L2 Design Researcher

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: L2 Design Researcher

Company: Zebra Technologies

Location: London, United Kingdom

Job Type: FULL_TIME

Category: UX/Design Research

Date Posted: 2026-06-05

Experience Level: 2-5 Years

Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• Lead exploratory and generative research initiatives to identify unmet customer needs and shape future product direction.

• Conduct mixed-method research, including contextual field studies and observational research, to deeply understand customer contexts, workflows, and enterprise systems.

• Synthesize complex findings into actionable themes, implications, and opportunity areas to influence product and portfolio strategies.

• Partner closely with product, design, and business stakeholders to develop hypotheses and drive downstream initiatives, impacting roadmap discussions and investment decisions.

• Focus on Horizon 2 research, guiding teams from known problems toward innovative future opportunities.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is positioned within the UX/Design Research domain, with a strong emphasis on generative and exploratory research. The "L2" designation suggests a mid-level position requiring a solid foundation of experience and the ability to work independently while collaborating with cross-functional teams. The focus on Horizon 2 research indicates a strategic role aimed at long-term innovation rather than immediate product iteration.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Spearhead exploratory, generative, and mixed-method research projects to uncover critical customer needs and identify emerging opportunity spaces.

• Independently frame and refine research questions within ambiguous or nascent problem domains, demonstrating strong analytical and strategic thinking.

• Plan and execute comprehensive contextual field research, including in-depth customer interviews and on-site observational studies, to gather rich qualitative data.

• Analyze complex end-to-end workflows, user journeys, and enterprise systems to surface prevalent patterns, critical tensions, and unmet needs.

• Synthesize research findings into clear, compelling themes, actionable implications, and strategic opportunity areas that directly inform product and portfolio decision-making.

• Actively collaborate with product management, design, engineering, and business stakeholders to shape hypotheses and guide the development of downstream initiatives.

• Influence strategic roadmap discussions, prioritization frameworks, and longer-term investment decisions by providing data-backed insights.

• Facilitate team alignment around customer-centered problem definitions prior to the commencement of solution development, ensuring a strong foundation for innovation.

• Conduct field-based research and customer visits, requiring up to 25% travel, to support contextual inquiry, observational research, and essential needs-finding efforts.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a proactive and strategic research approach, focusing on uncovering future opportunities (Horizon 2). The emphasis on influencing roadmaps and investment decisions signifies a high-impact role where research findings translate directly into business strategy. The mention of "ambiguous contexts" and "before solutions are defined" underscores the generative nature of the role, requiring comfort with uncertainty and a strong ability to define problems.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

• Bachelor’s degree in Behavioral Science, Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), Human Factors, Anthropology, Sociology, Cognitive Psychology, or a closely related field.

• Master’s degree in a related discipline is a preferred qualification, indicating a desire for advanced theoretical and practical knowledge. Experience:

• 1-3 years of experience in conducting applied research, with a specific focus on needs-finding or exploratory research work.

• Experience combining UX Research and Design Research methodologies is highly preferred, particularly for Horizon 2 (H2) initiatives.

• Familiarity with service design principles, systems thinking, or experience within enterprise or frontline work contexts is advantageous. Required Skills:

• Proven ability to independently frame, plan, and deliver robust research studies in ambiguous and evolving contexts.

• Strong proficiency in qualitative research methods, including interviewing, ethnography, and observational techniques.

• Advanced skills in synthesizing complex qualitative data, sense-making, and translating findings into actionable insights and strategic implications.

• Excellent communication and presentation skills, with the ability to effectively convey research findings and their implications to diverse stakeholder groups, including senior leadership.

• Demonstrated ability to influence product strategy, roadmap planning, and business decision-making through research.

• Willingness and ability to travel up to 25% to support research activities, including customer site visits and field studies. Preferred Skills:

• Experience with mixed-methods research approaches, integrating quantitative and qualitative data for comprehensive insights.

• Familiarity with systems thinking frameworks and their application to complex business and product ecosystems.

