UX/UI Product Designer

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: UX/UI Product Designer

Company: Daimler Truck AG

Location: Portland, OR, United States

Job Type: FULL_TIME

Category: Product Design / UX/UI Design

Date Posted: 2026-06-01

Experience Level: 0-2 Years (Junior)

Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• Design impactful in-cabin digital experiences for professional drivers across leading commercial vehicle brands.

• Execute high-quality UI craft, including typography, color, layout, and motion, for production vehicles and future HMI concepts.

• Develop pixel-perfect design specifications, assets, and reusable components for a global design system.

• Collaborate cross-functionally with engineering, product strategy, and truck technology teams to translate user needs and brand intent into cohesive UX/UI solutions.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is positioned as a Junior UX/UI Product Designer, indicated by the 0-2 years of experience requirement and the emphasis on "real production vehicles and next-generation HMI concepts from day one." The role requires hands-on design execution, implying a focus on detailed UI craft and implementation-ready deliverables rather than high-level strategy. The mention of "owning design execution for defined features" suggests a need for strong self-management and a proactive approach to driving design projects forward within a structured environment.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Design and craft high-quality in-vehicle user interfaces (UIs) for global brands, focusing on typography, color, layout, and motion.

• Deliver pixel-perfect, implementation-ready specifications, assets, and reusable components aligned with the global design system.

• Build high-fidelity prototypes to effectively communicate visual design, motion intent, and interaction flows.

• Craft glance-based interfaces with clear visual hierarchy and intuitive system feedback for professional drivers.

• Translate product requirements, user needs, and brand guidelines into cohesive UX/UI solutions grounded in research and system constraints.

• Apply user research insights and system constraints to inform and validate design decisions within practical automotive contexts.

• Collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams, including engineering, product strategy, and truck technology, across a global footprint.

• Clearly articulate design rationale, proactively share work for feedback, and iterate based on constructive input.

• Own and manage specific workstreams from initial concept through to final handoff with a degree of autonomy.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities emphasize a blend of design execution and collaborative problem-solving. The focus on "pixel-perfect, implementation-ready specs" and "reusable components" highlights the importance of detailed design documentation and contribution to a design system, which are critical for scalable product development in a large organization like Daimler Truck AG. The need to "apply research insights and system constraints" points to a practical and grounded approach to design, balancing user needs with technical feasibility.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: Bachelor’s degree in UX, Interaction Design, Product Design, Industrial Design, or a related field.

Experience: 0-2 years of experience in UX/UI or product design, including internship experience.

Required Skills:

• Demonstrated academic focus or hands-on experience in automotive UX/UI, Human-Machine Interface (HMI), or in-vehicle digital systems.

• Mandatory: A strong portfolio showcasing visual design, interaction design, problem-solving skills, and clear individual ownership of design work.

• Excellent visual design fundamentals, including proficiency in typography, color theory, layout principles, and motion design.

• Proficiency in design and prototyping tools: Figma and Adobe Creative Suite (e.g., Photoshop, Illustrator).

• Proficiency in 3D modeling and rendering software for conceptualizing and visualizing UI elements within vehicle contexts.

• Ability to create effective prototypes and clearly communicate design decisions to technical and non-technical stakeholders.

• Strong systems thinking capabilities, with the ability to design coherently across various features, states, and user flows.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience with automotive HMI systems, including cluster displays, infotainment systems, Head-Up Displays (HUDs), and embedded systems.

• Familiarity with specialized automotive HMI/prototyping tools such as Kanzi, Unreal Engine, Unity, or ProtoPie.

• Exposure to Augmented Reality (AR), Virtual Reality (VR), or spatial interface design.

• Experience integrating AI tools or methodologies into design workflows.

📝 Enhancement Note: The requirement for a "strong portfolio demonstrating strong visual design, interaction design, and problem-solving, with clear ownership of work" is paramount. For junior candidates, this means showcasing academic projects, personal projects, or internship work that clearly illustrates their design process, problem-solving approach, and ability to deliver polished UI outputs. Emphasis on automotive-specific experience or academic focus is a significant differentiator. The preferred skills, particularly in specialized automotive HMI tools, indicate a desire for candidates who can hit the ground running with industry-standard software.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Showcase a minimum of 1-2 detailed case studies demonstrating end-to-end UX/UI design process for digital products, ideally with an automotive or complex system focus.

• Clearly articulate the problem statement, user research conducted, design challenges, iterative design process, and final solutions.

• Highlight specific contributions to visual design, interaction design, and prototyping within each case study.

• Include evidence of system thinking, such as designing across multiple screens, states, or user flows.

