Senior UX Researcher

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Senior UX Researcher

Company: Fleetio

Location: Remote - USA

Job Type: Full-Time

Category: User Experience Research

Date Posted: 2025-11-07

Experience Level: 5-10 Years

Remote Status: Fully Remote

🚀 Role Summary

• Lead end-to-end UX research initiatives to uncover user needs and drive strategic product decisions, focusing on a B2B SaaS platform.

• Collaborate closely with Product, Design, and Engineering teams to translate user insights into actionable product roadmaps and solutions.

• Develop and maintain foundational user understanding through personas, JTBD frameworks, and journey maps to ensure a consistent user-centric approach.

• Champion a user-centered mindset across the organization by sharing insights and advocating for user needs through compelling communication.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is positioned as a "Senior" UX Researcher, indicating a need for a candidate who can operate independently, mentor others, and influence product strategy. The focus on B2B SaaS and complex workflows suggests a requirement for research methodologies applicable to enterprise software.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Design and execute comprehensive user research studies, employing a range of qualitative and quantitative methods such as in-depth interviews, usability testing, surveys, and ethnographic research to generate actionable insights.

• Partner with Product Managers, Designers, and Engineers to define research questions, inform product strategy, and ensure that product development is aligned with user needs and business objectives.

• Create and maintain essential user documentation, including user personas, Jobs-to-be-Done (JTBD) frameworks, and customer journey maps, to serve as a shared understanding and reference point for all product teams.

• Contribute to the continuous improvement and elevation of the UX research practice by refining research standards, optimizing tools and workflows, and building a centralized research repository.

• Effectively communicate research findings and user insights through engaging presentations, reports, and workshops, fostering empathy and a deeper understanding of the user across the entire organization.

• Mentor and guide cross-functional team members, including designers and product managers, in applying research techniques and promoting a culture of continuous learning and user advocacy.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities emphasize a proactive and strategic approach to research, moving beyond just data collection to actively shaping product strategy and fostering a user-centric culture. Mentoring responsibilities suggest a leadership component within the research function.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: While not explicitly stated, a Bachelor's or Master's degree in Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), Psychology, Sociology, Anthropology, or a related field is typically expected for senior-level UX research roles.

Experience: 5+ years of dedicated UX research experience, with a strong preference for experience within a Business-to-Business (B2B) Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) environment.

Required Skills:

• Expertise in both generative (exploratory, discovery) and evaluative (validation, usability) research methodologies.

• Proven ability to design and lead end-to-end research initiatives from planning and execution to analysis and reporting.

• Strong qualitative research skills, including conducting user interviews, contextual inquiries, and ethnographic studies.

• Proficiency in quantitative research methods, such as survey design, data analysis, and interpreting statistical findings.

• Experience in developing and utilizing user personas, Jobs-to-be-Done (JTBD) frameworks, and customer journey maps.

• Excellent communication, storytelling, and presentation skills, with the ability to articulate complex insights clearly and persuasively to diverse stakeholders.

• Demonstrated experience in collaborating effectively with cross-functional teams, including Product Management, Design, and Engineering.

• Strong organizational and prioritization skills to manage multiple research projects concurrently in a fast-paced environment.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience in the transportation or logistics industry.

• Familiarity with advanced statistical analysis or research operations (ResearchOps) principles.

• Experience in facilitating design thinking workshops or co-creation sessions.

• A portfolio showcasing a range of research projects and their impact on product development.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "5+ years" experience requirement, coupled with the emphasis on leading initiatives and cross-functional collaboration, suggests that candidates should be able to demonstrate strategic thinking and a track record of influencing product decisions. The bonus skill in transportation/logistics indicates a preference for domain expertise.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A well-curated portfolio that clearly demonstrates your end-to-end UX research process, showcasing how you translate user needs into impactful product recommendations.

• Case studies that highlight specific research projects, detailing the research questions, methodologies employed, your role, challenges faced, and the resulting insights.

• Evidence of how your research has directly influenced product strategy, roadmap decisions, or user experience improvements, ideally with measurable outcomes or impact.

Process Documentation:

• Demonstrate a structured approach to research planning, including defining research objectives, selecting appropriate methodologies, and recruiting participants.

