UI Designer

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: UI Designer

Company: Ford

Location: Dearborn, Michigan, United States

Job Type: FULL_TIME

Category: Product Design / UX/UI

Date Posted: 2026-01-16T01:44:10.493

Experience Level: 5-10 Years

Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• Own the end-to-end UI design execution for Global Digital product experiences, ensuring polished, accessible, and high-fidelity interfaces from ideation through to launch.

• Develop comprehensive, development-ready design deliverables including responsive layouts, detailed mockups, component variations, interaction states, and annotated specifications to facilitate seamless engineering integration.

• Actively apply and evolve established design system patterns to ensure consistency, accelerate delivery timelines, and enhance overall quality across multiple product teams.

• Champion accessibility and inclusivity by embedding best practices in contrast, typography, focus states, keyboard navigation, and readable layouts across all devices.

• Utilize data and user feedback from site analytics, experiments, usability findings, and customer input to drive iterative design improvements and optimize product outcomes.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is situated within the automotive industry's digital product development, requiring a strong focus on user interface (UI) design for global digital platforms. The emphasis on "high-fidelity interfaces," "design system patterns," and "accessibility" indicates a need for a designer with a deep understanding of modern digital design principles and their practical application in a large, established organization like Ford. The role requires a blend of creative execution, strategic thinking, and collaborative problem-solving.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Execute UI design for Global Digital product experiences, ensuring the delivery of polished, accessible, and high-fidelity interfaces.

• Create development-ready design assets such as responsive layouts, detailed mockups, component variants, interaction states (default, hover, active, focus, disabled), and annotated specifications.

• Apply and evolve design system patterns to maintain consistency, expedite delivery, and improve quality across product teams.

• Design for accessibility and inclusivity by default, focusing on contrast, typography, focus states, keyboard patterns, and readable layouts across various devices.

• Build interactive prototypes to validate interaction patterns, page behavior, complex states, and to align quickly with cross-functional partners.

• Collaborate with product managers, content strategists, and engineers to shape user flows, information hierarchy, and page-level experiences that balance user needs with business objectives.

• Leverage site analytics, experiment results, usability findings, and customer feedback for iterative design improvements.

• Present design work and rationale to stakeholders, clearly articulating options, tradeoffs, and recommendations.

• Support implementation through close collaboration with engineering, conducting UI quality assurance (QA), and performing refinements to ensure the shipped product matches the intended design.

• Contribute to the near- and long-term experience vision across devices and locales, with a focus on scalable UI patterns.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a hands-on execution role with significant ownership over the UI design process. The emphasis on "development-ready design deliverables," "design system patterns," and "engineering collaboration" suggests a need for a designer who can bridge the gap between design and development effectively, ensuring feasibility and adherence to technical constraints. The inclusion of "data and feedback" for iteration points to a data-informed design approach.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Systems Engineering, or a related field, OR an equivalent combination of relevant education and professional experience.

Experience:

• A minimum of 5 years of professional experience in UI design, product design, visual design, or similar UI-focused roles with substantial high-fidelity UI ownership.

• Experience designing consumer-facing web or mobile product experiences at scale.

Required Skills:

• Expert proficiency in Figma, including advanced capabilities like auto layout, components, variants, and library management.

• Strong visual design acumen, demonstrated by a history of owning product UI end-to-end and consistently elevating polish and consistency.

• Proven experience in designing for accessibility and inclusivity (WCAG standards, contrast ratios, typography, focus states, keyboard navigation).

• Ability to build interactive prototypes to validate user flows and interaction patterns.

• Excellent collaboration skills, with a demonstrated ability to work effectively with product managers, content strategists, and engineers.

• Experience in translating user insights from usability testing and customer feedback into actionable design improvements.

• Strong understanding of front-end development constraints and patterns, including responsive behavior and performance considerations.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience designing for global markets, including considerations for localization and content variability.

• Familiarity with running or partnering on user discovery and validation activities (e.g., user interviews, usability testing).

• Experience working within or contributing to a design system.

• Familiarity with A/B testing and other experimentation methodologies to inform design decisions.

• Understanding of information architecture principles and how to apply them to digital products.

📝 Enhancement Note: The requirements emphasize deep technical skill in Figma and a strong visual design foundation. The mention of "consumer-facing web or mobile product experiences at scale" and "global markets" suggests the need for experience with high-traffic, widely used applications. The blend of technical tools, design principles, and collaborative skills is critical.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A comprehensive portfolio showcasing exceptional UI craft, including mastery of layout, typography, visual hierarchy, and interaction states.

• Detailed case studies demonstrating end-to-end product thinking, from problem definition to final shipped solution.

• Examples of high-fidelity UI design execution for complex digital products, ideally consumer-facing.

