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Position Overview
The Design Director I is responsible for leading the Gentex Design Studio team and participating in the shaping of the overall creative vision of Gentex products. They will work cross functionally within the Product Team to support product design projects, ensure brand consistency, and collaborate to deliver exceptional products and experiences.
What You’ll Do
- Develop and articulate the product design vision and strategy aligned with Gentex’s Product Team goals.
- Work cross functionally within the Product Team to support the design process from concept to prototype, ensuring that all designs are feasible, innovative, and align with brand standards.
- Inspire and mentor the design team, fostering a culture of creativity and collaboration.
- Work closely with the Product Team, Marketing, and developers to create cohesive and user-centered designs.
- Act as a liaison between the design team and other departments to ensure alignment with design initiatives, market needs and business objectives.
- Work with the Product Line Management team to present design concepts and strategies to stakeholders, including executive leadership, ensuring alignment and buy-in.
- Ensure brand guidelines are consistently applied across all design outputs.
- Innovate and evolve the brand identity in response to market trends and consumer feedback.
- Stay up to date with industry trends, emerging technologies, and best practices in design.
- Conduct user research and usability testing to inform design decisions.
- Collaborate with engineering teams to ensure design integrity and manufacturability.
- Oversee the design budget, allocating resources effectively to meet project goals.
- Other duties as assigned.
How You’ll Do It
- Project management - Applying knowledge, skills, tools, and techniques to manage and meet project requirements.
- Situational adaptability - Ability to work with evolving systems, processes and structures, demonstrating the flexibility to adapt to changing environments, requirements and regulations.
- Managing effective teams - Building strong-identity teams that apply their diverse skills and perspectives to achieve common goals.
- Mentoring and coaching - Providing timely guidance and feedback (both positive and constructive) to help others recognize strengths and development opportunities. Inviting tough conversations.
- Maintaining a high level of honesty, integrity, and confidentiality with respect to company matters.
- Complying with all Company policies and procedures, safety regulations, company safety policies and safely perform all duties, including but not limited to, promoting a safe workplace.
What To Bring
- Bachelor’s degree in Graphic Design, Industrial Design, or a related field.
- 8+ years of experience in design and/or UI/UX product design.
- 5+ years of experience leading a team.
- Proficiency in design software, including, but not limited to Adobe Creative Suite, Sketch, and Figma.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite.
- Excellent understanding of design principles, typography, color theory, and layout.
- Ability to travel internationally.
What Will Help
- Master’s degree in in Graphic Design, Industrial Design, or a related field.
- 10+ years of experience in design.
- 10+ years of experience leading a team.
- 5+ years of project management experience.
- In-depth knowledge of the latest UI/UX trends, techniques, and technologies.
- Background working through iterative product design cycles.
- Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, rapidly changing, high-growth environment.
- Experience in automotive, aerospace, medical, and consumer products industries.
- Experience leading a global team.
Gentex is an equal opportunity employer
Gentex extends equal employment opportunities to qualified applicants and employees regardless of an individual’s race, color, religion, national origin, age, sex (including pregnancy, gender identity, and sexual orientation), disability, marital status, military service, height, weight, genetic information, or any other reason protected by law.
Assistance
Gentex is committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities. For accommodation requests, email us at recruiting@gentex.com. Gentex will not discriminate against any qualified individual who can perform the essential functions of the job with or without a reasonable accommodation.
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