Senior UX Researcher

Job Description

Team

Woven by Toyota is building Arene, a world-class software development platform that supports Toyota's renewed focus on Battery Electric Vehicles (BEV) development and empowers the evolution of the relationship between hardware and software. Arene is at the core of this transformative shift and will provide the pipeline and tools that engineers need to deliver innovative software to the vehicles — quickly and safely. Join the Arene User Experience team and help shape the future of the automotive industry, representing the diverse voices of our users!

Who We Are Looking For

We are looking for an experienced user researcher who can navigate dynamic situations, develop a comprehensive understanding of our users' challenges, and translate research into valuable insights that guide innovation and inform the development of the Arene suite of products. We need someone who can understand user needs, requirements, and technical constraints, while also engaging in meaningful discussions with developers. Collaboration with designers and product managers is necessary, advocating for user-centered practices across the organization. Is this you?

The reality is that the automotive industry is intricate, with numerous interdependent components and rapidly advancing technology. That's why we require team members who can analyze the complex problems we face, quickly comprehend the intricacies of our processes, anticipate the impact of UX insights on unprecedented products, and enhance existing customer experiences to create the future of mobility software — for everyone. It's a significant endeavor.

You will report to the Head of Product Design, and this role is hybrid.

Responsibilities

As a Senior UX Researcher at Woven, you will lead research efforts in a multifaceted and technically challenging landscape, collaborating with a UX team that sets the industry standards for vehicle software development. Your research will help shape product decisions and guiding the roadmap.

• Lead user research projects that encompass complex products and services, through brainstorming to user adoption
• Identify user research opportunities and collaborate with product managers, designers, and engineers to create a stream of valuable insights
• Support product designers in a user-centered design process, including evaluative research
• Define user-centered metrics that help to center the culture around user needs
• Serve as an advocate for user needs and user-centered design throughout the Woven by Toyota organization

Daily, you will have the chance to inform and reshape the future of software at Toyota and design for a new era. By working with designers, user researchers, product managers, and engineers, and collaborating with Toyota teams located all over the globe, you'll be instrumental to Toyota's transition from a "traditional" car manufacturer into a mobility, software-first company.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience in qualitative research methods at all stages, including study planning, recruitment, moderation and reporting
• A portfolio that showcases research projects and their measured impact
• Ability to communicate insights and research findings in a compelling way
• Fluency in English (Native or equivalent proficiency)
• Business-level fluency in Japanese

Nice to Haves

• Experience establishing research standards and scaling research practices across an organization
• Experience integrating research across different product areas
• Experience conducting research for engineering and development tools
• Experience conducting research for enterprise software tools
• Experience in the automotive industry

If you are located outside of Japan we will set up an interview over Google Hangout Meet or Skype.

About the Company

Woven by Toyota is the mobility technology subsidiary of Toyota Motor Corporation. Our mission is to deliver safe, intelligent, human-centered mobility for all. Through our Arene mobility software platform, safety-first automated driving technology and Toyota Woven City — our test course for advanced mobility — we’re bringing greater freedom, safety and happiness to people and society.

Our unique global culture weaves modern Silicon Valley innovation and time-tested Japanese quality craftsmanship. We leverage these complementary strengths to amplify the capabilities of drivers, foster happiness, and elevate well-being.

What We Offer

• Competitive Salary - Based on experience
• Work Hours - Flexible working time with NO core-hours
• Paid Holiday - 20 days per year (prorated)
• Sick Leave - 6 days per year (prorated)
• Holiday - Sat & Sun, Japanese National Holidays, and other days defined by our company
• Japanese Social Security - all applicable (Health Insurance, Pension, Workers’ Comp, and Unemployment Insurance, Long-term care insurance)
• In-house Training Program (software study/language study)

Our Commitment

• We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity.
• We pledge that any information we receive from you will be used ONLY for the purpose of hiring assessment.