Usability Engineer
PayPal

About PayPal User Interface Design & User Research:

Do you have a creative eye for design? Do you often ponder what makes people do the things they do? If so, then we have a position for you! The design and research group here at PayPal is comprised of a multi-cultural, multi-talented team of individuals whose skills range from conceptual design to contextual inquiries. We are a passionate bunch of highly skilled user experience specialists - our focus is driving the goals of the business, by defining and creatively addressing the needs of our users. You could be one of us!

Usability Engineer

The qualified candidate will be responsible for leading user research initiatives in support of product development. This person will work closely with marketing and product groups to define study requirements and plan and oversee specific research initiatives. The successful candidate should be able to handle multiple concurrent projects while still managing tight deadlines. Excellent communication skills are a must. Compensation is commensurate with experience.

Roles & Responsibilities:

• Using appropriate user centered design methods, conduct research throughout the iterative design process
• Plan, design and conduct usability evaluations including heuristic evaluations, card sorts, competitive analyses, cognitive walkthroughs, 1:1 discount usability sessions, field studies, focus groups, etc.
• Analyze and interpret data, compile professional reports and present findings to cross functional teams
• Create personas, profiles, and usage scenarios based on research results
• Keep abreast of current usability developments and new methodologies
• Must be able to manage vendor relationships (e.g., recruiters, outsourcing research to outside firms)

Position Requirements:

• At least 3 years of solid industry experience conducting all forms of informal and formal usability research methodologies
• Advanced degree in Experimental Psychology, Cognitive Psychology, Human Factors, Human Computer Interaction, or other related discipline with a solid foundation in research-based design using both quantitative and qualitative methods
• Solid, demonstrated experience conducting usability research for large scale websites or web-based applications
• Experience writing appropriate discussion guides, screeners, test protocols, etc.
• Must be able to work independently and drive towards deadlines

Preferred but not required:

• Experience with online/remote usability tools (Netraker, Vividence, etc.)
• Experience with appropriate video capture and editing applications and running a research lab
• Experience with usability of financial-based systems a plus
• Experience performing research on large scale, international websites
• Experience building recruiting databases a plus
• Ability to rapidly prototype designs in HTML

About PayPal:

PayPal has quickly become a global leader in online payment solutions with over 75 million account members worldwide. Available in over 45 countries around the world, buyers and sellers on eBay, online retailers, online businesses, as well as traditional offline businesses are transacting with PayPal.

PayPal has received over 20 awards for technical excellence from the Internet industry and the business community at large - most recently the 2005 Webby People's Voice Award for Best Finance Services Site.

PayPal lets any business or consumer with an email address securely, conveniently and cost-effectively send and receive payments online. The PayPal network builds on the existing financial infrastructure of bank accounts and credit cards to create a global, real-time payment solution

To apply for this position, please email your resume and/or portfolio to KIM SLY at : ksly@paypal.com.