Senior UX Researcher

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Senior UX Researcher

Company: Signify Netherlands B.V.

Location: Eindhoven, North Brabant, Netherlands

Job Type: FULL_TIME

Category: User Experience (UX) Research & Assurance

Date Posted: 2026-02-05

Experience Level: Mid-Senior Level (5-10 years)

Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• Lead and execute comprehensive UX research initiatives within pre-development and product development teams, focusing on understanding and validating user needs to enhance product quality.

• Drive the establishment of a new, independent UX Quality & Consumer Experience Assurance capability, setting higher standards for user experience across the Consumer Business.

• Conduct qualitative, quantitative, and mixed-method research, including competitor benchmarking and post-launch consumer feedback analysis, to inform product strategy and development.

• Act as a key influencer by translating research findings into clear requirements and compelling narratives, directly impacting UX quality decisions and lifecycle gating.

• Mentor and coach other team members on effective research communication and storytelling, fostering a culture of user-centricity and continuous learning.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is positioned as a foundational member of a newly established UX Quality & Assurance function, indicating significant opportunity to shape processes, methodologies, and team direction. The emphasis on "ownership for complex research scopes" and "directly influence UX quality decisions and lifecycle gating" suggests a strategic, high-impact position rather than purely execution-focused. The "On-site" requirement in Eindhoven implies a need for on-the-ground collaboration within a physical product development environment.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Strategic Research Planning & Execution: Design and implement a variety of UX research studies (qualitative, quantitative, mixed-methods) to deeply understand user needs, behaviors, and pain points across the product lifecycle.

• Validation & Gating: Independently validate UX requirements, concepts, usability, and end-to-end user journeys, providing robust evidence to support critical go/no-go decisions at various development lifecycle gates.

• Benchmarking & Competitive Analysis: Conduct thorough competitor and best-in-class UX benchmarking to identify industry trends, opportunities for innovation, and areas for improvement in Signify's consumer products.

• In-Market Feedback Integration: Support the evaluation of post-launch user experience through direct consumer feedback channels, R&R (Recognition & Rewards) programs, and other relevant data sources, ensuring continuous learning and iteration.

• Insight Communication & Influence: Develop and deliver clear, compelling, and actionable insights through storytelling tailored to diverse stakeholders (Product Managers, Engineers, Designers, Marketing, Senior Leadership), driving user-centric decision-making.

• Mentorship & Capability Building: Coach and mentor junior researchers and cross-functional team members on UX research best practices, methodologies, and effective communication techniques, elevating the overall UX research maturity within the organization.

• Challenge & Ambiguity Navigation: Proactively challenge assumptions and development trajectories when user evidence is insufficient or UX risks remain unresolved, demonstrating strong judgment and confidence in ambiguous or evolving work environments.

• Cross-functional Collaboration: Foster strong collaborative relationships with Product Management, Engineering, Design, Consumer Service, and Marketing Intelligence teams to ensure a unified understanding of user needs and a cohesive product experience.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a proactive and influential role, requiring the candidate to not only execute research but also to champion user advocacy, challenge existing processes, and contribute to building a new organizational capability. The emphasis on "lifecycle gating" and "go/no-go decisions" indicates a critical role in product quality assurance.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

Experience:

• 5-10 years of progressive experience in User Experience (UX) research and validation, with a significant focus on consumer products and services.

• Proven track record of pragmatically executing research within realistic development timelines and influencing product roadmaps.

• Extensive experience leading UX research in complex, multi-faceted product environments.

Required Skills:

• Expertise in Research Methodologies: Proficient in qualitative (e.g., interviews, usability testing, ethnography), quantitative (e.g., surveys, analytics, A/B testing), and mixed-methods research design and execution.

• Analytical & Synthesis Skills: Ability to rigorously analyze complex data, synthesize findings into actionable insights, and identify key user needs and pain points.

• Communication & Storytelling: Exceptional ability to articulate research findings clearly, concisely, and persuasively through compelling narratives, presentations, and reports tailored to various audiences.

• Collaboration & Stakeholder Management: Proven experience working effectively with cross-functional teams, including Product Managers, Designers, Engineers, and Marketing, to drive user-centered outcomes.

• Judgment & Decision Support: Strong critical thinking and decision-making skills, with the confidence to challenge teams using evidence-based insights and to support critical product lifecycle gating decisions.

• Time & Priority Management: Excellent organizational skills to manage multiple research streams concurrently, ensuring timely delivery of insights that inform crucial project milestones.

• Adaptability & Ambiguity: Comfort and effectiveness in navigating ambiguous situations and evolving project requirements.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience in establishing or significantly contributing to new UX research functions or capabilities.

