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Design Researcher Jobs in Seattle, WA (NOW HIRING)

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UX Quantitative Researcher II

Seattle, WA · On-site

Experience executing end-to-end quantitative research studies, including large-scale survey design and A/B test analysis. * Experience translating quantitative findings into actionable insights for ...

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Design Researcher information

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$34.1K

$128.7K

$187.2K

How much do design researcher jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 4, 2026, the average yearly pay for design researcher in Seattle, WA is $128,713.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $76,200.00 and $175,300.00 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 Seattle, WA?

The most popular types of Design Researcher jobs in Seattle, WA are:

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

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Design Researcher jobs near you
Infographic showing various Design Researcher job openings in Seattle, WA as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 87% Full Time, 8% Part Time, and 5% Contract. Highlights an 84% Physical, 5% Hybrid, and 11% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $128,713 per year, or $61.9 per hour.

Director, Color & Trend Footwear Design

Brooks Running

Seattle, WA • On-site

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 7 days ago

Job description

Who We Are:

At Brooks, we believe movement is the key to feeling more alive. That's why we're driven to create gear and experiences that take people to the place that makes them feel more alive - whether it's a headspace, a feeling, or a finish line. 

Everyone who works at Brooks is propelled by a company culture that sparks excitement, fuels collaboration, inspires creativity, and ignites innovation.

Our brand values help bond us together and drive our success:  

  • Runner First 
    • We act in the best interest of the runner
  • Word is Bond 
    • We do what we say we'll do 
  • Champion Heart  
    • We give our all in everything we do  
  • There is no "I" in Run 
    • We stay generous with our humanity 
  • Keep Moving 
    • We find ways to move every day, because joy is kinetic!

We welcome everyone from every walk of life looking to inspire others through the power of movement - because we're all moving towards something. Let's run there.   


Your Job:

As the Director, Color & Trend Footwear Design, you will own the aesthetic direction for Brooks Running footwear across color, graphics, materials, finishes, and trend. You will shape the emotional experience of our products, connecting performance function with a clear aesthetic vision that helps Brooks create product runners love.

You will create and manage the long-term direction for seasonal palettes and the CRAFTED BEAUTY design language, using trend insight, design research, runner data, and digital creation tools to guide fresh, market-relevant color and material applications across the footwear line.

You will lead Color & Trend Design across inline, innovation, and lifestyle footwear, while also influencing head-to-toe initiatives and Product Virtualization. You will inspire, coach, and guide design leaders, build critical thinking and problem-solving skills across the team, and help the group navigate ambiguity, risk, and change with clarity.

As a member of the extended Seasonal Creation Leader group, you will bring the aesthetic vision to life throughout product creation. You will partner across Design, Merchandising, Development, Product Marketing, and external teams to establish and communicate the CRAFTED BEAUTY seasonal design language and support Brooks' goal of being the most loved brand for runners worldwide.

Your Responsibilities:

LEADERSHIP

  • Upgrade through direction, education, and coaching in footwear but also across the organization the aesthetic competitiveness of our products
  • Co-create our creative foundation CRAFTED BEAUTY - PERFORMANCE EXPRESSIONS with the Director, Footwear Innovation.
  • Represent the design team on the Seasonal Creation Leader team (SCLs) to create cross functional alignment across key decisions that impact the inline strategy across Horizon 1 (1-3 yrs) and inform innovation strategy Horizon 2 (5-10 yrs) with an applied color strategy.
  • Manage, lead and direct the Brooks Running Footwear Color & Trend Team.
  • Lead the teams through our product review gates ensuring adherence to seasonal and long-term calendars.
  • Mentor and influence managers and stakeholders on developing and applying both a critical thinking and process improvement lens on decisions.
  • Oversee the inline color palette and color CAD creation process.
  • Oversee the footwear pre-development of the:

