Product Designer HMI / Automotive Focus: UI (m/f/x)

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Product Designer HMI / Automotive Focus: UI (m/f/x)

Company: Edenspiekermann

Location: München, Bavaria, Germany

Job Type: Permanent employee

Category: Product Design / User Interface Design

Date Posted: 2026-08-03

Experience Level: Mid-Level (2-5 years)

Remote Status: Hybrid

🚀 Role Summary

• Spearhead the design of intuitive, future-oriented Human-Machine Interfaces (HMI) for advanced in-vehicle digital experiences.

• Develop exceptional User Interface (UI) designs for complex, multi-display automotive systems, ensuring adherence to brand and system design guidelines.

• Collaborate closely with UX designers, prototypers, motion designers, and engineering teams to translate user requirements into production-ready visual concepts.

• Maintain visual consistency across various vehicle surfaces, resolutions, and display themes, supporting early R&D through to production delivery.

• Contribute to the development and refinement of design systems, components, icons, and visual elements for scalable and embedded automotive environments.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is a UI-focused Product Designer position with a strong emphasis on the automotive HMI sector. The "m/f/x" designation indicates inclusivity. The role requires a blend of creative design skills and technical understanding specific to automotive constraints and development cycles.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Design intuitive, future-oriented HMI interfaces across multiple in-vehicle displays, considering driver context and cognitive load.

• Create excellent UI designs for complex automotive displays, including infotainment, navigation, and ADAS (Advanced Driver-Assistance Systems).

• Develop UI components, icons, visual elements, and screen layouts that align with established design systems and brand guidelines.

• Translate UX requirements and interaction flows into clear, production-ready visual concepts and specifications.

• Collaborate effectively with UX designers, prototypers, motion designers, and engineering teams throughout the product development lifecycle.

• Maintain visual consistency across multiple surfaces, resolutions, and themes for a cohesive user experience.

• Support the handover process by preparing detailed documentation, specifications, and visual assets for development teams.

• Ensure design quality, safety, and compliance, recognizing the distinct requirements of automotive HMI compared to consumer applications.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities emphasize the end-to-end design process for automotive interfaces, from conceptualization to production-ready assets. The focus on "multiple development tracks" and "early R&D exploration through to production-grade design delivery" suggests a need for adaptability and a holistic understanding of the product lifecycle.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: While no specific degree is mandated, a Bachelor's or Master's degree in Interaction Design, Graphic Design, Industrial Design, Human-Computer Interaction, or a related field is typically expected for such roles. Equivalent practical experience will also be considered.

Experience: Minimum of 2-5 years of professional experience in UI design, with a significant portion focused on automotive HMI, infotainment systems, or related complex digital product development. Experience working within an agency/consultancy setting or with OEMs/Tier1 suppliers in the automotive industry is highly valued.

Required Skills:

• Proven experience in Automotive & HMI design, including familiarity with systems like Android Automotive OS, infotainment, navigation, ADAS, connected services, or future mobility solutions.

• Demonstrated experience with complex, scaled product development or delivery programs, ideally within the Automotive & Mobility sector.

• Strong understanding of driver context, cognitive load, and specific in-vehicle environmental conditions and test scenarios.

• A robust Quality, Safety, and Compliance Mindset, understanding the critical differences between automotive HMI and consumer applications.

• Exceptional visual design skills, evidenced by a portfolio showcasing complex UI work for digital products.

• Excellent proficiency in Figma, including advanced use of components, variants, auto layout, and design system management.

• Ability to create clean, scalable visual assets suitable for embedded or automotive environments.

• Solid understanding of fundamental design principles: typography, color theory, layout, contrast, and visual hierarchy. Preferred Skills:

• Basic familiarity with ISO standards relevant to automotive design.

• Prior experience specifically with commercial vehicles.

• Ability to create custom iconography or illustrations tailored for HMI contexts.

• Familiarity with motion design principles for functional UI transitions.

• Deep understanding of automotive design constraints such as legibility, luminance, day/night modes, and theme variations.

• Experience preparing assets for embedded or real-time rendering systems.

• Exposure to designing for Virtual Reality (VR) or Augmented Reality (AR) environments.

