Mountain View, California, United States · Hybrid
$270k–$315k/yr
About Drivemode: Drivemode is a California-based division of Honda Motor Co., Ltd. We are a small, passionate team of software product innovators helping Honda Automotive be competitive in the Hybrid and Electric Vehicle…
Skills: Product Design Leadership, Product Strategy, Stakeholder Management, Systems Thinking, Cross-functional Collaboration
Shinjuku, Japan · Hybrid
Our Mission: Driving technology always feels old. Not by a little bit. We believe vehicles can be a thousand times smarter, safer, and more connected to the world around us, and our mission is to see it happen. In 2019, …
Skills: Human Resources, Workplace Management, Product Design, Product Management, Software Development
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Lead the Product Design organization for Drivemode's Automotive Division to shape Honda's transformation into a software-driven mobility company. Partner with Engineering and Product Management leadership to drive product strategy, organizational alignment, and cohesive product visions.
Requires extensive experience leading design teams in complex product environments with strong business acumen and a track record of influencing strategy. Candidates must possess exceptional communication skills and the ability to build alignment across global organizations and cultures.
Drivemode is a California-based division of Honda Motor Co., Ltd. We are a small, passionate team of software product innovators helping Honda Automotive be competitive in the Hybrid and Electric Vehicle market. We build application experiences for mobile devices. Are you passionate about creating next-generation delightful digital experiences for automotive? Maybe you have worked at some notable automotive companies in this capacity? Would you like to work on new products and product categories at Honda and help Honda invent the future of automotive? Then we would like to hear from you!
Join Drivemode for an exciting startup environment and a vibrant culture that combines impactful work, competitive compensation, and excellent benefits. By becoming a part of our team, you'll contribute to a crucial mission that revolutionizes the way people engage with vehicles, addressing both business needs and the world's environmental challenges. This presents an exceptional opportunity to be at the forefront of innovation and drive Honda's success in the EV market.
We are looking for a Director of Product Design to lead Product Design for Drivemode's Automotive Division and help shape Honda's transformation into a software-driven mobility company.
Reporting to the VP of Design, you will serve as the senior design leader for the business, partnering closely with the Engineering and Product Management leadership to drive product strategy, organizational alignment, and business outcomes.
This role is responsible for leading the design organization within the Automotive Division, strengthening the partnership between Drivemode and Honda, and ensuring that customer needs, product strategy, and technical execution come together in a cohesive product vision.
\nWhat You Will Do:Lead Product Design across the Automotive Division, driving experience quality, strategic alignment, and customer impact.
Partner with Product and Engineering leadership to shape product vision, roadmap priorities, and portfolio strategy.
Serve as a senior Design representative to Honda, building alignment and driving shared ownership across organizations.
Represent Design in strategic and executive-level discussions across Drivemode and Honda.
Lead and develop the Product Design team, providing coaching, mentorship, and opportunities for growth.
Strengthen cross-functional collaboration, operating rhythms, and decision-making processes that enable teams to execute effectively.
Apply systems thinking to connect customer needs, business goals, and technical constraints across products, services, and platforms.
Champion organizational effectiveness and help teams navigate ambiguity and complexity.
Partner with Design leadership and Principal Designers to continuously elevate design quality, team capability, and design impact.
Experience leading Design teams within complex product, platform, or service environments.
Strong product and business acumen, with a track record of influencing strategy and organizational outcomes.
Experience partnering closely with senior Product and Engineering leaders.
Exceptional communication and stakeholder management skills, including experience working with executive audiences.
Ability to build alignment across organizations, disciplines, and cultures.
Strong systems thinking and comfort operating in highly cross-functional environments.
Experience developing high-performing teams and growing future leaders.
Flexibility for domestic and international travel to support cross-organizational collaboration and alignment.
Experience in hardware + software ecosystems, eg. automotive, mobility, consumer technology.
Experience working with large enterprise partners or global organizations.
Familiarity with Japanese business culture and cross-cultural collaboration.
Japanese language proficiency.
Drivemode is proud of a very diverse team with employees coming from 5 continents/20 countries as of today. Diversity in our workplace has played an important part in our success; we recognize each employee’s unique background, knowledge, experiences, ideas, and viewpoints which are all critical in developing a product that has the greatest impacts on drivers all over the world.
Drivemode provides equal opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, religion, color, age, gender, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, or any other characteristics that make you unique.
Drivemode enables smarter, safer, connected driving in any vehicle.
Drivemode began as a small Silicon Valley startup in 2014 and was acquired by Honda in 2019. Today, we help Honda lead the way in software-driven automotive advancements. As Honda’s software and user experience division, Drivemode focuses on creating cutting-edge, clean digital experiences for electric vehicles. Our diverse team, with members hailing from five continents, brings unique perspectives that drive our leadership in smart, connected transportation. Through the integrated approach of developing software and hardware together, Drivemode combines Japanese precision and Silicon Valley creativity, shaping the future of driving.
Offices: Ravendale Dr, 375, Mountain View, California 94043, US · Shinagawa City, Higashi Shinagawa 2 Chome-2-43, T3,T33, Tokyo, Tokyo 140-0002, JP
Drivemode enables smarter, safer, connected driving in any vehicle.
Drivemode began as a small Silicon Valley startup in 2014 and was acquired by Honda in 2019. Today, we help Honda lead the way in software-driven automotive advancements. As Honda’s software and user experience division, Drivemode focuses on creating cutting-edge, clean digital experiences for electric vehicles. Our diverse team, with members hailing from five continents, brings unique perspectives that drive our leadership in smart, connected transportation. Through the integrated approach of developing software and hardware together, Drivemode combines Japanese precision and Silicon Valley creativity, shaping the future of driving.
Offices: Ravendale Dr, 375, Mountain View, California 94043, US · Shinagawa City, Higashi Shinagawa 2 Chome-2-43, T3,T33, Tokyo, Tokyo 140-0002, JP
