UX Researcher, Product

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: UX Researcher, Product Company: SimpliSafe Location: Boston, MA Job Type: Full-Time Category: Product Operations / User Experience Research Date Posted: 2025-07-27T23:31:40 Experience Level: Mid-Level to Senior (5-10 years) Remote Status: Hybrid

🚀 Role Summary

• Conduct end-to-end qualitative and quantitative UX research to inform product strategy and user experience design for hardware, software, and services.
• Own mid-sized UX research projects with significant autonomy, focusing on identifying consumer insights and translating them into actionable recommendations.
• Foster strong collaborative relationships with cross-functional teams including UX Designers, Product Managers, Engineers, and Customer Experience stakeholders.
• Utilize a variety of research methodologies such as interviews, usability testing, surveys, and ethnographic fieldwork to understand user needs and behaviors.
• Leverage AI tools to enhance the research process, from planning and data collection to analysis, ensuring efficiency and depth in insights.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the title is "UX Researcher, Product," the responsibilities and required skills strongly indicate a role focused on Product Operations through the lens of user experience. The emphasis on cross-functional collaboration, influencing product direction, and understanding the user's journey aligns with operations-focused roles that bridge user needs with business objectives. The mention of AI utilization suggests a forward-thinking approach to research efficiency, a key component in modern operations.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Plan, execute, and synthesize exploratory foundational and evaluative research to identify consumer insights that guide product user experience direction.
• Take ownership of mid-sized UX research projects, executing with significant autonomy after initial direction and adapting to project scope as needed.
• Proactively build and maintain strong, collaborative relationships with cross-functional teams including UX, Product Management, Engineering, and Customer Experience.
• Present and deliver research insights and actionable recommendations confidently to team members and stakeholders, articulating the rationale behind decision-making.
• Demonstrate a deep understanding of the user's journey across SimpliSafe's ecosystem (hardware, software, service) and its impact on product deliverables.
• Execute and continuously improve research processes, showcasing strong engagement in standard design and research methodologies.
• Use data and research findings to confidently communicate design decisions, rationales, and UX improvements that deliver measurable business impact.
• Facilitate workshops and other collaborative sessions to drive user-centric decision-making across product development teams.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a proactive and independent approach to research, indicating a need for a candidate who can manage projects from inception to delivery. The emphasis on "measurable business impact" and "cross-functional collaboration" points towards a role that is deeply integrated with product strategy and execution, common in mature product operations functions.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

• Degree in a human behavior-related field such as Psychology, Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), Sociology, Communication, Information Science, Economics, or Computer Science.
• Deep professional experience in applied research (e.g., ethnographic-style fieldwork, design research, UX research, journalism) is highly valued, potentially substituting for a specific degree in some cases.

Experience:

• 5-10 years of professional experience as a UX Researcher or in a similar applied research role.
• Proven track record of consistent and effective contributions to UX projects, demonstrating successful delivery of user insights.
• Experience working on research at the intersection of hardware, software, and service design, ideally for digital consumer products and service delivery.

Required Skills:

• Expertise in a variety of qualitative research methodologies, including one-on-one interviews, usability testing (moderated and unmoderated), surveys, ethnographic-style fieldwork, and workshop facilitation.
• Strong analytical and synthesis skills to translate complex qualitative and quantitative data into clear, actionable insights.
• Excellent written and verbal communication and presentation skills, with a proven ability to articulate research findings and recommendations to diverse audiences.
• Proficiency in using AI tools to assist throughout the research process, including research planning, script generation, data collection, and analysis.
• Expertise with key UX research tools such as UserTesting.com, Qualtrics, Dovetail, and Google Forms.
• Demonstrated ability to build and maintain strong relationships with cross-functional teams, fostering a collaborative and user-centric environment.
• Strong understanding of the user's journey and its impact on product deliverables and business outcomes.
• Capable engagement in standard design methodologies and a commitment to executing and improving research processes.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience working closely with UX Designers, UX Content Strategists, Product Managers, Engineers, Customer Experience (CX) teams, and other cross-functional stakeholders.
• Experience in the home security or consumer electronics industry.
• Willingness to travel once or twice per year to SimpliSafe’s satellite offices in Richmond, VA.

