Sr UX Researcher

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Sr UX Researcher Company: John Deere Location: Moline, Illinois, US / Des Moines, Iowa, US Job Type: FULL_TIME Category: User Experience / Research Operations Date Posted: October 15, 2025 Experience Level: Mid-Senior Level (4+ years) Remote Status: Remote Eligible (US-based)

🚀 Role Summary

• This Sr. UX Researcher role is critical for informing the development of digital aftermarket products by deeply understanding dealer and customer needs within John Deere's World Headquarters.
• The position requires a strong command of user-centered methodologies to conduct primary, discovery, and validation research, ensuring product development is grounded in user sentiment and actionable insights.
• Collaboration is key, as the researcher will work closely with product management, data teams, and other UX professionals to translate research findings into impactful product and process recommendations.
• The role emphasizes end-to-end research project management, from planning and execution to synthesis and stakeholder communication, aiming to create seamless digital experiences for customers and dealers.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the role is titled "Sr UX Researcher," its emphasis on informing product development with user sentiment and insights, and collaborating with product and data teams, positions it within the broader "Research Operations" or "Product Research" domain, with strong ties to Go-To-Market (GTM) strategy through understanding customer and dealer needs. The "Digital Aftermarket" focus suggests a B2B or complex B2C environment where operational efficiency and user adoption are paramount.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Lead and execute comprehensive qualitative and quantitative UX research initiatives to uncover critical insights into customer and dealer behaviors, needs, and pain points within the digital aftermarket product ecosystem.
• Plan and conduct a diverse range of research activities, including user interviews, contextual observations, focus groups, surveys, and A/B testing, to gather robust data for product improvement.
• Synthesize complex research findings into clear, actionable recommendations that directly inform product design, feature development, and process optimization strategies for digital aftermarket solutions.
• Collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams, including product management, engineering, data analytics, and design, to ensure research insights are integrated throughout the product development lifecycle and drive valuable end-to-end user experiences.
• Develop and validate information architecture to ensure intuitive navigation and optimal user flows within digital platforms, enhancing overall usability and user satisfaction.
• Translate raw research data and business intelligence into comprehensive reports and presentations, clearly communicating key themes, trends, and strategic implications to diverse stakeholder groups.
• Champion user-centered design principles across the organization, advocating for user needs and ensuring that research findings translate into tangible improvements that enhance customer and dealer engagement with John Deere's digital offerings.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a proactive approach to research, moving beyond simply gathering data to actively influencing product strategy and process improvement. The focus on "Digital Aftermarket" implies a need for understanding complex user workflows and business processes, common in B2B operations.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

• A Bachelor’s degree in Usability, Human Factors, Human-Computer Interaction, Psychology, Industrial Engineering, Computer Science, Anthropology, Information Technology, Information Sciences, Engineering, or a closely related discipline is ideal. Equivalent practical experience will also be considered.

Experience:

• A minimum of 4 years of dedicated experience in UX research, with a proven emphasis on applying user-centered methodologies to solve complex product challenges.

Required Skills:

• User-Centered Methodologies: Deep understanding and practical application of user-centered design principles and research frameworks.
• Qualitative Research Techniques: Proficiency in conducting user interviews, contextual inquiries, observational studies, and focus groups.
• Quantitative Research Techniques: Experience designing and executing surveys, usability testing (including A/B testing), and analyzing quantitative data.
• Research Synthesis & Analysis: Strong ability to analyze qualitative and quantitative data, identify key themes, trends, and translate them into actionable insights.
• Project Management: Demonstrated ability to independently manage end-to-end research projects, including planning, participant recruitment, moderation, data collection, analysis, and reporting.
• Information Architecture: Familiarity with defining and validating information architecture to ensure intuitive user navigation and experience.
• Stakeholder Communication: Excellent interpersonal and communication skills for effectively presenting research findings and influencing product decisions with cross-functional teams and stakeholders.