• Showcase your process for data analysis and synthesis, including how you derive actionable insights from qualitative and quantitative data.

• Illustrate your methods for communicating research findings to various stakeholders, using compelling narratives and visualizations to drive understanding and action.

• Provide examples of how you have contributed to or improved research processes, tools, or repositories within previous organizations.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a Senior UX Researcher role, a portfolio is critical. It should not just list projects but tell a story about the researcher's impact, demonstrating strategic thinking, methodological rigor, and the ability to influence product direction. The emphasis on "end-to-end" research and "actionable insights" suggests a need for concrete examples of problem-solving and decision-making based on research findings.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: For a Senior UX Researcher role in the USA, especially in a remote capacity for a well-funded Series D company like Fleetio, the estimated salary range is typically between $130,000 and $170,000 annually. This can vary based on specific experience, location (though remote, cost of living adjustments might apply), and the candidate's demonstrated impact.

Benefits:

• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance plans.

• Incentive stock options, offering potential for significant financial upside.

• A competitive 401(k) plan with a 4% company match.

• Generous Paid Time Off (PTO) policy of 4 weeks, plus 12 company holidays and 2 floating holidays.

• Robust parental leave policy: 12 weeks paid for birthing parents and 4 weeks for non-birthing parents.

• Flexible Spending Account (FSA) and Health Savings Account (HSA) options for tax-advantaged healthcare savings.

• Full short-term and long-term disability coverage, with short-term disability being 100% company-paid.

• Community service funds to support employee engagement in charitable activities.

• Dedicated professional development funds to support continuous learning and skill enhancement.

• A quarterly wellbeing fund of $150 for personal wellness initiatives.

• A quarterly business expense stipend of $125 to support remote work needs.

• Provision of a Mac laptop and a new hire equipment stipend for setting up a home office.

• Perks such as monthly catered lunches and a fully stocked kitchen (for any in-person team gatherings or future office needs).

Working Hours: The standard working hours are likely around 40 hours per week, typical for a full-time role. However, given the remote nature and the emphasis on delivering results, there may be flexibility in how these hours are structured, provided that collaboration and project deadlines are met.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary estimate is based on industry benchmarks for Senior UX Researchers in the US, considering the company's funding stage (Series D) and its position as a leader in its market. The extensive benefits package reflects a company that invests in its employees' well-being, professional growth, and financial security.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Fleetio operates in the Transportation Technology sector, specifically providing SaaS solutions for fleet management. This is a rapidly growing market driven by the increasing need for efficiency, compliance, and cost control in managing vehicle fleets across various industries.

Company Size: Fleetio has experienced significant growth, evidenced by its recent Series D funding round. While specific employee numbers aren't detailed, a company at this stage, with a remote-first culture and a dedicated research practice, likely employs several hundred individuals across various departments. This size offers opportunities for impact without getting lost in bureaucracy.

Founded: Fleetio was founded with the mission to modernize fleet management. Its founding principles likely emphasize innovation, customer-centricity, and building a robust, scalable product. The company's long-standing remote-friendly approach (since 2012) indicates a mature culture that trusts its employees and prioritizes flexibility.

Team Structure:

• The UX Research team is part of the broader Product or Design organization, reporting to a UX Research Manager. This suggests a structured approach to research operations and strategy.

• The team collaborates closely with dedicated Product Managers, UX/UI Designers, and Engineering teams, forming cross-functional pods or squads focused on specific product areas.

Methodology:

• Fleetio emphasizes a data-driven and user-centered approach to product development. This means research is not an afterthought but an integral part of the product lifecycle, informing strategy and design decisions.

• The company likely employs agile development methodologies, requiring research to be integrated seamlessly into sprint cycles, with a balance between foundational and evaluative research.

• Emphasis is placed on creating and maintaining shared understanding of users through documentation like personas and journey maps, promoting consistency and empathy across teams.