📝 Enhancement Note: The required experience level (5-10 years) and the breadth of methodologies suggest a candidate expected to lead projects and mentor junior researchers. The explicit mention of AI utilization in research is a key differentiator, signaling a company that embraces technology to enhance operational efficiency and insight generation.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Showcase a diverse range of UX research projects, clearly demonstrating your process from research planning to insight delivery.
• Highlight projects where you took ownership of mid-sized initiatives with significant autonomy.
• Include examples of how you built and maintained strong relationships with cross-functional teams (UX, Product, Engineering) to drive product decisions.
• Demonstrate your ability to present research insights and actionable recommendations confidently, including the rationale behind your findings.
• Provide evidence of your understanding of the user's journey and how your research impacted product deliverables.
• Present examples of how you executed and improved research processes, showcasing your engagement with standard design methodologies.
• Illustrate how your research delivered measurable business impact, using data to communicate design decisions and UX improvements.

Process Documentation:

• For each project in your portfolio, include a clear outline of the research plan, including objectives, methodology, participant criteria, and timeline.
• Detail the specific qualitative and quantitative methods used (e.g., interview scripts, usability test plans, survey questionnaires).
• Provide examples of your synthesis process, showing how raw data was transformed into meaningful insights (e.g., affinity maps, thematic analysis summaries, key finding reports).
• Include examples of how you communicated your findings and recommendations, such as presentation decks or executive summaries.
• Showcase any instances where you leveraged AI tools in your research workflow and the impact it had on efficiency or depth of insight.

📝 Enhancement Note: A strong portfolio is crucial for this role, emphasizing not just the "what" but the "how" of UX research. Candidates should be prepared to detail their process, highlight their collaborative approach, and quantify the impact of their work, aligning with operations' focus on demonstrable value and efficiency.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

• Based on industry benchmarks for UX Researchers with 5-10 years of experience in Boston, MA, the estimated salary range for this role is between $100,000 and $140,000 annually. This estimate considers the cost of living in Boston, the company's industry (consumer technology/security), and the role's emphasis on product influence and cross-functional collaboration.

Benefits:

• Comprehensive Total Rewards Package: Supports wellness and provides security for employees and their families. Specific details are available via a provided link.
• Free SimpliSafe System: Employees receive a complimentary SimpliSafe home security system.
• Professional Monitoring: Access to professional monitoring services for the employee's home.
• Employee Resource Groups (ERGs): Opportunities to network, mentor, develop, and advocate for change by joining employee-led groups.
• Hybrid Work Model: Flexibility to split time between the office and home, with expected in-office days typically Tuesdays and Thursdays.

Working Hours:

• Standard full-time working hours are assumed to be approximately 40 hours per week. The hybrid model offers flexibility in managing the work schedule, balancing in-office collaboration with remote focus time.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range is an estimate for the Boston market and may vary based on the candidate's specific experience, skills, and the company's compensation structure. The benefits highlight a strong employee-centric approach, with unique perks like a free security system and monitoring.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Home Security Technology / Consumer Electronics. SimpliSafe operates in a dynamic and competitive market, focusing on innovation, customer experience, and disrupting traditional security services. Company Size: The provided data does not specify company size, but "growing and thriving" suggests a mid-to-large size organization with significant expansion plans. For operations professionals, this often means a dynamic environment with opportunities for process improvement and impact. Founded: The founding date is not provided, but the company's success and market position imply a period of substantial growth and product evolution in the past decade.

Team Structure:

• The UX Research team is part of the broader Product organization, working closely with UX Design, Product Management, and Engineering.
• Researchers likely report to a UX Research Lead or Director, with direct collaboration across product pods or feature teams.
• Cross-functional collaboration is a core tenet, with researchers expected to integrate seamlessly with product managers, designers, and engineers to deliver user-centric products.

