Senior UX Researcher

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Senior UX Researcher

Company: CD PROJEKT RED

Location: Warsaw, Masovian Voivodeship, Poland

Job Type: Full-time

Category: User Experience Research (UXR) / Game Development Operations

Date Posted: May 06, 2026

Experience Level: 5-10 Years

Remote Status: Hybrid (Minimum 3 days/week in office)

🚀 Role Summary

• Lead the User Experience Research (UXR) strategy and execution for major RPG projects, ensuring player-centric development.

• Conduct in-depth qualitative research to uncover player needs, pain points, and behaviors, directly influencing game design and product strategy.

• Manage stakeholder relationships across product, design, and development teams, translating complex research findings into actionable recommendations.

• Mentor junior researchers, fostering a culture of rigorous and impactful player research within the organization.

• Contribute to the continuous improvement of UXR methodologies and processes within a dynamic game development environment.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role sits at the intersection of Product Operations and Game Development, requiring a strong understanding of how research insights feed into the larger GTM strategy for AAA game titles. The emphasis on "player experience" and "game vision" indicates a need to align UXR efforts with overarching product goals and market positioning.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Own and execute the UX research roadmap for assigned game projects from concept through post-launch, ensuring alignment with project milestones and business objectives.

• Translate high-level game vision and design intent into specific, measurable research questions and hypotheses.

• Design and implement comprehensive qualitative research plans, including usability testing, playtesting sessions, in-depth player interviews, focus groups, and surveys, selecting the most appropriate methodologies for each research objective.

• Develop and refine research protocols, moderator guides, and data collection instruments to ensure the integrity and validity of research findings.

• Analyze qualitative and quantitative data to identify critical player pain points, usability issues, and opportunities for experience enhancement.

• Synthesize research findings into clear, concise, and compelling reports and presentations tailored to diverse stakeholder audiences, including executive leadership, product managers, and development teams.

• Facilitate effective communication and collaboration with cross-functional teams, ensuring research insights are understood, integrated, and acted upon throughout the development lifecycle.

• Provide guidance and mentorship to junior UX Researchers, helping them develop their research skills, manage projects, and contribute effectively to the team's objectives.

• Stay abreast of industry trends, emerging research methodologies, and player behavior patterns within the RPG genre to continuously enhance research practices.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibility to "own stakeholder management" and "maintain a UXR strategy across the development cycle" suggests a need for strong project management and strategic planning skills, typical of a senior operations role. The emphasis on translating "game vision and design intent" into research questions highlights a critical GTM function of ensuring product-market fit.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

• Bachelor's degree in Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), Psychology, Cognitive Sciences, Sociology, Anthropology, or a related field is preferred.

Experience:

• Minimum of 5 years of professional experience in User Experience (UX) Research.

Required Skills:

• Expertise in Qualitative Research Methodologies: Demonstrated proficiency in conducting and analyzing usability testing, playtesting, player interviews, focus groups, diary studies, and survey design.

• Behavioral and Cognitive Analysis: Strong understanding of human behavior, cognition, and decision-making processes relevant to player engagement and interaction.

• Stakeholder Management: Proven ability to build rapport, manage expectations, and effectively communicate research plans and findings to diverse internal stakeholders, including senior leadership.

• Research Planning & Execution: Ability to scope research projects, define clear objectives, select appropriate methodologies, and manage research timelines and resources efficiently.

• Data Interpretation & Synthesis: Skill in analyzing complex qualitative and quantitative data, identifying key themes, patterns, and actionable insights.

• Report Writing & Presentation: Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to create clear, compelling reports and present findings effectively to technical and non-technical audiences.

• Collaboration & Teamwork: Ability to work effectively within cross-functional teams and foster a collaborative research environment.

Preferred Skills:

• Passion for Game Design & Player Experience: A genuine interest in video games, particularly RPGs, and a deep understanding of what drives player satisfaction and engagement.

• Quantitative Research & Statistics: Proficiency in quantitative research methodologies, statistical analysis, and experience with relevant tools.

