Senior Manager, Design Systems Engineer - Verity Solutions, Remote

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Senior Manager, Design Systems Engineer - Verity Solutions

Company: The Cigna Group

Location: Remote (Tennessee, United States; Texas, United States)

Job Type: FULL_TIME

Category: Engineering / Design Systems

Date Posted: 2026-08-12

Experience Level: 5-10 years

🚀 Role Summary

• Lead the development and strategic direction of Verity Canvas, a code-canonical design system for healthcare software, built on accessible headless primitives and styled through design tokens.

• Ensure seamless alignment between Figma design libraries and the production React codebase, maintaining consistency, scalability, and accessibility across all UI components.

• Drive the development and maintenance of the @verity/tokens pipeline, managing the flow from DTCG design tokens through Style Dictionary to CSS custom properties and typed outputs.

• Establish and enforce rigorous quality gates within the CI pipeline, focusing on accessibility, visual regression, app-level regression, linting, and code ownership to ensure high-quality, reliable software.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is a "founding" position for the Verity Canvas design system, indicating a significant opportunity to shape its architecture, processes, and adoption from the ground up. The emphasis on "code-canonical" and "production code" points towards a strong engineering-first approach to design systems, where the code is the source of truth. The migration from Angular to React highlights a crucial period of transformation, requiring strong technical leadership and change management skills.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Own the @verity/ui component library as a versioned package, ensuring it's built on accessible headless primitives and styled effectively through design tokens.

• Build and maintain the @verity/tokens pipeline, managing the process from DTCG design tokens through Style Dictionary to CSS custom properties and typed output.

• Create and manage a robust code-to-Figma token workflow utilizing Figma Variables, staging files, and comprehensive review practices to prevent silent design drift.

• Author Code Connect mappings to enable Figma Dev Mode and coding agents to generate actual @verity/ui components, rather than generic markup.

• Define the AI-ready system surface, encompassing MCP context, component manifests, registries, repository guidance, and agent evaluation workflows to prepare for future AI-native development.

• Strengthen CI quality gates for accessibility (e.g., ARIA, keyboard interaction, automated checks), visual regression, app-level regression, linting, and code ownership to ensure system integrity.

• Manage release discipline through tools like Changesets, semantic versioning, API contract checks, and the creation of migration-ready codemods to facilitate smooth updates.

• Partner closely with designers and product teams to establish and govern Figma conventions, drive system adoption, and manage promotion and deprecation workflows for design system elements.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities clearly indicate a deep technical focus, requiring a strong understanding of front-end engineering principles, component architecture, and design system tooling. The explicit mention of "AI-ready system surface" suggests an forward-looking approach, anticipating the integration of AI in development workflows. The emphasis on "prevent silent design drift" and "migration-ready codemods" highlights the critical need for meticulous process management and proactive engineering solutions.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: While not explicitly stated, a Bachelor's or Master's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, Design, or a related field is typically expected for a Senior Manager role, or equivalent practical experience.

Experience:

• Minimum of 5+ years of experience building front-end systems, design systems, or component libraries with React and TypeScript.

• Proven experience designing typed component APIs and successfully shipping a design system as a published package utilized by multiple teams.

• Hands-on experience with Figma Dev Mode, variables, and Code Connect, or similar advanced design-to-code workflows.

• Demonstrated experience building design token pipelines using DTCG formats and tools like Style Dictionary or Tokens Studio.

• Strong expertise in web accessibility (WCAG standards), including ARIA, keyboard interaction, focus management, and automated accessibility checks (e.g., axe).

• Experience with modern front-end development tooling, including Storybook, visual regression testing, CI/CD pipelines, advanced Git workflows, and package management within monorepos. Required Skills:

• React & TypeScript: Deep proficiency in building complex applications and reusable components.

• Design Systems: Comprehensive understanding of design system principles, architecture, and implementation.

• Figma & Design-to-Code: Expertise in Figma's advanced features (Dev Mode, Variables) and bridging design with code.

