Mobile Product Designer

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Mobile Product Designer Company: Ford Motor Company Location: Dearborn, Michigan, United States Job Type: Full time Category: Digital Product Design / User Experience Date Posted: January 28, 2026 Experience Level: 5-10 years Remote Status: Hybrid (4 days in office)

🚀 Role Summary

• Drive the design of features and improvements for Ford's critical mobile application, ensuring seamless integration into customers' daily lives and journeys.
• Champion user-centered design principles to create intuitive, engaging, and innovative mobile experiences that enhance vehicle functionality and customer satisfaction.
• Leverage advanced mobile app design trends, hardware capabilities, and technologies to push the boundaries of user experience within the Ford software ecosystem.
• Collaborate closely with Product Management, Engineering, and Feature Teams to translate concepts into high-fidelity, production-ready designs.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is positioned within Ford's Digital Product Design (DPD) team, focusing specifically on the mobile app experience. The emphasis is on a hybrid designer role, capable of end-to-end design from wireframes to polished UI, with a strong requirement for Figma proficiency and a portfolio demonstrating mobile app expertise within the automotive context.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Lead the design of new features and enhancements for the Ford mobile app, aligning with business objectives and deeply understanding user needs.
• Develop comprehensive user flows, wireframes, mock-ups, and interactive prototypes to effectively communicate design concepts and interaction models.
• Balance UX and UI design responsibilities, creating both functional frameworks and visually compelling interfaces.
• Implement and manage backlog stories that accurately represent design work and project scope.
• Take ownership of independent design initiatives, meticulously managing timelines and ensuring timely delivery of all design assets.
• Utilize data-driven insights and user feedback to inform design decisions, iterate on designs, and measure the impact of implemented changes.
• Express and uphold the Ford brand vision through user interface design, ensuring a consistent and premium brand experience across all mobile touchpoints.
• Execute designs with a meticulous attention to detail regarding layout, color theory, typography, and interactive behavior.
• Proactively research and integrate emerging hardware and software technologies, new interaction models, and best practices in product and visual design.
• Collaborate extensively with cross-functional teams, including Product Management and Engineering, to ensure a fluid transition from design concept to final implementation.
• Employ systematic approaches to solve complex design challenges, working closely with the Design System team to ensure consistency and scalability.
• Present design work and creative solutions effectively and frequently to key stakeholders in structured design reviews.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a hands-on design role with significant ownership. The emphasis on "balance UX and UI," "managing backlog stories," and "taking ownership of independent tracks" suggests a mid-to-senior level individual contributor expected to operate autonomously within a larger team structure.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: Bachelor’s Degree in Product Design, Graphic Design, Interaction Design, or a related field, or equivalent educational/experience.

Experience: 5+ years of dedicated experience in Mobile Product Design.

Required Skills:

• High-performing proficiency in Figma for mobile app design and prototyping.
• Demonstrated expertise in developing user flows, wireframes, mock-ups, and high-fidelity prototypes.
• Strong understanding of user experience (UX) principles, human-centered design methodologies, and design processes.
• Proven ability to balance UX and UI design, creating both functional frameworks and visually compelling interfaces.
• Excellent visual design skills with a keen sensibility for layout, color, typography, and interactive behavior.
• Strong communication, presentation, and interpersonal skills, with the ability to influence and inspire team members and stakeholders.
• Experience collaborating effectively with cross-functional teams, including Product Management and Engineering.
• Ability to manage multiple design projects simultaneously, prioritizing tasks and meeting deadlines.
• Experience presenting creative work and design rationale to stakeholders in reviews.

Preferred Skills:

• Familiarity with Agile development methodologies.
• Experience with Design System implementation and contribution.
• Background in automotive UI/HMI design.
• Experience with iterative product design cycles, delivering multiple mobile app experiences through production and into the market.
• Knowledge of or ability to create motion graphics or 3D modeling.
• Basic coding or development skills.

