Senior Brand Product Designer

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Senior Brand Product Designer

Company: General Motors

Location: Sunnyvale, California, United States

Job Type: FULL_TIME

Category: Product Design / User Experience

Date Posted: 2026-06-18

Experience Level: Mid-Senior Level (5-10 years)

Remote Status: Remote OK (Hybrid expectations if within 50 miles of a hub)

🚀 Role Summary

• Lead complex, exploratory design initiatives for future-facing digital experiences across web and mobile platforms.

• Translate ambiguous business opportunities and emerging technologies into tangible design strategies, concepts, and high-fidelity artifacts.

• Drive the creation of refined interface systems, visual frameworks, and interaction models with a strong emphasis on brand execution and usability.

• Serve as a key individual contributor, leveraging deep expertise in digital product and visual design to influence cross-functional teams and senior stakeholders.

• Champion design thinking, process improvement, and the elevation of design quality across the broader organization.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is within GM's "Emerging Experiences" team, indicating a focus on innovation, R&D, and forward-looking product development rather than immediate product delivery. The emphasis on "senior design group" and "individual contributor" suggests a high degree of autonomy and expected leadership in design strategy and execution.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Lead complex design explorations for future digital experiences on web and mobile, often with limited precedent or incomplete information.

• Translate broad, ambiguous opportunities into clear design strategies, concepts, and high-fidelity artifacts for evaluation and implementation.

• Create refined interface systems, visual frameworks, and interaction models demonstrating strong craft, usability, and expressive brand execution.

• Drive design work independently with minimal guidance, making sound judgments on significant matters and moving work forward across cross-functional teams.

• Influence product, engineering, and business partners through clear rationale, data, and design storytelling, including with senior stakeholders.

• Identify opportunities to improve design processes, frameworks, and ways of working to strengthen design effectiveness and support functional strategy.

• Own the development and delivery of design solutions requiring coordination across multiple teams and groups.

• Mentor and elevate other designers through critique, coaching, and hands-on guidance on challenging design problems.

• Bring curiosity to emerging technology, customer needs, and interaction patterns, using experimentation and concept work to envision future possibilities for GM.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a blend of strategic thinking, hands-on design execution, and influential leadership. The emphasis on "defining what is next" and "translating emerging technologies" underscores the innovative and forward-looking nature of this role within GM's design function.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

• Bachelor’s degree in Design, HCI (Human-Computer Interaction), Visual Communication, or a related field, or equivalent professional experience. Experience:

• 5+ years of experience in product, UX, visual, or interface design for digital products and platforms.

• Demonstrated expertise in interaction design, visual design, systems thinking, and translating abstract opportunities into tangible product directions.

• Proven ability to solve diverse, non-standard design problems using advanced analytical, creative, and problem-solving skills.

• Experience leading work independently and exercising sound judgment in ambiguous, high-visibility environments.

• Strong ability to influence and align cross-functional partners through communication, persuasion, and thoughtful presentation of recommendations and results.

• Advanced proficiency with Figma and modern design workflows for concept development, prototyping, and high-fidelity design execution.

• Demonstrated ability to mentor others and serve as a resource for less experienced team members. Required Skills:

• Expert-level proficiency in Figma for concept development, prototyping, and high-fidelity design execution.

• Deep understanding of interaction design principles and best practices.

• Strong visual design skills and a keen eye for aesthetic appeal and brand consistency.

• Systems thinking capabilities to design scalable and cohesive interface systems.

• Excellent problem-solving and analytical skills for tackling complex, ambiguous design challenges.

• Proven ability to influence and communicate design decisions effectively to diverse audiences, including senior leadership.

• Experience mentoring junior designers and contributing to team growth. Preferred Skills:

• Experience shaping vision or concept work ahead of roadmap delivery.

• Experience influencing design direction across a broad functional area, not just within a single product team.

• Experience contributing to design systems, frameworks, or scalable patterns that improve consistency and quality across teams.

• Familiarity with motion design, advanced prototyping techniques, and micro-interactions.

• Experience using customer insights, research, and data to support design recommendations and influence decisions.

• Experience working across disciplines to align exploratory concepts with strategic business and customer outcomes.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Required Qualifications" indicate a need for seasoned designers who can operate with autonomy and possess strong foundational design skills. The "Preferred Qualifications" point towards candidates who can think strategically and contribute to the broader design ecosystem within GM, emphasizing influence and systems-level thinking.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Showcase a minimum of 2-3 complex design projects demonstrating the full product design lifecycle from concept to execution.

