User Experience Researcher

UX Researcher (Michigan, Ohio, Indiana, Kentucky, Illinois and Wisconsin)

Job Summary:

Optomi, in partnership with a leading Supercenter, is seeking an experienced UX Researcher to support their customer experience and service design initiatives. This role will focus heavily on in-person field research across a six-state region and requires someone with a strong background in ethnographic methods and human-centered design. The ideal candidate will bring a mix of curiosity, independence, and the ability to turn observations into actionable insights for product and service improvement.

Key Responsibilities:

Conduct in-person field research in retail, service, and other real-world environments.

Perform contextual inquiries, intercept interviews, and observational studies.

Translate findings into clear, actionable insights, including journey maps, user personas, and jobs-to-be-done frameworks.

Collaborate cross-functionally with product, design, and development teams to integrate user feedback throughout the product lifecycle.

Present findings to stakeholders in a compelling and collaborative manner.

Work independently and manage multiple field projects within an Agile (SAFE) environment.

Leverage existing customer and analytics data to support research conclusions.

Requirements:

2–5 years of UX research experience (qualitative and quantitative).

Proven ability to conduct ethnographic research and service design discovery in physical environments.

Comfortable with tools and methods such as usability testing, concept testing, surveys, and user interviews.

Ability to manage and scope research projects based on stakeholder needs.

Strong verbal and written communication skills and attention to detail.

Ability to work independently in the field and synthesize findings in a clear, impactful way.

Preferred Qualifications:

Master’s degree in Human Factors, Ethnography, Anthropology, Market Research, or related field (preferred).

Experience with cross-channel customer journey mapping.

Familiarity with Agile methodologies (SAFE framework a plus).

Experience working with unmoderated testing and prototyping tools.

Portfolio demonstrating research process and impact on product or service design.