Lead Design Researcher

Job Listing ID:

4498759

Job Title:

Lead Design Researcher Application Deadline:

Open Until Filled

Job Location:

Portland

Date Posted:

05/26/2026

Hours Worked Per Week:

Not Provided Shift:

Not Provided Duration of Job:

Either Full or Part Time, more than 6 months You may contact this employer directly. (Obtain the contact information to print or add to your jobs.)

Job Summary:

The application window is expected to close on: 06/05/2026 Job posting may be removed earlier if the position is filled or if a sufficient number of applications are received .

Note:

Preference will be given to candidates local to SF Bay Area. Meet the Team Our design practice is a vibrant mosaic, made up of the curious and the brave - product designers, researchers, content designers, operations specialists, and design engineers - who thrive on collaboration, creativity, and innovation. Together, we're building a culture of design excellence and operational efficiency. We focus on human needs, working closely with cross-functional partners to deliver impactful design solutions that address complex challenges. The products we design and build have real results for our customers because our users are at the heart of everything that we do. We work directly with users to build a deep understanding of their goals and context, and we explore and iterate on solutions together. Solving our customers' security challenges through our focus on simplicity and effectiveness is why we show up daily - and it's why you should join us. Your Impact As a Lead Design Researcher, you'll be part of the Security Design Research Team, while primarily supporting the AI Software & Platform team. In this role, you'll drive a deep understanding of users to shape the future of Cisco's security products and experiences across AI-powered solutions.

You will:

Lead end-to-end qualitative and quantitative UX research-from problem framing and scoping through to analysis and delivery of actionable insights. Inform product and design strategy through rigorous generative and evaluative research executed to the highest standards. Balance research rigor with scrappiness and innovation as you work alongside a fast-moving AI product and design team. Partner with PMs to define UX metrics and telemetry plans, then synthesize data into narratives that guide product decisions or future research. Explore how AI can enhance security and networking experiences, identifying opportunities to integrate AI responsibly into our users' workflows. Minimum Qualifications Bachelors + 8 years of related experience, or Masters + 6 years of related experience, or PhD + 3 years of related experience Experience leading qualitative and quantitative research projects in the enterprise environment from discovery through to presentation (discovery, planning, recruitment, execution, synthesis, analysis, presentation) Experience partnering with product, design, and engineering teams to define and execute research studies Experience applying a variety of research methodologies such as user interviews, usability testing, surveys, benchmarking, concept evaluations, journey mapping or data analysis to inform product and design decisions Preferred Qualifications Demonstrated success conducting UX research in the field of AI Actively incorporating AI into work processes, decision-making, or problem-solving. This may include using AI tools and automating workflows. Role model this practice for others. Experience synthesizing and documenting research findings to guide product or design direction Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple projects in a fast-paced environment. Can easily navigate and bring clarity to ambiguity Experience defining UX success metrics, creating telemetry plans, analyzing behavioral product data Excellent communication and presentation / storytelling skills Experience working in a B2B or B2C large enterprise

Job Classification:

Computer and Information Research Scientists Access our statewide or regional occupation report for more information about wages, employment outlooks, skills, training programs, related occupations, and more. Compensation

Salary:

Not Provided Job Requirements

Experience Required:

 See Job Summary

Education Required:

None

Minimum Age:

N/A Gender:

N/A