
Senior UX Researcher
Chainguard is the secure foundation for software development and deployment. By providing guarded open source software, built from source and updated continuously, Chainguard helps organizations eliminate threats in their software supply chains.
Founded by the industry's leading experts on open source software, security and cloud native development, Chainguard has built the largest library of open source software that is secure by default.
Chainguard’s mission is to be the safe source for open source.
UX Research at Chainguard
Chainguard’s UX team is deeply situated in an industry that is security-centric and informed by software. We believe that design has an important part to play in ensuring developers get signal from noise. We deliver experiences that progressively enhance existing patterns and point to desired paths that are secure by default. We work at different resolutions of the problem space and we navigate complexity with the right methods at the right time.
Our closest collaborators are thoughtful and talented humans in technical spaces. We take a systems-oriented approach to working on initiatives and deliver high quality experiences with our peers. The practice’s core strengths are in visual design, interaction design, and prototyping. We apply these strengths to support individuals and organizations in their journeys.
The role, in a nutshell:
At Chainguard, User Experience Research is responsible for bringing the voice of the customer into the way that we prioritize, design, build and deliver exceptional user experiences. The ideal candidate will have a strong understanding of User Research methods and tools, and a proven ability to influence organizational priorities and product direction by presenting key user insights across the organization.
What you’ll do:
- Contribute to product discovery: The product team is centered on creating initiatives that contribute to Chainguard’s ongoing success. As a member of the product team you’ll apply your skills towards shaping these initiatives from start to delivery.
- Lead user research initiatives across multiple projects: Inform the design and development of industry leading secure software supply chain products and services.
- Plan and execute qualitative and quantitative research: Define and drive mixed-method research efforts, including user interviews, surveys, usability testing, field studies, and data analysis to uncover user needs, pain points, and behaviors.
- Collaborate with designers, product managers, engineers and more: Product initiatives are powered by highly collaborative teams. You’ll work closely with peers at each phase of an initiative and being self-sufficient in highlighting user needs and insights that shape an ideal user experience.
- Help establish and evolve the UX Research function: Work on greenfield user-centered initiatives that support products and beyond. You’ll contribute to Chainguard’s UX design and development practice by refining processes, tools, and ways of working.
What we're looking for:
- 5+ years of relevant product design experience
- Experience in B2B enterprise SaaS. Especially in developer tools and managed services
- Work examples that best demonstrate your approach to initiatives
- Robust set of UX research practices to support decision making and design improvements
- Well-rounded experience working with complexity and user-centered research methodologies, including qualitative and quantitative research
- Strong communication skills to ensure insights are clear and easy to incorporate
- Passionate about research quality and attention to detail
- Understanding of security and privacy practices related to interacting with customers and non-customers
Nice to haves:
- Experience in Cyber Security and managed cloud infrastructure such as Kubernetes
- Experience with Open Source Software and related communities of practice
- Understanding of the Software Development Life Cycle
Base Salary Range
$144,000 - $198,000 USD
About Us
We live and breathe our company values:
We are customer obsessed - We focus on delivering solutions to our customers that create value and make their lives better.
We have a bias for intentional action - We prioritize, plan, try things, and fail fast.
We don’t take ourselves too seriously (but we do serious work) - We are solving an important problem which takes focus, but we also like to enjoy the journey.
We trust each other and assume good intentions - We’re transparent with decisions to empower team members to make well informed decisions.
A few of the benefits we offer:
- Flexible & Remote-First Culture: Work remotely with team meetup opportunities, bi-annual destination summits, and a $400 monthly stipend for coworking spaces, phone and internet costs.
- Our Approach to Equity: Receive stock options upon hire and promotion. Plus, you can participate in secondary offerings and have 10 years to exercise your options (yes, you read that correctly: 10 years!).
- 100% Covered Health Insurance: We cover 100% of your health, vision and dental insurance premiums for you and your dependents. Nothing comes out of your paycheck.
- ∞ Flexible Time Off: Take the time you need – to do our best work, we need to recharge and reset.
- 18 Weeks Paid Parental Leave: We offer 18 weeks for birthing parents and 12 weeks for non-birthing parents, with the option to use it all at once or throughout your child's first year.
- For a full list of our benefits and rewards, click here.
If your experience is close but doesn’t fulfill all requirements, please apply. We’re building the best team in technology and are focused on hiring “Chainguardians'' with unique backgrounds, perspectives, and experiences.
Chainguard is an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate based upon race, religion, color, national origin, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, reproductive health decisions, or related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, status as a protected veteran, status as an individual with a disability, genetic information, political views or activity, or other applicable legally protected characteristics. We also consider qualified applicants with criminal histories, consistent with applicable federal, state and local law.
By submitting your application, you acknowledge that Chainguard will process your personal data in accordance with Chainguard’s Privacy Policy.
©2025 Chainguard. All Rights Reserved.
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