Staff Design Researcher

About the role

Twilio is in search of an innovative Design Researcher to become a vital part of our Emerging Technology and Innovation team. This position is centered on exploring and validating pioneering product concepts that have the potential to transform the enterprise landscape over the next three to five years. As a key player in this dynamic environment, you will help shape the future of technology by identifying and addressing unmet customer needs.

Key facts

What you'll do

• Spearhead extensive qualitative and quantitative research projects aimed at early-stage innovation, identifying customer needs and market trends that are yet to be addressed.
• Create strategic frameworks that convert research insights into practical product and business strategies, aiding in the prioritization of opportunities.
• Simplify complex research outcomes into engaging narratives for executive leadership, product managers, and engineering teams.
• Work in close collaboration with product and design teams to swiftly test new ideas and hypotheses through prototypes and minimum viable products (MVPs).
• Advocate for the customer's viewpoint, motivating teams to develop solutions that not only meet but exceed expectations.
• Conduct user interviews, surveys, and usability tests to gather insights that inform product development.
• Analyze competitive landscapes to identify gaps and opportunities for innovation.
• Mentor junior researchers and contribute to the development of best practices within the research discipline.
• Participate in cross-functional brainstorming sessions to generate creative solutions and innovative concepts.
• Present research findings and recommendations to stakeholders, ensuring alignment with business goals and user needs.
• Foster a culture of experimentation and learning within the team, encouraging the exploration of new methodologies and tools.

Requirements

• At least 5 years of experience in design research, user research, or a related field, with a focus on innovation or new product development.
• Proven track record of managing research programs from start to finish in fast-paced, high-growth technology settings.
• Expertise in a wide range of research methodologies, such as ethnographic studies, contextual inquiries, co-creation sessions, and concept validation techniques.
• Experience in working with both qualitative and quantitative data, effectively linking high-level strategies to detailed execution.
• Strong communication and storytelling abilities, with a knack for presenting insights to senior stakeholders in a compelling manner.
• A collaborative mindset, capable of thriving in cross-functional teams and embracing an entrepreneurial approach.
• A Bachelor's degree or higher in Human-Computer Interaction, Design, Psychology, Anthropology, or a related discipline.

Nice to have

• Familiarity with AI and machine learning technologies, particularly in relation to customer engagement platforms.
• Experience in trust, security, or fraud prevention sectors.
• Background in guiding innovation within multi-sided platform ecosystems.
• A portfolio that highlights significant contributions to product or business innovations.

Skills & tools

• Qualitative and quantitative research methodologies
• Ethnographic research techniques
• Contextual inquiry methods
• Co-creation workshops
• Concept validation processes
• Data synthesis and analysis
• Prototyping skills
• Storytelling and narrative development
• Executive-level communication

Practical notes

This position is fully remote; however, it is not available for candidates located in San Francisco, Oakland, San Jose, or nearby areas in California. Occasional travel may be necessary for team meetings or project-related activities.

Compensation for this role varies based on location. For candidates in California, the salary range is between $166,400.00 and $208,000.00. For those in New York, New Jersey, Washington State, or California (excluding the San Francisco Bay Area), the range is $149,840.00 to $187,300.00. For individuals in Colorado, Hawaii, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Vermont, or Washington D.C., the salary range is $141,520.00 to $176,900.00.

This role may also qualify for Twilio's equity and corporate bonus programs. Benefits include health insurance, a 401(k) retirement plan, paid time off, and parental leave. Twilio employs AI to enhance the hiring process, but all final decisions are made by our team members.

Please be vigilant against recruitment fraud; any official correspondence will originate from an email address ending in @twilio.com.