Senior Designer, System UI

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Senior Designer, System UI

Company: General Motors

Location: Warren, Michigan, United States / Sunnyvale, California, United States

Job Type: FULL_TIME

Category: Design Operations / UX/UI Design

Date Posted: 2026-06-02

Experience Level: 5-10 Years

Remote Status: Hybrid (3 days in office)

🚀 Role Summary

• Design and deliver intuitive, accessible, and visually compelling system-level software experiences for in-vehicle digital interfaces, impacting GM's entire product portfolio.

• Drive the creation of cohesive, brand-aligned user experiences across various platforms, including OS Frameworks, Digital Instrument Clusters, Touchscreen Interfaces, and Head-Up Displays (HUDs).

• Collaborate closely with design, software, engineering, and product partners to translate user needs, technical constraints, and business objectives into production-ready designs.

• Develop and release production specification assets to software engineering teams, ensuring flawless execution of user interface designs.

• Contribute to a culture of design excellence by participating in critiques, presenting work to leadership, and advocating for aesthetic and visual design principles.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the title is "Senior Designer, System UI," the focus on "System UI" and the mention of "OS Framework Design," "foundational interaction models," and "system behaviors" indicates a strong need for a candidate with a deep understanding of how the underlying operating system and its components impact the user experience. This role is not just about visual aesthetics but about the architecture of the user interface at a systemic level.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Design and develop production interaction designs that adhere to established design guidelines and brand standards for in-vehicle systems.

• Create a comprehensive suite of design deliverables, including detailed sketches, high-fidelity mockups, engaging animations, and interactive prototypes to effectively communicate design concepts.

• Translate complex user needs and business requirements into user-friendly, efficient, and aesthetically pleasing digital interfaces for various in-car systems.

• Collaborate with cross-functional teams, including software engineers, product managers, and other designers, to iterate on designs and ensure successful implementation.

• Prepare and release production-ready specification documents and assets to software engineering teams, ensuring clarity and accuracy for development.

• Present design concepts, rationale, and progress updates to peers, stakeholders, and senior leadership, effectively articulating design decisions and their impact.

• Advocate for user-centered design principles and best practices throughout the product development lifecycle, ensuring a premier user experience.

• Participate actively in design critiques, providing and receiving constructive feedback to elevate the quality and effectiveness of design solutions.

• Identify and apply emerging technologies and design trends to achieve innovative design goals and enhance the overall driving experience.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a need for a designer who can operate at both a strategic and tactical level. They must be able to conceptualize high-level system behavior and user flows while also diving deep into the creation of detailed production assets and specifications. The emphasis on "balance user needs, technical constraints, and business objectives" underscores the need for a pragmatic and solution-oriented approach.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: Formal training or degree in Interface Design, Visual Design, Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), or a closely related discipline.

Experience: 5+ years of demonstrated experience in creating digital interfaces for web, mobile, or specifically in-vehicle interfaces. A successful track record of bringing digital products to market is essential.

Required Skills:

• UX Expertise: Proven ability to understand user needs, conduct research, and translate insights into effective user experiences.

• Interaction Design: Strong capability in defining user flows, interaction patterns, and system behaviors across digital interfaces.

• Visual Design: Excellent aesthetic sense and proficiency in creating visually appealing and brand-aligned interfaces.

• Figma Proficiency: Expert-level skill in using Figma for UI design, prototyping, and collaborative workflows.

• Adobe Creative Suite: Strong command of Adobe Creative Suite tools (e.g., Photoshop, Illustrator, After Effects) for asset creation and animation.

• Portfolio: A compelling portfolio showcasing extensive UX expertise, interaction design skills, creativity, and depth of thought in digital product design.

• Problem Solving: Demonstrated ability to creatively solve challenging problems through design, considering user, technical, and business factors.

• Communication Skills: Excellent visual, verbal, and written communication skills for presenting work, collaborating with teams, and documenting designs.

• Design Restraint: Ability to exercise thoughtful restraint in design, focusing on essential elements and user clarity.

Preferred Skills:

• Prototyping: Experience with advanced prototyping tools and methodologies beyond standard Figma capabilities.

