UX Researcher

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: UX Researcher

Company: Diversified Services Network, Inc. (DSN)

Location: Tucson, Arizona, United States

Job Type: Full-Time

Category: User Experience (UX) Research

Date Posted: 2026-06-01T21:40:08.687

Experience Level: 8+ Years (AI inferred as 10+ years for a senior role)

Remote Status: Hybrid

🚀 Role Summary

• Conduct comprehensive qualitative and quantitative UX research to inform the design of Human-Machine Interfaces (HMI) and heavy equipment user experiences.

• Translate complex research findings into actionable insights and clear recommendations for product development teams.

• Develop and maintain critical UX artifacts, such as journey maps, storyboards, and user flows, to ensure cross-functional alignment on operator needs.

• Integrate ergonomic and human-factors considerations into research planning and synthesis for holistic cab experience design.

• Collaborate closely with design and engineering teams to test and iterate on prototype requirements.

📝 Enhancement Note: The AI has inferred an experience level of 10+ years, suggesting this is a senior-level UX Researcher role. The hybrid work arrangement indicates a need for on-site presence in Tucson, Arizona, while allowing for some remote flexibility. The company's focus on heavy equipment implies a B2B environment with a strong emphasis on physical-digital systems and real-world operational conditions.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Design and execute a variety of research methodologies, including usability testing, field studies, and simulations, to gather rich qualitative and quantitative data on user interactions with heavy equipment.

• Synthesize research findings into clear, prioritized insights and actionable recommendations that directly influence HMI, display, and overall UX decisions for heavy equipment.

• Define and articulate operator, customer, and business needs, translating them into evidence-based interaction concepts that ensure safe, efficient, and intuitive operation in diverse real-world conditions.

• Collaborate effectively with design, engineering, and other cross-functional teams to communicate prototype requirements, facilitate testing, and drive iterative design improvements.

• Document key goals, themes, elements, and behaviors identified through research that must be implemented by downstream design and development teams.

• Create and maintain shareable UX artifacts, including operator journeys, task flows, mental models, storyboards, and experience maps, to foster a shared understanding of operator needs and context of use across the organization.

• Incorporate ergonomic and human-factors considerations into all stages of UX research planning and synthesis, ensuring that physical, cognitive, and interaction demands are holistically addressed in the HMI and cab experience.

• Prioritize and manage the UX research backlog based on the product roadmap, ensuring research efforts are aligned with strategic business objectives and development timelines.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities emphasize a deep dive into user needs within a complex, physical product environment (heavy equipment). The requirement to create and maintain specific UX artifacts highlights the importance of clear documentation and communication for cross-functional alignment, a key aspect of effective GTM operations.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

Experience:

Required Skills:

• Thorough understanding of UI best practices, UI design principles, and essential graphic design theory.

• Proven ability to produce high-quality research work both independently and collaboratively within a team setting.

• Proficiency in UI layout, specification, and prototyping tools for creating testable designs.

• Demonstrated experience in Ergonomics and HMI research, with a focus on physical-digital systems.

• Strong project management capabilities, with a proven track record of managing multiple research projects and meeting deadlines.

• A compelling portfolio showcasing expertise, research methodologies, and the ability to articulate your design process and findings.

• Exceptional data storytelling capabilities, with the ability to translate complex research data into compelling narratives for various stakeholders.

Preferred Skills:

• Project management experience is considered a significant asset.

• Experience in the automotive industry or other adjacent fields relevant to heavy equipment development is a plus.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on a portfolio demonstrating expertise, research methodologies, and process articulation is critical for UX Researcher roles. This mirrors the portfolio requirements often seen in operations roles, where demonstrating impact through case studies and documented processes is key. The specific mention of "Ergonomics HMI research" points to a specialized area within UX that requires a deep understanding of physical interaction and cognitive load.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A comprehensive portfolio demonstrating a range of UX research projects, highlighting methodology selection, execution, and synthesis of findings.

• Case studies that clearly articulate the user problem, the research approach taken, key insights derived, and the impact of those insights on product design and user experience.

• Evidence of ability to translate research findings into actionable recommendations and influence product development decisions.

• Examples of UX artifacts created (e.g., journey maps, user flows, personas) that effectively communicate user needs and context of use to cross-functional teams.

Process Documentation:

• Clear articulation of the research process followed for each project, including planning, participant recruitment, data collection, analysis, and reporting phases.

• Demonstration of how research findings are documented and shared to ensure knowledge transfer and alignment across design, engineering, and product management teams.

