UX Researcher II

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: UX Researcher II Company: Qualtrics Location: Seattle, Washington, United States Job Type: Full-Time Category: User Experience Research / Product Insights Date Posted: August 1, 2025 Experience Level: Mid-Level (2-5 years) Remote Status: Hybrid

🚀 Role Summary

• Drive the future of Qualtrics Experience Management products by conducting in-depth user research to deliver a best-in-class user experience.
• Collaborate closely with cross-functional teams, including UX Design, Product Management, Engineering, and Data Science, to translate user insights into actionable product strategies.
• Act as the voice of the customer, influencing product prioritization and UX improvements through compelling research findings and data-driven recommendations.
• Develop and refine research methodologies, pushing the boundaries to innovate and deliver new processes for UX research, contributing to the growth of the UX Research team.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is specifically focused on qualitative and quantitative user research to inform product development within the Experience Management category. The "II" designation suggests a mid-level position requiring demonstrated end-to-end research capabilities and the ability to work independently while influencing cross-functional teams. The requirement to work East Coast hours for a West Coast role is a significant operational detail for candidates.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Conduct end-to-end user research, encompassing planning, participant recruitment, data collection (qualitative and quantitative), analysis, and reporting of findings.
• Define key user scenarios and customer needs for Qualtrics' Employee Experience products, ensuring a deep understanding of how users collect, monitor, and share insights within their organizations.
• Collaborate with Product Managers, Designers, Engineers, and Data Scientists to identify customer perceptions, define key scenarios, and develop new or improved product concepts.
• Translate complex research data into clear, actionable insights that guide product decisions, influence roadmap prioritization, and drive significant business outcomes.
• Champion user-centricity within the product team, fostering enthusiasm for user needs and ensuring product development aligns with customer expectations and market demands.
• Develop and iterate on research strategies and methodologies, exploring innovative approaches to gather user insights and enhance the research process.
• Present research findings and recommendations to stakeholders at various levels, effectively communicating the "why" behind product decisions and advocating for user-centric solutions.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities emphasize a strong blend of research execution, strategic thinking, and cross-functional collaboration. The role requires not just data collection but also the ability to synthesize findings into strategic recommendations that directly impact product direction and business success. The specific focus on Employee Experience products and the need to act as the "sole UX researcher on the product team" highlights the individual's critical role in driving user insights for this specific product area.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

• Undergraduate or Master's degree in Psychology, Human-Centered Design, Human Factors, Cognitive Psychology, or a closely related field.

Experience:

• 3-5 years of professional industry research experience, with a proven track record of leading strategic research initiatives.
• Demonstrated experience in conducting both qualitative (e.g., interviews, usability testing, ethnography) and quantitative (e.g., surveys, A/B testing, data analysis) research.
• Proven ability to work effectively within cross-functional product development teams, including UX Design, Product Management, and Engineering.
• Experience in translating research insights into actionable product strategy and roadmap recommendations.

Required Skills:

• Qualitative Research: Expertise in designing and conducting user interviews, usability studies, contextual inquiries, and other qualitative methods.
• Quantitative Research: Proficiency in survey design, statistical analysis, and interpreting quantitative data to identify user trends and patterns.
• Analytical & Problem-Solving Skills: Strong ability to dissect complex problems, identify root causes, and develop data-driven solutions.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Proven ability to partner effectively with designers, product managers, engineers, and other stakeholders to achieve common goals.
• Communication & Presentation: Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to articulate research findings and recommendations clearly and persuasively to diverse audiences.
• Research Strategy Development: Capability to define research objectives, select appropriate methodologies, and plan comprehensive research studies.
• Human Behavior Understanding: Deep understanding of human psychology, cognitive processes, and user behavior principles.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience with specific UX research tools and platforms (e.g., UserTesting.com, Qualtrics XM platform for research, survey tools, data analysis software).
• Familiarity with the Experience Management (XM) domain and its application in customer and employee experience.
• Experience conducting research for B2B SaaS products.
• Knowledge of data science principles and ability to collaborate with data scientists on complex analyses.
• Mentorship or leadership experience within a research team.

