Senior Product Designer - Design Systems

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Senior Product Designer - Design Systems

Company: Halter

Location: Auckland, New Zealand

Job Type: Full-Time

Category: Product Design / Design Systems

Date Posted: 2026-08-25

Experience Level: 5+ Years

Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• Lead the development and evolution of Halter's design systems across both mobile and web platforms, ensuring consistency and scalability.

• Elevate the overall design craft and quality at Halter by establishing, documenting, and promoting design principles, guidelines, and reusable components.

• Collaborate closely with engineering teams to shape the technical architecture and system structure, ensuring seamless integration of design components into code.

• Treat the design system as a product itself, defining its roadmap, prioritizing features based on designer and engineer needs, and ensuring its adoption and effectiveness.

• Drive innovation by translating real-world farm conditions and user needs into practical, reusable design patterns that enhance legibility, usability, and clarity at a glance.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is classified under Product Design with a specialization in Design Systems, focusing on building foundational elements for a complex, real-world application. The emphasis is on creating a robust, scalable, and user-centric design system that directly impacts product quality and development efficiency.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Own and advance the design foundations and standards for Halter's digital products across mobile and web interfaces.

• Define and maintain a comprehensive design system, including principles, guidelines, component libraries, and design tokens, to ensure a cohesive and high-quality user experience.

• Collaborate with product managers, engineers, and other designers to identify user needs and translate them into effective design solutions and system patterns.

• Champion the design system internally, providing training, support, and mentorship to design and engineering teams to ensure consistent application and adoption.

• Work with engineering to define and maintain the connection between design artifacts (e.g., Figma) and coded components, ensuring fidelity and efficiency.

• Conduct user research and field studies to deeply understand farmer needs and operational realities, informing system design and product strategy.

• Evaluate and iterate on existing design patterns and components, identifying opportunities for improvement and expansion of the design system.

• Mentor and provide constructive feedback to other designers, fostering a culture of design excellence and continuous learning.

📝 Enhancement Note: The primary responsibilities highlight a leadership role in design systems, requiring not only strong design execution but also strategic thinking, cross-functional collaboration, and mentorship. The responsibility to "treat the system as a product" implies a product management-like approach to the design system itself.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: While not explicitly stated, a Bachelor's degree in Design, HCI, Computer Science, or a related field is typically expected for senior-level design roles. Equivalent practical experience will also be considered.

Experience: 5+ years of experience in digital product design, with a significant portion dedicated to designing and building scalable design systems.

Required Skills:

• 5+ years of experience designing digital products, with substantial time spent on design systems at scale.

• Exceptional visual craft, demonstrating mastery of typography, layout, spacing, color, accessibility, interaction, and motion design principles.

• Proven experience shipping design systems in collaboration with engineering teams, including understanding of tokenization and component library structures.

• Proficiency in connecting design tools (e.g., Figma) to code-based component libraries.

• A strong portfolio showcasing both foundational design systems work and high-craft user experiences built with those systems.

• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to articulate design rationale, teach design principles, and build consensus among stakeholders.

• Experience coaching and mentoring other designers, raising the overall quality of design output within a team. Preferred Skills:

• Experience working in a fast-paced, high-growth environment.

• Familiarity with agricultural technology or complex operational software.

• Experience with user research methodologies and translating insights into design.

• Understanding of front-end development principles and cross-functional collaboration with engineers.

• Ability to define and defend opinionated design decisions with conviction and clear reasoning.

📝 Enhancement Note: The experience requirements emphasize practical, hands-on experience with design systems and their implementation, particularly the connection between design tools and code. The ability to "teach" and "make judgment explicit" points to a senior-level expectation for leadership and communication.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A dedicated section showcasing your experience in designing and maintaining design systems, including examples of component libraries, design tokens, and style guides.

• Case studies demonstrating how you've translated complex user needs or field conditions into reusable design patterns and system guidelines.

• Examples of high-craft digital product experiences you have designed and shipped, clearly illustrating the application of your design system.

• Documentation of your process for collaborating with engineers on design system implementation, including how you've managed the Figma-to-code connection.

• Evidence of your ability to articulate design rationale, principles, and decision-making processes clearly and persuasively. Process Documentation:

• Demonstrate your approach to establishing design system principles and governance.

• Showcase your methods for working with engineering to define and build component libraries and design tokens.

• Illustrate your process for integrating user feedback and field research into the evolution of the design system.

• Provide examples of how you have documented design system usage, best practices, and guidelines for adoption by other teams.

📝 Enhancement Note: The portfolio should not only display visual design skills but also provide concrete evidence of experience in building and managing design systems, collaborating with engineering, and driving adoption. The emphasis on "process" suggests a need to articulate how you achieve these outcomes.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: Based on the Senior Product Designer title, 5+ years of experience, and the Auckland, New Zealand location, a competitive salary range is estimated to be between NZD $120,000 - $170,000 annually. This estimate considers the high cost of living in Auckland, the specialized nature of design systems expertise, and industry benchmarks for senior design roles in tech.

Benefits:

• Delicious snacks and drinks available in the office.