• Examples of how research processes are adapted to different project needs, timelines, and constraints.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a UX Researcher role, the portfolio is paramount. This section emphasizes the need to showcase not just the what of research, but the how and why, mirroring the process-driven nature of operations roles. Demonstrating the ability to translate research into tangible design improvements is akin to an operations professional demonstrating how process changes yield measurable business outcomes.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $105,000 - $110,000 per year.

Benefits:

• 401(k) plan with company contributions.

• Comprehensive Dental Insurance.

• Vision Insurance.

• Disability Insurance.

• Employee Assistance Program (EAP) for confidential support.

• Health Insurance coverage.

• Health Savings Account (HSA) option.

• Life Insurance policies.

• Generous Paid Time Off (PTO).

Working Hours:

• Full-time, typically around 40 hours per week. The hybrid nature of the role suggests a degree of flexibility in scheduling, balanced with the need for in-person collaboration.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range provided is competitive for a UX Researcher with 8+ years of experience in the Tucson, Arizona area. The extensive benefits package offered by a Fortune 500 company like DSN is a significant draw, providing stability and comprehensive support for employees. The "Hybrid" work arrangement implies a need for some on-site presence, likely for collaborative sessions and team meetings, but with flexibility for remote work.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Diversified Services Network, Inc. operates within the manufacturing and heavy equipment sector, indicated by their focus on HMI and operator experience for heavy machinery. This suggests a B2B environment where product reliability, safety, and operational efficiency are paramount.

Company Size: As a Fortune 500 company, DSN is a large, established organization. This typically means robust processes, established career paths, and significant resources available for R&D and employee development. For operations professionals, this can translate to stability, structured environments, and opportunities for large-scale impact.

Founded: While the founding date is not explicitly provided, being a Fortune 500 company implies a long history and significant market presence. This longevity suggests a stable and mature business environment.

Team Structure:

• The UX Researcher will likely be part of a larger product development or engineering team, potentially within a dedicated UX/Design department.

• Reporting structure may involve a UX Lead, Design Manager, or Director of Engineering, depending on the organizational hierarchy.

Methodology:

• Emphasis on data-driven decision-making, leveraging both qualitative and quantitative research to inform product strategy and design.

• A structured approach to research, involving clear planning, execution, and synthesis phases to ensure rigor and repeatability.

• Focus on translating user needs and operational contexts into tangible design requirements and product features.

• Iterative design processes, where research findings are used to refine and improve product concepts and prototypes.

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

📝 Enhancement Note: The company's industry and size are crucial for understanding the operational context. A Fortune 500 company in heavy equipment manufacturing will have very different operational challenges and priorities compared to a startup in SaaS. This implies a need for robust, scalable processes and a strong focus on product quality and user safety.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is positioned as a senior UX Researcher (8+ years experience, potentially 10+ based on AI inference). It involves significant autonomy in research design and execution, as well as the responsibility to translate findings into actionable product strategies. This level typically involves mentoring junior researchers and influencing product direction.

Reporting Structure: The UX Researcher will likely report to a UX Manager or Director within the product development or engineering division. This structure provides guidance and oversight while allowing for independent work on specific research initiatives. Collaboration will be extensive with cross-functional teams.

Operations Impact: The UX Researcher's primary impact is on product development and user satisfaction. By ensuring that heavy equipment is designed with a deep understanding of operator needs and operational contexts, the role directly contributes to:

• Improved operator safety and reduced incidents.

• Enhanced operational efficiency and productivity for DSN's customers.

• Increased customer satisfaction and loyalty.

• Competitive differentiation through superior user experience.

Growth Opportunities:

• Specialization: Deepen expertise in specific areas of UX research, such as human-factors engineering, cognitive psychology in complex systems, or advanced usability testing techniques for physical-digital products.

• Leadership: Transition into a UX Lead or Managerial role, overseeing research teams, strategic planning, and stakeholder management.

• Cross-functional Mobility: Move into Product Management, Industrial Design, or Human Factors engineering roles, leveraging a deep understanding of user needs and product development lifecycles.

• Industry Expertise: Become a subject matter expert in the UX of heavy equipment, a niche but critical field.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a senior-level role, understanding the career trajectory is key. This role offers opportunities for specialization within UX, leadership potential, and even movement into related operational or product functions, reflecting the broad applicability of UX research skills in a large organization.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The role is described as "Hybrid," indicating a mix of on-site work in Tucson, Arizona, and remote work. This suggests a modern office environment designed for collaboration, with dedicated spaces for individual work and team meetings.

