Senior Design Researcher

Hudl•Lincoln, NE

9h•$112,000 - $187,000•Hybrid

About The Position

At Hudl, we build great teams and foster a culture where everyone feels supported. We are looking for a Senior Design Researcher to serve as the research expert for our Hardware business unit, which focuses on defining the future of automated capture and wearable technology. This role combines deep methodological expertise across hardware and software with strong leadership skills to elevate research practices and connect insights directly to product outcomes. You will be embedded within product teams, maintaining a direct connection to customers through interviews, usability studies, and field research. You will use a mix of qualitative and quantitative methodologies across hardware and software contexts, holding a high bar for quality while uncovering deep user needs. You will also guide cross-functional teams in creating research plans, mentoring other designers, and sharing best practices. Additionally, you will leverage AI fluently to speed up synthesis and pattern recognition, and collaborate closely with Product Managers and designers to right-size research objectives and present findings through compelling storytelling and clear metrics. We are open to remote candidates in Kansas City, Chicago, Austin, or Dallas, but ideally someone living near our offices in Lincoln and Omaha.

Requirements

Five or more years of experience as a design researcher in tech environments.
Proven track record of connecting insights to design outcomes.
Excel at extracting critical contextual information about users, environments, and tasks.
Accountable for how effectively insights address product obstacles and inform design decisions.
Practiced point of view on how to use AI-assisted research tools to accelerate delivery without sacrificing rigor and quality.
Excellent at visualization and storytelling, making complex data approachable for various audiences.
Willing to travel up to 20% of the time, both domestically and internationally.
Mastered research methodologies across hardware, software, consumer electronics, and/or hard goods.
Strong qualitative and quantitative research skills across various approaches including focus groups, in-depth interviews, usability testing, field studies, and prototype evaluations.

Nice To Haves

Advanced degree in HCI, Human Factors, Cognitive Psychology, or a related field.
Worked with software product teams and understand the unique research requirements in digital product development.

Responsibilities

Lead research for hardware, embedded within product teams.
Maintain a direct connection to customers through interviews, usability studies, and field research.
Use a mix of qualitative and quantitative methodologies across hardware and software contexts.
Uncover deep user needs that go beyond the obvious.
Guide cross-functional teams in creating research plans.
Mentor other designers and share best practices.
Use AI fluently to speed up synthesis and pattern recognition.
Collaborate with Product Managers and designers to right-size research objectives.
Present findings through compelling storytelling and clear metrics.