Preferred Skills:

• Digital Aftermarket Product Experience: Prior research experience within B2B or complex digital product environments, particularly in aftermarket services or industrial sectors.
• Voice of the Customer (VoC) Initiatives: Experience designing and implementing VoC programs to capture and analyze customer feedback.
• Journey Mapping: Proficiency in creating detailed customer and dealer journey maps to identify pain points and opportunities.
• Persona Development: Skilled in creating robust user personas that represent target customer and dealer segments.
• Data Analytics Reporting: Experience with data analytics tools and the ability to integrate quantitative data analysis with qualitative research findings.
• Figma or Similar Design Tools: Familiarity with design software like Figma for visualizing user flows, journey maps, and presenting design recommendations.
• Analytics & Monitoring Platforms: Experience with tools such as Datadog for understanding user behavior and application performance.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on "Digital Aftermarket" research and experience with "dealer and customer research" are critical differentiators. The inclusion of specific tools like Figma and Datadog suggests a hands-on role where the researcher might contribute to or easily interpret design and performance data.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A strong, well-curated portfolio is essential, showcasing a range of UX research projects that demonstrate your ability to identify and address customer and dealer pain points.
• The portfolio should highlight your process for conducting research, from initial problem definition and planning to synthesis and the delivery of actionable insights that influenced product design or strategy.
• Include case studies that clearly articulate the research objectives, methodologies used, key findings, and the tangible impact of your research on product development and user experience improvements.
• Showcase examples of how you have translated research data into clear, compelling recommendations for product features, user flows, or process enhancements within digital platforms.

Process Documentation:

• Demonstrate experience in documenting research plans, methodologies, and findings in a clear and organized manner, suitable for sharing with cross-functional teams and stakeholders.
• Provide examples of how you have contributed to or improved research processes within a team or organization, focusing on efficiency, rigor, and impact.
• Showcase your ability to articulate the rationale behind your chosen research methods and how they align with project goals and business objectives.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a Senior UX Researcher role, a portfolio is not just a collection of work but a demonstration of strategic thinking, methodological rigor, and impact. Candidates should be prepared to discuss not just what they did, but why, and the results of their work in terms of business and user outcomes.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $107,136.00 - $160,704.00 annually.

Benefits:

• Flexible Work Arrangements: The position is eligible for remote work, offering flexibility for the right candidate, with potential for hybrid arrangements.
• Performance-Based Compensation: Highly competitive base pay coupled with performance bonuses, rewarding contributions and achievements.
• Savings & Retirement: Comprehensive 401(k) plan and a Defined Contribution plan to support long-term financial security.
• Healthcare: Robust healthcare benefits with a significant company contribution towards Health Savings Accounts (HSAs).
• Family Support: Adoption assistance to support growing families.
• Employee Well-being: Access to Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs) for personal and professional support.
• Professional Development: Tuition assistance to encourage continuous learning and skill enhancement.
• Wellness Initiatives: Fitness subsidies and access to on-site gyms at select John Deere locations.
• Community Impact: Charitable contribution matching to support employee philanthropic efforts.
• Exclusive Discounts: Employee Purchase Plan and numerous discount programs for personal purchases.

Working Hours: The standard work week is 40 hours.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range provided aligns with senior-level UX research positions in major US markets. The comprehensive benefits package, especially the flexible work arrangements and strong retirement/healthcare contributions, reflects John Deere's commitment to employee well-being and long-term engagement.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Agriculture, Construction, and Forestry Equipment Manufacturing. John Deere is a global leader in providing advanced machinery, technology, and services for agriculture, construction, and forestry. The company is undergoing significant digital transformation, focusing on smart technologies, connectivity, and data-driven solutions to enhance customer productivity and sustainability.

Company Size: John Deere is a large, established corporation known for its long history and significant global presence. This implies a structured environment with established processes, but also a commitment to innovation and digital advancement.

Founded: John Deere was founded in 1837, bringing a rich heritage of innovation and customer commitment. This long history suggests a stable, reputable employer with a strong brand identity.

Team Structure:

• The Sr. UX Researcher will join the Digital Aftermarket UX team, part of the broader User Experience function at John Deere World Headquarters.
• This team likely collaborates closely with Product Management, Data Science/Analytics, Engineering, and other UX disciplines (Design, Content Strategy) to ensure a cohesive and user-centric digital product experience.
• The reporting structure will likely involve a UX Lead or Director, with significant autonomy for the Senior Researcher in managing their projects.

