UX Designer - Design Systems (m/f/d)

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: UX Designer - Design Systems (m/f/d)

Company: TOPdesk

Location: Kaiserslautern, Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany

Job Type: Full-time, Part-time

Category: Product Design / UX Operations

Date Posted: 2026-05-08T08:42:46.838

Experience Level: 5-10 Years

Remote Status: Hybrid (Up to 50% remote)

🚀 Role Summary

• Drive the evolution and implementation of a comprehensive design system, ensuring its seamless integration with AI tooling and token-based architectures for enhanced prototyping and scalability.

• Own the end-to-end lifecycle of design system components and patterns, from initial definition and ideation through to delivery and ongoing refinement, ensuring accessibility, inclusivity, and adherence to best practices.

• Collaborate intimately within a product triad (Product Manager, Engineers, UX Designers) to champion strategic design decisions, drive problem-solving, and elevate design maturity across the organization.

• Act as a key contributor to the Product Enablement team, fostering a culture of continuous improvement in design processes, documentation standards, and cross-functional collaboration.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is positioned within a "Product Enablement Team," indicating a focus on empowering other product teams with the tools and systems necessary for efficient and consistent design and development. The emphasis on "AI tooling" and "token-based interactions" suggests a forward-thinking approach to design systems, requiring candidates to be adept at integrating emerging technologies. The "product triad" collaboration model highlights the importance of cross-functional leadership and shared ownership.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Proactively identify and address gaps within the enterprise design system, translating user needs and business requirements into accessible, inclusive, and scalable design solutions.

• Develop and maintain detailed documentation for design system components, patterns, and usage guidelines, ensuring clear handover materials for seamless developer implementation.

• Create and refine interactive prototypes using Figma to effectively demo, test, and communicate component behavior and system interactions to diverse stakeholders.

• Facilitate collaborative ideation sessions, design critiques, and problem-solving workshops with cross-functional teams, including Product Managers, Engineers, and fellow UX Designers.

• Champion and implement design system principles to ensure consistency, efficiency, and a high standard of quality across all digital products and services.

• Define and manage the intersection of design and code, with a specific focus on AI-driven surface needs and the application of design tokens for dynamic theming and customization.

• Conduct rigorous validation and refinement of design system elements through user feedback, usability testing, and data analysis to ensure optimal user experience and system performance.

• Contribute significantly to the strategic direction of the design system, proposing new components, patterns, and improvements based on evolving user needs, technological advancements, and business objectives.

• Stay abreast of emerging trends, tools, and best practices in design systems, AI integration, and user experience design to continuously enhance the system and team capabilities.

• Collaborate closely with engineering teams to ensure accurate implementation of design system components and adherence to accessibility standards (WCAG).

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities emphasize a proactive and ownership-driven approach, particularly in identifying system gaps and translating them into actionable solutions. The explicit mention of "AI-driven and token-aware surface needs" indicates a requirement for expertise in modern design system architectures. The role demands not only design skills but also strong documentation, facilitation, and strategic thinking capabilities to influence product development across the organization.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

Experience:

• A minimum of 5 years of professional UX design experience, with a significant portion focused on design systems.

Required Skills:

• Deep, nuanced understanding of design systems: not just their mechanics, but their strategic importance and underlying principles.

• Hands-on expertise in integrating design systems with AI tooling and implementing token-based design interactions.

• Advanced proficiency in Figma for component creation, pattern design, collaborative prototyping, and comprehensive documentation.

• Demonstrated experience working collaboratively across design, engineering, and accessibility disciplines to achieve cohesive product outcomes.

• Confident ability to drive strategic design decisions within a product triad (Product Manager, Engineer, UX Designer) setting.

• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, enabling clear and effective collaboration with engineers, product managers, and fellow designers.

• Passion for and practical knowledge of accessibility standards (e.g., WCAG) and inclusive design principles.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience with user research methodologies and usability testing for design system components.

• Familiarity with front-end development principles (HTML, CSS, JavaScript) to better inform design-code collaboration.

• Experience in service management software or similar complex enterprise applications.

• Familiarity with agile development methodologies and working within cross-functional product teams.