📝 Enhancement Note: The required skills highlight the need for a well-rounded researcher capable of both deep dive qualitative work and robust quantitative analysis. The emphasis on "end-to-end" research and direct influence on "product strategy and roadmap" indicates a need for strategic thinking beyond just data collection. The "portfolio that includes examples of leading strategic research with significant business outcomes" is a critical requirement for demonstrating impact.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Strategic Impact: Showcase case studies demonstrating how your research directly influenced product strategy, led to significant UX improvements, and resulted in measurable business outcomes (e.g., increased user adoption, higher conversion rates, improved customer satisfaction).
• End-to-End Process: Detail your research process from problem definition and hypothesis generation through methodology selection, execution, analysis, and the communication of actionable insights.
• Methodological Diversity: Include examples of both qualitative and quantitative research projects, illustrating your ability to choose and apply the most appropriate methods for different research questions.
• Collaboration & Influence: Provide examples of how you collaborated with cross-functional teams (Design, Product, Engineering) and effectively influenced product decisions based on your research findings.
• Problem Solving: Demonstrate your ability to tackle ambiguous problems and deliver clarity through user research, aligning stakeholders on key insights and recommended actions.

Process Documentation:

• Research Planning: Document the process for defining research objectives, scope, target users, and selecting appropriate methodologies for various product development stages.
• Data Synthesis & Analysis: Illustrate your approach to synthesizing qualitative and quantitative data, identifying key themes, and deriving actionable insights that drive product improvements.
• Insight Communication: Showcase how you communicate research findings through compelling reports, presentations, and visualizations tailored to different audiences (e.g., product teams, leadership).

📝 Enhancement Note: For a UX Researcher role at this level, a portfolio is crucial. It needs to go beyond simply showing research artifacts; it must demonstrate strategic thinking, methodological rigor, and, most importantly, the impact of the research on product success and business goals. The emphasis on "strategic research with significant business outcomes" means candidates should prepare to articulate the ROI of their research efforts.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

• The provided Washington State Annual Pay Transparency Range is $108,000 - $204,500 USD per year.
• The specific base pay offered will be determined by factors such as location, job-related knowledge, education, skills, and experience.

Benefits:

• Wellness Reimbursement: $300 per quarter for wellness activities (gym memberships, spa massages, workout equipment, meditation apps, etc.).
• Experience Bonus: $1800 yearly bonus to be used for an "Experience" of your choosing.
• Comprehensive Health Coverage: Medical, Dental, and Vision insurance plans.
• Life & Disability Insurance: Coverage to provide financial security.
• Retirement Savings: 401(k) plan with company match.
• Mental Health Benefits: Support for mental well-being.
• QGroup Communities: Access to various employee resource groups (MOSAIQ, Green Team, Qualtrics Pride, Q&Able, Qualtrics Salute, Women’s Leadership Development) for support, allyship, and advocacy.

Working Hours:

• The role requires working East Coast (EST / UTC−05:00) time zone hours, with a willingness to start the workday around 5:00 AM at least three days a week.
• The standard working hours are assumed to be 40 hours per week for full-time employees.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range is competitive for a mid-level UX Researcher in a major tech hub like Seattle. The unique benefits like the "Experience Bonus" and "Wellness Reimbursement" are notable perks tailored towards employee well-being and enrichment. The explicit requirement to align with East Coast working hours is a critical factor for candidates in different time zones.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Software / Experience Management (XM) Technology. Qualtrics is a leader in the Experience Management category, providing software that helps organizations understand and improve customer, employee, and product experiences. Company Size: Qualtrics has over 5,000 employees globally, indicating a large, established, yet agile company environment. This size allows for significant resources and impact, while the emphasis on nimbleness suggests a culture that encourages fast-paced innovation. Founded: Qualtrics was founded in 2002, giving it a strong history and deep expertise in its market. This longevity suggests stability and a well-established product suite.

Team Structure:

• The UX Researcher will be part of the Experience Research Team, which is described as growing.
• This specific role is the "sole UX researcher on the product team focusing on developing Employee Experience products," indicating a high degree of autonomy and direct impact within that specific product domain.
• Collaboration is heavily emphasized, with researchers working closely with UX Design, Program Managers, Product Managers, Line of Business Owners, Engineers, Data Scientists, and Strategic Planners.

Methodology:

• Qualtrics emphasizes a data-driven approach, leveraging insights from user research to inform product strategy and decisions.
• The company culture encourages strategic risks, fast-paced problem-solving, and iterative development ("passing the mic and iterating until the best solution comes to light").
• There's a focus on developing new product initiatives and features that span multiple industries and have a global customer base.

