Principal UX Researcher

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Principal UX Researcher

Company: Ocean Infinity

Location: London, United Kingdom (with potential for Porto)

Job Type: FULL_TIME

Category: User Experience (UX) Research / Product Operations

Date Posted: 2026-06-18

Experience Level: 10+ Years

Remote Status: On-site (with potential for hybrid arrangements to be discussed)

🚀 Role Summary

• Lead and define the overarching UX research strategy for Ocean Infinity's diverse technology platforms, products, and critical operational systems.

• Drive the discovery and articulation of user needs, operational workflows, and pain points across complex domains such as marine robotics, autonomy, remote operations, and data-driven platforms.

• Act as a senior individual contributor and leading authority, embedding user-centered thinking and evidence-based decision-making into product strategy, engineering processes, and delivery lifecycles.

• Translate intricate technical and operational realities into clear, actionable insights and strategic recommendations that directly inform product development and innovation.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is positioned as a Principal UX Researcher, indicating a senior leadership and strategic influence beyond typical individual contributor roles. The emphasis on "operational systems," "real-world environments," and "mission-critical workflows" suggests a strong focus on the practical application and effectiveness of technology in demanding, often harsh, operational settings, aligning closely with GTM (Go-To-Market) and Product Operations principles by ensuring user needs are met for successful product adoption and utilization.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Define, implement, and champion the comprehensive UX research strategy across all of Ocean Infinity’s software and operational technology initiatives.

• Plan, execute, and oversee a wide spectrum of qualitative and quantitative research methodologies, including in-depth interviews, usability testing, detailed workflow analysis, contextual inquiry, and essential field research within operational environments.

• Forge close partnerships with Product Management, Software Engineering, AI/ML teams, Hardware Engineering, Operations stakeholders, and Product Design to ensure all product development is grounded in genuine user needs and grounded operational realities.

• Synthesize complex technical concepts and intricate operational workflows into easily digestible user insights and concrete, actionable recommendations that drive product improvements.

• Play a pivotal role in shaping the future user experience of cutting-edge autonomy platforms, intuitive robotics interfaces, robust mission systems, and advanced data products.

• Cultivate and maintain robust relationships with internal operational teams, offshore personnel, engineers, and external customers to gain a deep understanding of technology utilization in real-world, often challenging, environments.

• Drive evidence-based decision-making processes across product development, engineering, and strategic planning functions.

• Develop and maintain scalable research frameworks, centralized repositories, and organizational best practices to enhance research consistency, maturity, and impact across Ocean Infinity.

• Lead complex, end-to-end research projects from initial planning and participant recruitment through to in-depth synthesis and compelling presentation of findings.

• Actively advocate for and champion user-centered design principles and user advocacy throughout the entire product development lifecycle.

• Provide direct support to Product Designers and development teams in effectively translating research findings into practical, impactful product enhancements and feature refinements.

• Facilitate dynamic workshops, strategic discovery sessions, and collaborative research activities with a diverse range of stakeholders across multiple functional departments.

• Proactively identify and flag emerging UX risks, critical usability issues, and potential adoption challenges early in the development lifecycle to mitigate downstream problems.

• Mentor and guide junior researchers, product designers, and other product team members in UX research methodologies, best practices, and strategic application.

• Contribute significantly to strategic product discussions, roadmap planning sessions, and prioritization activities, ensuring user needs are central to business objectives.

• Support the development and refinement of accessible, intuitive, and scalable enterprise-grade user experiences that meet stringent operational demands.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a strategic and hands-on approach, emphasizing the need for a researcher who can not only define strategy but also execute research across diverse methodologies and environments. The connection to "operational systems," "mission-critical workflows," and "real-world environments" is a key differentiator, suggesting a need for research that directly impacts operational efficiency and safety, which is critical for GTM success and product adoption in industrial sectors.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: While no specific degree is mandated, a strong academic background in Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), Psychology, Cognitive Science, Anthropology, Sociology, Computer Science, or a related field is highly advantageous for understanding user behavior and complex systems.

Experience: A minimum of 10 years of progressive experience in UX Research, with a significant portion spent in Senior, Lead, Staff, or Principal UX Research roles within complex technology-driven organizations. Proven track record of leading research strategy and influencing product direction.

