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System Designer Jobs in Berkeley, CA (NOW HIRING)

Harvey

Product Designer, Design Systems

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$150K - $226K/yr

Role Overview As a Product Designer on the Design Systems team at Harvey, you will support in ... The design system is not just a library of components. It is the shared language between design ...

Figma

Product Designer, Design Systems

San Francisco, CA · On-site +1

$222K/yr

As Figma continues to grow, a cohesive design system that spans multiple products is critical. We are looking for a designer with experience in multi-product environments who can work collaboratively ...

Dialpad

Staff Product Designer

San Ramon, CA

Strengthen and evolve Dialtone, our design system, and leave reusable patterns behind for the designers building on top of your work. * Identify cross-cutting problems and opportunities other ...

Figma

Product Designer, Design Systems

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$164K - $294K/yr

As Figma continues to grow, a cohesive design system that spans multiple products is critical. We are looking for a designer with experience in multi-product environments who can work collaboratively ...

Speak

Product Designer, Design Systems

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$160K - $260K/yr

By agent-first, we mean the system is structured so humans and AI agents can make the same good ... any designer, engineer, or agent. * Adoption across the design org. Create the standards and ...

Hazen and Sawyer

Principal I&C Designer

Concord, CA · On-site

$90K - $120K/yr

Candidate will develop I&C system designs for the water and wastewater industry with the potential for Human Machine Interface and Programmable Logic Controller programming/ configuration work

VSCO

Senior Product Designer

San Francisco, CA · On-site

We build the connected system photographers rely on, and we've spent over a decade earning the ... About the Role We're looking for a Senior Product Designer who works as both a product and systems ...

VSCO

Senior Product Designer

San Francisco, CA · On-site

We build the connected system photographers rely on, and we've spent over a decade earning the ... About the Role We're looking for a Senior Product Designer who works as both a product and systems ...

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All JobsSystem Designer JobsSystem Designer Jobs in Berkeley, CA

System Designer information

See Berkeley, CA salary details

$86.3K

$116.7K

$143.3K

How much do system designer jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 19, 2026, the average yearly pay for system designer in Berkeley, CA is $116,661.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $105,300.00 and $128,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a system designer do?

A System Designer is responsible for planning, creating, and specifying the architecture and components of complex systems, often in the fields of IT, engineering, or software development. They analyze requirements, design system structures, and coordinate with stakeholders to ensure the final product meets both technical and business needs. Their work includes creating diagrams, documentation, and models to guide the development team. System Designers play a crucial role in ensuring that systems are efficient, scalable, and reliable.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a system designer, and why are they important?

To thrive as a System Designer, you need strong analytical skills, a background in computer science or engineering, and experience with system architecture and requirements analysis. Familiarity with modeling tools like UML, CASE tools, and knowledge of software development methodologies are typically required. Excellent problem-solving, communication, and teamwork skills help System Designers effectively translate complex requirements into practical solutions. These skills are crucial for creating robust, scalable systems that meet organizational needs and ensure project success.

What are some common challenges system designers face when working on complex projects?

System Designers often encounter challenges such as ensuring seamless integration between various subsystems, effectively communicating requirements to both technical and non-technical stakeholders, and managing changing project specifications. Balancing performance, scalability, and security needs while staying within budget and time constraints can also be demanding. Successfully addressing these challenges requires strong analytical skills, adaptability, and proactive collaboration with cross-functional teams throughout the project lifecycle.

What is the difference between System Designer vs Software Engineer?

AspectSystem DesignerSoftware Engineer
Required CredentialsBachelor's in Computer Science or related field; often certifications in system architectureBachelor's in Computer Science or related field; certifications in programming or development
Work EnvironmentDesigning system architecture, collaborating with stakeholders, planning infrastructureWriting, testing, and maintaining code; implementing features based on designs
Employer & Industry UsageTech companies, system integrators, consulting firmsSoftware development firms, tech startups, IT departments

While both roles require a strong technical background, System Designers focus on planning and structuring entire systems, whereas Software Engineers implement and develop software components based on those designs. Understanding these differences helps in choosing the right career path or job search focus.

What is the average salary of a system designer?

The average salary of a system designer varies depending on experience, location, and industry, but typically ranges from $70,000 to $120,000 annually. Senior system designers with specialized skills or certifications can earn higher salaries, especially in technology and engineering sectors.

What skills do you need to be a system designer?

A system designer needs strong technical skills in software architecture, systems analysis, and understanding of hardware and network infrastructure. Proficiency in modeling tools, programming, and knowledge of design patterns are essential, along with problem-solving abilities and effective communication skills to collaborate with development teams.

What cities near Berkeley, CA are hiring for System Designer jobs?

Cities near Berkeley, CA with the most System Designer job openings:

System Designer jobs near you
Infographic showing various System Designer job openings in Berkeley, CA as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 83% Full Time, 14% Part Time, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 92% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 6% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $116,661 per year, or $56.1 per hour.

Design Systems Designer (Contract)

Cambly Inc

San Francisco, CA • On-site

$130 - $160/hr

Full-time

Posted 27 days ago

Job description

Design Systems Designer (Contract)
About Cambly: Our mission is to bring high quality English education to every English learner in the world by building a learning platform that optimally combines human tutors and artificial intelligence. By accomplishing our mission, we strive to become the world's largest English language learning marketplace.
We're looking for a talented, hands-on design systems designer who is passionate about building the infrastructure great products are made of and wants to change the way people learn languages. You will design and build Cambly's design system as a project: a structured, variable-based token architecture (color, spacing, type, and more) and a documented component library that builds on top of it, with structural support for theming. You'll modernize our existing design system into one that includes clear rules for when and how to use each component, and write specs and documentation precise enough that our designers, our engineers, and our AI coding agents can all implement correctly with minimal ambiguity. You will also be part of a small, fast-moving design team where your work frees up our product designers to focus on the high-craft areas of Lexicon that need it most.
Come join us in building the best place to learn and teach English!
Job Requirements
  • Mid-to-senior-level, hands-on design systems expert, with a track record of building and maintaining design systems with tokens, theming, and component libraries in Figma using a variable-based token architecture and provide continuous recommendations that enhance overall velocity and quality
  • A systems and codification mindset: able to translate design intent into precise, unambiguous rules and documentation that designers, engineers, and AI coding agents can all use.
  • A strong, well-rounded digital product designer at core - someone whose anchor is design systems work, but who is also a qualified product designer able to contribute beyond systems alone.
  • Experience (and deep curiosity) working with AI as part of the core development flow.
  • Self-directed and comfortable operating without a fully perfected process or handoff; this is a fast-moving, still-forming team.
  • Proven ability to communicate clearly and collaborate with both design and engineering stakeholders.
Preferred
  • iOS design experience.
  • Genuine interest in Cambly's team and mission - there's a real possibility of this expanding into a bigger or longer-term role.

Engagement Details
  • Type: Contract-to-hire. We're hiring for the design system project first; if the contractor proves capable of more than design-system work and is a strong team fit, we'd consider a longer-term or full-time role (not a promise going in).
  • Length: Roughly 3-5 months, full-time (approximately 40 hrs/week).
  • Rate: $130-160/hr, depending on experience.

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