Lead Digital Designer

Ripple is shaping the future of the web by empowering teams to craft scalable, high-impact experiences. In Chicago onsite, the Lead Digital Designer will drive the evolution of Ripple's web ecosystem by building scalable design systems and delivering standout experiences across the homepage, product pages, and key user journeys, in close collaboration with engineering, product, and marketing partners. This role requires a strong balance of design craft, system thinking, and cross-functional leadership. Location: Chicago, IL (onsite). Compensation: USD 132,000 - 165,000 per year. Minimum experience: 3 years.

Responsibilities

• Experience working with design systems and component-based design
• Strong design foundation (layout, typography, color, hierarchy, motion, interaction, 3D)
• Ability to develop polished, modern, and high-quality digital experiences
• Deep understanding of responsive design, UX principles, and web protocols
• Experience working across design, engineering, and product teams
• Clear communicator who can explain decisions and influence direction
• Comfortable operating in ambiguity and helping define the path forward
• Able to zoom out to define direction, and zoom in to complete details
• Lead the design of high-impact web experiences across homepage, product pages, and key user journeys
• Contribute to the evolution of a scalable design system, including tokens, components, and reusable modules for CMS system
• Partner closely with engineering to ensure design systems are translated into high-quality, production-ready implementations
• Help define and refine site architecture, navigation systems, and overall user experience frameworks
• Collaborate with brand teams to develop a modern and cohesive digital aesthetic
• Balance brand storytelling with usability, accessibility, and performance across all web experiences
• Work cross-functionally with product, marketing, and UX teams to align on goals, priorities, and user needs
• Guide and collaborate with external agencies and partners on design execution and exploration
• Support UX testing, A/B testing, and ongoing optimization efforts to continuously improve the site experience
• Help establish workflows and processes that improve speed, quality, and consistency across the web team

Requirements

• At least 3+ years experience in web or digital product design
• Strong portfolio demonstrating high-quality web design and systems thinking
• Proven experience working with design systems, component libraries, and scalable frameworks
• Strong visual design foundation, including typography, layout, color, and hierarchy
• Deep understanding of responsive design, UX principles, and modern web standards
• Experience collaborating closely with engineering teams and an understanding of front-end constraints
• Ability to clearly communicate design decisions and influence cross-functional stakeholders
• Comfortable working in fast-paced environments with evolving priorities and ambiguity
• Experience designing for complex, multi-page websites or platforms
• Experience in fintech, B2B, or complex product ecosystems
• Familiarity with tools and workflows such as Storybook, design tokens, or system-driven development
• Experience contributing to or leading large-scale website redesigns
• Understanding of CRO, A/B testing, and data-informed design decision making
• Experience working with motion design, interaction design, or advanced web storytelling
• Interest in AI tools and their application in design workflows
• Experience collaborating with or managing external agencies and partners
• Exposure to both brand-driven and product-driven design environments

Technologies

• Storybook
• design tokens
• CMS system

Benefits

• The opportunity to build in a fast-paced start-up environment with experienced industry leaders
• A learning environment where you can dive deep into the latest technologies and make an impact. A professional development budget to support other modes of learning.
• Thrive in an environment where every employee is respected, valued, and empowered, regardless of race, ethnicity, gender, origin, or culture
• In-office collaboration for moments that matter, with the flexibility to decide 10+ in-office days per month
• Bi-weekly all-company meetings featuring business updates and open Q&A with the Leadership Team
• Team offsites, bonding activities, happy hours, and other gatherings
• Competitive salary, bonuses, and equity
• Comprehensive benefits for physical and mental health, retirement, family forming, and family support
• Employee giving match
• Mobile phone stipend
• R&R days to rest and recharge
• Generous wellness reimbursement and weekly onsite and virtual programming
• Generous vacation policy with manager-guided time off
• Industry-leading parental leave and family planning benefits
• Catered lunches, fully stocked kitchens with premium snacks and beverages, and engaging events