Senior Vehicle Design Researcher

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Senior Vehicle Design Researcher

Company: General Motors

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

Job Type: Full-time

Category: User Experience (UX) Research / Design Research

Date Posted: May 29, 2026

Experience Level: 5-10 Years

Remote Status: Hybrid (3 days in office)

🚀 Role Summary

• Lead generative and evaluative user experience research initiatives for next-generation in-vehicle features and interfaces, focusing on areas like vehicle onboarding, infotainment UX frameworks, and cabin comfort.

• Translate complex user needs, behaviors, and expectations into actionable insights that directly influence product design, user interface (UI) development, and overall product strategy.

• Collaborate extensively with cross-functional teams, including Design, Product Management, Prototyping, and Engineering, to ensure research findings are integrated into the product development lifecycle.

• Conduct diverse research studies, encompassing concept testing, usability testing, field studies, interviews, diary studies, participatory design, ethnography, and surveys, to gather comprehensive user data for automotive applications.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the core job title is "Senior Vehicle Design Researcher," the description heavily emphasizes User Experience (UX) Research methodologies and application within the automotive sector. The role is positioned to influence product strategy through deep user understanding, making it a critical GTM (Go-To-Market) enablement role that bridges design and product development. The inclusion of "future-facing features and interfaces" suggests a focus on innovation and forward-thinking product development.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Spearhead the identification, prioritization, and execution of research projects aimed at uncovering user insights for future automotive in-vehicle experiences.

• Design and implement a variety of qualitative and mixed-methods research studies, including concept validation, usability assessments, in-depth interviews, diary studies, ethnographic observations, and large-scale surveys.

• Actively partner with Design, Product Management, Prototyping, and Engineering teams to define research objectives, provide feedback for design iterations, and proactively shape product roadmaps informed by user needs.

• Conduct rigorous evaluations of current and future vehicle hardware and software interfaces, features, and user journeys to identify areas for improvement and innovation.

• Synthesize research findings into compelling narratives, strategic frameworks, and clear, actionable recommendations that guide design direction and product strategy decisions.

• Perform concept testing to gather feedback on new ideas and features, delivering concrete recommendations to design and product teams to refine user-facing elements.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a blend of strategic research leadership and hands-on execution. The emphasis on "influencing product, design, and strategy" indicates a senior-level role with significant impact on the Go-To-Market (GTM) success of new vehicle features. The direct mention of "hardware and software experiences" points to a holistic approach to in-vehicle UX research.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

• Bachelor's degree in Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), Human Factors, Psychology, Anthropology, Design Research, or a closely related field.

• Equivalent practical experience will be considered in lieu of a specific degree.

Experience:

• A minimum of 5 years of dedicated user experience research experience, specifically within the automotive, consumer electronics, hardware, or software industries.

• Demonstrated expertise in conducting both generative (exploratory) and evaluative (validation) research, utilizing a range of qualitative and mixed-methods approaches.

Required Skills:

• User Experience Research: Deep understanding and practical application of UX research principles and methodologies.

• Qualitative & Mixed-Methods Research: Proficiency in designing and executing studies such as interviews, ethnography, diary studies, concept testing, and usability testing.

• Generative & Evaluative Research: Expertise in both exploratory research to uncover unmet needs and evaluative research to assess existing or proposed solutions.

• Communication & Storytelling: Exceptional ability to articulate research findings clearly and persuasively through compelling narratives, presentations, and written reports, influencing cross-functional teams and senior leadership.

• Automotive UX: Familiarity with the unique challenges and opportunities within automotive in-cabin experiences and driver information systems.

Preferred Skills:

• HMI Design & Prototyping: Experience researching and providing feedback on Human-Machine Interface designs and working with prototypes.

• Future Mobility: Familiarity with emerging technologies, evolving user expectations in transportation, and future-facing mobility concepts.

• Adaptability & Collaboration: A strong sense of curiosity, a flexible and adaptable approach to work, and a highly collaborative mindset.

