UX Research/Design Sr Principal

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: UX Research/Design Sr Principal

Company: PepsiCo

Location: Plano, TX; Purchase, NY; Chicago, IL

Job Type: Full-time

Category: User Experience (UX) Design & Research

Date Posted: 2026-07-22

Experience Level: Senior Level (10+ years)

Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• This role is focused on leading the conceptualization, design, and delivery of exceptional user experiences for PepsiCo's Science & Technology (S&T) core priorities.

• It involves a blend of strategic design thinking, hands-on creation of digital prototypes, and facilitation of cross-functional workshops to align stakeholders on user-centric solutions.

• The Senior Principal will be instrumental in defining customer value propositions and translating complex business needs into intuitive and engaging user interfaces and interactions.

• A key aspect of this role is the ability to effectively communicate design rationale and vision to executive leadership and diverse teams, ensuring alignment with business, brand, and technical objectives.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the title is "UX Research/Design Sr Principal," the description emphasizes "Design Sr. Manager" and focuses heavily on design execution, facilitation, and presentation rather than deep, primary UX research methodologies. This suggests the role leans more towards a senior UX/Product Designer with strong facilitation and communication skills, rather than a dedicated UX Researcher. The "Sr Principal" title implies a high level of expertise and leadership within the design discipline.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Conceptualize and define high-level design concepts and customer value propositions in collaboration with Product Owners.

• Lead and facilitate client-facing meetings and workshops, effectively explaining design decisions and inspiring innovative approaches.

• Define and demonstrate user flows, interactions, and service design blueprints for product tasks and features.

• Design frameworks for information architecture that help users understand product or service functionality and behavior over time.

• Collaborate with other design disciplines (e.g., visual design, content design) to integrate user needs with business, brand, and technical requirements.

• Visualize solutions through models, wireframes, documentation, and prototypes, ensuring they address service design objectives and fine details of user interactions.

• Partner closely with front-end developers to ensure seamless implementation of designed experiences.

• Infuse user values into the design of Customer Centered Products, considering the entire ecosystem and user journey.

• Provide guidance on product design to ensure usefulness, usability, effectiveness, desirability, and differentiation for both users and the business.

• Balance creative objectives with business goals, manage client expectations, and ensure successful delivery of design solutions.

• Maintain and evolve Digital Principles and style guides to ensure consistent, interactive, and user-centric product experiences across all channels.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities list highlights a strong emphasis on end-to-end design ownership, from conceptualization and strategy to detailed interaction design and stakeholder management. The expectation of "leading client-facing meetings and workshops" and "balancing creative and business goals" indicates a senior level of responsibility and strategic influence.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

• Bachelor's degree in a related design field (e.g., Graphic Design, Interaction Design, Human-Computer Interaction, Industrial Design) is required.

• Master of Science (MS) or Master of Fine Arts (MFA) in a related design field is preferred. Experience:

• Minimum of 10 years of professional experience in specialization areas such as user experience (UX) design, design strategy, marketing activation design, interaction design, or visual and content design.

• Demonstrated ability to broaden skillsets into adjacent specializations while refining mastery of primary skillsets.

• Proven track record of tackling diverse and complex design challenges, leading complex projects, and developing creative, strategic, and scalable solutions. Required Skills:

• Expertise in digital design software and tools, including Figma, Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, AfterEffects), Sketch, and InVision.

• Proficiency in front-end web development technologies such as HTML, JavaScript, and CSS.

• Expertise in creating experience maps, user journeys, service blueprints, interaction models, flows, high-fidelity wireframes, and UI/visual designs.

• Master facilitator with proven experience running client engagements, demonstrating excellence in presentation polish, executive presence, and client orientation.

• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including public speaking, storytelling, and presentation building.

• Experience working with design systems, components, and extensible assets.

• Familiarity and experience with AI tools for design.

• Proven history of delivering results on time, within budget, and with a high level of execution.

• Ability to prioritize and manage multiple projects with strong organizational skills and attention to detail.

• A creative optimist and self-starter who brings energy and enthusiasm to the work.

• Desire to teach and coach junior designers within the team. Preferred Skills:

• Consumer Packaged Goods (CPG) industry experience is preferred but not required.

📝 Enhancement Note: The qualifications emphasize a blend of deep design craft, technical proficiency (front-end development, prototyping tools), and strong soft skills (facilitation, communication, leadership). The requirement for "AI tools for design" points to a forward-looking approach to design technology. The preference for CPG experience suggests the role might involve designing for consumer-facing digital products or internal tools supporting CPG operations.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Showcase a minimum of 10 years of progressive design work, demonstrating mastery across various design disciplines (UX, interaction, visual, strategy).

