Director, Design Systems

MongoDB’s mission is to empower innovators to create, transform, and disrupt industries by unleashing the power of software and data. We enable organizations of all sizes to easily build, scale, and run modern applications by helping them modernize legacy workloads, embrace innovation, and unleash AI. Our industry-leading developer data platform, MongoDB Atlas, is the only globally distributed, multi-cloud database and is available in more than 115 regions across AWS, Google Cloud, and Microsoft Azure. Atlas allows customers to build anywhere—on the edge, on premises, or across cloud providers. With offices worldwide and over 175,000 developers joining MongoDB every month, it’s no wonder that leading organizations, like Samsung and Toyota, trust MongoDB to build next-generation, AI-powered applications.

MongoDB’s Design Systems team is looking for a Design Systems Director who is passionate about enabling consistent, accessible, and delightful cross-product experiences. Our team partners closely with Product Design, Engineering, Brand, and Research to shape product design strategy, define design patterns, and build widely-adopted libraries in our coded design system, LeafyGreen. You will be leading a team of some of the best and brightest designers and engineers who thrive on collaboration, excellence in their craft, and mutual respect.

We treat our LeafyGreen Design System like a product, and the Design Systems Director sits at the intersection of design, engineering, and product management. This leader will guide the overall strategy, roadmap, and growth of our cross-functional team.

This role can be based out of our New York City office or remotely in the US region.

Responsibilities

• Strategically prioritizing a design system roadmap, balancing user needs with business impact, technical complexity, and the health of the design system
• Developing and maintaining trusted partnerships with Product Design, Engineering, Research, and Brand partners to inform project prioritization and execution
• Orchestrating large-scale feature adoption and modernization initiatives that span product teams
• Shaping processes that systematically support a high level of craftsmanship across the design system suite, in partnership with Program Management
• Establishing, socializing, and monitoring team goals and objectives that serve a larger team vision
• Monitoring system use across the enterprise and evangelizing the benefits of the design system throughout the organization
• Evaluating and integrating design systems tools and technologies that can enhance the efficiency of the Design Systems, Product Design, and Engineering teams
• Hiring, mentoring, coaching, and retaining a talented, diverse, inclusive team of Interaction Designers and UI Engineers, including managers and individual contributors
• Designing and scaling the team, partnering closely with Executive Leadership and Talent Acquisition on headcount budgeting and forecasting
• Reporting team performance directly to the VP of Product UX

What You’ll Bring

• 5+ years directly contributing to a design system
• 5+ years management experience on a design or engineering team, including managing other managers
• A deep understanding of best practices, processes, and latest developments that maximize the benefits and mitigate the risks of a coded design system 
• Expert knowledge with at least one design system toolset (e.g. Figma, InVision)
• Robust understanding of core concepts and best practices with HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and React
• Experience working with ambiguity and continuous feedback, balancing open-mindedness with confident prioritization and execution 
• Storytelling and communication skills that motivate and inspire

The ideal candidate will:

• Care deeply about the impact of their work and earning the trust of their partners
• Create a culture of accountability, excellence, and resourcefulness
• Have meticulous attention to detail
• Lead with humility, encouraging different points of view even when it disconfirms their beliefs
• Find ways to continually improve themselves and others; proactively provide and seek constructive feedback
• Be intellectually curious, always asking “how can we improve?”
• Embody our core values and leadership principles to guide how they work

Did you check most of the boxes, but not all? That’s fine. There is no such thing as a “perfect candidate.” MongoDB is a place where everyone can grow. Our supportive, inclusive environment is a place where you can be your best self and safely ask others to help you get there. We just ask that you be open and honest where you might need extra support. If you’re passionate about technology, leadership, and making an impact, we’d love to hear from you!

To drive the personal growth and business impact of our employees, we’re committed to developing a supportive and enriching culture for everyone. From employee affinity groups, to fertility assistance and a generous parental leave policy, we value our employees’ wellbeing and want to support them along every step of their professional and personal journeys. Learn more about what it’s like to work at MongoDB, and help us make an impact on the world!

MongoDB is committed to providing any necessary accommodations for individuals with disabilities within our application and interview process. To request an accommodation due to a disability, please inform your recruiter.

MongoDB, Inc. provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type and makes all hiring decisions without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.

Last updated on Aug 21, 2024