• Clearly articulate the problem statement, design process, individual contributions, and the rationale behind key design decisions.

• Highlight experience in translating ambiguous requirements into tangible design solutions.

• Include examples of creating refined interface systems, visual frameworks, and interaction models.

• Demonstrate proficiency with Figma and modern design workflows, including concept development, prototyping, and high-fidelity design execution. Process Documentation:

• For each project, detail the methodology used, including user research, ideation, prototyping, user testing, and iteration.

• Explain how you influenced cross-functional partners (product, engineering, business) and senior stakeholders through design storytelling and data.

• Illustrate your approach to problem-solving for diverse, non-standard design challenges.

• Provide evidence of mentoring or guiding other designers, if applicable.

• Showcase how you have contributed to improving design processes, frameworks, or ways of working.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a Senior Brand Product Designer role, the portfolio should emphasize strategic impact and the ability to navigate ambiguity. Candidates should be prepared to discuss how their design work influenced business outcomes and how they collaborated with and influenced various stakeholders. Demonstrating a structured yet flexible design process is crucial.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

• The expected base compensation for this role is $125,200 - $192,700 USD per year.

• 📝 Enhancement Note: This salary range is competitive for a Senior Product Designer role in the Sunnyvale, California area, a high cost-of-living region known for its tech industry. The range reflects significant experience and the senior level of the position, aligning with industry benchmarks for major automotive/tech companies.

Benefits:

• Health & Wellbeing: Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance plans.

• Financial Planning: Health Savings Account (HSA), Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA), and a Retirement Savings Plan (401k).

• Income Protection: Sickness and accident benefits, and life insurance.

• Work-Life Balance: Paid vacation, holidays, and employee assistance program.

• Professional Development: Tuition assistance programs.

• Employee Perks: GM vehicle discounts.

Working Hours:

• Standard full-time hours expected, likely around 40 hours per week.

• 📝 Enhancement Note: While the role is remote-friendly, hybrid expectations (3 days/week in office) apply if the selected candidate lives within 50 miles of a GM hub. This indicates a need for flexibility and potential for in-person collaboration.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Automotive, Technology, Mobility Solutions

Company Size: Large Enterprise (over 10,000 employees)

Founded: 1908

Company Description: General Motors is a global leader in the automotive industry, committed to a vision of Zero Crashes, Zero Emissions, and Zero Congestion. They are actively transforming into a technology company, focusing on electric vehicles, autonomous driving, and advanced digital experiences.

Team Structure:

• The role is within the "Emerging Experiences" team, a senior design group focused on future-facing digital products.

• This team likely operates with a high degree of autonomy, working ahead of product roadmaps to explore new concepts and technologies.

• Collaboration will be extensive with product management, engineering, research, and other design disciplines across GM.

• Reporting structure likely includes a Design Director or VP of Design overseeing the Emerging Experiences function. Methodology:

• Emphasis on translating emerging technologies and evolving customer expectations into tangible concepts.

• Use of design exploration, rapid prototyping, and concept work to define future web and mobile experiences.

• Data-driven decision-making, leveraging customer insights and research to inform design recommendations.

• Focus on raising the quality bar and influencing product, engineering, and business partners through design storytelling.

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

📝 Enhancement Note: GM's transformation into a tech-forward company is central to this role's context. The "Emerging Experiences" team is at the forefront of this innovation, requiring designers who are not only skilled practitioners but also strategic thinkers capable of shaping future product direction.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: Senior Individual Contributor / Design Lead

• This role represents a significant step in a design career, requiring deep expertise and the ability to lead complex projects independently. It's a position where one is expected to mentor others and influence strategic direction. Reporting Structure:

• The Senior Brand Product Designer will likely report to a Design Manager or Director within the Emerging Experiences team.

• They will collaborate closely with product managers, engineering leads, and business stakeholders across various departments. Operations Impact:

• The impact of this role is strategic and forward-looking, shaping the future digital experiences of GM vehicles and services.

• Successful design explorations and concept developments can directly influence product roadmaps, R&D investments, and the overall brand perception of GM as an innovative technology company. Growth Opportunities:

• Specialization: Deepen expertise in specific areas of emerging technology, mobility UX, or brand system design.

