Senior Designer - Advanced UX team

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Senior Designer - Advanced UX team

Company: General Motors

Location: Warren, Michigan, United States

Job Type: FULL_TIME

Category: UX/Product Design Operations

Date Posted: February 12, 2026

Experience Level: 5-10 Years

Remote Status: Hybrid

🚀 Role Summary

• Spearhead the development of advanced user experience (UX) concepts and visual directions for future in-vehicle interactions, leveraging sophisticated conceptual visualization and compelling visual storytelling.

• Design and implement scalable design systems, robust visual languages, and comprehensive interface frameworks to ensure consistency and cohesion across diverse automotive platforms and features.

• Craft high-fidelity concept visuals, including detailed 2D illustrations, intricate UI explorations, dynamic motion studies, and foundational 3D models or animations, to vividly illustrate future-state user interactions.

• Construct low-to-high fidelity prototypes that are instrumental in validating complex interaction patterns, demonstrating intricate feature flows, and supporting critical product decision-making processes.

• Drive rapid iteration on user flows, interaction models, and motion behaviors, incorporating feedback and user insights to refine and elevate the overall experience direction.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is positioned within an "Advanced UX team" at General Motors, indicating a focus on forward-looking, innovative user experiences rather than immediate product cycles. The emphasis on "conceptual visualization," "rapid prototyping," and exploring "next-generation in-vehicle interactions" suggests a deep dive into emerging technologies and future mobility trends. This implies a need for designers who can not only execute but also envision and articulate novel interaction paradigms within the automotive context. The inclusion of "systems thinking" and "technical craft" points towards a role that balances creative ideation with practical application and understanding of system constraints, common in operations-adjacent design roles that bridge concept and execution.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Conceptualize and visualize future-state in-vehicle user interfaces and interaction models, translating complex ideas into clear storyboards, narrative flows, and compelling visual presentations.

• Develop and maintain comprehensive design systems and visual languages that ensure a unified and scalable user experience across GM's evolving automotive product portfolio.

• Produce high-quality design artifacts, including detailed UI layouts, illustrative sketches, refined motion graphics, and interactive prototypes, to effectively communicate design intent and user journeys.

• Collaborate closely with cross-functional teams, including engineering, product management, and external suppliers, providing design leadership and insights to influence major product development decisions.

• Stay abreast of emerging trends in UX, mobility, gaming, and consumer technology, proactively integrating fresh inspiration and innovative approaches into the design process.

• Conduct user research and usability testing, translating findings into actionable design improvements and iterating on designs to meet evolving user needs and technological capabilities.

• Present design concepts and rationale effectively to stakeholders at various levels, articulating the value and strategic impact of proposed UX solutions.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a blend of creative ideation and systematic execution, crucial for roles that bridge design and operational deployment. The emphasis on "scalable design systems," "interface frameworks," and "cohesive solutions across platforms" points to a need for designers who understand the operational implications of design choices, ensuring consistency and efficiency in implementation. The requirement to "collaborate and present effectively with cross-functional teams" and "influence major product decisions" underscores the operational impact of this role, requiring strong communication and strategic thinking skills to align design vision with business objectives and technical feasibility.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: While not explicitly stated, a Bachelor's or Master's degree in Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), Interaction Design, Graphic Design, Industrial Design, or a related field is typically expected for senior-level design roles.

Experience: 5+ years of professional experience in interdisciplinary design, focusing on UX Design, Product Design, and Human Interface Design.

Required Skills:

• Demonstrated expertise in end-to-end UX process, from conceptualization to final design delivery.

• Proven ability in systems thinking, understanding how individual components contribute to a larger, cohesive user experience.

• Strong visual storytelling and narrative design capabilities, effectively communicating complex interaction flows and user journeys.

• Proficiency in creating complex interaction designs that are intuitive, inclusive, and user-centered.

• Expert proficiency in Figma for UI design, wireframing, and prototyping.

Preferred Skills:

• Strong proficiency in additional design and prototyping software including Sketch, Adobe XD, Adobe Photoshop, and Adobe Illustrator.

• Working knowledge of 3D modeling workflows and associated software, enabling the creation of 3D assets or contributing to 3D design explorations.

• Experience with video editing tools like Adobe Premiere Pro for creating motion studies, explainer videos, or design presentations.