• Proven ability to mentor and coach junior researchers or team members in UX research practices.

• Familiarity with smart home technology, connected devices, or IoT product ecosystems.

• Experience with specific UX research tools and platforms (e.g., UserTesting.com, Qualtrics, SurveyMonkey, Miro, Figma for prototyping).

• Understanding of product development lifecycles (e.g., Agile, Waterfall) and how UX research integrates into them.

📝 Enhancement Note: The experience requirements are significant, pointing towards a senior individual contributor role that is expected to lead, mentor, and influence. The emphasis on "practicality," "real development timelines," and "influencing decisions" indicates a need for seasoned professionals who understand the business context of product development.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Case Studies Demonstrating Impact: Showcase 3-5 detailed case studies highlighting complex UX research projects from conception to outcome, specifically demonstrating how your research directly influenced product strategy, design decisions, or quality improvements.

• Methodological Variety: Present a range of research methodologies employed (qualitative, quantitative, mixed-methods), clearly explaining the rationale behind method selection for each project.

• Problem Identification & Solution: Articulate the initial user problem or business challenge, the research questions posed, and how your research addressed them.

• Data Synthesis & Insights: Provide examples of how you synthesized raw data into clear, actionable insights and user requirements.

• Influence & Outcomes: Clearly demonstrate the impact of your research, showing how it led to tangible improvements, influenced product direction, or supported critical decision-making (e.g., lifecycle gating, go/no-go decisions). Quantifiable results (e.g., improved usability metrics, increased adoption rates, reduced support tickets) are highly valued.

Process Documentation:

• Research Plan & Protocol Examples: Include examples of well-structured research plans that outline objectives, target users, methodologies, timelines, and deliverables.

• Insight Reporting & Storytelling: Showcase examples of how you communicated complex research findings to diverse stakeholders, illustrating your ability to craft compelling narratives and visualizations that drive action.

• Cross-functional Collaboration Workflows: Briefly describe or illustrate how you integrated research findings into development workflows and collaborated with Product Managers, Designers, and Engineers.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a Senior UX Researcher role, particularly one involved in quality assurance and gating, a portfolio is crucial. It should not only demonstrate research skills but also the ability to translate those skills into business impact and influence, especially in the context of decision-making and risk mitigation for product launches.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

• For a Senior UX Researcher with 5-10 years of experience in Eindhoven, Netherlands, the estimated annual gross salary range is typically between €65,000 to €90,000. This range can vary based on specific experience, the exact scope of responsibilities, and the candidate's negotiation skills.

• Methodology: This estimate is based on research of comparable Senior UX Researcher roles in the Netherlands, particularly in technology hubs like Eindhoven, utilizing data from industry salary surveys, recruitment agency benchmarks, and anonymous salary disclosures for similar positions. Cost of living in Eindhoven is considered moderately high for the Netherlands, influencing the competitive salary offering.

Benefits:

• Comprehensive Health Insurance: Including medical, dental, and vision coverage.

• Pension Scheme: A robust retirement savings plan with employer contributions.

• Generous Paid Time Off: Including vacation days, public holidays, and potentially additional company-specific leave.

• Professional Development: Opportunities for training, conferences, workshops, and certifications to enhance UX research skills and industry knowledge.

• Employee Assistance Program (EAP): Support services for personal and professional well-being.

• Potential for Bonuses: Performance-based bonuses tied to individual and company achievements.

• Relocation Assistance: For candidates moving to Eindhoven, if applicable.

• Employee Discounts: On Signify products and services.

Working Hours:

• Standard full-time working hours are typically 40 hours per week. While the role is on-site, Signify generally promotes a healthy work-life balance, with potential for some flexibility in daily start and end times, subject to team coordination and operational needs.

📝 Enhancement Note: Salary figures are estimates for the Eindhoven region and may differ. The emphasis on "new capability building" and "ownership" in a Senior role suggests a compensation package that reflects this strategic contribution.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Lighting Technology, Smart Solutions, Internet of Things (IoT), Sustainability. Signify is a global leader in lighting, evolving from traditional illumination to intelligent, connected systems that leverage data analytics and AI.

Company Size: Large Enterprise (27,000+ employees globally). This size indicates a structured organization with established processes, but also opportunities for impact within specific business units or new initiatives.

Founded: Signify has a legacy of over 125 years, originally as Philips Lighting. This long history suggests a deep industry knowledge, a culture of innovation, and a commitment to long-term sustainability goals.

