Sr. UX Researcher

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Sr. UX Researcher

Company: NinjaTrader

Location: Chicago, IL / Remote*

Job Type: Full-Time

Category: User Experience Research / Product Development

Date Posted: 2026-03-30

Experience Level: 5-10 Years

Remote Status: Hybrid (3 days in office, 2 remote flexible)

🚀 Role Summary

• Lead user research initiatives to inform product strategy and design for a leading retail trading platform, directly impacting user experience and platform adoption.

• Employ a diverse toolkit of qualitative and quantitative research methodologies, from generative exploration to rigorous evaluative studies, to uncover deep user insights.

• Translate complex trader behaviors, workflows, and psychological drivers into actionable design recommendations that enhance platform usability and effectiveness.

• Collaborate closely with cross-functional teams, including Product Management, Design, Engineering, and Data Analytics, to ensure research findings are integrated into the product development lifecycle.

• Develop and refine research frameworks, processes, and best practices to scale research impact and foster a user-centered culture within the organization.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the role is titled "Sr. UX Researcher," the responsibilities suggest a strong strategic component, influencing product direction and cross-functional alignment. The focus on complex trading workflows and high-stakes decision-making environments indicates a need for a researcher adept at understanding intricate user needs and translating them into practical, impactful solutions within a regulated financial technology context. The emphasis on bridging gaps between complex workflows and intuitive design highlights a core challenge of the role.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Strategically select and apply appropriate research methods (e.g., interviews, surveys, usability tests, field studies, diary studies) based on project objectives and constraints.

• Conduct generative research to deeply explore and understand trader behaviors, identify unmet needs, and map out complex trading workflows and pain points.

• Perform concept validation research to refine product ideas and solutions before significant development investment, minimizing risk and maximizing user alignment.

• Execute evaluative research to rigorously assess the effectiveness, usability, and overall user experience of design solutions and existing platform features.

• Design and implement behavioral and quantitative research studies to track user patterns, validate qualitative findings at scale, and measure the impact of design changes.

• Investigate and deeply understand trader psychology, decision-making processes under pressure, and the intricacies of automation workflows to support both novice and expert traders.

• Foster strong collaborative relationships with designers, product managers, and engineers, working together to translate research insights into user-centered product enhancements.

• Develop comprehensive user personas and detailed journey maps to effectively communicate trader goals, motivations, and pain points, ensuring stakeholder alignment.

• Act as a strong advocate for user needs, championing research-backed decision-making to move beyond assumptions and towards data-driven product development.

• Present research findings and strategic recommendations in compelling formats, including detailed reports, interactive workshops, and persuasive data-driven storytelling.

• Partner with market researchers and data analysts to triangulate user insights with behavioral analytics and broader market trends for a holistic understanding.

• Establish and continuously refine research frameworks, methodologies, and operational processes to effectively scale the impact of UX research across multiple product teams.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities clearly indicate the need for a Senior UX Researcher who can operate with a high degree of autonomy and strategic influence. The emphasis on "deep research into trader psychology, decision-making under pressure, and automation workflows" suggests that candidates with experience in high-stakes, data-intensive domains will be particularly well-suited. The requirement to "establish and refine research frameworks, processes, and best practices" points to a role that will also contribute to the maturation of the UX research function within NinjaTrader.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

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

Experience: 5+ years of dedicated experience in User Experience (UX) research within complex environments such as fintech, trading platforms, enterprise software, or similar domains.

Required Skills:

• Expertise in selecting and applying a broad range of research methodologies, including but not limited to:

  • Generative Research (e.g., user interviews, contextual inquiry, ethnographic studies)
  • Evaluative Research (e.g., usability testing, heuristic evaluation, A/B testing)
  • Quantitative Research (e.g., surveys, analytics review, statistical analysis)
  • Behavioral Research (e.g., user observation, analytics interpretation)

• Proven experience conducting usability studies and optimizing workflows specifically for high-stakes decision-making environments where accuracy and speed are critical.

