UX Research Intern Jobs in Massachusetts
UX Research Intern jobs in Massachusetts concentrate heavily in the technology, healthcare, and higher education sectors, with Boston and Cambridge anchoring the most active hiring market in New England for this role. Companies like HubSpot, Wayfair, and Massachusetts General Hospital maintain consistent intern pipelines, drawing candidates into entry-level and pre-graduation roles throughout the year. The most in-demand specialties are usability testing, accessibility research, and mixed-methods user studies tied to enterprise software and digital health products. Scan the live roles below and apply to whichever ones fit.
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At the MBTA, we envision a thriving region enabled by a best-in-class transit system. Our mission is to serve the public by providing safe, reliable, and accessible transportation. MBTA’s core values are built around safety, service, equity, sustainability, culture, and accessibility, and each employee that works for the MBTA performs their roles based on our vision, mission, and values. This includes attendance, participation, and contribution in local safety committee meetings as needed.
Job Summary
The Senior Director of User Experience (UX) Research and Design leads the MBTA's UX, Research, Design, and Content Strategy group, a functional team of craft experts and managers who work across numerous product and program lines. The Senior Director of UX Research and Design defines and drives UX strategy, shaping decisions that impact organization direction, long-term outcomes, and cross-portfolio priorities. The Senior Director ensures that Transformation and Technology (T&T) Department services are meeting user needs via well-defined outcomes. Collaborating closely with stakeholders, the role defines scopes, aligns priorities, orchestrates cross-team delivery, and establishes agency-wide standards and practices.
Duties & Responsibilities
- Shape organization-wide research, design, and content vision, strategic direction, and practice.
- Build effective design teams and direct strategies that are focused on improving the lives of end users, both riders and staff.
- Lead and develop research and design management, including organizational planning, performance management, position descriptions, hiring, and professional growth as applicable.
- Advocate for and scale the functions of UX research, design, and content strategy through the establishment of standards, frameworks, and best practices.
- Identify strategic research and service design opportunities, and use research data to inform business, product, and operational decisions.
- Support T&T with outcome orientation, ensuring that T&T work is in the service of long- and short-term outcomes.
- Serve as a senior leader within T&T, supporting and contributing to the overall Technology vision and strategic direction.
- Serve as a senior advisor to other departments within the MBTA, with the ability to be a strategic thought-partner and to synthesize and communicate complex ideas.
- Serve as a member of a rotating on-call group.
- Perform all other duties and projects that may be assigned.
Additional responsibilities may include focus on one or more departments or locations. See applicable addendum for department or location specific functions.
Supervision
- Directly supervises a team of three to five (3-5) program-area directors and two to five (2-5) cross-department staff.
Minimum Requirements & Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution in computer science, graphic design, human computer interaction or other related field.
- Ten (10) years of progressively responsible professional experience supporting or leading major initiatives, program areas, or cross-functional projects requiring strategic judgment, problem-solving, and coordination across multiple stakeholders.
- Seven (7) years of supervisory, managerial, and/or leadership experience.
- Expertise across UX disciplines and methods.
- Experience leading a team of functional and management staff.
- Experience working in a matrixed organization, including program, product, and engineering in multiple settings.
- Demonstrated ability to generate clarity when provided ambiguous or open-ended problems.
- Demonstrated knowledge of and experience with UX best practices, service design, usability heuristics, accessibility standards (such as Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG)), and human-computer interaction.
- Ability to provide understanding and examples of how individual design decisions fit into the larger ecosystem of the product, business, and user journey.
- Demonstrated knowledge of outcome orientation, including translating research/design insights into measurable product, service, or operational outcomes.
- Effective managerial, organizational, analytical, confidentiality, multi-tasking and time management skills.
Substitutions
- A high school diploma or GED with an additional seven (7) years of directly related experience substitutes for the bachelor’s degree requirement.
- An associate’s degree from an accredited institution and an additional three (3) years of directly related experience substitutes for the bachelor’s degree requirement.
- A master’s degree in a related subject substitutes for two (2) years of general experience.
- A nationally recognized certification, or statewide/professional certification in a related field substitutes for one (1) year of experience.