• Include detailed case studies that highlight your role in defining user problems, developing design concepts, and delivering user-centered solutions.

• Provide evidence of experience with end-to-end design processes, from user research and ideation through to high-fidelity prototyping and developer handoff.

• Demonstrate proficiency with industry-standard design and prototyping tools such as Figma, Adobe Creative Suite, Sketch, and InVision.

• Present examples of how you have leveraged design systems, components, and style guides to ensure consistency and scalability in your work.

• Showcase your facilitation skills through examples of leading workshops, client engagements, or collaborative design sessions. Process Documentation:

• Include examples of user journey maps, service blueprints, experience maps, and detailed user flows that illustrate your strategic thinking and understanding of complex systems.

• Present wireframes and prototypes (high-fidelity) that clearly articulate interaction models and visual design execution.

• Document your approach to balancing user needs with business objectives, brand guidelines, and technical constraints, providing clear rationale for design decisions.

• Illustrate your experience in collaborating with cross-functional teams, including product managers, developers, and business stakeholders, detailing your communication and integration strategies.

📝 Enhancement Note: Given the senior principal level and emphasis on facilitation and strategy, a portfolio should go beyond just visual examples. It needs to demonstrate the candidate's ability to lead design initiatives, articulate strategy, manage stakeholders, and drive measurable impact through design. The inclusion of AI tools in the required skills also suggests a portfolio might benefit from showcasing innovative approaches using such technologies.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

• The expected compensation range for this position is between $140,100 - $234,850 USD per year.

• The final starting salary will be determined based on factors such as location, confirmed job-related skills, experience, and education. Bonus:

• A performance-based bonus with an eligibility target payout of 15% of the annual salary, paid out annually. Benefits:

• Comprehensive benefits package subject to elections and eligibility, including:

  • Medical, Dental, and Vision insurance
  • Disability insurance
  • Health Reimbursement Accounts
  • Dependent Care Reimbursement Accounts
  • Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
  • Insurance: Accident, Group Legal, Life
  • Defined Contribution Retirement Plan

• Paid time off, subject to eligibility, including:

  • Paid parental leave

  • Vacation

  • Sick leave

  • Bereavement leave Working Hours:

• The standard working hours are not explicitly detailed, but the role is listed as full-time, typically implying a 40-hour work week. On-site roles often require adherence to standard business hours.

📝 Enhancement Note: The provided salary range is substantial, reflecting a senior-level position in a major corporation. The bonus structure indicates performance is a key metric. The extensive list of benefits is typical for a large, established company like PepsiCo, offering a robust support system for employees and their families. The on-site nature of the role implies standard business hours are expected.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Food & Beverage (Consumer Packaged Goods - CPG)

Company Size: PepsiCo is a global leader in the food and beverage industry, with tens of thousands of employees worldwide. This implies a large, matrixed organization with established processes and opportunities for diverse career paths.

Founded: PepsiCo was founded in 1965 through the merger of Pepsi-Cola and Frito-Lay. This long history suggests a stable company with a deep understanding of its markets and a commitment to innovation.

Team Structure:

• The role is within the "S&T core priorities" team, likely referring to Science & Technology, suggesting a focus on innovation, R&D, and advanced digital solutions within PepsiCo.

• The Design Sr. Principal will collaborate with multi-disciplinary teams, including Product, Business, Strategy, and Data & Analytics, indicating a highly cross-functional and collaborative environment.

• The expectation to "teach/coach junior designers" points to a team culture that values mentorship and knowledge sharing. Methodology:

• The role emphasizes a customer-centered product approach, focusing on user values and user experience across an entire ecosystem.

• Design decisions are expected to be data-informed and strategically aligned with business objectives, brand identity, and technical feasibility.

• The use of digital prototyping tools, design systems, and potentially AI tools suggests a modern, agile approach to design execution.

Company Website: https://pepsicojobs.com

📝 Enhancement Note: Working within PepsiCo's Science & Technology division implies exposure to cutting-edge projects and a focus on innovation. The collaborative structure suggests that strong interpersonal and communication skills are paramount for success, in addition to design expertise. The emphasis on user-centered design within a large CPG context means balancing consumer needs with global brand standards and operational realities.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: Senior Principal / Senior Manager (Design)

This is a senior individual contributor role with significant leadership and influence. It requires deep expertise in UX research and design, coupled with strong strategic thinking, facilitation, and communication skills. The "Sr Principal" title indicates a high level of mastery and the expectation to act as a thought leader and mentor within the design discipline at PepsiCo. The role is pivotal in shaping user experiences for critical S&T initiatives.

