Senior Design Researcher I

McKinsey; Atlanta (GA); On-site; USD 133,000 - 136,000; Full time

Job summary

McKinsey is seeking an experienced user researcher based in Atlanta to join BCX, the Better Colleague Experience design team. You will partner with product, design, and engineering to conduct field studies, contextual inquiries, and surveys, translating findings into actionable insights that inform product strategy and design decisions.

Travel to client and engagement sites is required. You will drive research excellence, apply AI-assisted tools where appropriate, and stay ahead of industry

Qualifications

• 7+ years of relevant user research or related research experience.
• Strong observational and ethnographic methods expertise (contextual inquiry, field studies, diary studies).
• Ability to translate findings into clear, actionable insights informing product strategy and design decisions.
• Adaptability to new tools, systems, and ways of working.
• Proficiency with Figma, Miro, Dovetail, Qualtrics, Jira and related tools.
• Familiarity with Agile/Lean and AI awareness to evaluate AI-assisted research.
• Willingness to travel on short notice for in-person research.

Responsibilities

• Conduct observational and mixed-methods research to shape product strategy and design decisions.
• Plan and perform field studies, contextual inquiry, interviews, surveys, and quantitative analysis.
• Synthesize findings into insights and recommendations for colleagues across teams.
• Stay current with research methods and AI trends; apply them to internal tools and platforms.

Skills

User research

Observational research

Ethnographic methods

Mixed-methods research

Figma

Miro

Dovetail

Qualtrics

Jira

Survey design

Affinity mapping

Thematic analysis

Personas

Journey maps

AI awareness

Tools

Figma

Miro

Dovetail

Qualtrics

Jira

Job description

Atlanta

Do you want to do work that matters, alongside supportive leaders who will help you grow faster than you ever thought possible? Are you a creative problem-solver who is energized by challenges? You've come to the right place.

YOUR IMPACT

You will work with teams of product managers, designers, and engineers, conducting observational and mixed-methods research to shape and inform impactful solutions while being at the forefront of our firm's larger internal-technology initiatives.

Your work will involve planning and conducting observational field studies and contextual inquiry alongside interviews, surveys, and quantitative analysis, translating what you learn into clear insights and recommendations that shape product strategy and design decisions. Increasingly, that also means using AI-assisted research tools to synthesize qualitative data at scale and surface patterns faster, while applying rigorous research judgment to validate and contextualize what AI surfaces.

Your expertise will play a key role in grounding our internal tools and platforms in real colleague behavior and need, not assumption. You'll stay current with emerging research methods and technology trends and apply them to uncover insights that lead to intuitive, forward-looking experiences for your colleagues across the firm.

You will be based in Atlanta as part of BCX (Better Colleague Experience), our internal design team within the McKinsey Tech Ecosystem, the function responsible for developing and delivering all technology solutions for the firm's internal use. You'll join a high-impact team spanning multiple global locations across North America, Europe, and Latin America, working closely with designers, engineers, and product managers to build and scale next-generation digital tools used across the firm, and to deliver innovative, secure, and intelligent platforms that empower our colleagues, streamline operations, and enable smarter decision‑making across the organization. Because observational research means meeting colleagues where they work, your work requires the flexibility to travel to engagement sites on short notice.

YOUR GROWTH

You are someone who thrives in a high-performance environment, bringing a growth mindset and entrepreneurial spirit to tackle meaningful challenges that have a real impact.

In return for your drive, determination, and curiosity, we'll provide the resources, mentorship, and opportunities to help you quickly broaden your expertise, grow into a well‑rounded professional, and contribute to work that truly makes a difference.

When you join us, you will have:

• Continuous learning: Our learning and apprenticeship culture, backed by structured programs, is all about helping you grow while creating an environment where feedback is clear, actionable, and focused on your development. The real magic happens when you take the input from others to heart and embrace the fast‑paced learning experience, owning your journey.
• A voice that matters: From day one, we value your ideas and contributions. You'll make a tangible impact by offering innovative ideas and practical solutions, all while upholding our unwavering commitment to ethics and integrity. We not only encourage diverse perspectives, but they are critical in driving us toward the best possible outcomes.
• Global community: With colleagues across 65+ countries and over 100 different nationalities, our firm's diversity fuels creativity and helps us come up with the best solutions. Plus, you'll have the opportunity to learn from exceptional colleagues with diverse backgrounds and experiences.
• Exceptional benefits: On top of a competitive salary (based on your location, experience, and skills), we provide a comprehensive benefits package to enable holistic well‑being for you and your family.

YOUR QUALIFICATIONS AND SKILLS

• 7+ years of relevant user research, human factors, or related research experience, with a strong foundation in observational/ethnographic methods.
• Deep expertise in observational and ethnographic research methods (contextual inquiry, field studies, diary studies), complemented by strong mixed-methods skills spanning qualitative and quantitative research across the product development lifecycle.
• Ability to shape research strategy, then translate findings into clear, actionable insights that inform product strategy, design decisions, and engineering trade-offs.
• Adaptability to new tools, systems, and ways of working required to meet program and initiative needs.
• Proficiency with modern research, design, and collaboration tools such as Figma, Miro, research repositories (e.g., Dovetail), survey platforms like Qualtrics, Jira, and related tools.
• Strong command of research methods and deliverables, including study design, discussion guides, field observation protocols, survey design, foundational statistical analysis, synthesis frameworks (affinity mapping, thematic analysis), personas, journey maps, and research reporting and presentation.
• Familiarity with Agile and Lean ways of working, and enough working knowledge of AI and machine learning to design and evaluate research involving AI-assisted or AI-powered features responsibly.
• Willingness and ability to travel, often on short notice, to conduct in-person observational research at client and office engagement sites; team schedules and travel needs may vary

Please review the additional requirements regarding essential job functions of McKinsey colleagues.

Our unwavering commitment to integrity drives everything we do, guiding us to always act in the best interests of our clients, our people, and the communities we serve.

Industries

• High Tech

Capabilities

• Technology

FOR U.S. APPLICANTS: McKinsey & Company is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, color, religion, national origin, disability, protected Veteran status, age, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.

Certain US jurisdictions require McKinsey & Company to include a reasonable estimate of the salary for this role. To help you understand what you can expect, the salary range for new joiners in this role in United States, including all office locations where the job may be performed, is $132,600 - $135,700 USD gross per year. This reflects our best estimate of the lowest to highest [salary/hourly wages] for this role at the time of this posting, ensuring you have a clear picture right from the start, though it's important to remember that actual salaries may vary. Factors like your office location, your unique blend of experience and skills, start date and our current organizational needs all play a part in determining the final figure. Certain roles are also eligible for bonuses, subject to McKinsey's discretion and based on factors such as individual and/or organizational performance.

Additionally, we provide a comprehensive benefits package that reflects our commitment to the wellness of our colleagues and their families. This includes medical, mental health, dental and vision coverage, telemedicine services, life, accident and disability insurance, parental leave and family planning benefits, caregiving resources, a generous retirement contributions program, financial guidance, and paid time off.