User Experience Researcher Jobs in California
User Experience Researcher jobs in California are among the most active in the country, concentrated in technology, consumer electronics, healthcare technology, and digital financial services, with openings from entry-level associate researchers through principal and staff-level roles. The largest hiring markets are the San Francisco Bay Area, Los Angeles, and San Diego, where companies like Apple, Google, and Intuit maintain substantial UX research teams. The most in-demand specialties include mixed-methods research, usability testing, and generative AI product research. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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Showing 5 of 28+ User Experience Researcher jobs
About The Role
Hinge Health builds digital care for musculoskeletal conditions, the leading driver of disability and healthcare cost in the US. Our members are people living with chronic or acute pain, often navigating a healthcare system that was not designed for them. The research questions here are not abstract: understanding who our members are, what they expect from care, and where the experience breaks down has direct consequences for whether someone gets better. This is a Senior UX Researcher role on a small, high-ownership team embedded within R&D. You will own research across one or more product pods, working directly with product managers, designers, and clinical partners to turn ambiguous questions into clear directions. The team is lean by design, which means your work will be visible and your judgment will carry real weight.
What you'll accomplish
- Own end-to-end research across one or more product pods, from scoping the question through delivery and follow-through with partners
- Produce insights that directly influence product decisions, roadmap priorities, and design direction at the pod level
- Build credibility and influence with cross-functional partners, including product managers, designers, and Director-level stakeholders
- Leverage AI tools and workflows to extend research capacity across a one-to-many model—prioritizing where your time and judgment are highest-value while using AI to handle research tasks that can be systematized or accelerated
- Bring a clear point of view to product conversations, not just findings, and advocate for member needs in the decisions that follow
- Contribute to the evolution of the research team's practices, tools, and ways of working
Basic Qualifications
- 4+ years of experience conducting user research, with demonstrated experience leading qualitative studies independently from planning through delivery
- Experience presenting research findings and recommendations to cross-functional stakeholders, including senior leaders
- Experience working as an embedded researcher within a product development team
- Survey design: Experience designing unbiased surveys, including neutral question framing, validated scales, and appropriate response option construction
- Qualitative research methods: Demonstrated ability to plan and conduct high-quality qualitative studies (moderated interviews, usability sessions, diary studies) with rigorous synthesis
- Quantitative and statistical literacy: Familiarity with statistical methods used to evaluate research data (significance testing, confidence intervals, descriptive statistics) and the ability to integrate quantitative signals with qualitative findings
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience in digital health, healthcare technology, or a clinical-adjacent product domain
- Familiarity with mixed-method research approaches that combine qualitative and quantitative sources
- Experience using remote research platforms such as Dscout or UserTesting
- Prior contributions to research team practices, toolkits, or research operations
- Experience working on a small or embedded research team with significant individual ownership
About Hinge Health
Hinge Health leverages software, including AI, to largely automate care for joint and muscle health, delivering an outstanding member experience, improved member outcomes, and cost reductions for its clients. The company has designed its platform to address a broad spectrum of MSK care from acute injury, to chronic pain, to post-surgical rehabilitation, and the platform can help to ease members' pain, improve their function, and reduce their need for surgeries, all while driving health equity by allowing members to engage in their exercise therapy sessions from anywhere. The company is headquartered in San Francisco, California. Learn more at http://www.hingehealth.com
What You'll Love About Us
- Inclusive healthcare and benefits: On top of comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage, we offer employees and their family members help with gender-affirming care, tools for family and fertility planning, and travel reimbursements if healthcare isn't available where you live.
- Planning for the future: Start saving for the future with our traditional or Roth 401k retirement plan options which include a 2% company match.
- Modern life stipends: Manage your own learning and development
Culture and engagement
Hinge Health is an equal opportunity employer and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any kind. We make employment decisions without regards to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, veteran status, disability status, pregnancy, or any other basis protected by federal, state or local law. We also consider qualified applicants regardless of criminal histories, consistent with legal requirements. We provide reasonable accommodations for candidates with disabilities. If you feel you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, let us know by reaching out to your recruiter. By submitting your application you are acknowledging we are using your personal data as outlined in the personnel and candidate privacy policy.