📝 Enhancement Note: The requirements highlight a specialized niche within product design. The emphasis on "Automotive & HMI Experience" and "Quality, Safety and Compliance Mindset" are critical differentiators. Proficiency in Figma is a non-negotiable requirement. The "Bonus" section indicates areas where additional experience can significantly strengthen an application.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Showcase a minimum of 2-3 complex UI design projects, with a strong preference for automotive HMI, infotainment, or embedded systems.

• Clearly articulate your role and contributions within each project, especially in cross-functional team environments.

• Demonstrate your process from initial concept or UX requirements through to final visual design and asset handover.

• Highlight your understanding of design systems, component-based design, and visual consistency.

• Provide examples of how you addressed automotive-specific constraints (e.g., legibility, contrast, day/night modes). Process Documentation:

• Explain your approach to translating UX requirements and user flows into detailed visual designs and specifications.

• Detail your experience working with and contributing to design systems, including component libraries and style guides.

• Illustrate your methods for ensuring visual consistency across different screens, resolutions, and themes.

• Showcase your process for preparing and handing over design assets and documentation to engineering teams for implementation.

📝 Enhancement Note: A strong portfolio is paramount for this role. It needs to go beyond aesthetics to demonstrate a deep understanding of the automotive HMI design process, technical constraints, and collaboration within product development lifecycles. The focus is on practical application and demonstrable outcomes.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: Based on industry benchmarks for a mid-level Product Designer with specialized automotive HMI experience in Munich, Germany, a competitive salary range is estimated between €60,000 - €80,000 annually. This estimate considers the cost of living in Munich, the company's industry (design consultancy), and the specialized nature of the role.

Benefits:

• 30 days of paid vacation per year, offering ample time for rest and rejuvenation.

• Hybrid work arrangement, providing flexibility between remote work and office collaboration.

• Dog-friendly office environment in Berlin, fostering a welcoming and pet-friendly atmosphere.

• Access to Urban Sports Club for fitness and wellness activities.

• Participation in a food club and ESPI cuisine offerings for employee well-being.

• Regular team gatherings and social events to foster camaraderie and team spirit.

• Opportunities for in-house coaching and mentoring to support professional development.

Working Hours: The standard working hours are 40 hours per week. The company offers support for work-life balance, including the potential for a four-day week if needed, demonstrating a commitment to employee well-being.

📝 Enhancement Note: Salary is estimated based on typical compensation for similar roles in Munich, Germany, factoring in experience level and specialization. The benefits package is comprehensive, emphasizing work-life balance, professional development, and employee well-being, which are attractive perks for design professionals.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Design Consultancy, Technology, Automotive. Edenspiekermann operates at the intersection of cutting-edge design and strategic business solutions, with a significant focus on digital product design for enterprise clients, including those in regulated industries like automotive. This means a culture that values innovation, strategic thinking, and high-craft execution.

Company Size: Edenspiekermann is a medium-sized consultancy, likely employing between 50-200 individuals. This size typically offers a balance between the resources and reach of a larger firm and the agility, personal involvement, and flatter hierarchies often found in smaller organizations.

Founded: Founded in 1997, Edenspiekermann has a long-standing reputation and deep expertise in the design and digital strategy space. This history suggests a stable yet evolving company culture that prioritizes long-term client relationships and continuous professional development.

Team Structure:

• The operations team (within the broader design context) is likely structured into interdisciplinary, agile teams. These teams are typically small to medium-sized, comprising specialists such as UX designers, UI designers, prototypers, and motion designers.

• Reporting structures are described as "flat hierarchies" with "direct access to partners and senior leadership," indicating a collaborative environment where individual contributions are highly visible.

• Cross-functional collaboration is a cornerstone, with design teams working closely with client product and engineering teams, as well as internal specialists like strategists and researchers. Methodology:

• Edenspiekermann's approach is user-centric, combining conceptual thinking, sophisticated design understanding, and deep knowledge of web and app development. They operate within agile frameworks.

• The company emphasizes high-craft, no-ego culture, and continuous improvement, encouraging team members to "leave their comfort zones" and support each other.

