2026 Intern, UX Motion Design Prototyping (Summer)

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: 2026 Intern, UX Motion Design Prototyping (Summer)

Company: Samsung Research America Internship

Location: Mountain View, California, United States

Job Type: Intern

Category: User Experience (UX) Design & Prototyping

Date Posted: 2026-01-21

Experience Level: 2-5 Years (Internship Level)

Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• This internship focuses on the cutting edge of Extended Reality (XR) user experience, specifically within Samsung's XR UX Lab.

• The role involves contributing to product strategy, developing innovative concepts, and creating high-fidelity prototypes that define future XR products.

• Successful candidates will bridge technical design expertise with human-centered experience design principles to translate R&D technology into user-centric product ideas.

• This position offers a unique opportunity to work within a dynamic, interdisciplinary team on advanced rapid prototyping and AI-first XR user experience design.

📝 Enhancement Note: While this is an internship, the "Experience Level: 2-5 Years" is derived from the combination of required project/product experience (1+ years XR, 2+ years design tools) and the implied depth of work. This suggests they are looking for interns who have already gained significant practical experience through academic projects, personal projects, or prior internships, rather than entry-level students with no prior exposure.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Contribute to product strategy discussions to develop creative concepts aligned with business objectives and user needs.

• Design and rapidly prototype XR experiences, demonstrating user flows, interactions, and visual design.

• Collaborate closely with designers, engineers, researchers, and product managers to define project milestones and deliverables.

• Articulate design thinking and rationale, grounded in market trends, usage data, and user research insights.

• Translate complex R&D technologies into intuitive and engaging user-centric product ideas and design artifacts.

• Create and present compelling design solutions and strategies that effectively communicate the user story to diverse audiences, including cross-functional teams.

• Actively participate in user testing sessions for AR/VR applications, incorporating feedback into design iterations.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities emphasize a blend of strategic contribution, hands-on prototyping, and strong cross-functional collaboration, which are hallmarks of advanced design internships preparing candidates for future roles in product development.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

Experience:

• Minimum of 1+ years of experience working on XR projects or products (academic or industry).

Required Skills:

• Proficiency in design software such as Adobe Creative Suite (CS) and/or Figma for creating visual assets and user interfaces.

• Ability to collaborate effectively with designers, engineers, researchers, and product managers in a cross-disciplinary environment.

• Comfort navigating ambiguous and rapidly shifting requirements in a fast-paced R&D setting.

• Strong visual communication skills, including the ability to create user flows and storyboards to articulate design concepts.

• Demonstrated ability to take ownership of design tasks and drive them to completion with guidance.

• Capacity for independent design development, with the ability to incorporate constructive feedback for iterative improvement.

• Proven ability to present design solutions and strategies clearly to a wide audience.

Preferred Skills:

• Deep experience with at least one AR/VR headset, including design and development for them.

• Familiarity with 3D modeling tools such as Blender, Maya, or similar.

• 2+ years of prototyping or programming experience in Unity.

• Experience working with XR development frameworks like MRTK, XRI, OpenXR, or Oculus.

• Familiarity with conducting user testing specifically within AR or VR environments.

📝 Enhancement Note: The preferred skills strongly indicate a need for candidates with hands-on XR development and prototyping experience, suggesting they will be expected to contribute to functional prototypes rather than just conceptual designs. The emphasis on Unity and specific frameworks points towards a role deeply embedded in the technical aspects of XR development.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Showcase a minimum of one relevant project demonstrating well-developed visuals, interactions, and product direction within the XR space.

• Include case studies that detail the design thinking process, from problem identification to solution implementation and iteration.

• Present interactive prototypes that effectively communicate user flows and interaction design, ideally built using tools like Figma, Unity, or Adobe Creative Suite.

Process Documentation:

• Clearly outline the design process followed for key projects, highlighting methodologies for concept generation, user research, prototyping, and testing.

• Provide examples of how market trends, usage data, and user feedback were integrated into the design and iteration process.

• Illustrate the workflow for collaborating with cross-functional teams (engineers, PMs, researchers) to define milestones and deliver design artifacts.

📝 Enhancement Note: For an internship focused on prototyping and UX design in XR, the portfolio should emphasize the candidate's ability to translate concepts into tangible, interactive experiences. Demonstrating a structured design process and strong visual communication through prototypes will be crucial.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

Benefits:

• Annual Bonus Eligibility: Potential for performance-based bonuses.

Working Hours:

• Standard working hours are assumed to be approximately 40 hours per week, typical for a full-time internship.

📝 Enhancement Note: The stated hourly range for this internship is competitive for the Mountain View, CA area, reflecting the specialized nature of XR UX design and prototyping. The inclusion of "Annual Bonus Eligibility" is notable for an internship, suggesting a potential performance incentive structure beyond the hourly wage.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Consumer Electronics, Technology Research & Development, Extended Reality (XR)

Company Size: Large Enterprise (Samsung is a global conglomerate with tens of thousands of employees worldwide, and Samsung Research America is a significant division.)

