Principal UX Researcher

Establish and scale a dedicated UX research practice by defining methodologies, standards, and tools across product teams. Lead high-impact research initiatives that inform product strategy and enable cross-functional teams to make data-driven decisions.

Responsibilities

• Establish and scale a UX research practice, including methodologies, standards, and tools used across product teams
• Lead high-impact, cross-functional research initiatives that inform product strategy and roadmap decisions
• Enable designers and product managers to conduct effective day-to-day research through toolkits, templates, and best practices
• Build and maintain research infrastructure — participant recruiting pipelines, research repositories, and insight-sharing systems that make findings accessible and actionable across teams
• Partner with Product, Engineering, and Consumer Insights leaders to ensure research has an informed and influential voice in product decisions — bridging horizontal insights across a multi-product lending portfolio
• Define and promote best practices for conducting research in a regulated environment with sensitive borrower data
• Balance speed and rigor by prioritizing research that drives timely, actionable insights

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Human-Computer Interaction, Psychology, Sociology, Statistics, or a related field (or equivalent practical experience)
• 8+ years of experience conducting UX research using qualitative and quantitative methods
• Experience building or scaling a UX research practice, including establishing processes, tools, or frameworks
• Demonstrated experience leading research that influenced product strategy or roadmap decisions
• Experience working in complex, multi-product environments

Benefits

• Competitive compensation, including base pay, bonus opportunities, and annual equity grants that vest quarterly
• Generous 401(k) plan with Upstart matching $2 for every $1 contributed, up to $15,000 per year
• Employee Stock Purchase Plan (ESPP) with discounted stock purchase options for eligible employees
• Affordable medical, dental, and vision coverage, with multiple plan options - Upstart covers 90% to 100% of the cost depending on the plans you choose
• Health Savings Account contributions from Upstart for eligible plans
• Income protection benefits, including company-paid Basic Life, AD&D, and Short- and Long-Term Disability coverage, with options to purchase supplemental coverage
• Paid time off, sick and safe time, and company holidays
• Paid family and parental leave to support caregiving and major life moments
• Family-centered benefits through Carrot and Cleo, supporting fertility, parenthood, and caregiving
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP) offering mental health support and life-centered resources
• Financial wellness resources, including access to financial planning tools and a financial concierge service
• Annual wellness allowance to support your physical and emotional well-being and personal development, based on what matters most to you
• Annual productivity allowance to invest in relevant tools and resources you need to do your best work, no matter where you work from
• Connection and community through team events and onsites, all-company updates, and employee resource groups (ERGs)
• Onsite perks, including catered lunches and fully stocked micro-kitchens when working from one of our four offices

Key Skills