Required Skills:

• UX Research Strategy: Proven ability to define, develop, and implement comprehensive UX research strategies aligned with organizational goals.

• Qualitative Research Methodologies: Deep expertise in conducting user interviews, contextual inquiry, ethnographic studies, and other qualitative methods to uncover deep user needs and behaviors.

• Quantitative Research Methodologies: Proficiency in designing and executing surveys, usability testing (e.g., A/B testing, remote testing), data analysis, and statistical interpretation to validate findings and measure impact.

• Usability Testing: Extensive experience in planning, conducting, and analyzing various forms of usability testing to identify and resolve user interface and interaction issues.

• Workflow Analysis: Skilled in mapping, analyzing, and optimizing complex user and operational workflows to identify inefficiencies and areas for improvement.

• Field Research: Experience conducting research in real-world operational environments, understanding the practical constraints and nuances of user contexts.

• Stakeholder Management & Influence: Exceptional ability to manage relationships with diverse stakeholders, including senior leadership, product managers, engineers, and operational teams, and effectively influence decision-making.

• User-Centered Design (UCD) Principles: Strong understanding and application of UCD principles throughout the product development lifecycle.

• Product Strategy Contribution: Ability to translate research insights into strategic product recommendations and contribute to roadmap planning and prioritization.

• Cross-functional Collaboration: Demonstrated success in working collaboratively with Product Management, Engineering, Design, and AI/ML teams.

• Synthesis & Communication: Excellent ability to synthesize complex findings into clear, concise, and actionable insights, communicated effectively through compelling presentations and reports.

• Workshop Facilitation: Experience facilitating workshops, discovery sessions, and collaborative design thinking activities.

• Problem-Solving: Strong analytical and critical thinking skills applied to complex operational and technical challenges.

• Fluent English: Excellent written and spoken English proficiency.

Preferred Skills:

• Robotics/Autonomy/AI/Marine Tech Experience: Direct experience researching technologies in these specific domains.

• Enterprise Software / Operational Platforms: Experience with complex B2B or industrial software applications.

• Mission-Critical Workflow Research: Specific experience researching systems where failure has significant consequences.

• Data-Heavy Platforms/Geospatial Systems: Familiarity with user interaction in data-intensive environments.

• ResearchOps: Experience in building and scaling research functions, including managing research operations, tools, and processes.

• Fast-Scaling/Transformation Organizations: Experience in dynamic, rapidly evolving company environments.

• Accessibility & Inclusive Design: Understanding and application of principles for creating inclusive user experiences.

• Remote Operations Research: Specific experience understanding user needs in distributed or remote operational setups.

📝 Enhancement Note: The extensive experience requirement (10+ years and Principal level) coupled with the specific mention of "operational platforms," "mission-critical workflows," and "real-world environments" indicates that this role demands a researcher who can navigate complex, high-stakes operational contexts. This goes beyond typical consumer or enterprise software UX, requiring an understanding of GTM implications for industrial applications and the operational efficiency gains derived from user-centric design.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Impactful Case Studies: Showcase at least 3-5 detailed case studies demonstrating end-to-end UX research projects. Each case study should clearly articulate the problem statement, research objectives, methodologies employed, your specific role and contributions, key findings, and the tangible impact of your research on product decisions, user experience, or operational efficiency.

• Methodological Diversity: Present a range of research approaches used, highlighting your adaptability and expertise across qualitative (interviews, contextual inquiry, diary studies) and quantitative (usability testing, surveys, A/B testing analysis) methods.

• Problem Definition & Strategy: Include examples where you defined the core problem worth solving based on research insights, and how those insights informed product strategy or roadmap prioritization.

• Operational Contextualization: For relevant case studies, demonstrate an understanding of how research findings were applied within operational constraints or technical complexities, showcasing an ability to bridge user needs with real-world deployment.

• Data Synthesis & Visualization: Showcase your ability to synthesize complex data into clear, actionable insights, potentially including examples of how you visualized findings for executive audiences or cross-functional teams.

