Senior User Researcher, Human Centered Design and Human Factors

This position is listed on behalf of a partner company, who manages all applications and next steps. Our partner is looking for a Senior User Researcher, Human Centered Design and Human Factors based in United States.

This role offers an opportunity to shape how people interact with critical digital government services and public-sector systems.
You will lead research initiatives across the full lifecycle, from discovery and exploration through validation and implementation.
The position combines human-centered design, usability, accessibility, and human factors to turn user insight into meaningful improvements.
You will serve as a technical leader for research teams while mentoring colleagues and maintaining high methodological standards.
The role involves close collaboration with designers, product managers, engineers, and senior government stakeholders.
Your findings will directly inform digital services, policies, and experiences that can affect millions of people.
This is a high-impact, mission-driven opportunity with significant visibility and potential for long-term leadership growth.

Accountabilities

• Lead the planning, design, execution, analysis, and reporting of user research studies throughout the complete research lifecycle, from discovery through validation.
• Select, recommend, and defend appropriate qualitative and quantitative research methodologies based on program objectives, timelines, constraints, and user needs.
• Conduct research using approaches such as interviews, contextual inquiry, diary studies, usability testing, surveys, usability metrics, and statistical analysis.
• Ensure research activities follow evidence-based practices and meet rigorous scientific, ethical, and methodological standards.
• Review research findings, synthesis, and recommendations for accuracy, clarity, completeness, and relevance before delivery to government stakeholders.
• Conduct usability and accessibility evaluations that account for diverse users, including individuals with disabilities and people with varying levels of digital literacy.
• Translate complex research findings into clear, practical recommendations that product, design, engineering, and policy teams can apply to improve services.
• Collaborate closely with designers, product managers, and engineers to incorporate validated user needs into service and product decisions.
• Lead technical discussions, workshops, and presentations with government stakeholders, communicating research findings with confidence and credibility.
• Advise stakeholders on service design standards and digital accessibility practices, including federal guidance such as the U.S. Web Design System and Section 508 requirements.
• Provide technical direction, coaching, and mentorship to research professionals, promoting consistency, quality, and professional development across studies.
• Contribute to proposal development and business development initiatives through background research, methodological recommendations, and study design input.
• Support client relationships and contribute to a collaborative, mission-focused environment where research directly informs public-sector outcomes.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Human-Computer Interaction, User Experience, Psychology, Cognitive Science, Human Factors, Information Science, Anthropology, Sociology, Design Research, or a related discipline; an advanced degree is advantageous.
• At least 8 years of professional experience conducting user research for digital products or services, ideally within federal or public-sector environments.
• Strong command of both qualitative and quantitative research methodologies and the ability to apply them across different research contexts and stages of product maturity.
• