Lead User Experience Researcher and Designer

Job Description
At Boeing, we innovate and collaborate to make the world a better place. We're committed to fostering an environment for every teammate that's welcoming, respectful and inclusive, with great opportunity for professional growth. Find your future with us.
The Boeing Company is seeking a Lead User Experience Researcher and Designer to join the team.
The Lead User Experience Researcher and Designer develops and leads enterprise-level strategies to ensure effective, usable, and satisfying user experiences with information technology solutions. This role involves conducting advanced user research, defining usability standards, and overseeing user-centered design processes for complex projects. The position requires diagnosing and resolving highly complex usability issues, refining designs, and recommending improvements to enhance user interaction and satisfaction. A key focus includes designing for Human-AI Interaction, incorporating Explainable AI (XAI) patterns, applying Service Design principles, crafting engaging People Analytics and Conversational AI experiences, and developing personas to optimize employee experiences across HR processes and systems.
This position allows the selected candidate to be based out of one of the following: Seattle, WA; Berkeley, MO; Hazelwood, MO; Chicago, IL, or North Charleston, SC.
Position Responsibilities:

• Leads the development and execution of user experience strategies aligned with business goals
• Conducts and oversees comprehensive user research including interviews, contextual inquiries, and observations to understand user needs and workflows
• Develops detailed personas and user profiles to represent diverse user groups, with a focus on HR employees and stakeholders
• Defines usability goals, requirements, and standards for complex projects and enterprise-wide initiatives
• Develops interaction design alternatives, prototypes, and conducts usability evaluations using both formative and summative methods
• Designs intuitive and effective Human-AI interaction models that enhance user trust and transparency, leveraging Explainable AI (XAI) patterns
• Applies Service Design principles to create seamless, end-to-end user experiences across multiple touchpoints
• Designs and optimizes Conversational AI experiences that are natural, efficient, and user-centric
• Focuses on enhancing employee experience by improving usability and engagement across HR processes and systems
• Analyzes usability data, diagnoses issues, and recommends design refinements or changes
• Collaborates with cross-functional teams to integrate user-centered design principles throughout the project lifecycle
• Mentors and guides UX team members and stakeholders on best practices and methodologies
• Advocates for customer focus and continuous improvement in user experience quality and safety

Behavioral Competencies:

• Business Acumen: Understands organizational operations, market trends, and competitive landscape to align UX strategies with business objectives
• Communication: Conveys complex ideas and research findings to diverse audiences using various media
• Continuous Learning: Seeks feedback and pursues professional development to enhance UX expertise
• Customer Focus: Prioritizes user needs and ensures solutions meet or exceed customer expectations
• Innovation/Creativity: Applies innovative thinking to solve UX challenges and improve design processes
• Quality: Commits to delivering high-quality, defect-free user experiences
• Safety Awareness: Promotes and upholds safety standards in all design and research activities

Technical Skills:

• Advanced knowledge of user research methodologies (e.g., interviews, contextual inquiry, observation)
• Expertise in usability evaluation methods including heuristic evaluation, formative and summative testing
• Proficiency in interaction design and prototype development tools
• Strong understanding of human factors, usability principles, and design standards
• Capability to analyze and synthesize data to develop actionable insights
• Experience with statistical concepts relevant to usability analysis
• Systems thinking to understand and anticipate the impact of design decisions across complex systems
• Proficient with relevant IT tools and software for data management, design, and communication
• Experience with designing Explainable AI (XAI) patterns to improve AI transparency and user trust
• Knowledge of Service Design principles to create holistic and integrated user experiences
• Skilled in designing and optimizing Conversational AI experiences, including voice and chat interfaces
• Expertise in persona development to accurately represent user groups and inform design decisions
• Understanding of HR processes and employee experience design across HR systems

Basic Qualifications (Required Skills/Experience):

• Bachelor's degree in Human-Computer Interaction, Psychology, Design, Computer Science, or related field
• Experience in user experience research and design, preferably in complex or enterprise environments
• Experience designing for Human-AI Interaction and Conversational AI
• Experience in persona development, particularly for HR and employee-focused systems
• Proven capability to lead user-centered design projects and teams
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with experience in usability evaluation techniques

Preferred Qualifications (Desired Skills/Experience):

• Master's degree in a related field
• Certifications such as Certified Usability Analyst (CUA), UX Certification, or similar credentials
• Experience working in aerospace, defense, or highly regulated industries
• Experience with AI-driven products and services, particularly in Human-AI interaction design
• Experience designing employee experience solutions within HR domains
• Experience in leading UX initiatives at an enterprise scale

Conflict of Interest: Successful candidates for this job must satisfy the Company's Conflict of Interest (COI) assessment process" to all job descriptions moving forward.
Drug Free Workplace:
Boeing is a Drug Free Workplace where post offer applicants and employees are subject to testing for marijuana, cocaine, opioids, amphetamines, PCP, and alcohol when criteria is met as outlined in our policies.
Pay & Benefits:
At Boeing, we strive to deliver a Total Rewards package that will attract, engage and retain the top talent. Elements of the Total Rewards package include competitive base pay and variable compensation opportunities.
The Boeing Company also provides eligible employees with an opportunity to enroll in a variety of benefit programs, generally including health insurance, flexible spending accounts, health savings accounts, retirement savings plans, life and disability insurance programs, and a number of programs that provide for both paid and unpaid time away from work.
The specific programs and options available to any given employee may vary depending on eligibility factors such as geographic location, date of hire, and the applicability of collective bargaining agreements.
Pay is based upon candidate experience and qualifications, as well as market and business considerations.
Summary pay range: $162,350 - $234,600
Applications for this position will be accepted until Feb. 10, 2026
Export Control Requirements:
This is not an Export Control position.
Education
Bachelor's Degree or Equivalent Required
Relocation
This position offers relocation based on candidate eligibility.
Visa Sponsorship
Employer will not sponsor applicants for employment visa status.
Shift
This position is for 1st shift
Equal Opportunity Employer:
Boeing is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, physical or mental disability, genetic factors, military/veteran status or other characteristics protected by law.