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

📝 Enhancement Note: Fleetio's position in the fleet management SaaS market, coupled with significant funding, suggests a dynamic and growth-oriented environment. The company's long-standing remote culture is a key differentiator, indicating a mature approach to distributed work and employee autonomy.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This is a Senior level position within the UX Research discipline. It signifies a professional who is expected to operate with a high degree of autonomy, lead complex research initiatives, and contribute strategically to product development. This role requires not only strong research execution skills but also the ability to mentor others, influence stakeholders, and help shape the research practice itself.

Reporting Structure: The Senior UX Researcher reports directly to the UX Research Manager. This provides a clear line of mentorship, feedback, and career development guidance. The role will involve significant collaboration with Product Managers, Designers, and Engineering teams, often aligned with specific product initiatives or squads.

Operations Impact: The impact of this role is directly tied to the successful development and iteration of Fleetio's SaaS product. By providing deep user insights, the Senior UX Researcher will help ensure that the product effectively solves customer problems, enhances user experience, and drives adoption and retention. This strategic input directly influences the company's ability to acquire and retain customers, thereby impacting revenue and business growth.

Growth Opportunities:

• Leadership within Research: Potential to grow into a Lead UX Researcher role, managing a specific product area or a team of researchers, and taking on more strategic oversight of the research roadmap.

• Specialization: Opportunity to deepen expertise in specific research methodologies or product areas within the fleet management domain, becoming a subject matter expert.

• Mentorship and Training: Developing strong mentorship skills by guiding junior researchers and cross-functional partners, contributing to the overall research maturity of the organization.

• Cross-functional Influence: Expanding influence across Product, Design, and Engineering leadership, becoming a key voice in strategic product discussions.

• Industry Expertise: Developing specialized knowledge in the transportation technology sector, which can be valuable for future career opportunities within this growing industry.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Senior" designation implies a need for a candidate who can not only execute research but also strategize, mentor, and contribute to the evolution of the research function. The growth opportunities highlight a path for career advancement within a growing company and a high-demand industry.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Fleetio embraces a fully remote work environment. This means there is no central office requirement, allowing employees to work from anywhere within the USA. This fosters flexibility and autonomy.

Office Location(s): As a remote-first company, there are no specific office locations that employees are required to attend. However, the company does have a headquarters, likely in Birmingham, Alabama, given its founding history, though this is not a requirement for remote employees.

Workspace Context:

• The remote setup encourages independent work and self-discipline. Collaboration is facilitated through digital tools, asynchronous communication, and scheduled virtual meetings.

• Employees are provided with a Mac laptop and a new hire equipment stipend, ensuring they have the necessary tools and technology to perform their roles effectively from their home office.

• Opportunities for team interaction and collaboration occur through virtual channels, project-specific meetings, and potentially occasional virtual or in-person team offsites (though not explicitly mentioned, these are common for remote-first companies). The company also offers a quarterly wellbeing and business expense stipend, supporting the remote work setup.

Work Schedule: The role is full-time, typically around 40 hours per week. The remote nature offers significant flexibility in structuring the workday, allowing individuals to manage their time around personal commitments, provided they meet project deadlines and are available for collaborative sessions during core working hours (likely aligned with US time zones).

📝 Enhancement Note: The explicitly stated "Remote - USA" and "Remote working friendly since 2012" highlight a strong commitment to a distributed workforce. This environment is ideal for individuals who thrive on autonomy and are proficient in digital collaboration tools.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A recruiter or hiring manager will review your application and resume, likely followed by a brief introductory call to assess basic qualifications and cultural fit.

• Hiring Manager Interview: A more in-depth conversation with the UX Research Manager to discuss your experience, research philosophy, approach to problem-solving, and how you align with the team's needs.

• Portfolio Presentation: You will likely be asked to present a selection of your best work from your portfolio. This is a critical stage where you'll demonstrate your research process, methodologies, insights, and impact. Be prepared to walk through 2-3 detailed case studies.

• Cross-functional Interviews: Interviews with key partners such as a Product Manager, a UX Designer, and potentially an Engineering lead. These interviews will assess your collaboration skills, ability to work within cross-functional teams, and how you integrate research into product development workflows.