Methodology:

• Data-Driven Decision Making: Emphasis on using both qualitative insights and quantitative data to inform product strategy and design.
• Customer-Centric Approach: A deep commitment to understanding and addressing customer needs and pain points is central to all product development.
• Agile & Iterative Development: The company likely employs agile methodologies, requiring researchers to be adaptable and provide timely insights throughout the product lifecycle.
• AI Integration: Proactive adoption of AI tools to enhance research efficiency and analytical capabilities.

Company Website: https://www.simplisafe.com/ (Note: The provided URL was simplisafe.com, which may resolve correctly; careers.simplisafe.com is more likely for career information.)

📝 Enhancement Note: SimpliSafe's culture is described as "no-ego," "collaborative," and "innovative," with a strong focus on customer obsession and continuous improvement. For operations roles, this translates to an environment where process optimization, data-informed decisions, and teamwork are highly valued.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is positioned at a mid-level to senior professional capacity. It requires a seasoned individual capable of managing projects independently, influencing product direction, and contributing significantly to the research function's maturity. Reporting Structure: The UX Researcher will likely report to a UX Research Manager or Director, and will work collaboratively within product teams. This structure allows for both specialized research guidance and integrated product development. Operations Impact: The UX Researcher's insights directly influence product roadmaps, feature development, and overall user experience strategy. This has a significant impact on customer satisfaction, product adoption, retention, and ultimately, business revenue and market positioning.

Growth Opportunities:

• Skill Specialization: Opportunity to deepen expertise in specific research methodologies or emerging areas like AI-assisted research.
• Leadership Development: Potential to lead larger, more complex research initiatives, mentor junior researchers, or contribute to strategic research planning.
• Cross-Functional Exposure: Gain broader experience by collaborating across various departments, understanding different facets of product development and business operations.
• Career Progression: Potential to advance into Senior UX Researcher, Lead UX Researcher, or even management roles within the UX or Product organization.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Aim High" and "Lift As We Climb" values suggest a company culture that supports professional development and encourages employees to grow their skills and careers. This is particularly relevant for operations professionals seeking advancement and continuous learning.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: SimpliSafe embraces a hybrid work model, indicating a modern office environment designed to facilitate collaboration and innovation. Office Location(s): The primary office is in Boston, MA, with a satellite office in Richmond, VA. Hybrid employees are expected to be in the Boston office for two core days per week (typically Tuesdays and Thursdays).

Workspace Context:

• The office environment is likely collaborative, supporting the in-person interaction needed for hybrid teams on core days.
• Access to necessary research tools, technology, and potentially dedicated usability testing labs or equipment would be expected.
• Opportunities for informal and formal collaboration with UX, Product, and Engineering teams are integral to the workday.

Work Schedule:

• The hybrid work model offers flexibility, allowing employees to balance focused remote work with collaborative in-office time. Standard business hours are expected, with flexibility around specific task execution.

📝 Enhancement Note: The hybrid model is a key aspect of the work environment, requiring self-discipline and strong communication skills to maintain productivity and collaboration across different work locations.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A recruiter or hiring manager will review applications and resumes, likely focusing on relevant experience and skills.
• Hiring Manager Interview: A deeper dive into your experience, research methodologies, and understanding of the user's journey. Expect questions about how you've delivered impact.
• Portfolio Review & Presentation: A critical stage where you'll present selected research projects, detailing your process, insights, and impact. This may involve a case study presentation to the hiring team or cross-functional partners.
• Cross-functional Interviews: Interviews with UX Designers, Product Managers, or Engineers to assess collaboration style, communication skills, and ability to integrate research into the product development lifecycle.
• Final Interview: Potentially with a senior leader (e.g., VP of Product) to assess strategic thinking, cultural fit, and alignment with company values.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select 2-3 projects that best showcase your end-to-end research process, impact, and ability to handle mid-sized projects autonomously.
• Focus on Impact: For each project, clearly articulate the problem, your approach, the key insights, and the tangible impact your research had on the product and business metrics. Quantify where possible.
• Highlight Collaboration: Demonstrate how you worked with cross-functional teams, navigated challenges, and influenced decisions.
• Showcase Process: Detail your research planning, methodology selection, synthesis techniques, and presentation methods. Explain your rationale for each choice.
• Emphasize AI Use: If applicable, clearly explain how you used AI tools in your research process and the benefits derived.
• Practice Your Presentation: Rehearse your presentation to ensure it's concise, engaging, and within the allotted time. Be prepared to answer in-depth questions about your work.

