UX Designer for HRI & HCI F/M

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: UX Designer for HRI & HCI F/M

Company: NAVER LABS Europe

Location: Meylan, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, France

Job Type: Full-time

Category: User Experience (UX) Design, Human-Robot Interaction (HRI), Human-Computer Interaction (HCI)

Date Posted: May 22, 2026

Experience Level: Mid-Level (2-5 years)

Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• This role focuses on designing and evaluating interaction mechanisms for autonomous robotic and AI systems within a human-centered HRI/HCI framework.

• Responsibilities include conducting user research, translating user needs into interaction concepts, and developing prototypes for embodied robotic and digital AI platforms.

• The position requires a strong understanding of user-centered design methodologies and experience in conducting user studies and behavioral experiments.

• Collaboration with multidisciplinary teams (Robotics, Machine Learning, Development) is key to connecting research with operational systems and AI-driven services.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the provided job description is for a UX Designer, the context of NAVER LABS Europe and its focus on HRI/HCI with autonomous technologies suggests a role that bridges traditional UX with applied research and development in advanced robotics and AI. This implies a need for candidates who can not only design user experiences but also contribute to the scientific understanding and technical implementation of human-robot and human-AI interactions. The "F/M" designation indicates the role is open to all genders.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Conduct user-centered research to deeply understand human interaction patterns with robots, AI agents, and service platforms in real-world scenarios.

• Translate complex user needs, intricate workflows, and detailed interaction requirements into innovative interaction concepts, user experiences, and precise technical specifications.

• Design sophisticated interaction mechanisms for embodied robotic systems and digital AI platforms, with a focus on multimodal interaction, intuitive interfaces, seamless workflows, and effective agent-based interactions.

• Develop high-fidelity prototypes and compelling design artifacts to thoroughly explore, iterate on, and clearly communicate interaction concepts to stakeholders.

• Contribute significantly to the rigorous evaluation of interactive systems through well-designed user studies and controlled experiments conducted in realistic and operational contexts.

• Collaborate closely with robotics, machine learning, and development teams to ensure research insights and design concepts are effectively integrated into operational systems and AI-driven services.

• Publish research findings and design methodologies in leading HRI and HCI conferences, contributing to the advancement of the field.

📝 Enhancement Note: The primary responsibilities highlight a research-oriented UX role. It emphasizes not just the design execution but also the foundational research, conceptualization, and experimental validation crucial in the advanced fields of HRI and HCI. The expectation to publish research indicates a strong academic and scientific component to the role.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

Experience:

• Mid-level experience (2-5 years) in User Experience design, with a strong focus on interactive systems and research-driven projects.

Required Skills:

• User-Centered Design (UCD): Proven ability to apply UCD principles and methodologies to understand user needs and create effective solutions.

• Interaction Design: Expertise in designing intuitive and engaging interfaces and experiences for complex systems.

• Human-Robot Interaction (HRI): Foundational understanding of principles and challenges in designing interactions between humans and robots.

• Human-Computer Interaction (HCI): Solid grasp of HCI theories, research methods, and design best practices.

• Prototyping: Proficiency in creating functional prototypes (low to high fidelity) using industry-standard UI design tools.

• User Research: Experience in planning, conducting, and analyzing user research studies (e.g., interviews, surveys, contextual inquiries).

• Usability Evaluation: Skill in designing and executing usability tests and other evaluation methods to assess system effectiveness and user satisfaction.

• Behavioral Experiments: Experience in designing and conducting experiments to study user behavior in interactive contexts.

• Portfolio: A strong portfolio showcasing interaction design processes, research-driven projects, and demonstrated design outcomes.

Preferred Skills:

• Multimodal Interaction Design: Experience designing interactions that involve multiple input/output channels (e.g., voice, touch, gesture, visual).

• Conversational Agents/AI: Experience designing interactions with chatbots, virtual assistants, or other AI-driven conversational interfaces.

• Embodied Interaction Design: Experience designing interactions for physical robotic systems where embodiment plays a key role.

• Front-end Development: Basic proficiency or understanding of front-end technologies (e.g., HTML, CSS, JavaScript) for prototyping or collaboration.