• Understanding of service design principles and their role in mapping and improving customer experiences across touchpoints.

• Experience researching enterprise or frontline worker contexts, understanding the unique challenges and workflows of these user groups.

• Proficiency in utilizing design research tools and frameworks to uncover latent needs and generate novel concepts.

📝 Enhancement Note: The educational requirements emphasize a strong foundation in social sciences and human-centered disciplines, aligning with the qualitative and ethnographic nature of the role. The experience level (1-3 years) suggests a need for foundational research skills coupled with the emerging ability to work independently and influence stakeholders. The preferred skills point towards a candidate who can integrate various research and design methodologies to tackle complex, future-oriented challenges.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Showcase a minimum of 2-3 distinct research projects that demonstrate a clear research process from framing the problem to delivering actionable insights.

• For each project, highlight the research questions, methodologies employed (e.g., contextual inquiry, interviews, observational studies), and the rationale behind method selection.

• Include synthesized findings, clearly articulating customer needs, pain points, and opportunity areas identified.

• Demonstrate how research insights directly influenced product direction, strategy, or design decisions, ideally with examples of impact (e.g., new feature concepts, roadmap adjustments).

• Present evidence of working in ambiguous or emerging problem spaces, showcasing the ability to define and scope research initiatives. Process Documentation:

• Document the end-to-end research process, including planning, recruitment, data collection, analysis, synthesis, and dissemination of findings.

• Illustrate the application of mixed-methods research, showing how different techniques were combined to provide a holistic understanding.

• Provide examples of how research findings were translated into actionable recommendations for product, design, and business stakeholders.

• Showcase the ability to analyze complex workflows, user journeys, and enterprise systems, documenting the insights derived from these analyses.

• Detail strategies for framing research questions and shaping hypotheses in complex and undefined problem spaces.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a Design Researcher role focused on generative and exploratory research, the portfolio should emphasize the process of uncovering new opportunities and understanding deep customer needs, rather than solely showcasing UI design or usability testing results. The ability to frame problems, conduct field research, and synthesize complex systems thinking is paramount. The focus on "Horizon 2" implies a need to demonstrate foresight and strategic impact.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

Based on London, United Kingdom location, 2-5 years of experience, and the specialized nature of Design Research, the estimated annual salary range for this role is £50,000 - £70,000 GBP.

Benefits:

• Performance-based Annual Cash Incentive: Target bonus equal to 10% of base pay, tied to individual and company performance, providing a direct reward for contributions.

• Comprehensive Health & Wellness Programs: Access to health insurance, mental health support, and wellness initiatives designed to support employee well-being.

• Retirement Savings Plan: Contribution to a pension scheme to support long-term financial security.

• Generous Paid Time Off: Includes vacation days, public holidays, and sick leave to ensure work-life balance.

• Professional Development Opportunities: Support for continuous learning, including access to training, conferences, and resources to enhance research skills.

• Employee Stock Purchase Plan (ESPP): Opportunity to purchase company stock at a discounted rate.

• Flexible Work Arrangements: While this role is primarily on-site, Zebra may offer flexibility for specific needs, subject to team and role requirements.

Working Hours:

• Standard full-time working hours are anticipated to be approximately 40 hours per week.

• While the role is primarily on-site, there may be flexibility in daily start and end times, coordinated with the team and manager to ensure coverage and collaboration.

• Occasional extended hours may be required to meet project deadlines or accommodate research participant schedules, particularly during intensive fieldwork phases.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range is estimated based on industry benchmarks for UX/Design Researchers in London with 2-5 years of experience, considering the company's industry (technology) and the role's strategic focus. The benefits listed are standard for a large, established technology company like Zebra, with a specific mention of the performance-based incentive tied to the role.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Zebra Technologies operates within the technology sector, specializing in enterprise asset intelligence solutions, including mobile computing, barcode scanning, RFID, and location solutions. This industry context means the company is focused on innovation, efficiency, and driving operational improvements for its clients across various sectors like retail, healthcare, transportation, and manufacturing.

