Working Student - UX Research & Prototyping (w/m/d) Working Student - UX Research & Prototyping (w/m/d) Working Student - UX Research & Prototyping (w/m/d)

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Working Student - UX Research & Prototyping (w/m/d) Company: Volkswagen AG (CARIAD) Location: Berlin, Germany Job Type: Temporary (Working Student) Category: User Experience (UX) Design & Research Date Posted: February 17, 2026 Experience Level: Entry-Level / Student (0-2 years) Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• This role is for a Working Student focused on User Experience (UX) Research and Prototyping within CARIAD, the automotive software company of the Volkswagen Group.
• The position involves supporting UX Research and Prototyping experts in conducting studies to uncover user needs and translate insights into product decisions for mobility services.
• Responsibilities include preparing and conducting usability tests, visualizing research findings, and facilitating workshops to integrate user feedback into product development.
• The student will also assist in developing and implementing digital and physical prototypes, contributing to the entire product lifecycle from initial contact to long-term user engagement.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the job title and description are focused on UX Research and Prototyping, this role is enhanced to reflect its connection to broader GTM (Go-To-Market) initiatives by emphasizing how user insights directly inform product strategy and user engagement, critical for successful product launches and sustained market adoption.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Collaborate closely with a multidisciplinary team of designers, researchers, and developers to identify user needs for various mobility-related products.
• Prepare and execute usability tests across different frontends, including the in-vehicle infotainment system, to gather critical user feedback.
• Visually represent research findings in a clear and understandable manner, and facilitate workshops to effectively translate these insights into actionable product improvements.
• Organize user testing events for diverse product teams, coordinating with external service providers to ensure smooth execution.
• Support the team in the development and implementation of both digital and physical prototypes, contributing to iterative design processes.
• Assist in the preparation and execution of user interviews, focus groups, online surveys, and simulator studies to gather comprehensive user data.
• Contribute to the visualization of research data using tools like R, SPSS, Excel, or Tableau, ensuring data-driven decision-making.
• Aid in the creation and refinement of user personas and journey maps based on research findings.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities have been expanded to highlight the direct impact on product development and go-to-market strategy. This includes emphasizing the translation of research into actionable insights, the organization of testing events, and the contribution to prototyping, all of which are crucial for successful product deployment and user adoption.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: Currently enrolled in a degree program in Human Factors, Cognitive Science, Psychology, Communication Science, Media Science, Computer Science, or a comparable field. Experience: While this is a working student role, prior practical experience in conducting interviews, analyzing data, and visualizing findings is highly beneficial.

Required Skills:

• Demonstrated passion for UX and digital products, with a keen interest in various UX research and prototyping methodologies.
• Self-directed, well-organized work approach with strong hands-on capabilities.
• Excellent interviewing and communication skills, with a proven ability to conduct interviews and analyze/visualize data.
• Proficiency in data analysis and visualization tools such as R, SPSS, Excel, or Tableau.
• Experience with visual design tools, specifically Figma.
• Familiarity with video editing software like After Effects, Media Encoder, or other cutting and editing programs.
• Skills in audio creation and editing.
• Fluency in both written and spoken German and English.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience with visual programming languages (e.g., Node-Red, Pure Data, vvvv).
• Familiarity with web technologies (e.g., JavaScript, Angular).
• Background in Physical Computing (e.g., Arduino, ESP32, soldering).
• Experience organizing and facilitating user testing events or workshops.
• Understanding of automotive infotainment systems and user interactions within a vehicle.

📝 Enhancement Note: The required skills have been detailed to emphasize the practical application of UX research and prototyping tools and methodologies, aligning with industry standards for roles that contribute to product development and user experience design. The preferred skills highlight areas that would make a candidate particularly valuable for a tech-forward automotive company.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Showcase a selection of projects demonstrating your involvement in UX research, including user interviews, surveys, or usability testing.
• Include examples of prototypes created, whether digital (e.g., Figma mockups, interactive prototypes) or physical, illustrating your ability to bring concepts to life.
• Provide case studies that detail your process from problem identification to solution, highlighting how user insights informed your design decisions.
• Demonstrate your ability to visualize and present data and research findings clearly, using charts, graphs, or other visual aids.

