Designer - Advanced UX

General Motors
Full-timeβ€’Warren, United States

πŸ“ Job Overview

Job Title: Designer - Advanced UX

Company: General Motors

Location: Warren, Michigan, United States

Job Type: Full-time

Category: User Experience (UX) Design / Human Interface Design

Date Posted: September 14, 2026

Experience Level: 2-5 Years Professional Experience

Remote Status: On-site

πŸš€ Role Summary

  • Spearhead the conceptualization and visualization of next-generation in-vehicle user experiences (UX) within GM's Human Interface Design (HID) team.

  • Drive innovation in advanced interfaces, immersive visuals, and emotionally resonant user interactions for future mobility solutions.

  • Utilize rapid prototyping, conceptual visualization, and 2D/3D design techniques to bring bold ideas to life.

  • Collaborate with cross-functional teams to influence major product decisions and shape the future of GM's design innovation.

πŸ“ Enhancement Note: While the raw job description focuses on design, this enhancement frames the role within the broader context of automotive UX and human-machine interaction (HMI), emphasizing its impact on user experience and product strategy within the automotive sector. The "Advanced UX" title suggests a focus on forward-looking, potentially disruptive interface technologies rather than incremental UI updates.

πŸ“ˆ Primary Responsibilities

  • Develop advanced UX concepts and compelling visual directions for future in-vehicle experiences, translating them into clear storyboards, narrative flows, and impactful visual storytelling.

  • Establish and maintain scalable design systems, comprehensive visual languages, and robust interface frameworks to ensure consistency and repeatability across diverse platforms and features.

  • Produce high-quality concept visuals, including detailed 2D illustrations, dynamic UI explorations, engaging motion studies, and foundational 3D models or animations that vividly demonstrate future-state interactions.

  • Construct interactive prototypes, ranging from low-fidelity wireframes to high-fidelity simulations, to facilitate informed decision-making, validate complex interaction patterns, and clearly illustrate feature flows and motion behaviors.

  • Drive rapid iteration cycles on user flows, interaction models, and motion behaviors, effectively refining the experience direction based on critical feedback and evolving user needs.

  • Deliver polished and production-ready design assets, such as precise layouts, concept sketches, sophisticated motion graphics, and detailed user journeys, optimized for seamless collaboration and handoff to development teams.

  • Present design concepts and strategies effectively to cross-functional stakeholders, including design, engineering, product management, and external suppliers, while proactively introducing novel inspiration from UX, mobility, gaming, and consumer technology trends.

πŸ“ Enhancement Note: These responsibilities are expanded to highlight the strategic and systematic aspects of advanced UX design within an automotive context. Emphasis is placed on the creation of design systems, the iterative process, and the communication of complex ideas to diverse technical and business audiences, aligning with typical advanced UX roles in product development.

πŸŽ“ Skills & Qualifications

Education: While not explicitly stated, a Bachelor's degree in Interaction Design, Graphic Design, Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), Industrial Design, or a related field is typically expected for this level of role. Equivalent practical experience will also be considered.

Experience: A minimum of 2 years of professional experience is required, with a strong emphasis on demonstrating interdisciplinary design skills across UX Design, Product Design, and Human Interface Design.

Required Skills:

  • A comprehensive and thoughtfully curated design portfolio (online or privately shared) that clearly demonstrates:

    • Mastery of the end-to-end UX design process, from research and ideation to iteration and final delivery.
    • Robust systems thinking capabilities, showcasing an understanding of how individual components contribute to a larger, cohesive experience.
    • Proven ability to create and iterate on prototypes, spanning from low-fidelity explorations to high-fidelity interactive simulations.
    • Demonstrated expertise in visual storytelling and narrative design, effectively communicating user journeys and interaction concepts.
    • Proficient handling of complex interaction design challenges, including intuitive navigation and task flows.
  • Expert proficiency in Figma for interface design, wireframing, and collaborative prototyping.

  • Advanced proficiency in ProtoPie for creating sophisticated, high-fidelity interactive prototypes and motion studies. Preferred Skills:

  • Strong proficiency in industry-standard design tools such as Sketch, Adobe XD, Adobe Photoshop, and Adobe Illustrator for asset creation and visual design.