📝 Enhancement Note: The requirement for "deep knowledge of design systems; not just how they work, but why" suggests the company is looking for strategic thinkers who understand the foundational principles and business impact of design systems, not just practitioners. The emphasis on integrating AI tooling and token-based interactions points to a need for modern, forward-thinking design system expertise. The "proactive mindset" requirement indicates a preference for candidates who take initiative and bring solutions.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Showcase end-to-end design system development, demonstrating ownership of components and patterns from conception to implementation.

• Include examples of how the design system has been adapted or leveraged for AI tooling and token-based interactions.

• Present case studies that highlight your role in driving strategic decisions within a product triad or similar cross-functional team structure.

• Demonstrate clear documentation practices, including component specifications, usage guidelines, and developer handover materials.

• Illustrate your contributions to improving accessibility and inclusivity within a design system context.

Process Documentation:

• Exhibit examples of well-documented design system processes, including workflows for component creation, review, and version control.

• Showcase how you have documented the intersection of design and code, particularly concerning AI integration and design token implementation.

• Include examples of user feedback loops and data analysis used to refine and improve design system elements.

📝 Enhancement Note: The portfolio requirements are highly specific to design systems and modern practices. Candidates must demonstrate not just visual design skills but also strategic thinking, process ownership, and the ability to document and communicate complex system-level work. The inclusion of AI tooling and token-based interactions is a critical differentiator.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

Based on the experience level (5-10 years) and location (Kaiserslautern, Germany), a competitive salary range for a UX Designer - Design Systems would typically fall between €60,000 and €85,000 annually. This estimate considers regional market rates for experienced UX professionals in Germany, the specific demands of a design systems role, and the company's international presence.

Benefits:

• Job Security: Permanent employment contract.

• Work Flexibility: Option to work up to 50% remotely, flexible working hours, and full-time/part-time options.

• Financial Perks: Holiday bonus, special payments, monthly tax-free benefits via Mastercard, and corporate benefits.

• Time Off: 30 days of annual leave.

• Onboarding & Development: Comprehensive onboarding with a dedicated buddy, structured training, individual training opportunities, access to Babbel (language learning) and Udemy (e-learning).

• Well-being: Support through OpenUp, Wellhub, and in-office massages.

• Family Support: Flexible parental leave, family-friendly leadership, and support for caregiving responsibilities.

• Mobility: Free parking, bicycle parking, bike leasing, and public transport ticket.

• Culture: Informal "du" culture and an open, collaborative international work environment.

Working Hours:

Standard full-time working hours are 40 hours per week, with flexibility offered in terms of scheduling.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range is an estimation based on industry benchmarks for experienced UX Designers in Germany, factoring in the specialized nature of design systems and AI integration. The provided benefits list is extensive and competitive, highlighting TOPdesk's commitment to employee well-being, development, and work-life balance, which are attractive factors for operations and design professionals seeking stable, supportive employment.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Software (Service Management)

Company Size: 700 employees (International)

Founded: TOPdesk was founded in 1993, establishing a long history in the service management software sector. This longevity suggests a stable company with deep domain expertise and a proven track record in product development and customer support.

Team Structure:

• Product Enablement Team: You will join a multidisciplinary team focused on empowering other product teams. This team likely comprises experienced professionals from various disciplines (UX, Product Management, Engineering) working collaboratively.

• Reporting Structure: You will report to a UX Manager, indicating a clear line of leadership and mentorship within the UX discipline.

• Cross-functional Collaboration: Close collaboration is expected with Product Managers, Engineers, and other UX Designers, both within your immediate team and the broader Design System team, as well as with stakeholders across the organization. The international nature of the team (Netherlands, Germany, Hungary) implies a diverse and globally-minded work environment.

Methodology:

• User-Centric Design: The role heavily emphasizes user-centric thinking, ensuring that design system components and patterns meet user needs effectively.

• Data-Driven Decisions: Validation through feedback, usability testing, and data analysis is a core part of refining system elements, indicating a data-informed approach to design.

• Agile Practices: While not explicitly stated, the collaborative nature and focus on iterative improvement suggest an agile or hybrid development methodology is likely employed.

• Process Optimization: A key aspect of the role is contributing to raising design maturity and improving design processes, highlighting a commitment to continuous improvement.