• They aim to provide the best customer experience for their clients' customers by developing digital products and services strategically.

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

📝 Enhancement Note: The company culture is characterized by a blend of high-craft design expertise, strategic thinking, and a collaborative, agile working environment. The emphasis on flat hierarchies and direct access to leadership is a significant draw for professionals seeking autonomy and influence. The automotive focus suggests a mature understanding of complex, long-term product development cycles.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is positioned as a Mid-Level Product Designer (2-5 years of experience). It requires a solid foundation in UI design principles and practical experience in automotive HMI, moving beyond junior responsibilities to take ownership of design tasks and contribute significantly to project outcomes. The emphasis is on delivering "production-grade design" and maintaining "visual consistency."

Reporting Structure: As part of an agile, interdisciplinary team, this designer will likely report to a Design Lead or Senior Designer within the project team. They will collaborate closely with UX Designers, Prototypers, Motion Designers, and directly with client product and engineering teams. The flat hierarchy structure means direct interaction with senior leadership and partners is also probable.

Operations Impact: The impact of this role is direct and significant. By designing intuitive and future-oriented HMI interfaces, the Product Designer influences the user experience within vehicles, affecting driver safety, engagement, and overall brand perception for major automotive manufacturers. Their work directly supports the development of advanced digital experiences that are critical for automotive innovation and market competitiveness.

Growth Opportunities:

• Specialization: Deepen expertise in automotive HMI design, potentially becoming a go-to specialist for specific vehicle systems (e.g., infotainment, ADAS, future mobility concepts).

• Leadership: Progress to Senior Product Designer roles, leading design efforts on key projects, mentoring junior designers, and contributing to design system strategy.

• Cross-Disciplinary Skills: Develop a broader understanding of UX strategy, interaction design, and potentially motion design or prototyping, broadening skill sets for more holistic product design roles.

• Client Engagement: Gain experience in client-facing roles, presenting design solutions and contributing to strategic discussions with automotive manufacturers.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role offers a clear path for growth within a specialized design field. The emphasis on "product strategy" and "autonomy" suggests opportunities to influence not just the design execution but also the strategic direction of digital experiences within the automotive sector.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Edenspiekermann offers a hybrid work model, combining remote work flexibility with in-office collaboration. The Berlin office is described as "dog-friendly," contributing to a relaxed and inclusive atmosphere.

Office Location(s): The primary office mentioned is in Berlin. While the job is listed in Munich, the benefit of a "dog-friendly Berlin office" suggests potential for hybrid arrangements that might involve travel or collaboration across locations, or it could imply a flexible approach to work location within Germany if the team is distributed.

Workspace Context:

• The workspace is designed to foster collaboration within "agile and interdisciplinary teams." This implies open-plan areas, meeting rooms, and digital collaboration tools to facilitate seamless communication and brainstorming.

• Access to standard design tools (Figma is explicitly mentioned) and potentially prototyping software and other relevant technologies is expected.

• The "no-ego, high-craft culture" suggests an environment where designers are encouraged to share ideas, provide constructive feedback, and work together towards shared goals.

Work Schedule: The standard work schedule is 40 hours per week, with a strong emphasis on work-life balance. The potential for a four-day week demonstrates a commitment to flexibility and employee well-being, allowing designers to manage their workload effectively while maintaining personal time.

📝 Enhancement Note: The hybrid work model and emphasis on work-life balance are key aspects of the work environment. The mention of a "dog-friendly Berlin office" adds a unique cultural element, while the collaborative nature of agile teams suggests a dynamic and interactive workspace.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process: The interview process is likely to be multi-stage, designed to assess both design skills and cultural fit.

• Initial Screening: A review of your CV and portfolio to assess qualifications and relevance to the role.

• Portfolio Presentation: A dedicated session where you present your work, focusing on automotive HMI projects, your design process, problem-solving skills, and ability to articulate design decisions. Expect questions about your role, challenges faced, and outcomes achieved.

• Skills Assessment/Challenge: You may be given a small design exercise or case study related to automotive HMI design, assessing your problem-solving abilities, design thinking, and proficiency with tools like Figma.

