In-Vehicle UX Guru

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: In-Vehicle UX Guru

Company: Critical Techworks

Location: Lisbon, Portugal; Porto, Portugal

Job Type: Full-Time

Category: UX/Product Design (with a strong focus on automotive and in-vehicle experiences)

Date Posted: 2026-09-23

Experience Level: Mid-Level (2-5 years)

Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• Design and develop intuitive, visually appealing user interfaces for in-vehicle and mobile digital ecosystems, focusing on enhancing the BMW customer experience.

• Conduct in-depth user research, including on-site customer visits, to deeply understand user needs, behaviors, and mental models.

• Translate user insights into tangible design artifacts such as high-fidelity mock-ups, journey maps, and workflow diagrams.

• Collaborate closely with product owners and development teams within an agile framework to define user stories and front-end specifications.

• Iterate on designs through continuous testing and refinement to optimize user satisfaction and product effectiveness.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the title is "In-Vehicle UX Guru," the description clarifies that the role encompasses both in-vehicle and mobile touchpoints, with a strong emphasis on the former. The "Guru" aspect implies a high level of expertise and a proactive, influential approach to UX design within the automotive sector.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Lead user research initiatives, including ethnographic studies at customer locations, to gather deep insights into user needs and pain points within the automotive context.

• Create comprehensive user journey maps, wireframes, and high-fidelity mock-ups that effectively communicate proposed user flows and interface designs.

• Develop detailed user stories and front-end specifications to ensure seamless handover and accurate implementation by development teams.

• Actively participate in agile ceremonies (e.g., Scrum) to contribute design perspectives and ensure alignment with product goals throughout the development lifecycle.

• Champion user-centric design principles across cross-functional teams, including Product Owners, Developers, and other stakeholders, to ensure cohesive product development.

• Present design concepts, research findings, and impact analyses compellingly to internal teams and external stakeholders.

• Continuously test and iterate on designs based on feedback and performance data to achieve optimal user experience and product outcomes.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a blend of strategic user research, detailed design execution, and collaborative teamwork within an agile environment, typical for mid-level UX roles in fast-paced tech companies, especially those in product development.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: While no specific degree is mentioned, a Bachelor's or Master's degree in Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), Design, Psychology, Computer Science, or a related field is generally expected for this level of role. A strong portfolio demonstrating relevant experience can often substitute for specific educational requirements.

Experience: Minimum of 2 years of professional experience in product design or UX design, with a demonstrable focus on user-centered design principles and practices.

Required Skills:

• Proven experience as a Product Designer or UX Designer.

• Strong proficiency in conducting user research and translating findings into actionable design insights.

• Expertise in creating high-fidelity mock-ups, journey maps, and workflow diagrams.

• Demonstrated ability to develop user stories and front-end specifications.

• Experience working within agile development methodologies, such as Scrum.

• Excellent storytelling and presentation skills, with the ability to articulate design decisions and their user impact.

• A deep understanding of end-user knowledge and mental models, and their translation into intuitive user interfaces.

• Meticulous attention to detail from research through to final specifications.

• Ability to experiment with multiple design solutions early in the design stages.

• Proficiency in design and prototyping tools such as Figma, Adobe Suite, or Sketch.

• Experience in designing desktop software.

• Excellent English oral and written communication skills. Preferred Skills:

• German language proficiency.

• Experience in the automotive industry or designing for in-vehicle infotainment systems.

• Familiarity with version control systems, IDEs, and dashboarding tools for development practices.

• A strong portfolio showcasing complex UX challenges and their elegant solutions.

📝 Enhancement Note: The requirement for "2+ years' worth of experience as a product designer" combined with the expectation of creating "captivating keynotes, high-fidelity mock-ups and functional prototypes" suggests a need for a candidate who can not only design but also effectively communicate and advocate for their designs. The mention of "desktop software" experience is a specific technical requirement that might be less common for pure UX roles and suggests a broader product design scope.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Showcase a minimum of 2-3 detailed case studies demonstrating your UX design process from problem identification to final solution.

• For each case study, clearly outline the user research methodology employed, the insights gained, and how these insights directly informed design decisions.