Preferred Experience & Skills
- Master's degree from a credited institution in a related field.
- Experience in the public sector, transportation agency, and/or civic technology team.
Job Conditions:
- Ability to effectively read, comprehend, communicate, and respond to instructions, orders, signs, notices, inquiries, etc. in English.
- Be at least eighteen (18) years of age, except if participating in an approved high school internship / co-op program.
- Ability to commute to assigned work locations in the Boston, MA metro area, as required by the role.
- Ability to provide internal and external customers with courteous and professional experiences.
- Ability to work effectively, independently, and as part of a diverse workforce team (or supervise, if required).
- Ability to uphold the rights and interests of the MBTA while building and maintaining effective relationships with employees and co-workers.
- Ability to adhere to rules, regulations, collective bargaining agreements (if applicable), and policies of the MBTA, including the EEO, anti-discrimination, anti-harassment, and anti-retaliation policies.
- Have a satisfactory work record for the two (2) years immediately prior to the closing date of this posting (unless if current student or recent graduate), including overall employment, job performance, discipline, and safety records (infractions and/or offenses occurring after the closing of the posting and before the filling of a vacancy may preclude a candidate from consideration for selection).
- Ability to pass a Criminal Offender Record Information (CORI) check, comprehensive background screening, and / or medical Clinic screening, potentially including physical examination and drug and alcohol screenings.
- Ability to work all shifts and / or locations assigned, directed, or necessary for this position, including (for some transit / operations roles) up to twenty-four (24) hours per day, seven (7) days per week as necessary to accommodate severe weather conditions, emergencies, or any other circumstances that may potentially impact service or the safety of service.
- Intern / co-op staff must be enrolled full or part-time in an accredited educational program and maintain a cumulative GPA of at least 2.5 for the entire duration of the internship / co-op. Additionally, interns / co-ops must have valid work authorization and U.S. Social Security Number prior to starting pre-employment screenings / pre-boarding, working in their positions, and throughout the duration of their program.
Disclaimers and Definitions:
- General Disclaimer: The statements contained in this job description are intended to describe a summary, general nature, and complexity of typical job functions and do not represent an exhaustive list of all duties, tasks, and responsibilities required of staff assigned to this position.
- Application Completion: It is each applicant’s responsibility to ensure application details are entered completely and correctly, including updated work and education histories (past and current). Incomplete applications may not be considered. Attachments do not substitute for application fields. The recruitment team does not have access to existing employee data / history.
- Application Deadlines: Applicants should apply as soon as possible, as the MBTA may stop considering applicants after a sufficiently large applicant pool is established.
- Work Environment: The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here-in are representative of those an employee may encounter while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations can be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions. See job description for role-specific requirements.
- Work Eligibility: All employees must be legally authorized to work in the United States and on an unrestricted basis. The MBTA does not have an employer work sponsorship program. However, if you have unrestricted work authorization, or are sponsored by a separate entity, you are welcome to apply. Further, all persons hired will require a U.S. Social Security Number prior to starting the position and employees will be required to complete a Form I-9 to verify their identity and eligibility to work in the U.S.
- Interviews: Candidates should ensure they arrive on time, are prepared, can remain for the duration, and if remote, are in a quiet place without distraction, for the interview. Candidates who do not attend their interview without advance authorization, including an email confirmation of a rescheduled time/date from Human Resources, will be considered a no-show and disqualified from consideration for the position. Related to rescheduling, on a one-time basis, and due to something emergent, you may be allowed to reschedule the interview. In addition, Human Resources may require documentation supporting the request. However, should you need to reschedule, you will need to contact your Recruiter directly by email.
- Safety Sensitive Positions: Employees working in this classification will be subject to periodic physical examinations plus random drug and alcohol testing.
- On-call or 24/7 Positions: Employees working in this classification must be available to respond to page / text / call and report to work as determined by assigned department or the Authority.
- Essential / Emergency Staff: During declared "states of emergency," employees working in this classification are required to report to work for their assigned work hours or as directed by management.