    • Color palette creation

    • Graphic palette creation

    • Material palette creation

    • Finish palette creation

DESIGN
  • Direct and lead the color, graphic, material and finish design reviews,
  • Create visions extending the seasonal stories into new areas and new topics connecting general trends and macro aesthetics trends to our product portfolio.
  • Innovate identity principles to maximize perceived value to drive superior competitiveness.
  • Direct the seasonal updates of our CRAFTED BEAUTY with your team.
  • Provide strategic direction, leadership, mentorship and inspiration to a diverse team of designers.
  • Guide and deliver product design presentations; both physical and digital including exploratory process to reach final solution and color CADs and Material Maps.
  • Remain up-to-date and knowledgeable in your craft to ensure you are continuously aware of information needed to design a consumer and brand relevant product.
  • Direct the team leads of color and material to integrate 3D CAD.
  • Attend trade fairs, cultural events, and sporting events to ensure runner insights for design inspiration.
  • Attend store visits, market visits, and team travel as necessary for design inspiration.
  • Synthesize results into presentation that drive or aesthetic conversation across the enterprise.
  • Incorporate a global point of view, accounting for regional differences for various markets.
CROSS TEAM COLLABORATION
  • Influence Merchandising to create strong product stories across both Apparel and Footwear.
  • Provide strong direction to Footwear Development through integrating design to express performance by influencing development process & cost management from a design perspective.
  • Partner with the Marketing and Product Marketing Teams in creating and communicating the inspiration and storytelling.
  • Present new color and material directions to product teams and senior management on a seasonal basis.
Qualifications:
  • 4-year college or university degree in product, graphics, apparel or footwear design, equivalent combination of education and/or experience may be substituted for degree. International education is a plus - plus.
  • 14+ years of experience creating color/material/textile programs and future vision of consumer goods - ideally sports industry.
  • Extensive experience creating aesthetics and stories for international markets of consumer goods.
  • Ability to scale and balance aesthetics to include all three major markets NA/EMEA/APLA.
  • 7+ year's managerial experience, managing direct reports and developing talent.
  • Thorough knowledge of art and design with clear understanding of visual design or any design related environment.
  • Proven experience creating and leading the execution of vision and strategy.
  • Experience managing external resources.
  • Ability to understand design conceptually across product categories.
  • Ability to understand design concepts and think conceptually.
  • Ability to create designs that meet category needs and commercial opportunities.
  • Ability to operate in a fast pace, ever changing work environment.
  • Ability to manage a team of professionals to inspire and motivate them to produce their best work.
  • Ability to build and foster relationships in a team environment. This position requires employee to engage with many stakeholders, as well as manage various information and relationships.
  • Ability and desire to push themselves, others, and the brand forward.
  • Ability to influence and collaborate with key business partners.
  • Keen attention to detail in planning, organization, and execution of tasks (self and through others), while still seeing the big picture and understanding how all the pieces fit together and affect one another.
  • Demonstration of innovation and initiative - always looking at improving our products and processes while also displaying a willingness to dive into the details and help wherever necessary.
  • Passionate participation in Brooks' sports activities a plus, overridden by the ability to understand and empathize with the runner to develop loyal, engaging relationships with our customers and the Brooks community.
  • Mastery with Adobe Illustrator/Photoshop
  • Competent using Apple Mac Operating system
  • Proficiency with MS Office Suite (Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint etc.)
  • 3D not required, but a plus
  • Embraces and lives the Brooks values!
  • Travel 10% (Domestically/Internationally)
Compensation: The pay range for this position, based out of the Brooks Seattle HQ, is $186,192 - $297,928 per year. Base pay offered will vary depending on job-related knowledge, skills, and experience.  
 
Other: Brooks is proud to offer a robust benefits package to our employees and their families!  
Benefits - including medical, dental, vision, life and AD&D insurance, disability insurance, HSA and employer contribution, FSA, family & fertility assistance, 401K Savings Plan and match, employee assistance program, and transportation assistance. 
Paid Time Off - Brooks offers generous time off including five weeks of paid time off, eleven paid holidays, paid sick and parental leave.
Bonus - In addition to base pay, Brooks employees may also be offered an annual bonus based on company performance.   
Perks - including product discounts, employee recognition, fitness discounts, volunteer and donation benefits. 
 
Location: You will spend 4 days per week in our Seattle offices, as we believe our organization flourishes when connections, collaboration, creativity, problem-solving, and celebrations happen in person.

At Brooks, we celebrate diversity & equity. We are committed to creating an inclusive environment, and encourage people of all backgrounds, perspectives, experiences, and skills to apply. Brooks is proud to be an equal employment opportunity employer. All employment decisions are made without regard to race, religion, creed, color, national origin, age, sex, gender, gender identity or expression, two-spirit identity, sexual orientation, genetic information, the presence of a physical, mental, or sensory disability, marital status, pregnancy (including childbirth and related conditions), caste, citizenship or immigration status, honorably discharged veteran or military status, actual or perceived victims of domestic violence, harassment, sexual assault or stalking, HIV or Hepatitis C infection, political ideology, use of a trained service animal by a person with a disability, or on any other basis protected by federal, state, or local law, or any other non-merit based factors.

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