UX Researcher II

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: UX Researcher II Company: Qualtrics Location: Reston, Virginia, United States Job Type: Full-Time Category: User Experience Research / Product Development Operations Date Posted: August 04, 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 experience research to ensure a best-in-class user experience.
• Collaborate closely with cross-functional teams, including Product Management, Design, Engineering, and Data Science, to translate user insights into actionable product strategies and roadmaps.
• Act as the primary UX product insight expert, serving as the voice of the customer to guide product teams on feature prioritization and user experience enhancements.
• Develop and refine research strategies, pushing the boundaries of existing methodologies to innovate new processes for conducting UX research.
• Contribute to the development of Employee Experience products, leveraging a strong background in understanding human behavior and technology to guide product decisions.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is positioned within a product development lifecycle, emphasizing the operational aspect of gathering and integrating user feedback into product strategy and roadmapping. The "II" in the title suggests a mid-level contributor with a degree of autonomy in research execution and a growing influence on strategic product direction, common in product operations or GTM strategy support roles.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Lead end-to-end qualitative and quantitative research initiatives to understand user needs, pain points, and behaviors related to Qualtrics' Experience Management platform, particularly focusing on Employee Experience products.
• Conduct user interviews, usability testing, surveys, and contextual inquiries to gather critical user feedback and validate product concepts and designs.
• Analyze research data to identify key trends, patterns, and actionable insights that inform product strategy, feature prioritization, and UX improvements.
• Effectively communicate research findings and recommendations to diverse stakeholders, including Product Managers, Designers, Engineers, and leadership, ensuring alignment and driving product decisions.
• Collaborate with Data Scientists and Program Managers to integrate qualitative insights with quantitative data for a holistic understanding of user behavior and product performance.
• Develop and maintain a deep understanding of the competitive landscape and market trends relevant to Experience Management and Employee Experience solutions.
• Contribute to the continuous improvement of UX research processes and methodologies within the Experience Research Team.
• Mentor junior researchers or team members, sharing expertise and fostering a culture of user-centricity and research excellence.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a blend of tactical research execution and strategic input, aligning with an operations role focused on bridging user needs with product development. The emphasis on "driving actionable insights that guide product decisions" and influencing "feature prioritization and UX improvements" points to a significant operational impact on the product lifecycle.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

• Undergraduate and Master's degree in Psychology, Human-Centered Design, Human Factors, Cognitive Psychology, or a closely related field. This academic foundation is crucial for understanding user behavior and cognitive processes, essential for effective UX research.

Experience:

• 3-5 years of dedicated industry experience in User Experience Research, with a proven track record of leading research projects and delivering impactful insights. This experience level indicates a need for someone who can operate with a degree of independence and contribute strategically.

Required Skills:

• Exceptional and demonstrated end-to-end qualitative research skills, including user interviews, usability testing, ethnographic studies, and diary studies.
• Strong quantitative research skills, encompassing survey design, statistical analysis, A/B testing, and data interpretation.
• Advanced analytical and problem-solving skills to dissect complex user behaviors and business needs, translating them into clear, actionable insights.
• Proven ability to work cross-functionally with UX Designers, Product Managers, Engineers, Data Scientists, and strategic stakeholders to align teams and drive product strategy based on research findings.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills, with the ability to articulate complex research findings and recommendations clearly and persuasively to both technical and non-technical audiences.
• Deep understanding of human behavior, cognitive psychology, and user-centered design principles.
• Experience in developing and executing research strategies that directly influence product roadmaps and business outcomes.
• High standards of detail, excellence, and professionalism, serving as a role model for research best practices.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience conducting research for B2B SaaS products, specifically within the Experience Management or HR technology space.
• Familiarity with Qualtrics' own platform or similar experience management tools.
• Experience with advanced statistical analysis tools and techniques.
• Ability to mentor and guide junior researchers.
• A portfolio showcasing successful research initiatives that led to significant business outcomes or product improvements.

📝 Enhancement Note: The required skills emphasize a dual proficiency in qualitative and quantitative research methods, critical for comprehensive user understanding. The ability to "implement research recommendations to drive changes to the product strategy and roadmap" is a key operational competency, indicating a need for a researcher who can influence product direction.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A comprehensive portfolio demonstrating a minimum of 3-5 years of industry research experience, with a clear emphasis on end-to-end research projects.
• Examples showcasing the strategic application of both qualitative and quantitative research methodologies to solve complex user problems and business challenges.
• Case studies that clearly articulate the research problem, methodology, execution, key findings, and the resulting business outcomes or product impacts.
• Demonstrations of how research insights were translated into actionable recommendations and successfully implemented to drive product improvements or strategic shifts.
• Evidence of strong analytical and problem-solving capabilities, including how you navigated ambiguous situations and aligned stakeholders around research insights.