• Animation & Rendering: Ability to create high-quality renders and animations to showcase design concepts and motion design.

• Technology Application: Skill in identifying and applying relevant technologies to achieve design goals and enhance user experiences.

• Competitive Landscape Awareness: Deep understanding of the current competitive landscape in automotive HMI and digital product design.

• Software/Hardware Development Understanding: Familiarity with software and/or hardware development processes and constraints.

📝 Enhancement Note: The requirement for "formal training or degree" suggests a preference for candidates with a foundational understanding of design principles. The emphasis on a "strong portfolio" is paramount, as it will be the primary evaluation tool for assessing practical skills and experience. The "ability to exercise restraint in design" is a nuanced skill that points to a need for designers who can simplify complex systems and avoid unnecessary visual clutter, crucial for in-vehicle environments.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Case Studies: Detailed case studies demonstrating the full design process from problem identification, user research, ideation, prototyping, user testing, and final solution for at least 2-3 complex digital products.

• System-Level Design: Examples that specifically showcase design for OS frameworks, foundational interaction models, or complex interconnected systems, not just standalone applications.

• Interaction Design Depth: Prototypes or detailed explanations of interaction flows, micro-interactions, and system behaviors that highlight user experience efficiency and intuitiveness.

• Visual Design Excellence: High-quality mockups and visual design examples that demonstrate a strong understanding of UI principles, typography, color theory, and brand consistency.

• Production Readiness: Evidence of delivering production-ready assets and specifications to engineering teams, with examples of how technical constraints were addressed.

Process Documentation:

• Workflow Design: Showcase examples of how you have mapped out and optimized user workflows for complex digital systems.

• System Implementation: Illustrate your involvement in the implementation phase, including how you collaborated with engineers to ensure design fidelity.

• Metrics & Iteration: Demonstrate how you have used data, user feedback, or performance metrics to iterate on and improve designs post-launch.

📝 Enhancement Note: The portfolio requirements are critical for this role. Candidates must be prepared to showcase not just visually appealing designs but also the strategic thinking, process, and problem-solving capabilities that underpin them. A strong emphasis on system-level design and production readiness is expected, differentiating this from a purely conceptual design role.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $125,200 - $192,000 USD per year

Explanation of Range: This range is based on industry benchmarks for Senior UI/UX Designers in major tech hubs in the US, considering the experience level (5-10 years), specialized skills in system UI and automotive interfaces, and the reputation of General Motors as a leading automotive manufacturer. The final salary will be determined by factors such as the candidate's specific experience, qualifications, and performance during the interview process.

Bonus Potential: Eligible for an incentive pay program based on company performance, job level, and individual performance.

Benefits:

• Comprehensive Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance

• Health Savings Account (HSA) and Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA) for healthcare expenses

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

• Sickness and Accident Benefits

• Life Insurance coverage

• Generous Paid Vacation and Paid Holidays

• Tuition Assistance Programs for continued education and skill development

• Employee Assistance Program (EAP) for confidential support

• Exclusive GM Vehicle Discounts

Working Hours: Standard full-time work week, likely around 40 hours per week. The hybrid work arrangement requires 3 days per week in the office.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range provided is within the typical band for a Senior Designer role at a large, established technology and manufacturing company in the US. The benefits package is robust, reflecting GM's commitment to employee well-being and career development. The hybrid work model with a minimum of 3 days in the office is a key aspect of the work arrangement.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Automotive Manufacturing & Technology. General Motors is at the forefront of transforming mobility, focusing on a future with Zero Crashes, Zero Emissions, and Zero Congestion. This involves significant investment in software, AI, autonomous driving, and advanced user experiences.

Company Size: Large Enterprise (over 10,000 employees). This implies a structured environment with established processes, extensive resources, and opportunities for cross-functional collaboration across many departments and global teams.

Founded: 1908. GM has a long history of innovation in the automotive sector, now pivoting aggressively towards next-generation vehicle technology and digital services.

