Lead Designer/Design Technologist

We are the movers of the world and the makers of the future. We get up every day roll up our sleeves and build a better world -- together. At Ford were all a part of something bigger than ourselves. Are you ready to change the way the world moves

Digital Product Design (DPD) at Ford is committed to envisioning and creating simple thoughtful enjoyable and compelling product experiences that our customers need and love. We work in close partnership with product and engineering to deliver best-in-class interaction experiences that meet the needs of people today and in the future. Our team is comprised of a dynamic group of product designers researchers visual designers industrial designers modelers and project managers.

In this position

Were looking for an inspiring Product Design Lead to help shape digital products and experiences across both our nextgeneration EV programs and our current product lineup supporting the entire organization with a special focus on the intersection of hardware and software. Youll join a small prototyping team focused on digital and physical interactions working most closely with designers prototypers and researchers.

Youll champion user-centered design principles elevate the craft of design within the team and foster a collaborative and innovative design culture. If youre passionate about building and leading high-performing teams setting design strategy and ensuring we consistently deliver beautiful intuitive and impactful experiences wed love to talk to you!

This role is located in Palo Alto CA or Dearborn MI with an in-office expectation of four days per week.

What youll do

• Lead high-impact design work: Own the design of key digital products and experiences from discovery through delivery including internal prototype tools and systems as well as customer-facing vehicle and app experiences that ship on the road and in the car. Apply user-centered design principles to create intuitive delightful and accessible interfaces.
• Inspire and guide designers: Support a small group of designers through informal mentorship and design direction. Help elevate the quality of the teams work through thoughtful critique and collaboration.
• Shape product direction: Work closely with cross-functional partners in product engineering research data and prototyping to define problem spaces explore solutions and contribute to product strategy.
• Champion craft and consistency: Push for design excellence at every stage. Help evolve our design system and ensure consistency across platforms and vehicle experiences with particular attention to seamless hardwaresoftware interactions.
• Collaborate across teams: Communicate clearly and proactively with stakeholders. Advocate for the user experience while balancing technical and business needs.
• Advocate for users: Participate in user research and testing to deeply understand customer needs and turn those insights into thoughtful impactful design solutions.

Youll have

• Bachelors degree or equivalent combination of relevant education and experience.
• 5 years of experience
• A strong portfolio of user-centered digital work across web mobile embedded or in-vehicle interfaces.
• Experience working closely with cross-functional product engineering research and prototyping teams in agile environments.
• Ability to lead end-to-end design efforts on complex projects from concept through execution.
• Passion for systems thinking and interaction design across digital and physical touchpoints with a focus on hardwaresoftware cohesion.
• Familiarity with design systems and component-based UI frameworks.
• Strong communication and storytelling skills with the ability to advocate for design with clarity and confidence.
• A collaborative mindset and a desire to mentor and inspire others around you.
• Familiarity with modern prototyping tools and workflows (for example InVision Studio Framer X ProtoPie or similar).
• Bonus skills: CAD or 3D modeling tools Arduino or similar microcontroller prototyping and basic programming understanding for interactive prototypes.

• Automotive background not required. We value diverse domain experience and welcome candidates from adjacent industries.

  Portfolio of work must be provided

You may not check every box or your experience may look a little different from what weve outlined but if you think you can bring value to Ford Motor Company we encourage you to apply!

As an established global company we offer the benefit of choice. You can choose what your Ford future will look like: will your story span the globe or keep you close to home Will your career be a deep dive into what you love or a series of new teams and new skills Will you be a leader a changemaker a technical expert a culture builderor all of the above No matter what you choose we offer a work life that works for you including:
Immediate medical dental vision and prescription drug coverage
Flexible family care days paid parental leave new parent ramp-up programs subsidized back-up child care and more
Family building benefits including adoption and surrogacy expense reimbursement fertility treatments and more
Vehicle discount program for employees and family members and management leases
Tuition assistance
Established and active employee resource groups
Paid time off for individual and team community service
A generous schedule of paid holidays including the week between Christmas and New Years Day
Paid time off and the option to purchase additional vacation time.

This position is a leadership level 6.

For more information on salary and benefits click here: sponsorship is not available for this position.

Candidates for positions with Ford Motor Company must be legally authorized to work in the United States. Verification of employment eligibility will be required at the time of hire.

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race religion color age sex national origin sexual orientation gender identity disability status or protected veteran the United States if you need a reasonable accommodation for the online application process due to a disability please call 1-.

Candidates who are in commuting distance to a Ford hub location may be required to be onsite four or more days per week. #LI-Hybrid #DPDJOB #LI-LS1