Office Location(s): Tucson, Arizona, United States. This location may offer access to a skilled workforce and a stable business environment.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Environment: The hybrid model necessitates effective collaboration tools and practices for seamless communication between remote and on-site team members. Expect opportunities for in-person brainstorming sessions, design reviews, and team sync-ups.

• Operations Tools & Technology: Access to industry-standard UX research tools, prototyping software, and potentially specialized HMI/ergonomics testing equipment. The company's Fortune 500 status suggests investment in robust technology infrastructure.

• Team Interaction: Regular interaction with diverse teams, including designers, engineers, product managers, and potentially manufacturing specialists, fostering a rich learning and development environment.

Work Schedule:

• Full-time, approximately 40 hours per week. The hybrid arrangement offers some flexibility, likely allowing employees to structure their week to balance on-site collaboration needs with remote work preferences.

📝 Enhancement Note: The hybrid nature of the role is significant. It implies a need for strong self-management and communication skills, as well as an ability to contribute effectively both in-person and remotely. The office environment in Tucson would likely be geared towards fostering innovation and collaboration within the product development lifecycle.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A review of your resume and portfolio to assess qualifications and experience against the role requirements.

• Hiring Manager Interview: A discussion focused on your background, experience, and understanding of UX research methodologies, particularly in relation to B2B and industrial products.

• Portfolio Presentation: A critical stage where you will present 1-2 key projects from your portfolio, detailing your process, insights, and impact. Be prepared to discuss your decision-making at each stage.

• Team/Cross-functional Interviews: Meetings with potential colleagues (designers, engineers, product managers) to assess collaboration style, communication skills, and cultural fit.

• Final Interview: Potentially with senior leadership to discuss strategic alignment and long-term contributions.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select projects that best showcase your skills in:

  • Qualitative and quantitative research methodologies.
  • HMI and physical-digital system research.
  • Translating complex findings into actionable insights.
  • Creating impactful UX artifacts (journey maps, user flows).
  • Collaboration with cross-functional teams.
  • Demonstrating measurable impact on product design.

• Tell a Story: For each project, clearly articulate the problem, your role, the process you followed, the key insights you uncovered, the solutions you proposed, and the results achieved. Use visuals effectively.

• Focus on Process: Be prepared to discuss why you chose specific research methods, how you adapted your approach, and how you synthesized data. This demonstrates critical thinking.

• Highlight Impact: Quantify your contributions whenever possible (e.g., "reduced task completion time by X%", "identified Y critical usability issues leading to Z design changes").

Challenge Preparation:

• While not explicitly mentioned, be prepared for potential exercises that might involve analyzing a user scenario, sketching out a research plan for a given problem, or critiquing an existing interface from a user-centered perspective.

• Practice articulating your thought process clearly and concisely, especially when discussing complex design or research challenges.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process for a UX Researcher heavily relies on the portfolio. This section provides actionable advice on how to prepare and present it effectively, emphasizing the need to demonstrate not just research skills but also the ability to influence product outcomes – a key aspect for operations roles as well.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Prototyping Tools: Proficiency in tools like Figma, Sketch, Adobe XD, or similar for creating interactive prototypes that can be used for user testing.

• Research Platforms: Experience with platforms for participant recruitment, survey administration, and remote usability testing (e.g., UserTesting.com, Lookback, Maze, Qualtrics).

• Data Analysis Software: Familiarity with tools for analyzing qualitative data (e.g., Dovetail, NVivo) and quantitative data (e.g., Excel, SPSS, R, Python for statistical analysis).

Analytics & Reporting:

• Survey Tools: Expertise in tools like SurveyMonkey, Google Forms, or Qualtrics for designing and deploying user surveys.

• Data Visualization: Ability to use tools like Tableau, Power BI, or even advanced Excel to visualize research findings and create compelling reports.

CRM & Automation (Indirect Relevance):

• While not direct CRM/automation tools for this role, understanding how user feedback and research insights might feed into customer relationship management or product feedback loops is beneficial. Familiarity with project management tools (e.g., Jira, Asana, Trello) is also highly relevant for managing research projects.

📝 Enhancement Note: While this is a UX role, the underlying need for data analysis, reporting, and process management aligns closely with operations functions. Highlighting proficiency in tools that support these aspects will be beneficial. The mention of HMI research implies potential use of specialized simulation or data acquisition tools.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• User-Centricity: A core value is placing the user (operator) at the center of all design and development decisions, driven by research insights.

