Syndicate Labs is looking for an experienced Lead Web Designer to join our team in Vista, CA.

We're growing and looking for someone to elevate our creative quality and own design excellence across a wide range of client projects.

This is a design-first leadership role for someone who creates exceptional digital experiences and owns design quality from concept through launch. You'll lead UX/UI in Figma, collaborate closely with our production team, and ensure every project meets a high creative standard before it reaches the client.

Success in this role is measured by the quality of the final product, not the number of pages you build. While you'll occasionally support production, your primary focus is creating exceptional user experiences across business websites, e-commerce stores, landing pages, and custom web applications.

Design Leadership

• Lead UX/UI direction for websites and digital products
• Create polished Figma designs for business websites, e-commerce, landing pages, and custom web applications
• Translate business goals into intuitive user experiences and compelling visual designs
• Present design concepts and explain UX/UI decisions to clients
• Establish and maintain high design standards across all projects
• Drive consistency through typography, spacing, hierarchy, responsive design, and component systems
• Continuously improve the creative quality of projects

Collaboration & Quality

• Collaborate with designers, developers, and project managers throughout implementation
• Partner with production designers to ensure the final website reflects the approved design
• Provide design feedback and collaborate on refinements during production
• Review completed websites for typography, spacing, responsiveness, accessibility, interactions, and overall visual polish
• Resolve design inconsistencies and ensure every project meets quality standards before launch

Technical

• Be comfortable working within modern CMS platforms and visual builders when needed to support implementation
• Design with technical constraints and real-world implementation in mind
• Jump into projects to refine implementation, unblock production, or polish key pages when necessary
• Collaborate closely with developers to ensure functionality aligns with the approved design
• Work with the marketing team on landing pages and conversion-focused improvements
• Use AI tools to improve workflow, efficiency, and design exploration

Required Skills

• 5+ years of professional web design experience
• Exceptional portfolio demonstrating strong UX/UI, visual design, and launched websites
• Advanced Figma experience, including Auto Layout, Components, Variants, Variables, Design Systems, Responsive Design, and Interactive Prototyping
• Strong understanding of UX, visual hierarchy, typography, spacing, color, accessibility, responsive design, and conversion-focused design
• Experience designing business websites, e-commerce experiences, landing pages, and custom web applications
• Strong understanding of how modern websites are built, including CMS platforms, responsive development, and real-world technical constraints
• Experience designing with production teams using WordPress, Shopify, WooCommerce, Elementor, Webflow, or similar CMS platforms
• Working knowledge of HTML/CSS and front-end implementation best practices
• Ability to review, critique, and maintain design quality throughout production with exceptional attention to detail
• Comfortable presenting design concepts and explaining UX/UI decisions to clients
• Experience using AI tools to improve design workflows and productivity
• Strong communication skills with a collaborative, proactive, and ownership-driven mindset

Preferred Skills

• Agency experience designing and delivering websites for multiple clients and industries
• Experience leading design reviews and maintaining quality across multiple concurrent projects
• Experience creating or maintaining design systems and reusable component libraries
• Experience with conversion rate optimization (CRO), landing page strategy, and A/B testing
• Familiarity with SEO best practices and designing for search-friendly websites
• Experience with motion design and micro-interactions
• Familiarity with UX analytics tools such as GA4, Microsoft Clarity, or Hotjar
• Experience collaborating with developers on custom web applications or SaaS products
• Experience using AI tools to enhance design workflows, content creation, and productivity

Work Location

This is a primarily in-office role based in Vista, CA.

Candidates should expect to work in the office Monday through Friday. Limited remote flexibility may be considered case by case.

This is not a fully remote position. Candidates must live in or be willing to relocate to the San Diego / North County area.

This Role Is Not a Fit If

• You are looking for a fully remote position.
• You prefer production over design leadership.
• You only enjoy creating mockups and not seeing them through implementation.
• You do not enjoy collaborating with developers and production teams.
• You prefer a highly specialized corporate role over a fast-paced agency.
• You need heavy direction rather than taking ownership.
• You cannot provide both Figma work and launched websites.
• You are a freelancer, agency, or contractor.

Benefits

• Health insurance
• Dental insurance
• 401(k) + matching
• Paid time off and sick leave
• Paid federal holidays
• Performance-based bonus incentives
• Growth opportunity
• Collaborative team environment

Application Instructions

Please submit:

• Resume
• Portfolio link
• 2–3 Figma design examples (desktop and responsive preferred, screenshot are ok)
• 2–3 live websites you personally designed
• A short note describing your role on each project

Applications without live website examples will not be considered.

This is a full-time, in-house role based in Vista, CA.

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About Syndicate Labs

Established in 2005, Syndicate Labs is an established digital agency with 21+ years in business. We provide web design, development, e-commerce, landing pages, SEO, PPC, and custom web-based solutions for clients across a wide range of industries.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $89,000.00 - $100,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Paid time off

Application Question(s):

• Figma Designs, provide 3 Figma design or screenshot of your design for review. The design should have your design system, desktop, and responsive layouts in them.
• Please provide links to 2–3 live websites you personally designed. For each website, briefly describe your role and what you were personally responsible for.

Experience:

• Web design: 5 years (Required)

Location:

• Vista, CA 92084 (Preferred)

Ability to Commute:

• Vista, CA 92084 (Preferred)

Work Location: In person