Principal UX Researcher

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Principal UX Researcher

Company: Major League Baseball (MLB)

Location: New York, New York, United States

Job Type: Full-time

Category: User Experience Research / Product Strategy

Date Posted: April 28, 2026

Experience Level: 10+ Years

Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• Drive product strategy and roadmap prioritization through deep, actionable user insights across the entire MLB fan journey.

• Lead end-to-end research initiatives, encompassing qualitative and quantitative methodologies, to uncover fan needs and opportunity spaces.

• Act as a strategic partner to Product, Design, and Engineering leadership, influencing vision and guiding teams toward high-impact initiatives.

• Develop holistic, system-level understanding of fan behaviors, motivations, and unmet needs by connecting insights across diverse touchpoints and products.

• Translate complex research findings into compelling narratives and strategic artifacts (personas, journey maps) that inform product direction and drive measurable impact.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is positioned as a senior individual contributor (Principal) within the Product Design team, emphasizing strategic influence and a systems-thinking approach to understanding the fan experience across MLB's diverse digital and physical touchpoints. The focus is on driving proactive research that shapes what MLB builds, not just how.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Partner closely with Product, Design, and Engineering leadership to shape product vision, strategy, and roadmap priorities through research-driven insights.

• Define and lead end-to-end research initiatives that identify opportunity spaces across the full fan journey, from discovery to engagement to participation.

• Proactively identify gaps in understanding and bring forward research that influences what teams build, not just how they build it.

• Design and execute a range of research methods including qualitative and quantitative studies such as interviews, surveys, field research, usability testing, and behavioral analysis.

• Synthesize findings into clear, actionable insights that drive alignment and decision-making across teams.

• Connect insights across studies to build a holistic, system-level understanding of fan needs and behaviors.

• Translate insights into frameworks and artifacts such as personas, journey maps, and opportunity spaces that inform strategy and design.

• Facilitate workshops and working sessions to help teams internalize insights and apply them to product direction.

• Partner with teams to define success metrics and evaluate the impact of research-informed decisions over time.

• Manage a portfolio of research initiatives across different time horizons and levels of ambiguity.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a blend of strategic leadership and hands-on execution. The emphasis on "proactively identify gaps in understanding" and "influences what teams build, not just how they build it" points to a role that shapes the product agenda, rather than merely validating existing ideas. Managing a portfolio of research initiatives suggests a need for strong organizational and prioritization skills.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: While no specific degree is mandated, a strong academic foundation in Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), Psychology, Sociology, Anthropology, or a related field is typically expected for this level of research role.

Experience: 10+ years in user experience research or a related field, with a strong portfolio demonstrating impact on product strategy and experience design. 3+ years in senior IC roles such as Principal, Staff, or Lead Researcher. Experience working across multiple platforms or ecosystems such as mobile, web, connected devices, and physical environments.

Required Skills:

• Systems Thinking: Ability to connect insights across products, touchpoints, and teams into a cohesive understanding of the fan experience.

• Strategic Framing & Influence: Comfortable operating at multiple altitudes, from deep qualitative work to high-level strategic framing, and influencing stakeholders at all levels.

• Research Methodology Expertise: Deep expertise in a range of qualitative and quantitative research methods (interviews, surveys, field research, usability testing, behavioral analysis).

• Insight Synthesis & Storytelling: Ability to turn complex research findings into clear, compelling, and actionable narratives that drive action and decision-making.

• Cross-functional Collaboration: Proven ability to partner effectively with Product, Design, and Engineering leadership.

• Portfolio Management: Experience managing a portfolio of research initiatives across different time horizons and levels of ambiguity.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience building or scaling research practices within an organization.

• Experience working in complex, multi-product environments where alignment and influence are critical.

• Ability to balance rigor and speed, delivering insights that are both credible and timely.

• Experience across diverse platforms including mobile apps, web, connected devices, and physical environments (in-venue).

📝 Enhancement Note: The "You may be a good fit if" section in the original description provides excellent clues for preferred skills and mindset. The emphasis on "Principal" level indicates a need for autonomy, strategic foresight, and the ability to mentor or guide other researchers, even if not directly managing them.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Demonstrable impact on product strategy and experience design, showcasing how research directly influenced key decisions and product direction.

• Case studies detailing the end-to-end research process for complex initiatives, from problem definition to insight generation and strategic application.

• Examples of how you have connected insights across multiple products or touchpoints to create a holistic understanding of user behavior and needs.

• Evidence of translating research findings into actionable frameworks such as personas, journey maps, or opportunity spaces that informed product roadmaps.

• Documentation of how you've partnered with Product, Design, and Engineering teams, highlighting collaborative processes and influence strategies.

Process Documentation:

• Showcase methodologies for defining research questions that address strategic business objectives and uncover significant opportunity spaces.