• AI Coding Tools: Familiarity with AI coding tools or environments that facilitate prototyping or development of AI-driven features.

• Bridging Research & Implementation: Ability to effectively connect theoretical research findings with practical implementation challenges in collaboration with engineering teams.

• Research Publication: Experience or strong interest in publishing research in leading HCI/HRI conferences.

📝 Enhancement Note: The qualifications emphasize a blend of strong UX design fundamentals with specialized knowledge in HRI and HCI. The requirement for a Master's or PhD and the mention of publishing in conferences suggest that candidates with research backgrounds or experience in academic settings will be highly valued. The portfolio is critical for demonstrating practical application of these skills.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Interaction Design Process: Showcase a clear, step-by-step interaction design process, from initial research and ideation through to detailed design and validation. Highlight how user needs drove design decisions.

• Research-Driven Design: Present case studies where user research, usability testing, or behavioral experiments directly informed and significantly shaped the final design solution.

• System Design Examples: Include examples of designed systems, focusing on the interaction mechanisms, user flows, and interface elements, particularly for robotic or AI-driven applications.

• Prototype Demonstrations: Provide links to or detailed descriptions of interactive prototypes that effectively communicate the user experience and core functionalities of your designs.

• Metrics & Outcomes: Where possible, demonstrate the impact of your designs using relevant metrics (e.g., task completion rates, user satisfaction scores, efficiency gains) derived from evaluations.

Process Documentation:

• User Research Methodologies: Detail the specific user research methods employed (e.g., interviews, contextual inquiries, diary studies) and explain the rationale for their selection.

• Design Iteration & Validation: Document how designs were iterated upon based on feedback from user studies, usability tests, or expert reviews.

• Cross-functional Collaboration: Illustrate how you collaborated with engineers, researchers, and product managers to translate designs into functional systems, highlighting communication strategies and problem-solving approaches.

📝 Enhancement Note: The portfolio is a critical component for this role, serving as tangible proof of the candidate's ability to apply HRI and HCI principles in practice. It should clearly articulate the candidate's thought process, research methodology, and the impact of their design work, particularly in complex interactive systems.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

Benefits:

• Competitive Salary: Reflecting experience, qualifications, and the specialized nature of the role.

• Comprehensive Health Insurance: Including medical, dental, and vision coverage.

• Retirement Savings Plan: With potential company matching contributions.

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

• Professional Development: Opportunities for training, workshops, conference attendance (e.g., CHI, HRI), and further education.

• Relocation Assistance: Support for candidates relocating to Meylan, France.

• On-site Amenities: Access to modern facilities and collaborative workspaces.

• Research Opportunities: Direct involvement in cutting-edge research and potential for publication.

Working Hours:

• Standard full-time working hours, typically around 35-40 hours per week, with flexibility often available to accommodate research needs and project deadlines. The role is on-site, requiring regular presence at the Meylan office.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range is an estimate based on general market data for experienced UX Designers in France, adjusted for the specific region and the highly specialized nature of HRI/HCI work. Actual compensation will depend on the candidate's specific qualifications, experience, and negotiation. Benefits are standard for a professional role in a European tech company.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Technology Research & Development (Robotics, AI, HCI, HRI)

Company Size: NAVER LABS Europe is part of NAVER Corporation, a large global technology conglomerate. NAVER LABS Europe itself likely comprises a significant research and development team, suggesting a dynamic, innovation-driven environment.

Founded: NAVER LABS Europe was established to foster cutting-edge research, building on NAVER's commitment to technological advancement. This indicates a culture that values long-term research initiatives and deep technical expertise.

Team Structure:

• HRI/HCI Team: A multidisciplinary team comprising experts in Human-Robot Interaction, Human-Computer Interaction, interaction design, robotics, and computer science.

• Research Focus: The team operates with a strong research ethos, aiming to address fundamental questions in autonomous technologies and their interaction with humans.

• Cross-functional Collaboration: Close collaboration is expected with other research and development teams within NAVER LABS, including robotics, machine learning, and AI services teams, ensuring research translates into practical applications.

• Reporting: Likely reports to a Research Director or Head of HRI/HCI, with project-specific reporting lines to lead researchers or project managers.

