Senior UX Researcher, Applied AI Solution

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Senior UX Researcher, Applied AI Solution

Company: Amazon

Location: Sunnyvale, California, United States; Seattle, Washington, United States; New York, New York, United States

Job Type: Full-time

Category: User Experience Research / Applied AI

Date Posted: May 11, 2026

Experience Level: 5-10 years

Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• Lead high-impact user research initiatives across a designated product area focused on AI-native business applications within AWS.

• Drive the understanding of customer needs, evaluate emerging concepts, and refine live user experiences through rigorous research methodologies.

• Partner closely with Design, Product Management, Engineering, and Applied Science teams to ensure customer evidence directly informs strategic product decisions and long-term vision.

• Translate complex research findings into clear, actionable recommendations that influence product roadmaps, prioritization, and ultimately, customer adoption and satisfaction.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is positioned within Amazon Web Services (AWS), specifically focusing on Applied AI Solutions. The emphasis on "AI-native business applications" indicates a need for researchers adept at understanding complex B2B workflows and the integration of AI technologies into these processes. The role requires a blend of strategic thinking and tactical execution in ambiguous research spaces.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Lead end-to-end research programs, encompassing study design, participant recruitment, moderation, data analysis, synthesis, and comprehensive reporting of findings.

• Execute a diverse range of research methodologies, including but not limited to: foundational interviews, surveys, diary studies, journey mapping, mixed-methods programs, and rapid evaluative studies.

• Collaborate with senior cross-functional stakeholders to shape product strategy, assess novel concepts and prototypes, and optimize existing customer-facing experiences.

• Define research plans for ambiguous problem spaces, leveraging strong methodological judgment to select appropriate approaches based on decision-making needs, product development stage, and risk assessment.

• Identify unmet customer needs, product gaps, adoption barriers, and trust issues early in the development lifecycle to mitigate investment risks.

• Articulate research insights into clear, compelling recommendations that enhance usability, drive adoption, build trust, and elevate overall customer experience quality.

• Influence product roadmaps and prioritization by ensuring customer evidence is consistently visible, credible, and actionable at critical junctures.

• Develop deep domain expertise by continuously studying customer workflows, prototypes, competitive landscapes, and emerging industry trends within the applied AI space.

• Mentor junior researchers, contributing to the elevation of research quality, consistency, and impact across the broader team.

• Explore and propose innovative applications of AI within the research and product development process to enhance speed, depth, and quality of insights.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a need for researchers who can operate with significant autonomy and strategic influence. The emphasis on "ambiguous problem spaces" and "de-risking investments" suggests the role requires proactive problem identification and a strong ability to connect research outcomes to business objectives and customer adoption. Mentorship duties imply a senior-level expectation for leadership and knowledge sharing.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: Bachelor's degree in Human-Computer Interaction Design (HCDE), Human Factors, Cognitive Psychology, or a closely related field. Master's degree in a similar field is preferred.

Experience: Minimum of 5 years of proven success leading User Research projects with demonstrated impact. Experience should include hands-on work with a variety of research methods.

Required Skills:

• 5+ years of proven success leading User Research projects with demonstrated impact.

• 5+ years of hands-on work with field research, ethnography, lab-based user testing, remote testing, paper prototype testing, iterative prototype testing, concept testing, and survey design.

• Expertise in all aspects of the research lifecycle: study design, participant recruitment, moderation, data analysis, and reporting.

• Proficiency in behavioral data collection, quantitative data analysis, and statistical interpretation.

• Ability to conduct research in complex and ambiguous problem spaces.

• Strong communication and presentation skills to articulate findings and recommendations to senior stakeholders.

Preferred Skills:

• Master's degree in Human Factors, HCDE, Cognitive Psychology, or equivalent.

• Experience in a technical domain, such as software development, network development, or IT.

• Experience conducting UX research in non-US markets, understanding cultural nuances and global user needs.

• Experience working within a highly Agile/Scrum development environment, adapting research to iterative product cycles.

• Familiarity with AI concepts and their application in business solutions.

• Experience with journey research and diary studies.

• Strong understanding of prototyping and its role in user research.

📝 Enhancement Note: The qualifications emphasize a robust foundation in traditional UX research methodologies, coupled with the ability to apply them in a cutting-edge AI context. The preference for technical domain experience and international research suggests a need for a researcher who can bridge technical complexities with diverse user needs. The mention of AI application research indicates a forward-looking requirement.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A comprehensive portfolio is mandatory and must demonstrate past work experience and tangible deliverables.

• Showcase detailed study plans for various research projects, outlining objectives, methodologies, and participant criteria.

• Include examples of research reports, synthesizing findings and presenting clear, actionable recommendations.

• Present user personas, journey maps, or other artifacts that represent deep user understanding and empathy.

