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Design Research Jobs in Boston, MA (NOW HIRING)

Whoop

Sr. Research Manager, Design Research

Boston, MA · On-site

$120K - $160K/yr

This role will oversee Design Research, shaping how early-stage insights inform product innovation. As a people-first leader, you will balance strategic direction, team development, and hands-on ...

Foundation EGI

Computational Design Research Engineer

Boston, MA · On-site +1

$100K - $140K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Retirement

  • PTO

... research background or industry but either way you're comfortable moving between theory and practical application. If you've spent time around mechanical systems or engineering design, that's a big ...

Conflux Systems

Mechanical Design Engineer

Hingham, MA · On-site

$79K - $108K/yr

No C2C / Only W2 / No Sponsorship Seeking a Mechanical Design Engineer to support R&D in developing mechanical components for electrical distribution systems, including automatic transfer switches ...

Chewy

Manager, Product Design - Enterprise

Boston, MA · On-site +1

$149K - $225K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

On the Product Design & Research team, we create experiences that delight pet parents, businesses, and veterinarians while helping pets live happier, healthier lives. We're looking for an experienced ...

Chewy

Director, Product Design

Boston, MA · On-site

$204K - $300K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Within our Product Design & Research team, we bring that mission to life by crafting experiences that delight customers and support the businesses and veterinarians who care for pets. We're a team of ...

Jobs for Humanity

Landscape Architects

Boston, MA · On-site

$75K - $103K/yr

The Department of Landscape Architecture advances research and innovative design practices in the natural and built environments as they intersect with processes of urbanization and the present ...

SimpliSafe

Sr. Director, UX

Boston, MA · On-site

  • Medical

  • Retirement

Role Overview We are seeking a Senior Director of UX Design, Research & Content Strategy to own experience strategy across our full product portfolio: app, web, hardware interfaces, and the end-to ...

Doist

Sr. Director, UX

Boston, MA · On-site

$244 - $357/hr

  • Medical

  • Retirement

Role Overview We are seeking a Senior Director of UX Design, Research & Content Strategy to own experience strategy across our full product portfolio: app, web, hardware interfaces, and the end-to ...

SimpliSafe

Sr. Director, UX

Boston, MA · On-site

Role Overview We are seeking a Senior Director of UX Design, Research & Content Strategy to own experience strategy across our full product portfolio: app, web, hardware interfaces, and the end-to ...

SimpliSafe

Sr. Director, UX

Boston, MA · On-site

  • Medical

  • Retirement

Role Overview We are seeking a Senior Director of UX Design, Research & Content Strategy to own experience strategy across our full product portfolio: app, web, hardware interfaces, and the end-to ...

Fidelity Investments

Co-op, Design Researcher

Boston, MA · On-site

$20 - $32/hr

Our speculative design practice combines creativity, strategy, and rigorous research to craft products, spaces, and vivid storytelling, taking a holistic approach to design innovation. We challenge ...

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All JobsDesign Research JobsDesign Research Jobs in Boston, MA

Design Research information

See Boston, MA salary details

$40.2K

$115.2K

$154.8K

How much do design research jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 13, 2026, the average yearly pay for design research in Boston, MA is $115,172.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $113,000.00 and $113,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a design researcher, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Design Researcher, you need a solid understanding of research methodologies, user experience principles, and data analysis, often supported by a degree in design, psychology, or a related field. Familiarity with tools like UserTesting, Qualtrics, and data visualization software is commonly required. Strong communication, empathy, and critical thinking skills help researchers effectively interpret insights and collaborate with cross-functional teams. These skills ensure that research findings directly inform user-centered design solutions, leading to better products and experiences.

What is the difference between Design Research vs User Experience Designer?

AspectDesign ResearchUser Experience Designer
Primary FocusUnderstanding user needs and behaviors through research methodsDesigning and improving user interfaces and interactions
Required SkillsQualitative and quantitative research, data analysis, user interviewsWireframing, prototyping, visual design, usability testing
Work EnvironmentResearch labs, field studies, collaborative teamsDesign studios, product teams, cross-functional collaboration
Common UsageGathering insights to inform design decisionsCreating user-centered designs based on research findings

While both roles focus on improving user experiences, Design Research primarily involves understanding user needs through research, whereas User Experience Designers apply those insights to create and refine digital interfaces. Both roles often collaborate closely within product teams to ensure user needs are effectively addressed.

How does a design researcher typically collaborate with designers and product teams throughout a project?

Design Researchers work closely with designers, product managers, and engineers to ensure user insights are integrated at every stage of the development process. Early in a project, they help define user needs and pain points by conducting interviews, surveys, or usability tests. As the project progresses, they facilitate workshops, share findings through presentations or reports, and recommend design improvements based on research data. Effective communication and a collaborative mindset are essential, as researchers often act as the bridge between users and the product team.

What is design research?