• Provide examples of high-fidelity mock-ups, interactive prototypes, and detailed specifications developed for previous projects.

• Include visualizations of user journey maps and workflow diagrams that illustrate complex user interactions.

• Demonstrate how you iterated on designs based on user feedback or testing, highlighting improvements and optimizations. Process Documentation:

• Clearly articulate your approach to user research, including methods for understanding user needs and mental models.

• Detail your process for translating research findings into design concepts and then into detailed specifications for development.

• Explain your experience with agile workflows and how you integrate design into Scrum ceremonies.

• Showcase your ability to collaborate with cross-functional teams (e.g., product owners, developers) to ensure design feasibility and alignment.

• Provide examples of how you measure the success of your designs and iterate based on performance or user feedback.

📝 Enhancement Note: Given the role's emphasis on research, prototyping, and collaboration within an agile framework, a portfolio that clearly illustrates the end-to-end design process, from initial user understanding to detailed specifications and iterative refinement, will be crucial. The ability to demonstrate impact through well-documented case studies is paramount.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: For a mid-level UX Designer with 2-5 years of experience in Lisbon or Porto, Portugal, the estimated annual salary range is between €35,000 and €55,000 gross per year. This estimate is based on current market data for UX/Product Designers in Portugal, considering factors such as experience, skill set, and the specific industry (automotive technology).

Benefits:

• Full-time employment with a leading automotive technology company.

• Opportunity to work on cutting-edge in-vehicle UX for a globally recognized automotive brand (BMW).

• Collaborative and innovative work environment with a focus on agile practices.

• Opportunities for continuous learning and skill enhancement.

• Potential for international travel to support product development phases.

• Exposure to diverse teams and cross-functional collaboration.

• Competitive salary and benefits package (specific details to be confirmed by the employer).

• Inclusion in a company culture that values growth, innovation, and engineering excellence.

Working Hours: Full-time, with an estimated 40 hours per week. The agile nature of the work may require flexibility, but the core hours are expected to align with standard business operations in Portugal (Europe/Lisbon timezone).

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range is an estimate based on general market data for Portugal. Actual compensation will depend on the candidate's specific experience, skills, and the negotiation process. The benefits listed are inferred from the company's description and the nature of the role.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Automotive Technology / Software Development / User Experience Design. Critical TechWorks is a key player in shaping the digital experience for mobility, specifically focusing on software development for automotive manufacturers like BMW. This industry context means the work is at the forefront of technological innovation in a highly competitive and evolving market.

Company Size: Critical TechWorks is part of a larger organization (implied by the description and typical for such specialized tech firms). The presence of multiple offices in Lisbon and Porto suggests a substantial employee base, likely in the hundreds or even thousands, offering a dynamic environment with opportunities for growth and diverse project involvement.

Founded: While the founding date isn't explicitly stated, Critical TechWorks is positioned as a forward-thinking company deeply involved in the future of mobility. Its focus on BMW's digital experience suggests a relatively established presence with a commitment to innovation and engineering excellence.

Team Structure:

• The UX Design team likely operates within a larger product development or engineering division.

• Team members are expected to be cross-functional, possessing a range of skills beyond core UX, enabling them to contribute across the product lifecycle.

• Collaboration is emphasized, with close interaction with Product Owners, developers, and potentially other design disciplines.

• The structure supports an agile methodology, meaning teams are often organized around specific product features or modules. Methodology:

• Agile development, particularly Scrum, is the primary operational methodology.

• Emphasis on user-centered design, with research integrated into the development sprints.

• Application of standard engineering practices, including version control and the use of dashboards for monitoring progress and performance.

• A culture that values autonomy, teamwork, interaction, and resilience.

Company Website: https://join.criticaltechworks.com

📝 Enhancement Note: Critical TechWorks appears to foster a culture of innovation and engineering excellence, typical of companies deeply embedded in the automotive tech sector. The "Guru" title and emphasis on autonomy suggest a high-performance environment where experienced professionals are empowered.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is positioned as a mid-level "UX Design Guru." It requires a solid foundation of 2+ years of experience and the ability to work autonomously on complex design challenges. The "Guru" title implies a desire for individuals who not only execute but also influence and lead by example within their domain. Responsibilities include user research, design, prototyping, and cross-functional collaboration, indicating a comprehensive UX role.

