Principal User Researcher – Consumer

Company Description

At Western Digital, our vision is to power global innovation and push the boundaries of technology to make what you thought was once impossible, possible.

At our core, Western Digital is a company of problem solvers. People achieve extraordinary things given the right technology. For decades, we’ve been doing just that. Our technology helped people put a man on the moon.

We are a key partner to some of the largest and highest growth organizations in the world. From energizing the most competitive gaming platforms, to enabling systems to make cities safer and cars smarter and more connected, to powering the data centers behind many of the world’s biggest companies and public cloud, Western Digital is fueling a brighter, smarter future.

Binge-watch any shows, use social media or shop online lately? You’ll find Western Digital supporting the storage infrastructure behind many of these platforms. And, that flash memory card that captures and preserves your most precious moments? That’s us, too.

We offer an expansive portfolio of technologies, storage devices and platforms for business and consumers alike. Our data-centric solutions are comprised of the Western Digital®, G-Technology™, SanDisk® and WD® brands.

Today’s exceptional challenges require your unique skills. It’s You & Western Digital. Together, we’re the next BIG thing in data.

Job Description

Western Digital is seeking a highly skilled and experienced Principal User Researcher who will play a pivotal role in shaping the user experience of our products and services. As a key member of our User Experience Research team, you will drive world-class consumer research initiatives, enabling our cross functional teams to make guided decisions that define the future of Western Digital products.

We are seeking a candidate who excels in all facets of survey methodology, adept at crafting and executing research initiatives to deepen our understanding of consumer behaviors and preferences. This role demands extensive experience in conducting end-to-end user research, from study design and recruitment to moderation, analysis, and delivery. The ideal candidate will possess a robust analytical acumen, capable of distilling insights from quantitative user research. This candidate must also demonstrate a creative flair, designing research strategies that resonate with users and presenting findings in a compelling manner to stimulate productive discussions and informed decision-making within our teams.

As a Principal User Researcher, you will be part of our dynamic team, reporting directly to the Consumer Strategy & User Research Manager located in our Milpitas office. While the role is based in Mexico, it offers the flexibility of fully remote work on a standard schedule, five days a week.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Lead end-to-end user research activities, overseeing study design, participant recruitment, moderation, analysis, and delivery of insights.
• Manage multiple concurrent research projects, ensuring outcomes meet high-quality standards and are delivered within established timelines.
• Collaborate closely with internal teams, including product management, industrial design, product marketing, marketing creative, packaging, business development, and product operations, to identify research needs and develop well-structured research plans.
• Conduct various forms of user research, encompassing both qualitative and quantitative methods such as user interviews, usability testing, brand and competitor testing, and product testing to glean insights that address specific business inquiries.
• Act as our resident expert in survey tools and methodologies, proficient in utilizing various platforms to collect user feedback and adept at determining the most suitable methods or combination of methods for addressing research inquiries.
• Foster strong relationships with key stakeholders across departments (i.e., Economics & Data Science, Consumer Sales, etc.) ensuring effective communication of research findings.
• Utilize analytical tools such as Excel, Python, R, SQL, SPSS, etc., to distill insights from quantitative user research, such as willingness to pay and demand generation analyses.
• Present findings in clear and compelling formats, such as well-structured presentations, fostering collaboration among teams, facilitating meaningful discussions, and motivating actionable decision-making.

Qualifications

REQUIRED

• BA/BS degree with 3+ years of relevant experience in qualitative and quantitative user research.

SKIILS

• Proven track record of successfully leading end-to-end research activities in a fast-paced environment.
• In-depth knowledge of various survey tools and methodologies.
• Demonstrated ability to effectively manage concurrent research projects.
• Strong sense of ownership and capability to drive projects to completion with minimal guidance or supervision.
• Proven aptitude for supporting and mentoring teammates in research methods, fostering a collaborative and knowledge-sharing environment within the team.
• Exceptional communication and presentation skills, with the ability to convey research findings effectively to stakeholders.
• Excellent strategic thinking, decision-making, and problem-solving abilities.
• Proficiency in analytical tools such as Excel, Python, R, SQL, SPSS, and statistical modeling.

Additional Information

Western Digital is committed to providing equal opportunities to all applicants and employees and will not discriminate based on their race, color, ancestry, religion (including religious dress and grooming standards), sex (including pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions, breastfeeding or related medical conditions), gender (including a person’s gender identity, gender expression, and gender-related appearance and behavior, whether or not stereotypically associated with the person’s assigned sex at birth), age, national origin, sexual orientation, medical condition, marital status (including domestic partnership status), physical disability, mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, protected medical and family care leave, Civil Air Patrol status, military and veteran status, or other legally protected characteristics. We also prohibit harassment of any individual on any of the characteristics listed above. Our non-discrimination policy applies to all aspects of employment. We comply with the laws and regulations set forth in the Equal Employment Opportunity is the Law poster.

Western Digital thrives on the power and potential of diversity. As a global company, we believe the most effective way to embrace the diversity of our customers and communities is to mirror it from within. We believe the fusion of various perspectives results in the best outcomes for our employees, our company, our customers, and the world around us. We are committed to an inclusive environment where every individual can thrive through a sense of belonging, respect and contribution.

Western Digital is committed to offering opportunities to applicants with disabilities and ensuring all candidates can successfully navigate our careers website and our hiring process. Please contact us at [email protected] to advise us of your accommodation request. In your email, please include a description of the specific accommodation you are requesting as well as the job title and requisition number of the position for which you are applying.