UX Researcher, Factory Robotics (Figma + Contextual Inquiry)

A world-class robotics research lab is adding a contract UX Researcher to its Robotics UX team in Los Altos, CA. You will work directly alongside the lead UX researcher, running qualitative studies in real manufacturing environments where robots and people interact side by side. This isn't a desk-only research job. You'll be in the field conducting in-person contextual inquiries, observing factory floor interactions, and helping translate what you find into robot interface decisions that actually get built. ⠀

𝗔𝗕𝗢𝗨𝗧 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗖𝗟𝗜𝗘𝗡𝗧

Pave Talent is hiring on behalf of our client, a well-funded AI and robotics research institute based in Los Altos, CA. Backed by one of the world's largest automotive manufacturers, this institute operates at the frontier of human-robot interaction, building robots designed to amplify human capability rather than replace it. The Robotics UX team is embedded directly in prototype development, working alongside engineers and designers to shape how factory workers interact with next-generation robotic systems. ⠀

𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗢𝗣𝗣𝗢𝗥𝗧𝗨𝗡𝗜𝗧𝗬

You will report to and partner closely with the lead UX Researcher on the Robotics UX team. The team is a tight-knit group of UX designers, researchers, and engineers focused exclusively on the factory robotics initiative. This is a 1-year contract role, full-time onsite in Los Altos, CA with occasional domestic travel (4 to 6 times per year) to manufacturing sites. You will contribute to both generative and evaluative research, from planning and setup through synthesis and reporting. Your work feeds directly into robot prototype design decisions and real product development cycles. ⠀

𝗪𝗛𝗔𝗧 𝗬𝗢𝗨'𝗟𝗟 𝗗𝗢

• Conduct in-person qualitative research: contextual inquiries, usability testing, interviews, and direct observation on factory floors
• Take detailed notes and documentation during live research sessions
• Assist with study planning, logistics, and participant coordination under the lead researcher's guidance
• Participate in collaborative synthesis sessions to identify patterns and translate findings into insights
• Contribute to research reports and presentations shared with designers and engineers
• Support research involving both digital interfaces (screen-based controls) and physical human-robot interaction systems
• Use Figma to organize research artifacts, notes, and prototype testing materials ⠀

𝗤𝗨𝗔𝗟𝗜𝗙𝗜𝗖𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡𝗦 𝗥𝗲𝗾𝘂𝗶𝗿𝗲𝗱

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in HCI, Interaction Design, or a related field
• 4 to 7 years of experience supporting UX or qualitative research in industry or academic labs
• Hands-on experience with contextual inquiries, usability testing, interviews, and in-person observation as a note-taker or research support role
• Experience participating in collaborative synthesis of research findings
• Familiarity with Figma for prototype testing and organizing research artifacts
• Clear written and verbal communication skills
• Ability to travel domestically 4 to 6 times per year
• Ability to stand for extended periods in field research environments (potentially loud factory settings)

𝗕𝗼𝗻𝘂𝘀 𝗣𝗼𝗶𝗻𝘁𝘀

• Experience testing interfaces for physical or embodied systems such as robots or hardware
• Experience producing polished visuals and layouts for research reports and presentations
• Familiarity with Microsoft Teams
• Experience supporting research with domain experts or other specialized technical user groups ⠀

𝗖𝗢𝗠𝗣𝗘𝗡𝗦𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡 𝗔𝗡𝗗 𝗗𝗘𝗧𝗔𝗜𝗟𝗦

𝗛𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗹𝘆 𝗥𝗮𝘁𝗲: $70.00 to $85.00/hr depending on experience

𝗖𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗰𝘁 𝗟𝗲𝗻𝗴𝘁𝗵: 1 year

𝗦𝗰𝗵𝗲𝗱𝘂𝗹𝗲: Full-time, 40 hours per week, onsite in Los Altos, CA

𝗧𝗿𝗮𝘃𝗲𝗹: Domestic, 4 to 6 trips per year to manufacturing sites

𝗪𝗼𝗿𝗸 𝗔𝘂𝘁𝗵𝗼𝗿𝗶𝘁𝘆: Must be authorized to work in the US without sponsorship ⠀

𝗜𝗡𝗧𝗘𝗥𝗩𝗜𝗘𝗪 𝗣𝗥𝗢𝗖𝗘𝗦𝗦

Round 1: Interview with the lead UX Researcher

Round 2: Interview with team member ⠀

Interested? Apply via LinkedIn and we'll be in touch.