Process Documentation:

• For each portfolio project, outline the research methodology used, the challenges encountered, and the insights gained.
• Detail the prototyping process, including tools used and iterative design steps taken to refine the user experience.
• Explain how your contributions led to specific improvements in user engagement, task completion, or overall satisfaction.
• Document your collaboration process within interdisciplinary teams, highlighting communication and integration strategies.

📝 Enhancement Note: Specific portfolio requirements have been outlined to guide students on how to best present their experience in UX research and prototyping, emphasizing process, data utilization, and collaboration—key elements for roles that bridge user needs with product development in a GTM context.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: As a working student position, compensation will be competitive and in line with industry standards for student roles in Berlin, Germany. A typical range for a working student in a tech-focused role in Berlin might be between €12-€18 per hour, depending on experience and specific responsibilities.

Benefits:

• Gain hands-on experience in UX research and prototyping within a leading automotive software company.
• Opportunity to work on innovative mobility services and contribute to real product development.
• Mentorship from experienced UX professionals and designers.
• Exposure to interdisciplinary teams and a dynamic work environment.
• Potential for future career opportunities within the Volkswagen Group.
• Networking opportunities within the automotive and technology sectors.
• Access to internal training and development resources.

Working Hours: This is a part-time role, typically around 15-20 hours per week, designed to complement ongoing studies. Specific working hours can be discussed and agreed upon to accommodate academic schedules, with flexibility for exam periods.

📝 Enhancement Note: A salary range has been estimated based on typical working student compensation in Berlin for tech-related roles. Benefits have been tailored to highlight the specific advantages for a student in this field, focusing on learning, development, and career potential within the automotive industry.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Automotive Software Development & Mobility Services. CARIAD is at the forefront of creating software platforms and digital customer features for iconic brands like Audi, Volkswagen, and Porsche, aiming to transform the automotive industry into a leading technology provider. Company Size: Part of the Volkswagen Group, CARIAD is a significant entity with a growing global presence, employing thousands of professionals across multiple international locations. This means access to substantial resources and a wide range of projects. Founded: CARIAD was established in 2020, signifying its role as a modern, forward-thinking organization focused on the future of mobility and software-driven innovation.

Team Structure:

• The UX team operates within CARIAD, focusing on developing mobility services accessible across various touchpoints and vehicle software platforms.
• The team is structured to foster collaboration between designers, researchers, and developers, working in interdisciplinary product teams.
• Reporting lines likely involve a direct manager within the UX department, with close collaboration with product managers and engineering leads.

Methodology:

• The UX team emphasizes a user-centered design approach, ensuring all product decisions are informed by user needs and insights.
• They employ a wide range of UX research methods, from qualitative interviews to quantitative surveys and simulator studies.
• Prototyping is a key part of their workflow, involving both digital and physical models to test and refine user experiences.
• Cross-functional collaboration is essential, with regular workshops and integration of research findings into agile development cycles.

Company Website: https://www.cariad.technology/

📝 Enhancement Note: The company context has been enriched to reflect CARIAD's strategic importance within the Volkswagen Group and its focus on software innovation in the automotive sector. The team structure and methodology are described to give candidates a clear picture of the collaborative and user-centric environment.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is positioned as an entry-level, student-focused position within the UX Research and Prototyping domain. It's designed for individuals early in their academic careers to gain practical, hands-on experience. Reporting Structure: The working student will report to a senior member of the UX team, likely a UX Researcher or a UX Design Lead. They will work closely with designers, researchers, and developers within specific product teams. Operations Impact: While this is a student role, the insights generated and prototypes developed can directly influence product strategy and user experience for CARIAD's mobility services. This impact is critical for the successful adoption and market reception of new features, contributing to the overall GTM strategy by ensuring user needs are met.

Growth Opportunities:

• Skill Development: Deepen expertise in various UX research methodologies (interviews, surveys, usability testing) and prototyping tools (Figma, potentially others).
• Industry Exposure: Gain invaluable experience in the rapidly evolving automotive software and mobility services sector.
• Networking: Build professional connections with experienced UX professionals, designers, researchers, and engineers within a major automotive group.
• Potential for Future Roles: Successful performance and demonstrated capabilities can open doors to internships or full-time positions within CARIAD or other Volkswagen Group companies upon graduation.
• Cross-functional Learning: Understand how UX research and design integrate with product management, engineering, and marketing efforts.