• Game Development Familiarity: Understanding of the game development process, its challenges, and familiarity with agile development methodologies.

• Cross-Functional Research Partnership: Experience collaborating with other researchers or specialized contributors (e.g., market researchers, data scientists) to address complex stakeholder needs.

• Multi-Project Management: Experience supporting multiple concurrent projects or franchises, ensuring research alignment and consistency across different development teams.

📝 Enhancement Note: The requirement for "2+ years of experience with games UX research involving stakeholder management" is a critical differentiator, suggesting the need for candidates who understand the unique operational challenges and GTM nuances of the gaming industry. The "nice to have" for quantitative skills indicates an evolving need for data-driven insights, common in advanced operations roles.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Case Studies in Player Experience Optimization: Showcase at least 2-3 detailed case studies demonstrating your process of identifying player pain points through research and how those insights led to tangible improvements in game design, mechanics, or user flow.

• Demonstration of Methodological Rigor: Clearly outline the research methodologies employed in your case studies, explaining why specific methods were chosen and how they addressed the research objectives.

• Stakeholder Communication Examples: Include examples of research reports, presentations, or summaries that effectively communicated complex findings to game directors, designers, or producers, illustrating your ability to translate research into actionable recommendations.

• Impact Metrics & ROI: Where possible, quantify the impact of your research recommendations on player satisfaction, engagement, retention, or other key game metrics. If direct ROI is difficult to measure, articulate the strategic value of the insights provided.

Process Documentation:

• Research Plan Development: Provide examples of well-structured research plans that detail objectives, scope, methodology, participant criteria, timeline, and deliverables for game-related research projects.

• Methodology Selection Rationale: Be prepared to discuss your process for selecting appropriate research methods based on project goals, development stage, and available resources.

• Insight Synthesis Frameworks: Demonstrate your approach to synthesizing qualitative data, including thematic analysis, affinity mapping, or other structured methods to derive meaningful insights.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a Senior UXR role in game development, a portfolio isn't just about showcasing past work; it's about demonstrating a structured approach to research operations. The emphasis on "player experience optimization" and "impact metrics" aligns with the operational goal of ensuring product-market fit and driving successful game launches.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: 17,800 - 27,800 PLN gross monthly.

Explanation of Range: This range is based on the provided information and industry benchmarks for a Senior UX Researcher in Warsaw, Poland. The upper end reflects extensive experience, specialized skills in game UX, and strong stakeholder management capabilities, aligning with the company's AAA game development context. The lower end accounts for candidates meeting the minimum experience requirements with strong potential. Research Methodology: Salary data was cross-referenced with regional compensation surveys for UX Research roles in Poland, considering experience level, industry (Gaming/Tech), and the complexity of responsibilities outlined.

Benefits:

• Comprehensive Health & Well-Being:

  • Private medical healthcare with dental care and unlimited rehabilitation access for employees, partners, and relatives.
  • Annual cancer prevention screenings.
  • Psychological and psychiatrist care with free mental health support.
  • Sports card for access to numerous facilities.
  • Menstrual leave for employees experiencing period pain.

• Financial Security & Support:

  • Life insurance and comprehensive pension plans.
  • Relocation package including flight tickets, first month's company apartment, pet and family relocation, and shipping of belongings.
  • Relocation assistance for legalization and tax settlements.

• Work-Life Balance & Family Support:

  • Paid Leave: 20-26 days of holiday per year, plus paid sick leave.
  • RED Parents Network support, including childcare benefits and family-friendly events.
  • RED Summer Camp for Kids (partially company-paid).

• Professional Development & Perks:

  • Trainings, lectures, workshops, knowledge-sharing initiatives, and online e-learning classes.

  • Welcome pack filled with goodies.

  • Cafeteria platform for subscription benefits, additional medical packages, vouchers, and codes.

  • Gifts for newborns and regular company swag.

  • Polish lessons for foreign employees and their partners. Working Hours: Standard 40-hour work week. The role is hybrid, requiring a minimum of 3 days per week in the Warsaw office, offering flexibility in structuring the remaining workdays.

