Senior UX Researcher, Digital UX & Design

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Senior UX Researcher, Digital UX & Design
Company: Starbucks Coffee Company
Location: Seattle, Washington, United States
Job Type: FULL_TIME
Category: User Experience Research / Digital Product Design
Date Posted: October 9, 2025
Experience Level: Senior Level (5+ years)
Remote Status: Hybrid (4 days in-office)

🚀 Role Summary

• Lead and execute high-impact UX research studies across Starbucks' diverse digital product portfolio.
• Apply a robust understanding of both qualitative and quantitative research methodologies to complex user problems.
• Translate research insights into actionable recommendations that directly influence product strategy and user experience roadmaps.
• Foster a culture of user-centricity by collaborating closely with design, product management, and engineering teams.
• Contribute to the advancement of UX research best practices and team knowledge sharing within a dynamic, design-driven organization.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the primary focus is UX Research, the role's emphasis on influencing product strategy, connecting insights to business impact, and guiding digital experiences for millions of customers positions it as a critical function within the broader Go-To-Market (GTM) and product operations ecosystem. The ability to drive product decisions based on user needs directly impacts revenue generation and customer lifetime value.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Independently plan, design, and execute end-to-end UX research initiatives for digital products and platforms, ensuring alignment with business objectives and user needs.
• Employ a range of qualitative methods (e.g., interviews, usability testing, ethnographic studies) and quantitative methods (e.g., surveys, A/B testing analysis, data analysis) to gather comprehensive user insights.
• Synthesize complex research data into clear, compelling, and actionable insights, clearly articulating the 'why' behind user behaviors and preferences.
• Develop and present research findings and strategic recommendations to cross-functional teams, including product managers, designers, engineers, and senior leadership, to influence product roadmaps and strategic decisions.
• Partner closely with Design, Product Management, and Engineering teams to ensure user needs are integrated throughout the product development lifecycle, from ideation to launch and iteration.
• Proactively identify opportunities for research to address key business questions and uncover unmet user needs, contributing to the long-term vision for Starbucks' digital experiences.
• Contribute to the development and refinement of research standards, methodologies, and best practices within the UX & Design team.
• Mentor and guide junior researchers, fostering their growth and contributing to the overall research craft and team culture.
• Champion a deep understanding of customer and partner needs across the organization, acting as a key advocate for the user.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibility to "guide experiences that touch millions of people every day" and "fuel ways to activate our 'Back to Starbucks' strategy" indicates a significant focus on how UX research directly supports business growth and strategic initiatives. This implies a need for researchers who can not only uncover insights but also translate them into measurable business impact.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

• Bachelor's degree in Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), Psychology, Anthropology, Cognitive Science, or a closely related field.

Experience:

• Minimum of 5+ years of hands-on experience conducting user research within digital product environments.
• Proven track record of managing multiple research projects concurrently and independently in fast-paced, agile settings.
• Experience working with design-driven brands, technology companies, or digital agencies.

Required Skills:

• User Research Expertise: Deep proficiency in planning, executing, and analyzing both qualitative (e.g., user interviews, usability testing, contextual inquiry, diary studies) and quantitative (e.g., surveys, card sorting, tree testing, data analysis, A/B testing interpretation) research methods.
• Insight Synthesis & Communication: Ability to translate complex research findings into clear, concise, and actionable insights and recommendations for diverse audiences, including senior leadership.
• Product Strategy Influence: Demonstrated experience in connecting research insights directly to business impact, influencing product roadmaps, design decisions, and overall product strategy.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Proven ability to partner effectively with designers, product managers, engineers, marketing, and business stakeholders to drive user-centered product development.
• Mentorship & Team Contribution: Experience mentoring junior researchers and actively contributing to team knowledge sharing, best practices, and fostering a collaborative research culture.
• Proactive Problem-Solving: A proactive approach to identifying research needs, anticipating challenges, and developing innovative solutions to complex user experience problems.

