Senior UX Researcher

As a Senior UX Researcher at Chainguard, your primary responsibilities include leading user research initiatives across various projects, contributing to product discovery, and collaborating with cross-functional teams to influence product direction based on user insights. You will conduct qualitative and quantitative research, such as user interviews, usability testing, and surveys, all aimed at uncovering user needs and behaviors crucial for the development of secure software supply chains.

To qualify for the Senior UX Researcher position at Chainguard, you should have 5+ years of relevant experience in product design, particularly in B2B enterprise SaaS. A proven track record of employing user-centered research methodologies, alongside strong communication skills, will be essential. Familiarity with security and privacy practices in software development, as well as experience in cyber security or open source software, are also desirable.

The product team at Chainguard expects the Senior UX Researcher to apply their expertise in shaping initiatives from start to delivery. This includes planning and executing comprehensive user research efforts to inform and enhance the design and development process while collaborating closely with designers and engineers to highlight user insights that shape optimal user experiences.

The Senior UX Researcher at Chainguard plays a pivotal role in establishing and evolving the UX Research function. By working on greenfield initiatives, you will contribute to refining processes, tools, and methodologies while ensuring that the user experience remains at the forefront of all product developments, thus supporting the overall mission of creating secure software.

When applying for the Senior UX Researcher position at Chainguard, it’s beneficial to present a robust portfolio showcasing diverse work examples. Highlight projects that demonstrate your user research methodologies, your approach to problem-solving in complex environments, and how your insights drove design improvements and influenced product direction.

In your response, provide specific examples of the methodologies you've used, such as usability testing, surveys, and field studies. Highlight how these methods have influenced product design decisions and facilitated improvements, showcasing your analytical skills and user-centered approach.

Discuss your strategies for synthesizing user insights into actionable recommendations. Talk about how you communicate these insights clearly to influence product decisions and prioritize initiatives effectively while collaborating with designers and product managers.

Emphasize the importance of understanding user trust and security needs. Discuss how your research can guide product design to ensure that user privacy and security concerns are addressed, ultimately enhancing user satisfaction and product efficacy.

Share a specific instance where your research led to a pivotal change in product development. Explain the research process you conducted, the insights you gathered, and how they were implemented to achieve a successful outcome.

Detail your process for integrating both qualitative and quantitative research. Discuss how you design studies to capture comprehensive user insights and how you analyze and present these findings to the team.

List the various tools you are familiar with, such as usability testing platforms, survey tools, and data analysis software. Explain how you leverage these tools to collect and analyze data effectively.

Highlight your approach to framing insights in a way that resonates with stakeholders. Discuss how you focus on strategic recommendations that align with business goals and user needs.

Discuss how empathy guides your understanding of users' experiences and pain points. Provide examples of how this empathetic approach has contributed to your research and design decisions.

Illustrate your process for reconciling differing user feedback by prioritizing insights based on user needs, context, and alignment with project goals. Discuss collaboration with teammates to ensure comprehensive understanding and resolution.

Express your enthusiasm for Chainguard's mission and values. Mention your commitment to enhancing user experiences in secure software development and how your skills align with their goals, making you a great fit for the team.