  • Working knowledge of 3D modeling workflows and software (e.g., Blender, Maya, 3ds Max) to support conceptual visualization and asset creation for immersive experiences.

  • Previous experience with video editing tools like Adobe Premiere Pro or equivalent for creating compelling motion graphics and presentation videos.

  • A solid understanding of engineering and software development constraints within the automotive industry to ensure design feasibility.

πŸ“ Enhancement Note: The "Required Skills" section has been detailed to emphasize the critical components of an advanced UX portfolio, aligning with industry expectations for roles that involve conceptual and forward-looking design. The preferred skills are categorized to highlight complementary technical and creative proficiencies that would enhance a candidate's application.

πŸ“Š Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

  • End-to-End UX Process: Showcase a complete project lifecycle, illustrating your problem-solving approach, user research methodologies, ideation techniques, wireframing, prototyping, and user testing.

  • Systems Thinking & Design Systems: Present examples of how you've contributed to or created design systems, component libraries, or scalable visual languages that ensure consistency and efficiency across multiple interfaces or product lines.

  • Prototyping Expertise: Include a diverse range of prototypes, from low-fidelity explorations for concept validation to high-fidelity, interactive prototypes that demonstrate complex user flows, micro-interactions, and motion behaviors.

  • Visual Storytelling & Narrative Design: Demonstrate your ability to craft compelling narratives around user journeys and interaction flows through storyboards, user flow diagrams, and motion studies that clearly articulate the intended user experience.

  • Complex Interaction Design: Highlight projects where you've tackled intricate interaction challenges, focusing on intuitive navigation, information architecture, and task completion within a defined user context.

Process Documentation:

  • Workflow Design & Optimization: Provide examples of how you have mapped, analyzed, and optimized user workflows to improve efficiency, reduce cognitive load, and enhance user satisfaction.

  • System Implementation & Automation: Illustrate your experience in designing for or collaborating on the implementation of new systems or features, including how you considered automation opportunities to streamline processes.

  • Measurement & Performance Analysis: Where possible, demonstrate how you've used data and user feedback to measure the performance of your designs and inform subsequent iterations for continuous improvement.

πŸ“ Enhancement Note: This section is crucial for an advanced UX role. The portfolio requirements are specifically tailored to showcase the strategic thinking, systematic approach, and demonstrable skills required for conceptual and forward-looking design, going beyond standard UI design portfolios. The emphasis is on process and impact.

πŸ’΅ Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: Based on industry benchmarks for Advanced UX Designers with 2-5 years of experience in the Detroit metropolitan area, the estimated salary range is $95,000 - $135,000 annually. This range reflects the specialized skills, advanced knowledge, and the innovative nature of the role within a major automotive corporation like General Motors. Factors such as specific qualifications, interview performance, and the precise scope of responsibilities will influence the final offer.

Benefits:

  • Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance plans.

  • Generous paid time off (PTO), including vacation, sick leave, and holidays.

  • 401(k) retirement savings plan with company match.

  • Employee Stock Purchase Plan (ESPP).

  • Relocation assistance may be available for qualified candidates.

  • Access to GM's Employee Discount Program for vehicle purchases.

  • Opportunities for professional development, training, and continuing education.

  • Wellness programs and resources to support employee health and well-being.

Working Hours: This is a full-time, on-site position with standard working hours typically aligned with industry norms, estimated at 40 hours per week. While a structured schedule is expected, flexibility may be available based on project needs and team collaboration, with potential for occasional extended hours during critical project phases.

πŸ“ Enhancement Note: A salary range has been estimated based on the experience level, location (Detroit metro area, a hub for automotive design and engineering), and the specialized nature of an "Advanced UX Designer" role. This estimation is derived from a combination of industry salary data aggregators and specific insights into the automotive design sector. The benefits listed are typical for large, established corporations like General Motors.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏒 Company Culture

Industry: Automotive Manufacturing and Technology. General Motors is a global leader in designing, manufacturing, and selling vehicles, with a significant and growing focus on advanced technologies, electric vehicles (EVs), autonomous driving, and connected car services. This industry context means the Human Interface Design team operates at the forefront of technological innovation, blending traditional automotive engineering with cutting-edge digital experiences.

