User Research Lead

About Plaud Inc. Plaud is building the world's most trusted AI work companion for professionals to elevate productivity and performance through note‑taking solutions, loved by over 1,000,000 users worldwide since 2023. With a mission to amplify human intelligence, Plaud is building the next‑generation intelligence infrastructure and interfaces to capture, extract, and utilize what you say, hear, see, and think. Plaud Inc. is a Delaware‑incorporated, San Francisco‑based company pushing the boundary of human–AI intelligence through a hardware–software combination. With ISO 27001, ISO 27701, GDPR, SOC 2, HIPAA, and EN 18031 compliance, Plaud is committed to the highest standards of data security and privacy protection. To learn more about Plaud, please visit and follow along on Instagram, X, Facebook, LinkedIn, and YouTube. Why You Should Join Us Plaud is building the next generation intelligence infrastructure and interfaces to capture, extract, and utilize intelligence from what people say, hear, see, and think. Plaud is a bootstrapped, skyrocketing, profitable company with a $250M revenue run rate achieved in just three years. Define the next‑gen paradigm for human‑AI interaction. Gain exposure to cutting‑edge AI for Pro tools and play a direct role in our global expansion. Work with passionate teammates who value innovation, collaboration, and customer success. Grow your career in a culture that champions continuous learning and fast career development. Market‑competitive compensation, global exposure, and a vibrant, creativity‑fueled work atmosphere. About the Role We are seeking an experienced User Research Lead to lead research initiatives that shape product strategy and user experience across our AI‑enabled ecosystem. You will design and execute research that uncovers user needs, evaluates usability, and identifies growth opportunities—working closely with R&D, product marketing, data, and engineering teams in a lean startup environment. What You Will Do Lead end‑to‑end research initiatives (generative, evaluative, usability, competitive benchmarking) that directly drive product and business outcomes such as activation, retention, NPS, and conversion. Partner closely with Product, Engineering, Marketing, and Design to translate insights into shipped improvements, ensuring findings are tied to measurable impact. Translate complex findings into clear, actionable recommendations for leadership and cross‑functional teams. Build scalable research frameworks to support fast iteration cycles in a startup environment.Conduct both qualitative and quantitative methods (interviews, surveys, analytics, diary studies, A/B testing) in fast iteration cycles typical of startup and AI product environments. Ensure products are localized and culturally relevant across AI‑enabled device + software workflows. Mentor junior researchers and help establish a research operations playbook for consistency and efficiency. Minimum Qualifications 5+ years of experience in user or UX research, or customer insights, ideally spanning consumer tech, AI, SaaS, or connected hardware. Proven ability to connect research to measurable outcomes — demonstrated through shipped features, improved KPIs, or validated design changes. Strong expertise in both qualitative and quantitative methods, including survey design, data analysis, and experiment design. Ability to work independently and manage multiple projects simultaneously.Exceptional communication skills — able to influence stakeholders at all levels. Preferred Qualifications Experience working in AI, SaaS, or fast‑paced tech environments with iterative development cycles. Proficiency with research tools (e.g., UserTesting, Dovetail, Maze, Figma, Qualtrics). Familiarity with data analytics and behavioral metrics to complement qualitative insights. Ability to manage multiple projects, prioritize effectively, and thrive in ambiguity. Passionate about the intersection of technology, creativity, and human experience. Disclaimer : Plaud is and will continue to be an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, age, veteran status, disability, genetic information, or other applicable legally protected characteristics. #J-18808-Ljbffr