Senior UX Researcher

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Senior UX Researcher
Company: Symbotic
Location: Wilmington, MA, USA - HQ
Job Type: Full-Time
Category: User Experience / Product Research
Date Posted: December 05, 2025
Experience Level: 5-8 Years
Remote Status: Hybrid

🚀 Role Summary

• Lead user research initiatives to inform the design of AI-powered robotic technology platforms within the supply chain.
• Define intuitive user workflows, personas, and journey maps for complex technical systems and robotic interfaces.
• Translate research findings into actionable user requirements and specifications to guide product development.
• Collaborate closely with cross-functional teams, including product managers, engineers, and UX designers, to ensure user-centricity.
• Analyze and present qualitative and quantitative research insights to diverse stakeholders, advocating for user needs.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is situated within a rapidly evolving, high-tech industry (AI-powered robotics for supply chain automation). The "Senior" title implies a need for independent research design, execution, and a strong ability to influence product strategy based on user insights. The hybrid work arrangement suggests a balance between in-office collaboration and remote flexibility.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Plan and execute a variety of qualitative and quantitative user research studies, including contextual inquiries, in-depth interviews, surveys, usability testing (moderated and unmoderated), and field observations, specifically within supply chain and robotics environments.
• Synthesize complex research data from diverse sources into clear, compelling reports and presentations that effectively communicate user needs, pain points, and actionable recommendations to product, engineering, and design teams.
• Develop and maintain comprehensive user documentation, such as detailed user journey maps, personas, and intuitive user workflows, to serve as foundational elements for product design and development.
• Actively participate in product development lifecycle meetings, providing user-centric insights and feedback to product managers, UX designers, and engineers to ensure the alignment of designs with user expectations and operational realities.
• Champion user-centered design principles across the organization, fostering a deeper understanding of end-user needs and advocating for user perspectives in all product-related decisions.
• Continuously research and integrate emerging UX research methodologies, supply chain technologies, and advancements in robotics and automation to ensure the application of cutting-edge approaches to user experience.
• Evaluate and select appropriate research tools and methodologies based on project goals, timelines, and available resources, ensuring robust and efficient research processes.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities emphasize a proactive and strategic approach to research, moving beyond basic usability testing to encompass deep understanding of user behaviors and needs in a specialized industrial context. The need to "translate research findings into clear, actionable user requirements" highlights the critical link between research and product development execution.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

• Bachelor's degree in Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), Anthropology, Psychology, Design, Computer Science, or a closely related field.
• A Master's degree in one of the aforementioned fields is considered a significant advantage.

Experience:

• Minimum of 5-8 years of progressive professional experience specifically in User Experience (UX) Research.
• Proven experience working with complex technical systems, ideally within the robotics, automation, or supply chain/logistics industries.
• Demonstrated track record of leading end-to-end research projects, from planning and execution to analysis and reporting.

Required Skills:

• UX Research Methodologies: Deep proficiency in a wide range of qualitative and quantitative research methods, including contextual inquiry, usability testing (formative and summative), in-depth interviews, surveys, diary studies, and card sorting.
• Data Synthesis & Analysis: Strong ability to analyze and synthesize complex research data (both qualitative and quantitative) into actionable insights and clear, concise reports. Familiarity with statistical analysis principles.
• User Workflow & Documentation: Expertise in creating detailed user journey maps, personas, and user workflow diagrams that effectively communicate user behaviors, needs, and interaction sequences.
• Collaboration & Communication: Exceptional verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to articulate complex research findings and recommendations clearly and persuasively to diverse audiences, including technical and non-technical stakeholders.
• Problem-Solving: Robust analytical and critical thinking skills to identify user pain points and translate them into practical design and product development solutions.

