Principal Experience User Researcher, AI Platform

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Principal Experience User Researcher, AI Platform

Company: Jobgether (Partner Company)

Location: Canada

Job Type: Full-time

Category: User Research / AI Product Development

Date Posted: July 31, 2026

Experience Level: 8+ Years Professional Experience

Remote Status: Remote OK (Within Canada)

🚀 Role Summary

• Drive user research initiatives to shape the future of AI-powered product experiences and intelligent platforms.

• Influence product strategy, AI adoption, and customer experience across a broad technology ecosystem by uncovering user needs and behaviors.

• Conduct mixed-method research programs to evaluate AI-powered experiences for usability, trust, effectiveness, and customer value.

• Collaborate closely with product, design, engineering, and data science teams to translate complex user insights into actionable recommendations and strategic decisions.

• Mentor peer researchers, advance research methodologies, and champion user-centered approaches in emerging AI spaces.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is a Principal-level position within User Research, focusing specifically on AI Platforms. The emphasis is on strategic impact, influencing product roadmaps, and driving adoption of AI features. The remote nature within Canada suggests a need for strong asynchronous communication skills and self-direction. The "Partner Company" aspect means the application process is managed externally, so candidates should tailor their approach to the partner's specific requirements if available, otherwise follow the general Jobgether process.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Develop and execute comprehensive research strategies that align customer needs, business objectives, and AI product goals.

• Act as a subject matter expert on customer experiences, behaviors, and emerging trends relevant to AI adoption and intelligent workflows.

• Proactively identify areas of uncertainty or risk in AI product development and prioritize research efforts to mitigate these.

• Design and execute mixed-method research programs, including but not limited to discovery studies, concept evaluations, usability testing, surveys, and measurement initiatives.

• Evaluate the usability, trustworthiness, effectiveness, customer value, and behavioral impact of AI-powered features and intelligent workflows.

• Translate research findings into clear, persuasive recommendations that directly influence product roadmaps, investment decisions, and the overall evolution of AI platforms.

• Foster strong collaborative relationships with product management, design, engineering, marketing, and data science teams to ensure research insights are integrated effectively.

• Build and maintain connections across various teams to align research approaches, identify overarching trends, and maximize the collective impact of research findings.

• Mentor and guide other researchers within the organization, contributing to the continuous improvement of research methodologies, standards, and best practices.

• Advocate for and champion user-centered design principles and research methodologies in the development of new AI experiences and intelligent workflows.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a senior individual contributor role with significant strategic influence. The focus on "AI Platform" implies research into underlying technologies and their application across various products, rather than a single end-user application. The responsibilities emphasize influencing strategy, driving adoption, and acting as a subject matter expert, which are key indicators of a Principal-level researcher.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: Master’s degree (MS/MFA or equivalent) in Human Factors, Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), Cognitive Science, Engineering, Psychology, Product Design, or a closely related field.

Experience: 8+ years of professional experience in user research, customer experience research, or a similar discipline, with a demonstrated ability to influence product decisions and business outcomes.

Required Skills:

• Proven experience in developing and executing research strategies that directly influence product decisions, user experience improvements, and business outcomes.

• Strong expertise in a wide range of user research methodologies, including but not limited to usability studies, field research, survey analysis, heuristic evaluations, participatory design, and focus groups.

• Demonstrated experience conducting research within agile product development or complex platform environments.

• Specific experience researching AI-powered products, such as AI assistants, copilots, search systems, recommendation engines, or other intelligent applications.

• Solid understanding of generative AI, its capabilities, limitations, and how it impacts customer expectations, workflows, and product design principles.

• Ability to define and scale research strategies effectively within fast-moving, ambiguous, and evolving product environments.

• Exceptional stakeholder management skills with a proven track record of influencing senior leaders and cross-functional teams.

• Excellent storytelling abilities, capable of communicating complex insights both visually and verbally in a compelling manner.

• Advanced English proficiency with outstanding written and verbal communication skills.

• High degree of curiosity, adaptability, and a proactive willingness to continuously learn about new technologies, markets, and user behaviors. Preferred Skills:

• Experience in strategic research planning and execution for large-scale digital platforms.

• Familiarity with data science principles and the ability to collaborate effectively with data scientists on research initiatives.

• Experience mentoring junior researchers or leading research initiatives.

• A portfolio showcasing impactful research projects, particularly those involving complex systems or AI.

