Senior Designer - UX

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Senior Designer - UX

Company: Stellantis

Location: Auburn Hills, Michigan, United States

Job Type: Full-time

Category: User Experience (UX) / User Interface (UI) Design Operations

Date Posted: August 28, 2026

Experience Level: 5-10 Years

Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• Drive the design and development of interactive graphical interfaces for next-generation vehicle Human-Machine Interfaces (HMI).

• Champion user-centered design principles and methodologies throughout the product development lifecycle.

• Lead and orchestrate user experience research, concept validation, and usability testing to ensure intuitive and engaging user interactions.

• Collaborate closely with global, cross-functional teams, including Brand, Technology, and Innovation, to deliver best-in-class automotive UX.

• Contribute to defining and proposing new HMI concepts and functions, aligning user needs with business objectives and technological capabilities.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is situated within the advanced design and innovation arm of Stellantis, focusing specifically on the future of in-vehicle user experience. The emphasis on "Advanced User Experience (UX) / User Interface (UI) Designer" and "vehicles of tomorrow" suggests a strategic, forward-looking position, demanding not just execution but also conceptualization and leadership in defining future interaction paradigms. The operations aspect comes from the structured approach required to define, develop, implement, execute, and validate new HMI concepts, akin to managing a complex product development pipeline.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Define, develop, and implement innovative interactive graphical interfaces for advanced vehicle HMI systems, ensuring a seamless and intuitive user experience.

• Conduct and lead user research, usability testing, and expert evaluations to gather insights and validate design concepts, ensuring alignment with user needs and expectations.

• Create and refine user flows, wireframes, mockups, and interactive prototypes using industry-standard tools to effectively communicate design intent and functionality.

• Collaborate with cross-functional teams, including product managers, engineers, and brand strategists, to translate requirements into compelling and feasible UX/UI solutions.

• Actively lead working groups and creativity sessions to foster innovation and explore new interaction models and HMI features for future vehicle generations.

• Ensure design consistency and adherence to brand guidelines across all HMI elements, contributing to a cohesive and recognizable user experience.

• Document design specifications, interaction guidelines, and user testing findings to support development and validation processes.

• Stay abreast of emerging technologies, consumer electronics trends, and competitive automotive UX to inform design strategies and maintain a competitive edge.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a blend of strategic design thinking and tactical execution. The emphasis on "defining, developing, implementing, executing, validating, and delivering new use cases, interaction concepts and functions" points to a structured operational approach to HMI development. Leading "working groups, creativity sessions, expert evaluations, and orchestrating user tests" signifies a role that manages processes and drives outcomes through structured collaboration and validation.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

• Bachelor's Degree in Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), Product Design, Graphic Design, Human Factors, Ergonomics, Interaction Design, User-Centered Design, or a comparable technical field.

• Master's degree in a related UX/UI field is strongly preferred, indicating a preference for advanced academic grounding in user experience principles. Experience:

• Minimum of 5 years of professional experience in UX/UI design, interaction design, Human Factors leadership, information architecture, graphic design, or a similar UX-focused role.

• Experience within the automotive or consumer electronics industries in design or ergonomics is highly desirable, providing context for the specific challenges and opportunities in vehicle HMI.

• Experience working within an agile development process is preferred, demonstrating adaptability and familiarity with iterative design and development cycles. Required Skills:

• UX/UI Design Expertise: Deep understanding and practical application of user-centered design processes, interaction design methods, and best practices.

• Prototyping Tools Mastery: Proficiency in rapid prototyping tools such as InVision, Sketch, Figma, and the Adobe Creative Cloud suite.

• User Interface Testing: Ability to write and conduct User Interface Testing using HMI protocols and methodologies.

• Information Architecture: Strong capability in organizing and structuring information within complex systems to ensure intuitive navigation and content discovery.

• Communication & Collaboration: Excellent interpersonal, organizational, and analytical skills, with the ability to communicate effectively in both written and verbal English.

