Staff UX Researcher

Adobe•San Jose, CA

About The Position

The opportunity On the Design Research & Strategy team, our mission is to lay a user-centered foundation for Adobe product design and development. We are seeking a Staff UX Researcher to lead research that shapes Adobe’s future strategic investments, bringing clarity to complex questions and guiding work from early exploration through product launch. What we do Frame decision problems, not just research questions; clarify decisions, assumptions, and key tradeoffs. Assess project scope, form appropriate research questions, and identify appropriate research methods (developing new methods if/where needed and using GenAI tools to accelerate research workflows). Run research studies from start to finish, including developing a realistic research plan and materials, recruiting participants, and synthesizing data into actionable insights. Build alliances across the company to identify new partners, drive teamwork, and deeply understand the business context of research problems. We engage with different roles and product teams to understand and influence business goals, system architecture, and product designs. Advocate for the customer by articulating research findings and product ideas through clear and insightful presentations. We often present work in group-wide or company-wide forums (e.g., lunch & learns, tech summits, Adobe MAX, etc.). Translate insights into concise, executive-ready narratives that drive alignment across Product, Design, and leadership. Mentor junior staff and supervise contractors/vendors on more complicated programs of study. Who we are looking for Must-haves: Significant hands-on research experience, with at least 10 years in an industry setting (e.g. UX/product research, market research, consulting, etc.). Demonstrated ability to synthesize across qualitative, quantitative, and behavioral (telemetry) data to explain not just what users do, but why it matters for the business. Proven track record of framing ambiguous product and business problems, pressure-testing assumptions, and leading changes in strategic direction based on evidence. Ability to own and communicate research-informed product and strategy recommendations, clearly articulating options, tradeoffs, and implications for leadership decisions. Demonstrated impact on product or business strategy (e.g., influencing roadmaps, repositioning bets, aligning teams around a new direction). Ability to operate effectively in ambiguous or ill-defined problem spaces. Experience conducting research on emerging technologies (e.g., Generative AI). Deep understanding of the product lifecycle and how to time research for maximum impact. Strong collaboration skills across design, product, engineering, and analytics. Ability to move beyond findings to identify underlying user motivations, risks, and strategic implications, and form a clear, defensible point of view. Experience communicating with senior stakeholders (director, VP, and above) through clear, concise narratives that drive decisions. Strong organizational, planning, and time management skills. An undergraduate degree from a 4-year, accredited institution. Nice to haves: Experience researching creative workflows across desktop apps, mobile, and web-based tools. Interest & enthusiasm for exploring GenAI technology & understanding how people want to use GenAI. An advanced degree in HCI or HCDE, or similar field. Familiarity with or interest in Adobe’s creative (Photoshop, InDesign, Illustrator, etc.). Why you’ll love working here Collaborate with and learn from other researchers from a wide range of backgrounds; Psychology, Anthropology, HCI, Computer Science, Design and Management, Linguistics, and more. At Adobe, we value the differences in others’ stories and ideas— You’ll be able to bring your authentic self to work every day. We offer a competitive benefits package including unlimited vacation days, 401k matching, educational reimbursement, wellness dollars, fertility benefits, parental leave, childcare assistance, gender reassignment benefits, and more! About Adobe Design Adobe Design creates tools that amplify the world’s ability to create and communicate. We’re a global team of designers, researchers, prototypers, content strategists, program managers, and more who work across Adobe’s three product lines: Creative Cloud, Document Cloud, and Experience Cloud. About Adobe Adobe empowers everyone to create through innovative platforms and tools that unleash creativity, productivity and personalized customer experiences. Adobe’s industry-leading offerings including Adobe Acrobat Studio, Adobe Express, Adobe Firefly, Creative Cloud, Adobe Experience Platform, Adobe Experience Manager, and GenStudio enable people and businesses to turn ideas into impact, powered by AI and driven by human ingenuity. Our 30,000+ employees worldwide are creating the future and raising the bar as we drive the next decade of growth. We’re on a mission to hire the very best and believe in creating a company culture where all employees are empowered to make an impact. At Adobe, we believe that great ideas can come from anywhere in the organization. The next big idea could be yours. Let’s Adobe together At Adobe, we believe in creating a company culture where all employees are empowered to make an impact. Learn more about Adobe life, including our values and culture, focus on people, purpose and community, Adobe for All, comprehensive benefits programs, the stories we tell, the customers we serve, and how you can help us advance our mission of empowering everyone to create. Adobe is proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity employer. We do not discriminate based on gender, race or color, ethnicity or national origin, age, disability, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, veteran status, or any other protected characteristic. Learn more. Adobe aims to make our Careers website and recruiting process accessible to any and all users. If you have a disability or special need that requires accommodation to navigate our website or complete the application process, email [email protected] or call +1 408-536-3015. AI Use Guidelines for Interviews: Our interviews are designed to reflect your own skills and thinking. The use of AI or recording tools during live interviews is not permitted unless explicitly invited by the interviewer or approved in advance as part of a reasonable accommodation. If these tools are used inappropriately or in a way that misrepresents your work, your application may not move forward in the process. At Adobe, we empower employees to innovate with AI — and we look for candidates eager to do the same. As part of the hiring experience, we provide clear guidance on where AI is encouraged during the process and where it’s restricted during live interviews. See how we think about AI in the hiring experience. Expected Pay Range: Our compensation reflects the cost of labor across several U.S. geographic markets, and we pay differently based on those defined markets. The U.S. pay range for this position is $139,700 -- $265,800 annually. Pay within this range varies by work location and may also depend on job-related knowledge, skills, and experience. Your recruiter can share more about the specific salary range for the job location during the hiring process. In California, the pay range for this position is $183,600 - $265,800 In New York, the pay range for this position is $183,600 - $265,800 At Adobe, for sales roles starting salaries are expressed as total target compensation (TTC = base + commission), and short-term incentives are in the form of sales commission plans. Non-sales roles starting salaries are expressed as base salary and short-term incentives are in the form of the Annual Incentive Plan (AIP). In addition, certain roles may be eligible for long-term incentives in the form of a new hire equity award. State-Specific Notices: California: Fair Chance Ordinances Adobe will consider qualified applicants with arrest or conviction records for employment in accordance with state and local laws and “fair chance” ordinances. Colorado: Application Window Notice If this role is open to hiring in Colorado (as listed on the job posting), the application window will remain open until at least the date and time stated above in Pacific Time, in compliance with Colorado pay transparency regulations. If this role does not have Colorado listed as a hiring location, no specific application window applies, and the posting may close at any time based on hiring needs. Massachusetts: Massachusetts Legal Notice It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability. At Adobe, you will be immersed in an exceptional work environment that is recognized around the world. You will also be surrounded by colleagues who are committed to helping each other grow through our unique Check-In approach where ongoing feedback flows freely. If you’re looking to make an impact, Adobe's the place for you. Discover what our employees are saying about their career experiences on the Adobe Life blog and explore the meaningful benefits we offer. There's more than meets the eye when it comes to Adobe. Take the quiz and see how well you know us! Adobe is proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity employer. We do not discriminate based on gender, race or color, ethnicity or national origin, age, disability, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, veteran status, or any other applicable characteristics protected by law. Learn more. Adobe aims to make Adobe.com accessible to any and all users. If you have a disability or special need that requires accommodation to navigate our website or complete the application process, email [email protected] or call (408) 536-3015.

