UX Research Specialist

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: UX Research Specialist
Company: Blueprint Technologies
Location: Remote
Job Type: Contractor
Category: User Experience Research / Product Operations
Date Posted: October 21, 2025
Experience Level: 2-5 Years
Remote Status: Remote Solely

🚀 Role Summary

• Drive impactful user experience research for a digital product team focused on calendar and productivity tools, with a specialized emphasis on AI-powered features.
• Execute end-to-end research projects, from planning and methodology selection to synthesis and recommendation, influencing product decisions for millions of users.
• Conduct a range of qualitative and quantitative research, including remote usability studies, in-depth interviews, and survey design, to uncover deep customer insights.
• Collaborate closely with cross-functional teams, including product managers, designers, and data scientists, to translate research findings into actionable product improvements and enhance the overall customer experience.
• Perform advanced sensemaking across diverse data sources, prioritizing issues, and meticulously tracking the impact of research on product development cycles and strategic direction.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the title is "UX Research Specialist," the responsibilities and qualifications suggest a role that bridges traditional UX research with elements of product operations by focusing on translating research into actionable product improvements and tracking their impact. The contract nature and specific salary range also point towards a specialized, project-based engagement.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Plan and independently execute a variety of remote usability studies, encompassing both unmoderated and moderated research sessions with target user segments.
• Analyze and synthesize complex data from multiple qualitative and quantitative sources into comprehensive reports, compelling video compilations, and clear issue tracking documentation for product teams.
• Conduct in-depth qualitative interviews and design effective surveys, rigorously analyzing quantitative data to identify user behavior trends, validate hypotheses, and uncover unmet needs.
• Foster strong collaboration with cross-functional teams (e.g., Product Management, Design, Engineering, Data Science) to effectively translate research findings into prioritized, actionable product improvements and strategic recommendations.
• Perform advanced sensemaking and pattern identification across diverse data sources, prioritizing key user issues and meticulously tracking the impact and ROI of research insights on product development roadmaps and feature iterations.
• Conduct thorough audits of existing user research, synthesizing historical insights to inform and refine ongoing product strategy, customer journey mapping, and continuous customer experience improvements.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on "tracking the impact of research on product development" and "auditing existing research to inform ongoing product strategy" indicates a strategic component beyond pure research execution, aligning with product operations functions that ensure research insights are leveraged effectively for business outcomes.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: Bachelor's degree in Human-Computer Interaction, Cognitive Science, Statistics, Psychology, Anthropology, or any other data- or research-centric field is required.

Experience: Minimum of 2+ years of dedicated UX researcher experience, or a combination of 1+ year in UX research coupled with 2+ years in related product-making roles (e.g., Design, Data Science, Project Management). Demonstrated experience with digital products and conducting in-depth qualitative interviews is essential.

Required Skills:

• Proficiency in planning and executing remote usability studies, understanding the nuances of both moderated and unmoderated session design.
• Strong qualitative research methodologies, including in-depth interviewing, ethnographic research, and user observation techniques.
• Expertise in survey design, data analysis, and interpretation of quantitative data to identify trends and validate qualitative findings.
• Advanced analytical and synthesis skills to distill complex data into clear, actionable insights and compelling narratives.
• Proven ability to manage complex research projects independently, from initiation to completion, including scope definition, timeline management, and stakeholder communication.
• Exceptional collaboration and cross-functional partnership skills, with a demonstrated ability to influence product decisions and drive user-centric improvements.
• Strong problem-solving capabilities and a proactive approach to identifying and addressing research challenges.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience leveraging online research platforms and tools such as UserTesting.com for efficient study execution.
• Proficiency with video editing software for creating impactful research highlight reels and compilations.
• Demonstrated success in synthesizing human behavior into actionable insights that directly inform product development and strategy.
• Basic understanding of Large Language Model (LLM) based AI tools (e.g., Copilot, ChatGPT, Gemini) and their potential applications in productivity.
• Experience with AI tools specifically for research synthesis (e.g., Copilot, Marvin) to enhance efficiency and insight generation.
• Ability to commit to an 18-month contract for project continuity and deep immersion in product evolution.
• Prior experience conducting research specifically focused on AI-powered features and their user experiences.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Preferred Qualifications" section heavily emphasizes AI tools and experience with AI-powered features, indicating a strategic focus for Blueprint Technologies in this domain. The explicit mention of an 18-month contract suggests a significant, long-term research initiative.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Showcase a minimum of 2-3 detailed case studies demonstrating end-to-end UX research projects, highlighting your role and impact.
• For each case study, clearly articulate the research objectives, methodology employed (qualitative and/or quantitative), and the specific user insights uncovered.
• Detail how your research findings were translated into actionable product recommendations and the subsequent impact on product decisions or user experience improvements.
• Include examples of synthesized data, such as user journey maps, personas, usability reports, or survey analysis summaries, with a focus on data-driven decision-making.
• Demonstrate experience with project management in research, illustrating how you managed timelines, resources, and stakeholder expectations.

