Senior Product Designer, Design Systems

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Senior Product Designer, Design Systems

Company: Anduril Industries

Location: Costa Mesa, California, United States

Job Type: Full-time

Category: Product Design / Design Systems

Date Posted: 2026-08-12

Experience Level: 5-10 years

Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• Design and iterate on Anduril's comprehensive design system, "Matter," encompassing primitives, tokens, components, patterns, and guidelines to ensure a unified user experience across all software products.

• Establish robust design governance practices and frameworks that effectively balance the need for platform scalability with the unique requirements of diverse defense programs.

• Drive the successful implementation and adoption of the design system by clearly communicating system strategy, priorities, and progress to leadership, design teams, and engineering stakeholders.

• Collaborate proactively across various product teams to identify system gaps, design scalable solutions, and maximize consistency and adoption of design system elements.

• Unify the visual and interaction design direction for Anduril's software ecosystem, spanning web, mobile, XR, and emerging platforms, ensuring a cohesive and high-quality user experience.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is critical for scaling Anduril's software products by ensuring consistency and efficiency through a centralized design system. The emphasis on "end-to-end systems" and "measurable outcomes" indicates a need for a designer who can not only create but also drive adoption and demonstrate impact, aligning with typical Senior Product Designer expectations in fast-paced, technology-driven organizations.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Lead the design and continuous iteration of "Matter," Anduril's internal design system, across all levels from foundational primitives and design tokens to complex components and reusable patterns.

• Develop and implement clear governance practices and frameworks that enable effective scaling of the design system while accommodating program-specific customization needs.

• Manage the implementation roadmap for Matter, ensuring clear communication of system strategy, ongoing priorities, and development progress to leadership, designers, and engineering teams to foster alignment and adoption.

• Proactively partner with cross-functional product teams to identify design system gaps, design scalable and consistent solutions, and drive widespread adoption of system components and patterns.

• Unify the visual and interaction design language for Anduril's diverse software portfolio, ensuring a consistent and high-quality user experience across web, mobile, XR, and future platforms.

• Guarantee that the design system upholds high standards of quality, craft, and accessibility, while remaining grounded in the practical operational realities of defense applications.

• Oversee and manage the transition process for deprecated patterns or tooling, ensuring a smooth migration path for all product teams relying on the design system.

• Mentor fellow designers on best practices for design system usage and contribution, model exceptional craft, and champion organizational alignment around system principles and standards.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a blend of strategic design system leadership and hands-on execution. The emphasis on "governance practices," "driving adoption," and "unifying visual and interaction direction" points to a role that requires not just design skill but also strong communication, influence, and project management capabilities within a complex organizational structure.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: While no specific degree is mandated, a strong foundation in design principles is expected, often cultivated through formal education in Design, HCI, Computer Science, or related fields, or equivalent practical experience.

Experience: Minimum of 5+ years in product design, with a significant portion dedicated to building and leading design systems at scale. This includes proven experience in integrating systems into multiple products and demonstrating measurable outcomes.

Required Skills:

• 5+ years of experience in product design, with substantial focus on building and leading design systems at scale.

• Proven ability to shape end-to-end systems (beyond just UI kits), with portfolio evidence of successful product integration and quantifiable outcomes.

• Deep expertise in Figma, including proficiency with libraries, variables, component architecture, and branching workflows, coupled with comfort in collaborating through the implementation phase.

• Demonstrated track record of aligning multiple teams and successfully driving adoption of design systems in complex, distributed organizational environments.

• Ability to define and articulate system strategy while simultaneously delivering tangible improvements in software craft and user experience consistency.

• A portfolio that clearly demonstrates meticulous attention to craft and interaction design details.

• No prior defense industry experience is required; Anduril seeks designers who can bring diverse perspectives to complex challenges. Preferred Skills:

• Strategic and systematic approach to design system development, adept at balancing long-term system health with immediate product development needs.

• Strong visual design craft and a deep commitment to quality and accessibility standards.

• Ability to discern durable design patterns from fleeting trends, raising the bar for craft while maintaining operational relevance.

• Effective influencer across various disciplines and seniority levels, open to feedback but confident in decision-making.

• Experience leading large-scale design initiatives and aligning organizations around a unified system vision.

• Possesses strong opinions that are adaptable and open to refinement ("Strong opinions, loosely held").

📝 Enhancement Note: The requirement for "end-to-end systems" and "measurable outcomes" in the portfolio is a key differentiator for this senior role, moving beyond typical UI/UX responsibilities to focus on systemic impact and adoption. Figma expertise is explicitly called out, indicating its central role in the workflow.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Demonstrable evidence of designing and implementing end-to-end design systems, not just isolated UI kits.

