SUMMARY:

We are seeking a motivated, operations-focused UX researcher with exceptional communication and interpersonal skills. The ideal candidate will bring a rigorous approach to UX research methodologies and demonstrate experience in program or project management. In this role, you will collaborate with fellow UX researchers and multidisciplinary hardware and software teams to push the boundaries of innovation in the AR/VR product and research science spaces. Your expertise will go beyond knowledge contribution; you will also enable complex, cross-functional projects for our user experience group while delivering high-quality study execution.

KEY HARD SKILLS

• Research Operations and Program/Project Management: Hands-on experience managing research operations or leading programs and projects effectively.
• Qualitative Research Methodology: Proficient in conducting in-depth interviews, focus groups, and think-aloud usability sessions. Skilled in uncovering user behaviors and needs through open-ended techniques and synthesizing themes. Experience in planning and running diary studies, especially for understanding wearable device usage in real-world contexts, is highly valuable.

KEY SOFT SKILLS

• Applied Research and Insight Generation: Expertise in executing hands-on primary research in applied product development settings rather than solely in academia. Capable of delivering actionable insights that align with business and design objectives throughout the product life cycle. Skilled in translating study findings into practical frameworks (e.g., cognitive, perceptual, ergonomic) to guide product strategies.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Proven ability to work effectively with cross-disciplinary teams, including industrial designers, UX designers, hardware and software engineers, research product managers, and technical program managers. Capable of bridging user insights and technical implementation while collaborating on aspects such as device constraints, interaction flows, and data interpretation.
• Adaptability and Project Management: Strong organizational skills to manage research projects in fast-paced and dynamic environments. Demonstrates agility in adapting research plans as device prototypes or AI algorithms evolve, managing constraints like recruitment, study schedules, and hardware deadlines. A proactive problem-solving approach and continuous learning mindset are essential to navigate uncertainties and deliver impactful results.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s degree with 5+ years of relevant experience in user experience, applied research, or product research and development.
• Master’s degree with 2+ years of relevant experience or PhD with 1+ year of relevant experience.
• Hands-on experience in supporting UX research operations or conducting high volumes of lab-based studies.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Academic background in a human behavior-related field such as Human-Computer Interaction, Psychology, Sociology, Communication, Information Science, Media Studies, Computer Science, or Economics.
• Experience shipping consumer hardware and wearable technologies.
• Demonstrated expertise in early-stage R&D UX research.
• Work experience in the AR/VR/AI domains.
• Advanced skills in multimodal qualitative data collection and analysis.
  Location: Redmond, WA (Onsite/Hybrid)
  Role type: Contract 12 Month Position
  Expected hours: 40 per week

Please refer the Job description for details