• Rapid Context Switching: Ability to produce high-quality work under tight deadlines, manage multiple diverse topics simultaneously, and transition effectively between different projects.

• Camera Systems Research: Experience researching user interaction with camera-based systems within vehicles.

📝 Enhancement Note: The required skills heavily align with GTM enablement, focusing on understanding customer needs (generative research), validating product-market fit (evaluative research, concept testing), and communicating insights to drive adoption. The preferred skills, like familiarity with future mobility and rapid context switching, indicate a role at the forefront of innovation, requiring agility in a fast-paced R&D environment.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Case Studies: Showcase 3-5 detailed case studies demonstrating the end-to-end UX research process, from problem definition to actionable recommendations and their impact on product decisions.

• Methodology Diversity: Highlight experience with a broad range of research methodologies (qualitative, quantitative, generative, evaluative) and explain why specific methods were chosen for each project.

• Impact & Metrics: Clearly articulate the impact of your research on product design, strategy, or business outcomes. Quantify results where possible (e.g., improvements in usability metrics, reduction in user errors, increased feature adoption).

• Cross-functional Collaboration: Provide examples of how you've partnered with design, product, engineering, and other stakeholders to integrate research findings into the product development lifecycle.

Process Documentation:

• Research Plan Design: Demonstrate the ability to create comprehensive research plans that clearly define research objectives, target users, methodologies, timelines, and success metrics.

• Insight Synthesis & Communication: Show examples of how you synthesize raw research data into clear, concise, and compelling insights, presented visually and through storytelling for various audiences.

• Recommendation Frameworks: Present examples of how research insights were translated into concrete, actionable recommendations for design and product teams, including wireframes, user flows, or feature prioritization suggestions.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a Senior UX Researcher, a robust portfolio is crucial for demonstrating practical application of research skills and their impact. The emphasis here is on showcasing the process and the outcomes, directly relevant to ensuring new vehicle features and interfaces are well-received by the market (GTM success).

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

• $105,600 - $165,300 USD per year.

• Note: This range is an estimate and may vary based on location (specifically mentioning New York, Colorado, California, or Washington where these estimates might be most accurate), candidate experience, skills, and other relevant factors.

Benefits:

• Health & Wellbeing: Comprehensive Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance.

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

• Income Protection: Sickness and Accident Benefits, Life Insurance.

• Work-Life Balance: Paid Vacation and Paid Holidays.

• Professional Development: Tuition Assistance Programs.

• Support Services: Employee Assistance Program (EAP).

• Perks: Employee discounts on GM vehicles.

Working Hours:

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

• The hybrid work arrangement implies flexibility but requires in-office presence at least 3 days per week, which may influence how daily work is structured around core collaboration times.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range is provided for specific US states, indicating a need for candidates to verify local market rates if applying from other regions. The benefits package is comprehensive, aligning with large enterprise offerings and supporting employee well-being, which can be a key factor in attracting and retaining talent for critical roles like this. The hybrid model requires careful consideration of time management and collaboration strategies.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Automotive Manufacturing & Technology. General Motors is a global leader in designing, manufacturing, and marketing vehicles, and is actively investing in future mobility solutions, including electric vehicles (EVs), autonomous driving, and connected services.

Company Size: Large Enterprise (likely 100,000+ employees globally). This scale offers stability, extensive resources, and opportunities for broad impact, but also means navigating larger organizational structures.

Founded: 1908. With over a century of history, GM has a deep-rooted engineering and manufacturing legacy, now blending it with cutting-edge technology and innovation.

Team Structure:

• UX Research Team: Likely part of a broader Design or Product Development organization, comprising researchers with various specializations. The "Senior" title suggests leadership potential and mentorship responsibilities within the team.

• Reporting Structure: Reports to a UX Research Manager or Director, with close collaboration with Design Leads, Product Managers, and Engineering Managers.

• Cross-functional Collaboration: The role demands extensive interaction with diverse teams across product development, engineering, design, marketing, and strategy to ensure user insights are integrated throughout the GTM process.