Preferred Skills:

• Industry Knowledge: Direct experience or strong familiarity with supply chain operations, logistics, warehouse automation, or industrial robotics systems.
• Prototyping & Design Tools: Experience with UX design and prototyping tools such as Figma, Sketch, Adobe XD, or similar, to effectively collaborate with designers and visualize user flows.
• Data Analytics Tools: Familiarity with data analysis tools (e.g., SPSS, Tableau, Excel, Google Analytics) for quantitative research reporting and insights generation.
• Hardware-Software Integration: Experience researching user interfaces for systems that integrate hardware and software components.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on "complex technical systems" and "supply chain/logistics industries" signals a need for candidates who can quickly grasp intricate operational processes and the technical nuances of industrial automation. The preferred skills highlight a desire for candidates who can hit the ground running with minimal ramp-up time in these specific domains.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Research Case Studies: Showcase at least 3-5 comprehensive research projects, detailing the problem statement, research objectives, methodologies employed, key findings, and the impact of your research on product decisions and user experience improvements.
• Process Documentation: Include examples of user journey maps, personas, and detailed user workflow diagrams that demonstrate your ability to translate research into actionable design artifacts.
• Metrics & Impact: Clearly articulate the metrics used to measure success and demonstrate the measurable impact of your research on product usability, user satisfaction, or operational efficiency. Quantifiable results are highly valued.
• Tool Proficiency: Briefly mention or visually represent your proficiency with key UX research and analysis tools relevant to the role (e.g., Figma, Sketch, survey platforms, data analysis software).

Process Documentation:

• Research Design: Examples of well-structured research plans outlining objectives, target participants, methodologies, and timelines.
• Data Collection & Synthesis: Evidence of systematic data collection and rigorous analysis, demonstrating how raw data was transformed into meaningful insights.
• Recommendation & Implementation: Show how your research insights were translated into concrete, actionable recommendations that influenced product design and development, along with evidence of their implementation.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a Senior UX Researcher role, the portfolio is critical. It should not only present completed projects but also illustrate the candidate's strategic thinking, methodological rigor, and ability to drive tangible product improvements through research. The emphasis on quantifiable impact and process documentation is paramount for a role influencing complex industrial systems.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

• The posted base salary range for this Senior UX Researcher position in Wilmington, MA is $120,000 to $165,000 USD annually.

Benefits:

• Comprehensive Health Coverage: Medical, Dental, and Vision insurance plans to support employee well-being.
• Retirement Savings: 401(k) plan with potential company match, facilitating long-term financial planning.
• Paid Time Off (PTO): Generous PTO policy to allow for rest, relaxation, and personal pursuits.
• Disability Insurance: Coverage to provide financial support in case of long-term disability.
• Other Benefits: Symbotic may offer additional benefits not explicitly listed, such as life insurance, employee assistance programs, or professional development stipends.

Working Hours:

• The standard working hours for this full-time role are 40 hours per week.
• While the role is hybrid, specific in-office days and collaboration hours will be coordinated within the team, likely requiring flexibility to accommodate project needs and cross-functional meetings.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range provided is competitive for a Senior UX Researcher in the Massachusetts area, reflecting the specialized nature of the role within an advanced technology sector. The benefits package is standard for a full-time professional role, focusing on health, financial security, and work-life balance. The mention of credit card ownership for expenses suggests a need for a candidate comfortable with managing business expenditures.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Automation Technology / Robotics / Supply Chain Management. Symbotic operates at the intersection of Artificial Intelligence, advanced robotics, and logistics, aiming to revolutionize supply chain efficiency. Company Size: Symbotic is a growing company, indicating a dynamic environment where individual contributions can have a significant impact. This often translates to a culture of innovation and agility. Founded: Founded in 2007, Symbotic has established itself as a leader in its field, suggesting a mature yet forward-thinking approach to technology development and market penetration.

Team Structure:

• The UX Research function likely sits within a broader Product or Engineering organization, collaborating closely with UX Design, Product Management, and Software/Hardware Engineering teams.
• As a Senior Researcher, you will likely work independently on projects but also contribute to a larger UX or Product team, potentially mentoring junior members over time.
• Cross-functional collaboration is essential, requiring strong communication and partnership skills to integrate user insights into the development of complex robotic and AI systems.