• Provide examples of how you design and execute mixed-methods research plans to gather comprehensive qualitative and quantitative data.

• Illustrate techniques for synthesizing complex data into clear, compelling, and actionable insights tailored for diverse stakeholders.

• Detail processes for facilitating workshops and collaborative sessions to drive insight internalization and product strategy alignment.

• Document approaches for connecting disparate insights into a cohesive, system-level understanding of the user experience.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a Principal-level role, the portfolio should not just showcase what was done, but why it was done, the strategic thinking behind it, and the measurable impact it had. It needs to demonstrate the ability to operate at a strategic level and influence product direction, not just execute research tasks.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: For a Principal UX Researcher in New York, NY, with 10+ years of experience and 3+ years in a senior IC role, the estimated salary range is typically between $170,000 - $230,000 annually. This range can vary based on specific experience, negotiation, and the company's compensation philosophy.

Benefits:

• Comprehensive Health, Dental, and Vision Insurance.

• 401(k) retirement plan with company matching.

• Paid Time Off (PTO), including vacation, sick leave, and holidays.

• Professional development opportunities, including training, conferences, and access to learning resources.

• Employee Assistance Program (EAP).

• Potential for performance-based bonuses or equity.

• Opportunities to engage with and shape the future of baseball fandom.

Working Hours: Standard full-time work hours are expected, typically around 40 hours per week. Flexibility may be available, but the on-site nature of the role in New York City suggests regular office presence.

📝 Enhancement Note: Salary research for Principal UX Researchers in New York City indicates a broad range, reflecting the high cost of living and demand for senior talent. Benefits are standard for large organizations but tailored to support employee well-being and professional growth, crucial for retaining senior talent.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Sports & Entertainment, Technology, Media. Major League Baseball operates at the intersection of traditional sports fandom and cutting-edge technology, aiming to enhance engagement across its vast ecosystem.

Company Size: Large (Likely 1,000+ employees, given MLB's structure as a major sports league organization with various divisions). This implies a structured environment with established processes but also opportunities for significant impact.

Founded: 1869 (as National Association of Professional Base Ball Players), with modern MLB structure evolving over time. This deep history provides a rich context for understanding fan evolution and the brand's legacy.

Team Structure:

• The Product Design team likely comprises UX Designers, UI Designers, Product Managers, and UX Researchers, working collaboratively.

• The Principal UX Researcher will operate as a senior individual contributor, reporting to a Director or VP of Product Design or Research.

Methodology:

• Data-driven decision-making is paramount, integrating qualitative research insights with quantitative data, behavioral analytics, and market trends.

• A fan-centric approach is core, ensuring all product development is grounded in understanding and meeting fan needs and desires.

• Agile development methodologies are likely employed, requiring researchers to provide timely and relevant insights within iterative product cycles.

• Emphasis on continuous learning and iteration, using research to inform ongoing product improvements and strategic pivots.

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

📝 Enhancement Note: MLB's mission to "reimagine the fan experience" highlights a forward-thinking culture that values innovation and deep user understanding. The "workforce athletes" analogy suggests a company that supports employee growth and performance.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: Principal UX Researcher. This signifies a senior individual contributor role, recognized for deep expertise, strategic impact, and influence across multiple product areas or the entire ecosystem. It's a role that shapes research practice and product direction, often serving as a thought leader.

Reporting Structure: The role will likely report to a Director or VP of Product Design or a dedicated Head of User Research. While not a management role, it involves significant influence over product teams and potentially mentoring junior researchers.

Operations Impact: The impact is direct and strategic. By informing product vision, strategy, and roadmap priorities, this role significantly influences the development of fan-facing products and services, ultimately aiming to enhance fan engagement, satisfaction, and loyalty across the MLB ecosystem. This translates directly to business outcomes for MLB.

Growth Opportunities:

• Specialization & Leadership: Opportunity to become a recognized expert in specific areas of the fan journey (e.g., live event experience, digital content consumption) or to lead the evolution of MLB's research practices.

• Cross-functional Influence: Deepen relationships and influence across Product, Design, Engineering, Data Science, and Marketing, potentially leading strategic initiatives that span multiple departments.

• Mentorship: Guide and mentor junior UX researchers, contributing to the growth of the research function within MLB.

• Strategic Contribution: Play a key role in shaping long-term product vision and strategy for one of the world's most iconic sports brands.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Principal" title implies a career path focused on deep expertise and strategic impact rather than people management. Growth is often achieved through increased scope of influence, tackling more complex problems, and potentially leading research strategy for major initiatives or product areas.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: On-site in New York City. This suggests a professional office environment designed for collaboration, likely with dedicated spaces for design, research, and team meetings.

Office Location(s): New York, New York. Specific office address details would be provided upon inquiry or during the hiring process. Proximity to public transportation is typical for NYC offices.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative spaces designed to foster interaction between Product, Design, and Engineering teams.