Process Documentation:

• Provide evidence of designing and optimizing research workflows to ensure efficiency and rigor.

• Demonstrate experience in implementing and documenting research processes for scalability and consistency.

• Showcase your approach to measuring and analyzing the impact of your research on product development and business outcomes.

• Include examples of how you have adapted research processes to fit different product stages and decision-making needs.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a Senior UX Researcher role, especially at a company like Amazon, a portfolio is critical. It needs to go beyond just showing what was done to how it was done and, most importantly, what impact it had. The emphasis on "AI Application Research" means demonstrating how research informs the development and adoption of AI-powered features or products.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

• Sunnyvale, California: $167,400 - $226,500 USD annually

• New York, New York: $167,400 - $226,500 USD annually

• Seattle, Washington: $152,200 - $205,900 USD annually

Benefits:

• Comprehensive Health Insurance: Including medical, dental, vision, and prescription coverage.

• Basic Life & AD&D Insurance with options for Supplemental Life Plans.

• Employee Assistance Program (EAP) and robust Mental Health Support.

• Dedicated Medical Advice Line for health-related inquiries.

• Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs) for healthcare and dependent care.

• Adoption and Surrogacy Reimbursement coverage.

• 401(k) plan with company matching contributions.

• Generous Paid Time Off (PTO) and comprehensive Parental Leave policies.

• Additional compensation includes sign-on payments and Restricted Stock Units (RSUs).

Working Hours: Standard full-time hours, typically 40 hours per week, with potential for flexibility depending on project needs and research cycles.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary ranges provided are competitive for Senior UX Researcher roles in these major tech hubs. The inclusion of sign-on payments and RSUs indicates a comprehensive total compensation package beyond base salary, typical for senior roles at large tech companies like Amazon. The benefits package is extensive, covering health, financial well-being, and family support, aligning with Amazon's employee value proposition.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Technology (Cloud Computing, Artificial Intelligence, Software Development)

Company Size: Amazon is a very large enterprise, with hundreds of thousands of employees globally. This size offers immense resources, extensive career paths, and opportunities for impact at scale, but also requires navigating complex organizational structures.

Founded: 1994. Amazon's long history and continuous innovation culture foster an environment where new ideas, especially in cutting-edge fields like AI, are encouraged.

Team Structure:

• The AWS Applied AI Solutions team is a specialized unit focused on developing next-generation intelligent business applications.

• Researchers will operate within a matrixed environment, collaborating closely with dedicated Product Managers, Engineering teams, Applied Scientists, and Designers.

• The reporting structure likely involves a research manager or lead who oversees the UX research function within the broader product group, with individual contributors leading specific research programs.

Methodology:

• The team likely employs a data-driven approach, integrating both qualitative user insights and quantitative behavioral data to inform decisions.

• Workflow planning and optimization strategies will be crucial, especially in an Agile/Scrum environment where research needs to adapt to rapid development cycles.

• Automation and efficiency practices are highly valued, particularly in the context of AI solutions, where research can help streamline adoption and usage.

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

📝 Enhancement Note: Working within AWS means being part of a highly customer-centric and data-driven organization. The culture typically values innovation, speed, and a deep understanding of customer needs. For a UX Researcher in Applied AI, this translates to opportunities to work on impactful, scalable solutions that define the future of business operations.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This is a Senior UX Researcher position, indicating a role with significant autonomy and responsibility for leading complex research initiatives. It's a position where individuals are expected to act as subject matter experts, influence product direction, and contribute to the strategic vision of the product area.

Reporting Structure: The Senior UX Researcher will likely report to a UX Research Manager or Lead within the AWS Applied AI Solutions team. They will collaborate closely with senior leaders in Product, Engineering, and Design, acting as a key advisor on customer insights.

Operations Impact: The impact of this role is substantial. By ensuring AI-native business applications are designed around genuine customer needs and address adoption barriers, the researcher directly influences product success, customer satisfaction, and ultimately, revenue growth for AWS. Their work de-risks significant product investments and ensures that cutting-edge AI technology translates into tangible business value.

Growth Opportunities:

• Operations Skill Advancement: Opportunities to deepen expertise in AI-specific user research, explore advanced methodologies, and potentially specialize in particular AI application domains.

• Leadership Development: Potential to lead larger, more strategic research programs, mentor junior team members more formally, and contribute to the strategic direction of the UX research practice within AWS.

• Cross-Functional Influence: Develop strong relationships and influence across Product, Engineering, and Applied Science, becoming a trusted partner in key decision-making processes.