Methodology:

• Data-Driven Design: A strong emphasis on using user research data to inform design decisions and product strategy, moving beyond assumptions to validate concepts with real users.

• Agile & Iterative Development: Likely operates within agile or iterative product development cycles, requiring researchers to be adaptable and provide timely feedback.

• Human-Centered Approach: Commitment to understanding and addressing user needs, behaviors, and pain points throughout the vehicle ownership and experience lifecycle.

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

📝 Enhancement Note: GM's position as a legacy automotive giant undergoing a significant transformation into a tech-focused mobility company is key. The UX Research team plays a vital role in ensuring this transformation is user-centric, directly impacting the success of new product launches and market adoption. Understanding GM's strategic shift towards EVs and autonomous technology is essential for this role.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: Senior Individual Contributor. This role is for an experienced researcher who can lead projects independently, mentor junior team members, and significantly influence product direction. It sits at the senior end of the UX Research spectrum, bridging hands-on execution with strategic input.

Reporting Structure: Typically reports to a UX Research Manager or Director. This position will have significant exposure to senior product and design leadership, providing opportunities to influence strategic decisions.

Operations Impact: The Senior Vehicle Design Researcher's work directly impacts the market success of new vehicle features and interfaces. By grounding design in user needs, they reduce the risk of product failure, enhance user adoption, improve customer satisfaction, and ultimately contribute to GM's brand reputation and revenue generation in a competitive automotive market.

Growth Opportunities:

• Leadership Development: Potential to move into a Lead UX Researcher role, managing a team or a specific product area, or transition into UX Research Management.

• Specialization: Opportunity to deepen expertise in specific areas like autonomous vehicle UX, EV charging experiences, or advanced infotainment systems.

• Cross-Functional Mobility: Potential to move into Product Management, UX Design leadership, or even strategic GTM roles within GM's innovation divisions.

• Industry Influence: Contributing to cutting-edge automotive UX research can lead to industry recognition and thought leadership opportunities.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role offers clear pathways for career advancement within a large, innovative organization. The "Senior" designation implies a significant level of autonomy and influence, critical for GTM roles where strategic insight is paramount. Growth here is not just about climbing a ladder, but also about deepening specialized knowledge in a rapidly evolving field.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Hybrid work environment. Employees are expected to be in the office at least 3 days per week, balancing remote flexibility with in-person collaboration, particularly in the Sunnyvale (likely R&D/tech hub) and Warren (historic engineering HQ) locations.

Office Location(s):

• Sunnyvale, California: Often associated with tech innovation and R&D, this location suggests a dynamic, forward-thinking environment.

• Warren, Michigan: A long-standing core engineering and design hub for GM, implying a more traditional but deeply experienced automotive development setting.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Spaces: Expect modern office setups designed to foster collaboration, with meeting rooms, brainstorming areas, and shared workspaces.

• Research Facilities: Access to user research labs, testing equipment, and prototyping tools may be available depending on the specific site.

• Team Interaction: Opportunities for daily interaction with UX designers, product managers, engineers, and fellow researchers, facilitating knowledge sharing and problem-solving.

Work Schedule:

• While full-time, the hybrid model and nature of research often allow for some flexibility in managing work hours, provided deliverables and collaboration needs are met. The expectation of at least 3 days in the office means structured planning for in-person meetings and team engagement is necessary.

📝 Enhancement Note: The hybrid model is a key differentiator. Candidates should be prepared for a blend of independent work and in-office collaboration. The dual locations offer different cultural experiences within GM, with Sunnyvale leaning towards tech innovation and Warren towards established automotive engineering.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A recruiter or hiring manager will likely conduct an initial call to assess basic qualifications, experience, and cultural fit.

• Hiring Manager Interview: A deeper dive into your experience, research philosophy, and how your skills align with the role's objectives. Expect questions about your approach to specific research challenges.

