Principal UX Researcher

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Principal UX Researcher Company: AT&T Location: Dallas, Texas, USA Job Type: FULL_TIME Category: User Experience (UX) Research / Product Operations Date Posted: July 22, 2025 Experience Level: Principal (8+ years) Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• Lead end-to-end user research initiatives, from initial ideation through product launch, influencing product strategy and design decisions.
• Leverage a deep understanding of quantitative research methodologies to drive product improvement and uncover new opportunities for customer value.
• Act as a strategic partner to Product, Design, and Engineering leaders, translating complex research findings into actionable insights and clear product recommendations.
• Develop and refine robust research frameworks to systematically track product impact and enhance user experiences across AT&T's diverse product portfolio.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the title is "Principal UX Researcher," the emphasis on quantitative research, metrics tracking, and driving impact across the product lifecycle strongly aligns with the principles of Product Operations and Revenue Operations, particularly in understanding user behavior that drives revenue and product adoption. The role requires a blend of deep research expertise and strategic influence on product development, indicating a need for operations-minded individuals who can translate user insights into business outcomes.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Plan, execute, and synthesize quantitative research studies, including usability testing, user surveys, and user interviews, to inform product strategy and design iterations.
• Collaborate closely with cross-functional teams, including Product Management, Engineering, Design, Data Science, Marketing, and Sales, to identify research needs and integrate user insights into the product development process.
• Translate research findings into compelling narratives, digestible reports, and actionable product recommendations that directly influence product direction and design decisions.
• Proactively identify user needs, pain points, and opportunities for innovation by planning and executing comprehensive research programs.
• Develop and implement repeatable research frameworks and best practices to ensure consistent quality, track user behavior trends, and measure the impact of product changes on user satisfaction and business goals.
• Advocate for the user throughout the product lifecycle, ensuring that user needs and perspectives are central to all product development and design decisions.
• Contribute to the continuous improvement of research methodologies and processes within the organization to enhance efficiency and research impact.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a strategic, high-impact role. The emphasis on translating findings into "clear directives" and "product recommendations," along with tracking "metrics/trends relevant to company and product goals," suggests that this role is pivotal in connecting user feedback to tangible business objectives, a core function within Revenue Operations and Product Operations. The expectation to "refine proven research frameworks to track impact and improve our products" points to a need for process-oriented thinking.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), Psychology, Sociology, Anthropology, Computer Science, or a related field, or equivalent practical experience.

Experience:

• A minimum of 8 years of progressive experience in user research, with a strong focus on quantitative research methodologies and their application throughout the product lifecycle.
• Proven track record of successfully leading and executing research programs that have demonstrably impacted product strategy and user experience.
• Extensive experience in collaborating effectively with diverse, cross-functional teams, including Product Management, Engineering, Design, Marketing, Data Science, and Sales.

Required Skills:

• Quantitative Research Expertise: Mastery of various quantitative research methods, including usability testing, A/B testing, surveys, analytics interpretation, and statistical analysis.
• Data Synthesis & Insight Generation: Ability to synthesize complex qualitative and quantitative data into clear, actionable insights and strategic recommendations.
• Communication & Storytelling: Exceptional verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to articulate research goals, findings, and recommendations persuasively to diverse audiences, including executive stakeholders.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Proven ability to work effectively with product managers, designers, engineers, data scientists, and marketing teams to integrate research findings into product development and business strategies.
• Product Lifecycle Management: Deep understanding of the product development lifecycle and how to strategically embed user research at each stage, from discovery and ideation to launch and iteration.

Preferred Skills:

• Research Framework Development: Experience in creating and refining research frameworks, methodologies, and best practices to drive impact and improve product outcomes.
• Metrics and KPI Tracking: Familiarity with identifying, tracking, and analyzing key performance indicators (KPIs) and metrics relevant to product success and user engagement.
• Proactive Research Planning: Demonstrated ability to proactively identify research needs and design research programs that address business objectives and uncover new opportunities.
• Qualitative Research Acumen: While the focus is quantitative, a strong foundation in qualitative research methods is beneficial for a holistic understanding of user behavior.
• Experience in Telecommunications/Technology: Familiarity with the telecommunications or technology industry, and the unique user needs and challenges within it.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on quantitative research, driving impact, and collaboration across many departments (product, engineering, design, data science, sales) suggests the need for a candidate who can operate with a strong operational mindset, focusing on measurable outcomes and process efficiency to inform product strategy. The "8+ years" experience level for a "Principal" role indicates a need for demonstrated leadership and strategic thinking in research execution and its impact on business goals.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Demonstrated Research Impact: Showcase case studies that clearly articulate research objectives, methodologies employed (with a strong emphasis on quantitative approaches), key findings, and the tangible impact of those findings on product development, user experience improvements, and business metrics.
• Quantitative Methodology Focus: Highlight projects where rigorous quantitative research was central to understanding user behavior, validating hypotheses, and informing product decisions. Include details on sample sizes, statistical significance, and the specific quantitative tools or techniques used.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration Evidence: Provide examples of successful collaborations with product, design, engineering, and data science teams, demonstrating how research insights were integrated into their workflows and decision-making processes.
• Process Improvement Contributions: Include examples of how you have contributed to refining or establishing research processes, frameworks, or best practices within a team or organization.

