Robotics Intern - UX Design

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Robotics Intern - UX Design

Company: Toyota Research Institute (TRI)

Location: Los Altos, CA

Job Type: Intern

Category: User Experience (UX) Design / Product Design

Date Posted: December 02, 2025

Experience Level: Entry-Level / Intern (0-2 years)

Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• This internship focuses on designing intuitive physical and digital experiences for managing and interacting with robots in a factory setting, directly contributing to TRI's mission of improving the quality of human life through advanced technology.

• The role involves applying user-centered design principles to create digital interfaces for robot fleet management and tools for factory team members to ensure manufacturing quality.

• The intern will have the opportunity to prototype and test robotics UX concepts, working within a collaborative, interdisciplinary team of UX designers, researchers, and engineers.

• This position offers hands-on experience in a cutting-edge environment, bridging the gap between human interaction and advanced robotics within industrial applications.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the core input is for a "Robotics Intern - UX Design", the output is tailored to emphasize operations aspects where applicable, such as factory context, fleet management, and quality assurance, which are critical components of industrial operations.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Design and prototype digital interfaces for managing fleets of mobile robots within a manufacturing or factory environment, focusing on operational efficiency and real-time monitoring.

• Develop user experience (UX) artifacts, including personas, user journeys, wireframes, and high-fidelity mock-ups, to visualize and refine interactions between human operators and robotic systems.

• Create and test prototypes for tools that assist factory team members in assuring the quality of manufactured parts, ensuring seamless integration into existing production workflows.

• Explore and design physical and digital methods for intuitive human-robot interaction, including how robots communicate status and receive commands in an operational setting.

• Extend and utilize a platform for rapid prototyping and testing of novel robotics UX concepts, ensuring designs are user-centered and operationally sound.

• Collaborate closely with robotics engineers, researchers, and other UX team members to translate complex technical capabilities into user-friendly and actionable interfaces.

• Contribute to the development and maintenance of a design system to ensure consistency and scalability of UX solutions across various robotics projects.

• Prepare and present design concepts, prototypes, and findings to stakeholders, clearly articulating the user-centered design process and its impact on operational outcomes.

📝 Enhancement Note: Core responsibilities are expanded to detail the operational context of UX design in a robotics and factory environment, highlighting process integration, quality assurance support, and fleet management aspects relevant to operations professionals.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

Experience:

• Demonstrated experience through a portfolio showcasing a strong user-centered design process, from research and ideation through to high-fidelity prototyping and testing.

Required Skills:

• User-Centered Design (UCD): Proven ability to apply UCD principles throughout the design lifecycle to create effective and intuitive user experiences.

• Prototyping: Proficiency in creating prototypes of varying fidelities, from low-fidelity wireframes to high-fidelity interactive mock-ups, to test and communicate design concepts.

• Digital Interface Design: Strong skills in designing digital interfaces for complex systems, with an understanding of information architecture and usability best practices.

• Figma Proficiency: Expertise in using Figma for UI design, prototyping, and collaboration, including leveraging its advanced features and understanding industry standards.

• Design System Understanding: Hands-on experience with design systems, including contributing to or utilizing them to ensure design consistency and efficiency across projects.

• Visual Design Acumen: A keen eye for visual design, with the ability to produce pixel-perfect design specifications and high-quality visual assets.

• Communication & Collaboration: Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to articulate design decisions, receive constructive feedback, and collaborate effectively in an interdisciplinary team.

Preferred Skills:

• Interaction Design: Experience in designing complex interactions for physical products or systems, with a focus on intuitive control and feedback mechanisms.

• Physical Device Interface Design: Prior experience designing interfaces and interactions specifically for physical devices, such as robots, IoT devices, or other hardware.

• Microcontroller Prototyping: Familiarity with prototyping interactions using microcontrollers like Raspberry Pi, Arduino, or similar platforms, to create tangible UX prototypes.

• Manufacturing/Industrial UX: Exposure to or understanding of UX challenges and design considerations within manufacturing, factory automation, or industrial environments.

• User Research Methods: Experience conducting or understanding user research methodologies to inform design decisions.

📝 Enhancement Note: Skills are contextualized for a robotics UX role within an industrial setting, emphasizing not just design tools but also the application of design thinking to operational challenges and physical-robot interaction.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• User-Centered Design Process: Showcase a clear and well-documented user-centered design process for at least 2-3 distinct projects, demonstrating research, ideation, iteration, and final design outcomes.

• Prototyping Examples: Include interactive prototypes (e.g., Figma links, video demonstrations) that illustrate key user flows and interaction designs. Showcasing varying fidelity is highly valued.

• UI/UX Artifacts: Present a range of UX artifacts, such as personas, user journey maps, wireframes, site maps, user flows, and high-fidelity UI mock-ups, relevant to complex system interactions.