📝 Enhancement Note: The requirement for a Master's degree in specific fields reinforces the depth of theoretical knowledge expected. The emphasis on "AI-powered products," "generative AI," and "intelligent experiences" clearly signals the domain expertise needed. The "8+ years" combined with "Principal" title suggests a need for strategic leadership and a proven track record of influencing product direction.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A comprehensive portfolio showcasing a minimum of 8+ years of impactful user research work, with a strong emphasis on AI-powered products and complex platforms.

• Case studies demonstrating the strategic application of mixed-method research to solve complex product challenges and drive measurable business outcomes.

• Examples of how research insights have directly influenced product roadmaps, feature development, and strategic investment decisions.

• Documentation of research projects that evaluated AI-specific aspects like usability, trust, ethical considerations, and customer value in AI-driven workflows.

• Evidence of ability to define and scale research strategies in ambiguous or rapidly evolving product environments. Process Documentation:

• Showcase a systematic approach to research planning, including how objectives are set, methodologies are selected, and participants are recruited.

• Demonstrate experience in documenting research findings clearly and concisely, with a focus on actionable recommendations for product, design, and engineering teams.

• Provide examples of how research insights have been integrated into agile development cycles and contributed to iterative product improvements.

• Illustrate methods used for communicating research outcomes to diverse stakeholders, including senior leadership, through presentations, reports, or other visual mediums.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a Principal-level researcher, the portfolio must go beyond simply presenting studies. It needs to demonstrate strategic thinking, business impact, and the ability to influence stakeholders. The focus on AI requires specific examples of how the candidate has researched and validated AI-driven features and platforms.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: CAD $112,000 - $163,900 per year.

Benefits:

• Competitive compensation package including base salary, potential annual bonuses, and stock grants.

• Comprehensive benefits package covering health, dental, and other essential areas.

• Remote work opportunities, with the expectation that candidates are based within Canada.

• Significant opportunities for professional growth and career development within a global technology organization.

• The chance to work on cutting-edge AI-powered experiences alongside multidisciplinary teams.

• An inclusive workplace culture that values belonging, collaboration, and making a meaningful impact.

Working Hours: Standard full-time hours (estimated 40 hours per week), with flexibility expected due to the remote nature and potential for cross-time zone collaboration.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range provided is specific to Canada and aligns with a Principal-level researcher role in the tech industry. The benefits list is comprehensive and highlights key aspects attractive to senior professionals in the tech sector, particularly the remote work option within Canada and opportunities for career advancement.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Technology / AI Platform Development

Company Size: Not explicitly stated, but the nature of the role and the AI Platform focus suggests a mid-to-large sized tech company or a significant division within a larger enterprise. Jobgether's platform typically lists roles from various companies, so this is a partner company.

Founded: Not specified for the partner company.

Team Structure:

• The Principal Experience User Researcher will be part of a Product or UX organization, likely working within a dedicated AI Platform team or a team focused on AI-driven features.

• This role involves close collaboration with Product Management, Design (UX/UI), Engineering, and Data Science teams.

• As a Principal researcher, there may be informal or formal mentorship responsibilities towards junior researchers.

• The structure likely supports cross-functional "squads" or project teams focused on specific AI initiatives. Methodology:

• Emphasis on data-driven decision-making, integrating qualitative user research with quantitative data (from product analytics and data science).

• Agile and iterative product development methodologies are expected, requiring research to be conducted in parallel with development cycles.

• A strong focus on user-centered design principles, with research acting as a key input for validating concepts and designs.

• Continuous learning and adaptation are crucial, especially in the rapidly evolving field of AI.

Company Website: [Jobgether's website for application process context: https://jobgether.com/] (Note: The partner company's specific website is not provided in the input, so candidates should seek information about the partner company if possible through Jobgether's platform or by asking during the application process).

📝 Enhancement Note: The partner company's specific culture is not detailed, but the description implies a modern, collaborative tech environment with a strong focus on innovation in AI. The "Jobgether works" section indicates an AI-powered matching process, suggesting a tech-forward approach to recruitment itself.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: Principal User Researcher. This level signifies a senior individual contributor with deep expertise, strategic influence, and potential leadership responsibilities. It's a role that shapes research direction, mentors others, and is instrumental in defining product strategy.

Reporting Structure: Likely reports to a Director or VP of User Research, UX, Product, or a senior leader within the AI Platform division. The role involves extensive collaboration with peers and stakeholders across various departments.

Operations Impact: The core impact of this role is on the success of AI-powered products by ensuring they are user-centered, effective, trustworthy, and valuable. This directly influences product adoption, customer satisfaction, and ultimately, business outcomes and revenue generation through enhanced user engagement and product performance.