• Accessibility (A11y): Strong knowledge of ARIA, keyboard navigation, focus management, and accessibility testing methodologies.

• Design Tokens: Experience with design token formats (DTCG) and tools like Style Dictionary for managing design variables.

• Component Libraries: Ability to design typed component APIs and manage versioned packages.

• CI/CD & Git: Proficiency in Continuous Integration/Continuous Deployment pipelines and modern Git workflows.

• Monorepo Management: Experience managing codebases with multiple packages and applications within a single repository.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience with headless primitive libraries such as Base UI, Radix, React Aria, or Ariakit.

• Familiarity with advanced monorepo tooling like pnpm workspaces, Turborepo, and package managers.

• Knowledge of versioning and release management tools like Changesets and semver.

• Experience with API Extractor or type-aware codemods for managing API contracts and code transformations.

• Exposure to AI-native development workflows, MCP tooling, coding agents, registries, or agent evaluation harnesses.

• Experience pushing design tokens from code into Figma or utilizing the Figma Variables REST API.

• Background in healthcare, regulated environments, or products where accessibility and precision are paramount.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "5+ years" experience level aligns with a Senior Manager role, demanding not just execution but also strategic oversight and leadership in building and maintaining a critical system. The emphasis on "typed component APIs" and "shipping a design system as a published package" highlights the need for robust engineering practices and a product-oriented mindset towards the design system itself. Preferred qualifications point towards a desire for candidates with cutting-edge knowledge in areas like headless UI and AI-driven development.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Design System Case Studies: Detailed examples showcasing the architecture, implementation, and impact of design systems you have built or significantly contributed to. This should include challenges faced, solutions implemented, and quantifiable outcomes.

• Component Library Development: Demonstrations of reusable, accessible, and well-documented component libraries developed with React and TypeScript. Highlight API design, versioning strategies, and adoption metrics.

• Design Token Implementation: Examples of design token pipelines, illustrating the process from design artifacts to code implementation, including the tools and methodologies used (e.g., Style Dictionary, DTCG).

• Figma Integration Workflows: Evidence of successful integration between design tools (Figma) and development environments, specifically demonstrating workflows for design variables, Dev Mode, or code generation.

• Accessibility Audits & Improvements: Case studies detailing how accessibility was integrated into the development process, including testing methodologies, remediation strategies, and improvements in user experience for diverse users.

Process Documentation:

• Workflow Design & Optimization: Showcase your ability to design, document, and optimize workflows related to design system development, contribution, and adoption. This includes version control, release management, and feedback loops.

• Implementation & Automation: Provide examples of how you have automated design system processes, such as CI/CD for component testing, automated documentation generation, or codemods for system migrations.

• Measurement & Performance Analysis: Demonstrate how you track and report on the performance, adoption, and impact of a design system, using metrics related to consistency, efficiency, developer productivity, and user experience.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a Senior Manager role focused on a "founding" design system, the portfolio needs to demonstrate not just technical skill but also strategic thinking, leadership in process definition, and the ability to drive adoption. The emphasis on "code-canonical" and "production code" means the portfolio should clearly show a deep understanding of engineering best practices applied to design systems, not just design principles.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: Based on industry benchmarks for a Senior Manager, Design Systems Engineer with 5-10 years of experience in a remote capacity within the US, the estimated salary range is $140,000 - $190,000 annually. This range can vary based on specific location within Tennessee or Texas, the candidate's exact experience, and The Cigna Group's internal compensation bands.

Benefits:

• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance.

• Retirement savings plan with company match (e.g., 401k).

• Generous paid time off (PTO), including vacation, sick leave, and holidays.

• Professional development opportunities, including training, conferences, and certifications.

• Remote work stipend or support for home office setup.

• Life and disability insurance.

• Employee Assistance Program (EAP).

• Potential for performance-based bonuses.

Working Hours: The standard full-time working hours are typically 40 hours per week. While this is a remote role, flexibility may be offered to accommodate different time zones within the US, with a focus on core collaboration hours for team meetings and critical project work.