• Portfolio Review & Presentation: A critical stage where you will present 1-2 detailed case studies from your portfolio. This will be evaluated on your research process, insights, recommendations, and impact. Be prepared to discuss your methodology, decision-making, and collaboration.

• Cross-Functional Interviews: Interviews with potential team members (e.g., UX Designers, Product Managers, Engineers) to assess collaboration style, communication effectiveness, and ability to integrate with the team.

• Final Interview: Potentially with senior leadership to discuss strategic thinking and overall fit for the organization.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Focus on Impact: For each case study, clearly articulate the problem, your approach, the key insights, the recommendations you made, and the ultimate impact on the product or business. Quantify results whenever possible.

• Showcase Process: Detail your research methodology, why you chose specific methods, your participant recruitment strategy, and how you synthesized data.

• Tell a Story: Structure your presentations as a narrative. Explain the context, the challenges, your role, the solutions you proposed, and the outcomes.

• Tailor to GM: If possible, subtly weave in how your experience and approach align with GM's strategic goals (e.g., innovation in EVs, user-centric design for autonomous features).

• Practice Your Presentation: Rehearse your case studies to ensure a smooth, confident, and concise delivery within the allotted time.

Challenge Preparation:

• Be ready for potential take-home assignments or live whiteboard challenges where you might be asked to outline a research plan for a hypothetical automotive feature or critique an existing interface.

• Prepare to discuss your thoughts on current trends in automotive UX and how emerging technologies might impact user needs and behaviors.

• Anticipate questions about how you handle ambiguity, tight deadlines, and conflicting stakeholder opinions.

📝 Enhancement Note: The portfolio review is paramount for this role. Candidates should prepare to articulate not just what they did, but why and what the outcome was. This directly relates to the GTM success of the research insights.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Research Platforms: Proficiency with tools for surveys, qualitative data collection, and analysis (e.g., Qualtrics, SurveyMonkey, UserTesting.com, Dovetail, Maze, Lookback).

• Prototyping & Design Tools: Familiarity with tools used by design teams, such as Figma, Sketch, Adobe XD, for understanding and evaluating prototypes.

• Collaboration Tools: Experience with platforms like Jira, Confluence, Slack, Microsoft Teams for project management and team communication.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Data Analysis Software: Ability to analyze quantitative data from surveys or usability tests, potentially using tools like Excel, SPSS, R, or Python (basic proficiency may be sufficient).

• Visualization Tools: Experience with tools like Tableau or Power BI for creating dashboards and visualizing research findings to communicate insights effectively.

CRM & Automation:

• While not directly managing CRM systems, understanding how user data might feed into customer profiles or marketing automation systems can be beneficial for contextualizing research. A general awareness of data flow within a large enterprise is helpful.

📝 Enhancement Note: While this role is research-focused, familiarity with the tools that designers and product managers use is crucial for effective collaboration. The ability to synthesize and communicate data using visualization tools is also a key differentiator for senior roles impacting strategy.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• User-Centricity: A deep commitment to understanding and advocating for the user's needs and experience above all else.

• Data-Driven Decision Making: Valuing evidence-based insights derived from rigorous research to inform product development and strategy.

• Innovation & Future-Focus: A drive to explore emerging technologies and anticipate future user needs in the rapidly evolving mobility landscape.

• Collaboration & Influence: A belief in the power of teamwork and the ability to influence stakeholders through clear communication and compelling insights.

• Adaptability & Agility: Embracing change, working effectively in fast-paced environments, and adapting research approaches as needed.

Collaboration Style:

• Partnership-Oriented: Works closely with design, product, and engineering teams as a strategic partner, not just a service provider.

• Proactive Engagement: Seeks out opportunities to contribute insights early and often in the product lifecycle.

• Transparent Communication: Shares findings and challenges openly and regularly with stakeholders.

• Feedback-Driven: Open to receiving and providing constructive feedback to improve research processes and outcomes.

