HCD Research Designer

Human Center Design Research

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, we’re all a part of something bigger than ourselves. Are you ready to change the way the world moves?

Join us in shaping the future of Ford Motor Company, as part of a global organization with exceptional colleagues in world-class facilities. As part of Ford Design, you’ll be at the cutting edge of Ford’s most strategically critical work, designing people and society’s needs into the heart of our next generation of products, services, and experiences.

In this position...

The Human-Centered Design (HCD) team empowers and improves the lives of people through thoughtful, empathetic, and innovative vehicle design solutions. We are looking for a pragmatic, hands-on and collaborative Design Researcher that can work seamlessly across disciplines with a persistent desire to learn and understand the unknown.

What you'll do...

As a Designer Researcher in HCD, you'll be responsible for ensuring the human is at the center of our products through your expertise in research methods, design thinking, and anthropology. You will design and conduct research activities that help identify key opportunity areas, evaluate concepts, and refine solutions. You will represent the voice of the customer in the design process by translating users’ values, needs and motivations into meaningful insights that inform our most iconic products and brands.

This role requires:

• Proficiency in a variety of qualitative research methods including 1:1 interviews, group interviews, diary studies, desirability studies, and usability testing

• Familiarity with human-centered design methods

• Strong storytelling, facilitation, and organizational skills

Job Responsibilities

• Translate project goals and learning objectives into appropriate research plans and strategies.
• Partner with Experience and Product Designers to create research stimuli to deeply understand user needs, uncover possibilities, and test assumptions.
• Conduct generative research, both primary and secondary, to identify and explore opportunity areas.
• Conduct evaluative research to refine design solutions and test new products/services in pilot programs.
• Lead the generation of insights and the identification of hidden opportunities.
• Champion the voice of customers and users within project teams and executive stakeholders through collaboration and documentation.
• Ensure experience designs are connected to customer and user insights.

You'll have...

• Bachelor’s degree or master’s degree in a relevant discipline (e.g. Design Research, Behavioral Science, Human Factors, Anthropology, Psychology etc.)
• Minimum 3 years of work experience with a master’s degree or 5 years of work experience with a bachelor’s degree

You may not check every box, or your experience may look a little different from what we've 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 builder…or 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 Year’s Day

• Paid time off and the option to purchase additional vacation time.

For a detailed look at our benefits, click here:

https://fordcareers.co/GSRnon-HTHD

This position is a salary grade 7.

Visa 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 committed to a culturally diverse workforce. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for