Lead UX Designer

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Lead UX Designer

Company: General Motors

Location: Shanghai, China

Job Type: FULL_TIME

Category: User Experience (UX) Design / Product Design

Date Posted: 2026-03-31

Experience Level: 5-10 Years

Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• Leading the end-to-end design of user experiences and interfaces for in-vehicle digital products, ensuring intuitive, safe, and emotionally compelling interactions.

• Driving UX and UI design strategy across critical automotive interfaces including instrument clusters, center displays, HUDs, and connected experiences.

• Collaborating extensively with cross-functional teams such as Interior Design, UX Research, CMF, Studio Engineering, ADAS/AV, Infotainment, and product planning to translate insights into cohesive cockpit and digital experiences.

• Developing and refining UX/UI solutions for both global production projects and localized China market requirements, working closely with local partners and North America software teams.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Lead UX Designer" title, combined with responsibilities like leading concept development, mentoring junior designers, and driving deliverables through a formal design process (GVDP), indicates a senior individual contributor role with strong leadership and strategic influence, rather than a direct management position. The focus on both global strategy and local China market needs highlights a crucial bridge-building aspect of this role.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Spearhead UX and UI concept development for assigned automotive programs (both advanced and production), from initial problem framing and scenario definition to detailed interaction and visual design.

• Translate brand positioning, China-specific user insights, and critical regulatory/safety requirements into clear information architecture, intuitive navigation models, and robust interaction flows.

• Create and meticulously review essential UX deliverables including personas, user journey maps, wireframes, interactive prototypes, and high-fidelity UI designs for instrument clusters, center stacks, HUDs, and auxiliary displays.

• Define and document precise UX requirements and UI behavior logic, encompassing navigation, media, climate control, vehicle status, ADAS/AV states, alerts, and personalization features.

• Partner closely with Interior Design and CMF teams to ensure screens, ambient lighting, and physical controls seamlessly integrate into a unified, human-centered in-cabin experience.

• Work collaboratively with Studio Engineering, software development teams, and local development partners to guarantee the feasibility, performance, and robustness of UX/UI concepts across diverse hardware, platforms, and international markets.

• Drive UX/UI deliverables and manage design reviews in alignment with GM's Design GVDP (Global Vehicle Development Process), ensuring successful navigation of design gates, integration checks, and validation milestones.

• Prepare and present UX/UI work effectively in design reviews, cross-functional forums, and executive sessions, articulating rationale, tradeoffs, and the direct customer impact of design decisions.

• Define comprehensive prototype and validation plans, including desktop, in-vehicle, VR, driving simulator, and usability testing methodologies; actively support UX research and clinics, synthesizing feedback for iterative design improvements.

• Contribute to the development and maintenance of design systems, component libraries, and UX/UI guidelines to ensure consistency across GM's various nameplates, platforms, and global regions.

• Mentor and provide day-to-day feedback, craft coaching, and best practice guidance to junior UX/UI and HMI designers, focusing on interaction design, visual design quality, and specification accuracy.

• Proactively stay abreast of emerging UX, UI, HMI, and digital product trends in the automotive sector and adjacent industries (e.g., mobile, consumer electronics, gaming), and strategically inject relevant innovations into GM China's user experiences.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on "Design GVDP process" and "design gates" suggests a structured, formal design and development lifecycle within GM. Candidates should be prepared to demonstrate experience navigating such processes, including documentation, reviews, and cross-functional alignment at specific project milestones. The mention of "JV partner SGM SDB teams" indicates a need for strong collaboration and understanding of partner dynamics in the China market.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

• Minimum Bachelor's or Master's degree in Transportation Design, Automotive Design, Industrial Design, Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), or a closely related field.

Experience:

• 5-10 years of progressive experience in UX/UI design, with a significant portion focused on automotive in-vehicle infotainment systems, digital cockpits, or complex interactive product design.

• Proven track record of leading design initiatives from concept to production, demonstrating an ability to manage multiple projects concurrently.

Required Skills:

• Expertise in UX/UI Design: Deep understanding of user-centered design principles, interaction design patterns, information architecture, and visual design aesthetics specific to digital interfaces.

• Prototyping & Wireframing: Proficiency with industry-standard tools (e.g., Figma, Sketch, Adobe XD, Axure) for creating wireframes, user flows, interactive prototypes, and high-fidelity mockups.

• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Demonstrated ability to work effectively with diverse teams including product managers, engineers (software and hardware), interior designers, CMF specialists, and researchers.

• Communication & Presentation: Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with a strong ability to articulate design rationale, present work persuasively to stakeholders at all levels, and facilitate design critiques.

• Automotive Domain Knowledge: Understanding of automotive UX/UI challenges, including driver distraction, safety regulations, in-vehicle ergonomics, and the unique context of the China automotive market.

• Mentorship & Coaching: Ability to guide and mentor junior designers, providing constructive feedback and fostering skill development.

Preferred Skills:

• Design Systems & Component Libraries: Experience in creating, maintaining, or utilizing design systems and component libraries for scalable and consistent UI development.

• User Research & Usability Testing: Familiarity with user research methodologies and experience translating research findings and usability test results into actionable design improvements.

• HMI (Human-Machine Interface) Design: Specific experience with HMI design principles and best practices in automotive contexts.

• ADAS/AV Interface Design: Experience designing interfaces for Advanced Driver-Assistance Systems (ADAS) and Autonomous Vehicle (AV) functionalities.

• Global Market Experience: Exposure to designing for diverse international markets, with a specific understanding of user behaviors and preferences in China.

• 3D Visualization or VR/AR Prototyping Tools: Familiarity with tools for advanced prototyping or visualization relevant to automotive design.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Required Qualifications" section in the original description is quite brief. The enhancement here extrapolates based on the "Lead" title and the detailed responsibilities, inferring a need for a significant depth of experience in core UX/UI skills, automotive context, and collaborative abilities. The distinction between required and preferred skills is made to guide applicants on core competencies versus advantageous additions. The mention of "holistic design process" implies a need for candidates who can see the entire user journey and system integration.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A curated selection of 3-5 comprehensive case studies showcasing end-to-end UX/UI design projects, with a strong preference for automotive or complex digital product experiences.

• Each case study should clearly articulate the problem statement, your role and contributions, the design process followed (including research, ideation, prototyping, and testing), key design decisions and their rationale, and measurable outcomes or impact.

• Demonstrations of your ability to translate complex requirements (e.g., safety regulations, technical constraints, brand guidelines) into elegant and user-friendly solutions.

• Evidence of creating detailed interaction specifications, user flows, wireframes, and high-fidelity visual designs.

Process Documentation:

• Showcase your ability to document design processes clearly, including user journey mapping, information architecture diagrams, and interaction logic specifications.

• Include examples of how you have contributed to or utilized design systems, component libraries, or style guides to ensure consistency and efficiency in design execution.

• Present evidence of your involvement in design reviews and cross-functional collaboration, highlighting how you have incorporated feedback and navigated design critiques.

• Demonstrate your understanding and application of structured design processes, such as GVDP, Agile, or similar methodologies, and how you manage design deliverables within these frameworks.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a Lead UX Designer role, especially at a company like GM with a formal product development process, a portfolio is critical. The emphasis is on demonstrating not just visual output but the process and thinking behind the design. The inclusion of "measurable outcomes or impact" is crucial for a Lead role, indicating the need to show how design decisions contributed to business or user goals.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

• Based on industry benchmarks for Lead UX Designers with 5-10 years of experience in Shanghai, China, the estimated annual salary range is ¥350,000 - ¥600,000 (CNY).

Benefits:

• Comprehensive health insurance coverage (medical, dental, vision) for employees and eligible dependents.

• Retirement savings plan (e.g., pension, 401k equivalent) with potential company matching contributions.

• Paid time off, including vacation days, sick leave, and public holidays as per local regulations.

• Employee vehicle discount programs and potential access to GM vehicles.

• Opportunities for professional development, including training, conferences, and certifications.

• Relocation assistance may be provided for eligible candidates.

• Potential for performance-based bonuses and incentives.

Working Hours:

• Standard full-time working hours are typically 40 hours per week.

• The role is designated as on-site, requiring full-time presence at the Shanghai HQ Building.

• While standard hours apply, flexibility may be offered based on project needs and team collaboration, with potential for occasional overtime during critical project phases, subject to company policy.

📝 Enhancement Note: Salary data for senior design roles in major automotive hubs like Shanghai can vary significantly. The provided range is an educated estimate based on general market data for comparable roles and locations, aiming to be within a realistic spectrum. Specific benefits will depend on GM's internal policies for their China operations.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Automotive Manufacturing & Technology. General Motors is a global leader in designing, manufacturing, and marketing vehicles, with a significant and growing focus on advanced technologies like electric vehicles (EVs), autonomous driving (AV), and connected car services.