• Partnership with Southern Cross Health Insurance for well-being.

• Comprehensive parental leave: 6 months fully paid for primary caregivers, 4 weeks fully paid for secondary caregivers, and other parental benefits.

• Annual $1,000 self-development budget for personal growth.

• Wellness leave and unlimited paid annual leave.

• Inclusive and attractive remuneration package including salary, benefits, and an employee stock ownership plan.

Working Hours: 40 hours per week, with flexibility expected within an "office first, not office only" approach.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary estimate is based on general market data for senior product designers in New Zealand, adjusted for the specialized nature of design systems work and the tech industry. Benefits are detailed from the provided text, highlighting comprehensive support for employee well-being and growth.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Agriculture Technology (AgriTech) and Sustainable Farming Solutions. Halter is revolutionizing the farming industry by providing technology that enables more productive and sustainable operations.

Company Size: The provided data does not specify company size, but mentions backing from Tier 1 investors, suggesting a growth-stage company likely employing dozens to hundreds of individuals.

Founded: The founding date is not provided, but the company is actively seeking to transform an industry, indicating it is established enough to have a market presence and product traction.

Team Structure:

• The design team is likely integrated with product management and engineering, working in cross-functional squads or pods.

• As a Senior Product Designer, you will be a key contributor to the design function, likely reporting to a Design Lead or Head of Design.

• High agency and impact are emphasized, suggesting designers are involved early in strategic decision-making and problem definition. Methodology:

• Data-driven decision-making, leveraging insights from farmers and field conditions.

• Emphasis on high performance, continuous learning, and solving challenging problems.

• Collaborative approach where designers, engineers, and product managers work closely together.

• Iterative development, with a focus on building and refining systems and product experiences.

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

📝 Enhancement Note: Halter's culture is described as high-performance, high-agency, and mission-driven, focused on solving significant challenges in the agricultural sector. The "office first" approach emphasizes connection and collaboration.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This is a Senior Product Designer role, indicating a mid-to-senior level position with significant autonomy and influence. It requires a deep understanding of design systems and the ability to lead initiatives, mentor others, and shape product strategy.

Reporting Structure: The role likely reports to a Design Lead or Head of Design, working within a broader product and engineering organization. You will collaborate closely with engineers and product managers.

Operations Impact: The impact is significant, as the design system directly influences the user experience, development velocity, and overall product quality for farmers managing their operations via Halter's software. You will be instrumental in defining the visual and interactive language of the platform.

Growth Opportunities:

• Design Leadership: Potential to grow into a Design Lead or Manager role, overseeing design systems or specific product areas.

• Specialization: Deepen expertise in design systems, accessibility, or other specialized areas of product design.

• Strategic Influence: Contribute to product strategy and roadmap planning based on design system insights and user research.

• Mentorship: Develop leadership skills by coaching and mentoring junior designers.

• Personal Development: Utilize the $1,000 self-development budget for courses, conferences, or other learning opportunities.

📝 Enhancement Note: This senior role offers substantial growth potential, not just in terms of design execution but also in leadership, strategic input, and specialized skill development within a mission-critical domain.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Halter operates with an "Office First, Not Office Only" approach, meaning the default is to work from the office, fostering in-person connections and collaboration.

Office Location(s): Auckland, New Zealand HQ. Relocation and visa assistance are provided for successful candidates.

Workspace Context:

• A high-energy office environment designed for connection and collaboration.

• Opportunities to work closely with talented individuals across product, engineering, and design.

• Access to resources and tools necessary for high-performance design work.

• The environment is conducive to solving complex problems and continuous learning from colleagues.

Work Schedule: The standard working hours are approximately 40 per week, but the "office first" culture implies a commitment to being present and engaged during core working hours, with flexibility managed within a high-trust framework.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "office first" policy is a key aspect of the work environment, emphasizing the value Halter places on in-person collaboration and team cohesion. This is crucial for candidates who thrive in such settings.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: Review of CV and portfolio, focusing on design systems experience and visual craft.

• Design Challenge/Case Study: You may be asked to present a case study from your portfolio, focusing on a design system project, or complete a design exercise that assesses your approach to system design and problem-solving.

• Technical/System Design Interview: Discussions around your experience with design system architecture, component libraries, Figma-to-code connections, and technical collaboration with engineers.

• Team/Culture Fit Interview: Conversations with design, product, and engineering team members to assess collaboration style, communication, and alignment with Halter's values.

• Leadership/Mentorship Interview: An interview focusing on your experience mentoring other designers, championing design systems, and influencing product direction.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Clearly articulate your role and contributions within each project, especially for design system work.

• Highlight the impact of your design system initiatives on product quality, development efficiency, and user experience.

• Showcase your process for defining design principles, creating reusable components, and managing design tokens.

• Demonstrate your ability to connect design with engineering through examples of Figma-to-code integration.

• Be prepared to discuss your design philosophy, your approach to collaboration, and your mentorship style. Challenge Preparation:

• Familiarize yourself with Halter's mission and product (e.g., by exploring their website and app if possible).