• User-Centred Design Principles: Thorough knowledge and experience of a wide range of UX research approaches and methodologies.

Preferred Skills:

• Advanced Prototyping: Ability to generate interactive prototypes using HTML, JavaScript, and CSS.

• Visual Design: Proficiency in all UX/UI design disciplines, including visual design, information architecture, content strategy, interaction design, usability, user research, and product design.

• Agile Development: Experience working in agile environments, facilitating iterative design and development cycles.

• Emerging Technologies: Passion for and understanding of emerging technologies, new interaction models, and interactive interfaces in popular consumer electronics.

📝 Enhancement Note: The requirement for "An excellent command of interface design and evaluation; thorough knowledge and experience of a range of UX research approaches and methodologies" and "Thorough understanding and experience with user-centered design processes and a deep expertise in interaction design methods, processes, tools, and best practices" emphasizes a robust, process-driven approach to design. This aligns with operations' focus on structured methodologies and repeatable processes for achieving high-quality outcomes.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Relevance to Role: The portfolio must clearly demonstrate skills pertinent to advanced UX/UI design within the automotive context, showcasing relevant projects and contributions.

• Chronological Order: Present work in descending order of recency (most current first), reflecting up-to-date skills and experience.

• Contribution Clarity: For team-based projects, clearly define your specific role and contributions (e.g., full model ownership vs. specific feature development). This highlights accountability and understanding of project scope.

• Work Separation: Clearly distinguish between professional and personal projects, with professional work prioritized and personal projects presented in a separate, clearly labeled section.

• Naming Convention: Adhere strictly to the specified naming convention: Lastname-firstname-portfolio.pdf. This demonstrates attention to detail and adherence to established protocols.

Process Documentation:

• Workflow Design & Optimization: Showcase examples of how you have mapped out user journeys, designed intuitive workflows, and optimized existing processes for enhanced usability and efficiency.

• System Implementation Standards: Provide evidence of how your designs have been translated into functional interfaces, considering technical constraints and integration requirements within vehicle systems.

• User-Centred Process Integration: Demonstrate how user feedback and research findings have been systematically integrated into the design and development process to drive improvements.

• ROI Demonstration: Where possible, illustrate the impact of your design contributions through metrics such as improved task completion rates, reduced user errors, or increased user satisfaction.

📝 Enhancement Note: The detailed portfolio requirements are critical for this role, acting as a primary screening mechanism. This emphasizes a structured approach to showcasing design work, mirroring the operational need for clear documentation, defined processes, and demonstrable impact. The instruction to detail individual contributions is particularly important for understanding how a candidate operates within a team and manages their responsibilities.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

• Based on industry benchmarks for Senior UX Designers in the automotive sector in the Detroit metropolitan area (Auburn Hills, MI), with 5-10 years of experience, the estimated salary range is $110,000 - $150,000 annually. This range accounts for the specialized nature of automotive HMI design, the required technical skills, and the senior level of the position. Benefits:

• Comprehensive Health Insurance: Includes medical, dental, and vision coverage for employees and their dependents.

• Retirement Savings Plan: 401(k) plan with company matching contributions, supporting long-term financial security.

• Paid Time Off (PTO): Generous vacation, sick leave, and holiday pay to ensure work-life balance.

• Professional Development: Opportunities for training, workshops, conferences, and access to online learning platforms to foster continuous skill enhancement in UX/UI design and automotive technology.

• Employee Assistance Program (EAP): Confidential counseling and support services for personal and professional challenges.

• Vehicle Benefits: Potential for employee vehicle purchase programs or lease options, relevant to the automotive industry.

Working Hours:

• Standard full-time work schedule, typically 40 hours per week.