• Final Interview/Debrief: Potentially a final conversation with a senior leader or a debrief session to discuss overall fit and reiterate key aspects of the role and company.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Select Impactful Projects: Choose 2-3 projects that best showcase your end-to-end research capabilities, strategic thinking, and demonstrable impact on product decisions. Focus on projects where your insights led to significant changes or validated key product directions.

• Structure Your Case Studies: For each project, clearly outline: the problem/opportunity, your research objectives, the methodologies used, your specific role and contributions, the challenges encountered, your key findings, and the resulting product recommendations or impact.

• Quantify When Possible: If your research led to measurable improvements (e.g., increased conversion rates, reduced task completion time, higher user satisfaction scores), highlight these metrics.

• Tailor Your Presentation: Understand Fleetio's B2B SaaS context and their focus on "complex B2B workflows." Frame your examples to resonate with these aspects. Emphasize how you connect user needs to business goals.

• Be Prepared for Questions: Anticipate questions about your decision-making process, how you handle conflicting feedback, how you influence stakeholders, and how you adapt your methods to different project constraints.

Challenge Preparation:

• You may be given a take-home assignment or a live case study to solve a specific research problem relevant to Fleetio's product.

• Focus on demonstrating your structured thinking, ability to define clear research questions, propose appropriate methodologies, and articulate how you would synthesize findings into actionable recommendations.

• Practice presenting your thought process clearly and concisely, as if you were presenting to Product and Design stakeholders.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process emphasizes not only research expertise but also collaboration and strategic influence. The portfolio presentation is a cornerstone, requiring candidates to articulate their impact and process effectively.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Research Platforms: Sprig, UserTesting.com, Maze, Lyssna (or similar platforms for usability testing, surveys, and remote research).

• Collaboration & Documentation: Figma (for design handoffs and insights sharing), Miro/Mural (for workshops, journey mapping, affinity diagramming), Confluence/Notion (for documentation and research repository).

• Communication: Slack, Zoom (essential for remote collaboration and meetings).

Analytics & Reporting:

• While not a primary focus for UX Research, familiarity with product analytics tools like Amplitude, Mixpanel, or Google Analytics can be beneficial for understanding user behavior patterns and informing research questions.

CRM & Automation:

• Understanding of how CRM systems (e.g., Salesforce, HubSpot) and marketing automation tools impact user journeys and business processes can provide valuable context for B2B SaaS research.

📝 Enhancement Note: The mention of specific research tools like Sprig, HeyMarvin, and Lyssna indicates the company's investment in modern research infrastructure. Familiarity with these or similar platforms is expected. The emphasis on collaboration tools like Slack and Zoom is crucial for a remote role.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• User-Centricity: A core belief that "Design is an important part of everything we do," translating to a deep commitment to understanding and serving user needs in all product development.

• Collaboration: Strong emphasis on cross-functional teamwork, working closely with Product, Design, and Engineering to achieve shared goals and build cohesive products.

• Impact-Driven: Focus on delivering research that has tangible outcomes, influencing product strategy and enhancing user experiences to drive business success.

• Continuous Learning & Improvement: A culture that encourages professional development, refining research practices, and staying updated with the latest methodologies and tools.

• Empathy: Fostering an organizational understanding of users' perspectives, challenges, and motivations through effective insight sharing.

Collaboration Style:

• Integrated Teams: Research is integrated into product teams, working closely with designers and product managers throughout the development lifecycle.

• Proactive Communication: Open and frequent communication via Slack, Zoom, and documentation tools to ensure alignment and efficient workflow.

• Insight Sharing Culture: A proactive approach to disseminating research findings, making insights accessible and actionable for all relevant stakeholders.

• Feedback Loops: An environment where constructive feedback is welcomed, both for product iterations and for improving research processes and collaboration methods.

📝 Enhancement Note: Fleetio's stated value around design and user experience is a strong indicator of their receptiveness to UX research insights. The collaborative and integrated approach to product development suggests that this role will be deeply embedded within product teams.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing Rigor and Speed: In a fast-paced SaaS environment, a key challenge will be conducting thorough research while meeting product development timelines. The ability to adapt methodologies and prioritize effectively will be crucial.

• Driving Strategic Impact: Effectively translating research insights into concrete product decisions and influencing roadmap priorities can be challenging, requiring strong communication and stakeholder management skills.