• Prepare to discuss how you would approach building or scaling a design system for a unique domain like agriculture.

• Practice articulating your design decisions and rationale clearly and concisely.

• Be ready to discuss how you handle disagreements and gain buy-in for your design system recommendations.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process will heavily scrutinize your design systems expertise, practical implementation experience, and ability to collaborate effectively with engineering. Your portfolio is key to demonstrating these capabilities.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Design & Prototyping: Figma (essential for design system creation, collaboration, and prototyping).

• Design System Management: Tools and methodologies for managing design tokens, component libraries, and style guides within Figma.

• Collaboration: Tools for team communication and project management (e.g., Slack, Jira, Asana).

Analytics & Reporting:

• While not explicitly mentioned for designers, understanding analytics tools (e.g., Google Analytics, Mixpanel) can be beneficial for informing design decisions. CRM & Automation:

• Not directly relevant to this design role, but awareness of how design systems support broader company operations can be advantageous.

📝 Enhancement Note: Proficiency in Figma is paramount for this role, given its central role in design system development and collaboration. Understanding the connection to code and engineering workflows is also critical.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Meaningful Work: A strong emphasis on doing work that genuinely matters and transforms an industry.

• High Performance & High Agency: A culture where talented individuals are empowered to make significant contributions and solve complex problems.

• Collaboration & Connection: The "office first" approach fosters strong relationships and effective teamwork.

• Continuous Learning & Growth: Encouragement for personal development, skill mastery, and innovation.

• Out-think, Out-work, Out-care: A commitment to excellence, dedication, and empathy in all aspects of work.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-functional collaboration is core, with designers working closely with product managers and engineers.

• A culture of feedback and mentorship, where designers support each other's growth and raise the collective quality of work.

• Open communication and a willingness to disagree constructively to achieve the best outcomes.

📝 Enhancement Note: Halter's values are deeply integrated into its operational ethos, promoting a sense of purpose, a drive for excellence, and a supportive, collaborative environment.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Inventing New Paradigms: The unique nature of controlling farm operations via an app means there are no existing patterns or libraries to borrow from, requiring innovative solutions.

• Balancing System Scalability with User Needs: Ensuring the design system is robust enough for future growth while remaining practical and intuitive for current users (farmers).

• Bridging Design and Engineering: Maintaining a strong, efficient connection between design artifacts and coded components in a rapidly evolving product.

• Championing Design System Adoption: Encouraging widespread adoption and consistent use of the design system across multiple teams.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Deep Domain Expertise: Gaining a profound understanding of the agricultural industry and its operational challenges.

• Design System Leadership: Developing skills in strategic design system management, governance, and team leadership.

• Technical Acumen: Enhancing knowledge of front-end development principles and how design systems translate into code.

• Mentorship & Coaching: Honing leadership and communication skills by guiding other designers.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges presented are significant but offer substantial opportunities for professional growth and impact, particularly in shaping a new domain of digital product design.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "How would you approach establishing design system foundations for a product that has no existing design language?"

• "Describe a time you had to convince engineering or product leadership to adopt a new design system pattern or principle. What was your strategy?"

• "How do you ensure accessibility and legibility are core considerations when building design system components for a complex application like ours?"

• "Walk us through your process for identifying reusable patterns from new product surfaces and deciding what earns the right to be a documented pattern." Company & Culture Questions:

• "What excites you about Halter's mission to transform the agricultural industry?"

• "How do you see your role contributing to Halter's 'out-think, out-work, out-care' culture?"

• "Describe your experience working within an 'office first' environment and how you foster collaboration."

• "How do you approach mentoring junior designers and raising the overall craft of a design team?" Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure your presentation around key design system projects, clearly outlining the problem, your solution, and the impact.

• Be prepared to dive deep into the technical aspects of your design system work, including tokenization, component structure, and Figma-to-code connections.

• Use your portfolio to demonstrate your visual craft and your ability to create high-fidelity, user-centric experiences.

• Clearly articulate your process for user research, stakeholder collaboration, and how you've integrated feedback into your system design.

📝 Enhancement Note: Be ready to articulate not just what you've done, but why you did it, and how it impacted the product and the team. Demonstrating strategic thinking and leadership will be key.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Senior Product Designer position:

• Submit your application through the provided link, including a cover letter and CV.

• Portfolio Customization: Ensure your portfolio prominently features your design systems experience, showcasing foundational work, component examples, and the Figma-to-code connection. Tailor your case studies to highlight impact and collaboration.

• Resume Optimization: Highlight your 5+ years of experience, specifically mentioning your expertise in design systems, Figma, visual craft, and cross-functional collaboration with engineering. Quantify achievements where possible.

• Interview Preparation: Practice articulating your design process, rationale, and leadership capabilities. Prepare specific examples related to design system challenges, mentorship, and influencing product direction.

• Company Research: Thoroughly understand Halter's mission, product, and culture. Be prepared to discuss how your skills and values align with their goals, particularly their focus on innovation in agriculture and their "office first" approach.

⚠️ 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.