Methodology:

• Symbotic's approach is characterized by innovation, data-driven decision-making, and a focus on solving complex supply chain challenges through advanced technology.
• The company emphasizes an AI-powered, end-to-end system, suggesting a holistic and integrated approach to product development, where user experience is a key component of system success.
• User-centered design principles are likely integrated into their development processes, with UX research playing a pivotal role in validating concepts, refining designs, and ensuring user adoption of sophisticated automation solutions.

Company Website: www.symbotic.com

📝 Enhancement Note: Symbotic's focus on AI and robotics in the supply chain implies a culture that values technological innovation, data analytics, and problem-solving. The "community of innovators, collaborators, and pioneers" statement suggests an environment that encourages diverse perspectives and proactive contributions.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: Senior UX Researcher. This level typically involves leading significant research projects, mentoring junior team members, and having a substantial influence on product strategy and design direction. It requires a high degree of autonomy and expertise in research methodologies. Reporting Structure: While not explicitly stated, a Senior UX Researcher often reports to a UX Lead, Director of Product, or Head of Design. They work closely with Product Managers and Engineering Leads who manage the product roadmap and development sprints. Operations Impact: The UX Researcher's impact is crucial for Symbotic's success. By ensuring their AI-powered robotic systems are intuitive and efficient for users (e.g., warehouse operators, supervisors), the researcher directly contributes to increased operational efficiency, reduced errors, and improved user adoption – all critical factors for supply chain automation solutions. This role bridges the gap between complex technology and human usability, directly impacting the value proposition and customer satisfaction.

Growth Opportunities:

• Leadership Development: Potential to grow into a UX Research Lead or Manager role, overseeing a team of researchers and setting research strategy for larger product areas.
• Specialization: Deepen expertise in specific areas of UX research relevant to industrial automation, AI, or human-robot interaction.
• Cross-Functional Mobility: Opportunities to move into Product Management or UX Design roles, leveraging a deep understanding of user needs and product development.
• Industry Expertise: Become a recognized expert in UX for supply chain automation, a rapidly growing and critical field.
• Mentorship: Guide and mentor junior researchers, developing leadership and coaching skills.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Senior" designation and the company's innovative field suggest significant opportunities for professional growth, not just in research but also in influencing product strategy and potentially leadership within the UX or Product organization.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Hybrid. This indicates a blend of in-office collaboration and remote work, allowing for flexibility while maintaining team cohesion and in-person interaction. Office Location(s): The primary location is Wilmington, MA - HQ. Employees may be expected to travel to client or customer sites, with up to 10% travel estimated.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Environment: The hybrid model encourages collaboration, with dedicated office time for team meetings, brainstorming sessions, and in-person design reviews.
• Tools & Technology: Access to industry-standard UX research, design, and data analysis tools will be provided to facilitate effective work. This includes software for prototyping, user interviews, surveys, and data analysis.
• Team Interaction: Opportunities for regular interaction with UX designers, product managers, engineers, and potentially end-users through research activities and project meetings.

Work Schedule:

• Standard 40-hour work week, with flexibility expected to meet project deadlines and research participant availability. The hybrid nature allows for some autonomy in managing daily schedules.