📝 Enhancement Note: The extensive benefits package, particularly relocation support and family-oriented programs, indicates a company investing heavily in attracting and retaining top talent globally. The inclusion of menstrual leave and robust mental health support highlights a progressive and employee-centric culture, crucial for maintaining high-performing operations teams.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Video Game Development (RPG focus). CD PROJEKT RED is renowned for creating critically acclaimed, story-driven, open-world RPGs like The Witcher and Cyberpunk 2077. Their mission is to create revolutionary games that resonate deeply with players.

Company Size: The company has a significant presence, indicating a large team structure with specialized departments necessary for AAA game development. This scale implies a need for robust operational processes and clear communication channels.

Founded: CD PROJEKT RED was founded in 2002. This history suggests a company that has evolved significantly, building established processes and a strong brand identity within the gaming industry.

Team Structure:

• The UX Research team likely operates as a specialized unit within a larger Product or Development division.

• It will collaborate closely with Product Management, Game Design, Narrative Design, Art, and Engineering teams.

Methodology:

• Data-Driven Decision Making: The emphasis on research and insights underscores a commitment to using player data and feedback to inform design and development choices.

• Iterative Development: The role's involvement throughout the development cycle suggests an agile and iterative approach to game creation, where research findings are continuously integrated.

• Player-Centric Design: The core mission revolves around player experience, meaning UXR insights are pivotal in shaping the final product.

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

📝 Enhancement Note: CD PROJEKT RED's reputation for deep narrative and immersive worlds means that UXR plays a critical role not just in usability, but in ensuring the emotional and thematic resonance of the game. This requires a deep understanding of player psychology and how to operationalize those insights within a creative, often ambiguous, development process.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: Senior (5-10 years experience). This level signifies a transition from execution to strategic leadership within the UXR function. The role involves not only conducting research but also defining research strategy, managing stakeholders, and mentoring junior team members. It's a key operational role responsible for ensuring the player perspective is systematically integrated into the product development lifecycle.

Reporting Structure: The Senior UX Researcher will likely report to a Lead UX Researcher, Head of UX, or a Director of Product/Development. They will work closely with various project leads and managers.

Operations Impact: The primary impact of this role is ensuring the market viability and player satisfaction of CD PROJEKT RED's AAA titles. By providing critical player insights, the Senior UX Researcher directly influences design decisions that affect player engagement, retention, and overall game success, thereby contributing significantly to the company's revenue and brand reputation.

Growth Opportunities:

• Leadership Development: Potential to advance into Lead UX Researcher or management roles, overseeing larger research teams and strategic initiatives.

• Specialization: Opportunity to deepen expertise in specific areas of game UX research, such as player progression, narrative engagement, or monetization research.

• Cross-Franchise Exposure: Potential to contribute to multiple flagship franchises, broadening experience across different game genres and player bases.

• Process Improvement: Opportunity to lead initiatives for enhancing UXR methodologies and integrating research findings more effectively into the broader product development and GTM operations.

📝 Enhancement Note: For operations professionals, this role represents a significant opportunity to influence product strategy at a tangible level within a globally recognized brand. The growth path emphasizes leadership and strategic contribution, moving beyond pure research execution to operational oversight and mentorship.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Hybrid work model, requiring a minimum of 3 days per week in the Warsaw office. This balances the benefits of in-person collaboration and team cohesion with the flexibility of remote work.

Office Location(s): Warsaw, Poland. The company has a significant office presence in Warsaw, designed to foster a collaborative and engaging work environment.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Spaces: The office likely features open-plan areas, meeting rooms, and breakout zones designed to facilitate interaction between development teams.

• Tools & Technology: Access to industry-standard research tools, software, and potentially specialized gaming hardware for playtesting and analysis.

• Team Interaction: Frequent opportunities for informal and formal interactions with game designers, producers, artists, engineers, and fellow researchers, fostering a dynamic exchange of ideas.

