Senior UX Researcher, Agentic AI

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Senior UX Researcher, Agentic AI Company: Zillow Location: Remote-USA Job Type: FULL_TIME Category: User Experience Research / AI Product Development Date Posted: 2025-08-12 Experience Level: 5+ Years Remote Status: Remote Solely

🚀 Role Summary

• Drive foundational and evaluative user research initiatives for Zillow's Agentic AI product development, focusing on radically simplifying real estate transactions.
• Apply a comprehensive understanding of mixed-methods research, including advanced qualitative and quantitative techniques, to uncover user needs and inform AI-driven product strategy.
• Act as a strategic partner to design, engineering, product management, and AI science teams, translating user insights into actionable product recommendations and roadmaps.
• Champion responsible AI development practices, ensuring ethical, transparent, and fair AI usage throughout the product lifecycle for both internal stakeholders and end customers.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is specifically focused on the intersection of User Experience Research and Artificial Intelligence, with a strong emphasis on "Agentic AI" which implies AI systems that can act autonomously or semi-autonomously to achieve user goals. The "Senior" level indicates a need for independent project leadership, strategic thinking, and the ability to mentor or guide less experienced researchers.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Design and execute a research roadmap for Agentic AI products, utilizing a range of qualitative (e.g., in-depth interviews, usability testing) and quantitative (e.g., surveys, A/B testing analysis) methodologies.
• Synthesize complex user data and behavioral patterns to identify unmet needs, validate AI-driven solutions, and frame critical user insights that shape product strategy and innovation for real estate.
• Independently lead multiple research projects from conception through to delivery in a fast-paced, dynamic product development environment.
• Collaborate closely with designers, design technologists, engineers, AI scientists, and product managers to integrate research findings into the product development lifecycle and foster a user-centric approach.
• Advocate for and actively contribute to the ethical development and deployment of AI technologies, ensuring fairness, transparency, and accountability in agentic AI systems.
• Participate in in-person collaboration sessions, team-building events, and strategic planning meetings approximately 6-8 weeks per year to foster cross-functional alignment and team cohesion.
• Contribute to the broader Zillow UX Research community by sharing knowledge, best practices, and participating in professional development activities.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibility to "Uphold responsible AI development practices" is critical and suggests the need for research methodologies that specifically address AI ethics, bias detection, and user trust in AI systems. The mention of "agentic experiences" implies research into user interaction with AI that can perform tasks on behalf of the user, requiring understanding of user control, automation, and perceived agency.

🎓 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:

• Minimum of 5 years of hands-on experience conducting UX research within a product-focused environment, demonstrating a strong understanding of the product development lifecycle.
• Proven experience in shaping and researching AI-first products, with specific expertise in user interactions with Large Language Model (LLM)-based interfaces and agentic AI systems.
• Demonstrated expertise in mixed-methods research, with a deep understanding of both qualitative techniques (e.g., user interviews, ethnographic studies, contextual inquiry, usability testing) and quantitative approaches (e.g., large-scale surveys, experimental design, statistical analysis).
• Proficiency in data analysis using statistical software such as R or Python, and familiarity with SQL for data extraction and manipulation.
• A strong track record of thriving in fast-paced, collaborative environments, adept at navigating ambiguity and exploring new opportunity areas.
• Possession of systems thinking skills, with the ability to re-evaluate and optimize processes, scale thinking, and define clear paths forward for complex problems.
• Demonstrated ownership mindset, acting as a strategic operator to drive research outcomes and influence product direction, rather than solely executing assigned tasks.
• Hands-on experience experimenting with AI tools within research workflows and a demonstrated curiosity about emerging AI industry trends and their practical applications.

