Director / Principal Product Design (AI)

TL;DR

Director / Principal, Product Design (AI): Leading the design direction for AI-powered search experiences across global travel platforms with an accent on systems thinking, high-fidelity prototyping, and human-centered interaction models. Focus on translating complex machine learning capabilities into intuitive discovery tools that build traveler trust and scale across multiple brands.

Location: Must be based in or able to work from New York, Los Angeles, San Jose, San Francisco, Seattle, Austin, Chicago, or London.

Salary: $224,000 – $387,000 (varies by location).

Company

A global travel technology company connecting travelers, partners, and advertisers through flagship brands like Expedia, Hotels.com, and Vrbo.

What you will do

• Own and lead the design direction for AI-powered search experiences from concept through execution.
• Define interaction models for how travelers express intent and explore complex travel options.
• Work hands-on with high-fidelity design, prototyping, and systems thinking to solve discovery challenges.
• Partner with Product, Engineering, and Data Science to align roadmaps and integrate AI strategy.
• Establish and scale experience patterns and quality standards across parallel search workstreams.
• Represent the traveler in senior-level forums to influence the future of intelligent travel discovery.

Requirements

• 12+ years of experience in product design with at least 4 years leading design teams at scale.
• Deep expertise in search, discovery, or recommendation systems and AI/ML relevance principles.
• Proven track record of translating ambiguous technical opportunities into intuitive user experiences.
• Expertise in modern design and prototyping platforms including Figma and Cursor.
• Strong understanding of AI and conversational design tools, including LLMs and prompt engineering.
• Exceptional communication and storytelling skills to influence cross-functional stakeholders.

Nice to have

• Deep knowledge of semantic and natural language search and AI explainability.
• Experience driving design excellence across multiple brands and platforms.
• Demonstrated ability to connect design quality to measurable product outcomes through experimentation.

Culture & Benefits

• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage.
• Wellness and travel reimbursement programs.
• Travel discounts and International Airlines Travel Agent Network (IATAN) membership.
• Supportive environment focused on traveler-first innovation and professional growth.