📝 Enhancement Note: The career and growth analysis emphasizes how even an entry-level role contributes to broader GTM success by informing product strategy. Growth opportunities are detailed to show the learning potential and career trajectory for a student in this field.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: CARIAD operates modern, collaborative office spaces designed to foster innovation and teamwork. The Berlin location is likely equipped with facilities conducive to user research activities, including testing labs and collaborative work areas. Office Location(s): The role is based in Berlin, Germany, a major hub for technology and innovation. Specific office addresses will be provided upon application.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Environment: Expect an open and dynamic workspace that encourages interaction and knowledge sharing among team members and across different departments.
• Tools and Technology: Access to state-of-the-art UX research tools, prototyping software (like Figma), and potentially specialized hardware for in-vehicle testing or physical prototyping.
• Team Interaction: Frequent opportunities to engage with UX researchers, designers, developers, and product managers, fostering a rich learning experience.

Work Schedule: The schedule is part-time (15-20 hours/week) and flexible, designed to accommodate study commitments. This allows for focused work on projects while balancing academic responsibilities.

📝 Enhancement Note: The work environment description is tailored to a tech-focused, collaborative setting, highlighting the availability of necessary tools and the emphasis on team interaction, which are crucial for operations and GTM-related roles that rely on cross-functional synergy.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A review of your CV and application, potentially including a brief introductory call to assess basic qualifications and interest.
• Portfolio Presentation: A key stage where you will present your portfolio, showcasing relevant UX research and prototyping projects. Be prepared to walk through your process, methodologies, and the insights you derived.
• Technical/Skills Assessment: This might involve a practical exercise or a discussion to evaluate your proficiency with specific tools (e.g., Figma, data analysis software) and your understanding of UX principles.
• Behavioral & Team Fit Interview: Questions designed to assess your problem-solving skills, collaboration style, motivation, and how you align with CARIAD's culture.
• Final Interview: Potentially with a hiring manager or senior team member to discuss the role in more detail and confirm suitability.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Selectively: Choose 2-3 of your strongest projects that best demonstrate your UX research and prototyping skills relevant to mobility services.
• Structure Your Case Studies: For each project, clearly outline the problem, your role, the research methods used, key findings, design solutions, and the impact or learnings.
• Highlight Your Process: Emphasize your thought process, how you approached challenges, and how user insights guided your decisions.
• Showcase Visuals: Include mockups, wireframes, prototypes, research data visualizations, and any relevant video or audio elements.
• Quantify Impact: Where possible, use metrics or qualitative feedback to demonstrate the success of your work.
• Be Ready to Discuss: Prepare to answer in-depth questions about your choices, methodologies, and contributions.

Challenge Preparation:

• Tool Proficiency: Ensure you are comfortable demonstrating your skills in Figma and any data analysis tools mentioned.
• UX Principles: Brush up on core UX principles, user-centered design, and common research methodologies.
• Problem-Solving Scenarios: Be prepared for hypothetical scenarios related to designing or researching a mobility service feature.
• Company Research: Understand CARIAD's mission, its role within the Volkswagen Group, and the types of products they are developing.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process and portfolio review tips are specifically tailored for a UX-focused role, emphasizing practical skills, project execution, and the ability to articulate user-centered design processes—all critical for roles that inform product strategy and market entry.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Prototyping & Design: Figma (essential for visual design, wireframing, and interactive prototyping).
• Video/Audio Editing: Adobe After Effects, Media Encoder, or similar for creating engaging presentations and visualizations of user interactions.
• Data Analysis & Visualization: R, SPSS, Excel, Tableau for analyzing qualitative and quantitative research data and presenting findings.

Analytics & Reporting:

• While not explicitly listed as primary for this role, familiarity with analytics platforms that track user engagement with digital products would be beneficial.

CRM & Automation:

• Not directly applicable to this UX role, but understanding how user data is managed in CRMs can provide context for user insights.

Emerging Technologies (Preferred):

• Visual Programming: Node-Red, Pure Data, vvvv for interactive installations or data flow visualization.
• Web Technologies: JavaScript, Angular for understanding digital product development.
• Physical Computing: Arduino, ESP32, soldering for creating physical prototypes or interactive elements.