Beware of Phishing Attempts: We've noticed an increase in phishing where fraudsters impersonate employees and send fake job offers to steal sensitive information. We'll never ask for financial details during the hiring process and only use "@hingehealth.com" emails. If you receive a suspicious offer, stop communication and report it to the US FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center. To verify an email from our recruiting team, forward it to security@hingehealth.com.
Compensation Range: $148K - $203.5K
About The Role
Hinge Health builds digital care for musculoskeletal conditions, the leading driver of disability and healthcare cost in the US. Our members are people living with chronic or acute pain, often navigating a healthcare system that was not designed for them. The research questions here are not abstract: understanding who our members are, what they expect from care, and where the experience breaks down has direct consequences for whether someone gets better. This is a Senior UX Researcher role on a small, high-ownership team embedded within R&D. You will own research across one or more product pods, working directly with product managers, designers, and clinical partners to turn ambiguous questions into clear directions. The team is lean by design, which means your work will be visible and your judgment will carry real weight.
What you'll accomplish
- Own end-to-end research across one or more product pods, from scoping the question through delivery and follow-through with partners
- Produce insights that directly influence product decisions, roadmap priorities, and design direction at the pod level
- Build credibility and influence with cross-functional partners, including product managers, designers, and Director-level stakeholders
- Leverage AI tools and workflows to extend research capacity across a one-to-many model—prioritizing where your time and judgment are highest-value while using AI to handle research tasks that can be systematized or accelerated
- Bring a clear point of view to product conversations, not just findings, and advocate for member needs in the decisions that follow
- Contribute to the evolution of the research team's practices, tools, and ways of working
Basic Qualifications
- 4+ years of experience conducting user research, with demonstrated experience leading qualitative studies independently from planning through delivery
- Experience presenting research findings and recommendations to cross-functional stakeholders, including senior leaders
- Experience working as an embedded researcher within a product development team
- Survey design: Experience designing unbiased surveys, including neutral question framing, validated scales, and appropriate response option construction
- Qualitative research methods: Demonstrated ability to plan and conduct high-quality qualitative studies (moderated interviews, usability sessions, diary studies) with rigorous synthesis
- Quantitative and statistical literacy: Familiarity with statistical methods used to evaluate research data (significance testing, confidence intervals, descriptive statistics) and the ability to integrate quantitative signals with qualitative findings
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience in digital health, healthcare technology, or a clinical-adjacent product domain
- Familiarity with mixed-method research approaches that combine qualitative and quantitative sources
- Experience using remote research platforms such as Dscout or UserTesting
- Prior contributions to research team practices, toolkits, or research operations
- Experience working on a small or embedded research team with significant individual ownership
About Hinge Health
Hinge Health leverages software, including AI, to largely automate care for joint and muscle health, delivering an outstanding member experience, improved member outcomes, and cost reductions for its clients. The company has designed its platform to address a broad spectrum of MSK care from acute injury, to chronic pain, to post-surgical rehabilitation, and the platform can help to ease members' pain, improve their function, and reduce their need for surgeries, all while driving health equity by allowing members to engage in their exercise therapy sessions from anywhere. The company is headquartered in San Francisco, California. Learn more at http://www.hingehealth.com
What You'll Love About Us
- Inclusive healthcare and benefits: On top of comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage, we offer employees and their family members help with gender-affirming care, tools for family and fertility planning, and travel reimbursements if healthcare isn't available where you live.
- Planning for the future: Start saving for the future with our traditional or Roth 401k retirement plan options which include a 2% company match.
- Modern life stipends: Manage your own learning and development
Culture and engagement
Hinge Health is an equal opportunity employer and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any kind. We make employment decisions without regards to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, veteran status, disability status, pregnancy, or any other basis protected by federal, state or local law. We also consider qualified applicants regardless of criminal histories, consistent with legal requirements. We provide reasonable accommodations for candidates with disabilities. If you feel you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, let us know by reaching out to your recruiter. By submitting your application you are acknowledging we are using your personal data as outlined in the personnel and candidate privacy policy.
