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Design Researcher Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

The Opportunity On the Design Research & Strategy team, our mission is to lay a user-centered foundation for Adobe product design and development. We are seeking a Staff UX Researcher to lead ...

The Opportunity On the Design Research & Strategy team, our mission is to lay a user-centered foundation for Adobe product design and development. We are seeking a Staff UX Researcher to lead ...

The Opportunity On the Design Research & Strategy team, our mission is to lay a user-centered foundation for Adobe product design and development. We are seeking a Staff UX Researcher to lead ...

The UX Researcher partners closely with creative, design, product, and strategy teams to ensure creative discovery is grounded in real user needs, behaviors, motivations, and cultural context. Key ...

The UX Researcher partners closely with creative, design, product, and strategy teams to ensure creative discovery is grounded in real user needs, behaviors, motivations, and cultural context. Key ...

Design & Research Operations sets the operational foundation for how our design and research teams function -- ensuring designers can focus on craft and researchers can generate insights that ...

Design & Research Operations sets the operational foundation for how our design and research teams function - ensuring designers can focus on craft and researchers can generate insights that ...

We are looking for a Senior UX Researcher to join our Design Research team, embedded in the Human Care mission. Human Care is where Oura expands beyond tracking into territory with real clinical ...

Showing results 21-40

Design Researcher information

See California salary details

$29.6K

$111.6K

$162.3K

How much do design researcher jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 8, 2026, the average yearly pay for design researcher in California is $111,621.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $66,100.00 and $152,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

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.

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 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 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.

How much does a design researcher earn?

The average salary for a design researcher varies by experience and location but typically ranges from $60,000 to $100,000 annually. Entry-level roles may start around $50,000, while experienced professionals with specialized skills can earn over $120,000. Salaries often increase with proficiency in research methods, user experience tools, and cross-disciplinary collaboration.

What is a design researcher?

A design researcher is a professional who investigates user needs, behaviors, and preferences to inform the development of products, services, or interfaces. They use methods such as interviews, surveys, and usability testing, often working closely with designers and product teams to ensure user-centered solutions.

What are the most commonly searched types of Design Researcher jobs in California?

The most popular types of Design Researcher jobs in California are:

What are popular job titles related to Design Researcher jobs in California?

For Design Researcher jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Design Researcher jobs in California look for?

The top searched job categories for Design Researcher jobs in California are:

What cities in California are hiring for Design Researcher jobs?

Cities in California with the most Design Researcher job openings:

Infographic showing various Design Researcher job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 91% Full Time, 6% Part Time, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 82% Physical, 5% Hybrid, and 13% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $111,621 per year, or $53.7 per hour.

Senior UX Researcher, Design Strategy, XR

Google

San Francisco, CA • On-site

Full-time

Posted 20 days ago


Google rating

8.8

Company rating: 8.8 out of 10

Based on 103 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

48th of 247 rated software companies


Job description

info_outline
X Applicants in San Francisco: Qualified applications with arrest or conviction records will be considered for employment in accordance with the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance for Employers and the California Fair Chance Act.
Applicants in the County of Los Angeles: Qualified applications with arrest or conviction records will be considered for employment in accordance with the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for Employers and the California Fair Chance Act.
This role may also be located in our Playa Vista, CA campus.
Note: By applying to this position you will have an opportunity to share your preferred working location from the following: San Francisco, CA, USA; San Jose, CA, USA; Los Angeles, CA, USA; New York, NY, USA.
Minimum qualifications:
  • Bachelor's degree or equivalent practical experience.
  • 6 years of experience of experience in an applied research setting (e.g., product or academic), or similar.
  • Experience with research methods (e.g., usability, studies, contextual inquires, 1:1 interviews, unmoderated research studies).
  • Experience with design strategy and product definition research.
  • Experience creating research programs such as critical user journey.

Preferred qualifications:
  • Master's degree or PhD in Human-Computer Interaction, Cognitive Science, Statistics, Psychology, Anthropology, or related field.
  • 5 years of experience conducting UX research on products and working with executive leadership (e.g., Director level and above).
  • 3 years of experience managing projects, and working in a large, matrixed organization.
  • Experience conducting research with emerging technologies and devices (e.g., VR headsets, smartphones, wearables, etc.).
  • Experience partnering closely with cross-functional teams.
  • Applied experience conducting research in AR/VR product environments, Android systems, system UI, or app scaling.

About the job
At Google, we "Focus on the user and all else will follow." As a User Experience Researcher (UXR), you make this possible. You will join our multi-disciplinary UX team, collaborating with Engineering and Product Management, to gather insights and create industry-leading products.
You'll play a critical role in helping your team understand user needs and will drive impact at all stages of product development, ensuring products are useful, usable, and helpful. You will explore user behaviors and motivations by conducting primary research, including: field studies, interviews, diary studies, ethnography, surveys, usability testing, and logs analysis. You will also grow within a supportive UXR community offering mentorship, regular meetups, and exclusive internal tools.
For decades, the computing revolution has reshaped our world driven by
breakthroughs in compute, connectivity, mobile, and now, AI. Google's XR team is at the forefront of the next major leap - the convergence of AI and XR. This is more than just new devices - it's about reimagining how we interact with the world around us. We're building a future where
lightweight XR devices like smart glasses and headsets pair with helpful AI to augment human intelligence, offering personalized, conversational, and contextually aware experiences.
Individual pay is determined by factors including job-related skills, experience, and relevant education or training.
US: $159000 - $230000 (USD) 15% bonus target equity benefits
Learn more about benefits at Google .
Responsibilities
  • Provide user-centered insights to inform near and long-term product strategy and roadmap development.
  • Conduct research to inform product-market fit and value propositions, drive strategic research perspectives across teams, and raise what's next for product teams.
  • Deploy creative and co-design research methods to inform north star experiences.
  • Develop and maintain a prioritized research roadmap aligned with product strategy and business goals.
  • Design for scale and systems through research programs such as CUJs.

Information collected and processed as part of your Google Careers profile, and any job applications you choose to submit is subject to Google's Applicant and Candidate Privacy Policy .
Google is proud to be an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer. We are committed to building a workforce that is representative of the users we serve, creating a culture of belonging, and providing an equal employment opportunity regardless of race, creed, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, national origin, disability, age, genetic information, veteran status, marital status, pregnancy or related condition (including breastfeeding), expecting or parents-to-be, criminal histories consistent with legal requirements, or any other basis protected by law. See also Google's EEO Policy , Know your rights: workplace discrimination is illegal , Belonging at Google , and How we hire .
If you have a need that requires accommodation, please let us know by completing our Accommodations for Applicants form .
Google is a global company and, in order to facilitate efficient collaboration and communication globally, English proficiency is a requirement for all roles unless stated otherwise in the job posting.
To all recruitment agencies: Google does not accept agency resumes. Please do not forward resumes to our jobs alias, Google employees, or any other organization location. Google is not responsible for any fees related to unsolicited resumes.
Equity is granted exclusively and discretionarily by Alphabet Inc. on the basis of an agreement concluded between you and Alphabet Inc. Alphabet Inc. is your sole contractual partner with respect to equity grants. GSU grants are not guaranteed, are discretionary, are subject to approval by the Alphabet Inc. board of directors or its delegate, the terms of the relevant Alphabet Inc. stock plan, and your grant agreement. They have no impact on statutory payments. Current or past grants do not confer an acquired right.

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