Senior Experience Researcher

Summary

Join Thumbtack's New Hiring Experiences team as a Senior UX Researcher and lead fast-paced research to inform early-stage product strategy. Translate ambiguous problems into clear direction, partner with design, product, and engineering teams to test concepts and iterate on ideas, and synthesize findings into compelling stories. Champion user needs, ensuring customers and professionals are central to product development. This role requires shaping product strategy and influencing decisions through actionable insights, excellent communication, and a creative, solutions-oriented mindset. You will work in ambiguous product spaces and utilize industry-standard research tools. A degree in a related field or equivalent experience is required.

Requirements

• 8-10+ years of experience conducting user research in fast-paced, cross-functional product environments
• A strong foundation in both qualitative methods (mixed methods is a plus), with the ability to select the right approach for complex, evolving product questions
• A track record of shaping product strategy and influencing decisions through compelling, actionable insights
• Excellent communication and storytelling skills, with experience tailoring insights to diverse audiences including product, design, engineering, and leadership
• A creative, solutions-oriented mindset and the ability to operate independently in ambiguous, 0-to-1 product spaces
• Proficiency with industry-standard research tools (e.g., UserTesting, Qualtrics, Dscout) and comfort working alongside data science teams or conducting lightweight in-product surveys
• A degree in Human-Computer Interaction, Psychology, Anthropology, or a related field—or equivalent practical experience in applied research

Responsibilities

• Lead fast-paced, mixed-method research to inform early-stage product strategy and uncover new opportunities
• Translate ambiguous problem spaces into clear direction through sharp insights and strategic thinking
• Partner closely with design, product, and engineering to rapidly test concepts, iterate on ideas, and shape MVPs
• Synthesize findings into compelling stories that influence decisions and inspire bold innovation
• Champion user needs across the team, ensuring both customers and pros are at the center of what we build