UX Researcher

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: UX Researcher

Company: Optimum

Location: Bethpage, NY / Long Island City, NY

Job Type: Full-Time

Category: User Experience Research / Product Design

Date Posted: April 23, 2026

Experience Level: Mid-Level (3+ years)

Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• Conduct comprehensive user research initiatives, including generative and evaluative studies, to inform product strategy.

• Translate complex user data and insights into actionable recommendations for product managers, designers, and engineers.

• Embed within cross-functional scrum teams to champion user-centered design principles and influence product roadmaps.

• Develop key user artifacts such as personas and journey maps to foster empathy and guide product development.

• Contribute to the growth of the UX Research function through collaboration on internal Research Operations projects and knowledge sharing.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is positioned within a "data-driven design shop" at Optimum, emphasizing the critical need for a UX Researcher to provide robust, actionable insights that directly influence product prioritization and strategic roadmaps. The "connectivity" industry context also suggests a focus on user experience for essential services.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Research Planning & Execution: Design and execute research plans using a variety of methodologies including user interviews, surveys, diary studies, ethnographic research, and usability testing, aligning methods to specific research questions and project goals.

• Data Collection & Analysis: Gather both qualitative and quantitative data to identify user pain points, unmet needs, and behavioral patterns, as well as to evaluate the effectiveness of product features and interfaces.

• Insight Generation & Communication: Analyze research data to derive meaningful insights, synthesizing findings into clear, concise, and compelling presentations for stakeholders across product, design, and engineering.

• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Actively participate in 1-2 scrum teams, collaborating closely with Product Managers, UX/UI Designers, and Engineers to ensure user needs are understood and integrated into the product development lifecycle.

• User Advocacy & Artifact Creation: Develop and maintain user personas, journey maps, empathy maps, and other user-centered artifacts that help teams visualize and understand target users, their motivations, and their experiences.

• Research Operations Contribution: Engage with the broader UX Research team on internal Research Operations (Research Ops) projects, contributing to the improvement of research processes, tools, and team enablement.

• Continuous Learning & Innovation: Stay abreast of the latest trends, best practices, and emerging technologies in UX research, proactively identifying opportunities to innovate and enhance the user experience of Optimum's products.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibility to "embed within 1-2 scrum teams" highlights a highly integrated role within an Agile development process, requiring the UX Researcher to be proactive in identifying research opportunities and effectively communicating findings in a fast-paced environment.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

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

Experience:

• Minimum of 3 years of dedicated experience in UX research or a closely related role within product development.

Required Skills:

• Research Methodology Proficiency: Expertise in a wide array of research methodologies (e.g., semi-structured interviews, surveys, diary studies, ethnographic studies, usability testing, heuristic evaluations) and the ability to strategically select the most appropriate method for a given research objective.

• Data Analysis & Synthesis: Strong analytical skills to interpret qualitative and quantitative data, identify patterns, and translate findings into actionable insights and clear recommendations.

• User Empathy & Advocacy: Proven ability to develop user personas, journey maps, and other artifacts that effectively communicate user needs, motivations, and pain points to cross-functional teams.

• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Experience working effectively with Product Managers, UX/UI Designers, Engineers, and other stakeholders in a collaborative, fast-paced environment.

• Communication & Presentation: Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with a proven ability to present research findings and insights clearly and persuasively to diverse audiences.

• Project Management: Strong organizational and project management skills to manage multiple research projects simultaneously, meet deadlines, and maintain research quality.

• Agile Framework Understanding: Familiarity with Agile development principles and practices, including working within scrum teams and adapting research to iterative development cycles.

Preferred Skills:

• Master's degree in Human-Computer Interaction, Psychology, Anthropology, or a related field.

• 5 years or more of experience in UX research within product and software development.

• Familiarity with UX/UI design tools such as Sketch, Adobe XD, or Figma, particularly in the context of prototyping for research purposes.

• Understanding of both responsive web and native mobile app design principles and research best practices.

• Experience with design thinking principles and a demonstrated ability to leverage empathy as a driver for innovation.

• Familiarity with AI Tools and an AI-first mindset, understanding their potential impact on user experience and research methodologies.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "AI Tools and AI First mindset" requirement indicates a forward-looking approach by Optimum, suggesting candidates should be prepared to discuss how AI influences user behavior and how AI tools can be leveraged in UX research.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Case Studies: Showcase 2-3 detailed case studies demonstrating your end-to-end UX research process, from initial problem definition and research planning to data analysis, insight generation, and impact on product decisions.

• Methodology Application: Clearly articulate the research methodologies used in each case study, explaining why specific methods were chosen and how they addressed the research objectives.

• Insight & Impact: Highlight the key insights derived from your research and, critically, demonstrate the impact these insights had on product design, strategy, or business outcomes. Quantify impact where possible (e.g., improvements in conversion rates, task completion times, user satisfaction scores).