Required Skills:

• UX Research Methodologies: Mastery of qualitative and quantitative research techniques relevant to AI product development.
• AI Product Research: Specific experience researching AI-first products, including LLM-based interfaces and agentic systems.
• Data Analysis & Statistics: Expertise in data analysis using R or Python, and proficiency with SQL for data querying.
• Mixed-Methods Expertise: Fluency in designing and executing studies that combine qualitative and quantitative approaches.
• Strategic Thinking: Ability to translate research findings into actionable product strategy and roadmaps.
• Collaboration & Communication: Excellent interpersonal skills for effective collaboration with cross-functional teams and clear communication of research insights.
• Problem-Solving: Strong analytical and problem-solving skills to address complex user needs and AI challenges.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience evaluating probabilistic user experiences and the impact of AI-driven uncertainty.
• Proficiency in "showing ideas" and building research stimuli through rapid prototyping techniques.
• Experience with AI ethics, bias detection, and fairness evaluations in research.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on "systems thinker" and "ownership mindset" suggests that Zillow is looking for a researcher who can not only conduct research but also contribute to the strategic direction and operational efficiency of the AI product initiatives. The "nice to have" skills highlight a desire for candidates who can bridge the gap between research and product development through prototyping and understanding probabilistic outcomes.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Demonstrate a portfolio showcasing impactful UX research projects, with a focus on projects involving AI or complex digital products.
• Highlight contributions to product strategy and innovation, clearly articulating how research insights influenced product direction and user experience improvements.
• Include case studies that detail the research process, methodologies employed, key findings, and measurable impact on product outcomes.
• Showcase experience with data analysis and synthesis, presenting complex information in a clear and digestible format for diverse stakeholders.

Process Documentation:

• Evidence of designing and documenting research processes, including study protocols, recruitment strategies, and data analysis plans.
• Examples of creating and refining workflows for research operations, ensuring efficiency and scalability.
• Demonstrate ability to document research findings in a way that facilitates easy integration into product development cycles and decision-making processes.

📝 Enhancement Note: While not explicitly stated, for a Senior UX Researcher role, particularly in AI, a portfolio demonstrating the ability to handle complex, ambiguous problems and translate them into structured research plans is crucial. The ability to articulate the process of research, not just the findings, is a key differentiator.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

• The standard base pay range for this role in California, Colorado, Connecticut, Hawaii, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, Rhode Island, Vermont, Washington state, and Washington DC is $145,500 - $232,500 annually.
• This range may not be applicable to other locations within the U.S. due to regional cost of living and market variations.

Benefits:

• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage.
• Life and disability insurance policies.
• Generous parental leave and family benefits.
• Retirement contributions.
• Paid Time Off (PTO) for work-life balance.
• Equity awards based on factors such as experience, performance, and location.

Working Hours:

• Standard full-time hours are expected, likely around 40 hours per week.
• The remote nature of the role offers flexibility in daily work schedules, provided research commitments and collaborative meetings are met. Travel for in-person collaboration is required ~6-8 weeks per year.

📝 Enhancement Note: The specified salary range is quite broad, indicating that compensation will be heavily influenced by the candidate's specific experience, demonstrated skills in AI research, and location within the US. The inclusion of equity awards is a significant component of the total compensation package, common in tech companies for senior roles.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Real Estate Technology (PropTech) / Online Real Estate Marketplace. Company Size: Zillow is a large, publicly traded company, employing thousands of individuals globally. This means access to significant resources, established processes, and a wide range of career opportunities. Founded: Zillow was founded in 2006. Its history of innovation in real estate technology provides a strong foundation for its current focus on AI and agentic experiences.

Team Structure:

• The UX Research team, Zillow Research & Insights (ZRI), is part of the larger Zillow Experience Design (ZxD) organization.
• ZRI is multidisciplinary, including Customer and Partner Insights Strategists, UX Researchers, Behavioral Scientists, and Population Scientists, fostering diverse perspectives.
• The role involves close collaboration with cross-functional teams including designers, design technologists, engineers, AI scientists, and product managers, indicating a matrixed and highly collaborative work environment.

Methodology:

• Zillow emphasizes a user-centric approach, driven by data and research to build useful, usable, and innovative experiences.
• The focus on "agentic AI" suggests an embrace of cutting-edge technologies and a drive towards more intelligent, automated, and personalized user interactions.
• There's a clear commitment to continuous learning, growth, and fostering a positive team environment within the research function.