Beware of Phishing Attempts: We've noticed an increase in phishing where fraudsters impersonate employees and send fake job offers to steal sensitive information. We'll never ask for financial details during the hiring process and only use "@hingehealth.com" emails. If you receive a suspicious offer, stop communication and report it to the US FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center. To verify an email from our recruiting team, forward it to security@hingehealth.com.
Compensation Range: $148K - $203.5K
See All 28 User Experience Researcher Jobs in California
Find roles in California that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find JobsUser Experience Researcher Jobs by City in California
Where California roles are concentrated, by current openings.
User Experience Researcher Job Market in California
A snapshot from current California openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
- Google8
- Environmental Systems Research Institute2
- Zoox2
- Amazon1
- Arm1
Top Industries Hiring
- Technology & Software10
- Automotive2
- Aerospace & Defense1
- Artificial Intelligence1
- Consulting & Professional Services1
What California Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in user experience researcher jobs across California.
- Bachelor's or master's degree in human-computer interaction, cognitive science, or psychology
- Proficiency in qualitative and quantitative research methods including usability studies and surveys
- Experience with tools such as UserZoom, Dovetail, Qualtrics, or similar research platforms
- Ability to synthesize findings into clear, actionable recommendations for product and design teams
- Portfolio demonstrating end-to-end research projects from study design through stakeholder presentation
- Strong collaboration skills working cross-functionally with product managers, designers, and engineers
User Experience Researcher Jobs in California: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a user experience researcher in California?
User experience research has no state-issued license in California, so the path runs through education and portfolio building. Most California employers expect at least a bachelor's degree in human-computer interaction, cognitive science, psychology, or a related field, with a master's preferred at larger technology companies. Building a portfolio of research case studies, completing internships with Bay Area or Los Angeles product teams, and earning tool-specific certifications strengthens a candidacy considerably.
How much do user experience researchers make in California?
User experience researchers in California earn a median of about $83,520 a year, based on May 2025 Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data, ranging from around $52,110 for the lowest 10% to over $171,640 for the top 10%. Pay rises with experience, specialty, and employer.
Which companies hire user experience researchers in California?
Employers hiring user experience researchers in California right now include Google, Environmental Systems Research Institute, and Zoox, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of June 2026. California's density of technology headquarters, consumer electronics firms, and health-tech companies makes it one of the deepest markets in the country for this role.
Which California cities have the most user experience researcher jobs?
Mountain View, San Francisco, and San Jose have the most user experience researcher openings in California. The San Francisco Bay Area dominates because of its concentration of major technology and consumer software headquarters, while Los Angeles draws openings from entertainment technology, e-commerce, and digital media companies, and San Diego's growing health-tech and defense-adjacent software sector adds a steady volume of research roles.
Are there remote user experience researcher jobs in California?
Yes, and more than most fields, since the core work of designing studies, conducting remote moderated sessions, and analyzing data translates well to distributed settings. About 25% of user experience researcher openings tied to California are remote or hybrid as of June 2026, reflecting how broadly product teams have adopted remote research tooling. Generative research and survey-based work tends to be the most consistently remote, while in-person lab studies and on-site contextual inquiry typically require a local presence.
How can I get hired as a user experience researcher in California with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is an internship or rotational research program at a Bay Area or Los Angeles technology company, many of which recruit directly from California universities including UC Berkeley, UCLA, and Carnegie Mellon's Silicon Valley campus. Adjacent roles such as UX writer, product analyst, or research coordinator are common lateral moves that provide credibility. A portfolio of self-initiated studies or volunteer projects with California nonprofits demonstrates research thinking to hiring managers even without formal employment history.
Where can I find and apply to user experience researcher jobs in California?
You can find and apply to user experience researcher jobs in California on Migrate Mate, which lists current California openings. Find roles that fit your experience and specialization and apply directly to the ones that match.
See All 28 User Experience Researcher Jobs in California
Find roles in California that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
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