Senior UX Researcher & Interaction Designer

Placements24; Waukee (IA); Hybrid; USD 90,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary package

Professional development opportunities

Hybrid work arrangement

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking an experienced Senior UX Researcher & Interaction Designer to lead user research and craft interaction models for web and mobile applications. You will work with product teams to translate insights into intuitive experiences that drive product value.

The ideal candidate has a strong portfolio in UX research methodologies and design principles, with expertise in collaborating across cross-functional teams in a hybrid work environment.

Qualifications

• Advanced degree or equivalent professional experience in UX related field.
• 6+ years of experience in UX research and interaction design with a strong portfolio.
• Proficiency in diverse qualitative and quantitative UX research methods.

Responsibilities

• Plan, conduct, and analyze user research studies (usability tests, interviews, surveys, ethnography).
• Translate research findings into actionable insights and design recommendations.
• Develop personas, journey maps, and user flows to articulate needs and behaviors.
• Design intuitive interfaces and interaction models for web and mobile.
• Create wireframes, prototypes, and high-fidelity mockups to communicate concepts.
• Collaborate with product managers, developers, and stakeholders to define requirements.
• Advocate for the user throughout the product lifecycle.
• Define and maintain UX/UI standards and best practices.
• Iterate designs based on user feedback, tests, and analytics.

Skills

UX Research

Interaction Design

Qual/Quant Methods

Critical Thinking

Education

Master's/PhD in HCI/Psychology/Design

Tools

Figma

Sketch

Adobe Creative Suite

InVision

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a leading digital product innovation firm located in the picturesque town of Paarl, Western Cape , is seeking an experienced Senior UX Researcher & Interaction Designer. This role is crucial in understanding user needs and translating them into intuitive and effective digital experiences across web and mobile platforms. You will lead user research initiatives, conduct in-depth analysis, and design user-centric interaction models for complex applications. This is an exceptional opportunity to shape the user experience of impactful digital products and contribute to a culture of design excellence within a company that values data-driven insights and user empathy. The ideal candidate possesses a strong background in UX research methodologies, interaction design principles, and a demonstrable portfolio of user-centered design solutions. You will work closely with product managers, developers, and designers in a collaborative setting, with the flexibility of hybrid work arrangements.

Key Responsibilities

• Plan, conduct, and analyze user research studies, including usability testing, user interviews, surveys, and ethnographic research.
• Translate research findings into actionable insights and design recommendations.
• Develop user personas, journey maps, and user flows to articulate user needs and behaviors.
• Design intuitive and engaging user interfaces and interaction models for web and mobile applications.
• Create wireframes, prototypes, and high-fidelity mockups to communicate design concepts.
• Collaborate closely with product managers, developers, and stakeholders to define product requirements and design solutions.
• Advocate for the user throughout the product development lifecycle.
• Define and maintain UX/UI standards and best practices.
• Iterate on designs based on user feedback, usability testing, and analytics data.
• Stay informed about the latest trends and innovations in UX research and interaction design.

Requirements

• Master's degree or Ph.D. in Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), Psychology, Design, or a related field, or equivalent professional experience.
• Minimum of 6 years of experience in UX research and interaction design, with a strong portfolio showcasing user-centered design projects.
• Expertise in a wide range of qualitative and quantitative UX research methodologies.
• Proficiency in design and prototyping tools such as Figma, Sketch, Adobe Creative Suite, and InVision.
• Solid understanding of interaction design principles, usability heuristics, and information architecture.
• Experience designing for web and mobile platforms, with an understanding of front-end development capabilities.
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and critical thinking skills.
• Exceptional communication, presentation, and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to effectively manage multiple projects and collaborate within cross-functional teams.
• Experience working in an agile development environment is a plus.

Benefits

• Our client offers a competitive salary, comprehensive benefits package, and professional development opportunities in the beautiful region of Paarl, Western Cape .
• You will join a creative and collaborative team dedicated to building exceptional user experiences. The company provides a supportive work environment that encourages innovation and professional growth.
• This hybrid role allows for a balance between remote flexibility and in-office collaboration, ensuring strong team dynamics and access to company resources.