Sr. Human Experience Engineer

Embedded in a worldwide network Mercedes-Benz Research & Development North America continuously strives to remain at the forefront of successful automotive research and development. MBRDNA is headquartered in Silicon Valley, California, with key areas of Autonomous Driving, Advanced Interaction Design, Digital User Experience, Machine Learning, Customer Research, and Open Innovation. In Farmington Hills, Michigan, the focus is on Powertrain and eDrive technology as well as in Long Beach, where the teams test durability of the latest driver assistant and telematic systems. The Digital Hub in Seattle focusses on developing a cloud architecture and building out the cloud platform for the next generation of connected car services. The Testing and Regulatory Affairs Division in Ann Arbor and the Advanced Vehicle Design in Carlsbad complete the competence center.

Mercedes-Benz Research & Development North America, Inc. (MBRDNA) is seeking a Sr Human Experience Engineer to join the US Experience team. This is a full-time, exempt position at the MBRDNA regional office in Long Beach, CA.

The US Experience team drives to establish Mercedes-Benz as a technology leader in the US luxury segment by translating the combined One Voice US strategy to customers in impactful propositions that enhance the customer experience and create market pull. Our goal is to deliver research and broad knowledge that can influence and drive innovation in the US market in terms of improved vehicle features at different touch points throughout the customer journey.

The Sr Human Experience Engineer is an intuitive problem solver to understand how features and technology is experienced from the customer point of view, identifying opportunities to present, simplify, and educate users in experiencing the Mercedes Benz vehicles.

Key Responsibilities:

• Map customer experience during the entire customer journey and identify customer usage and interaction with technology needs improvement, adaptation or training.
• Map in-vehicle experience including driver and passenger positioning in relation to the interface of the vehicle, driver controls, digital experience, alert, sounds and notifications.
• Study and analyze different customer use cases and provide assessment to improve comfort, assessibility and easy to experience solutions that deliver on the Mercedes Benz promise “Best in Class”.
• Collect input from testing teams, employees, customer studies, benchmarking and market publications that correlate to in-vehicle experience. Develop hypothesis based on the human factor and underpin areas for deeper analysis.
• Run paretos, test and study different scenarios from a customer usability perspective.
• Work with Software validation engineering, Subject matter experts, design, and program management to test new technologies and recommend improvements and adaptations that feed into the specification of the features with human experience.
• Perform usability tests against different engineering proposals. • Support benchmarking activities from a total user experience perspective.
• Develop and run focus study groups and car clinics that underpin customer preferences.
• An ideal candidate for this role with has a solid understanding of the complete in-vehicle experience and use cases. Understand the US automotive market and is able to make recommendations that improve customer experience.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelors + 5 yrs / Masters + 3 yrs / PhD - Engineering or Technical bachelors degree with hands on experience in automotive and software development Knowledge of statistics and experimental design Customer background, training or related experience.
• At least 5 years of work experience in program management in an innovative technology field, R&D, or related technical development teams.
• Strong knowledge of user-centered design principles, usability testing, and user research methodologies
• Affinity for in-vehicle technology, trends and driving experience.
• Ability to effectively participate in cross functional groups across multiple business units and US entities with defined scope.
• Working knowledge of regulatory and certification requirements.
• Excellent problem-solving skills and ability to think creatively and propose solutions.
• Understanding of product lifecycle and automotive market.
• Ability to identify and manage risk.
• Teamplayer, good communicator.
• Willingness to travel when required.
• Open minded, team player with a sense of humor.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Project Management Certification, PMP is preferred.
• Understands and lives a “customer first” mentality with empathy, pragmatism and a hands-on approach.
• Communication skills, oral and written presentation skills.
• Champion for Diversity, Equity & Inclusion.
• Structured, organized with ability to prioritize.
• Interest in social science, psychology or similar is a plus.

Additional Information:

The successful candidate’s starting pay will be identified based on a wide range of factors, including, but not limited to, job-related education, qualification, and experience, geographic location, and market conditions. The current salary range for this position is as follows and may be modified in the future: $109,100 - $136,300.

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Why should you apply?

Here at MBRDNA, you create digital ecosystems around cars, you design a language between humans and machines, you make a car even more intelligent - you make the new reality for cars. We have an open and flexible environment to allow you to push boundaries, join MBRDNA and design your future.

Benefits for Full-Time* Employees Include:

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance for employees and their families

• 401(k) with employer match

• Up to 18 company-paid holidays

• Paid time off (unlimited for salaried employees), sick time, and parental leave

• Tuition assistance program

• Wellness/Fitness reimbursement programs

• Vehicle lease subsidy or company car (for eligible employees only)

* Internships & Contractors excluded from Full-Time Employee benefits

MBRDNA is an equal opportunity employer (EOE) and strongly supports diversity in the workforce. MBRDNA only accepts resumes from approved agencies who have a valid Agency Agreement on file. Please do not forward resumes to our applicant tracking system, MBRDNA employees, or send to any MBRDNA location. MBRDNA is not responsible for any fees or claims related to receipt of unsolicited resumes.

Mercedes-Benz Research and Development North America, Inc.

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