• A foundational understanding of engineering and software development constraints, facilitating collaboration with technical teams and ensuring design feasibility.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Required Qualifications" emphasize a strong foundation in core UX design principles and advanced digital prototyping skills, particularly with Figma and ProtoPie. The "Preferred Qualifications" broaden this to include traditional graphic design tools and emerging areas like 3D modeling and video editing, suggesting an evolving role that integrates richer media and potentially AR/VR or advanced visualization techniques. The mention of "engineering and software constraints" is critical for an operations context, implying that successful candidates will need to bridge creative vision with technical realities, ensuring implemented designs are both innovative and feasible within production pipelines.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• End-to-End UX Process: Showcase a clear, documented process for taking a project from initial concept through research, ideation, design, prototyping, and validation, demonstrating strategic thinking and problem-solving at each stage.

• Systems Thinking: Present case studies that illustrate the creation or expansion of design systems, visual languages, or interface frameworks, emphasizing consistency, scalability, and maintainability.

• Prototyping Expertise: Include examples of prototypes ranging from low-fidelity (e.g., wireframes, user flows) to high-fidelity (e.g., interactive mockups, motion prototypes), clearly demonstrating the purpose and impact of each fidelity level.

• Visual Storytelling & Narrative Design: Feature projects where you've used storyboards, narrative flows, and compelling visuals to articulate complex user experiences, future concepts, or feature demonstrations.

• Complex Interaction Design: Highlight solutions to challenging interaction design problems, detailing the user needs, design decisions, and the resulting intuitive and effective interfaces.

Process Documentation:

• Workflow Design & Optimization: Demonstrate experience in mapping out and optimizing user workflows, illustrating how designs streamline processes and enhance efficiency for the end-user.

• System Implementation: Provide evidence of contributions to or creation of design systems, detailing the process of defining components, guidelines, and ensuring their consistent application.

• Measurement & Performance Analysis: Where possible, include examples of how design decisions were informed by data or how the impact of designs was measured (e.g., through user testing, A/B testing, or post-launch metrics), showcasing an analytical approach.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a Senior Designer role in an advanced team, the portfolio is paramount. It needs to go beyond showcasing pretty screens and demonstrate a deep understanding of process, systems thinking, and the ability to translate complex ideas into tangible, user-centered experiences. The emphasis on "scalable design systems," "interface frameworks," and "prototyping from low to high fidelity" indicates that GM is looking for designers who can contribute to repeatable, efficient design operations that can be applied across multiple vehicle programs. The inclusion of "systems thinking" and "end-to-end UX process" suggests a need for candidates who can operate autonomously and contribute to the operational framework of the design team.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: Based on industry benchmarks for a Senior UX Designer with 5-10 years of experience in a major automotive hub like Detroit, the estimated annual salary range is likely between $120,000 to $170,000 USD. This range can vary based on specific skill sets, interview performance, and internal equity.

Benefits:

• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance plans.

• Retirement savings plan (e.g., 401k) with company match.

• Paid time off, including vacation, sick leave, and holidays.

• Potential for relocation assistance for eligible candidates.

• Access to GM's employee discount programs for vehicles and other services.

• Opportunities for professional development, training, and conference attendance.

• Hybrid work arrangement providing flexibility for work-life balance.

Working Hours: The standard working hours are typically 40 hours per week, with flexibility offered through the hybrid work arrangement. The role is categorized as hybrid, requiring the successful candidate to report to the office three times per week in Warren, MI, or as otherwise dictated by business needs.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range is an estimation based on typical compensation for Senior UX Designers in the automotive industry in the United States. General Motors is a large, established corporation, so it's expected they would offer a competitive benefits package including health insurance, retirement plans, and paid time off. The hybrid work arrangement with specific office days is a key operational detail that impacts daily work-life integration.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Automotive Manufacturing and Technology. General Motors is a global leader in the automotive sector, actively innovating in areas of electric vehicles (EVs), autonomous driving, and connected car technologies. The Human Interface Design (HID) team operates at the forefront of these innovations, shaping how consumers interact with these advanced automotive systems.

Company Size: General Motors is a large enterprise, employing over 100,000 people globally. This scale means operations are highly structured, with established processes and a significant impact on global mobility. For operations professionals, this can translate to opportunities for broad impact, exposure to complex systems, and participation in large-scale initiatives.

Founded: General Motors was founded in 1908. This long history signifies a deep-rooted understanding of the automotive industry, coupled with a continuous drive for innovation to remain competitive. The company's evolution from traditional manufacturing to a technology-focused future shapes its current operational focus and design philosophy.

