UX Researcher II

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: UX Researcher II

Company: Lucid Motors

Location: Newark, CA

Job Type: Full-Time

Category: UX Research

Date Posted: June 12, 2025

Experience Level: Mid-Level (3-5 years)

Remote Status: On-site

🎨 Role Summary

• Champion user-centered design principles across the Lucid product ecosystem, including in-car HMI systems, infotainment, and mobile applications.
• Lead comprehensive end-to-end user research initiatives, spanning from initial concept validation and formative research to usability testing and summative evaluation.
• Collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams, including Product Management, Design, Engineering, and Marketing, to translate user insights into actionable product strategies and design decisions.
• Drive product development forward by presenting compelling, data-driven insights and user narratives that influence key stakeholders and inform the product roadmap.
• Manage and optimize user research operations, including the recruitment and incentivization of research participants, scheduling, and logistical coordination.

🖼️ Primary Responsibilities

• Design and execute a variety of user research studies using mixed methodologies, including surveys, field studies, remote usability testing, ethnographic research, psychographic research, and in-depth interviews.
• Analyze qualitative and quantitative user data using appropriate statistical methods and research platforms to identify user behaviors, needs, pain points, and mental models.
• Develop and deliver clear, concise, and impactful research findings and recommendations through presentations, reports, and other communication formats tailored to different audiences (designers, engineers, product managers, leadership).
• Translate complex user data and insights into compelling data stories that effectively communicate user needs and opportunities to cross-functional teams, influencing product strategy and design direction.
• Collaborate closely with UX Designers and Product Managers throughout the design process, providing user insights at key stages to inform ideation, prototyping, and iteration cycles.
• Continuously explore and implement innovative research methods and technologies to enhance the effectiveness and efficiency of the user research practice within Lucid Motors.
• Manage participant recruitment processes, ensuring diverse and representative user groups are included in research studies while adhering to ethical guidelines and data privacy regulations.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: Bachelor's degree in a research-related field such as User Experience (UX), Psychology, Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), Design, Computer Science, or a related discipline. A Master's degree in a similar field is highly preferred and considered a significant bonus, indicating a deeper theoretical and practical foundation in research methodologies.

Experience: 3-5 years of hands-on, applied user research experience is required. This should include experience leading end-to-end research projects, from planning and execution to analysis and reporting. A strong portfolio showcasing impactful research projects, methodologies used, findings, and their influence on product decisions is essential for demonstrating applied experience.

Required Skills:

• Proficiency in designing and conducting a range of qualitative and quantitative research methods, including usability studies, surveys, interviews, field studies, and remote testing.
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to interpret complex user data, identify patterns, and translate findings into actionable design and product recommendations.
• Experience with statistical analysis and data visualization to support quantitative research findings and communicate insights effectively.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple user research projects concurrently, prioritizing tasks and delivering high-quality results within defined timelines.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to clearly articulate research objectives, methodologies, findings, and recommendations to diverse stakeholders.
• Experience with participant recruitment and management processes, including screening, scheduling, and compensation.
• Ability to adapt research methodologies and approaches based on project needs, constraints, and evolving product requirements.

Preferred Skills:

• Master's degree in a research-related field (UX, Psychology, HCI, Design, Computer Science).
• Experience conducting empirical user research, involving systematic observation and measurement of user behavior.
• Prior experience conducting research for both physical and digital products, ideally within the automotive, IoT, or consumer electronics industries.
• Familiarity with eye-tracking technology and research platforms for analyzing visual attention and interaction patterns.
• Experience working in a fast-paced environment, such as a startup, or within the automotive or Internet of Things (IoT) sectors.

🎨 Portfolio & Creative Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Your portfolio should primarily showcase user research case studies that clearly articulate the problem you addressed, the research questions, the methodologies you employed, and the key findings.
• For each project, detail your role and responsibilities within the research process, demonstrating your ability to plan, execute, analyze, and report on research initiatives.
• Present the impact of your research findings on product decisions, design iterations, or business outcomes. Quantify impact where possible.
• Include examples of research deliverables such as research plans, interview guides, survey designs, affinity diagrams, user journey maps, personas (based on research), and research reports or presentations.

Process Documentation:

• Clearly document the research methodology chosen for each project and explain the rationale behind your selection, considering the research questions and project goals.
• Detail your approach to participant recruitment and ethical considerations, especially when dealing with sensitive data or specific user groups.
• Illustrate how you synthesized qualitative and quantitative data to derive meaningful insights, perhaps showing examples of data analysis techniques or tools used.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $107,300 - $147,510 USD per year.

