Senior Product Designer & Design Systems

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Senior Product Designer & Design Systems

Company: Farther

Location: Hybrid - New York, NY

Job Type: Full-time

Category: Product Design / Design Systems

Date Posted: 2026-04-28

Experience Level: 5-10 Years

Remote Status: Hybrid

🚀 Role Summary

• Lead the end-to-end creation and long-term ownership of Farther's design system, establishing foundational infrastructure for consistent product experiences.

• Develop a scalable, accessible component library and define reusable design tokens, patterns, and layouts within Figma.

• Drive adoption and governance of the design system through clear documentation, education, and stakeholder communication.

• Collaborate closely with product management and engineering teams to ensure seamless design-to-code implementation and cross-platform consistency.

• Apply strategic systems thinking to maintain high standards of quality, accessibility, and user experience across all Farther products.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is pivotal for scaling Farther's product development. The Senior Product Designer will act as the sole owner of the design system initially, requiring a highly self-directed individual capable of setting vision, defining processes, and executing detailed design work. The emphasis is on building an "enterprise-grade" system, indicating a need for robust, scalable, and maintainable design solutions.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Audit existing design assets and meticulously build a scalable, accessible component library within Figma.

• Define and implement design tokens, reusable components, and detailed usage documentation for the design system.

• Own the design system's roadmap, prioritization, and ongoing stakeholder communication, ensuring alignment with business objectives.

• Establish and enforce governance processes for design system adoption, enhancement, and deprecation of assets.

• Foster strong collaboration with engineering partners to ensure accurate design-to-code fidelity and optimal implementation of components.

• Develop and deliver educational materials and onboarding processes to drive widespread adoption of the design system across design and engineering teams.

• Provide expert guidance and support to other designers, ensuring consistent application of design system principles across advisor tools, client platforms, and mobile applications.

• Partner with Product Managers and Engineering teams during feature implementation to clarify component usage, patterns, and best practices.

• Apply systems thinking to maintain consistency, accessibility (WCAG standards), and overall quality across all product experiences.

• Support seamless cross-platform experiences by collaborating with other designers to leverage the design system as the single source of truth.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a dual focus: deep, hands-on design system development and strategic leadership in its adoption and governance. The expectation is for the candidate to not only build but also champion the system, making it an integral part of Farther's product development lifecycle.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

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

Experience: 5+ years of professional product design experience, with a minimum of 3 years specifically leading and building design systems from inception.

Required Skills:

• Expert proficiency in Figma, with a demonstrated ability to architect scalable component libraries and design token systems.

• Deep understanding of design-to-code implementation principles and best practices for ensuring cross-platform consistency.

• Proven ability to think strategically about systems, define vision, and set long-term roadmaps for design systems.

• Strong executional skills, with the capacity to design and document detailed components and patterns.

• Self-directed, highly organized, and adept at managing priorities, timelines, and multiple workstreams simultaneously.

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with a proven ability to manage stakeholders and drive consensus.

• Experience in defining and implementing design system governance models.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience working within the fintech or other regulated industries, understanding the unique design challenges and compliance requirements.

• Familiarity with front-end development concepts and tools like Storybook for component documentation and testing.

• Background in designing and implementing mobile design systems for both iOS and Android platforms.

• Interest in leveraging AI tools and design automation techniques to enhance design system efficiency and capabilities.

• Experience in mentoring junior designers or leading adoption initiatives for design systems.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Ideal Match" section strongly implies that candidates without direct, senior-level design system leadership experience may not be suitable. The emphasis on "building from the ground up" and "owning it long-term" indicates a need for a visionary leader who can establish the system's foundation and future direction.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Showcase at least one comprehensive design system project where you were the primary owner or lead, detailing its scope, components, and governance.

• Include examples of scalable component architectures and design token systems you've developed.

• Demonstrate your ability to create clear, detailed documentation for design system components, patterns, and usage guidelines.

• Provide case studies or examples illustrating your process for auditing existing assets and migrating them into a new system.

• Highlight instances where you've collaborated with engineering to ensure design-to-code fidelity and successful implementation.

Process Documentation:

• Processes for auditing existing design assets and identifying opportunities for standardization.

• Methodologies for creating reusable, accessible, and scalable UI components and design tokens.

• Frameworks for defining design system governance, including contribution guidelines, review processes, and version control.

• Strategies for documenting component usage, best practices, and design principles to ensure consistent application.

• Approaches to collaborating with engineering for seamless design-to-code implementation and ongoing maintenance.

