Advanced UX Design Manager

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Advanced UX Design Manager
Company: General Motors
Location: Warren, Michigan, United States
Job Type: FULL_TIME
Category: User Experience Design / Management
Date Posted: October 10, 2025
Experience Level: 5-10 years
Remote Status: Hybrid

🚀 Role Summary

• Lead and mentor a team of UX designers to conceptualize and deliver next-generation user experiences for automotive digital interfaces and connected services.
• Drive the development of human-centered design principles, ensuring seamless integration of hardware and software interactions across vehicles, web, and mobile platforms.
• Champion innovation in user interaction design, focusing on intuitive navigation for advanced features, voice controls, and connected mobility.
• Oversee the creation of scalable design systems and interaction models that ensure consistency, accessibility, and a high-quality user experience across GM's product portfolio.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is specifically focused on "Advanced UX Design," implying a forward-thinking approach to future automotive interfaces, potentially involving emerging technologies like AI, autonomous driving, and advanced connectivity. The "Manager" title indicates significant leadership and team management responsibilities, requiring not just design expertise but also strategic vision and people development skills.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Lead a team of UX designers in the creation of innovative and user-friendly interfaces for in-vehicle infotainment systems, mobile applications, and web portals.
• Collaborate closely with Vehicle Designers, Software Developers, Program Teams, and Component Designers to ensure holistic and integrated user experiences across hardware and software.
• Develop and refine UX concepts through user research, sketching, storyboarding, and prototyping, ensuring alignment with human-centric design principles and brand consistency.
• Drive the creation and maintenance of robust design systems, interaction models, and style guides to ensure a cohesive and scalable user experience across multiple platforms and product lines.
• Present design concepts effectively to diverse teams, including leadership, engineering, and product management, to gain buy-in and support for design initiatives.
• Stay abreast of industry design trends, emerging technologies, and competitive landscapes within and outside the automotive sector to inform future design strategies and innovations.
• Mentor and guide design team members, fostering a culture of creativity, collaboration, and continuous improvement in design processes and outcomes.
• Oversee the production of production-ready design assets, ensuring attention to detail and structured component handoffs to development teams.
• Strategize with key partners to identify and explore opportunities for UX innovation and enhancement.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on "holistic vehicle experience working across the hardware and software environments" suggests a need for a candidate who understands the interplay between physical product design and digital interfaces. Responsibilities also highlight the importance of understanding "directional trends" and "larger picture perspective on strategies and implications of long-term thinking," pointing to a strategic management role rather than purely execution.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in User Experience, Human-Computer Interaction, Industrial Design, Graphic Design, or a closely related field.

Experience:

• 5-10 years of progressive experience in User Experience (UX) design, with a significant portion in a leadership or management role.
• Proven track record of leading design teams and successfully delivering complex digital products or experiences.
• Experience within the automotive industry or a related field with complex hardware/software integration is highly desirable.

Required Skills:

• Leadership & Team Management: Proven ability to lead, mentor, and manage a team of UX designers, fostering a collaborative and innovative environment.
• User-Centered Design: Deep understanding and practical application of human-centric design principles, user research methodologies, and usability testing.
• Design Tools Proficiency: Expertise in industry-standard design and prototyping tools, specifically Figma and Protopie.
• Visual Design & Aesthetics: Strong graphic design skills with a keen sensibility for aesthetics, form, and brand identity.
• Interaction Design: Ability to design complex interactions, user flows, and information architecture for diverse user needs.
• Communication & Presentation: Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with a demonstrated ability to present design concepts effectively to technical and non-technical stakeholders.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Experience working effectively with engineers, product managers, software developers, and other design disciplines.
• Storytelling & Conceptualization: Skill in storytelling, storyboarding, and conceptual development to convey design vision and solutions.

Preferred Skills:

• Automotive UX: Specific experience designing for in-vehicle infotainment systems, connected car services, or automotive HMI.
• Design Systems: Experience developing or contributing to scalable design systems and component libraries.
• Motion Design: Proficiency in 2D motion design and animation for user interfaces.
• 3D Design & Animation: Understanding of 3D modeling and animation principles, with experience in tools like Blender or equivalent.
• Video Editing: Proficiency with video editing tools such as Adobe Premiere Pro.
• Technical Understanding: Familiarity with engineering and software development requirements and limitations.
• Agile Methodologies: Experience working within Agile or Scrum development environments.