Company Size: Large Enterprise (over 10,000 employees). As a major global corporation, GM offers a structured environment with extensive resources, established processes, and opportunities for career advancement across various departments and geographies. This size also implies a need for strong process adherence and effective cross-functional collaboration to navigate complex organizational structures.

Founded: 1908. With over a century of history, GM has a deep legacy in automotive innovation. This long-standing presence signifies a stable, well-established company with a robust understanding of product development cycles and market dynamics, while also being actively engaged in transforming itself for the future of mobility.

Team Structure:

  • Operations: The Human Interface Design (HID) team, specifically the Advanced UX group, is likely a specialized unit within GM's broader Design or Engineering organization. It likely comprises a mix of senior and mid-level designers, researchers, and potentially technical artists.

  • Reporting: This role will likely report to a Design Manager or Lead within the Advanced UX group, who in turn reports to higher levels of design or engineering leadership.

  • Collaboration: The team fosters strong, continuous collaboration with various departments, including Product Development, Engineering (software and hardware), Marketing, and external suppliers and technology partners.

Methodology:

  • Data Analysis & Insights: Design decisions are informed by user research, market trend analysis, competitive benchmarking, and performance data from existing products.

  • Workflow Planning & Optimization: Emphasis on structured design processes, agile methodologies where applicable, and iterative development to ensure efficient and effective design outcomes.

  • Automation & Efficiency: Exploration and implementation of tools and processes that automate repetitive tasks and streamline the design workflow, enabling designers to focus on creative problem-solving.

Company Website: https://www.gm.com/

πŸ“ Enhancement Note: The company context is enriched by highlighting GM's strategic shift towards future mobility technologies, which directly impacts the scope and focus of the Advanced UX team. The team structure and collaboration patterns are inferred based on typical large enterprise operations in the automotive sector.

πŸ“ˆ Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is positioned as an Advanced Individual Contributor within the UX/Human Interface Design domain. It requires a blend of creative vision and technical execution, with an emphasis on exploring and defining future product experiences rather than solely executing on existing product roadmaps. Candidates are expected to bring a high level of design craft and strategic thinking.

Reporting Structure: The Designer - Advanced UX will report to a Design Lead or Manager within the Human Interface Design (HID) team. This reporting line suggests a structured environment where design direction is provided, but significant autonomy is expected in executing and evolving concepts. Collaboration will extend across engineering, product management, and other design disciplines.

Operations Impact: The work of this role has a direct and significant impact on the future user experience of General Motors vehicles. By conceptualizing and visualizing next-generation interfaces, this position influences product strategy, brand perception, and ultimately customer satisfaction and loyalty. The insights generated can guide long-term R&D investments and technological roadmaps for in-vehicle systems.

Growth Opportunities:

  • Operations Skill Advancement: Opportunities to deepen expertise in specific areas of UX design, such as advanced interaction modeling, generative design for interfaces, or immersive AR/VR experiences within vehicles.

  • Industry Specialization: Develop deep expertise in automotive UX and HMI, becoming a subject matter expert within GM and the broader industry.

  • Leadership Potential: With proven success and demonstrated leadership qualities, potential to move into Lead Designer, Design Manager, or Principal Designer roles, guiding teams and strategic design initiatives.

  • Cross-Functional Exposure: Gain exposure to cutting-edge automotive technologies, including electrification, autonomous driving, and connectivity, broadening professional scope.

πŸ“ Enhancement Note: This analysis focuses on the career trajectory within a large corporation like GM, emphasizing the progression from an advanced individual contributor to potential leadership roles. The "Operations Impact" section highlights how this design role contributes to the company's strategic goals and technological evolution.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The role is based at the GM Global Technical Center (GTC) in Warren, Michigan, which is a large, dedicated technical and design campus. This environment is likely a mix of collaborative open spaces, dedicated design studios, and private offices, fostering both teamwork and focused individual work.

Office Location(s): GM Global Technical Center - Design Center, Warren, Michigan, United States. This location is a hub for GM's design and engineering activities, offering state-of-the-art facilities and a concentrated environment of innovation.

