Senior UX Designer, Google TV

Google
Full-timeβ€’$159k-231k/year (USD)β€’San Jose, United States

πŸ“ Job Overview

Job Title: Senior UX Designer, Google TV

Company: Google

Location: San Jose, California, United States

Job Type: Full-time

Category: User Experience (UX) Design / Product Design

Date Posted: April 30, 2026

Experience Level: 5-10 Years

Remote Status: On-site

πŸš€ Role Summary

  • Drive user-centered design methodologies to craft industry-leading user experiences for Google TV, from concept to execution.

  • Integrate Artificial Intelligence (AI) into the design process to explore and iterate on predictive interfaces that anticipate user intent.

  • Define and prototype user interactions for Televisions (TVs) utilizing voice, gesture, and AI inputs, ensuring an intuitive and magical feel.

  • Manage the complete design lifecycle for the TV Operating System (OS), from identifying user friction points to delivering polished, high-impact solutions.

  • Lead the evolution and growth of the Google TV design system, ensuring it remains modern, scalable, and adaptable to global design trends and partner needs.

πŸ“ Enhancement Note: This role is positioned as a Senior UX Designer, implying a significant level of autonomy and leadership in design strategy and execution. The focus on AI integration and consumer electronics, specifically TV OS, indicates a need for forward-thinking design skills and a deep understanding of hardware-software integration for a mass consumer market.

πŸ“ˆ Primary Responsibilities

  • Champion the user's perspective in all product discussions, ensuring that platform requirements do not compromise the core human experience of interacting with Google TV.

  • Proactively identify opportunities to leverage AI technologies within the user interface to create predictive and anticipatory experiences that enhance user engagement and satisfaction.

  • Develop comprehensive user flows, wireframes, mockups, and interactive prototypes that clearly articulate the intended user experience across various input modalities for TV interaction.

  • Collaborate closely with cross-functional teams, including Engineering and Product Management, to translate user insights and business objectives into innovative and technically feasible design solutions.

  • Contribute to and advocate for the Google design language, ensuring consistency, scalability, and adherence to best practices across the Google TV platform and its ecosystem.

  • Manage design projects from inception to launch, including defining design scope, timelines, and deliverables, while effectively communicating progress and rationale to stakeholders.

  • Conduct user research, usability testing, and analysis to gather feedback and iterate on designs, ensuring that solutions are validated against user needs and market expectations.

  • Drive the continuous improvement and expansion of the Google TV design system, fostering a culture of design consistency and efficiency across the product.

πŸ“ Enhancement Note: The responsibilities emphasize a blend of strategic design leadership, hands-on execution, and cross-functional collaboration. The mention of "platform requirements never compromise the core human experience" highlights a strong user advocacy component. Leading the design system growth suggests a need for strategic thinking about scalability and long-term product vision.

πŸŽ“ Skills & Qualifications

Education:

  • Bachelor's degree in Design, Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), Computer Science, a related field, or equivalent practical experience.

Experience:

  • Minimum of 6 years of experience in interaction design, product design, or UX design, with a strong portfolio showcasing end-to-end product design processes and impactful outcomes.

  • 3 years of experience working within a cross-functional organization, demonstrating ability to collaborate effectively with diverse teams.

Required Skills:

  • Demonstrated expertise in user-centered design methodologies and a strong understanding of interaction design principles.

  • Proficiency in creating user flows, wireframes, and high-fidelity mockups using industry-standard design and prototyping tools.

  • Proven experience with prototyping using Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools, including the ability to conceptualize and design AI-driven interfaces.

  • Experience in Consumer Electronics (CE) product design, with an understanding of the unique challenges and opportunities in this domain.

  • Ability to integrate AI into the design process to explore and iterate on predictive interfaces that anticipate user intent.

  • Experience defining and prototyping how users interact with Televisions (TVs) using voice, gesture, and AI inputs.

Preferred Skills:

  • Experience in the media, entertainment, or gaming industry, providing a nuanced understanding of user engagement patterns in content-rich environments.

  • Familiarity with advanced AI concepts and their application in user interface design beyond basic prototyping.

  • Experience managing the design lifecycle for operating systems (OS), from initial user problem identification to final solution delivery.

  • Ability to lead and mentor other designers or contribute to design team growth and best practices.

πŸ“ Enhancement Note: The "6 years of interaction design experience" coupled with "2 years of leading design projects" strongly suggests this is a Senior-level role. The specific mention of AI prototyping and Consumer Electronics indicates a need for specialized skills beyond general UX. The preference for media/entertainment experience further refines the ideal candidate profile.