- ADA Accommodations: The MBTA makes reasonable accommodations for applicants with disabilities. If you require an accommodation during this process, please contact the MBTA's ADA Unit at 617-222-5751 or hradaaa@mbta.com.
- Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion: The MBTA is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer. For terms, descriptions, and definitions related to diversity, equity, inclusion, veteran status, and immediate family members that you may find on the application form, please visit mbta.com/careers-app-definitions.
- Intern / Co-Op Benefits: Employees taking part in an internship or co-op at the MBTA are eligible to receive accrued paid sick leave as well as a monthly transportation pass, based on the city from which the intern / co-op commutes to work, at no cost. However, no additional benefits are currently offered for interns or co-ops.
At the MBTA, we envision a thriving region enabled by a best-in-class transit system. Our mission is to serve the public by providing safe, reliable, and accessible transportation. MBTA’s core values are built around safety, service, equity, sustainability, culture, and accessibility, and each employee that works for the MBTA performs their roles based on our vision, mission, and values. This includes attendance, participation, and contribution in local safety committee meetings as needed.
Job Summary
The Senior Director of User Experience (UX) Research and Design leads the MBTA's UX, Research, Design, and Content Strategy group, a functional team of craft experts and managers who work across numerous product and program lines. The Senior Director of UX Research and Design defines and drives UX strategy, shaping decisions that impact organization direction, long-term outcomes, and cross-portfolio priorities. The Senior Director ensures that Transformation and Technology (T&T) Department services are meeting user needs via well-defined outcomes. Collaborating closely with stakeholders, the role defines scopes, aligns priorities, orchestrates cross-team delivery, and establishes agency-wide standards and practices.
Duties & Responsibilities
- Shape organization-wide research, design, and content vision, strategic direction, and practice.
- Build effective design teams and direct strategies that are focused on improving the lives of end users, both riders and staff.
- Lead and develop research and design management, including organizational planning, performance management, position descriptions, hiring, and professional growth as applicable.
- Advocate for and scale the functions of UX research, design, and content strategy through the establishment of standards, frameworks, and best practices.
- Identify strategic research and service design opportunities, and use research data to inform business, product, and operational decisions.
- Support T&T with outcome orientation, ensuring that T&T work is in the service of long- and short-term outcomes.
- Serve as a senior leader within T&T, supporting and contributing to the overall Technology vision and strategic direction.
- Serve as a senior advisor to other departments within the MBTA, with the ability to be a strategic thought-partner and to synthesize and communicate complex ideas.
- Serve as a member of a rotating on-call group.
- Perform all other duties and projects that may be assigned.
Additional responsibilities may include focus on one or more departments or locations. See applicable addendum for department or location specific functions.
Supervision
- Directly supervises a team of three to five (3-5) program-area directors and two to five (2-5) cross-department staff.
Minimum Requirements & Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution in computer science, graphic design, human computer interaction or other related field.
- Ten (10) years of progressively responsible professional experience supporting or leading major initiatives, program areas, or cross-functional projects requiring strategic judgment, problem-solving, and coordination across multiple stakeholders.
- Seven (7) years of supervisory, managerial, and/or leadership experience.
- Expertise across UX disciplines and methods.
- Experience leading a team of functional and management staff.
- Experience working in a matrixed organization, including program, product, and engineering in multiple settings.
- Demonstrated ability to generate clarity when provided ambiguous or open-ended problems.
- Demonstrated knowledge of and experience with UX best practices, service design, usability heuristics, accessibility standards (such as Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG)), and human-computer interaction.
- Ability to provide understanding and examples of how individual design decisions fit into the larger ecosystem of the product, business, and user journey.
- Demonstrated knowledge of outcome orientation, including translating research/design insights into measurable product, service, or operational outcomes.
- Effective managerial, organizational, analytical, confidentiality, multi-tasking and time management skills.
Substitutions
- A high school diploma or GED with an additional seven (7) years of directly related experience substitutes for the bachelor’s degree requirement.
- An associate’s degree from an accredited institution and an additional three (3) years of directly related experience substitutes for the bachelor’s degree requirement.
- A master’s degree in a related subject substitutes for two (2) years of general experience.