• While the role is on-site, there may be occasional flexibility for critical project deadlines or cross-time zone collaboration, subject to team and management approval. The emphasis is on delivering results within a structured work environment.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary estimation is based on data from reputable compensation survey providers specializing in tech and design roles, adjusted for the automotive industry and the specific geographic location (Auburn Hills, MI). The inclusion of vehicle-specific benefits is an inference based on Stellantis's industry, aiming to provide a more complete picture of potential compensation.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Automotive Manufacturing and Mobility Services. Stellantis operates within a dynamic and highly competitive global automotive market, characterized by rapid technological advancement, evolving consumer preferences, and increasing focus on electrification, connectivity, and autonomous driving. This context necessitates a design culture that is innovative, adaptable, and customer-centric.

Company Size: Stellantis is a global automotive group with over 400,000 employees worldwide, ranking among the largest automotive manufacturers. This extensive scale implies a complex organizational structure, robust resources, and significant opportunities for impact, but also requires strong individual initiative and effective navigation of large corporate processes.

Founded: Stellantis was formed in January 2021 through the merger of Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) and PSA Group. This relatively recent formation suggests a culture that may be actively integrating diverse organizational practices and fostering a unified identity, while building upon the rich heritage of its constituent brands like Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, and Ram.

Team Structure:

• Advanced Design Focus: The UX/UI design team likely operates within a specialized division focused on future product development and innovation, rather than day-to-day production cycles.

• Cross-Functional Integration: This role requires close collaboration with various departments, including Brand Strategy, Product Planning, Engineering (Software & Hardware), and other Design disciplines (e.g., Exterior, Interior).

• Global Collaboration: Designers often work with international counterparts, necessitating effective communication and coordination across different time zones and cultural contexts.

Methodology:

• User-Centricity: The core methodology is user-centered design, ensuring that all HMI concepts are grounded in user needs, behaviors, and preferences.

• Iterative Design Process: Employing agile or similar iterative approaches to rapidly develop, test, and refine design concepts.

• Data-Driven Insights: Utilizing user research, analytics, and usability testing data to inform design decisions and measure effectiveness.

• Innovation & Exploration: Encouraging a culture of experimentation and exploration of new technologies and interaction paradigms to push the boundaries of automotive UX.

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

📝 Enhancement Note: The company's recent formation as Stellantis suggests a culture that is likely evolving and integrating best practices from its legacy organizations. The emphasis on "driving our pride and passion for world-class products" and encouraging designers to "think bigger, push harder, continually invent, and reinvent" indicates a culture that values ambition, creativity, and a forward-thinking mindset, particularly relevant for an advanced design role.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This is a Senior Designer role, signifying a mid-to-senior level position within the UX/UI design hierarchy. It implies a level of autonomy, the ability to lead projects, mentor junior designers, and significantly influence design direction. The focus on "Advanced UX/HMI" suggests a role that is strategic and forward-looking, contributing to the long-term product roadmap.

Reporting Structure: The Senior UX Designer will likely report to a Design Manager or Director responsible for Advanced UX/HMI or Vehicle Interaction Design. They will work closely with product managers, engineering leads, and brand representatives, forming part of a cross-functional project team.

Operations Impact: The impact of this role is substantial, directly shaping the user's interaction with Stellantis vehicles. Effective UX/UI design operations contribute to customer satisfaction, brand loyalty, product differentiation, and potentially safety. By ensuring intuitive and engaging interfaces, this role helps translate complex automotive technology into accessible and enjoyable user experiences, directly impacting the perceived value and desirability of Stellantis vehicles.

Growth Opportunities:

• Leadership in Advanced Design: Potential to lead significant UX/UI initiatives for future vehicle platforms, becoming a subject matter expert in automotive HMI.

• Specialization Advancement: Deepen expertise in specific areas of UX/UI, such as interaction design for autonomous systems, voice interfaces, or augmented reality in vehicles.

• Cross-Brand Exposure: Opportunity to work on UX/UI design challenges across Stellantis's diverse portfolio of brands, gaining broad industry insight.

• Management Track: With demonstrated leadership and strategic capability, progression into management roles overseeing design teams or specific product areas.

