Lead Product Designer - Design System Frameworks

You bring order to complexity-not just by designing beautiful UIs, but by crafting robust frameworks that enable consistency, efficiency, and expression at scale. In this role, you'll help define the structure and language of Rivian's digital ecosystem across vehicle, mobile, and web. Your work will shape the foundational systems that empower teams to build cohesive, brand-aligned experiences-faster and with more confidence. Responsibilities

• Design and evolve scalable UI frameworks that power Rivian's digital experiences across in-vehicle, mobile, and web platforms.
• Create cross-platform patterns and systems that are modular, reusable, and expressive-balancing flexibility with brand integrity.
• Collaborate with Design Systems, Product, and Engineering to align visual frameworks with technical architecture, component libraries, and product needs.
• Build and document patterns in Figma and Zeroheight, supporting adoption through clear specs, rationales, and usage guidance.
• Prototype and test systems using Figma, ProtoPie, or code to validate interactions, adaptability, and performance across surfaces and brands.
• Contribute to design system governance, helping establish standards, versioning practices, and feedback loops that support scale and quality.
• Champion accessibility, localization, and performance from the ground up-ensuring every framework meets the needs of a global, inclusive audience.
• Mentor and inspire peers by sharing systems thinking, articulating tradeoffs, and advocating for the role of design infrastructure in product velocity and craft.

• 10+ years of experience crafting user-centered digital products, including 2-3 years dedicated to building design systems, frameworks, or driving cross-platform consistency (or equivalent relevant experience)
• A portfolio that demonstrates how you've shaped scalable design patterns, systematized complex UI challenges, and delivered cohesive experiences across platforms and brands.
• Demonstrated mastery of Figma, encompassing advanced application of components, variants, tokens, and systematic file organization for system design
• A balance of systemic thinking and visual precision-you can abstract complexity into modular solutions without losing sight of craft and clarity.
• Strong communication and documentation skills with the ability to clearly articulate design intent, system rationale, and implementation guidance to cross-functional teams.
• Proven experience working with engineers and design systems peers to deliver performant, accessible, and production-ready UI.
• Preferred: Familiarity with tools like Zeroheight or Storybook, and/or experience working in cross-functional or cross-platform environments.

Salary Range Palo Alto-Based Applicants: $167,400 -$209,300 (actual compensation will be determined based on experience, and other factors permitted by law).

Benefits Summary: Rivian provides robust medical/Rx, dental and vision insurance packages for full-time and part-time employees, their spouse or domestic partner, and children up to age 26. Full Time Employee coverage is effective on the first day of employment. Part-Time employee coverage is effective the first of the month following 90 days of employment.

Equal Opportunity

Rivian is on a mission to keep the world adventurous forever. This goes for the emissions-free Electric Adventure Vehicles we build, and the curious, courageous souls we seek to attract.