Sr. Design Researcher

RYOBI • Anderson, SC

5d

About The Position

Come join the team at Techtronic Industries, the world leader in cordless technology spanning Power Tools, Outdoor Power Equipment, Floor Care Appliances and Accessories. We currently have an open position for a Sr. Design Researcher in the Outdoor Products Advanced Concepts group at our Innovation Center in Anderson, SC. The Sr. Design Researcher is a key contributor within the Advanced Concepts group, responsible for uncovering deep user insights that inform front-end innovation and the development of new outdoor product categories. This role operates upstream of traditional product development, focusing on identifying unmet user needs, behaviors, and emerging trends that can inspire disruptive products that establish new product categories and redefine our current product offerings. This position blends user-centered research, design thinking, and front-end innovation to inform system-level concept development. The ideal candidate thrives in a creative environment and is equally comfortable planning and conducting field research, combining user insights, and translating findings into clear opportunity areas that inspire new concepts. Working closely with the Advanced Concepts team and cross-functional partners, you will uncover unmet user needs, evaluate early assumptions, and provide research-driven guidance that helps shape forward-looking concepts and future product roadmaps. Daily work includes field research, interviews, workshops, concept evaluation, and iterative learning. The Advanced Concepts team is highly collaborative, deeply hands-on, and driven by curiosity and continuous learning as we develop new and innovative outdoor products.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Human Factors, Human-Computer Interaction, Psychology, Anthropology, Design Research, or related field, advanced degree preferred
• 7+ years of experience in design research, user research, or applied research roles
• Strong experience conducting research in early, unrefined problem spaces
• Demonstrated ability to translate research into actionable insights that influence design and product strategy
• Experience working closely with industrial designers and engineers on physical prototype development
• Familiarity with consumer hardware, tools, or outdoor products preferred
• Strong communication and storytelling skills
• Willingness to travel ~15% (domestic/international). May involve occasional non-standard office hours to conduct field research with ability to flex time

Nice To Haves

• Self-starters who can work well autonomously and in collaboration with teams
• Individuals with the “Maker” mindset – excited to jump into a new project and not afraid to get their hands dirty
• Collaborative contributors – bring outside experience and interests to brainstorming sessions
• Cross-functional communicators – able to translate information between technical and non-technical co-workers
• Familiarity with electrical and mechanical systems (ex. motors, microcontrollers, batteries)

Responsibilities

• Plan and conduct end-to-end design research to inform early-stage innovation and concept development
• Identify unmet user needs, pain points, and opportunities across professional and consumer outdoor users
• Execute a range of research methods including ethnography, contextual inquiry, interviews, usability testing, surveys, and diary studies
• Synthesize research findings into clear insights, opportunity frameworks, and design principles
• Collaborate closely with industrial design, engineering, and strategy teams to shape concept direction and decision-making
• Translate research into compelling stories, personas, journey maps, and experience frameworks
• Support rapid concept iteration by testing early prototypes and validating assumptions
• Contribute to long-range product roadmaps by identifying emerging behaviors, trends, and whitespace opportunities
• Advocate for user-centered design throughout the Advanced Concepts and Outdoor Products organizations

What This Job Offers

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