Process Documentation:

• Evidence of robust research planning processes, including how you define research questions, select appropriate methodologies, and recruit participants.
• Examples of data synthesis and analysis techniques, illustrating how you move from raw data to meaningful insights and strategic recommendations.
• Documentation of collaboration workflows with cross-functional teams, showing how you communicate research findings and integrate them into product development cycles.
• Any experience or examples related to tracking the impact of research on product development or user metrics would be highly valuable.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on "tracking the impact of research" and "how research findings were translated into actionable product recommendations" implies a need for candidates to demonstrate not just research execution but also a results-oriented approach aligned with product operations principles. A portfolio that quantifies impact will be highly advantageous.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: The hourly pay range for this position is $35.58 to $40.38 USD, reflecting geographic-based ranges for Washington state. This range is an estimate and may vary based on candidate qualifications, experience, responsibilities, and the specific market.

Benefits: As a contractor, the benefits package may differ from full-time employees but typically includes:

• Access to Medical, Dental, and Vision coverage.
• Eligibility for a Flexible Spending Account (FSA).
• Participation in a 401k program.
• Competitive Paid Time Off (PTO) offerings.
• Parental Leave provisions.
• Opportunities for professional growth and development, including access to training and learning resources.

Working Hours: Standard full-time work hours are expected, approximately 40 hours per week. The remote nature of the role may offer some flexibility in scheduling, provided research and collaboration needs are met effectively.

📝 Enhancement Note: The provided salary range is for Washington state, but as this is a remote role, it's crucial for candidates in other locations to research their local market rates for similar contract UX Research Specialist positions. The benefits are listed as comprehensive, which is generally attractive for contract roles as well.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Technology Solutions / Digital Transformation / Product Development. Blueprint Technologies operates within a dynamic technology consulting and solutions space, focusing on leveraging cutting-edge technology to drive business value and create new revenue streams for clients.

Company Size: Blueprint Technologies is not explicitly detailed by employee count in the provided information, but its description as a "technology solutions firm" with a "strong presence across the United States" suggests a mid-to-large sized organization with multiple teams and client engagements.

Founded: The founding date of Blueprint Technologies is not specified. The company's ethos centers on solving complicated problems, bridging strategy and execution with technology, and valuing the unique perspectives and expertise of its people.

Team Structure:

• The UX Research Specialist will join a dynamic digital product team, working closely with a collaborative research team. This team likely comprises other UX researchers, potentially UX designers, product managers, and engineers.
• Reporting lines would typically be to a Research Lead or Product Manager within the digital product division.
• Cross-functional collaboration is a core aspect, involving regular interaction with product development, design, and potentially data science teams to ensure research insights are integrated effectively.

Methodology:

• Blueprint emphasizes a data-driven approach to problem-solving, using technology as a tool to achieve strategic goals.
• Expect a focus on agile methodologies, rapid iteration, and continuous improvement in product development.
• Research methodologies will likely be varied, employing both qualitative and quantitative techniques to gain a holistic understanding of user needs and behaviors.