Methodology:

• John Deere's approach to product development is increasingly data-driven and customer-centric, emphasizing the integration of user insights from research and analytics into the design and development lifecycle.
• Expect a focus on iterative development, agile methodologies, and cross-functional collaboration to bring innovative solutions to market efficiently.
• The company is investing heavily in digital transformation, which means a dynamic environment where new technologies and research approaches are likely being explored and implemented.

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

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Digital Aftermarket" focus indicates a strategic area for John Deere, likely involving complex systems and a critical user base (dealers and existing customers). Understanding this context – the transition from traditional heavy machinery to sophisticated digital services – is key for a UX Researcher.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This is a Senior-level individual contributor role, requiring significant autonomy and expertise in UX research methodologies. The "Sr." designation implies leadership in research planning, execution, and influencing product strategy.

Reporting Structure: The Sr. UX Researcher will likely report to a UX Manager or Director within the Digital Aftermarket UX team. This role will require close collaboration with Product Managers, Designers, and Data Analysts, providing a broad exposure to product development teams.

Operations Impact: The UX Researcher's insights will directly influence the development and refinement of digital aftermarket products. This impact is crucial for improving dealer efficiency, customer satisfaction, and driving adoption of John Deere's digital services, which are integral to the company's evolving business model and revenue streams. By ensuring products are intuitive and meet user needs, the researcher contributes to operational efficiency for John Deere's customers and dealers, and indirectly to revenue growth through enhanced product adoption and loyalty.

Growth Opportunities:

• Specialization: Deepen expertise in specific research methodologies or product domains within the digital aftermarket space.
• Leadership: Transition into a UX Research Lead or Managerial role, mentoring junior researchers and overseeing research strategy for larger product areas.
• Cross-Functional Mobility: Move into Product Management, Program Management, or other strategic roles within the digital transformation initiatives at John Deere, leveraging a deep understanding of user needs.
• Continuous Learning: Access to John Deere's extensive learning and development resources, including training, conferences, and tuition assistance, to stay at the forefront of UX research and industry best practices.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a senior role, demonstrating leadership in research execution and strategic influence is key. Candidates should be ready to articulate how their past work has driven significant product improvements and positively impacted user behavior or business outcomes, aligning with operational efficiency and GTM success.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: This position is designated as remote-eligible, offering flexibility in where the employee is based within the United States. While the preference is onsite at Moline, IL, or Des Moines, IA, remote work is a primary consideration for the right candidate.

Office Location(s): Primary locations are Moline, Illinois, and Des Moines, Iowa. Remote work arrangements will be considered for candidates located elsewhere in the US.

Workspace Context:

• As a remote employee, you will be expected to maintain a productive home office environment conducive to focused work and virtual collaboration.
• Access to company-provided collaboration tools and technologies will be essential for seamless interaction with your team and stakeholders across different locations.
• The role demands proactive engagement and communication to ensure integration within the team despite physical distance, fostering a sense of inclusion and shared purpose.

Work Schedule: The standard work schedule is 40 hours per week. While remote, maintaining consistent availability during core business hours for team meetings, stakeholder discussions, and synchronous collaboration is expected.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Remote Position" designation is a significant draw. Candidates should be prepared to discuss their experience working remotely, their home office setup, and their strategies for effective communication and collaboration in a distributed team environment.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A recruiter or hiring manager will review applications and resumes, focusing on relevant UX research experience, skill alignment, and portfolio relevance.
• Hiring Manager Interview: An in-depth discussion with the hiring manager to assess your experience, research approach, understanding of user-centered methodologies, and fit with the team's objectives.
• Portfolio Review & Presentation: A dedicated session where you will present selected case studies from your portfolio, detailing your research process, insights, and impact. Be prepared to discuss your role, challenges, and the outcomes of your work.
• Cross-Functional Interviews: Interviews with key stakeholders, such as Product Managers, UX Designers, and Data Analysts, to evaluate your collaboration skills, ability to translate insights into actionable recommendations, and understanding of product development lifecycles.
• Final Interview: Potentially with a senior leader to discuss overall fit, strategic thinking, and long-term potential within John Deere.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select 3-4 projects that best showcase your breadth of skills (qualitative/quantitative), problem-solving abilities, and impact on product or business outcomes, specifically relevant to digital products or complex user journeys.
• Tell a Story: For each project, clearly articulate the problem statement, your role and responsibilities, the research questions, the methodologies employed, your key findings, and the concrete actions taken based on your insights. Quantify impact whenever possible (e.g., "led to a X% increase in task completion," "reduced user errors by Y%").
• Highlight Process: Emphasize your research process, including how you planned, recruited, conducted research, synthesized data, and communicated findings. Discuss any challenges encountered and how you overcame them.
• Focus on "Why": Be prepared to explain the rationale behind your methodological choices and decision-making throughout the research process.
• Company Relevance: If possible, subtly tailor your presentation to John Deere's context, demonstrating an understanding of their industry or digital initiatives.

