Principal User Researcher, Senior Talent & Transformation: Design

Placing the right leader in the right role at the right time is among the highest-leverage actions Amazon can take to accelerate innovation and growth. This role builds the research function that makes it possible.Amazon's senior leaders have outsized organizational impact. Their role in accelerating innovation and growth is more critical than ever, which demands enterprise mechanisms designed to ensure this community has the support to deliver results at scale. The Senior Talent & Transformation (STT) team was created to do exactly that, building the infrastructure Amazon's senior leadership community needs for its next phase of growth.As Principal Researcher, you will establish the cross-org Voice of the Customer function responsible for making this community's needs, barriers, and unmet expectations visible to the organization. Your "customer" is Amazon's global SVP, VP, and Director population. You will design the listening architecture that captures what these leaders experience. You will translate those insights into organizational strategy. You will ensure that every transformation initiative is grounded in evidence rather than assumption.A day in the life* Leads user research that influences end-to-end user experience and impacts the long-term strategy* Advocates for inclusive and diverse products that serve all types of customers* Brings clarity to complexity, probes assumptions, illuminates pitfalls, and fosters shared understanding of customer needs* Communicates pragmatically, balancing business and customer needs, and asking the hard questions* Helps the organization move quickly, experiment and learn. Shows high judgment in driving executive-level escalations, and leads with grit and optimismAbout the teamSTT drives Amazon's most strategic senior talent and transformation initiatives. The team is composed of specialized groups focused on executive development, organizational transformation, workforce planning, and science. Our work directly impacts Amazon's senior leadership and shapes how the company evolves in the age of AI.Basic qualifications* 10+ years of conducting UX research on products and working in close partnership with executive leadership * Deep technical proficiency in different research methods, including when and how to apply them during the product development process * Master's or PhD degree in Data Science, Human-Computer Interaction, Cognitive Science, Statistics, Psychology, Anthropology, or related field * Experience communicating user research findings with senior cross-functional partners to drive impactPreferred qualification *Track record leading complex, global, multi-method research programs (emphasis on qualitative and contextual work, e.g., in-home ethnography) *Evidence of deep cultural and behavioral research revealing fundamental human needs *Experience with highly ambiguous research questions tackling future states *Demonstrated impact through new product/service creation, long-term strategy influence, or significant investment decisionsAmazon is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of protected veteran status, disability, or other legally protected status.Our inclusive culture empowers Amazonians to deliver the best results for our customers. If you have a disability and need a workplace accommodation or adjustment during the application and hiring process, including support for the interview or onboarding process, please visit for more information. If the country/region you’re applying in isn’t listed, please contact your Recruiting Partner.The base salary range for this position is listed below. Your Amazon package will include sign-on payments and restricted stock units (RSUs). Final compensation will be determined based on factors including experience, qualifications, and location. Amazon also offers comprehensive benefits including health insurance (medical, dental, vision, prescription, Basic Life & AD&D insurance and option for Supplemental life plans, EAP, Mental Health Support, Medical Advice Line, Flexible Spending Accounts, Adoption and Surrogacy Reimbursement coverage), 401(k) matching, paid time off, and parental leave. Learn more about our benefits at .USA, WA, Seattle - 181,100.00 - 245,000.00 USD annually