Team Structure:

• New Capability Focus: The UX Quality & Consumer Experience Assurance function is being established as an independent unit, suggesting a relatively small, specialized team initially, with potential for growth.

• Reporting: The Senior UX Researcher will likely report to a Head of UX Quality or a similar leadership role responsible for building and scaling this new capability. This role will be "embedded in pre-development and product development teams," implying a matrixed reporting or strong stakeholder management structure.

• Cross-functional Collaboration: Close collaboration is expected with Product Managers, UX Designers, Engineers (hardware and software), Marketing Intelligence, and Consumer Service teams, requiring strong interpersonal and communication skills.

Methodology:

• User-Centricity: A core methodology is ensuring user needs are deeply understood and translated into product requirements, aiming for a user experience where consumers feel "Somebody really thought about me."

• Data-Driven Decisions: Emphasis on using robust research insights and data analytics to inform product decisions, validate concepts, and support quality assurance.

• Agile & Iterative Development: While not explicitly stated, the mention of "development lifecycle" and "pre-development" suggests an environment that likely incorporates agile or iterative product development processes, where UX research plays a continuous role.

• Continuous Learning & Innovation: The company culture promotes continuous learning, creativity, and embracing bold discovery and cutting-edge innovation, particularly in areas like data analytics, AI, and smart solutions.

Company Website: https://www.careers.signify.com/global/en

📝 Enhancement Note: The company's focus on sustainability, IoT, and AI in the lighting industry provides a unique context for UX research, which will likely involve complex, connected products and services. The establishment of a new UX assurance function hints at a strategic investment in user experience quality.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: Senior Individual Contributor. This role is for an experienced professional who can operate independently, lead complex research projects, mentor others, and significantly influence product strategy and quality. It's a step beyond execution, requiring strategic thinking and leadership in research.

Reporting Structure: The Senior UX Researcher will be embedded within product development teams while also contributing to a newly formed, independent UX Quality & Consumer Experience Assurance function. This dual reporting or strong stakeholder alignment means reporting to a functional lead for UX Quality while collaborating closely with Product Management and Engineering leads.

Operations Impact: The role has a direct and critical impact on the quality and market success of Signify's consumer products. By ensuring user needs are met and experiences are validated, the Senior UX Researcher helps mitigate risks, enhance customer satisfaction, and strengthen brand loyalty, ultimately contributing to revenue and market share. The influence on "lifecycle gating" means the role is a gatekeeper for product quality.

Growth Opportunities:

• Leadership in a New Function: Opportunity to be a foundational member and leader in building a new UX Quality & Assurance capability, shaping its processes, methodologies, and future growth.

• Strategic Influence: Grow in influence by consistently delivering impactful research that shapes product strategy and drives significant improvements in user experience and product quality across the consumer portfolio.

• Skill Specialization & Expansion: Deepen expertise in specific research methodologies (e.g., advanced analytics, AI-driven research) or expand into related areas like product strategy or UX leadership.

• Mentorship & Coaching Development: Develop leadership and coaching skills by mentoring junior researchers and influencing cross-functional teams.

• Cross-functional Mobility: Potential to move into broader Product Management, Design Strategy, or UX leadership roles within Signify, leveraging a deep understanding of consumer needs and product development.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Senior" title combined with building a "new capability" suggests significant growth potential, moving from a senior individual contributor to a potential team lead or strategic advisor role within the UX function.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The role is primarily on-site in Eindhoven, indicating a traditional office environment where collaboration and in-person interaction are valued for product development and team synergy.

Office Location(s): Eindhoven, Netherlands. This location is a significant technology hub in the Netherlands, known for innovation and R&D, providing a vibrant ecosystem for tech professionals.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Spaces: Expect a work environment that encourages collaboration with designers, engineers, and product managers, likely featuring meeting rooms, whiteboarding areas, and open-plan spaces designed for team interaction.

• Access to Tools & Technology: The role will have access to standard office technology, research tools, and potentially specialized hardware or software relevant to lighting and smart home product development.

• User Research Facilities: Depending on the setup of the new capability, there may be dedicated spaces for conducting user interviews, usability testing, and other research activities.

Work Schedule: Standard 40-hour work week, with an emphasis on delivering research insights in alignment with product development cycles. While on-site, Signify generally supports work-life balance, suggesting potential for some flexibility in daily schedules.

📝 Enhancement Note: The on-site requirement suggests an environment where direct collaboration with hardware and software development teams is paramount, likely involving hands-on product testing and close interaction with physical prototypes and development leads.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

1. Initial Screening: HR or recruiter call to assess basic qualifications, experience, and cultural fit.

2. Hiring Manager Interview: In-depth discussion with the hiring manager focusing on experience, research philosophy, strategic thinking, and leadership potential. Expect questions about how you've handled complex research challenges and influenced decisions.

