Principal User Experience (UX) Engineer

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Principal User Experience (UX) Engineer

Company: Honda Dev. and Mfg. of Am., LLC

Location: Raymond, Ohio, United States

Job Type: Full-Time

Category: User Experience (UX) Engineering / Product Development

Date Posted: November 04, 2026

Experience Level: Senior / Principal (8+ years relevant experience, with 1-3 years supervisory experience)

Remote Status: 100% On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• Drive the definition and development of innovative Infotainment UX solutions, focusing on the C.A.S.E. (Connected, Autonomous, Shared, Electrification) framework to ensure customer satisfaction and market competitiveness.

• Conduct and leverage user research, both within automotive and consumer electronics, to deeply understand customer needs and desires for infotainment systems, including displays, information architecture, interfaces, entertainment, and controls.

• Translate research insights and user needs into actionable feature and user interface specifications, guiding the implementation and verification process on test setups and vehicles.

• Provide leadership and subject matter expertise within the department, managing team performance, setting objectives, and conducting formal performance appraisals for direct reports.

• Maintain an in-depth understanding of current and emerging technologies, external regulations, and industry best practices through continuous professional development, ensuring Honda remains at the forefront of automotive UX.

📝 Enhancement Note: This Principal UX Engineer role is critical for shaping the future of Honda's in-car digital experience, particularly within the evolving landscape of connected and autonomous vehicles. The emphasis on C.A.S.E. indicates a strategic focus on integrating advanced technologies and user-centric design principles to deliver a seamless and engaging user journey. The leadership component suggests significant responsibility in guiding a team and influencing product direction.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Conduct comprehensive user experience research and reporting on current and future products within the automotive and consumer electronics sectors.

• Analyze user research data to identify and articulate customer needs, desires, and pain points related to infotainment systems, including HMI (Human-Machine Interface) elements, information delivery, and feature sets.

• Propose and correlate modifications to existing infotainment solutions and conceptualize new features and functionalities that align with user needs and strategic business objectives.

• Develop detailed feature specifications and user interface (UI) design documentation, including wireframes, mockups, and user flows, to guide development teams.

• Oversee and verify the accurate implementation of UI/UX specifications across assigned infotainment areas, utilizing test setups and physical vehicles for validation.

• Manage and report on the performance of direct reports and project team members, setting performance objectives, conducting appraisals, and implementing corrective actions as needed to ensure team goals are met.

• Serve as a subject matter expert (SME) for the department, staying abreast of technological advancements, regulatory changes, and industry best practices through ongoing professional development and engagement with specialist communities.

• Compile and develop comprehensive documentation, including specification sheets, test reports, evaluation documents, and technical drawings, ensuring adherence to project schedules and quality standards.

• Write clear, concise, and impactful reports, presentations, and technical documents to communicate development activities and findings to technical experts and stakeholders.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a blend of hands-on UX engineering, strategic research analysis, and team leadership. The emphasis on "correlate and propose modifications" suggests a data-driven approach where insights are directly translated into product improvements. The requirement to verify implementation on "test setups and vehicles" underscores the practical, hands-on nature of this engineering role within the automotive product lifecycle.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

• Bachelor's degree or higher in Human Factors, Industrial Design, User Experience (UX) Design, Mechatronics, Engineering, Psychology, Product Development, or a closely related field. Experience:

• A minimum of 8 years of relevant industry experience.

• 1 to 3 years of prior experience in supervising and directing people and other resources to achieve specific end results within limited timeframes.

• Automotive or similar transportation industry experience is highly desirable. Required Skills:

• Extensive experience in conducting user-centered research within an educational and/or professional environment.

• Proven ability in product benchmarking to assess competitive offerings and identify market opportunities.

• Strong proficiency in creating GUI prototypes using industry-standard tools such as Figma, ProtoPie, Axure, or Kanzi.

• Demonstrated experience in researching and reporting on the user experience of current and future products in both automotive and consumer electronics.

• Expertise in analyzing user research data to understand customer needs and desires for complex systems like infotainment.

• Skill in correlating research findings and proposing modifications or new solutions for assigned product areas.

• Ability to create detailed feature and user interface specifications.

• Excellent communication skills, with a demonstrated ability to produce clear and compelling presentation documents.

• Experience with performance management and setting performance objectives for team members. Preferred Skills:

• Experience with Human Factors principles and their application in product design.

• Familiarity with Mechatronics or broader Engineering principles relevant to automotive systems.

• Knowledge of emerging automotive technologies, including Connected, Autonomous, Shared, and Electrification (C.A.S.E.) trends.

• Experience in technical documentation and report writing for engineering projects.

📝 Enhancement Note: The requirement for 8+ years of experience, coupled with supervisory experience, positions this role as a senior or principal contributor. The specific mention of prototyping tools like Figma, ProtoPie, Axure, and Kanzi is crucial for candidates to highlight. The "Automotive or similar transportation industry experience highly desirable" note suggests that while not strictly mandatory, it would significantly strengthen an application.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Showcase a robust portfolio demonstrating a deep understanding of the user-centered design process, from initial research to final implementation.

• Include detailed case studies of past UX projects, particularly those involving complex interactive systems like infotainment or digital interfaces.

• Highlight examples of product benchmarking analyses and how they informed design decisions.

• Present prototypes created using tools like Figma, ProtoPie, Axure, or Kanzi, illustrating user flows, interactive elements, and visual design.

• Demonstrate experience in translating user research findings into actionable feature and UI specifications.

• Provide evidence of successful verification and validation of UI/UX implementations in real-world (or simulated) environments. Process Documentation:

• Documented methodologies for conducting user research, including qualitative and quantitative approaches.

• Examples of creating detailed user interface specifications, wireframes, and user flow diagrams.

• Records of collaborative work with engineering and product teams to ensure accurate implementation of designs.

• Evidence of creating and maintaining technical documentation, such as test reports and evaluation documents.

• Clear articulation of how performance management processes were applied to team members or projects.

📝 Enhancement Note: For this Principal role, a portfolio is not just a collection of work but a demonstration of a systematic approach to UX engineering. Candidates should prepare to walk through their process, explaining the rationale behind their design choices, the research methods used, and the impact of their work on product quality and user satisfaction. The emphasis on documentation suggests a need for structured communication and a commitment to knowledge transfer.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

• Estimated Range: $140,000 - $190,000+ Annually

• Justification: Based on industry benchmarks for Principal UX Engineers in the automotive sector, particularly in the Midwest region of the United States, considering the 8+ years of required experience, leadership responsibilities, and the specialized nature of infotainment UX. This estimate also accounts for the comprehensive benefits package offered.

Benefits:

• Competitive Base Salary (subject to geographic location, experience, etc.)

• Regional Bonus (where applicable)

• Manager Lease Car Program (includes car, maintenance, and insurance at no cost)

• Industry-leading Benefit Plans:

  • Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance
  • Prescription (Rx) Coverage

• Paid Time Off:

  • Vacation days
  • Paid Holidays
  • Company Shutdown periods

• Company Paid Short-Term and Long-Term Disability Insurance

• 401K Plan: Includes company match and an additional company contribution.

• Relocation assistance (if eligible) Working Hours:

• Standard 40-hour work week.

• Potential for overtime as project demands require.

• The role is 100% on-site, requiring consistent presence at the corporate office.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary estimate is derived from research on similar Principal UX Engineering roles in the automotive sector within the Ohio region, factoring in the extensive experience and leadership requirements. The inclusion of a manager lease car program is a significant perk that differentiates Honda's total rewards package. The benefits are comprehensive, covering health, financial security, and work-life balance.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Automotive Manufacturing & Technology

Company Size: Large Enterprise (Honda is a global automotive leader with tens of thousands of employees worldwide).

Founded: 1948 (Honda Motor Co., Ltd.)

Team Structure:

• The UX Engineering team likely operates within a larger Product Development or Engineering division, focusing specifically on the human-machine interface and user experience of automotive systems.

• This role has direct reports, indicating a team leadership component, and will likely collaborate closely with software engineers, hardware engineers, product managers, marketing, and other cross-functional teams.

• Reporting structure will place this Principal Engineer under a Director or VP of Engineering/Product Development, with responsibility for guiding junior engineers and contributing to strategic UX initiatives. Methodology:

• Honda emphasizes a strong commitment to "The Power of Dreams" and continuous improvement ("Kaizen").

• The UX team will likely employ a user-centered design methodology, integrating research, design, prototyping, and testing iteratively.

• A focus on quality and reliability, hallmarks of the Honda brand, will be paramount in all UX development activities.

• The C.A.S.E. framework suggests a forward-thinking approach to integrating new technologies like AI, IoT, and advanced connectivity into the user experience.