📝 Enhancement Note: The requirement for "High performing proficiency in Figma" is a strong signal for candidates to showcase their Figma skills. The distinction between required and preferred skills indicates areas where candidates can differentiate themselves, particularly with automotive UI/HMI experience and design system knowledge.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A comprehensive portfolio is required upon application, showcasing a range of mobile app design projects.
• Demonstrate a deep understanding of user experience principles and end-to-end design processes within mobile applications.
• Include case studies that highlight your problem-solving approach, design iterations, and final solutions for complex user challenges.
• Showcase your ability to translate user needs and business objectives into intuitive and engaging mobile interfaces.
• Provide examples that illustrate your proficiency in Figma, from initial wireframes to polished, high-fidelity mock-ups.

Process Documentation:

• Projects should clearly articulate the design process followed, including user research, ideation, prototyping, testing, and iteration phases.
• Demonstrate how data-driven insights were integrated into the design process to inform decisions and measure outcomes.
• Illustrate your collaboration process with Product Management, Engineering, and other stakeholders.
• Showcase your understanding and application of design systems for consistent and scalable product experiences.

📝 Enhancement Note: The explicit requirement for a portfolio upon application underscores its critical importance. Candidates should curate their portfolios to specifically highlight mobile app design, Figma proficiency, and automotive/complex system experience, demonstrating a structured design process.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $83,280 - $190,500 USD per year.

Benefits:

• Immediate medical, dental, vision, and prescription drug coverage.
• Flexible family care days.
• Paid parental leave programs.
• New parent ramp-up programs.
• Subsidized back-up child care.
• Family building benefits, including adoption and surrogacy expense reimbursement, and fertility treatments.
• Vehicle discount program for employees and family members.
• Management leases for vehicles.
• Tuition assistance programs.
• Established and active employee resource groups (ERGs).
• Paid time off for community service.
• A generous schedule of paid holidays, including the week between Christmas and New Year’s Day.
• Paid time off and the option to purchase additional vacation time.

Working Hours: 40 hours per week.

📝 Enhancement Note: The provided salary range is a key differentiator. Candidates should research typical salary bands for Mobile Product Designers with 5-10 years of experience in the Dearborn, MI area to gauge their expectations. The extensive benefits package is also a significant draw for potential candidates.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Automotive Manufacturing, Technology, Digital Services. Ford Motor Company is a global leader in the automotive industry, increasingly focused on digital transformation and connected vehicle technologies. Company Size: Large Enterprise (10,000+ employees). This indicates a structured environment with established processes, but also opportunities for impact within specialized teams. Founded: 1903. With over a century of history, Ford combines a legacy of innovation with a forward-looking approach to mobility and technology.

Team Structure:

• The Digital Product Design (DPD) team is a dynamic group comprising product designers, researchers, visual designers, industrial designers, modelers, and project managers.
• The Mobile App Team operates as a center of excellence within DPD, focusing on the core Ford mobile application.
• This role operates within the Advanced Mobile team, working under experienced leadership.
• Collaboration is expected with Product Management, Engineering, Feature Teams, and the Design System team.

Methodology:

• Emphasis on user-centered design, data-driven insights, and iterative product design cycles.
• Collaboration with Product Management and Engineering suggests an Agile or hybrid approach to development.
• Design System implementation highlights a focus on consistency, scalability, and efficiency in design.
• The role requires balancing creative exploration with pragmatic implementation grounded in business objectives.

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

📝 Enhancement Note: Ford's transition into a technology-driven automotive company is a critical context. The DPD team's focus on creating "simple, thoughtful, enjoyable, and compelling product experiences" sets the tone for the design philosophy.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is positioned as an experienced Mobile Product Designer, likely equivalent to a Senior Product Designer or a specialized Mobile Designer within a large organization. It involves leading design tracks and influencing product direction.

Reporting Structure: The designer will report to Advanced Mobile team leadership within Digital Product Design and collaborate closely with Product Managers and Engineering Leads.

Operations Impact: The mobile app is a "crucial companion" and an "ever-present tool" for Ford customers, providing essential command, status, and control of their vehicles. This role directly impacts customer confidence, daily experience, and brand loyalty by shaping a key digital touchpoint.

Growth Opportunities:

• Specialization: Deepen expertise in mobile UX/UI design, connected car technology, and emerging interaction models within the automotive space.
• Leadership: Potential to lead design efforts for significant features or product areas, mentor junior designers, and contribute to design strategy.
• Cross-functional Exposure: Gain extensive experience working with diverse teams across product, engineering, and business units within a global enterprise.
• Design System Contribution: Play a key role in evolving and maintaining Ford's design system for mobile applications.
• Industry Trends: Stay at the forefront of mobile technology and design trends, applying them to real-world automotive products.