Company Website: https://www.qualtrics.com/careers/us/en/job/7117495?gh_jid=7117495

📝 Enhancement Note: Qualtrics positions itself as a category creator in Experience Management, which implies a culture of innovation and thought leadership. The emphasis on cross-functional collaboration and empowering nimble teams suggests a dynamic work environment. The specific team structure for this role highlights a key individual contributor position responsible for a critical product area.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: UX Researcher II is a mid-level individual contributor role. It requires demonstrated expertise in research methodologies and the ability to independently lead research projects, influence product strategy, and mentor junior team members if applicable. The role is positioned to significantly impact product development and user experience. Reporting Structure: While not explicitly stated, the UX Researcher typically reports into a UX Research Lead, Director of Product, or Head of Design. The role involves close collaboration with Product Managers and Designers, suggesting a matrixed reporting or strong partnership dynamic. Operations Impact: The UX Researcher's impact is direct and significant, shaping the user experience of Qualtrics' Employee Experience products. By providing critical user insights, this role influences product roadmaps, feature prioritization, and overall product success, ultimately contributing to customer loyalty, value, and delight – key drivers of revenue and market position.

Growth Opportunities:

• Skill Specialization: Opportunities to deepen expertise in specific research methodologies (qualitative, quantitative, mixed-methods) or specialize in particular product areas (e.g., Employee Experience, Customer Experience).
• Methodological Innovation: Drive the development and adoption of new, innovative research processes and techniques within the team.
• Leadership & Mentorship: As a mid-level individual contributor, there will be opportunities to mentor junior researchers, lead research initiatives for complex projects, and potentially move into a Senior UX Researcher role.
• Cross-Functional Influence: Grow influence across product, design, and engineering teams, becoming a trusted advisor for user-centric decision-making.
• Industry Exposure: Work on products serving diverse industries and a global customer base, broadening understanding of different user needs and market dynamics.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "II" designation implies a progression path from a junior role, with expectations of greater autonomy and strategic contribution. The opportunity to be the "sole UX researcher on the product team" provides a significant platform for growth and demonstration of leadership within a specific product domain. The company's emphasis on mentorship and skill-building further supports career development.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Qualtrics operates a hybrid work model, requiring employees to be in the office three days a week (Mondays and Thursdays, plus one additional day determined by leadership). This model is designed to foster collaboration and innovation through purposeful in-person interaction. Office Location(s): The role is based in Seattle, Washington. The specific office location within Seattle would be a standard tech office environment designed for collaboration and productivity. Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Spaces: The hybrid model necessitates well-designed office spaces that facilitate team meetings, brainstorming sessions, and informal collaboration.
• Technology & Tools: Employees will have access to the necessary technology and software, including the Qualtrics XM platform, research tools, and standard productivity software, to conduct their work effectively.
• Team Interaction: The hybrid structure provides structured opportunities for in-person interaction with designers, product managers, engineers, and other team members, fostering a strong sense of team cohesion and enabling effective communication.

Work Schedule:

• Employees adhere to a hybrid schedule, with mandated in-office days.
• A key requirement is to align with East Coast (EST) working hours, meaning the workday would need to start early in Seattle (around 5:00 AM PST). This requires significant personal flexibility and commitment to cross-time zone collaboration.

📝 Enhancement Note: The hybrid model and the specific East Coast time zone requirement are critical environmental factors. Candidates must be comfortable with a structured hybrid setup and possess the discipline to manage early morning workdays for a significant portion of the week. This arrangement is designed to facilitate real-time collaboration with East Coast-based teams.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A recruiter or hiring manager will likely conduct an initial phone screen to assess basic qualifications, experience, and cultural fit. Be prepared to discuss your research background and interest in Qualtrics.
• Portfolio Review & Presentation: Expect a dedicated session where you present your portfolio. This is a critical stage where you'll showcase your best work, detailing your research process, insights, and the impact of your contributions. Prepare 2-3 robust case studies.
• Cross-Functional Interviews: You will likely interview with key stakeholders, including Product Managers, UX Designers, and potentially Engineers or Data Scientists. These interviews will assess your collaboration skills, understanding of product development, and ability to integrate research into these workflows.
• Hiring Manager Interview: A final interview with the hiring manager to discuss your career aspirations, leadership potential, and how you align with the team's vision and Qualtrics' culture.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Focus on Impact: Quantify the business outcomes of your research whenever possible (e.g., "Increased feature adoption by X%", "Reduced user task completion time by Y seconds," "Identified critical usability issues leading to a Z% decrease in support tickets").
• Tell a Story: Structure your case studies as a narrative: the problem, your approach, the insights, the recommendations, and the resulting impact. Clearly articulate your role and contributions.
• Showcase Methodology: Be prepared to discuss why you chose specific research methods and how they were best suited to answer the research questions.
• Highlight Collaboration: Demonstrate how you worked with other disciplines to ensure your research findings were understood and acted upon.
• Prepare for Questions: Anticipate questions about your decision-making process, how you handled challenges or conflicting feedback, and how you prioritize research efforts.

