NinjaTrader is hiring: Sr. UX Researcher in Chicago

Compensation

Base pay range: $155,000.00/yr - $175,000.00/yr

Additional compensation types: Annual Bonus

The salary range for this role will be $155,000 - $175,000 USD. In addition, this position will also receive an annual target bonus of 12%. Bonus pay at NinjaTrader is based on individual performance (50%) as well as company/team performance (50%).

Salary and bonus earnings are only two components of the total compensation package offered by NinjaTrader. NinjaTrader offers a 401K plan through ADP under which the company will match up to 3.5% of employee contributions. Annual paid time off allowance accrues at a rate of 18 days per year (some positions may qualify for more) plus seven paid holidays.

What you’ll do

• 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.
• Influence the design and development of NinjaTrader’s Futures Trading platform to meet the needs of expert and new traders.

Responsibilities

• Strategically select and apply research methods based on project needs
• Generative research to explore trader behaviors, workflows, and pain points
• Concept validation to refine ideas before development
• Evaluative research to assess the effectiveness of design solutions
• Behavioral and quantitative research to track user patterns and validate findings at scale
• Conduct in-depth 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 and user needs focus
• Present findings through reports, workshops, and data-driven storytelling
• Partner with market researchers and data analysts to triangulate insights with behavioral data and market trends
• Establish and refine research frameworks, processes, and best practices to scale impact

What you’ll need

• 5+ years of UX research experience in fintech, trading, enterprise software, or similar
• Expertise in a broad range of research methods and when to apply them
• Experience conducting usability studies and optimizing workflows for high-stakes environments
• Ability to synthesize qualitative and quantitative insights into a clear user story
• Proficiency in UX research tools and behavioral analytics
• Strong collaboration skills across design, product, data, marketing, and engineering
• Excellent communication and storytelling abilities with experience presenting to senior stakeholders
• Experience with futures trading platforms or 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 is a plus

Location and schedule

This role is based in Chicago, IL. There may be remote flexibility for certain exceptional candidates in listed states. Hybrid: Chicago-based employees observe a hybrid schedule: in-office Tuesday through Thursday, remote on Mondays and Fridays. Additional flex remote days and company-wide office-optional weeks are available.

Benefits

• Generous PTO
• 7 paid holidays annually + 5 conditional holidays
• 1 service day annually
• 401k with 3.5% company match
• Life and disability insurance covered 100% by NinjaTrader

Equal Employment Opportunity: We are committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, disability, gender, gender identity or expression, or veteran status. We are proud to be an equal opportunity workplace.