Workspace Context:

  • Collaborative Environment: The Design Center is designed to encourage cross-pollination of ideas, with ample opportunities for spontaneous discussions and formal critiques among designers, engineers, and product specialists.

  • Operations Tools & Technology: Access to industry-leading design software, hardware, rapid prototyping tools, and potentially advanced visualization labs or VR/AR equipment to support the creation of next-generation interfaces.

  • Team Interaction: Regular team meetings, design reviews, workshops, and project-specific collaborations, providing consistent interaction with peers and leadership.

Work Schedule: Standard full-time hours (approximately 40 hours per week) are expected, with an on-site presence required. While the core hours are defined, the nature of advanced design work often involves periods of intense focus, potentially requiring flexibility to meet project deadlines and milestones.

πŸ“ Enhancement Note: The description of the work environment is based on the known location (GM GTC) and typical facilities for a large automotive manufacturer's design center, emphasizing the resources and collaborative atmosphere available to designers.

πŸ“„ Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

  • Initial Screening: A recruiter or hiring manager will review your application and resume, focusing on alignment with the core requirements and experience level.

  • Portfolio Review (Critical Stage): Expect a thorough review of your provided design portfolio. This is where you'll demonstrate your end-to-end UX process, systems thinking, visual storytelling, and proficiency with tools like Figma and ProtoPie. Be prepared to walk through 1-3 key projects in detail.

  • Technical/Design Interview: This stage may involve a virtual or in-person interview with members of the Human Interface Design team. You'll be asked to discuss your portfolio projects, your design philosophy, and your approach to specific UX challenges.

  • Case Study/Design Challenge (Potential): Some roles at this level may include a design exercise or case study to assess your problem-solving skills, ideation process, and ability to articulate design solutions under time constraints. This could involve a prompt related to automotive UX.

  • Cross-Functional Interview: You might meet with stakeholders from engineering or product management to assess your collaboration skills and ability to communicate design intent effectively across disciplines.

  • Final Interview: A concluding interview with senior leadership to discuss cultural fit, strategic alignment, and overall suitability for the role and team.

Portfolio Review Tips:

  • Curate Strategically: Select 3-4 of your strongest projects that best showcase the required skills: end-to-end UX, systems thinking, visual storytelling, and advanced prototyping. Prioritize automotive or complex interactive system projects if available.

  • Tell a Story: For each project, clearly articulate the problem, your role and responsibilities, the process you followed, the key decisions you made, the challenges you overcame, and the impact of your solution (quantifiable results are ideal).

  • Showcase Process: Don't just show final screens. Include wireframes, user flows, mood boards, sketches, prototypes (with interactive links or clear video demonstrations), and user research insights.

  • Highlight Tool Proficiency: Clearly indicate your level of expertise with Figma and ProtoPie, and how you leveraged them to achieve specific design outcomes.

  • Be Prepared for Questions: Anticipate questions about your design choices, how you handle feedback, your collaboration style, and your understanding of automotive UX trends.

Challenge Preparation:

  • Understand the Domain: Familiarize yourself with current trends in automotive UX, HMI, infotainment systems, connected car features, and emerging technologies like autonomous driving interfaces and AR/VR in vehicles.

  • Practice Problem-Solving: Work through hypothetical UX challenges related to in-car experiences, focusing on intuitive navigation, information hierarchy, and user safety.

  • Articulate Your Process: Be ready to explain your thought process clearly and concisely, emphasizing how you would approach a new problem from discovery to solution.

  • Focus on User Needs & Business Goals: Frame your solutions in terms of how they address user needs while also aligning with GM's business objectives.

πŸ“ Enhancement Note: This section provides actionable advice tailored to an advanced UX role within a large automotive company. The emphasis on portfolio content, the iterative interview process, and potential design challenges is designed to prepare candidates for the specific expectations of this type of position.

πŸ›  Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

  • Figma: Essential for all aspects of UI design, wireframing, prototyping, and collaborative design workflows. Expect to use its advanced features for component libraries, auto layout, and team collaboration.

  • ProtoPie: A key tool for creating high-fidelity, interactive prototypes that simulate complex interactions, animations, and device-specific behaviors. Crucial for demonstrating advanced motion and interaction concepts.

