UI/UX Researcher

Role: UI/UX Researcher Location: Chicago, IL (Hybrid) Payrate: $55-61/hr Let s create our future together at The AES Group! About The AES Group The AES Group is a premier technology and engineering consulting company that has been bringing businesses and talent together for over 20 years to deliver innovative solutions that have the greatest positive impact on society. AES has helped over 40 business enterprises, including Fortune 500 companies, engage their customers, empower their employees, and transform their business operations with the power of cloud, data, AI, engineering, and other emerging technologies. Position Overview We are seeking an experienced UI/UX Researcher to join the Shop Team. This role will leverage deep expertise in user research, human-computer interaction, and UX best practices to inform the design, testing, and documentation of user experiences. The ideal candidate will work closely with designers, engineers, product owners, and stakeholders to translate research insights into actionable recommendations that drive exceptional user experiences. Required Qualifications Education Bachelor's degree or higher in Human-Computer Interaction, Human Factors, Psychology, User Experience, or a related field. Equivalent experience may be considered in lieu of degree requirements. Experience 8+ years of UX Research experience, preferably in a corporate, enterprise, or B2B environment. Proven experience driving UX strategy through research, testing, and stakeholder engagement. Portfolio showcasing UX research methodologies, processes, insights, and business impact. Required Skills UX Research & Design Expertise in user research methodologies and usability testing. Strong understanding of UX principles, UI best practices, and interaction design. Experience incorporating research findings into product design decisions. Proficiency with UX/UI design, wireframing, prototyping, and specification tools. Ability to manage multiple projects and competing priorities. Key Responsibilities Translate user research and usability testing findings into prioritized, actionable UI/UX recommendations. Identify, clarify, and advocate for user, customer, and business needs, transforming insights into compelling user experiences. Plan, facilitate, and execute UX research initiatives using appropriate methodologies. Integrate research findings into product design strategies and design practices. Collaborate with designers on prototype development, testing, and iteration. Document UX goals, behaviors, workflows, themes, and design requirements for downstream UI teams. Create and maintain UX artifacts such as:User journeys Storyboards User flows Research reports Experience maps Develop and communicate the overall UX strategy, including guiding principles, interaction patterns, and experience standards. Prioritize research efforts and backlog items based on product roadmap objectives. Present insights and recommendations to stakeholders through compelling, data-driven storytelling. Team & Environment Join a team of 11 professionals supporting multiple workstreams, along with 2 interns. Collaborate closely with Designers, Product Owners, Engineers, Strategists, and Leadership. Strong stakeholder management and cross-functional collaboration skills are critical. Hybrid work environment with onsite attendance as needed. Empathy Candidates Should Demonstrate: Strong ability to gather, organize, synthesize, and interpret user and stakeholder feedback. Genuine curiosity to understand user needs and pain points. Open-minded listening skills and a user-centered approach to problem-solving. Adaptive Thinking Candidates Should Demonstrate: Ability to quickly adapt to changing priorities, requirements, and product direction. Comfort navigating ambiguity and evolving business needs. Willingness to embrace challenges as learning opportunities while making informed decisions independently. Communication & Leadership Outstanding verbal and written communication skills. Excellent organization, prioritization, and time-management abilities. Strong stakeholder management and collaboration skills. Exceptional storytelling skills with the ability to translate complex data into actionable insights. Preferred Qualifications Experience in project management. Experience working within large enterprise organizations. Background supporting cross-functional product teams in Agile environments.