Sr. Manager Systems Framework

Rivian • Palo Alto, CA

34d

About The Position

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.
As a company, we constantly challenge what’s possible, never simply accepting what has always been done. We reframe old problems, seek new solutions and operate comfortably in areas that are unknown. Our backgrounds are diverse, but our team shares a love of the outdoors and a desire to protect it for future generations.

Join us in creating the next generation of connected, software-driven vehicles that transform mobility. We are seeking a visionary Design Manager to lead a team dedicated to scaling design across diverse platforms and brands. You will be responsible for bringing order to complexity—not just by overseeing the design of beautiful UIs, but by driving the creation of robust, scalable frameworks that enable consistency, efficiency, and brand expression.
In this leadership role, you will define the structure and language of our digital ecosystem across vehicle, mobile, and web. You will manage a high-autonomy team of designers to build the foundational systems that empower the broader organization to deliver cohesive, brand-aligned experiences with increased velocity and confidence.

Requirements

• Please include a link to your portfolio (with credentials) showcasing how you have successfully shaped scalable design patterns, validated complex interactions, and led teams to deliver cohesive experiences across platforms and brands. Applications without portfolios and log-in credentials will not be reviewed.
• Experience: 10+ years of experience crafting user-centered digital products, with significant experience in design systems or driving cross-platform consistency.
• Leadership Style: Proven track record of managing and coaching design teams while maintaining a high level of individual craft. You are someone who leads by example and is comfortable "in the weeds" of a project.
• Technical Mastery: Advanced expertise in Figma (components, tokens, variables) and high-fidelity prototyping tools like ProtoPie.
• Documentation & Delivery: Experience managing system documentation and handoff; familiarity with tools like Zeroheight or Storybook is highly valued.
• Systemic Thinking: Ability to abstract complexity into modular solutions while maintaining visual precision and craft.
• Communication: Exceptional skills in documenting system rationale and articulating design intent to cross-functional stakeholders.
• Education: Subject matter expertise typically attained through specific education and/or substantial professional work experience.

Responsibilities

• Player-Coach Leadership: Lead and mentor a small, high-performing team of systems designers. This is a "hands-on" leadership role; you should expect to dive into the files, get your hands dirty alongside your team, and lead from the front rather than from behind a desk.
• System Strategy: Define and evolve scalable UI frameworks and cross-platform patterns that are modular, reusable, and expressive.
• Validation & Testing: Oversee and participate in the prototyping of complex systems using Figma, ProtoPie, or code to validate interactions, adaptability, and performance across various surfaces and brand expressions.
• Cross-Functional Alignment: Partner with Product, Engineering, and Design Systems leads to align visual frameworks with technical architecture and production-ready component libraries.
• Operational Excellence: Lead the strategy for documenting patterns and system rationale, ensuring high adoption through clear specifications and usage guidance for the broader design org.
• Governance & Standards: Establish design system governance, versioning practices, and feedback loops to maintain quality and coherence at scale.
• Innovation & Velocity: Champion AI-augmented workflows to accelerate exploration, automate repetitive tasks, and increase overall team output.
• Creative Problem Solving: Serve as a bridge between design vision and technical implementation; you will navigate complex constraints to find innovative, balanced solutions that maintain design integrity without sacrificing functional requirements.

Benefits

• The successful candidate may be eligible for annual performance bonus and equity awards.
• We offer a comprehensive package of benefits for full-time and part-time employees, their spouse or domestic partner, and children up to age 26, including but not limited to paid vacation, paid sick leave, and a competitive portfolio of insurance benefits including life, medical, dental, vision, short-term disability insurance, and long-term disability insurance to eligible employees. You may also have the opportunity to participate in Rivian’s 401(k) Plan and Employee Stock Purchase Program if you meet certain eligibility requirements. Full-time employee coverage is effective on their first day of employment. Part-time employee coverage is effective the first of the month following 90 days of employment. More information about benefits is available at rivianbenefits.com.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Manager
• Education Level: No Education Listed