Process Documentation:

• Research Frameworks: If applicable, include examples or descriptions of research frameworks, repositories, or best practices you have developed or implemented to standardize and scale research operations within an organization.

• Workflow Optimization Examples: Demonstrate instances where your research directly led to the identification and improvement of user or operational workflows, improving efficiency or reducing errors.

• System Implementation Insights: Provide examples of how your research informed the design or refinement of complex software systems or operational platforms, ensuring usability and effectiveness.

• ROI Demonstration: Where possible, quantify the impact of your research through metrics such as improved task completion rates, reduced error rates, increased user adoption, or operational cost savings, demonstrating a clear return on investment.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a Principal role, particularly in an industrial/operational technology context, the portfolio must go beyond just documenting research activities. It needs to demonstrate strategic thinking, the ability to influence product direction, and a clear understanding of how research impacts business outcomes and operational effectiveness. Highlighting work with complex systems and operational workflows is crucial.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

• London, United Kingdom: Up to £90,000 per annum.

• Porto, Portugal: Up to €65,000 per annum.

The final salary will be determined based on the candidate's skills, experience, and the specific role grade within the respective location. The company emphasizes a performance-based approach to compensation.

Benefits:

• Comprehensive Health Coverage: Likely includes medical, dental, and vision insurance, with potential for expatriate health plans if applicable.

• Generous Paid Time Off: Standard holiday allowance, plus potential for additional leave based on tenure and role seniority.

• Pension Scheme: Contribution towards a retirement savings plan, aligned with UK or Portuguese regulations.

• Professional Development: Opportunities for continuous learning, including access to training, conferences, and potential for certifications relevant to UX Research, AI, or maritime technology.

• Employee Assistance Program (EAP): Support services for personal and professional well-being.

• Potential for Stock Options/Equity: Depending on the company's compensation structure for senior roles.

• Cycle to Work Scheme (UK): For London-based employees, promoting sustainable commuting.

• Relocation Assistance: May be available for candidates relocating to London or Porto.

Working Hours: Standard full-time hours are expected to be around 40 hours per week. While the role is on-site, there may be flexibility for hybrid arrangements, especially for senior staff, with discussions to be had during the interview process. Occasional travel to offshore or operational sites may be required.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary figures provided are specific to the locations mentioned. For the London role, £90,000 is competitive for a Principal UX Researcher with significant experience, aligning with industry benchmarks for senior tech roles in the UK capital. The Porto figure of €65,000 is also competitive for a senior UX role in Portugal. The benefits listed are standard for a company of this nature, with an emphasis on professional development and well-being, which is attractive to senior operations and research professionals.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Maritime Technology, Robotics, Autonomy, Data Services, and Ocean Exploration. Ocean Infinity is a disruptive force aiming to transform traditional maritime operations through advanced technology.

Company Size: While not explicitly stated, the mention of multiple locations (London, Porto) and diverse teams (Product, Engineering, AI, Hardware, Operations) suggests a medium to large, rapidly growing organization likely in the hundreds or thousands of employees.

Founded: Ocean Infinity was founded with a mission to leverage technology for a more sustainable and efficient future at sea, aiming to "enable people and the planet to thrive." This founding ethos emphasizes innovation, environmental responsibility, and technological advancement.

Team Structure:

• Cross-Functional Product Teams: The Principal UX Researcher will operate within or closely with agile product teams, collaborating with Product Managers, Software Engineers, AI Specialists, Hardware Engineers, and Product Designers.

• Dedicated UX/Design Function: Likely a growing UX/Design team where the Principal researcher will be a leader, mentoring junior members and setting research standards.

• Operational Stakeholder Integration: Close ties with operational teams, including those managing marine robotics, remote operations centers, and data analysis, are critical for understanding real-world application.

• Reporting: The Principal UX Researcher will likely report into a Head of Product, Director of Design, or potentially a VP of Technology/Product, depending on the organizational structure.

Methodology:

• User-Centric Innovation: A strong emphasis on understanding user needs and operational realities to drive innovation.

• Data-Driven Decision Making: Utilizing research data and operational metrics to inform product strategy and development.