📝 Enhancement Note: Salary estimates are based on data from reputable compensation platforms (e.g., Glassdoor, Levels.fyi, LinkedIn Salary) for similar roles in the US tech industry, adjusted for seniority and the specific requirements of a design systems engineering lead. The Cigna Group, as a large healthcare and insurance provider, is expected to offer a robust benefits package.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: The Cigna Group operates within the Healthcare Technology and Services sector, focusing on improving health and well-being through innovative solutions. Verity Solutions, as a division, likely concentrates on digital health platforms and software. This industry demands high standards for reliability, security, and user experience, especially concerning sensitive health data.

Company Size: The Cigna Group is a large, established enterprise (indicated by its broad presence and job listings). This means the design systems role will operate within a structured corporate environment, potentially with established processes but also opportunities to influence and shape new initiatives like Verity Canvas. Large companies often provide stability and extensive resources.

Founded: The Cigna Group has a long history, tracing its roots back to the 18th century, with its modern iteration formed through mergers. This legacy implies a culture that values stability and long-term vision, while Verity Solutions, likely a newer or more agile division, may foster a more innovative and fast-paced environment.

Team Structure:

• The role reports into a leadership position within Verity Solutions, likely overseeing UX, Product Engineering, or a dedicated Design Systems team.

• The Senior Manager will lead the "founding" of the Verity Canvas design system, suggesting they will be responsible for building and potentially growing a dedicated design systems team over time.

• Close collaboration will be expected with Product Designers, Front-end Engineers across various product teams, UX Researchers, and potentially Product Managers to ensure system adoption and alignment. Methodology:

• Data-Driven Decisions: Expect a strong emphasis on using data to inform design system decisions, track adoption, and measure impact, particularly in areas like accessibility and developer efficiency.

• Agile Development: Given the tech industry context, Agile methodologies (Scrum, Kanban) are likely employed for iterative development and release cycles within product teams and potentially for the design system itself.

• Collaboration & Feedback: A culture of continuous feedback and collaboration is crucial for design systems success, involving regular syncs, code reviews, and design critiques.

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

📝 Enhancement Note: The intersection of healthcare and technology means that compliance, security, and robust accessibility are non-negotiable. The "founding" nature of this role within Verity Solutions suggests an opportunity to define best practices and establish a strong foundation for future growth, leveraging the resources of a large parent company.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is classified as a Senior Manager, indicating a leadership position with significant responsibility for technical strategy, execution, and team influence. It's a Band 4 Management Career Track Role within The Cigna Group. The focus is on deep technical expertise in design systems engineering, with an expectation of mentoring and guiding other engineers.

Reporting Structure: The Senior Manager will likely report to a Director or VP level executive within Verity Solutions, possibly overseeing Product, Engineering, or UX. They will be responsible for influencing product teams and driving adoption of the design system across the organization.

Operations Impact: The design system directly impacts the efficiency and consistency of product development. By providing a robust, reusable set of components and guidelines, this role will enable product teams to build features faster, ensure a consistent user experience across healthcare applications, and improve accessibility for all users. This translates to reduced development costs, faster time-to-market, and improved patient/user satisfaction.

Growth Opportunities:

• Leadership Expansion: As the Verity Canvas system matures and gains adoption, there's potential to grow the design systems team, moving from individual contributor leadership to managing a larger group of engineers and designers.

• Technical Specialization: Deepen expertise in cutting-edge areas like AI-native development workflows, advanced accessibility standards, or performance optimization for large-scale component libraries.

• Cross-Functional Influence: Expand influence across different divisions or product lines within The Cigna Group, helping to standardize UI/UX practices and drive technical excellence company-wide.