Team Structure:

• Human Interface Design – Vehicle Studio: This is the core team. It likely comprises a mix of specialized designers focusing on different aspects of the in-vehicle digital experience.

• Cross-functional Collaboration: Close partnerships with Design, Software Engineering, Product Management, and potentially hardware teams are essential for success.

• Reporting Structure: Likely reports up through a Design Director or VP of Design, with direct reporting to a Design Manager within the Human Interface Design group.

Methodology:

• User-Centered Design: Emphasis on understanding and meeting user needs through research and iterative design.

• Agile/Lean Principles: Likely employs agile methodologies in software development, requiring designers to be adaptable and responsive to change.

• Data-Driven Decisions: Integration of user feedback, performance metrics, and market analysis to inform design choices.

• Design Systems & Guidelines: Adherence to and contribution to established design systems and brand guidelines to ensure consistency across the product portfolio.

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

📝 Enhancement Note: GM's commitment to "Zero Crashes, Zero Emissions, and Zero Congestion" signifies a strong focus on innovation and future-forward thinking, particularly in areas of software and user experience. A large enterprise setting means designers will need to navigate complex organizational structures and collaborate extensively with diverse stakeholders.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: Senior Individual Contributor. This level signifies a high degree of autonomy, expertise, and the ability to mentor junior designers. The role involves significant ownership of design projects and direct impact on product outcomes.

Reporting Structure: The Senior Designer will likely report to a Design Manager and work closely with Product Managers, Software Engineering Leads, and other Senior Designers within the Human Interface Design team. Collaboration extends to various business units and product development teams across GM.

Operations Impact: This role directly influences the user experience of GM vehicles, which is becoming a critical differentiator in the automotive market. The success of the system UI design will impact customer satisfaction, brand perception, adoption of new vehicle features, and potentially safety and efficiency during driving.

Growth Opportunities:

• Leadership within Design: Potential to move into Lead Designer or Design Manager roles, overseeing projects or teams.

• Specialization: Deepen expertise in specific areas like OS framework design, interaction architecture, or advanced visualization for automotive interfaces.

• Cross-functional Mobility: Opportunities to move into related roles in Product Management, UX Research, or Strategy within GM's evolving digital and mobility divisions.

• Mentorship: Opportunity to mentor junior designers and contribute to building the design capability within GM.

• Industry Influence: Contribute to shaping the future of automotive HMI and digital experiences, potentially leading to industry recognition.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Senior" title indicates a strong expectation for leadership potential and the ability to drive projects independently. Growth opportunities are significant within GM, given its massive transformation into a technology company, offering paths beyond traditional design roles into product strategy and leadership.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Hybrid Work Environment. The successful candidate will be expected to work from either the GM Sunnyvale Technical Center or the Warren, Sloan Technical Center, reporting to the office a minimum of three days per week.

Office Location(s):

• Sunnyvale, California: A hub for technology and innovation, likely housing teams focused on advanced R&D, software development, and future mobility solutions.

• Warren, Michigan: GM's global headquarters for technical operations, housing extensive engineering and design facilities.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Spaces: The technical centers are designed to foster collaboration, with meeting rooms, design studios, and open-plan areas.

• Tools & Technology: Access to industry-standard design software (Figma, Adobe Creative Suite), potentially advanced visualization tools, and development environments.

• Team Interaction: Regular opportunities for in-person design critiques, brainstorming sessions, and direct collaboration with engineering and product teams.

Work Schedule: Standard full-time hours with a hybrid model requiring three days per week in the designated office location. Flexibility may be available based on team needs and manager discretion, but the core requirement is consistent in-office presence for collaboration.

📝 Enhancement Note: The hybrid nature of the role is a key aspect. While offering flexibility, it requires a commitment to in-office presence for collaborative design work. The locations in Sunnyvale and Warren place the designer within significant technology and automotive engineering hubs, respectively, offering rich ecosystems for innovation.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

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

• Portfolio Review & Design Challenge: A dedicated session where candidates present their portfolio, walking through key projects, design process, and problem-solving approaches. This may be followed by a design challenge, either take-home or live, to assess practical skills.