Company Website: [Blueprint Technologies Website URL - Assumed www.bpcs.com based on domain_derived]

📝 Enhancement Note: The company's description highlights boldness, intelligence, agility, and fun, suggesting a culture that values innovation, expertise, and a positive work environment. The focus on "unlocking value from existing assets" and "transforming and growing companies" indicates a results-oriented and impactful approach.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is positioned as a Specialist, indicating a mid-level position requiring demonstrated expertise and independent execution of research projects. It's a hands-on role focused on delivering specific research outcomes rather than managing a team.

Reporting Structure: The UX Research Specialist will report into a digital product team, likely under a UX Research Lead or a Product Manager overseeing the calendar and productivity tools. Collaboration will be extensive with product managers, designers, and potentially engineers.

Operations Impact: The primary impact of this role is direct influence on product strategy and user experience for web-based productivity tools used by millions. By uncovering deep customer insights, the specialist will guide product decisions, feature development, and overall customer satisfaction, thereby contributing to the success and revenue potential of these digital products. The role is critical in ensuring the product meets user needs, which is a fundamental aspect of product operations.

Growth Opportunities:

• Skill Specialization: Deepen expertise in AI-powered feature research, advanced qualitative and quantitative methodologies, and specialized research tools.
• Cross-Functional Exposure: Gain extensive experience working with product management, design, and engineering teams, understanding their workflows and contributing to product strategy.
• Project Leadership: Lead complex, long-term research initiatives (as suggested by the 18-month contract), demonstrating project management and strategic planning capabilities.
• Industry Insight: Develop a strong understanding of the productivity software market, emerging AI technologies, and user behavior in digital collaboration tools.
• Potential for Full-Time Conversion: While a contract role, strong performance and business needs could potentially lead to opportunities for full-time employment within Blueprint Technologies.

📝 Enhancement Note: The role offers significant growth through specialization in AI research and direct impact on widely used products. The contract duration implies a deep dive into a specific product area, allowing for substantial learning and contribution.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Fully Remote. This role operates entirely outside of a physical office setting, allowing for flexibility in work location within approved regions.

Office Location(s): While the company is headquartered in Bellevue, Washington, this specific role is designated as "Remote Solely." The provided salary range is tied to Washington state, suggesting that while remote, there might be a preference or requirement for candidates to reside within or near states where the company has a significant payroll presence, or where specific labor laws apply. The AI-derived remote location indicates potential for candidates across the United States.

Workspace Context:

• A home office setup is expected, requiring a reliable internet connection and a dedicated, quiet space conducive to conducting research sessions and focused work.
• Access to necessary software and collaboration tools will be provided by Blueprint Technologies.
• The remote environment fosters independent work but requires strong proactive communication and engagement with the research and product teams through virtual channels.

Work Schedule: The role is structured around a standard 40-hour work week. While remote, effective time management is crucial to coordinate with team members in different time zones and schedule user research sessions during optimal times for participants. The focus will be on deliverables and impact rather than strict adherence to a 9-to-5 schedule.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Remote Solely" status offers maximum flexibility. However, the salary referencing Washington state may imply some geographical considerations for tax or legal purposes, or a preference for candidates within that region.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A brief call with a recruiter to assess basic qualifications, interest, and fit for a contract role.
• Hiring Manager Interview: A deeper dive into your UX research experience, methodologies, and understanding of product development. Expect questions about your approach to qualitative and quantitative research, and how you handle complex projects.
• Skills Assessment / Case Study: A practical exercise, likely involving a take-home assignment or a live case study presentation. This will assess your ability to plan research, analyze data, synthesize insights, and present findings clearly. Focus on how you would approach research for AI-powered productivity features.
• Cross-Functional Team Interview: An opportunity to meet with potential collaborators (e.g., Product Manager, Designer) to assess teamwork, communication style, and ability to integrate research into product workflows.
• Final Interview: Potentially with a senior leader to discuss overall fit, long-term goals, and confirm contract terms.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate for Impact: Select 2-3 of your strongest UX research projects that clearly demonstrate your ability to uncover insights and drive product improvements. Prioritize projects that involve digital products, productivity tools, or AI features if possible.
• Structure for Clarity: For each case study, follow a logical flow: Problem Statement/Objective -> Methodology -> Process/Execution -> Key Findings/Insights -> Recommendations -> Impact/Outcome. Use visuals (screenshots, mockups, charts) to illustrate your points.
• Quantify Where Possible: Highlight any measurable impact your research had, such as improvements in user satisfaction, task completion rates, reduction in support tickets, or influence on feature adoption.
• Address AI Focus: If you have experience with AI tools or research on AI-powered features, make sure to showcase it prominently.
• Demonstrate Collaboration: Explain how you worked with cross-functional teams and how your research was integrated into their workflows.