πŸ“Š Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

  • A comprehensive portfolio demonstrating a strong understanding of the end-to-end design process, from user research and ideation to final implementation and iteration.

  • Showcase specific case studies that highlight your experience with interaction design, product design, and user-centered methodologies applied to complex digital products.

  • Include examples of prototypes, wireframes, and user flows that clearly articulate your design thinking and problem-solving approach.

  • Provide clear evidence of your experience with AI tools for prototyping and designing predictive interfaces.

  • Demonstrate your experience with consumer electronics products, showcasing an understanding of hardware-software interaction design.

Process Documentation:

  • Documented examples of how you've integrated user research and data analysis into your design process to inform decision-making.

  • Case studies detailing how you've managed the design lifecycle for a product or feature, from concept to launch.

  • Examples of your approach to prototyping with AI, including the tools used and the design challenges addressed.

  • Visual documentation of user journeys, interaction models, and user interface designs for complex systems like TV OS.

  • Examples of contributions to or leadership of design systems, including guidelines, components, and implementation strategies.

πŸ“ Enhancement Note: Given the Senior level and focus on AI and consumer electronics, the portfolio should emphasize strategic thinking, process maturity, and demonstrable impact. Case studies detailing the integration of AI in user flows and the design of novel interaction paradigms (voice, gesture) will be crucial.

πŸ’΅ Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

  • The US base salary range for this full-time position is $159,000 - $231,000 per year.

Benefits:

  • Bonus: Performance-based bonus opportunities.

  • Equity: Stock options or grants, reflecting a stake in Google's success.

  • Health Insurance: Comprehensive health insurance coverage, likely including medical, dental, and vision.

  • Retirement Savings Plan: Likely a 401(k) plan with potential company match.

  • Paid Time Off: Generous vacation, sick leave, and holidays.

  • Professional Development: Opportunities for continuous learning, training, and conference attendance.

  • Wellness Programs: Access to various wellness initiatives and resources.

Working Hours:

  • This is a full-time position. While a standard work week is typically 40 hours, Google often offers flexibility. Specific working hours may vary depending on project needs and team collaboration, but a commitment to delivering high-impact results is expected.

πŸ“ Enhancement Note: The salary range provided is specific to the US. For roles outside the US, this range would need to be adjusted based on regional market data, cost of living, and local compensation benchmarks for senior UX design roles in technology. The estimated range of $159,000-$231,000 is based on the provided AI data and is considered competitive for a Senior UX Designer role at a major tech company like Google in a high-cost-of-living area like San Jose, CA.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏒 Company Culture

Industry: Technology, Software & Services, Consumer Electronics, Media & Entertainment. Google operates at the forefront of technological innovation, developing products and services that impact billions worldwide. The company is known for its data-driven approach, emphasis on user experience, and rapid iteration cycles.

Company Size: Google is a massive global organization, part of Alphabet Inc., employing tens of thousands of people worldwide. This scale offers extensive resources, opportunities for cross-functional collaboration, and exposure to cutting-edge technologies.

Founded: Google was founded in 1998. Its history is marked by continuous innovation, expansion into new markets, and a strong commitment to its mission of organizing the world's information and making it universally accessible and useful.

Team Structure:

  • The UX team at Google is typically structured with specialized roles (Interaction Designers, Visual Designers, UX Researchers, Content Strategists) working within product-focused groups.

  • This role is part of the Google TV team, a significant product initiative focused on redefining home entertainment.

  • Designers often report to a Design Manager or Lead, working closely with Product Managers and Engineering teams in a matrixed structure.

Methodology:

  • User-Centered Design: The core philosophy is "Focus on the user and all else will follow," meaning user needs and experiences are paramount in all design decisions.

  • Data-Driven Iteration: Insights from user research, A/B testing, and product analytics are used to inform and refine designs iteratively.

  • Agile Development: Design processes are often integrated into agile development cycles, requiring close collaboration with engineering for rapid prototyping and implementation.

  • Design System Integration: A strong emphasis is placed on leveraging and contributing to comprehensive design systems for consistency and efficiency.

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

πŸ“ Enhancement Note: Google's culture is characterized by innovation, intellectual curiosity, and a focus on impact. For a Senior UX Designer, this means being comfortable with ambiguity, embracing data-informed decision-making, and contributing to large-scale, user-impacting products. The Google TV team specifically operates in a dynamic and competitive market, requiring adaptability and a forward-thinking approach.