• Hiring Manager Interview: In-depth discussion with the hiring manager focusing on experience, leadership potential, and alignment with team goals.

• Cross-functional Interviews: Interviews with peers (other designers), software engineers, and product managers to assess collaboration skills and technical understanding.

• Final Interview/Executive Review: Potentially a final interview with a senior leader to assess strategic thinking and overall fit.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Storytelling: Frame your portfolio projects as narratives, clearly outlining the problem, your role, the process, the solution, and the impact (quantifiable where possible).

• Process Over Polish: While high-fidelity visuals are important, emphasize your thought process, decision-making, and how you navigated challenges.

• Systemic Thinking: For this role, highlight projects that demonstrate understanding of system-level design, interaction architecture, and how different UI components work together.

• Production Focus: Showcase examples where your designs were implemented successfully, and discuss any lessons learned from the production phase.

• Conciseness: Be prepared to present your most relevant work efficiently, respecting the interviewer's time.

Challenge Preparation:

• Understand the Context: If a design challenge is given, ensure you fully understand the problem statement, target users, and any constraints.

• Define Scope: Quickly establish the scope of your proposed solution and articulate any assumptions you are making.

• Focus on Process: Demonstrate your design thinking process, even if you cannot complete the entire design within the allotted time. Sketching, user flows, and rationale are key.

• Communicate Clearly: Articulate your ideas verbally and visually, explaining your choices and their potential impact.

📝 Enhancement Note: The portfolio review is likely the most critical stage. Candidates should meticulously prepare to present their work, focusing on the "why" and "how" behind their design decisions, especially those related to system architecture and user experience across complex digital environments.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Figma: The primary tool for UI design, prototyping, and collaboration. Proficiency is mandatory.

• Adobe Creative Suite: Essential for creating visual assets, illustrations, and animations (e.g., Photoshop, Illustrator, After Effects).

Analytics & Reporting:

• While not explicitly listed for the designer, understanding how analytics tools (e.g., Google Analytics, Mixpanel, custom in-vehicle analytics platforms) are used to measure UI performance is beneficial. CRM & Automation:

• Not directly applicable to this design role, but an understanding of how design impacts the customer journey managed through CRM systems can be advantageous. Prototyping Tools:

• Beyond Figma, experience with other advanced prototyping tools (e.g., ProtoPie, Axure) may be beneficial for complex interactions or system simulations. Visualization & Rendering Tools:

• Tools for creating high-fidelity renders and animations (e.g., Blender, Cinema 4D, Keyshot) are preferred for showcasing visual design quality.

📝 Enhancement Note: Proficiency in Figma and the Adobe Creative Suite is non-negotiable. The "preferred qualifications" suggest that candidates with experience in more advanced prototyping or visualization tools will have a competitive edge, particularly for demonstrating complex interactions or high-fidelity visual outputs.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• User-Centricity: A fundamental belief that the product should serve the user’s needs effectively and delight them.

• Innovation: A drive to explore new technologies and design approaches to create cutting-edge automotive experiences.

• Collaboration: A strong emphasis on teamwork, open communication, and mutual respect among diverse teams.

• Excellence: A commitment to high-quality design, meticulous execution, and continuous improvement.

• Data-Informed: Utilizing data and user feedback to guide design decisions and measure success.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-functional Integration: Designers are expected to work seamlessly with engineers, product managers, and other stakeholders, acting as a bridge between user needs and technical feasibility.

• Design Critiques: A culture of constructive feedback where designers share work openly and receive actionable critiques to improve designs.

• Shared Ownership: A collaborative spirit where team members feel a shared responsibility for the success of the product.

• Agile Cadence: Working within agile development cycles, requiring adaptive communication and iterative design processes.

📝 Enhancement Note: GM's stated vision ("Zero Crashes, Zero Emissions, and Zero Congestion") implies a strong value placed on forward-thinking, safety, and sustainability. The culture likely emphasizes innovation and a collaborative approach to achieving these ambitious goals.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing Complexity: Designing intuitive interfaces for complex automotive systems with numerous functions and data points, while adhering to safety regulations and driver distraction guidelines.