Process Documentation:

• Research Program Design: Document your approach to designing end-to-end research programs, including participant recruitment strategies, data collection plans, and ethical considerations.
• Data Analysis and Synthesis: Showcase examples of how you analyze and synthesize large datasets to derive meaningful insights, convert findings into actionable recommendations, and create compelling reports or presentations.
• Impact Measurement: Detail how you measure and communicate the impact of your research, linking user insights to specific product improvements, user satisfaction scores, or business outcomes.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a Principal-level role focused on quantitative research and impact, a portfolio demonstrating the ability to design, execute, and derive actionable insights from complex research programs is crucial. The emphasis should be on showcasing how research directly influenced product strategy and delivered measurable business value, aligning with operational efficiency and revenue generation goals.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

• The stated annual salary range for this Principal UX Researcher position is $158,200 to $237,400 USD.

Benefits:

• Comprehensive Health Coverage: Medical, Dental, and Vision insurance plans to support employee well-being.
• Retirement Savings: A 401(k) plan is offered, likely with a company match.
• Professional Development: Tuition reimbursement program to support ongoing learning and skill enhancement.
• Work-Life Balance: Generous Paid Time Off (PTO) and Holidays, with at least 23 days of vacation annually, plus 9 company-designated holidays.
• Family Support: Paid Parental Leave and Paid Caregiver Leave to support employees during significant life events.
• Additional Support: Adoption Reimbursement, Disability Benefits (short-term and long-term), and Life/Accidental Death Insurance.
• Supplemental Programs: Access to critical illness/accident hospital indemnity/group legal benefits.
• Employee Well-being: Employee Assistance Programs (EAP) and extensive employee wellness initiatives.
• Exclusive Discounts: Significant employee discounts of up to 50% on eligible AT&T mobility plans, accessories, internet, and phone services.

Working Hours:

• This is a full-time position requiring 40 hours per week. The role is designated as "Regular" time type.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range provided is competitive for a Principal-level UX Researcher in a major metropolitan area like Dallas, reflecting the seniority and strategic impact of the role. The extensive benefits package underscores AT&T's commitment to employee well-being and work-life integration, which is highly valued by operations professionals.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Telecommunications & Technology. AT&T is a leading global communications company, providing a wide range of services including wireless, broadband, and video. This context means the UX Researcher will be involved in products and services that impact millions of consumers and businesses. Company Size: AT&T is a very large, publicly traded corporation, indicating a structured environment with opportunities for significant impact and exposure to diverse projects and teams. Founded: AT&T has a long and rich history, tracing its roots back to the invention of the telephone. This legacy suggests a company culture that values innovation, reliability, and long-term vision.

Team Structure:

• Embedded Research Function: Researchers are deeply embedded within product creation processes, working as trusted strategic partners with Product Design.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Researchers collaborate closely with Product Management, Engineering, Design, Data Science, Marketing, and Sales leaders, indicating a highly integrated and collaborative approach to product development.
• Leadership Influence: The role involves working with and influencing Product and Engineering leaders, suggesting a dynamic where research insights directly shape strategic decisions.

Methodology:

• Data-Driven Product Development: The role emphasizes quantitative research and tracking metrics, indicating a strong reliance on data to inform product decisions and measure success.
• Full Product Lifecycle Involvement: Researchers are involved from ideation through launch, suggesting a comprehensive approach to understanding and improving user experiences.
• User Advocacy: A core tenet is advocating for the user, ensuring their needs and perspectives are central to product design and strategy.