📝 Enhancement Note: The role offers significant growth within the specialized field of automotive digital product design, with clear pathways for increased responsibility and impact. The emphasis on "leading design of features" and "ownership of independent tracks" points to a path towards design lead or principal designer roles.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Hybrid work model requiring 4 days per week in the Dearborn, Michigan office. This suggests a collaborative office environment designed to foster in-person teamwork and idea exchange.

Office Location(s): Dearborn, Michigan. This is a major hub for Ford Motor Company, providing access to extensive resources and a large employee base.

Workspace Context:

• The role requires close collaboration with Product Management, Engineering, and other designers, implying a team-oriented workspace.
• Access to the latest design tools (Figma) and potentially other digital prototyping and visualization software is expected.
• The environment is likely fast-paced, with a focus on iterative design and agile development cycles.
• Opportunities for cross-functional interaction and design reviews are integral to the workspace.

Work Schedule: Standard 40-hour work week, with flexibility implied by the hybrid model, but with a strong emphasis on in-office presence 4 days a week for collaboration.

📝 Enhancement Note: The hybrid requirement is a key detail for candidates considering location and work-life balance. The emphasis on in-office days suggests that in-person collaboration and spontaneous problem-solving are highly valued.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: Review of resume and mandatory portfolio submission.
• Portfolio Presentation & Discussion: Candidates will likely be asked to walk through their portfolio, discussing their process, design decisions, and impact for key mobile app projects. Expect questions focused on Figma proficiency, UX/UI balance, and problem-solving approaches.
• Cross-functional Interviews: Interviews with Product Management and Engineering leads to assess collaboration skills, understanding of technical constraints, and ability to translate design into production.
• Design Challenge: A potential design exercise or case study might be presented, requiring candidates to demonstrate their problem-solving skills, ideation process, and ability to articulate design solutions under a time constraint.
• Final Interview: Likely with senior leadership in Digital Product Design to assess cultural fit, strategic thinking, and overall alignment with Ford's design vision.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Selectively: Showcase 3-5 of your strongest mobile app design projects that best represent your skills and experience relevant to this role.
• Highlight Process: Clearly articulate your design process for each project, emphasizing user research, problem definition, ideation, iteration, and final solution. Use visuals to support your narrative.
• Emphasize Figma: Demonstrate your Figma expertise through detailed examples of wireframing, prototyping, and high-fidelity UI creation.
• Quantify Impact: Where possible, include metrics or outcomes that demonstrate the success or impact of your designs (e.g., improved conversion rates, user satisfaction scores).
• Address Automotive Context: If possible, include projects with automotive or complex system design experience, or explain how your mobile design principles translate to this domain.
• Prepare for Questions: Be ready to discuss your design choices, trade-offs made, and how you handle feedback and collaboration challenges.

Challenge Preparation:

• Understand Ford's Mobile App: Familiarize yourself with the current Ford mobile app's features, user experience, and target audience.
• Practice Problem-Solving: Prepare to tackle hypothetical design problems related to connected car features, vehicle control, or customer engagement.
• Articulate Design Rationale: Practice clearly explaining your design decisions, the rationale behind them, and how they address user needs and business goals.
• Time Management: If a design challenge is given, practice working within a set timeframe, prioritizing key deliverables.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on a portfolio review and potential design challenges indicates that practical design skills and the ability to articulate one's process are paramount. Candidates should prepare a narrative for their portfolio that aligns with Ford's stated goals for the mobile app.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Figma: Essential for wireframing, prototyping, and high-fidelity UI design. High proficiency is a mandatory requirement.
• Prototyping Tools: While Figma is primary, familiarity with other prototyping tools may be beneficial.
• Design System Tools: Experience working with or contributing to design systems is highly valued.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Familiarity with data-driven insights implies an ability to interpret analytics tools (e.g., Amplitude, Google Analytics, internal reporting dashboards) to inform design decisions.

CRM & Automation:

• While not directly listed, understanding how mobile app interactions feed into CRM systems or trigger automated customer communications can be a plus.