Challenge Preparation:

• Be ready for potential scenario-based questions or a small take-home assignment that assesses your ability to approach a research problem, design a study, or interpret data.
• Practice articulating your research findings and recommendations concisely and persuasively, as you may be asked to present a hypothetical research plan or critique a given product feature.
• Prepare questions for the interviewers that demonstrate your engagement, curiosity, and understanding of the role, the team, and John Deere's digital strategy.

📝 Enhancement Note: The portfolio review is a critical component. Candidates should focus on demonstrating not just research execution, but strategic thinking, the ability to influence product direction, and the delivery of measurable results.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• UX Research Platforms: While not explicitly listed, expect to utilize tools for survey creation (e.g., SurveyMonkey, Qualtrics), usability testing (e.g., UserTesting.com, Lookback), and participant recruitment.
• Data Analysis Software: Familiarity with statistical software or libraries for quantitative analysis (e.g., SPSS, R, Python with pandas) and qualitative analysis tools (e.g., Dovetail, NVivo, or manual coding methods).
• Collaboration Suites: Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) or Google Workspace for documentation, analysis, and presentations.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Analytics Platforms: Experience with tools like Datadog for monitoring user behavior and application performance is a plus. General understanding of web analytics tools (e.g., Google Analytics) may also be beneficial.
• BI Tools: Familiarity with business intelligence platforms for data visualization and reporting (e.g., Tableau, Power BI) could be advantageous for integrating research insights with broader business data.

CRM & Automation:

• CRM Systems: While not directly managing a CRM, an understanding of how customer data is managed and utilized (e.g., Salesforce) can provide context for user research in a B2B environment.
• Design Tools: Experience with design tools such as Figma is explicitly mentioned as a preferred skill, indicating potential for collaboration on user flows, journey mapping, and design recommendations.

📝 Enhancement Note: The mention of "Datadog" and "Figma" provides specific technical context. While deep expertise in all tools isn't expected, familiarity and the ability to integrate research findings with data from these platforms are key.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Customer & Dealer Centricity: A strong focus on understanding and serving the needs of John Deere's customers and dealers is paramount, driving product development and service improvements.
• Innovation & Continuous Improvement: The company values forward-thinking, embracing new technologies and methodologies to solve complex challenges and drive progress in the industry.
• Collaboration & Teamwork: Emphasis on working together across departments and functions to achieve shared goals, fostering a supportive and integrated work environment.
• Data-Driven Decision Making: A commitment to using data and insights, including rigorous UX research, to inform strategic decisions and product development.
• Integrity & Respect: Upholding high ethical standards and fostering an inclusive environment where diverse perspectives are valued.

Collaboration Style:

• Expect a highly collaborative environment where UX researchers work closely with product managers, designers, engineers, and data analysts.
• Communication is key, with an emphasis on clear, concise articulation of research findings and recommendations to drive consensus and action.
• The team likely operates in an agile framework, requiring flexibility and adaptability in research planning and execution to keep pace with product development sprints.
• A culture of constructive feedback and shared learning is encouraged, promoting continuous growth and refinement of research practices.