Company Website: https://careers.honda.com/us/en

📝 Enhancement Note: Honda's culture is deeply rooted in its founding principles of innovation, quality, and respect. For a UX Engineer, this translates to an environment where rigorous process, data-driven decision-making, and a commitment to delivering superior user experiences are highly valued. The emphasis on continuous improvement ("Kaizen") means that feedback loops and iterative design are likely integral to the team's workflow.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: Principal UX Engineer

This level signifies a senior technical expert and leader within the UX domain. The role is responsible for setting technical direction, driving complex projects, mentoring junior staff, and influencing strategic UX decisions for key product areas like infotainment. It requires a deep understanding of user psychology, interaction design, and the technical constraints of automotive systems.

Reporting Structure:

• This role reports to a higher-level management position (e.g., Director of Engineering, Head of Infotainment Systems).

• The Principal UX Engineer is responsible for managing and developing a team of UX Engineers, setting their objectives, and overseeing their performance.

• Collaboration will be extensive with cross-functional teams including software development, hardware engineering, product management, and potentially external suppliers or research partners. Operations Impact:

• The UX Engineer's work directly impacts customer satisfaction, brand perception, and the adoption of new vehicle technologies.

• By ensuring intuitive and engaging infotainment systems, this role contributes to the overall desirability of Honda vehicles and supports the company's strategic goals in areas like connectivity and electrification.

• Effective UX design can reduce driver distraction, improve safety, and enhance the overall driving and ownership experience, thereby influencing purchase decisions and customer loyalty. Growth Opportunities:

• Technical Specialization: Deepen expertise in specific areas of automotive UX, such as autonomous driving interfaces, connected services, or advanced HMI technologies.

• Leadership Advancement: Progress into management roles, such as UX Engineering Manager or Director, overseeing larger teams and broader product portfolios.

• Strategic Influence: Contribute to higher-level product strategy and roadmap planning, shaping the future direction of Honda's in-car digital experiences.

• Cross-Functional Mobility: Transition into related roles like Product Management, Program Management, or broader Engineering leadership positions.

• Continuous Learning: Access to training, conferences, and educational reimbursement to stay at the cutting edge of UX design and automotive technology.

📝 Enhancement Note: As a Principal Engineer, the focus shifts from individual contribution to leadership and strategic influence. Growth opportunities will involve taking on more complex challenges, leading larger initiatives, and potentially shaping the UX vision for entire vehicle platforms or future mobility solutions. The role is a strong stepping stone for those aspiring to senior leadership within a major automotive OEM.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Corporate Office / R&D Facility

The role is 100% on-site, indicating a collaborative office environment within Honda's development and manufacturing facilities. This setting is designed to foster teamwork, quick problem-solving, and direct interaction with engineering teams and prototypes.

Office Location(s):

• The primary location is Raymond, Ohio, which is part of Honda's significant operational footprint in the state.

• While the role is on-site, there is an annual travel requirement of approximately 10%, largely domestic, for tasks such as attending industry events, collaborating with other Honda facilities, or conducting on-site vehicle testing. International travel is rare. Workspace Context:

• The workspace will likely be equipped with the necessary tools for UX design, prototyping, and analysis, including high-performance workstations, large monitors, and potentially access to specialized testing equipment or vehicle simulators.

• A collaborative environment is expected, with ample opportunities for direct interaction with software developers, hardware engineers, product managers, and other stakeholders involved in infotainment development.

• The culture emphasizes quality, precision, and continuous improvement, fostering an environment where detailed work and thoughtful design are valued. Work Schedule:

• A standard 40-hour work week is typical. However, the demanding nature of product development cycles in the automotive industry may necessitate occasional overtime to meet project deadlines.

• The on-site requirement means that flexibility in work hours might be limited compared to remote roles, but the company offers various other benefits and programs to support employee well-being.

📝 Enhancement Note: The 100% on-site requirement is a key factor for applicants. This suggests a preference for in-person collaboration and direct access to physical resources and teams, which is often crucial in hardware-integrated software development like automotive infotainment. The limited travel indicates a focus on core responsibilities within the primary facility.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

1. Initial Screening: HR or a recruiter will review applications to assess basic qualifications, experience, and cultural fit.

2. Technical Interview(s): Expect one or more interviews with hiring managers and/or senior team members. These will likely cover:

• Deep dives into your UX design process, research methodologies, and prototyping skills.
• Behavioral questions assessing leadership, problem-solving, and collaboration.
• Technical questions related to infotainment systems, HMI principles, and automotive UX trends.

1. Portfolio Review: A dedicated session where you present selected case studies from your portfolio, explaining your role, process, rationale, and the impact of your work.

2. On-site/Virtual Assessment (Potential): This might include a take-home assignment or an in-person assessment involving a design challenge or problem-solving exercise relevant to automotive UX.