• Case studies showcasing how the design system was integrated into actual products and the resulting measurable outcomes (e.g., increased development velocity, improved consistency, reduced design debt).

• Detailed examples of system architecture, including primitives, tokens, components, and patterns, illustrating scalability and maintainability.

• Documentation of governance frameworks, adoption strategies, and how alignment was achieved across multiple teams.

• Examples of contributions to system strategy, with clear articulation of long-term vision and short-term execution.

• A strong emphasis on craft, interaction design details, and accessibility considerations within the system. Process Documentation:

• Workflow examples detailing how the design system is maintained, updated, and versioned.

• Documentation on how design system components are translated into developer-ready assets and integrated into engineering workflows.

• Case studies on managing transitions from deprecated patterns or tooling, demonstrating a structured migration process.

• Examples of collaboration processes between design, engineering, and product management for system development and adoption.

• Documentation of accessibility standards and practices integrated into the design system.

📝 Enhancement Note: The portfolio is paramount for this role, requiring tangible proof of system leadership and impact. The emphasis is not just on the output (the design system itself) but also on the process of its creation, governance, and adoption, demonstrating a senior-level understanding of systemic impact.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $166,000 - $220,000 USD per year.

• Note: This range is an estimate based on the provided job description and typical compensation for Senior Product Designers specializing in Design Systems in the Costa Mesa, California area. Actual offers may vary based on experience, education, skills, and business considerations.

Benefits:

• Highly competitive equity grants as part of the total compensation package.

• Comprehensive benefits package for full-time employees, including:

  • Health insurance (medical, dental, vision).

  • Top-tier benefits supporting health, recovery, and well-being.

  • Access to detailed benefits information on the Anduril Careers page. Working Hours: While not explicitly stated, full-time roles in this industry typically involve a standard 40-hour workweek. The on-site nature suggests adherence to typical office hours, with potential for flexibility depending on team needs and project demands.

📝 Enhancement Note: The provided salary range is specific. The benefits mention "highly competitive equity grants" and a "comprehensive, competitive benefits package," which are significant incentives for senior roles. The note about "health, recovery, and whatever comes next" suggests a holistic approach to employee well-being.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Defense Technology. Anduril Industries operates at the forefront of defense technology, aiming to modernize military capabilities with advanced AI, autonomy, and computer vision.

Company Size: While not explicitly stated in the raw data, Anduril is known to be a rapidly growing, well-funded technology company, likely employing several hundred to over a thousand individuals. This implies a dynamic environment with significant resources and ambitious projects.

Founded: Anduril was founded in 2017, positioning it as a relatively young but impactful player in the defense tech sector, characterized by innovation and rapid development cycles.

Team Structure:

• The "centralized Software Product Design & Research team" acts as a core hub, supporting various product development efforts across the company.

• The Design Systems team operates within this larger design function, collaborating closely with product designers, researchers, and engineers.

• Reporting lines are likely within the design leadership structure, with clear connections to product and engineering leadership for strategic alignment.

• Cross-functional collaboration is a cornerstone, with designers working intimately with engineers and researchers to bring systems to life and integrate them into operational products. Methodology:

• Data-driven decision-making, leveraging insights from user research and product performance metrics.

• Agile development methodologies are likely employed, enabling rapid iteration and adaptation.

• Emphasis on human-centered design principles, grounded in the complex operational realities of military applications.

• A strong focus on system thinking and scalability to support a growing portfolio of defense technologies.

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

📝 Enhancement Note: Anduril's mission in defense technology is a unique backdrop. The "centralized Software Product Design & Research team" suggests a move towards mature operational processes, and the Design Systems team's role as a "connective tissue" underscores its importance in ensuring consistency and efficiency across a rapidly evolving product suite.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This is a Senior Product Designer role, indicating a level of expertise and autonomy beyond mid-level positions. It requires not just design execution but also strategic thinking, leadership in system development, and the ability to influence across multiple teams and disciplines.

Reporting Structure: The role likely reports to a Design Lead or Head of Design Systems within the centralized Software Product Design & Research team. Close collaboration with Engineering leads and Product Managers for specific programs will be essential.

Operations Impact: The design system directly impacts the efficiency, consistency, and quality of all Anduril software products. A well-executed design system accelerates product development cycles, reduces technical debt, and ensures a superior user experience for critical defense applications, thereby enhancing operational effectiveness.

Growth Opportunities:

• Design System Leadership: Potential to grow into a lead or principal role for the design system, managing a dedicated team and setting long-term strategy.

