Senior Design Researcher - Hardware

Your Role

We're looking for an experienced Senior Design Researcher to serve as the research expert for our Hardware business unit, which focuses on defining the future of automated capture and wearable technology. You'll combine deep methodological expertise in both hardware and software testing with your leadership skills to elevate research practices across the organization.

In this role, you'll: 

• Connect research to outcomes. You’ll navigate the complexity of sports technology from youth to pro levels, building strong relationships to access customers. 
• Create best practices. As a nimble researcher, you'll right-size research objectives and use your expertise to inform and influence the company.
• Use the right research methodology for the right users. This role requires you to work closely with product teams to uncover deep user needs, conduct comprehensive research, and deliver actionable insights that drive intuitive product experiences. 

Our priority is to hire someone for this role who lives near our office in Lincoln, NE, but we're also open to remote candidates who live in the following states: AL, FL, GA, IL, IN, IA, KS, KY, LA, MA, MI, MN, MO, NE, NH, NC, OH, OK, PA, SC, SD, TN, TX, VA, WI. 

Must-Haves

• Research expertise. You’ve mastered research methodologies across hardware, consumer electronics and/or hard goods. You have strong qualitative and quantitative research skills across various approaches including focus groups, in-depth interviews, usability testing, field studies and prototype evaluations.
• Insight-driven direction. You excel at extracting critical contextual information about users, environments and tasks to drive intuitive experiences. You’re comfortable being accountable for how effective research insights address product obstacles and inform design decisions.
• Strong communication skills. You can present and defend research findings with clarity to various audiences through compelling storytelling and meaningful metrics. You don’t shy away from giving and receiving respectfully blunt feedback on research approaches and findings.
• A collaborative mindset. You work effectively with cross-functional teams in creating and implementing research plans, and can partner closely with Product Managers during product rollouts to gather real-world usage data and refine solutions accordingly.
• Strategic thinking. You can uncover deep user needs through first-hand investigation without relying on predefined requirements. You constantly refine research approaches through methodological experimentation and adaptation to project constraints.

Nice-to-Haves

• Advanced education. A degree in HCI, human factors, cognitive psychology or a related field would be a plus.
• Software experience. You've worked with software product teams before and understand the unique research capabilities required in digital product development.
• A mentor. You've guided other designers and enjoy helping them grow their skills.
• Sports industry knowledge. You understand the unique dynamics of sports technology from youth to professional levels.
• Global perspective. You've conducted research across different markets and understand how to incorporate cultural considerations in your approach.

Our Role

• Champion work-life harmony. We’ll give you the flexibility you need in your work life (e.g., flexible vacation time, company-wide holidays and timeout (meeting-free) days, remote work options and more) so you can enjoy your personal life too.
• Guarantee autonomy. We have an open, honest culture and we trust our people from day one. Your team will support you, but you’ll own your work and have the agency to try new ideas. 
• Encourage career growth. We’re lifelong learners who encourage professional development. We’ll give you tons of resources and opportunities to keep growing.
• Provide an environment to help you succeed. We've invested in our offices, designing incredible spaces with our employees in mind. But whether you’re at the office or working remotely, we’ll provide you the tech stack and hardware to do your best work.
• Support your mental and physical health. We care about our employees’ wellbeing. Our Employee Assistance Program, employee resource groups and fitness partner Peerfit have you covered.
• Cover your medical insurance. We have multiple plans to pick from to ensure you’ll have the coverage you (and your dependents) want, including vision, dental, fertility healthcare and family forming benefits.
• Contribute to your 401(K). Yep, that’s free money. We’ll match up to 4% of your own contribution.

Compensation