UX Research Lead

As a UX Research Lead (IC), you’ll be the principal voice of the user across Drum Wave’s products. You’ll design and execute research that uncovers deep insights, influences product direction, and ensures we’re creating experiences that inspire trust, empowerment, and adoption.

This role requires at least 3 days on-site in Mountain View, CA.

• Partner with product, design, and engineering leads to define the highest-priority research questions.
• Shape product strategy by uncovering user motivations, behaviors, and unmet needs.
• Build frameworks for integrating research findings into design and business decision‑making.

• Independently plan, conduct, and synthesize research across methods: generative studies, interviews, diary studies, usability tests, surveys, and more.
• Turn raw findings into clear insights and actionable recommendations through storytelling, artifacts, and workshops.
• Develop reusable research approaches, templates, and playbooks that raise the bar for evidence‑driven product development.

• Act as the primary research voice at the table, driving empathy and user perspective into every stage of the product lifecycle.
• Evangelize user‑centered design practices across Drum Wave by sharing research openly and effectively.
• Collaborate closely with designers, PMs, engineers, and data scientists to ensure research translates into impact.

• Experience:
  
  6–8+ years in UX research, with significant hands‑on experience across both generative and evaluative methods.
• Craft:
  Strong portfolio of impactful research projects that influenced product direction.
• Independence:
  Able to scope, execute, and deliver research with minimal oversight in fast‑paced environments.
• Influence:
  Proven ability to translate insights into strategic recommendations and inspire action among product leaders.
• Mindset:
  Systems thinker passionate about data empowerment, trust, and transparency in digital products.

Avenue Code discloses salary range information based on our commitment to fairness and transparency. We consider a wide range of factors such as internal equity, geographic location, relevant education, qualifications, certifications, experience, skills, seniority, business or organizational needs, and others. At Avenue Code, it is not typical for an individual to be hired at or near the top of the range for their role, and compensation decisions are dependent on the facts and circumstances of each case.

A reasonable estimate of the current range for a UX Research is from $100k to $113 yearly.