Design at Handshake

We're looking for great product and brand designers to help us create opportunity for all students and recent graduates to have equal access to meaningful jobs and internships. We take a student-first approach to how we design and build products, and we strive to deeply understand our users and their true goals. We believe that great products and experiences are made great by the combination of how they work and how they look. One without the other is not enough, and while we're not perfect, we strive to excel in both and are committed to going the extra mile.

Great products are built by teams — and teams are built by people who communicate and collaborate well. A culture of openness, honesty, and the ability to provide and receive constructive feedback is important to us.

We also believe that great teams are inclusive in their composition. Being surrounded by diversity of backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives bring out the best in everyone, and leads to higher quality products and experiences.

Your Impact:

We are hiring our first Design Systems Designer! You will be the pioneer and help shape the next generation of the main horizontal of our design team. While our product is fairly established, our design system is just getting started. Influencing the product itself with a world class design system is only the tip of the iceberg!

Your Role:

• As our first Systems Designer, define and lead the implementation of Handshake’s design system and visual language — from guidelines to type stack, and all the way to the atom component.
• Lead the way to establishing the structure and strategy towards a robust system library, while working closely with the engineering team to align, execute and publish the system across the product and company. 
• Work in a methodical way to launch pilot experiences within the products, and help define the success measurement to be held accountable against. 
• Work closely with the brand team to establish a system that reflects Handshake’s brand and values, visually and interactively. 
• Create processes and pathways for Designers and Engineers to contribute to the design system.
• Define strategic vision for accessibility and age-up design practices as supported by the design system.
• Work with Product Designers to iterate and create new components and styles across Handshake’s products.
• Empower teams across the company to adopt and contribute to the design system.

Your Experience:

• 5+ years of experience working with both consumer and enterprise products with a focus in design systems
• Past work experience showcasing the ability to define major workstreams, communicate a plan and success measurement framework, and then execute
• Ability to identify patterns and tokenize the common ground assets into a systematic framework
• Knowledge of accessibility standards and guidelines.
• Knowledge of typography, iconography, color and dynamic type.
• Excellent interpersonal skills with a high attention to detail.
• Comfort working with both internal and external partners and agencies
• Experience working with Product and Engineering teams
• Ability to effectively influence, communicate and coordinate with other disciplines
• Ability to define principles and clearly communicate design decisions and strategy
• Comfortable writing systems documentation
• Ability to work in a horizontal team environment
• Ability to define and implement style guidelines

Compensation Range: 

$148,000 - $180,000

Benefits:

• Stock: Ownership in a fast-growing company.

• 401k: We care about your ability to save for your future.

• Family Focus: Parental leave and flexibility for families.

• Time Off: Flexible vacation policy to encourage people to get out and see the world.

• Healthcare: World-class medical, dental, and vision policies.

• Goodies: Whatever hardware and software you need to get the job done.

• Team Fun: Regularly scheduled events, sports, game nights, book clubs.

• Learning: Learning & Development opportunities for you to grow your skills and career.

• Great team: Working with fun, hardworking, nice people who are committed to making a difference!

• ...And much more!

We value diversity of all kinds, and are committed to building a diverse and inclusive workplace where we learn from each other. We are an equal opportunity employer and welcome people of all different backgrounds, experiences, abilities and perspectives.