Team Structure:

• The Human Interface Design (HID) team, specifically the Advanced UX group, is likely a specialized unit within GM's broader design or engineering organization. It probably consists of highly skilled designers focused on future concept development.

• The reporting structure would likely place this Senior Designer under a Design Manager or Director, with close collaboration expected with product managers, engineering leads, and potentially research scientists.

Methodology:

• Data Analysis & Insights: The team likely employs data from user research, market trends, and competitive analysis to inform design directions. This includes understanding user needs and pain points in current and future mobility scenarios.

• Workflow Planning & Optimization: The design process emphasizes structured workflows for concept development, prototyping, and iteration, aiming for efficient exploration and validation of ideas.

• Automation & Efficiency Practices: While the role is design-focused, an understanding of how design assets and systems can be leveraged for efficiency in downstream development (engineering, testing) is valuable.

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

📝 Enhancement Note: GM's status as a legacy automotive giant transitioning into a tech-forward mobility company is a key contextual element. The "Advanced UX group" suggests a forward-thinking culture within a large, structured organization. This duality means operations professionals will need to navigate both established corporate processes and the agile, innovative demands of cutting-edge technology development. The emphasis on "systems thinking" and "scalability" aligns with the operational needs of a large manufacturer.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is at a Senior level, indicating significant experience and autonomy. A Senior Designer is expected to lead complex projects, mentor junior designers, and contribute to the strategic direction of the team's design operations. In an operations context, this means influencing process improvements, advocating for best practices, and ensuring design output aligns with business goals and technical feasibility.

Reporting Structure: The Senior Designer will likely report to a Design Lead or Manager within the Advanced UX team. This structure allows for mentorship and guidance while providing the autonomy expected of a senior role. Collaboration will extend across various departments, including engineering, product management, and research, requiring strong cross-functional communication skills.

Operations Impact: The Senior Designer's work directly impacts the future user experience of GM vehicles. By shaping intuitive and engaging interfaces, they contribute to brand perception, customer satisfaction, and the successful adoption of new technologies like EVs and autonomous driving. This has significant downstream operational implications, influencing software development cycles, hardware integration, and overall product competitiveness.

Growth Opportunities:

• Leadership Advancement: Potential to progress into Design Lead, Principal Designer, or Management roles, overseeing larger teams or strategic design initiatives.

• Specialization: Opportunity to deepen expertise in specific areas such as interaction design for autonomous systems, HMI for EVs, or advanced visualization techniques.

• Cross-Functional Mobility: Potential to move into product management, program management, or strategic roles that leverage design thinking and understanding of user experience within the broader automotive ecosystem.

• Mentorship & Training: Formal and informal opportunities to mentor junior designers and contribute to the development of design talent within GM, enhancing overall team operational capabilities.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Senior" title implies a level of operational responsibility beyond individual contribution. This includes mentoring, process input, and strategic alignment. The growth opportunities highlight how a design role can evolve into leadership or specialized operational functions within a large corporation like GM, emphasizing the long-term career trajectory and potential for broader impact.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: This role is categorized as hybrid, with the expectation of reporting to the GM Global Technical Center in Warren, Michigan, three times per week. This suggests a modern, well-equipped office environment designed for collaboration and innovation.

Office Location(s): The primary office location is the GM Global Technical Center (GM Tech Center) in Warren, Michigan. This is a major hub for GM's research, development, and design activities, offering a concentrated environment of automotive innovation.

Workspace Context:

• The GM Tech Center is known for fostering a collaborative environment, equipped with advanced facilities to support design and engineering work. This includes studios, labs, and meeting spaces conducive to cross-functional teamwork.

• Expect access to cutting-edge design tools and technology, including high-performance workstations, specialized software, and potentially advanced display technologies or simulation equipment relevant to automotive UX.

• Opportunities for spontaneous interaction and formal collaboration sessions with colleagues from diverse disciplines (design, engineering, research, product management) are integral to the work environment.

Work Schedule: The hybrid work schedule balances remote flexibility with in-office collaboration. The expectation of three days per week in the office is designed to facilitate team synergy, hands-on work, and crucial face-to-face interactions while allowing for focused work periods remotely.

📝 Enhancement Note: The hybrid model and specific office location are key operational aspects. The GM Tech Center is a significant R&D facility, implying a work environment rich in resources and expertise. For operations professionals, understanding this environment—its collaborative nature, available tools, and structured hybrid approach—is important for assessing daily workflow and team integration.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A review of your resume and portfolio by a recruiter or hiring manager to assess qualifications and alignment with the role.