Company Size: Zebra Technologies is a large enterprise company, indicated by its significant employee count. This size typically means structured processes, opportunities for career advancement within a global organization, and the resources to invest in research and development. For operations professionals, this implies working within established frameworks but also having the potential to influence process improvements on a larger scale.

Founded: Founded in 1969, Zebra Technologies has a long history as a pioneer in automatic identification and data capture. This longevity suggests a stable, established company with deep market understanding and a proven track record of adapting to technological advancements.

Team Structure:

• Operations Team Context: While not explicitly detailed, a Design Researcher at Zebra would likely be part of or closely collaborate with a Product Development or Engineering organization. This team would comprise product managers, UX designers, engineers, and potentially other researchers.

• Reporting Structure: The role likely reports to a Research Manager, Lead Researcher, or Head of UX/Design, who oversees the research function and its strategic alignment with business goals.

• Cross-functional Collaboration: This role is inherently cross-functional, requiring close partnership with Product Management to understand strategic priorities, Design to translate insights into user-centered solutions, and Engineering to assess technical feasibility. Collaboration with marketing and sales may also occur to understand market needs and customer feedback.

Methodology:

• Data-Driven Decision Making: Zebra's emphasis on "smart solutions" and "enterprise asset intelligence" suggests a strong reliance on data and insights to drive product development and business strategy.

• Customer-Centric Innovation: The company prides itself on developing solutions that "anticipate our customer’s and partner’s needs and solve their challenges," indicating a deep commitment to understanding user contexts and driving innovation based on real-world problems.

• Process Optimization: As a provider of operational solutions, Zebra likely values efficiency, workflow optimization, and leveraging technology to improve business processes for its clients.

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

📝 Enhancement Note: The company context emphasizes Zebra's position as a large, established technology leader focused on operational efficiency and customer-centric innovation. This provides a backdrop for understanding how a Design Researcher's role contributes to strategic product development and long-term business goals.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This L2 Design Researcher role represents a mid-level position within the research function. It requires the ability to work independently on defined projects, contribute significantly to research strategy, and influence stakeholders. It's a step beyond foundational research execution, demanding strategic thinking and proactive problem-framing.

Reporting Structure: The researcher will likely report to a senior research lead or manager within the product development or design organization. This structure provides mentorship and guidance while allowing for autonomy in research execution. Collaboration will extend across product, design, and potentially business units, exposing the researcher to diverse perspectives and strategic discussions.

Operations Impact: The impact of this role is significant, focusing on shaping future product direction and investment decisions through the identification of unmet customer needs and opportunity spaces. By influencing Horizon 2 research, the researcher plays a crucial role in driving long-term innovation and competitive advantage for Zebra Technologies. Their insights directly contribute to defining the "why" and "what" of future solutions, ensuring they address genuine market needs and business challenges.

Growth Opportunities:

• Specialization Advancement: Opportunity to deepen expertise in specific research methodologies (e.g., ethnography, complex systems analysis) or industry verticals relevant to Zebra’s core markets.

• Leadership Development: Potential to grow into a Senior Design Researcher role, leading larger and more complex research initiatives, mentoring junior researchers, and taking on greater strategic responsibilities.

• Cross-Functional Leadership: Develop skills in influencing product strategy and roadmap development, potentially leading research initiatives that span multiple product lines or business units.

• Skill Expansion: Opportunities to learn and apply adjacent skills such as service design, strategic foresight, or business analysis to broaden research impact and career trajectory.

• Mentorship Programs: Access to formal or informal mentorship from senior researchers and leaders within Zebra to guide career progression and skill development.

📝 Enhancement Note: The career analysis highlights the "L2" designation as a pivotal mid-level role with significant strategic impact and growth potential. The emphasis on influencing future product direction and investment decisions positions this as a key contributor to Zebra's long-term innovation strategy.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: This role is primarily an on-site position based in London, United Kingdom. The work environment at a large tech company like Zebra Technologies typically involves a modern office setting designed to foster collaboration and innovation.

