Automotive UX UI Design Intern

Location: Portland, OR US

Inside the Role

Interns will gain knowledge and experience through exciting and real-life learning opportunities. Interns must work in accordance with DTNA’s core values of passion, respect, integrity and discipline. Internship positions can be located at various DTNA locations across the US. We are looking for high performing and motivated individuals in various areas within DTNA organizations. DTNA internships begin each summer in May or June.

As a UX/UI Product Designer Intern in our Design Center, you’ll work on real production vehicles and next-generation HMI concepts from day one; contributing to in-cabin digital experiences across Freightliner, Western Star, and our subsidiary brands. You’ll participate on design execution for defined features with real impact on how millions of professional drivers experience their vehicles. This is a high-impact, career-defining opportunity for a hungry designer ready to push UI craft and help shape the future of mobility.

Why Daimler Truck North America

At DTNA, you’re not designing for a screen; you’re designing for the road. Our vehicles support critical industries around the world, and the experiences you create will be used by professionals every day.

We’re a high-performing, globally distributed design team driven by Respect, Tenacity, and Excellence. We foster a culture built on trust and collaboration, where design quality matters and your growth as a designer is actively supported. If you’re hungry to do meaningful work and be part of a team that pushes for excellence, this is the place.

Together we shape the future !

Interns in this role may have the opportunity to transition into a full-time position subject to manager evaluations and business availability.

Posting Information

We provide a scheduled posting end date to assist our candidates with their application planning. While this date reflects our latest plans, it is subject to change, and postings may be extended or removed earlier than expected.

We Take Care of Our Team

Salary placement is determined by your anticipated graduation year and ranges between $21 - $29 per hour.

Benefits include

Professional development and networking events, including resume reviews/mock interviews

Housing and transportation stipend

Employee resource groups

Event ticket offering (based on corporate availability)

Company social events

What You Drive at DTNA

Strategy & Thinking

Translate product requirements, user needs, and brand intent into cohesive UX/UI solutions

Work alongside designers to generate insights from research and translate them into clear design directions.

Design & Craft

Contribute to the design of in-vehicle UIs: typography, color, layout, and motion across global brands.

Support the creation and evolution of components for our global design system.

Build high-fidelity prototypes to communicate visual, motion, and interaction intent.

Craft glance-based interfaces with clear hierarchy and intuitive system feedback.

Collaboration & Impact

Work cross-functionally with engineering, product strategy, and truck technology across a global team.

Communicate design rationale clearly; share work early, gather feedback, and iterate.

Contribute to workstreams from concept to handoff working closely with other designers.

Lead and support efforts to foster an inclusive and welcoming workplace culture where everyone belongs

Knowledge You Should Bring

Must be currently enrolled in a Bachelor’s program or higher with degree focus in UX, Interaction Design, Product Design, Industrial Design, or related field from an accredited college/university OR have recently graduated within 1 year of the position start date (May/June)

Portfolio demonstrating strong visual design, interaction design, and problem-solving, with clear ownership of work required

Strong visual design fundamentals: typography, color, layout, and motion.

Proficiency in Figma and Adobe Creative Suite.

Familiarity with 3D modeling and rendering for UI concept visualization.

Ability to prototype and communicate design decisions effectively.

Systems thinking: beginning to design across features, states, and flows.

Proactive, curious, execution-driven with a passion for craft and quality that raises the bar.

Strong oral and written communication skills

Solid organizational skills

Creative mindset

Interpersonal skills and ability to work in a team environment

#LI-Hybrid

Where We Work

This position is open to applicants who can work in (or relocate to) the following location(s)- Portland, OR US. Relocation assistance for this position is available when the selected candidate meets eligibility criteria.

Schedule Type

Hybrid (4 days per week in-office / 1 day remote). This schedule builds our #OneTeamBestTeam culture, provides an unparalleled customer experience, and creates innovative solutions through in-person collaboration.

At Daimler Truck North America, we recognize our world is changing faster than ever before. By listening to the needs of today, we’re building to solve with cutting-edge solutions in sustainability and future driving technology across electric, hydrogen and autonomous. These solutions, backed by years of innovative success and achievement, continue DTNA’s legacy as the undisputed industry leader. Our evolving brand portfolio is second to none, including Freightliner Trucks, Western Star, Demand Detroit, Thomas Built Buses, Freightliner Custom Chassis, and Financial Services. Together, we work as one team towards our envisioned future – building a cleaner, safer and more efficient tomorrow for all.

That is what we are working toward - for all who keep the world moving.

Additional Information

This position is not open to Visa sponsorship or to existing Visa holders

Applicants must be legally authorized to work permanently in the country the position is located in at the time of application

Final candidate must successfully complete a criminal bac