Product User Researcher (CPG, Physical Goods) [AQ-20491]

About the role

Are you ready to redefine how millions interact with everyday products? This is your chance to join a pioneering team at a world-renowned leader in consumer packaged goods, where your expertise will directly shape the physical products that millions use every day. You’ll be instrumental in refining product packaging, ensuring it’s not just functional but truly intuitive and delightful for users, directly influencing the next generation of household staples. As an Aquent talent, you’ll partner with this industry giant, contributing your specialized skills to their cutting-edge packaging innovation initiatives.

About our client

Our client is dedicated to enhancing daily life through innovative and accessible products. They are committed to continuous improvement and user-centric design, constantly pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in physical product interaction. Their mission is to create products that seamlessly integrate into daily routines, making everyday tasks easier and more enjoyable for consumers worldwide.

About the opportunity

Are you a user researcher who thrives in the physical world, with a keen eye for how human hands interact with objects? We are seeking an exceptional individual to join a dynamic team, focusing exclusively on physical packaging innovation. This is not a digital UX role; instead, you’ll be diving deep into the tactile experience of products like toothpaste tubes, mouthwash bottles, and pump sprays. You will play a crucial role in conducting rapid-iteration user interviews and observational studies, directly influencing design decisions and helping to build a groundbreaking new research program. Your insights will be critical in identifying “pain points” and “gain points” related to grip, accessibility, force, and overall tactile feel, ensuring that every product interaction is seamless and intuitive. This is a unique chance to shape the future of everyday products and directly impact user satisfaction on a massive scale. This is a freelance, part-time, project-based role with potential for 10+ hours per week during active periods. Please note that weekly work is not guaranteed, and interviews typically require 3-day to 1-week notice based on prototype availability.

What you’ll do

• Conduct in-person, 1-on-1 user interviews to observe how individuals interact with 3D-printed prototypes and existing packaging.
• Perform ergonomic observations, meticulously identifying “pain points” and “gain points” related to grip, accessibility, required force, and the overall tactile experience.
• Provide rapid synthesis and quick-turnaround debriefs to the Packaging Innovation team, directly informing the next day’s design iterations.
• Assist in developing user journey maps that meticulously track the physical steps