Methodology:

• Human-Centered Approach: All research and design activities are grounded in understanding and serving human needs.

• Interdisciplinary Research: Encourages the integration of diverse expertise to tackle complex problems.

• Scientific Rigor: Emphasizes systematic research, experimentation, and data analysis.

• Publication & Dissemination: Actively encourages and supports the publication of research findings in top-tier academic venues.

• Agile/Iterative Development: While research-focused, likely employs iterative design and development cycles to rapidly test and refine concepts.

Company Website: https://europe.naverlabs.com/

📝 Enhancement Note: NAVER LABS Europe positions itself as a leading research institution. The culture is expected to be highly academic, collaborative, and focused on innovation, attracting individuals passionate about pushing the boundaries of robotics and AI interaction.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is positioned as a mid-level UX Designer, likely requiring 2-5 years of specialized experience post-Master's/PhD. It sits within a research and development context, offering a unique career path that blends design practice with scientific inquiry.

Reporting Structure: The UX Designer will likely report to a senior researcher or a lead designer within the HRI/HCI team. They will work closely with a diverse group of researchers and engineers, fostering a collaborative and knowledge-sharing environment.

Operations Impact: The impact of this role is significant, influencing the usability, trustworthiness, and effectiveness of future autonomous systems and AI services. By ensuring human-centered design, the UX Designer contributes directly to the successful adoption and integration of these technologies into society and daily life, ultimately driving user engagement and satisfaction with NAVER's advanced offerings.

Growth Opportunities:

• Specialization: Deepen expertise in specific areas of HRI/HCI, such as multimodal interaction, embodied AI, or AI ethics in design.

• Research Leadership: Progress towards leading research projects, mentoring junior designers and researchers, and contributing to strategic research directions.

• Publication & Academia: Opportunities to publish in leading conferences and journals, potentially leading to recognition within the HRI/HCI research community.

• Cross-functional Mobility: Potential to move into roles with broader product strategy or R&D management responsibilities within NAVER LABS or NAVER Corporation.

• Industry Influence: Contribute to shaping the future of human-robot and human-AI interaction through innovative design and research.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role offers a specialized career path for UX professionals interested in the intersection of design, robotics, and AI. Growth is likely tied to research contributions, publication record, and the ability to lead complex design and research initiatives.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: NAVER LABS Europe operates within a modern, state-of-the-art research facility in Meylan, France. The environment is designed to foster innovation, collaboration, and scientific exploration.

Office Location(s): Meylan, located in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region of France, is part of a vibrant technology and research hub near Grenoble. This location offers a high quality of life with access to natural landscapes and a strong scientific community.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Spaces: The facility will feature dedicated collaboration zones, meeting rooms, and open-plan areas to encourage interaction and brainstorming among researchers and designers.

• Research Labs & Equipment: Access to advanced robotics labs, simulation environments, and prototyping equipment necessary for HRI/HCI research.

• Technology Integration: State-of-the-art computing resources, software tools, and potentially specialized hardware for AI and robotics development.

• Team Interaction: Regular opportunities for informal and formal interactions with a diverse, international team of experts.

Work Schedule: The standard work week is approximately 35-40 hours, with an on-site presence required. While core hours will exist, there may be flexibility to accommodate research needs, experimental schedules, and project deadlines, promoting a results-oriented work environment.

📝 Enhancement Note: The work environment is geared towards intensive research and development, with a strong emphasis on collaboration and access to cutting-edge resources. It's an ideal setting for individuals who thrive in an academic-like R&D atmosphere.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: HR or recruitment team reviews applications for basic qualifications and fit.

• Technical Interview 1 (Portfolio Review): A deep dive into your portfolio with the hiring manager or a senior team member. Focus on your design process, research methodologies, and the impact of your projects, especially those related to HRI/HCI.

• Technical Interview 2 (Problem Solving/Case Study): You may be presented with a hypothetical design challenge related to HRI or HCI. This assesses your problem-solving skills, design thinking, and ability to articulate your approach.

• Team/Cultural Fit Interview: Meet with other team members to assess collaboration style, communication skills, and alignment with the team's research and development culture.

