Senior UX Researcher

Our Mission:
Driving technology always feels old. Not by a little bit. We believe vehicles can be a thousand times smarter, safer, and more connected to the world around us, and our mission is to see it happen. In 2019, we joined forces with Honda as their first startup acquisition, and now we’re expanding our vision into building the future of electric vehicles (BEV) for millions of people around the world.

Why Drivemode:
Join Drivemode for an exciting startup environment and a vibrant culture that combines impactful work, competitive compensation, and excellent benefits. By becoming a part of our team, you'll contribute to a crucial mission that revolutionizes the way people engage with vehicles, addressing both business needs and the world's environmental challenges. This presents an exceptional opportunity to be at the forefront of innovation and drive Honda's success in the EV market.

About The Role:
Drivemode is looking for a Senior UX Researcher to join our growing UX Research team. This is our second dedicated UX research hire, and a rare opportunity to shape our research function.

You’ll partner closely with product managers, designers, and engineers at both Drivemode and Honda at Drivemode and Honda to bring clarity and confidence to design and product decisions. Your work will connect business strategy to user needs, enabling teams to move quickly without losing sight of what matters most. We’re looking for someone who brings both rigor and flexibility to their methods and is energized by ambiguous, complex problem spaces.

At Drivemode, researchers are valued strategic partners. You’ll be expected to influence roadmaps, advocate for the user, and inspire the broader design culture with curiosity, precision, and empathy.

This role is based in our Mountain View, California headquarters and has the potential to relocate to our office based in Tokyo (visa support offered).

What You’ll Do::
• Lead research that directly informs product direction and design decisions across multiple interfaces, including in cars and mobile applications multiple interfaces, including in cars and mobile applications.
• Collaborate closely with PMs, designers, and engineers to identify key questions, prioritize learning goals, and translate insights into action.
• Plan and conduct research using a range of methods: qualitative, quantitative, or mixed, based on what’s best for the problem.
• Synthesize and communicate findings clearly to drive alignment, reduce product risk, and support better decision-making.
• Help establish research best practices, tooling, and processes as the function grows.
• Shape how we bring the user perspective into product development, from early concept through launch and iteration.
• Create clarity for the business through data, insight, and effective communication

What we’re looking for::
• 5+ years of hands-on UX research experience in design and/or design and/or product organizations.
• Has been the sole or lead researcher in an organization before, and are excited to build influence, not just execute studies.
• A portfolio of research that has directly influenced digital products at scale.
• Fluency across generative and evaluative methods, and the judgment to know when to use them.
• Experience working in agile environments and navigating fast-moving, cross-functional teams.
• Strong communication and storytelling skills; you can translate research into compelling narratives for a range of stakeholders.
• A strategic mindset and comfort working in ambiguity. You ask the right questions before jumping to answers.

Nice To Have::
• Experience evaluating hardware-based user experiences
• Experience working in automotive (OEM or Tier 1)
• Experience working with a globally-distributed team
• Experience working in Japan or with Japanese customers

EEOC Statement
Drivemode is proud of a very diverse team with employees coming from 5 continents/11 countries as of today. Diversity in our workplace has played an important part in our success; we recognize each employee’s unique background, knowledge, experiences, ideas, and viewpoints which are all critical in developing a product that has the greatest impacts on drivers all over the world.
Drivemode provides equal opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, religion, color, age, gender, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, or any other characteristics that make you unique.