• Cross-Functional Specialization: Opportunity to deepen expertise in specific areas like XR design, AI/ML interfaces, or advanced visualization within the context of defense applications.

• Mentorship & Influence: Develop leadership and mentorship skills by guiding other designers, contributing to organizational design maturity, and influencing product strategy.

• Industry Impact: Contribute to cutting-edge defense technology, gaining unique experience in a high-impact field.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Senior" title and emphasis on "leading design systems at scale" and "driving adoption" suggest a clear path for career progression into leadership roles within design systems or broader product design management. The impact on "real-world operations" is a significant differentiator for career growth.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The job is listed as "On-site," indicating a requirement to work from the Costa Mesa, California office location. This suggests a collaborative, in-person work environment.

Office Location(s): Costa Mesa, California, United States. This location is within the Orange County area, known for its tech and aerospace presence.

Workspace Context:

• An environment that fosters close collaboration between designers, researchers, and engineers, essential for design system development and implementation.

• Access to advanced tools and technologies necessary for complex design system work, including Figma and potentially other prototyping or developer collaboration tools.

• Opportunities for direct interaction with stakeholders across various defense programs, providing context and feedback for design system evolution.

• A culture that values high craft and innovation, suitable for tackling complex technical and operational challenges.

Work Schedule: Standard full-time working hours are expected, with flexibility potentially available based on project needs and team agreements. The on-site nature prioritizes in-person collaboration during core business hours.

📝 Enhancement Note: The on-site requirement in Costa Mesa is crucial. This suggests a preference for highly collaborative work, where designers can easily interface with engineering and product teams. The environment is likely fast-paced and mission-driven, reflecting Anduril's industry.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A review of your resume and portfolio to assess qualifications and experience, with a strong focus on design system work.

• Portfolio Presentation: A dedicated session where you will present your portfolio, highlighting key design system projects, your role, process, and measurable impact. Be prepared to discuss your contributions to "Matter" or similar systems.

• Design Challenge/Exercise: Likely a practical exercise to assess your approach to system design, problem-solving, or component creation. This might involve Figma, system strategy, or alignment discussions.

• Team & Leadership Interviews: Meetings with potential peers, design leadership, and cross-functional partners (engineering, product) to evaluate collaboration style, communication skills, and cultural fit.

• Final Round: Discussions with senior leadership to assess strategic thinking and overall fit with Anduril's mission and values.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Showcase System Impact: Prioritize case studies that demonstrate end-to-end system design, not just UI kits. Focus on how your system solved problems, drove adoption, and achieved measurable outcomes.

• Detail Your Process: Clearly articulate your role, the challenges faced, your design process (especially within Figma), how you collaborated with engineers, and how you managed governance and adoption.

• Highlight Craft & Strategy: Demonstrate a high level of craft in interaction and visual design, alongside strategic thinking about system architecture, scalability, and long-term vision.

• Quantify Results: Whenever possible, use data and metrics to illustrate the impact of your design system work (e.g., reduction in development time, increase in UI consistency, user feedback on improved workflows).

• Tailor to Anduril: Understand Anduril's mission and how a design system supports their complex defense technology products. Frame your experience in that context.

Challenge Preparation:

• Figma Proficiency: Be ready for hands-on Figma tasks, demonstrating mastery of component architecture, variants, auto layout, libraries, and potentially variables.

• System Strategy: Prepare to discuss how you would approach defining or evolving a design system strategy, considering factors like scalability, governance, and cross-team alignment.

• Problem-Solving: Anticipate scenarios related to driving adoption, managing conflicting requirements, or deprecating old patterns. Practice articulating your problem-solving approach clearly and concisely.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on a portfolio showcasing "end-to-end systems" and "measurable outcomes" is critical. Candidates should prepare to walk through their Figma files and discuss the strategic and collaborative aspects of their design system work in detail.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Figma: Explicitly required and a core tool for design system creation, library management, component architecture, variables, and collaborative workflows. Expect advanced usage scenarios.

• Design System Platforms: Familiarity with the principles and best practices of building and maintaining comprehensive design systems.

• Prototyping Tools: Proficiency in tools like Figma's prototyping features or other relevant software for creating interactive mockups.

Analytics & Reporting:

• While not directly stated for this role, understanding how design system adoption and impact can be measured (e.g., through product analytics, developer feedback, consistency audits) is beneficial. CRM & Automation:

• Not directly relevant to this design role, but understanding how design systems integrate with product development workflows and potentially internal tools for asset management would be advantageous.

