Senior User Researcher, Safety

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Senior User Researcher, Safety

Company: Roblox

Location: San Mateo, CA, United States

Job Type: Full-time

Category: User Experience Research / Trust & Safety Operations

Date Posted: June 23, 2026

Experience Level: Mid-Senior Level (3-5 years)

Remote Status: Hybrid (On-site Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday)

🚀 Role Summary

• Conduct generative and evaluative user research to enhance the safety and civility of the Roblox platform for a diverse global user base and developer community.

• Manage end-to-end research projects, translating complex user needs and abstract concepts into actionable product feature recommendations within the Trust & Safety domain.

• Collaborate closely with cross-functional teams including Design, Product, Engineering, Policy, Legal, and Civility to integrate research findings into product roadmaps and strategic vision.

• Drive confidence in Roblox's platform as an industry leader in Trust & Safety by informing product solutions that address evolving global policy landscapes.

• Foster a culture of inclusion, collaboration, and innovation by evolving research processes and advocating for holistic, connected user experiences.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is positioned as a Senior User Researcher within the Safety domain, indicating a need for significant experience in managing research projects autonomously and influencing product strategy. The emphasis on "Trust & Safety" and "Civility" suggests a focus on user protection, policy adherence, and maintaining a positive online environment, which are critical operational aspects for a large-scale platform. The hybrid work model with specific in-office days implies a need for strong in-person collaboration and contribution to team dynamics.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Design and execute comprehensive user research studies (both foundational and evaluative) to understand the safety and security needs of millions of players and creators.

• Lead research initiatives focused on cross-product journeys, learning experiences, and user interactions to ensure alignment with Roblox's mission of connecting people with optimism and civility.

• Translate research insights into clear, compelling product feature recommendations that address user pain points and opportunities within the safety and policy landscape.

• Facilitate research discussions and provide concise, impactful feedback to stakeholders in Design, Product, Engineering, Policy, Legal, and Civility to inform feature roadmaps and overall product vision.

• Partner with cross-functional teams to evolve research methodologies and processes, promoting a culture of inclusion, collaboration, and continuous innovation in safety research.

• Present research findings and strategic recommendations to Product Group leadership and other senior stakeholders, influencing decision-making at a high level.

• Conduct generative research to explore user needs and identify potential risks or areas for improvement in safety mechanisms and user experiences.

• Perform evaluative research to assess the effectiveness of existing safety features, policies, and communication strategies.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a blend of strategic and tactical research execution. Emphasis is placed on end-to-end project management, cross-functional collaboration, and influencing product direction, aligning with a senior-level role. The need to address a "diverse global audience" and "evolving global policy landscape" points to the complexity and scale of the research required, necessitating strong analytical and problem-solving skills.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

• Bachelor's, Master's, or PhD in Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), Psychology, Marketing Research, Sociology, Anthropology, or another social science discipline with a strong research emphasis.

• Equivalent work experience in a relevant research field will also be considered. Experience:

• 3+ years of professional career experience as a UX or Product Researcher, with a focus on applied research within technology or gaming industries.

• Demonstrated experience in managing and executing end-to-end research projects from conception to delivery of actionable insights. Required Skills:

• Expertise in a variety of research methods, with a strong command of both qualitative (e.g., interviews, usability testing, ethnographic studies) and quantitative (e.g., surveys, data analysis) methodologies.

• Ability to identify and apply the most appropriate research methodology to answer specific product and user experience questions.

• Proven experience with data analysis and interpretation to derive meaningful insights and product recommendations.

• Strong systems thinking capabilities, with the ability to advocate for holistic and connected user experiences across the platform.

• Excellent storytelling and communication skills, capable of articulating research findings clearly and persuasively through verbal, written, and visual means to diverse audiences.

• A proactive and curious mindset, with a demonstrated track record of continuous learning and skill expansion in new tools and techniques.

• Proven ability to collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams, sharing work proactively and encouraging constructive feedback. Preferred Skills:

• Experience using survey and research platforms such as Qualtrics.

• Proficiency in database analysis using SQL.

• Experience conducting statistical analyses using software like SPSS, R, or Python.

• Prior experience with international research vendors or conducting research with global user populations.