• Methods for measuring design system adoption and impact on product quality and development velocity.

📝 Enhancement Note: A strong portfolio is critical for this role. Candidates must clearly articulate their impact on previous design system initiatives, showcasing not just the aesthetic but the strategic and operational aspects of building and maintaining such a system. Demonstrating how their work improved efficiency, consistency, and quality for product teams is paramount.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

Based on industry benchmarks for Senior Product Designers with specialized Design System expertise in New York City, a competitive salary range for this role is estimated between $150,000 - $200,000 annually. This estimate accounts for the hybrid work arrangement, the strategic importance of the role, and the required experience level in a high cost-of-living area.

Benefits:

• Competitive compensation package that rewards impact and performance.

• Comprehensive health benefits covering medical, dental, and vision insurance.

• 401(k) matching program to support long-term financial planning.

• Roth IRA options for additional retirement savings flexibility.

• Unlimited Paid Time Off (PTO), encouraging work-life balance and personal well-being.

• Ground-floor opportunity at a fast-scaling startup, offering significant potential for impact and growth.

Working Hours:

The standard working hours are expected to be around 40 hours per week. While the role is hybrid, the specific days in the office will be determined collaboratively with the team, allowing for flexibility while ensuring essential in-person collaboration.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range is an estimate based on typical compensation for senior-level design roles in major tech hubs like New York City, particularly those with specialized skills like design systems. The inclusion of unlimited PTO is a significant perk often seen in startups aiming to attract top talent.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Wealth Management / Fintech. Farther operates at the intersection of traditional financial advisory services and cutting-edge technology, aiming to revolutionize how individuals manage their wealth. This industry context implies a need for design that balances sophisticated user experiences with trust, security, and regulatory compliance.

Company Size: Fast-scaling startup. Joining Farther means being part of a dynamic, entrepreneurial environment where roles can evolve rapidly. This size often translates to opportunities for significant individual impact, direct access to leadership, and a culture that values agility and innovation.

Founded: The company was founded by leaders with deep expertise in private wealth management, fintech, and technology production. This founding team's background suggests a strong understanding of the industry's complexities and a clear vision for leveraging technology to improve client outcomes.

Team Structure:

• The Design Systems team is currently nascent, with this Senior Product Designer being the foundational member responsible for building it. The role will likely involve close collaboration with a small but growing product design team.

• Reporting structure is expected to be within the Product or Design department, likely reporting to a Head of Product or Head of Design, who would provide strategic direction and support.

Methodology:

• Data analysis and insights are crucial for understanding user needs and informing design decisions within wealth management. The design system should facilitate the collection and analysis of user feedback.

• Workflow planning and optimization strategies will be key to ensuring the design system streamlines product development and enhances efficiency across teams.

• Automation and efficiency practices will be sought, particularly through the design system's ability to reduce redundant design work and accelerate feature delivery.

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

📝 Enhancement Note: The company culture is described as collaborative and entrepreneurial, driven by experienced founders. For a Senior Product Designer, this means an opportunity to shape foundational processes and have a direct impact on the company's product strategy and execution.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is positioned as a senior individual contributor with significant leadership and ownership responsibilities for a critical product function. It represents a career path focused on deep specialization in design systems, with the potential to grow into a Design Systems Lead or Manager role as the team expands.

Reporting Structure: The Senior Product Designer will likely report to a Head of Product or Head of Design. This structure provides strategic oversight and mentorship while allowing for significant autonomy in executing the design system vision.

Operations Impact: The design system directly impacts operational efficiency by standardizing components, reducing design and development time, and ensuring brand consistency. Its success will be measured by increased development velocity, improved product quality, enhanced user experience, and greater design and engineering team productivity.

Growth Opportunities:

• Design System Leadership: As Farther scales, there is a clear opportunity to grow into a lead role, potentially managing a team of designers focused on the design system and establishing it as a center of excellence within the company.

• Skill Development: Opportunities exist to deepen expertise in areas like design automation, AI tools for design, advanced Figma capabilities, and accessibility standards.

• Cross-Functional Influence: The role provides a platform to influence product strategy and development processes across the entire organization, building strong relationships with product, engineering, and potentially marketing teams.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role offers a unique opportunity to build a critical function from the ground up in a fast-growing fintech startup. The growth trajectory is strongly tied to the individual's ability to establish and mature the design system, leading to leadership opportunities and significant career advancement.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Hybrid model, with a primary office likely located in New York City. This setup combines the benefits of in-person collaboration and team building with the flexibility of remote work.

