Design Systems Lead in Sheffield

Design Systems Lead in Sheffield

Sheffield Full-Time 65000 £ / year No home office possible
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At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead the creation and maintenance of a design system that enhances product development.
  • Company: Join a forward-thinking company in Sheffield with a hybrid working model.
  • Benefits: Competitive salary up to £70,000 and flexible work arrangements.
  • Why this job: Shape the future of design and engineering while making a real impact.
  • Qualifications: Experience in design systems, expert Figma skills, and a product-led mindset.
  • Other info: Diverse and inclusive workplace with opportunities for growth.

Location: Sheffield

Working Model: Hybrid - 2 days a week in the office

Salary: Up to £70,000 Dependent on experience

This role is for someone who loves creating order, clarity, and momentum at scale. As a Design Systems Lead, you’ll take ownership of an established (or evolving) design system and shape it into something teams genuinely rely on. Your work will sit at the intersection of design and engineering, creating the foundations that help products ship faster, stay consistent, and scale with confidence. This is a high-impact individual contributor role where your decisions will influence how designers design and how engineers build.

What you’ll be doing:

  • Designing, building, and maintaining a design system that spans both design and code
  • Creating reusable components, patterns, and guidelines in Figma
  • Defining and managing design tokens (colour, spacing, typography, motion)
  • Working closely with engineers to ensure design components map cleanly to coded components
  • Setting clear standards for accessibility, responsiveness, and theming
  • Producing clear documentation so teams know when and how to use the system
  • Reducing UI and design decision fatigue so teams can move faster
  • Evolving the system as the product, team, and complexity grow

What we’re looking for:

  • Proven experience designing, scaling, or maintaining a design system in a product environment
  • Expert-level Figma skills (components, variants, variables)
  • Strong understanding of modern frontend development and component-based architectures (e.g. React)
  • Experience partnering closely with engineers on shared component models
  • A product-led mindset — you design to solve real problems, not just to make things look good
  • Comfort working in complex, data-heavy products
  • A solid grounding in user-centred design and evidence-based decision making

Nice to have (but not essential):

  • Hands-on experience contributing to or implementing a coded design system
  • Familiarity with tools like Storybook, Tailwind, or token-based theming
  • Background in B2B, industrial, or technically complex products

We welcome diverse applicants and are dedicated to treating all applicants with dignity and respect, regardless of background.

Design Systems Lead in Sheffield employer: Rebel Recruitment Limited

As a Design Systems Lead in Sheffield, you will join a forward-thinking company that values innovation and collaboration. With a hybrid working model, competitive salary, and a strong focus on employee growth, you'll have the opportunity to shape impactful design systems while working alongside talented engineers. Our inclusive work culture fosters creativity and encourages diverse perspectives, making it an excellent place for those seeking meaningful and rewarding employment.
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Contact Detail:

Rebel Recruitment Limited Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

We think this is how you could land Design Systems Lead in Sheffield

✨Tip Number 1

Network like a pro! Reach out to folks in the design and engineering circles, especially those who work with design systems. A casual chat can lead to opportunities you might not find on job boards.

✨Tip Number 2

Show off your skills! Create a portfolio that highlights your experience with design systems. Include case studies that demonstrate how you've made an impact in previous roles—this will make you stand out!

✨Tip Number 3

Prepare for interviews by brushing up on your knowledge of design tokens and component-based architectures. Be ready to discuss how you’ve collaborated with engineers to create seamless design systems.

✨Tip Number 4

Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive about their job search.

We think you need these skills to ace Design Systems Lead in Sheffield

Design System Ownership
Figma Expertise
Component-Based Architecture
Collaboration with Engineers
User-Centred Design
Evidence-Based Decision Making
Accessibility Standards
Responsive Design
Documentation Skills
Product-Led Mindset
Complex Data Handling
Reusable Component Creation
Design Token Management
Pattern Development

Some tips for your application 🫡

Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter to highlight your experience with design systems. We want to see how your skills align with the role, so don’t be shy about showcasing your Figma expertise and any relevant projects you've worked on.

Show Your Process: When describing your past work, focus on the process you followed to create or maintain a design system. We love to see how you approach problem-solving and collaboration with engineers, so share those stories!

Be Clear and Concise: Keep your application straightforward and to the point. We appreciate clarity, especially when it comes to your experience and achievements. Use bullet points where possible to make it easy for us to read through your application.

Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, we love seeing applications come in directly from our site!

How to prepare for a job interview at Rebel Recruitment Limited

✨Know Your Design System Inside Out

Before the interview, make sure you thoroughly understand the design system you’ve worked on. Be ready to discuss specific components you've created, how they improved workflows, and any challenges you faced. This will show your depth of experience and passion for the role.

✨Showcase Your Figma Skills

Since expert-level Figma skills are a must, prepare to demonstrate your proficiency. Bring examples of reusable components or patterns you've designed. If possible, walk through your process in Figma during the interview to highlight your technical abilities.

✨Bridge Design and Engineering

Highlight your experience collaborating with engineers. Be prepared to discuss how you’ve ensured that design components map cleanly to coded components. Sharing specific examples of successful partnerships can illustrate your ability to work at the intersection of design and engineering.

✨Emphasise User-Centred Design

Make it clear that your design decisions are driven by user needs. Prepare to discuss how you’ve used evidence-based decision-making in your past projects. This will resonate well with the product-led mindset they’re looking for.

Design Systems Lead in Sheffield
Rebel Recruitment Limited
Location: Sheffield

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