Technical Experience Designer
A Technical Experience Designer at Ford bridges creative design and technical execution for real-time digital experiences, owning day-to-day implementation of the 3D Digital Twin framework, resolving technical bottlenecks, and documenting pipeline standards. Core tech includes Unreal Engine/OpenGL, Maya, Blueprint, C++, Python, and Rive.
- Compensation
- $115K–$192.9K / yr
- Location
- Dearborn, MI, United States
- Work setup
- Hybrid
- Seniority
- Not specified
- Employment
- Not specified
- Experience
- 3+ years
- Category
- Design
- Posted
Skills
Must have
- Bachelor's or equivalent combination of relevant education and experience
- 3+ years of experience in technical design or real-time asset implementation, with exceptional problem-solving, troubleshooting, and debugging skills
- Proficiency in Unreal Engine/OpenGL and standard 3D DCC software (e.g., Maya) for technical art, asset preparation, and rigging workflows
- Comfortable using multiple rapid prototyping solutions to quickly iterate on hardware and software interactions
- Demonstrated ability to manage multiple concurrent workstreams and shift priorities across multiple active environments
- Solid foundation in version control, complex feature packaging, asset delivery tracking, and pipeline documentation
Nice to have
- Dual-minded designer adept at collaborating across creative, engineering, and product disciplines
- Deep proficiency in Blueprinting and procedural workflows
- Strong understanding of C++, Python, and general scripting to automate workflows, including building and maintaining custom engine plugins
- Experience with Rive or similar real-time animation tools for state machine logic and interactive motion design
- Integration of AI tools to drive pipeline efficiencies and scale high-quality output
Full description
We made history and now we work to transform the future – for our customers, our communities and our families. You'll see your work on the road every day, helping people move freely and pursue their dreams. At Ford, you can build more than vehicles. Come build what matters.
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 interactions 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...
The Technical Experience Designer acts as an essential bridge between creative design and technical execution within the core team. Joining as an immediate operational catalyst, this role seamlessly integrates into active workstreams to translate high-fidelity creative intent into reality. By absorbing technical implementation and pipeline logistics, the Technical Designer ensures high-velocity execution, reduces bandwidth strain on the team, and safeguards technical standards for our real-time digital experiences.
The ideal candidate will support the Core UX center of excellence within Digital Product Design, reporting directly to the 3D Design Manager.
This role is located in Dearborn, MI on a Hybrid work model in office 4 days/ week. Responsibilities:
- Creative Translation & Communication: Partner closely with creative leads and engineers to bring design intent to life, while effectively presenting technical strategies, prototypes, and pipeline updates to leadership.
- Technical Implementation: Own the day-to-day execution and system optimization for the core 3D Digital Twin framework, proactively resolving technical bottlenecks.
- Documentation & Standards: Author and maintain comprehensive technical implementation documentation, best practices, and pipeline guidelines to ensure team alignment.
- Workflow Enhancement: Drive technical workflow improvements around rapid prototyping, immersive storytelling, and overall team output.
- Behavioral & Cross-Platform Integration: Understand system behaviors to support cohesive feature design, adapting 3D asset pipelines for seamless deployment across in-vehicle and mobile ecosystems.
What you'll have...
- Bachelors or equivalent combination of relevant education and experience.
- 3+ years of experience in technical design or real-time asset implementation, with exceptional problem-solving, troubleshooting, and debugging skills.