• Leadership: Transition into a formal Design Manager or Lead role, managing teams and product portfolios.

• Cross-functional Mobility: Move into Product Management or Strategy roles leveraging design expertise.

• Industry Influence: Become a thought leader within the automotive tech design space.

• Skill Development: Continuous learning through exposure to cutting-edge technologies, industry conferences, and internal mentorship programs.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role offers significant growth potential for designers looking to impact strategic product direction and innovation in a major industry undergoing transformation. The emphasis on mentorship and influencing broader design strategy suggests clear pathways for career advancement.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Hybrid (if within 50 miles of a GM hub) or Remote.

Office Location(s): While the role is based remotely, GM has significant hub locations across the US, including in California. The specific hub relevant to this role would likely be in the Silicon Valley area, given the Sunnyvale location.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Environment: The hybrid model encourages in-person collaboration, team critiques, and brainstorming sessions, fostering a strong sense of team cohesion.

• Tools & Technology: Access to industry-standard design software (Figma) and potentially advanced prototyping and visualization tools.

• Innovation Focus: The Emerging Experiences team likely fosters an environment that encourages experimentation, learning, and pushing creative boundaries.

Work Schedule:

• Standard full-time work schedule, with flexibility inherent in a remote/hybrid arrangement.

• 📝 Enhancement Note: While remote is an option, the hybrid expectation for those near a hub suggests that team collaboration and in-person interaction are valued components of the work environment.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: HR or Recruiter review of application and resume for basic qualifications.

• Portfolio Review: A deep dive into the candidate's portfolio, focusing on design process, problem-solving, impact, and craftsmanship. Candidates should be prepared to walk through 2-3 key projects.

• Design Challenge/Case Study: A practical exercise to assess design thinking, problem-solving skills, and ability to articulate a solution under time constraints. This might involve a hypothetical future GM digital experience.

• Hiring Manager/Team Interviews: Discussions with the hiring manager and potential team members to assess technical skills, cultural fit, collaboration style, and mentorship capabilities.

• Stakeholder Interviews: Potential interviews with cross-functional partners (e.g., Product, Engineering) to gauge influence and collaboration skills.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Storytelling: Structure your portfolio around compelling narratives that highlight the problem, your role, your process, the solution, and the impact.

• Show, Don't Just Tell: Use visuals, prototypes, and clear explanations to demonstrate your design decisions and their outcomes.

• Focus on Ambiguity & Strategy: Given the role's focus, emphasize projects where you navigated uncertainty, defined new directions, or influenced strategic outcomes.

• Figma Proficiency: Be ready to discuss your advanced Figma workflows and how you leverage it for concept development and prototyping.

• Brand Integration: Showcase how you've maintained and elevated brand identity within digital products.

• Impact Metrics: Quantify success where possible (e.g., user engagement, conversion rates, efficiency gains).

Challenge Preparation:

• Familiarize yourself with GM's current and future mobility vision (EVs, autonomy, connected services).

• Practice articulating design decisions with clear rationale, focusing on user needs and business objectives.

• Prepare to present a design concept or solution for a future-facing digital experience within the automotive or mobility space.

• Think about how to balance innovation with practical implementation and brand consistency.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process for a senior design role will be rigorous, focusing heavily on the candidate's portfolio and their ability to articulate strategic design thinking. Candidates should anticipate a multi-stage process that assesses both craft and influence.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Figma: Advanced proficiency required for concept development, prototyping, high-fidelity design execution, and potentially design system management.

• Prototyping Tools: While Figma is primary, familiarity with other advanced prototyping tools (e.g., ProtoPie, Principle) for complex interactions or motion studies may be beneficial.

• Design Systems: Experience contributing to or utilizing design systems for scalable and consistent UI development.

Analytics & Reporting:

• While not a direct responsibility, understanding how to use customer insights, research, and data to support design recommendations is crucial. Familiarity with analytics platforms (e.g., Google Analytics, Adobe Analytics) and user research tools (e.g., UserTesting.com, Qualtrics) would be advantageous. CRM & Automation:

• Not directly applicable to this design role, but an understanding of how design impacts user journeys within CRM or marketing automation contexts could be a plus.