Requirements

Significant hands-on research experience, with at least 10 years in an industry setting (e.g. UX/product research, market research, consulting, etc.).
Demonstrated ability to synthesize across qualitative, quantitative, and behavioral (telemetry) data to explain not just what users do, but why it matters for the business.
Proven track record of framing ambiguous product and business problems, pressure-testing assumptions, and leading changes in strategic direction based on evidence.
Ability to own and communicate research-informed product and strategy recommendations, clearly articulating options, tradeoffs, and implications for leadership decisions.
Demonstrated impact on product or business strategy (e.g., influencing roadmaps, repositioning bets, aligning teams around a new direction).
Ability to operate effectively in ambiguous or ill-defined problem spaces.
Experience conducting research on emerging technologies (e.g., Generative AI).
Deep understanding of the product lifecycle and how to time research for maximum impact.
Strong collaboration skills across design, product, engineering, and analytics.
Ability to move beyond findings to identify underlying user motivations, risks, and strategic implications, and form a clear, defensible point of view.
Experience communicating with senior stakeholders (director, VP, and above) through clear, concise narratives that drive decisions.
Strong organizational, planning, and time management skills.
An undergraduate degree from a 4-year, accredited institution.

Nice To Haves

Experience researching creative workflows across desktop apps, mobile, and web-based tools.
Interest & enthusiasm for exploring GenAI technology & understanding how people want to use GenAI.
An advanced degree in HCI or HCDE, or similar field.
Familiarity with or interest in Adobe’s creative (Photoshop, InDesign, Illustrator, etc.).

Responsibilities

Frame decision problems, not just research questions; clarify decisions, assumptions, and key tradeoffs.
Assess project scope, form appropriate research questions, and identify appropriate research methods (developing new methods if/where needed and using GenAI tools to accelerate research workflows).
Run research studies from start to finish, including developing a realistic research plan and materials, recruiting participants, and synthesizing data into actionable insights.
Build alliances across the company to identify new partners, drive teamwork, and deeply understand the business context of research problems.
Engage with different roles and product teams to understand and influence business goals, system architecture, and product designs.
Advocate for the customer by articulating research findings and product ideas through clear and insightful presentations.
Translate insights into concise, executive-ready narratives that drive alignment across Product, Design, and leadership.
Mentor junior staff and supervise contractors/vendors on more complicated programs of study.