• Strategic Roadmap Development: Take on a more significant role in defining the long-term technical roadmap for UI development and design systems within Verity Solutions and potentially The Cigna Group.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Management Career Track Role" designation suggests a defined path for advancement within The Cigna Group's management structure. The "founding" aspect of the design system implies a significant opportunity to shape the technical direction and establish a lasting impact.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: This is a Remote position, offering the flexibility to work from home. The Cigna Group is a large organization with a distributed workforce, and this role is specifically advertised as remote.

Office Location(s): While remote, the role is associated with operations in Tennessee, United States and Texas, United States. This may indicate that while the role is remote, the candidate is expected to be based in or have strong ties to these regions for potential infrequent team meetups or alignment with regional hubs.

Workspace Context:

• Remote Collaboration: Expect to utilize a suite of digital collaboration tools (e.g., Slack, Microsoft Teams, Zoom) for communication, virtual meetings, and team coordination.

• Design & Development Tools: Access to industry-standard design software (Figma) and development environments, including robust IDEs, version control systems, and potentially cloud-based development platforms.

• Cross-Functional Interaction: Frequent interaction with distributed teams, requiring strong asynchronous communication skills and proactive engagement to foster a cohesive working environment.

Work Schedule: The standard 40-hour work week applies. While remote, maintaining consistent availability during core business hours for the relevant US time zones (likely EST, CST, MST, PST depending on team distribution) is expected for effective collaboration. Flexibility may be provided, but responsiveness and meeting participation are key.

📝 Enhancement Note: The mention of specific states (Tennessee, Texas) for a remote role might imply occasional in-person gatherings or regional team meetups, although the primary mode of work is remote. Candidates should clarify expectations regarding any potential travel or in-person requirements.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A recruiter or hiring manager will conduct an initial phone screen to assess qualifications, experience, and cultural fit.

• Technical Interview(s): Expect multiple technical interviews focusing on React, TypeScript, design systems architecture, accessibility best practices, and your experience with relevant tooling (Figma, Style Dictionary, Storybook). This may include coding challenges or live coding sessions.

• System Design / Case Study: A significant portion of the interview process will likely involve a system design exercise or a deep dive into your portfolio. You may be asked to present a case study on a past design system project, outlining challenges, solutions, and outcomes.

• Cross-Functional Panel: Interviews with potential collaborators (designers, product managers, other engineers) to assess your ability to work effectively in a team and communicate complex technical concepts.

• Manager/Leadership Interview: A final interview with senior leadership to discuss strategic thinking, leadership approach, and overall fit for the Senior Manager role.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Highlight Impact: For each project, clearly articulate the problem you were solving, the solution you implemented, and the quantifiable impact (e.g., reduced development time by X%, improved consistency score by Y%, increased accessibility compliance).

• Focus on Design Systems: Showcase projects specifically related to building, maintaining, or contributing to design systems. Detail your role, the technologies used, and the system's architecture.

• Demonstrate Technical Depth: For code-heavy projects, provide links to well-documented repositories (if public) or detailed descriptions of your technical contributions, including API design, component patterns, and build processes.

• Accessibility First: Emphasize your commitment to accessibility throughout your portfolio. Showcase how you integrated A11y practices, tested for compliance, and remediated issues.

• Figma & Code Connection: Clearly illustrate your experience in bridging the gap between design (Figma) and development, particularly with design tokens and code generation workflows.

• Tell a Story: Structure your case studies as narratives. Start with the challenge, walk through your process and technical decisions, and conclude with the results and lessons learned.

Challenge Preparation:

• System Design: Prepare to design a scalable, accessible design system architecture from scratch, considering token pipelines, component libraries, versioning, and governance.

• Coding Exercises: Brush up on React hooks, state management, TypeScript typings, and common front-end patterns. Be ready for algorithmic or component-building challenges.

• Accessibility Scenarios: Practice explaining how you would address specific accessibility issues (e.g., keyboard navigation for complex components, ARIA implementation).

• Stakeholder Communication: Be ready to articulate the value of a design system to both technical and non-technical audiences, explaining trade-offs and advocating for best practices.

