Vanessa Wiegel
About Vanessa Wiegel
Vanessa Wiegel is the Senior Director of UX and Human Factors Research at Motional, where she applies her expertise in user research and design thinking to enhance integrated software and hardware products. With a background in robotics and digital media, she has previously held leadership roles at iRobot and WGBH, and has a strong academic foundation in film production and human factors.
Work at Motional
Vanessa Wiegel currently serves as the Senior Director of UX and Human Factors Research at Motional, a position she has held since 2022. In this role, she focuses on leveraging user research and design thinking to drive innovation in integrated software and hardware products and services. Her expertise in robotics and digital media plays a crucial role in shaping the future of autonomous vehicles, ensuring that user experience is at the forefront of product development.
Previous Experience at iRobot
Before joining Motional, Vanessa Wiegel worked at iRobot as the Director of Design Research from 2017 to 2022. During her five years at iRobot, she was instrumental in building UX research teams, processes, and infrastructure from the ground up. Her leadership in design research contributed to the development of user-centered products that enhanced the overall customer experience.
Background in Media and Production
Vanessa Wiegel has a diverse background in media and production. She worked at WGBH as a Coordinating Producer from 2008 to 2017, where she contributed to various projects over a nine-year period. This experience in a leading media organization provided her with a strong foundation in project management and creative collaboration.
Education and Expertise
Vanessa Wiegel's educational background includes a Bachelor of Arts in Cinema and Media Studies from Wellesley College, obtained from 2003 to 2007. She furthered her studies at Bentley University, earning a Master of Science in Human Factors in Information Design from 2014 to 2017. Additionally, she studied Film Production at New York University, achieving the status of Visiting Student at Tisch School of the Arts in 2006. This combination of education equips her with a unique perspective on user experience and design.