• Agile Development: Integration into agile workflows to ensure research insights are incorporated iteratively.

• Iterative Design & Testing: A continuous loop of research, design, development, and testing to refine products and experiences.

• Sustainability & Responsibility: Core to the company's mission, influencing how technology is developed and deployed.

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

📝 Enhancement Note: Ocean Infinity operates in a unique and cutting-edge industry. The emphasis on "transforming operations at sea," "marine robotics," and "autonomy" signifies a highly technical and complex environment. The company culture appears to value innovation, courage, trustworthiness, conscientiousness, and a strong sense of responsibility, which are crucial for employees working in high-stakes operational settings.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: Principal UX Researcher. This level signifies a senior expert responsible for setting strategic direction, leading complex initiatives, and influencing the broader organization. It involves a high degree of autonomy, thought leadership, and the ability to mentor others. The role is critical in ensuring that technology solutions are not only technically sound but also highly usable and effective in real-world operational contexts.

Reporting Structure: The Principal UX Researcher will likely report to a senior leader within the product or technology organization (e.g., Head of Product, Director of Design, VP Engineering). They will work closely with Product Managers, Engineering Leads, and AI/ML Leads, fostering strong collaborative relationships across these functions. The role is highly cross-functional, requiring engagement with various departments to understand diverse operational needs and user perspectives.

Operations Impact: The research conducted by this role will have a direct and significant impact on the success of Ocean Infinity's technology products and operational systems. By ensuring user needs and operational realities are deeply understood and addressed, the Principal UX Researcher will contribute to:

• Product Adoption & Effectiveness: Designing intuitive and scalable solutions that users can effectively operate in demanding environments.

• Operational Efficiency & Safety: Identifying and mitigating UX risks that could lead to errors or inefficiencies in critical operations.

• Innovation & Strategy: Informing the product roadmap and strategic direction by uncovering unmet needs and future opportunities.

• Competitive Advantage: Ensuring Ocean Infinity's technology provides a superior user experience, differentiating it in the market.

• Sustainability Goals: Contributing to the development of technologies that enable more environmentally responsible maritime operations.

Growth Opportunities:

• Leadership in UX Research: Opportunity to build and mature the UX research function at Ocean Infinity, establishing best practices and potentially building a team.

• Strategic Product Influence: Deep involvement in product strategy, roadmap planning, and executive decision-making, providing significant career development in product leadership.

• Domain Expertise Expansion: Deepen knowledge in cutting-edge fields like marine robotics, autonomy, AI, and remote operations, becoming a subject matter expert.

• Cross-Disciplinary Learning: Exposure to hardware engineering, AI development, and complex operational logistics, broadening technical and industry understanding.

• Mentorship & Development: Opportunity to mentor junior researchers and designers, honing leadership and coaching skills.

• Potential for broader Product/Design Leadership: Successful impact at the Principal level can pave the way for Director or VP-level roles in Product, Design, or Research within Ocean Infinity or similar organizations.

📝 Enhancement Note: The Principal level indicates a significant opportunity for strategic impact and leadership. The growth path is not just about deepening UX research skills but also about expanding into product strategy, operational understanding, and potentially team leadership, aligning with the career aspirations of senior operations and research professionals.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The primary work environment will be an office-based setting in London, UK, or Porto, Portugal. Given the "TELECOMMUTE" location type and the mention of remote operations, there's a strong possibility of a hybrid working model being available, particularly for senior roles, allowing for a blend of on-site collaboration and remote work. This flexibility is crucial for balancing focused research work with team interaction.

Office Location(s):

• London, United Kingdom: A major global hub offering access to talent, industry events, and a vibrant professional community.

• Porto, Portugal: A growing tech and innovation center offering a different cultural and cost-of-living dynamic.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Hubs: Office spaces are likely designed to encourage collaboration, with meeting rooms, breakout areas, and open-plan zones for team interaction and brainstorming.

• Technology-Rich Environment: Access to modern computing equipment, relevant software licenses, and potentially specialized hardware or simulation tools needed for UX research in technical domains.

• Operational Immersion: Opportunities to interact with teams working on or simulating real-world operational scenarios, providing invaluable context for research. This could include visits to remote operation centers or even offshore facilities for field research.