Challenge Preparation:

• Be prepared for potential "take-home" assignments or live case study exercises that simulate a real research challenge.
• These challenges will likely assess your ability to define research questions, propose a methodology, and synthesize hypothetical data into actionable insights.
• Practice articulating your thought process clearly and justifying your research decisions under pressure.

📝 Enhancement Note: The portfolio review is a high-stakes component. Candidates should prepare to not only present their work but also defend their methodologies and demonstrate how their insights led to tangible business outcomes, a key expectation for experienced operations-focused roles.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Research Platforms: UserTesting.com (for remote usability testing), Qualtrics (for surveys and data collection), Dovetail (for research synthesis and repository management).
• Prototyping & Design Collaboration: Tools like Figma, Sketch, or Adobe XD might be used for reviewing designs and collaborating with UX designers.
• Data Analysis & Synthesis: Google Forms, spreadsheets (Excel/Google Sheets), and potentially specialized qualitative analysis software.

Analytics & Reporting:

• BI Tools: While not explicitly mentioned for UX Researchers, familiarity with tools like Tableau or Looker might be beneficial for understanding broader product metrics and customer data.
• Customer Feedback Platforms: Tools that aggregate customer feedback from various channels.

CRM & Automation:

• CRM: Familiarity with Salesforce or similar CRM systems could be advantageous for understanding customer data context, though not a core requirement for this role.
• Analytics Tools: Google Analytics or similar web analytics platforms might be used to understand user behavior on digital properties.

📝 Enhancement Note: Proficiency with industry-standard UX research tools is essential. The emphasis on UserTesting.com, Qualtrics, and Dovetail indicates a modern research stack that prioritizes efficiency and robust data management.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Customer Obsessed: A deep-seated empathy for customers, placing their needs at the forefront of all research and product decisions. This drives a focus on understanding user pain points and delivering solutions that genuinely improve their lives.
• Aim High: A culture of continuous improvement and a drive to exceed expectations, encouraging researchers to push boundaries and deliver impactful insights.
• No Ego: A humble and collaborative approach to work, valuing open communication, constructive feedback, and a "get it done" attitude regardless of role.
• One Team: A strong emphasis on collaboration across departments, fostering a unified approach to achieving product and business goals.
• Lift As We Climb: A commitment to mentorship and development, where team members are encouraged to share knowledge and support each other's growth.
• Lean & Nimble: The ability to work efficiently and adapt quickly in a dynamic environment, embracing experimentation and learning from ambiguity.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-functional Integration: Researchers are expected to be embedded within product teams, working closely with designers, PMs, and engineers as active participants in the product development process.
• Data-Driven Dialogue: Utilizing research findings to facilitate constructive discussions and drive consensus on product decisions.
• Feedback Exchange: An open culture for giving and receiving feedback on research plans, methodologies, and insights to ensure rigor and relevance.

