UX Research IC4

Etsy
Full-time$154k-231k/year (USD)New York, United States

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: UX Research IC4

Company: Etsy

Location: Brooklyn, NY, United States

Job Type: Full time

Category: UX Research / Product Research

Date Posted: 2026-09-14

Experience Level: 5-10 years

Remote Status: Hybrid (2 days in office)

🚀 Role Summary

  • Lead research and measurement initiatives focused on defining and elevating the quality of user experiences across Etsy's buyer and seller platforms.

  • Establish and manage a repeatable UX quality benchmarking program to assess core buyer and seller flows, identifying critical usability gaps and tracking improvements over time.

  • Synthesize mixed-methods research, behavioral data, customer experience tracking, and competitive intelligence to inform product strategy and investment decisions.

  • Develop and implement scalable methods, tools, and reporting practices to enable product teams to assess and maintain consistent experience quality.

  • Influence cross-functional teams, including Product, Design, Engineering, and Analytics, by translating complex research findings into clear priorities, standards, and actionable recommendations.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "IC4" designation typically signifies a senior individual contributor role within tech companies, implying a high level of autonomy, strategic influence, and technical expertise. This role is positioned as a foundational element for UX quality at Etsy, requiring a proactive and program-building approach rather than just executing studies for specific product teams. The focus on "UX quality," "benchmarking," and "UX modernization" suggests a strategic, long-term impact on the platform's user experience.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

  • Define and operationalize a comprehensive strategy for UX quality and modernization across Etsy's marketplace, establishing clear research and measurement objectives.

  • Design, implement, and lead a robust, repeatable benchmarking program for core buyer and seller journeys, ensuring consistent measurement against e-commerce experience standards and over time.

  • Establish critical baselines and success metrics encompassing usability, task completion rates, efficiency, customer perception, and other key experience quality signals.

  • Conduct mixed-methods research to pinpoint significant experience gaps and rigorously evaluate the impact of modernized product features and flows.

  • Integrate diverse data sources, including qualitative and quantitative research, behavioral analytics, customer experience tracking, and competitive intelligence, to build a holistic understanding of user experience.

  • Translate intricate research insights into compelling, evidence-based recommendations that directly influence product roadmaps, design system evolution, and strategic investment decisions across various departments.

  • Develop and disseminate scalable methodologies, user-friendly tools, standardized reporting frameworks, and practical guidance to empower product teams in consistently assessing and improving UX quality.

  • Collaborate with and mentor other researchers within Etsy, fostering best practices in mixed-methods research and elevating the overall organizational approach to usability measurement and experience quality.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on "building durable research programs, not just individual study plans" highlights the need for a strategic, systems-thinking approach. This role is expected to create and maintain ongoing processes and frameworks that outlast single projects, requiring a deep understanding of how to embed research into the product development lifecycle at scale. The responsibility to "partner with and mentor researchers" indicates a leadership component, expecting this individual to elevate the practice of UX research across the company.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: While not explicitly stated, a Bachelor's or Master's degree in Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), Psychology, Sociology, Anthropology, Statistics, or a related field is typically expected for senior UX research roles.

Experience: 5+ years of dedicated experience in product research, with a strong emphasis on designing and executing comprehensive research programs.

Required Skills:

  • Quantitative Research Expertise: Proven ability to craft detailed surveys, develop robust measurement frameworks, apply appropriate statistical methods (e.g., hypothesis testing, regression analysis), and interpret comparative or longitudinal data effectively.

  • Qualitative Research Proficiency: Deep understanding and practical application of various qualitative methods (e.g., interviews, usability testing, ethnographic research) to uncover user needs, motivations, and pain points.

  • Mixed-Methods Integration: Skill in synthesizing insights from both quantitative and qualitative research to create a holistic and nuanced understanding of user behavior and experience.

  • Usability Research Mastery: Deep knowledge of usability principles, heuristics, and best practices, with the ability to translate abstract concepts like "experience quality" into concrete, measurable dimensions.

  • Program Development: Demonstrated track record of creating and sustaining durable, impactful research programs that address complex and ambiguous problem spaces, rather than just executing isolated studies.

  • Strategic Synthesis & Recommendation: Ability to connect disparate customer evidence, product data, and external market signals into a clear point of view and formulate actionable, prioritized recommendations.

  • Communication & Influence: Exceptional communication and stakeholder management skills, adept at aligning senior partners and articulating research findings in terms of business decisions, strategic priorities, and trade-offs.

