User Research Intern (Tools) - Master's (Games)

Location: Burbank, California, United States; on-site role with a hybrid working policy referenced. Must be authorized to work for any employer in the United States without requiring current or future work visa sponsorship. Relocation assistance is available for eligible candidates.

Intern pay: $40.25 per hour for the internship period.

Company

Work with hirify.global and Insomniac Games on research supporting game development workflows and player experiences.

What you will do

• Develop research questions with User Research and Development Management partners about tool use, workflow challenges, user needs, and workarounds.
• Design and conduct surveys and support participant recruitment, interviews, and observed workflow sessions using participant consent and studio recording practices.
• Organize and analyze survey responses, interview notes, and observations to identify themes, role-based differences, and improvement opportunities.
• Prepare reports and presentations for tool owners and development partners to communicate findings and inform practical improvements.
• Support usability studies and playtests, including participant logistics, session preparation, observation, and note-taking.
• Analyze player feedback and contribute to research reports that help game development teams understand player experiences.

Requirements

• Currently pursuing or having completed a bachelor’s or master’s degree in Psychology, Human-Computer Interaction, Human Factors, Cognitive Science, or a related field, or equivalent relevant experience from work, research projects, community work, or independent study.
• Experience contributing to a game project or demonstrated passion for games and player experience.
• Familiarity with surveys, interviews, usability testing, or observation through coursework, projects, or practical experience.
• Curiosity about how people work, an empathetic listening style, and the ability to ask clear, neutral follow-up questions.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to organize research findings and share insights clearly.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail when working with participants, study materials, and data.
• Willingness to learn unfamiliar tools and collaborate with researchers, tool owners, and game development teams.
• Expected graduation between May 2026 and December 2029 from an accredited university; advanced degree: master’s.
• Availability for the full 12-week internship during either May 17–August 6 or June 14–September 3.

Nice to have

• Familiarity with Jira, Miro, Confluence, survey platforms, or similar tools. Specific studio tool experience is not required.

Culture & Benefits

• Hands-on experience with both internal development-tool research and player research.
• Collaboration with User Research, Development Management, tool owners, and game development teams.
• Guidance from experienced researchers and cross-functional partners.
• Relocation assistance for eligible candidates.
• Background checks are conducted at the offer stage for new employees.