Human Centered Design (HCD) Researcher IV

Role overview Lead research strategy and delivery for a human-centered design practice, turning evidence about user needs and behavior into clear product and experience decisions. The role spans strategic planning and hands-on studies, while also establishing consistent research methods, building team capability, and ensuring user perspectives shape enterprise solutions.

Responsibilities - Plan, conduct, and synthesize generative, evaluative, and strategic research using qualitative and quantitative methods. - Set research standards and documentation practices, including responsible use of AI-assisted tools in discovery and analysis. - Translate findings into design recommendations, opportunity frameworks, and input to product and experience strategy. - Partner with design, accessibility, and design systems teams; facilitate co-design, journey mapping, and participatory sessions. - Build and maintain a research repository that helps teams find and use insights, including through AI-powered or agentic tools where appropriate. - Manage participant recruitment, screening, consent, and ethical protocols; mentor researchers and advocate for inclusive research, including with underrepresented and vulnerable populations.

Requirements - Eight or more years of professional UX research experience, including primary research in complex or enterprise product environments. - Bachelor's degree in a relevant field such as human factors, psychology, anthropology, information science, or design; equivalent relevant experience may substitute. - Expertise across methods such as contextual inquiry, usability testing, diary studies, surveys, card sorting, and tree testing. - Ability to synthesize ambiguous evidence into strategic recommendations, shape a research roadmap, and independently conduct studies. - Strong facilitation, communication, and influencing skills, including presenting findings to senior and executive audiences. - Familiarity with accessibility standards such as WCAG, inclusive research, and AI-assisted analysis; able to assess AI outputs for bias and validity.

Nice to have Experience in regulated or high-stakes sectors, especially healthcare, financial services, or government; prior research strategy leadership and mentoring; UX research or human factors certification; training in equity-centered, trauma-informed, or responsible AI research. Healthcare or managed care knowledge is useful.

Benefits and work setup The listed salary range is $113,000–$197,700, with potential eligibility for a performance-based bonus and a comprehensive total rewards package. General office setting; travel is not typically required.