Benefits:

• Comprehensive Medical, Dental, and Vision insurance coverage.
• Life Insurance and Disability Insurance for financial security.
• Generous Vacation policy to encourage work-life balance and rejuvenation.
• 401k retirement savings plan to support long-term financial goals.
• Opportunity to participate in Lucid's Equity Program, providing a stake in the company's success (subject to program rules).
• Potential eligibility for a Discretionary Annual Incentive Program based on individual and company performance.

Working Hours: Standard full-time working hours, typically 40 hours per week. While the role is on-site, there may be some flexibility depending on research activities and project needs, particularly for coordinating with participants or remote team members.

🎯Team & Company Context

🏢 Company & Design Culture

Industry: Automotive / Luxury Electric Vehicles. Lucid Motors operates at the intersection of cutting-edge automotive engineering and luxury consumer experience, placing a significant emphasis on the design and user interaction of their vehicles and associated digital products. The focus is on elevating the human experience through intuitive and intelligent design.

Company Size: Approximately 6,730 employees globally. As a growing public company, Lucid offers the structure and resources of a larger organization while potentially retaining some of the agility and innovative spirit of its startup origins. For design and research professionals, this means opportunities for impactful work within established processes and potentially larger teams.

Founded: 2016. Founded as Atieva in 2007 and rebranded as Lucid Motors in 2016, the company has a relatively recent history focused on developing electric vehicle technology. This newer history suggests a dynamic environment where design and research practices may still be evolving and open to innovation.

Team Structure: The UX Research team likely works closely with UX/UI Designers, Product Managers, and Engineering teams. Collaboration is expected to be cross-functional, with researchers embedded within or closely aligned with product development squads focused on specific vehicle features (e.g., HMI, infotainment) or digital platforms (mobile app). The "UX Researcher II" title suggests a hierarchical structure within the research team, with potential reporting to a Lead UX Researcher or UX Research Manager.

Methodology: Given the focus on user-centered design and the required research skills, the team likely employs a mix of qualitative and quantitative research methodologies throughout the product development lifecycle. This includes generative research during the discovery phase, evaluative research for testing prototypes and existing interfaces, and potentially longitudinal studies to understand long-term user behavior with the vehicles.

Company Website: https://www.lucidmotors.com

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Design Career Level: UX Researcher II is typically a mid-level position. Professionals at this level are expected to independently lead research projects, demonstrate a solid understanding of various research methodologies, and effectively communicate findings to stakeholders. They often mentor junior researchers and contribute to improving research processes.

Reporting Structure: As a Researcher II, you would likely report to a more senior UX Researcher, a Lead UX Researcher, or a UX Research Manager. This structure indicates opportunities for mentorship, guidance, and potential advancement within the research hierarchy.

Design Impact: This role has significant potential for impact. By providing critical user insights into the in-car HMI systems, infotainment, and mobile apps, the UX Researcher II directly influences the usability, desirability, and overall user experience of Lucid vehicles and digital products. Your research will inform design decisions, feature prioritization, and product strategy, contributing to the success of Lucid's offerings in a competitive market.

Growth Opportunities:

• Advancement to a Senior UX Researcher role, leading more complex projects, mentoring junior team members, and taking on more strategic research initiatives.
• Specialization in specific research areas such as automotive user experience, human factors, or advanced research methodologies (e.g., eye-tracking, biometric data).
• Opportunities to contribute to the development of research processes, best practices, and research repositories within the organization.
• Potential for leadership roles within the UX Research team as the company and team grow.

🌐 Work Environment

Studio Type: Office-based within the Lucid Motors facilities in Newark, CA. This is an on-site role, implying that the primary work location will be within the company's physical workspace.

Office Location(s): Newark, CA. This location is part of the San Francisco Bay Area, a hub for technology and innovation, which can offer access to a diverse talent pool and industry events. The on-site requirement suggests a collaborative team environment within the office.

Design Workspace Context:

• The on-site nature suggests a collaborative environment where researchers can easily interact with designers, engineers, and product managers in person, facilitating more fluid communication and collaboration on research activities and findings.
• Access to physical resources for conducting in-person research, such as usability labs, testing environments, or access to vehicles for in-car research.
• Opportunities for informal interactions and knowledge sharing with the broader design and product teams, fostering a strong team culture.