Office Location(s): The specific office location in London will provide access to a vibrant business hub, facilitating potential interactions with industry peers and access to talent. Commuting options and local amenities would be typical of a major metropolitan area.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Spaces: The office likely features a mix of open-plan areas, meeting rooms, and dedicated collaborative zones to support team discussions, brainstorming sessions, and cross-functional work.

• Research Tools & Technology: Access to standard office technology, reliable internet, and potentially specialized software for data analysis, synthesis, and presentation will be available. The company may also provide access to user research platforms or tools.

• Team Interaction: Regular face-to-face interaction with colleagues in product, design, and engineering is expected, fostering a dynamic and communicative work environment. Opportunities for informal knowledge sharing and team-building activities are probable.

Work Schedule:

• The standard work schedule is anticipated to be around 40 hours per week, with typical business hours.

• While primarily on-site, there may be some flexibility in daily start and end times, subject to team coordination and manager approval, to accommodate research needs or personal commitments.

• Occasional extended hours might be necessary to align with research participant schedules or critical project deadlines, particularly during intensive fieldwork periods.

📝 Enhancement Note: The description emphasizes an on-site role in a professional office environment designed for collaboration, typical of a large technology firm. The mention of "Horizon 2 research" and the need for fieldwork suggests that while the base is the office, significant time will also be spent in the field with customers.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A recruiter or hiring manager will conduct an initial screening call to assess basic qualifications, cultural fit, and interest in the role.

• Portfolio Presentation: Candidates will be asked to present a selection of their research work, focusing on projects demonstrating exploratory and generative research skills, problem-framing abilities, and impact on product strategy. Expect to discuss your process, synthesis, and how your insights influenced decisions.

• Technical/Behavioral Interviews: Interviews with the hiring manager and potential team members will delve deeper into research methodologies, problem-solving approaches, stakeholder management, and how you handle ambiguity. Behavioral questions will assess your experience and alignment with Zebra's values.

• Case Study/Research Challenge (Potential): A practical exercise or case study may be assigned to assess your approach to a research problem, synthesis skills, and ability to articulate findings under timed conditions.

• Final Interview: A concluding interview with senior leadership may occur to finalize the decision and discuss long-term fit.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select 2-3 projects that best showcase your ability to conduct exploratory and generative research, frame ambiguous problems, and drive strategic impact. Prioritize quality over quantity.

• Tell a Story: For each project, frame it as a narrative: the challenge, your approach (methods, rationale), the key insights, and the tangible impact or recommendations.

• Highlight Ambiguity & Impact: Explicitly discuss how you navigated uncertainty, defined research questions in undefined spaces, and how your findings influenced product direction or business strategy. Quantify impact where possible.

• Showcase Synthesis: Demonstrate your ability to synthesize complex qualitative data into clear, compelling themes and actionable opportunity areas. Use visuals to support your points.

• Be Prepared for "Why": Be ready to explain the "why" behind your methodological choices and how your research contributed to strategic decisions.

Challenge Preparation:

• Understand the Context: If a case study is provided, quickly grasp the business context and the core problem.

• Define Scope: Clearly articulate your assumptions and the scope of your proposed research approach.

• Methodology Justification: Be prepared to justify your choice of research methods, explaining how they align with the research objectives and the nature of the problem.

• Synthesis & Recommendation Focus: Practice synthesizing hypothetical data into key insights and formulating actionable recommendations.

• Presentation Clarity: Focus on clear, concise communication, logical flow, and impactful delivery of your findings and recommendations.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview and portfolio review process for a Design Researcher role, especially one focused on generative research, will heavily emphasize the candidate's ability to frame problems, conduct deep qualitative research, synthesize complex information, and demonstrate strategic impact. The portfolio is a critical tool for showcasing these capabilities.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Qualitative Research Platforms: Tools for remote user interviews, usability testing, and participant recruitment (e.g., UserTesting.com, Lookback, Dovetail, UserZoom).