📝 Enhancement Note: The explicit mention of "Figma & Protopie is required" signifies these as critical technical skills. The preference for understanding engineering and software limitations suggests a need for pragmatic designers who can balance innovative ideas with technical feasibility. The requested experience level (5-10 years) for an "Advanced" manager role implies a need for seasoned professionals who can handle significant strategic and team leadership duties.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Case Studies: Showcase 3-5 detailed case studies demonstrating your leadership in transforming user needs into impactful UX solutions, ideally within complex product ecosystems.
• Process Visualization: Clearly articulate the design process followed for each project, including user research, ideation, prototyping, iteration, and collaboration with cross-functional teams.
• System Thinking: Highlight examples of how you've contributed to or led the development of design systems, interaction frameworks, or scalable design patterns.
• Impact & Results: Quantify the impact of your designs where possible, using metrics related to user satisfaction, engagement, task completion rates, or efficiency improvements.

Process Documentation:

• Workflow Design: Demonstrate your ability to map out and optimize user workflows for complex digital interactions, ensuring a seamless and intuitive experience.
• Prototyping & Iteration: Provide examples of interactive prototypes (e.g., Figma, Protopie) used to explore design concepts, test hypotheses, and drive decision-making.
• Cross-Functional Handoff: Illustrate processes for effectively handing off design specifications, assets, and documentation to engineering and development teams.
• Design System Management: If applicable, showcase experience in contributing to or managing design system documentation, version control, and adoption strategies.

📝 Enhancement Note: Given the role's focus on "Advanced UX," the portfolio should emphasize strategic thinking, leadership in process development, and the ability to articulate complex design rationales. Demonstrating experience with scalable design systems and cross-platform consistency will be crucial. The requirement for Figma and Protopie means interactive prototypes within these tools should be prominently featured.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

• Based on industry benchmarks for an Advanced UX Design Manager with 5-10 years of experience in the automotive sector in the Detroit metropolitan area, the estimated salary range is $140,000 - $190,000 annually. This range accounts for the strategic leadership, technical expertise, and management responsibilities associated with the role.

Benefits:

• Comprehensive Health, Dental, and Vision Insurance plans.
• 401(k) Retirement Plan with company match.
• Paid Time Off (PTO), including vacation, sick leave, and holidays.
• Relocation assistance provided for eligible candidates.
• Opportunities for professional development, training, and conference attendance.
• Employee discounts on GM vehicles and services.
• Flexible work arrangements (Hybrid model).

Working Hours:

• Full-time, typically 40 hours per week.
• Hybrid work arrangement requires a minimum of three days per week on-site at the Warren GM Global Technical Center.
• Flexibility may be offered based on project needs and team collaboration requirements.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range is an estimate based on typical compensation for similar roles in the Detroit area, considering the company's stature and the specified experience level. Benefits are standard for a large automotive corporation and are inferred from typical offerings. The hybrid nature of the role and required on-site days are explicitly stated.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Automotive Manufacturing & Technology. General Motors is a global leader in designing, manufacturing, and selling vehicles, and is actively involved in developing advanced mobility solutions, including electric and autonomous vehicles, and connected services. Company Size: Large Enterprise (Over 10,000 employees). This signifies a structured environment with established processes, extensive resources, and opportunities for broad impact. Founded: 1908. With over a century of history, GM has a deep legacy in automotive innovation, adapting and evolving with technological advancements.

Team Structure:

• Human Interface Design (HID) Team: This team focuses on creating seamless, intuitive, and engaging digital experiences across vehicles, web, and mobile platforms.
• Reporting Structure: The Advanced UX Design Manager reports to a higher-level design or product leadership position, overseeing a dedicated team of UX designers.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: The role necessitates close collaboration with Vehicle Designers, Software Developers, Program Teams, Component Designers, UX Researchers, and Product Managers to bring holistic vehicle experiences to life.