Growth Opportunities:

• Advancement to Lead Researcher, Research Manager, or Director of Research roles.

• Specialization in cutting-edge AI research areas, becoming a recognized expert.

• Opportunities to lead larger, more strategic research programs and initiatives.

• Potential to influence research best practices and build research capabilities within the organization.

• Exposure to high-impact projects that can significantly advance one's career within the tech industry.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Principal" title indicates a significant level of autonomy and influence. Growth opportunities would focus on expanding this influence, potentially into management or becoming a deeply specialized subject matter expert in AI research.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Remote work is permitted for candidates based within Canada. This suggests a distributed team structure or a hybrid model where remote is a primary option.

Office Location(s): Primarily remote within Canada. Specific physical office locations for the partner company are not detailed, but the remote allowance is key.

Workspace Context:

• As a remote role, the emphasis will be on effective digital collaboration tools and asynchronous communication.

• Candidates should be comfortable working independently, managing their time effectively, and proactively engaging with remote colleagues.

• Access to relevant research tools, collaboration platforms, and company-provided hardware/software is expected.

• Opportunities for virtual team-building and informal interactions will be important for maintaining connection and culture.

Work Schedule: Standard full-time, likely with flexibility inherent in remote work. Collaboration across different time zones within Canada may be required, necessitating some adaptability in scheduling.

📝 Enhancement Note: The remote aspect is a significant factor. Candidates should highlight their experience with remote collaboration tools and their ability to maintain productivity and engagement in a distributed environment.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: Likely involves an AI-powered review by Jobgether, followed by a screening call with a Jobgether representative or the partner company's recruiter.

• Hiring Manager Interview: Focused on experience, strategic thinking, and fit with the role's core responsibilities, particularly concerning AI research.

• Portfolio Review: A critical stage where candidates present their research work, showcasing how they've driven impact. Expect deep dives into specific case studies.

• Cross-functional Interviews: Discussions with peers from Product, Design, and Engineering to assess collaboration skills and understanding of the product development lifecycle.

• Final Interview: May involve senior leadership to assess strategic vision and long-term potential.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate 3-5 of your most impactful research projects, ideally those involving AI, complex platforms, or significant strategic influence.

• For each project, clearly articulate the problem, your role, the methodologies used, key findings, and most importantly, the impact on the product and business.

• Be prepared to discuss the challenges you faced, how you navigated ambiguity, and how you translated insights into actionable recommendations.

• Showcase your ability to communicate complex findings clearly and persuasively, using visuals and storytelling where appropriate.

• Highlight your experience with AI-specific research challenges, such as evaluating AI fairness, trust, explainability, or the impact of generative AI on user workflows. Challenge Preparation:

• Be ready to discuss hypothetical research scenarios related to AI product development.

• Prepare to articulate your approach to defining research questions for ambiguous problems in emerging AI spaces.

• Practice explaining how you would measure the success and value of AI features from a user's perspective.

• Be prepared to discuss your research philosophy and how you stay current with advancements in AI and user research.

📝 Enhancement Note: The portfolio review is likely the most crucial part of the process for a Principal-level researcher. Candidates must be able to demonstrate not just research execution but strategic impact and leadership. The AI focus means specific examples in this domain are paramount.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• User Research Platforms: Tools for participant recruitment, survey deployment, usability testing (e.g., UserTesting.com, Maze, Lookback, Qualtrics, SurveyMonkey).

• Collaboration Tools: Slack, Microsoft Teams, Zoom, Google Workspace for communication and virtual collaboration.

• Prototyping & Design Tools (for review): Figma, Sketch, Adobe XD (to understand user flows and designs being tested).

• Data Analysis Tools: Potentially statistical software (SPSS, R) or qualitative analysis tools (NVivo, Dovetail), depending on the depth of quantitative/qualitative analysis required.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Product Analytics Tools: Familiarity with tools like Amplitude, Mixpanel, Google Analytics, or internal dashboards for understanding user behavior at scale.

• Data Visualization Tools: Tableau, Power BI, or similar for presenting research findings and metrics.

CRM & Automation:

• While not directly managing CRM/automation, understanding how user research insights can inform CRM strategies or automated workflows is beneficial. Familiarity with the general principles of how these systems are used by customers is helpful.

📝 Enhancement Note: The specific tools will vary by company, but a strong Principal Researcher should be proficient with a broad range of qualitative and quantitative research tools and understand how to integrate research findings with product analytics and data science insights.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• User-Centricity: A deep commitment to understanding and advocating for the user's needs, goals, and experiences.