• Access to necessary research tools, software, and potentially dedicated lab spaces for user testing.

• A dynamic environment where work is deeply integrated with the passion for baseball, creating a unique and engaging atmosphere.

• Opportunities for informal knowledge sharing and collaboration with colleagues passionate about sports and technology.

Work Schedule: While standard business hours are expected (approx. 40 hours/week), the nature of product development and research may require occasional flexibility to meet project deadlines or conduct time-sensitive research. The on-site requirement means consistent in-office presence.

📝 Enhancement Note: The on-site requirement in a major city like New York suggests a vibrant, collaborative, and potentially fast-paced work environment. The integration of sports and technology offers a unique cultural aspect to the daily work experience.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screen: A recruiter or hiring manager will likely conduct an initial call to assess basic qualifications, cultural fit, and alignment with the role's strategic focus.

• Portfolio Review & Deep Dive: A dedicated session with the hiring manager and/or senior design/research leads. This is where your portfolio will be thoroughly reviewed, focusing on your strategic thinking, research methodology, and impact. Be prepared to walk through 2-3 key projects in detail.

• Cross-Functional Interviews: Interviews with Product Managers, Designers, and Engineering leads to assess collaboration style, ability to influence, and how you translate research into actionable product decisions.

• Principal-Level Discussion: A session with senior leadership (e.g., VP of Product Design) to discuss strategic vision, leadership potential, and ability to operate autonomously at a principal level.

• Final Round/Offer: Typically involves a final conversation with a senior executive and HR.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Focus on Strategy & Impact: For each project, clearly articulate the business problem, research objectives, your strategic approach, the insights generated, and the measurable impact on the product and business.

• Showcase Systems Thinking: Highlight projects where you connected insights across different products or touchpoints to build a holistic fan journey understanding.

• Demonstrate Mixed Methods: Include examples of both qualitative and quantitative research, and how you integrated them.

• Tell a Story: Structure your case studies as narratives, leading the interviewer through your process and decision-making.

• Be Prepared for "Why": Anticipate questions about your choices, methodologies, and how you handled challenges.

• Tailor to MLB: If possible, subtly weave in how your skills and experience align with MLB's mission and the sports/entertainment industry.

Challenge Preparation:

• You might be given a hypothetical research problem related to MLB's fan experience and asked to outline your approach, methods, and how you'd synthesize findings.

• Prepare to discuss how you would measure the success of research-informed product changes.

• Be ready to articulate your philosophy on balancing strategic, long-term research with the need for timely insights in agile development cycles.

📝 Enhancement Note: The key to a successful application for a Principal role is demonstrating strategic impact and leadership through your portfolio. It's not just about executing research; it's about shaping product direction and driving significant outcomes.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Research Platforms: Tools for survey creation, participant recruitment, and data analysis (e.g., Qualtrics, SurveyMonkey, UserTesting.com, Lookback, Maze).

• Collaboration & Prototyping Tools: For sharing findings and working with design/product teams (e.g., Figma, Miro, Mural, Confluence, Jira).

• Data Analysis Software: For quantitative analysis (e.g., SPSS, R, Python libraries, advanced Excel).

• Qualitative Analysis Tools: For coding and synthesizing interview/usability data (e.g., Dovetail, NVivo).

Analytics & Reporting:

• Web Analytics: Tools like Google Analytics to understand user behavior on web platforms.

• Mobile Analytics: Platforms for tracking app usage and user journeys (e.g., Firebase, Amplitude, Mixpanel).

• Business Intelligence Tools: For accessing broader business metrics and performance data (e.g., Tableau, Power BI).

CRM & Automation: While not the primary focus for a UX Researcher, familiarity with how CRM data (e.g., Salesforce) and marketing automation tools might inform user segmentation or campaign effectiveness analysis could be beneficial.

📝 Enhancement Note: While specific tools aren't listed, a Principal UX Researcher is expected to be proficient in a broad range of research methodologies and the supporting software. The emphasis will be on selecting the right tools for the job to answer strategic questions effectively.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Fan-Centricity: A deep commitment to understanding and serving the needs of baseball fans is paramount, influencing every decision and research question.

• Collaboration & Teamwork: Working effectively across diverse teams (Product, Design, Engineering, Marketing) is essential for driving integrated fan experiences. The "Team first" mentality is likely a core value.

• Initiative & Problem-Solving: Employees are expected to be proactive, identify challenges, and propose solutions, rather than waiting for direction.

• Growth & Development: A culture that supports continuous learning and empowers employees to reach their full potential, akin to developing athletes.

• Passion for Baseball: A genuine enthusiasm for the sport and its future is likely a unifying factor and a source of motivation.

