We are looking for a mixed-method Vehicle Experience Researcher, which will be the glue between the digital interface and the physical cabin experience for Zoox. This role requires a high-velocity researcher who is just as comfortable designing a complex quantitative benchmark study as they are running extensive in-vehicle testing. You will navigate the unique intersection of software and hardware, ensuring that everything of the vehicle works as a single, cohesive system.
In this role you will:
Design and execute both qualitative and quantitative research that uncovers core user needs, behaviors, and experience patterns
Synthesize insights into clear frameworks that inform product direction
Contribute to defining principles that guide the evolution of in-vehicle experience
Move beyond individual features to map the entire end-to-end vehicle rider experience journey.
Conduct foundational research in ambiguous, early-stage product areas where the problem space is not well defined.
Design and run robust quant studies to establish experience benchmarks. You will define what "good" looks like and track our progress against those metrics as the vehicle platform and in-cabin experience evolves.
Lead a high volume of testing sessions within the vehicle to validate features.
Investigate how digital touchpoints sync with physical movements and cabin environments.
Partner closely with Product, Design, and Vehicle Engineering
Translate research findings into clear implications for product decisions
Proactively identify opportunities where research can drive impact
Qualifications
- 7+ years of experience in UX Research, HCI, Human Factors, or a related field
- Strong experience in both qualitative and quantitative research methods. Proven experience designing and running quantitative benchmarking studies and analyzing complex datasets.
- A portfolio that demonstrates research on products with both hardware and software touchpoints.
- Ability to manage a high volume of tactical testing while maintaining a strategic, system-level perspective.
- Ability to travel 5–10% within the US to support testing and research initiatives
Bonus Qualifications
- Experience in automotive, robotics, aerospace, or specialized consumer hardware (e.g., VR/AR, smart home).
- Ability to "speak engineer"—understanding the constraints of vehicle platforms, thermal systems, and motion profiles.
- Experience working in large, complex organizations where building cross-functional alliances is key to getting things done.
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