At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead design research to shape AI-powered products and enhance user experience.
- Company: Join a forward-thinking tech company focused on innovation and user-centric design.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, flexible work arrangements, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Collaborative environment with a focus on continuous learning and improvement.
- Why this job: Make a real impact by driving design excellence and user insights in cutting-edge projects.
- Qualifications: 10+ years in UI/UX design, with strong leadership and research skills.
The predicted salary is between 54000 - 66000 £ per year.
Principal Design Researcher
Location
London, UK (3 days a week Work from the office.)
Job Type
Permanent
Mandatory
Our client is looking for local British Citizens only.
Role Overview
As a Principal Design Researcher, you will lead the integration of design and research to shape the next generation of AI-powered products.
You will champion user-centered discovery, ensuring that every design decision is informed by deep insights into user behavior, psychology, and context.
This role requires a thought leader who can blend design excellence with rigorous UX research, driving company-wide initiatives that make the Descrial product ecosystem smarter, more intuitive, and more valuable for users.
You will focus on guiding product lifecycle strategies—activation, retention, and expansion—through evidence-based design research, experimentation, and system thinking.
- Roles and Responsibilities
- Lead strategic UX research programs across product lifecycles (activation, retention, renewal) to uncover unmet user needs.
- Proactively identify opportunities where research insights can transform user experience and business outcomes.
- Design and execute mixed-method research (qualitative and quantitative) including interviews, usability testing, surveys, ethnographic studies, and behavioral analytics.
- Translate research findings into actionable design strategies, user journeys, and product recommendations.
- Partner with Product Designers, Product Managers, and Engineers to embed research into product development.
- Develop scalable research frameworks, playbooks, and systems that ensure repeatable excellence.
- Establish style standards and design principles informed by user evidence.
- Maintain an iterative mindset—continuously testing, learning, and refining.
- Advocate for the voice of the user across the organization, backing opinions with strong logic and data.
- Review product requirements and technical documents to provide meaningful, research-driven feedback.
- Prerequisites
- Deep expertise in UX research methodologies (qualitative & quantitative).
- At least 3 years of leadership experience in UX research, guiding teams and influencing product strategy.
- Strong knowledge of human interaction design and usability principles.
- Balanced mindset regarding functional, aesthetically pleasing, and evidence-based design.
- Proficiency with design and research tools (Figma, Adobe Suite, User Testing, Dovetail, Optimal Workshop, or similar).
- Demonstrated experience in technology product design and research.
- Experience working in Agile product environments.
Experience
- 10+ years in UI/UX design and research, with a proven track record of leading research-driven design initiatives.
- Minimum 3 years in UX research leadership roles, managing teams or programs.
Education
Bachelor’s degree in design, HCI, Psychology, Cognitive Science, Behavioral Science, or a related field from a premier institution.
Advanced training in UX research or human-centered design is a plus.
- Seniority Level
- Mid-Senior level
- Employment Type
- Full-time
- Job Function
- Information Technology
- Industries
- Financial Services, Banking, and Software Development
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Principal Design Researcher employer: Rapinno Tech Solutions GmbH
As a leading employer in the tech industry, we offer an innovative work culture that fosters creativity and collaboration, particularly for our Data Architects. Located in a vibrant tech hub, we provide competitive benefits, continuous learning opportunities, and a commitment to employee growth, ensuring that you can thrive both personally and professionally while working with cutting-edge technologies.
Contact Details:
Rapinno Tech Solutions GmbH Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Principal Design Researcher
✨Show Off Your Portfolio
In the world of UX/UI design, your portfolio speaks volumes! Make sure it's packed with your best work and showcases your process, not just the final product. We want to see how you tackle design challenges, so consider adding case studies that reflect your thought process and user-centric approach.
✨Get Involved in Design Communities
Jump into local or online design meetups and workshops! Places like UXPA or local design events can be goldmines for networking and learning. Plus, mingling with fellow designers can introduce you to potential job openings that might not be listed elsewhere.
✨Tailor Your Applications
When you find a role that excites you, like the one at Rapinno Tech Solutions GmbH for a Principal Design Researcher, make your application count! Highlight specific projects and skills that directly relate to the job description. Hiring managers are looking for candidates who fit into their specific team, so show them you’re the one!
✨Leverage Social Media
Don't underestimate the power of social media in finding a UX/UI design job! Follow design leaders on platforms like Twitter or Instagram, share your work, and engage in conversations. It’s a great way to get noticed by recruiters and even catch wind of openings at companies like Rapinno Tech Solutions GmbH before they go live!
We think you need these skills to ace Principal Design Researcher
Some tips for your application 🫡
Showcase Your Design Process:When you're applying for a UX/UI Design role like Principal Design Researcher at Rapinno Tech Solutions GmbH, make sure to include examples that clearly highlight your design process. We want to see not just the final product but also the journey that led you there—wireframes, user personas, and iterations demonstrate your thought process and user-centric approach!
Tailor Your Portfolio:A tailor-made portfolio is crucial for a full-time design role! Curate your best projects that align with the kind of work Rapinno Tech Solutions GmbH does. We suggest including 3-5 case studies that showcase a variety of skills such as wireframing, prototyping, and user testing to really make your application pop.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter should not just be a summary of your CV. Use it to express why you’re excited about UX/UI Design and what draws you specifically to Rapinno Tech Solutions GmbH. Mention any relevant experience, tools you’re proficient in (like Sketch or Figma), and how you can contribute to their projects.
Highlight Collaboration Skills:In the world of UX/UI Design, teamwork is crucial. Make sure to highlight any past experiences where you worked in cross-functional teams. Illustrate how you communicated design decisions and listened to feedback, as this will resonate well with the culture at Rapinno Tech Solutions GmbH.
How to prepare for a job interview at Rapinno Tech Solutions GmbH
✨Show Off Your Portfolio
When you're gunning for a full-time UX/UI design role, your portfolio is your best friend! Make sure you've got a solid selection of your work, showcasing not just the final designs, but the process behind them—think wireframes, user flows, and any user research you've conducted. During the interview with Rapinno Tech Solutions GmbH, be prepared to discuss your design decisions and how they solve specific user problems.
✨Prepare for Design Challenges
Expect to face some practical design tasks during your interview. Rapinno Tech Solutions GmbH might ask you to tackle a quick design challenge or critique an existing interface. Brush up on your problem-solving skills and try to articulate your thought process as you work through these scenarios. Showing how you approach a design problem is just as important as the final output!
✨Know the Tools of the Trade
Familiarise yourself with the tools commonly used in the industry—figma, Adobe XD, or Sketch should be second nature to you. Be ready to discuss your preferred tools during the interview and how they've shaped your design process at previous positions. This knowledge could give you an edge at Rapinno Tech Solutions GmbH!
✨Show Passion for User Experience
In a full-time UX/UI design role, having a genuine passion for improving user interactions can set you apart. Be prepared to share instances when you went above and beyond to ensure a great user experience in your previous projects. This will demonstrate that you’re not just a designer, but a user advocate, which is exactly what Rapinno Tech Solutions GmbH is looking for.
