Design Manager, System Utilities

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's Human Interface Design - Vehicle Studio is hiring a Design Manager, System Utilities to 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 for system utilities and OS-level frameworks , supporting both project delivery and career development.
• Own the design vision and execution for connections, accounts and profiles, settings, controls, notifications, and virtual keyboards across GM brands and platforms.
• Define system patterns, information architecture, and interaction models that make complex configuration and control tasks simple and predictable.
• Collaborate with product managers, software engineers, and platform teams to translate requirements into scalable, 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 maintain design guidelines, components, and documentation that enable teams across the organization to use system utilities correctly and consistently.
• Ensure adherence to brand guidelines while delivering cohesive, platform-level experiences that feel unified across surfaces and programs.
• Champion user-centered design by incorporating research insights, telemetry, and usability testing into design decisions.
• Stay current on OS design trends, connectivity, security, and privacy UX to 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 designing digital interfaces for web, mobile, or embedded platforms, with significant work on system utilities or core application frameworks .
• Formal training or degree in Interface Design, Visual Design, Interaction Design, Human-Computer Interaction , or a related discipline.
• Strong portfolio demonstrating end-to-end UX, interaction patterns, and visual systems for settings, controls, or other foundational UI.

Design & Strategy Expertise

• Proven ability to drive platform-level design strategies that align with business objectives while delivering clear, user-centered outcomes.
• Deep understanding of how system utilities support the broader product ecosystem , including dependencies and technical constraints.
• Ability to exercise restraint and clarity in design , turning complex configuration into approachable, confidence-building experiences.

Process & Tools

• Demonstrated success in building design systems, component libraries, and documentation that scale across multiple teams and products.
• Proficiency in design tools such as Figma and Adobe Creative Suite , with familiarity in prototyping tools for flows and interactions.

Collaboration & Leadership

• Ability to partner with cross-functional teams (platform engineering, security, connectivity, product, research) to define and deliver cohesive system behaviors.
• Strong adaptability in navigating changing priorities, dependencies, and release schedules , while keeping the team focused and supported.

Core Skills

• Operational mindset with a focus on systems thinking, detail orientation, and reliability in everyday user flows.
• Excellent visual, verbal, and written communication skills , especially when aligning stakeholders around frameworks and patterns.
• Strong problem-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 of 5+ designers , building healthy culture and raising the quality bar across a portfolio of products.
• 5+ years of experience in the automotive or complex systems domain (e.g., OS design, connected devices, consumer electronics).
• Hands-on experience working in agile or lean environments , including sprint planning, backlog grooming, and iterative UX delivery.
• Strong understanding of accessibility and inclusive design , particularly for settings, text input, and control patterns.
• Proficiency in prototyping 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
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