Preferred Skills:

• Retail/eCommerce/Loyalty Research: Background in conducting research for retail, eCommerce, loyalty programs, or similar consumer-facing digital products.
• Mobile & Multi-Channel Experience: Experience conducting research across full end-to-end customer journeys, multi-channel ecosystems, and experiences spanning native mobile applications (iOS/Android).
• Data Analysis Tools: Familiarity with statistical analysis software or data visualization tools for quantitative research analysis.
• Agile Methodologies: Experience working within Agile/Scrum development frameworks.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on "connecting insights to business impact" and influencing "product strategies" suggests that candidates with a strong business acumen and the ability to quantify the value of UX research will be highly sought after. This goes beyond simply reporting findings to demonstrating how research contributes to revenue growth, customer retention, and operational efficiency.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Case Studies with Impact: A portfolio or collection of case studies showcasing impactful UX research projects for consumer-facing digital products. Each case study should clearly articulate the problem, your role, the methodologies used, key insights, and the resulting product or design changes.
• Demonstrated Influence: Evidence of how your research directly influenced product strategy, design decisions, or business outcomes, ideally with quantifiable results or metrics.
• Methodological Breadth: Examples demonstrating proficiency in applying a range of qualitative and quantitative research methods, with clear rationale for method selection.
• End-to-End Project Management: Showcase your ability to manage research projects from initial scoping and planning through to synthesis and reporting/recommendation delivery.

Process Documentation:

• Research Design & Planning: Examples of well-defined research plans, including clear objectives, participant criteria, recruitment strategies, and chosen methodologies.
• Data Synthesis & Analysis: Showcase your approach to synthesizing qualitative and quantitative data, identifying themes, and deriving actionable insights.
• Recommendation & Reporting: Examples of how research findings were translated into clear, compelling recommendations presented to cross-functional teams and stakeholders.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a Senior UX Researcher role, the portfolio is critical. It needs to demonstrate not just research execution, but strategic thinking, the ability to drive change, and a clear understanding of how research supports business objectives. Candidates should be prepared to discuss the ROI of their research efforts.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: The actual base pay for this role will vary and is determined by several factors, including job-related knowledge, skills, experience, geographical location (Seattle, WA), and internal equity. While a specific range is not provided, for a Senior UX Researcher in Seattle, WA, with 5+ years of experience, similar roles in the tech and retail sectors typically range from $120,000 to $180,000 annually, with potential for bonuses and equity.

Benefits: Starbucks offers a comprehensive benefits package for eligible partners, including:

• Health & Wellness: Medical, Dental, Vision insurance; Basic and Supplemental Life Insurance; Short-Term and Long-Term Disability.
• Financial Security: 401(k) Retirement Plan with employer match; Discounted Company Stock Program (S.I.P.); Starbucks Equity Program (Bean Stock); Incentivized emergency savings; Financial well-being tools.
• Time Off & Leave: Paid parental leave; Family expansion reimbursement; Paid vacation from date of hire (accrual rates vary by state and role level); Sick time (accrued based on hours worked); Eight paid holidays; Two personal days per year.
• Education & Development: 100% upfront tuition coverage for a first-time bachelor's degree through Arizona State University's online program (Starbucks College Achievement Plan); Student loan management resources; Access to other educational opportunities.
• Additional Perks: Backup care; DACA reimbursement.

Working Hours: This is a full-time position, generally expected to be around 40 hours per week. The role requires significant in-office presence (4 days a week) to foster collaboration, with flexibility for focused work.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range provided is an estimate based on industry benchmarks for a Senior UX Researcher in Seattle, WA. Starbucks' compensation philosophy states that "it is not typical for an individual to be hired at the high end of the range." The benefits package is notably robust, with a strong emphasis on education and financial well-being, which are key attractors for senior talent.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Food & Beverage / Retail / Technology (Digital Products)
Company Size: Large Enterprise (Over 10,000 employees)
Founded: 1971

Team Structure:

• The Senior UX Researcher will be part of the Digital UX & Design team, which operates within Starbucks' broader Digital organization.
• This team likely comprises other UX researchers, UX/UI designers, product managers, and potentially UX writers.
• The structure encourages close collaboration between research, design, and product development functions to ensure a cohesive and user-centered approach to digital product creation.
• Reporting lines will likely lead up through a Director or VP of UX/Design within the Digital division.