3. Final Interview: May involve meeting with higher-level management to discuss strategic alignment and long-term fit.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select 3-4 strong projects that best showcase your experience in user research, complex UI design, prototyping, and working within an engineering context. Prioritize automotive or complex system design if possible.

• Tell a Story: For each project, clearly articulate the problem, your role, the process you followed (research, ideation, design, testing, validation), the challenges faced, the solutions you implemented, and the measurable outcomes or impact.

• Highlight Leadership: If applicable, point out instances where you led teams, mentored junior designers, or influenced project direction.

• Showcase Tools: Clearly demonstrate your proficiency with specified prototyping tools (Figma, ProtoPie, Axure, Kanzi) and research methodologies.

• Be Ready for Deep Dives: Anticipate detailed questions about your design decisions, research interpretation, and how you handled trade-offs or constraints.

Challenge Preparation:

• Anticipate UX Challenges: Prepare for a design challenge that might involve improving an existing infotainment feature, designing a new user flow for a C.A.S.E. related function, or responding to a specific user pain point.

• Focus on Process: Even if time is limited, articulate your thought process clearly. How would you approach understanding the problem, gathering requirements, ideating solutions, and validating them?

• Consider Automotive Context: Think about the unique constraints and considerations of automotive UX, such as safety, driver distraction, varying environmental conditions, and integration with vehicle hardware.

• Practice Presentations: Rehearse presenting your portfolio and potential solutions concisely and effectively, ensuring you can articulate your strategy and rationale clearly under pressure.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process for a Principal role at a major OEM like Honda will be rigorous. A strong portfolio that demonstrates not only design skill but also a structured, data-driven, and leadership-oriented approach is essential. Candidates should be prepared to discuss their experience with automotive-specific UX challenges and the C.A.S.E. framework.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Prototyping & Design: Figma, ProtoPie, Axure, Kanzi (proficiency in at least one is required, experience with multiple is a strong plus).

• User Research Tools: Survey platforms (e.g., SurveyMonkey, Qualtrics), user testing platforms (e.g., UserTesting.com), analytics tools for qualitative data analysis.

• Design & Collaboration: Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator), Sketch (less common but possible), Miro/Mural for collaborative whiteboarding.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Tools for analyzing user behavior data from in-vehicle systems (specific internal tools likely used).

• Reporting and presentation software (e.g., PowerPoint, Google Slides) for communicating findings and specifications.

• Data visualization tools may be used for presenting research insights. CRM & Automation:

• While not directly a CRM role, understanding how user feedback and product data flow into product management systems is beneficial.

• Project management software (e.g., Jira, Asana) is commonly used for tracking design tasks and feature implementation.

📝 Enhancement Note: The explicit mention of Figma, ProtoPie, Axure, and Kanzi is critical. Candidates should be ready to demonstrate practical experience with these tools in their portfolio and during interviews. Familiarity with the broader product development lifecycle and associated tools within an automotive context is also highly advantageous.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Quality & Reliability: A core Honda value, translating to a meticulous approach to UX design and implementation, ensuring a stable and dependable user experience.

• Continuous Improvement (Kaizen): An ongoing commitment to refining processes, designs, and products based on feedback and data. Expect a culture that encourages suggestions for improvement.

• Respect for People: Fostering a collaborative and inclusive environment where diverse perspectives are valued and contributions are recognized.

• User-Centricity: While rooted in engineering, the emphasis on understanding and meeting customer needs is paramount for this UX role.

• Innovation & Future-Forward Thinking: Embracing new technologies and approaches, particularly in areas like C.A.S.E., to drive the future of mobility.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-Functional Integration: Close collaboration with software, hardware, and product teams is essential. Expect regular meetings, shared documentation, and joint problem-solving sessions.

• Data-Driven Decision Making: Designs and proposals should be supported by user research, benchmarking data, and performance metrics.

• Clear Communication: The ability to articulate complex UX concepts to diverse technical and non-technical audiences is highly valued.

• Team Leadership: As a Principal Engineer, fostering a positive and productive team dynamic, mentoring junior members, and facilitating effective teamwork will be key.

📝 Enhancement Note: Understanding Honda's core values, especially "Kaizen" and "Respect for People," will be crucial for demonstrating cultural alignment. The collaborative nature of automotive development means that strong interpersonal skills and the ability to work effectively across diverse teams are as important as technical UX expertise.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing Innovation with Constraints: Integrating cutting-edge C.A.S.E. technologies into a highly regulated and safety-conscious automotive environment requires innovative problem-solving and navigating complex technical and business constraints.