• Team/Cultural Fit Interview: Discussions with potential team members and leadership to evaluate collaboration style, communication skills, and alignment with Edenspiekermann's values.

• Final Interview: Potentially with senior leadership or partners to discuss strategic alignment and long-term vision.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select 2-3 of your strongest projects, prioritizing those directly relevant to automotive HMI, complex UI, or embedded systems.

• Tell a Story: For each project, clearly outline the problem, your approach, your specific role and contributions, the tools used (especially Figma), the challenges encountered, and the final outcome/impact.

• Demonstrate Process: Show your design thinking, not just the final visuals. Include sketches, wireframes, user flows, and iterations.

• Highlight Automotive Specifics: Emphasize how you addressed automotive constraints like driver safety, legibility, contrast, and day/night modes.

• Showcase Figma Proficiency: Be prepared to walk through your Figma files, showcasing your use of components, variants, auto layout, and design systems.

• Quantify Impact: If possible, include metrics or qualitative feedback that demonstrate the success of your designs.

Challenge Preparation:

• Understand Automotive Context: Refresh your knowledge of current automotive HMI trends, common interfaces (infotainment, ADAS), and design challenges.

• Practice Figma: Be ready to create designs, components, or prototypes efficiently in Figma.

• Articulate Design Rationale: Practice explaining why you made certain design decisions, linking them to user needs, business goals, and design principles.

• Consider Constraints: Think about how you would incorporate technical, safety, and usability constraints into your design solutions.

📝 Enhancement Note: The application and interview process will heavily rely on a strong, relevant portfolio. Candidates should prepare to demonstrate not only their visual design skills but also their strategic thinking, problem-solving abilities, and understanding of the unique demands of automotive HMI design.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Figma: Essential for UI design, prototyping, component creation, and design system management. Expect advanced usage, including auto layout, variants, and collaborative features.

• Prototyping Tools: While Figma includes prototyping, experience with dedicated tools like InVision, Adobe XD, or Principle might be beneficial for more complex interactions.

• Adobe Creative Suite: Photoshop and Illustrator are likely used for asset creation, icon design, and visual element refinement.

Analytics & Reporting:

• While not directly a designer's tool, understanding how design choices impact analytics (e.g., user engagement metrics, task completion rates) is valuable. Familiarity with tools used for user testing and feedback analysis (e.g., UserTesting.com, Maze) could be an advantage. CRM & Automation:

• Not directly applicable to the Product Designer role, but an understanding of how design systems integrate with broader product development workflows and potentially CMS or content management platforms could be useful.

📝 Enhancement Note: Figma is the core tool for this role. Proficiency in this specific software is critical. The other tools listed are supplementary and indicate a broader ecosystem of design and development tools the candidate might interact with.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• High-Craft & Quality: A commitment to excellence in design execution, attention to detail, and delivering polished, professional work. This is paramount in automotive where quality and safety are critical.

• Collaboration & Partnership: Working effectively in interdisciplinary teams and in close partnership with clients, fostering a spirit of mutual support and shared goals.

• Innovation & Exploration: Encouraging the exploration of new ideas and technologies, pushing creative boundaries, and staying ahead of industry trends, especially in future mobility.

• Autonomy & Ownership: Empowering individuals to take responsibility for their work, contribute their ideas, and shape projects and processes.

• Continuous Improvement: A mindset focused on learning, adapting, and growing both individually and as a team, embracing challenges as opportunities.

Collaboration Style:

• Agile & Interdisciplinary: Teams work in iterative cycles, with close collaboration between designers, UX specialists, prototypers, and engineers.

• No-Ego, High-Craft: Feedback is given and received constructively, with a focus on improving the work rather than personal opinions. Expertise is valued, but collaboration is key.

• Client-Centric: Design solutions are developed with a deep understanding of client needs and end-user experiences, often involving direct client interaction and consultation.

• Knowledge Sharing: A culture that encourages sharing insights, best practices, and learnings across teams and projects, fostering a collective growth environment.

📝 Enhancement Note: The culture emphasizes a professional, collaborative, and innovative environment where individual contributions are valued, and there's a strong focus on delivering high-quality, user-centric design solutions, particularly within the demanding automotive sector.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Navigating Complex Automotive Requirements: Balancing sophisticated UI design with stringent safety regulations, driver distraction guidelines, and technical constraints specific to in-vehicle systems can be challenging.