• Data Synthesis & Analysis Tools: Software for organizing, analyzing, and synthesizing qualitative data, such as Dovetail, NVivo, or Miro for affinity mapping and thematic analysis.

• Collaboration & Whiteboarding Tools: Platforms like Miro, Mural, or Microsoft Whiteboard for collaborative synthesis sessions, journey mapping, and ideation with cross-functional teams.

• Presentation Software: Standard tools like Microsoft PowerPoint, Google Slides, or Keynote for effectively communicating research findings and strategic implications to stakeholders.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Data Visualization Tools (Potential): Familiarity with tools like Tableau or Power BI might be beneficial for understanding broader product/business metrics that contextualize research findings, though not a primary research tool.

• Spreadsheet Software: Proficiency in Microsoft Excel or Google Sheets for organizing research data, participant lists, and basic analysis.

CRM & Automation:

• CRM Systems (Awareness): Understanding of how CRM data (e.g., Salesforce) might inform customer segmentation or provide context for research, though direct usage is unlikely for this role.

• Project Management Tools: Familiarity with tools like Jira, Asana, or Trello for managing research project timelines and tasks.

📝 Enhancement Note: The technology stack for a Design Researcher focuses heavily on tools that support qualitative data collection, synthesis, and communication. While the role is not primarily about data analytics or CRM management, an awareness of these broader systems can provide valuable context for understanding the business landscape.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Curiosity & Innovation: A core value, encouraging exploration of new ideas, asking probing questions, and seeking novel solutions to customer challenges. This fuels the generative research focus.

• Customer Centricity: A deep commitment to understanding and advocating for the customer, ensuring that products and strategies are built around genuine user needs and contexts.

• Collaboration & Inclusion: Fostering a community where diverse perspectives are valued, and individuals work together across functions to achieve common goals. Zebra emphasizes being "seen, heard, valued, and respected."

• Integrity & Accountability: Upholding high ethical standards in research practices and taking ownership of research outcomes and their impact on the business.

• Efficiency & Impact: A drive to optimize processes and deliver meaningful results that contribute to Zebra's mission and customer success.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-Functional Partnership: A highly collaborative approach, working closely with Product Managers, Designers, Engineers, and Business Stakeholders to ensure research insights are understood, integrated, and acted upon.

• Open Communication: Encouraging transparent and frequent communication, sharing progress, challenges, and findings openly to build trust and alignment.

• Insight Sharing Culture: A culture that values sharing research learnings broadly to inform strategy and foster a collective understanding of the customer.

• Feedback Exchange: A willingness to give and receive constructive feedback to continuously improve research practices and project outcomes.

📝 Enhancement Note: The team culture and values align with a forward-thinking technology company that prioritizes customer understanding, innovation, and collaborative problem-solving. These elements are crucial for a researcher whose role is to uncover future needs and influence strategic direction.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Navigating Ambiguity: Working in Horizon 2 research often means dealing with ill-defined problems and uncertain future states. Developing strategies to frame and explore these areas effectively is key.

• Influencing Strategy: Translating research findings into actionable influence on product roadmaps and investment decisions requires strong communication, persuasion, and strategic thinking skills.

• Cross-Functional Alignment: Ensuring that diverse stakeholder groups (Product, Design, Engineering, Business) understand and agree upon the implications of research findings can be challenging.

• Balancing Exploration with Execution: Effectively managing the time and resources for deep, exploratory research while also contributing to ongoing product development cycles.

• Travel Requirements: The up to 25% travel requirement necessitates adaptability and effective time management to balance fieldwork with office-based responsibilities.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Advanced Research Methodologies: Opportunities to deepen expertise in generative research techniques, ethnography, systems thinking, and foresight methodologies.

