Senior UX Researcher

Xcel Engineering • Oak Ridge, TN

9h

About The Position

Xcel Engineering is seeking a highly skilled and self-directed Senior UX Researcher to join our team. In this role, you will independently plan, execute, and synthesize complex qualitative and quantitative research to inform product strategy and design decisions. You will serve as a trusted research partner to product, design, and engineering teams, translating user insights into clear, actionable recommendations that improve user experience and business outcomes across our applications, websites, and services.

Requirements

• US Citizen with eligibility to obtain a security clearance.
• A BS degree in user experience, human-computer interaction, psychology, or a related field, with a minimum of five (5) to seven (7) years of aligned professional experience.
• Master's and PhD degree holders in the same fields are encouraged to apply: Master's degree holders should have a minimum of four (4) to six (6) years of relevant, aligned experience. PhD degree holders should have up to three (3) years of relevant, aligned applied research experience.
• Demonstrated ability to independently lead user research eDorts that inform UX and product decisions in software or application development contexts.
• Deep proficiency in qualitative and quantitative research methods, including study design, data collection, analysis, and synthesis.
• Strong analytical and critical thinking skills, with a proven ability to turn ambiguous problem spaces into clear research plans and insights.
• Excellent written, verbal, and visual communication skills, with experience presenting findings and recommendations to cross-functional teams and stakeholders.
• Experience working within agile or iterative product development environments.

Nice To Haves

• Working knowledge of UX design principles and familiarity with Figma is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Independently plan, design, and execute end-to-end user research studies, from problem definition through synthesis and recommendations.
• Select and apply appropriate qualitative and quantitative research methods, including usability testing, interviews, surveys, diary studies, and mixed-method approaches.
• Analyze and synthesize complex datasets into clear, actionable insights that influence product direction, design decisions, and prioritization.
• Partner closely with UX designers, product managers, engineers, and other stakeholders to ensure research insights are effectively integrated into product development.
• Proactively advocate for user needs, balancing user insights with technical constraints and business goals.
• Present research findings and strategic recommendations to cross-functional stakeholders and leadership with clarity and confidence.
• Contribute to the evolution of research practices, standards, and documentation across the organization.
• Stay current on UX research trends, tools, methodologies, and emerging technologies, and apply them thoughtfully to your work.

What This Job Offers

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