UX Researcher

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: UX Researcher

Company: TEKsystems

Location: Morrisville, North Carolina, United States

Job Type: CONTRACTOR

Category: User Experience Research

Date Posted: September 15, 2026

Experience Level: Mid-level (implied by responsibilities and typical contract lengths)

Remote Status: Hybrid

🚀 Role Summary

• Conduct critical qualitative user research, including interviews and usability evaluations, to directly influence product strategy and design outcomes for digital platforms.

• Leverage deep Spanish fluency (written and spoken) to engage with Spanish-speaking users and stakeholders, ensuring inclusive and comprehensive research insights.

• Collaborate closely with cross-functional teams (Product Managers, Designers, Engineers) within an Agile framework to deliver rapid, actionable recommendations for concept development and experience improvements.

• Manage the end-to-end operational aspects of research initiatives, from participant recruitment and scheduling to maintaining research repositories and synthesizing findings.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is specifically for a UX Researcher with a strong emphasis on qualitative methodologies and a unique requirement for Spanish fluency. The emphasis on "lean research," "rapid research cycles," and "immediately applied recommendations" suggests a fast-paced, hands-on environment focused on tactical research rather than long-term strategic program management. The hybrid work arrangement indicates a need for on-site presence in Morrisville, NC, for collaboration and research facilitation.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Plan, coordinate, and execute a variety of qualitative research activities, including in-depth interviews, usability testing, concept validation, and iterative feedback sessions with diverse user groups.

• Conduct and moderate research sessions and user interviews in both English and Spanish, ensuring clear communication and accurate capture of insights from all participants.

• Synthesize complex user feedback, research findings, and heuristic analyses into clear, concise, and actionable recommendations for product managers, designers, and engineering teams.

• Support multiple concurrent research initiatives focused on critical areas such as user onboarding, system integrations, complex workflow optimization, and the development of AI-assisted features.

• Manage all operational aspects of research projects, including participant recruitment, scheduling, consent management, data organization, and maintenance of research repositories and documentation.

• Facilitate cross-functional planning sessions, stakeholder review meetings, and research alignment workshops to ensure buy-in and effective dissemination of insights.

• Proactively identify and track research milestones, dependencies, potential risks, and key deliverables across various workstreams, ensuring timely project completion.

• Develop and present comprehensive research reports, executive summaries, and compelling insight presentations tailored to different audiences, including senior leadership.

• Partner closely with product, design, and engineering teams to embed user insights throughout the product development lifecycle and ensure research findings translate into tangible product improvements.

• Contribute to the continuous improvement of research processes, frameworks, and best practices within the team, promoting efficiency and effectiveness.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a need for both strong research execution skills and robust research operations management. The emphasis on "multiple concurrent research initiatives" and "rapid-turnaround research" indicates a need for excellent prioritization and time management. The explicit mention of AI-enabled experiences suggests an interest in candidates familiar with emerging technologies.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

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

Experience: The AI-generated experience level of "2-5 years" aligns with the responsibilities of conducting research, managing operations, and collaborating with cross-functional teams. This suggests a mid-level position requiring demonstrated experience rather than an entry-level role.

Required Skills:

• Spanish Fluency (Written and Spoken): Essential for conducting interviews, moderating sessions, and communicating findings with Spanish-speaking users and stakeholders.

• Qualitative User Research: Proven experience in planning, conducting, and analyzing qualitative research methods (e.g., interviews, usability testing, ethnographic studies).

• User Interviewing & Facilitation: Excellent skills in interviewing diverse user groups and facilitating research sessions effectively and empathetically.

• Data Synthesis & Insight Generation: Ability to synthesize qualitative data from multiple sources into clear, actionable insights and recommendations.

• Concept Development Support: Experience providing feedback on concepts and designs to guide development prior to formal validation.

• Heuristic Evaluation: Proficiency in identifying usability issues and areas for improvement through expert review and user-centered analysis.

• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Demonstrated ability to work effectively with product managers, designers, engineers, and other stakeholders.

• Agile/Scrum Environment Experience: Familiarity with iterative product development methodologies and working within Agile or Scrum frameworks.

• Presentation & Storytelling: Strong skills in communicating research findings and recommendations through compelling presentations and narratives.

• Organizational & Project Management: Excellent ability to manage multiple research projects simultaneously, track progress, and meet deadlines.

Preferred Skills:

• Lightweight Quantitative Research: Experience with surveys, feedback programs, and basic quantitative data analysis.

• Concept Validation & Iterative Research: Familiarity with testing concepts and iterating on designs based on user feedback.

• AI/Conversational UI Experience: Exposure to research within AI-enabled, conversational, or intelligent user experience domains.

• Enterprise Software/B2B Environments: Experience supporting complex enterprise software, digital platforms, or B2B solutions.

• Interaction Design Principles: Understanding of UI/UX design principles, interaction design, and usability best practices.

📝 Enhancement Note: The explicit requirement for Spanish fluency is a critical differentiator for this role. The "lean research model" and "rapid research cycles" imply a need for efficiency and adaptability, making experience in fast-paced environments highly valuable. The preference for B2B or enterprise software experience suggests the user base may be professional or technical.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Case Studies of Qualitative Research Projects: Showcase 2-3 detailed case studies demonstrating your process from research planning through to insight delivery and impact.

• Demonstration of Spanish Fluency in Research: Include examples or descriptions of how you have leveraged your Spanish language skills in user research, ideally with translated artifacts or descriptions of cross-lingual interactions.

• Impact Metrics: Quantify the impact of your research findings on product decisions, user experience improvements, or business outcomes where possible (e.g., reduction in usability issues, improved task completion rates, increased user satisfaction).

• Research Operations Examples: Provide examples of how you have managed research logistics, participant recruitment, and maintained research repositories efficiently.

• Cross-Functional Collaboration Examples: Illustrate how you have partnered with designers, product managers, and engineers, showcasing your ability to translate research into actionable design or product requirements.

Process Documentation:

• Research Plan Examples: Showcase well-structured research plans that outline objectives, methodology, target participants, and key research questions.

• Synthesis Artifacts: Include examples of synthesis methods used (e.g., affinity mapping, thematic analysis) and how insights were documented.

• Deliverable Formats: Demonstrate proficiency in creating various research deliverables, such as detailed reports, concise executive summaries, and engaging presentations.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a UX Researcher role, a portfolio is crucial. The emphasis on Spanish fluency means that any examples showcasing this skill will be highly advantageous. The "lean research model" suggests a preference for clear, concise deliverables that can be acted upon quickly, rather than lengthy, academic reports.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $68.00 - $75.00 per hour.

Explanation of Range: This hourly rate is competitive for a contract UX Researcher position in the Morrisville, NC area, reflecting the mid-level experience and specialized skill requirement (Spanish fluency). Contract roles often offer higher hourly rates to compensate for the lack of traditional employment benefits and job security. The range accounts for variations in candidate experience, specific skill depth, and the duration of the contract.

Benefits:

• Medical, Dental, and Vision insurance.

• Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital coverage.

• 401(k) Retirement Plan (Pre-tax and Roth options).

• Voluntary Life Insurance and Accidental Death & Dismemberment (AD&D) for employee and dependents.

• Short-term and Long-term Disability insurance.

• Health Spending Account (HSA).

• Transportation benefits.

• Employee Assistance Program (EAP).

• Paid Time Off (PTO), Vacation, or Sick Leave.

Working Hours: Approximately 40 hours per week. The hybrid nature of the role suggests a standard 5-day work week with flexibility in daily scheduling, balanced between remote work and on-site collaboration in Morrisville, NC.

📝 Enhancement Note: The benefits package for this contract role is comprehensive, offering a range of health, retirement, and support services typically associated with full-time employment. This is a significant perk for a contract position. The hourly rate is a key consideration for contractors, and this range is appropriate for the skillset and location.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Staffing and IT Consulting Services. TEKsystems is a major player in the technology staffing and services industry, connecting businesses with IT talent and providing solutions. This role is likely embedded within a client organization that operates in a technology-focused sector (e.g., SaaS, enterprise software, digital products).

Company Size: TEKsystems is part of Allegis Group, a large global organization with 80,000 employees worldwide and over 6,000 clients. This implies access to extensive resources, a robust support network, and a structured operational framework, even for contract roles.

Founded: TEKsystems was founded in 1983. This long history suggests stability, established processes, and a deep understanding of the IT and business services market.

Team Structure:

• Operations Team: This role is part of a UX Research function, likely operating within a Product or Design department at the client company. The team is described as "lean" and focused on "rapid research cycles," suggesting a nimble and dynamic structure.

• Cross-Functional Collaboration: The role explicitly requires close collaboration with Product Managers, Designers, and Engineers, indicating a highly integrated and team-oriented approach to product development.

• Reporting: While not explicitly stated, a UX Researcher typically reports to a UX Research Lead, Design Manager, or Product Lead within the client organization.

Methodology:

• User-Centered Design (UCD): The core methodology is UCD, with research serving to inform and validate product and design decisions based on user needs.

• Agile/Lean Research: The emphasis on "lean research model," "rapid research cycles," and "quick synthesis" points towards an Agile or Lean approach to research, prioritizing speed and iterative feedback over lengthy, traditional research programs.

• Data-Driven Decision Making: Research findings are intended to drive product and business decisions, underscoring a commitment to evidence-based product development.

Company Website: https://careers.teksystems.com/us/en

📝 Enhancement Note: While TEKsystems is the employer of record, the "Company Culture" and "Team Structure" described here primarily refer to the client organization where the contractor will be placed. The "lean research model" and "hybrid" nature are key indicators of the immediate work environment.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This UX Researcher role is positioned at a mid-level, indicated by the expectation of independent research execution, project management, and collaboration with various teams. It's a hands-on role focused on contributing directly to product development rather than managing a team or setting high-level research strategy.

Reporting Structure: The candidate will likely report to a senior UX Researcher, a Design Lead, or a Product Manager within the client organization. They will also work closely with designers, product managers, and engineers on a day-to-day basis, requiring strong communication and collaboration skills.

Operations Impact: The UX Researcher's work directly influences product strategy and design outcomes by ensuring that user needs are understood and addressed. This impact is critical for improving user experience, increasing product adoption, reducing friction in workflows, and ultimately contributing to business objectives such as user satisfaction and engagement. The focus on AI-enabled solutions also positions this role at the forefront of emerging technology development.

Growth Opportunities:

• Skill Specialization: Opportunity to deepen expertise in specific research areas like AI-driven user experiences, complex B2B platform research, or advanced qualitative methodologies.

• Cross-Functional Exposure: Gain extensive experience working with diverse product teams, understanding different product development lifecycles and stakeholder needs.

• Process Improvement Contribution: Contribute to refining and improving the research processes within the client organization, potentially leading to more strategic involvement in future projects.

• Networking: Build a professional network within the client organization and through TEKsystems, which can lead to future contract opportunities or even full-time roles.

• Portfolio Enhancement: The diverse projects and requirement for Spanish fluency will significantly enhance the candidate's professional portfolio.

📝 Enhancement Note: As a contract role, formal career progression paths might be less defined than in a permanent position. However, the exposure to client projects, diverse teams, and specialized requirements (Spanish fluency, AI) offers significant opportunities for skill development and portfolio building, which are key drivers for contract professionals.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Hybrid work environment. This means a blend of remote work and on-site presence at the client's office in Morrisville, NC.

Office Location(s): Morrisville, North Carolina. This location is part of the Research Triangle Park (RTP) area, a hub for technology and research, suggesting a dynamic and innovative professional community.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Hub: The on-site component is likely for team meetings, workshops, brainstorming sessions, and in-person user research activities, fostering direct collaboration and team cohesion.

• Technology Access: Expect access to standard office technology, collaboration tools, and potentially specialized UX research software or hardware depending on the client's setup.

• Team Interaction: The hybrid model allows for both focused individual work remotely and rich interactive sessions with colleagues on-site, providing a balanced work experience.

Work Schedule: Approximately 40 hours per week. The hybrid nature allows for some flexibility in managing remote workdays, while on-site days will likely align with standard business hours for maximum team collaboration.

📝 Enhancement Note: The hybrid nature requires a candidate to be located within commuting distance of Morrisville, NC, and comfortable splitting their time between remote and on-site work. This setup is common for roles requiring collaborative brainstorming and direct team interaction.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: Likely a recruiter screen from TEKsystems to assess basic qualifications, experience, and fit for contract roles, with a focus on Spanish fluency and research background.

• Hiring Manager/Client Interview: A more in-depth interview with the hiring manager or lead researcher at the client organization. This will focus on research methodologies, past projects, problem-solving skills, and how you handle specific UX challenges. Expect behavioral questions and scenario-based questions.