📝 Enhancement Note: The tools and technology stack are detailed based on the skills mentioned in the job description, with a focus on Figma, data analysis, and video editing. Preferred tools are also highlighted to give candidates insight into potential future learning areas.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• User-Centricity: A deep commitment to understanding and serving user needs as the foundation for all product development and GTM strategies.
• Innovation: A drive to explore new technologies and methodologies to create cutting-edge mobility solutions.
• Collaboration: A belief in the power of interdisciplinary teamwork, valuing diverse perspectives and open communication.
• Quality & Excellence: A dedication to delivering high-quality user experiences and robust software solutions.
• Data-Driven Decision Making: Utilizing research insights and data analysis to inform product strategy and design choices.

Collaboration Style:

• Interdisciplinary: Working closely with designers, researchers, developers, and product managers in integrated teams.
• Iterative: Embracing a feedback-rich environment where designs and research findings are continuously refined.
• Transparent: Openly sharing research findings, design concepts, and progress with stakeholders.
• Workshop-Oriented: Frequently using workshops to brainstorm, problem-solve, and align on user insights and product direction.

📝 Enhancement Note: The team culture and values are inferred from the company's mission and the nature of UX work, emphasizing user focus, innovation, and collaboration—all critical for effective GTM execution.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Translating Research into Action: Effectively communicating complex user insights to diverse teams and ensuring they are integrated into product roadmaps and development.
• Prototyping Diverse Interactions: Developing prototypes for a wide range of mobility services and vehicle touchpoints, from infotainment to mobile apps.
• Balancing Academic and Work Commitments: Managing time effectively to deliver high-quality work for CARIAD while maintaining academic performance.
• Navigating a Large Organization: Understanding the processes and stakeholders within a large automotive group like Volkswagen.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Advanced UX Skills: Gaining practical experience with cutting-edge UX research techniques and prototyping tools.
• Industry-Specific Knowledge: Developing a deep understanding of the automotive software and mobility services landscape.
• Cross-Functional Acumen: Learning how UX research and design contribute to broader product strategy, marketing, and GTM efforts.
• Professional Mentorship: Receiving guidance from experienced professionals in the field.

📝 Enhancement Note: Challenges are framed to reflect common hurdles in UX roles that impact GTM, such as translating insights into product features. Growth opportunities are highlighted to emphasize skill acquisition and industry knowledge relevant to the automotive tech sector.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a complex user problem you've researched and how your findings led to a specific design solution. What was your process?" (Focus on research methodology, insight generation, and design impact).
• "How would you approach designing a new feature for a car's infotainment system? What research methods would you prioritize?" (Demonstrate understanding of user context and research planning).
• "Walk us through a prototype you've created. What were the key decisions you made, and what feedback did you receive?" (Showcase prototyping skills and iterative design).

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What interests you about CARIAD and the future of automotive software?" (Show enthusiasm for the industry and company mission).
• "How do you typically collaborate with designers, developers, and other stakeholders?" (Highlight teamwork and communication skills).
• "How do you ensure your research findings are effectively communicated and acted upon?" (Demonstrate your ability to influence product decisions).

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Storytelling: Frame your projects as compelling narratives, detailing the problem, your journey, and the outcome.
• Visual Clarity: Use high-quality visuals for your prototypes, research data, and process diagrams.
• Conciseness: Be mindful of time and present your most impactful work efficiently.
• Highlight Your Role: Clearly articulate your specific contributions, especially in team projects.
• Be Prepared for Q&A: Anticipate questions about your methodology, design choices, and learnings.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation advice focuses on showcasing practical UX skills, research methodologies, and the ability to translate findings into actionable product improvements, directly linking the role to successful product development and market introduction.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this working student position:

• Submit your application through the provided link on the Volkswagen Group jobs portal.
• Portfolio Customization: Tailor your portfolio to highlight projects involving user research, prototyping, and data visualization, particularly those related to digital products or user interfaces. Focus on showcasing your process and the insights you gained.
• Resume Optimization: Ensure your resume clearly lists relevant coursework, skills (Figma, data analysis tools, communication), and any prior experience in UX or research. Use keywords from the job description.
• Interview Preparation: Practice explaining your portfolio projects, focusing on your role, methodology, and the impact of your work. Be ready to discuss your passion for UX and the automotive industry.
• Company Research: Familiarize yourself with CARIAD's mission, its products (e.g., software platforms for Audi, VW, Porsche), and its position within the Volkswagen Group. Understand their focus on user experience and digital mobility.

⚠️ Important Notice: This enhanced job description includes AI-generated insights and industry-standard assumptions based on the provided information. All details should be verified directly with CARIAD/Volkswagen AG during the application and interview process.