πŸ“ˆ Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: Senior UX Designer. This level signifies a high degree of expertise, autonomy, and leadership within the design function. Senior Designers are expected to tackle complex design challenges, mentor junior team members, and influence product strategy. They are key contributors to the evolution of design systems and best practices.

Reporting Structure: The role reports to a Design Manager or Lead within the Google TV UX team. This position will involve close collaboration with Product Managers, Engineering Leads, and potentially other Senior Designers and researchers. The structure is likely collaborative and project-oriented, with significant cross-functional interaction.

Operations Impact: The impact of this role is direct and substantial, shaping the user experience for millions of global users interacting with Google TV. The work will influence how users discover, consume, and interact with media, directly contributing to user engagement, satisfaction, and the overall success of the Google TV product and its ecosystem.

Growth Opportunities:

  • Design Leadership: Potential to grow into a Design Lead or Manager role, overseeing design strategy and team development for Google TV or other product areas.

  • Specialization: Deepen expertise in specific areas such as AI-driven design, interaction design for living room devices, or media/entertainment UX.

  • Cross-Product Influence: Contribute to the broader Google design language and influence design standards across multiple Google products.

  • Technical Acumen: Enhance understanding of OS development, AI/ML integration, and hardware-software co-design through close collaboration with engineering.

  • Mentorship: Opportunity to mentor junior designers and contribute to the growth of the design community within Google.

πŸ“ Enhancement Note: The Senior title suggests a clear path for further growth into leadership or principal-level individual contributor roles. The emphasis on AI and the evolving media landscape provides ample opportunity for skill development and specialization within a high-impact product area.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: This is an on-site role, meaning the position requires regular presence at a Google office. Google offices are known for their innovative design, collaborative spaces, and extensive amenities.

Office Location(s): San Jose, California, United States. This location is part of Google's significant presence in Silicon Valley, offering a vibrant ecosystem of tech talent and innovation.

Workspace Context:

  • Collaborative Spaces: Offices are equipped with various meeting rooms, collaboration zones, and open-plan areas designed to foster teamwork and knowledge sharing.

  • Tools and Technology: Access to state-of-the-art hardware, software, and internal tools necessary for advanced UX design, prototyping, and development. This includes high-performance workstations and potentially specialized hardware for testing.

  • Team Interaction: Frequent opportunities for in-person interaction with design peers, product managers, engineers, and researchers, facilitating rapid feedback loops and a strong sense of team cohesion.

  • Amenities: On-site amenities often include cafes, fitness centers, wellness rooms, and recreational areas, contributing to a balanced and productive work environment.

Work Schedule: While the role is full-time, Google is known for offering a degree of flexibility. The core expectation is to deliver results and collaborate effectively with the team, which may involve adjusting schedules to accommodate meetings and project deadlines. The on-site requirement ensures alignment with team members and access to office resources.

πŸ“ Enhancement Note: The on-site requirement in San Jose emphasizes the importance of in-person collaboration and immersion in Google's Silicon Valley tech culture for this Senior role. The workspace is designed to support deep work and extensive team interaction.

πŸ“„ Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

  • Initial Screening: A recruiter will review your application, focusing on your resume, portfolio link, and minimum qualifications.

  • Recruiter Phone Screen: A conversation to assess your background, experience, interest in the role, and cultural fit.

  • Design Portfolio Review: A dedicated session where you present your portfolio, detailing your process, rationale, and impact on specific projects.

Expect to discuss 2-3 key case studies.

  • On-site/Virtual Interviews: Typically 3-5 interviews covering various aspects:

    • Design Skills Interview: Deep dive into your interaction design, problem-solving, and prototyping skills, often involving whiteboard exercises or design challenges.
    • Cross-Functional Collaboration Interview: Assess your ability to work with Product Managers and Engineers, focusing on communication, negotiation, and alignment.
    • Leadership/Strategy Interview: Evaluate your strategic thinking, ability to lead projects, and influence product direction, especially relevant for a Senior role.
    • AI/Consumer Electronics Focus Interview: Questions specific to your experience with AI in design and your understanding of the consumer electronics landscape.
  • Hiring Committee Review: Your interview feedback is compiled and reviewed by a hiring committee for a final decision.

Portfolio Review Tips:

  • Curate Strategically: Select 2-3 projects that best showcase your Senior-level skills in interaction design, AI integration, and consumer electronics. Prioritize projects with clear impact and measurable results.

  • Tell a Story: For each case study, clearly articulate the problem, your role, the process you followed, the design decisions you made (and why), the challenges you faced, and the final outcomes/impact. Use visuals effectively.