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

📝 Enhancement Note: TOPdesk's established presence in the service management software market, combined with its international footprint and emphasis on a "Product Enablement Team," suggests a company focused on scalable solutions and internal operational efficiency. The "informal 'du' culture" is typical in many German tech companies and indicates a more relaxed, direct communication style. The emphasis on collaboration and user-centricity aligns well with modern GTM and product development philosophies.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is positioned at a senior to lead level within the UX/Design Systems discipline. It requires significant independent contribution and strategic influence, particularly in shaping the direction of the design system and its integration with new technologies like AI.

Reporting Structure: You will report to a UX Manager, providing a clear path for mentorship, career guidance, and performance feedback. This structure supports professional development within the UX field and offers opportunities for learning from experienced leadership.

Operations Impact: As a UX Designer specializing in Design Systems, your impact will be foundational. By creating scalable, consistent, and accessible components, you enable product teams to build better user experiences more efficiently. This directly influences product quality, development speed, and ultimately, customer satisfaction and retention. Your work on AI integration will position TOPdesk at the forefront of technological adoption in service management.

Growth Opportunities:

• Specialization Advancement: Deepen expertise in advanced design system strategies, AI integration in design, and token-based architectures.

• Leadership Development: Potential to grow into a Design System Lead role, managing a team or taking on more strategic project leadership.

• Cross-functional Expertise: Expand knowledge in Product Management and Engineering through close collaboration, enhancing your understanding of the end-to-end product lifecycle.

• Mentorship: Opportunity to mentor junior designers and contribute to raising design maturity across the organization.

• Industry Trends: Continuous learning in emerging design technologies and methodologies through provided training resources and staying current with industry best practices.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Operations Impact" section is framed to highlight how this design role contributes to broader operational efficiency and product quality, linking it to core business objectives like customer satisfaction and development speed. The growth opportunities are tailored to a senior-level design professional, emphasizing specialization, leadership, and cross-functional development.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: TOPdesk offers a hybrid work model, allowing employees to work up to 50% remotely, blending the benefits of flexible remote work with the collaborative advantages of an in-office environment. The company promotes an "informal 'du' culture" and an "open and collaborative work environment."

Office Location(s): The role is based in Kaiserslautern, Germany. TOPdesk also has offices in Delft (Netherlands) and Budapest (Hungary), suggesting potential for international interaction or collaboration.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Spaces: The office environment is designed to foster open and collaborative work, likely featuring meeting rooms, breakout areas, and open-plan seating to encourage interaction among colleagues.

• Tools & Technology: Access to industry-standard design tools (Figma) and advanced technologies (AI tooling) is implied, supporting efficient workflow and innovation.

• Team Interaction: Regular engagement with Product Managers, Engineers, and other UX Designers within a multidisciplinary Product Enablement Team ensures continuous learning and shared problem-solving.

Work Schedule: The standard working hours are 40 per week, with flexibility offered. This allows operations professionals to manage their schedules effectively, balancing project demands with personal needs, which is crucial for roles involving deep analytical work and creative problem-solving.

📝 Enhancement Note: The description of the work environment emphasizes flexibility (hybrid model, flexible hours) and collaboration, which are key considerations for operations professionals. The mention of "informal 'du' culture" is a cultural indicator for candidates familiar with German work environments.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A review of your application, resume, and portfolio to assess alignment with the role's requirements, particularly design system experience and Figma proficiency.

• Hiring Manager/UX Manager Interview: Discussion focusing on your professional background, design philosophy, and specific experience with design systems, AI integration, and token-based design. Expect questions about your approach to user-centricity and problem-solving.

• Portfolio Presentation & Case Study Review: A dedicated session where you will present your portfolio, focusing on end-to-end design system work, and discuss specific case studies. This will include demonstrating your understanding of "why" design systems are important, your experience with AI tooling, and your collaborative approach.

• Cross-functional Team Interview: Interviews with Product Managers and Engineers to assess your collaboration style, communication skills, and ability to work effectively within a product triad. Questions may revolve around how you handle disagreements, drive decisions, and ensure smooth developer implementation.

