UX Design Research Intern

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: UX Design Research Intern

Company: Axos Bank

Location: San Diego, CA, United States

Job Type: Full-time Internship

Category: UX Research / Product Operations

Date Posted: 2026-10-05

Experience Level: Entry-level (Internship)

Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• Support the UX Research team in understanding user needs and market trends to inform product development.

• Assist in the creation and maintenance of product documentation, including timelines and progress tracking for roadmap initiatives.

• Facilitate communication and alignment between product, IT, and design teams to ensure seamless project execution.

• Contribute to the collection and analysis of product performance metrics, aiding in the preparation of leadership reports.

• Develop user guides, training materials, and process documentation for new product features and system enhancements.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is positioned as a UX Design Research Intern, implying a strong focus on user-centric product development and market analysis. While the core responsibilities touch upon documentation and reporting, the emphasis is on how these activities support the broader UX research and product strategy efforts within a financial technology environment.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Conduct market data gathering, identify emerging user experience trends, and analyze competitor product offerings to provide actionable insights for product strategy.

• Assist in the comprehensive maintenance of product documentation, including updating project timelines, tracking the progress of key roadmap initiatives, and ensuring data integrity.

• Facilitate effective communication and collaboration between product management, IT, and design departments to ensure cohesive requirements definition and timely deliverable execution.

• Collect, organize, and perform initial analysis of product performance metrics, and assist in the preparation of clear, concise reports for senior leadership review.

• Support the creation of essential user guides, comprehensive training materials, and detailed process documentation for new product features or significant system upgrades.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a blend of research support, documentation, and cross-functional coordination, typical for an intern role supporting product operations and UX initiatives. The focus on "informing product decisions" and "supporting product roadmap initiatives" suggests a strategic contribution beyond administrative tasks.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: Pursuing a Bachelor's or Master's degree in Human-Computer Interaction, Psychology, Sociology, Anthropology, Design, Computer Science, or a related field.

Experience: Previous internship experience or relevant coursework in UX research, market analysis, or product development is beneficial.

Required Skills:

• Basic understanding of UX research methodologies and principles.

• Ability to gather and synthesize market data and competitor information.

• Familiarity with product documentation standards and project tracking concepts.

• Strong written and verbal communication skills for cross-functional collaboration.

• Proficiency in data collection and basic analytical skills for performance metrics.

• Aptitude for creating clear and concise user guides and training materials. Preferred Skills:

• Experience with user research tools and platforms.

• Familiarity with Agile development methodologies.

• Basic understanding of financial products or the banking industry.

• Experience with documentation tools like Confluence or similar platforms.

• Ability to contribute to process optimization discussions.

📝 Enhancement Note: The qualifications suggest a candidate who is currently enrolled in a relevant academic program, indicating a need for foundational knowledge in UX/research and strong communication abilities. The emphasis on "aptitude" and "basic understanding" points to a learning-oriented role where practical application of academic concepts is key.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Examples of market research summaries and competitive analysis reports.

• Samples of documentation created, such as process flows or user guides.

• Demonstrations of data analysis for performance metrics or user feedback.

• Case studies showcasing contributions to product feature development or system improvements.

• Evidence of cross-functional communication and collaboration on projects. Process Documentation:

• Ability to contribute to the design and documentation of user workflows for new features.

• Experience in documenting system requirements or product specifications.

• Understanding of how to create process documentation that supports user adoption and training.

📝 Enhancement Note: While a formal portfolio might not be mandatory for an intern, demonstrating past project work, academic contributions, or personal projects that align with the responsibilities will be highly advantageous. The focus should be on showcasing analytical, documentation, and communication skills relevant to product operations and UX research.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $17.85 - $24.15 per hour Actual starting pay will vary based on factors including, but not limited to, geographic location, experience, skills, specialty, and education.

Benefits:

• Sick Leave

• 401(k) Retirement Saving Plan with Employer Match Program

• Free Access to Self-Directed Trading

• Networking with Executives

• Corporate Finance Institute Courses

• Access to Onsite Gym (San Diego HQ)

Working Hours: Approximately 40 hours per week, aligned with the 12-week Summer Internship Program (Session 1: May 25 - August 13; Session 2: June 14 - September 3).

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range provided is based on the explicit figures in the job description for an intern role in San Diego, CA. This range is competitive for entry-level internships in the tech and finance sectors in this region, considering the cost of living and typical intern compensation. The benefits are comprehensive for an internship, offering professional development and financial planning resources.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Banking / Financial Services & Technology. Axos Bank operates as a digital-first financial institution, leveraging technology to deliver a wide range of financial tools and services. This technology-driven approach is central to its operations and product development.

Company Size: Axos Financial is a publicly traded company (NYSE: AX), indicating a significant operational scale and structured corporate environment. The internship program itself suggests a commitment to talent development.

Founded: Axos Financial was founded with a mission to provide innovative, technology-driven financial solutions, emphasizing efficiency and customer value. This history shapes its current culture of innovation and adaptability.

