Design System Lead – Hybrid

CMMI

Design System Lead overseeing design system strategy, governance, and improvement for digital experiences. Collaborating across teams to enhance user experience in a financial organization.

Posted 7/28/2026full-timeVienna • Virginia • 🇺🇸 United StatesSenior💰 $80,000 - $91,000 per yearWebsite

Core Competencies

Role fit

Core Competencies

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Demonstrates expertise in leading design system strategies and governance while ensuring alignment with enterprise standards. Proficient in implementing scalable, accessible design solutions and fostering cross-functional collaboration to enhance user experiences.

Highest-signal resume keywords

Design System GovernanceHTML, CSS/SCSS, JavaScript/TypeScriptAccessibility Standards (WCAG)Figma, Storybook, ZeroheightCI/CD and Release Management

ATS Keywords

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Applicant Tracking System Keywords

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Hard Skills

Design SystemsUX/UI DesignFront-End EngineeringDesign TokensComponent LibrariesThemingDesign System ArchitectureDocumentation WorkflowsInclusive Design PrinciplesStakeholder Management

Soft Skills

CommunicationCollaborationLeadership

Tools & Technologies

FigmaStorybookZeroheight

Industry Keywords

Human-Computer InteractionDigital PlatformsDesign Operations

Tech Stack

Tools & technologies

JavaScriptReactSCSSTypeScriptVue.js

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Lead the platform design system strategy, roadmap, and governance in alignment with enterprise standards.
Drive adoption of approved design tokens, components, patterns, and documentation across the platform.
Partner with product, engineering, UX, accessibility, and enterprise design system teams to deliver consistent user experiences.
Define and maintain platform-specific design system governance, contribution models, and implementation standards.
Evaluate implementation feasibility and collaborate with engineering teams on reusable, scalable, and accessible components.
Support design system delivery through CI/CD, versioning, release management, testing, and documentation best practices.
Develop and maintain implementation guidance, documentation, and training materials using tools such as Storybook and Zeroheight.
Facilitate design-to-development handoffs and improve cross-functional collaboration throughout the product lifecycle.
Conduct design system audits to evaluate adoption, accessibility, consistency, and overall quality.
Identify technical and process improvement opportunities to increase efficiency, reduce rework, and improve delivery speed.
Monitor industry trends and recommend enhancements to design system practices, tooling, and governance.
Represent platform needs within enterprise design system initiatives and communicate priorities, risks, and recommendations to leadership.
Perform other duties as assigned.

Requirements

What you’ll need

Bachelor's degree in Design, Human-Computer Interaction, Computer Science, Information Systems, or a related field (or equivalent experience).
5+ years of experience in design systems, UX/UI design, design operations, front-end engineering, or a related discipline.
Experience leading or governing design systems for enterprise or large-scale digital platforms.
Working knowledge of HTML, CSS/SCSS, JavaScript/TypeScript, and modern component frameworks such as React or Vue.
Experience with design tokens, component libraries, theming, and design system architecture.
Understanding of CI/CD, version control, release management, and documentation workflows.
Strong knowledge of accessibility standards (WCAG) and inclusive design principles.
Experience with Figma, Storybook, Zeroheight, or similar design and documentation tools.
Excellent communication, collaboration, stakeholder management, and leadership skills.
Ability to translate business, design, and technical requirements into scalable design system solutions.

Benefits

Comp & perks

Comprehensive Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance
Employer-Paid Life Insurance
Employer-Paid Short-Term and Long-Term Disability Insurance
401(k)
Paid Time Off (PTO) that includes Vacation Leave, Sick Leave, and 11 Paid Holidays
Educational Assistance