Principal AI Design Technologist

Job Description

Principal Design Technologist

Our client is hiring a Principal Design Technologist to build and scale an AI native design practice across their product suite.

Here's what we're actually looking for:

You've shipped AI augmented work. Not just used Claude Code or Cursor - actually built with them. Custom Figma plugins, design system tooling, interactive prototypes, component migration helpers. Work that's made it to production and changed how your team works.

You've scaled design at org level. Maybe it was a design system across 30+ products. Maybe you took a design function from zero to a mature team. Either way, you have evidence: adoption metrics, org-wide influence, a track record of making the people around you better.

You think in systems. Conceptual modelling, reusable primitives, reasoning about what's underneath the surface. You turn messy, technical domains into something intuitive without losing the rigor underneath.

You have opinions about AI in design. Not just excitement - critical thinking. You've evaluated tools and walked away from some. You know when to automate and when to insist on the human.

You can reason from code. Front end, data visualisation, ML/OCR experience - something that means you design for what's actually buildable and talk fluently with engineers about trade-offs.

Portfolio bar is high. We're looking at Figma libraries, design systems, speaking gigs, public work that reflects your thinking. Craft matters. Detail matters. Foundation matters.

The role: Hands on and leadership at once. You'll design and ship production work. You'll build the tooling and workflows that let your team design better than they could alone. You'll have a seat at the table shaping what design-technology becomes across the org.

This is for: Staff/Principal level ICs who've also led teams. 

If this resonates, we'd love to talk about scaled AI native design practice, how you'd build it, and what you've shipped.

Apply with your portfolio link and resume. Applications without a portfolio will not be considered.