📝 Enhancement Note: The company's stated values directly translate into expectations for how operations professionals should conduct their work – with a focus on customer impact, teamwork, and continuous improvement.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing Research Rigor with Speed: In a fast-paced product environment, researchers must balance the need for thorough, high-quality research with the demands for quick insights to inform rapid development cycles.
• Synthesizing Diverse Data Streams: Integrating insights from various qualitative and quantitative sources (user interviews, usability tests, surveys, analytics, customer support feedback) to form a cohesive understanding of the user.
• Influencing Product Decisions: Effectively communicating research findings to stakeholders with varying levels of understanding and buy-in, ensuring insights translate into concrete product improvements.
• Adapting to Evolving Technologies: Staying current with new research methodologies, tools, and the integration of AI in the research process.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Advanced Methodologies: Opportunities to explore and implement more niche or advanced research techniques.
• Cross-functional Skill Development: Gaining a broader understanding of product management, UX design principles, and engineering constraints.
• AI in Research Training: Potential for specialized training on leveraging AI tools for enhanced research efficiency and analytical capabilities.
• Mentorship: Access to experienced researchers and product leaders for guidance and career development.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges presented are common in product operations and UX research roles and offer significant opportunities for skill development and professional growth, particularly in areas of strategic influence and data synthesis.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Tell me about a time you owned a mid-sized UX research project with significant autonomy. What was the outcome, and what was your impact?" (Focus on project ownership, methodology, synthesis, and measurable business impact.)
• "How do you build and maintain strong relationships with cross-functional teams like Product and Engineering to ensure your research insights are actionable?" (Highlight collaboration strategies, communication techniques, and stakeholder management.)
• "Describe a situation where your research findings led to a significant change in a product's user experience. How did you present your findings, and what was the rationale behind your recommendations?" (Prepare a strong case study demonstrating problem-solving, insight generation, and persuasive communication.)
• "How have you used AI tools to improve your research process? Provide specific examples." (Be ready to discuss practical applications of AI in research planning, data collection, or analysis.)
• "Walk me through your process for conducting usability testing on a new hardware feature." (Demonstrate your understanding of research planning, participant recruitment, test moderation, and analysis.)

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What do you know about SimpliSafe, and why are you interested in working here?" (Research the company, its mission, products, and recent news.)
• "Which of SimpliSafe's core values resonates most with you, and why?" (Connect your personal work philosophy to the company's values.)
• "How do you handle constructive feedback on your research or recommendations?" (Showcase your "No Ego" and "Lift As We Climb" approach.)

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure Your Narrative: For each project, follow a clear story arc: Problem/Opportunity -> Research Objectives -> Methodology & Process -> Key Insights -> Recommendations -> Impact/Outcome.
• Quantify Impact: Whenever possible, use data to demonstrate the business impact of your research (e.g., "Improved task completion rate by X%," "Reduced user errors by Y%," "Contributed to a Z% increase in feature adoption").
• Visuals are Key: Use clear, concise visuals (e.g., screenshots, quotes, charts, affinity maps) to illustrate your points and make your presentation engaging.
• Be Prepared for Deep Dives: Anticipate detailed questions about your methodology, decision-making process, and how you handled challenges.
• Showcase AI Integration: If you have projects where AI was used, clearly articulate the specific AI tool and its contribution to the research efficiency or outcome.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process is designed to assess not only research skills but also the candidate's ability to integrate into a collaborative, product-focused team and drive tangible business outcomes, aligning with the expectations of a professional in an operations-adjacent role.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this UX Researcher position:

• Submit your application through the provided link on Greenhouse.
• Prepare Your Portfolio: Curate 2-3 of your strongest UX research projects that showcase your end-to-end process, autonomous project ownership, and cross-functional collaboration. Ensure each project clearly articulates the problem, your approach, key insights, and measurable business impact.
• Tailor Your Resume: Highlight keywords from the job description, such as "qualitative research methodologies," "usability testing," "surveys," "AI utilization," and "cross-functional collaboration." Quantify your achievements with specific metrics where possible.
• Practice Your Presentation: Rehearse your portfolio presentation, focusing on clear communication of your process, insights, and impact, and be ready to articulate the rationale behind your research decisions.
• Research SimpliSafe: Understand the company's mission, products, customer base, and recent developments. Familiarize yourself with their values and how your experience aligns with their culture.

⚠️ 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.