Collaboration Style:

• Partnership-Oriented: Researchers are expected to be strategic partners, deeply integrated into product development cycles from ideation to post-launch analysis.

• Insight-Driven Communication: Findings are shared clearly and compellingly, fostering understanding and alignment across teams.

• Facilitative: The Principal Researcher will likely facilitate workshops and discussions to ensure insights are understood and acted upon.

• Cross-Functional Alignment: Emphasis on building consensus and driving unified strategies that benefit the entire MLB ecosystem.

📝 Enhancement Note: MLB's stated values ("culture of growth, teamwork, and professionalism," employees "take initiative," "put the Team first") provide a strong framework for understanding the expected work environment and behavioral norms for operations-focused roles like this.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Complexity of the Ecosystem: Navigating and understanding the intricate relationships between various MLB products (app, web, streaming, ticketing, in-venue) and their impact on the overall fan journey.

• Balancing Strategic vs. Tactical Research: Effectively managing long-term strategic research initiatives alongside the need for timely, actionable insights for ongoing product development sprints.

• Influencing Diverse Stakeholders: Gaining buy-in and driving action from various leadership groups (Product, Design, Engineering, Business) who may have differing priorities.

• Measuring Impact: Quantifying the direct impact of research on product success and business outcomes in a complex, multi-faceted environment.

• Keeping Pace with Technology: Staying ahead of evolving fan behaviors and technological advancements in sports entertainment.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Deep Dive into Sports Tech: Gain unparalleled experience at the forefront of sports technology and fan engagement innovation.

• Strategic Influence: Develop advanced skills in influencing product strategy and shaping the vision for a major global brand.

• Cross-Disciplinary Learning: Work closely with experts in product management, engineering, data science, and marketing within the sports industry.

• Potential for Practice Leadership: Opportunities to contribute to the growth and maturity of UX research practices within MLB.

• Industry Conferences & Certifications: Access to professional development resources to stay current with UX research best practices.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges inherent in a large, complex organization like MLB provide significant opportunities for growth. Tackling the complexity of the fan journey and demonstrating strategic impact will be key development areas.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you influenced product strategy or roadmap decisions with your research. What was the outcome?" (Focus on your strategic thinking, influence, and impact.)

• "How do you approach understanding a complex user ecosystem with multiple touchpoints and products? Walk me through your process." (Prepare to discuss systems thinking and journey mapping.)

• "Imagine we're considering a new feature for the MLB app to increase fan engagement during games. How would you approach researching this opportunity?" (Outline your research plan, methods, and how you'd identify actionable insights.)

Company & Culture Questions:

• "Why are you interested in working for Major League Baseball specifically?" (Connect your passion for sports, fans, or the brand's mission to your career goals.)

• "How do you build relationships and influence stakeholders across Product, Design, and Engineering?" (Provide examples of collaborative problem-solving and communication.)

• "What does 'fan-centricity' mean to you in the context of product development?" (Discuss how you ensure user needs are at the core of decisions.)

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure: Organize your presentation logically: problem/opportunity, your role, research approach (methods, rationale), key findings, strategic recommendations, and measurable impact.

• Narrative: Tell a compelling story for each project, highlighting your thought process and decision-making.

• Data Visualization: Use clear, concise visuals to present data and insights. Avoid overwhelming detail; focus on what's critical for decision-making.

• Quantify Impact: Whenever possible, use metrics to demonstrate the positive outcomes of your research (e.g., increased conversion, reduced errors, improved satisfaction).

• Be Ready for Q&A: Anticipate detailed questions about your methodology, challenges, and alternative approaches you considered.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a Principal role, interviewers will be assessing your strategic thinking, leadership potential, and ability to drive significant impact. Your preparation should focus on demonstrating these qualities through specific examples and a deep understanding of how research contributes to business goals.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Principal UX Researcher position:

• Submit your application through the official MLB careers portal/Greenhouse link.

• Portfolio Customization: Curate your portfolio to highlight 2-3 of your most impactful projects, specifically emphasizing strategic influence, systems thinking, and measurable outcomes relevant to a large consumer-facing ecosystem.

• Resume Optimization: Tailor your resume to emphasize your 10+ years of UX research experience, 3+ years in senior/principal roles, expertise in mixed methods, and proven ability to influence product strategy. Use keywords from the job description.

• Interview Preparation: Practice articulating your research process, strategic decision-making, and impact using the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result). Prepare specific examples for common interview questions related to strategy, collaboration, and problem-solving.

• Company Research: Thoroughly research MLB's current products, recent initiatives, and their stated mission regarding fan experience. Understand their brand, target audience, and the competitive landscape in sports entertainment technology.

⚠️ Important Notice: This enhanced job description includes AI-generated insights and operations industry-standard assumptions based on the provided information. All details, particularly regarding salary ranges and specific benefits, should be verified directly with Major League Baseball during the application and interview process.