• Career Progression: Potential pathways to Principal UX Researcher, Research Manager, or roles in Product Management or Strategy, leveraging deep customer and product understanding.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Senior" title and the context of AWS Applied AI suggest a role with clear growth trajectories. The emphasis on influencing strategy and mentoring others points to a path toward leadership or principal-level individual contribution, focusing on complex, high-stakes research problems.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: This role is designated as On-site, meaning the expectation is to work from one of Amazon's physical office locations in Sunnyvale, Seattle, or New York. These offices are typically modern, well-equipped corporate environments.

Office Location(s):

• Sunnyvale, California: A hub for technology innovation in Silicon Valley.

• Seattle, Washington: Amazon's global headquarters, offering a vibrant tech ecosystem.

• New York, New York: A growing tech presence in a major global city.

The specific office will depend on team assignment and business needs.

Workspace Context:

• The workspace will be collaborative, featuring open-plan areas, meeting rooms, and potentially dedicated quiet zones.

• Access to state-of-the-art tools and technologies for research, data analysis, and collaboration will be provided.

• Opportunities for informal interactions with colleagues from various disciplines will foster a dynamic and innovative atmosphere.

• Expect a fast-paced environment where agile methodologies and rapid iteration are common.

Work Schedule: The standard work schedule is typically 40 hours per week. While the role is on-site, Amazon often emphasizes flexibility where possible, balancing business needs with individual work styles, especially in research where deep thinking and analysis are required.

📝 Enhancement Note: The on-site requirement suggests a preference for in-person collaboration, which can be beneficial for complex problem-solving and team cohesion within a fast-paced tech environment like AWS. The locations chosen are major tech hubs, offering access to talent and industry events.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A recruiter will likely conduct an initial phone screen to assess basic qualifications and interest.

• Hiring Manager Interview: A conversation with the hiring manager to dive deeper into experience, research philosophy, and fit with the team.

• Portfolio Review & Presentation: A critical stage where candidates present selected case studies from their portfolio, demonstrating their research process, impact, and ability to communicate complex findings. Expect to discuss specific studies in detail.

• Cross-Functional Interviews: Interviews with peers and stakeholders from Design, Product Management, and Engineering. These sessions will assess collaboration skills, ability to influence, and understanding of product development cycles.

• Bar Raiser Interview: A final interview, often conducted by someone outside the direct hiring team, focused on assessing cultural alignment, leadership potential, and whether the candidate raises the bar for future hires.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select 2-3 impactful projects that showcase your end-to-end research capabilities, ability to handle ambiguity, and demonstrable impact on product outcomes. Prioritize projects relevant to AI, B2B applications, or complex problem spaces.

• Structure Your Narrative: For each case study, clearly articulate the problem, your role, the research questions, methodologies used, key findings, and most importantly, the impact of your work (e.g., product changes, adoption improvements, de-risked investments). Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result).

• Highlight AI Relevance: If possible, showcase projects that involved AI, complex technology, or B2B contexts. Explain how you approached understanding user needs in these specialized domains.

• Demonstrate Methodological Rigor: Be prepared to defend your methodological choices and discuss trade-offs. Show that you can select the right method for the right problem.

• Focus on Insight & Impact: Emphasize how your insights led to concrete changes and positive business outcomes, not just the data itself.

Challenge Preparation:

• Anticipate Case Studies: Be ready to discuss hypothetical research scenarios related to applied AI solutions, including how you would approach defining research questions, selecting methodologies, and synthesizing findings for ambiguous problems.

• Practice Synthesis: Prepare to synthesize information quickly and articulate clear, actionable recommendations, similar to how you would present research findings.

• Stakeholder Empathy: Consider how you would communicate research findings to different stakeholders (e.g., engineers, product managers, executives) and tailor your message accordingly.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process at Amazon is known for its rigor. For a Senior UX Researcher, the portfolio review is paramount. Candidates must be able to clearly articulate their process, decision-making, and the tangible impact of their research, particularly in complex or ambiguous domains like Applied AI.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• User Research Platforms: Tools for survey creation, participant management, and remote usability testing (e.g., UserTesting.com, Qualtrics, SurveyMonkey, UserZoom).

• Collaboration Suites: Tools for team communication and project management (e.g., Slack, Microsoft Teams, Jira, Confluence).

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

• Prototyping Tools: Familiarity with tools used by designers to create prototypes for testing (e.g., Figma, Sketch, Adobe XD).

Analytics & Reporting:

• BI Tools: Experience with tools like Tableau or Amazon QuickSight for visualizing data and creating dashboards to track user behavior and product adoption metrics.

• Web Analytics: Familiarity with tools that track user interaction on digital platforms.

CRM & Automation:

• While not a direct CRM role, an understanding of how user research integrates with CRM data or impacts customer segmentation within a CRM context can be beneficial.

• Familiarity with automation tools within research platforms or data analysis pipelines can enhance efficiency.