• Cross-Platform Consistency: Ensuring a cohesive and consistent user experience across a wide range of vehicle models, trim levels, and infotainment systems, while accommodating different screen sizes and hardware capabilities.

• Technical Constraints: Working within the specific limitations and capabilities of automotive hardware and software platforms, which may differ significantly from consumer electronics.

• Stakeholder Alignment: Navigating diverse opinions and priorities from multiple stakeholders (design, engineering, product, marketing, legal) to reach consensus on design decisions.

• Rapid Technological Evolution: Keeping pace with the rapid advancements in automotive technology, AI, and user interface design trends, and integrating them effectively into vehicle systems.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Automotive HMI Specialization: Deepen expertise in the unique challenges and opportunities of designing for the automotive environment.

• Emerging Technologies: Gain hands-on experience with technologies like AI, machine learning, advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS), and connected car services.

• Design System Contribution: Opportunity to contribute to or lead the development of GM's internal design system for automotive interfaces.

• Leadership Skills: Develop skills in mentoring, project management, and cross-functional leadership.

• Industry Conferences & Training: Access to industry events and training programs focused on UX/UI design, automotive technology, and human-computer interaction.

📝 Enhancement Note: The primary challenge will be translating complex automotive functionalities into simple, safe, and engaging user experiences. The growth opportunities are tied to GM's ambitious transformation, offering a chance to shape the future of mobility design.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you had to balance conflicting user needs with technical constraints. How did you approach it, and what was the outcome?" (Focus on your problem-solving process, trade-off decisions, and user advocacy.)

• "How do you ensure consistency in design across different platforms or product lines, especially when working with established guidelines?" (Highlight your understanding of design systems, brand consistency, and scalability.)

• "Walk us through a complex system UI you designed. What were the key challenges, your design process, and the measurable impact of your work?" (Prepare a detailed case study from your portfolio, emphasizing your systemic thinking and problem-solving.) Company & Culture Questions:

• "What excites you about designing for the automotive industry, and specifically for General Motors?" (Research GM's vision, recent announcements, and your personal connection to their mission.)

• "How do you approach collaborating with software engineers and product managers who may have different perspectives?" (Emphasize your communication skills, empathy, and ability to find common ground.)

• "How do you stay updated on the latest trends in UI/UX design and automotive technology?" (Showcase your proactive learning and passion for the field.) Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure: Organize your presentation logically: Project overview, problem statement, your role, design process (research, ideation, prototyping, testing), final solution, and impact/learnings.

• Visuals: Use high-quality mockups, animations, and interactive prototypes. Ensure they are clear and load quickly.

• Narrative: Tell a compelling story for each project. Explain the "why" behind your decisions.

• Focus on Systemic Design: For this role, specifically highlight projects that demonstrate your ability to design for complex systems and interconnected user experiences.

• Metrics: Wherever possible, include quantifiable results or user feedback that demonstrate the success of your designs.

📝 Enhancement Note: Candidates should prepare to articulate their design philosophy, problem-solving methodologies, and how they translate complex requirements into elegant user experiences. Demonstrating an understanding of the automotive context and GM's specific challenges will be crucial.

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📌 Application Steps

To apply for this operations position:

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

• Portfolio Customization: Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your experience in system UI design, in-vehicle interfaces, and your proficiency with Figma and Adobe Creative Suite. Ensure your portfolio clearly showcases projects relevant to complex digital systems and interaction design.

• Resume Optimization: Use keywords from the job description such as "System UI," "Interface Design," "Interaction Design," "UX Expertise," "Figma," "Adobe Creative Suite," and "Automotive." Quantify achievements whenever possible.

• Interview Preparation: Practice presenting your portfolio projects, focusing on your design process, problem-solving approach, and the impact of your work. Prepare to discuss your experience with system-level design and cross-functional collaboration.

• Company Research: Thoroughly research General Motors' current initiatives in electric vehicles, autonomous driving, and their vision for future mobility. Understand their design philosophy and recent product launches to demonstrate genuine interest and alignment.

⚠️ 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.