Design Strategist

We are seeking an Experience Design Strategist to join a leading global automotive company in Torrance, CA. This role will develop innovative brand, product, and digital experience strategies that strengthen market competitiveness and create meaningful connections with next-generation customers. The ideal candidate brings a blend of strategic thinking, research, storytelling, and visualization skills to identify emerging mobility opportunities and help shape future vehicle and customer experiences through cross-functional collaboration with Product Planning, Engineering, UX, and Design teams. Responsibilities - Advanced Research & Storytelling Lead advanced research initiatives focused on emerging user values, future mobility behaviors, technologies, and market trends Conduct both qualitative and quantitative market and customer research using methodologies such as segmentation studies, surveys, focus groups, ethnography, and auto clinics Analyze and synthesize complex data into compelling, actionable, and story-driven strategic insights Translate trends, market shifts, and consumer behaviors into future mobility concepts and business implications Utilize AI tools and data visualization techniques to support strategic research and concept development Develop presentations and visual storytelling materials for executive and stakeholder reviews Experience Strategy & Concept Development Create innovative experience strategies that enhance future vehicle and mobility competitiveness Support future product and lineup concept development initiatives Identify opportunities across physical, digital, software-driven, and ambient customer experiences Collaborate with Product Planners, Engineers, UX teams, and Interior/Exterior/CMF Designers to integrate holistic experience solutions into future product concepts Help shape future Honda and Acura customer experiences through strategic mobility concepts Support strategy development that may influence future lineup proposals Translate customer insights into tangible design and business recommendations Concept Visualization & Prototyping Visualize strategic concepts using advanced design and visualization tools Develop dynamic presentations and experiential content through

XR/VR/AR, 2D/3D

animation, motion graphics, and video creation Partner with Prototype and Visualization teams to bring strategic concepts into physical and digital prototype experiences Support rapid ideation, proof-of-concept development, and concept communication in collaborative workshop environments Qualifications 2-5 years of hands-on experience leading strategic brand, product, customer experience, or innovation initiatives 2+ years of experience in areas such as: Market Research, Strategic Planning, Brand Consulting, Product Planning, UX Research, Innovation Strategy, or Future Mobility Research BA/BS degree in UX Design, Industrial Design, Transportation Design, Social Science, Business Administration, Engineering, or related field preferred Equivalent professional experience may be considered in lieu of degree Experience working in agile, fast-paced, and highly collaborative environments Strong understanding of qualitative and quantitative research methodologies Required Skills Strong ability to connect business, technology, and customer experience strategy Ability to synthesize large concepts into actionable business implications Curious, insightful, and future-focused mindset Comfortable working across strategy, technology, and creative disciplines Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, particularly PowerPoint, Excel, Word, Teams, and Outlook Strong visual storytelling and presentation development skills required Experience with design and visualization software including: Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator), Figma, Blender Familiarity with AI-powered creative and productivity tools including: Midjourney, ChatGPT / Copilot, Sora, Runway AI Experience with analytics and research tools such as: Tableau, Power BI, Qualtrics, SurveyMonkey Experience with collaborative ideation platforms including: Miro, Mural, FigJam Preferred Qualifications Automotive industry experience preferred Experience developing future mobility or transportation concepts Familiarity with digital experience ecosystems, connected products, and emerging mobility technologies Strong communication, facilitation, and stakeholder engagement skills Ability to transform complex insights into compelling strategic narratives and customer-centric solutions Backgrounds in product strategy, UX strategy, software/product strategy, industrial design, or innovation strategy strongly considered