Senior User Researcher - Activision

Activision Blizzard, Inc. • Sherman Oaks, FL

1d • Hybrid

About The Position

Activision is seeking a passionate and experienced Senior User Researcher to lead user research for major franchises, focusing on Call of Duty Mobile and other Activision projects. The ideal candidate will have experience testing mobile shooters, including Multiplayer, Battle Royale, and live ops, to assess player sentiment and usability, translating insights into development decisions. This role involves planning and executing research, developing research strategies, building stakeholder relationships, identifying research opportunities, and contributing to team best practices. The position is based in the Sherman Oaks, California office with an onsite work schedule of three days per week (Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday), though work arrangements may change based on business needs.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree required (computer science, statistics, branches of psychology, human computer interaction, human factors, or related field).
• 5–7+ years of experience conducting user research for video games.
• Deep experience conducting and leading applied user research and product evaluation on mobile free-to-play games.
• Experience owning research workstreams and managing stakeholder needs within a development context.
• Experience working on free-to-play, or, evolving products (e.g., live ops, feature iteration, or player retention).
• Experience with, and passion for video games is a must, and an ideal candidate will be well versed in at least one of Activision’s titles, preferably Call of Duty.
• Strong understanding of qualitative research methods and study design for game development contexts.
• Experience integrating multiple data sources (qualitative, quantitative, telemetry) into cohesive insights.
• Strong project management and prioritization skills across multiple research efforts.
• A passion for video games, especially FPS, PvE, PvP, Action/Adventure, Strategy, Simulation/Management games, particularly on mobile platforms.
• Strong organizational, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to build relationships and collaborate effectively with cross-functional stakeholders.
• Entrepreneurial mindset: proactively identifies opportunities to expand research impact and value.
• Excellent interpersonal communication (both written and verbal).

Nice To Haves

• Advanced degree is preferred.
• Experience with research on prototype or early development game projects.
• Experience with user testing of console and PC first-person games.
• Experience mentoring or supporting the development of other researchers.
• Knowledge of data visualization software is a plus.
• Familiarity with quantitative research methods is a plus.
• Familiarity with telemetric methods and tools is a plus.
• Functional proficiency in Mandarin, Simplified Chinese, and other relevant spoken and written languages.

Responsibilities

• Leads and owns user research for at least one mobile-focused project, including all stages from planning to execution.
• Develops and maintains a strategic research plan aligned with product goals and development timelines.
• Carries out and oversees research using a variety of methods, including usability testing, appreciation playtesting, balance testing, focus groups, interviews, surveys, heuristic evaluation, card sorting, longitudinal studies, and exploratory research.
• Integrates multiple sources of insight, including qualitative findings, survey data, and telemetry (where applicable), to deliver robust and actionable insights.
• Crafts and delivers clear, actionable reports and presentations, driving alignment with development teams and influencing product decisions.
• Proactively identifies research opportunities and partners with stakeholders to ensure research is aligned with key development questions and priorities.
• Offers design recommendations grounded in research findings, player behavior, and domain expertise.
• Contributes to the evolution of research methods, tools, and best practices within the team.
• Mentors and supports junior researchers through feedback, knowledge sharing, and collaboration.
• Occasionally travels to run on-site tests or engage directly with development partners.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, vision, health savings account or health reimbursement account, healthcare spending accounts, dependent care spending accounts, life and AD&D insurance, disability insurance
• 401(k) with Company match
• Tuition reimbursement
• Charitable donation matching
• Paid holidays and vacation, paid sick time, floating holidays, compassion and bereavement leaves, parental leave
• Mental health & wellbeing programs, fitness programs, free and discounted games, and a variety of other voluntary benefit programs like supplemental life & disability, legal service, ID protection, rental insurance, and others
• Relocation assistance

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior