Opportunity at
PinterestStaff Motion Designer, Design Innovation
Pinterest operates a platform that helps millions of people worldwide discover creative inspiration, explore new ideas, and plan future projects. The company is currently hiring a…
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About This Role
Pinterest operates a platform that helps millions of people worldwide discover creative inspiration, explore new ideas, and plan future projects. The company is currently hiring a Staff Motion Designer, Design Innovation to work on-site in San Francisco. This position is ideal for an experienced motion craft leader and systems thinker who wants to shape the visual and functional movement of flagship features and AI-forward experiences. In this hands-on capacity, the…
Job Description
Pinterest operates a platform that helps millions of people worldwide discover creative inspiration, explore new ideas, and plan future projects. The company is currently hiring a Staff Motion Designer, Design Innovation to work on-site in San Francisco.
This position is ideal for an experienced motion craft leader and systems thinker who wants to shape the visual and functional movement of flagship features and AI-forward experiences. In this hands-on capacity, the professional will establish reusable animation principles, tokens, and guidance within the design system while collaborating closely with product and engineering teams.
The role requires developing prototypes, validating design ideas across multiple mediums, and conducting quality reviews to maintain a high standard of craft. Candidates should possess a strong background in digital product motion, systems thinking, and cross-functional leadership. Pinterest offers an inclusive, equal opportunity work environment and provides compensation details including a base salary range and eligibility for equity.
Responsibilities
- Develop and expand the motion design language, including rules, transition patterns, timing, and tokens for reusable application across the product ecosystem.
- Drive motion direction for flagship and AI-centered offerings to clarify visual hierarchy, system responsiveness, and user feedback.
- Collaborate horizontally with product designers, engineers, product managers, researchers, and content designers to align feature work with a unified motion strategy.
- Convert detailed design explorations into scalable components that improve consistency and speed up team workflows.
- Build and test animation concepts rapidly using motion studies, software tools, code, or AI-assisted utilities.
- Work alongside engineering staff during development to address technical animation challenges while preserving performance and platform standards.
- Create lightweight templates and workflows to help designers and engineers execute animations efficiently.
- Utilize modern AI-enabled motion tools strategically for ideation and production while maintaining quality control.
- Evaluate motion implementations, provide constructive feedback, and mentor peers on animation principles and systems thinking.
- Communicate design decisions and trade-offs clearly to colleagues and leadership.
Requirements
- Minimum of 8 years of background in motion design, product design, interaction design, or a closely related field.
- Proven portfolio highlighting high-level motion craftsmanship implemented in shipped digital items or platforms.
- Track record at a staff or principal level of guiding cross-functional direction and increasing quality without formal authority.
- Comprehensive knowledge of motion and interaction design concepts such as easing, timing, choreography, spring behavior, and transitions.
- Experience building or evolving scalable motion systems like token sets, pattern libraries, and governance documentation.
- Demonstrated history of cooperating directly with engineers to deliver complex animations while managing technical limitations and performance.
- Proficiency with prototyping tools, coding workflows, or technical applications to communicate intent.
- Strong product and systems thinking capabilities tying design choices to user needs and accessibility.
- Strong communication skills for documenting standards, leading critiques, and aligning partners.
Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in design, animation, human-computer interaction, a related discipline, or equivalent work experience.
- Prior involvement defining movement for AI, conversational, multimodal, or emerging product experiences.
- Experience contributing to platform-wide design systems, public motion frameworks, or open-source animation libraries.
- Background building tools for designers or engineers to streamline motion prototyping and implementation.
- Experience working within large-scale consumer goods, personalization, or rapid experimentation settings.
Core Skills
Benefits
- Base salary range between $158,765 and $326,870 USD for US-based applicants
- Eligibility for equity
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the employment type for this position?
This is a full-time position.
Where is the job located and what is the remote policy?
The role is based in San Francisco with an on-site requirement to be in the office for in-person collaboration one to two times every six months.
What is the salary range for this role?
The base salary range for US-based applicants is $158,765 to $326,870 USD, and the position is also eligible for equity.
Does Pinterest provide relocation assistance for this position?
No, this position is not eligible for relocation assistance.
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