Reporting Structure:

While not explicitly stated, a Senior Principal/Manager typically reports to a Director or VP of Design/Product/Technology. They are expected to lead projects and potentially mentor junior team members, but may not have direct people management responsibilities unless specified otherwise. They will work closely with Product Owners and other cross-functional leaders.

Operations Impact:

This role directly impacts operational efficiency and effectiveness by ensuring that S&T core priority applications and products are intuitive, usable, and desirable. Well-designed user experiences lead to higher adoption rates, reduced training needs, improved data accuracy, and enhanced productivity for internal users or customer satisfaction for external-facing products. The ability to translate complex technological capabilities into simple, user-friendly interfaces is crucial for the success of S&T initiatives and, by extension, PepsiCo's strategic goals.

Growth Opportunities:

• Leadership Advancement: Potential to move into Director-level roles within Design, Product, or UX Strategy, potentially with direct people management responsibilities.

• Specialization Deepening: Opportunity to become a recognized expert in specific design domains (e.g., AI-driven design, complex enterprise systems, consumer-facing digital products) within PepsiCo.

• Cross-Functional Mobility: The broad exposure to Product, Business, and Strategy teams could open doors to roles in Product Management, Design Operations, or Strategic Initiatives.

• Mentorship and Training: Develop leadership and coaching skills by mentoring junior designers, contributing to the growth of the design talent within PepsiCo.

• Industry Influence: Contribute to PepsiCo's design standards and potentially represent the company in design communities or conferences.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Sr Principal" title suggests a career path focused on deep expertise and influence rather than traditional management. Growth opportunities should highlight both technical leadership and strategic impact within the organization. The role's connection to "S&T core priorities" implies working on high-impact, potentially innovative projects that contribute directly to PepsiCo's technological advancement.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The role is specified as "On-site," indicating a traditional office-based work environment. PepsiCo's locations in Plano, TX, Purchase, NY, and Chicago, IL, suggest modern corporate office campuses.

Office Location(s):

• Plano, TX (7701 Legacy Dr, Plano, TX 75024-4002)

• Purchase, NY (Address not specified, but likely corporate headquarters)

• Chicago, IL (Address not specified) Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Environment: Expect a dynamic workspace designed for collaboration, with opportunities for in-person brainstorming, workshops, and team meetings. This environment is conducive to the "master facilitator" aspect of the role.

• Tools and Technology: Access to state-of-the-art design software (Figma, Adobe Creative Suite, etc.) and potentially advanced prototyping and AI tools will be provided. This supports the execution of complex design tasks.

• Team Interaction: Close proximity to cross-functional teams (product, business, strategy, data & analytics) will facilitate seamless communication and integration of design efforts into broader project goals.

Work Schedule:

• As an on-site, full-time role, standard business hours (typically 9 AM to 5 PM or similar) are expected. Flexibility may exist depending on team norms and project demands, but consistent in-office presence will be required.

📝 Enhancement Note: The on-site requirement is a key differentiator. For a senior role, this suggests PepsiCo values in-person collaboration, spontaneous ideation, and direct team interaction for complex design challenges. The specific office locations indicate opportunities to work in major business hubs.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: HR or recruiter screening to assess basic qualifications and interest.

• Hiring Manager Interview: Discussion with the hiring manager to delve into experience, skills, and fit for the team.

• Design Portfolio Review: A critical stage where candidates present their portfolio, showcasing case studies, design process, and problem-solving abilities. This will likely involve presenting specific projects and discussing their impact.

• Cross-Functional Interviews: Interviews with key stakeholders from Product, Business, and potentially Data & Analytics teams to assess collaboration skills and strategic alignment.

• Executive/Senior Leadership Interview: A final interview with senior leadership to evaluate executive presence, strategic thinking, and overall fit within PepsiCo's culture.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select 3-5 of your strongest, most relevant projects that showcase your expertise in UX research, interaction design, visual design, and facilitation. Prioritize projects that align with

PepsiCo's industry (CPG) or the "S&T core priorities" if possible.

• Structure Your Case Studies: For each project, clearly articulate:

  • The Problem: What was the business or user challenge?
  • Your Role: What were your specific contributions?
  • The Process: Detail your methodology (research, ideation, design, testing, iteration).
  • The Solution: Showcase wireframes, prototypes, and final designs.
  • The Impact: Quantify results with metrics (e.g., increased conversion, reduced errors, improved engagement, cost savings).