Methodology:

• User-Centric Approach: Emphasis on understanding user needs and behaviors through deep research to inform design decisions.
• Platform-Agnostic Design: Creation of cohesive digital ecosystems that connect users to their vehicles and services across multiple touchpoints.
• Design Systems & Foundations: Development of scalable design systems and interaction models for consistency and innovation.
• Iterative Design & Prototyping: Use of prototypes to explore ideas, test concepts, and facilitate informed decision-making.
• Safety & Accessibility Focus: Designs are developed with a strong emphasis on safety, inclusivity, and adherence to global standards.

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

📝 Enhancement Note: GM's scale and long history suggest a company that values both tradition and innovation. The "Zero Crashes, Zero Emissions, Zero Congestion" vision highlights a strong commitment to future mobility and sustainability, which the UX team will contribute to through user experience design. The company's emphasis on "belonging" and "making a choice every day to drive meaningful change" points to a culture encouraging proactive contribution and inclusivity.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This is a senior management role within the UX design discipline, focusing on "Advanced" concepts. It sits at a critical intersection of creative design, strategic product development, and team leadership. The role requires not just design execution expertise but also the ability to set direction, manage projects, and mentor a team. Reporting Structure: The Advanced UX Design Manager will report to a Director or VP level executive within the Design or Product organization. They will directly manage a team of UX Designers, potentially including junior and senior individual contributors. Operations Impact: The UX team's work directly influences customer satisfaction, brand perception, vehicle adoption rates, and the overall success of GM's digital products and services. This role has a significant impact on how millions of users interact with GM vehicles and their associated digital ecosystems, contributing to revenue generation through enhanced product appeal and customer loyalty.

Growth Opportunities:

• Leadership Advancement: Potential to move into Director-level positions overseeing larger design functions or specialized areas of UX.
• Strategic Product Development: Opportunity to influence the long-term product roadmap and strategic direction for GM's digital experiences and mobility solutions.
• Specialization: Deepen expertise in specific areas of advanced UX, such as AI-driven interfaces, autonomous driving HMI, or cross-platform design systems.
• Cross-Functional Leadership: Transition into product management, program management, or other strategic roles within the broader automotive technology landscape.
• Industry Influence: Contribute to shaping the future of automotive UX design through thought leadership and innovation.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Advanced" designation implies a focus on future-facing technologies and strategies. Growth opportunities are likely to involve increased strategic responsibility, broader team oversight, and potential influence on company-wide product vision, aligning with GM's ambitious goals for future mobility.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Hybrid. This role requires a blend of remote work flexibility and on-site presence for collaboration and team interaction. Office Location(s): GM Global Technical Center in Warren, Michigan. This is a major hub for GM's engineering and design operations, fostering a collaborative environment among various technical disciplines.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Hub: The Warren campus is designed to facilitate cross-functional collaboration, with ample opportunities to connect with engineers, software developers, and other designers.
• State-of-the-Art Tools: Access to industry-leading design software, hardware, and potentially advanced simulation or prototyping labs.
• Team Interaction: Regular team meetings, design critiques, and brainstorming sessions are integral to the workflow, fostering a dynamic and interactive design culture.
• Hybrid Model: The structure supports focused individual work remotely and collaborative sessions on-site, requiring strong self-management and communication skills.

Work Schedule:

• Standard full-time hours (approximately 40 hours per week).
• Minimum of three days per week required on-site at the Warren GM Global Technical Center.
• Expected flexibility to meet project deadlines and collaboration needs.