• Final Interview: Potentially with a lead researcher or director to discuss overall fit, career aspirations, and strategic alignment.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select 3-5 of your strongest projects that best demonstrate your skills in interaction design, user research, and HRI/HCI principles. Prioritize projects with tangible outcomes or clear research insights.

• Showcase the Process: For each project, clearly articulate the problem, your role, the user-centered design process, research methods used, design decisions made, and the final outcome or learnings. Use visuals, diagrams, and prototypes effectively.

• Highlight Research & Evaluation: Emphasize any user studies, usability tests, or behavioral experiments conducted. Detail the methodology, findings, and how these insights influenced the design.

• Contextualize for HRI/HCI: If you have specific HRI or HCI projects, ensure they are prominently featured and clearly explained. If not, draw parallels from other interactive system designs to demonstrate transferable skills.

• Be Prepared to Discuss: Be ready to talk in detail about your design choices, challenges faced, and what you would do differently.

Challenge Preparation:

• Understand HRI/HCI Fundamentals: Refresh your knowledge of core HRI/HCI concepts, common interaction paradigms, and current research trends.

• Think Holistically: For any design challenge, consider the entire user journey, potential edge cases, ethical implications, and the technical feasibility within a robotics/AI context.

• Articulate Your Thinking: Focus on clearly explaining your thought process, assumptions, and reasoning behind your proposed solutions. Use whiteboarding or collaborative tools effectively.

• Consider Multimodality: If applicable, think about how different interaction modalities (voice, gesture, visual, touch) could be integrated.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process heavily emphasizes the candidate's portfolio and their ability to articulate their design and research process, particularly within the specialized domains of HRI and HCI. Preparation should focus on showcasing a strong, research-backed design methodology.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• UI/UX Design Software: Figma, Sketch, Adobe XD, InVision for wireframing, prototyping, and UI design.

• Prototyping Tools: Tools like Axure, ProtoPie, or even custom code for creating interactive prototypes, especially for complex interactions.

• User Research Platforms: Tools for surveys (e.g., SurveyMonkey, Typeform), user interview scheduling, and potentially remote usability testing platforms.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Data Analysis Tools: Potentially basic statistical software (e.g., R, SPSS) or data visualization tools (e.g., Tableau, Power BI) for analyzing user study data.

• Project Management Tools: Jira, Asana, Trello for task management and workflow tracking.

CRM & Automation: (Less directly relevant for this R&D role, but may be used by collaborating teams)

• Collaboration Suites: Google Workspace, Microsoft 365 for communication and document sharing.

• Version Control: Git (e.g., GitHub, GitLab) for collaborative design asset management or front-end code.

Specialized HRI/HCI Tools:

• Robotics Simulators: (Potentially) ROS (Robot Operating System) related tools, Gazebo, or other simulation environments for testing embodied interactions.

• AI/ML Platforms: Familiarity with concepts or tools used in AI/ML development might be beneficial for understanding system capabilities and limitations.

📝 Enhancement Note: While core UX design tools are essential, familiarity with or an aptitude for understanding robotics simulators, AI/ML concepts, and front-end development will be advantageous given the role's context within advanced technology research.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Innovation & Curiosity: A strong drive to explore new ideas, push technological boundaries, and discover novel solutions in HRI and HCI.

• Human-Centricity: A deep commitment to understanding and serving user needs, ensuring technology is designed for people.

• Collaboration & Openness: An environment where knowledge is shared freely, diverse perspectives are valued, and teamwork is paramount.

• Scientific Rigor: An emphasis on evidence-based design, data-driven decision-making, and thorough research methodologies.

• Impact & Application: A focus on translating research breakthroughs into tangible, impactful technologies and services.

Collaboration Style:

• Interdisciplinary: Encourages close collaboration between designers, roboticists, AI researchers, and computer scientists.

• Knowledge Sharing: Regular team meetings, brown-bag sessions, and literature reviews to share insights and learnings.

• Constructive Feedback: A culture that values open, honest, and constructive feedback to improve designs and research approaches.

• Research-Oriented: Approach to problem-solving is often experimental and iterative, with a focus on learning and adaptation.