  • Critical Thinking & Problem Solving: Strong analytical skills to dissect complex user experience challenges and identify root causes.

Preferred Skills:

  • Design Systems: Familiarity with design systems and their role in ensuring consistency and quality across digital products.

  • Benchmarking Experience: Prior experience in establishing and executing UX benchmarking studies, both internally and against external standards.

  • Large-Scale UX Transformation: Experience contributing to or leading significant UX modernization or transformation initiatives within a large organization.

  • Behavioral Data Analysis: Ability to leverage and interpret behavioral analytics data (e.g., clickstream data, user flow analysis) to complement traditional research methods.

  • Competitive Intelligence: Experience gathering and analyzing competitive landscape data to inform product strategy and identify market opportunities.

  • Mentorship: Experience guiding and mentoring junior researchers, fostering their development and elevating research practices.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "IC4" level strongly implies the need for strategic thinking and program leadership. Candidates should highlight instances where they have independently defined research strategy, built new research capabilities, or significantly influenced product direction through their work, rather than just executing research tasks assigned by others. The emphasis on both quantitative and qualitative expertise is crucial, as the role requires establishing measurable benchmarks and also understanding the "why" behind user behavior.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

  • Case Studies of Program Development: Showcase at least one comprehensive case study detailing the design, implementation, and impact of a research program you initiated or significantly contributed to. This should demonstrate your ability to build durable systems, not just single studies.

  • Measurement Frameworks & Metrics: Include examples of measurement frameworks you've developed, particularly those focusing on UX quality, usability, or customer experience. Clearly articulate the metrics chosen, the rationale behind them, and how they were tracked and reported.

  • Benchmarking Examples: Present examples of benchmarking studies, whether competitive, historical, or against industry standards. Detail your methodology, the insights derived, and how these insights led to actionable product improvements.

  • Cross-Functional Influence: Provide evidence of how your research has influenced product roadmaps, design decisions, or strategic priorities across multiple teams. Quantify the impact where possible (e.g., improved conversion rates, reduced task completion time, increased customer satisfaction).

  • Methodological Diversity: Demonstrate proficiency across a range of qualitative and quantitative research methods, showcasing your ability to select the most appropriate approach for complex, ambiguous problems.

Process Documentation:

  • Workflow Design & Optimization: Illustrate how you've designed or optimized research workflows to improve efficiency, scalability, and impact within a product development lifecycle.

  • Implementation & Automation: Detail any experience you have in developing tools, templates, or systems that enable broader adoption of research practices or automated data collection for UX quality monitoring.

  • Measurement & Performance Analysis: Show how you've established processes for ongoing measurement of UX quality, including defining KPIs, setting up dashboards, and reporting on performance trends to stakeholders.

📝 Enhancement Note: For this senior role, a portfolio should emphasize strategic impact and program-building capabilities. Candidates should focus on demonstrating how they've established ongoing research systems and processes that drive consistent improvements in user experience quality, rather than just showcasing a collection of individual research studies. Highlighting the ability to influence product strategy and roadmaps through data-driven insights will be critical.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

  • Geo-1 (NYC Metro Area): $171,000 - $231,000 USD Annually

  • Geo-2 (All other U.S. locations): $154,000 - $208,000 USD Annually

Benefits:

  • Equity Package: Opportunity to receive company stock, aligning personal success with Etsy's growth.

  • Annual Performance Bonus: Performance-based incentive compensation.

  • Competitive Benefits: Comprehensive package supporting health, well-being, and financial security, likely including:

    • Health, Dental, and Vision Insurance

    • Paid Time Off (PTO) and Holidays

    • Parental Leave

    • 401(k) Retirement Plan with Company Match

    • Life and Disability Insurance

    • Employee Assistance Programs (EAP)

    • Professional Development opportunities Working Hours: 40 hours per week, standard for full-time employment. The hybrid work arrangement suggests flexibility within these hours, with an expectation of 2 days per week in the Brooklyn office.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary ranges provided are specific to Etsy's defined geographic pay zones (Geo-1 and Geo-2). Geo-1 encompasses high-cost-of-living areas like NYC, while Geo-2 covers other U.S. locations. This structure is common in the tech industry to account for regional salary differences. The benefits listed are standard for a company of Etsy's size and industry, with the equity package and annual bonus being significant components of total compensation for senior roles.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: E-commerce / Online Marketplace for unique and handmade goods. Etsy operates in a competitive online retail space, differentiating itself by focusing on artisanal, vintage, and custom products, fostering a "human commerce" ethos. This context means user experience quality is paramount for both buyers and sellers to trust and engage with the platform.

