Design Researcher II

Milwaukee Tool • Brookfield, WI

21h

About The Position

The Design Researcher II is part of Milwaukee Tool’s collaborative, user-centered design and technology development team, which focuses on the early stages of product development. The role leads research efforts with Engineers, Industrial Designers, and Product Managers to inform business direction and inspire new solutions for the construction industry.

The position involves planning and conducting research into construction trades, understanding users’ needs and work contexts, evaluating products and concepts in the field, and translating findings into insights that guide product features, functionality, and business approaches. The researcher facilitates tool evaluations, workshops, and co-creation sessions, and communicates findings to stakeholders through presentations and events using materials such as photos, video, diagrams, storytelling, and demonstrations. The role also experiments with research approaches and methodologies.

Applicants must be permanently eligible to work in the United States without sponsorship. The position requires 25–40% overnight domestic travel and a valid driver’s license. Candidates must be prepared to present a project and its methodology during an interview.

Requirements

• Must be permanently eligible to work in the U.S. without sponsorship.
• Master’s degree in Psychology, Anthropology, Sociology, Industrial Design, Graphic Design, Business, or Engineering plus 3 years of experience; or a bachelor’s degree in one of those fields plus 5 years of experience, including internships.
• At least 3 years of experience in product development, with an understanding of innovation and design thinking.
• At least 3 years of experience using qualitative research methods, including observation, interviewing, co-creation, participatory design, and design sprints.
• Valid driver’s license.
• Able to travel overnight domestically 25–40% of the time.
• Prepared to present a project and its methodology during an interview.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office and online collaboration tools such as Mural or Miro, with some experience editing video and using 2D software.
• Able to approach potential research participants, including on construction sites, and conduct observation and open-ended questioning.
• Curious, proactive, adaptable, and comfortable working in ambiguity and changing research plans in response to new information.
• Strong communication and facilitation skills when working with multidisciplinary teams and users.
• Strategic thinker who connects research findings to end users’ activities and needs and champions user insights in product development.
• Collaborative team player who is comfortable trying new methods, learning from mistakes, and making connections between ideas.

Responsibilities

• Design and execute multifaceted research plans, including qualitative discovery research on jobsites, primary and secondary research into competitive products, and field evaluation of mock-ups and preliminary concept prototypes.
• Build, grow, and maintain a network of users to understand their evolving needs and work contexts.
• Analyze and synthesize research findings into insights that inform opportunities for product features, functionality, and business approaches.
• Plan and facilitate hands-on tool evaluations, team workshops, and analysis sessions.
• Present research findings to business stakeholders through concise, engaging presentations and events using photos, video, diagrams, storytelling, and demonstrations.
• Experiment with new research approaches and methodologies and help develop tools and methods appropriate to the team’s work.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level