Remote Surface Pattern Design Jobs in Novi, MI (NOW HIRING)

Job Description

Design Manager, System Utilities

This role is categorized as hybrid. This means the successful candidate is expected to report to Warren, MI or Sunnyvale, CA, three times per week, at minimum.

The Role

GM'sHuman Interface Design - Vehicle Studiois hiring aDesign Manager, System Utilitiesto define the core building blocks of our in-vehicle operating system. In this role, you will lead a team focused on foundational system utilities-such as connectivity, profiles, settings, controls, and keyboards-that underpin every experience in the vehicle. You'll work closely with software, engineering, and product partners to deliver intuitive, coherent, and robust system experiences that feel effortless to use. Join us to shape the everyday interactions that drivers rely on across millions of vehicles.

What You'll Do

• Lead, mentor, and grow a team of designers responsible forsystem utilities and OS-level frameworks, supporting both project delivery and career development.

• Own the design vision and execution forconnections, accounts and profiles, settings, controls, notifications, and virtual keyboardsacross GM brands and platforms.

• Definesystem patterns, information architecture, and interaction modelsthat make complex configuration and control tasks simple and predictable.

• Collaborate with product managers, software engineers, and platform teams to translate requirements intoscalable, reusable design solutions.

• Oversee the full design lifecycle-from problem framing and flows through wireframes, prototypes, and pixel-perfect specifications-ensuring usability and consistency.

• Build and maintaindesign guidelines, components, and documentationthat enable teams across the organization to use system utilities correctly and consistently.

• Ensure adherence to brand guidelines while deliveringcohesive, platform-level experiencesthat feel unified across surfaces and programs.

• Champion user-centered design by incorporating research insights, telemetry, and usability testing into design decisions.

• Stay current onOS design trends, connectivity, security, and privacy UXto keep GM's system utilities modern and trustworthy.

• Foster a collaborative, inclusive, and pragmatic team culture aligned with organizational goals.

Your Skills & Abilities (Required Qualifications)

Experience & Education

• 8+ years of experience designingdigital interfacesfor web, mobile, or embedded platforms, with significant work onsystem utilities or core application frameworks.

• Formal training or degree inInterface Design, Visual Design, Interaction Design, Human-Computer Interaction, or a related discipline.

• Strong portfolio demonstratingend-to-end UX, interaction patterns, and visual systemsfor settings, controls, or other foundational UI.

Design & Strategy Expertise

• Proven ability to driveplatform-level design strategiesthat align with business objectives while delivering clear, user-centered outcomes.

• Deep understanding of howsystem utilities support the broader product ecosystem, including dependencies and technical constraints.

• Ability to exerciserestraint and clarity in design, turning complex configuration into approachable, confidence-building experiences.

Process & Tools

• Demonstrated success in buildingdesign systems, component libraries, and documentationthat scale across multiple teams and products.

• Proficiency in design tools such asFigmaandAdobe Creative Suite, with familiarity inprototyping toolsfor flows and interactions.

Collaboration & Leadership

• Ability to partner withcross-functional teams(platform engineering, security, connectivity, product, research) to define and deliver cohesive system behaviors.

• Strong adaptability in navigatingchanging priorities, dependencies, and release schedules, while keeping the team focused and supported.

Core Skills

• Operational mindset with a focus onsystems thinking, detail orientation, and reliabilityin everyday user flows.

• Excellentvisual, verbal, and written communication skills, especially when aligning stakeholders around frameworks and patterns.

• Strongproblem-solving and organizational skills, with experience managing multiple workstreams across platforms or brands.

What Will Give You A Competitive Edge (Preferred Qualifications)

• Proven experience leading design teams of5+ designers, building healthy culture and raising the quality bar across a portfolio of products.

• 5+ years of experience in theautomotive or complex systemsdomain (e.g., OS design, connected devices, consumer electronics).

• Hands-on experience working inagile or lean environments, including sprint planning, backlog grooming, and iterative UX delivery.

• Strong understanding ofaccessibility and inclusive design, particularly for settings, text input, and control patterns.

• Proficiency inprototyping complex flows and system behaviors, with experience collaborating closely with software and/or hardware development teams.

Compensation:

• The expected base compensation for this role is: ($134,700-207,600). Actual base compensation within the identified range will vary based on factors relevant to the position.

• Bonus Potential: An incentive pay program offers payouts based on company performance, job level, and individual performance.

• Benefits: GM offers a variety of health and wellbeing benefit programs. Benefit options include medical, dental, vision, Health Savings Account, Flexible Spending Accounts, retirement savings plan, sickness and accident benefits, life insurance, paid vacation & holidays, tuition assistance programs, employee assistance program, GM vehicle discounts and more.

GM does not provide immigration-related sponsorship for this role. Do not apply for this role if you will need GM immigration sponsorship now or in the future. This includes direct company sponsorship, entry of GM as the immigration employer of record on a government form, and any work authorization requiring a written submission or other immigration support from the company (e.g., H1-B, OPT, STEM OPT, CPT, TN, J-1, etc). This role is categorized as hybrid. This means the selected candidate is expected to report to a specific location at least 3 times a week {or other frequency dictated by their manager}. This job may be eligible for relocation benefits.

About GM

Our vision is a world with Zero Crashes, Zero Emissions and Zero Congestion and we embrace the responsibility to lead the change that will make our world better, safer and more equitable for all.

Why Join Us

We believe we all must make a choice every day - individually and collectively - to drive meaningful change through our words, our deeds and our culture. Every day, we want every employee to feel they belong to one General Motors team.

Benefits Overview

From day one, we're looking out for your well-being-at work and at home-so you can focus on realizing your ambitions. Learn how GM supports a rewarding career that rewards you personally by visiting Total Rewards resources.

Non-Discrimination and Equal Employment Opportunities (U.S.)

General Motors is committed to being a workplace that is not only free of unlawful discrimination, but one that genuinely fosters inclusion and belonging. We strongly believe that providing an inclusive workplace creates an environment in which our employees can thrive and develop better products for our customers.

All employment decisions are made on a non-discriminatory basis without regard to sex, race, color, national origin, citizenship status, religion, age, disability, pregnancy or maternity status, sexual orientation, gender identity, status as a veteran or protected veteran, or any other similarly protected status in accordance with federal, state and local laws.

We encourage interested candidates to review the key responsibilities and qualifications for each role and apply for any positions that match their skills and capabilities. Applicants in the recruitment process may be required, where applicable, to successfully complete a role-related assessment(s) and/or a pre-employment screening prior to beginning employment. To learn more, visit How we Hire.

Accommodations

General Motors offers opportunities to all job seekers including individuals with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation to assist with your job search or application for employment, email us or call us at 1-800-865-7580. In your email, please include a description of the specific accommodation you are requesting as well as the job title and requisition number of the position for which you are applying.