Company Size: Etsy is a publicly traded company with a significant employee base (likely hundreds to thousands, though exact current numbers aren't provided in the raw data, it's a well-established tech company). This size implies structured processes, cross-functional teams, and established career ladders, but also requires individuals to navigate larger organizational dynamics.

Founded: Etsy was founded in 2005. This history suggests a mature company with established practices, a developed product, and a history of adapting to market changes. It has evolved from a startup to a large-scale e-commerce platform.

Team Structure:

  • The UX Research team at Etsy is likely structured to support various product areas, with this role being part of a "UX Foundations" team.

  • This "UX Foundations" team focuses on developing systems, patterns, guidance, and shared standards for high-quality experiences at scale, rather than supporting a single product vertical.

  • The role reports to a Director of Research, indicating a clear reporting line within the research organization.

  • Collaboration is expected across Product Management, Design, Engineering, Analytics, and other Research teams, highlighting a matrixed organizational approach common in tech. Methodology:

  • Data-Driven Decision Making: Etsy emphasizes using data (behavioral, research, customer feedback) to inform product decisions and strategy.

  • User-Centricity: A core tenet is building usable, distinctive, and polished experiences that meet the needs of both buyers and sellers.

  • Systemic Approach to Quality: The UX Foundations team aims to build repeatable processes and shared standards to ensure quality at scale, indicating a focus on efficiency and consistency.

  • Cross-functional Collaboration: Encouraging strong partnerships between research, product, design, and engineering to ensure alignment and effective implementation of insights.

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

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on "Keeping Commerce Human" and "unique and creative goods" suggests Etsy cultivates a culture that values individuality and craftsmanship, which likely extends to its approach to user experience – aiming for authenticity and ease of use. The "UX Foundations" team's mandate indicates a strategic investment in establishing consistent, high-quality user experiences across the entire platform, rather than siloed improvements.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is classified as "IC4," which signifies a Senior Individual Contributor. This level typically involves:

  • High Autonomy: Expected to define and drive their own workstreams with minimal direct supervision.

  • Strategic Impact: Focus on long-term, systemic improvements and influencing product strategy, not just tactical execution.

  • Program Leadership: Ability to conceive, build, and lead complex research programs that have a broad impact across the organization.

  • Mentorship: Expected to guide and develop more junior team members.

  • Cross-functional Influence: Significant responsibility for influencing stakeholders across Product, Design, Engineering, and Analytics.

Reporting Structure: The role reports to a Director of Research. This provides a clear leadership and mentorship path within the research organization. The individual will likely work closely with product leads, design managers, and engineering directors on a day-to-day basis.

Operations Impact: The core impact of this role is on the usability, distinctiveness, and polish of Etsy's buyer and seller experiences. By establishing quality benchmarks and identifying key gaps, this research directly influences:

  • Customer Satisfaction & Retention: Improved usability leads to happier buyers and sellers, increasing platform loyalty.

  • Conversion Rates: Streamlined and intuitive flows can boost transaction completion.

  • Efficiency for Sellers: Better tools and interfaces can improve seller productivity and business outcomes.

  • Brand Perception: A polished and reliable user experience reinforces Etsy's brand as a trusted marketplace.

  • Product Development Prioritization: Research findings will guide where product and engineering resources are best allocated for maximum customer impact.

Growth Opportunities:

  • Deep Specialization: Opportunity to become a recognized expert in UX quality, benchmarking, and large-scale UX transformation within the e-commerce space.

  • Leadership Development: Potential to move into more senior research leadership roles (e.g., Staff/Principal Researcher, Research Manager) by demonstrating program leadership and mentorship capabilities.

  • Broader Cross-Functional Influence: Expand influence across more product areas or potentially into strategic initiatives beyond core UX research.

  • Skill Expansion: Opportunity to deepen expertise in advanced quantitative methods, behavioral analytics, and potentially contribute to Etsy's design system evolution.

  • Industry Recognition: Contributing to foundational UX quality at a well-known e-commerce platform can be a significant career achievement.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "IC4" designation is key. It indicates this isn't a junior role executing tasks, but a senior individual who is expected to define problems, build solutions, and drive strategic initiatives. Candidates should prepare to discuss their experience in setting research agendas, influencing senior leadership, and creating lasting research systems.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Etsy operates a hybrid work model. This means the role is primarily based out of their Brooklyn office, with an expectation of working in the office 1-2 days per week. Remote candidates outside commutable distance may be considered but would require occasional travel.