• Demonstrated ability to synthesize complex qualitative and quantitative insights into clear, compelling, and actionable user stories and strategic recommendations.

• Proficiency with standard UX research tools, platforms, and behavioral analytics software (specific tools will be detailed in the "Tools & Technology Stack" section).

• Strong collaboration and interpersonal skills, with a proven track record of working effectively across diverse teams, including Design, Product Management, Data Science, Marketing, and Engineering.

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with extensive experience presenting research findings and strategic recommendations to senior leadership and non-technical stakeholders.

• Ability to develop and articulate user personas, journey maps, and other artifacts that clearly represent user needs and guide product strategy.

Preferred Skills:

• Direct experience with futures trading platforms, financial markets, or other complex trading software.

• Academic or professional background in behavioral economics or cognitive psychology, providing a deeper understanding of decision-making.

• Experience working within fast-paced, agile development environments, adapting research approaches to iterative cycles.

• Familiarity with trading platforms, real-time data visualization, risk management tools, or core trading concepts.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "5+ years of UX research experience in complex environments" requirement strongly suggests that candidates with a background in financial technology, especially trading platforms, will have a significant advantage. The emphasis on "high-stakes decision-making environments" and the "bonus points" for trading platform experience underscore the need for a researcher who can grasp the nuances and pressures of financial trading.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Showcase a minimum of 2-3 detailed case studies demonstrating end-to-end UX research projects from discovery to impact.

• Highlight research projects that involved complex user workflows, high-stakes decision-making, or intricate data visualization.

• Include examples of how your research directly influenced product strategy, design decisions, and measurable business outcomes (e.g., improved conversion, reduced errors, increased user satisfaction).

• Demonstrate proficiency in selecting and applying a variety of research methodologies tailored to specific project goals and constraints.

Process Documentation:

• For each case study, clearly outline the research process followed, including:

  • Problem definition and research objectives.

  • Methodology selection and justification.

  • Participant recruitment strategy and screening criteria.

  • Data collection methods and tools used.

  • Analysis techniques applied (e.g., thematic analysis, affinity mapping, statistical analysis).

  • Synthesis of findings and key insights derived.

  • Recommendations presented to stakeholders.

  • Impact and outcomes of the research (quantified where possible).

📝 Enhancement Note: Given the seniority of the role and the domain, a robust portfolio is crucial. Candidates should be prepared to walk through their research process in detail, explaining the rationale behind their methodological choices and how they navigated challenges specific to understanding complex user behaviors in a high-stakes environment. Demonstrating a clear link between research activities and tangible product improvements will be a key differentiator.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $130,000 - $150,000 USD per year.

Bonus: Annual target bonus of 12%, split 50% individual performance and 50% company/team performance.

Benefits:

• Comprehensive Health, Vision, and Dental Coverage.

• Life and Disability Insurance, covered 100% by NinjaTrader.

• 401K plan with a 3.5% company match through ADP.

• Generous Paid Time Off (PTO): 18 days per year (accrued), with potential for more based on position.

• 7 Paid Holidays Annually.

• 5 Additional Conditional Holidays Annually.

• 1 Service Day Annually.

• Paid Parental Bonding Leave.

Working Hours: Standard 40-hour work week, with flexibility built into the hybrid model. Specific daily hours are not defined but are expected to align with team needs and project deadlines.

📝 Enhancement Note: The stated salary range of $130,000 - $150,000 USD aligns with senior UX research roles in major tech hubs like Chicago, especially for positions requiring specialized domain knowledge. The additional 12% target bonus and comprehensive benefits package contribute to a strong total compensation. The "Remote*" flexibility for exceptional candidates in specific states suggests a willingness to consider candidates outside the primary hybrid location, though the core expectation remains hybrid for Chicago-based employees.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Financial Technology (Fintech), Trading Platforms, Futures Brokerage. NinjaTrader operates in a highly competitive and rapidly evolving market, demanding innovation, reliability, and a deep understanding of user needs.

