Success at Xometry requires a blend of methodological excellence and business acumen. You should prepare to speak not just about your research tactics, but about how those tactics move the needle for a complex marketplace business.

Research Methodological Rigor – You must be able to defend your choice of research methods clearly and concisely. Interviewers look for a deep understanding of when to employ generative versus evaluative research and how to triangulate data sources to provide a holistic view of the user.

Strategic Influence – As a Senior Manager, it is not enough to simply report findings; you must be a storyteller. You will be evaluated on your ability to synthesize research into strategic recommendations that stakeholders can act upon immediately.

Cross-Functional Collaboration – Xometry operates in a highly collaborative environment. You must demonstrate that you can work effectively with product managers and engineers who may have different priorities, ensuring that user needs remain at the forefront of development.

The interview process at Xometry is designed to be thorough, focusing on both your technical expertise and your leadership style. You will likely engage with a mix of peer-level stakeholders and leadership, reflecting the role's cross-functional nature. The pace is generally brisk, consistent with the company’s fast-moving culture, and the interviewers prioritize clear, data-backed communication.

This timeline provides a high-level view of your potential journey from the initial recruiter screen to final leadership discussions. Use this to pace your preparation; ensure you have concrete examples of your work ready for the deeper technical dives, and keep your "leadership narrative" consistent across all stages. Note that for senior roles, the final stages often involve a presentation or a deep-dive case study review with cross-functional partners.

Strategic Research Planning

This area tests your ability to map research goals to business objectives. Strong performance involves demonstrating how you proactively identify research gaps before they become bottlenecks.

• Portfolio Management – How you manage multiple research streams simultaneously.
• Business Alignment – Linking research outcomes to KPIs like conversion, retention, or platform efficiency.
• Advanced Concepts – Longitudinal studies and long-term user behavior tracking.

Synthesis and Communication

You will be evaluated on your ability to translate complex data into a clear, compelling story.

• Data Storytelling – Using visualizations and narratives to influence decision-makers.
• Actionability – Ensuring that every insight has a clear "so what" for the product team.
• Advanced Concepts – Developing research repositories or insights libraries to democratize data across the organization.

In this role, you will be the primary advocate for the user within the Xometry ecosystem. Your day-to-day work involves identifying key areas of friction within the digital marketplace, designing and executing research to understand the "why" behind user behavior, and presenting those findings to product and engineering leadership.

You will collaborate closely with product teams to define product requirements, participate in design sprints, and conduct usability testing on early-stage prototypes. Beyond tactical research, you will be responsible for setting the research agenda, ensuring that the team is focusing on the most high-impact problems. You will also play a key role in advocating for user-centricity in a marketplace that balances the needs of both buyers and manufacturing partners, requiring a nuanced understanding of two-sided platform dynamics.

A successful candidate for the Senior Manager, User Research role typically possesses a strong track record of leading research in complex, B2B, or marketplace environments.

• Must-have skills
  • Expertise in both qualitative and quantitative research methods.
  • Experience influencing product strategy at a senior level.
  • Strong stakeholder management and communication skills.
  • Ability to translate complex user needs into actionable product features.
• Nice-to-have skills
  • Experience in industrial, manufacturing, or supply chain technology.
  • Experience managing and mentoring a team of researchers.
  • Familiarity with data analysis tools and SQL for self-service data extraction.

Q: How long does the typical interview process take? A: While it can vary based on scheduling, candidates generally move through the stages over a 3 to 5-week period.

Q: What differentiates successful candidates at Xometry? A: Successful candidates possess a "product-first" mindset; they view research as a tool to build better products, not just as an academic exercise.

Q: Is this role fully remote? A: Please check the specific location requirements for the role you are applying for, as Xometry values in-person collaboration for leadership positions.

Q: How much technical knowledge of manufacturing is required? A: You do not need to be an engineer, but you must be comfortable learning about manufacturing processes to build empathy with your users.

• Structure your answers: Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to keep your responses focused and impactful.
• Know the business: Familiarize yourself with how Xometry makes money and the challenges of the on-demand manufacturing market.
• Bring your own examples: Have 3–4 deep-dive case studies ready that highlight your end-to-end research process.
• Be prepared for pushback: Interviewers may challenge your methodology; view this as a collaborative discussion, not an attack.

The Senior Manager, User Research role at Xometry is a unique opportunity to shape the digital transformation of the global manufacturing sector. By focusing your preparation on demonstrating both your methodological rigor and your ability to drive strategic business outcomes, you will position yourself as a top-tier candidate.

Ensure you are ready to articulate how your research has tangibly changed product directions in your previous roles. With focused preparation and a clear understanding of the Xometry platform’s unique challenges, you are well-equipped to succeed in this process. Explore further insights on internal candidate preparation and good luck in your upcoming interviews.