Office Location(s): The primary office for this role is in Brooklyn, New York. This location is within the Geo-1 pay zone, reflecting the higher cost of living and associated salary adjustments.

Workspace Context:

  • Collaborative Environment: The hybrid model encourages in-person collaboration for key meetings, brainstorming sessions, and team building, while allowing for focused individual work remotely.

  • Operations Tools & Technology: As a tech company, Etsy likely provides access to a modern suite of collaboration tools (e.g., Slack, Google Workspace), project management software, and specialized UX research platforms and analytics tools.

  • Team Interaction: While working across teams, the UX Foundations team likely has its own collaborative rhythms, potentially including regular syncs, research reviews, and knowledge-sharing sessions to foster a cohesive approach to UX quality.

Work Schedule: Standard 40-hour work week. The hybrid model offers flexibility in how those hours are structured, balancing in-office collaboration with remote focus time. This structure is designed to support deep work while maintaining team cohesion.

📝 Enhancement Note: The hybrid model is a key aspect of the work environment. Candidates should be prepared to discuss their comfort and effectiveness in a hybrid setting, including how they manage collaboration and communication across in-office and remote team members. The expectation of 1-2 days in the office suggests a focus on intentional collaboration during in-person days.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

  • Initial Screening: Likely a recruiter screen to assess basic qualifications, interest, and alignment with Etsy's values.

  • Hiring Manager Interview: A conversation with the Director of Research to delve deeper into experience, research philosophy, and strategic thinking. This stage will likely assess your approach to program building and influence.

  • Research Panel Interview: A session with several stakeholders (e.g., other researchers, Product Managers, Designers) to evaluate your research methodologies, quantitative and qualitative skills, and ability to collaborate. Be prepared to discuss specific research projects and challenges.

  • Portfolio Review / Presentation: A dedicated session where you will present 1-2 key case studies from your portfolio, demonstrating your process, impact, and ability to articulate complex findings. This is a critical stage to showcase your strategic thinking and program-building expertise.

  • Cross-Functional Leadership Interview: Potentially an interview with a senior leader from Product or Design to assess your ability to influence cross-functionally and drive strategic alignment at a higher level.

  • Final Interview / Offer: Discussions related to final considerations, compensation, and extending an offer.

Portfolio Review Tips:

  • Focus on Programmatic Impact: Select case studies that highlight your ability to build and sustain research programs, define quality standards, and drive systemic improvements. Showcase initiatives that had a lasting impact beyond a single product launch.

  • Quantify Where Possible: For each case study, clearly articulate the problem, your approach, the insights generated, the actions taken, and the measurable outcomes (e.g., improvements in conversion, task success rates, satisfaction scores).

  • Demonstrate Strategic Thinking: Explain the "why" behind your research choices, how they aligned with business objectives, and how you translated findings into actionable product strategy or roadmap adjustments.

  • Highlight Influence & Collaboration: Show how you partnered with and influenced Product, Design, and Engineering teams. Use examples of how you navigated differing opinions or priorities to achieve research-driven outcomes.

  • Structure for Clarity: Organize your presentations logically (e.g., Situation, Task, Action, Result - STAR method adapted for research). Ensure your slides are visually clean and easy to follow.

Challenge Preparation:

  • Prepare for a "Research Strategy" or "Benchmarking" Challenge: You may be asked to outline how you would approach a specific research problem at Etsy, such as defining UX quality for a particular user journey or designing a benchmarking study for a new feature.

  • Think Systemically: Focus on how you would build a repeatable process, define metrics, and ensure ongoing measurement and improvement, rather than just a one-off study.

  • Consider Cross-Functional Alignment: Be ready to discuss how you would gather input from and gain buy-in from Product, Design, and Engineering for your proposed research strategy.

  • Practice Articulating Trade-offs: Demonstrate your ability to balance rigor with speed, and to make informed decisions about research scope and methodology based on available resources and business needs.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process for an IC4 role at a company like Etsy will be rigorous. Candidates must be prepared to articulate not just what they did, but why they did it, how it impacted the business, and how they influenced others. The portfolio presentation is a key opportunity to demonstrate strategic program-building skills.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

  • UX Research Platforms: Tools for survey creation, participant recruitment, and usability testing (e.g., UserTesting.com, Maze, Qualtrics, SurveyMonkey).