Process Documentation:

• For each case study, outline the user research methodologies employed (e.g., user interviews, surveys, competitive analysis) and how insights informed design decisions.

• Detail the iterative design process, including wireframing, prototyping, user testing, and design refinement stages.

• Provide examples of how design specifications and assets were prepared for handoff to engineering teams, emphasizing clarity and implementation readiness.

• Showcase the creation of design system components or adherence to existing design system principles, if applicable.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a junior role, the portfolio should emphasize the candidate's process and potential rather than solely focusing on shipped products. The emphasis is on demonstrating a structured approach to design problems, a keen eye for visual and interaction detail, and the ability to communicate complex ideas effectively. The inclusion of 3D modeling and rendering skills suggests that visualizations of UI in a vehicle context might be a valuable addition to their portfolio.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $71,000 - $91,000 USD per year

Benefits:

• Annual Bonus Program

• 401k company contribution with company match up to 6%, plus a non-elective company contribution of 3-7% (depending on age)

• Generous Paid Time Off: Starting at 4 weeks of paid vacation and 13+ calendar holidays

• Comprehensive Paid Parental Leave: 8 weeks

• Employee Assistance Program

• Comprehensive healthcare plans and wellness programs

• Onsite fitness facilities (at select locations)

• Tuition assistance programs

• Volunteer paid time off

• Short-term and long-term disability insurance plans

Working Hours: Standard 40 hours per week, on-site.

📝 Enhancement Note: The provided salary range is competitive for a junior UX/UI Product Designer role in a major metropolitan area like Portland, OR, especially within a large, established corporation like Daimler Truck AG. The comprehensive benefits package reflects the company's commitment to employee well-being and long-term retention, offering significant value beyond base salary. The mention of "4 weeks paid vacation" is a strong benefit for a junior role.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Automotive Manufacturing, Heavy Truck Manufacturing, Technology & Mobility Solutions.

Company Size: Large Enterprise (Daimler Truck AG is a global leader with thousands of employees worldwide).

Founded: Daimler Truck AG was established as an independent company in December 2021, but its roots trace back to the pioneering work of Gottlieb Daimler and Karl Benz over a century ago.

Team Structure:

• The Design Center team is part of a high-performing, globally distributed design team.

• It operates with a culture built on trust and collaboration, emphasizing design quality and individual growth.

• Designers work within a structure that encourages pushing UI craft and shaping future mobility.

Methodology:

• Design decisions are grounded in real context, informed by user research insights and system constraints.

• Emphasis on delivering "real production vehicles and next-generation HMI concepts" suggests a practical, outcome-oriented approach.

• A global design system is utilized, requiring adherence to established standards and contribution to its evolution.

• The culture values "Respect, Tenacity, and Excellence," driving for high standards in design and execution.

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

📝 Enhancement Note: Daimler Truck AG's position as a leader in the commercial vehicle industry means this role operates within a highly structured, process-driven environment. The emphasis on a "global design system" indicates a need for designers who can work within established frameworks and contribute to scalable design solutions. The company's stated values of "Respect, Tenacity, and Excellence" suggest a demanding yet rewarding work environment where high performance is recognized.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: Junior UX/UI Product Designer. This level is characterized by a focus on executing design tasks under guidance, developing core design skills, and learning the company's specific processes and systems. The role offers significant opportunities to contribute to real products from the outset.

Reporting Structure: The designer will report into a Design Center lead or manager, likely within a larger product development or technology organization. They will work closely with Product Managers, Engineering Leads, and potentially other specialized designers (e.g., UX Researchers, Interaction Designers).

Operations Impact: The work directly impacts the user experience of millions of professional drivers, influencing vehicle usability, efficiency, and safety. By contributing to the digital interfaces within these vehicles, the designer plays a crucial role in enhancing driver productivity and satisfaction, which are critical for the logistics and transportation industries.

Growth Opportunities:

• Skill Advancement: Deepen expertise in automotive HMI design, advanced prototyping, and the company's global design system. Opportunities to learn specialized tools like Kanzi or Unreal Engine.

• Career Progression: Potential to advance to Mid-Level UX/UI Product Designer, Senior Designer, or specialize in areas like Interaction Design, UX Research, or Design Systems.

• Leadership Potential: Over time, opportunities to lead design workstreams, mentor junior designers, or contribute to design strategy development.

• Industry Exposure: Gain invaluable experience within a leading global automotive manufacturer, understanding the complexities of designing for commercial vehicles.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a junior role, the primary growth path will involve mastering the craft of UX/UI design within the automotive context and demonstrating the ability to take ownership of design tasks. The emphasis on practical application and contribution to production vehicles suggests that hands-on experience and a strong portfolio will be key drivers for career advancement within Daimler Truck AG.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: On-site at the Portland Corp HQ - DTNA. This suggests a corporate office environment designed for collaboration.

