UX Research Manager Jobs in USA with Visa Sponsorship
UX Research Manager roles in the U.S. are sponsored under the H-1B visa as a specialty occupation requiring a bachelor's degree or higher in human-computer interaction, psychology, cognitive science, or a related field. Employers routinely file LCAs for this title, and cap-exempt pathways exist for research-focused institutions. For detailed occupation requirements, see the O*NET profile.
Find UX Research Manager JobsOverview
Showing 5 of 386+ UX Research Manager jobs
See all 386+ UX Research Manager Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new UX Research Manager roles.
Get Access To All JobsINTRODUCTION
At Google, we "Focus on the user and all else will follow." As a User Experience Researcher (UXR), you make this possible. You will join our multi-disciplinary UX team, collaborating with Engineering and Product Management, to gather insights and create industry-leading products. You’ll play a critical role in helping your team understand user needs and will drive impact at all stages of product development, ensuring products are useful, usable, and helpful. You will explore user behaviors and motivations by conducting primary research, including: field studies, interviews, diary studies, ethnography, surveys, usability testing, and logs analysis. You will also grow within a supportive UXR community offering mentorship, regular meetups, and exclusive internal tools. For decades, the computing revolution has reshaped our world driven by breakthroughs in compute, connectivity, mobile, and now, AI. Google's XR team is at the forefront of the next major leap – the convergence of AI and XR. This is more than just new devices – it's about reimagining how we interact with the world around us. We're building a future where lightweight XR devices like smart glasses and headsets pair with helpful AI to augment human intelligence, offering personalized, conversational, and contextually aware experiences.
ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Develop and maintain a prioritized research roadmap aligned with product strategy and business goals.
Scope and lead research initiatives to understand use cases and journeys across multiple Augmented Reality (AR)/Virtual Reality (VR) products.
Plan and execute various research methodologies, including usability testing, user interviews, surveys, field studies, and quantitative analysis.
Partner with designers, product managers, and engineers across Google and external organizations to support consumer launches.
* Provide user-centered insights to inform product strategy and roadmap development.
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
Bachelor's degree or equivalent practical experience.
4 years of experience in an applied research setting (e.g., product or academic), or similar.
* Experience with research methods (e.g., usability, studies, contextual inquiries, 1:1 interviews, unmoderated research studies).
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
Master's degree or PhD in Human-Computer Interaction, Cognitive Science, Statistics, Psychology, Anthropology, or related field.
2 years of experience conducting UX research on products, managing projects, and working in a large, matrixed organization.
3 years of experience working with executive leadership (e.g., Director level and above).
Experience conducting research with emerging technologies and devices (e.g., VR headsets, smartphones, wearables, etc.).
Applied experience conducting research in AR/VR product environments, Android systems, system UI, or app scaling.
Understanding of human physiology, human performance, visual processing, attentional demands, or ergonomics.
LOCATION
This role may also be located in our Playa Vista, CA campus. Applicants in the County of Los Angeles: Qualified applications with arrest or conviction records will be considered for employment in accordance with the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for Employers and the California Fair Chance Act. Applicants in San Francisco: Qualified applications with arrest or conviction records will be considered for employment in accordance with the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance for Employers and the California Fair Chance Act. Note: By applying to this position you will have an opportunity to share your preferred working location from the following: San Jose, CA, USA; New York, NY, USA; Los Angeles, CA, USA; San Francisco, CA, USA.
COMPENSATION
Individual pay is determined by factors including job-related skills, experience, and relevant education or training. US: $132000 - $190000 (USD) + 15% bonus target + equity + benefits
Google is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace and is an affirmative action employer. We are committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, disability, gender identity or Veteran status. We also consider qualified applicants regardless of criminal histories, consistent with legal requirements. See also Google's EEO Policy and EEO is the Law. If you have a disability or special need that requires accommodation, please let us know by completing our Accommodations for Applicants form.
INTRODUCTION
At Google, we "Focus on the user and all else will follow." As a User Experience Researcher (UXR), you make this possible. You will join our multi-disciplinary UX team, collaborating with Engineering and Product Management, to gather insights and create industry-leading products. You’ll play a critical role in helping your team understand user needs and will drive impact at all stages of product development, ensuring products are useful, usable, and helpful. You will explore user behaviors and motivations by conducting primary research, including: field studies, interviews, diary studies, ethnography, surveys, usability testing, and logs analysis. You will also grow within a supportive UXR community offering mentorship, regular meetups, and exclusive internal tools. For decades, the computing revolution has reshaped our world driven by breakthroughs in compute, connectivity, mobile, and now, AI. Google's XR team is at the forefront of the next major leap – the convergence of AI and XR. This is more than just new devices – it's about reimagining how we interact with the world around us. We're building a future where lightweight XR devices like smart glasses and headsets pair with helpful AI to augment human intelligence, offering personalized, conversational, and contextually aware experiences.
ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Develop and maintain a prioritized research roadmap aligned with product strategy and business goals.
Scope and lead research initiatives to understand use cases and journeys across multiple Augmented Reality (AR)/Virtual Reality (VR) products.
Plan and execute various research methodologies, including usability testing, user interviews, surveys, field studies, and quantitative analysis.
Partner with designers, product managers, and engineers across Google and external organizations to support consumer launches.
* Provide user-centered insights to inform product strategy and roadmap development.
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
Bachelor's degree or equivalent practical experience.
4 years of experience in an applied research setting (e.g., product or academic), or similar.
* Experience with research methods (e.g., usability, studies, contextual inquiries, 1:1 interviews, unmoderated research studies).
