Design Lead

We are looking for an exceptional design leader, thinker, and communicator who is passionate about health and ancestry, our consumers, and the journey they are on. You have a strong visual aesthetic, an eye for creating world-class experiences, and the drive to refine and elevate our product's user experience. You will tackle the unique design challenges of making personal genetic information accessible, understandable, and actionable. To succeed, you’ll work closely with Product, Engineering, and Marketing, building strong cross-functional relationships in a fast-paced organization.

This is a hands-on leadership role where you will both guide and design. You will lead and mentor our small, agile product design team, shaping our culture and elevating our craft while personally owning and delivering work on critical projects. You understand how design improvements drive the business forward and can clearly communicate your vision—up, down, and sideways—to execute on big ideas and empower your team.

Who We Are 

We are a group of individuals passionate about genetic discovery. 23andMe Research Institute is a nonprofit medical research organization that enables people everywhere to access their genetic information, learn about themselves, and participate in the world's largest crowdsourced research initiative. The Institute aims to be the world's most significant contributor to scientific advancement, uniting people with the common goal of improving health and deepening our understanding of DNA — the code of life.

What You'll Do

• Lead by example, personally designing and shipping high-quality work for key product initiatives from concept to completion.
• Mentor and grow a tight-knit team of two talented product designers, fostering their craft and deepening their impact through direct guidance and support.
• Guide and manage design priorities for the team, setting clear goals and ensuring high-quality, timely deliverables.
• Evolve and scale our in-house design process and systems to ensure a cohesive and accessible experience across all platforms.
• Champion the consumer. Obsess over their needs, empathize with their journey, and be their voice in all discussions.
• Collaborate cross-functionally with product management, scientists, marketing, and engineering to define product strategy and contribute to the roadmap.
• Articulate a clear design point of view, while balancing feedback and navigating technical or legal constraints to deliver outcomes. 

What You'll Bring

• 6-8 years of work experience focusing on product design and user interface across various platforms, including web, iOS, and Android.
• Demonstrated experience mentoring and managing designers, and providing thoughtful critique.
• A strong track record of shipped products and services that demonstrates compelling product direction and excellent craft.
• Deep expertise working collaboratively within a core team of engineering, product management, and user research partners.
• Experience working on consumer facing products and experiences.
• Passion to be the voice of design with visibility across our entire organization
• Ability to pivot through creative problem-solving.
• Genuine passion for health, science, and education.
• Bachelors Degree in HCI, Graphic Design, Media Arts or similar a plus.

About Us

23andMe, headquartered in California, is a leading consumer genetics and research company. The company’s mission is to help people access, understand, and benefit from the human genome. 23andMe has pioneered direct access to genetic information as the only company with multiple FDA authorizations for genetic health risk reports. The company has created the world’s largest crowdsourced platform for genetic research, with 80 percent of its customers electing to participate. 23andMe research participants consent to research conducted by 23andMe which is overseen by an independent third-party Institutional Review Board (IRB) regulated under the 'Common Rule' (45 CFR part 46). More information is available at www.23andme.com/research.

At 23andMe, we value a diverse, inclusive workforce and we provide equal employment opportunity for all applicants and employees. All qualified applicants for employment will be considered without regard to an individual’s race, color, sex, gender identity, gender expression, religion, age, national origin or ancestry, citizenship, physical or mental disability, medical condition, family care status, marital status, domestic partner status, sexual orientation, genetic information, military or veteran status, or any other basis protected by federal, state or local laws.  If you are unable to submit your application because of incompatible assistive technology or a disability, please contact us at [email protected]. 23andMe will reasonably accommodate qualified individuals with disabilities to the extent required by applicable law.

Please note: 23andMe does not accept agency resumes and we are not responsible for any fees related to unsolicited resumes. Thank you.