Interesting - I can't help but intently watch with morbid curiosity as the UX field of 7-10 years ago rapidly mutates into a parody of itself (and people who take themselves way too seriously), so I'm surprised this one slipped past me.

As others have commented, design systems can definitely be designed, but systems can be designed too - systems analyst and business analyst are two of the oldest roles in the IT industry and still going strong. It could be a case of mixed messages, but if not and this is actually a thing, I look forward to/absolutely dread the day I come across an ad for a generic UX role with the title "system designer" mindlessly tacked on to it.

Thanks...I think.