Work Schedule: Full-time, on-site. The standard work schedule is likely during business hours. While there may be some flexibility needed for conducting research sessions outside of typical hours, the core expectation is presence in the office.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Design Interview Process:

• Initial Screen: Expect a recruiter screen to assess basic qualifications, experience level, and interest in the role and company. Be prepared to briefly articulate your user research experience and why you are interested in Lucid Motors.
• Hiring Manager/Team Interview: You will likely interview with the hiring manager (e.g., UX Research Manager) and potentially members of the UX Research team. This stage will delve deeper into your research experience, methodologies, and approach to problem-solving. Be ready to discuss specific projects from your portfolio.
• Portfolio Review/Presentation: A dedicated session to walk through selected case studies from your portfolio. Focus on demonstrating your research process, the rationale behind your methods, your analytical skills, and the impact of your findings. Be prepared to answer questions about your decisions and challenges faced.
• Cross-Functional Interviews: You will likely interview with key stakeholders from Product Management, UX/UI Design, and potentially Engineering. These interviews assess your ability to collaborate, communicate research findings to non-researchers, and influence product decisions. Prepare to discuss how your research has informed design and product strategy in the past.
• Design Challenge (Possible): Some companies, especially in product development, may include a research-focused challenge. This could involve analyzing a dataset, designing a research plan for a hypothetical problem, or critiquing an existing product's user experience based on research principles.
• Final Interview(s): May involve interviews with leadership or more senior team members to assess overall fit, strategic thinking, and potential long-term contributions to the team and company.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Select 2-3 impactful research projects that demonstrate a range of methodologies and your ability to influence product outcomes.
• For each case study, clearly outline the research problem, objectives, methodology (including participant details and ethical considerations), key findings, and actionable recommendations.
• Quantify the impact of your research whenever possible (e.g., "Improved task completion rate by X%", "Identified critical usability issues that led to Y design changes").
• Focus on storytelling – guide the reviewers through your research process, highlighting challenges, learnings, and how you collaborated with cross-functional teams.
• Be prepared to discuss the limitations of your studies and how you addressed them.
• Tailor your presentation to the audience – emphasize aspects most relevant to researchers, designers, and product managers.

Challenge Preparation:

• If a challenge is given, clarify the objectives and constraints upfront.
• Structure your response logically, outlining your proposed research approach, methodology, and expected outcomes.
• Be prepared to articulate the rationale behind your research design decisions.
• Practice presenting your approach clearly and concisely, as if you were communicating it to stakeholders.

ATS Keywords: User Research, UX Research, Usability Testing, Qualitative Research, Quantitative Research, Mixed Methods Research, Field Studies, Surveys, Interviews, Remote Testing, Data Analysis, Statistical Analysis, Research Design, Participant Recruitment, Research Operations, Cross-Functional Collaboration, Stakeholder Communication, Data Storytelling, User-Centered Design, Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), Psychology, Ethnographic Research, Psychographic Research, Empirical Research, Automotive UX, HMI (Human-Machine Interface), Infotainment, Mobile App Research, Tableau, Qualtrics, UserTesting, SPSS, R, Python, Dovetail.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Design Tools:

• Research Platforms: Experience with platforms like UserTesting.com, Qualtrics, or similar tools for conducting remote usability studies, surveys, and managing participant panels is expected. Proficiency in setting up studies, analyzing data, and generating reports within these platforms is key.
• Data Analysis Software: Familiarity with statistical software packages such as SPSS, R, or Python (with relevant libraries like Pandas, NumPy, SciPy) is crucial for analyzing quantitative data from surveys, analytics, or experiments.
• Data Visualization Tools: Experience with tools like Tableau, Excel, or other data visualization software to create charts, graphs, and dashboards that effectively communicate research findings.
• Qualitative Analysis Tools: Tools like Dovetail, EnjoyHQ, or similar platforms for organizing, analyzing, and synthesizing qualitative data from interviews, observations, and open-ended survey responses are beneficial.

Collaboration & Handoff:

• Collaboration Platforms: Tools like Slack, Microsoft Teams, or similar for team communication and collaboration with cross-functional partners.
• Documentation Tools: Platforms like Confluence, Notion, or shared drives for documenting research plans, findings, reports, and building a searchable research repository.
• Project Management Tools: Familiarity with tools like Jira, Asana, or Trello for managing research timelines, tasks, and deliverables within project workflows.