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

📝 Enhancement Note: The culture at AT&T, as implied by the job description, is one that values deep user understanding, data-driven decision-making, and close collaboration across product development functions. The "Principal" title suggests a culture that empowers senior professionals to act as strategic leaders and influencers within their domains, particularly concerning user experience and its impact on business outcomes.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: Principal UX Researcher. This level signifies a senior individual contributor role with significant autonomy, strategic influence, and the responsibility to lead complex research initiatives. It positions the individual as a subject matter expert and a key driver of user-centric product strategy. Reporting Structure: While not explicitly stated, Principal UX Researchers typically report into a UX Research Lead, Director of UX, or a Product organization leadership role. They are expected to work closely with Product Managers, UX Designers, and Engineering leads, fostering strong working relationships across these functions. Operations Impact: This role has a direct and significant impact on product success by ensuring user needs are met, which in turn drives customer adoption, satisfaction, and retention – key metrics for revenue operations. By translating user insights into actionable product recommendations, the researcher influences product strategy that can lead to increased revenue, reduced churn, and enhanced customer lifetime value.

Growth Opportunities:

• Strategic Leadership: Opportunities to lead major research programs, mentor junior researchers, and contribute to the strategic direction of UX research at AT&T.
• Specialization and Skill Development: Deepen expertise in quantitative research methodologies, explore emerging research techniques, and potentially gain exposure to product management or design strategy.
• Cross-Functional Leadership: Advance into roles that manage research teams, lead UX strategy for larger product areas, or transition into product management or strategic planning roles, leveraging deep user and market understanding.
• Industry Impact: Contribute to shaping the user experience of products and services used by millions, gaining significant experience in a large-scale, complex environment.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Principal" designation suggests a clear path for career progression within AT&T's research or product organizations, potentially into management roles or highly specialized individual contributor paths focused on strategic initiatives. The role's emphasis on driving product impact aligns with career growth in operations-focused areas where measurable results are paramount.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: This is an on-site role, requiring a minimum of 5 days per week in the office. This suggests a collaborative, in-person work environment conducive to team synergy and spontaneous idea exchange. Office Location(s): The primary location specified is Dallas, Texas (Two AT&T Plaza). However, the listing also mentions Middletown, New Jersey, and Bothell, Washington as alternative locations. This implies AT&T has a distributed presence for its UX research teams. Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Hub: The office environment likely facilitates direct interaction with Product Designers, Product Managers, and Engineers, fostering a dynamic and hands-on approach to problem-solving.
• Technology-Rich Environment: As a leading technology company, expect access to modern tools, software, and collaborative platforms essential for effective UX research and product development.
• Team Interaction: Frequent opportunities for team meetings, workshops, brainstorming sessions, and knowledge sharing with fellow UX researchers and product development professionals.

Work Schedule:

• The standard work schedule is 40 hours per week, typical for a full-time, on-site position. The "Regular" time type indicates a consistent, standard work arrangement.

📝 Enhancement Note: The requirement for 5 days per week in the office highlights a preference for in-person collaboration, common in large enterprises where building strong cross-functional relationships and fostering a cohesive team culture are priorities. This environment is beneficial for operations roles that thrive on direct communication and rapid feedback loops.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A recruiter or hiring manager will likely review applications and resumes, focusing on relevant experience and skills.
• Hiring Manager/Team Interview: Expect interviews with the hiring manager and potentially other UX researchers or cross-functional partners. These may include behavioral questions, discussions about past projects, and assessments of research philosophy.
• Portfolio Review & Presentation: A critical stage will involve presenting a portfolio showcasing relevant research projects. Candidates should be prepared to discuss their process, methodologies, findings, and the impact of their work. This is where quantitative expertise and operational impact will be scrutinized.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration Assessment: Interviews may include scenarios or questions designed to assess how you collaborate with product, design, and engineering teams, and how you translate research into actionable insights for these groups.
• Skills-Based Exercises: Potentially a take-home assignment or a live case study focused on a product problem, requiring the candidate to outline a research plan and present findings, with a strong emphasis on quantitative analysis and strategic recommendations.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Quantify Impact: For each project, clearly articulate the business objectives, the research questions addressed, the quantitative methods used, key findings, and the measurable impact on the product or business (e.g., increased conversion rates, reduced task completion time, improved customer satisfaction scores).
• Showcase Process Rigor: Detail your approach to planning, executing, and synthesizing quantitative research. Explain your rationale for choosing specific methods and how you ensured the validity and reliability of your data.
• Highlight Collaboration: Demonstrate how you partnered with other disciplines, how you communicated your findings, and how your insights influenced product decisions and team workflows.
• Structure for Clarity: Organize your portfolio by project, ensuring each case study includes context, your role, methodology, insights, and impact. Be ready to walk through your thought process and decision-making.
• Focus on Strategy: Emphasize how your research strategy aligned with broader business goals and product objectives.

