Design Researcher..

Lifetime Products, Inc.•Clearfield, UT

3d•Onsite

About The Position

Lifetime Products is seeking a talented, self-driven, and curious Design Researcher to join its research and development team. The role conducts in-depth user research to inform and influence product development, translating insights into actionable and innovative solutions for consumer products across sporting goods, home and garden, outdoor recreation, play systems, and furniture. The Design Researcher uses qualitative and quantitative research to understand customer needs, behaviors, and pain points; develops research plans and applies a range of methods; and collaborates with industrial designers, engineers, and product managers. The role synthesizes findings into recommendations and design directions, leads usability testing, and supports iterative development. It also advocates for user-centered design throughout product development, from ideation to final prototype.

Requirements

Bachelor's or master's degree in design research, industrial design, or a related field.
Proven experience in design research and a strong portfolio demonstrating methodologies that led to successful, data-driven decisions.
Proficiency in qualitative and quantitative research methods.
Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
Ability to clearly present research findings to stakeholders.
Excellent communication skills.
Ability to work cross-functionally in a collaborative, fast-paced environment.
Proficiency in design thinking methodologies, user-centered design principles, and emerging technologies.
Confidence expressing concepts visually.
High attention to detail and strong critical-thinking skills.

Nice To Haves

Experience in consumer hard goods.

Responsibilities

Use qualitative and quantitative research methods to uncover customer needs, behaviors, and pain points and align product development with consumer expectations.
Create research plans using methodologies such as user testing, contextual inquiries, field studies, and market trend analysis.
Collaborate with industrial designers, engineers, and product managers, providing research-backed recommendations that inform design decisions and product functionality, usability, and design.
Synthesize research findings into clear, actionable insights that inform product design strategy.
Lead usability testing sessions, gather feedback from end users, and work with teams to iterate on designs.
Promote user-centered design throughout product development, from ideation through final prototype.