📝 Enhancement Note: GM's stated values of "Zero Crashes, Zero Emissions, Zero Congestion" and a culture of "belonging" and "meaningful change" suggest a company striving for innovation with a strong ethical and societal focus. The UX Research team is instrumental in translating these high-level goals into tangible user experiences.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Pace of Innovation: The automotive industry is evolving rapidly; staying ahead of emerging technologies and user expectations requires continuous learning and adaptation.

• Complexity of In-Vehicle Systems: Researching intricate infotainment systems, driver assistance features, and future autonomous functionalities presents unique methodological challenges.

• Cross-Functional Alignment: Ensuring research insights are understood, accepted, and acted upon by diverse teams with potentially competing priorities.

• Balancing Generative & Evaluative Needs: Effectively managing both exploratory research to discover new opportunities and evaluative research to refine existing concepts within project timelines.

• Hybrid Work Logistics: Coordinating research activities and in-person collaboration effectively within a hybrid work model.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Industry Conferences: Opportunities to attend and present at leading UX and automotive technology conferences (e.g., CHI, UXR Conference, AutoMobility LA).

• Specialized Training: Access to internal and external training to deepen expertise in areas like AI in UX, automotive cybersecurity, or advanced research methodologies.

• Mentorship: Benefit from mentorship from senior leaders within GM's extensive R&D and design organizations.

• Exposure to Emerging Tech: Direct involvement in researching cutting-edge technologies like autonomous driving, advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS), and next-generation EV interfaces.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges presented are typical for senior roles at the forefront of technology and product development. The growth opportunities highlight GM's commitment to employee development and staying competitive in the rapidly evolving automotive tech landscape.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you influenced product strategy with your research findings." Prepare a case study focusing on a significant impact where your insights led to a change in product direction or prioritization.

• "How do you approach research for a completely new, unproven technology or feature?" Discuss your generative research methods, how you define success metrics for novel concepts, and how you manage ambiguity.

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What excites you about the future of automotive UX, and how does GM align with that vision?" Research GM's strategic direction (EVs, autonomous driving, connectivity) and articulate your enthusiasm.

• "How do you approach collaboration in a hybrid work environment?" Discuss your strategies for effective communication, team building, and ensuring productivity across remote and in-office team members.

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure is Key: For each case study, clearly outline the problem, your role, research objectives, methodology, key findings, recommendations, and the outcome/impact. Use visuals effectively.

• Focus on "Why": Be prepared to explain why you chose specific methods, why certain insights were significant, and why your recommendations were made.

• Demonstrate Influence: Show how your work directly led to tangible changes or decisions within the product development process.

• Be Ready for Deep Dives: Anticipate questions about participant recruitment, data analysis techniques, and how you handled unexpected findings or challenges.

📝 Enhancement Note: Preparing specific examples that align with GM's focus on future mobility, EVs, and autonomous systems will be highly beneficial. Demonstrating an understanding of how UX research contributes directly to Go-To-Market success is crucial.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Senior Vehicle Design Researcher position:

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

• Portfolio Customization: Curate your portfolio to highlight 2-3 of your most impactful UX research projects, prioritizing those relevant to automotive, complex interfaces, or innovative technologies. Ensure each case study clearly demonstrates your process, insights, and the tangible impact of your work.

• Resume Optimization: Tailor your resume to emphasize your experience with generative and evaluative research methodologies, automotive or consumer electronics UX, and your ability to influence product strategy. Use keywords from the job description naturally.

• Interview Preparation: Practice articulating your research process, findings, and impact for your chosen portfolio case studies. Prepare to discuss your approach to hybrid work and your understanding of GM's future mobility vision.

• Company Research: Familiarize yourself with General Motors' current strategic initiatives, particularly in electric vehicles, autonomous driving, and in-car technology. Understand their stated mission and values.

⚠️ Important Notice: This enhanced job description includes AI-generated insights and operations industry-standard assumptions. All details should be verified directly with General Motors before making application decisions. This role is classified as hybrid, requiring at least 3 days per week in the office, and does not offer immigration sponsorship.