• Deliverables: Include examples of research deliverables such as research plans, participant screeners, interview guides, survey questionnaires, user personas, journey maps, and final research reports or presentations.

Process Documentation:

• Research Planning Documentation: Evidence of structured research plans that outline objectives, scope, methodologies, target participants, timelines, and success metrics.

• Data Analysis & Synthesis Workflows: Examples or descriptions of how you approach analyzing qualitative and quantitative data, including any frameworks or tools used for synthesis and insight generation.

• Collaboration & Reporting: Demonstrations of how you communicate research findings to cross-functional teams, including examples of stakeholder presentations and how research integrates into Agile workflows.

📝 Enhancement Note: Given the emphasis on a "data-driven design shop" and influencing prioritization, the portfolio must clearly showcase how research findings translate into tangible product improvements and business value, not just theoretical insights.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

Benefits:

• Comprehensive Health Coverage: Medical, dental, and vision insurance plans designed to support employee well-being.

• Retirement Savings Plan: Opportunities for long-term financial security, likely including a 401(k) with potential company match.

• Paid Time Off: Generous vacation, sick leave, and holiday policies to promote work-life balance.

• Professional Development: Support for continuous learning, including potential for training, conferences, and mentorship opportunities, aligning with the company's emphasis on growth and feedback.

• Employee Assistance Program (EAP): Resources to support employees' personal and professional well-being.

• Connectivity Perks: Potential for discounted or enhanced Optimum connectivity services.

Working Hours:

• Standard full-time work week, estimated at 40 hours per week. While the role is on-site, there may be flexibility for occasional remote work or adjusted hours depending on project needs and team collaboration, especially during iterative development cycles.

📝 Enhancement Note: The provided salary range is explicitly stated in the job description. The benefits are inferred based on typical offerings for full-time roles at established companies in the US technology and services sector, particularly those emphasizing employee well-being and growth.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Telecommunications & Connectivity Services. Optimum operates in a dynamic and essential industry, providing broadband internet, TV, and phone services. This means the company's products are critical for both individuals and businesses, placing a high value on reliability, performance, and user experience.

Company Size: Optimum is part of Altice USA, a large telecommunications corporation. This implies a structured environment with established processes but also opportunities to influence within specific product teams. The company size suggests robust resources and potential for career advancement.

Founded: While the specific founding date of "Optimum" as a distinct brand might vary, its roots are tied to the evolution of cable and internet providers. Its current form under Altice USA signifies a commitment to modernizing and expanding connectivity services.

Team Structure:

• The UX Researcher will be part of the Product Design and Research team, working closely with UX/UI Designers.

• They will also embed within 1-2 cross-functional scrum teams, collaborating directly with Product Managers and Engineers.

Methodology:

• Data-Driven Design: The team operates as a "data-driven design shop," meaning research findings and user data are central to all design and product decisions.

• Agile Development: Research is conducted within an Agile framework, requiring adaptability and close integration with development sprints.

• Human-Centered Approach: A strong emphasis is placed on understanding user needs, behaviors, and pain points to create empathetic and effective solutions.

Company Website: https://www.optimum.com/ (Assumed based on optimumcareers.com and optimum.com domain)

📝 Enhancement Note: The company's focus on "connectivity" as a necessity, combined with the "data-driven design shop" culture, suggests that this UX Researcher role will be highly impactful, directly contributing to the usability and adoption of critical services.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is at a Mid-Level, typically requiring 3-5 years of experience. It involves independent execution of research projects, significant collaboration, and the ability to translate findings into actionable insights. The role moves beyond simply executing research tasks to actively influencing product strategy.

Reporting Structure: The UX Researcher will report to a UX Research Manager, who oversees the broader research function and internal Research Operations. They will also work closely with Product Managers and UX/UI Designers within their embedded scrum teams.

Operations Impact: The UX Researcher's work will directly impact the usability, satisfaction, and adoption rates of Optimum's connectivity products. By championing user needs and providing data-backed insights, they will influence product roadmaps, feature prioritization, and the overall user experience, contributing to customer retention and business growth.

Growth Opportunities:

• Specialization: Opportunity to deepen expertise in specific research methodologies or product areas within the connectivity domain.

• Leadership in Research Ops: Contribute to and potentially lead internal initiatives within Research Operations, improving team processes and enablement.

• Cross-Functional Influence: Develop stronger stakeholder management and influencing skills by working across multiple scrum teams and senior product/design leaders.

• Managerial Track: Potential career progression into a Senior UX Researcher role, or into management roles within UX Research or Product Management, especially with demonstrated leadership and strategic impact.