• Industry Influence: Contributing to shaping the future of automotive UX, potentially through industry conferences, publications, or internal innovation initiatives.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Senior" title combined with "Advanced UX/HMI" implies a role that requires not only strong design skills but also the ability to operate with strategic foresight and influence. The operations aspect is evident in the expectation to "define, develop, implement, execute, validating, and delivering," which are all process-oriented actions crucial for effective product lifecycle management within a large organization.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: This role is based in an on-site office environment at Stellantis's Auburn Hills, Michigan location. This typically means working within a corporate campus setting that houses design studios, engineering labs, and administrative offices. The environment is expected to be professional and collaborative.

Office Location(s): The primary work location is 1000 Chrysler Drive, Auburn Hills, Michigan, 48326, United States. This is a significant automotive hub, providing proximity to R&D facilities and other key stakeholders within Stellantis.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Studios: Access to modern design studios equipped for brainstorming, sketching, and digital design work, fostering a creative atmosphere.

• Technology Access: Availability of high-performance workstations, specialized software, and potentially advanced visualization tools (e.g., VR/AR labs) to support complex design tasks.

• Team Interaction: Opportunities for frequent face-to-face collaboration with fellow designers, HMI engineers, product planners, and other cross-functional team members, facilitating rapid iteration and problem-solving.

• Brand Immersion: Working within a dedicated automotive environment provides constant exposure to the company's brands and product development cycles.

Work Schedule:

• The standard work schedule is full-time, approximately 40 hours per week. While the role is on-site, Stellantis may offer some degree of flexibility for personal appointments or specific needs, provided it does not disrupt team collaboration or project timelines. The emphasis is on consistent presence and engagement during core business hours.

📝 Enhancement Note: The on-site nature of this role in a major automotive R&D center suggests an environment rich in industry-specific resources and opportunities for deep collaboration. The "Workspace Context" infers the typical amenities and collaborative structures found in such advanced design facilities, crucial for a role focused on innovation.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: Application review, focusing heavily on the submitted portfolio and alignment with the job description's requirements.

• Technical Interview: Likely involves a deep dive into UX/UI methodologies, design principles, problem-solving approaches, and experience with specific tools and processes. Expect questions about past projects and design decisions.

• Portfolio Presentation: A dedicated session where candidates present selected case studies from their portfolio, demonstrating their process, rationale, and impact. This is a critical evaluation point.

• Cross-Functional Interviews: Meetings with potential team members from engineering, product management, or other design disciplines to assess collaboration skills and cultural fit.

• Hiring Manager Interview: Final interview with the hiring manager to discuss overall fit, career aspirations, and alignment with team and company goals.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select 3-5 of your strongest, most relevant projects that best showcase your UX/UI process, problem-solving skills, and impact in areas like HMI or complex interactive systems.

• Tell a Story: For each project, clearly articulate the problem, your role, the design process (research, ideation, prototyping, testing), your key decisions, and the outcomes or learnings. Use visuals effectively to support your narrative.

• Quantify Impact: Whenever possible, include metrics or data that demonstrate the success of your designs (e.g., improved usability scores, increased task completion rates, positive user feedback).

• Highlight Process, Not Just Polish: While polished visuals are important, emphasize your thought process, rationale behind design decisions, and how you iterated based on feedback or constraints.

• Address Specific Requirements: Ensure your portfolio explicitly addresses the requirements mentioned in the job description, such as user-centered design, interaction design, and prototyping tool proficiency.

Challenge Preparation:

• Design Exercise: Be prepared for a potential design exercise or case study, either pre-interview or during the interview process. This might involve analyzing an existing HMI, proposing improvements, or designing a new interaction for a specified scenario.

• Problem-Solving Scenarios: Practice articulating how you would approach complex design challenges, considering user needs, technical feasibility, and business objectives.

• Stakeholder Management: Consider how you would communicate design decisions, handle feedback, and build consensus with diverse stakeholders (engineers, marketers, management).