Office Location(s): Portland, Oregon, USA.

Workspace Context:

• The role is based on-site, fostering direct collaboration with local and global teams.

• Expect a professional corporate setting with access to design studios, meeting rooms, and potentially collaborative work zones.

• The environment supports hands-on work with design tools and potentially hardware prototypes.

• The team culture supports "Respect, Tenacity, and Excellence," indicating a drive for high-quality work and professional development.

Work Schedule: Standard 40 hours per week, on-site. While the role is on-site, the nature of design work might allow for some flexibility in daily task management, but adherence to core working hours and team presence is expected.

📝 Enhancement Note: The on-site requirement in Portland, OR, emphasizes the importance of in-person collaboration, team cohesion, and direct engagement with colleagues. For a junior designer, this physical presence is crucial for mentorship, learning by observation, and integrating into the team's workflow and culture.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: Review of resume and mandatory portfolio to assess fundamental design skills and alignment with automotive UX/UI requirements.

• Portfolio Presentation: Candidates will likely present their portfolio, detailing 1-2 key case studies. Expect questions about their design process, problem-solving approach, rationale behind design decisions, and individual contributions.

• Technical/Skills Assessment: Potential for a design exercise or whiteboard challenge focused on UI design principles, problem-solving within constraints, or visual design fundamentals.

• Cross-functional Interviews: Discussions with product managers, engineers, or other stakeholders to assess collaboration skills, communication clarity, and understanding of technical constraints.

• Cultural Fit Interview: Assessment of alignment with Daimler Truck AG's values (Respect, Tenacity, Excellence) and the design team's collaborative approach.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select 2-3 of your strongest projects that best showcase your visual design, interaction design, and problem-solving skills. Prioritize projects with clear ownership and a demonstrated process.

• Automotive Focus: If possible, include a project with an automotive, HMI, or complex system design focus. If not, clearly articulate how your transferable skills apply.

• Process Over Polish: While polished visuals are important, clearly explain your design process: problem definition, research, ideation, iteration, and final solution. Use annotations to highlight key decisions.

• Quantify Impact: Wherever possible, mention the impact or outcome of your design decisions (e.g., "This interaction improved task completion time by X% in user testing").

• Visual Storytelling: Use high-quality mockups, prototypes, and clear annotations to tell the story of each project. Ensure a clean, organized layout for your portfolio.

Challenge Preparation:

• Design Fundamentals: Brush up on core UI principles (typography, color, layout, hierarchy, motion) and UX principles.

• Problem-Solving: Practice breaking down ambiguous problems into actionable design steps. Be ready to think aloud and articulate your thought process.

• Tool Proficiency: Be prepared to discuss your experience with Figma and Adobe Creative Suite. If you have experience with automotive HMI tools, highlight it.

• Company Research: Understand Daimler Truck AG's mission, brands (Freightliner, Western Star), and the importance of HMI in commercial vehicles.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on a "portfolio demonstrating strong visual design, interaction design, and problem-solving, with clear ownership of work" means candidates must be ready to deeply discuss their contributions and design rationale. For a junior role, demonstrating a solid understanding of design fundamentals and a structured approach to problem-solving is often more critical than a long list of shipped products.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Figma: Essential for UI design, prototyping, and collaboration on design systems. Expect to create high-fidelity designs and interactive prototypes.

• Adobe Creative Suite: Includes Photoshop for image editing and asset creation, Illustrator for vector graphics.

• 3D Modeling & Rendering Software: Tools like Blender, 3ds Max, or similar for visualizing UI concepts within vehicle interiors.

Analytics & Reporting: While not directly a designer's primary tool, understanding how design impacts user behavior metrics will be important. Familiarity with analytics platforms is a plus.

CRM & Automation: Not directly applicable to this design role.

Specialized Tools (Preferred):

• Automotive HMI Tools: Kanzi, Unreal Engine, Unity for advanced HMI development and simulation.

• Prototyping Tools: ProtoPie for more complex interactions and animations.

📝 Enhancement Note: Proficiency in Figma is non-negotiable. The inclusion of 3D modeling and rendering, along with preferred automotive HMI tools, indicates a desire for designers who can create rich, contextually relevant visualizations and potentially bridge the gap between design and development in complex automotive systems. This goes beyond standard web/mobile UI design.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Respect: Valuing diverse perspectives and fostering a collaborative environment across global teams.

• Tenacity: Persistence in solving complex design challenges and driving projects to completion, especially within the demanding automotive sector.

