Demo

Staff UX Researcher

Braintrust
Braintrust Salary
San Jose, CA Full Time
POSTED ON 1/10/2026
AVAILABLE BEFORE 3/5/2026
Job Description

We’re looking for a curious and empathetic Senior UX Researcher who is passionate about understanding user needs. You’ll play a vital role in uncovering deep insights that inform the creation of user-centered experiences. Through a variety of research methods, you’ll help us build trust and security into our products, while also contributing to a positive brand experience for our target audience. Your strong communication and collaboration skills will be essential for effectively sharing your findings and influencing stakeholders in the design process.

At PayPal, UX Researchers influence teams to make customer-centric decisions across the product development lifecycle. This includes early research to understand customer needs and problems, and continues through design definition and prototyping, to post-launch research that informs future iterations. Our studies employ a variety of qualitative or mixed methods research approaches; card sorting, tree tests, diary studies, surveys, interviews, unmoderated and moderated usability testing and concept evaluations. We start by asking the right questions and end with targeted deliverables and story telling that bring our stakeholders closer to our customers. UX Researchers focus on impact of research and are tireless advocates for our customers. As a UX Researcher you will be the voice of the customer. You will craft research programs that bring team members answers to their most important questions, and help to define new research questions and initiatives.  

You will report to a Senior Manager UX Research and be a member of our diverse Global Experience Design Organization, where we use our design and research skills to inspire and influence across the company. We believe that different perspectives and backgrounds lead to innovation and inclusion in our product designs. We advocate for meaningful and engaging experiences for our diverse global customers. We support each other, learn from challenges, and have fun along the way.   

The day-to-day:

Be a proactive member of a cross-functional product team by identifying research opportunities that inform product and design strategy, scoping project requirements, and clearly communicating your approach.

Independently execute research studies from beginning to end: identify the right research questions, define the participant sample, choose the best methodology, design the study, and execute with attention to detail and quality.

Present compelling insights and recommendations to multiple teams and leaders across the organization that drive customer-centric decisions.   

Have a clear understanding of how various research functions and data sources (e.g. market research, product marketing, analytics, etc.) contribute to the product development lifecycle, and how to integrate them into your own work

Act as a vital liaison between design, product management, and marketing teams.

Champion the voice of the customer in workshops and design sprints by surfacing relevant findings, pitching research opportunities, and informing the evolution of our product and design strategy

Shape our thriving Experience Design community: advocate for user-centric approaches, pilot new workflows, and explore best practices that evolve our craft.

Demonstrate a growth mindset by actively seeking feedback, experimenting new approaches, and working to expand your skillset. 

What You Need to Bring : 

Bachelor’s 4-5 years and/or Master’s Degree  3-4 years in the study of user experience, design, research or related fields; for example, Design, Information Architecture, Human Factors/HCI, Psychology, Cognitive or Social Sciences OR alternative equivalent project/portfolio experience.   

Experience across digital products and platforms, financial services and/or ecommerce expertise an advantage. 

Experience with a variety of research methods and approaches in remote, field, and lab settings: card sort, tree test, diary study, in-depth interview, unmoderated and moderated usability, concept testing. 

Possible Contract-to-hire

Salary.com Estimation for Staff UX Researcher in San Jose, CA
$169,251 to $200,034
If your compensation planning software is too rigid to deploy winning incentive strategies, it’s time to find an adaptable solution. Compensation Planning
Enhance your organization's compensation strategy with salary data sets that HR and team managers can use to pay your staff right. Surveys & Data Sets

What is the career path for a Staff UX Researcher?

Sign up to receive alerts about other jobs on the Staff UX Researcher career path by checking the boxes next to the positions that interest you.
Income Estimation: 
$140,979 - $171,491
Income Estimation: 
$169,572 - $210,033
Income Estimation: 
$92,718 - $112,736
Income Estimation: 
$114,514 - $140,377
Income Estimation: 
$76,178 - $91,926
Income Estimation: 
$92,718 - $112,736
Income Estimation: 
$185,462 - $233,707
Income Estimation: 
$221,037 - $280,916
Income Estimation: 
$114,514 - $140,377
Income Estimation: 
$140,979 - $171,491
View Core, Job Family, and Industry Job Skills and Competency Data for more than 15,000 Job Titles Skills Library

Job openings at Braintrust

  • Braintrust Seattle, WA
  • About The Company Braintrust is the AI observability platform. By connecting evals and observability in one workflow, Braintrust gives builders the visibil... more
  • 12 Days Ago

  • Braintrust Powder Springs, GA
  • Job Description Engagement Type: Contract / Pilot-Based Time Commitment: Part-time, session-based (5 weeks) Must reside within driving distance of 30127 (P... more
  • 12 Days Ago

  • Braintrust York, NY
  • Job Description We are seeking multiple Food & Travel Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) such as food critics, local journalists, travel agents, etc.) to suppor... more
  • 12 Days Ago

  • Braintrust York, NY
  • Job Description We are seeking multiple Sports Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) such as commentators, analysts, journalists, content creators, or ex-players t... more
  • 12 Days Ago


Not the job you're looking for? Here are some other Staff UX Researcher jobs in the San Jose, CA area that may be a better fit.

  • Pyramid Consulting, Inc Mountain View, CA
  • Immediate need for a talented UX Researcher . This is a 06 Months Contract opportunity with long-term potential and is located in Mountain View, CA (Hybrid... more
  • 13 Days Ago

  • Treasure Data Mountain View, CA
  • Treasure Data: At Treasure Data, we’re on a mission to radically simplify how companies use data and AI to create connected customer experiences. Our intel... more
  • 17 Days Ago

AI Assistant is available now!

Feel free to start your new journey!