Reporting Structure: While not explicitly detailed, it's typical for UX Designers at this level to report to a UX Lead, Design Manager, or a Product Development Manager. They will work closely with Product Owners and development teams, forming cross-functional units.

Operations Impact: The UX Guru's impact is directly tied to the user experience of BMW's digital interfaces, both in-vehicle and mobile. This influence is crucial for customer satisfaction, brand loyalty, and the overall perception of BMW's technological innovation. By shaping intuitive and engaging interactions, they contribute significantly to the product's market success and the company's reputation for cutting-edge technology.

Growth Opportunities:

• Specialization: Deepen expertise in in-vehicle UX, automotive design, or specific areas of user research and interaction design.

• Leadership: Progress to Senior UX Designer, UX Lead, or Design Manager roles, taking on more responsibility for team direction and project strategy.

• Skill Expansion: Develop advanced skills in areas like user research methodologies, interaction design patterns for automotive systems, or even front-end development principles.

• Cross-functional Exposure: Gain experience in different product areas or collaborate on larger, more complex projects that span multiple vehicle platforms or digital services.

• Global Exposure: Leverage opportunities for international travel and collaboration with global teams, broadening professional perspective.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Guru" title suggests an expectation of leadership potential, even at a mid-level. Candidates should be prepared to discuss how they mentor others or influence design direction.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The role is described as "On-site," indicating a requirement to work from one of Critical TechWorks' physical offices in Lisbon or Porto. This suggests a traditional office setting designed for collaboration and focused work.

Office Location(s):

• Lisbon, Portugal: Av. Aquilino Ribeiro Machado 8, 1800 Lisboa

• Porto, Portugal: R. Dr. António Luís Gomes 10, 4000-125 Porto

These locations place the offices within active business hubs, likely offering good accessibility and proximity to other amenities.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Environment: The emphasis on teamwork and cross-functional interaction implies an office space designed to facilitate communication, potentially with open-plan areas, meeting rooms, and collaborative zones.

• Tools and Technology: Employees will have access to the necessary hardware, software (Figma, Adobe Suite, Sketch), and potentially specialized equipment for user research or prototyping. The company utilizes agile practices and standard engineering tools, suggesting a modern tech setup.

• Team Interaction: The work environment encourages regular interaction with designers, product owners, and developers, fostering a dynamic and communicative atmosphere.

Work Schedule: Standard full-time work hours (approximately 40 hours per week) are expected, aligned with local Portuguese business hours. The agile methodology may introduce some flexibility in task management but requires consistent presence and engagement.

📝 Enhancement Note: The on-site requirement is a key factor. Candidates must be able to commute to either Lisbon or Porto and be comfortable working within a physical office environment, emphasizing in-person collaboration.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Application Submission: Submit your CV and portfolio, applying to only one job posting. The Talent Team will assess your profile for all relevant opportunities.

• Initial Screening: A recruiter will review your application and portfolio to assess alignment with the "In-Vehicle UX Guru" role and other potential fits.

• Technical Interview/Portfolio Review: Expect a session focused on your portfolio. You'll likely present 1-2 case studies, detailing your process, problem-solving approach, and the impact of your designs. Be prepared to discuss your experience with UX research, prototyping tools (Figma, Adobe Suite, Sketch), and agile methodologies.

• Team/Hiring Manager Interview: Discussions may focus on your collaborative style, how you handle design challenges, your understanding of user empathy, and your fit with the company culture. You might be asked to elaborate on your experience with in-vehicle or complex digital interfaces.

• Potential Practical Exercise: Depending on the role's specifics, a small design challenge or take-home exercise might be given to assess your problem-solving and design skills in a practical context.

• Final Interview: This might be with a senior leader to discuss career aspirations, cultural alignment, and final fit.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Selectively: Choose 2-3 of your strongest case studies that best demonstrate your UX process, problem-solving skills, and impact, particularly highlighting any automotive or complex system design experience.

• Structure for Clarity: For each case study, clearly define the problem, your role, the research conducted, the design solutions, the tools used, the outcomes, and key learnings. Use visuals effectively.