Company Website: https://www.zillow.com/careers/

📝 Enhancement Note: Zillow's position as a leader in online real estate implies a data-driven culture where user insights are critical for competitive advantage. The integration of AI, particularly "agentic AI," indicates a forward-looking strategy that requires researchers comfortable with exploring novel interaction paradigms and potentially ambiguous problem spaces.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This is a "Senior" level position within User Experience Research, signifying a high degree of autonomy, strategic input, and potential for leadership within research projects. It is not directly an "operations" role in the traditional sense (like RevOps or Sales Ops), but it heavily impacts the operational efficiency and success of AI product development. Reporting Structure: The Senior UX Researcher will report into a manager or lead within the Zillow Research & Insights (ZRI) team, which is part of the Zillow Experience Design (ZxD) organization. They will work closely with product and engineering leadership for the Agentic AI initiatives. Operations Impact: The research conducted will directly influence the product roadmap, feature development, and overall user experience of Zillow's AI-powered real estate tools. By ensuring these tools are user-friendly, effective, and ethically sound, the researcher will significantly impact customer acquisition, retention, and satisfaction, thereby driving business growth and operational efficiency in how users engage with Zillow.

Growth Opportunities:

• Specialization: Deepen expertise in AI-specific UX research methodologies, ethical AI considerations, and the real estate domain.
• Leadership: Potential to lead research initiatives for major product areas, mentor junior researchers, and influence research strategy within ZRI and ZxD.
• Cross-Functional Influence: Grow influence across product, engineering, and design organizations by consistently delivering high-impact research.
• Industry Recognition: Contribute to Zillow's reputation as an innovator in AI and real estate technology, potentially leading to speaking opportunities or publications.
• Career Advancement: Path to Principal UX Researcher, Research Manager, or related strategic product roles.

📝 Enhancement Note: While not a traditional "operations" role, the emphasis on "shaping new agentic experiences," "simplifying real-estate," and "driving your own research roadmap" positions this as a strategic contributor to the operational success of a key business initiative at Zillow. The role requires a blend of research craft, strategic thinking, and influencing skills, akin to senior-level operations roles focused on process and product optimization.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: This is a fully remote position, meaning there is no permanent corporate office assigned. Employees work from their own chosen location within the United States. Office Location(s): Remote-USA. While the role is remote, there are required in-person collaboration sessions and team-building events approximately 6-8 weeks per year, which may involve travel to various Zillow office locations or designated meeting venues.

Workspace Context:

• The remote setup necessitates strong self-discipline, proactive communication, and effective use of collaboration tools to stay connected with team members.
• Researchers will have access to Zillow's digital collaboration tools and potentially research participant recruitment platforms and user testing software.
• Opportunities for interaction with the broader UX Research community at Zillow will exist through virtual channels, fostering knowledge sharing and professional development.

Work Schedule:

• Standard full-time hours (approx. 40 hours/week) are expected.
• Flexibility in daily scheduling is common in remote roles, allowing researchers to manage their time effectively to meet project deadlines and participate in necessary meetings and user sessions.

📝 Enhancement Note: The requirement for periodic in-person travel indicates Zillow's commitment to fostering strong team cohesion and facilitating high-impact strategic discussions that benefit from face-to-face interaction, even within a predominantly remote culture.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A recruiter or hiring manager will review applications and conduct an initial screening call to assess basic qualifications and cultural fit.
• Portfolio Review & Deep Dive: Candidates will likely be asked to present their portfolio, showcasing relevant research projects, methodologies, and impact. This stage will involve in-depth discussions about past work and research philosophies.
• Hiring Manager Interview: A more detailed discussion with the hiring manager focusing on strategic thinking, leadership potential, and alignment with the team's goals and Zillow's culture.
• Cross-Functional Interviews: Interviews with key collaborators (e.g., designers, product managers, AI scientists) to assess collaboration skills and ability to influence product direction.
• Skills Assessment/Take-Home Exercise: Potentially a take-home assignment or a live exercise to evaluate research design, analysis, and communication skills, possibly focusing on an AI-related scenario.
• Final Round: May involve senior leadership or a final panel interview to confirm overall fit and readiness for the role.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Selectively: Focus on 3-5 of your most impactful projects, ideally those related to AI, complex systems, or innovative product development.
• Tell a Story: For each project, clearly articulate the problem, your role, the methodologies used, the insights generated, the impact of your work, and your key learnings. Use visuals where appropriate.
• Highlight AI Expertise: Specifically showcase any experience with AI-first products, LLMs, or agentic systems, detailing the unique research challenges and how you addressed them.
• Demonstrate Impact: Quantify the impact of your research whenever possible (e.g., improved conversion rates, reduced user errors, influenced product strategy leading to X outcome).
• Process Focus: Explain your research process, including how you selected methods, handled data analysis (especially with R/Python/SQL), and collaborated with teams.
• Ethical AI: If possible, include examples of how you considered or addressed ethical implications in your AI research.