• Familiarity with the gaming industry, online communities, or platforms focused on user-generated content.

• Experience in Trust & Safety, content moderation, or online community management research.

📝 Enhancement Note: The preferred skills strongly indicate a need for a researcher who can not only conduct qualitative studies but also leverage quantitative data and statistical analysis to support their findings. The mention of international research vendors suggests the role may involve managing external research partners or working with global data sets. The "systems thinker" and "problem solver" attributes are crucial for a role focused on the complex operational domain of user safety.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Showcase at least 2-3 end-to-end research projects that demonstrate your ability to manage research from initial problem definition through to actionable product recommendations.

• Include examples of how your research directly influenced product decisions, feature development, or strategic roadmaps, ideally within a safety or user experience context.

• Detail the methodologies used for each project, explaining the rationale behind your choices and how they addressed the research questions.

• Present findings in a clear, concise, and compelling manner, utilizing visualizations, user journey maps, or other artifacts to communicate complex insights effectively.

• Demonstrate your ability to work with cross-functional teams, potentially including examples of stakeholder collaboration or communication strategies used. Process Documentation:

• For each portfolio project, be prepared to discuss the research process followed, including any challenges encountered and how they were overcome.

• Highlight your approach to translating abstract user needs or policy requirements into concrete research objectives and study designs.

• Be ready to articulate how you ensure research findings are actionable and how you work with product teams to implement recommendations.

• Provide examples of how you might document research plans, methodologies, findings, and recommendations for internal stakeholders.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a Senior User Researcher role, the portfolio should emphasize ownership, strategic thinking, and measurable impact. Candidates should be prepared to discuss their process for hypothesis generation, methodology selection, data analysis, and synthesis of findings into strategic recommendations. The ability to demonstrate how research leads to tangible improvements in user safety and experience is paramount.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

• The annual base salary range for this position in San Mateo, CA is $193,240 to $230,150 USD.

• This range is determined by various job-related factors including professional background, training, work experience, location, business needs, and market demand. The actual salary may fall outside this range. Benefits:

• Equity Compensation: Opportunity to receive stock options or grants as part of the compensation package.

• Comprehensive Health Insurance: Medical, dental, and vision coverage.

• Paid Time Off: Vacation, sick leave, and holidays.

• Retirement Savings Plan: 401(k) with company match.

• Parental Leave: Support for new parents.

• Professional Development: Opportunities for learning, training, and attending industry conferences.

• Wellness Programs: Initiatives to support employee well-being.

• Other Perks: May include commuter benefits, employee discounts, and more. Working Hours:

• Standard full-time workweek, typically around 40 hours.

• Hybrid work arrangement requires on-site presence Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday in the San Mateo office.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range provided is competitive for a Senior User Researcher role in the San Francisco Bay Area, reflecting the experience level and the specialized nature of Trust & Safety research. The inclusion of equity compensation is a significant component for senior roles at tech companies like Roblox. The hybrid work model implies a need for flexibility and effective time management to balance remote and in-office work.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Interactive Entertainment / Gaming Platform / Technology

Company Size: Large (1,000 - 10,000+ employees)

Founded: 2004

Team Structure:

• The User Research team operates within a larger Product and Engineering organization, with specialized sub-teams focusing on specific product areas or domains such as Safety.

• This role reports to the Safety Research Manager, indicating a hierarchical structure within the research function.

• Close collaboration is expected with cross-functional teams including Design, Product Management, Engineering, Policy, Legal, and Civility. Methodology:

• Roblox emphasizes a data-driven and user-centric approach to product development.

• Research methodologies are expected to be rigorous, employing both qualitative and quantitative techniques to inform product decisions.

• A strong focus is placed on fostering a culture of inclusion, collaboration, and innovation, where research findings are shared openly and contribute to collective problem-solving.

• The company values understanding diverse global audiences and adapting to evolving policy landscapes, suggesting a dynamic and responsive research approach.