• Data-Driven Decision Making: Emphasizing the use of empirical data and research findings to guide product strategy and design choices, rather than relying solely on intuition.

• Collaboration and Communication: Fostering an environment where teams work together effectively, sharing knowledge and insights to achieve common goals.

• Continuous Improvement: A commitment to ongoing learning, iteration, and refinement of both products and research processes.

• Innovation and Problem-Solving: Encouraging creative approaches to solving complex user and business challenges within the heavy equipment domain.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-functional Integration: A strong emphasis on working closely with product management, engineering, industrial design, and other stakeholders to ensure research is integrated throughout the product lifecycle.

• Constructive Feedback: An environment where feedback is shared openly and constructively, leading to better design outcomes.

• Knowledge Sharing: Practices that promote the sharing of research findings, best practices, and learnings across teams to build collective expertise.

📝 Enhancement Note: Understanding the company's values and collaboration style is crucial for cultural fit. For a UX Researcher in a large manufacturing company, values like user-centricity, data-driven approaches, and strong cross-functional collaboration are likely paramount.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Complexity of Heavy Equipment: Researching users in demanding, real-world environments with complex physical and digital interfaces presents unique challenges in data collection and interpretation.

• Balancing Stakeholder Needs: Synthesizing diverse stakeholder requirements (engineering, marketing, operations, safety) with user needs to arrive at optimal solutions.

• Integrating Research into Fast-Paced Development: Ensuring research insights are incorporated effectively and efficiently into product roadmaps and development cycles, especially in a large organization.

• Bridging Physical and Digital: Researching and designing for integrated physical-digital experiences requires a nuanced understanding of both domains.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Specialized UX Training: Opportunities to attend workshops, conferences, or pursue certifications in advanced UX research methodologies, human factors, or specific industry domains.

• Mentorship: Access to senior researchers, designers, or product leaders who can provide guidance and career advice.

• Exposure to Diverse Projects: Working on a range of heavy equipment products, offering continuous learning and exposure to different user groups and operational contexts.

• Leadership Development: Potential for growth into team leadership or management roles, with opportunities to develop strategic planning and people management skills.

📝 Enhancement Note: Identifying potential challenges and growth opportunities helps candidates assess the role's fit and potential for development. For a UX Researcher in this industry, the challenges often lie in the complexity of the product and the integration of research into large organizational processes, while growth opportunities revolve around specialization and leadership.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you had to influence a design decision with research findings that were met with resistance." (Prepare a STAR method answer focusing on data storytelling and stakeholder management).

• "How do you prioritize research requests when faced with multiple competing demands and a limited roadmap?" (Focus on aligning with business objectives, risk assessment, and stakeholder negotiation).

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What do you know about DSN and our industry, and how do you see UX research contributing to our success in heavy equipment?" (Research DSN's products, market position, and competitors. Frame your answer around improving operator efficiency, safety, and satisfaction).

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Select Wisely: Choose 1-2 projects that best represent your skills in HMI, B2B contexts, and complex product research.

• Structure Your Narrative: For each project, follow a clear story: Problem -> Your Role -> Research Process -> Key Insights -> Recommendations -> Impact/Outcome.

• Visual Aids: Use high-quality visuals of your artifacts (wireframes, journey maps, prototypes) and data representations.

• Be Ready for Deep Dives: Anticipate questions about your methodology, data analysis, decision-making rationale, and how you handled any challenges.

📝 Enhancement Note: Specific preparation for UX research interviews involves showcasing your portfolio and demonstrating your ability to apply research to real-world problems. The questions focus on process, impact, and collaboration, aligning with the core competencies expected of operations professionals.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this UX Researcher position:

• Follow the provided link to submit your application through the Workable platform.

• Portfolio Customization: Tailor your portfolio to highlight projects demonstrating experience with complex physical-digital systems, B2B environments, and HMI research. Emphasize clear documentation of your research process and its impact.

• Resume Optimization: Ensure your resume clearly articulates your 8+ years of UX research experience, including specific methodologies used, tools proficiency, and quantifiable achievements. Integrate keywords from the job description naturally.

• Interview Preparation: Practice presenting your portfolio projects, focusing on your research process, key insights, and the tangible outcomes of your work. Prepare examples for common behavioral and situational interview questions.

• Company Research: Thoroughly research Diversified Services Network, Inc., their product lines (especially heavy equipment), their market position, and any publicly available information on their company culture and values. Understand how UX research contributes to their specific industry.

⚠️ 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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