Principal UX Architect, AI & Design Systems Leader

Principal UX Architect, AI & Design Systems Leader

Waltham, Massachusetts, United States

What You’ll Do:

• Develop and execute a comprehensive roadmap for AI integration within our design practice, identifying key opportunities for productivity gains, quality improvements, and innovative approaches
• Evaluate, pilot, and implement AI-driven design tools that amplify team capabilities while maintaining creative autonomy and design quality
• Create frameworks for using AI in different design phases (research synthesis, ideation, prototyping, testing) with clear guidelines on human oversight and quality control
• Drive adoption of AI tools by demonstrating tangible benefits, facilitating learning opportunities, and celebrating successful implementations
• Implement metrics to measure the impact of AI adoption on productivity, quality, and team satisfaction

Design System Evolution for AI-Native Experiences

• Lead the evolution of our design system to support AI-enabled and AI-native product experiences
• Develop standards for adaptive UI components and data-driven design elements that can personalize or adjust based on user behavior and context
• Create a comprehensive library of AI interaction patterns (chat interfaces, confidence indicators, voice inputs, etc.) that ensure consistency across our product
• Establish guidelines for maintaining consistency, brand integrity, and accessibility when implementing AI-generated design elements
• Partner with Design Systems and Research teams to identify end-to-end journey gaps and prioritize improvements with business impact
• Implement a system for gathering usage metrics and data-driven refinement of design components

Design-to-Development Pipeline Transformation

• Reimagine design workflows to incorporate AI at key points, eliminating administrative overhead and accelerating delivery cycles
• Develop frameworks for AI-assisted prototyping, content generation, and testing that dramatically reduce time-to-market
• Create systems for AI-enhanced handoffs between product, design, and engineering teams
• Establish clear protocols for using AI in different contexts, including ethical guidelines and quality control processes
• Explore and implement tools for direct translation of design concepts to code, reducing friction in the implementation process

Team Enablement & Skill Development

• Design and deliver training programs that build AI literacy and competency across the design organization
• Facilitate experimental learning sessions where designers can safely explore new AI technologies and methods
• Create frameworks for designers to collaborate effectively with AI tools as "design assistants" that enhance (not replace) human creativity
• Assess individual and team skill gaps, developing personalized learning pathways to build AI capabilities
• Champion a cultural shift toward AI as a collaborative partner in the design process

Ethical AI & User Autonomy

• Develop design principles for agentic interfaces that balance AI agency with user control
• Create standards for AI transparency that help users understand system "thinking" and build trust
• Establish guidelines for responsible AI use that respects customer privacy and trust
• Implement frameworks for AI-enhanced accessibility features that make our products more inclusive

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Collaborate with product management, engineering, and marketing to ensure an aligned understanding of AI capabilities and limitations
• Partner with engineering to implement AI features that deliver exceptional user experiences
• Educate stakeholders on the evolving role of design in an AI-augmented product development process
• Champion ethical AI use and transparent design practices across the organization
• Bridge technical knowledge gaps between teams to enable more efficient product development workflows

What You Bring:

Required

• 10+ years of product design experience, with at least 3+ years in a senior or leadership role
• Strong portfolio demonstrating exceptional design craft, strategic thinking, and change management skills
• Practical experience using AI-driven tools in your everyday work (generative design, AI-assisted prototyping, etc.)
• Demonstrated ability to navigate technological changes and lead teams through transformation
• Experience evolving design systems to accommodate new interaction patterns or technologies
• Deep understanding of UX fundamentals and ability to apply them in emerging AI contexts
• Excellent communication skills, with ability to translate complex AI concepts for diverse audiences
• Experience with establishing and tracking success metrics for design initiatives

Preferred

• Experience implementing novel AI interaction patterns for user experiences
• Experience with AI-assisted prototyping, design automation, or generative design
• Understanding of AI/ML fundamentals as they apply to design processes
• Experience in leading design transformation initiatives or change management
• Knowledge of data-driven design systems and adaptive interfaces
• Experience with natural language interfaces, conversational UIs, or voice interactions
• Background in accessible design and using technology to enhance accessibility

Your Mindset

• Outcome oriented: Do stuff, don't just talk about doing stuff
• Strategic vision: Ability to see beyond current AI hype to identify truly transformative opportunities
• Experimental approach: Comfortable with failure as part of the learning process while maintaining reliable deliverables
• Ethical perspective: Strong commitment to responsible AI use that respects customer trust and privacy
• Collaborative leadership: Skills to unite teams around a shared vision for AI-enhanced design
• Business acumen: Understand how to tie design's impact to the bottom line and show how design is a differentiator for our business (GTM Intelligence)

Success Measures

In your first 90 days, you'll establish a successful program around our design team's AI readiness and launch initial pilot projects including design system updates with measurable outcomes. By six months, you'll have implemented AI-driven efficiencies in key design workflows, established the core set of AI experience patterns, and developed a comprehensive enablement program that >50% of the team has adopted. In one year, you'll have transformed how our design team operates, with measurable improvements in driving product market fit (productivity and quality).