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AI Design Lead

San Francisco, California, United States

Highwire is reimagining what a creative designer can be. We are an AI-native, sector-expert, outcome-obsessed partner to the world’s most innovative companies. As our AI Design Lead, you sit at the intersection of human-centered creative craft and machine-driven scale. You are a designer and a systems architect, defining how we build repeatable creative workflows that turn potential into influence. You will play a central role in operationalizing AI across our creative workflows, ensuring that our work maintains its gravity and cultural relevance while accelerating delivery.

About You:

You are a design hybrid with a deep appreciation for the traditional craft of visual communication and a forward-thinking mastery of AI. You have spent the last three years in the trenches of LLM-driven platforms, moving beyond simple prompting to build scalable, production-ready creative systems. Your portfolio proves your ability to command large-scale brand work that resonates, and your experience demonstrates that you understand how to harness technology to amplify—not replace—the human element.

Key Responsibilities

  • Architect AI-Native Creative Systems: Partner with our Innovation and Creative teams to build and refine workflows that translate approved human-first designs into scalable, multi-format asset systems.
  • Bridge Craft and Scale: Maintain Highwire’s standard for high-quality, high-gravity creative output while overseeing the automated generation, versioning, and adaptation of assets for global campaigns.
  • Human Oversight: Execute AI-assisted production workflows in accordance with client branding and compliance requirements, with mandatory human review and approval at all production stages before submission.
  • Operationalize AI Integration: Deeply integrate LLMs and design APIs (Figma, Canva, Adobe Firefly, etc.) into our daily creative lifecycle, streamlining the journey from concept to execution.
  • Brand Compliance: Maintain and execute AI-assisted compliance checks against client brand guidelines and visual standards.
  • Modular Production: Build and version modular asset systems that can support scaled campaign production across formats and channels, with the flexibility to surge as launch volume fluctuates.
  • Guardrails Maintenance: Maintain and update AI production guardrails libraries and brand standards documentation as brands and campaigns evolve, documenting prompt structures, workflow decisions, and asset versioning for team knowledge and QA purposes.
  • Creative Governance & QA: Conduct quality assessment of AI-generated output across diverse client industries (B2B tech, healthcare, financial services), ensuring assets meet brand standards and strategic intent before escalating to senior Creative leads for final approval.
  • Cross-Functional Collaboration: Partner with senior Creative leads and account teams to ensure all AI outputs align with client-specific marketing objectives, ensuring our technology-enabled services increase multi-service attachment and client ROI.
  • Mentorship: Champion the use of AI tools across the wider creative team, fostering a culture of experimentation and raising the baseline of our agency’s AI fluency.

Candidate Requirements

  • LLM Deep-Dive: 3+ years of professional, hands-on experience working directly with LLM-driven platforms and AI-integrated design apps (e.g., generative image models, LLM-based layout tools).
  • Prompt Art Direction Engineering: Demonstrated fluency in structuring, iterating, and version-controlling prompts within production AI environments, beyond what general LLM platforms can do.
  • Proven Design Craft: A robust portfolio of large-scale brand work that demonstrates mastery of typography, layout, motion design, and visual storytelling—competing with top-tier agency work.
  • Strategic & Technical Fluency: Proven ability to translate creative strategy into technical workflows; you don’t just understand the “what,” but the “how” of automating high-quality design.
  • Production Scalability: Comfort operating in a high-volume, deadline-driven environment with fluctuating production demands and the ability to adapt quickly to shifting campaign priorities.
  • Agency Experience: Experience working in a fast-paced agency environment, comfortable with shifting priorities, tight deadlines, and complex, multi-stakeholder feedback loops.
  • Team Integration: Experience working as an embedded contributor, executing within defined systems and escalating creative decisions to senior leads appropriately.
  • System-First Mindset: Experience in building design systems, template libraries, and component-based creative architectures that scale.
  • Collaborative Spirit: A demonstrated history of partnering across disciplines (Content, Strategy, Accounts) to ensure design is a primary driver of business outcomes.

 

The salary range for this position is $80,000 to $105,000, with the final offer based on a combination of factors, including education, relevant experience, skills, prior training, internal equity, and local geographic market data. This role also includes a competitive benefits package with medical, dental, and vision coverage, 401(k) matching, generous paid time off, and additional perks designed to support your overall well-being and growth. #LI-Hybrid

About Highwire

Highwire is a strategic marketing communications agency at the intersection of innovation and industry. We partner with ambitious companies and established brands to navigate complexity, lead markets, and grow with purpose. With integrated expertise in strategic marketing and communications, corporate reputation, creative, and insights, we cut through the noise to deliver bold ideas and measurable impact across B2B technology, healthcare, cybersecurity, energy, professional and financial services, and more.

At Highwire, we believe that storytelling fuels transformation. We know that the most impactful stories represent all voices and perspectives. As a values-driven agency, we foster an inclusive environment where everyone—regardless of age, race/ethnicity, size, shape, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion and different abilities–can feel safe, celebrated and worthy.

We ensure that every Highwire Walker has the requisite support to soar in their careers. Our commitment to diversity, inclusion and belonging is foundational and embedded in our business and culture. We aspire to change our industry and build a better future for all.

Our people-first culture is driven by four core values:

  • Team Empowerment
  • Growth Mindset
  • Inclusion Always
  • Fierce Distinction

We’re looking for individuals with big ideas, strong opinions, and the energy to bring them to life. If you thrive in an environment that values personal accountability, high standards, and boundless motivation, this is the opportunity for you. Be part of our award-winning culture and contribute to an exciting and growing business where you can make a real impact.

Highwire. Above all.

Our people-first culture is reflected in the meaningful benefits, flexibility, and support we offer:

  • Competitive salary with merit-based opportunities for growth
  • Flexible hybrid work model tailored to your schedule and lifestyle
  • Generous vacation policy, including extended summer and winter breaks
  • Early log-off on Fridays through our Empower Hours program
  • 401(k) plan with employer matching
  • Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage, plus FSA options
  • Paid parental leave benefits
  • Commuter benefits
  • Annual Growth Mindset stipend for books, events, or learning experiences
  • Monthly technology reimbursement
  • Wellness benefit program for mental and physical health
  • 501c3 donation matching program
  • Mentorship and ongoing professional development opportunities
  • Monthly recognition and team celebrations
  • Employee referral and new business referral bonuses
  • Quarterly Highwire events and team gatherings
  • Dog-friendly office environment
  • A supportive, inclusive, and collaborative workplace where you can grow and do your best work

Location & Work Environment

Highwire offers both remote and hybrid work options, depending on where you live.

Hybrid: Candidates located within commuting distance of our New York, NY or San Francisco, CA offices follow a hybrid schedule, with three in-office days per week.

Remote: We hire for fully remote roles in the following states: California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Washington, and Washington, D.C..

Please note: We are only able to consider candidates who reside in one of the locations listed above at the time of hire.

Join the Highwire team

If you’re inspired by the opportunity to shape meaningful stories and grow alongside a team that values innovation, accountability, and inclusion, apply below to start the conversation.

Please note: This posting may be used to build our talent pipeline, connect with top professionals in the industry, or extend reach across multiple locations. We welcome all interested candidates to apply and explore opportunities at Highwire!

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