Design Director

Instrument is a remote-first digital product and brand experience agency with a team of over 200 talented individuals, organized across four specialized teams. Each team brings its expertise to life through best-in-class work, crafting transformative experiences for our clients. Our shift to a fully remote model has opened new doors for creativity, flexibility, and stronger client relationships. This approach not only strengthens our culture but also allows us to embrace diverse voices, perspectives, and ideas.
We’re passionate about career growth, personal support, and work-life balance—values that are central to everything we do. At Instrument, we foster a culture of safety and belonging that empowers people, celebrates their unique talents, and fuels innovation. We believe our differences make us stronger, and we’re dedicated to cultivating a workplace that reflects the diversity of the communities we serve. Instrument is an equal opportunity workplace - we are dedicated to equal employment opportunities regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, disability, gender identity/expression, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. We also consider qualified applicants regardless of criminal histories, consistent with legal requirements.
We will work to ensure individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation throughout the hiring process and in the workplace. These adjustments ensure that individuals with disabilities have an equal opportunity not only to get a job, but successfully perform their job tasks to the same extent as people without disabilities.Here, we strive to provide the support, connections, and encouragement to do your best work. Come join us and help create the future!
As Design Director at Instrument you build best-in class digital platforms and experiences. You believe the best work is ahead of you and thrive on leading a multidisciplinary team in the meticulous art of solving hard problems through the design process. 

What You'll Do:

• Inspire by making: lead designers through every aspect of the design process 
• Cultivate, guide, and lead your team with a strong point of view and creative vision
• Fearlessly concept, iterate, prototype and test in an effort to deliver strategic, elegant and simple design solutions
• Build and manage client partnerships from project kickoff to timely delivery
• Create smart and strategic thinking illustrated through concise and articulate presentations
• Lead a project and team autonomously with limited process and hierarchy in place
• Influence the design team with brave and inspired design solutions
• In the work with team and clients 60%, Working on their own 40%

What You'll Bring:

• 8+ years experience leading a design team in the pursuit of exceptional digital experiences, bonus for tours in startup cultures as a product design lead
• A portfolio demonstrating high proficiency in delivering strategically grounded design thinking across various digital platforms
• A curious student of emerging technologies that in turn applies and drives innovation in the work you lead and create
• A knack for collaborating with designers, producers, developers, and business owners to understand what a project needs at any given moment in an effort to move the project forward
• Comfortable in being uncomfortable and thoughtful about taking risks

Pay Range:

• The expected pay range for this position is $135,000-$160,000 for our base US Region 3*. We have three regional pay ranges that are adjusted for cost of living (US1 +15%, US2 +7.5%, US3 Base), *learn more about our pay philosophy and cost of living adjustments.

What We OfferFlexible, Hybrid Work EnvironmentGreat Compensation with Annual Reviews (Learn more about our Pay Philosophy)Annual Profit Sharing401(k) Matching with Immediate VestingRobust Medical, Vision, and Accident Insurance Generous Paid Holidays and unlimited PTOSabbaticalsMonthly Wellbeing StipendCareer Management and Leadership Training Apply