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

📝 Enhancement Note: Roblox is a major player in the metaverse and gaming space, known for its massive user base and creator economy. The company culture likely emphasizes innovation, speed, and a strong user focus. The Safety domain is critical for Roblox's long-term success and reputation, suggesting that research in this area is highly valued and impactful. The company's commitment to "optimism and civility" will heavily influence the research questions and desired outcomes.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: Senior User Researcher

This level signifies a professional who can independently lead complex research projects, mentor junior researchers, and significantly influence product strategy. The focus on Safety and Trust & Safety operations means contributing to the core integrity and operational success of the platform.

Reporting Structure:

• The Senior User Researcher reports directly to the Safety Research Manager.

• This structure allows for focused guidance and mentorship within the specialized Safety research domain.

• Regular interaction and collaboration with Product Managers, Designers, Engineers, and Policy experts are integral to the role. Operations Impact:

• Research in the Safety domain has a profound impact on user retention, platform trust, brand reputation, and regulatory compliance.

• By ensuring a safe and civil environment, this role directly contributes to the platform's growth by attracting and retaining users and creators.

• Insights generated will inform critical operational decisions related to policy enforcement, content moderation, user behavior, and platform integrity. Growth Opportunities:

• Specialization: Deepen expertise in Trust & Safety research, becoming a go-to expert for complex issues within this domain.

• Leadership: Transition into a Lead User Researcher role, managing a small team or a larger portfolio of research initiatives, or moving into a management track (e.g., Research Manager).

• Cross-functional Mobility: Opportunities to move into Product Management or Policy roles, leveraging deep user understanding.

• Skill Development: Continuous learning in advanced research methodologies, statistical analysis, and emerging technologies related to online safety and AI.

• Industry Influence: Contribute to industry best practices in online safety research through presentations or publications.

📝 Enhancement Note: The growth path for a Senior User Researcher at a company like Roblox is robust. The emphasis on Safety research provides a specialized track, while the general user research skills open doors to broader product roles. The opportunity to influence critical operational areas like platform safety is a significant draw for experienced researchers.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Modern, collaborative office space designed to foster innovation and teamwork.

Office Location(s): San Mateo, California. The office is situated in a hub for tech companies, offering accessibility and a vibrant work environment.

Workspace Context:

• The hybrid model (3 days in-office) emphasizes the value placed on in-person collaboration, brainstorming sessions, and team cohesion.

• On-site days will likely involve working closely with cross-functional teams, participating in design reviews, product strategy meetings, and team syncs.

• The office environment is expected to be equipped with the necessary tools and technology to support research activities, including meeting rooms for user interviews and collaborative workspaces.

• Opportunities for informal interactions with colleagues across different departments will be abundant on in-office days, fostering a strong sense of community. Work Schedule:

• The standard work schedule is full-time, approximately 40 hours per week.

• The hybrid arrangement requires physical presence in the San Mateo office on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays. Mondays and Fridays offer optional on-site presence, allowing for flexibility in managing remote work and personal commitments.

📝 Enhancement Note: The hybrid model is a key aspect of the work environment, suggesting a balance between the benefits of remote flexibility and the advantages of in-person collaboration for complex problem-solving and team building, particularly important for a role involving sensitive safety topics.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screen: A brief conversation with a recruiter to assess basic qualifications, cultural fit, and understanding of the role.

• Hiring Manager Interview: In-depth discussion with the Safety Research Manager focusing on your research experience, methodologies, and approach to safety-related challenges.

• Portfolio Review & Presentation: A session where you present selected research case studies from your portfolio to a panel of researchers, designers, and product managers. This is a critical stage to demonstrate your process, insights, and impact.

• Cross-functional Interviews: Meetings with key stakeholders from Product, Design, Engineering, and Policy teams to assess collaboration skills, communication effectiveness, and ability to integrate research into broader product development cycles.

• Final Round: May involve a leadership interview or a final discussion to confirm fit and address any remaining questions.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Select Relevant Projects: Prioritize projects that showcase your experience in user research, particularly those that involved complex user needs, safety considerations, or cross-functional collaboration.

• Structure Your Narratives: For each case study, clearly outline: the problem/question, your research approach (methodology, participants), key findings, actionable recommendations, and the impact (or potential impact) of your work.

• Quantify Impact: Wherever possible, use data and metrics to demonstrate the success of your research recommendations (e.g., improvements in user satisfaction, reduction in reported incidents, increased adoption of safety features).