📝 Enhancement Note: Figma proficiency is stated as an advanced requirement, suggesting it's a core tool for this role. The emphasis on "modern design workflows" implies an expectation of up-to-date design practices and tool usage.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Innovation & Curiosity: A drive to explore emerging technologies and envision what's next for GM's digital experiences.

• Craftsmanship & Excellence: A commitment to high-quality design, both in visual execution and user experience.

• Collaboration & Influence: A strong ability to work with and influence cross-functional partners and senior stakeholders.

• Problem-Solving: A proactive and analytical approach to tackling complex, ambiguous design challenges.

• Impact-Driven: A focus on using design to drive tangible business and customer outcomes.

Collaboration Style:

• Highly collaborative, working closely with product managers, engineers, researchers, and business strategists.

• Emphasis on clear communication, persuasive storytelling, and data-informed design rationale to align teams.

• Open to critique and mentorship, fostering a culture of continuous learning and improvement.

• Expected to bring a proactive, problem-solving attitude to team interactions.

📝 Enhancement Note: The culture within an "Emerging Experiences" team is likely dynamic, fast-paced, and focused on innovation. Designers are expected to be both independent thinkers and strong collaborators who can champion their ideas effectively.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Navigating ambiguity and incomplete information to define clear design directions for future products.

• Influencing senior stakeholders and cross-functional teams without direct authority.

• Balancing innovative exploration with the practicalities of product development and brand consistency.

• Staying ahead of rapidly evolving technologies and customer expectations in the mobility space.

• Mentoring and elevating the design craft of other team members. Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Exposure to cutting-edge automotive technology and user experience trends.

• Opportunities to shape the future product vision of a major global brand.

• Participation in industry conferences, workshops, and advanced design training.

• Mentorship from senior design leaders within GM.

• Potential for career advancement into management or specialized design leadership roles.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role presents significant challenges related to innovation and influence, but these are directly tied to substantial growth opportunities for ambitious designers. The chance to define "what is next" for a company like GM is a unique professional development prospect.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you led a complex design exploration with limited information. How did you define the problem and arrive at a solution?"

• "How do you translate emerging technologies or abstract concepts into tangible product experiences?"

• "How do you influence product, engineering, and business partners, especially senior stakeholders, to adopt your design recommendations?"

• "Tell us about a time you improved a design process or framework. What was the impact?"

• "How do you ensure brand consistency and expressiveness in digital products, particularly within a large organization like GM?" Company & Culture Questions:

• "What excites you about GM's vision for the future of mobility (Zero Crashes, Zero Emissions, Zero Congestion)?"

• "How do you see your design philosophy aligning with GM's transformation into a technology company?"

• "Describe your experience mentoring junior designers. What is your approach?"

• "How do you approach collaboration within a hybrid or remote work environment?" Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Narrative Flow: Craft a compelling story for each project, emphasizing the "why" behind your decisions.

• Visuals are Key: Use high-quality mockups, prototypes, and diagrams to illustrate your concepts and process.

• Highlight Ambiguity & Influence: Specifically call out projects where you navigated unclear requirements and how you influenced stakeholders.

• Figma Workflow: Be prepared to discuss your advanced Figma techniques and how you use it for efficiency and impact.

• Conciseness: Respect time limits and focus on the most impactful aspects of your work.

• Ask Insightful Questions: Prepare thoughtful questions about the team, their challenges, and the company's future direction.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation should focus on demonstrating strategic thinking, leadership potential, and a deep understanding of the design process in ambiguous environments. Candidates need to showcase their ability to influence and drive innovation.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Senior Brand Product Designer position:

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

• Curate Your Portfolio: Select 2-3 projects that best showcase your experience with complex design explorations, translating ambiguity, and driving impactful digital experiences. Ensure each project clearly details the problem, your process, contributions, and outcomes.

• Tailor Your Resume: Highlight keywords related to product design, UX/UI, interaction design, visual design, Figma proficiency, systems thinking, and experience in ambiguous or strategic roles. Quantify achievements where possible.

• Prepare Your Narrative: Practice articulating your design process, decision-making rationale, and how you influence stakeholders. Be ready to discuss your portfolio projects in detail and answer strategic design questions.

• Research GM: Understand GM's current initiatives (EVs, autonomous driving, future mobility) and their stated vision. Consider how your design skills can contribute to this transformation.

⚠️ 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.