Challenge Preparation:

• Be prepared to discuss your approach to research strategy, roadmap development, and how you prioritize research questions in a fast-paced environment.
• Anticipate questions about how you would research an "agentic AI" experience for real estate, focusing on user control, trust, and task completion.
• Practice articulating complex research findings and their implications for product strategy clearly and concisely.
• Prepare examples of how you have influenced product decisions and collaborated effectively with cross-functional teams.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process for a senior role at a company like Zillow will be rigorous, focusing on strategic impact, collaboration, and deep expertise. A well-prepared portfolio that clearly demonstrates a track record of driving product success through research, especially in the AI domain, is critical.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• User Research Platforms: Familiarity with tools for usability testing, participant recruitment, and survey deployment (e.g., UserTesting.com, Lookback, Qualtrics, SurveyMonkey).
• Data Analysis & Statistics Software: Essential proficiency in R or Python for statistical analysis, data manipulation, and visualization.
• Database Querying: Familiarity with SQL for extracting and analyzing data from various sources.
• Collaboration Tools: Proficiency with tools like Slack, Zoom, Google Workspace, or Microsoft Teams for day-to-day communication and collaboration.
• Prototyping Tools (Nice-to-have): Experience with tools like Figma, Sketch, or Adobe XD for creating research stimuli or collaborating on prototypes.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Tools for data visualization and dashboarding (e.g., Tableau, Looker, Power BI) may be used or required for presenting research findings.
• Experience interpreting data from analytics platforms (e.g., Google Analytics, Amplitude) to complement qualitative findings.

CRM & Automation:

• While not directly managing CRM or automation systems, understanding how user data flows through CRMs (like Salesforce) and marketing automation platforms can be beneficial for context.

📝 Enhancement Note: The explicit mention of R/Python and SQL highlights Zillow's expectation for researchers who can perform rigorous quantitative analysis, a key differentiator for senior roles and particularly relevant in AI product research where data volume and complexity are high.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• User-Centricity: A deep commitment to understanding and advocating for the user in all product decisions.
• Innovation: A drive to explore new technologies, like agentic AI, and find novel solutions to user problems.
• Collaboration: A belief in the power of cross-functional teamwork to achieve the best product outcomes.
• Data-Driven: Reliance on research and data to inform strategy and measure impact.
• Ownership: Taking initiative and responsibility for driving research initiatives and their outcomes.
• Responsibility: Upholding ethical standards, particularly in the development and deployment of AI technologies.

Collaboration Style:

• Highly collaborative, working closely with design, engineering, product management, and AI science teams.
• Emphasis on open communication, sharing insights proactively, and integrating research seamlessly into the product development lifecycle.
• A culture that encourages learning from each other, sharing best practices within the UX Research community, and fostering a supportive team environment.