📝 Enhancement Note: The hybrid model with a minimum of three days on-site is a key characteristic. The Warren Global Technical Center is a significant facility, suggesting a professional, amenity-rich environment designed for innovation and collaboration across diverse technical teams.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: HR or Recruiter call to assess basic qualifications, experience, and cultural fit.
• Hiring Manager Interview: In-depth discussion about leadership experience, team management philosophy, and strategic approach to UX design. Focus on past projects and problem-solving skills.
• Portfolio Review & Presentation: A critical stage where candidates present a curated selection of their work, focusing on leadership, process, and impact. Expect detailed questions about design decisions, challenges, and outcomes.
• Team/Peer Interviews: Interviews with other designers, engineers, or product managers to assess collaboration style, technical understanding, and ability to integrate with the existing team.
• Executive Interview (Potentially): A final interview with senior leadership to discuss strategic vision and alignment with company goals.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate for Leadership: Select projects that clearly demonstrate your leadership in guiding design initiatives, mentoring team members, and driving strategic UX decisions.
• Showcase Process & Rationale: For each project, clearly articulate the problem, your role, the design process, key decisions made, and the rationale behind them. Emphasize how you translated user needs into design solutions.
• Highlight Collaboration: Provide examples of how you effectively collaborated with cross-functional teams (engineering, product, software) and managed stakeholder expectations.
• Quantify Impact: Where possible, present metrics or outcomes that demonstrate the success of your designs, such as improvements in user satisfaction, task completion, or adoption rates.
• Tool Proficiency: Be prepared to discuss your proficiency with required tools like Figma and Protopie, and how you leverage them for effective prototyping and iteration.
• Future Vision: Be ready to discuss your vision for the future of automotive UX and how you would approach advanced design challenges at GM.

Challenge Preparation:

• Design Exercise: You may be given a hypothetical design challenge related to automotive UX or future mobility. Be prepared to outline your approach, conduct a brief analysis, propose solutions, and justify your decisions.
• Problem-Solving Scenarios: Expect questions about how you would handle common leadership challenges, such as resolving design disagreements within a team, managing conflicting stakeholder priorities, or navigating technical constraints.
• Strategic Thinking: Prepare to discuss your understanding of industry trends, your vision for GM's UX, and how you would foster innovation within the team.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process is structured to evaluate both design leadership and technical acumen. The portfolio review is central, requiring candidates to demonstrate not just design skill but also management capabilities and strategic thinking relevant to advanced automotive UX.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Figma: Essential for collaborative UI design, prototyping, and design system development.
• Protopie: Crucial for creating high-fidelity, interactive prototypes that simulate complex user interactions, especially for automotive HMI.
• Sketch: A widely used vector design tool for UI, often used in conjunction with other tools.
• Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator): For graphic design, image editing, illustration, and asset creation.

Analytics & Reporting:

• User Research Platforms: Tools for conducting user interviews, surveys, and usability testing (e.g., UserTesting.com, Qualtrics).
• Analytics Dashboards: Familiarity with tools used to track user behavior and product performance (e.g., Google Analytics, Adobe Analytics, or internal GM tools) to inform design decisions.

CRM & Automation:

• Project Management Tools: Tools like Jira, Asana, or Trello for managing design sprints, tasks, and team workflows.
• Collaboration Platforms: Slack, Microsoft Teams for daily communication and team coordination.
• 3D Modeling Software (Preferred): Tools such as Blender, Maya, or 3ds Max for conceptualizing and visualizing 3D forms for interfaces or product integration.
• Video Editing Software (Preferred): Adobe Premiere Pro for creating motion graphics, storyboards, and design presentations.

📝 Enhancement Note: Proficiency in Figma and Protopie is explicitly required, underscoring their importance for this role. Experience with Adobe Creative Suite is also a strong requirement. While not explicitly stated as required, familiarity with 3D modeling and video editing tools is preferred, indicating a desire for designers who can create rich, multi-modal presentations and concepts.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• User-Centricity: A deep commitment to understanding and addressing the needs, desires, and behaviors of drivers and passengers.
• Innovation & Forward-Thinking: A drive to explore bold ideas and push the boundaries of automotive and digital design to shape the future of mobility.
• Collaboration & Teamwork: A belief in working hand-in-hand with engineers, product managers, and other designers to bring ideas to life and create cohesive experiences.
• Excellence & Quality: A dedication to crafting intuitive, beautiful, and high-quality digital experiences that are safe, accessible, and effortless.
• Empathy: Every decision starts with empathy for the driver, passenger, and digital user.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-Disciplinary Integration: Emphasis on seamless integration between hardware and software design teams, with UX playing a pivotal role in bridging these disciplines.
• Iterative Feedback Loops: A culture that encourages continuous feedback and iteration through design critiques, prototyping, and user testing.
• Open Communication: Encouragement of open dialogue and knowledge sharing among team members and with partner teams to foster a shared understanding and vision.
• Data-Informed Design: While creativity is key, decisions are often informed by user research, analytics, and feasibility assessments from engineering and software teams.