  • Highlight Process: Emphasize your user-centered approach, your methods for research and testing, and how you iterated on designs.

  • Showcase AI Integration: Clearly demonstrate how you've used AI in your design process or designed AI-powered features. Explain the user benefits and technical considerations.

  • Quantify Impact: Whenever possible, use data and metrics to demonstrate the success of your designs (e.g., increased engagement, reduced task completion time, improved user satisfaction scores).

  • Be Prepared for Design Exercises: Practice whiteboarding design problems and articulating your thought process clearly and concisely.

Challenge Preparation:

  • Anticipate Design Challenges: Be ready for hypothetical design problems related to Google TV, smart home devices, media consumption, or AI-driven user experiences.

  • Structure Your Approach: Use a framework like "Understand, Explore, Design, Test" to structure your solutions. Clearly state your assumptions and constraints.

  • Think Holistically: Consider the entire user experience, including edge cases, accessibility, and integration with other Google products.

  • Articulate Trade-offs: Be prepared to discuss the pros and cons of different design choices and the trade-offs involved.

πŸ“ Enhancement Note: The interview process at Google is rigorous. For a Senior UX Designer role, expect deep dives into problem-solving methodologies, strategic thinking, and the ability to articulate design rationale with data. The portfolio review is a critical component, requiring a curated selection of impactful projects.

πŸ›  Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

  • Design & Prototyping: Figma, Sketch, Adobe Creative Suite (Illustrator, Photoshop), ProtoPie, Framer, Axure RP. Proficiency in at least one industry-standard tool like Figma or Sketch is essential.

  • AI Prototyping Tools: Specific AI prototyping tools or platforms may be required, or proficiency in integrating AI concepts into standard prototyping tools. Familiarity with AI concepts and their application in UI design is key.

  • User Research Platforms: Tools for conducting user interviews, surveys, and usability testing (e.g., UserTesting.com, Lookback, Qualtrics).

Analytics & Reporting:

  • Product Analytics: Google Analytics, Amplitude, Mixpanel, or internal Google analytics tools for tracking user behavior and product performance.

  • Data Visualization: Tools like Tableau, Looker (Google's own BI platform), or Google Data Studio for creating dashboards and reports to communicate insights.

CRM & Automation:

  • While not directly a CRM role, understanding how UX design impacts user journeys within ecosystems that might involve CRM logic (e.g., content personalization, user onboarding) is beneficial.

  • Familiarity with project management tools like Jira, Asana, or Trello for managing design tasks within agile workflows.

πŸ“ Enhancement Note: Proficiency with industry-standard UX design and prototyping tools is a baseline. The specific requirement for AI prototyping tools indicates a need for candidates who are experimenting with or have experience in this emerging area of design technology. Familiarity with Google's internal tools (like Looker) would be a significant advantage.

πŸ‘₯ Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

  • User Focus: A deep commitment to understanding and advocating for user needs, ensuring that every design decision prioritizes a positive and intuitive user experience.

  • Innovation: A drive to explore new technologies, experiment with novel interaction paradigms (especially AI, voice, gesture), and push the boundaries of what's possible in user interface design.

  • Collaboration: A strong belief in the power of teamwork, working effectively with cross-functional partners (Engineering, Product Management, Research) to achieve shared goals.

  • Data-Driven Decision Making: Utilizing data from user research, A/B testing, and analytics to inform design choices and measure impact, ensuring that designs are both creative and effective.

  • Excellence and Craftsmanship: A dedication to high-quality design execution, paying attention to detail, and striving for polished, refined, and "magical" user experiences.

Collaboration Style:

  • Cross-Functional Integration: Designers are expected to be active participants in product development cycles, working closely with engineers and product managers from concept through launch. This involves regular communication, feedback sessions, and joint problem-solving.

  • Design System Adherence & Contribution: A collaborative approach to building and maintaining the design system, ensuring consistency while also being open to evolving it based on new user needs and product requirements.

  • Open Feedback Culture: Encouraging and providing constructive feedback within the design team and with cross-functional partners to elevate the quality of the product.

  • Knowledge Sharing: Actively sharing learnings, best practices, and insights through presentations, documentation, and informal discussions.

πŸ“ Enhancement Note: Google's culture values intellectual curiosity, a bias for action, and a focus on impact. For this role, cultural alignment means embracing Google's user-first mentality, being comfortable with ambiguity, and thriving in a fast-paced, collaborative environment where innovation is paramount.