Research & Testing:

• Prototyping Tools (for testing): While not directly a design tool you'd use for creation, familiarity with how prototypes are built in tools like Figma, Sketch, or Adobe XD is helpful for planning and conducting usability tests on interactive designs.
• Analytics Platforms: Understanding of web or mobile analytics platforms (e.g., Google Analytics, Amplitude) to access behavioral data that can complement qualitative research findings.
• Specialized Hardware/Software: For automotive research, experience with or willingness to learn about in-car testing setups, eye-tracking technology platforms, or simulators may be relevant.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Design Values:

• User-Centeredness: A strong emphasis on understanding and advocating for the needs, behaviors, and motivations of Lucid vehicle owners and users of their digital products. Insights from user research are expected to be a primary driver of design and product decisions.
• Innovation: A culture that encourages exploring new ideas and pushing the boundaries of automotive user experience and technology. Researchers are likely valued for their ability to uncover unmet needs and identify opportunities for groundbreaking features.
• Collaboration: A highly collaborative environment where researchers work closely with designers, engineers, and product managers from the initial stages of product development through launch and iteration. Open communication and shared understanding of user insights are key.
• Impact & Excellence: A focus on delivering high-quality research that provides actionable insights and demonstrably impacts the product and business. There is likely a drive for excellence in research methodology and reporting.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-functional collaboration is likely central, with researchers integrated into product teams or working closely with them. Regular meetings, design critiques, and stakeholder presentations are probable components of the workflow.
• A data-informed or data-driven approach to decision making is expected, where research findings are actively used to guide discussions and justify design choices.
• Feedback and knowledge sharing within the UX Research team and the broader design organization are likely encouraged to foster continuous learning and improve research practices.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Design Challenges:

• Complexity of Automotive UX: Researching in-car systems involves unique challenges related to driver safety, cognitive load, physical constraints, and the integration of hardware and software. Adapting research methods to this complex environment will be a key challenge.
• Balancing Innovation and Usability: Lucid aims for innovative luxury experiences. A challenge will be researching cutting-edge features while ensuring they are intuitive and usable for a diverse user base, avoiding unnecessary complexity.
• Cross-Functional Alignment: Effectively communicating research findings and influencing product and engineering teams with varying levels of research understanding requires strong communication and stakeholder management skills.
• Rapid Industry Evolution: The electric vehicle and automotive tech landscape is constantly changing. Staying ahead of trends and researching future-forward concepts will be ongoing challenges.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Gaining deep expertise in automotive user research and human factors.
• Opportunity to work with cutting-edge technology, potentially including advanced simulations or in-vehicle testing environments.
• Developing skills in researching integrated physical and digital experiences.
• Learning and applying advanced quantitative and qualitative research methodologies in a unique context.
• Potential for attending industry conferences and workshops focused on automotive UX, HMI, or user research.

💡 Interview Preparation

Design Process Questions:

• Be prepared to discuss your end-to-end user research process for a past project. Walk through how you defined the research problem, selected methodologies, recruited participants, conducted research, analyzed data, and reported findings.
• Explain how you adapt your research methodology based on the stage of the product development lifecycle (e.g., generative vs. evaluative research).
• Describe a time you faced a challenge during a research project (e.g., recruitment issues, unexpected findings, stakeholder disagreements) and how you overcame it.

Company Culture Questions:

• Research Lucid Motors' mission, values, and recent product announcements, particularly regarding their HMI and digital features. Be prepared to discuss what excites you about their approach to user experience in vehicles.
• Ask questions about the structure of the UX team, how researchers collaborate with designers and product managers, and how research insights are integrated into the product development process.
• Inquire about the biggest UX challenges Lucid is currently facing and how the research team is addressing them.

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Limit your presentation to 2-3 key case studies that best showcase your skills and experience relevant to the UX Researcher II role and Lucid's focus (automotive, HMI, mobile).
• Start each case study with the problem or question you aimed to address and why it was important.
• Clearly articulate your research goals and the specific methodologies you used, explaining your rationale.
• Present your key findings in a clear, concise manner, supported by data (both qualitative and quantitative). Use visuals where appropriate (e.g., charts, affinity diagrams, user journey snippets).
• Most importantly, explain the impact of your research. How did your findings influence design decisions, product features, or business outcomes?
• Be prepared for questions at any point during the presentation.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this design position:

• Submit your application through this link
• Carefully review the required and preferred qualifications and tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight relevant experience, skills, and education. Use keywords from the job description where appropriate.
• Prepare your user research portfolio, ensuring it includes detailed case studies of impactful projects that demonstrate your research process, methodologies, analytical skills, and the influence of your findings on product outcomes.
• Practice articulating your research process and the impact of your work, preparing specific examples from your portfolio to discuss during interviews.
• Research Lucid Motors, focusing on their vehicles, HMI systems, mobile app, company culture, and recent news, to demonstrate genuine interest and prepare thoughtful questions for your interviewers.