• Excellence: A commitment to high-quality design craft, pixel-perfect execution, and continuous improvement in UI and HMI design.

• Impact: A focus on designing digital experiences that have a tangible positive effect on professional drivers and the efficiency of commercial transportation.

• Innovation: A drive to explore and implement next-generation HMI concepts and digital experiences for the future of mobility.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-functional Integration: Close collaboration with engineering, product strategy, and truck technology teams is fundamental. Designers must be able to communicate effectively with technical counterparts.

• Global Teamwork: Working with designers and stakeholders across different regions, requiring clear communication and an understanding of diverse market needs.

• Feedback-Driven Iteration: An open culture of sharing work early and often to gather feedback, leading to iterative improvements in design solutions.

📝 Enhancement Note: The company's stated values of "Respect, Tenacity, and Excellence" are likely embedded in daily team interactions. For a junior designer, demonstrating an eagerness to learn, a willingness to receive and act on feedback, and a proactive attitude towards problem-solving will be key to fitting into this culture.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Designing for a Demanding User Base: Creating intuitive and efficient interfaces for professional truck drivers who rely heavily on their vehicle's digital systems for safety and productivity.

• Navigating Complex System Constraints: Balancing user needs with the technical, regulatory, and hardware limitations inherent in automotive HMI development.

• Global Brand Consistency: Ensuring design quality and brand integrity across different vehicle models and global markets under various Daimler Truck brands.

• Rapid Technological Evolution: Keeping pace with advancements in automotive technology, HMI paradigms (e.g., AI integration, advanced displays), and design tools.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Specialized Training: Opportunities to learn and master automotive HMI design tools (Kanzi, Unreal Engine, etc.) and advanced prototyping techniques.

• Mentorship: Guidance from experienced designers within a dedicated Design Center, fostering growth in craft and automotive UX/UI expertise.

• Industry Exposure: Working on cutting-edge projects that define the future of commercial vehicle digital experiences.

• Design System Contribution: Gaining experience in building and maintaining a large-scale global design system.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges presented are inherent to the automotive industry and the specific role. A candidate's ability to articulate how they would approach these challenges, leveraging their foundational design skills and eagerness to learn, will be crucial. The growth opportunities highlight a structured path for skill development and career progression within a specialized field.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe your process for designing a new feature for an in-vehicle infotainment system. What are the key considerations?" (Focus on user needs, constraints, iteration, and collaboration).

• "How do you ensure your visual designs are intuitive and accessible for users who might only have a few seconds to glance at the screen?" (Discuss hierarchy, contrast, typography, and glanceability).

• "Walk us through a project in your portfolio where you had to balance user needs with technical limitations. What was the outcome?" (Demonstrate problem-solving and compromise).

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What interests you specifically about designing for the automotive industry, and for commercial vehicles in particular?" (Show genuine passion and understanding).

• "How do you handle constructive criticism or feedback on your designs?" (Emphasize openness, learning, and iteration).

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure: Begin with an overview of your most impactful project. Clearly state the problem, your role, the solution, and the outcome.

• Process First: Walk through your design process step-by-step for each case study, explaining your rationale behind key decisions.

• Visuals & Interaction: Showcase high-fidelity mockups and interactive prototypes. Explain the interaction design choices and their purpose.

• Ownership: Be prepared to clearly articulate your specific contributions if it was a team project.

• Conciseness: Stick to the most relevant details and be mindful of time. Practice your presentation to be clear and impactful.

📝 Enhancement Note: Candidates should prepare to discuss their design process in detail, emphasizing how they translate requirements into tangible UI solutions. A strong understanding of the unique challenges and opportunities in automotive HMI design will be a significant advantage. Practicing the portfolio presentation aloud is highly recommended.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this UX/UI Product Designer position:

• Submit your application through the provided Workday link.

• Portfolio Customization: Ensure your portfolio is up-to-date, clearly showcases your best work, and highlights relevant skills (visual design, interaction design, automotive UX/HMI if possible). Tailor the projects you present to align with the job description's emphasis on vehicle interiors and complex digital systems.

• Resume Optimization: Update your resume to highlight your education, relevant internship or project experience, proficiency in Figma and Adobe Creative Suite, and any experience with automotive design or 3D modeling. Use keywords from the job description.

• Interview Preparation: Practice articulating your design process, rationale, and problem-solving approach. Prepare to present your portfolio confidently and answer questions about your experience and interest in automotive design.

• Company Research: Familiarize yourself with Daimler Truck AG, its brands (Freightliner, Western Star), and the importance of human-machine interfaces in commercial vehicles. Understand their commitment to innovation and future mobility.

⚠️ 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.