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Design Researcher Jobs in Milwaukee, WI (NOW HIRING)

Milwaukee Tool

End User Coordinator

Milwaukee, WI · On-site

Work closely with the Design Research team to recruit, build and foster relationships with opt-in End Users, while keeping detailed notes. This will involve walking onto jobsites, cold calls, and ...

Milwaukee Tool

End User Coordinator

Milwaukee, WI · On-site

Work closely with the Design Research team to recruit, build and foster relationships with opt-in End Users, while keeping detailed notes. This will involve walking onto jobsites, cold calls, and ...

ULINE

UX Researcher

Milwaukee, WI · On-site

Bachelor's Degree in User Experience (UX) Design / Research , Psychology, Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), Anthropology or related field. * 2+ years of UX research experience. * Experience ...

New

ULINE

UX Researcher

Kenosha, WI

Bachelor's Degree in User Experience (UX) Design / Research , Psychology, Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), Anthropology or related field. * 2+ years of UX research experience. * Experience ...

New

IEA

Senior Design Engineer

Kenosha, WI · On-site

The Sr. Design Engineer will be responsible for carrying out the duties of the Design Engineering department, including design, research, prototyping, engineering documentation, estimating and ...

Kosmos

Design Engineer

Milwaukee, WI

$90K - $140K/yr

As a Design Engineer, you will work full-time on-site in Sheboygan, contributing to the development ... Conduct research to identify new materials and technologies for product improvement * Perform ...

Kosmos

Design Engineer

Milwaukee, WI

$100K - $140K/yr

As a Design Engineer, you will work full-time on-site in Sheboygan, contributing to the development ... Conduct research to identify new materials and technologies for product improvement * Perform ...

Kosmos

Design Engineer

Milwaukee, WI

$90K - $130K/yr

As a Design Engineer, you will work full-time on-site in Sheboygan, Wisconsin contributing to the ... Conduct research to identify new materials and technologies for product improvement * Perform ...

Kosmos

Design Engineer

Milwaukee, WI

$90K - $130K/yr

As a Design Engineer, you will work full-time on-site in Sheboygan, contributing to the development ... Conduct research to identify new materials and technologies for product improvement * Perform ...

Kosmos

Design Engineer

Milwaukee, WI

$100K - $140K/yr

As a Design Engineer, you will work full-time on-site in Manitowoc, Wisconsin contributing to the ... Conduct research to identify new materials and technologies for product improvement * Perform ...

Kosmos

Design Engineer

Milwaukee, WI

$90K - $130K/yr

As a Design Engineer, you will work full-time on-site in Sheboygan, contributing to the development ... Conduct research to identify new materials and technologies for product improvement * Perform ...

Kosmos

Design Engineer

Milwaukee, WI

$100K - $140K/yr

As a Design Engineer, you will work full-time on-site in Manitowoc, Wisconsin contributing to the ... Conduct research to identify new materials and technologies for product improvement * Perform ...

Yamato Corporation

Mechanical Design Engineer

Grafton, WI · On-site

$74K - $101K/yr

The Mechanical Design Engineer is responsible for designing, developing, and testing new equipment ... Research & Development Support: * Assist in the assembly, testing, and validation of new R&D ...

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All JobsDesign Researcher JobsDesign Researcher Jobs in Milwaukee, WI

Design Researcher information

See Milwaukee, WI salary details

$29.6K

$111.4K

$162.1K

How much do design researcher jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 8, 2026, the average yearly pay for design researcher in Milwaukee, WI is $111,433.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $66,000.00 and $151,700.00 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 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.

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 depend on industry, company size, and the research tools used.

How much do design researchers make?

Design researchers typically earn a median annual salary of around $70,000 to $100,000, depending on experience, location, and industry. Entry-level roles may start lower, while experienced professionals or those in senior positions can earn over $120,000. Skills in user research, data analysis, and familiarity with tools like UserTesting or Optimal Workshop can influence compensation.
What are popular job titles related to Design Researcher jobs in Milwaukee, WI? For Design Researcher jobs in Milwaukee, WI, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Design Researcher jobs in Milwaukee, WI look for? The top searched job categories for Design Researcher jobs in Milwaukee, WI are:
What cities near Milwaukee, WI are hiring for Design Researcher jobs? Cities near Milwaukee, WI with the most Design Researcher job openings:
Design Researcher jobs near you
Infographic showing various Design Researcher job openings in Milwaukee, WI as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 2% Internship, 90% Full Time, 6% Part Time, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 94% In-person, and 6% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $111,433 per year, or $53.6 per hour.