  • Sketch/Adobe XD: While Figma is primary, proficiency in these tools may be beneficial for compatibility with existing projects or specific team workflows.

  • Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator): Necessary for creating and manipulating visual assets, illustrations, icons, and graphics for UI elements and concept visualizations.

Analytics & Reporting:

  • While not a direct responsibility for this design role, understanding how design decisions impact user behavior and business metrics is key. Familiarity with analytics platforms (e.g., Google Analytics, Adobe Analytics, or proprietary automotive data platforms) and their application in UX is a plus.

  • Experience with data visualization tools (e.g., Tableau, Power BI) can be helpful for understanding user data and presenting insights. CRM & Automation:

  • Not directly applicable to the core responsibilities of this design role, but awareness of how user data is managed within CRM systems (like Salesforce) and how automation impacts user journeys can provide valuable context. 3D Modeling & Animation:

  • 3D Modeling Software (e.g., Blender, Maya, 3ds Max): Working knowledge is preferred for creating conceptual 3D models or simple animations to visualize complex forms or spatial interactions within the vehicle.

  • Video Editing Software (e.g., Adobe Premiere Pro): Useful for creating compelling motion graphics, editing prototype demos, and producing presentation videos to showcase design concepts effectively.

πŸ“ Enhancement Note: The tools listed are directly derived from the job description and AI-generated skills, with added context on how they are used in advanced UX design, particularly within an automotive context. The inclusion of 3D modeling and video editing reflects the "conceptual visualization" and "motion studies" aspects of the role.

πŸ‘₯ Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

  • User-Centricity: A deep commitment to understanding and advocating for the user, ensuring that all design decisions prioritize intuitive, inclusive, and delightful experiences.

  • Innovation & Curiosity: A drive to explore new technologies, design paradigms, and interaction models, constantly pushing the boundaries of what's possible in automotive UX.

  • Collaboration & Openness: A culture of teamwork, where diverse perspectives are valued, feedback is actively sought and given constructively, and cross-functional partnerships are essential for success.

  • Craftsmanship & Excellence: A dedication to high-quality design execution, attention to detail, and a pursuit of elegant, effective solutions that meet both user needs and business objectives.

  • Data-Driven Decision Making: An approach that leverages user research, analytics, and testing to inform design choices and measure impact, moving beyond subjective preferences.

Collaboration Style:

  • Cross-Functional Integration: Expect to work closely with engineers, product managers, researchers, and other designers. The ability to translate design ideas into technical requirements and understand technical constraints is vital.

  • Iterative Feedback Loops: A culture that encourages regular design reviews, critiques, and feedback sessions to refine concepts and solutions collaboratively throughout the design process.

  • Knowledge Sharing: A proactive approach to sharing insights, best practices, and learnings across the team and with wider departments, fostering a collective growth environment.

πŸ“ Enhancement Note: These values and collaboration styles are inferred based on the nature of advanced UX design roles in innovative industries and the culture often promoted by large, forward-thinking companies like GM. They emphasize the blend of creative exploration and disciplined execution required.

⚑ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

  • Defining the Future: The primary challenge is conceptualizing and designing user experiences for technologies that may not yet exist or are in early stages of development (e.g., advanced autonomous driving interfaces, novel in-car connectivity features).

  • Balancing Innovation with Feasibility: Navigating the complexities of automotive development, including hardware limitations, software constraints, safety regulations, and production timelines, while pushing innovative design boundaries.

  • Cross-Disciplinary Communication: Effectively communicating complex, forward-looking design concepts to diverse teams (engineering, product, marketing) who may have different technical backgrounds and priorities.

  • Rapid Technological Evolution: Staying abreast of and integrating rapidly evolving technologies from UX, mobility, gaming, and consumer tech into automotive applications.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

  • Specialized Training: Access to internal and external training programs focused on advanced UX methodologies, new design tools, automotive HMI standards, and emerging technologies.

  • Industry Conferences & Events: Opportunities to attend leading UX, design, and automotive technology conferences to gain insights and network with industry professionals.

  • Mentorship Programs: Potential to be mentored by senior designers or leaders within GM's extensive design organization, guiding career development and skill enhancement.

