Senior Product Research Lead — Strategic, AI-Driven

Rippling; New York (NY); On-site; USD 171,000 - 285,000; Full time

Job summary

Rippling is seeking a Product Research Lead to shape the company’s product direction across HR, IT, and finance. You will lead research efforts, write grounded viewpoints, and partner with product, design, engineering, and data teams to guide decisions.

This is a lead-level IC role focused on strategic impact and mentorship. You will own research across foundational HR systems and complex hourly workforces, framing questions, recruiting participants, and presenting strong evidence-based

Qualifications

• Experience conducting applied research that informs product direction.
• Strong qualitative research skills with judgment on evidence value.
• Ability to translate findings into strategic product decisions.
• Excellent written and storytelling capabilities for senior leaders.
• Able to work independently in ambiguous environments.
• Curiosity about how AI can reshape business operations.

Responsibilities

• Frame key questions and design research to influence decisions.
• Learn how companies operate across people, systems, and rules.
• Recruit participants and conduct rigorous qualitative research with data support.
• Identify jobs that matter to customers and translate into opportunities.
• Present clear judgments with evidence and recommendations for action.
• Mentor peers and strengthen the team’s research practice.

Skills

Applied research

Qualitative research

Inductive thinking

Product judgment

Writing & storytelling

Independent work

AI in business

Stakeholder collaboration

Job description

Rippling is seeking a Product Research Lead to shape the company’s product direction across HR, IT, and finance. You will lead research efforts, write grounded viewpoints, and partner with product, design, engineering, and data teams to guide decisions.

This is a lead-level IC role focused on strategic impact and mentorship. You will own research across foundational HR systems and complex hourly workforces, framing questions, recruiting participants, and presenting strong evidence-based