• Impact-Driven: Focus on research that leads to tangible product improvements and business outcomes.

• Collaboration: A strong belief in working closely with cross-functional teams to build better products.

• Intellectual Curiosity: A drive to explore new technologies, understand complex problems, and continuously learn.

• Objectivity & Rigor: Commitment to sound research methodologies and unbiased interpretation of data.

• Innovation: Embracing new approaches, especially in the rapidly evolving AI landscape.

Collaboration Style:

• Partnership: Working as a proactive partner with Product, Design, and Engineering, providing insights early and often in the development lifecycle.

• Influence: Using research findings to guide decisions and align teams around user needs.

• Knowledge Sharing: Actively sharing learnings and best practices across teams and potentially mentoring others.

• Feedback-Oriented: Open to receiving and giving constructive feedback to improve research processes and product outcomes.

📝 Enhancement Note: The culture likely emphasizes innovation, user advocacy, and collaborative problem-solving, especially given the focus on AI. A Principal researcher is expected to embody these values and influence them within their team and cross-functionally.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Navigating AI Ambiguity: Researching rapidly evolving AI technologies and their impact on user behavior, where best practices are still emerging.

• Defining AI Value: Quantifying and validating the customer value and ROI of complex AI features, which can be abstract.

• Balancing Research Rigor with Speed: Conducting robust research in fast-paced agile environments without compromising quality.

• Cross-Functional Alignment: Ensuring consistent understanding and application of research insights across diverse teams (product, engineering, data science, marketing).

• Ethical Considerations in AI: Researching and advising on AI ethics, trust, bias, and fairness to ensure responsible product development.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Deep dive into specialized areas of AI, such as generative AI, machine learning interpretation, or AI ethics research.

• Opportunities to lead research strategy for major AI product initiatives.

• Mentorship from senior leaders in UX, Product, and AI.

• Access to industry conferences, workshops, and advanced training in AI and user research.

• Potential to contribute to the company's thought leadership in AI product development and user experience.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges are specific to the AI domain and the senior level of the role, requiring adaptability and strategic problem-solving. Growth opportunities focus on deepening expertise in AI and expanding leadership influence.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you had to define a research strategy for an ambiguous AI product. What was your approach, and what were the key outcomes?" (Focus on strategic planning, navigating uncertainty, and impact).

• "How do you approach evaluating the 'trustworthiness' of an AI-powered feature? What methodologies would you use, and how would you translate findings into product improvements?" (Focus on AI-specific research challenges and value proposition).

• "Imagine you're tasked with researching a new generative AI feature. What are your initial research questions, how would you prioritize them, and what risks would you anticipate?" (Focus on proactive problem definition and risk assessment in AI). Company & Culture Questions:

• "What excites you about working with AI platforms, and how do you see user research contributing to their success?" (Assess passion for AI and understanding of the role's strategic importance).

• "How do you typically collaborate with product managers, engineers, and data scientists on complex projects? Provide an example." (Assess collaboration skills and cross-functional integration).

• "Describe a situation where your research findings were initially met with resistance. How did you handle it, and what was the resolution?" (Assess stakeholder management and influence). Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure your presentation around the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result), but with a strong emphasis on the "Result" and "Impact" for each case study.

• For AI projects, clearly articulate the specific AI technology or feature researched and the unique user challenges it presented.

• Use visuals (screenshots, diagrams, anonymized data charts) to illustrate your research process and findings.

• Be prepared to answer detailed questions about your methodology choices, your analysis process, and how you ensured the validity of your findings.

• Clearly articulate the business impact or product improvement driven by your research, using metrics where possible.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation should focus on demonstrating strategic thinking, AI domain knowledge, strong collaboration skills, and a proven ability to drive impactful product decisions through research. The portfolio presentation is key to showcasing this.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this operations position:

• Submit your application through the Jobgether platform link provided.

• Customize your resume: Highlight experience with AI products, generative AI, mixed-method research, and strategic influence. Quantify achievements wherever possible.

• Prepare your portfolio: Select 3-5 of your most impactful user research projects, focusing on AI initiatives and demonstrating strategic impact and collaboration. Ensure it's easily accessible (e.g., PDF, personal website).

• Research the partner company: If possible, try to gather any available information about the specific company managing this role through Jobgether to tailor your application and understand their AI product landscape.

• Practice your presentation: Rehearse presenting your portfolio case studies, focusing on clarity, impact, and anticipating questions about your AI research experience.

⚠️ 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.