• Highlight Facilitation and Collaboration: Provide examples or discuss how you led workshops, managed stakeholder expectations, and collaborated effectively with cross-functional teams.

• Demonstrate Strategic Thinking: Explain the "why" behind your design decisions, linking them to business objectives and user needs.

• Showcase Tool Proficiency: Be prepared to discuss and demonstrate your skills in Figma, Adobe Creative Suite, and other relevant tools. Mention any experience with AI design tools.

• Tell a Story: Weave a narrative that highlights your problem-solving journey, your passion for design, and your ability to drive impactful outcomes.

Challenge Preparation:

• Be prepared for potential design challenges or exercises, which might involve:

  • Solving a hypothetical design problem relevant to PepsiCo or the CPG industry.
  • Critiquing an existing digital experience and proposing improvements.
  • Outlining a design strategy for a new product or feature.

• Practice articulating your thought process clearly and concisely, especially under time constraints.

• Prepare to present your approach and rationale, focusing on user-centered principles and business alignment.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on "master facilitator" and "presentation polish" means the interview process will likely heavily scrutinize presentation skills and the ability to articulate complex ideas to various audiences. The portfolio review is paramount and should demonstrate not just design execution but strategic thinking and leadership potential.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Digital Design & Prototyping:

  • Figma: Expected to be a primary tool for collaborative design, wireframing, and prototyping.
  • Adobe Creative Suite: Proficiency required in applications like Photoshop, Illustrator, and AfterEffects for visual design, asset creation, and motion graphics/prototyping.
  • Sketch: Another industry-standard tool for UI design, often used in conjunction with other tools.
  • InVision: Likely used for prototyping, collaboration, and design handoff.

• AI Tools for Design: Familiarity and experience with emerging AI tools that can assist in design research, ideation, content generation, or workflow automation.

Analytics & Reporting:

• While not explicitly listed as a requirement for the designer, understanding how to interpret user data and analytics (e.g., from tools like Google Analytics, Adobe Analytics, or internal dashboards) will be crucial for informing design decisions and measuring impact. CRM & Automation:

• Not directly relevant to this design role, but understanding how user experience integrates with CRM systems or marketing automation platforms could be beneficial for context. Front-End Development Fundamentals:

• HTML, JavaScript, CSS: Proficiency is required, not for building production code, but for understanding technical constraints, collaborating effectively with developers, and potentially creating rapid prototypes.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on Figma, Adobe Creative Suite, and AI tools indicates PepsiCo's commitment to modern design practices and technologies. The requirement for front-end fundamentals underscores the importance of a strong collaborative relationship with development teams.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• User-Centricity: A deep commitment to understanding and serving the end-user, ensuring that all designs are intuitive, accessible, and valuable.

• Innovation & Creativity: Encouraging novel approaches to problem-solving and a willingness to explore new technologies and methodologies, particularly within the S&T division.

• Collaboration & Partnership: Fostering strong working relationships across diverse teams (Product, Business, Strategy, Data & Analytics, Development) to achieve shared goals.

• Excellence & Execution: A drive for high-quality deliverables, meeting deadlines, and ensuring that designs are implemented effectively and meet strategic objectives.

• Continuous Learning: Embracing new tools, techniques, and industry trends, such as AI in design, to stay at the forefront of the field.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-Functional Integration: Expect a highly collaborative environment where designers work hand-in-hand with product owners, business strategists, and data analysts to define problems and co-create solutions.

• Facilitation-Driven: The role emphasizes leading workshops and client engagements, suggesting a culture that values open dialogue, shared ideation, and consensus-building.

• Feedback Exchange: A culture where constructive feedback is welcomed and utilized to refine designs and processes, contributing to a continuous improvement mindset.

• Mentorship and Knowledge Sharing: A supportive atmosphere where senior members like the Sr. Principal are encouraged to mentor junior designers and share best practices across the team.

📝 Enhancement Note: The values and collaboration style emphasize a blend of creative exploration and rigorous execution, typical of a large innovation-driven company. The strong cross-functional component means success hinges on being a team player and an effective communicator across different disciplines.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing Diverse Stakeholder Needs: Navigating the complex needs and priorities of various business units, technical teams, and user groups within a large organization like PepsiCo.

• Translating Complex Technology: Simplifying highly technical or scientific concepts from S&T into user-friendly experiences that are easily understood and adopted by their intended audience.

• Maintaining Brand Consistency: Ensuring that designs adhere to PepsiCo's global brand standards while also innovating and meeting specific project requirements.

