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Ux Design Researcher Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

User Insight Specialist Hyundai America Technical Center, Inc. (HATCI) is looking for an experienced UX design researcher to join the UX Studio Team of Vehicle Software The Position: The User Insight ...

User Insight Specialist

Irvine, CA · On-site

$90K - $155K/yr

User Insight Specialist Hyundai America Technical Center, Inc. (HATCI) is looking for an experienced UX design researcher to join the UX Studio Team of Vehicle Software The Position: The User Insight ...

... researcher(s), and raising the rigor of insights that inform design and product decisions * Build, manage, coach, and develop a growing team of UX/UI designers and UX researchers, including regular 1 ...

... researcher(s), and raising the rigor of insights that inform design and product decisions * Build, manage, coach, and develop a growing team of UX/UI designers and UX researchers, including regular 1 ...

Our Design, Research & Content team is a creative community on a mission to create and deliver ... We are seeking a Principal UX Researcher to help us set the path for our next generation of AI ...

... with user research and usability Visual design experience demonstrated through mockups and design guides Additional Information Warm Regards Ashutosh Sharma Technical Recruiter Artech Information ...

This role combines human-centered design, research, information architecture, content strategy, and ... Define and drive user experience strategy for key digital initiatives and platforms. * Translate ...

UX Design Lead

Walnut Creek, CA · On-site +1

$120K - $180K/yr

... materials research is done in the future * work with top-tier human capital in research ... Design / Material UI * Experience driving product vision, go-to-market strategy, and design ...

UX/UI Designer

Carlsbad, CA · On-site

$65 - $80/hr

Senior Director, Digital Product & Experience (transitioning to Director, UX Design & Research once ... that role is filled -- expected within a few months) F Job Type & Location This is a Contract ...

UX/UI Design Manager

Irvine, CA · Hybrid

$125K/yr

Promote and drive user research and usability testing to gather insights, validate design decisions ... Prior experience working within automotive finance preferred. * Familiarity with HTML/CSS ...

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Ux Design Researcher information

See California salary details

$29.6K

$111.6K

$162.3K

How much do ux design researcher jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 31, 2026, the average yearly pay for ux 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 is a UX design researcher?

UX Design Researchers are professionals who study and analyze how users interact with products, such as websites and apps, to improve their usability and overall experience. They use various research methods like interviews, surveys, and usability testing to gather insights about user needs, behaviors, and pain points. The information they collect helps design teams create products that are intuitive, user-friendly, and meet the needs of their target audience.

What skills and qualifications are needed to thrive as a UX design researcher?

To thrive as a UX Design Researcher, you need expertise in user research methodologies, data analysis, and a background in human-computer interaction or a related field. Familiarity with tools like UserTesting, Optimal Workshop, Figma, and survey platforms, along with knowledge of usability testing protocols, is typically required. Excellent communication, empathy, and critical thinking skills help you translate user insights into actionable design recommendations. These skills are crucial for creating user-centered products that meet real needs and drive successful design outcomes.

What are the most common challenges faced by UX design researchers when balancing user needs with business objectives?

UX Design Researchers often encounter the challenge of aligning user insights with the overall business strategy. While advocating for the user's perspective, they must also consider constraints like deadlines, budgets, and stakeholder priorities. Navigating these competing demands requires strong communication skills and the ability to translate research findings into actionable recommendations that support both user satisfaction and business goals. Building collaborative relationships with product managers, designers, and developers is key to ensuring that user research has a meaningful impact on project outcomes.

What is the difference between Ux Design Researcher vs Ux Designer?

AspectUx Design ResearcherUx Designer
Primary FocusGathering user insights, conducting research, understanding user needsCreating user interfaces, designing visual layouts, and improving user experience
Skills & CredentialsUser research methods, data analysis, empathy, often with research certificationsDesign tools, visual design, prototyping, user interface principles
Work EnvironmentResearch teams, user testing labs, collaborative with designers and product teamsDesign studios, product teams, cross-functional collaboration

While both roles aim to enhance user experience, the Ux Design Researcher primarily focuses on understanding user needs through research, whereas the Ux Designer concentrates on creating and implementing visual and interactive designs. They often work closely but serve different functions within the product development process.

