Sr UX Researcher

Full-time - Mid Level

Chicago, IL

About the position

Welcome to the dynamic world of NinjaTrader! As an industry-leading trading platform and futures broker, we're on a mission to empower traders to take control of their financial destiny. How do we do it? We provide cutting-edge products and services that enhance the trading journey. Whether a seasoned pro or just starting out, NinjaTrader equips traders with award-winning software and brokerage services to navigate the world's leading financial markets with confidence. Our growth story is nothing short of exhilarating. Over the last 20 years, NinjaTrader has been dedicated to understanding and supporting traders on their journey toward trading triumph. In the last five years alone, our user base has grown by 400% to over 1.9 million users and we have become the number one rated futures brokerage worldwide. But we're not stopping there. We're constantly evolving, pushing boundaries, and modernizing the futures industry. Our commitment to innovation means users will always have access to dynamic tools, real-time support, and a community of like-minded traders. So, why work at NinjaTrader? Here, you're not just part of a team; you're part of a movement. We empower employees to reach new heights in their careers by providing a dynamic culture focused on social connection, professional development, and employee recognition initiatives. Sounds too good to be true? Take it from our employees. Join us as we redefine what's possible in trading, advocate for our customers, and continue our journey toward becoming the world's top retail-focused trading platform in the world.

Responsibilities

• Lead research initiatives that bridge the gap between complex trading workflows and intuitive product design.
• Apply a variety of research methodologies, from generative to evaluative, to uncover user needs, validate solutions, and optimize the trading experience.
• Strategically select and apply research methods based on project needs.
• Conduct generative research to explore trader behaviors, workflows, and pain points.
• Perform concept validation to refine ideas before development.
• Conduct evaluative research to assess the effectiveness of design solutions.
• Utilize behavioral and quantitative research to track user patterns and validate findings at scale.
• Conduct deep research into trader psychology, decision-making under pressure, and automation workflows.
• Collaborate with designers, product managers, and engineers to translate insights into user-centered solutions.
• Develop personas and journey maps to align stakeholders on trader goals and pain points.
• Advocate for research-backed decision-making, ensuring UX is grounded in user needs rather than assumptions.
• Present findings in compelling ways through reports, workshops, and data-driven storytelling.
• Partner with market researchers and data analysts to triangulate user insights with behavioral data and market trends.
• Establish and refine research frameworks, processes, and best practices to scale research impact across teams.

Requirements

• 5+ years of UX research experience in complex environments (fintech, trading, enterprise software, or similar domains).
• Expertise in a broad range of research methods, knowing when and how to apply each based on the research objective.
• Experience conducting usability studies and optimizing workflows for high-stakes decision-making environments.
• Ability to synthesize qualitative and quantitative insights to tell a clear and compelling user story.
• Proficiency in UX research tools and behavioral analytics.
• Strong collaboration skills, with the ability to work across design, product, data, marketing, and engineering teams to drive user-centered solutions.
• Excellent communication and storytelling abilities, with experience presenting insights to senior stakeholders.

Nice-to-haves

• Experience with futures trading platforms or other financial markets.
• Background in behavioral economics or cognitive psychology.
• Experience working in fast-paced, agile environments.
• Familiarity with trading platforms, real-time data visualization, risk management tools, or trading concepts.

Benefits

• Hybrid Schedule with Extra Remote Flexibility (Totaling over 55% remote time).
• Generous PTO.
• 7 Paid Holidays Annually + 5 Conditional Holidays Annually.
• 1 Service Day Annually.
• 401k with 3.5% Company Match.
• Health, Vision, Dental Coverage.
• Life and Disability Insurance Covered 100% by NinjaTrader.
• Flexible Spending Accounts for Transit and Parking.
• Gym Membership.