📝 Enhancement Note: The team culture is expected to be highly intellectual, collaborative, and focused on cutting-edge research. Individuals who are intrinsically motivated, enjoy complex problem-solving, and thrive in an academic-like R&D setting will be a good fit.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Bridging Research and Product: Translating cutting-edge research concepts into practical, user-friendly designs for real-world autonomous systems can be challenging.

• Complexity of Embodied Interaction: Designing intuitive interactions for physical robots that navigate complex environments and interact socially requires innovative approaches.

• Rapid Technological Evolution: Keeping pace with advancements in AI, robotics, and interaction technologies requires continuous learning and adaptation.

• Multidisciplinary Communication: Effectively communicating design ideas and user needs across different technical disciplines (robotics, ML) requires strong interpersonal and technical translation skills.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Advanced HRI/HCI Training: Access to internal expertise and potentially external workshops on the latest methodologies and theories.

• Conference Participation: Opportunities to attend and present at leading HRI and HCI conferences (e.g., CHI, HRI, UIST, RO-MAN), fostering professional growth and networking.

• Mentorship: Learning from and collaborating with world-class researchers and designers in the field.

• Skill Diversification: Opportunities to learn about robotics, AI, and machine learning concepts to better inform design decisions and collaborate with engineering teams.

• Publication Opportunities: Support for developing research ideas into publications for academic venues.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role offers significant growth potential for those interested in specialized areas of UX within advanced technology. The challenges are intellectual and require continuous learning, while the growth opportunities are tied to research excellence and industry impact.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a complex interactive system you've designed. Walk me through your user-centered design process, focusing on how you translated user needs into your final design."

• "Tell me about a time your user research uncovered a significant insight that changed your design direction. What was the research method, the insight, and the resulting design change?"

• "Imagine designing an interaction for a service robot in a public space. What are the key HRI considerations, and how would you approach designing for trust and transparency?"

• "How do you stay current with advancements in HRI, HCI, and AI? Can you give an example of a recent trend you've incorporated into your thinking or work?"

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What interests you most about NAVER LABS Europe's research in HRI and HCI?"

• "How do you see your skills contributing to the multidisciplinary nature of our team?"

• "What are your expectations for a research-oriented work environment?"

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure is Key: Organize your portfolio presentation logically. Start with an overview of your role and the project's goals, then dive into the process, research, design iterations, final solution, and outcomes/learnings.

• Tell a Story: Frame each project as a narrative. What was the problem, how did you solve it, and what was the impact?

• Focus on "Why": For every design decision, be prepared to explain the "why" – what user need, research finding, or design principle drove that choice.

• Visuals & Prototypes: Use high-quality visuals, diagrams, and interactive prototypes to illustrate your work. Ensure prototypes are functional and clearly demonstrate key interactions.

• Quantify Impact: If possible, present data or metrics that demonstrate the effectiveness of your designs (e.g., usability scores, task completion rates, user satisfaction).

• Be Prepared for Deep Dives: Anticipate detailed questions about specific aspects of your work, so be ready to elaborate on any part of your process or design.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation should focus on demonstrating a deep understanding of user-centered design, research methodologies, and the ability to apply these principles to complex HRI/HCI challenges. The portfolio presentation is the primary vehicle for showcasing these capabilities.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this UX Designer position at NAVER LABS Europe:

• Submit your application through the provided link on the careers.werecruit.io platform.

• Portfolio Customization: Tailor your portfolio to highlight projects demonstrating strong interaction design, user research, and ideally, experience or understanding relevant to HRI/HCI. Ensure it clearly articulates your process and impact.

• Resume Optimization: Update your resume to emphasize keywords such as "User-Centered Design," "Interaction Design," "HCI," "HRI," "Prototyping," "User Research," and "Usability Evaluation." Quantify achievements where possible.

• Interview Preparation: Thoroughly prepare for portfolio reviews and potential design challenges by practicing articulating your design process and research findings. Research NAVER LABS Europe's recent publications and projects.

• Company Research: Familiarize yourself with NAVER LABS Europe's mission, research areas, and recent publications to demonstrate genuine interest and understanding of their work.

⚠️ 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.

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