Company Size: Large Enterprise (GM is a Fortune 100 company with tens of thousands of employees globally). This signifies extensive resources, established processes, and opportunities for impact within a large organizational structure.

Founded: 1908. With over a century of history, GM has a deep legacy in automotive innovation and a strong brand presence worldwide.

Team Structure:

• The UX/UI design team likely operates within GM's broader Design organization, potentially a dedicated UX/UI group for China or integrated within global UX/UI functions that have a strong China presence.

• This role will report to a Design Manager or Director overseeing in-vehicle experiences or digital product design for the region.

Methodology:

• GM employs a structured, global design process (GVDP) that emphasizes rigorous design gates, cross-functional alignment, and validation.

• A strong focus on data-driven design, incorporating user research, analytics, and market insights, particularly for the nuanced China market.

• Emphasis on innovation and the integration of new technologies into the vehicle experience, reflecting GM's vision for "Zero Crashes, Zero Emissions, Zero Congestion."

• A commitment to a cohesive and human-centered design approach, ensuring all elements of the vehicle experience work together harmoniously.

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

📝 Enhancement Note: Understanding GM's scale and history is key. The "Zero Crashes, Zero Emissions, Zero Congestion" vision is a core company pillar that should inform how design decisions are framed. The mention of JV partners is critical for understanding the collaborative landscape in China.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is positioned as a "Lead UX Designer," indicating a senior individual contributor role. It requires not only advanced design skills but also the ability to guide projects, mentor junior staff, and influence design strategy. This level typically involves significant autonomy and responsibility for key design outcomes.

Reporting Structure: The Lead UX Designer will likely report to a Design Manager or Director within GM's Design or Product Development organization. They will work closely with program managers, engineering leads, and product planners, often acting as the primary UX/UI design point person for specific vehicle programs or feature sets.

Operations Impact: The Lead UX Designer's impact is direct and significant, shaping the user's primary interaction with the vehicle. Their work directly influences customer satisfaction, brand perception, safety, and the adoption of new technologies. By ensuring intuitive and compelling in-vehicle experiences, they contribute to GM's core mission and its transition into a technology-focused mobility company.

Growth Opportunities:

• Leadership Development: Progression to Senior Lead UX Designer, Principal UX Designer, or Design Manager roles, with increased scope for strategic leadership and team management.

• Specialization: Deepen expertise in specific areas like ADAS/AV interfaces, connected vehicle services, EV charging experiences, or advanced HMI technologies.

• Global Mobility: Opportunities to work on global projects or potentially transition to other GM design centers worldwide.

• Cross-Functional Expertise: Develop a deeper understanding of automotive engineering, software development, and product management through close collaboration.

• Innovation & Research: Contribute to GM’s R&D efforts in future mobility and user experience.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Lead" title implies a path for growth beyond individual contribution, potentially into formal leadership or principal-level expertise. The emphasis on the China market and global collaboration suggests opportunities for international exposure and career diversification within GM.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: On-site. The role requires full-time presence at the GM HQ Building in Shanghai, China.

Office Location(s): GMIO and China HQ & Ctr for Advanced Research and Science - Tech Lab Building, Shanghai, China. This suggests a modern, potentially R&D-focused facility.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Spaces: The environment likely includes collaborative work areas, design studios, meeting rooms, and potentially dedicated spaces for prototyping and user testing.

• Tools & Technology: Access to state-of-the-art design software, hardware, and potentially in-vehicle prototype labs or simulators necessary for automotive UX/UI development.

• Team Interaction: Frequent face-to-face interaction with a diverse team of designers, engineers, product managers, and researchers, fostering a dynamic and interactive work environment.

Work Schedule:

• The standard work schedule is 40 hours per week, Monday to Friday, with an on-site presence required.

• While structured, the fast-paced nature of automotive development may necessitate flexibility and occasional extended hours to meet project deadlines and design review schedules.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Tech Lab Building" designation implies a modern, innovation-focused workspace equipped with the necessary tools for advanced design and development. The on-site requirement emphasizes the importance of in-person collaboration and immersion in the development environment.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: HR or Recruiter call to assess basic qualifications, interest, and cultural fit.

