About the Role
The WordPress Developer Relations team is hiring a UX Designer to lead the design of tools, interfaces, and experiences that millions of developers and site builders interact with every day. You will be embedded within a cross-functional team responsible for the WordPress admin experience, working to modernize and streamline one of the most widely used content management interfaces on the web. Your work will directly influence how people create, manage, and publish content across the entire WordPress ecosystem.
This is a unique opportunity to shape a design system that serves an extraordinarily diverse user base, from first-time bloggers to enterprise content teams managing hundreds of sites. You will lead user research initiatives, create wireframes and high-fidelity prototypes, and collaborate closely with engineers to ensure design intent is faithfully implemented. The role is based in our San Francisco office, where you will be part of a vibrant design community and have regular access to in-person collaboration with product and engineering leadership.
Responsibilities
- Lead the design of new features and improvements for the WordPress admin dashboard, including navigation, settings panels, and content management workflows
- Develop and maintain the WordPress design system, ensuring consistency across components, patterns, and design tokens used throughout the admin interface
- Conduct user research including usability testing, contextual inquiry, surveys, and card sorting to inform design decisions with real user insights
- Create wireframes, user flows, interaction specifications, and high-fidelity prototypes in Figma for developer handoff
- Collaborate with engineers to review implementations, provide design QA feedback, and iterate on shipped features based on user analytics and feedback
- Champion accessibility throughout the design process, ensuring all interfaces meet WCAG 2.1 AA standards and are usable with assistive technologies
- Present design work to stakeholders and the broader WordPress community, articulating design rationale and incorporating feedback from diverse perspectives
- Contribute to the WordPress design team's processes, tooling, and culture, helping to establish best practices for design within the open-source project
- Analyze usage data and behavioral analytics to identify pain points and opportunities for UX improvements in existing WordPress features
Requirements
- 5+ years of professional UX/product design experience, with a portfolio demonstrating end-to-end design work on complex web applications
- Expert proficiency in Figma, including component libraries, auto layout, variables, and prototyping
- Strong foundation in user research methodologies, with experience planning and conducting studies that directly influenced product decisions
- Deep understanding of responsive design, interaction design patterns, and information architecture for content-rich applications
- Experience building or contributing to design systems, including component documentation, usage guidelines, and governance processes
- Working knowledge of HTML, CSS, and JavaScript sufficient to understand technical constraints, review implementations, and communicate effectively with engineers
- Demonstrated ability to balance user needs, business goals, and technical feasibility when making design tradeoffs
- Excellent communication and presentation skills, with experience working across disciplines and cultures in a collaborative environment
- Familiarity with accessibility standards and inclusive design principles
Nice to Have
- Experience designing for WordPress, including familiarity with the Gutenberg editor and WordPress admin interface
- Background in open-source design, including experience working transparently and incorporating community feedback
- Experience with design tokens and their implementation across platforms (CSS custom properties, Figma variables)
- Familiarity with analytics and experimentation tools such as Google Analytics, Mixpanel, or Optimizely
- Experience with motion design and micro-interactions using tools like Principle, After Effects, or Figma prototyping
- Knowledge of CMS design patterns and content modeling concepts
Benefits
- Competitive salary range of $120,000 - $155,000 USD, based on experience
- San Francisco office location in the SoMa district with a hybrid work arrangement (3 days in-office, 2 remote)
- Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance with 90% employer-paid premiums
- 401(k) retirement plan with 4% company match
- Annual professional development budget of $4,000 for conferences, workshops, and courses
- Generous PTO policy with 20 vacation days, 10 sick days, and 11 company holidays per year
- Monthly commuter benefits and pre-tax transit spending account
- Ergonomic workspace with standing desks, design-grade monitors, and your choice of hardware
- Weekly design critiques, lunch-and-learns, and access to a community of talented designers across the organization
- Parental leave of up to 16 weeks fully paid
How to Apply
Click "Apply Now" and submit your resume along with a link to your portfolio. Your portfolio should include at least three case studies that demonstrate your design process from research through implementation. We are particularly interested in seeing examples of complex interaction design, design system work, or projects where you improved usability based on research findings.
The interview process includes a portfolio review call, a design exercise completed over 48 hours, a presentation of your exercise to the team, and conversations with cross-functional partners. We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity in all forms. We encourage applications from candidates of all backgrounds, including those who may not meet every listed requirement.