⚑ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

  • Evolving AI Landscape: Keeping pace with rapid advancements in AI and effectively integrating these technologies into user interfaces in a way that is intuitive, ethical, and valuable to users.

  • Complex Ecosystem: Designing for a diverse range of TV hardware, operating systems, and content providers within the Google TV ecosystem presents significant integration and consistency challenges.

  • Balancing Innovation with Usability: Creating "magical" and innovative experiences while ensuring they remain accessible, easy to use, and do not overwhelm the user.

  • Cross-Functional Alignment: Navigating the complexities of working with large, distributed engineering and product management teams to ensure design vision is accurately implemented.

  • Defining the Future of TV: Contributing to the definition of what "smart TV" means in an increasingly competitive and fragmented media landscape.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

  • AI in Design Specialization: Deepen expertise in AI-driven UX, including predictive interfaces, generative design, and conversational AI for entertainment.

  • Consumer Electronics Design Mastery: Gain extensive experience in the nuances of designing for living room devices, including hardware-software integration and multi-modal input.

  • Design System Leadership: Grow skills in managing, scaling, and evolving large-scale design systems for global products.

  • Cross-Disciplinary Learning: Learn from world-class engineers and product managers about software development, AI/ML, and the business of media and entertainment.

  • Mentorship and Impact: Opportunities to mentor junior designers and contribute to high-impact product initiatives that reach billions of users.

πŸ“ Enhancement Note: The challenges presented are inherent to working at the cutting edge of technology and consumer products. The growth opportunities are directly tied to addressing these challenges, making it an ideal role for designers looking to expand their expertise in AI, consumer electronics, and large-scale product design.

πŸ’‘ Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

  • "Describe a time you used AI to significantly improve a user experience. What was your process, and what were the outcomes?"

  • "How would you approach designing a new content discovery feature for Google TV that leverages predictive AI based on user viewing habits?"

  • "Walk us through your process for managing the design lifecycle of a complex feature, from initial problem identification to final delivery."

  • "How do you balance the need for user-centric design with technical constraints and business objectives?"

Company & Culture Questions:

  • "What excites you about Google TV and its mission to redefine home entertainment?"

  • "How do you see yourself contributing to Google's design culture and its 'Focus on the user' philosophy?"

  • "Describe how you would collaborate with Product Managers and Engineers on a new feature for Google TV."

  • "How do you stay updated on the latest trends in AI, UX design, and the media/entertainment industry?"

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

  • Focus on Impact: For each case study, clearly articulate the problem, your role, your process, the solutions you designed, and the measurable impact or results.

  • Demonstrate AI & CE Experience: Ensure at least one case study specifically highlights your experience with AI in design or consumer electronics. Detail the challenges and your approach.

  • Articulate Design Rationale: Be prepared to explain why you made certain design decisions, supported by user research, design principles, or data.

  • Showcase Process Maturity: Clearly illustrate your end-to-end design process, including research, ideation, prototyping, iteration, and collaboration.

  • Be Concise and Engaging: Aim for a clear, compelling narrative. Practice your presentation to ensure it fits within the allotted time (typically 45-60 minutes for your presentation and Q&A).

πŸ“ Enhancement Note: Prepare to discuss your experience with AI integration and consumer electronics in detail. Google often uses behavioral questions to assess problem-solving skills and cross-functional collaboration, so have specific examples ready. The portfolio presentation is your primary opportunity to showcase your design expertise and strategic thinking.

πŸ“Œ Application Steps

To apply for this Senior UX Designer position at Google:

  • Submit Your Application: Visit the Google Careers website and submit your resume and a link to your online portfolio. Ensure your portfolio is easily accessible and showcases your best work.

  • Tailor Your Resume: Highlight your 6+ years of interaction/product design experience, specific experience with AI prototyping, consumer electronics, and any leadership roles or contributions to design systems. Use keywords from the job description.

  • Curate Your Portfolio: Select 2-3 high-impact case studies that demonstrate your skills in interaction design, user-centered approaches, AI integration, and consumer electronics. Clearly articulate the problem, your process, your solutions, and the results.

  • Prepare for Interviews: Research Google's UX philosophy, Google TV's product strategy, and common interview questions for senior design roles. Practice articulating your design process and rationale, especially for AI-related projects.

  • Understand Google's Culture: Familiarize yourself with Google's values and work environment, and be ready to discuss how your working style aligns with them.

⚠️ 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.

Application Requirements

Candidates must have a bachelor's degree and at least 6 years of interaction or product design experience. Proficiency in prototyping with AI tools and experience in consumer electronics are required.