• Focus Zones: Designated quiet areas or private offices for focused research synthesis, analysis, and writing, essential for deep work.

Work Schedule: The standard work schedule will align with typical business hours for the respective location (London or Porto), likely around 40 hours per week. However, given the nature of international operations and potential field research, flexibility may be required to accommodate different time zones or operational demands. The company's culture of innovation and transformation suggests a focus on results over strict adherence to hours, potentially allowing for some flexibility.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the role is primarily on-site, the "TELECOMMUTE" designation and the nature of Ocean Infinity's work (remote operations, data-driven platforms) suggest that a hybrid arrangement is likely feasible and encouraged for senior roles. The environment will be fast-paced and technologically advanced, requiring adaptability and a willingness to engage with complex operational realities.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A recruiter or hiring manager will conduct an initial call to assess basic qualifications, experience alignment, and cultural fit. Be prepared to articulate your understanding of Ocean Infinity's mission and the role of UX research in their context.

• Technical Interview / Portfolio Review: This is a critical stage. You will likely present 1-2 detailed case studies from your portfolio. Focus on showcasing your strategic thinking, research process, problem-solving skills, and the impact of your work. Be ready to discuss your methodologies, challenges faced, and how you collaborated with product and engineering teams.

• Cross-Functional Interviews: Interviews with Product Managers, Engineering Leads, and potentially operational stakeholders. These will assess your ability to collaborate, understand technical constraints, and translate complex operational needs into research plans and insights. Expect behavioral questions focused on teamwork, conflict resolution, and influencing.

• Leadership/Principal-Level Interview: A final interview with a senior leader (e.g., Head of Product, VP). This will focus on your strategic vision for UX research at Ocean Infinity, your leadership philosophy, experience in scaling research functions, and your ability to drive organizational change.

• Offer: If successful, an offer will be extended, detailing salary, benefits, and start date.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select case studies that best demonstrate your ability to handle complex, operational, or enterprise-level challenges. Prioritize those showing strategic impact, not just execution.

• Tell a Story: Structure each case study as a narrative: the problem, your approach, the process, the findings, and the impact. Clearly define your role and contributions.

• Quantify Impact: Whenever possible, use metrics to demonstrate the value of your research (e.g., improved task success rates, reduced error rates, increased adoption, efficiency gains).

• Highlight Collaboration: Show how you partnered effectively with product managers, engineers, and designers.

• Address Operational Context: For this role, emphasize how you understood and incorporated real-world operational constraints and user environments into your research and recommendations.

• Prepare for Questions: Anticipate questions about your methodology choices, how you handled ambiguous situations, how you influenced stakeholders, and how you would scale research at Ocean Infinity.

Challenge Preparation:

• Hypothetical Scenario: You might be given a product or operational challenge and asked to outline your research approach. Be ready to define the problem, identify target users, propose research methods, and describe how you'd synthesize findings.

• Process Design: You may be asked about how you would establish or improve UX research processes within a growing organization, focusing on scalability, efficiency, and impact.

• Strategic Thinking: Prepare to discuss your vision for UX research at Ocean Infinity, how it can best support the company's mission, and how you would measure its success.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process emphasizes strategic leadership and practical application within a complex technical and operational domain. A strong portfolio that showcases impactful research within challenging environments, coupled with the ability to articulate strategic vision and collaborative skills, will be critical for success.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• UX Research Platforms: Tools for conducting remote usability testing, surveys, and participant recruitment (e.g., UserTesting.com, Maze, Qualtrics, SurveyMonkey, Lookback).

• Collaboration & Whiteboarding: Digital tools for workshops and synthesis (e.g., Miro, Mural, FigJam).

• Data Analysis Tools: Software for analyzing qualitative and quantitative data (e.g., Dovetail, NVivo, Excel, R, Python for more advanced statistical analysis).

• Prototyping & Design Tools: Familiarity with tools used by designers, such as Figma, Sketch, or Adobe XD, to understand design artifacts and provide feedback.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Product Analytics: Understanding of tools like Google Analytics, Amplitude, Mixpanel, or Pendo, to complement qualitative insights with behavioral data.