Company Size: While not explicitly stated in the provided text, NinjaTrader's growth to over 2 million users and its position as a leading futures brokerage suggest a mid-to-large-sized organization with a significant operational footprint.

Founded: 2003. With nearly two decades of experience, NinjaTrader has established itself as a reputable player in the trading industry, demonstrating resilience and a consistent focus on trader empowerment.

Team Structure:

• The UX Research function likely sits within or closely collaborates with Product Management and Design teams.

• This role will report into a Head of UX, Director of Product Design, or a similar leadership position overseeing user experience strategy.

Methodology:

• NinjaTrader emphasizes a data-driven approach to product development, integrating user insights with market trends and behavioral analytics.

• The company likely operates with agile methodologies, requiring research to be iterative and adaptable to changing project requirements.

• A focus on social connection, professional development, and employee recognition is highlighted, suggesting a culture that values employee growth and engagement.

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

📝 Enhancement Note: NinjaTrader's mission to be the "#1 retail trading platform in the world" indicates a strong performance-oriented culture. The emphasis on "empowering traders" suggests a user-centric approach, which is where this UX Research role plays a critical part. The mention of being "Great Place to Work" certified hints at a positive and supportive work environment, despite the demanding nature of the fintech industry.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This is a Senior-level position, indicating that the individual is expected to lead research initiatives independently, mentor junior team members (if applicable), and contribute strategic insights to product roadmaps. It's a crucial role for shaping the user experience of a complex financial product.

Reporting Structure: The Sr. UX Researcher will likely report to a Director or VP of Product, Design, or UX. They will collaborate closely with Product Managers and Design Leads on specific product initiatives.

Operations Impact: This role has a direct and significant impact on the company's success by ensuring the trading platform is intuitive, effective, and meets the critical needs of its diverse user base. By improving the user experience, the research directly contributes to user acquisition, retention, satisfaction, and ultimately, revenue growth.

Growth Opportunities:

• Specialization: Deepen expertise in financial trading UX, behavioral economics within trading, or advanced research methodologies.

• Leadership: Transition into a Lead UX Researcher or UX Research Manager role, overseeing a team and setting research strategy for larger product areas.

• Product Strategy: Influence product roadmaps and strategic decision-making through consistent, high-impact research findings.

• Cross-functional Expertise: Develop a strong understanding of product management, design systems, and data analytics within the fintech domain.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Sr." designation implies a pathway to leadership. Candidates demonstrating strategic thinking, strong mentorship potential, and the ability to drive significant product impact will be well-positioned for career advancement within NinjaTrader's growing operations.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Hybrid work model for Chicago-based employees, with a requirement to be in the office Tuesday through Thursday. Remote work is permitted on Mondays and Fridays. The company also offers 20 additional flex remote days annually and 5 office-optional weeks tied to major holidays, emphasizing flexibility.

Office Location(s): Primarily Chicago, IL. Remote flexibility is available for exceptional candidates in specific US states (CA, CO, FL, GA, IL, IN, MN, NY, NC, OH, OR, SC, TX, UT, VA, WA, WI, NJ, PA, DC).

Workspace Context:

• The Chicago office environment likely fosters collaboration, with in-office days dedicated to team interactions, workshops, and strategic planning.

• Remote days offer focused work time and personal flexibility.

• Access to relevant UX research tools, design software, and potentially trading simulation environments will be available.

• Opportunities for direct interaction with designers, product managers, and engineers will be frequent, facilitating a seamless research-to-design pipeline.

Work Schedule: A hybrid schedule is standard for Chicago-based employees (3 days in office, 2 remote). The remote flexibility with additional flex days and office-optional weeks provides significant autonomy over work location and schedule, while still maintaining core in-office collaboration.

📝 Enhancement Note: The hybrid model balances the need for in-person collaboration essential for complex product development with the flexibility valued by employees. The extensive remote flexibility for qualified candidates indicates NinjaTrader's commitment to attracting talent regardless of primary location, provided certain criteria are met.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screen: A recruiter or hiring manager will conduct an initial screening to assess basic qualifications, experience, and cultural fit.