Process Documentation:

• Ability to document research plans, methodologies, and findings in a clear, organized, and reproducible manner.
• Experience in creating user journey maps, personas, and other artifacts that synthesize research findings and communicate user needs effectively.
• Familiarity with maintaining research repositories or knowledge bases to ensure insights are accessible and leveraged across the organization.

📝 Enhancement Note: The requirement for a portfolio that includes "examples of leading strategic research with significant business outcomes" is a direct indicator of the operational expectation for this role. It signifies that successful candidates must demonstrate not just research execution, but also the ability to drive tangible business value through their work, a core tenet of operations roles.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

• Based on industry benchmarks for a UX Researcher II with 3-5 years of experience in the Reston, Virginia area, the estimated annual salary range is $95,000 - $130,000. This estimate considers the cost of living in the Washington D.C. metropolitan area, the specific experience level required, and the demand for skilled UX researchers in the SaaS industry.

Benefits:

• Wellness Reimbursement: $300 per quarter for wellness activities such as gym memberships, spa massages, workout equipment, and meditation apps, promoting employee well-being.
• Experience Bonus: A $1,800 yearly bonus specifically designated for employees to use towards an "experience" of their choosing, encouraging personal growth and enjoyment.
• QGroup Communities: Access to various employee resource groups (MOSAIQ, Green Team, Qualtrics Pride, Q&Able, Qualtrics Salute, Women’s Leadership Development) fostering support, allyship, and advocacy.
• Comprehensive Health Insurance: Likely includes medical, dental, and vision coverage.
• Retirement Savings Plan: Typically a 401(k) plan with potential company matching.
• Paid Time Off (PTO): Includes vacation days, sick leave, and holidays.
• Professional Development: Opportunities for training, conferences, and skill-building relevant to UX research and product development.
• Hybrid Work Model: Offers flexibility with a structured hybrid approach, blending in-office collaboration with remote work.

Working Hours:

• Standard full-time hours, typically around 40 hours per week. The hybrid model allows for flexibility in daily work location but maintains core working hours for team collaboration on designated in-office days.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range is an estimate based on market data for similar roles in Reston, VA. The listed benefits are specific to Qualtrics and highlight a focus on employee well-being and growth, which can be attractive to operations professionals seeking a supportive work environment.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Software, specifically Experience Management (XM) and Customer Experience (CX) solutions. Qualtrics is a leader in defining and building the XM category, providing platforms used by major global brands. Company Size: Over 5,000 employees globally, indicating a substantial, established organization with a significant market presence. Founded: Qualtrics was founded in 2002, suggesting a mature company with a proven business model and a history of innovation.

Team Structure:

• The UX Researcher II will be part of the Experience Research Team, a growing function within Qualtrics.
• This role will focus on developing Employee Experience products, implying a specialized sub-team or a dedicated focus area within the broader research function.
• The researcher will work closely with Product Managers, Designers, and Engineers, indicating a highly collaborative, cross-functional team environment central to product development.

Methodology:

• Qualtrics emphasizes a data-driven and customer-centric approach to product development, leveraging insights from their own platform and dedicated research efforts.
• The company culture encourages nimbleness, strategic risk-taking, and collaborative problem-solving, aiming to move fast and iterate on solutions.
• There's a strong focus on building a category and driving innovation, suggesting a proactive and forward-thinking operational mindset.

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

📝 Enhancement Note: Qualtrics' position as a leader in the Experience Management category suggests a company culture that highly values data, customer insights, and innovation. The emphasis on "building a category" implies that operational processes are geared towards pioneering new solutions and market standards, which can be an exciting aspect for operations professionals.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is classified as a UX Researcher II, typically representing a mid-level individual contributor. It signifies a progression from entry-level research roles, requiring independent execution of research projects and the ability to influence product direction. Reporting Structure: While not explicitly stated, the UX Researcher II likely reports to a Senior UX Researcher, Research Manager, or a Director within the Product organization. They will work closely with Product Managers and Designers, who may or may not be in their direct reporting line but are key collaborators. Operations Impact: The role has a direct impact on product strategy and development by providing critical user insights. By ensuring products are user-centric and meet market needs, the UX Researcher contributes to customer loyalty, product adoption, and ultimately, revenue generation and market leadership for Qualtrics.