Founded: Samsung Electronics was founded in 1969. Samsung Research America (SRA) is its R&D arm.

Team Structure:

• The XR UX Lab is an interdisciplinary team composed of individuals with expertise in advanced rapid prototyping and AI-first XR user experience design.

• This lab works closely with the corporate mobile division’s UX team and external partners, indicating a collaborative and outward-facing structure.

Methodology:

• Emphasis on AI-first XR user experience design, suggesting a forward-thinking approach to integrating artificial intelligence into immersive environments.

• Focus on advanced rapid prototyping to quickly iterate and validate design concepts for emerging XR technologies.

• A user-centric design approach, balancing business insights with user needs to craft exceptional user experiences.

Company Website: [Samsung Research America - sra.samsung.com] (While not explicitly provided in the raw data, this is the likely domain for Samsung's R&D operations in the US.)

📝 Enhancement Note: Samsung Research America's XR UX Lab operates at the forefront of innovation, aiming to shape the future of Samsung's XR products. The culture likely values cutting-edge research, rapid experimentation, and cross-functional teamwork to tackle complex design challenges in emerging technology spaces.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: Internship - Focused on skill development and project contribution within a specialized R&D lab.

Reporting Structure: Interns will report to mentors or project leads within the XR UX Lab, who are likely senior designers, researchers, or managers. They will also collaborate closely with other designers, engineers, and product managers.

Operations Impact: While an intern role, the work directly influences the direction of upcoming XR products at Samsung Electronics by providing crucial design artifacts, prototypes, and user experience insights derived from R&D. This role helps validate and shape the future product strategy.

Growth Opportunities:

• Gain hands-on experience in XR UX design, motion design, and advanced prototyping within a leading technology company.

• Develop expertise in industry-standard tools and emerging XR frameworks (e.g., Unity, MRTK, OpenXR).

• Receive mentorship from experienced professionals in the XR field, fostering career development and skill enhancement in Human-Computer Interaction (HCI) and Product Design.

• Exposure to AI-first design methodologies and their application in immersive environments.

• Potential for networking and future opportunities within Samsung's extensive technology ecosystem.

📝 Enhancement Note: This internship is positioned as a significant learning and development opportunity, providing interns with exposure to real-world R&D challenges and the chance to contribute to potentially groundbreaking XR products. The growth path is clearly defined by acquiring specialized XR design and prototyping skills.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: This is an on-site position, indicating a traditional office environment within Samsung Research America's facilities.

Office Location(s): 665 Clyde Avenue, Mountain View, CA, USA. This location is in the heart of Silicon Valley, placing interns within a hub of technological innovation.

Workspace Context:

• The workspace is designed for collaboration, with interdisciplinary teams working together on XR projects.

• Access to advanced prototyping tools, AR/VR headsets, and other relevant technologies will be available.

Work Schedule:

• The role is for a Summer internship, typically spanning 10-12 weeks.

• Standard professional working hours (approximately 40 hours per week) are expected, with potential for some flexibility depending on project needs and team dynamics.

📝 Enhancement Note: The Mountain View location in Silicon Valley is a significant draw, offering an immersive environment surrounded by tech industry leaders and talent. The on-site nature suggests a highly collaborative and hands-on approach to design and prototyping.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: Review of resume and portfolio to assess qualifications, relevant experience, and design capabilities in XR.

• Technical/Design Interview: Discussion focusing on design thinking, XR experience, prototyping skills, and familiarity with design tools and frameworks. This may include a portfolio review where candidates present their work.

• Behavioral/Situational Interview: Assessment of collaboration skills, ability to work in an ambiguous environment, communication style, and problem-solving approach.

• Team/Hiring Manager Interview: Final discussion to evaluate cultural fit, enthusiasm for XR, and alignment with the XR UX Lab's mission.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate for XR: Select projects that specifically highlight your experience with XR (AR/VR) design, interaction, and prototyping.

• Showcase Process: Clearly articulate your design process for each project, including research, ideation, prototyping, and iteration. Use visuals like user flows, storyboards, and wireframes.

• Demonstrate Prototyping: Include interactive prototypes (e.g., Figma, Unity builds) that effectively showcase your motion design and interaction design skills.

• Highlight Collaboration: If possible, mention instances of cross-functional collaboration and how you integrated feedback from engineers or product managers.

• Quantify Impact (if applicable): For any prior industry or significant academic projects, provide context on the outcome or impact of your design work.

Challenge Preparation:

• Be prepared to discuss your approach to designing for new and emerging technologies like XR.

• Anticipate questions about how you handle ambiguity and shifting project requirements.

• Practice articulating your design decisions with strong rationale, drawing on principles of user experience and market trends.

• Be ready to discuss your experience with specific XR hardware and software frameworks.