📝 Enhancement Note: Figma is clearly the central tool for this role. The emphasis is on leveraging its advanced features for complex component architecture and library management to build and scale a robust design system.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Mission-Driven: A strong commitment to Anduril's mission of transforming military capabilities.

• Innovation & Speed: A culture that encourages rapid iteration, experimentation, and bringing cutting-edge technology to market quickly.

• Excellence & Craft: A dedication to high quality, attention to detail, and professional craft in all aspects of work, including design systems.

• Collaboration & Alignment: Emphasis on working effectively across teams, fostering open communication, and achieving organizational alignment on system strategy and implementation.

• Operational Grounding: Ensuring that design solutions, including system components, are practical and effective within real-world operational constraints.

Collaboration Style:

• Highly collaborative, working closely with product designers, researchers, engineers, and product managers.

• Emphasis on clear communication, constructive feedback, and shared ownership of the design system.

• Proactive engagement with stakeholders to understand needs, drive adoption, and gather feedback.

• A culture that values diverse perspectives and encourages open discussion to arrive at the best solutions.

📝 Enhancement Note: The combination of a mission-driven culture with a focus on high craft and operational relevance is key. Designers are expected to be both technically proficient and strategically aligned with Anduril's unique goals.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Scaling a System: Effectively scaling a design system across a rapidly growing company with diverse product needs and distributed teams.

• Driving Adoption: Overcoming resistance or inertia to ensure widespread adoption of the design system by various product teams.

• Balancing Flexibility & Consistency: Establishing governance that allows for program-specific needs while maintaining overall system integrity and consistency.

• Bridging Design & Development: Ensuring seamless translation of design system components into high-quality, maintainable code.

• Evolving with Technology: Keeping the design system current with emerging platforms (like XR) and technologies (like AI).

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Advanced Design System Expertise: Deepen skills in design system strategy, governance, and tooling.

• Cross-Disciplinary Learning: Gain insights into defense technology, AI, autonomy, and other cutting-edge fields.

• Leadership Development: Opportunities to mentor, lead initiatives, and influence organizational design practices.

• Industry Exposure: Contribute to projects with significant real-world impact in a unique industry.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges are typical for senior design system roles but are amplified by Anduril's mission and rapid growth. The opportunities focus on deepening expertise and leadership within a high-impact domain.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "How would you approach defining the initial governance structure for a design system in a company with multiple product teams?"

• "Describe a time you had to drive adoption of a design system across teams that were resistant. What strategies did you employ?"

• "How do you balance the need for consistency in a design system with the requirements for unique program-specific features?"

• "What metrics would you track to demonstrate the success and impact of a design system?"

• "How do you ensure accessibility is baked into a design system from the ground up?" Company & Culture Questions:

• "What interests you about Anduril's mission and the defense technology industry?"

• "How do you see your role contributing to the broader goals of Anduril?"

• "Describe your ideal collaborative environment when working on a design system."

• "How do you handle constructive criticism or differing opinions on design decisions?" Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure: Begin with an overview of your role and the context of the project. Then, dive into 2-3 key case studies that best represent your design system leadership and impact.

• Figma Deep Dive: Be prepared to share your Figma files, explaining component architecture, library structure, token usage, and how you've implemented advanced features like variables.

• Narrative: Tell a story for each case study, outlining the problem, your process, the solutions you designed, the challenges you overcame, and the quantifiable results achieved.

• Focus on Impact: Emphasize how your work drove efficiency, improved consistency, and contributed to the overall success of the products and the company.

• Q&A Readiness: Anticipate questions about your design decisions, your collaboration methods, and your understanding of scalability and governance.

📝 Enhancement Note: Candidates should prepare to articulate their strategic thinking around design systems, demonstrate deep Figma proficiency, and clearly communicate the impact of their work using data and compelling narratives. Understanding Anduril's mission is also crucial for cultural fit.

📌 Application Steps

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

• Submit your application through the provided link on Greenhouse.

• Portfolio Customization: Ensure your portfolio prominently features case studies demonstrating your experience with building and scaling design systems, highlighting your specific contributions, process, and measurable outcomes.

• Resume Optimization: Tailor your resume to emphasize keywords related to design systems, Figma expertise, governance, cross-functional collaboration, and system impact. Quantify achievements wherever possible.

• Interview Preparation: Practice articulating your design system strategy, process, and impact. Prepare to present your portfolio effectively and discuss how you would approach challenges specific to Anduril's context.

• Company Research: Thoroughly research Anduril Industries' mission, products, and culture. Understand how a robust design system supports their work in defense technology and be ready to discuss this.

⚠️ 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.