UX Researcher, Vehicle Experience
Job Description
We are looking for a mixed-method Vehicle Experience Researcher, which will be the glue between the digital interface and the physical cabin experience for Zoox. This role requires a high-velocity researcher who is just as comfortable designing a complex quantitative benchmark study as they are running extensive in-vehicle testing. You will navigate the unique intersection of software and hardware, ensuring that everything of the vehicle works as a single, cohesive system.
In this role you will:
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Design and execute both qualitative and quantitative research that uncovers core user needs, behaviors, and experience patterns
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Synthesize insights into clear frameworks that inform product direction
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Contribute to defining principles that guide the evolution of in-vehicle experience
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Move beyond individual features to map the entire end-to-end vehicle rider experience journey.
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Conduct foundational research in ambiguous, early-stage product areas where the problem space is not well defined.
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Design and run robust quant studies to establish experience benchmarks. You will define what "good" looks like and track our progress against those metrics as the vehicle platform and in-cabin experience evolves.
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Lead a high volume of testing sessions within the vehicle to validate features.
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Investigate how digital touchpoints sync with physical movements and cabin environments.
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Partner closely with Product, Design, and Vehicle Engineering
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Translate research findings into clear implications for product decisions
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Proactively identify opportunities where research can drive impact
Qualifications
- 7+ years of experience in UX Research, HCI, Human Factors, or a related field
- Strong experience in both qualitative and quantitative research methods. Proven experience designing and running quantitative benchmarking studies and analyzing complex datasets.
- A portfolio that demonstrates research on products with both hardware and software touchpoints.
- Ability to manage a high volume of tactical testing while maintaining a strategic, system-level perspective.
- Ability to travel 5–10% within the US to support testing and research initiatives
Bonus Qualifications
- Experience in automotive, robotics, aerospace, or specialized consumer hardware (e.g., VR/AR, smart home).
- Ability to "speak engineer"—understanding the constraints of vehicle platforms, thermal systems, and motion profiles.
- Experience working in large, complex organizations where building cross-functional alliances is key to getting things done.