Job Description

Senior UX Researcher

Be essential at Cars Commerce

At Cars Commerce, we're fanatical about simplifying everything about car buying and selling. We do right by our customers and consumers to better connect the industry with simplified and tierless technology to enhance, measure and drive local automotive retail. Whether through our No.1 most recognized marketplace, Cars.com, our industry-leading digital experience, Dealer Inspire, our trade and appraisal technology, AccuTrade, our reputation-based digital wholesale auction marketplace, Dealerclub, or our new Cars Commerce Media Network, Cars Commerce is essential for success in the automotive industry.

No one ever travels alone here: at its core, Cars Commerce is collaboration. In fact, it's built into the very fabric of our shared values. We like to say we Rise Together – putting people at the center of what we do, from consumer to customer to community. Life at Cars Commerce makes it easy when we share the ethos to be Open to All, encouraging open-minded communication because we know diverse thinking yields better outcomes. But critical to our success is Caring to Challenge and Taking Ownership, fueling a competitive spirit in a respectful environment where we think about tomorrow but act today. At our foundation, we have integrity, Doing the Right Thing, even when it's hard. It's our shared commitment to these values that makes Cars Commerce a place where growth becomes not only possible, but downright unavoidable.

But don't take our word for it. We are proud to be named one of Built In's 2026 Best Places to Work in Chicago and across the U.S. Ready to make your mark? Join a team that's driving real change in the automotive industry.

Join us in shaping a future of Automotive Commerce. Cars Commerce builds solutions for automotive dealerships, manufacturers, and consumers. Our driving force is to deliver a single platform that simplifies everything about buying and selling cars.

Our Product Team drives our industry-leading platforms that includes Cars.com, Dealer Inspire and other brands — giving the platforms the reach, data, and ecosystem depth to build products that move the industry forward.

We are on a transformational journey, building innovative services that redefine how we deliver value to our customers. As a Senior UX Researcher in our Product Team, you will shape the future of our platforms and make a lasting impact within the automotive industry.

About you - Our Senior UX Researcher at CARS Commerce will serve as a key figure within the UX research team, contributing to the strategic direction and execution of user research initiatives.

The Senior UX Researcher will independently lead complex, high-impact research initiatives — executing rigorous qualitative and quantitative studies and translating user insights into actionable recommendations that shape product strategy and design decisions. This role partners closely with product managers, designers, engineers, and other stakeholders throughout the process.

Beyond individual research execution, the Senior UX Researcher plays a key role in strengthening the broader research practice — advancing research methodologies, and championing customer-centered decision-making across the organization

Why You'll Be Excited About This Role

• Lead strategic user research initiatives, including defining research objectives, designing methodologies, and conducting research activities.
• Take ownership of high-impact research projects, from inception to completion, and ensure the delivery of actionable insights that inform product decisions.
• Provide guidance on research methodologies, data analysis techniques, and presentation skills.
• Help strengthen our research practice and build research capabilities across Product.
• Collaborate closely with cross-functional teams, including product managers, designers, and engineers, to integrate user feedback into product development decisions.
• Advocate for user-centered design principles and the importance of UX research within the organization, influencing decision-making processes and driving a culture of customer empathy.
• Stay informed about industry trends and emerging research methodologies, and contribute to the development of the research practice within the organization.

We're Excited About You Because…

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in human-computer interaction, psychology, anthropology, or a related field.
• 5+ years of experience in UX research or a related field, with a track record of leading complex research projects.
• Experience working in SaaS organizations
• Expertise in mixed-methods research, with demonstrated ability to select and apply appropriate qualitative and quantitative methods, including moderated and unmoderated usability testing, generative research, surveys, and behavioral analysis.
• Experience managing the full research lifecycle — from scoping and study design to execution, synthesis, and driving action based on research findings.
• Proven ability to partner effectively with product managers, designers, engineers, and other stakeholders to embed research into product development.
• Excellent communication and influencing skills, with the ability to articulate complex research findings and insights to diverse audiences.
• Strategic mindset with the ability to align research efforts with business goals and drive organizational change through user-centered design principles.

Bonus:

• Automotive industry experience

In the spirit of pay transparency, we are excited to share the base salary range for this position. In addition to base salary, some roles are eligible for our bonus and/or equity programs, depending on level and role. Regular full-time positions are eligible for our comprehensive benefits package. If you are hired at Cars Commerce, your final base salary compensation will be determined based on factors such as skills and/or experience. If the salary range is close to what you're seeking, then we encourage you to apply and learn more about the total compensation package for this position.Salary Range$118,600.00-148,250.00

Our Comprehensive Benefits Package includes:

• Medical, Dental & Vision Healthcare Plans
• New Hire Stipend for Home Office Set-Up
• Generous PTO
• Paid Holidays, Floating Holiday, Volunteer Day, Recharge Day

For US-based Positions: Applicants must be authorized to work in the United States. Please note that we are unable to sponsor employment visas at this time. We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at our company. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status.

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