Director User Research Jobs in Michigan (NOW HIRING)

Cavallo is seeking an experienced and strategic Senior UX Designer, passionate about tackling complex user problems, to join the team. This role is instrumental in shaping the user experience of Cavallo's enterprise platform, built for distributors who demand efficiency, accuracy, and reliability.

The Senior UX Designer will serve as a champion for users, leading the transformation of intricate operational workflows into intuitive, validated, and user-centric solutions. In close collaboration with product managers, engineers, and stakeholders, this role ensures that a deep understanding of users is embedded into every stage of the product development lifecycle, from initial discovery through final validation.

What You'll Do:

• Lead User Research & Discovery: Plan and conduct comprehensive qualitative and quantitative user research to uncover deep user insights and unmet needs.
• Architect User-Centered Solutions: Map complex user journeys and flows, and design a clear and scalable information architecture. Translate these artifacts into tangible design solutions that address core user needs.
• Emphasize Prototyping & Validation: Create interactive prototypes at various fidelities, from low-fi wireframes to high-fidelity simulations, to test and validate concepts with real users. You will lead the effort to ensure solutions are effective and intuitive before development begins.
• Champion Usability: Serve as the primary advocate for the user. Translate research findings into actionable design artifacts like personas, journey maps, and wireframes that clearly communicate user challenges and proposed solutions.
• Collaborate for Impact: Partner with Product Managers to define product strategy and roadmaps based on user evidence. Work closely with engineers to ensure the integrity of the user experience is maintained through final implementation.
• Evolve Design Standards: Contribute to our design system, ensuring that all solutions are not only user-validated but also consistent, scalable, and accessible.
• Mentor and Guide: Coach and mentor other designers, fostering a culture of research, collaboration, and continuous improvement within the team.
• Establish UX Processes: Define and evangelize best practices for user research, usability testing, and the overall user-centered design process across the product organization.
• Influence Product Strategy: Use data and research findings to influence key strategic decisions and help shape the long-term vision for the user experience across the Cavallo platform.

What You'll Bring: Qualifications

• 5+ years (Senior) of dedicated UX design experience, with a strong focus on enterprise software (B2B SaaS), or other complex, workflow-heavy products.
• A compelling portfolio that showcases your deep expertise in the end-to-end UX process. It must feature case studies demonstrating your methods for user research, information architecture, user journeys, flows, interactive prototypes, and the resulting impact on the final product.
• Mastery of a range of user research methodologies and a proven ability to select the right method for the task at hand.
• Expert-level proficiency with modern design tools. While we primarily use Figma, experience with robust prototyping tools like Axure RP for creating complex, data-driven prototypes is a significant plus.
• Exceptional ability to simplify and distill complex processes and large amounts of data into clean, understandable, and validated design solutions.
• Excellent communication and facilitation skills, with the ability to confidently present and defend design decisions to stakeholders, citing user data and research.
• A collaborative spirit and a proven track record of working effectively with cross-functional teams in an agile environment.
• (Preferred) Experience with ERP, order management, supply chain, or distribution software.

Why Join Cavallo?

• Be part of a team solving real-world operational challenges where your research and design work will have a direct and measurable impact.
• Join a product-first, design-centric culture where user research and validation are seen as critical to success.
• Work on-site with collaborative colleagues in our Grand Rapids headquarters, where we value each other's input and feedback.
• Opportunities for growth and learning in a fast-scaling SaaS company.
• Strong leadership that believes in creating enormous value for our customers through a deep understanding of their needs.

Key Benefits

• Competitive Salary Package
• Medical, Dental, Vision, Life and Short-Term Disability Insurance
• Generous PTO and Work/Life balance
• Learning and Career Development Opportunities

About Cavallo

Cavallo is a trailblazing software company based in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Founded in 2003, we've been transforming how businesses manage productivity, efficiency, and profitability in the wholesale distribution sector.

Our story began when a small business owner partnered with a software developer to replace clipboards and legal pads with a streamlined inventory management system. Today, we deliver enterprise solutions that integrate with leading platforms and applications, driving growth and innovation for businesses across the country.

At Cavallo, we believe in the power of our team. We're always looking for talented, driven professionals who thrive in a culture of respect, collaboration, and opportunity.

Ready to join our team? Let's build something amazing together!