• Maintaining Foundational Understanding: Continuously updating and refining user personas and JTBD frameworks as the product and user base evolve requires ongoing effort and cross-team buy-in.

• Scaling Research Practice: As Fleetio grows, a challenge will be scaling the research practice efficiently, potentially through improved tools, processes, and by enabling more product team members to conduct foundational research.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Deepen B2B SaaS Expertise: Gain in-depth knowledge of complex B2B workflows, particularly within the transportation and logistics industry, which is a significant advantage in this field.

• ResearchOps Maturity: Contribute to and learn from the development of research operations, including building and managing research repositories, optimizing recruitment processes, and standardizing tools.

• Mentorship and Leadership: Develop leadership capabilities by mentoring designers, product managers, and potentially junior researchers, honing skills in coaching and best practice dissemination.

• Influence Product Strategy: Directly impact the direction of a growing SaaS product, gaining experience in strategic product planning and user-centered decision-making at a senior level.

• Industry Conferences & Training: Utilize professional development funds to attend relevant UX research conferences, workshops, or pursue certifications to stay at the forefront of the field.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges highlight the dynamic nature of working in a growing tech company, emphasizing the need for adaptability and strategic thinking. The growth opportunities point towards a role that offers significant professional development and the chance to shape both the product and the research function.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a complex B2B workflow you've researched. What were the key challenges, and how did your research inform solutions?" (Focus on your process, methodology, and the connection between user needs and business outcomes.)

• "How do you balance the need for robust, in-depth research with the demands of a fast-paced product development cycle?" (Highlight your prioritization skills, ability to adapt methods, and focus on delivering actionable insights quickly.)

• "Walk me through how you would develop and maintain user personas and JTBD frameworks for a product like Fleetio. What iterative processes would you employ?" (Demonstrate your understanding of foundational research and its ongoing value.)

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What interests you about Fleetio and the fleet management industry specifically?" (Research Fleetio's mission, values, recent news, and competitors. Connect your passion for UX research to their business.)

• "How do you contribute to a user-centered culture within a product team or an organization?" (Provide examples of how you champion user needs, share insights, and foster empathy.)

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Tell a Story: Structure your case studies as narratives – problem, approach, outcome. Emphasize your thought process and the "why" behind your decisions.

• Focus on Impact: Clearly articulate the tangible results of your research. How did it change the product, improve user experience, or contribute to business goals? Use metrics where possible.

• Showcase Methodology Variety: Present projects that demonstrate your command of both generative and evaluative methods, and how you choose the right tool for the job.

• Be ready for deep dives: Interviewers will likely ask probing questions about your methodology, your interpretation of data, how you handled challenges, and your specific contributions. Be prepared to go into detail.

• Connect to Fleetio: Whenever possible, draw parallels between your past experiences and the challenges or opportunities at Fleetio. Show you've done your homework and can envision yourself contributing effectively.

📝 Enhancement Note: Preparation should focus on demonstrating strategic thinking, cross-functional collaboration, and the ability to translate research into actionable product improvements, all within the context of B2B SaaS. The portfolio presentation is a key opportunity to showcase these skills.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Senior UX Researcher position at Fleetio:

• Submit your comprehensive application through the provided link on the Greenhouse hiring platform.

• Tailor Your Resume: Highlight your 5+ years of UX research experience, explicitly mentioning your work in B2B SaaS environments and your proficiency with both generative and evaluative research methods. Quantify achievements where possible (e.g., "Improved task completion rate by 15% through usability testing").

• Curate Your Portfolio: Prepare a portfolio showcasing 2-3 detailed case studies that demonstrate your end-to-end research process, strategic thinking, and impact on product decisions. Ensure these examples align with the requirements for B2B SaaS and complex workflows.

• Practice Your Presentation: Rehearse your portfolio presentation, focusing on clear storytelling, articulating research impact, and being ready to answer in-depth questions about your methodologies and decision-making.

• Research Fleetio: Understand Fleetio's product, target market, company mission, and values. Consider how your research skills can contribute to their specific goals in the fleet management industry.

⚠️ 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.

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