📝 Enhancement Note: Given the "founding" nature of the Verity Canvas, expect interviewers to probe deeply into your strategic thinking, ability to define processes from scratch, and how you would drive adoption across potentially resistant teams. Your portfolio should clearly demonstrate leadership and initiative in similar contexts.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• React: The core JavaScript library for building user interfaces.

• TypeScript: For static typing, enhancing code quality and maintainability.

• Figma: The primary design tool for creating UI designs, prototypes, and design system assets.

• Storybook: For developing, documenting, and testing UI components in isolation.

• Style Dictionary / Tokens Studio: Tools for managing and transforming design tokens into various code formats.

• DTCG (Design Token Community Group) Format: The standard for defining design tokens.

• Monorepo Tools (e.g., pnpm, Turborepo, Lerna): For managing multiple packages within a single repository.

• Changesets / Semantic Versioning (Semver): For managing package versions and release notes.

Analytics & Reporting:

• CI/CD Platforms (e.g., Jenkins, GitHub Actions, GitLab CI): For automating build, test, and deployment processes.

• Visual Regression Testing Tools (e.g., Percy, Chromatic): For detecting unintended visual changes in components.

• Accessibility Testing Tools (e.g., axe, Lighthouse): For auditing and reporting on accessibility compliance.

CRM & Automation:

• Git & GitHub/GitLab/Bitbucket: For version control and collaborative code management.

• Package Managers (npm, yarn, pnpm): For managing project dependencies.

• Potential for AI/ML tooling: As mentioned in preferred qualifications, tools related to coding agents and MCP (likely Machine-Controlled Processes or similar internal terminology) might be relevant.

📝 Enhancement Note: The technology stack is heavily focused on modern front-end development, design systems tooling, and robust engineering practices. Proficiency in these areas is critical. The mention of AI-native workflows suggests an interest in integrating emerging technologies into the design system's future.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• User-Centricity: A strong focus on creating intuitive, accessible, and reliable user experiences for both end-users of healthcare applications and internal developers using the design system.

• Collaboration & Transparency: Open communication, shared ownership, and a culture where feedback is welcomed and acted upon, especially in the context of building a new system.

• Excellence & Quality: A commitment to high standards in code quality, accessibility, performance, and design consistency, driven by a desire to build robust and maintainable systems.

• Innovation & Continuous Improvement: An openness to exploring new technologies and methodologies (like AI-native development) and a drive to continuously refine processes and tools for greater efficiency.

• Data-Driven Approach: Utilizing metrics and data to inform decisions, track progress, and demonstrate the value of the design system.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-Functional Partnerships: Building strong relationships with product designers, product managers, and front-end engineers across various teams to ensure the design system meets diverse needs and is adopted effectively.

• Empathetic Communication: Clearly articulating technical concepts and design system principles to audiences with varying technical backgrounds.

• Proactive Engagement: Actively seeking feedback, identifying potential issues early, and working collaboratively to find solutions.

• Knowledge Sharing: Fostering an environment where best practices, learnings, and challenges are shared openly, potentially through documentation, internal workshops, or community of practice sessions.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a "founding" role, embodying these values and actively shaping the culture around the design system will be as critical as technical execution. The emphasis on collaboration and user-centricity aligns with The Cigna Group's broader mission in healthcare.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Driving Adoption: Convincing diverse product teams to adopt a new design system requires strong advocacy, clear value proposition, excellent documentation, and ongoing support.

• Maintaining Alignment: Ensuring continuous synchronization between the Figma design library and the production code, especially as both evolve rapidly.

• Balancing Innovation and Stability: Incorporating new technologies and features while maintaining the stability, accessibility, and backward compatibility of the design system.

• Scalability: Designing a system that can effectively scale to support a growing number of products, features, and development teams within The Cigna Group.

• AI Integration Complexity: Defining and implementing AI-native workflows requires navigating new technical landscapes and ensuring robust evaluation and integration processes.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Deep Dive into AI & ML: Opportunities to explore and implement AI-native development workflows, potentially leading to expertise in this rapidly evolving field.