📝 Enhancement Note: A strong portfolio is paramount for this role. Candidates should focus on showcasing tangible XR design and prototyping work, demonstrating not just aesthetic skill but also a thoughtful and iterative design process relevant to immersive technologies.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Design Software: Adobe CS (e.g., Photoshop, Illustrator, After Effects), Figma for UI design and prototyping.

• Prototyping Tools: Likely includes Figma, and potentially specialized XR prototyping tools or in-engine prototyping within Unity.

• 3D Modeling Tools: Familiarity with Blender, Maya, or similar is preferred for asset creation or scene setup.

Analytics & Reporting:

CRM & Automation:

XR Development & Prototyping Stack:

• Game Engine: Unity (2+ years of prototyping or programming experience required).

• XR Frameworks: MRTK (Mixed Reality Toolkit), XRI (XR Interaction Toolkit), OpenXR, Oculus SDKs.

• AR/VR Headsets: Deep experience with at least one AR/VR headset is essential.

📝 Enhancement Note: The technology stack is heavily weighted towards XR development tools. Proficiency in Unity and familiarity with XR-specific frameworks are critical for candidates to be considered for this prototyping-focused role.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Innovation: Driving the future of XR through cutting-edge R&D and design.

• Collaboration: Working in interdisciplinary teams to achieve shared goals.

• User-Centricity: Placing user needs at the core of all design decisions.

• Excellence: Delivering high-quality design artifacts and prototypes that set new standards.

• Adaptability: Thriving in a fast-paced environment with evolving technologies and requirements.

Collaboration Style:

• Highly cross-functional, involving close work with designers, engineers, product managers, and researchers.

• Emphasis on constructive feedback and iterative design refinement.

• Open communication to articulate design thinking and rationale effectively.

• A shared commitment to pushing the boundaries of XR technology and user experience.

📝 Enhancement Note: The team culture is expected to be highly collaborative and forward-thinking, characteristic of R&D labs working on disruptive technologies. Interns will be expected to contribute actively to team discussions and projects.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Designing for novel XR interactions and interfaces where established patterns may not exist.

• Translating complex, cutting-edge R&D technology into intuitive and user-friendly experiences.

• Navigating ambiguity and rapidly evolving project requirements in a fast-paced R&D environment.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Direct exposure to the latest advancements in XR hardware and software.

• Hands-on experience with advanced prototyping techniques and XR development platforms like Unity.

• Mentorship from leading XR UX designers and researchers at Samsung.

• Opportunity to contribute to the strategic direction of future Samsung XR products.

• Development of skills in AI-first design, rapid prototyping, and cross-functional team collaboration.

📝 Enhancement Note: This internship presents challenges that are directly tied to working at the forefront of technology. The growth opportunities are substantial, offering a unique chance to gain specialized expertise in a rapidly expanding field.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a challenging XR project you've worked on. What was your role, what were the key design challenges, and how did you overcome them?" - Focus on your process, problem-solving, and XR-specific considerations.

• "How do you approach designing for XR experiences, considering factors like immersion, interaction, and user comfort?" - Highlight your understanding of XR UX principles and your design methodology.

Company & Culture Questions:

• "Why are you interested in Samsung Research America and specifically the XR UX Lab?" - Research Samsung's XR initiatives and express genuine interest in their vision.

• "How do you collaborate with engineers and product managers on design projects?" - Provide examples of effective cross-functional communication and teamwork.

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure: Begin with a brief overview of your background and passion for XR. Then, walk through 2-3 key projects, focusing on your design process, challenges, and solutions.

• Visuals: Use high-quality visuals, including mockups, user flows, storyboards, and ideally, video demonstrations or interactive prototypes of your XR work.

• Narrative: Tell a compelling story for each project, explaining the problem, your approach, and the outcome. Emphasize your role and contributions.

• Technical Depth: Be prepared to discuss the technical aspects of your prototypes, including the tools and frameworks used (e.g., Unity, MRTK).

• Conciseness: Be mindful of time; practice your presentation to ensure it's engaging and fits within the allotted timeframe.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process will heavily scrutinize your practical XR design and prototyping skills. Be prepared to discuss your portfolio in detail, demonstrate your understanding of XR UX principles, and articulate how you would contribute to the lab's innovative work.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this operations position:

• Submit your application through the provided Greenhouse link.

• Portfolio Customization: Tailor your portfolio to prominently feature your XR design and prototyping projects. Highlight your experience with Unity, AR/VR headsets, and relevant frameworks.

• Resume Optimization: Ensure your resume clearly lists your Master's/PhD program, relevant coursework, and any experience with XR, motion design, prototyping, Adobe CS, Figma, and Unity. Quantify achievements where possible.

• Interview Preparation: Practice articulating your design process, problem-solving skills, and enthusiasm for XR. Prepare to present your portfolio confidently and answer questions about your technical and collaborative abilities.

• Company Research: Familiarize yourself with Samsung's current and future XR product roadmap and their broader R&D efforts in immersive technologies. Understand the XR UX Lab's specific focus areas.

⚠️ 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.

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