• Highlight Process: Be prepared to discuss your thought process, decision-making, and how you adapted your approach based on project constraints or emerging insights.

• Visualize Findings: Use compelling visuals (e.g., personas, journey maps, data visualizations) to make your findings more accessible and impactful.

Challenge Preparation:

• Methodology Application: Be ready to discuss how you would approach specific research questions related to user safety, such as understanding user perceptions of safety, evaluating new safety features, or researching how users report abusive behavior.

• Problem-Solving Scenarios: Prepare to talk through hypothetical challenges in user research, such as dealing with sensitive data, recruiting hard-to-reach populations, or navigating conflicting stakeholder priorities.

• Cross-functional Communication: Practice articulating research insights in a way that resonates with different audiences (e.g., engineers, policy experts, product managers).

📝 Enhancement Note: The portfolio review is a pivotal part of the application process for this role. Candidates should prepare to demonstrate not just research skills but also strategic thinking, communication prowess, and a deep understanding of how research drives product and operational improvements, especially in sensitive areas like user safety.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• User Research Platforms: Qualtrics (preferred), SurveyMonkey, or similar survey and research management tools for designing, distributing, and analyzing studies.

• Data Analysis Software: SPSS, R, or Python for statistical analysis of quantitative data. SQL for database querying and data extraction.

• Collaboration Tools: Jira, Confluence, Asana, or similar for project management, task tracking, and documentation.

• Communication Platforms: Slack, Microsoft Teams for daily team communication and cross-functional interaction.

• Prototyping & Design Tools: Figma, Sketch, Adobe XD (for reviewing designs and providing feedback on user flows).

Analytics & Reporting:

• Analytics Platforms: Google Analytics, Amplitude, Mixpanel (for understanding user behavior patterns and tracking feature adoption).

• Data Visualization Tools: Tableau, Looker, Power BI (for creating dashboards and reports to communicate research findings and impact).

• Internal Reporting Tools: Custom dashboards or internal BI tools specific to Roblox's data infrastructure.

CRM & Automation:

• While not a direct CRM role, understanding how user feedback and research insights integrate with CRM data or customer support systems can be beneficial.

• Familiarity with automation tools for research tasks (e.g., survey distribution, data cleaning) may be advantageous.

📝 Enhancement Note: Proficiency in statistical analysis tools (R, Python, SPSS) and SQL is highly valued, suggesting that this role will involve a significant quantitative component beyond traditional qualitative UX research. Familiarity with Qualtrics is specifically mentioned as preferred, indicating its importance within the company's research stack.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• User Centricity: A deep commitment to understanding and advocating for the user's needs, especially concerning safety and well-being.

• Data-Driven Decisions: Utilizing rigorous research methodologies and data analysis to inform product development and operational strategies.

• Collaboration & Inclusion: Fostering an environment where diverse perspectives are valued, and cross-functional teamwork is essential for success.

• Innovation & Curiosity: Encouraging continuous learning, exploration of new research techniques, and creative problem-solving to address complex challenges.

• Integrity & Responsibility: Upholding high ethical standards in research, especially when dealing with sensitive user data and safety-related issues.

Collaboration Style:

• Partnership-Oriented: Working as a strategic partner with Product, Design, Engineering, and Policy teams, not just as a service provider.

• Proactive Communication: Sharing insights and findings early and often, ensuring stakeholders are informed and involved throughout the research process.

• Constructive Feedback: Actively seeking and providing constructive feedback to peers and cross-functional partners to improve research quality and product outcomes.

• Empathetic Storytelling: Communicating user needs and experiences in a way that fosters empathy and understanding across the organization.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on "Optimism and Civility" in Roblox's mission statement will likely translate into team values that prioritize creating a positive and safe online environment. The collaborative nature of the role suggests a culture that encourages open dialogue and shared problem-solving.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing Research Needs: Managing competing priorities from various cross-functional stakeholders and ensuring research efforts are aligned with strategic goals.

• Navigating Sensitive Topics: Conducting research related to user safety, online abuse, and policy compliance requires sensitivity, ethical rigor, and careful methodology.

