Principal Design Researcher

Rapinno Tech Solutions GmbH

England

Hybrid

GBP 80,000 - 100,000

Full time

14 days+

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Benefits offered by this job

Work from office three days a week

Job summary

A leading technology firm in London is seeking a Principal Design Researcher to lead the integration of design and research for AI-powered products. In this role, you'll conduct strategic UX research, collaborate with cross-functional teams, and advocate for user-centered design. The ideal candidate has over 10 years of experience in UI/UX design and a strong leadership background in UX research. This is a full-time position that offers an opportunity to shape user experiences in a dynamic environment.

Qualifications

Deep expertise in UX research methodologies (qualitative & quantitative).
At least 3 years of leadership experience in UX research.
Strong knowledge of human interaction design and usability principles.

Responsibilities

Lead strategic UX research programs across product lifecycles.
Design and execute mixed-method research, including usability testing.
Translate research findings into actionable design strategies.

Skills

UX research methodologies

Human interaction design

Design and research tools

Agile product environments

Education

Bachelor’s degree in design, HCI, Psychology, or related field

Tools

Figma

Adobe Suite

UserTesting

Dovetail

Optimal Workshop

Job description

Principal Design Researcher

Location: London, UK (3 days a week Work from the office.)

Job Type: Permanent

Mandatory: Our client is looking for local British Citizens only.

Role Overview

As a Principal Design Researcher, you will lead the integration of design and research to shape the next generation of AI-powered products.

You will champion user-centered discovery, ensuring that every design decision is informed by deep insights into user behavior, psychology, and context.

This role requires a thought leader who can blend design excellence with rigorous UX research, driving company-wide initiatives that make the Descrial product ecosystem smarter, more intuitive, and more valuable for users.

You will focus on guiding product lifecycle strategies—activation, retention, and expansion—through evidence-based design research, experimentation, and system thinking.

Roles and Responsibilities

Lead strategic UX research programs across product lifecycles (activation, retention, renewal) to uncover unmet user needs.
Proactively identify opportunities where research insights can transform user experience and business outcomes.
Design and execute mixed-method research (qualitative and quantitative) including interviews, usability testing, surveys, ethnographic studies, and behavioral analytics.
Translate research findings into actionable design strategies, user journeys, and product recommendations.
Partner with Product Designers, Product Managers, and Engineers to embed research into product development.
Develop scalable research frameworks, playbooks, and systems that ensure repeatable excellence.
Establish style standards and design principles informed by user evidence.
Maintain an iterative mindset—continuously testing, learning, and refining.
Advocate for the voice of the user across the organization, backing opinions with strong logic and data.
Review product requirements and technical documents to provide meaningful, research-driven feedback.

Prerequisites

Deep expertise in UX research methodologies (qualitative & quantitative).
At least 3 years of leadership experience in UX research, guiding teams and influencing product strategy.
Strong knowledge of human interaction design and usability principles.
Balanced mindset regarding functional, aesthetically pleasing, and evidence-based design.
Proficiency with design and research tools (Figma, Adobe Suite, UserTesting, Dovetail, Optimal Workshop, or similar).
Demonstrated experience in technology product design and research.
Experience working in Agile product environments.

Experience

10+ years in UI/UX design and research, with a proven track record of leading research-driven design initiatives.
Minimum 3 years in UX research leadership roles, managing teams or programs.

Education

Bachelor’s degree in design, HCI, Psychology, Cognitive Science, Behavioral Science, or a related field from a premier institution. Advanced training in UX research or human-centered design is a plus.

Seniority Level