3. Portfolio Review & Presentation: A dedicated session where you present selected case studies from your portfolio. This is a critical stage to demonstrate your research process, analytical skills, storytelling ability, and impact. Be prepared to discuss your role, methodologies, insights, and the outcomes of your work.

4. Cross-functional Stakeholder Interviews: Interviews with key collaborators (e.g., Product Manager, Lead Designer, Engineering Lead) to assess collaboration style, communication effectiveness, and ability to integrate research into development workflows.

5. Final Interview: Potentially with a higher-level leader (e.g., Head of Consumer Business, VP of Product) for final assessment of strategic fit and overall candidacy.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select 3-4 projects that best showcase your senior-level experience, impact, and ability to handle complex research within a product development context. Prioritize projects where your research led to significant outcomes or influenced critical decisions.

• Structure for Impact: For each case study, clearly articulate: The Problem/Opportunity, Your Role & Responsibilities, Research Questions, Methodology (and why), Key Findings/Insights, Recommendations/Solutions, and The Outcome/Impact (quantify if possible).

• Highlight Influence: Specifically demonstrate how your insights translated into actionable changes or supported crucial decision-making, especially in relation to quality assurance and product gating.

• Storytelling is Key: Practice presenting your portfolio with a clear narrative flow, engaging your audience and highlighting your thought process and problem-solving skills. Be ready for deep dives into your methodology and decision-making.

• Showcase Mentorship: If possible, include an example or discussion point about how you've mentored or coached others in research.

Challenge Preparation:

• Methodology Application: Be prepared for hypothetical scenarios where you might be asked to propose a research plan for a specific product or challenge.

• Insight Synthesis: Practice synthesizing information quickly and articulating potential user insights.

• Stakeholder Communication: Think about how you would communicate difficult research findings or advocate for user needs when faced with resistance.

📝 Enhancement Note: The portfolio review will be a significant component. Candidates should prepare to articulate not just what they did, but why they did it, and what impact it had, especially concerning product quality and decision-making processes.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• UX Research Platforms: UserTesting.com, Lookback, Maze, UserZoom for remote usability testing, qualitative feedback collection, and surveys.

• Survey Tools: Qualtrics, SurveyMonkey, Google Forms for quantitative data collection and survey design.

• Collaboration & Whiteboarding: Miro, Mural, Confluence for collaborative ideation, research synthesis, and documentation.

• Prototyping Tools (for testing): Figma, Sketch, Adobe XD (familiarity is beneficial for understanding design artifacts to be tested).

Analytics & Reporting:

• Web/App Analytics: Google Analytics, Adobe Analytics (understanding how to interpret user behavior data from these tools).

• Data Visualization: Tableau, Power BI (basic understanding to interpret dashboards or communicate findings).

• Spreadsheet Software: Microsoft Excel, Google Sheets for data manipulation and analysis.

CRM & Automation:

• CRM (for understanding user segments): While not directly managing a CRM, familiarity with how CRM data (e.g., Salesforce, Dynamics 365) informs user segmentation for research is advantageous.

• Project Management Tools: Jira, Asana, Trello for tracking research tasks and collaborating with development teams.

📝 Enhancement Note: While Signify might have its own specific internal tools, proficiency in industry-standard UX research platforms and data analysis tools is expected. The ability to integrate with development tools like Jira is also a plus.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• User-Centricity: A deep commitment to understanding and advocating for the user in all product development decisions. The core value is ensuring products are designed for the user.

• Quality & Excellence: A drive to uphold high standards for user experience and product quality, acting as a guardian of the user's interaction with Signify products.

• Collaboration & Transparency: Fostering an environment where cross-functional teams work together openly, sharing insights and feedback to achieve common goals.

• Innovation & Continuous Improvement: A mindset that embraces new ideas, challenges the status quo, and is committed to ongoing learning and process refinement.

• Impact & Accountability: Taking ownership of research outcomes and demonstrating clear, measurable impact on product success and user satisfaction.

Collaboration Style:

• Embedded Partnership: Working closely and proactively with Product Managers, Designers, and Engineers, acting as a partner rather than an external consultant.

• Evidence-Based Advocacy: Championing the user perspective by presenting clear, data-driven insights that influence discussions and decisions.

• Constructive Challenge: Willingness to challenge assumptions and existing plans when user data indicates a risk or opportunity, doing so constructively and respectfully.