Challenge Preparation:

• Qualtrics may incorporate a take-home assignment or a live design/research exercise.
• For a take-home assignment: Focus on clearly articulating your research plan, methodology, and anticipated insights. Demonstrate thoroughness and strategic thinking.
• For a live exercise: Practice thinking aloud, explaining your rationale, and collaborating effectively under time pressure. Focus on process and strategic approach rather than a perfect solution.

📝 Enhancement Note: The portfolio review is paramount for this role. Candidates should select projects that best demonstrate their ability to conduct strategic research with measurable business outcomes. The ability to effectively communicate complex findings and influence stakeholders through presentations is key. The early morning work requirement might also be subtly assessed in how candidates structure their availability and discuss their approach to managing this.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Qualtrics XM Platform: While not explicitly stated as a tool the researcher uses for research execution, familiarity with the Qualtrics platform itself is highly advantageous, as the company is built around it.
• User Research Platforms: Experience with tools like UserTesting.com, Lookback, Maze, or similar for remote usability testing and participant recruitment.
• Survey Tools: Proficiency with survey platforms like SurveyMonkey, Google Forms, or Qualtrics' own survey capabilities for quantitative data collection.
• Data Analysis Software: Familiarity with tools for qualitative data analysis (e.g., Dovetail, NVivo) and quantitative data analysis (e.g., SPSS, R, Python for statistical analysis, Excel).
• Collaboration Tools: Standard office suites (e.g., Google Workspace, Microsoft Office), project management tools (e.g., Jira, Asana), and communication platforms (e.g., Slack, Microsoft Teams).

Analytics & Reporting:

• Data Visualization Tools: Experience with tools like Tableau, Power BI, or even advanced Excel charting for presenting research findings effectively.
• Analytics Platforms: Understanding of how user data is tracked and analyzed within product analytics platforms (e.g., Google Analytics, Amplitude, Mixpanel) to complement qualitative insights.

CRM & Automation:

• While not directly a CRM role, understanding how user data flows through CRM systems (like Salesforce) and impacts customer experience can be beneficial for context.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the job description doesn't list specific required tools beyond general research methodologies, a candidate's proficiency with industry-standard UX research tools and data analysis software will be critical. Demonstrating an ability to leverage technology to gather, analyze, and present user insights will be a key differentiator.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Customer Centricity: A deep commitment to understanding and advocating for the user is fundamental. Insights drive decisions.
• Data-Driven Decision Making: Relying on evidence from research and analytics to inform strategy and product development.
• Collaboration & Teamwork: Working effectively with cross-functional partners to achieve shared goals and drive product success.
• Innovation & Agility: Encouraging new ideas, embracing strategic risks, and iterating quickly to solve complex problems.
• Excellence & Professionalism: Maintaining high standards in research quality, execution, and communication, serving as a role model.

Collaboration Style:

• Partnership-Oriented: Researchers are expected to be integral partners with Product Management, Design, and Engineering, not just service providers.
• Proactive Communication: Regularly sharing insights and engaging in dialogue with stakeholders to ensure research is relevant and actionable.
• Constructive Feedback: Participating in a culture where feedback is welcomed and used for continuous improvement of processes and products.
• Knowledge Sharing: Contributing to the growth of the UX research practice by sharing learnings, best practices, and mentoring where appropriate.

