About the role#
Figma’s Interaction Design team focuses on how users express interactive experiences. We work on everything from single interactions to complex animated transitions. Our goal is to make it easier for designers to author, refine, and understand interactive behavior. As a PhD intern, you will combine HCI research with engineering to define the next generation of design tooling. You will be embedded within a team to work on problems that intersect with your research area.
What you'll do#
- Apply research insights to product challenges.
- Collaborate with engineers, PMs, designers, and researchers to scope and execute your work.
- Develop, validate, and document solutions ranging from prototypes to production-ready systems.
- Share your expertise through presentations, design reviews, and cross-functional collaboration.
- Deliver a project with real impact by the end of your 12 or 16-week internship.
What you'll need#
- Current enrollment as a 4th or 5th year PhD student in Computer Science, Human-Computer Interaction, Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, or a related field.
- Demonstrated ability to translate complex research concepts into practical, scalable solutions.
- A track record of rigorous problem-solving through academic or applied research.
- Proficiency in at least one general purpose coding language.
- A creative portfolio including time-based media, animation, game development, or digital illustration is preferred.
- Strong communication skills and experience collaborating across functions.
- Experience using AI-assisted development tools to write, debug, and optimize code.
- Applied engineering skills via industry experience or prior internships.
- First-author publications in top academic conferences related to our focus areas.
Location & details#
- This is a full-time, paid internship for Summer 2027.
- The role is based on-site in either our San Francisco, California or New York, New York hub.
- We provide a housing stipend and travel reimbursement.
About Figma
Figma operates in the design services industry. It provides a platform for collaborative design work. The company started in 2012 and maintains its headquarters in San Francisco, California. It employs between 1,001 and 5,000 people. The organization remains privately held.
How to get in at Figma
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