What cities in California are hiring for Ux Design Researcher jobs?

Cities in California with the most Ux Design Researcher job openings:

Infographic showing various Ux 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.

$90K - $155K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 14 days ago


Job description

User Insight Specialist

Hyundai America Technical Center, Inc. (HATCI) is looking for an experienced UX design researcher to join the UX Studio Team of Vehicle Software

The Position:

The User Insight Specialist would support advanced vehicle feature/platform development efforts for the Northern American (NA) market by overseeing UX research activities, including identifying success metrics, collecting stakeholder/SME feedback, conducting user testing, performing requirement analysis, tracking issue reports, and drawing insights from user data to improve the UX concerning the next generation of Hyundai, Kia, and Genesis vehicles. Additionally, the User Insight Researcher would lead regular UX sprint events with a cross-functional consortium of a wide range of SMEs in Hyundai Moter Group (HMG), defining a clear goal for each sprint that would contribute to the whole design process, breaking down UX-related issues, refining the discussion scope for the long-term mission as well as for the short-term action items, curating the methods and product instruments for evaluative/confirmative research purposes, collecting and analyzing data from internal/external tests, deriving requirements on how to improve the design while factoring specific target market/consumer/user characteristics, documenting and communicating the process and findings with stakeholders. Ultimately, the User Insight Specialist would use its solid foundation of UX design principles and data visualization theories to link marketing, engineering/technology, and social/human science with the holistic approach to design in a fast-paced agile environment for the new mobility transition period involving electric vehicles, autonomous driving, and innovative transportation solutions. 

What You Will Do:
  • Plan user research based on a solid understanding of research methods
  • Conduct diagnostic research to identify potential usability issues
  • Conduct evaluative research with task analysis
  • Monitor and collect user data for UX trend research via various sources
  • Analyze user data to resolve UX design-related issues
  • Facilitate discussions with SMEs that contribute to design recommendations/improvements
  • Utilize UX design insight(s) and recommendations to develop interactive prototypes
  • Test and validate the effectiveness of design revision(s)
  • Document research reports with design requirements that are supported by user data
  • Travel up to 25% of the time, both domestically and internationally
What You Will Bring to the Role:
  • Basic Qualifications:
    • Master's degree in human-computer interaction, marketing research, social science, or an engineering-related discipline
    • Evidence of work/course(s) on HCI/UX foundations, including the history of publication
    • 3+ years of professional experience, including in academia, related to the automotive industry
    • 5+ years of professional experience in conducting UX research
    • At least 3 research publications
    • Familiarity with user research/consumer psychology methods
    • Understanding of UX research processes and design principles
    • Strong analytical skills
      • An ability to collect, analyze, and interpret complex data sets
    • Sound understanding of advanced research practices and best cases for future products
    • Ability to explain technical topics to both technical and non-technical stakeholders
    • Excellent time management, self-management, and organization skills
    • Strong written, oral, and interpersonal skills
  • Preferred Qualifications:
    • Doctoral degree in human-computer interaction, marketing research, social science, or an engineering-related discipline
    • Publication history in automotive UI
What Hyundai Can Offer You:
  • Zero-dollar Employee Premiums on Medical, Dental, and Vision for You and Your Family
  • 100% Employer-paid Disability and Life Insurance
  • Generous Paid Time Off, Including Vacation, Sick, and Abundant Holidays
  • Competitive Salaries
    • Range of Position: $90,000 ~ $155,000/Year
  • A Global Environment that Fosters Diversity
  • Retirement Savings and Planning Benefits
  • Access to Health Savings Accounts and Flexible Spending Accounts 
  • Flexible Work Hours
Other Details:
  • Candidates applying for positions with Hyundai KIA must be legally authorized to work in the United States. Verification of employment eligibility will be required at the time of hire.
    • HATCI is an Equal Opportunity Employer including Disabled and Veteran. VEVRAA Federal contractor.