• Data Visualization Tools: Proficiency in tools like Tableau, Power BI, or Looker Studio for presenting research findings and operational metrics effectively.

• Internal Data Platforms: Familiarity with accessing and interpreting data from internal databases or data warehouses, potentially involving SQL.

CRM & Automation:

• CRM Systems: While not a direct user, understanding how CRM data (e.g., Salesforce, HubSpot) can inform user segmentation and research targeting can be beneficial.

• Project Management Tools: Experience with tools like Jira, Asana, or Trello for managing research projects and collaborating with engineering teams.

• Documentation & Knowledge Management: Tools like Confluence, Notion, or internal wikis for creating research repositories and sharing best practices.

📝 Enhancement Note: The technology stack emphasizes tools for conducting research, analyzing data, facilitating collaboration, and communicating findings. For this Principal role, a deep understanding of how to leverage these tools not only for execution but also for establishing organizational best practices and scalable research operations (ResearchOps) is expected. Familiarity with data analysis and visualization tools is key for driving evidence-based decisions.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Courageous: Encouraging bold approaches to innovation and problem-solving, even in the face of uncertainty. This applies to research by challenging assumptions and exploring new methodologies.

• Trustworthy: Upholding integrity, honesty, and accountability in all research practices and stakeholder interactions. Building trust through rigorous, unbiased research.

• Conscientious: Demonstrating a deep sense of responsibility towards users, the company's mission, and the impact of technology on the planet. This includes thoroughness in research and a commitment to ethical practices.

• Desire to Do the Right Thing: A moral compass guiding decisions, ensuring technology development is aligned with positive outcomes for people and the environment.

• Strive for Excellence: A commitment to high standards in research quality, insights, and impact. Continuously seeking to improve processes and outcomes.

• Work Collaboratively: Actively engaging with diverse teams, sharing knowledge, and fostering a supportive environment for collective success.

• Excited by Work: A genuine passion for the mission and the challenges of transforming industries through technology.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-Functional Integration: Expect a highly collaborative environment where UX research is integrated early and continuously with product management, engineering, AI, and design.

• Open Communication: Encouraging direct and transparent communication across teams to ensure alignment and efficient problem-solving.

• Evidence-Based Dialogue: Research findings serve as a common language and basis for constructive discussions and decision-making.

• Mentorship & Knowledge Sharing: A culture that supports senior members in mentoring others and sharing expertise to elevate the entire team's capabilities.

• Agile & Iterative: Embracing agile principles means a flexible and iterative approach to collaboration, adapting to changing needs and priorities.

📝 Enhancement Note: The company's values are deeply ingrained and reflect its ambitious mission. For a Principal UX Researcher, demonstrating alignment with these values—particularly courage, trustworthiness, conscientiousness, and a collaborative spirit—will be as important as technical expertise. The emphasis on "doing the right thing" and environmental responsibility is a unique cultural differentiator.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Navigating Ambiguity and Complexity: Ocean Infinity operates in highly technical and novel domains (autonomy, robotics, remote operations). Researching these areas requires the ability to quickly grasp complex concepts and adapt research methods to unique user groups and environments.

• Bridging Technical & User Needs: Translating sophisticated technical capabilities and operational constraints into user-friendly experiences and actionable research insights. This requires deep empathy and strong analytical skills.

• Scaling Research Operations: As a fast-scaling organization, establishing and maturing robust, scalable UX research processes, frameworks, and repositories will be a key challenge.

• Driving Cultural Change: Embedding user-centered thinking deeply within engineering and product teams that may have historically focused on technical feasibility over user experience.

• Field Research Logistics: Conducting research in real-world operational environments (e.g., offshore, remote sites) can involve significant logistical planning and potential safety considerations.

• Balancing Strategic vs. Tactical: As a Principal, managing the need for high-level strategic research planning while remaining hands-on with research execution and mentoring.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Deep Domain Expertise: Opportunity to become a leading expert in UX for cutting-edge fields like marine autonomy, AI in operations, and remote control systems.

• ResearchOps Leadership: Chance to architect and implement ResearchOps strategies, significantly shaping how research is conducted and scaled across the company.