• Highlight Process: Emphasize your thought process, decision-making rationale, and how user insights drove your design choices.

• Showcase Tools: Explicitly mention and demonstrate your proficiency with Figma, Adobe Suite, or Sketch.

• Quantify Impact: Whenever possible, use data or metrics to showcase the success of your designs (e.g., improved user satisfaction, reduced task completion time).

• Storytelling: Frame your case studies as compelling narratives.

Challenge Preparation:

• Understand the Context: If given a design challenge, ensure you fully grasp the problem statement and user context.

• User-Centric Approach: Focus on understanding the user's needs and goals, even if the challenge is abstract.

• Iterative Design: Show that you can think through multiple solutions and consider trade-offs.

• Clear Communication: Be prepared to articulate your thought process, assumptions, and design decisions clearly and concisely.

• Tools Proficiency: Be ready to use design tools effectively within the allocated time.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on "applying to only one job" suggests a streamlined, albeit thorough, candidate experience. The portfolio is critical, and candidates should be prepared to present it comprehensively, demonstrating a deep understanding of the UX lifecycle and its application in a product development context.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Design & Prototyping: Figma, Adobe Suite (e.g., Photoshop, Illustrator, XD), Sketch. Proficiency in at least one of these is mandatory.

• User Research Tools: While not explicitly listed, tools for user interviews, surveys, and usability testing (e.g., UserTesting.com, SurveyMonkey, Maze) are commonly used.

• Collaboration & Workflow: Agile project management tools (e.g., Jira, Confluence) are likely used for user story management and documentation.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Product Analytics: Tools like Google Analytics, Mixpanel, or Amplitude might be used to track user behavior and product performance post-launch, informing design iterations.

• Dashboarding Tools: Tools for visualizing data and tracking KPIs (e.g., Tableau, Power BI, Looker) could be utilized to monitor design impact.

CRM & Automation:

• While not directly a UX tool, understanding how CRM systems (e.g., Salesforce) or marketing automation platforms might integrate with customer-facing digital experiences could be beneficial, though not a primary requirement for this role.

📝 Enhancement Note: The explicit mention of Figma, Adobe Suite, and Sketch is a critical requirement. Candidates should be prepared to demonstrate their mastery of these tools and their application in creating high-fidelity mock-ups and functional prototypes.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Growth and Innovation: A core value driving the creation of new ideas and solutions that push the boundaries of mobility. For UX Gurus, this means a constant drive to explore new interaction paradigms and user experiences.

• Engineering Excellence: A commitment to high-quality development processes and outcomes. UX Designers are expected to contribute to this by creating well-defined, implementable designs that align with engineering best practices.

• Autonomy and Collaboration: The company fosters a balance where individuals are empowered to take ownership of their work while also being integral parts of a collaborative team. UX Gurus are expected to be self-starters who also excel in teamwork.

• Continuous Learning: The dynamic nature of the automotive tech industry necessitates a commitment to ongoing skill enhancement. This means staying updated on UX trends, tools, and automotive technologies.

• Customer Obsession: A paramount value where understanding and serving the end-user's needs is central to all design and development efforts.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-functional Integration: UX Gurus work closely with Product Owners and developers, requiring strong communication and the ability to translate design concepts into actionable development tasks.

• Agile & Iterative: Collaboration happens within an agile framework, involving regular feedback loops, sprint reviews, and continuous refinement of designs.

• Knowledge Sharing: The environment encourages sharing best practices, design insights, and lessons learned across teams to foster collective improvement.

• Proactiveness: Team members are expected to be proactive in identifying challenges, proposing solutions, and contributing to discussions across different design and development teams.

📝 Enhancement Note: The company's values heavily influence the expected behavior and approach of its employees. A UX Guru must embody these values, demonstrating a proactive, collaborative, and user-focused mindset within an innovative engineering context.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Bridging Automotive Complexity: Designing for the intricate and safety-critical environment of in-vehicle systems presents unique challenges in terms of user interface complexity, information hierarchy, and human-machine interaction.

• Balancing Innovation with Usability: The need to innovate and incorporate new technologies must be balanced with ensuring the user experience remains intuitive, safe, and accessible for a broad range of drivers.

