Work Design Architect

Upside•Austin, TX

2d•$179,000 - $195,000•Hybrid

About The Position

Upside is seeking a Work Design Architect to build the operating system for their R&D organization. This role focuses on improving organizational speed and coherence by making processes explicit and machine-accessible, especially in the context of AI integration. The Work Design Architect will own the R&D Operating Blueprint, lead operating rhythm work, and serve as an expert in AI-native process design. This is a senior individual contributor role focused on influence through craft and credibility.

Requirements

Deep experience in program management, organizational design, or operating model work — you think in systems, not projects
A genuine point of view on how AI changes organizational dynamics, not just individual workflows — "decisions are now the bottleneck" should land immediately
Demonstrated ability to design and implement operating models, not just document existing ones
Experience working across a technical organization without authority — your influence comes from craft and accessibility, not the org chart
Comfort making complex systems thinking legible to skeptical, busy audiences
A "first-hire" mindset — you build structure where none exists and don't wait for permission to start

Responsibilities

Own and steward the R&D Operating Blueprint — keep it current as the organization evolves, run periodic health checks, and make redesign calls when something isn't working
Lead operating rhythm work: forum design, cadence changes, redesigns, and post-mortems — the ongoing drumbeat of keeping the operating model healthy
Serve as the internal expert on AI-native process design — the go-to voice for "how do we build this as a system, not a document"