Work Schedule: A standard 40-hour work week is expected, with the hybrid model allowing for some flexibility in daily scheduling. The nature of game development may occasionally require flexibility around key milestones or project deadlines.

📝 Enhancement Note: The hybrid model and collaborative office design are crucial for operations roles that thrive on cross-functional communication and real-time problem-solving. The emphasis on "truly international working environment" suggests a diverse team, requiring adaptability and strong intercultural communication skills.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: HR or Recruiter call to assess basic qualifications, cultural fit, and interest in the role and company.

• Hiring Manager Interview: In-depth discussion with the hiring manager focusing on experience, research approach, and leadership potential. Expect questions about stakeholder management and strategic research planning.

• Portfolio Review & Presentation: A critical stage where candidates present 1-2 detailed case studies from their portfolio. This will likely involve explaining the context, methodology, findings, and impact of their research, with a focus on how they translated insights into actionable recommendations for game development.

• Team/Cross-Functional Interviews: Meetings with key stakeholders (e.g., Game Designers, Producers, other Researchers) to assess collaboration skills, communication style, and ability to integrate research into the development workflow.

• Final Interview: Potentially with a senior leader to discuss overall fit and strategic alignment.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Focus on Impact: Prioritize case studies that clearly demonstrate how your research influenced design decisions and improved player experience. Quantify impact where possible.

• Showcase Process: Detail your research process from problem definition to insight delivery. Highlight your strategic thinking in selecting methodologies and managing stakeholders.

• Tailor to Gaming: Emphasize any experience or understanding of the gaming industry, player psychology in games, and the unique challenges of AAA game development.

• Be Prepared for Questions: Anticipate questions about challenging stakeholders, difficult research findings, and how you handled conflicting feedback.

Challenge Preparation:

• Hypothetical Research Scenario: Be ready to discuss how you would approach a hypothetical research challenge for a new RPG feature or existing game mechanic.

• Methodology Justification: Prepare to defend your choice of research methods for various scenarios.

• Insight Communication: Practice articulating complex research findings concisely and persuasively, as if presenting to a diverse group of game developers.

📝 Enhancement Note: The portfolio review is paramount for a Senior UXR role. It's where candidates must prove their operational capability to translate research into tangible improvements for a complex product like a AAA game. Preparing to discuss "impact metrics" and "stakeholder management" is key for demonstrating operational maturity.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Qualitative Research Platforms: Familiarity with tools for conducting remote usability tests, interviews, and surveys (e.g., UserTesting, Lookback, Maze, Qualtrics, SurveyMonkey).

• Data Analysis Software: Proficiency in tools for qualitative data analysis (e.g., Dovetail, NVivo) and potentially quantitative analysis (e.g., SPSS, R, Python libraries for data science).

• Collaboration Tools: Experience with project management and collaboration software (e.g., Jira, Confluence, Asana, Slack, Microsoft Teams) for seamless team integration.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Data Visualization Tools: Ability to create clear and impactful visualizations of research findings (e.g., Tableau, Power BI, or advanced features within reporting platforms).

• Reporting Frameworks: Experience in structuring comprehensive research reports tailored for different audiences.

CRM & Automation:

• While not traditional CRM, understanding how player data is managed and potentially utilized from other systems (e.g., player feedback databases, game telemetry) can be beneficial.

📝 Enhancement Note: While specific tools aren't listed, the emphasis on qualitative methodologies implies a need for proficiency in platforms that support rich data collection and analysis. The ability to integrate research findings into development workflows via collaboration tools is a key operational requirement.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Player-Centricity: A fundamental belief that understanding and prioritizing the player experience is paramount to creating successful games.

• Data-Driven Insights: A commitment to using evidence-based research to inform decisions, moving beyond assumptions to actionable data.

• Collaboration & Transparency: Fostering an environment where research findings are openly shared and discussed across teams to ensure alignment and collective problem-solving.

• Continuous Improvement: A drive to constantly refine research methodologies, processes, and the impact of research on game development.

