Principal Design Researcher

Twilio

Principal Design Researcher focusing on innovative design research for Twilio's Emerging Technology and Innovation team. Leading end-to-end research projects and collaborating with cross-functional teams.

Posted 7/20/2026full-timeRemote • California • 🇺🇸 United StatesLead💰 $171,120 - $251,600 per yearWebsite

Core Competencies

Role fit

Core Competencies

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Demonstrates expertise in leading design research initiatives, utilizing a variety of research methods to uncover customer insights and inform product strategy. Strong ability to synthesize complex data into actionable narratives while mentoring teams and advocating for customer needs.

Highest-signal resume keywords

Design Research LeadershipQualitative And Quantitative Research MethodsExceptional Communication SkillsCross-Functional CollaborationCustomer Advocacy

ATS Keywords

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Applicant Tracking System Keywords

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Hard Skills

Design ResearchUser ResearchEthnographyContextual InquiryCo-Creation WorkshopsRapid Concept ValidationData SynthesisTactical ExecutionProduct StrategyInnovation

Soft Skills

StorytellingInfluence SkillsMentorshipEntrepreneurial MindsetExecutive Presence

Industry Keywords

HCIPsychologyAnthropologyNew Product DevelopmentHigh-Growth Tech Companies

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Define & Lead Research: Lead end-to-end qualitative and quantitative design research across early-stage, exploratory projects; rigorously uncover customer needs, pain points, and emerging trends
Strategy & Opportunity Framing: Provide thought leadership and frameworks that connect research findings to business and product strategy; help teams prioritize opportunities and guide decision-making
Synthesize Insights and communicate effectively: Distill complex data into clear, actionable narratives and frameworks for senior executives, product managers, and engineers
Drive Experimentation: Collaborate with Product and Design to rapidly test new hypotheses via concepts, prototypes, and MVPs
Mentorship: Mentor and elevate best practices for design research across the Horizon 3 team and broader Twilio UX community
Customer Advocacy: Represent the voice of the customer in every conversation. Inspire teams to build solutions that surprise and delight customers

Requirements

What you’ll need

7+ years of experience in design research, user research, or a related field—preferably with time spent in innovation or new product development environments.
Proven track record of leading ambiguous, zero-to-one research programs in fast-paced, high-growth tech companies.
Mastery of a wide array of research methods, from ethnography and contextual inquiry to co-creation workshops and rapid concept validation.
Experience with qualitative and quantitative data, and ability to easily switch between big-picture thinking and tactical execution.
Exceptional communication, storytelling, and influence skills—executive presence a must.
Passion for working on highly cross-functional teams and an entrepreneurial, “builder” mentality.
Bachelor’s or advanced degree in HCI, Design, Psychology, Anthropology, or a related discipline.

Benefits

Comp & perks

healthcare
a retirement savings program
paid sick time
paid personal time off
paid parental leave