Sr. Manager, Design

 We are Route

Buying stuff online can get messy once you hit that “order” button. Managing dozens carrier tracking links, dealing with lost or damaged packages, and resolving issues with customer support can feel like a wild goose chase. That’s why we created the Route  — to make the post-purchase experience for consumers like you, and the brands you love, as seamless as possible. 

Route is on a mission to connect the world’s commerce. Through our network of millions of Route App users and thousands of merchants, we’re making it easier than ever for consumers to track, insure, and discover their favorite products in one place — which connects the world’s best direct-to-consumer brands to happy, repeat customers.

Since Route launched in 2018, we’ve been on a journey to build innovative products that empower our customers, all while fostering a people-first, values-driven company culture. We’re looking for talented people across the ecommerce space to join us on the next steps of this adventure.

Don’t just take our word for it! Discover what life at Route has to offer.

The team

Design at Route sits at the center of Product, Engineering, and Brand. We’re a small but high-impact team responsible for shaping how thousands of brands and millions of consumers experience Route on a regular basis.

This role will lead Product Design (UX/UI) as the primary focus, while also stewarding Design Systems & Operations, User Research & Insights, and Brand & Marketing Design in close partnership with cross-functional teams. 

You’ll manage and mentor our current Designer while remaining deeply hands on yourself and setting the bar for craft, collaboration, and impact. We value Team Over Ego, pragmatic execution, and designers who thrive in ambiguity while helping others navigate it.

The opportunity

This is a chance to scale the design function at a pivotal moment for Route.

As the Sr. Manager of Design, you’ll shape not only how our product looks and feels, but how design operates from discovery and research, through delivery and iteration. You’ll influence roadmap decisions, establish durable systems, and ensure design is a trusted, integrated partner to Product and Engineering.

You’ll have real ownership, real influence, and the opportunity to build a design practice that balances speed with quality, autonomy with alignment, and vision with execution.

What you’ll do

• Own and lead Product Design (UX/UI) across Route’s core experiences, from discovery through high-fidelity execution
• Establish and evolve Design Systems & Operations to ensure consistency, scalability, and velocity
• Guide User Research & Insights, ensuring design decisions are grounded in real user needs and data
• Provide creative direction and oversight for Brand & Marketing Design to maintain visual cohesion across external touchpoints
• Act as a player-coach, contributing directly to design work while mentoring and growing our Staff Designer
• Partner closely with Product and Engineering to streamline ways of working and improve cross-functional collaboration
• Champion a culture of team over ego, clarity, and high design standards across the organization

What we’re looking for

• 10+ years of design experience with significant ownership over Product Design (UX/UI) in complex digital products
• Strong systems thinker with experience building or evolving design systems and operational practices
• Experience leveraging user research and insights to inform product strategy and design outcomes
• Ability to oversee and align brand and marketing design without losing focus on product excellence
• Proven experience as a player-coach—comfortable leading, mentoring, and executing hands-on design work
• Deep collaboration skills with Product and Engineering, including influencing roadmap and prioritization decisions
• A mindset rooted in humility, ownership, and team over ego, with a bias toward action and clarity

Equal opportunity for all

Route is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We embrace diversity and equal opportunity in a serious way. We are committed to building a team that represents a variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and skills. The more inclusive we are, the better our work will be.

Total Rewards

We know our team works best when everyone feels happy, healthy, and supported. We offer to pay 95% - 100% of your health insurance premiums for you and your family, remote or hybrid work arrangements, unlimited PTO, 401k matching, formalized growth opportunities, learning & development, DEI programs & events, and so much more.

Pay Transparency

Salary for this role: 

National: $190,000 - $202,000
LA: $176,000 - $186,000
NYC: $184,000 - $195,000
SF: $206,000 - $218,000

The cash compensation above includes base salary, and is not reflective of potential commission for employees in eligible roles, or annual bonus targets under Route’s bonus plan for eligible roles. In addition to cash compensation, all Route employees are eligible to participate in Routes equity incentive plan to receive stock options per the terms of the agreement. Some roles may also be eligible for overtime pay. Individual compensation packages are based on a few different factors unique to each candidate, including their career level, skills, experience, specific geographic location qualifications and other job-related reasons.