Challenge Preparation:

• Research Plan Design: Be prepared to outline a research plan for a given product problem, specifying quantitative methods, participant criteria, data collection, and analysis approach. Focus on how your plan will yield actionable insights for product improvement.
• Data Interpretation: Practice interpreting mock data sets or user metrics to identify trends, diagnose issues, and formulate hypotheses or recommendations.
• Stakeholder Communication: Prepare to articulate complex research findings and strategic recommendations in a clear, concise, and persuasive manner, tailored to different audiences (e.g., designers, engineers, executives).

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview and portfolio review process will heavily scrutinize not just research skills, but the ability to translate those skills into measurable business impact. Candidates should prepare to demonstrate how their quantitative research directly contributed to operational efficiency, product adoption, and revenue generation, aligning with the core tenets of operations roles.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• User Research Platforms: Experience with tools for survey creation, usability testing (e.g., UserTesting.com, Lookback), and participant recruitment.
• Statistical Analysis Software: Proficiency in tools like SPSS, R, Python (with libraries such as SciPy, NumPy, Pandas), or similar statistical packages for in-depth quantitative data analysis.
• Data Visualization Tools: Familiarity with tools such as Tableau, Power BI, Looker, or similar platforms to create compelling visualizations of research data and findings for stakeholder communication.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Web Analytics: Experience with tools like Google Analytics, Adobe Analytics, or similar platforms to understand user behavior on digital products.
• A/B Testing Tools: Knowledge of A/B testing platforms (e.g., Optimizely, VWO) for experimental design and analysis.
• Business Intelligence (BI) Tools: Experience with BI platforms to access and analyze broader business and product performance data.

CRM & Automation:

• While not primary for UX research, familiarity with CRM systems (e.g., Salesforce) and marketing automation platforms can provide context on customer journeys and data integration points.
• Collaboration & Project Management Tools: Proficiency with tools like Jira, Confluence, Asana, or Microsoft Teams for project tracking, documentation, and team collaboration.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on quantitative research implies a need for strong analytical and data handling skills, requiring familiarity with statistical software and data visualization tools. Proficiency in these areas is critical for translating raw data into actionable insights that drive operational improvements and inform product strategy.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Data-Driven Decision Making: A core value is the reliance on empirical data and rigorous analysis to inform product strategies and business decisions.
• User-Centricity: A commitment to understanding and advocating for the user at all stages of product development, ensuring that user needs are prioritized.
• Collaboration and Partnership: Strong emphasis on working effectively with cross-functional teams, fostering a collaborative environment where diverse perspectives are valued and integrated.
• Impact and Measurability: A focus on delivering tangible results and demonstrating the impact of research through quantifiable metrics and clear contributions to business objectives.
• Continuous Improvement: A culture that encourages the refinement of processes, methodologies, and tools to enhance efficiency and effectiveness in research and product development.

Collaboration Style:

• Embedded Partnership: Researchers are integrated directly into product teams, working alongside product managers, designers, and engineers on a daily basis.
• Proactive Engagement: A style that encourages researchers to proactively identify research needs and opportunities, rather than waiting for requests.
• Insight Sharing and Socialization: A culture that values clear, concise, and persuasive communication of research findings to drive adoption and action across the organization.
• Feedback-Oriented: An environment where constructive feedback is exchanged and utilized for personal and team growth, as well as for product iteration.