  • Exposure to Cutting-Edge Projects: Working on high-impact, R&D-focused projects that allow for exploration and experimentation with future vehicle technologies.

πŸ“ Enhancement Note: The challenges outlined are specific to the "Advanced UX" nature of the role, focusing on innovation, future-proofing, and cross-functional collaboration within the automotive sector. Growth opportunities are framed around skill development and career progression within a large corporate structure.

πŸ’‘ Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

  • "Describe a time you conceptualized a future product experience that required significant innovation. What was your process, and how did you validate your ideas?" (Focus on your advanced UX process, creativity, and validation methods).

  • "How do you approach building design systems or visual languages for complex, multi-platform experiences? Provide an example from your portfolio." (Highlight your systems thinking and ability to create scalable solutions).

  • "Discuss a situation where you had to present a novel or potentially disruptive design concept to stakeholders who were skeptical. How did you gain their buy-in?" (Showcase your communication, storytelling, and persuasion skills).

  • "How do you balance user needs with technical constraints and business objectives in your design process?" (Demonstrate your pragmatic approach and understanding of real-world development). Company & Culture Questions:

  • "What excites you most about designing the future of in-vehicle experiences at General Motors?" (Show your understanding of GM's vision and your passion for automotive UX).

  • "How do you stay current with trends in UX, mobility, gaming, and consumer technology, and how do you see these influencing automotive design?" (Demonstrate your industry awareness and forward-thinking approach).

  • "Describe your ideal collaborative environment. How do you typically work with engineering and product teams?" (Assess your team fit and cross-functional collaboration style). Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

  • Structure Your Narrative: For each project, clearly outline the problem statement, your specific role, the design process, key challenges, your solutions, and the measurable impact. Use a consistent structure.

  • Demonstrate Process, Not Just Pixels: Show your thinking – sketches, wireframes, user flows, research insights, and iterations – alongside final polished visuals.

  • Highlight Key Tools: Explicitly mention and demonstrate your expertise with Figma and ProtoPie, explaining how these tools enabled specific outcomes in your projects.

  • Interactive Prototypes: Ensure your interactive prototypes are easily accessible and function flawlessly. Be prepared to demo them live or provide clear video walkthroughs.

  • Conciseness is Key: Be prepared to present your strongest projects within a defined timeframe, focusing on the most impactful aspects. Know which details to elaborate on and which to summarize.

πŸ“ Enhancement Note: These interview questions and preparation tips are designed to probe the specific skills and mindset required for an "Advanced UX Designer" role, focusing on innovation, strategic thinking, and the ability to navigate complex development environments within a large automotive corporation.

πŸ“Œ Application Steps

To apply for this Advanced UX Designer position:

  • Submit Your Application: Complete the online application through the provided link, ensuring all requested information is accurate and complete.

  • Tailor Your Resume: Customize your resume to highlight your 2+ years of relevant UX, Product Design, or Human Interface Design experience. Emphasize achievements, quantifiable results, and keywords from the job description, especially those related to advanced concepts, prototyping, and automotive UX.

  • Prepare Your Portfolio: Curate your online portfolio to showcase 3-4 of your strongest projects that demonstrate end-to-end UX process, systems thinking, visual storytelling, and proficiency with Figma and ProtoPie. Ensure it is polished, easily navigable, and includes detailed case studies.

  • Practice Your Presentation: Rehearse walking through your portfolio projects, focusing on clearly articulating the problem, your process, your solutions, and the impact. Be ready to answer in-depth questions about your design decisions and technical expertise.

  • Research GM's Design Vision: Familiarize yourself with General Motors' current design language, future mobility initiatives (e.g., EVs, autonomous driving), and any recent UX innovations. Understanding their strategic direction will help you tailor your responses and demonstrate genuine interest.

⚠️ Important Notice: This enhanced job description includes AI-generated insights and operations industry-standard assumptions. All details should be verified directly with the hiring organization before making application decisions.

Application Requirements

Requires 2+ years of professional experience in UX, Product, or Human Interface Design. Candidates must provide a portfolio demonstrating end-to-end UX processes, systems thinking, and expert proficiency in Figma and prototyping tools.