• Portfolio Review Session: A dedicated session where you will present your portfolio, walking through case studies of your research projects. This is where you'll demonstrate your process, insights, and impact. Be prepared to discuss your role in each project, the challenges faced, and the outcomes.

• Cross-Functional Team Interaction (Potentially): You might have an opportunity to meet with designers, product managers, or engineers to assess collaboration style and communication effectiveness.

• Final Decision: Based on overall assessment of skills, experience, cultural fit, and portfolio presentation.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Highlight Spanish Fluency: Clearly showcase projects where your Spanish language skills were essential. This could be through translated research materials, descriptions of bi-lingual interviews, or how you bridged communication gaps.

• Structure Case Studies: For each case study, clearly outline: the problem/objective, your role, the research methodology used, key findings, actionable recommendations, and the impact of your work.

• Focus on Process: Emphasize your thought process, how you adapted methodologies, and how you synthesized data to arrive at insights.

• Quantify Impact: Whenever possible, include metrics or qualitative evidence demonstrating the positive outcomes of your research.

• Be Concise and Engaging: Given the "rapid research cycles" context, aim for clear, succinct presentations that get straight to the point. Practice your storytelling.

• Prepare for Questions: Anticipate questions about your decision-making, how you handle conflicting feedback, and how you collaborate with different disciplines.

Challenge Preparation:

• Scenario-Based Questions: Be ready for questions like, "How would you approach researching X feature?" or "A designer has a strong opinion on Y; how would you validate or challenge that?"

• Methodology Discussion: Be prepared to defend your choice of research methods and explain why they are appropriate for different research questions.

• Spanish Language Assessment: There might be a live assessment of your Spanish language proficiency during the interview process.

📝 Enhancement Note: The portfolio review is a critical component. Given the explicit Spanish fluency requirement, candidates should prepare specific examples demonstrating this skill in a research context. The "lean research model" implies that interviewers will be looking for efficiency, adaptability, and the ability to deliver actionable insights quickly.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Research Platforms: Familiarity with tools for conducting online interviews and usability tests (e.g., Zoom, Google Meet, Lookback, UserTesting.com).

• Survey Tools: Experience with survey platforms for feedback collection and lightweight quantitative research (e.g., SurveyMonkey, Typeform, Google Forms).

• Collaboration Suites: Proficiency in tools like Google Workspace (Docs, Sheets, Slides) or Microsoft 365 for documentation, presentations, and collaboration.

• Project Management Tools: Experience with tools like Jira, Asana, Trello, or Monday.com for tracking research milestones and tasks.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Data Synthesis Tools: Familiarity with tools or methods for organizing and synthesizing qualitative data (e.g., Miro, Mural for affinity mapping, Dovetail for research repository management).

• Presentation Software: Advanced skills in creating compelling visual presentations (e.g., PowerPoint, Google Slides, Keynote).

CRM & Automation: (Less direct for this role, but understanding context is useful)

• While not a primary tool, awareness of how UX research feeds into CRM strategies or impacts user onboarding automation within enterprise software can be beneficial.

📝 Enhancement Note: The focus is on tools that facilitate qualitative research execution, data synthesis, and stakeholder communication. Proficiency in standard collaboration and presentation software is assumed. Experience with specific research repository tools like Dovetail would be a plus.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• User-Centricity: A fundamental belief in designing products and experiences around the needs and behaviors of users.

• Data-Driven Insights: Valuing research findings as the basis for product decisions, encouraging a culture of evidence-based strategy.

• Collaboration & Transparency: Fostering an environment where cross-functional teams work together openly, sharing insights and feedback freely.

• Efficiency & Agility: Embracing rapid iteration and quick turnaround times to deliver value and adapt to changing needs.

• Inclusivity: Commitment to understanding and serving diverse user populations, as highlighted by the Spanish fluency requirement.

Collaboration Style:

• Partnership: Working as a close partner with product managers and designers, acting as the voice of the user throughout the development process.

• Facilitative: Guiding discussions and decision-making through research insights, helping teams align on user needs.

• Iterative Feedback: Regularly sharing findings and insights to inform ongoing design and development cycles.

• Knowledge Sharing: Actively contributing to a culture of learning by sharing research methods, best practices, and insights across teams.