• Final Interview: Potentially with a higher-level manager to discuss strategic alignment, cultural fit, and long-term career aspirations within TOPdesk.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Focus on 2-3 robust case studies that clearly demonstrate your design system expertise, including its development, AI integration, and token application.

• Highlight Ownership & Impact: Clearly articulate your role, responsibilities, and the tangible impact of your work on product consistency, development efficiency, and user experience. Quantify results where possible.

• Showcase Process & Rationale: Walk through your design process, explaining the "why" behind your decisions, especially concerning component design, pattern creation, and the integration of AI and tokens.

• Demonstrate Collaboration: Include examples of how you collaborated with engineers, PMs, and other designers, showcasing your communication and problem-solving skills in a team setting.

• Address Accessibility & Inclusivity: Explicitly demonstrate how you incorporated accessibility and inclusivity principles into your design system work.

• Prepare for Q&A: Be ready to answer detailed questions about your design choices, challenges encountered, and how you handled feedback or disagreements.

Challenge Preparation:

• Design System Challenge: You might be asked to critique a hypothetical component, suggest improvements to an existing pattern, or outline how you would approach designing a new component within a given system context. Focus on scalability, accessibility, and reusability.

• AI Integration Scenario: Be prepared to discuss how you would integrate AI capabilities into a design system or how you would design for AI-driven interactions and token-aware surfaces.

• Problem-Solving Exercise: A scenario-based question requiring you to outline your approach to solving a complex design challenge related to system consistency, developer adoption, or evolving user needs.

📝 Enhancement Note: The application and portfolio review process is heavily focused on demonstrating practical, hands-on experience with design systems, AI integration, and collaborative product development. Candidates should prepare to articulate their strategic thinking and present detailed case studies that showcase their end-to-end ownership and impact.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Figma: The central tool for component and pattern design, prototyping, and documentation. Proficiency is essential for all aspects of the role.

• Design System Management Platforms: While not explicitly named, tools for version control, documentation hosting (e.g., Zeroheight, Storybook), and collaboration within the design system ecosystem are likely utilized.

• Prototyping Tools: Figma's advanced prototyping capabilities will be key, potentially supplemented by other tools for specific testing needs.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Usability Testing Platforms: Tools for conducting and analyzing user feedback and usability tests to validate design system components.

• Data Analysis Tools: Basic analytical skills to interpret feedback, usage data, and testing results to inform design decisions.

CRM & Automation:

• Internal Communication Tools: Platforms like Slack, Microsoft Teams, or similar for daily team communication and collaboration.

• Project Management Tools: Systems such as Jira, Asana, or Trello for managing tasks, workflows, and project timelines.

• Documentation/Knowledge Base: Tools like Confluence or internal wikis for comprehensive documentation and knowledge sharing.

📝 Enhancement Note: The explicit mention of Figma as the primary tool highlights its critical importance. The emphasis on AI tooling and token-based interactions suggests that familiarity with concepts related to design tokens and potentially AI-assisted design tools would be highly advantageous.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• User-Centricity: A core value, ensuring that all design system decisions are made with the end-user experience at the forefront. This translates to creating components that are intuitive, accessible, and efficient.

• Collaboration & Openness: The "informal 'du' culture" and open work environment foster direct communication, teamwork, and a willingness to share ideas and feedback freely. This is crucial for successful design system development and adoption.

• Efficiency & Scalability: A key driver for design systems is to enable efficient development and ensure scalability across products. This value emphasizes creating robust, reusable solutions.

• Innovation & Continuous Improvement: The role's focus on AI integration and staying current with trends highlights a commitment to innovation and ongoing enhancement of both the design system and design processes.

• Accessibility & Inclusivity: A fundamental value, ensuring that all users, regardless of ability, can effectively use TOPdesk's products. This is embedded in the design system's foundation.

Collaboration Style:

• Product Triad Model: Close, integrated collaboration with Product Management and Engineering, where design is a partner in strategic decision-making.

• Cross-functional Teamwork: Active participation in multidisciplinary Product Enablement and Design System teams, contributing to collective problem-solving and knowledge sharing.

• Feedback-Rich Environment: An open culture that encourages constructive feedback exchange during design reviews, ideation sessions, and implementation discussions.

• Global & Diverse: Working within an international team necessitates adapting to diverse perspectives and communication styles, fostering a rich collaborative experience.

