UI / UX Research Lead Specialist

Role : UI / UX Research Lead Specialist

Location : Las Cruces, New Mexico

Experience : 12+ Years

Employment : Contract

Interview Type : In-Person or Webcam

Job Overview

We are seeking an experienced UI / UX Research Lead Specialist to drive the research strategy and ensure our products deliver exceptional user experiences. The ideal candidate will lead research initiatives, translate insights into actionable design recommendations, and collaborate closely with design, product, and engineering teams. This role requires a strategic thinker with deep expertise in user research, usability testing, and human-centered design practices.

Key Responsibilities

Lead and define the overall UI / UX research strategy for multiple projects.

Conduct qualitative and quantitative user research, including interviews, surveys, usability testing, and contextual inquiries.

Analyze research data and translate findings into actionable design recommendations for product teams.

Develop personas, user journeys, and experience maps to guide design decisions.

Collaborate with designers, product managers, and engineers to ensure research insights are integrated into product development.

Mentor and guide junior researchers and designers on best practices in UX research.

Advocate for the user across the organization and promote a user-centered design approach.

Stay up-to-date with emerging research methods, tools, and trends in UX and human-computer interaction.

Present research findings clearly to stakeholders, including executives, using reports, presentations, and workshops.

Required Skills and Qualifications

12+ years of experience in UI / UX research, human-centered design, or a related field.

Proven track record of leading user research initiatives for complex digital products.

Strong expertise in qualitative and quantitative research methods.

Proficiency with research tools such as UserTesting, Optimal Workshop, Hotjar, Morae, or similar.

Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to synthesize complex information into clear insights.

Strong communication and presentation skills, with experience presenting to diverse audiences.

Experience mentoring or leading teams of researchers or designers.

Deep understanding of user-centered design principles and accessibility standards.

Ability to work collaboratively in cross-functional teams and manage multiple priorities simultaneously.

Bachelor's or Master's degree in Human-Computer Interaction, Cognitive Psychology, Design, or a related field is preferred.