Office Location(s): New York, NY. Specific office details would be clarified during the interview process, but being in NYC provides access to a vibrant tech and finance ecosystem.

Workspace Context:

• The workspace will foster a collaborative environment, encouraging direct interaction between design, product, and engineering teams. This is essential for the rapid iteration and feedback cycles required for design system development.

• Access to essential design tools and technologies, including Figma, will be provided. The role's success hinges on leveraging these tools effectively.

• Opportunities for frequent interaction with cross-functional team members will be ample, facilitating the understanding of diverse needs and driving design system adoption.

Work Schedule: The work schedule is expected to be standard full-time business hours, with flexibility offered due to the hybrid arrangement. The focus will be on achieving objectives and deliverables, rather than strict adherence to hours, particularly within the context of a startup environment.

📝 Enhancement Note: The hybrid nature of the role in New York City suggests a modern work environment that balances collaboration with individual focus. The emphasis on cross-functional interaction is key for a role centered around a shared design system.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

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

• Portfolio Review & Discussion: A deep dive into your portfolio with hiring managers or senior design leads. Be prepared to walk through your design system projects, explaining your strategic approach, execution, and impact.

• Design Challenge/Case Study: You may be asked to complete a take-home challenge or a live design exercise focused on design system principles, component creation, or problem-solving related to system adoption.

• Cross-Functional Interviews: Meetings with Product Managers and Engineering leads to assess collaboration skills, understanding of technical constraints, and ability to communicate effectively across disciplines.

• Final Interview: A conversation with senior leadership (e.g., Head of Product/Design) to discuss your vision for the design system, long-term strategy, and alignment with Farther's goals.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Showcase Design System Leadership: Clearly highlight your role and impact in building and owning design systems. Focus on projects where you were the primary driver.

• Detail Your Process: Explain your methodology for auditing, creating components, defining tokens, documenting usage, and establishing governance. Use clear visuals and concise explanations.

• Quantify Impact: Whenever possible, provide metrics or qualitative feedback demonstrating how your design system improved efficiency, consistency, accessibility, or development velocity.

• Figma Expertise: Be ready to demonstrate your Figma skills, particularly in building scalable component architectures and managing design system files.

• Strategic Vision: Articulate your long-term vision for the design system at Farther and how you would approach its growth and adoption.

Challenge Preparation:

• Design System Fundamentals: Refresh your knowledge on component-based design, design tokens, atomic design principles, and accessibility standards.

• Figma Proficiency: Practice creating complex components, using variants, auto-layout, and organizing design system files efficiently.

• Problem-Solving: Anticipate challenges related to design system adoption, cross-team collaboration, and maintaining consistency across diverse product needs.

• Communication: Prepare to clearly articulate your design rationale, process, and proposed solutions, tailoring your communication to technical and non-technical audiences.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process will heavily emphasize practical application and strategic thinking related to design systems. Candidates should prepare to demonstrate not only their design skills but also their ability to lead, influence, and build a foundational product asset from scratch.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Figma: The core tool for designing, prototyping, and building the design system. Expertise in advanced features like variants, auto-layout, components, styles, and design tokens is essential.

• Design System Management Tools: Familiarity with tools like Zeplin or Abstract for version control and collaboration, although Figma's native capabilities are paramount.

Analytics & Reporting:

• User Analytics Platforms: Experience with tools like Amplitude, Mixpanel, or Google Analytics to understand user behavior and inform design decisions.

• Product Analytics: Ability to interpret data related to feature usage and user flows to identify areas for design system improvement.

CRM & Automation:

• Project Management Tools: Proficiency in tools such as Jira, Asana, or Trello for tracking tasks, managing workflows, and collaborating on design system development.

• Collaboration Platforms: Tools like Slack and Google Workspace for communication and document sharing.

📝 Enhancement Note: While Figma is the primary tool, understanding how the design system integrates with development workflows and how its impact is measured through analytics is crucial. Familiarity with tools that bridge design and development, like Storybook, is a plus.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Impact-Driven: A focus on delivering tangible results and driving positive outcomes for clients and the company through well-designed, efficient systems.

• Collaboration: A strong emphasis on working together across product, design, and engineering to achieve shared goals and build cohesive experiences.

• Innovation: Encouraging new ideas and leveraging cutting-edge technology to disrupt the wealth management industry.

• Ownership: Taking responsibility for projects and outcomes, from initial concept through to successful implementation and long-term maintenance.

• Excellence: A commitment to high-quality standards in design, execution, and user experience.