• Portfolio Review & Technical Interview: A deep dive into your portfolio with the hiring manager and potentially senior design team members. Expect detailed questions about your design process, decision-making, problem-solving approaches, and specific project contributions.

• Cross-Functional Interview: Meeting with key stakeholders from engineering, product management, or interior design to assess collaboration skills and understanding of the broader development ecosystem.

• Cultural Fit / Behavioral Interview: Questions designed to gauge alignment with GM's values, teamwork capabilities, and approach to challenges.

• Final Interview: Potentially with a senior design leader or executive for final approval.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select 3-5 projects that best showcase your skills relevant to automotive UX/UI, complex digital products, and leadership potential. Prioritize projects demonstrating end-to-end ownership and impact.

• Tell a Story: For each case study, clearly articulate the problem, your role, the process, key decisions, and the outcome. Use visuals effectively to illustrate your journey and solutions.

• Highlight Process: Emphasize your UX methodology, research integration, wireframing, prototyping, and iterative design approach. Show how you arrive at solutions, not just the final output.

• Quantify Impact: Wherever possible, include metrics or demonstrable outcomes that show the value of your design contributions (e.g., improved usability, increased engagement, reduced errors).

• China Market Nuance: If possible, include projects or discuss considerations relevant to the Chinese market to demonstrate understanding.

Challenge Preparation:

• Be prepared for potential design challenges or case studies, which might involve a hypothetical automotive UX problem. Focus on demonstrating your structured problem-solving approach, ideation techniques, and ability to articulate design trade-offs.

• Practice explaining your design decisions concisely and persuasively, anticipating questions about feasibility, user impact, and adherence to brand/safety standards.

• Familiarize yourself with GM's vision and current product offerings, especially in the China market.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process for a Lead role at a major corporation like GM will be thorough. The portfolio review is paramount, and candidates should prepare to defend their design choices and process rigorously. Understanding the specific context of automotive design and the China market will be a significant advantage.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Design & Prototyping: Figma, Sketch, Adobe XD, Axure RP, InVision.

• User Research & Testing: UserTesting.com, Lookback, Maze, or similar platforms for remote and in-person usability studies.

• Collaboration & Project Management: Jira, Confluence, Asana, Trello, Slack, Microsoft Teams.

• Design Systems: Experience with or ability to contribute to established design systems and component libraries.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Familiarity with tools for analyzing user behavior data and product performance metrics (e.g., Google Analytics, Adobe Analytics, Mixpanel, Amplitude) to inform design decisions.

CRM & Automation:

Specialized Automotive Tools:

• Experience with automotive-specific design and simulation tools may be a plus, but not explicitly listed as required. This could include tools for 3D visualization, VR/AR prototyping, or HMI simulation environments.

📝 Enhancement Note: The core requirement is proficiency in standard UX/UI design and prototyping tools. Experience with design systems is highly valued for efficiency and consistency in a large organization. While direct CRM experience isn't listed, understanding the broader digital ecosystem and data flow is beneficial for a lead role.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Customer Centricity: A deep commitment to understanding and serving the needs of the driver and passengers, making every interaction intuitive, safe, and enjoyable.

• Innovation: Driving forward with new technologies and design approaches to create the future of mobility, aligning with GM's vision of zero emissions, zero crashes, and zero congestion.

• Collaboration: A strong belief in teamwork, open communication, and leveraging diverse perspectives to achieve optimal design solutions.

• Excellence: Striving for the highest quality in design execution, attention to detail, and delivering world-class user experiences.

• Integrity: Upholding ethical standards in design, product development, and business practices.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-Functional Integration: Designers are expected to be active participants in cross-functional teams, working closely with engineering, product, and research to ensure designs are technically feasible and meet business objectives.

• Open Feedback Culture: A willingness to both give and receive constructive criticism in design reviews and team discussions to collectively improve the product.

• Global & Local Alignment: A collaborative approach that balances global design standards with the specific needs and preferences of the China market, often involving close coordination with local teams and JV partners.

• Process-Oriented: Adherence to established design processes (like GVDP) while remaining adaptable and innovative.

📝 Enhancement Note: GM's stated values and mission ("Zero Crashes, Zero Emissions, Zero Congestion") are central to its identity and should be reflected in the team's operational culture. The emphasis on collaboration, particularly across global and local teams, is a key aspect of working within a multinational corporation like GM.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing Global & Local Needs: Successfully designing experiences that meet global standards while being deeply relevant and appealing to the specific cultural nuances and user behaviors in the China market.

