Client: Confidential (Leading Belgian Logistics & Postal Services Enterprise)
Location: Brussels (2 days onsite presence mandatory)
Start Date: ASAP
Contract Type: Freelance / Contractor
Role Overview
Our client is looking for a seasoned Design System Owner who can bridge the gap between design and engineering. You will not only manage the architecture of a new Design System but also serve as the primary guardian of Web Accessibility (WCAG) across a vast ecosystem of legacy and new digital products.
The ideal candidate is technically proficient in Figma architecture (Tokens/Variables) and has a proven track record in auditing and remediating complex accessibility issues.
Key Responsibilities
1. Design System Architecture & Token Management
You will be responsible for the technical setup and maintenance of the design language.
* Token Strategy: Create and manage Design Tokens using Token Studio within Figma.
* Figma Advanced Features: Utilize Figma Variables ensuring they map correctly to the token structure.
* Developer Handoff: Ensure all tokens and components are structured to be compliant with Style Dictionary for seamless implementation by development teams.
* Component Library: Research, design, and document components to ensure they are production-ready (reusable, scalable, and compliant).
2. Accessibility (Audit & Remediation) :
* Auditing: Conduct both automatic and manual testing on various environments (Web, Mobile Apps, Staging environments).
* Reporting: Consolidate audit findings into actionable reports (currently managed in Airtable).
* Remediation & QA: Work closely with developers to test fixes, providing support on technical solutions to ensure issues are resolved.
* Education: Arrange and facilitate accessibility training for internal teams.
* Feedback Loop: Manage incoming complaints and feedback regarding accessibility issues.
3. Operational Management & Strategy :
* Planning: Manage the backlog for both the Design System and Accessibility streams.
* Legacy & New: Balance work between creating new components and remediating existing legacy platforms (including internal tools, e-com plugins, and customer-facing apps).
* UX Support: Provide UX support for specific revamp projects (e.g., Locker screen interfaces).
Critical Requirements (Must-Haves) :
* Expert level in Figma: specifically regarding Token Studio and Variables. If you only use Figma for visual design, this role is not for you.
* Deep Accessibility Knowledge: You must be comfortable performing manual audits against WCAG 2.1/2.2 AA standards and explaining technical fixes to developers.
* Technical Understanding: Familiarity with Style Dictionary and how design data transforms into code.
* Autonomy: The ability to work on projects with "limited knowledge/capacity" implies you must be a self-starter who can dig for answers and push projects forward without constant supervision.
Nice to Have :
* Experience with Airtable for project tracking.
* Experience working in large-scale corporate or logistics environments.
What to Expect (The Reality) :
* The Ecosystem: You will be auditing and designing for a fragmented landscape: High-traffic public websites, mobile apps, internal tools, and third-party e-commerce plugins.
* The Pace: There is a significant backlog of audits and remediation work scheduled for the coming year.
* The Goal: Complete compliance for the current ecosystem while simultaneously building the foundation (components/tokens) for the future design system.
Language Requirements :
* English: Mandatory (Must be fluent/professional proficiency as this is the primary documentation language).
* Dutch and/or French: Nice to have (A strong asset for easier communication with internal stakeholders and understanding legacy context).