Methodology:

• Starbucks emphasizes a "design-driven" and "customer-centric" approach, suggesting that user research is integral to their product development lifecycle.
• The role requires proficiency in both qualitative and quantitative methods, indicating a balanced approach to understanding user needs and validating solutions.
• A hybrid work model (4 days in-office) underscores a culture that values in-person collaboration, brainstorming, and team cohesion, while still offering some flexibility.
• The focus on "Back to Starbucks" strategy suggests a drive towards enhancing core customer experiences and loyalty through digital innovation.

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

📝 Enhancement Note: Starbucks' culture is known for its emphasis on partner well-being and community. For a Senior UX Researcher, this translates to an environment where user empathy is valued, and there's an opportunity to shape experiences that impact millions globally. The company's scale means research findings can have a significant, widespread impact.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: Senior Individual Contributor
Reporting Structure: The Senior UX Researcher will report to a manager or director within the Digital UX & Design team. They will work closely with cross-functional teams including Product Management, Engineering, Marketing, and potentially other research functions.
Operations Impact: This role has a direct impact on the success of Starbucks' digital products, influencing customer acquisition, engagement, retention, and overall brand loyalty. By ensuring digital experiences are intuitive, valuable, and meet user needs, the researcher directly contributes to revenue generation and strategic business goals like the "Back to Starbucks" initiative.

Growth Opportunities:

• Leadership in Research Craft: Opportunity to lead complex, high-impact research initiatives, mentor junior team members, and contribute to defining research strategy and best practices.
• Specialization: Potential to deepen expertise in specific areas such as mobile UX, loyalty programs, personalization, or multi-channel customer journeys.
• Cross-Functional Influence: Develop strong relationships and influence across product, design, and engineering, potentially leading to roles with broader strategic influence.
• Management Track: For individuals interested in leadership, there may be opportunities to move into a Research Manager or Director role, overseeing a team of researchers and shaping the research vision.
• Skill Development: Continuous learning through challenging projects, internal knowledge sharing, and potentially external training or conferences, supported by Starbucks' commitment to education.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role offers a clear path for growth within UX research, with opportunities for increased scope, mentorship, and strategic influence. The hybrid model and strong benefits package also contribute to overall employee satisfaction and retention, fostering long-term career development within the company.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Hybrid Work Model. Employees are expected to work from the office four days a week.
Office Location(s): Seattle, Washington (specifically mentioning 2401 Utah Ave S, Suite 800, Seattle, Washington, United States).

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Environment: The 4-day in-office requirement suggests an emphasis on in-person collaboration, brainstorming sessions, and team-building activities essential for complex digital product development.
• Tools & Technology: Access to standard UX research tools, software, and potentially dedicated lab spaces or equipment for user testing and data analysis. The role will likely involve using digital collaboration platforms alongside in-person interactions.
• Team Interaction: Opportunities for regular interaction with a diverse team of designers, product managers, engineers, and fellow researchers, fostering a rich learning and problem-solving environment.

Work Schedule:

• Standard full-time working hours, with an expectation of 4 days per week in the Seattle office. While core hours likely exist, the nature of research often allows for some flexibility in managing personal time around project deadlines and participant scheduling.

📝 Enhancement Note: The hybrid model is a key aspect of the work environment, balancing the need for in-person collaboration with the flexibility often sought by experienced professionals. The Seattle location places the researcher at the company's headquarters, likely offering more direct access to key stakeholders and decision-makers.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A recruiter or hiring manager will review applications and resumes, focusing on experience, qualifications, and alignment with the role's requirements.
• Portfolio Review & Presentation: Candidates will likely be asked to present a portfolio of their work, showcasing 2-3 key case studies that demonstrate their research skills, strategic thinking, and impact. This is a crucial step for a Senior UX Researcher.
• Hiring Manager Interview: In-depth discussion about experience, research methodologies, approach to problem-solving, and alignment with team culture.
• Cross-Functional Interviews: Interviews with key collaborators such as Product Managers, Designers, and Engineers to assess collaboration skills and ability to influence.
• Team/Culture Fit Interview: Discussions to evaluate how the candidate will integrate with the existing UX & Design team and contribute to the company culture.
• Potential Case Study/Exercise: A take-home assignment or live exercise to assess practical research design and analysis skills.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Focus on Impact: Prioritize case studies that clearly demonstrate how your research led to tangible improvements in product design, user experience, or business metrics. Quantify results wherever possible.
• Strategic Rationale: Be prepared to articulate the strategic thinking behind your research choices – why you chose specific methods, how you framed the problem, and how your insights informed broader product strategy.
• Your Role Clarity: Clearly define your specific contributions within each project, especially in team-based research efforts.
• Methodological Depth: Showcase a range of methods and explain the trade-offs and rationale for your selections.
• Storytelling: Present your work as compelling narratives that highlight challenges, your process, key learnings, and successful outcomes.