• Maintaining Consistency Across Diverse Platforms: Ensuring a unified visual language and user experience across different vehicle displays, resolutions, and operating systems (like Android Automotive OS) requires meticulous design system management.

• Adapting to Long Development Cycles: The automotive industry often involves lengthy development timelines; designers must maintain focus and adaptability throughout these extended projects.

• Integrating New Technologies: Incorporating emerging technologies (e.g., AI-driven features, advanced ADAS visualizations) into intuitive and safe HMI requires continuous learning and innovative design solutions.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Deep Dive into Automotive HMI: Gain extensive experience and specialized knowledge in automotive user interface design, becoming an expert in the field.

• Design System Mastery: Contribute to and potentially lead the development and evolution of sophisticated design systems for automotive applications.

• Cross-Functional Expertise: Enhance understanding of engineering constraints, UX research methodologies, and motion design principles through close collaboration.

• Client Strategy Contribution: Develop skills in strategic design consulting, advising automotive clients on their digital product roadmaps and user experience vision.

• Industry Exposure: Potentially attend automotive technology or design conferences, stay abreast of ISO standards, and engage with emerging mobility trends.

📝 Enhancement Note: The role presents significant challenges inherent to the automotive industry, but these are framed as opportunities for deep specialization and professional growth within a leading design consultancy.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a complex automotive HMI project you worked on. What were the primary challenges, and how did you address them through your UI design decisions?" (Focus on demonstrating problem-solving, automotive context, and design rationale.)

• "How do you ensure visual consistency and adherence to a design system across multiple vehicle displays and resolutions? Can you provide an example from your portfolio?" (Highlight your understanding of design systems and practical application.)

• "Imagine you need to design a new feature for an infotainment system that requires displaying critical safety information without distracting the driver. How would you approach this from a UI perspective?" (Assess your ability to balance functionality, safety, and user experience in a constrained environment.) Company & Culture Questions:

• "What attracts you to Edenspiekermann, specifically our work in the automotive sector?" (Research their recent projects, client roster, and design philosophy.)

• "How do you approach collaboration within an interdisciplinary team, especially when working with engineers and UX designers?" (Emphasize your teamwork, communication skills, and understanding of agile methodologies.)

• "How do you stay updated on the latest trends and best practices in automotive HMI design and UI/UX?" (Show your commitment to continuous learning and industry awareness.) Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure Your Narrative: Begin with an overview of the project, clearly state the problem and your role, then walk through your design process, highlighting key decisions and iterations.

• Showcase Your Figma Expertise: Be prepared to share your screen and demonstrate how you utilized Figma's features (components, variants, auto layout, design systems) to create efficient and scalable designs.

• Emphasize Automotive Relevance: For each project, explicitly connect your design choices to automotive requirements, such as legibility, safety, and context-aware interactions.

• Quantify Impact (If Possible): Share any metrics, user feedback, or successful outcomes that resulted from your designs. If direct metrics aren't available, discuss the intended impact and how it was achieved.

• Prepare for Deep Dives: Be ready for detailed questions about your process, design decisions, and any challenges encountered.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation should focus on showcasing a deep understanding of automotive HMI design principles, practical Figma skills, and the ability to articulate design decisions within a collaborative, product-centric framework.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Product Designer position:

• Submit your application through the provided link on the Edenspiekermann jobs portal.

• Tailor your CV: Highlight experience with automotive HMI, UI design, Figma proficiency, and any experience with Android Automotive OS, infotainment systems, or ADAS. Use keywords from the job description.

• Curate your Portfolio: Ensure your portfolio prominently features 2-3 automotive or complex UI design projects. Be ready to present your Figma work and explain your process and automotive-specific considerations.

• Prepare for a Design Challenge: Anticipate a potential design exercise that tests your UI skills and understanding of automotive constraints.

• Research Edenspiekermann: Understand their design philosophy, client portfolio (especially automotive), and company culture to articulate your interest and cultural fit.

⚠️ 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.