• Portfolio Presentation: A dedicated session where you will present your portfolio, showcasing key projects, your design process, and problem-solving skills. Be prepared to discuss your contributions, rationale, and outcomes.

• Technical/Skills Assessment: This may involve a design exercise or a deep dive into your proficiency with required tools (Figma, ProtoPie) and design methodologies.

• Cross-functional Interviews: Interviews with potential team members and stakeholders from engineering, product management, or research to assess collaboration skills, communication, and cultural fit.

• Final Interview: A discussion with senior leadership to evaluate strategic thinking, leadership potential, and overall fit within the Advanced UX team and GM's broader vision.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select 3-5 of your strongest projects that best demonstrate the required skills (end-to-end UX, systems thinking, prototyping, visual storytelling). Prioritize projects relevant to automotive or complex digital product design.

• Tell a Story: For each project, clearly articulate the problem, your role and process, the challenges faced, your design decisions and rationale, and the final outcome or impact. Use visuals effectively to support your narrative.

• Highlight Process: Emphasize the "how" and "why" behind your work. Showcase your iterative process, how you incorporated feedback, and how you approached complex interactions or system design.

• Showcase Tools: Clearly indicate the tools used in each project, especially Figma and ProtoPie, and be ready to discuss your advanced capabilities with them. If you have 3D or video editing experience, ensure relevant projects are included.

• Quantify Impact: Wherever possible, use metrics or user feedback to demonstrate the effectiveness and impact of your designs.

Challenge Preparation:

• Understand the Context: Be prepared for potential design challenges that might involve conceptualizing an in-vehicle feature, designing a complex interaction flow, or solving a user problem within a automotive context.

• Focus on Process: If given a challenge, articulate your approach clearly. Demonstrate how you would break down the problem, ideate solutions, and consider user needs and technical constraints.

• Tool Proficiency: If the challenge requires using specific tools, ensure you are comfortable navigating them quickly.

• Presentation Skills: Practice presenting your thoughts and solutions concisely and effectively, as you would in a portfolio review.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process emphasizes practical demonstration of skills through portfolio review and potential design challenges. For operations-minded candidates, this means not only showcasing creative output but also demonstrating a structured, repeatable, and efficient approach to design. The portfolio review is a critical operational gate, requiring candidates to present their "process portfolio" effectively.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Figma: Expert proficiency required for UI design, wireframing, component creation, and collaborative prototyping. This is the core tool for UI design operations.

• ProtoPie: Advanced proficiency required for building sophisticated, high-fidelity interactive prototypes that simulate complex behaviors and motion, crucial for validating advanced UX concepts.

Analytics & Reporting:

CRM & Automation:

Other Design Tools (Preferred):

• Sketch, Adobe XD: Proficiency in these common UI/UX design tools is a plus.

• Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Illustrator: Essential for creating and editing visual assets, illustrations, and graphics.

• 3D Modeling Software (e.g., Blender, Maya, 3ds Max): Working knowledge is preferred for creating or contributing to 3D visualizations and concept models.

• Adobe Premiere Pro (or similar video editing software): Useful for creating motion studies, explainer videos, and design presentations.

📝 Enhancement Note: The explicit mention of Figma and ProtoPie highlights the core technology stack for this role. Proficiency in these tools is not just about using them, but understanding how they enable efficient design operations, rapid iteration, and clear communication of complex interactions. The preferred tools suggest a broader toolkit that can enhance the quality and scope of design output, contributing to a more robust design pipeline.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Innovation & Future Thinking: A strong drive to explore and define the future of automotive interaction, embracing new technologies and challenging the status quo.

• User-Centricity: A commitment to deeply understanding user needs and translating them into intuitive, accessible, and emotionally resonant experiences.

• Collaboration & Teamwork: A belief in the power of collective intelligence, fostering an environment where diverse perspectives are valued and cross-functional synergy is paramount.

• Excellence & Craftsmanship: A dedication to high-quality design execution, attention to detail, and continuous improvement in skills and processes.

• Data-Informed Decision Making: Utilizing research, analytics, and user feedback to guide design choices and measure the impact of solutions, ensuring designs are effective and strategically aligned.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-Functional Integration: The team actively collaborates with engineering, product management, and research to ensure designs are technically feasible, strategically aligned, and meet user needs. This involves regular communication, workshops, and shared problem-solving.