• Evidence of designing for accessibility and inclusivity as a core part of the design process.

Process Documentation:

• Case studies should clearly articulate the design process followed, including research, ideation, prototyping, testing, and iteration phases.

• Demonstrate how data and user feedback were incorporated into the design process to drive improvements and measure impact.

• Provide examples of how you collaborated with engineering and product teams throughout the design lifecycle.

• Illustrate your approach to creating detailed, development-ready design specifications and annotations.

📝 Enhancement Note: A strong portfolio is paramount for this role, serving as the primary evidence of UI craft and product thinking. The emphasis on "end-to-end product thinking" and "case studies" indicates a need for candidates to articulate their process, decision-making, and the impact of their work, not just showcase final visuals.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

• Based on industry benchmarks for experienced UI Designers in the Dearborn, Michigan area, a competitive salary range for a UI Designer with 5-10 years of experience would typically fall between $90,000 to $130,000 annually. This range can vary based on specific experience, the depth of portfolio demonstrated, and the candidate's negotiation skills.

Benefits:

• Comprehensive Health, Dental, and Vision Insurance.

• Retirement Savings Plan (e.g., 401k) with company matching.

• Paid Time Off (PTO), including vacation, sick leave, and holidays.

• Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) offering community, support, and professional development opportunities.

• Potential for tuition reimbursement or professional development programs.

• Discounts on Ford vehicles and related services.

Working Hours:

• Standard full-time work schedule, typically 40 hours per week.

• While the role is on-site, there may be a degree of flexibility in daily start and end times, subject to team needs and management approval.

• Occasional overtime may be required to meet project deadlines.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary estimate is based on general market data for UI Designers in a major metropolitan area with a strong automotive industry presence. Ford's benefits package is expected to be robust, typical of a large, established corporation, with a particular emphasis on employee resource groups as mentioned in the provided text.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Automotive Manufacturing & Technology. Ford is a global leader in the automotive industry, increasingly focusing on digital transformation, connected vehicles, and advanced mobility solutions. This means the digital product teams operate within a dynamic environment that blends traditional manufacturing strengths with cutting-edge technology development.

Company Size: Large Enterprise (Ford employs over 170,000 people globally). This scale implies structured processes, extensive resources, and a broad impact, but also potential for bureaucracy.

Founded: 1903. Ford has a long and rich history, bringing established processes, a strong brand legacy, and a deep understanding of its core business, while actively investing in future technologies.

Team Structure:

• The UI Design team is likely part of a larger Digital Product or Technology organization.

• Designers will collaborate closely with Product Managers, UX Researchers, Content Strategists, and Software Engineers.

• Reporting structure will likely involve a Design Manager or Lead, who oversees the team's output and career development.

Methodology:

• Design work is expected to be data-informed and user-centric, utilizing analytics and feedback to guide decisions.

• Agile/Lean methodologies are likely employed for iterative development and rapid deployment.

• Design system adherence and contribution are key to maintaining consistency and efficiency across a vast product portfolio.

• Emphasis on accessibility and inclusive design practices to cater to a diverse global user base.

Company Website: ford.com

📝 Enhancement Note: Ford's culture is a blend of its historical automotive manufacturing roots and its aggressive push into future technologies. For a UI Designer, this means working on products that have a tangible, real-world impact, but also navigating the complexities of a large, established organization. The mention of "established and active employee resource groups" suggests a company that values diversity and inclusion.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is positioned as a mid-to-senior level UI Designer, requiring significant autonomy and execution capability. It's a hands-on design role with opportunities to influence product direction and contribute to a scalable design system.

Reporting Structure: The UI Designer will report to a Design Manager or Lead, and will work within cross-functional product teams. This structure allows for both direct mentorship and broad collaboration.

Operations Impact: The UI Designer's work directly impacts the user experience of Ford's digital products, influencing customer engagement, brand perception, and the adoption of new technologies. By delivering polished, accessible, and user-friendly interfaces, they contribute to customer satisfaction and business goals related to digital services and vehicle connectivity.

Growth Opportunities:

• Specialization: Deepen expertise in specific areas such as accessibility, interaction design, or mobile UI design.

• Design System Leadership: Become a key contributor or leader in evolving and maintaining Ford's global design system.

• Cross-Functional Advancement: Transition into roles with more strategic product input or UX research involvement.

• Team Leadership: Progress into a Senior UI Designer role, mentoring junior designers, or potentially moving into a Design Lead or Management position.

• Continuous Learning: Opportunities to attend industry conferences, workshops, and pursue certifications relevant to UI/UX design and emerging technologies.