📝 Enhancement Note: GM's stated values of "Zero Crashes, Zero Emissions, Zero Congestion" and fostering "inclusion and belonging" likely permeate the design team's culture. The emphasis on user empathy, innovation, and cross-functional collaboration suggests a dynamic and results-oriented environment.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing Innovation with Production Realities: Navigating the complex interplay between cutting-edge design concepts and the constraints of automotive production timelines, budgets, and engineering feasibility.
• Managing Diverse Stakeholder Needs: Effectively aligning the needs and expectations of various internal teams (e.g., vehicle design, software engineering, product marketing) and external partners.
• Designing for Evolving Mobility: Keeping pace with rapid advancements in automotive technology, including autonomous driving, electrification, and connected services, and translating these into intuitive user experiences.
• Leading a High-Performing Team: Mentoring and motivating a team of talented designers, fostering their growth while ensuring high-quality output and adherence to strategic goals.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Industry Conferences & Workshops: Opportunities to attend leading UX and automotive technology conferences (e.g., UXPA, CHI, CES) to stay updated on trends and best practices.
• Internal Training Programs: Access to GM's extensive internal training resources for leadership, technical skills, and industry-specific knowledge.
• Mentorship: Potential for mentorship from senior leaders within GM's design and technology organizations.
• Exposure to Advanced Technologies: Direct involvement in designing for next-generation automotive features and platforms, providing unparalleled learning experiences.

📝 Enhancement Note: The role presents challenges inherent to a large, innovative company in a rapidly evolving industry. The growth opportunities are substantial, offering pathways for leadership advancement and deep engagement with the future of mobility.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you led a UX design team through a complex product development cycle. What were the key challenges, and how did you ensure a successful outcome?" (Focus on leadership, process, and problem-solving).
• "How do you balance user needs with business objectives and technical constraints when designing for a product like an automotive infotainment system?" (Assess strategic thinking and pragmatism).
• "What is your vision for the future of in-vehicle user experience, and how would you approach designing for autonomous or AI-driven vehicles at GM?" (Evaluate forward-thinking and industry understanding).

Company & Culture Questions:

• "How do you foster a culture of innovation and collaboration within a design team?" (Assess leadership and team-building style).
• "Based on your understanding of GM, what are the biggest opportunities and challenges for UX design within the company?" (Demonstrate research and strategic insight).
• "How do you ensure that design decisions are aligned with brand identity and overall company strategy?" (Evaluate strategic alignment).

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure Your Narrative: For each project, clearly define the problem, your specific role and leadership contributions, the process, key decisions, and measurable outcomes.
• Highlight Leadership: Emphasize how you guided your team, managed stakeholders, and influenced design direction.
• Showcase Tool Proficiency: Be ready to discuss how you utilized Figma and Protopie to achieve specific design goals and create impactful prototypes.
• Address Challenges: Be prepared to discuss any significant challenges encountered and how you overcame them.
• Engage Your Audience: Present with enthusiasm and be ready to answer detailed questions about your work and design philosophy.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview questions will likely probe leadership capabilities, strategic thinking, and a deep understanding of UX principles within the automotive context. The portfolio presentation is crucial for demonstrating practical application of these skills.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Advanced UX Design Manager position:

• Submit your application through the provided Workday link.
• Curate Your Portfolio: Select 3-5 of your most impactful UX design projects, focusing on those that showcase leadership, complex problem-solving, and cross-functional collaboration. Ensure your portfolio clearly articulates your design process, decision-making rationale, and quantifiable results.
• Tailor Your Resume: Highlight your management experience, leadership achievements, proficiency with key tools (Figma, Protopie), and any relevant automotive or complex system design experience. Use keywords from the job description.
• Prepare Your Presentation: Practice presenting your portfolio, focusing on storytelling, clear articulation of your process, and demonstrating your strategic vision for automotive UX. Be ready to discuss your leadership style and how you mentor design teams.
• Research GM: Understand GM's current product offerings, its vision for future mobility (e.g., "Zero Crashes, Zero Emissions, Zero Congestion"), and its commitment to user experience. This will help you tailor your answers 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.

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