📝 Enhancement Note: The culture emphasizes a blend of analytical rigor, user advocacy, and strong cross-functional teamwork. For operations professionals, this means a role that requires not only technical expertise but also the ability to influence and collaborate effectively to drive process improvements and achieve business outcomes.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Navigating a Large Organization: Adapting to the scale and complexity of a large enterprise like AT&T, which can involve matrixed reporting structures and diverse stakeholder needs.
• Balancing Quantitative and Qualitative Insights: While the role emphasizes quantitative research, integrating qualitative understanding is crucial for a comprehensive view of user behavior, requiring a strategic approach to research design.
• Driving Action from Insights: The challenge of ensuring that research findings are not just reported but actively translated into product changes and strategic decisions within a fast-paced environment.
• Staying Ahead of Evolving Technologies: Keeping pace with advancements in telecommunications, digital platforms, and research methodologies to maintain a competitive edge.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Advanced Quantitative Methods: Opportunities to deepen expertise in statistical modeling, experimental design, and advanced analytics techniques relevant to user behavior.
• Cross-Disciplinary Learning: Exposure to product management, engineering, and business strategy, providing a broader understanding of the product lifecycle and business operations.
• Mentorship and Leadership: Potential to mentor junior researchers and develop leadership skills by guiding research programs and influencing product strategy.
• Industry Best Practices: Engaging with industry trends and best practices in UX research and product development through internal knowledge sharing and external professional development.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges presented are typical of senior roles in large tech companies, offering significant growth potential for individuals adept at navigating complex environments and driving impactful change. The learning opportunities align well with a career path focused on operational excellence and strategic product influence.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• Research Program Design: "Describe a complex product initiative you supported. How did you design your research program to address the key business questions and ensure actionable outcomes? What quantitative methods did you employ, and why?"
  • Preparation: Focus on your process for scoping research, selecting appropriate quantitative methods (surveys, A/B tests, analytics deep dives), defining metrics, and how you ensured findings would lead to concrete product recommendations.
• Impact Demonstration: "Tell me about a time your research findings led to a significant change in a product or strategy. How did you measure the impact of that change, and what was the ultimate business outcome?"
  • Preparation: Prepare a STAR (Situation, Task, Action, Result) method answer that quantifies the impact of your research, linking it to metrics like user satisfaction, conversion rates, task completion, or revenue.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: "How do you work with Product Managers and Engineers to ensure research insights are understood and integrated into the product development roadmap? Describe a challenging collaboration and how you navigated it."
  • Preparation: Highlight your communication skills, ability to translate technical research findings into relevant language for different audiences, and your approach to building consensus and driving adoption of research recommendations.

Company & Culture Questions:

• AT&T's User Focus: "How do you see user research contributing to AT&T's mission to connect people and businesses?"
  • Preparation: Research AT&T's current products and services, and articulate how understanding user needs is critical to their success in the telecommunications and technology sectors.
• Team Dynamics: "How do you typically integrate into a product team? What is your preferred way to collaborate with designers, product managers, and engineers?"
  • Preparation: Discuss your experience working in cross-functional teams and your approach to building strong, collaborative relationships.

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Quantify Everything: For each presented project, ensure you have clear metrics demonstrating the problem, your approach, and the impact. Use numbers to tell your story.
• Focus on "So What?": Clearly articulate the "so what?" of your findings – what were the actionable recommendations, and what was the resulting product or business impact?
• Showcase Your Process: Walk through your thought process, from understanding the initial problem to synthesizing data and presenting solutions. Emphasize your strategic thinking.
• Be Ready for Deep Dives: Anticipate detailed questions about your methodology, data analysis, and how you handled challenges or unexpected findings.

📝 Enhancement Note: Candidates should prepare to demonstrate not only strong research skills but also a strategic, operations-minded approach to driving product success through data-informed decisions. Emphasizing quantitative impact and cross-functional collaboration will be key to success.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Principal UX Researcher position:

• Submit Your Application: Navigate to the AT&T careers portal and submit your resume and any requested supporting documents through the provided link.
• Tailor Your Resume: Ensure your resume highlights your experience with quantitative research methodologies, your ability to drive research impact, and your collaborative experience across product, design, and engineering teams. Use keywords from the job description.
• Curate Your Portfolio: Select 2-3 of your most impactful research projects that showcase your quantitative expertise, your process for data synthesis and insight generation, and the tangible business or product outcomes achieved. Quantify your achievements whenever possible.
• Prepare Your Presentation: Practice presenting your portfolio projects concisely, focusing on the problem, your strategic approach (especially quantitative methods), key findings, and the measurable impact. Be ready to discuss your role and decision-making process.
• Research AT&T: Familiarize yourself with AT&T's current products, services, and strategic initiatives. Understand their position in the market and how user experience research contributes to their business objectives.
• Anticipate Interview Questions: Prepare answers using the STAR method for behavioral questions, and be ready to discuss your research philosophy, quantitative expertise, and collaboration style.

⚠️ Important Notice: This enhanced job description includes AI-generated insights and operations industry-standard assumptions. All details should be verified directly with the hiring organization before making application decisions.