📝 Enhancement Note: The role offers a clear path for growth within a large organization, moving from execution to specialization or leadership. The emphasis on design systems and accessibility provides avenues for developing highly sought-after skills.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: On-site. The role is based at Ford's headquarters or a significant technical center in Dearborn, Michigan, indicating a traditional office environment.

Office Location(s): Dearborn, Michigan, United States. This location is a major hub for Ford's engineering and design operations.

Workspace Context:

• The workspace will likely be a collaborative office environment, fostering interaction with product, engineering, and fellow design teams.

• Access to modern design tools and technology, including high-performance workstations and relevant software (Figma is explicitly mentioned).

• Opportunities for team stand-ups, design critiques, and cross-functional brainstorming sessions are expected.

Work Schedule:

• A standard 40-hour work week is expected, with the possibility of some flexibility in daily hours.

• The on-site nature allows for immediate, in-person collaboration, which is often beneficial for complex design and development workflows.

📝 Enhancement Note: The on-site requirement suggests a preference for in-person collaboration, which is common for roles requiring close teamwork and access to specific on-site resources or facilities. Dearborn, Michigan, as a major automotive engineering hub, implies a professional, technically-focused work environment.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

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

• Portfolio Review & Presentation: A crucial stage where candidates present their portfolio, showcasing selected case studies. This typically involves discussing design process, problem-solving, decision-making, and impact. Expect to be asked about specific design choices and how they align with user needs and business goals.

• Technical/Skills Assessment: This might involve a design exercise, a Figma challenge, or in-depth questions about design systems, accessibility, and responsive design principles.

• Behavioral & Team Fit Interviews: Discussions with potential team members and hiring managers to assess collaboration style, problem-solving approach, and alignment with Ford's culture and values.

• Final Interview: Often with a senior leader to discuss strategic thinking, long-term vision, and overall fit for the role and company.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select 3-5 of your strongest projects that best represent the skills required for this UI Designer role (high-fidelity UI, end-to-end thinking, accessibility, design systems, collaboration).

• Tell a Story: For each case study, clearly articulate the problem, your role, the process you followed, the design solutions you proposed, the rationale behind your decisions, and the measurable outcomes or impact.

• Highlight Process & Collaboration: Show your thinking process, not just final visuals. Emphasize how you collaborated with engineers, product managers, and other stakeholders.

• Showcase UI Craft: Demonstrate your mastery of visual design principles, typography, layout, color, and interaction states.

• Address Accessibility: Explicitly show how you considered and implemented accessibility best practices in your designs.

• Be Prepared for Figma Questions: Be ready to discuss your Figma workflow, component strategies, and how you leverage its features for efficiency and consistency.

Challenge Preparation:

• Design Exercise: If a design exercise is given, focus on understanding the prompt thoroughly, defining the problem, outlining your approach, and delivering a well-reasoned solution within the given timeframe. Prioritize clear communication and justification for your design decisions.

• System Design Thinking: Be prepared to discuss how you would approach designing a new feature within an existing design system or how you would contribute to its evolution.

• Problem-Solving Scenarios: Anticipate questions about how you would handle design disagreements, challenging feedback, or technical constraints.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process heavily emphasizes portfolio demonstration and practical application of UI design skills, particularly within a Figma-centric, design-system-driven environment. Candidates must be adept at articulating their process and impact.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Figma: Expert-level proficiency is required for UI design, prototyping, component creation, variant management, and library development.

• Prototyping Tools: While Figma has strong prototyping capabilities, familiarity with other tools like InVision, Axure, or Adobe XD might be beneficial.

• Design System Tools: Experience with tools or platforms used for managing and documenting design systems (e.g., Zeroheight, Storybook).

Analytics & Reporting:

• Web Analytics Platforms: Familiarity with tools like Google Analytics, Adobe Analytics, or similar platforms to understand user behavior and track design impact.

• Data Visualization Tools: Experience with tools like Tableau, Power BI, or even advanced Excel/Google Sheets for interpreting data and presenting findings.

CRM & Automation:

• While not a direct responsibility, an understanding of how UI designs integrate with CRM systems (e.g., Salesforce) or marketing automation platforms is helpful for context.

• Familiarity with project management and collaboration tools such as Jira, Confluence, Asana, or Trello for workflow management.

📝 Enhancement Note: Figma is the cornerstone of this role's technology stack. Proficiency here is non-negotiable. Familiarity with analytics and project management tools is also crucial for understanding user behavior and collaborating within an Agile framework.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• User-Centricity: A deep commitment to understanding and serving the needs of the end-user, ensuring digital products are intuitive, helpful, and enjoyable.

• Excellence & Polish: A drive to deliver high-quality, visually refined, and technically sound design solutions that reflect positively on the Ford brand.

• Collaboration: Valuing teamwork, open communication, and constructive feedback to achieve shared goals across diverse teams.