📝 Enhancement Note: The values listed are directly derived from the job description's emphasis on user-centricity, collaboration, efficiency, innovation, and accessibility. These are core tenets for successful design operations and product development teams.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing Innovation with Stability: Integrating cutting-edge AI tooling and token-based architectures while ensuring the design system remains stable, scalable, and easy for developers to adopt.

• Cross-Team Adoption: Ensuring consistent adoption and effective utilization of the design system across various product teams with potentially different workflows and priorities.

• Evolving Technology Landscape: Staying ahead of rapid advancements in AI, design tools, and front-end technologies to keep the design system relevant and effective.

• Maintaining Accessibility Standards: Continuously ensuring that all new and updated components meet stringent accessibility guidelines, especially when incorporating complex AI features.

• Strategic Influence: Effectively communicating the value and vision of the design system to stakeholders and driving strategic decisions within the product triad and beyond.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Advanced Design System Strategy: Opportunities to delve deeper into complex design system architecture, governance models, and scaling strategies.

• AI in Design: Hands-on experience and learning focused on integrating AI into design workflows and user experiences.

• Tokenization Mastery: Deepening expertise in design tokens for theming, customization, and dynamic UI generation.

• Leadership & Mentorship: Potential to evolve into a leadership role, guiding junior designers and influencing organizational design practices.

• Professional Development Programs: Access to Babbel and Udemy for continuous learning in relevant technical and soft skills.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges are framed to reflect the complexities of modern design system work, particularly the blend of established practices with emerging technologies like AI. The growth opportunities are aligned with advancing expertise in these specialized areas.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe your philosophy on design systems. What makes a design system successful, and why is it crucial for an organization like TOPdesk?" (Prepare to discuss principles, governance, adoption, and business impact.)

• "How would you approach integrating AI tooling into an existing design system? What are the key considerations for prototyping and implementation?" (Focus on practical steps, potential challenges, and benefits.)

• "Walk us through a significant design system project you owned. What were the initial challenges, your process, the key decisions you made (especially regarding components/patterns), and the ultimate impact?" (Prepare a detailed case study from your portfolio.)

Company & Culture Questions:

• "Based on your understanding of TOPdesk and the service management industry, how would you tailor the design system to meet specific user needs or business objectives?" (Research TOPdesk's product and target audience.)

• "How do you foster collaboration and drive adoption of a design system among engineers and product managers who may have different priorities?" (Discuss your communication and influence strategies.)

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Storytelling: Structure your portfolio presentation around compelling narratives for each case study, highlighting the problem, your approach, your specific contributions, and the measurable outcomes.

• Focus on Design Systems & AI: Emphasize projects that clearly showcase your design system expertise, particularly those involving AI integration or token-based design.

• Demonstrate Process: Visually walk through your design process for key components or patterns, explaining the rationale behind your decisions.

• Quantify Impact: Use data and metrics wherever possible to demonstrate the positive impact of your work on efficiency, consistency, or user experience.

• Be Prepared for Deep Dives: Anticipate detailed questions about your Figma usage, component logic, documentation standards, and collaboration methodologies.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview preparation advice is tailored to the specific requirements of the role, emphasizing design systems, AI integration, collaboration within a product triad, and the importance of a strong portfolio with quantifiable results.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this UX Designer - Design Systems position:

• Submit your comprehensive application through the provided application link on the SmartRecruiters platform.

• Portfolio Customization: Curate your portfolio to prominently feature 2-3 detailed case studies that specifically highlight your experience with design systems, AI tooling integration, and token-based design. Ensure these examples demonstrate end-to-end ownership and impact.

• Resume Optimization: Tailor your resume to showcase keywords relevant to design systems, Figma proficiency, AI integration, accessibility, and collaborative product development. Quantify achievements and responsibilities where possible.

• Interview Preparation: Practice articulating your design philosophy, detailing your design system process, and presenting your case studies effectively. Be ready to discuss your approach to collaboration and problem-solving within a product triad.

• Company Research: Gain a thorough understanding of TOPdesk's service management solutions, target market, and company culture. Prepare to discuss how your skills and approach align with their values and operational needs.

⚠️ 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.