• Managing Team Performance: Leading and motivating a team of UX engineers, ensuring consistent quality and delivery, and addressing performance issues effectively.

• Rapid Technological Evolution: Keeping pace with the fast-changing landscape of digital technologies, AI, and user expectations in the automotive space.

• Cross-Functional Alignment: Ensuring that UX vision and requirements are understood and effectively implemented by diverse engineering disciplines with potentially different priorities.

• On-site Requirement: Adapting to a fully on-site work model, which may involve a significant commute and limited flexibility compared to hybrid or remote roles.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Advanced UX Techniques: Opportunities to deepen expertise in areas like HMI for autonomous systems, AI-driven personalization, and multi-modal interaction design.

• Automotive Technology Immersion: Gaining in-depth knowledge of vehicle architectures, electrical systems, and emerging automotive trends (EVs, ADAS, connectivity).

• Leadership Development: Formal training and on-the-job experience in people management, project leadership, and strategic planning.

• Industry Engagement: Attending major automotive and technology conferences (e.g., CES, SAE events) to stay abreast of industry trends and network with peers.

• Educational Support: Access to tuition reimbursement and student loan repayment programs for continued formal education or specialized certifications.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges presented are typical for senior roles in innovative, large-scale industries like automotive. The growth opportunities are substantial, offering a clear path for career progression within Honda's extensive global organization.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you had to balance user needs with significant technical or business constraints. How did you approach it, and what was the outcome?" (Focus on demonstrating problem-solving, negotiation, and trade-off management).

• "How do you approach leading a team of designers or engineers? Describe your process for setting objectives, providing feedback, and fostering growth." (Highlight your leadership style, performance management experience, and team-building approach).

• "Given the rise of C.A.S.E. technologies, what do you see as the biggest UX challenges and opportunities for the automotive industry in the next 5-10 years?" (Showcase your forward-thinking perspective and understanding of industry trends).

• "Walk us through a complex infotainment feature you designed or significantly influenced. What was the user problem, your solution, and how did you validate its effectiveness?" (Use a portfolio case study to demonstrate your end-to-end UX process). Company & Culture Questions:

• "What interests you about working at Honda, and specifically in this Principal UX Engineer role?" (Connect your skills and aspirations to Honda's mission, values, and the role's responsibilities).

• "How do you embody Honda's commitment to continuous improvement (Kaizen) in your work?" (Provide specific examples of how you've identified and implemented improvements in processes or products).

• "Describe your experience working in a cross-functional engineering environment. How do you ensure alignment and effective collaboration?" (Emphasize your communication, stakeholder management, and teamwork skills). Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure is Key: Start with a brief overview of your career and expertise, then dive into 2-3 detailed case studies.

• Problem-Solution-Impact: For each case study, clearly articulate the user problem, your proposed solution (design, research, strategy), the process you followed, and the measurable impact or outcome.

• Highlight Your Role: Be specific about your contributions, especially in a leadership capacity.

• Showcase Process & Tools: Verbally walk through your design process and demonstrate your proficiency with the specified tools (Figma, ProtoPie, Axure, Kanzi).

• Be Prepared for Q&A: Anticipate questions about your rationale, alternative solutions, and how you handled challenges.

📝 Enhancement Note: Preparation should focus on demonstrating not only technical UX expertise but also leadership potential, strategic thinking, and a strong cultural fit with Honda's values. The portfolio presentation is a critical component and should be rehearsed thoroughly.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Principal User Experience (UX) Engineer position:

• Submit Your Application: Apply directly through the Honda Careers portal via the provided URL. Ensure your resume and any requested documents are uploaded.

• Tailor Your Resume: Highlight your 8+ years of relevant experience, specifically mentioning your leadership/supervisory experience (1-3 years), automotive or consumer electronics background, and proficiency with key UX tools (Figma, ProtoPie, Axure, Kanzi). Quantify achievements whenever possible.

• Prepare Your Portfolio: Curate a selection of your strongest UX projects that demonstrate your end-to-end process, research capabilities, prototyping skills, and leadership. Be ready to present these in detail during an interview.

• Research Honda: Familiarize yourself with Honda's brand values, recent product innovations (especially in infotainment and connected services), and the C.A.S.E. framework. Understand their commitment to quality and continuous improvement.

• Practice Interview Responses: Prepare for behavioral, technical, and situational questions, focusing on your experience with user-centered research, HMI design, prototyping, team leadership, and problem-solving in complex engineering environments. Rehearse your portfolio presentation.

⚠️ 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.