• Portfolio Review & Presentation: Candidates will be asked to present several detailed case studies from their portfolio, explaining their research process, insights, and impact. This is a critical stage to evaluate strategic thinking and communication skills.

• Cross-functional Interviews: Interviews with Product Managers, UX Designers, and potentially Engineering leads to assess collaboration style, understanding of product development, and ability to integrate research into practice.

• Hiring Manager Interview: A final interview with the hiring manager to discuss strategic vision, leadership potential, and overall fit for the team and company.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select 3-4 of your strongest case studies that best represent your experience with complex B2C or B2B products, ideally in regulated or data-intensive industries.

• Focus on Impact: For each case study, clearly articulate the problem, your approach, the key insights, the design/product changes influenced by your research, and the measurable outcomes. Quantify impact wherever possible (e.g., "led to a 15% reduction in user errors," "informed a feature that increased engagement by 20%").

• Explain Your "Why": Be prepared to justify your methodological choices. Why did you choose interviews over surveys? Why was A/B testing appropriate?

• Storytelling: Structure your presentations as compelling narratives that highlight your problem-solving skills and strategic thinking.

• Tailor to NinjaTrader: If possible, subtly tailor your examples to showcase how your skills would address challenges relevant to a trading platform (e.g., understanding user decision-making under pressure, improving complex workflows).

Challenge Preparation:

• Expect a research challenge or a deep dive into a hypothetical problem related to trading platform usability or user behavior.

• Be prepared to outline your approach to researching a specific user problem, including defining research questions, selecting methods, and how you would synthesize findings.

• Practice articulating your thought process clearly and concisely, demonstrating how you would translate vague user needs into concrete research plans.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on portfolio presentation and potential research challenges highlights that NinjaTrader is looking for a candidate who can not only conduct research but also effectively communicate its value and strategic implications to various stakeholders, including senior leadership.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• UX Research Platforms: Tools for participant recruitment, study management, and data collection (e.g., UserTesting.com, Lookback, Maze, Qualtrics, SurveyMonkey).

• Behavioral Analytics: Platforms for tracking user interactions and behavior on the platform (e.g., Google Analytics, Mixpanel, Amplitude, Pendo).

• Data Visualization & Analysis: Tools for synthesizing and presenting data (e.g., Excel, Tableau, Power BI, R, Python libraries like Pandas/NumPy).

• Collaboration & Documentation: Tools for team communication and knowledge sharing (e.g., Jira, Confluence, Slack, Miro, Figma).

Analytics & Reporting:

• Proficiency in analyzing user data from behavioral analytics tools to identify trends, patterns, and areas for improvement.

CRM & Automation:

• While not directly a CRM role, understanding how user feedback and insights can feed into product management and customer success workflows is beneficial.

• Familiarity with workflow automation concepts may be helpful for understanding trader automation workflows.

📝 Enhancement Note: The specific tools are not listed, but the requirements point towards a need for expertise in common UX research platforms, behavioral analytics tools, and data analysis/visualization software. Candidates should be prepared to discuss their experience with the types of tools commonly used in these categories.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• User-Centricity: A core value is empowering traders and ensuring the platform meets their needs, driving decisions based on user data and insights.

• Innovation & Evolution: The company is committed to modernizing the futures industry and constantly evolving its offerings.

• Collaboration: Strong emphasis on teamwork across departments (design, product, engineering, data) to achieve common goals.

• Data-Driven Decision Making: Insights derived from research and analytics are critical for guiding product strategy.

• Excellence & Performance: Aiming to be the #1 retail trading platform in the world implies a drive for high performance and quality.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-functional Integration: Research findings are meant to be integrated into product development cycles, requiring close partnership with product managers, designers, and engineers.

• Data-Informed Storytelling: Presenting research findings in ways that resonate with diverse stakeholders, fostering buy-in and alignment.