📝 Enhancement Note: The hybrid arrangement at HQ implies a structured approach to work, balancing the benefits of remote flexibility with the necessity of in-person collaboration for complex technical projects. The travel requirement is typical for roles interacting with diverse customer environments.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A recruiter or hiring manager will review your application and resume, focusing on relevant UX research experience, especially within complex technical or industrial domains.
• Hiring Manager Interview: A deeper dive into your experience, research methodologies, problem-solving approaches, and understanding of user-centered design principles. Expect questions about your approach to research planning and execution.
• Portfolio Review & Presentation: A critical stage where you will present a selection of your best work. This typically involves showcasing 1-3 case studies that highlight your research process, insights, and impact. Be prepared to discuss your role, the challenges faced, and how your research influenced product outcomes.
• Cross-Functional Interviews: Interviews with potential peers, such as UX Designers, Product Managers, or Engineers, to assess your collaboration style, communication skills, and ability to integrate research into the development workflow.
• Final Interview: May involve senior leadership to discuss strategic alignment, cultural fit, and overall suitability for the Senior Researcher role.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select case studies that best align with Symbotic's industry (robotics, supply chain, AI) and the role's requirements (complex systems, workflow definition, user requirements).
• Tell a Story: Structure each case study as a narrative: the problem, your approach, the process, the findings, and the impact. Focus on your direct contributions and the measurable outcomes your research achieved.
• Demonstrate Rigor: Clearly explain your research methodology, why you chose it, and how it addressed the research questions. Showcase your analytical skills in synthesizing data.
• Highlight Impact: Quantify the impact of your research whenever possible (e.g., "led to a 15% reduction in task completion time," "identified critical usability issues that were subsequently resolved, improving user satisfaction scores").
• Be Prepared for Questions: Anticipate questions about your decision-making process, how you handled challenges, and how you’d approach research for Symbotic's specific products.

Challenge Preparation:

• Be ready for potential "take-home" assignments or live problem-solving exercises that might simulate a real-world research scenario. This could involve critiquing an existing interface, outlining a research plan for a given product feature, or analyzing a sample dataset.
• Practice articulating your "thought process" clearly and concisely, as if you were explaining it to a team of engineers or product managers. Focus on feasibility and actionable insights.

📝 Enhancement Note: The portfolio review is the cornerstone of a UX researcher's application. For a Senior role at Symbotic, demonstrating impact in a relevant technical domain will be key. Candidates should be prepared to articulate their strategic contributions and how their research directly informs product decisions in a complex industrial setting.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• UX Research Platforms: Experience with tools for conducting remote usability tests, surveys, and interviews (e.g., UserTesting.com, Lookback, Maze, Qualtrics, SurveyMonkey).
• Design & Prototyping Tools: Familiarity with Figma, Sketch, or Adobe XD for understanding and collaborating on user interface designs and workflows.
• Data Analysis Software: Proficiency with tools for analyzing qualitative and quantitative data. This may include spreadsheet software (Excel, Google Sheets), statistical analysis packages (SPSS, R), and data visualization tools (Tableau).

Analytics & Reporting:

• Data Visualization Tools: Experience with tools like Tableau or Power BI for creating dashboards and reports to communicate research findings effectively.
• Product Analytics Tools: While not strictly research tools, familiarity with platforms like Google Analytics or Amplitude can provide context for user behavior within digital products.

CRM & Automation:

• Project Management Tools: Experience with tools like Jira, Asana, or Trello for managing research projects and collaborating with development teams.
• Collaboration Suites: Proficiency with Google Workspace or Microsoft 365 for documentation, presentations, and team communication.

📝 Enhancement Note: The mention of specific tools like Figma, Sketch, SPSS, and Tableau directly indicates the technical environment. Candidates should be prepared to speak to their experience and proficiency with these or equivalent tools. The preference for industry-specific tools like UserTesting.com or Maze is also highly relevant.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Innovation: A drive to develop and implement cutting-edge AI and robotics solutions that redefine supply chain efficiency.
• Collaboration: A strong emphasis on working together across disciplines (engineering, product, design, research) to achieve common goals.
• Data-Driven Decision Making: Utilizing data and research insights to inform product strategy and development, ensuring solutions are effective and user-validated.
• User Advocacy: A commitment to understanding and prioritizing the needs of end-users to create intuitive and impactful products.
• Efficiency & Agility: Striving for operational excellence and adapting quickly to market demands and technological advancements.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-Functional Integration: Researchers are expected to work seamlessly with product managers, designers, and engineers, embedding insights into the product development lifecycle.
• Open Communication: Fostering an environment where feedback is openly shared and constructive criticism is welcomed to improve products and processes.
• Knowledge Sharing: Encouraging the sharing of research findings and best practices across teams to build collective understanding and expertise.