• Advanced Accessibility Standards: Becoming a subject matter expert in complex accessibility requirements, particularly relevant in the healthcare domain.

• Leadership Development: Formal and informal training in management, strategic planning, and team building within a large corporate structure.

• Industry Conferences & Certifications: Access to relevant conferences (e.g., design systems, front-end development, accessibility) and potential for certifications to enhance professional development.

• Mentorship: Opportunities to mentor junior engineers and designers, and to be mentored by senior leaders within The Cigna Group.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges are typical for establishing a new design system within a large organization, particularly one with a focus on healthcare. The growth opportunities are substantial, offering a chance to become a leader in both established and emerging areas of front-end engineering and design systems.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "How would you approach building a design system from scratch for a large organization, and what would be your initial priorities?" (Focus on strategy, phased rollout, and stakeholder engagement.)

• "Describe your process for ensuring accessibility compliance across all components in a design system. How would you handle potential conflicts between design aesthetics and accessibility requirements?" (Emphasize A11y expertise and practical problem-solving.)

• "Imagine a product team is resistant to adopting the design system. What steps would you take to understand their concerns and encourage adoption?" (Focus on communication, empathy, and demonstrating value.)

• "How do you manage the relationship between design (Figma) and code, particularly when it comes to design tokens and preventing drift?" (Highlight experience with design-to-code workflows and tooling.) Company & Culture Questions:

• "What do you know about The Cigna Group and Verity Solutions, and how do you see your role contributing to our mission in healthcare?" (Research the company's mission, values, and recent initiatives.)

• "Describe your ideal collaboration style with product designers and front-end engineers." (Focus on teamwork, communication, and shared ownership.)

• "How do you measure the success and impact of a design system?" (Prepare to discuss key metrics like adoption rates, consistency scores, developer efficiency, and user satisfaction.)

• "Given our focus on healthcare, what are the unique challenges and considerations you anticipate for building a design system in this industry?" (Show awareness of regulatory, privacy, and accessibility needs.) Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure Your Narrative: For each case study, clearly define the "Problem," "Solution," and "Result." Use visuals effectively to illustrate your points.

• Quantify Impact: Whenever possible, provide data and metrics to demonstrate the value of your work. This could include adoption rates, performance improvements, or reduction in bugs.

• Highlight Technical Depth: Explain the "why" behind your technical decisions. Discuss architecture, API design, tooling choices, and how you handled complexity.

• Showcase Accessibility: Dedicate specific slides or sections to how accessibility was integrated and tested.

• Engage Your Audience: Be prepared to answer questions, solicit feedback, and discuss trade-offs. Make it a conversation, not just a presentation.

• Tailor to the Role: Emphasize aspects of your portfolio that directly align with the requirements of this Senior Manager, Design Systems Engineer role, particularly around React, TypeScript, Figma, tokens, and accessibility.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process will likely be rigorous, assessing both technical depth and leadership capabilities. Be prepared to discuss your experience in building systems from the ground up and driving adoption within a large enterprise.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this operations position:

• Submit your application through the provided link on The Cigna Group's careers portal.

• Tailor Your Resume: Customize your resume to highlight experience with React, TypeScript, design systems, Figma, accessibility (ARIA, WCAG), design tokens (DTCG, Style Dictionary), and monorepo management. Use keywords from the job description.

• Curate Your Portfolio: Select 2-3 of your strongest design system projects that best showcase your technical expertise, leadership in process definition, and ability to drive adoption. Ensure your portfolio clearly demonstrates your experience with the required tools and methodologies.

• Prepare Your Presentation: Practice presenting your portfolio case studies, focusing on the "Problem, Solution, Result" framework and quantifying your impact. Be ready to discuss your technical decisions and strategic approach.

• Research The Cigna Group: Understand their mission, values, and the healthcare technology landscape. Prepare to discuss how your skills and experience align with their goals, particularly for Verity Solutions.

⚠️ 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.