• Cross-functional Alignment: Ensuring design consistency and alignment across diverse development teams and product owners, each with their own priorities, can be a constant challenge.

• Rapid Technological Evolution: Staying abreast of the fast-paced advancements in automotive technology, AI, and user interface design requires continuous learning and adaptation.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Specialized Automotive UX Training: Opportunities to attend industry-specific conferences, workshops, or pursue certifications in automotive UX design.

• Mentorship Programs: Access to senior designers or leads who can provide guidance on career progression, technical skills, and navigating complex projects.

• Exposure to Cutting-Edge Technology: Working directly with teams developing advanced automotive features, providing hands-on learning about new technologies and their UX implications.

• Cross-Disciplinary Projects: Engaging in projects that require collaboration with hardware engineers, software architects, and AI specialists, broadening understanding of the entire product development ecosystem.

📝 Enhancement Note: The role offers a unique opportunity to shape the future of automotive UX, but candidates should be prepared for the inherent complexities and demands of this specialized field. The growth opportunities are significant for those who embrace continuous learning and challenge.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you had to conduct user research at a customer site. What were your key findings, and how did they influence your design decisions?" (Focus on methodology, insights, and impact.)

• "Walk us through a complex user journey you mapped for an in-vehicle system or a similar intricate digital product. What were the critical touchpoints and potential pain points?" (Demonstrate understanding of user flows and problem areas.)

• "How do you balance the need for innovative features with ensuring a simple and intuitive user experience, especially in a safety-critical environment like a car?" (Showcase your design philosophy and user-centric approach.)

• "Explain your process for translating user stories and front-end specifications from your designs to the development team." (Highlight your collaboration and communication skills.) Company & Culture Questions:

• "What interests you most about Critical TechWorks and our focus on in-vehicle UX for BMW?" (Research the company's mission, values, and recent projects.)

• "How do you embody the company's values of Growth, Innovation, Engineering Excellence, Autonomy, and Collaboration in your daily work?" (Provide specific examples.)

• "Describe your experience working in an agile/Scrum environment. How do you contribute to sprint planning, reviews, and retrospectives?" (Showcase your adaptability and teamwork.) Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Narrative Arc: Structure your portfolio presentation as a story for each case study, guiding the interviewer through the problem, your journey, and the solution.

• Visual Emphasis: Use high-quality mock-ups, prototypes, and diagrams. Ensure they are clearly labeled and easy to understand.

• Process Over Polish: While polished designs are good, emphasize your design process, your rationale, and how you overcame challenges.

• Tool Proficiency: Clearly state and demonstrate your use of Figma, Adobe Suite, or Sketch, explaining why you chose specific tools for certain tasks.

• Quantify Outcomes: If possible, present metrics or user feedback that demonstrate the positive impact of your design work.

• Concise Delivery: Be mindful of time. Practice your presentation to ensure you cover key points efficiently and can answer questions thoroughly.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation should focus on demonstrating a deep understanding of the UX design process, strong problem-solving skills, effective collaboration, and a genuine passion for automotive technology. The portfolio is your primary tool, so prepare to present it with confidence and clarity.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this In-Vehicle UX Guru position:

• Submit your application through the provided link on the Critical TechWorks careers page.

• Portfolio Customization: Tailor your portfolio to highlight projects that demonstrate your experience in user research, high-fidelity mock-up creation, prototyping, and working within agile frameworks. Prioritize any automotive or complex digital system design experience.

• Resume Optimization: Ensure your resume clearly outlines your 2+ years of product/UX design experience, highlighting achievements and responsibilities relevant to the job description, using keywords like "UX Design," "Product Design," "User Research," "Figma," "Agile," and "In-Vehicle UX."

• Interview Preparation: Practice presenting your portfolio case studies, focusing on your design process, problem-solving approach, and the impact of your work. Prepare to discuss your understanding of user empathy and your experience with relevant design tools.

• Company Research: Familiarize yourself with Critical TechWorks, its mission, its work with BMW, and its company culture. Understand the importance of in-vehicle UX in the automotive industry.

⚠️ 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.