Role: UI/UX Architect

Location: Hybrid in Cincinnati, Ohio

Long Term Contract

USC or GC only

Ohio Local to First

We are seeking a Design System Architect to build, scale, and maintain a unified system of reusable UI components that empower product teams to deliver consistent, accessible, and high-quality experiences across platforms.

This role blends visual design excellence, system-level thinking, and cross-functional collaboration. The ideal candidate is a hands-on systems designer who can translate complex interaction patterns into scalable libraries — ensuring the design system evolves alongside user needs, technology advancements, and brand direction.

Core Responsibilities

Build & Maintain Design System Libraries

• Maintain and evolve design system libraries across Web, iOS, Android, and foundational design layers.
• Oversee and manage a system of UI components, variants and interaction states that require updates and refinements.
• Evaluate and intake new component requests, collaborating with product designers and engineers to ensure alignment with visual language and usability standards.
• Extrapolate component proposals to include all states, grid layouts, and accessibility requirements.
• Partner closely with developers to ensure components are implemented with design parity, performance, and accessibility in mind.

Component Documentation

• Create and maintain clear, accessible documentation that serves as the single source of truth for KDS (or organization-specific) components.
• Explain complex component logic and interaction models in an approachable way for designers and developers of all experience levels.
• Continuously iterate documentation based on component updates, team feedback, and evolving standards.
• Collaborate with engineering partners to align design documentation with development frameworks and naming conventions.

Modernization & System Evolution

• Modernize and optimize design libraries using advanced Figma capabilities (e.g., component properties, design tokens, variables, and auto-layout).
• Develop and maintain design tokens to support rapid updates, theming, and scalable design changes across platforms.
• Reconfigure libraries to align with next-generation design system structures and emerging UX/UI patterns.
• Support and govern community libraries, extension kits, and shared resources to foster adoption and consistency across teams.

Skills & Qualifications

• Design System Architecture: Proven experience building and maintaining large-scale, reusable UI component libraries for multiple platforms (Web, iOS, Android).
• Design Tool Mastery: Expert-level proficiency in Figma, including component creation, variant management, and advanced auto-layout techniques.
• Scalable System Design: Strong understanding of system architecture, modular design patterns, and scalable content structures.
• Accessibility & Inclusivity: Deep understanding of WCAG standards, accessibility principles, and inclusive design practices.
• Component Design & Documentation: Ability to extrapolate and document component states, variations, and usage patterns with clarity and precision.
• Visual Design Consistency: Commitment to maintaining brand alignment and visual cohesion across all digital experiences.
• Interaction Design Understanding: Awareness of user flows and how components fit into broader interaction systems.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Skilled in communicating and collaborating with developers, product designers, accessibility experts, and stakeholders.
• Continuous Improvement Mindset: Ability to adapt to evolving tools, technologies, and organizational needs while maintaining system integrity.
• Soft Skills: Strong communication, documentation, and influencing skills — capable of driving consensus and championing design best practices.