Product Design Manager

About Customer.io

Over 7,500 companies—from scrappy startups to global brands—use our platform to send billions of emails, push notifications, in-app messages, and SMS every day. Customer.io powers automated communication that people actually want to receive. We help teams send smarter, more relevant messages using real-time behavioral data.

We’re a product-led company on a mission to help our customers deliver magical communications at scale—and we’re hiring a Design Manager to help us shape the next generation of user experience for our platform.

About the Role

We’re seeking a collaborative, detail-obsessed, and outcome-driven Design Manager to lead our team of product and systems designers through a pivotal stage of growth.

As Design Manager, you’ll report directly to the VP of Product & Design and serve as the Directly Responsible Individual (DRI) for major initiatives like our information architecture overhaul and app redesign. You'll help us shift from reactive design delivery toward a more proactive, systematized, and quality-first design culture.

You’ll be responsible for driving clarity, increasing quality, and supporting the team in delivering experiences that feel as powerful and thoughtful as the platform behind them.

What You’ll Do

• Own high-impact design initiatives (IA overhaul, app UI evolution, and new AI workflows) as the design DRI.
• Manage and mentor a team of 3–6 product and systems designers.
• Drive design rituals (standups, reviews, async feedback) for alignment and velocity.
• Collaborate with PMs and Engineers on strategy, roadmap, and delivery.
• Uphold design quality across UX, UI, accessibility, and usability.
• Evolve our design system (Pluma) with scalable, documented components.
• Shape culture around feedback, inclusivity, and async-first communication.

What we’re looking for

• 10+ years in product design; 5+ years managing or mentoring designers.
• Proven leadership of complex initiatives (IA, redesigns, cross-platform work).
• Experience with design systems, component libraries, and Figma workflows.
• Strong communicator, especially in remote and async environments.
• Confident navigating 0→1 and iterative product design processes.
• Skilled in accessibility, responsive UI, and UX best practices.
• Background in B2B SaaS, MarTech, or data-rich product environments.

Compensation & Benefits

We believe in transparency. Starting salary for this role is $170k-$195k USD (or equivalent in local currency) depending on experience and subject to market rate adjustment.

We know our people are what make us great, and we’re committed to taking great care of them. Our inclusive benefits package supports your well-being and growth, including 100% coverage of medical, dental, vision, mental health, and supplemental insurance premiums for you and your family. We also offer 16 weeks paid parental leave, unlimited PTO, stipends for remote work and wellness, a professional development budget, and more.

See full benefits here →

Zone 1: $204k-$234k USD

Zone 2: $187k-$214k USD

Zone 3: $170k-$195k USD

Our Process

No gotchas. No trick questions. Just a thoughtful process built for mutual clarity:

1. 30-minute video call with a Recruiter
2. 30-minute video call with the HR Business Partner
3. 1-hour video call Portfolio walkthrough + strategy Q&A with panel
4. 1-hour video call with the Hiring Manager (VP of Product & Design)

All final candidates will be asked to complete a background check and employment verifications as part of our pre-employment process.

Customer.io recognizes the stifling impact of systemic injustice on diverse communities. We commit to using our influence to increase inclusion and equity within the tech industry. We strive to build an inclusive team culture, implement bias-free hiring practices, and develop community partnerships to expand our global impact.

Zoom is the only video conference platform that we use, virtual interviews will be conducted using the video capability (i.e., not via the chat), and offers will be extended in writing on official Customer.io letterhead. Please be vigilant in all of your job search activity, and if you have any questions please contact [email protected].

Join us!

Check out our careers page for more information about why you should come work with us! We believe in empathy, transparency, responsibility, and, yes, a little awkwardness. If you’re excited by what you read — apply now.