfaces, and shape how these technologies are integrated into user experiences.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role offers a strong growth path for designers passionate about systems thinking and the evolving landscape of AI. The ability to shape foundational design elements provides a unique opportunity for significant impact and career advancement.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: On-site in New York City. This suggests a traditional office environment conducive to in-person collaboration, ideation, and team building.

Office Location(s): 115 W 30th St Ste 910, New York, NY 10001-4000. This location is in Midtown Manhattan, known for its accessibility and vibrant business district.

Workspace Context:

• The on-site nature facilitates direct collaboration with designers, engineers, and product managers, crucial for design system development and iteration.

• Access to physical whiteboarding sessions, design critiques, and spontaneous team discussions will be integral to the workflow.

• The environment likely supports a structured approach to design, with access to necessary tools and technology for system building. Work Schedule:

• Standard full-time work schedule, approximately 40 hours per week.

• While on-site, there may be flexibility within the workday, but consistent presence is expected.

📝 Enhancement Note: The on-site requirement in a major metropolitan hub like New York City indicates a preference for a highly collaborative and integrated team environment. This setting is ideal for intensive design system work requiring frequent face-to-face interaction.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: Review of resume and portfolio for alignment with experience requirements, particularly in design systems and AI design.

• Portfolio Presentation: Candidates will likely present their portfolio, focusing on design system work and AI-enabled experiences. Be prepared to discuss your process, challenges, and impact.

• Design Challenge/Case Study: A practical exercise or case study focusing on designing a component or pattern for an AI workflow, or evolving an existing system element.

• Cross-functional Interviews: Discussions with other designers, engineers, and product managers to assess collaboration style, communication skills, and technical understanding.

• Hiring Manager Interview: Final discussion to assess overall fit, strategic thinking, and alignment with team and company goals.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Highlight AI Experience: Clearly showcase projects involving AI-assisted workflows, agentic interactions, or generative UI.

• Detail Design System Work: Provide in-depth examples of your contributions to design systems, including component design, pattern definition, and documentation.

• Showcase Figma Proficiency: Include examples demonstrating advanced Figma skills like component libraries, variables, and system workflows.

• Explain Your Process: For each project, articulate the problem, your approach, key decisions, trade-offs, and the outcomes.

• Quantify Impact: Where possible, use metrics to demonstrate the positive impact of your design system work (e.g., increased consistency, reduced development time, improved user satisfaction).

• Accessibility Focus: Ensure your portfolio highlights your commitment to and understanding of accessibility standards.

Challenge Preparation:

• Familiarize yourself with common AI interaction patterns and potential design challenges in this space.

• Practice articulating design decisions and trade-offs clearly and concisely, especially in ambiguous scenarios.

• Be ready to discuss how you would approach establishing design system guardrails for AI features.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process will heavily scrutinize the candidate's portfolio, particularly for evidence of experience with AI and design systems. Candidates should prepare to articulate their strategic thinking and practical application of design system principles in the context of emerging AI technologies.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Figma: Essential for all design work, component libraries, variables, and advanced system workflows. Candidates must have strong, demonstrable proficiency.

• Design System Platforms/Tools: Familiarity with tools or methodologies for managing design tokens, style guides, and component documentation is highly valued.

Analytics & Reporting:

• While not explicitly mentioned for this role, an understanding of how design system usage is tracked and how design decisions impact user behavior analytics would be beneficial. CRM & Automation:

• Not directly applicable to this design role, but an awareness of how design systems integrate with development pipelines and product management workflows is important.

📝 Enhancement Note: Figma is the cornerstone of this role's toolset. Proficiency here is non-negotiable. Experience with broader design system management platforms and an understanding of how design impacts downstream analytics would be advantageous.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Consistency & Quality: A core value is ensuring a high standard of quality and consistency across all user experiences through the design system.

• Collaboration: Strong emphasis on working closely with engineering, product management, and fellow designers to achieve shared goals.

• Innovation: A drive to explore and integrate new technologies, particularly AI, into user experiences and design system offerings.

• Efficiency: Creating scalable solutions that improve the efficiency of both designers and engineers.

• User-Centricity: Designing with the end-user and "product builders" in mind, ensuring usability and effectiveness.

Collaboration Style:

• Highly collaborative, requiring active participation in cross-functional team meetings, design reviews, and feedback sessions.

• Open to constructive criticism and proactive in sharing design rationale and documentation.

• A style that fosters clear communication and shared understanding across disciplines.

📝 Enhancement Note: The team culture seems to be built around a shared commitment to excellence in user experience, enabled by a strong, well-maintained design system. Collaboration is key to successfully navigating the complexities of system design and AI integration.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Rapid Evolution of AI: Keeping the design system current with the fast-paced advancements in AI interaction models and generative technologies.

• Balancing Standardization and Innovation: Establishing effective guardrails for AI UX while still allowing for experimentation and novel solutions.

• Cross-Team Adoption: Ensuring consistent adoption and effective use of the design system across diverse product teams with varying needs and technical capabilities.

• Defining Novel Patterns: Creating clear, usable, and scalable patterns for entirely new types of AI-driven interactions.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• AI UX Specialization: Deep dive into the emerging field of AI interaction design and its unique challenges.

• Design Token & System Architecture: Advanced learning in system design, tokenization, and how to build highly adaptable and maintainable systems.

• Cross-functional Leadership: Developing skills in influencing product strategy and driving adoption through effective communication and partnership.

• Industry Trends: Engaging with conferences, research, and communities focused on design systems and AI/ML interfaces.

📝 Enhancement Note: The role presents significant challenges due to the cutting-edge nature of AI, offering substantial opportunities for growth and specialization in a highly in-demand area of design.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "How would you approach designing a system for AI-generated content within a product, considering consistency and user control?"

• "Describe a time you had to establish new design patterns for a novel technology. What was your process, and what were the outcomes?"

• "How do you balance the need for a consistent design system with the rapid iteration required for AI features?" Company & Culture Questions:

• "What interests you about Photon and our focus on empowering 'product builders'?"

• "How do you see your role contributing to our company's mission through design systems?"

• "Describe your experience working within an on-site, collaborative team environment." Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure: Begin with an overview of your design system philosophy, then present key case studies, focusing on AI-related work and design system contributions.

• Narrative: Tell a clear story for each project: the problem, your role, your process, the challenges, your solutions, and the impact.

• Demonstrate Figma Skills: Be ready to show live examples or detailed walkthroughs of your Figma component libraries, variables, and system workflows.

• Focus on Impact: Quantify your achievements wherever possible. For example, "This component library reduced design implementation time by X% for Y teams."

📝 Enhancement Note: Candidates should prepare to articulate their strategic thinking regarding AI integration within design systems and be ready to showcase practical application through their portfolio and responses to behavioral and situational questions.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Product Designer position:

• Submit your application through the Oracle Cloud candidate portal via the provided URL.

• Portfolio Customization: Ensure your portfolio prominently features your design system expertise and any experience with AI-enabled product design, highlighting your process and impact.

• Resume Optimization: Tailor your resume to emphasize keywords such as "Design Systems," "AI Interaction Design," "Figma," "UI Components," "WCAG," and "System Design."

• Interview Preparation: Practice articulating your design process, specifically for AI features and design systems, and prepare to discuss your portfolio in detail.

• Company Research: Familiarize yourself with Photon's mission and any publicly available information about their products or technologies to understand their context and target audience.

⚠️ Important Notice: This enhanced job description provides a comprehensive overview based on the provided data and industry standards. Candidates are strongly advised to verify specific details, responsibilities, and requirements directly with Photon during the application and interview process.