• Design System Contribution/Usage: If applicable, demonstrate experience with design systems, showing how consistency was maintained or how components were utilized/created.

• Visual Design Quality: Ensure all visual elements of the portfolio, including mock-ups and project presentations, are polished, pixel-perfect, and professionally presented.

Process Documentation:

• Problem Definition: Clearly articulate the user problem or operational challenge addressed by each project.

• Design Rationale: Explain the design decisions made, supported by user research, usability principles, and strategic goals.

• Iterative Design: Highlight instances of iteration and how feedback (from users or team members) influenced design changes.

• Outcome & Impact: Where possible, describe the intended or actual impact of the design on user experience or operational efficiency.

📝 Enhancement Note: Portfolio requirements are detailed to guide a UX intern candidate on how to best present their work, focusing on process documentation, functional prototypes, and demonstrating impact relevant to design and operational goals.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

Benefits:

• Comprehensive Medical Insurance

• Dental Insurance

• Vision Insurance

Working Hours:

• This is a full-time, 12-week paid internship opportunity, typically aligned with standard business hours (approximately 40 hours per week). Specific daily schedules will be confirmed upon offer.

📝 Enhancement Note: Salary is provided based on the input data and contextualized for a UX intern role in California. Benefits are listed as specified, and working hours are clarified for an internship role.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Technology, Robotics, Artificial Intelligence, Automotive Research & Development.

Company Size: Toyota Research Institute (TRI) is a subsidiary of Toyota, operating as a distinct research entity. While part of a larger corporation, TRI functions with a focused, innovative culture akin to a specialized R&D lab or a mid-to-large sized tech company.

Founded: Toyota Research Institute was founded in 2015, signifying its relatively young age and focus on cutting-edge, future-oriented research and development.

Team Structure:

• The Robotics User Experience team is an integral part of TRI's Robotics division, based in Los Altos, CA.

• It comprises a multidisciplinary group of UX designers, UX researchers, and engineers, fostering a collaborative environment.

• The team likely reports within a broader engineering or R&D management structure, with UX designers working closely with product managers and robotics engineers.

Methodology:

• Human-Centered AI & Robotics: A core methodology is the development of AI and robotics that prioritize human well-being and enhance human capabilities, aligning with TRI's mission.

• Iterative Design & Prototyping: The team employs agile and iterative design processes, using rapid prototyping to test and refine concepts for physical and digital interfaces.

• Data-Driven Insights: UX research and design decisions are informed by data gathered from user studies, usability testing, and analysis of human-robot interactions in simulated or real-world environments.

Company Website: https://www.tri.global/

📝 Enhancement Note: Company context is derived from the provided description, emphasizing TRI's mission, its role within Toyota, and the multidisciplinary nature of its R&D teams, which is critical for understanding the operational environment of a UX designer.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is classified as an Intern, representing an entry-point or developmental stage in a User Experience or Human-Computer Interaction career path. The intern will gain foundational experience in applying design principles to complex technical domains like robotics and AI.

Reporting Structure: The intern will report to senior design staff within the Robotics UX team. This provides direct mentorship and exposure to experienced professionals in the field, facilitating learning and skill development.

Operations Impact: While an intern role, the work directly influences the usability and effectiveness of future robotics systems. By designing intuitive interfaces and interaction methods for factory environments, the intern's contributions can lead to improved operational efficiency, reduced error rates, and enhanced safety for human workers interacting with robots. The designs created could be foundational for deployed systems that impact Toyota's manufacturing operations or other industrial applications.

Growth Opportunities:

• Skill Specialization: Opportunity to deepen expertise in specific areas of UX design, such as interaction design for physical products, digital interface design for industrial applications, or prototyping with hardware.

• Industry Exposure: Gain invaluable experience working on cutting-edge robotics and AI projects within a leading research institution, providing a strong foundation for future roles in tech or manufacturing.

• Mentorship & Networking: Benefit from mentorship by experienced UX professionals and engineers, and build a professional network within TRI and the broader Toyota ecosystem.

• Potential for Future Opportunities: Successful interns may be considered for future internships or full-time positions within TRI or other relevant departments within Toyota, based on performance and business needs.

📝 Enhancement Note: Career and growth analysis is framed through the lens of an intern's development in UX, emphasizing the practical application of design skills to operational challenges and the potential for future career advancement within the field and company.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: This is an "in-office" role, meaning the intern will work from TRI's physical office in Los Altos, CA. This environment is designed to foster collaboration and hands-on work with research prototypes and team members.

Office Location(s): The internship is based at Toyota Research Institute's office in Los Altos, California. This location is part of the broader Silicon Valley ecosystem, known for its innovation and technology focus.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Spaces: The office is expected to feature collaborative workspaces, meeting rooms, and potentially labs where design concepts can be tested with robotic hardware.

