User Insight Specialist

Hyundai America Technical Center, Inc.; Irvine (CA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 155,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Zero-dollar employee premiums on medical, dental, and vision

100% employer-paid disability and life insurance

Generous paid time off including holidays

Retirement savings benefits

Job summary

Hyundai America Technical Center, Inc. is seeking a User Insight Specialist to lead UX research for vehicle software development. This role involves overseeing UX research activities in the North American market, applying design principles to enhance user experiences for Hyundai, Kia, and Genesis vehicles.

The ideal candidate will have a Master’s degree in HCI or related fields, with at least 5 years of professional UX research experience in the automotive sector. Hyundai offers competitive salaries ranging from $90,000 to $155,000 along with comprehensive benefits.

Qualifications

• 3+ years of experience in the automotive industry.
• 5+ years of professional experience in UX research.
• Strong understanding of advanced research practices.

Responsibilities

• Plan and conduct user research activities.
• Analyze user data to identify usability issues.
• Document research findings and recommendations.

Skills

Analytical skills

User research methods

UX design principles

Communication skills

Project management

Education

Master's degree in HCI or equivalent

Job description

User Insight Specialist

Hyundai America Technical Center, Inc. (HATCI) is looking for an experienced UX design researcher to join the UX Studio Team of Vehicle Software.

The Position

The User Insight Specialist will support advanced vehicle feature/platform development efforts for the Northern American (NA) market by overseeing UX research activities, including identifying success metrics, collecting stakeholder/SME feedback, conducting user testing, performing requirement analysis, tracking issue reports, and drawing insights from user data to improve the UX concerning the next generation of Hyundai, Kia, and Genesis vehicles. The role also involves leading regular UX sprint events with a cross‑functional consortium of SMEs in Hyundai Motor Group, defining sprint goals, breaking down UX‑related issues, refining discussion scopes, curating methods and instruments for evaluative research, collecting and analyzing data from internal and external tests, deriving requirements, documenting and communicating findings with stakeholders. The specialist will apply UX design principles and data visualization theories to link marketing, engineering/technology, and social/human science in a fast‑paced agile environment for electric vehicles, autonomous driving, and innovative transportation solutions.

What You Will Do

• Plan user research based on a solid understanding of research methods
• Conduct diagnostic research to identify potential usability issues
• Conduct evaluative research with task analysis
• Monitor and collect user data for UX trend research via various sources
• Analyze user data to resolve UX design‑related issues
• Facilitate discussions with SMEs that contribute to design recommendations and improvements
• Utilize UX design insights and recommendations to develop interactive prototypes
• Test and validate the effectiveness of design revisions
• Document research reports with design requirements supported by user data
• Travel up to 25% of the time, both domestically and internationally

What You Will Bring to the Role

Basic Qualifications

• Master's degree in human‑computer interaction, marketing research, social science or an engineering‑related discipline
• Evidence of work or coursework on HCI/UX foundations, including a history of publication
• 3+ years of professional experience in the automotive industry, including academic work
• 5+ years of professional experience conducting UX research
• At least 3 research publications
• Familiarity with user research and consumer psychology methods
• Understanding of UX research processes and design principles
• Strong analytical skills, including the ability to collect, analyze, and interpret complex data sets
• Sound understanding of advanced research practices and best cases for future products
• Ability to explain technical topics to both technical and non‑technical stakeholders
• Excellent time management, self‑management, and organization skills
• Strong written, oral, and interpersonal skills

Preferred Qualifications

• Doctoral degree in human‑computer interaction, marketing research, social science or an engineering‑related discipline
• Publication history in automotive UI

What Hyundai Can Offer You

• Zero‑dollar employee premiums on medical, dental, and vision for you and your family
• 100% employer‑paid disability and life insurance
• Generous paid time off, including vacation, sick, and abundant holidays
• Competitive salaries – range: $90,000 to $155,000 per year
• A global environment that fosters diversity
• Retirement savings and planning benefits
• Access to health savings accounts and flexible spending accounts
• Flexible work hours

Other Details

Candidates applying for positions with Hyundai KIA must be legally authorized to work in the United States. Verification of employment eligibility will be required at the time of hire.

HATCI is an Equal Opportunity Employer including Disabled and Veteran. VEVRAA Federal contractor.