Work Design Architect

Upside
Austin
Workplace: HybridFull timeUSD 179,000 - 195,000 annuallyFunction: Solutions Engineering & Sales EngineeringSkills: []

Lead the design of an operating system for R&D at Upside, building an AI-native, explicit, machine-accessible operating blueprint. You’ll own the R&D operating model, shape forums and rhythms, and serve as the internal expert on scalable, system-level process design across a technical organization without formal authority. A first-hire mindset and strong craft will drive cross-team impact in a hybrid, Austin-based role.

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FursaFursa
Upside
Upside
3 months ago

Work Design Architect

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Canonical indexed version, validated from employer's careers page.

Source: Company careers pageValidated by: Fursa AI
Last checked: 8 hours agoStatus: Live

Job Summary

Lead the design of an operating system for R&D at Upside, building an AI-native, explicit, machine-accessible operating blueprint. You’ll own the R&D operating model, shape forums and rhythms, and serve as the internal expert on scalable, system-level process design across a technical organization without formal authority. A first-hire mindset and strong craft will drive cross-team impact in a hybrid, Austin-based role.
Location: Austin
Workplace: Hybrid
Employment Type: Full time
Job Function: Solutions Engineering & Sales Engineering
Seniority: Director level

Key Responsibilities

  • •Own and steward the R&D Operating Blueprint — keep it current as the organization evolves, run periodic health checks, and make redesign calls when something isn't working
  • •Lead operating rhythm work: forum design, cadence changes, redesigns, and post-mortems — the ongoing drumbeat of keeping the operating model healthy
  • •Serve as the internal expert on AI-native process design — the go-to voice for "how do we build this as a system, not a document"
  • •Location: hybrid role based in Austin, Chicago, DC, or NYC office with in-office days as required
  • •Collaborate across teams to ensure cross-functional alignment and long-term operating model health

Pay and Benefits

Salary: USD 179,000 - 195,000 annually
Equity and Bonus:Equity
Perks:MedicalDentalVision401kEquityParental LeavePaid LeaveLearning StipendMeal AllowanceWellness StipendHealth Insurance

Key Requirements

  • •Deep experience in program management, organizational design, or operating model work; you think in systems, not projects.
  • •A genuine point of view on how AI changes organizational dynamics, not just individual workflows.
  • •Demonstrated ability to design and implement operating models, not just document existing ones.
  • •Experience working across a technical organization without authority; your influence comes from craft and accessibility, not the org chart.
  • •A "first-hire" mindset — you build structure where none exists and don't wait for permission to start.
Experience:AIOrganizational designOperating model
Tech Stack:AIOperating modelProgram managementSystems thinking

Company Brief

Upside
Operates a consumer cashback and rewards platform that offers drivers and shoppers rebates on fuel, groceries, and dining by partnering with merchants and payment networks to deliver targeted offers and payments-driven incentives.
Industry: Payments
Company Size: Large (251 to 1,000 employees)
Growth: Scaleup
Headquarters: Washington, D.C., United States
WebsiteLinkedIn