Staff 3D/Interaction Designer

At Toyota Research Institute (TRI), we’re on a mission to improve the quality of human life. We’re developing new tools and capabilities to amplify the human experience. To lead this transformative shift in mobility, we’ve built a world-class team in Human-Centered AI, Human Interactive Driving, Energy and Materials, Machine Learning, and Robotics.

The Human Interactive Driving team seeks to accelerate the path to building a much more intelligent vehicle that places humans at the center of a more evocative and safer driving experience. Under the Driving-Sensei concept, we research AI-based interactions to unlock a person’s full driving capability while simultaneously making driving safer and more enjoyable.

The Human Machine Interaction Research (HMIR) team in the HID division will develop a multimodal user experience (UX) for Driving Sensei. The UX will include an in-car mounted touchscreen tablet, audio cues, dashboard display, VR headset, and verbal dialog with an LLM. We are looking for a Staff Interaction Designer who will lead the conceptualization and delivery of a holistic experience among all modalities.

• Ownership and delivery of the complete interaction design process including storyboards, wireframes, flow diagrams, and mockups
• Work with management partners to incorporate business needs into proposed designs
• Work closely with HMI researchers to prototype interactions and 2D and 3D assets needed for user studies
• Work closely with HMI researchers to understand the results of past HMI prototypes to inform the design space constraints and technical feasibility
• Work with software and hardware developers to provide specifications for implementation
• Develop and use a design language to ensure consistency among all modalities and features throughout the user journey
• Lead an external design agency to deliver final high-fidelity visuals
• Work with UX researchers to test the usability and acceptance of interactions and iterate designs
• Develop acceptance testing criteria to ensure that implemented features match original design intent
• Scout, conceptualize, and develop new interaction technology and concepts

• BA/BS Degree in Design, HCI, HMI, or a related field
• 9+ years of professional experience in design in R&D and/or production
• Strong technical background and solid knowledge of novel interaction technology
• Proven track record to work both independently and with a diverse team including designers, researchers, engineers, and managers
• Experience co-designing and co-developing complex systems with Engineers and experts of other disciplines
• Skilled at using industry standard design and documentation tools, depending on design subspecialty (e.g., Figma, Maya, Unity, etc.)
• Portfolio that highlights multiple projects of usable interfaces and interactions
• Ability to communicate complex concepts clearly across different audiences
• Have a high level of initiative and self-motivation, work without direct supervision
• Ability to complete tasks within given time constraints
• Very strong attention to details in thinking, implementation, and documentation

• 5+ years of experience working on HMI design for autonomous and semi autonomous systems and machines
• Working knowledge of Unreal Engine and driving simulator technology

The pay range for this position at commencement of employment is expected to be between $202,400 and $303,600/year for California-based roles; however, base pay offered may vary depending on multiple individualized factors, including market location, job-related knowledge, skills, and experience. Note that TRI offers a generous benefits package (including 401(k) eligibility and various paid time off benefits, such as vacation, sick time, and parental leave) and an annual cash bonus structure. Details of participation in these benefit plans will be provided if an employee receives an offer of employment.

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