📝 Enhancement Note: Understanding John Deere's core values, particularly customer centricity and data-driven decision-making, will be crucial for aligning with the team's ethos and demonstrating cultural fit.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Scale and Complexity: Researching for a large, global organization like John Deere means dealing with complex product ecosystems, diverse user segments (dealers, end-users), and potentially long product development cycles.
• Data Integration: Synthesizing insights from various sources, including qualitative research, quantitative analytics (e.g., from Datadog), and business intelligence, to form a holistic understanding of user behavior.
• Influencing Stakeholders: Effectively translating research findings into compelling narratives that drive action and decision-making among busy product teams and leadership.
• Balancing Research Rigor with Agility: Adapting research methodologies to meet the fast-paced demands of agile development while maintaining scientific validity and depth.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Advanced Research Techniques: Opportunities to deepen expertise in specialized research methods, including advanced qualitative and quantitative techniques, and emerging research technologies.
• Domain Expertise: Gaining in-depth knowledge of the agriculture, construction, and forestry industries, and the specific needs of John Deere's dealer and customer base.
• Cross-Functional Exposure: Working with diverse teams provides exposure to product strategy, engineering challenges, and data science, broadening your professional skillset.
• Industry Engagement: Potential to attend industry conferences, participate in workshops, and engage with the broader UX community to stay abreast of the latest trends and best practices.

📝 Enhancement Note: Acknowledging these challenges and framing them as opportunities for growth and skill development will be beneficial for candidates. Highlighting how past experiences have prepared them to navigate such complexities is key.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you used UX research to significantly influence product strategy or a major design decision. What was your process, and what was the outcome?" (Focus on impact and strategic thinking.)
• "How would you approach researching the needs of our digital aftermarket dealers? What methodologies would you prioritize, and why?" (Assess understanding of B2B/dealer research and methodological rationale.)
• "Imagine a new feature in our digital aftermarket platform is underperforming. How would you diagnose the root cause using research methodologies?" (Evaluate problem-solving skills and diagnostic approach.)

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What interests you about John Deere and our digital aftermarket products specifically?" (Demonstrate research into the company and role.)
• "How do you ensure your research remains objective and avoids personal bias, especially when dealing with complex stakeholder feedback?" (Assess critical thinking and integrity.)
• "Describe your experience working in an agile development environment. How do you integrate research into fast-paced sprints?" (Evaluate adaptability and process integration.)

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure for Impact: For each case study, clearly outline: Problem -> Your Role & Approach -> Research Methods -> Key Findings -> Recommendations -> Impact/Outcome.
• Quantify Outcomes: Whenever possible, use data or metrics to demonstrate the positive results of your research (e.g., improved conversion rates, reduced support tickets, increased user satisfaction scores).
• Show, Don't Just Tell: Use visuals (screenshots, journey maps, personas) to illustrate your work and findings. If you used Figma, be prepared to show examples of flows or maps.
• Anticipate Questions: Be ready to discuss your decision-making process, challenges faced, alternative approaches you considered, and how you collaborated with others.
• Connect to John Deere: If possible, draw parallels between your past work and the challenges/opportunities at John Deere, showing how your skills can directly benefit the company.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation should focus on demonstrating strategic thinking, robust research methodologies, clear communication, and a tangible impact on product development and user experience.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Sr. UX Researcher position:

• Submit your application through the John Deere careers portal via the provided URL.
• Tailor Your Resume: Highlight keywords and responsibilities directly related to UX research, user-centered design, qualitative and quantitative methodologies, and experience with digital products or B2B environments. Quantify achievements where possible.
• Prepare Your Portfolio: Ensure your portfolio is up-to-date, easily accessible (e.g., via a link), and clearly showcases your most relevant and impactful UX research projects. Be ready to discuss your process and outcomes in detail.
• Research John Deere: Familiarize yourself with John Deere's mission, values, products (especially their digital offerings and aftermarket services), and recent company news to demonstrate genuine interest and understanding.
• Practice Your Presentation: Rehearse your portfolio presentation, focusing on clarity, conciseness, and the ability to articulate the impact of your work. Prepare thoughtful questions for the interviewers.

⚠️ 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.