• Agile & Iterative: The team likely works in an agile environment, requiring researchers to be adaptable and provide timely feedback within iterative development sprints.

• Knowledge Sharing: A culture that values sharing insights and best practices across teams to elevate the overall user experience.

📝 Enhancement Note: The company culture seems to balance a drive for market leadership and performance with a commitment to employee development and a user-first approach. The emphasis on "social connection, professional development, and employee recognition" suggests a supportive environment where collaboration is key to success.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Complexity of Trading Domain: Understanding the intricate needs and behaviors of both novice and expert traders, especially under pressure, requires deep domain immersion and sophisticated research techniques.

• Balancing User Needs with Business Goals: Effectively advocating for user-centric solutions while aligning with business objectives and technical constraints.

• Translating Research into Action: Ensuring research insights are not just reported but actively used to drive tangible product improvements and strategic decisions.

• Scaling Research Impact: Developing and implementing processes that allow research to support a growing product suite and user base efficiently.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Domain Expertise: Opportunity to become a subject matter expert in UX for financial trading platforms, a niche and high-demand area.

• Advanced Methodologies: Further develop skills in quantitative research, behavioral economics, and complex data analysis within a real-world application.

• Strategic Influence: Gain experience influencing product strategy at a senior level in a rapidly growing fintech company.

• Mentorship: Potential to mentor junior researchers or contribute to building out the UX research function.

📝 Enhancement Note: The primary challenge will be navigating the complexity of the trading domain and effectively translating that understanding into impactful product enhancements. The growth opportunities are significant for a researcher looking to specialize in a high-value industry and gain strategic influence.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you had to research a complex user workflow. How did you approach it, and what were the key insights?" (Focus on methodology, problem-solving, and insight generation).

• "How do you balance the need for rigorous research with tight product development timelines?" (Highlight adaptability, prioritization, and iterative research approaches).

• "Imagine we want to improve the onboarding experience for new futures traders. Outline your research plan." (Demonstrate strategic thinking, method selection, and understanding of user lifecycle).

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What interests you about NinjaTrader and the trading platform industry?" (Research the company's mission, values, and recent news).

• "How do you see UX research contributing to our goal of becoming the #1 retail trading platform?" (Connect your role to business objectives and company vision).

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure: For each case study, clearly present:

  1. The Challenge: What was the user problem or business goal?
  2. Your Role: What was your specific contribution?
  3. The Approach: What methodologies did you use and why?
  4. The Insights: What did you learn?
  5. The Solution: How did your research inform design or product decisions?
  6. The Impact: What were the measurable outcomes?

• Visuals: Use clear, concise visuals (e.g., key quotes, personas, journey maps, mockups of influenced designs, charts showing impact).

• Conciseness: Be mindful of time. Practice delivering your presentation efficiently and engagingly.

• Q&A: Be prepared for detailed questions about your process, decisions, and the impact of your work.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation should focus on demonstrating not just research execution but strategic thinking, domain aptitude, and strong communication skills. Candidates should be ready to articulate the "why" behind their decisions and the tangible impact of their research.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Sr. UX Researcher position:

• Submit your application through the provided Greenhouse link on the NinjaTrader job board.

• Portfolio Customization: Prepare a portfolio showcasing 3-4 detailed case studies, emphasizing projects involving complex workflows, high-stakes decisions, and measurable impact. Tailor the presentation to highlight relevant experience in fintech or similar domains.

• Resume Optimization: Update your resume to clearly highlight your 5+ years of UX research experience, specific methodologies used, collaborative successes, and any experience in financial technology or trading environments. Use keywords from the job description.

• Interview Preparation: Practice articulating your research process, insights, and impact for each portfolio case study. Prepare to discuss your strategic approach to user problems and how you collaborate with cross-functional teams.

• Company Research: Thoroughly research NinjaTrader's mission, products, target audience, and recent company news. Understand their commitment to trader empowerment and their market position.

⚠️ 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.