📝 Enhancement Note: Figma is the standout tool requirement. Candidates should be prepared to demonstrate their mastery of its features for mobile design. Awareness of how design outputs integrate with broader business systems is also beneficial.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Customer Focus: Creating "simple, thoughtful, enjoyable, and compelling product experiences that our customers need and love."
• Innovation: Envisioning and creating future mobility solutions, embracing emerging technologies.
• Collaboration: Working in close partnership with product and engineering teams.
• Excellence: Striving for best-in-class interactions and visual design.
• Data-Driven: Applying data-driven insights to inform design decisions.

Collaboration Style:

• Highly collaborative, working closely with Product Management, Engineering, and other design disciplines.
• Emphasis on presenting creative work early and often, fostering a culture of constructive feedback and iteration.
• Requires strong communication and interpersonal skills to influence and inspire cross-functional partners.

📝 Enhancement Note: The company culture emphasizes a blend of customer-centricity, technological innovation, and collaborative execution. Candidates should be prepared to demonstrate how they embody these values in their design practice.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing Innovation with Legacy: Integrating cutting-edge mobile technologies and design trends within the established Ford brand and existing vehicle architecture.
• Cross-Functional Alignment: Navigating complex stakeholder needs and ensuring design vision is understood and supported by diverse teams (product, engineering, marketing, legal).
• Data Interpretation: Effectively translating raw data and user feedback into actionable design improvements.
• Design System Evolution: Contributing to and maintaining a robust design system that scales across various mobile features and future product iterations.
• Hybrid Work Dynamics: Maximizing collaboration and productivity in a hybrid work environment, ensuring seamless communication and teamwork.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Specialized Automotive UX: Deepen expertise in the unique challenges and opportunities of designing for the automotive digital ecosystem.
• Emerging Technology Integration: Learn to apply new hardware capabilities (e.g., advanced sensors, connectivity features) and software paradigms to product design.
• Design Leadership: Develop skills in leading design initiatives, mentoring peers, and influencing product strategy.
• Industry Conferences: Potential to attend relevant UX/UI and automotive technology conferences.
• Internal Training: Access to Ford's extensive internal training programs for professional development.

📝 Enhancement Note: The role presents opportunities to tackle complex, real-world design challenges at the intersection of automotive and technology, with significant potential for professional growth and specialization.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Tell me about a time you had to balance competing user needs with business objectives in a mobile app design."
• "Describe your process for designing a new feature for a mobile application from concept to high-fidelity mockups, highlighting your use of Figma."
• "How do you ensure your designs are data-informed and how do you measure their success?"
• "Walk me through a challenging design problem you solved for a mobile app and the impact of your solution."
• "How do you collaborate with engineering teams to ensure your designs are feasible and implemented correctly?"

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What excites you about designing for Ford and the automotive industry?"
• "How do you see the Ford mobile app evolving in the next 3-5 years?"
• "Describe your experience working within a Design System or contributing to design guidelines."
• "How do you stay updated on the latest mobile design trends and technologies?"
• "What is your approach to receiving and giving design feedback?"

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Storytelling: Frame each project as a narrative: the problem, your role, your process, the solution, and the outcome.
• Figma Deep Dive: Be ready to demonstrate specific Figma workflows, component usage, prototyping techniques, and how you've leveraged its features.
• Visual Clarity: Use clear, high-quality visuals. Ensure your mockups and prototypes are easily understandable.
• Quantify Impact: Present metrics or user feedback that validate the success of your designs.
• Conciseness: Be mindful of time; focus on the most impactful aspects of your work.

📝 Enhancement Note: Candidates should prepare to articulate their design process with a focus on Figma, user-centricity, and data-driven decision-making. Understanding Ford's brand and the strategic importance of their mobile app will be crucial.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this operations position:

• Submit your application through the provided Oracle Cloud link.
• Crucially, ensure your portfolio is attached or clearly linked within your application. This is a mandatory requirement for consideration.
• Tailor your resume to highlight your 5+ years of mobile product design experience, proficiency in Figma, and any relevant automotive or complex system design projects.
• Prepare to discuss your portfolio in detail, focusing on your design process, problem-solving approach, and the impact of your work.
• Research Ford Motor Company's current digital initiatives, their mobile app strategy, and their overall vision for connected vehicles to demonstrate your understanding and enthusiasm.

⚠️ 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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