📝 Enhancement Note: Proficiency with a range of user research tools is expected. For this role, understanding how to leverage data analysis tools for both qualitative synthesis and quantitative rigor is crucial. Familiarity with BI tools will aid in communicating impact through data visualization.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Customer Obsession: The foundational principle at Amazon. All research efforts must be driven by a deep understanding of customer needs and pain points.

• Bias for Action: Encouraging quick decision-making and rapid iteration, balancing speed with rigor in research execution.

• Invent and Simplify: Fostering innovation in research methods and tools, and simplifying complex findings for clear communication.

• Ownership: Taking full responsibility for research programs, from initial planning to delivering actionable insights that drive product success.

• Deliver Results: Focusing on measurable outcomes and ensuring research directly contributes to business goals and customer satisfaction.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-functional Integration: Researchers are expected to be embedded within product teams, working seamlessly with designers, PMs, and engineers.

• Process Review & Feedback: A culture that values constructive feedback, where research processes are continuously refined, and insights are openly discussed.

• Knowledge Sharing: Encouraging the sharing of research findings, best practices, and learnings across the research team and broader organization.

📝 Enhancement Note: Amazon's Leadership Principles are central to its culture. A Senior UX Researcher must embody these principles, particularly Customer Obsession, Ownership, and Bias for Action, to be successful and influential within the organization.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Navigating Ambiguity: Working in nascent AI domains means dealing with undefined user needs and evolving technology landscapes, requiring strong research strategy and adaptability.

• Balancing Speed and Rigor: The fast-paced Agile environment necessitates delivering timely insights without sacrificing research quality or depth.

• Influencing Complex Stakeholders: Effectively communicating research findings and advocating for user needs to diverse technical and business stakeholders who may have competing priorities.

• Measuring AI Impact: Quantifying the user experience impact of AI features, which can be more abstract than traditional UI elements, requires innovative measurement approaches.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• AI Research Specialization: Opportunities to become an expert in researching AI-driven products, understanding user trust, adoption, and ethical considerations in AI.

• Methodological Expansion: Learning and applying advanced research techniques relevant to complex systems and AI interactions.

• Leadership and Mentorship: Developing leadership skills by guiding research initiatives, mentoring junior researchers, and contributing to the UX research practice.

• Industry Exposure: Engaging with cutting-edge AI developments within AWS and potentially attending industry conferences.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role presents significant opportunities for growth by tackling complex, forward-looking challenges in the AI space. The ability to adapt, innovate, and influence will be key to overcoming challenges and capitalizing on growth prospects.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you had to conduct research in a highly ambiguous problem space. What was your approach, and how did you define the research questions and methodology?" (Focus on your process for clarity, research design, and how you handled uncertainty.)

• "How do you ensure your research findings are actionable and influence product roadmaps, especially when dealing with technical teams or product managers with strong opinions?" (Highlight your communication skills, stakeholder management, and ability to translate insights into concrete recommendations.)

Company & Culture Questions:

• "How do you align your research practices with Amazon's Leadership Principles, particularly Customer Obsession and Bias for Action?" (Prepare specific examples of how you've embodied these principles in past roles.)

• "Describe a situation where you had to work closely with engineers and product managers. How did you navigate differing perspectives and ensure user needs were prioritized?" (Focus on collaboration, communication, and conflict resolution.)

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Tell a Story: For each case study, craft a compelling narrative that highlights the user problem, your role and approach, the key insights, and the resulting impact.

• Quantify Impact: Whenever possible, use data and metrics to demonstrate the success of your research. Show how your work led to measurable improvements in user satisfaction, adoption, or other key business indicators.

• Be Prepared for Deep Dives: Anticipate detailed questions about your methodology, decision-making process, and the specific challenges you encountered and overcame.

• Showcase Adaptability: Demonstrate your ability to adapt research methods to different contexts, constraints, and product development stages, especially relevant for AI applications.

📝 Enhancement Note: Amazon interviews are designed to assess not just skills but also how candidates think and operate. Preparation should focus on articulating your thought process, demonstrating impact with data, and aligning your experiences with Amazon's culture and the specific demands of an Applied AI UX role.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Senior UX Researcher position:

• Submit your application through the Amazon Jobs portal via the provided URL.

• Tailor your resume: Highlight experience and skills directly relevant to UX research, applied AI, and working with cross-functional teams. Use keywords from the job description.

• Prepare your portfolio: Select 2-3 strong case studies that showcase your end-to-end research process, ability to handle ambiguity, and demonstrable impact. Ensure it's easily accessible and well-organized.

• Practice your presentation: Rehearse presenting your portfolio case studies, focusing on clear storytelling, impact demonstration, and anticipating potential questions.

• Research Amazon's culture and the AWS Applied AI team: Understand their mission, values, and recent work to articulate your fit and interest effectively.

⚠️ 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.