Design Researcher

Lead strategic research efforts across a diverse range of industries at i3 Product Development, translating insights into actionable design strategies and product opportunities.

Responsibilities

• Own and drive design research initiatives that align business objectives with user needs
• Plan and conduct qualitative and quantitative research including interviews, surveys, field studies, and usability tests
• Translate insights into actionable design strategies and product opportunities
• Run design thinking and ideation sessions to foster collaboration, create clarity, & drive decision making
• Perform competitive and comparative analysis to identify market trends and opportunities
• Collaborate with UI/UX designers, industrial designers, engineers, and product teams throughout the development lifecycle
• Create test plans that validate ideas with users and stakeholders
• Communicate findings and recommendations clearly through storytelling, documentation, and client-facing presentations

Requirements

• 6+ years of design research or strategic design experience, preferably in a consultancy or fast-paced product development environment
• A portfolio demonstrating research leadership and the ability to translate human insight into business and design outcomes
• Mastery of research planning, facilitation, and synthesis methods (qual and quant)
• Proficiency in design thinking frameworks and workshop facilitation
• Strong verbal, written, and visual communication skills; confident presenter to both internal teams and clients
• Familiarity with product development, business strategy, and innovation practices
• Experience managing or mentoring team members and leading concurrent projects

Key Skills

• Research planning, facilitation, and synthesis methods
• Design thinking frameworks and workshop facilitation
• Verbal, written, and visual communication skills
• Product development
• Business strategy
• Innovation practices
• Managing or mentoring team members
• Leading concurrent projects

Benefits

• $0 deductible health insurance with low premiums
• 401(k) with up to 6% match
• Employee stock purchase program
• Company-paid disability and life insurance
• Paid holidays, PTO, and charitable match programs