  • Analytics & Behavioral Data Tools: Platforms for analyzing user behavior, website traffic, and conversion funnels (e.g., Google Analytics, Amplitude, Mixpanel, Adobe Analytics).

  • Data Visualization & Dashboarding: Tools to create reports and dashboards for stakeholders (e.g., Tableau, Looker, Power BI).

  • Collaboration & Communication: Standard enterprise tools like Slack, Google Workspace (Docs, Sheets, Slides), Jira, Confluence.

Analytics & Reporting:

  • Quantitative Analysis: Proficiency with statistical software or libraries (e.g., R, Python with pandas/scipy, SPSS) for analyzing survey data, A/B test results, and behavioral metrics.

  • Reporting Tools: Experience in generating clear, concise reports and presentations that translate complex data into actionable insights for various audiences.

  • Dashboarding: Ability to create and maintain dashboards that track key UX quality metrics and progress over time.

CRM & Automation:

  • While not directly managing CRM/automation, understanding how these systems impact user journeys and data collection is beneficial. Familiarity with how customer data is collected and utilized across platforms like Salesforce or HubSpot could be an asset.

  • Integration Tools: Awareness of how different data sources are integrated to provide a unified view of the customer experience.

📝 Enhancement Note: While specific tools aren't listed, the description implies a need for strong proficiency in both qualitative and quantitative research tools, as well as data analysis and visualization platforms. The emphasis on "integrating quantitative and qualitative research with behavioral data" suggests experience with analytics platforms like Amplitude or Mixpanel, and possibly data warehousing/SQL for deeper dives.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values: Etsy's stated values likely align with its mission of "Keeping Commerce Human" and fostering a diverse, equitable, and inclusive workplace. For this role, expect emphasis on:

  • User-Centricity: Deep empathy for buyers and sellers, with a commitment to understanding and improving their experiences.

  • Data-Driven: A strong reliance on evidence, whether qualitative insights or quantitative metrics, to guide decisions and measure impact.

  • Collaboration: Working effectively across diverse teams (Product, Design, Engineering, Analytics) to achieve shared goals.

  • Quality & Craftsmanship: A dedication to building polished, usable, and distinctive experiences that reflect the quality of the goods sold on the platform.

  • Impact & Ownership: Taking initiative, driving programs forward, and being accountable for the outcomes of research initiatives.

  • Inclusivity: Ensuring research considers the needs of diverse user populations and contributes to an equitable marketplace.

Collaboration Style:

  • Partnership-Oriented: Working closely with Product Managers and Designers as strategic partners, not just as service providers.

  • Evidence-Based Persuasion: Using research findings to build consensus and influence decisions, even when challenging existing assumptions.

  • Knowledge Sharing: Actively contributing to the broader research community within Etsy, sharing learnings and best practices.

  • Iterative & Experimental: Embracing an iterative approach to research and product development, open to testing hypotheses and learning from both successes and failures.

📝 Enhancement Note: The company's emphasis on "Keeping Commerce Human" suggests a culture that values authenticity, connection, and a human touch in technology. For a UX Researcher, this translates to understanding the emotional and practical needs of users and ensuring the platform facilitates genuine, positive interactions.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

  • Defining and Measuring "Quality": Operationalizing abstract concepts like "usability," "distinctiveness," and "polish" into measurable metrics and consistent standards across a large, diverse marketplace.

  • Balancing Breadth vs. Depth: Covering core buyer and seller flows comprehensively while also diving deep into specific usability gaps or modernization efforts.

  • Influencing at Scale: Driving consistent UX quality improvements across numerous product teams with potentially competing priorities and varying levels of research maturity.

  • Integrating Diverse Data: Synthesizing insights from qualitative research, behavioral analytics, customer feedback, and competitive intelligence into a cohesive narrative and actionable roadmap.

  • Navigating Ambiguity: Working within a large organization where priorities can shift and product strategies evolve, requiring adaptability and strategic foresight.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

  • Advanced Quantitative Methods: Deepen expertise in statistical modeling, experimental design, and advanced survey methodologies.

  • Behavioral Analytics Mastery: Become an expert in leveraging and interpreting large-scale behavioral data to understand user journeys and identify friction points.

  • Cross-functional Leadership: Develop skills in influencing senior stakeholders, managing research programs strategically, and mentoring other researchers.

