Staff Experience Researcher

About the Research Team

We are a high-performing, tight-knit team of embedded researchers who work closely with cross-functional product partners to deliver outstanding experiences for our users. Our researchers tackle complex challenges, generating insights that shape both product strategy and user experience. We're a nimble, ever-evolving group that learns from one another and our collaborators to refine our methods, stay ahead of industry trends, and push the boundaries of what’s possible in UX.

About the Role

As a Staff UX Researcher on Thumbtack’s New Hiring Experiences team, you’ll be at the forefront of discovering what’s next—using creative, iterative research approaches to bring clarity to ambiguity and guide early-stage product direction. You won’t just conduct research; you’ll play a key role in shaping bold, strategic bets and influencing how we build dynamic, complex user experiences. You’ll collaborate closely with product, design, engineering, data science, and other disciplines to move quickly, learn deeply, and build with purpose. With a focus on qual-leaning mixed methods and sprint-style collaboration, you’ll not only inform what we build—you’ll influence how we build, mentoring others and helping elevate the team’s research culture along the way. This role is essential to making sure our innovation efforts are not only fast and inspired—but grounded in real user needs.

What you'll do

• Lead fast-paced, mixed-method research to inform early-stage product strategy and uncover new opportunities
• Translate ambiguous problem spaces into clear direction through sharp insights and strategic thinking
• Partner closely with design, product, and engineering to rapidly test concepts, iterate on ideas, and shape MVPs
• Craft compelling narratives that influence senior stakeholders, align cross-functional teams, and drive evidence-informed decisions
• Inspire a prototype-forward, innovation culture across cross-functional teams—mentoring peers, guiding research practice, and championing bold, iterative ways of working across product teams
• Champion a user-centered mindset across the broader team, advocating for the needs of both customers and pros
• Influence multiple product areas and partner teams, scaling the impact of research beyond your immediate scope

In order to be successful, you must bring

• 10+ years of experience leading user research in fast-paced, cross-functional product environments, with a strong emphasis on 0→1 and innovation-focused work (design consultancy and pathfinding experience a plus)
• Experience operating in sprint-style or agile environments, with comfort influencing rapid iteration and in-the-moment product decisions
• Deep expertise in qualitative methods and a mixed-methods mindset, with a sharp ability to choose the right approach for ambiguous, evolving product questions
• A proven track record of shaping early-stage product and business strategy through bold, actionable insights that drive clarity and direction
• Exceptional communication and storytelling skills, with the ability to build alignment across product, design, engineering, and executive stakeholders
• A creative, solutions-oriented mindset and the ability to operate independently in ambiguous, 0-to-1 product spaces
• Strong leadership presence, with experience mentoring researchers, elevating team practices, and influencing cross-disciplinary partners toward more iterative, prototype-driven ways of working

Expected salary ranges

• For candidates living in San Francisco / Bay Area, San Jose, New York City, or Seattle metros, the expected salary range for the role is currently $234,000.00 - $286,000.00
• For candidates living in Austin, TX or Washington DC metros or in California, Massachusetts, New Jersey, or Washington states, the expected salary range for the role is currently $210,600.00 - $257,400.00
• For candidates living in all other US locations, the expected salary range for this role is currently $198,900.00 - $243,100.00

Actual offered salaries will vary and will be based on various factors, such as calibrated job level, qualifications, skills, competencies, and proficiency for the role.