Principal, Design Researcher

Sam's West•Bentonville, AR

8d•Onsite

About The Position

A Principal Design Researcher will deliver high-impact, actionable insights that shape a holistic experience strategy for our members and associates. This role involves transforming complex data into clear, compelling narratives, facilitating workshops to help teams define problems and frame opportunity areas, and collaborating with stakeholders to define research goals. The ideal candidate is an expert in selecting research methodologies, analyzing data, and translating findings into actionable frameworks, narratives, and engaging presentations. This role will partner closely with interdisciplinary teams, including business stakeholders, to influence decisions, build aligned visions, and drive measurable business outcomes. The Sam’s Club Experience Strategy team designs impactful experiences across clubs, digital platforms, and associate tools, leading strategic design research to deepen organizational insight and empathy. Principal Researchers combine hands-on research with leadership, mentoring researchers to deliver high-quality insights that guide business decisions. The team emphasizes creativity, strategic thinking, and effective storytelling to transform data into actionable recommendations, with collaboration and stakeholder influence being central to ensuring research drives meaningful value and measurable impact throughout the organization.

Requirements

Extensive experience in research, including qualitative and quantitative methods.
Demonstrated leadership in managing research projects and collaborating and influencing with partners across business units.
Responsible for methodological integrity, quality insights, and outputs that drive business outcomes, linking research to ROI and Business KPIs.
Become a translator of research and connective tissue between all stakeholder groups ensuring alignment on the problem to solve.
Proficiency in synthesizing data from multiple sources to inform design decisions, mitigate risks, and the necessary artifacts (journey maps, service blueprints, etc).
Strong systems thinking and human-centered design with the ability to understand interconnected experiences across channels, teams, processes, and touchpoints.
Option 1: Bachelor's degree in UI/UX design, graphic design, visual communication, product design, computer science, information technology, or related area and 5 years’ experience in market research, business analysis, UX design research, or related area.
Option 2: 7 years' experience in market research, business analysis, UX design research, or related area.
As permitted by applicable law, provide evidence of full vaccination as defined by CDC guidelines OR secure approval of medical or religious accommodation for the vaccination mandate.

Nice To Haves

Driving product development in a design research area, Market Research, Business Analysis, UX Design Research, or related area
Master's degree in UI/UX Design, Interactive and Visual Design, Product Design, or related area
Related industry experience (for example, retail, supply chain, eCommerce, healthcare)
Research or design certification (for example, IDEOU - Foundations in Design Thinking Certificate)
Background in creating inclusive digital experiences, demonstrating knowledge in implementing Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.2 AA standards, assistive technologies, and integrating digital accessibility seamlessly.
Knowledge of accessibility best practices and join us as we continue to create accessible products and services following Walmart’s accessibility standards and guidelines for supporting an inclusive culture.

Responsibilities

Lead design research initiatives to identify customer needs and business challenges, driving product and process improvements.
Develop and execute research strategies using qualitative and quantitative methods, including user interviews, contextual inquiries, and usability testing.
Analyze data and synthesize insights to inform user experience design and anticipate risks or gaps in product journeys.
Collaborate with cross-functional teams and stakeholders to align research outcomes with business objectives and enhance customer satisfaction.
Facilitate workshops, stakeholder communication and consensus-building through clear, data-driven presentations and reports.
Coach team members and cross-functional partners elevating research craft, strategic thinking, and the quality and impact of research across the organization.

Benefits

Health benefits include medical, vision and dental coverage
Financial benefits include 401(k), stock purchase and company-paid life insurance
Paid time off benefits include PTO, parental leave, family care leave, bereavement, jury duty, and voting.
PTO and/or PPTO that can be used for vacation, sick leave, holidays, or other purposes.
Short-term and long-term disability
Company discounts
Military Leave Pay
Adoption and surrogacy expense reimbursement
Live Better U is a company paid education benefit program for full-time and part-time associates in Walmart and Sam's Club facilities. Programs range from high school completion to bachelor's degrees, including English Language Learning and short-form certificates. Tuition, books, and fees are completely paid for by Walmart.
Performance-based bonus awards