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Design Researcher Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Alliant

Lead Design Researcher

Chicago, IL · On-site

$92K - $144K/yr

Lead and advance mixed-methods design research that informs product, service, and experience decisions across the credit union. Bring expertise in quantitative research and analytical methods ...

Alliant Credit Union

Lead Design Researcher

Chicago, IL · On-site +1

$92K - $144K/yr

Lead and advance mixed‑methods design research that informs product, service, and experience decisions across the credit union. Bring expertise in quantitative research and analytical methods ...

Conifer

Design Researcher - Contractor

Chicago, IL · On-site +1

DESIGN RESEARCHER People are endlessly fascinating, don't you think? We do. Conifer Research is seeking a curious and empathetic Design Researcher who is passionate about humans, learning, and ...

Conifer

Design Researcher Openings

Chicago, IL · On-site +1

DESIGN RESEARCHER People are endlessly fascinating, don't you think? We do. Conifer Research is seeking a curious and empathetic Design Researcher who is passionate about humans, learning, and ...

Conifer

Design Researcher Openings

Chicago, IL · Remote

DESIGN RESEARCHER People are endlessly fascinating, don't you think? We do. Conifer Research is seeking a curious and empathetic Design Researcher who is passionate about humans, learning, and ...

Conifer

Design Researcher - Contractor

Chicago, IL · Remote

DESIGN RESEARCHER People are endlessly fascinating, don't you think? We do. Conifer Research is seeking a curious and empathetic Design Researcher who is passionate about humans, learning, and ...

Hudl

Senior Design Researcher

Austin, TX · On-site

Your Role We're hiring a Senior Design Researcher to serve as the research expert for our Hardware business unit, which focuses on defining the future of automated capture and wearable technology.

Walmart

Principal, Design Researcher

Cave Springs, AR

$110K - $220K/yr

The Principal Design Researcher - Associate Listening & Experience is responsible for shaping and enhancing the overall Associate journey within the organization. This role will lead initiatives ...

Corgan

Design Researcher: Data Strategist

Dallas, TX · On-site

Corgan is actively recruiting a dynamic Design Researcher - Data Strategist to join the firm as part of our Hugo team. Tackle these responsibilities alongside a team of creative, highly motivated ...

Walmart

Principal, Design Researcher

Goshen, AR

$110K - $220K/yr

The Principal Design Researcher - Associate Listening & Experience is responsible for shaping and enhancing the overall Associate journey within the organization. This role will lead initiatives ...

Corgan

Design Researcher: Data Strategist

Dallas, TX · On-site

Corgan is actively recruiting a dynamic Design Researcher - Data Strategist to join the firm as part of our Hugo team. Tackle these responsibilities alongside a team of creative, highly motivated ...

Walmart

Principal, Design Researcher

Farmington, AR

$110K - $220K/yr

The Principal Design Researcher - Associate Listening & Experience is responsible for shaping and enhancing the overall Associate journey within the organization. This role will lead initiatives ...

Walmart

Principal, Design Researcher

Elm Springs, AR

$110K - $220K/yr

The Principal Design Researcher - Associate Listening & Experience is responsible for shaping and enhancing the overall Associate journey within the organization. This role will lead initiatives ...

Walmart

Principal, Design Researcher

Bentonville, AR · On-site

$110K - $220K/yr

The Principal Design Researcher - Associate Listening & Experience is responsible for shaping and enhancing the overall Associate journey within the organization. This role will lead initiatives ...

Walmart

Principal, Design Researcher

Lowell, AR

$110K - $220K/yr

The Principal Design Researcher - Associate Listening & Experience is responsible for shaping and enhancing the overall Associate journey within the organization. This role will lead initiatives ...

Walmart

Principal, Design Researcher

Cassville, MO

$110K - $220K/yr

The Principal Design Researcher - Associate Listening & Experience is responsible for shaping and enhancing the overall Associate journey within the organization. This role will lead initiatives ...

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Design Researcher information

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$30K

$113.1K

$164.5K

How much do design researcher jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 5, 2026, the average yearly pay for design researcher in the United States is $113,102.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $67,000.00 and $154,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in the Design Researcher position, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Design Researcher, you need strong skills in qualitative and quantitative research methods, user-centered design, and a relevant degree in fields such as design, psychology, or human-computer interaction. Experience with tools like usability testing platforms, survey software, and data analysis programs is highly valuable, and certifications such as UX Certification can enhance your profile. Exceptional communication, active listening, and problem-solving abilities set standout design researchers apart. These combined skills ensure that research findings effectively inform product decisions and result in solutions that truly meet user needs.

What are some common challenges faced by Design Researchers, and how do they overcome them?

