Lead UX Researcher, Internal Tools & AI

Horizontal Talent; Foster City (CA); Hybrid; USD 40,000 - 83,000; Full time

Job summary

Horizontal Talent in Foster City is seeking an experienced UX researcher for a hybrid contract role focused on internal tools and AI-enabled product work. You will lead discovery, apply methods, and translate findings into actionable insights that shape product direction and workflows.

Collaborate with product, design, and engineering to improve operational efficiency, advocate for user needs, and present recommendations to stakeholders.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of UX research experience.
• Experience researching for enterprise/internal users.
• Ability to select and apply qualitative methods based on the problem.
• Strong communication and ability to synthesize insights.

Responsibilities

• Lead discovery and kickoff sessions with cross-functional partners to clarify goals and define the core problem.
• Apply qualitative methods such as interviews, observations, diary studies, and workflow mapping to uncover user needs.
• Partner with product, design, and engineering to improve internal workflows and operational efficiency.
• Translate research findings into actionable insights that inform immediate improvements and roadmap decisions.
• Present recommendations to help teams make informed decisions focused on user needs.

Skills

UX research

Interviews

Observations

Diary studies

Workflow mapping

Cross-functional collaboration

Stakeholder management

Communication

Research for enterprise

Questioning assumptions

Experience with technical users

Education

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent

Job description

Horizontal Talent in Foster City is seeking an experienced UX researcher for a hybrid contract role focused on internal tools and AI-enabled product work. You will lead discovery, apply methods, and translate findings into actionable insights that shape product direction and workflows.

Collaborate with product, design, and engineering to improve operational efficiency, advocate for user needs, and present recommendations to stakeholders.