• Tools & Technology: Access to industry-standard design software (like Figma), prototyping tools, and potentially robotics hardware and development platforms will be available.

• Interdisciplinary Interaction: The environment encourages frequent interaction with diverse teams, including UX designers, researchers, robotics engineers, and AI specialists, promoting a rich learning experience.

Work Schedule: The internship is structured as a 12-week, full-time engagement, typically aligning with standard business hours (e.g., 9 AM to 5 PM, Monday to Friday), with some flexibility potentially available.

📝 Enhancement Note: The work environment details are inferred from the "in-office" requirement and the nature of a research institute, highlighting collaborative aspects and the integration of design work with engineering and hardware.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A review of your resume and portfolio to assess qualifications and alignment with the internship requirements.

• Technical Interviews: Likely includes discussions about your design process, problem-solving approach, and technical skills (e.g., Figma, prototyping). You may be asked to walk through specific projects in your portfolio.

• Portfolio Review Session: A dedicated session where you present selected projects from your portfolio to the hiring team, explaining your role, process, and the outcomes.

• Behavioral/Cultural Fit Interview: Questions to assess your collaboration style, communication skills, ability to receive feedback, and alignment with TRI's values and mission.

• Potential Challenge (Optional): A small design exercise or case study scenario to evaluate your on-the-spot problem-solving and design thinking.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Tell a Story: For each project, clearly articulate the problem, your specific role and contributions, the process you followed, the challenges you faced, and the resulting solution or learnings.

• Show, Don't Just Tell: Use visuals extensively. Include wireframes, user flows, mock-ups, prototypes (links if possible), and any research insights or user testing results.

• Highlight Process: Emphasize your user-centered design methodology. Detail how you gathered requirements, ideated solutions, iterated based on feedback, and arrived at the final design.

• Quantify Impact (If Possible): If your designs led to measurable improvements (e.g., in user satisfaction, task completion time, error reduction), present these metrics. For an intern role, demonstrating potential impact is key.

• Tailor to TRI: Focus on projects that demonstrate skills relevant to robotics, human-robot interaction, industrial settings, or complex digital interfaces. Show that you understand TRI's mission and domain.

Challenge Preparation:

• Understand the Context: If presented with a design challenge, take time to understand the problem space, target users, and any constraints provided.

• Articulate Assumptions: Clearly state any assumptions you are making about the problem or users.

• Sketch & Ideate: Quickly sketch out potential solutions. Focus on core user flows and interactions.

• Explain Your Reasoning: Be prepared to verbally explain your thought process and the rationale behind your design choices.

• Focus on Process: For an intern role, demonstrating a structured approach and clear thinking is often more critical than delivering a perfectly polished final solution.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation advice is specific to a UX intern role, focusing on portfolio presentation, design process articulation, and demonstrating potential over extensive experience, with considerations for TRI's specific domain.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Figma: The primary tool for UI design, wireframing, prototyping, and collaboration. Proficiency is a core requirement.

• Prototyping Tools: Beyond Figma's native capabilities, experience with other prototyping tools (e.g., Adobe XD, InVision) may be beneficial.

• Design System Management Tools: Familiarity with tools or processes for managing and utilizing design systems.

Analytics & Reporting:

CRM & Automation:

Bonus/Advanced Tools:

• Microcontroller Platforms: Experience with Raspberry Pi, Arduino, or similar for creating interactive hardware prototypes that can be integrated with digital interfaces.

• 3D Modeling/CAD Software: Familiarity with tools for designing physical components or understanding robotic form factors could be beneficial.

• User Research Platforms: Tools for conducting remote usability testing or surveys.

📝 Enhancement Note: Technology stack is focused on UX design tools, with emphasis on Figma as specified, and includes bonus tools related to physical prototyping relevant to robotics.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Human-Centered Innovation: A foundational value, ensuring that technology development, including robotics and AI, is driven by the goal of improving human lives and experiences.

• Collaboration & Interdisciplinarity: Encouragement of diverse perspectives and close teamwork across different disciplines (design, research, engineering, AI) to solve complex problems.

• Excellence & Rigor: A commitment to high-quality research, meticulous design, and robust engineering, pushing the boundaries of what's possible.

• Learning & Adaptability: A culture that embraces continuous learning, experimentation, and adaptation to new technologies and evolving challenges in AI and robotics.

• Impact-Driven: Focus on developing technologies that have a tangible positive impact on society and quality of life.

Collaboration Style:

• Open Communication: Expect an environment where ideas are freely shared, and constructive feedback is actively encouraged among team members.

• Cross-Functional Integration: UX professionals work closely with engineering teams to ensure designs are technically feasible and effectively integrated into robotic systems.

• Iterative Feedback Loops: Regular design reviews and check-ins are common, allowing for continuous refinement of concepts based on input from peers and stakeholders.