• Strategic Product Influence: Gaining extensive experience in product strategy, roadmap planning, and contributing to high-level business decisions.

• Cross-Functional Leadership: Developing skills in leading and influencing diverse, highly technical teams.

• Industry Conferences & Networking: Potential to attend and present at leading UX, AI, or maritime technology conferences.

• Mentorship Programs: Formal or informal opportunities to be mentored by senior leaders or to mentor emerging talent within the organization.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role presents significant challenges due to its cutting-edge industry and the need to scale operations. However, these challenges are directly linked to substantial growth opportunities, particularly in developing leadership, strategic influence, and deep domain expertise within a transformative company.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "How would you define and implement a UX research strategy for a company like Ocean Infinity, given our mission and diverse operational domains?" (Focus on alignment with business goals, scalability, and integration).

• "Describe a time you had to translate highly technical or complex operational workflows into actionable user insights. What was your process and what was the outcome?" (Highlight your analytical skills and ability to bridge technical/operational realities with user needs).

• "Imagine we are developing a new remote operations interface for autonomous vessels. What would be your phased research approach from concept to launch?" (Demonstrate end-to-end research planning, methodology selection, and risk mitigation).

• "How do you balance the need for strategic, long-term research with the immediate demands of product development cycles?" (Showcase your ability to manage priorities and deliver value incrementally). Company & Culture Questions:

• "What excites you about Ocean Infinity's mission and our approach to transforming maritime operations?" (Connect your passion to their specific work and values).

• "How do you foster a user-centered culture within engineering and product teams?" (Discuss methods for advocacy, collaboration, and integrating insights).

• "Describe your experience working in fast-scaling or transformation-focused organizations. What were the key challenges and how did you navigate them?" (Showcase adaptability and resilience).

• "How do you align your research priorities with business objectives and ROI?" (Emphasize data-driven decision-making and impact measurement). Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Start with the 'Why': Clearly articulate the business problem or user need that drove your research project.

• Define Your Role: Be explicit about your contributions, especially in a Principal capacity. Did you set the strategy, lead the execution, mentor others, or influence direction?

• Show, Don't Just Tell: Use visuals (screenshots, diagrams, personas, key findings summaries) to illustrate your process and results.

• Focus on Impact: Quantify results where possible. If not, clearly articulate the qualitative impact on product decisions, user experience, or operational efficiency.

• Be Ready for Deep Dives: Anticipate questions about your methodology choices, participant recruitment, data synthesis, and how you handled unexpected findings or stakeholder pushback.

• Connect to Ocean Infinity: Where possible, draw parallels between your past work and the challenges or opportunities at Ocean Infinity.

📝 Enhancement Note: Preparation should focus on demonstrating strategic thinking, leadership potential, and a deep understanding of how UX research drives tangible outcomes in complex operational and technical environments. Highlighting experience with ResearchOps and scaling research functions will be particularly valuable for a Principal role.

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📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Principal UX Researcher position:

• Submit Your Application: Utilize the provided link to formally submit your resume and any requested supporting documents.

• Tailor Your Resume: Ensure your resume clearly highlights your 10+ years of experience, leadership roles (Senior, Lead, Principal), expertise in qualitative and quantitative UX research, and any experience with complex technology, operational platforms, or the specific industries mentioned (robotics, autonomy, marine tech). Quantify achievements wherever possible.

• Prepare Your Portfolio: Curate a portfolio that showcases 3-5 impactful case studies demonstrating end-to-end research strategy, execution, synthesis, and measurable impact. Prioritize projects involving complex systems, operational workflows, or enterprise-level challenges. Be ready to present 1-2 of these in detail during the interview process.

• Research Ocean Infinity: Thoroughly understand the company's mission, values, products, and the specific challenges within the maritime technology sector. Prepare to articulate how your skills and experience align with their goals.

• Practice Your Narrative: Rehearse your responses to common interview questions, particularly those related to strategy, leadership, problem-solving in complex environments, and how you would contribute to Ocean Infinity's culture and mission. Be ready to clearly articulate your research process and impact.

⚠️ 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.