Senior Design Researcher

Milwaukee Tool

Brookfield, WI • On-site

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement

Re-posted 7 hours ago

Job description

Job Description:
Are you looking for a career with a growing company and the opportunity to help build the role of Design Research as a core competency for a business? Looking for a challenging and quick paced environment? Then look no further than our Senior Design Researcher role for Milwaukee Tool.
Milwaukee Tool is an industry-leading manufacturer of heavy-duty power tools, accessories and hand tools for professional users worldwide.
Since the company began in 1924, Milwaukee Tool has led the industry in both durability and performance. With an unwavering commitment to the trades, Milwaukee continues to lead with a focus on providing innovative, trade-specific solutions. Whether it is through their leadership in LITHIUM-ION technology, as seen in the M12™, M18™ & M28™ Systems, time-saving accessories or innovative hand tool products, Milwaukee is dedicated to delivering a steady stream of advanced solutions for the trades that offer increased productivity and unmatched durability.
To do this, Milwaukee takes the time to work side by side with real craftsman to understand the demands of a constantly changing workplace and how they can best deliver solutions that help the user work both faster and smarter. Milwaukee knows that professional users sweat the small stuff, and so do they. They pay attention to the small details that that make a big difference. This user focus not only leads to solutions for real jobsite challenges, but fuels the disruptive innovation seen across all product lines.
Milwaukee offers benefits on your first day of work (health, dental, vision, life insurance, 401k) and an excellent working environment that includes an on-site cafeteria, state of the art fitness facility, organized fitness classes, recreational sports leagues and company outings.
You must be permanently eligible to work in the U.S. without sponsorship for this position.
Senior Design Researcher
The Design Research team at Milwaukee Tool sits within a collaborative user-centered design and technology development group focused on the fuzzy front end of product development. We are tasked with informing the entrepreneurial spirit of the company, influencing and inspiring the direction of the business through strategic and functional findings. In this role you will be leading the research efforts of highly collaborative and diverse teams of Engineers, Industrial Designers, and Product Managers to inspire and influence key decision makers on new solutions for the construction industry. As a senior member of the team you will also provide leadership in developing new methods and approaches, championing Design Research and Design Thinking at Milwaukee Tool, and coaching and mentoring junior-level researchers as needed.
Duties and Responsibilities
  • Design and conduct multi-faceted research plans to learn about all aspects of the construction trade. These plans typically include qualitative discovery research on jobsites, primary and secondary research exercises to understand the competitive product set, and evaluation of mock-ups and preliminary concept prototypes in field.
  • Build, grow, and maintain a network of users to understand their evolving needs and work context. Establishing strong relationships with our end users is critical to conducting appropriate discovery research, co-creating solutions, and eliciting honest feedback.
  • Analyze and synthesize research findings into key insights that inform opportunities for new feature sets, functionalities and business approaches.
  • Plan and facilitate hands-on tool evaluations, team workshops, and analysis sessions. These participatory co-creation sessions result in a common ground of familiarity with a tool and its use, while inspiring creativity and collaboration within your team.
  • Present research findings in an engaging and concise manner to key stakeholders across the business. You will need to communicate through well-crafted presentations and events that educate and inspire your team through photos, video, diagrams, storytelling and demonstrations.
  • Experiment with new approaches and methodologies to achieve ingenious results. As a research group we encourage new ways of thinking, and we want you to help us build new tools and methodologies appropriate to the work we do.
  • Champion the importance of User-Centered Design and Design Thinking throughout the company.
  • Mentor and coach junior researchers as appropriate.

Required Skills
  • You are curious, not just about your research topic but also the company, your co-workers, and your process
  • You are comfortable working in the ambiguous "fuzzy front end"
  • You are a strategic thinker who looks not only at the stated problem but at the space around it
  • You are proactive and open to changing research plans on the fly based on new information
  • You have strong communication skills and can get your ideas across to engineers, industrial designers, and marketers alike
  • You link everything back to our core end user's activities and needs to provide insight for developing breakthrough products
  • You are a team player, focused on bringing the team along on the journey
  • You have passion for the importance of user insights in the product development process and are ready to champion those insights
  • You are comfortable facilitating conversations with multi-disciplinary teams
  • You make non-obvious connections and revel in talking about ideas
  • You are proficient in Microsoft Office, with some experience with editing video and 2D software (ex: Adobe Creative Suite)

Desired Skills
  • Experience within a design consultancy a plus
  • Some familiarity with quantitative research methodologies, study design and data analysis
  • An appreciation of how quantitative and qualitative research methodologies play best together
  • Master's degree preferred

Education and Experience Requirements
  • Master's or Bachelor's degree in Psychology, Anthropology, Sociology, Industrial Design, Graphic Design, Business, or Engineering
  • Five years + experience in the fuzzy front end of product development with an understanding of innovation methods and design thinking
  • Five years + experience using qualitative research methods including observation, interviewing, and contextual inquiry
  • 25-35% overnight domestic travel
  • Must have a valid driver's license
  • Upon an interview, must be prepared to present on a project and its methodology

Milwaukee Tool is an equal opportunity employer.

Apply