Team Structure:

• The UX Research team operates within a larger product development or design department, supporting multiple business units.

• Interns will collaborate closely with UX researchers, product managers, IT specialists, and design teams.

• There is a clear emphasis on cross-functional collaboration to ensure alignment on product requirements and deliverables. Methodology:

• Data-driven decision-making is a core operational principle, evident in the collection and analysis of market data and product performance metrics.

• A focus on user-centric design and product development, supported by UX research insights.

• Emphasis on efficient project execution and timely delivery of roadmap initiatives.

Company Website: https://www.axosbank.com/Careers

📝 Enhancement Note: Axos Bank's "digital-first" and "technology-driven" identity is crucial. For an operations intern, this means expecting a dynamic environment where process efficiency, data utilization, and agile methodologies are likely valued. The company's public trading status suggests a more formal structure and reporting cadence.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This is an entry-level internship role, designed for students to gain foundational experience in UX research and product operations within the financial services industry. The scope is focused on supporting existing team members and learning core processes.

Reporting Structure: The intern will report to a UX Researcher or a manager within the UX Research or Product team. They will work under direct supervision and guidance.

Operations Impact: While direct impact on enterprise-level decisions is limited at the intern level, contributions to market research, documentation, and metric analysis will indirectly influence product roadmap prioritization and design iterations, ultimately affecting user experience and product success.

Growth Opportunities:

• Skill Development: Gain practical experience in UX research methodologies, market analysis, product documentation, and cross-functional communication within a regulated financial environment.

• Networking: Opportunities to connect with senior leaders, executives, and experienced professionals across various departments through dedicated sessions and the internship program.

• Professional Training: Access to Corporate Finance Institute courses, financial literacy training, and potentially other professional development workshops offered as part of the internship.

• Capstone Project: Opportunity to lead or significantly contribute to a capstone project, providing a tangible output and a chance to showcase comprehensive skills.

📝 Enhancement Note: This internship is a stepping stone, offering exposure to professional operations and UX environments. The growth is primarily through learning and application of foundational skills, with significant networking and structured training opportunities provided by Axos.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: On-site at Axos Bank's headquarters in San Diego, CA. The environment is described as a "technology-driven financial environment" and implies a professional, corporate office setting.

Office Location(s): San Diego HQ, 4350 La Jolla Village Drive, San Diego, CA. The location is noted as being within walking distance of UTC (University Town Center), suggesting accessibility to amenities.

Workspace Context:

• A collaborative office setting where interaction with UX researchers, product managers, IT, and design teams is expected.

• Access to standard office equipment and technology necessary for performing job duties.

• The environment supports learning and professional development, with access to onsite amenities like a gym.

Work Schedule: The internship spans 12 weeks, with a standard full-time work schedule (approximately 40 hours per week). While flexibility isn't explicitly mentioned, a corporate internship typically aligns with standard business hours.

📝 Enhancement Note: The on-site requirement in San Diego is a key factor. The description of the workspace suggests a professional, collaborative, and resource-rich environment conducive to learning and networking for interns.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: Application review to assess academic background, relevant coursework, and stated interests.

• Hiring Manager Interview: Likely a behavioral and situational interview focusing on motivation, teamwork, problem-solving aptitude, and understanding of UX/product concepts.

• Team/Department Interview: Potentially a session with UX researchers or product managers to gauge technical understanding, communication skills, and cultural fit within the team.

• Internship Program Orientation: For selected candidates, an introduction to the broader internship program, including its objectives, activities, and expectations.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Highlight Relevant Projects: Showcase academic projects, personal projects, or any previous work that demonstrates skills in research, analysis, documentation, or design thinking.

• Focus on Process: For any project, explain your role, the steps you took, the tools you used, and the outcomes achieved. For this role, emphasize data gathering, analysis, and documentation.

• Quantify Achievements: Where possible, use numbers to describe your contributions or the impact of your work (e.g., "analyzed data from 50 user surveys," "contributed to documentation that improved process efficiency by X%").

• Tailor to Axos: Briefly explain why you are interested in Axos Bank and this specific internship role, demonstrating research into the company's mission and values.

Challenge Preparation:

• Be prepared to discuss your understanding of UX research principles and their application in a business context.

• Think about how you would approach gathering information on a new product or competitor.

• Practice explaining a complex topic or process clearly and concisely.

• Consider how you would collaborate with different teams (e.g., product, IT, design) to achieve a common goal.

📝 Enhancement Note: While a formal portfolio might not be strictly required for an intern, candidates should be ready to discuss relevant academic or personal projects. The interview process will likely assess foundational knowledge, soft skills, and potential for growth rather than extensive prior experience.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Documentation Tools: Familiarity with tools like Microsoft Word, Google Docs, or potentially Confluence for creating user guides, process documents, and maintaining product documentation.

• Project Management/Tracking: Basic understanding of project tracking concepts, potentially exposure to tools like Jira, Asana, or Trello through academic projects.

• Data Analysis & Reporting: Proficiency in spreadsheet software (Excel, Google Sheets) for collecting and organizing performance metrics. Basic data analysis skills.

• Communication & Collaboration: Standard office productivity suites (Microsoft Office, Google Workspace) for email, presentations, and document sharing.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Experience with data visualization tools or basic reporting functions within spreadsheet software.

• Ability to interpret and present performance metrics from various sources. CRM & Automation:

• While not a primary focus for this role, any exposure to CRM systems (like Salesforce) or automation platforms from academic projects would be a plus, demonstrating an understanding of business systems.

📝 Enhancement Note: The role requires foundational digital literacy and the ability to learn new systems quickly. Proficiency in standard office software and basic data handling is essential. The emphasis is on supporting research and documentation, not necessarily operating complex analytics or automation platforms independently.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Innovation & Technology: As a digital-first bank, Axos values forward-thinking solutions and leveraging technology to enhance services.

• Customer Focus: Dedication to providing value and meeting customer needs through efficient and accessible financial tools.

• Collaboration: Emphasis on teamwork and cross-functional cooperation to achieve shared goals.

• Efficiency & Excellence: Commitment to operational excellence, data-driven decision-making, and continuous improvement.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-functional Integration: Expect to work closely with diverse teams (Product, IT, Design), requiring strong communication and a willingness to understand different perspectives.

• Open Communication: A culture that encourages sharing information and providing feedback to ensure alignment and progress.

• Learning & Development: A supportive environment for interns to learn, ask questions, and grow their professional skill sets.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interns are expected to embody the company's values by being proactive, collaborative, and eager to learn within a structured, yet innovative, financial technology environment. Demonstrating an understanding of these values during interviews will be beneficial.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Navigating a Corporate Environment: Adapting to the professional norms, reporting structures, and pace of a large financial institution.

• Cross-functional Coordination: Effectively communicating and collaborating with various departments that may have different priorities and working styles.

• Data Interpretation: Moving from academic data analysis to real-world business metrics and understanding their implications for product strategy.

• Adapting to Financial Regulations: Understanding the unique operational considerations and compliance requirements within the banking industry.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Structured Internship Program: Access to curated learning sessions, executive interactions, and professional development workshops.

• Mentorship: Opportunities to learn from experienced UX researchers and product professionals.

• Hands-on Project Experience: Applying academic knowledge to real-world projects, contributing to tangible business outcomes.

• Industry Exposure: Gaining insights into the financial services and technology sectors.

📝 Enhancement Note: The primary challenge for an intern will be to quickly learn and adapt to a professional setting. The growth opportunities are substantial, offering a well-rounded internship experience beyond just task execution.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you had to gather information from multiple sources to complete a project. How did you ensure the information was accurate and relevant?" (Assesses data gathering and analysis skills.)

• "How would you approach documenting a new feature for a mobile banking app to ensure users can understand it easily?" (Tests documentation clarity and user-centric thinking.)

• "Imagine you need to present product performance metrics to a group of stakeholders who are not data experts. How would you prepare and present this information?" (Focuses on communication and reporting skills.) Company & Culture Questions:

• "Why are you interested in interning at Axos Bank specifically, and what do you hope to gain from this experience?" (Assesses research into the company and personal career goals.)

• "How do you approach working with team members who have different ideas or perspectives than your own?" (Evaluates collaboration and interpersonal skills.)

• "What interests you about UX research and its role in product development within the financial industry?" (Gauges passion for the field and understanding of its application.) Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Focus on Impact: For any project shared, clearly articulate your role, the problem you addressed, your methodology, and the outcome or learning.

• Showcase Process: Be ready to walk through your steps in data collection, analysis, or documentation creation.

• Conciseness: Present information clearly and efficiently, respecting the interviewer's time. Tailor your examples to directly relate to the internship responsibilities.

• Enthusiasm: Convey genuine interest in the role, the company, and the opportunity to learn.

📝 Enhancement Note: Preparation should focus on demonstrating a strong understanding of basic research and documentation principles, excellent communication skills, and a proactive, collaborative attitude. Relating academic projects to the internship's responsibilities will be key.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this operations position:

• Submit your application through the provided Workday link.

• Resume Customization: Tailor your resume to highlight relevant coursework, academic projects, and any experience related to research, data analysis, documentation, or cross-functional teamwork. Use keywords from the job description.

• Portfolio Preparation: Prepare to discuss any relevant academic projects or personal initiatives that showcase your skills in market analysis, documentation, or data interpretation. While a formal portfolio may not be required, having examples to reference is crucial.

• Interview Practice: Practice answering behavioral questions focusing on teamwork, problem-solving, and communication. Be ready to articulate your understanding of UX research and its application in a business context.

• Company Research: Familiarize yourself with Axos Bank's mission, values, and its digital-first approach to banking. Understand the significance of UX research in a technology-driven financial institution.

⚠️ 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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