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Principal User Experience Researcher Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Upstart

Principal UX Researcher

OR · On-site +1

As the Principal UX Researcher reporting to the VP of Product Design, you will establish Upstart's dedicated UX research practice. Today, product designers conduct their own research as needed and ...

Amazon

Principal UX Researcher, Kiro

Seattle, WA · On-site

We're seeking a customer-obsessed Principal UX Researcher to join our Kiro UX team and lead research efforts for our web products You'll uncover deep insights into developer workflows, pain points ...

Amazon

Principal UX Researcher, Kiro

Seattle, WA · On-site

We're seeking a customer-obsessed Principal UX Researcher to join our Kiro UX team and lead research efforts for our web products You'll uncover deep insights into developer workflows, pain points ...

Upstart

Principal UX Researcher

As the Principal UX Researcher reporting to the VP of Product Design, you will establish Upstart's dedicated UX research practice. Today, product designers conduct their own research as needed and ...

Amazon

Principal UX Researcher, Kiro

Seattle, WA · On-site

We're seeking a customer-obsessed Principal UX Researcher to join our Kiro UX team and lead research efforts for our web products. You'll uncover deep insights into developer workflows, pain points ...

Autodesk, Inc.

Principal UX Researcher

Portland, OR · On-site

As a Principal Experience Design Researcher, you will lead research that helps shape this future ... Experience researching multi-stakeholder environments or complex user ecosystems * Familiarity with ...

Autodesk

Principal UX Researcher

Portland, OR

As a Principal Experience Design Researcher, you will lead research that helps shape this future ... Experience researching multi-stakeholder environments or complex user ecosystems * Familiarity with ...

Autodesk

Principal UX Researcher

Novi, MI

As a Principal Experience Design Researcher, you will lead research that helps shape this future ... Experience researching multi-stakeholder environments or complex user ecosystems * Familiarity with ...

S3 Staffing USA

UX Researcher

Tucson, AZ · Hybrid

Senior UX Researcher ( not UX designer)- Location : Tucson, AZ, Hybrid position EXP : 8+ years Note: Need local only and genuine consultants only with a LinkedIn profile , according to the resume.

Allied Solutions LLC

UX Researcher

Carmel, IN · On-site

A UX Researcher solves complex problems with simple, elegant solutions. They plan research activities, conduct both qualitative and quantitative research methods, analyze the results, and translate ...

Microsoft

Principal UX Research Manager

Redmond, WA · On-site

$220K - $331K/yr

Join us! We are seeking a Principal UX Research Manager to help us set the path for our next ... Methods researcher) * Excellent communication and presentation / storytelling skills, with the ...

ACI Infotech

UX Researcher

Role: UX Researcher Duration: 1+ Years Location: Remote Experiences Required for This Role UX Research - At least 3 years of experience and use cases with the following: * Conduct primary and ...

Allied Solutions LLC

UX Researcher

Carmel, IN

A UX Researcher solves complex problems with simple, elegant solutions. They plan research activities, conduct both qualitative and quantitative research methods, analyze the results, and translate ...

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Principal User Experience Researcher information

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$117.6K

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How much do principal user experience researcher jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 11, 2026, the average yearly pay for principal user experience researcher in the United States is $117,556.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $60,000.00 and $169,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a Principal User Experience Researcher job?

A Principal User Experience Researcher is a senior-level role responsible for leading user research initiatives to inform product design and strategy. They use qualitative and quantitative methods to understand user needs, behaviors, and pain points. In this role, they collaborate with designers, product managers, and engineers to ensure research insights drive decision-making. They also mentor junior researchers, establish best practices, and contribute to the overall UX research vision. Their work helps create user-centered products that improve engagement and satisfaction.

What are some typical responsibilities of a Principal User Experience Researcher within a cross-functional product team?