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on a portfolio review and presentation is paramount for this role. The interview process is designed to rigorously assess not only design talent but also the candidate's ability to articulate their process, collaborate effectively, and operate within a structured product development framework. This requires a candidate to demonstrate operational rigor in their design practice.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Prototyping Software: Mastery of industry-leading tools is essential. This includes:

  • Figma: For collaborative interface design, wireframing, and interactive prototyping.
  • Sketch: A powerful vector design tool widely used for UI design.
  • InVision: For creating interactive prototypes, managing design handoffs, and collaboration.
  • Adobe Creative Cloud: Including Photoshop, Illustrator, and potentially XD for design assets, mockups, and rapid prototyping.

• User Interface Design & Interaction: Expertise in designing intuitive user interfaces and complex interaction models.

• User-Centered Design Software: Familiarity with tools that support user research, journey mapping, and persona development.

Analytics & Reporting:

• User Research Platforms: Tools for conducting remote usability testing, surveys, and gathering qualitative feedback.

• Analytics Tools (Indirect): While not directly designing analytics dashboards, understanding how user behavior data is collected and interpreted is beneficial for informing design decisions.

CRM & Automation:

• Design Collaboration Platforms: Tools like Jira, Confluence, or similar project management and documentation systems for managing design tasks, feedback, and handoffs with engineering teams.

• HMI Protocol Knowledge: Understanding and ability to utilize HMI protocols for user interface testing and validation.

📝 Enhancement Note: The explicit mention of Figma, Sketch, InVision, and Adobe Creative Cloud, along with the ability to write and conduct User Interface Testing using HMI protocol, provides a clear picture of the expected technical proficiency. This stack is standard for advanced UX/UI roles, emphasizing the need for candidates to be proficient in tools that enable rapid iteration, collaboration, and detailed design specification.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• User Advocacy: A primary value is championing the user's needs and experience above all else, ensuring designs are intuitive, accessible, and delightful.

• Innovation & Curiosity: A drive to explore new technologies, interaction models, and design solutions, constantly pushing the boundaries of what's possible in automotive UX.

• Collaboration & Transparency: Fostering an open environment where ideas are shared freely, feedback is constructive, and cross-functional teams work together seamlessly.

• Excellence & Detail Orientation: A commitment to high-quality design execution, meticulous attention to detail, and rigorous validation processes to ensure product excellence.

• Adaptability & Resilience: Embracing change in a fast-paced industry and demonstrating the ability to adapt designs and strategies in response to evolving requirements or technologies.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-Functional Partnership: Actively engaging with engineering, product management, marketing, and other design teams to ensure holistic product development and alignment.

• Iterative Feedback Loops: Establishing regular opportunities for design reviews, critiques, and feedback sessions with peers and stakeholders to refine concepts.

• Knowledge Sharing: Encouraging the sharing of best practices, insights from user research, and innovative design approaches across the team and broader organization.

• Proactive Communication: Maintaining clear and consistent communication regarding design progress, challenges, and decisions to all relevant parties.

📝 Enhancement Note: The inferred values and collaboration style are typical for advanced design teams within large, innovative companies. The emphasis on "User Advocacy," "Innovation," and "Collaboration" directly supports the operational goal of creating user-centric products through effective teamwork and a forward-thinking mindset.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing Innovation with Feasibility: The primary challenge will be to conceptualize groundbreaking UX/UI designs while ensuring they are technically feasible, cost-effective, and align with brand strategies within the automotive development cycle.

• Global Design Consistency: Ensuring a cohesive and high-quality user experience across Stellantis's diverse global brands and vehicle platforms, while respecting regional nuances.

• Rapid Technological Evolution: Keeping pace with the accelerating advancements in automotive technology (e.g., AI, connectivity, electrification, autonomous driving) and translating these into intuitive user interfaces.

