As a visual prototype developer and software designer within the User Experience group at the Product Design Office (PDO), complex digital concepts were translated into interactive, human-centered software experiences. Working extensively across the design and ideation phases, software was architected, styled, and refined using tools including Adobe XD, Figma, Sketch, and foundational HTML, ensuring high fidelity and smooth functional execution.

Product Design Office (PDO): Next-Generation Automotive UX

Core contributor within the Product Design Office (PDO), I specialized in designing next-generation User Experience (UX) architectures that harmonize safety, cognitive ergonomics, and driver delight. Operating at the intersection of complex vehicle telemetry and software-defined vehicle (SDV) ecosystems, my work translated dense engineering data into seamless, distraction-minimized digital interactions.

In-Vehicle Research & UX Optimization

• Real-World Field Research: Conducted extensive in-field driving evaluations and qualitative "ride-alongs" to observe live user behaviors and identify workflow friction points.
• Friction Resolution: Systematically tracked, analyzed, and resolved 100+ distinct UX friction points across core driver displays and infotainment touchpoints.
• Cognitive Ergonomics: Refined visual hierarchy models and multi-modal feedback loops (spanning haptic and voice channels), driving a measured 20% increase in overall driver satisfaction scores.

Product Design Office (PDO): Next-Generation Automotive UX

As a core contributor within the Product Design Office (PDO), I specialized in designing next-generation User Experience (UX) architectures that harmonize safety, cognitive ergonomics, and driver delight. Operating at the intersection of complex vehicle telemetry and software-defined vehicle (SDV) ecosystems, my work translated dense engineering data into seamless, distraction-minimized digital interactions.

Cross-Functional Engineering Collaboration & Quality Assurance

• Interdisciplinary Alignment: Partnered closely with HMI and Electrical/Electronics (EE) engineering teams to standardize rigorous usability testing protocols.
• Pre-Production Risk Mitigation: Proactively identified and remediated 30+ critical interface flaws prior to production sign-off, ensuring strict compliance with automotive safety mandates and significantly reducing post-launch technical debt.

Bringing these digital software designs into physical, tangible environments required a robust hardware and prototyping infrastructure. Workflows heavily utilized BrightSign players, Raspberry Pis, Lilliput touch screens, NUCs, and a wide array of auxiliary technologies to build functional hardware-software prototypes and immersive test environments that closely mirrored real-world deployment.

This role involved extensive cross-functional collaboration and design execution alongside a massive portfolio of leading global technology companies and automotive brands. Projects and initiatives spanned major industry players such as Google, TomTom, Panasonic, Samsung, and Truetype, alongside iconic vehicle manufacturers including Jeep, Ram, Dodge, Fiat, Maserati, and numerous others.

Here is a high-impact, professionally structured narrative copy tailored for your Product Design Office (PDO) portfolio case study. It translates your automotive UX credentials into an authoritative, recruiter-ready format that highlights both your strategic leadership and technical execution.

Product Design Office (PDO): Next-Generation Automotive UX

As a core contributor within the Product Design Office (PDO), I specialized in designing next-generation User Experience (UX) architectures that harmonize safety, cognitive ergonomics, and driver delight. Operating at the intersection of complex vehicle telemetry and software-defined vehicle (SDV) ecosystems, my work translated dense engineering data into seamless, distraction-minimized digital interactions.

Global Innovation

• Google HQ Design Sprints: Served as the lead UX advocate across three global Design Sprints hosted at Google HQ, representing design vision on an international stage.
• Enterprise HMI Strategy: Delivered high-fidelity interactive prototypes and comprehensive user journey maps that helped shape enterprise-level strategy and define future cross-platform interaction paradigms.

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Product Design Office (PDO): Next-Generation Automotive UX

As a core contributor within the Product Design Office (PDO), I specialized in designing next-generation User Experience (UX) architectures that harmonize safety, cognitive ergonomics, and driver delight. Operating at the intersection of complex vehicle telemetry and software-defined vehicle (SDV) ecosystems, my work translated dense engineering data into seamless, distraction-minimized digital interactions.

Rapid Digital Prototyping & Validation

• Data-Driven Prototyping: Developed dynamic, data-driven interactive prototypes to validate futuristic vehicle features under strict real-world constraints.
• Safety-First Innovation: Successfully balanced cutting-edge digital experiences with uncompromising driver-distraction mandates, ensuring high usability without cognitive overload.

Methodology & Execution Toolkit

• User Research: Naturalistic driving studies, heuristic evaluations, cognitive workload assessments.
• Prototyping & Design: High-fidelity interactive prototyping, rapid iteration workflows, multi-state screen design.
• Engineering Integration: Translating UX design tokens and functional requirements for HMI and EE implementation.

Product Design Office UX Studio Video Library

Chrysler Portal Concept: User Experience

Emilio Feliciano describes the elements of the user experience that go into the Chrysler Portal Concept, revealed at CES 2017 on January 3, 2017.

Chrysler Portal Concept: CES 2017 Press Conference

At CES 2017, FCA US reveals the Chrysler Portal Concept - a forward-thinking interpretation of the “fifth generation” of family transportation, created by millennials for millennials.

Drive for Design - User Experience with Emilio Feliciano

This week, the FCA Drive for Design contest talks to Emilio Feliciano, a user experience designer and a graduate of Lawrence Technological University. Emilio is a self-proclaimed gamer who draws inspiration from movies, as well as car and product design.

2017 Chrysler Pacifica: NAIAS 2016 Minivan Reveal Highlights

Highlights of the reveal of the all-new 2017 Chrysler Pacifica at the 2016 North American International Auto Show on January 11, 2016 in Detroit, Michigan

Inside E3 Gaming Convention 2016

Footage from the 2016 E3 Gaming convention in LA. Believe it or not, I was paid to attend this convention for Work. While at FCA me and my team were tasked with researching upcoming technologies for the in-vehicle experience. This was the video I brought back to show the team.

Detroit Pistons Visit FCA Product Design Office

More than 15 Pistons players and staff members recently spent a couple of hours at the Product Design Office in FCA’s Auburn Hills, Michigan, complex to share ideas and real-world examples of teamwork with FCA Head of Design Ralph Gilles and his staff.

 

Concept Vehicles, Interfaces, and Future Mobility Experiences

• Uconnect 5
• Airflow Concept Vehicle
• Portal Concept Vehicle
• Chrysler Pacifica Plug-In Hybrid (PHEV)

Nate Balcom

Technical UX Architect & AEO Developer

20+ Yrs UX & Dev Google HQ Alum Enterprise Architect

Senior UX Designer and Digital Architect specializing in the intersection of User Experience (UX) and Answer Engine Optimization (AEO). With over two decades of experience, including global design sprints at Google HQ, Nate engineers high-performance web ecosystems designed for both human engagement and AI-agent indexing.

Nate’s work focuses on "agentic readiness," ensuring that modern brands are accurately parsed and prioritized by LLMs and search engines alike.

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