A Principal User Experience Researcher regularly leads the end-to-end design and execution of research studies, synthesizing insights to inform product strategy and improvements. They collaborate closely with product managers, designers, engineers, and business stakeholders to integrate user needs into every stage of development. Frequently, they mentor junior researchers, set research standards, and help establish best practices across the organization. The role often requires presenting research findings to senior leadership and advocating for user-centric approaches in both tactical and high-level decisions.

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

To thrive as a Principal User Experience Researcher, you need advanced expertise in qualitative and quantitative research methods, a strong background in human-computer interaction or a related field, and several years of UX research experience. Proficiency with tools such as UserTesting, Qualtrics, Morae, and data analysis platforms like SPSS or R is commonly expected, and certifications such as UXQB or Nielsen Norman Group can be advantageous. Exceptional communication, leadership, and stakeholder management skills are essential to collaborate effectively and advocate for user-centered design across teams. These competencies enable the Principal UX Researcher to drive high-impact product decisions and lead research initiatives that shape user experiences at a strategic level.

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Principal User Experience Researcher jobs near you
Infographic showing various Principal User Experience Researcher job openings in the United States as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 2% Full Time, and 98% Contract. Highlights an 95% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 4% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $117,556 per year, or $56.5 per hour.
Principal UX Researcher

Principal UX Researcher

Upstart

OR • On-site, Remote

Other

Posted 10 days ago

Job description

The Team: 

Upstart's Product Experience team brings together product design, research, and content strategy to shape the future of lending. We focus on high-craft execution, deep customer insight, and measurable business impact,  partnering across product areas to build experiences that are clear, trustworthy, and human. Content Design and User Research are cross-cutting craft specialties that serve every pillar - essential to journey quality and informed decision-making across the team. 

As the Principal UX Researcher reporting to the VP of Product Design, you will establish Upstart's dedicated UX research practice. Today, product designers conduct their own research as needed and the Consumer Insights  team provides market and customer intelligence - but there's no shared UX research methodology or consistent way to connect customer behavior insights to product design decisions. You'll bridge that gap: defining how UX research gets done, equipping designers and PMs to conduct foundational research well, and leading the strategic studies that influence decisions across Upstart's lending products. 

How you'll make an impact

  • Establish and scale a UX research practice, including methodologies, standards, and tools used across product  teams
  • Lead high-impact, cross-functional research initiatives that inform product strategy and roadmap decisions    
  • Enable designers and product managers to conduct effective day-to-day research through toolkits, templates,and best practices
  • Build and maintain research infrastructure - participant recruiting pipelines, research repositories, and insight-sharing systems that make findings accessible and actionable across teams                               
  • Partner with Product, Engineering, and Consumer Insights leaders to ensure research has an informed and influential voice in product decisions - bridging horizontal insights across a multi-product lending portfolio  
  • Define and promote best practices for conducting research in a regulated environment with sensitive borrower data                                                                                                            
  • Balance speed and rigor by prioritizing research that drives timely, actionable insights

Minimum Qualifications 

  • Bachelor's degree in Human-Computer Interaction, Psychology, Sociology, Statistics, or a related field (or equivalent practical experience)
  • 8+ years of experience conducting UX research using qualitative and quantitative methods
  • Experience building or scaling a UX research practice, including establishing processes, tools, or frameworks
  • Demonstrated experience leading research that influenced product strategy or roadmap decisions
  • Experience working in complex, multi-product environments

Preferred Qualifications

  • Knowledge of financial services, fintech, or consumer lending products
  • Experience working in regulated environments with sensitive user data
  • Ability to design and implement scalable research systems that enable non-researchers to conduct foundational research
  • Experience with AI-assisted research tools or workflows
  • Ability to influence cross-functional stakeholders and integrate research into product decision-making

Position location This role is available in the following locations: Remote 

Time zone requirements The team operates on the East/West coast time zones. 

Travel requirements As a digital first company, the majority of your work can be accomplished remotely. The majority of our employees can live and work anywhere in the U.S but are encouraged to to still spend high quality time in-person collaborating via regular onsites. The in-person sessions' cadence varies depending on the team and role; most teams meet once or twice per quarter for 2-4 consecutive days at a time.

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