Design research is a field that focuses on understanding users’ needs, behaviors, and experiences to inform and improve the design process. It combines methods from social sciences, such as interviews and observations, with design thinking principles to gather insights that help create user-centered products, services, or systems. Design researchers work closely with designers, product managers, and stakeholders to ensure that solutions are both innovative and practical, ultimately enhancing the user experience.
What are the most commonly searched types of Design Research jobs in Boston, MA? The most popular types of Design Research jobs in Boston, MA are:
What are popular job titles related to Design Research jobs in Boston, MA? For Design Research jobs in Boston, MA, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Design Research jobs in Boston, MA look for? The top searched job categories for Design Research jobs in Boston, MA are:
Design Research jobs near you
Infographic showing various Design Research job openings in Boston, MA as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 84% Full Time, 6% Part Time, and 10% Contract. Highlights an 88% In-person, and 12% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $115,172 per year, or $55.4 per hour.

Sr. Research Manager, Design Research

Whoop

Boston, MA • On-site

$120K - $160K/yr

Full-time

Re-posted 5 days ago

Job description

At WHOOP, we're on a mission to unlock human performance and healthspan. WHOOP empowers members to perform at a higher level through a deeper understanding of their bodies, behaviors, and daily lives.
WHOOP is hiring a Senior Research Manager, Design Research to lead and scale critical research efforts across WHOOP Labs. This role will oversee Design Research, shaping how early-stage insights inform product innovation. As a people-first leader, you will balance strategic direction, team development, and hands-on contribution-ensuring research rigor and impact across the hardware development lifecycle.
RESPONSIBILITIES:
  • Provide strategic leadership across design research, ensuring alignment with hardware, product, and organizational priorities.
  • Scale early-stage research initiatives, working closely with cross-functional leaders to identify opportunities for research and set expectations for mixed-methods research, ensuring research is positioned as a critical input to decision-making.
  • Partner closely with Program Management and team members to intake research needs, assess tradeoffs, and guide prioritization and research direction.
  • Manage, coach, and develop a team of senior researchers, fostering strong research craft, clear communication, and professional growth.
  • Serve as a senior individual contributor on complex, high-impact research initiatives, particularly those adjacent to physical product and hardware development.
  • Own relationships with external research vendors, including scoping projects, defining success criteria, and ensuring high-quality execution.
  • Communicate research insights clearly and credibly to cross-functional partners and leadership, positioning research as a critical input to decision-making.

QUALIFICATIONS:
  • Bachelor's degree in a relevant field such as human factors, design research, user experience research, design anthropology, psychology, or a related discipline.
  • 5+ years of experience conducting user research for physical products, ideally within hardware, health, or consumer product environments.
  • 2+ years of people management experience, including coaching, feedback, and performance development.
  • Strong mixed-methods research background, with demonstrated application of qualitative and quantitative approaches to real-world products.
  • Experience working within or alongside hardware development lifecycles (not software-only).
  • Experience managing or partnering with external research vendors, including project scoping and execution.
  • Ability to manage multiple workstreams, navigate ambiguity, and influence without direct authority across cross-functional teams.
  • Excellent written, verbal, and presentation skills, with the ability to communicate complex insights to executive audiences.
  • Strong commitment to embracing and leveraging AI tools in day-to-day tasks, ensuring AI-assisted work aligns with the same high-quality standards as personal contributions.

Interested in the role, but don't meet every qualification? We encourage you to still apply! At WHOOP, we believe there is much more to a candidate than what is written on paper, and we value character as much as experience. As we continue to build a diverse and inclusive environment, we encourage anyone who is interested in this role to apply.
WHOOP is an Equal Opportunity Employer and participates in E-verify to determine employment eligibility. It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.
The WHOOP compensation philosophy is designed to attract, motivate, and retain exceptional talent by offering competitive base salaries, meaningful equity, and consistent pay practices that reflect our mission and core values.
At WHOOP, we view total compensation as the combination of base salary, equity, and benefits, with equity serving as a key differentiator that aligns our employees with the long-term success of the company and allows every member of our corporate team to own part of WHOOP and share in the company's long-term growth and success.
The U.S. base salary range for this full-time position is $120,000 - $160,000. Salary ranges are determined by role, level, and location. Within each range, individual pay is based on factors such as job-related skills, experience, performance, and relevant education or training.
In addition to the base salary, the successful candidate will also receive benefits and a generous equity package.
These ranges may be modified in the future to reflect evolving market conditions and organizational needs. While most offers will typically fall toward the starting point of the range, total compensation will depend on the candidate's specific qualifications, expertise, and alignment with the role's requirements.
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About Whoop

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

At WHOOP, we're on a mission to unlock human performance. WHOOP empowers users (Olympians, Professional Athletes, Fitness Enthusiasts, etc) to perform at a higher level through a deeper understanding of their bodies and daily lives.

Industry

Fitness and sports centers

Company size

501 - 1,000 Employees

Headquarters location

Boston, MA, US

Year founded

2012

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