Collaboration Style:

• Open Communication: Encouraging transparent and direct communication between all team members.

• Cross-Functional Partnership: Working closely with Product Managers to understand business needs and with Engineers to ensure feasible and robust implementation of design solutions.

• Feedback-Oriented: A culture that values constructive feedback to continuously improve designs and processes.

• Agile & Iterative: Embracing agile methodologies to adapt quickly to changing requirements and iterate on solutions efficiently.

📝 Enhancement Note: Farther's culture appears to value entrepreneurial spirit, collaboration, and a drive for excellence. For a design system lead, this means an environment where they can build something foundational and see its direct impact, while working closely with other motivated individuals.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Building from Scratch: Establishing a robust design system as the first dedicated owner requires significant strategic planning, execution, and advocacy.

• Driving Adoption: Ensuring widespread and consistent adoption of the design system across diverse teams and projects can be challenging, requiring strong communication and change management skills.

• Balancing Standardization and Flexibility: Creating a system that is comprehensive and consistent without stifling creativity or being overly rigid for unique feature needs.

• Keeping Pace with Evolution: Continuously updating and evolving the design system to incorporate new technologies, user needs, and business requirements.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Design System Specialization: Deepen expertise in advanced design system strategies, governance models, and scaling best practices.

• Fintech Industry Insights: Gain a comprehensive understanding of the wealth management industry, its regulatory landscape, and user expectations.

• AI and Automation: Explore and implement AI tools and design automation techniques to enhance design system efficiency and capabilities.

• Leadership Development: Opportunities to mentor junior designers, lead adoption initiatives, and potentially grow into a management role as the design team expands.

📝 Enhancement Note: The primary challenge is the foundational nature of the role – building a critical system from the ground up. However, this also presents significant growth opportunities in terms of leadership, specialization, and direct impact on the company's product strategy.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "How would you approach auditing existing design assets and prioritizing them for inclusion in a new design system?"

• "Describe your process for defining and managing design tokens. What are the key considerations for scalability and maintainability?"

• "How do you ensure successful adoption of a design system across product and engineering teams? What strategies have you used previously?"

• "What governance model would you propose for Farther's design system, considering its current stage of growth?"

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What excites you most about Farther's mission and the opportunity to build our design system?"

• "How do you see the design system contributing to Farther's overall business goals in the fintech industry?"

• "Describe your ideal collaboration with product managers and engineers. How would you handle disagreements or conflicting priorities?"

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure Your Narrative: For each design system project, clearly outline the problem, your role, your process, the solutions you implemented (components, tokens, documentation), and the impact achieved.

• Show, Don't Just Tell: Use high-fidelity mockups, interactive prototypes, and clear visuals to showcase your work. Demonstrate your Figma file structure and component organization.

• Focus on Impact: Quantify your achievements whenever possible (e.g., "reduced design time by X%", "improved consistency across Y features," "enabled faster onboarding for Z new designers").

• Be Prepared for Deep Dives: Expect questions about specific design decisions, technical implementation challenges, and your rationale behind architectural choices.

• Tailor to Farther: Research Farther's current product and express how your design system approach would specifically benefit their platform and user base.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation should focus on articulating your expertise in design systems, demonstrating your ability to lead and execute, and showcasing how you can translate strategic vision into tangible design assets that drive business value in a fintech context.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Senior Product Designer & Design Systems position:

• Submit your application through the provided link on Greenhouse.

• Curate Your Portfolio: Select 2-3 of your most impactful design system projects. For each, clearly articulate your specific contributions, the challenges faced, your strategic approach to building and governing the system, and quantifiable outcomes. Ensure your Figma expertise is evident through examples of component architecture and token systems.

• Tailor Your Resume: Highlight your experience in leading design systems, your proficiency with Figma, and any relevant fintech or regulated industry experience. Use keywords from the job description, such as "design systems," "component library," "design tokens," "Figma," "cross-platform consistency," and "stakeholder management."

• Prepare Your Narrative: Practice presenting your portfolio, focusing on your strategic vision for a design system, your process for driving adoption, and your ability to collaborate effectively with product and engineering teams. Be ready to discuss how you would approach building Farther's design system from the ground up.

• Research Farther: Understand their mission, target audience, and current product offerings. Consider how a robust design system would enhance their wealth management platform and what unique challenges might exist in this industry.

⚠️ Important Notice: This enhanced job description includes AI-generated insights and industry-standard assumptions. All details, especially regarding salary ranges and specific interview processes, should be verified directly with Farther during the application process.