Growth Opportunities:

• Skill Specialization: Deepen expertise in specific research methodologies (e.g., advanced quantitative methods, generative research for new product innovation) or focus on specific product domains (e.g., Employee Experience, Customer Experience).
• Leadership Development: Progress into a Senior UX Researcher role, leading larger research initiatives, mentoring junior researchers, and taking on more strategic product responsibilities.
• Cross-Functional Mobility: Transition into Product Management, UX Design, or even roles within Customer Success or Strategy where a deep understanding of user needs is paramount.
• Industry Influence: Contribute to the advancement of UX research practices and the Experience Management category through thought leadership, presentations, or publications.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "II" designation implies a clear career path. Growth opportunities focus on deepening operational expertise within UX research or expanding into related product and strategy roles, offering a structured career progression common in operations-focused functions.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Qualtrics operates a hybrid work model, meaning employees are expected to be in the office for three days a week (Mondays and Thursdays, plus one additional day determined by leadership). This suggests a modern office environment designed to facilitate collaboration and innovation. Office Location(s): The specific office is in Reston, Virginia, part of the Washington D.C. metropolitan area, known for its tech industry presence and talent pool. Workspace Context:

• The office environment is designed to foster collaboration, innovation, and purposeful in-person interaction on designated days.
• Expect access to modern workplace tools and technologies that support research activities and team communication.
• Opportunities for direct interaction with UX Designers, Product Managers, Engineers, and other team members are integral to the hybrid model, promoting a dynamic and integrated workflow.

Work Schedule:

• Core working hours are expected, with the flexibility to manage personal schedules on remote days. The hybrid model emphasizes focused in-office collaboration days for team synergy.

📝 Enhancement Note: The hybrid model signifies a structured approach to work, balancing in-office collaboration for operational efficiency and team cohesion with the flexibility of remote work. This model is increasingly common in technology and operations roles, reflecting a commitment to both productivity and employee well-being.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A recruiter or hiring manager will likely review your application and resume to assess basic qualifications.
• Hiring Manager/Team Interview: This stage often involves a discussion about your experience, research philosophy, and approach to solving UX problems. Expect questions about your past projects and how you've influenced product decisions.
• Portfolio Presentation/Case Study: You will likely be asked to present a portfolio showcasing your best work. This is a crucial step where you demonstrate your research process, analytical skills, and the impact of your work. Prepare 2-3 detailed case studies.
• Skills Assessment/Take-home Challenge: A practical exercise may be given to assess your qualitative and quantitative research skills, problem-solving abilities, and how you synthesize and present findings.
• Cross-functional Team Interviews: You may meet with Product Managers, Designers, and Engineers to assess your collaboration style and ability to work within a product team.
• Final Interview: Potentially with a senior leader to discuss strategic fit and long-term potential.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select 2-3 diverse projects that best showcase your end-to-end research capabilities, covering both qualitative and quantitative methods.
• Focus on Impact: For each project, clearly articulate the problem, your role, the methodology used, key insights, and most importantly, the business outcomes or product changes driven by your research. Quantify impact whenever possible.
• Structure for Clarity: Organize your presentation logically: problem statement, research questions, methodology, participant details, findings (with supporting evidence like quotes or data points), recommendations, and impact.
• Showcase Process: Detail your research process, from planning and recruitment to analysis and synthesis. Highlight how you navigated challenges and collaborated with stakeholders.
• Tailor to Qualtrics: Research Qualtrics' products and user base. Try to connect your portfolio examples to the types of challenges they might face.

Challenge Preparation:

• Understand Qualtrics' Products: Familiarize yourself with their core offerings, particularly around Experience Management and Employee Experience.
• Practice Research Scenarios: Be ready to discuss how you would approach research for a hypothetical product feature or user problem relevant to Qualtrics.
• Data Synthesis: Practice synthesizing qualitative and quantitative data into concise, actionable insights and recommendations.
• Presentation Skills: Rehearse your portfolio presentation to ensure it's clear, concise, impactful, and within the allotted time.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process strongly emphasizes practical demonstration of research skills and impact. The portfolio review is a critical gate, requiring candidates to prove their ability to translate research into tangible business outcomes, a key operational expectation.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Qualtrics Platform: While the company makes this platform, familiarity with its capabilities for survey design, data collection, and analysis would be beneficial.
• User Research Tools: Proficiency with usability testing platforms (e.g., UserTesting.com, Lookback), survey tools (e.g., SurveyMonkey, Typeform, alongside Qualtrics), and participant recruitment platforms.
• Collaboration Tools: Familiarity with tools like Slack, Microsoft Teams, Jira, Confluence for team communication and project management.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Statistical Software: Experience with tools like SPSS, R, or Python for advanced quantitative data analysis.
• Data Visualization Tools: Proficiency in creating dashboards and reports using tools like Tableau, Power BI, or even advanced Excel for presenting findings.
• Qualitative Analysis Software: Familiarity with tools for thematic analysis, affinity mapping, or coding qualitative data (e.g., Dovetail, NVivo, Miro for digital whiteboarding).