• Industry Conferences & Workshops: Support for attending relevant industry events (e.g., UXPA, CHI, EPIC) to stay abreast of emerging trends and network with peers.

• Internal Training & Skill Development: Access to Zebra's internal learning platforms and programs for developing skills in areas like product strategy, business acumen, and leadership.

• Mentorship & Coaching: Opportunities to learn from senior researchers and leaders within Zebra, receiving guidance on career progression and skill enhancement.

• Exposure to Diverse Markets: Working across Zebra's various industry verticals (retail, healthcare, manufacturing) provides broad exposure and understanding of different operational contexts.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges identified are typical for a generative researcher focused on future opportunities, emphasizing the need for strong analytical, strategic, and interpersonal skills. The growth opportunities highlight pathways for specialization, leadership, and continuous learning within the research domain.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you led exploratory research in an ambiguous problem space. What was your process, and what were the key outcomes?" (Focus on problem framing, methodology, synthesis, and impact.)

• "How do you approach understanding unmet customer needs that users themselves may not be able to articulate?" (Highlight generative techniques, observational methods, and deep empathy.)

• "Imagine we want to explore opportunities in [specific industry or technology area]. How would you begin to research this space to identify potential future needs and product directions?" (Demonstrate strategic thinking, research planning, and methodological flexibility.)

• "How do you ensure your research findings translate into actionable influence on product roadmaps and strategic decisions?" (Discuss stakeholder engagement, communication strategies, and impact measurement.) Company & Culture Questions:

• "Why are you interested in Zebra Technologies and this specific role?" (Research Zebra's mission, products, and recent news. Connect your skills to their focus on innovation and operational intelligence.)

• "How do you align with Zebra's values of curiosity, customer centricity, and collaboration?" (Provide specific examples from your experience that demonstrate these values.)

• "Describe your experience working in a large, enterprise environment. How do you navigate cross-functional teams and influence stakeholders?" (Showcase your ability to collaborate effectively and drive alignment.) Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure for Impact: For each project, clearly articulate the business/user problem, your research goals, the methodology used (and why), key insights/themes, and the resulting recommendations or impact.

• Emphasize Process: Walk through your thought process – how you framed the problem, designed the study, synthesized data, and derived insights. This is crucial for a generative research role.

• Quantify Impact: Whenever possible, provide evidence of the impact of your research on product decisions, strategy, or business outcomes.

• Visual Storytelling: Use compelling visuals (e.g., journey maps, personas, key quotes, synthesized themes) to bring your research to life and make it easily digestible.

• Be Ready for Deep Dives: Anticipate questions about your methodology choices, how you handled challenges, and how you would approach similar future problems.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation for this role should focus on demonstrating strategic thinking, deep qualitative research skills, problem-framing capabilities, and the ability to influence product strategy. The portfolio presentation is a critical component, requiring a narrative that highlights process and impact.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this L2 Design Researcher position at Zebra Technologies:

• Submit your application through the Zebra Technologies careers portal via the provided link.

• Portfolio Customization: Tailor your resume and portfolio to specifically highlight experience in exploratory and generative research, needs-finding, contextual inquiry, and influencing product strategy. Select 2-3 of your strongest projects that best demonstrate these capabilities, focusing on problem framing, synthesis, and impact.

• Resume Optimization: Ensure your resume clearly articulates your years of experience, educational background, and key skills relevant to UX/Design Research. Use keywords from the job description, such as "exploratory research," "generative research," "mixed-method research," "contextual inquiry," and "stakeholder management." Quantify achievements where possible.

• Interview Preparation: Practice articulating your research process, insights, and the impact of your work. Prepare concise narratives for behavioral questions and be ready to discuss how you approach ambiguity and drive strategic influence. Rehearse your portfolio presentation to ensure clarity and impact.

• Company Research: Gain a deep understanding of Zebra Technologies' mission, products, target industries, and recent innovations. Familiarize yourself with their emphasis on enterprise asset intelligence and customer-centric solutions to articulate your alignment with their goals and 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.