- A nationally recognized certification, or statewide/professional certification in a related field substitutes for one (1) year of experience.
Preferred Experience & Skills
- Master's degree from a credited institution in a related field.
- Experience in the public sector, transportation agency, and/or civic technology team.
Job Conditions:
- Ability to effectively read, comprehend, communicate, and respond to instructions, orders, signs, notices, inquiries, etc. in English.
- Be at least eighteen (18) years of age, except if participating in an approved high school internship / co-op program.
- Ability to commute to assigned work locations in the Boston, MA metro area, as required by the role.
- Ability to provide internal and external customers with courteous and professional experiences.
- Ability to work effectively, independently, and as part of a diverse workforce team (or supervise, if required).
- Ability to uphold the rights and interests of the MBTA while building and maintaining effective relationships with employees and co-workers.
- Ability to adhere to rules, regulations, collective bargaining agreements (if applicable), and policies of the MBTA, including the EEO, anti-discrimination, anti-harassment, and anti-retaliation policies.
- Have a satisfactory work record for the two (2) years immediately prior to the closing date of this posting (unless if current student or recent graduate), including overall employment, job performance, discipline, and safety records (infractions and/or offenses occurring after the closing of the posting and before the filling of a vacancy may preclude a candidate from consideration for selection).
- Ability to pass a Criminal Offender Record Information (CORI) check, comprehensive background screening, and / or medical Clinic screening, potentially including physical examination and drug and alcohol screenings.
- Ability to work all shifts and / or locations assigned, directed, or necessary for this position, including (for some transit / operations roles) up to twenty-four (24) hours per day, seven (7) days per week as necessary to accommodate severe weather conditions, emergencies, or any other circumstances that may potentially impact service or the safety of service.
- Intern / co-op staff must be enrolled full or part-time in an accredited educational program and maintain a cumulative GPA of at least 2.5 for the entire duration of the internship / co-op. Additionally, interns / co-ops must have valid work authorization and U.S. Social Security Number prior to starting pre-employment screenings / pre-boarding, working in their positions, and throughout the duration of their program.
Disclaimers and Definitions:
- General Disclaimer: The statements contained in this job description are intended to describe a summary, general nature, and complexity of typical job functions and do not represent an exhaustive list of all duties, tasks, and responsibilities required of staff assigned to this position.
- Application Completion: It is each applicant’s responsibility to ensure application details are entered completely and correctly, including updated work and education histories (past and current). Incomplete applications may not be considered. Attachments do not substitute for application fields. The recruitment team does not have access to existing employee data / history.
- Application Deadlines: Applicants should apply as soon as possible, as the MBTA may stop considering applicants after a sufficiently large applicant pool is established.
- Work Environment: The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here-in are representative of those an employee may encounter while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations can be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions. See job description for role-specific requirements.
- Work Eligibility: All employees must be legally authorized to work in the United States and on an unrestricted basis. The MBTA does not have an employer work sponsorship program. However, if you have unrestricted work authorization, or are sponsored by a separate entity, you are welcome to apply. Further, all persons hired will require a U.S. Social Security Number prior to starting the position and employees will be required to complete a Form I-9 to verify their identity and eligibility to work in the U.S.
- Interviews: Candidates should ensure they arrive on time, are prepared, can remain for the duration, and if remote, are in a quiet place without distraction, for the interview. Candidates who do not attend their interview without advance authorization, including an email confirmation of a rescheduled time/date from Human Resources, will be considered a no-show and disqualified from consideration for the position. Related to rescheduling, on a one-time basis, and due to something emergent, you may be allowed to reschedule the interview. In addition, Human Resources may require documentation supporting the request. However, should you need to reschedule, you will need to contact your Recruiter directly by email.
- Safety Sensitive Positions: Employees working in this classification will be subject to periodic physical examinations plus random drug and alcohol testing.
- On-call or 24/7 Positions: Employees working in this classification must be available to respond to page / text / call and report to work as determined by assigned department or the Authority.
- Essential / Emergency Staff: During declared "states of emergency," employees working in this classification are required to report to work for their assigned work hours or as directed by management.
