Design Researcher

Milwaukee Tool•Brookfield, WI

2d•Onsite

About The Position

The Design Research team at Milwaukee Tool sits within a collaborative user-centered design and technology development group focused on the fuzzy front end of product development. We are tasked with informing the entrepreneurial spirit of the company, influencing and inspiring the direction of the business through strategic and functional findings. In this role you will be leading the research efforts of highly collaborative and diverse teams of Engineers, Industrial Designers, and Product Managers to inspire and influence key decision makers on new solutions for the construction industry.

Requirements

Comfortable approaching potential research participants (e.g., on a construction site) to introduce yourself and engage in observation and open-ended lines of questioning
Curious, not just about your research topic but also the company, your co-workers, and your process
Ready to jump in with both feet to try new methods and learn from your mistakes
Comfortable working in ambiguous situations where the next step is not always clear
Proactive and open to changing research plans on the fly based on new information
Strong communication skills and can get your ideas across to engineers, industrial designers, and marketers alike
Link everything back to our core end user’s activities and needs to provide insight for developing breakthrough products
Team player, focused on bringing the team along on the journey
Passion for the importance of user insights in the product development process and are ready to champion those insights
Make non-obvious connections and revel in talking about ideas
Proficient in Microsoft Office, with some experience with editing video and 2D software (ex: QuickTime, Adobe Creative Suite)
Master’s degree in Psychology, Anthropology, Sociology, Industrial Design, Graphic Design, Business, or Engineering; or Bachelor’s degree in the same fields plus one year of experience (including internships)
25-40% overnight domestic travel
Must have a valid driver's license
Upon an interview, must be prepared to present on a project and its methodology

Responsibilities

Design and execute multi-faceted research plans to learn about all aspects of the construction trade. These plans typically include qualitative discovery research on jobsites, primary and secondary research exercises to understand the competitive product set, and evaluation of mock-ups and preliminary concept prototypes in field.
Build, grow, and maintain a network of users to understand their evolving needs and work context. Establishing strong relationships with our end users is critical to conducting appropriate discovery research, co-creating solutions, and eliciting honest feedback.
Analyze and synthesize research findings into key insights that inform opportunities for new feature sets, functionalities, and business approaches.
Plan and facilitate hands-on tool evaluations, team workshops, and analysis sessions. These participatory co-creation sessions result in a common ground of familiarity with a tool and its use, while inspiring creativity and collaboration within your team.
Present research findings in an engaging and concise manner to key stakeholders across the business. You will need to communicate through well-crafted presentations and events that educate and inspire your team through photos, video, diagrams, storytelling and demonstrations.