📝 Enhancement Note: Symbotic's stated values of innovation, collaboration, and data-driven decision-making are central to its culture. For a Senior UX Researcher, demonstrating how your work aligns with these values, particularly in driving innovation through user insights and collaborating effectively, will be key to cultural fit.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Complexity of Systems: Researching user experience for highly complex, industrial-grade robotic and AI systems that require deep technical understanding and can be challenging to simulate or test in controlled environments.
• Bridging Technical Gaps: Effectively translating highly technical concepts and user needs between engineering teams and design/research functions.
• Data Interpretation in Industrial Settings: Analyzing user behavior and operational data from industrial environments, which may involve unique workflows and safety considerations.
• Rapid Technological Evolution: Keeping pace with advancements in AI, robotics, and supply chain technology to ensure research methods and insights remain relevant.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Industry Specialization: Deepen expertise in human-robot interaction (HRI), AI-driven user interfaces, and the intricacies of supply chain and logistics operations.
• Advanced Methodologies: Opportunities to explore and implement more advanced research techniques relevant to industrial UX.
• Cross-Disciplinary Learning: Gain a deeper understanding of engineering, AI, and product management through close collaboration.
• Conferences & Training: Potential for attending industry conferences (e.g., UXPA, CHI, industry-specific automation events) and pursuing relevant certifications.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges highlight the specialized nature of UX research at Symbotic, requiring a candidate who is not only skilled in research but also adaptable and eager to learn about complex industrial technology. The growth opportunities point towards significant professional development within a cutting-edge field.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you had to research a complex technical system. How did you approach understanding the user and the system's functionality?" (Focus on your methodology, how you acquired domain knowledge, and your ability to simplify complex information).
• "How would you design a research plan to understand user requirements for a new feature in our robotic system's control interface?" (Demonstrate your ability to define objectives, choose appropriate methods, identify target users, and outline deliverables).
• "Tell me about a time your research findings contradicted initial product assumptions. How did you present this and influence the product direction?" (Highlight your communication skills, data-driven persuasion, and ability to advocate for the user).

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What interests you about Symbotic and our mission to revolutionize the supply chain with robotics?" (Showcase your research into the company, its technology, and its impact).
• "How do you approach collaborating with engineers and product managers who may have different priorities?" (Emphasize your communication, empathy, and ability to find common ground based on user value).
• "How do you ensure your research insights lead to tangible product improvements?" (Discuss your process for translating findings into actionable recommendations and how you track their implementation and impact).

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Focus on Impact: For each case study, clearly state the business problem, the user problem, your research contribution, the key insights, and the resulting product changes and their impact (quantified if possible).
• Show, Don't Just Tell: Use visuals – wireframes, journey maps, personas, key quotes from users, data charts – to make your presentation engaging and illustrative of your process.
• Be Ready for Deep Dives: Anticipate questions about your specific role in the project, the rationale behind your methodological choices, and how you handled any challenges or limitations.
• Tailor to Symbotic: Whenever possible, draw parallels between your past work and the challenges Symbotic might be facing, demonstrating your understanding of their context.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation for this role requires a strong emphasis on demonstrating both methodological expertise and the ability to translate research into business impact within a technical, industrial context. Candidates should be prepared to articulate their strategic thinking and collaborative approach.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Senior UX Researcher position:

• Submit your application through the provided link on Symbotic's Workday careers portal.
• Tailor Your Resume: Highlight your experience with complex technical systems, robotics, supply chain, or industrial automation. Emphasize your proficiency in qualitative and quantitative research methodologies and your ability to translate findings into actionable requirements. Use keywords from the job description.
• Curate Your Portfolio: Select 2-3 of your strongest UX research case studies that best align with Symbotic's industry and the role's responsibilities. Focus on projects where you had significant ownership and can demonstrate measurable impact.
• Prepare Your Presentation: Practice presenting your portfolio case studies, focusing on clear storytelling, methodological rigor, and the tangible outcomes of your research. Be ready to discuss your contributions and thought process in detail.
• Research Symbotic: Understand their AI-powered robotic technology, their mission in the supply chain, and their company culture. This will help you tailor your answers and demonstrate genuine interest.

⚠️ 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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