• Rapid Iteration & Delivery: Working within fast-paced project timelines common in technology and product development, requiring efficient design processes and quick decision-making.

• Adoption of New Technologies: Staying current with and effectively integrating emerging tools like AI into the design workflow to enhance efficiency and outcomes.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Advanced Design Methodologies: Deepen expertise in areas like service design, strategic design, and design thinking for complex enterprise systems.

• AI in Design Specialization: Develop skills and become a go-to expert for leveraging AI tools in the design process, potentially shaping future design practices at PepsiCo.

• Cross-Disciplinary Skill Development: Gain deeper insights into product management, business strategy, and data analytics through close collaboration.

• Leadership and Mentorship: Hone leadership, coaching, and presentation skills through opportunities to guide junior designers and present to executive leadership.

• Industry Exposure: Engage with industry trends through conferences, workshops, and internal knowledge-sharing sessions relevant to CPG, technology, and user experience.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges highlight the complexities of working in a large corporate environment on advanced technology initiatives. The growth opportunities are tailored to leverage these challenges into skill development and career progression within PepsiCo.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you had to balance conflicting requirements from different stakeholders (e.g., business, technical, user). How did you approach it, and what was the outcome?" (Focus on facilitation, negotiation, and strategic alignment).

• "How do you approach defining the user experience for a complex technological product or service with which users may be unfamiliar?" (Focus on your process for understanding complex domains, simplifying information, and creating intuitive flows).

• "Walk us through your process for creating and presenting design strategies and concepts to executive leadership." (Prepare a concise, compelling narrative structure that highlights problem-solving, rationale, and impact).

• "How do you ensure your designs are scalable and maintainable, particularly when working with design systems?" (Demonstrate understanding of design system principles and their importance for enterprise-level products). Company & Culture Questions:

• "What interests you about PepsiCo and specifically about working within our Science & Technology division?" (Research PepsiCo's innovation, sustainability efforts, and S&T initiatives).

• "How do you see your role contributing to PepsiCo's broader business objectives?" (Connect your design impact to business outcomes like efficiency, user adoption, or customer satisfaction).

• "Describe your experience working in a collaborative, cross-functional environment. What is your preferred collaboration style?" (Highlight your ability to integrate with diverse teams and communicate effectively). Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Select Impactful Projects: Choose 2-3 projects that best showcase your end-to-end design process, strategic thinking, facilitation skills, and ability to drive results.

• Structure for Clarity: For each project, present:

  1. The Challenge: Clearly define the problem and business context.
  2. Your Role & Process: Detail your specific contributions, methodologies (user research, ideation, prototyping, testing), and tools used.
  3. The Solution: Showcase key artifacts (wireframes, user flows, high-fidelity mockups, prototypes).
  4. The Outcome: Quantify the impact with specific metrics and business results.

• Emphasize Facilitation: Discuss how you led workshops, gathered requirements, and managed stakeholder feedback.

• Tell a Story: Make your presentation engaging by weaving a narrative that highlights your problem-solving journey and passion for creating exceptional user experiences.

• Be Prepared for Deep Dives: Anticipate questions about specific design decisions, trade-offs made, and how you would handle hypothetical scenarios.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview preparation focuses on demonstrating strategic thinking, leadership, and the ability to translate complex technical concepts into user-friendly solutions, all within the context of a large, established corporation like PepsiCo.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this UX Research/Design Sr Principal position at PepsiCo:

• Submit your application through the provided link on the PepsiCo careers portal.

• Tailor Your Resume: Customize your resume to highlight experience and skills directly relevant to the job description, emphasizing your 10+ years of experience, proficiency in key design tools (Figma, Adobe Suite), front-end fundamentals, facilitation, and strategic design capabilities. Use keywords from the job description.

• Prepare Your Portfolio: Ensure your portfolio is polished, easily accessible (e.g., via a link), and clearly showcases 2-3 detailed case studies that demonstrate your problem-solving process, design execution, and impact. Include examples of user journeys, wireframes, prototypes, and any experience with design systems or AI tools.

• Practice Your Presentation: Rehearse your portfolio presentation to ensure a clear, concise, and compelling delivery, focusing on storytelling, strategic rationale, and quantifiable results. Practice articulating your design process and collaborative approach.

• Research PepsiCo & S&T: Understand PepsiCo's mission, values, and recent innovations, particularly within their Science & Technology division. Familiarize yourself with their product portfolio and target markets to better tailor your responses and demonstrate genuine interest.

⚠️ 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.