Principal UX Researcher
About The Position
We're looking for a Principal UX Researcher for Emerging Experiences to help shape the next generation of how audiences experience Disney+. You'll lead discovery and evaluative research across new technologies, from spatial computing to immersive interaction models. You'll partner with Product, Design, and Engineering to translate human behavior into insight that drives product strategy and innovation. This is a high-impact leadership role focused on bringing clarity to ambiguity. You'll identify the right questions, design the right studies, and connect findings to strategic decisions. You'll influence how Disney Streaming defines and measures success in new modalities, ensuring every design decision starts and ends with the user. You'll work side by side with Principal Designers and Product Managers to explore, validate, and evolve our vision for the future of entertainment.
Requirements
- 10+ years of experience in UX Research, Human Factors, or related field, with a strong portfolio of studies that shaped product strategy and design.
- Bachelor's degree and/or equivalent work experience.
- Expertise across a range of qualitative and quantitative methods, and the ability to choose the right one for the question.
- Proven experience leading research in emerging technology domains (XR/VR/AR, spatial computing, multi-screen environments).
- A track record of influencing product strategy and direction through evidence-based insight.
- Strong storytelling and synthesis skills with the ability to make complex findings clear, credible, and actionable for any audience.
- Comfort navigating ambiguity and designing studies for uncharted product spaces.
- Deep empathy for users and an instinct for translating emotion and behavior into product opportunity.
- Experience mentoring and elevating the practice of UX Research within cross-functional teams.
Nice To Haves
- Advanced degree in Human-Computer Interaction, Cognitive Psychology, Anthropology, or related discipline.
- Experience with biometrics, eye-tracking, motion, or spatial analytics.
- Familiarity with Unity, Unreal, or other XR prototyping tools.
- Experience working closely with creative or content-driven product teams.
Responsibilities
- Lead end-to-end research programs across discovery, validation, and measurement for emerging experiences including XR, spatial, and multi-device ecosystems.
- Partner with design and product leadership to define learning agendas and research roadmaps aligned to business strategy.
- Use generative methods to uncover unmet needs, behaviors, and motivations, turning them into actionable frameworks and opportunity spaces.
- Conduct evaluative research to assess usability, comfort, and engagement in immersive and spatial environments.
- Translate research findings into clear, compelling narratives that influence executive decisions and cross-functional roadmaps.
- Collaborate with engineers and designers to identify feasibility constraints and inform iterative product experimentation.
- Partner with data science to triangulate qualitative insights with behavioral analytics.
- Mentor designers and junior researchers in research planning, synthesis, and storytelling.
- Champion inclusivity and accessibility in emerging modalities, ensuring new technologies feel human and inviting for everyone.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Principal
Industry
Motion Picture and Sound Recording Industries
Number of Employees
5,001-10,000 employees
