Software Design Director Cambridge, MA

Software Design Director, IDEO LLC (Cambridge, MA)

Guide and contribute to large‑scale, interdisciplinary digital design projects, ensuring alignment with business goals, design standards, and client expectations. Serve as a key point of contact for clients, offering strategic direction and clear communication throughout the design lifecycle. Collaborate across design, engineering, and research disciplines to scope project goals, develop timelines, and contribute to framing and RFP responses. Develop and deliver impactful client‑facing materials using advanced design and prototyping tools (e.g., Figma, Adobe XD, Webflow), ensuring accessibility and usability.

Actively contribute to the execution of design deliverables, including responsive layouts, interactive components, and immersive interfaces. Manage workflows using design‑centric tools and methods to track milestones, team communication, and quality benchmarks.

Design complex digital products using user‑centered design principles, rapid prototyping, and iterative testing. Build and sustain strong client relationships, offering guidance on digital design challenges and experience strategy. Provide mentorship to junior designers and team members, supporting growth in UX, interaction design, visual design, and consulting fundamentals. Contribute to internal knowledge‑sharing, standards development, and craft leadership efforts. Participate in business development activities, such as pipeline planning and client presentations, to align opportunities with design capabilities.

Lead discussions on emerging technologies (e.g., XR, real‑time rendering) and evaluate their relevance in interface and experience design. Evaluate project outcomes and apply insights to refine internal practices and design quality. Support a culture of experimentation and learning by mentoring teams in rapid iteration, user testing, and design validation. Maintain awareness of budget and timeline expectations as they relate to design deliverables and client satisfaction.

Location:

80 Prospect Street, Cambridge, MA 02139. Partial telecommuting permitted 2 days/week; 3 days on‑site. Up to 30% domestic travel required for client research/engagement.

Salary: $140,000 to $200,000 per year.

• Master’s degree or U.S. equivalent in Computer Science, Architecture, Design, or related field, plus 3 years of professional experience in a user‑centered design, engineering, or consulting role.
• 3+ years of experience with C# in Unity VR development, React.js for web frontend, and Arduino for IoT.
• 3+ years of experience in electrical engineering, microcontrollers, sensors, creative coding, and robotics.
• 3+ years of experience creating connected installations, experiences, and augmented objects.
• 3+ years of experience performing hardware prototyping, integration, firmware development, wireless/network connectivity, and sketching/rough prototyping.
• 3+ years of experience in product management, prioritizing features, pacing the process, and defining product roadmaps.
• 3+ years of experience utilizing computer vision, machine learning, augmented/mixed reality, and large language models (LLMs).
• 3+ years of experience creating immersive experiences, games, or interactive narratives.
• 3+ years of experience applying physics or computer graphics to 2D, 3D, or VR with front‑end technology tools (including Unity).
• 3+ years of experience constructing interdependent, multi‑faceted systems and performing information flow, input/output, choice, behavior, and feedback analysis.
• 3+ years of experience translating technical terms to a wide audience.
• 3+ years of experience winning new work for a consulting company by applying technical creative coding, development skills, and business knowledge of business development processes, systems, and client engagements.
• 3+ years of experience managing complex projects for interdisciplinary teams.

IDEO does not discriminate on the basis of any protected category and is committed to promoting equal opportunity for all employees and applicants.

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