📝 Enhancement Note: The culture is likely to be fast-paced, collaborative, and highly focused on delivering tangible product improvements. The emphasis on "lean research" and "rapid cycles" suggests a dynamic and adaptable team environment.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing Speed and Rigor: The need for rapid research can sometimes conflict with the desire for deep, comprehensive studies. Candidates must be adept at making pragmatic decisions about scope and methodology.

• Managing Stakeholder Expectations: Effectively communicating research limitations and ensuring stakeholders understand the nuances of qualitative findings.

• Integrating Insights: Ensuring that research findings are not just delivered but are actively understood and acted upon by product and design teams.

• Remote/Hybrid Collaboration: Navigating the complexities of conducting effective research and fostering team cohesion in a hybrid work environment.

• Navigating Complex Products: Understanding and researching intricate enterprise software or B2B platforms requires a steep learning curve.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Deepen Qualitative Expertise: Opportunity to hone skills in specific qualitative methods and gain experience with advanced analysis techniques.

• Exposure to AI/Emerging Tech: Work on cutting-edge AI-enabled features, providing valuable experience in a high-growth area.

• Cross-Functional Skill Development: Learn more about product management, design processes, and engineering workflows by working closely with these teams.

• Research Operations Acumen: Develop strong skills in managing research projects end-to-end, a valuable asset for any researcher.

• Bilingual Research Experience: Significantly enhance professional experience by conducting research in a second language, opening doors to more diverse opportunities.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges presented are typical for UX research roles in fast-paced environments. The growth opportunities are particularly strong due to the unique combination of a contract role, Spanish fluency requirement, and focus on AI-enabled experiences.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you had to conduct rapid research under tight deadlines. How did you prioritize, and what were the outcomes?" (Assesses speed, prioritization, and impact.)

• "How would you approach researching a new feature for an enterprise software product aimed at Spanish-speaking users? What methods would you use, and how would you ensure cultural relevance?" (Tests bilingual research skills and understanding of B2B/enterprise contexts.)

• "Imagine a product manager has strong opinions about a feature's design. How would you use research to inform or challenge their perspective?" (Evaluates collaboration, communication, and ability to handle stakeholder dynamics.)

• "Walk me through a complex research project from your portfolio. What was the problem, your approach, key findings, and the impact?" (Standard portfolio presentation question, focus on clarity and impact.) Company & Culture Questions:

• "What interests you about this contract role with TEKsystems and our client?" (Assesses motivation and understanding of the role.)

• "How do you typically collaborate with designers and product managers in a hybrid environment?" (Evaluates teamwork and adaptability to work models.)

• "How do you ensure your research findings are actionable and lead to real product improvements?" (Focuses on the practical application of research.) Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Spanish Fluency Showcase: Clearly flag and discuss any projects where your Spanish language skills were integral. Consider having a small, translated artifact or a brief summary of bi-lingual user interactions.

• Lean Research Emphasis: Highlight projects that demonstrate efficiency, rapid synthesis, and direct impact on product decisions. Focus on the "so what" of your findings.

• Methodology Justification: Be prepared to explain why you chose specific research methods for your case studies, particularly in relation to the research objectives.

• Impact & Metrics: Quantify the results of your research whenever possible. If direct metrics are unavailable, use strong qualitative evidence of impact.

• Visual Clarity: Ensure your presentation slides are clean, well-organized, and visually support your narrative without being overly text-heavy.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation should heavily emphasize the Spanish fluency requirement and the "lean research model." Candidates should be ready to demonstrate how they can deliver high-quality, actionable insights quickly and effectively in a bilingual context.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this UX Researcher position:

• Submit your application through the TEKsystems careers portal.

• Tailor Your Resume: Highlight your experience with qualitative UX research, Spanish fluency, Agile methodologies, and any experience with enterprise software or AI-enabled products. Use keywords from the job description.

• Curate Your Portfolio: Select 2-3 strong case studies that best showcase your research process, ability to synthesize findings, and the impact of your work. Ensure at least one prominently features your Spanish language skills in a research context.

• Prepare Your Presentation: Practice walking through your portfolio case studies concisely and engagingly, focusing on your role, methodology, insights, and outcomes. Be ready to articulate your approach to bilingual research.

• Research TEKsystems and the Client: Understand TEKsystems' role as a staffing provider and research the client's industry and product offerings to demonstrate genuine interest and contextual understanding.

⚠️ 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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