• Knowledge Sharing: Actively sharing research findings, best practices, and learnings across teams to build collective understanding and improve overall UX maturity.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on building a new "assurance" function suggests a culture that values rigorous validation, evidence-based decision-making, and a proactive approach to quality.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Establishing a New Capability: As part of a new function, the challenge will involve defining processes, methodologies, and building influence from the ground up within a large organization.

• Balancing Speed & Rigor: Navigating the inherent tension between fast-paced product development cycles and the need for thorough, high-quality UX research and validation.

• Influencing Diverse Stakeholders: Effectively communicating research insights and driving change across various departments (Engineering, Product, Marketing) with potentially differing priorities.

• Ambiguity & Evolving Processes: Operating effectively in a context where new processes are being defined and refined, requiring flexibility and adaptability.

• Measuring Impact: Clearly demonstrating the ROI and impact of UX research on business outcomes, especially within a quality assurance framework.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Leadership in UX Quality: Opportunity to define and lead a critical new function, setting strategic direction and building a team.

• Advanced Research Techniques: Potential to explore and implement cutting-edge research methods, AI-driven insights, and advanced analytics.

• Cross-Industry Exposure: Gaining deep experience in the lighting technology, smart home, and IoT sectors, understanding their unique user challenges.

• Mentorship & Coaching: Developing leadership skills through coaching junior colleagues and influencing cross-functional teams.

• Strategic Product Contribution: Directly contributing to the success and quality of global consumer products, impacting millions of users.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges are framed around building something new and impactful, which is attractive to senior professionals looking for strategic opportunities and the chance to shape an organization's approach to user experience.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you had to influence a team or stakeholder to change direction based on your research findings. What was your approach, and what was the outcome?" (Focus on your influence strategies, use of data, and storytelling).

• "How would you approach establishing a new UX research process or capability within a product development organization?" (Highlight your understanding of process design, stakeholder buy-in, and phased implementation).

• "Imagine a product is nearing its go/no-go decision for launch, but your latest research reveals significant usability issues. How would you articulate the risks and recommend next steps?" (Demonstrate your judgment, data-driven advocacy, and ability to frame issues for decision-makers).

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What excites you about Signify's mission and our focus on innovation in lighting and smart solutions?" (Research Signify's sustainability goals, IoT initiatives, and recent product launches).

• "How do you see the role of UX Research in ensuring product quality and consumer satisfaction in a company like Signify?" (Connect your understanding of UX research to the company's stated goals and the importance of user experience).

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Focus on Impact: For each case study, clearly articulate the business problem, your research objectives, your methodology, the key insights, and most importantly, the impact of your work. Quantify results where possible.

• Showcase Your Process: Be ready to walk through your entire research process, from problem definition and planning to execution, analysis, synthesis, and reporting.

• Demonstrate Critical Thinking: Be prepared to answer "why" questions about your methodology choices, analytical decisions, and recommendations.

• Storytelling: Weave a compelling narrative around your projects, making them relatable and demonstrating your passion for understanding users and improving products.

• Address Role Specifics: Emphasize instances where your research directly supported product quality decisions, lifecycle gating, or risk mitigation.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interviewers will be looking for evidence of senior-level strategic thinking, strong research methodology, exceptional communication skills, and the ability to drive tangible impact within a product development context, particularly in the new role of quality assurance.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Senior UX Researcher position:

• Submit your application through the Signify careers portal via the provided link.

• Portfolio Customization: Curate your portfolio to highlight 3-4 of your most impactful UX research projects, with a strong emphasis on those demonstrating influence on product quality, decision-making, or the establishment of new research processes. Ensure each case study clearly outlines the problem, your role, methodology, key insights, and quantifiable outcomes.

• Resume Optimization: Tailor your resume to directly address the requirements mentioned in the job description. Use keywords such as "UX Research," "Qualitative," "Quantitative," "Mixed-Methods," "User Experience," "Consumer Products," "Product Development," "Stakeholder Management," "Mentorship," and "Quality Assurance." Clearly articulate your years of experience and specific accomplishments.

• Interview Preparation: Practice articulating your research process and findings using the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) for behavioral questions. Prepare to present your portfolio case studies concisely and engagingly, focusing on impact and influence. Research Signify's products, mission, and recent news to inform your answers and demonstrate genuine interest.

• Company & Role Research: Familiarize yourself with Signify's consumer product lines, their approach to connected lighting and smart home technology, and their commitment to sustainability. Understand the context of establishing a new UX Quality & Assurance function and be ready to discuss how your experience aligns with this goal.

⚠️ 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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