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
Master's degree or PhD in Human-Computer Interaction, Cognitive Science, Statistics, Psychology, Anthropology, or related field.
2 years of experience conducting UX research on products, managing projects, and working in a large, matrixed organization.
3 years of experience working with executive leadership (e.g., Director level and above).
Experience conducting research with emerging technologies and devices (e.g., VR headsets, smartphones, wearables, etc.).
Applied experience conducting research in AR/VR product environments, Android systems, system UI, or app scaling.
Understanding of human physiology, human performance, visual processing, attentional demands, or ergonomics.
LOCATION
This role may also be located in our Playa Vista, CA campus. Applicants in the County of Los Angeles: Qualified applications with arrest or conviction records will be considered for employment in accordance with the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for Employers and the California Fair Chance Act. Applicants in San Francisco: Qualified applications with arrest or conviction records will be considered for employment in accordance with the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance for Employers and the California Fair Chance Act. Note: By applying to this position you will have an opportunity to share your preferred working location from the following: San Jose, CA, USA; New York, NY, USA; Los Angeles, CA, USA; San Francisco, CA, USA.
COMPENSATION
Individual pay is determined by factors including job-related skills, experience, and relevant education or training. US: $132000 - $190000 (USD) + 15% bonus target + equity + benefits
Google is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace and is an affirmative action employer. We are committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, disability, gender identity or Veteran status. We also consider qualified applicants regardless of criminal histories, consistent with legal requirements. See also Google's EEO Policy and EEO is the Law. If you have a disability or special need that requires accommodation, please let us know by completing our Accommodations for Applicants form.
See all 386+ UX Research Manager Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new UX Research Manager roles.
Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding Visa Sponsorship as a UX Research Manager
Target research-heavy organizations
Large tech companies, healthcare systems, and government contractors sponsor UX Research Managers far more consistently than small agencies. Their dedicated HR and immigration infrastructure makes filing an H-1B petition a routine process rather than a one-off exception.
Clarify your degree field upfront
USCIS scrutinizes specialty occupation status for UX roles. A degree in human-computer interaction, cognitive psychology, or information science strengthens your case significantly more than a general business or communications degree paired with the same job title.
Document the research methodology your role requires
Sponsorship success hinges on showing the job genuinely requires a specific degree. Offer letters and job descriptions that name specific methods like usability testing, ethnographic research, or statistical analysis reinforce the specialty occupation argument for USCIS review.
Ask about cap-exempt sponsorship options
Universities, nonprofit research institutions, and affiliated entities can file H-1B petitions outside the annual lottery. If your UX research work supports academic or public-interest goals, a cap-exempt employer may be able to sponsor you immediately, year-round.
Align your portfolio to business outcomes
Hiring managers evaluating sponsorship candidates want evidence that your research drives measurable product decisions. Frame past projects around impact metrics, not process alone. This positions you as lower-risk to sponsor and faster to justify the investment internally.
Understand the LCA before your first interview
Your employer must file a Labor Condition Application with the Department of Labor before petitioning USCIS. Knowing this signals immigration fluency to employers and helps you ask the right questions about prevailing wage compliance and expected sponsorship timelines early.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is UX Research Manager considered a specialty occupation for H-1B purposes?
Generally yes, but the designation depends on how the role is defined. USCIS expects a direct relationship between the job duties and a specific degree field. Job descriptions that emphasize applied research methods, statistical analysis, and behavioral science tend to hold up well. Vague descriptions referencing general management duties introduce risk. Work with your employer's immigration counsel to ensure the offer letter clearly reflects the technical, research-driven nature of the position.
What degree do I need for a UX Research Manager to sponsor my H-1B?
A bachelor's degree or higher in human-computer interaction, cognitive science, psychology, information science, or a closely related field is the strongest foundation. Degrees in communications or business are harder to defend unless your transcript shows substantial coursework in research methodology or behavioral science. If your degree field doesn't align closely, documented work experience in a directly related research role can sometimes supplement the petition, though it won't substitute for a qualifying degree entirely.
How can I find UX Research Manager jobs that offer H-1B sponsorship?
Migrate Mate is built specifically for this. Every listing on Migrate Mate is filtered for visa sponsorship willingness, so you're not guessing which employers are open to it. UX Research Manager roles at larger tech and healthcare companies appear frequently, and many of those employers have established immigration programs that make the H-1B visa process straightforward for qualified candidates.
Do UX Research Manager roles at universities avoid the H-1B lottery?
Yes. Universities and affiliated nonprofits are cap-exempt, meaning they can file H-1B petitions at any time of year without entering the annual lottery. If you're a UX researcher supporting academic programs, student experience research, or institutional product development, a university employer could sponsor you immediately. This is one of the most practical ways to avoid the uncertainty of the general H-1B cap for research-oriented roles.
Can I get sponsored as a UX Research Manager if I'm currently on OPT or STEM OPT?
Yes, and many employers prefer candidates who are already authorized to work. If you're on F-1 OPT, you can start immediately while your employer prepares an H-1B petition for the next lottery cycle. STEM OPT extensions give UX researchers up to three years of work authorization post-graduation, which provides more runway to go through the lottery and potentially win a selection before your status expires.
What is the prevailing wage requirement for sponsored UX Research Manager jobs?
U.S. employers sponsoring a visa must pay at least the prevailing wage, which is what workers in the same role, area, and experience level typically earn. The Department of Labor sets this rate to make sure companies aren't hiring foreign workers simply because they'd accept lower pay than a U.S. worker. It varies by job title, location, and experience. You can look up current prevailing wage rates for any occupation and location using the OFLC Wage Search page.