• Skill Enhancement: Access to training, conferences, and mentorship to stay current with the latest UX research techniques and emerging technologies, including AI.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on "mutual growth and development through feedback and thought partnership" within the research team, alongside the opportunity to work on Research Ops projects, indicates a supportive environment for professional development beyond individual research tasks.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: This is an on-site role, indicating a traditional office-based work environment. The locations in Bethpage and Long Island City suggest access to corporate office spaces.

Office Location(s):

• Bethpage, NY (11714)

• Long Island City, NY (11101)

These locations offer accessibility within the New York metropolitan area, utilizing corporate office infrastructure.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Environment: The role requires close collaboration with UX/UI Designers, Product Managers, and Engineers, suggesting an open or team-oriented workspace designed for interaction.

• Tools & Technology: Access to standard office technology, as well as potentially specialized UX research software, analytics platforms, and collaboration tools used by the product and design teams.

• Team Interaction: Frequent opportunities for in-person discussions, brainstorming sessions, and feedback exchanges with colleagues within the product design and research team, as well as embedded scrum teams.

Work Schedule: The standard work schedule is expected to be 40 hours per week, Monday through Friday. While on-site, the nature of Agile development may occasionally require flexibility to meet project deadlines or conduct timely user research sessions.

📝 Enhancement Note: The on-site nature of the role implies a preference for in-person collaboration, which can be beneficial for building strong team relationships and facilitating spontaneous discussions crucial for iterative product development.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A recruiter or hiring manager will likely review applications and resumes, focusing on relevant experience and qualifications.

• Hiring Manager/Team Interview: An interview with the UX Research Manager and potentially other members of the product design and research team. This will assess your research approach, experience, and cultural fit.

• Portfolio Review & Presentation: A key stage where you will present selected case studies from your portfolio, detailing your research process, insights, and impact. Be prepared to discuss your contributions and decision-making.

• Cross-Functional Stakeholder Interviews: Interviews with Product Managers and/or Engineers from the scrum teams you would be supporting. This assesses your ability to collaborate and translate research into actionable product decisions.

• Potential Take-Home Assignment or Live Exercise: Some companies may include a small research task or problem-solving exercise to evaluate practical skills.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select 2-3 projects that best showcase your end-to-end UX research capabilities and align with the responsibilities outlined in the job description. Prioritize projects with clear impact.

• Tell a Story: Structure each case study as a narrative: the problem, your approach (methodologies, why), the insights, the recommendations, and the outcome/impact.

• Quantify Impact: Wherever possible, use data and metrics to demonstrate the business value or user experience improvements resulting from your research.

• Highlight Collaboration: Explain how you worked with cross-functional teams and how your research influenced their decisions.

• Be Prepared for Deep Dives: Anticipate questions about your methodology choices, challenges faced, and how you handled conflicting feedback or data.

Challenge Preparation:

• Understand the "Why": For any hypothetical research task, focus on understanding the core business or user problem before diving into methodology.

• Articulate Process: Be ready to walk through your typical process for planning, executing, and synthesizing research, emphasizing your data-driven approach.

• Focus on Actionability: Demonstrate how you move from raw data to concrete, actionable insights that product teams can use immediately.

• Consider AI: Given the "AI Tools" requirement, be ready to discuss how you might incorporate AI into your research process or how AI impacts user behavior in the connectivity space.

📝 Enhancement Note: The portfolio review is critical. Candidates should focus on demonstrating not just research execution, but the ability to translate research into tangible product improvements and business impact, supported by data.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Research Methodologies: Expertise in conducting user interviews, surveys, usability testing, diary studies, ethnographic studies, and heuristic evaluations.

• Data Analysis Tools: Proficiency with tools for qualitative data analysis (e.g., Dovetail, NVivo, spreadsheets) and quantitative data analysis (e.g., SPSS, R, Excel, survey platforms like SurveyMonkey/Qualtrics).

• Collaboration Platforms: Familiarity with tools like Jira, Confluence, Slack, and Microsoft Teams for team communication and project management within Agile environments.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Web/App Analytics: Experience with analytics platforms such as Google Analytics, Adobe Analytics, or similar tools to understand user behavior metrics.

• Reporting & Visualization: Ability to create clear and compelling reports and dashboards using tools like Tableau, Power BI, or presentation software (e.g., PowerPoint, Google Slides) to communicate findings.

CRM & Automation:

• CRM Systems: While not primary for UX Research, understanding how CRM data (e.g., Salesforce) can inform user segmentation or provide context for research is beneficial.

• Prototyping Tools (for research context): Familiarity with tools like Figma, Sketch, or Adobe XD for creating prototypes to be used in usability testing or for concept validation.

📝 Enhancement Note: The mention of "AI Tools" suggests a need for familiarity with AI-powered research assistants, data analysis tools that leverage AI, or an understanding of how AI impacts user interfaces and behaviors.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Do What’s Right: Prioritizing ethical research practices, user privacy, and advocating for user needs even when challenging internal assumptions.

