Principal Designer

Overview

Aquent is partnering with a pioneering organization that is revolutionizing how design operates in an AI-driven world. This is an unparalleled opportunity to profoundly influence the future of experience design, architecting the intelligent systems that empower a global design organization. You will be at the forefront of integrating cutting-edge AI and automation into creative workflows, driving efficiency, innovation, and strategic impact across all products and experiences. Your work will directly shape how design teams leverage data and intelligence to create exceptional user experiences.

We are seeking a visionary leader who thrives at the intersection of design, technology, and systems thinking. This highly hands-on and exploratory role demands fluency in both design craft and engineering logic, with a passion for prototyping, integrating, and scaling new capabilities across a large-scale enterprise. You will be the connective tissue, shaping how Experience Design (XD) operates within an AI-enabled product ecosystem.

**Key Responsibilities:**

* **AI-Enabled Workflow Architecture:**
* Map and redesign design-to-delivery workflows, pinpointing opportunities for automation and intelligence to eliminate friction and unlock new capabilities.
* Prototype AI-assisted processes for design QA, accessibility, content creation, and portfolio planning.
* Collaborate with relevant operational and financial teams to integrate data pipelines from essential tools like Asana, Jira, Figma, and Workday into the AI-Planning system.

* **Experience Intelligence Hub:**
* Lead the conceptualization and technical prototyping of a central Experience Intelligence Hub, connecting customer intent data, product telemetry, and design decisions.
* Define taxonomy, metadata, and data flows between Experience Design, Research, and Product Analytics teams.
* Partner with AI Platform teams to securely expose and visualize insights for design utilization.

* **Systems Innovation:**
* Work with senior leadership in platforms and architecture to seamlessly connect system design, service blueprints, and experience data models.
* Introduce intelligent pattern libraries that dynamically adapt based on usage and performance signals.
* Prototype AI copilots and plugins that embed intelligence directly into daily design workflows.

* **Capability & Enablement:**
* Coach cross-functional partners on AI-native ways of working, creating documentation and proof points to scale adoption.
* Collaborate with Experience Design leadership to develop a roadmap for automation maturity and capability development.
* Partner with relevant leadership offices to quantify ROI and efficiency gains from automation pilots.

* **Cross-Functional Collaboration:**
* Operate effectively across Design, Product, Engineering, Data Science, and Finance teams.
* Translate complex technical possibilities into tangible design outcomes, demonstrating the practical application of intelligence-driven design.

**Must-Have Qualifications:**

* 10–15 years of combined experience in design, engineering, and systems work (e.g., design technologist, systems designer, creative technologist, or principal IC).
* Strong command of modern product toolchains, including Figma, Replit, Cursor, Jira, Confluence, Workday, and APIs.
* Demonstrated experience integrating AI/ML models, building plugins, or developing workflow automations.
* Fluency in JavaScript/TypeScript or Python, with the ability to prototype intelligent tools.
* Strategic thinker who can visualize complex systems and communicate them clearly and persuasively to executives.
* Thrives in ambiguous environments and can independently identify critical leverage points for change and innovation.

**Nice-to-Have Qualifications:**

* Experience leading design + AI integration at a scaled technology company.
* Proven track record of building advanced internal design tooling or ML-powered systems.

**About Aquent Talent:**
Aquent Talent connects the best talent in marketing, creative, and design with the world’s biggest brands.
Our eligible talent get access to amazing benefits like subsidized health, vision, and dental plans, paid sick leave, and retirement plans with a match. More information on our awesome benefits!
Aquent is an equal-opportunity employer. We evaluate qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status, and other legally protected characteristics. We’re about creating an inclusive environment—one where different backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives are valued, and everyone can contribute, grow their careers, and thrive.

The target hiring compensation range for this role is $90 to $100. Compensation is based on several factors including, but not limited to education, relevant work experience, relevant certifications, and location.

About Aquent Talent:

Aquent Talent connects the best talent in marketing, creative, and design with the world’s biggest brands.

Our eligible talent get access to amazing benefits like subsidized health, vision, and dental plans, paid sick leave, and retirement plans with a match. We also offer free online training through Aquent Gymnasium. More information on our awesome benefits! 

Aquent is an equal-opportunity employer. We evaluate qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status, and other legally protected characteristics. We’re about creating an inclusive environment—one where different backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives are valued, and everyone can contribute, grow their careers, and thrive.