• Complex Stakeholder Landscape: Navigating the needs and expectations of multiple internal stakeholders (e.g., Brand teams, Engineering, Product Management) to drive consensus on design direction.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Advanced Automotive HMI: Deepen expertise in specialized areas of automotive UX, such as HMI for electric vehicles, autonomous driving interfaces, or connected car services.

• Emerging Technologies: Opportunities to explore and integrate cutting-edge technologies like AR/VR, AI-driven personalization, and advanced voice interaction into vehicle interfaces.

• Cross-Disciplinary Exposure: Gain broader understanding of automotive engineering, software development, and product strategy through close collaboration.

• Leadership Development: Potential for training and mentorship to develop skills in leading design teams, managing projects, and influencing strategic decisions.

• Industry Engagement: Participation in automotive design conferences, workshops, and forums to stay current with industry trends and network with peers.

📝 Enhancement Note: The identified challenges highlight the operational complexities of designing for the automotive industry. The growth opportunities are framed to leverage these challenges into learning experiences, emphasizing continuous development in a rapidly evolving field, which is a hallmark of successful operations professionals.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a complex HMI you designed, detailing the user problem, your design process, key decisions, and the outcome. How did you ensure it was user-centered and technically feasible?" (Focus on process, rationale, and impact.)

• "How would you approach designing a new interaction model for autonomous driving features, considering safety, user trust, and diverse driving scenarios?" (Assess problem-solving approach and strategic thinking.)

• "Imagine you need to gain buy-in for a novel HMI concept from engineering and marketing teams with conflicting priorities. How would you communicate your design rationale and build consensus?" (Evaluate communication, negotiation, and stakeholder management skills.) Company & Culture Questions:

• "What excites you most about the future of automotive UX and Stellantis's role in it?" (Gauge passion for the industry and company vision.)

• "How do you stay updated on emerging technologies and design trends relevant to the automotive sector?" (Assess proactivity and continuous learning.)

• "Describe a time you had to adapt your design approach due to technical constraints or stakeholder feedback. How did you handle it?" (Evaluate adaptability and problem-solving under pressure.) Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure for Impact: For each case study, follow a clear narrative: Problem -> Your Role/Process -> Solutions -> Outcomes/Learnings.

• Visual Storytelling: Use high-quality visuals, wireframes, prototypes, and mockups to illustrate your design journey. Annotate visuals to highlight key decisions or features.

• Articulate Your 'Why': Be prepared to explain the rationale behind every significant design decision. Why this approach? Why this interaction? Why this visual treatment?

• Demonstrate Iteration: Show how you incorporated feedback, conducted testing, and iterated on your designs. This highlights your process and resilience.

• Quantify Results: Wherever possible, present metrics or evidence of success. If direct metrics are unavailable, articulate the intended impact and how it would be measured.

📝 Enhancement Note: These interview questions and preparation tips are tailored to assess a candidate's ability to execute design operations effectively within the automotive context. They probe for strategic thinking, process adherence, problem-solving capabilities, and communication skills crucial for a senior role.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Senior Designer - UX position at Stellantis:

• Submit Your Application: Navigate to the provided job URL and complete the online application form.

• Curate Your Portfolio: Carefully select 3-5 of your most impactful UX/UI projects, ensuring they align with automotive HMI design and demonstrate your process, problem-solving skills, and impact. Follow the specified naming convention: Lastname-firstname-portfolio.pdf.

• Tailor Your Resume: Highlight experience and skills directly relevant to UX/UI design, interaction design, HMI, prototyping tools (Figma, Sketch, etc.), user-centered design, and any automotive or consumer electronics background. Use keywords from the job description.

• Prepare Your Presentation: Practice articulating your portfolio case studies clearly and concisely. Be ready to explain your design process, rationale, contributions, and the outcomes of your work.

• Research Stellantis: Familiarize yourself with Stellantis's brands, recent product launches, and their stated vision for future mobility and user experience. Understand their approach to innovation and design.

⚠️ 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.