Challenge Preparation:

• Anticipate UX Scenarios: Be ready to discuss how you would approach research for specific Starbucks digital products (e.g., mobile ordering, loyalty program, new feature development).
• Methodology Justification: Practice explaining why you would use certain qualitative or quantitative methods for hypothetical problems.
• Data Synthesis Examples: Be prepared to walk through how you would analyze and synthesize data from a given research scenario.
• Stakeholder Communication: Think about how you would present findings and recommendations to different stakeholders (e.g., product managers, engineers, executives) to ensure buy-in and action.

📝 Enhancement Note: The portfolio presentation is arguably the most critical component for this role. Candidates should meticulously prepare their case studies, focusing on demonstrating strategic impact and clear communication of complex research findings.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• User Research Platforms: Familiarity with tools for managing user recruitment, scheduling, and potentially remote usability testing (e.g., UserTesting.com, Lookback, Maze, Respondent.io).
• Qualitative Analysis Tools: Experience with software for synthesizing qualitative data, such as Dovetail, NVivo, or even advanced spreadsheet/document techniques.
• Quantitative Analysis Tools: Proficiency in survey platforms (e.g., Qualtrics, SurveyMonkey) and the ability to interpret data from analytics platforms (e.g., Google Analytics, Amplitude, Mixpanel).
• Prototyping & Design Collaboration: Familiarity with tools like Figma, Sketch, or Adobe XD is beneficial for understanding design outputs and collaborating with designers.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Web & Mobile Analytics: Understanding of how to use data from platforms like Google Analytics, Firebase, or similar to inform research hypotheses and measure impact.
• Business Intelligence Tools: Exposure to BI tools for understanding broader business metrics and trends that research can influence.

CRM & Automation:

• While not a direct CRM role, understanding how user data is managed within CRMs or customer data platforms can be beneficial for context.

📝 Enhancement Note: While specific tools are not listed, a Senior UX Researcher is expected to be proficient in a wide array of research and analysis tools. The ability to leverage data from analytics platforms and understand customer data is increasingly important for demonstrating business impact.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Customer Obsession: A deep commitment to understanding and advocating for the customer, ensuring their needs are at the forefront of product decisions.
• Data-Driven Decision Making: Utilizing both qualitative insights and quantitative data to inform strategies and validate hypotheses.
• Collaboration & Teamwork: Working effectively across diverse teams to achieve common goals and foster a shared understanding of user needs.
• Curiosity & Continuous Learning: An intrinsic desire to explore, learn, and stay abreast of the latest research methodologies, user behaviors, and industry trends.
• Impact & Accountability: Taking ownership of research outcomes and striving to deliver work that has a measurable positive impact on the business and user experience.

Collaboration Style:

• Partnership-Oriented: Actively seeking to build strong working relationships with Product Management, Design, and Engineering.
• Insight-Sharing: Regularly sharing research findings and insights in accessible formats to a wide range of stakeholders.
• Feedback Integration: Open to constructive feedback on research approaches and findings, using it to refine processes and outcomes.
• Proactive Engagement: Engaging early and often in the product development process to ensure research is integrated effectively and can influence decisions early on.