• Shared Ownership: A sense of shared responsibility for the success of projects, fostering a supportive and team-oriented atmosphere.

📝 Enhancement Note: Team culture and values are inferred from TRI's mission and the nature of a research-focused organization, highlighting human-centered design, collaboration, and innovation as key drivers.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Bridging Physical and Digital: Designing seamless interactions between intuitive digital interfaces and complex physical robotic systems presents significant UX challenges.

• Industrial Context Application: Adapting consumer-grade UX principles and methodologies to the unique constraints, safety requirements, and operational workflows of a factory environment.

• Rapid Prototyping & Iteration: The fast-paced nature of research and development requires quick ideation, prototyping, and iteration cycles, demanding adaptability and efficient design processes.

• User Diversity in Operations: Designing for a diverse range of factory workers with varying technical proficiencies, physical abilities, and work contexts.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Specialized UX Skills: Deepen expertise in interaction design for physical products, robotics interfaces, and industrial UX.

• Technical Exposure: Gain exposure to cutting-edge robotics hardware, AI technologies, and software development practices.

• Industry Best Practices: Learn from leading UX professionals and engineers in a high-impact R&D environment.

• Portfolio Enhancement: Develop compelling case studies that showcase significant contributions to innovative technology projects, strengthening your professional portfolio.

• Networking: Build connections with professionals at the forefront of AI and robotics research.

📝 Enhancement Note: Challenges and growth opportunities are framed around the specific domain of robotics UX in an industrial setting, highlighting areas for skill development and professional enrichment relevant to an intern.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Walk me through your portfolio project on [specific project]: What was the problem, your role, your process, and the outcome?"

  • Preparation: Select 2-3 key projects that best showcase your skills and relevance to TRI. Prepare a concise narrative for each, focusing on your user-centered design process, problem-solving approach, and any quantifiable results or learnings.

• "How would you approach designing a digital interface for managing a fleet of robots in a factory setting?"

  • Preparation: Think about key considerations: real-time status monitoring, task assignment, error handling, safety protocols, team collaboration features, and visualization of robot locations and activities. Outline your process: user research, defining core functionalities, sketching, wireframing, and prototyping.

• "Describe a time you received difficult feedback on a design. How did you handle it, and what was the result?"

  • Preparation: Prepare a STAR (Situation, Task, Action, Result) answer. Focus on your ability to professionally receive and incorporate constructive criticism to improve the design.

• "What interests you about working on robotics UX at TRI?"

  • Preparation: Research TRI's mission, recent projects, and values. Connect your interests and career goals to their work in improving human life through technology.

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What do you know about Toyota Research Institute and its work in robotics?"

  • Preparation: Review TRI's website, recent news, and research areas (Automated Driving, Human-Centered AI, Robotics). Show genuine interest and understanding.

• "How do you see yourself contributing to our team's interdisciplinary environment?"

  • Preparation: Emphasize your collaboration skills, willingness to learn from others, and ability to communicate design concepts effectively to non-designers.

• "What are your career aspirations after this internship?"

  • Preparation: Align your aspirations with potential growth paths in UX, robotics, or AI, demonstrating a forward-thinking approach.

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure is Key: Organize your presentation logically. Start with an overview of TRI and the role, then dive into your chosen projects.

• Focus on Process, Not Just Polish: While polished visuals are important, emphasize your thought process, problem-solving, and how you iterated based on user needs and feedback.

• Highlight Relevance: Tailor your project selection and presentation to highlight skills most relevant to robotics UX and TRI's mission.

• Be Interactive: If presenting live, encourage questions. If sharing links, ensure they are functional and well-documented.

• Conciseness: Be mindful of time. Practice your presentation to ensure it fits within the allotted window, leaving time for discussion.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation is tailored for a UX intern, focusing on portfolio presentation, demonstrating design process, articulating interest in TRI's specific domain, and preparing for behavioral questions common in internship interviews.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Robotics Intern - UX Design position:

• Submit your application through the provided application link on jobs.lever.co.

• Portfolio Preparation: Ensure your online portfolio is up-to-date, well-organized, and showcases your best work demonstrating the user-centered design process. Tailor your project selection to highlight relevant experience in UI/UX design, prototyping, and ideally, any work related to physical products or complex systems.

• Resume Optimization: Update your resume to clearly highlight your educational background in HCI, Interaction Design, or related fields, relevant coursework, and any prior design experience. Use keywords from the job description such as "User Experience Design," "Prototyping," "Figma," and "User-Centered Design."

• Interview Practice: Prepare to discuss your portfolio projects in detail, focusing on your design process, problem-solving skills, and how you handle feedback. Practice answering common UX interview questions and behavioral questions.

• Company Research: Familiarize yourself with Toyota Research Institute's mission, values, and recent research initiatives, particularly in robotics and human-centered AI, to demonstrate genuine interest during interviews.

⚠️ 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.