Challenge Preparation:

• Understand the Product Domain: Familiarize yourself with calendar and productivity tools, common user pain points, and current trends in AI integration for such applications.
• Practice AI Research Scenarios: Think about how you would research the usability and effectiveness of AI features like intelligent scheduling, task automation, or natural language interaction within productivity apps.
• Prepare for Synthesis: Be ready to discuss how you synthesize diverse data sources (interviews, surveys, analytics) into cohesive narratives and actionable recommendations.
• Articulate Impact: Practice explaining the business value of UX research and how your work contributes to product success and revenue.

📝 Enhancement Note: The process emphasizes practical application and collaboration, typical for roles where research directly feeds into product development. A strong portfolio demonstrating tangible impact and AI-related experience will be key differentiators.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Research Platforms: Experience with online usability testing platforms like UserTesting.com is highly preferred. Familiarity with other platforms for unmoderated or moderated studies is also valuable.
• Survey Tools: Proficiency in designing and deploying surveys (e.g., SurveyMonkey, Typeform, Qualtrics) for quantitative data collection.
• Collaboration Suites: Experience with tools like Slack, Microsoft Teams, or similar for day-to-day communication and team collaboration.
• Project Management Tools: Familiarity with tools such as Asana, Jira, or Trello for tracking research project progress and task management.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Data Analysis Software: Ability to analyze quantitative data, potentially using tools like Excel, Google Sheets, or statistical software (though specific advanced statistical tools may not be required for this role).
• Presentation Software: Mastery of tools like PowerPoint, Google Slides, or Keynote for creating compelling research reports and presentations.
• Video Editing Software: Experience with basic video editing for creating highlight reels of user sessions.

CRM & Automation:

• While not a direct CRM or automation role, an understanding of how user research insights can inform CRM strategies or drive automation features within productivity tools would be beneficial. Familiarity with AI tools is explicitly mentioned.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Preferred Qualifications" specifically mention UserTesting.com and AI tools for research synthesis (Copilot, Marvin). Candidates should be prepared to discuss their experience with these or equivalent industry-standard tools.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Data-Driven Decision Making: A strong emphasis on using user data and research insights to inform product strategy and development.
• Customer Centricity: A core value of understanding and prioritizing the needs and experiences of the end-user in all product decisions.
• Innovation & Boldness: The company culture encourages tackling complex problems and exploring new technological solutions, particularly in AI.
• Collaboration & Agility: A fast-paced environment that values teamwork, open communication, and the ability to adapt quickly to changing project needs and insights.
• Impact & Value Creation: A focus on delivering tangible results and unlocking value through technology solutions.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-Functional Integration: Expect a highly collaborative environment where UX researchers work hand-in-hand with product managers, designers, and engineers throughout the product development lifecycle.
• Open Communication: A culture that encourages open sharing of ideas, feedback, and research findings to foster a collective understanding of the user.
• Process Optimization: A continuous drive to improve workflows and research methodologies to increase efficiency and effectiveness.
• Knowledge Sharing: Opportunities to share learnings and best practices within the research team and across product teams.