Design Researchers often face challenges such as recruiting the right participants, balancing tight project timelines, and ensuring that research insights are integrated into the design process. Overcoming these hurdles typically involves collaborating closely with designers, product managers, and engineers, as well as advocating for the importance of user research within cross-functional teams. Being adaptable and maintaining strong organizational and communication skills can help navigate shifting priorities and ensure that research findings have a meaningful impact. Many organizations support ongoing learning and encourage Design Researchers to experiment with new research methods and tools, helping them grow in their roles.

What does a Design Researcher do?

A Design Researcher studies user needs, behaviors, and pain points to inform design decisions. They use qualitative and quantitative research methods—such as interviews, surveys, and usability testing—to gather insights. Their findings help teams create user-centered products and services that are both functional and enjoyable. Design Researchers collaborate closely with designers, product managers, and developers to refine and improve user experiences.

More about Design Researcher jobs
What cities are hiring for Design Researcher jobs? Cities with the most Design Researcher job openings:
What are the most commonly searched types of Design Researcher jobs? The most popular types of Design Researcher jobs are:
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Design Researcher jobs near you
Infographic showing various Design Researcher job openings in the United States as of May 2026, with employment types broken down into 21% Full Time, 3% Part Time, 8% Temporary, and 68% Contract. Highlights an 88% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 9% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $113,102 per year, or $54.4 per hour.
Lead Design Researcher

Lead Design Researcher

Alliant

Chicago, IL • On-site

$92K - $144K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement

Posted 7 days ago

Job description

Lead and advance mixed-methods design research that informs product, service, and experience decisions across the credit union. Bring expertise in quantitative research and analytical methods, complemented by qualitative research and human-centered design practices. Plan and execute research, translate insights into actionable recommendations, and partner with other teams to improve member experiences.
Essential Responsibilities
  • Lead the planning, design, and execution of mixed methods quantitative and qualitative research across descriptive, generative, evaluative, and analytical research domains
  • Utilize methods including in-depth interviews, diary studies, conjoint analysis, MaxDiff, TURF analysis, survey-based experimentation to inform product, service, and experience decisions
  • Design statistically sound research studies, including sampling approaches, questionnaire design, and data quality standards
  • Communicate research findings through compelling storytelling, visualizations, and presentations tailored to diverse stakeholder groups
  • Apply human-centered design principles and methods to research planning, synthesis, and insight activation, ensure research is grounded in member needs and business context
  • Collaborate with service designers and design strategists to inform experience orchestration, service concepts, and strategic direction
  • Represent the voice of the member, consumer, and internal customers across initiatives
  • Plan and facilitate research-driven workshops, synthesis sessions, and stakeholder working sessions to align teams around insights and implications
  • Build trusted partnerships with product, digital, UX, marketing, operations, partnerships, and leadership teams.
  • Contribute to the development and maturation of Alliant's design research practice by elevating research rigor, strengthening evidence-based decision-making, and improving standards, tools, templates, and governance
  • Continuously evaluate and improve research approaches, methodologies, and tools

Education & Years of Experience
  • Minimum - 4 Year Bachelors Degree in Sociology, Human-Computer Interaction, Psychology, Cognitive Science, Statistics, or related
  • Preferred - Graduate Degree in Sociology, Human-Computer Interaction, Psychology, Cognitive Science, Statistics, or related
  • Minimum - 3 Years of Design research, user research, or human-centered research, with demonstrated quantitative and mixed-methods expertise or related
  • Preferred - 5 Years Design research, user research, or human-centered research, with demonstrated quantitative and mixed-methods expertise or related

In Lieu of Education
  • 7 years of Design research, user research, or human-centered research, with demonstrated quantitative and mixed-methods expertise or related

Compensation & Benefits:
Typical hiring range: $92,600.00 to $144,100.00 Annually. Actual compensation will be determined using factors such as experience, skills & knowledge.
Benefits: Alliant provides a benefits package including health care, vision, dental, and 401k with employer match including:
  • Annual performance bonus
  • Work from home up to 3 days a week
  • Paid parental leave
  • Employee discount programs
  • Time off including paid personal and sick days
  • 11 paid holidays
  • Education reimbursement

*Note that eligibility and cost of benefits can vary depending on the number of regularly scheduled hours, and job status such as regular full-time, regular part-time, or temporary employment.
Adhere to and ensure compliance of all business transactions with policy and process of the Bank Secrecy Act. Ensures compliance with all applicable state and federal laws, company procedures and policies. Maintains integrity and ethics in all actions and conversations with or regarding credit union members and their accounts; complies with Privacy Act directives.
The responsibilities listed do not contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this position. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.
Equal Opportunity Employer
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.

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