CRM & Automation:

• While not the primary focus, an understanding of how CRM data (e.g., Salesforce) might inform or be informed by user research can be advantageous.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role requires a strong command of a variety of research and analytical tools. Proficiency in data analysis and visualization is crucial for translating raw data into actionable insights, aligning with the operational need for data-driven decision-making.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Customer Focus: A deep commitment to understanding and representing the user's needs and perspectives in product development.
• Data-Driven Decision Making: Relying on research insights and data analysis to inform strategy and guide product improvements.
• Collaboration & Teamwork: Working effectively with cross-functional teams (Product, Design, Engineering) to achieve shared goals.
• Innovation & Continuous Improvement: Constantly seeking to refine research methodologies and contribute to the evolution of the product.
• Excellence & Professionalism: Maintaining high standards in research quality, communication, and professional conduct.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-Functional Integration: Actively partnering with Product Managers and Designers to define research questions and integrate findings into the product lifecycle.
• Data Synthesis: Collaborating with Data Scientists to combine qualitative and quantitative data for comprehensive insights.
• Stakeholder Management: Effectively communicating with and influencing stakeholders across various departments to ensure research insights are understood and acted upon.
• Feedback Culture: Open to receiving and providing constructive feedback to improve research processes and outcomes.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on customer focus, data-driven decision-making, and cross-functional collaboration aligns perfectly with the core principles of operations roles, which are designed to optimize processes and outcomes through effective teamwork and analytical rigor.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing Research Needs: Managing multiple research requests from different product teams while maintaining focus and delivering high-quality insights.
• Influencing Product Strategy: Effectively translating research findings into actionable recommendations and gaining buy-in from stakeholders to drive product changes.
• Navigating Ambiguity: Working in a fast-paced, evolving product environment where research needs may shift, requiring adaptability and strategic prioritization.
• Driving Adoption of Insights: Ensuring that research findings are not just delivered but actively utilized by product teams throughout the development lifecycle.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Advanced Research Methodologies: Opportunities to learn and apply cutting-edge qualitative and quantitative research techniques.
• Product Strategy Acumen: Gaining deeper insights into product management, roadmapping, and business strategy through close collaboration.
• Mentorship: Receiving guidance from senior researchers and leaders within the Experience Research Team.
• Industry Exposure: Working on products that serve a global customer base across multiple industries, broadening understanding of diverse user needs and market dynamics.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges presented are typical for mid-level operations roles focused on driving impact through data and insights. The growth opportunities highlight a clear path for professional development within the operations or product development sphere.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "How would you approach researching a new feature for our Employee Experience platform that aims to improve employee engagement?" (Focus on your research planning, methodology selection, and stakeholder alignment process).
• "Describe a time you had to influence a product decision with your research findings, especially when there was resistance." (Prepare a STAR method answer focusing on your communication, data persuasion, and stakeholder management skills).
• "How do you balance the need for rigorous research with the fast-paced demands of product development?" (Discuss your approach to efficient research, prioritization, and delivering timely, actionable insights).

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What interests you about Qualtrics and the Experience Management category?" (Research Qualtrics' mission, values, and market position. Connect it to your passion for user experience and operational impact).
• "How do you see yourself contributing to our UX Research team and Qualtrics' culture?" (Highlight your collaborative style, commitment to excellence, and eagerness to learn and mentor).
• "How do you measure the success of your research initiatives?" (Discuss metrics related to insight adoption, product improvements, user satisfaction, and business impact).

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Storytelling: Frame each case study as a narrative, guiding the interviewers through the problem, your journey, and the resolution.
• Visuals: Use clear, concise visuals (e.g., user journey maps, key data charts, persona snippets) to support your points. Avoid overwhelming slides.
• Focus on 'So What?': For every finding, emphasize the actionable insight and the recommended solution. Clearly articulate the impact and business value.
• Interactive Elements: Be prepared to answer questions about your process and defend your methodological choices. Engage the interviewers by asking clarifying questions.

📝 Enhancement Note: Preparing for these types of questions requires demonstrating not only research expertise but also an understanding of product strategy, operational impact, and effective stakeholder collaboration, all key elements for success in an operations-focused role.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this UX Researcher II position:

• Submit your application through the provided link on the Qualtrics careers page.
• Portfolio Customization: Tailor your portfolio to highlight projects demonstrating end-to-end research, strategic impact, and successful cross-functional collaboration. Focus on cases where your insights directly influenced product roadmaps or business outcomes.
• Resume Optimization: Ensure your resume clearly articulates your 3-5 years of industry experience, explicitly mentioning qualitative and quantitative research skills, analytical capabilities, and your role in driving product decisions. Use keywords from the job description.
• Interview Preparation: Practice presenting your portfolio with a focus on storytelling and impact. Prepare answers to common UX research and behavioral interview questions, using the STAR method. Research Qualtrics' products and company values to tailor your responses.
• Company Research: Familiarize yourself with Qualtrics' mission, the Experience Management category, and their focus on Employee Experience. Understand their hybrid work model and company culture to articulate your fit and enthusiasm.

⚠️ 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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