📝 Enhancement Note: Blueprint Technologies' stated values (bold, smart, agile, fun) and their mission to "unlock value" and "transform companies" suggest a culture that is proactive, intelligent, and focused on tangible business outcomes, with a strong emphasis on collaboration and innovation.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• AI Feature Research Complexity: Navigating the unique challenges of researching nascent AI features where user understanding and interaction patterns are still evolving.
• Translating Insights to Action: Effectively communicating complex research findings to diverse stakeholders and ensuring they are translated into concrete product improvements, especially within a fast-paced development cycle.
• Data Synthesis Across Modalities: Integrating insights from various qualitative and quantitative sources, including AI-generated data, to form a holistic user understanding.
• Remote Collaboration Dynamics: Maintaining strong team cohesion and effective communication within a fully remote environment, especially when coordinating studies and sharing findings.
• Contract Duration Management: Ensuring project continuity and deep immersion within an 18-month contract, requiring proactive planning and stakeholder engagement.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• AI Research Specialization: Gain in-depth expertise in researching AI-powered features, understanding user adoption, trust, and interaction patterns with intelligent systems.
• Advanced Methodologies: Opportunity to refine and expand skills in a wide range of qualitative and quantitative research methods tailored to complex digital products.
• Cross-Functional Product Development: Deepen understanding of the product lifecycle, from ideation and strategy to execution and iteration, by working closely with product and design teams.
• Industry Trends: Stay at the forefront of UX research and AI advancements within the competitive productivity software market.
• Professional Network: Build connections with experienced professionals in technology, product development, and user experience research.

📝 Enhancement Note: The role presents a significant opportunity to specialize in a high-demand area (AI research) within a critical product domain. The challenges are directly linked to growth opportunities, making this an exciting prospect for ambitious researchers.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you had to conduct research on a novel or emerging technology, like AI features. What were the unique challenges, and how did you adapt your methodology?" (Focus on methodological adaptability and insight generation for new tech.)
• "Walk me through a complex research project you managed from start to finish. How did you define success, manage stakeholders, and ensure your findings led to actionable product changes?" (Highlight project management, collaboration, and impact.)
• "Imagine we're launching a new AI feature that automates meeting summaries. What are the first 3-5 research questions you would ask, and what methods would you use to answer them?" (Demonstrate strategic research planning and understanding of AI user needs.)

Company & Culture Questions:

• "Based on your understanding of Blueprint Technologies and this role, how would you ensure your research directly contributes to the company's goal of unlocking value and creating new revenue streams?" (Connect your work to business objectives.)
• "How do you approach collaboration with product managers and designers who may have different priorities or perspectives on user needs?" (Showcase communication and influencing skills.)
• "What is your experience with synthesizing data from multiple sources, and how do you prioritize insights when there are conflicting findings?" (Assess analytical rigor and decision-making.)

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Quantify Impact: For each case study, be prepared to state the specific outcomes or influences of your research. Use metrics if available (e.g., "resulted in a 15% increase in feature adoption," "informed a redesign that reduced task completion time by 20%").
• Storytelling with Data: Structure your presentation as a narrative. Start with the problem, explain your journey of discovery through research, reveal the key insights, and conclude with the impact of your recommendations.
• Interactive Elements: If presenting live, be ready to answer probing questions about your methodology, data analysis, and decision-making process. Be open to discussing alternative approaches.
• AI Specialization: Clearly articulate your understanding of AI user experience research and how you approach it, especially if you have specific examples.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview preparation focuses on demonstrating strategic thinking, practical application of research skills, and the ability to drive tangible business impact, particularly in the context of AI and product development.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this operations position:

• Submit your application through the provided link on Greenhouse.
• Tailor your Resume: Highlight experience with UX research, usability studies, qualitative/quantitative analysis, and any specific mention of AI tools or productivity software research. Use keywords from the job description.
• Curate Your Portfolio: Select 2-3 of your most impactful UX research projects that demonstrate your end-to-end process, collaboration skills, and ability to drive product improvements. Ensure it includes examples of synthesized data and clear outcomes.
• Prepare Your Case Studies: Be ready to present your portfolio projects in detail, focusing on the problem, your approach, key insights, recommendations, and quantifiable impact. Specifically prepare to discuss any experience with AI features or productivity tools.
• Research Blueprint Technologies: Understand their mission, values, and how they leverage technology to transform companies. This will help tailor your responses 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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