📝 Enhancement Note: The company's emphasis on "Equity and Belonging" and its recognition on various diversity and inclusion lists suggest a culture that values diverse perspectives. This is particularly important for AI research, where diverse input helps mitigate bias.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Navigating Ambiguity: Researching novel "agentic AI" experiences in a rapidly evolving field requires comfort with undefined problem spaces and the ability to define research questions and methodologies from scratch.
• AI Ethics & Trust: Ensuring that AI systems are developed ethically, transparently, and build user trust is a significant challenge that requires careful research design and sensitive interpretation.
• Balancing Innovation with User Needs: Identifying opportunities where AI can genuinely simplify real estate while ensuring it meets fundamental user needs and doesn't introduce undue complexity or risk.
• Cross-Functional Alignment: Effectively communicating complex research findings and influencing diverse stakeholders (engineers, data scientists, product managers) who may have different priorities and technical backgrounds.
• Remote Collaboration: Maintaining strong team connections and effective research execution in a fully remote environment, balanced with periodic in-person requirements.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• AI Research Specialization: Opportunity to become a subject matter expert in UX research for AI and agentic systems, a highly sought-after skill set.
• Industry Trends: Staying at the forefront of AI advancements and their application in real estate, with potential for attending industry conferences or training.
• Mentorship: Learning from and contributing to a multidisciplinary research team, gaining exposure to behavioral science, population science, and insights strategy.
• Strategic Impact: Directly contributing to Zillow's strategic vision for AI, with the potential for significant impact on the company's future and the broader real estate industry.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges highlight the cutting-edge nature of this role, requiring researchers who are not only skilled in traditional UX research but also adaptable, strategic, and ethically aware in the context of advanced AI.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• AI Research Approach: "Describe your process for researching a new AI-powered product, particularly one involving agentic capabilities. How would you identify user needs and potential risks?" Focus on your structured approach, mixed-methods strategy, and how you'd handle the unique aspects of AI.
• Ethical AI Considerations: "How do you ensure fairness, transparency, and user trust when researching AI systems? Can you provide an example where you identified and addressed an ethical concern in your research?" Highlight your understanding of responsible AI principles and practical application.
• Data Synthesis & Impact: "Walk us through a project where you used R/Python and SQL to analyze data and drive product decisions. What was the impact of your findings?" Be ready to discuss your analytical process and quantify the outcomes.
• Collaboration & Influence: "Describe a time you had to influence a cross-functional team (design, engineering, product) to adopt your research recommendations, especially when there was initial resistance." Emphasize your communication skills and ability to build consensus.

Company & Culture Questions:

• Zillow's Mission: Research Zillow's mission and values, and be prepared to articulate how your work as a UX researcher contributes to "making home a reality for more people."
• AI in Real Estate: Think about the current state of AI in real estate and how Zillow might leverage agentic AI to improve user experiences.
• Team Dynamics: Consider your preferred collaboration style and how you contribute to a positive and productive team environment.

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Storytelling: Structure your portfolio presentations as compelling narratives – problem, solution, impact.
• Methodology Clarity: Clearly explain why you chose specific research methods and how they helped answer your research questions.
• Data Visualization: Use clear, concise visualizations to present quantitative data and research findings.
• AI Focus: For AI projects, highlight the specific challenges related to AI (e.g., user control, explainability, bias) and how your research addressed them.
• Conciseness: Be mindful of time and focus on the most critical aspects of each project. Practice your delivery to be clear and engaging.

📝 Enhancement Note: Preparation should focus on demonstrating not only research expertise but also strategic thinking, a deep understanding of AI's nuances, and strong collaboration skills. Being able to connect your research process to business impact and ethical considerations will be key.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Senior UX Researcher position:

• Submit your application through the provided Workday link, ensuring all required fields are accurately completed.
• Portfolio Customization: Curate your portfolio to prominently feature 3-5 of your most relevant UX research projects, emphasizing those involving AI, complex systems, or significant impact on product strategy. Tailor your project descriptions to highlight your skills in mixed methods, data analysis (R/Python, SQL), and ethical AI considerations.
• Resume Optimization: Ensure your resume clearly articulates your 5+ years of UX research experience, specifically mentioning AI-first products and your proficiency in quantitative and qualitative techniques. Quantify your achievements and highlight your systems thinking and ownership mindset using keywords from the job description.
• Interview Preparation: Practice articulating your research process, methodology choices, and the impact of your work. Prepare specific examples that showcase your ability to collaborate with cross-functional teams and influence product decisions. Rehearse your portfolio presentation to be concise, impactful, and engaging.
• Company Research: Thoroughly research Zillow, its mission, its current use of AI, and its company culture. Be prepared to discuss how your skills and approach align with Zillow's goals and values, particularly in the context of agentic AI.

⚠️ Important Notice: This enhanced job description includes AI-generated insights and operations industry-standard assumptions based on the provided data. All details, especially regarding specific responsibilities, team dynamics, and interview processes, should be verified directly with the hiring organization or recruiter before making application decisions.