• Innovation: Embracing new technologies and design approaches to create cutting-edge digital experiences.

• Inclusivity & Accessibility: A dedication to designing for all users, ensuring digital products are usable and accessible to people of all abilities and backgrounds.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-functional Integration: Designers are expected to work seamlessly with Product Managers, Engineers, and Researchers, fostering a shared understanding of project goals and user needs.

• Iterative Feedback Loops: An environment that encourages regular design reviews, critiques, and open dialogue to refine designs and address challenges collaboratively.

• Knowledge Sharing: Encouraging the sharing of best practices, new techniques, and insights within the design team and across related disciplines.

📝 Enhancement Note: Ford likely emphasizes a culture that balances its strong historical legacy with a forward-looking approach to technology and user experience. Collaboration and a commitment to quality and user needs are expected to be core tenets.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Scale and Complexity: Designing for a global automotive brand with diverse product lines and a vast user base presents inherent complexity. Balancing global consistency with local needs and varying technical capabilities can be challenging.

• Legacy Systems & Processes: Navigating and integrating new digital experiences within a large, established organization that may have legacy systems or established processes can require adaptability and strong stakeholder management.

• Balancing Innovation with Practicality: Driving innovative design solutions while ensuring they are technically feasible, align with business objectives, and can be implemented within iterative development cycles.

• Cross-Disciplinary Communication: Effectively communicating design intent and rationale to non-design stakeholders (e.g., engineering, marketing, legal) who may have different priorities or technical backgrounds.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Design System Expertise: Becoming a recognized expert in design systems, contributing to their growth and helping other teams leverage them effectively.

• Accessibility Mastery: Developing deep expertise in accessibility standards and best practices, becoming a go-to resource for ensuring inclusive design.

• Cross-functional Exposure: Gaining deeper insights into product management, engineering methodologies, and user research through close collaboration.

• Industry Trends: Staying abreast of emerging trends in UI/UX design, automotive technology, and digital product development through company-sponsored training, conferences, and internal knowledge sharing.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges are typical for a designer in a large, established enterprise, focusing on navigating scale, integrating new ideas, and effective communication. The growth opportunities are well-defined, allowing for specialization and career progression within the design discipline.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a complex UI challenge you faced on a consumer-facing product and how you tackled it. What was the outcome?" (Focus on your process, decision-making, and measurable impact.)

• "How have you used data and user feedback to iterate on a design? Provide a specific example." (Highlight your data-informed design approach.)

• "Walk us through your process for designing a new feature within an existing design system. How do you ensure consistency and contribute back?" (Demonstrate understanding of design systems and collaborative workflows.)

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What interests you about designing for the automotive industry and Ford specifically?" (Research Ford's current digital initiatives and vision.)

• "How do you handle constructive criticism or disagreements on design direction with your team?" (Illustrate your collaboration and problem-solving skills.)

• "How do you stay updated on the latest UI design trends and technologies?" (Demonstrate a commitment to continuous learning.)

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure: For each case study, follow a clear narrative: Problem -> Your Role -> Process -> Solution -> Rationale -> Outcome/Impact.

• Visuals: Use high-quality mockups, wireframes, prototypes, and relevant data visualizations. Ensure your UI craft is evident.

• Storytelling: Engage your audience by explaining the "why" behind your design decisions.

• Figma Focus: Be prepared to discuss your Figma workflow, component usage, and how you leverage its features to create efficient and scalable designs.

• Conciseness: Be mindful of time. Practice your presentation to be clear, impactful, and within the allocated duration.

📝 Enhancement Note: Preparation should focus on articulating design process, impact, and problem-solving skills, with a strong emphasis on Figma proficiency and design system thinking.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this UI Designer position:

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

• Portfolio Customization: Tailor your portfolio to highlight projects demonstrating expertise in high-fidelity UI design, accessibility, responsive layouts, and experience with design systems. Select case studies that best showcase your end-to-end product thinking and collaboration skills.

• Resume Optimization: Ensure your resume clearly lists your years of relevant experience, specific UI design skills (e.g., Figma, prototyping, accessibility), and quantifiable achievements from previous roles. Use keywords from the job description like "UI Design," "Global Digital Product Experiences," "High-Fidelity Interfaces," and "Design System."

• Interview Preparation: Practice presenting your portfolio case studies, focusing on storytelling, design rationale, and demonstrating your problem-solving process. Prepare to answer behavioral questions about collaboration, handling feedback, and your approach to design challenges.

• Company Research: Familiarize yourself with Ford's current digital products, their design philosophy (if discernible), and their strategic goals in areas like connected vehicles and mobility. Understand their commitment to accessibility and user experience.

⚠️ 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.