Principal Design Researcher

Product Insight is a design-driven engineering firm serving companies committed to human-centered development of the technical products that will power a better world.

For us, assembling, growing, and evolving an exceptional team is paramount. Our whole company is our development team, they are the value we bring to clients. We excel at creating innovative solutions to intricate technical challenges across various industries, delivering life-saving therapies, enhancing workplace safety and productivity, transforming operational models, and shaping the future of transportation.

We are seeking a highly skilled Principal Design Researcher to lead strategic research initiatives. Our team comprises a diverse group of professionals, including design researchers, UX designers, industrial designers, and visualization experts, all working together to push the boundaries of design and user experience.

As a Principal Design Researcher, you will own complex design research efforts. The ideal candidate will be adept at leading and formalizing comprehensive research plans, meticulously structuring and executing field research, and displaying adaptability and resourcefulness in gathering both qualitative and quantitative insights. Your leadership and mentorship will help elevate our research practice, ensuring that our products and services are deeply aligned with user needs

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and lead comprehensive research activities that align with project objectives and design goals. Define clear research plans, outlining objectives, methodologies, and timelines to ensure impactful insights
• Manage and conduct in-depth field research, employing rigorous methodologies to gather reliable and actionable user insights. Ensure data collection methods are ethically sound, valid, and aligned with project goals.
• Utilize a diverse set of research techniques such as contextual inquiries, ethnographic studies, diary studies, and usability testing to deeply understand user behaviors, needs, and pain points.
• Synthesize qualitative and quantitative data to uncover meaningful patterns, trends, and insights. Translate complex data into clear, actionable findings that directly influence design and product strategy.
• Craft compelling reports and visual narratives that effectively communicate research insights to design and engineering teams. Present findings that inspire action, guides decisions and fosters a user-centered approach across the organization.
• Collaborate closely with cross-functional teams to ensure research insights are seamlessly integrated into design and development processes.
• Demonstrate adaptability by tailoring research methods to meet shifting project needs, timelines, and constraints. Apply creative problem-solving skills to navigate complex research challenges and deliver impactful results.
• Advocate for the voice of the user, actively participating in design reviews, brainstorming sessions, and team discussions to champion user needs and perspectives.
  
  

Qualifications And Skills

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Design, Psychology, Human-Computer Interaction, Anthropology, or a related field.
• 10 years of consulting or industry experience in design research, UX research, or a related field, with at least 5 years leading research strategy and mentoring teams.
• Proficiency in a wide range of research techniques and tools, both qualitative and quantitative.
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to distill complex data into actionable insights and a proven ability to think commercially, strategically, and creatively.
• Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal, for presenting research findings to diverse audiences.
• Familiarity with design software and tools for creating design artifacts.
• Action-oriented, diligent and flexible with an ability to work collaboratively in cross-functional teams and adapt to fast-paced project environments.
• Strong problem-solving skills and a keen eye for detail.
• Time management skills, attention to detail, and ability to think and act strategically and proactively
• A portfolio demonstrating successful design research projects is a plus
  
  

At Product Insight, we aim to be a place where a diverse mix of talented individuals want to come, stay, and contribute their best work. We take pride in delivering top-tier products to the market, recognizing that achieving this goal necessitates a team reflecting the diversity of our world. We are an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, or veteran status.