We are CARIAD, an automotive software development team with the Volkswagen Group. Our mission is to make the automotive experience safer, more sustainable, more comfortable, more digital, and more fun. To achieve that we are building the leading tech stack for the automotive industry and creating a unified software platform for over 10 million new vehicles per year. We’re looking for talented, digital minds like you to help us create code that moves the world. Together with you, we’ll build outstanding digital experiences and products for all Volkswagen Group brands that will transform mobility. Join us as we shape the future of the car and everyone around it.
Role Summary:
In this role, you will lead a multi-disciplinary design function that is responsible for creating reference applications across entertainment, communications, productivity, gaming and in-vehicle commerce. You must be capable of managing ambiguity, change and uncertainty, while focusing on the information at hand to make informed and timely decisions. You will be expected to mentor and coach cross-functional team members on the quality and execution of their work with respect to UX Design. You will approach initiatives with a “can-do” mindset and be willing to jump into any aspect of work to help the department achieve results.
Role Responsibilities:
Hands-On Design Duties:
- Design user experience for entertainment, communications, productivity, gaming and in-vehicle commerce across the in-vehicle and mobile environments.
- Present and communicate end-to-end designs across departments and stakeholders.
- Work directly with software and hardware engineers to bring the design to life and address feedback from peers and other stakeholders.
- Make improvements to the design destined for over-the-air updates.
- Drive software prototypes in test vehicles and provide feedback to the design and engineering teams
- Improving workflow processes and deploying thoughtful best practices
- Remain flexible to changing priorities, open to new ideas and have the customer experience firmly as the focus
Design direction and team leadership:
- Lead UX Design for your area responsibility- entertainment, communications, productivity, gaming and in-vehicle commerce.
- Plan and facilitate problem identification and solutioning workshops and champion design thinking sessions with cross-functional teams and senior leadership to validate user needs and define proposed experiences.
- Set-up design reviews with the VP of Design and get the team’s work reviewed and provide additional direction to your team.
- Use market research, user feedback, usage and competitive analysis to identify unmet market needs
- Work with VW Group partners to demonstrate the design and functionality.
- Provide design mentorship to designers on your team.
- Participate in hiring talent for department
- Participate in capacity and resource planning
- Participate in budget and finances planning, as needed
General Skills:
- Effectively work across multiple business units, matrixed environments in influencing and establishing agile vision, standards and policies, coordinating the delivery of multiple projects.
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including the ability to explain design concepts and technologies to business leaders, and cross brand stakeholders.
- Strong influential capabilities and negotiation skills.
- Ability to analyze and think quickly and to resolve conflict.
- Ability to adapt to a changing environment.
- Self-motivation and ability to stay focused amid distraction.
- Ability to work in fast-paced environments and adapt quickly.
Required Specialized Skills:
- High proficiency in presenting and selling designs to leadership and stakeholders.
- Proven track record of delivering a wide range of UX, UI, and research experiences at scale and clearly articulating your impact through data and storytelling.
- Deep knowledge of UX practices within Agile software development process, including UX ideation, design techniques, and incorporating user research and evaluative testing.
- High proficiency in design tools such as Figma and Adobe Creative Suite, and prototyping tools like Protopie.
- High proficiency in presenting and selling designs to leadership and stakeholders.
- Experience with successful Agile techniques.
- Deep understanding of current and emerging processes and technologies and how other enterprises are employing them to drive business to be agile and transparent.
- Track record managing multiple, complex projects with plans that account for priorities, interdependencies, risks, and backup plans.
Desired Skills:
- Previous experience mentoring designers.
- Experience designing audio/video applications.
- Experience designing communicationsapplications such as messaging, email, calendar or social media.
- Experience designing for ecommerce.
- Experience in automotive user experience design.
Workplace Flexibility:
- Some travel required – domestically and internationally (estimated as trip once per quarter on average).
- 4 days in-office working design team, engineering and specialized vehicle hardware/custom screens. 1 day per week work from home if desired.
Years of Relevant Experience:
- 8+ years of experience in UX Design
Required Education:
- Bachelor's degree in design related field
- Strong portfolio showcasing past design work
Desired Education:
- Master’s degree in design
Compensation
Salary range is dependent on factors such as geographical differentials, credentials or certifications, industry-based experience, qualification and training. In the city of Mountain View, California, the salary range for this position is $136,300 - 208,000.
CARIAD, Inc. provides performance based merits and annual bonus along with a competitive benefits package. Benefits include medical, dental, vision, 401k with employer match and defined contribution plan, short and long term disability, basic life and AD&D insurance, employee assistance program, tuition reimbursement and student loan repayment plans, maternity and non-primary caregiver leave, adoption assistance, employee referral program and vacation and paid holidays. We also offer a unique vehicle lease program that covers registration and insurance fees.
CARIAD is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We welcome and encourage applicants from all backgrounds, and do not discriminate based on race, sex, age, disability, sexual orientation, national origin, religion, color, gender identity/expression, marital status, veteran status, or any other characteristics protected by applicable laws.
