(USA) Staff, Design Researcher

Walmart • Bentonville, AR

297d • $110,000 - $286,000

About The Position

The Emerging Tech team is passionate about solving customer and associate problems with the newest technologies. The team is responsible for creating breakthrough capabilities, delivering frictionless experiences and making these technologies easily available to thousands of Walmart developers and 2.2 million associates. The applications and services built on these capabilities are used by hundreds of millions of customers daily. Emerging Tech at Walmart, you will be instrumental in shaping the future of retail by driving the adoption of innovative technologies such as conversational AI, AR/VR, and spatial computing. You will be part of the Walmart Emerging Tech team, which is dedicated to transforming the retail experience through breakthrough technologies. The team focuses on providing new experiences and capabilities, enabling teams across the company to create and deliver new product experiences, including virtual experiences for fashion and home, virtual assistants for customers, and turn-by-turn navigation for shoppers in stores.

Requirements

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Human-Computer Interaction, Design, Psychology, Sociology, or a related field.
• Proven track record (typically 5+ years) in user research, design research, or a similar role in a dynamic, multi-stakeholder environment.
• Expertise in qualitative and quantitative research methods, including user interviews, surveys, and usability testing.
• Proficiency in data analysis techniques with experience in analyzing web analytics, user data, and customer feedback.
• Familiarity with modern design research tools and frameworks for mapping user journeys and creating storyboards.
• Strong ability to identify and engage key stakeholders across diverse functional areas.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to present complex insights in a clear, concise manner.

Nice To Haves

• Driving product development in a design research area.
• Master's degree in UI/UX Design, Interactive and Visual Design, Product Design, or related area.
• Related industry experience (for example, retail, supply chain, eCommerce, healthcare).
• Research or design certification (for example, IDEOU - Foundations in Design Thinking Certificate).
• Knowledge in implementing Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.2 AA standards, assistive technologies, and integrating digital accessibility seamlessly.

Responsibilities

• Conduct qualitative and quantitative user research (interviews, surveys, contextual inquiries) to uncover user behaviors, needs, and pain points.
• Develop user journeys, storyboards, and mapping techniques to visualize research findings.
• Analyze existing data sources (e.g., web analytics, user surveys, customer support interactions) to identify gaps between business expectations and user experience.
• Propose and refine research hypotheses to guide project planning and execution.
• Implement rigorous data validation processes to ensure accuracy and reliability.
• Translate research insights into actionable recommendations that inform design decisions and business strategies.
• Identify, map, and analyze key stakeholders, understanding their technical needs and business contexts.
• Build, maintain, and enhance effective internal and external partnerships; consult regularly with business unit leaders and advise on business strategy decisions.
• Prepare clear, concise, and fact-based reports to build consensus and drive cross-functional collaboration.
• Design and execute user acceptance tests (alpha, beta) to validate design assumptions.
• Develop comprehensive testing scenarios, documentation, and guidelines to support iterative design improvements.
• Leverage testing outcomes to optimize user experience and process efficiency.
• Drive the execution of multiple business plans and projects, provide supervision and development opportunities for associates, and establish performance expectations.
• Lead discussions with varying viewpoints confidently, influence diverse audiences, and become a trusted advisor to stakeholders.
• Build and maintain productive relationships with team members and business partners.
• Act as a servant leader by guiding peers, mentoring colleagues, and supporting organizational best practices.
• Lead the overall research strategy, including defining key problems, driving research strategy, and reviewing the relevance and usefulness of findings.
• Anticipate product enhancements by identifying risks and opportunities in the user experience.
• Deliver value-driven insights that align with the company's mission of customer-centric innovation and operational excellence.

Benefits

• Competitive pay as well as performance-based bonus awards.
• Health benefits including medical, vision and dental coverage.
• Financial benefits including 401(k), stock purchase and company-paid life insurance.
• Paid time off benefits including PTO (including sick leave), parental leave, family care leave, bereavement, jury duty, and voting.
• Short-term and long-term disability.
• Company discounts.
• Military Leave Pay.
• Adoption and surrogacy expense reimbursement.
• Live Better U education benefit program for full-time and part-time associates.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Industry: General Merchandise Retailers
• Education Level: Bachelor's degree