  • E-commerce UX Specialization: Gain in-depth knowledge of user experience challenges and best practices within the e-commerce domain.

  • Contribution to Design Systems: Potentially influence the evolution of Etsy's design system through research insights on usability and consistency.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "UX Foundations" team's mandate itself presents a key challenge: establishing and maintaining a high bar for user experience quality across an entire platform. This requires not just excellent research skills, but also strong strategic thinking, program management, and influence.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

  • Defining UX Quality: "How would you define 'experience quality' for Etsy's buyer and seller journeys? What key dimensions would you focus on, and how would you measure them?" (Prepare to discuss metrics like task success, efficiency, error rates, satisfaction, perceived usability, consistency).

  • Building a Benchmarking Program: "Outline your approach to building a repeatable benchmarking program for core Etsy flows. What methodologies would you employ, how would you ensure consistency, and how would you report on findings?" (Think about longitudinal studies, competitive analysis, establishing baselines).

  • Influencing Product Roadmaps: "Describe a time you used research to significantly influence a product roadmap or a major strategic decision. What was the situation, how did you conduct the research, and what was the outcome?" (Focus on demonstrating impact and stakeholder management).

  • Integrating Mixed Methods: "How do you combine qualitative and quantitative data to gain a holistic understanding of user experience problems? Provide an example of when this integration led to critical insights." (Highlight your ability to connect "what" users do with "why" they do it).

  • Prioritizing Research Efforts: "Given the breadth of Etsy's platform, how would you prioritize research efforts to identify the most consequential usability gaps and areas for UX modernization?" (Discuss frameworks for prioritization, impact vs. effort, strategic alignment).

Company & Culture Questions:

  • Etsy's Mission: "What resonates with you about Etsy's mission to 'Keep Commerce Human'? How does this mission influence your approach to UX research?"

  • Hybrid Work: "How do you ensure effective collaboration and communication in a hybrid work environment? What strategies do you use for in-office versus remote workdays?"

  • Research Team Dynamics: "How do you approach mentoring junior researchers or collaborating with peers to elevate the practice of UX research within an organization?"

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

  • Select High-Impact Programs: Choose 1-2 case studies that best showcase your ability to build research programs, drive strategic influence, and deliver measurable impact on user experience quality.

  • Tell a Story: Structure your presentation around a narrative: the problem, your strategic approach, the research conducted, the key insights, the actions taken, and the resulting impact (quantified where possible).

  • Focus on "Why" and "How": Clearly articulate the rationale behind your methodological choices and how you translated insights into actionable recommendations.

  • Demonstrate Influence: Show how you partnered with and influenced Product, Design, and Engineering teams.

  • Be Prepared for Deep Dives: Anticipate detailed questions about your methodology, data analysis, and decision-making process.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview will heavily test your ability to think strategically, build programs, and influence across a large organization. Be prepared to discuss your experience in creating systems and processes for UX quality, not just executing individual research studies. The portfolio presentation is your primary opportunity to demonstrate this.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this UX Research IC4 position at Etsy:

  • Submit your resume through the provided application link on Etsy's careers portal.

  • Tailor Your Resume: Highlight your 5+ years of product research experience, specifically emphasizing your quantitative research expertise, program development capabilities, and experience in influencing product strategy. Use keywords from the job description (e.g., "benchmarking," "usability," "mixed-methods," "UX quality," "stakeholder management").

  • Prepare Your Portfolio: Curate 1-2 robust case studies that showcase your experience in building research programs, defining UX quality metrics, and driving cross-functional influence. Ensure your portfolio clearly demonstrates your strategic thinking and impact.

  • Research Etsy: Understand Etsy's mission, values, product offerings, and its position in the e-commerce market. Familiarize yourself with their buyer and seller journeys.

  • Practice Your Presentation: Rehearse your portfolio presentation, focusing on clear articulation of your process, insights, and impact. Be ready to discuss your approach to hybrid work and collaborative environments.

  • Craft a Compelling Cover Letter (Optional but Recommended): If submitting a cover letter, use it to express your specific interest in Etsy, highlight how your program-building experience aligns with the "UX Foundations" team's goals, and briefly mention your passion for "Keeping Commerce Human."

⚠️ 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.

Application Requirements

Candidates must have 5+ years of product research experience with strong expertise in both quantitative and qualitative methods. A proven track record of developing durable research programs and influencing cross-functional teams is essential.