• Global Scale & Diversity: Understanding and researching the needs of a vast, diverse global user base across different cultures, languages, and regulatory environments.

• Evolving Threat Landscape: Keeping pace with the rapidly changing nature of online safety threats and policy regulations, requiring continuous learning and adaptation of research approaches.

• Demonstrating ROI: Clearly articulating the tangible impact and return on investment of user research efforts to leadership, especially in areas like safety where metrics can be complex.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Advanced Methodologies: Opportunities to learn and apply cutting-edge research techniques in areas like AI-driven user behavior analysis, longitudinal studies, or advanced quantitative modeling.

• Industry Conferences & Training: Support for attending leading UX research and Trust & Safety conferences (e.g., CHI, UXPA, industry-specific safety summits) and pursuing relevant certifications.

• Mentorship: Access to senior researchers and leaders within Roblox for guidance on career development, research strategy, and leadership skills.

• Cross-Domain Exposure: Learning opportunities in areas like policy development, legal compliance, and product strategy related to online safety.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges inherent in researching user safety on a global platform like Roblox are significant. The growth opportunities are tied to developing expertise in these complex areas and leveraging that knowledge for career advancement within the company or the broader industry.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• Research Design: "Describe how you would design a research study to understand user perceptions of safety on Roblox and identify key areas for improvement in our reporting mechanisms." (Focus on methodology, participant recruitment, ethical considerations).

• Cross-functional Collaboration: "Walk me through a time you had to influence a product roadmap or strategy based on your research findings, especially when there was initial stakeholder resistance." (Highlight communication, negotiation, and data-driven advocacy).

• Problem Solving: "Imagine we're seeing an increase in a specific type of user-reported behavior. How would you approach researching this issue to understand its root causes and inform potential solutions?" (Demonstrate analytical thinking, hypothesis generation, and methodological flexibility).

Company & Culture Questions:

• Roblox's Mission: "How do you see your role in contributing to Roblox's mission of connecting a billion people with optimism and civility, particularly within the Safety domain?" (Showcase understanding of company values and how research supports them).

• Team Dynamics: "Describe your ideal collaboration with Product Managers, Designers, and Policy experts. How do you ensure your research insights are effectively integrated into their work?" (Focus on partnership, communication, and shared ownership).

• Impact Measurement: "How do you measure the success and impact of your user research? Can you provide an example of how your work led to a measurable positive outcome?" (Prepare to discuss metrics, KPIs, and concrete results).

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Storytelling Arc: Structure each case study like a compelling story with a clear beginning (problem), middle (your research journey), and end (insights, recommendations, and impact).

• Focus on "Why" and "How": Explain not just what you did, but why you chose specific methods and how your findings led to specific recommendations.

• Demonstrate Ownership: Clearly articulate your role and contributions, especially in collaborative projects.

• Visual Support: Use clear, concise visuals that support your narrative without overwhelming the audience.

• Anticipate Questions: Be ready to dive deeper into any aspect of your research, from methodology details to the implications of your findings.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation should focus on demonstrating not only research expertise but also strategic thinking, strong communication skills, and an understanding of the operational importance of Trust & Safety. The portfolio presentation is a critical opportunity to showcase practical application of skills and impact.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Senior User Researcher, Safety position:

• Submit your application through the official Roblox Careers portal via the provided link.

• Portfolio Customization: Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight experience directly relevant to user research, the gaming/tech industry, and ideally, any experience with safety, trust, or policy-related research. Ensure your portfolio is readily accessible and showcases your strongest, most relevant projects.

• Resume Optimization: Clearly articulate your experience with qualitative and quantitative methodologies, specific research tools (Qualtrics, SQL, R/Python), and your ability to manage end-to-end research projects. Use action verbs and quantify achievements where possible.

• Interview Preparation: Practice articulating your research process, methodologies, and findings for your portfolio presentations. Prepare to discuss specific examples of how your research has driven product decisions and influenced stakeholders.

• Company Research: Thoroughly research Roblox's mission, values, products, and recent news, with a particular focus on their commitment to user safety and civility. Understand their target audience and the competitive landscape.

⚠️ 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.