• Drive One Optimum: Collaborating effectively across teams and departments to achieve unified product goals, ensuring research insights contribute to a cohesive user experience.

• Make It Happen: Taking initiative, being resourceful, and driving research projects to completion with a focus on delivering actionable outcomes that lead to product improvements.

• Data-Driven Approach: A strong commitment to using data and user insights to inform all design and product decisions, moving beyond intuition to evidence-based strategies.

• Continuous Learning: Embracing feedback, seeking mentorship, and staying current with evolving research methodologies and technologies to foster personal and team growth.

Collaboration Style:

• Embedded in Agile Teams: Working closely and daily with product managers, designers, and engineers within scrum teams, fostering a highly integrated and iterative collaboration.

• Cross-Functional Partnerships: Building strong relationships with stakeholders across product, engineering, marketing, and customer support to gather context and disseminate research findings.

• Feedback-Oriented: Openness to giving and receiving constructive feedback to continuously improve research processes and the quality of insights delivered.

• Knowledge Sharing: Actively participating in team discussions, sharing learnings, and contributing to the collective knowledge base of the UX Research and Product Design teams.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Guiding Principles" (Do What’s Right, Drive One Optimum, Make It Happen) are core to Optimum's culture and should be reflected in how a candidate approaches their work, especially in advocating for users and collaborating across teams.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing Research Needs with Agile Speed: Effectively conducting thorough research while adhering to tight development timelines and iterative sprints. This requires strong prioritization and efficient methodologies.

• Translating Insights into Action: Ensuring that research findings are not just presented but are understood, adopted, and acted upon by cross-functional teams, overcoming potential resistance or competing priorities.

• Navigating Complex User Needs: Understanding the diverse needs of Optimum's customer base (residential, business, varying technical proficiencies) within the connectivity sector.

• Integrating AI into Research: Exploring and effectively integrating new AI tools and methodologies into the research workflow to enhance efficiency and uncover deeper insights.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Methodological Deepening: Opportunities to attend workshops, webinars, or pursue certifications in advanced UX research techniques.

• Industry Trends: Exposure to the evolving landscape of connectivity services and how user needs change with new technologies.

• Research Ops Development: Contributing to and learning from internal initiatives aimed at scaling and professionalizing UX research operations.

• Mentorship: Receiving guidance from a UX Research Manager and senior team members, with potential to mentor junior researchers as experience grows.

• Cross-Functional Exposure: Gaining a broader understanding of product management, engineering, and business strategy through close collaboration.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "AI Tools and AI First mindset" requirement presents a significant growth opportunity for researchers looking to expand their skills in leveraging emerging technologies for user insights.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you had to advocate for a user need that conflicted with business goals. How did you approach it, and what was the outcome?" (Assesses advocacy, negotiation, and data-driven persuasion skills.)

• "How do you prioritize research requests when multiple stakeholders have urgent needs?" (Evaluates prioritization, stakeholder management, and research planning skills.)

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What interests you about Optimum as a company, and how do you see UX research contributing to our mission in the connectivity space?" (Assesses research alignment with business goals and company understanding.)

• "How do you see yourself fitting into our 'data-driven design shop' culture?" (Evaluates fit with the team's methodology and data-centric approach.)

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure Your Narrative: For each case study, clearly define the problem, your research goals, your methodology (and why), your key findings, your recommendations, and the ultimate impact (quantified if possible).

• Focus on "Why" and "So What": Be ready to explain the reasoning behind your methodological choices and the actionable implications of your insights.

• Demonstrate Collaboration: Highlight how you partnered with designers, product managers, and engineers throughout the process.

• Prepare for Q&A: Anticipate questions about trade-offs you made, alternative approaches, and how you handle ambiguous or conflicting data.

📝 Enhancement Note: Given the role's integration into scrum teams and its "data-driven" nature, interviewers will likely probe deeply into how you translate research findings into specific, actionable product improvements and how you influence cross-functional decision-making.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this UX Researcher position:

• Submit Your Application: Complete and submit your application through the Optimum careers portal.

• Tailor Your Resume: Ensure your resume clearly highlights your UX research experience, specific methodologies used, tools proficiency, and quantifiable achievements, aligning keywords with the job description.

• Prepare Your Portfolio: Curate 2-3 strong case studies that demonstrate your end-to-end research process, showcasing your analytical skills, insight generation, and impact on product decisions. Ensure it's easily accessible (e.g., via a personal website or PDF).

• Research Optimum: Familiarize yourself with Optimum's products, services, and recent company news. Understand their position in the connectivity market and consider potential user challenges.

• Practice Your Presentation: Rehearse presenting your portfolio case studies, focusing on clear storytelling, highlighting collaboration, and quantifying impact. Be prepared to discuss your experience with Agile and how you integrate research into sprints.

⚠️ 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.