- ADA Accommodations: The MBTA makes reasonable accommodations for applicants with disabilities. If you require an accommodation during this process, please contact the MBTA's ADA Unit at 617-222-5751 or hradaaa@mbta.com.
- Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion: The MBTA is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer. For terms, descriptions, and definitions related to diversity, equity, inclusion, veteran status, and immediate family members that you may find on the application form, please visit mbta.com/careers-app-definitions.
- Intern / Co-Op Benefits: Employees taking part in an internship or co-op at the MBTA are eligible to receive accrued paid sick leave as well as a monthly transportation pass, based on the city from which the intern / co-op commutes to work, at no cost. However, no additional benefits are currently offered for interns or co-ops.
See All 10 UX Research Intern Jobs in Massachusetts
Find roles in Massachusetts that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find UX Research Intern JobsUX Research Intern Jobs by City in Massachusetts
Where Massachusetts roles are concentrated, by current openings.
UX Research Intern Job Market in Massachusetts
A snapshot from current Massachusetts openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
Top Industries Hiring
- Technology & Software
- Banking & Financial Services
What Massachusetts Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in UX research intern jobs across Massachusetts.
- Enrollment in a bachelor's or master's program in HCI, psychology, or design
- Demonstrated experience planning and conducting moderated usability studies
- Proficiency with research tools such as UserZoom, Maze, or Dovetail
- Portfolio showing end-to-end research projects with documented findings and recommendations
- Ability to synthesize qualitative and quantitative data into actionable insights
- Strong written and verbal communication skills for presenting to cross-functional teams
UX Research Intern Jobs in Massachusetts: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a ux research intern in Massachusetts?
You become a ux research intern in Massachusetts by enrolling in a degree program in human-computer interaction, cognitive psychology, information science, or a related design field, since no state-issued license is required for this role. Massachusetts universities such as MIT, Northeastern, and UMass Amherst offer strong HCI tracks that employers in the Boston metro actively recruit from. A portfolio demonstrating at least one end-to-end research project is the most consistent differentiator in local hiring.
Which companies hire ux research interns in Massachusetts?
Employers hiring ux research interns in Massachusetts right now include Whoop, Collabera, and MathWorks, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of September 2026. Massachusetts's dense concentration of technology firms, academic medical centers, and fintech companies means intern openings recur across both startup and enterprise environments throughout Greater Boston.
Which Massachusetts cities have the most ux research intern jobs?
The Massachusetts cities with the most ux research intern openings are Boston, Natick, and Newton. Boston and Cambridge dominate because they anchor the state's technology, biotech, and academic research ecosystems, where product teams routinely embed research interns, while surrounding communities like Somerville and Waltham benefit from the overflow of mid-size software and healthcare IT companies that cluster along the Route 128 corridor.
Are there remote ux research intern jobs in Massachusetts?
Yes, and more than most fields, since ux research work is largely screen-based and tool-driven. About 67% of ux research intern openings tied to Massachusetts are remote or hybrid as of September 2026, reflecting how naturally the role translates to distributed teams. The parts of the work most likely to stay fully remote are unmoderated study analysis, synthesis sessions, and report writing, while in-person lab studies or stakeholder workshops are more likely to require on-site presence.
How can I get hired as a ux research intern in Massachusetts with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is applying to co-op programs before seeking a traditional internship, since Northeastern University's co-op network places students with Boston-area technology and healthcare employers who specifically structure roles for candidates without prior professional experience. MIT and UMass Amherst run similar research lab placements that count as verifiable experience. Candidates from adjacent roles such as library science, psychology research assistant, or customer support analytics can frame transferable methods skills effectively, and a portfolio with even one class or volunteer project documenting a research process consistently opens doors at Massachusetts employers.
Where can I find and apply to ux research intern jobs in Massachusetts?
You can find and apply to ux research intern jobs in Massachusetts on Migrate Mate, which lists current Massachusetts openings updated in real time. Search the listings, find the roles that match your background and availability, and apply directly to whichever ones fit your situation.
See All 10 UX Research Intern Jobs in Massachusetts
Find roles in Massachusetts that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find UX Research Intern Jobs