📝 Enhancement Note: Qualtrics' culture appears to value a blend of innovation, customer focus, and collaborative execution. For a UX Researcher, this means being an active participant in the product development lifecycle, not a detached observer. The emphasis on "passing the mic and iterating until the best solution comes to light" suggests a culture that values collective intelligence and continuous improvement.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Cross-Time Zone Collaboration: The requirement to work East Coast hours from Seattle presents a significant challenge related to work-life integration and managing energy levels.
• Being the Sole Researcher: As the single UX researcher on the Employee Experience product team, managing research priorities, workload, and stakeholder expectations independently can be demanding.
• Driving Actionable Insights: Ensuring that research findings are not just delivered but are effectively translated into concrete product changes and improvements requires strong influencing and communication skills.
• Balancing Methodologies: Effectively applying both qualitative and quantitative research methods to address diverse product questions and stakeholder needs.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Deep Dive into Employee Experience: Gain specialized knowledge and expertise in the nuances of employee experience research and product development.
• Advanced Research Techniques: Opportunities to explore and implement cutting-edge research methodologies, potentially leading to innovation in research practices.
• Cross-Functional Acumen: Develop a deeper understanding of product management, design thinking, and engineering processes through close collaboration.
• Mentorship: The growing UX Research team structure suggests opportunities for mentorship from senior researchers and the chance to mentor more junior team members.
• Industry Leadership: Contribute to building the Experience Management category by shaping user-centric products that set industry standards.

📝 Enhancement Note: The primary challenge is the mandatory early morning work schedule. Success in this role will depend on the candidate's ability to manage this demanding schedule and thrive with a high degree of autonomy on their product team. The growth opportunities are substantial for someone looking to make a significant impact and deepen their expertise in a critical product area.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• Research Strategy: "Describe how you would develop a research strategy for a new feature in our Employee Experience product suite. What factors would you consider?" (Focus on aligning research with business goals, identifying key unknowns, and selecting appropriate methods.)
• Cross-Functional Influence: "Tell me about a time you had to convince a skeptical Product Manager or Engineer to incorporate your research findings into the product roadmap. What was your approach, and what was the outcome?" (Highlight communication, data storytelling, and persistence.)
• Problem Solving: "Imagine users are reporting difficulty completing a key workflow in our product. How would you diagnose the problem using research, and what steps would you take to propose a solution?" (Emphasize your process for identifying pain points and generating actionable insights.)

Company & Culture Questions:

• Qualtrics Alignment: "What interests you about Qualtrics and our mission to build the Experience Management category? How do you see your role contributing to this mission?" (Research Qualtrics' values, products, and recent news.)
• Team Dynamics: "How do you prefer to collaborate with Product Managers and Designers? Describe your ideal working relationship." (Focus on communication, feedback, and shared ownership.)
• Impact Measurement: "How do you measure the success of your UX research? Can you provide examples of how your research has led to significant business outcomes?" (Be ready to quantify impact with metrics where possible.)

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Select High-Impact Projects: Choose 2-3 projects that showcase your end-to-end research process, strategic thinking, and quantifiable impact on business outcomes.
• Structure Your Narrative: For each project, clearly articulate: the business problem, your specific research objectives, the methodology chosen and why, key findings, actionable recommendations, and the measurable impact.
• Demonstrate Collaboration: Highlight how you worked with cross-functional teams throughout the research process.
• Prepare for Deep Dives: Be ready to answer detailed questions about your methodology, analysis, decision-making, and how you handled any challenges.
• Address the Time Zone: Be prepared to briefly discuss how you manage working across time zones and your commitment to the early morning schedule.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process will heavily scrutinize your portfolio and your ability to articulate the strategic value and impact of your research. Candidates should practice their presentation skills, focusing on clear, concise communication and quantifiable results. Understanding Qualtrics' business and product areas will be crucial for tailoring responses.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this UX Researcher II position:

• Submit your application through the provided Qualtrics careers link.
• Portfolio Customization: Curate your portfolio to highlight 2-3 of your most impactful research projects, specifically those demonstrating end-to-end research, strategic influence, and measurable business outcomes relevant to B2B SaaS or product development.
• Resume Optimization: Tailor your resume to emphasize your qualitative and quantitative research skills, cross-functional collaboration experience, and achievements in driving product strategy and UX improvements. Use keywords from the job description naturally.
• Interview Preparation: Practice presenting your portfolio case studies, focusing on clear storytelling and quantifiable impact. Prepare to discuss your approach to research strategy, problem-solving, and cross-functional collaboration. Rehearse how you will address the specific working hours requirement.
• Company Research: Gain a deep understanding of Qualtrics' mission, its Experience Management category, its products (particularly Employee Experience), and its company culture. Familiarize yourself with their hybrid work model and the implications of the East Coast time zone requirement.

⚠️ Important Notice: This enhanced job description includes AI-generated insights and operations industry-standard assumptions based on the provided data. While designed to be comprehensive, all details, especially regarding team dynamics, specific project focus, and interview process nuances, should be verified directly with the hiring organization during the application and interview stages.