• Iterative Feedback Loops: A culture that encourages open feedback and continuous iteration on designs, with structured opportunities for critique and refinement at various stages of the design process.

• Knowledge Sharing: Practices that promote the sharing of insights, best practices, and learnings across the team and with broader organizational stakeholders, fostering collective growth and operational efficiency.

📝 Enhancement Note: The operations values emphasize a blend of forward-thinking creativity and rigorous execution. A user-centric approach combined with data-informed decision-making is critical for ensuring that innovative designs translate into successful, operationally sound products. The collaborative style, especially cross-functional integration, highlights the need for strong communication and a process-oriented mindset to navigate complex projects within a large organization.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Bridging Concept and Production: Translating highly conceptual, future-forward designs into feasible, scalable solutions within the constraints of automotive development cycles and manufacturing processes.

• Navigating Large Organization Complexity: Effectively influencing design direction and implementing new UX paradigms within a large, established corporate structure like General Motors.

• Rapidly Evolving Technology: Keeping pace with the accelerated development of AI, autonomous driving, connectivity, and immersive display technologies, and integrating them meaningfully into vehicle experiences.

• Defining Future Interaction Paradigms: Establishing novel and intuitive ways for users to interact with increasingly complex vehicle systems, moving beyond current paradigms.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Advanced UX Specialization: Opportunities to deepen expertise in areas such as AI-driven interfaces, advanced HMI for autonomous vehicles (AVs), spatial computing in vehicles, or sophisticated motion design.

• Industry Engagement: Potential to attend leading UX, automotive, and technology conferences, access to internal training programs, and opportunities for certifications.

• Cross-Disciplinary Exposure: Learning directly from experts in engineering, AI, product strategy, and other fields within GM, fostering a holistic understanding of product development.

• Leadership Development: Mentorship programs and opportunities to lead projects or mentor junior designers, building leadership and strategic operational skills.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges highlight the unique operational demands of working in advanced design within a major automotive manufacturer. The growth opportunities point towards a career path that can lead to deeper specialization or broader leadership within the operational structure of GM's design and technology divisions.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a complex UX challenge you faced in a previous role and how you approached it using a structured process. What was the outcome?" (Focus on demonstrating your problem-solving methodology and ability to deliver results.)

• "How would you go about designing a new in-vehicle interface for an autonomous vehicle? Walk us through your initial thoughts on user needs, interaction models, and potential challenges." (Prepare to articulate your conceptualization process and systems thinking.)

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What excites you most about the future of automotive UX and General Motors' role in it?" (Showcase your passion for the industry and alignment with GM's vision.)

• "How do you approach collaborating with engineers and product managers who may have different priorities or perspectives?" (Demonstrate your communication and stakeholder management skills.)

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Focus on Process: For each project, clearly articulate the "why" and "how." Detail your research, ideation, prototyping, and iteration steps.

• Highlight Systems Thinking: If you have projects involving design systems, component libraries, or scalable frameworks, emphasize these to showcase your operational impact.

• Emphasize Prototyping: Be ready to demonstrate interactive prototypes, explaining the fidelity level and the insights gained from them. Discuss your advanced use of tools like Figma and ProtoPie.

• Quantify Impact: Whenever possible, use data or user feedback to support the success of your designs.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation should focus on demonstrating not just design skill, but also a mature, process-oriented approach to design operations. Candidates should be ready to articulate how their work contributes to efficiency, scalability, and strategic alignment within a large organization.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this operations-adjacent design position:

• Submit your application through the provided link on the General Motors careers portal.

• Portfolio Customization: Tailor your portfolio to highlight projects demonstrating end-to-end UX process, systems thinking, advanced prototyping (especially with Figma and ProtoPie), and visual storytelling relevant to complex digital products or automotive interfaces.

• Resume Optimization: Ensure your resume clearly lists your years of experience, proficiency with required tools (Figma, ProtoPie), and quantifiable achievements in UX/Product/Human Interface Design. Use keywords from the job description naturally.

• Interview Preparation: Practice articulating your design process, rationale, and the impact of your work. Prepare to discuss your approach to complex challenges and cross-functional collaboration. Rehearse your portfolio walkthrough to be concise and impactful.

• Company Research: Familiarize yourself with General Motors' current initiatives in EVs, autonomous driving, and their overall design philosophy. Understand their stated values and future vision to better align your responses with the company's direction.

⚠️ 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.