📝 Enhancement Note: Starbucks' culture often emphasizes a sense of community and shared purpose. For a UX Researcher, this means contributing to a team environment where empathy, collaboration, and a drive for positive impact are highly valued.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing Diverse Stakeholder Needs: Navigating the priorities and perspectives of various teams (product, engineering, marketing, business) to ensure research effectively addresses a broad range of needs.
• Scaling Research: Ensuring research rigor and impact are maintained as digital products and user bases grow, potentially across multiple platforms and markets.
• Driving Action on Insights: The ongoing challenge of translating research findings into concrete product changes and ensuring those changes are prioritized and implemented effectively.
• Evolving Digital Landscape: Keeping pace with rapid changes in technology, user behaviors, and competitive offerings in the digital space.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Advanced Methodologies: Opportunity to explore and implement cutting-edge research techniques and rapidly evolve your toolkit.
• Cross-Disciplinary Learning: Gain a deeper understanding of product management, software engineering, and business strategy through close collaboration.
• Industry Exposure: Work on projects that impact millions of users globally, providing unique insights into consumer behavior and the retail/F&B tech space.
• Mentorship & Leadership: Develop leadership skills through mentoring junior researchers and contributing to strategic research planning.
• Formal Education Support: Leverage Starbucks' commitment to education, such as the Starbucks College Achievement Plan, for further academic development.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges are typical for a senior role in a large, fast-paced organization. The growth opportunities highlight the potential for significant professional development and impact within a well-established, user-focused brand.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• Research Design: "Imagine we're considering a new feature for the Starbucks mobile app related to personalized recommendations. How would you approach researching user needs and preferences for this feature?" (Focus on your structured approach, method selection, and rationale.)
• Insight to Impact: "Describe a time when your research uncovered a significant insight that was initially met with resistance. How did you communicate its importance and influence product strategy or design decisions?" (Highlight your communication, persuasion, and business impact skills.)
• Methodology Application: "When would you choose qualitative research over quantitative, and vice versa, for understanding customer behavior with our digital platforms? Provide specific examples." (Demonstrate your understanding of method strengths and weaknesses.)

Company & Culture Questions:

• Starbucks Digital: "What excites you about the opportunity to research digital products for a brand like Starbucks? What do you see as the biggest opportunities or challenges for our digital user experience?" (Showcase your research into Starbucks' digital presence and your strategic thinking.)
• Team Collaboration: "How do you typically collaborate with designers, product managers, and engineers? Describe your ideal working relationship with these roles." (Assess your ability to integrate into a cross-functional team.)
• Measuring Success: "How do you measure the success or impact of your UX research? What metrics do you find most valuable?" (Focus on linking research to business outcomes.)

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure Your Narrative: For each case study, clearly outline: The Business Problem/Opportunity, Your Role & Responsibilities, Research Questions, Methodology Chosen (and why), Key Findings/Insights, Recommendations, Impact/Results, and Lessons Learned.
• Quantify Impact: Wherever possible, use data and metrics to demonstrate the influence of your research. If direct metrics aren't available, articulate the qualitative impact on user experience or design direction.
• Visual Aids: Use clear, concise visuals (e.g., key quotes, personas, journey maps, screenshots of design changes) to support your narrative and make findings memorable.
• Be Prepared for Deep Dives: Anticipate questions about your methodology, data analysis, and decision-making process for each project. Be ready to defend your choices.
• Connect to Starbucks: Where possible, subtly tie your experience and insights to potential applications or challenges relevant to Starbucks' digital ecosystem.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation for a Senior UX Researcher should heavily emphasize the ability to connect research to business outcomes and demonstrate strategic influence. Candidates must be ready to articulate their process, defend their methodological choices, and tell compelling stories about the impact of their work.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Senior UX Researcher position:

• Submit your application through the provided link on the Starbucks careers portal.
• Portfolio Customization: Ensure your resume and portfolio are tailored to highlight experience relevant to consumer-facing digital products, mobile applications, and ideally, retail or loyalty programs. Select 2-3 of your most impactful case studies that best demonstrate your senior-level research skills and strategic influence.
• Resume Optimization: Clearly articulate your 5+ years of experience, specific research methodologies used, and quantifiable achievements. Use keywords from the job description such as "qualitative," "quantitative," "product strategy," "user journeys," and "cross-functional collaboration."
• Prepare for Presentation: Practice presenting your portfolio case studies concisely and compellingly. Anticipate questions about your process, decision-making, and the impact of your work. Be ready to discuss how your research approach would benefit Starbucks' digital products.
• Company Research: Familiarize yourself with Starbucks' current digital offerings, recent news, and any stated strategic initiatives (like the "Back to Starbucks" strategy) to demonstrate your understanding of the business context.

⚠️ 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.