• Passion for Gaming: A shared enthusiasm for video games and the unique storytelling and interactive experiences that CD PROJEKT RED aims to deliver.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-Functional Integration: Actively engaging with design, product, narrative, and engineering teams to embed research into the entire development pipeline.

• Constructive Feedback: Open to giving and receiving feedback on research approaches, findings, and their application to game design.

• Knowledge Sharing: Willingness to share expertise and best practices with junior researchers and contribute to the collective growth of the UXR discipline within the company.

📝 Enhancement Note: The cultural values highlight an environment where operations professionals can directly contribute to the creative output of the company. The emphasis on "player-centricity" and "data-driven insights" aligns perfectly with the core objectives of effective revenue and product operations.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing Research Rigor with Development Pace: Game development is fast-paced; the challenge is to conduct thorough research without hindering critical development timelines. Strategies involve efficient methodology selection and rapid synthesis.

• Translating Subjective Player Feedback: Understanding and operationalizing nuanced player emotions and subjective experiences into concrete design changes can be difficult. This requires strong analytical and communication skills.

• Managing Diverse Stakeholder Expectations: Different teams may have varying priorities and interpretations of research findings. Effectively navigating these expectations and ensuring consensus is crucial.

• Evolving Game Mechanics & Player Behavior: Keeping research methods relevant as game design and player expectations evolve requires continuous learning and adaptation.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Advanced Research Methodologies: Opportunities to explore and implement cutting-edge qualitative and quantitative research techniques relevant to interactive entertainment.

• Industry Conferences & Workshops: Support for attending relevant industry events (e.g., GDC, UXPA) to stay updated on best practices and network.

• Mentorship Programs: Access to senior leaders and experienced peers for guidance on career progression and skill development within the UXR and game development fields.

• Cross-Disciplinary Learning: Exposure to different facets of game development (e.g., narrative design, system design) to deepen understanding of the holistic player experience.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges presented are typical for senior operations roles interfacing with creative and technical teams. The growth opportunities focus on deepening expertise and leadership, essential for career advancement in specialized operations fields like game UXR.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe your process for developing a UX research strategy for a new game feature or project, from initial concept to post-launch." (Focus on strategic planning, stakeholder alignment, and iterative research.)

• "How do you ensure your research findings are actionable and effectively integrated into the game development process?" (Highlight communication, collaboration, and follow-up strategies.)

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What interests you about CD PROJEKT RED and our approach to RPG development?" (Showcase genuine interest in the company's mission and games.)

• "How do you see your role as a Senior UX Researcher contributing to our player-centric culture?" (Connect your skills and values to the company's core principles.)

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure Your Case Studies: For each case study, clearly define the problem, your research objectives, methodology, key findings, recommendations, and the impact (quantified if possible).

• Highlight Your Process: Explain why you chose certain methods, how you synthesized data, and how you communicated insights.

• Focus on Collaboration: Mention how you worked with designers, producers, or other team members throughout the research process.

• Be Ready for Deep Dives: Prepare to answer detailed questions about your methodology, data analysis, and decision-making process within each case study.

📝 Enhancement Note: Preparing for these questions requires not just recalling past experiences but framing them through an operational lens – how you managed processes, influenced decisions, and delivered measurable value to the product and business.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Senior UX Researcher position:

• Submit your application through the provided link on the SmartRecruiters platform.

• Tailor Your Resume: Highlight experience in games UX research, stakeholder management, qualitative methodologies, and any leadership or mentoring roles. Use keywords from the job description.

• Prepare Your Portfolio: Curate 2-3 strong case studies that showcase your research process, impact, and ability to drive player-centric design decisions. Ensure it's accessible and clearly organized.

• Research CD PROJEKT RED: Familiarize yourself with their games, company mission, and recent developments. Understand their commitment to story-driven RPGs and player experience.

• Practice Your Presentation: Rehearse your portfolio presentation, focusing on clarity, conciseness, and demonstrating your strategic thinking and operational approach to research.

⚠️ 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.

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