• Complex System Integration: Navigating the intricate technical landscape of in-vehicle systems, including hardware limitations, software platforms, and evolving automotive technologies (ADAS, AV, EVs).

• Stakeholder Management: Effectively communicating and aligning design vision with diverse stakeholders who may have competing priorities or different levels of understanding of UX principles.

• Pace of Automotive Development: Adapting to the demanding timelines and rigorous validation processes inherent in automotive product development cycles.

• Mentoring and Leading: Guiding junior designers while also maintaining a high level of individual contribution and strategic input on complex programs.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Automotive UX Specialization: Deepen expertise in automotive-specific UX challenges, such as driver distraction mitigation, HMI for complex systems, and the unique data ecosystems of connected vehicles.

• Emerging Technologies: Gain hands-on experience with cutting-edge technologies like AI-driven interfaces, advanced driver-assistance systems, and the user experience of electric vehicle charging and management.

• Global Design Exposure: Work on projects with international scope, learning from design teams and user insights from various regions.

• Leadership Skills: Develop management and leadership capabilities through mentorship, project leadership, and participation in GM's leadership development programs.

• Industry Trends: Stay at the forefront of UX/UI trends in automotive and adjacent industries through conferences, training, and internal knowledge sharing.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges highlight the complexity and strategic importance of this role. The growth opportunities are geared towards developing a specialized expert within the automotive UX domain or progressing into broader leadership roles within GM's global design organization.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you had to balance conflicting requirements from different stakeholders (e.g., engineering vs. product vs. marketing). How did you prioritize and reach a design solution?"

• "How do you approach designing for a market with distinct cultural preferences, such as China, compared to your home market? Can you provide an example?"

• "Walk us through your process for translating complex technical or regulatory requirements into an intuitive user interface for a vehicle."

• "How do you ensure a consistent and cohesive user experience across multiple screens and interaction points within a vehicle (e.g., cluster, center display, HUD)?"

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What do you know about GM's vision for the future of mobility (Zero Crashes, Zero Emissions, Zero Congestion) and how would your UX design work contribute to it?"

• "How do you envision contributing to a collaborative and innovative design culture at GM, particularly within the context of the China market?"

• "How do you stay updated on the latest UX/UI trends in automotive and consumer electronics?"

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure Your Narrative: For each case study, clearly define the problem, your specific role and contributions, the design process, key decisions, and the outcome. Aim for a clear, logical flow.

• Show, Don't Just Tell: Use visuals (wireframes, mockups, prototypes, user flows) to illustrate your points. Be prepared to walk through interactive prototypes.

• Justify Your Decisions: Be ready to explain why you made certain design choices, referencing user research, design principles, or business objectives.

• Highlight Collaboration: Mention how you worked with others (engineers, PMs, researchers) and how you incorporated their feedback.

• Focus on Impact: Quantify results where possible. If not, articulate the qualitative benefits of your design.

• Tailor to the Role: Emphasize projects that are most relevant to automotive UX/UI, complex digital products, and leadership.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview questions will revolve around demonstrating strategic thinking, problem-solving, collaboration, and a deep understanding of the automotive UX domain, with a specific emphasis on the China market. Preparing to articulate your process and rationale is key.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Lead UX Designer position at General Motors:

• Submit Your Application: Complete the online application form via the provided link.

• Portfolio Preparation: Ensure your resume and portfolio are polished and tailored. Select 3-5 of your strongest case studies that best demonstrate your experience in automotive UX/UI, complex digital products, and leadership. Be ready to articulate your process, rationale, and impact for each.

• Resume Optimization: Highlight keywords and responsibilities from this job description on your resume. Emphasize your experience in UX/UI design, automotive context, cross-functional collaboration, and any relevant leadership or mentoring experience.

• Interview Preparation: Thoroughly review GM's vision and recent developments, especially in China. Prepare to discuss your portfolio in detail, answer behavioral questions, and articulate your approach to automotive UX challenges. Practice presenting your case studies concisely and persuasively.

• Company Research: Gain a deep understanding of GM's brand, its product portfolio (particularly in China), its design philosophy, and its stated mission. This will help you tailor your responses and demonstrate genuine interest and cultural alignment.

⚠️ 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.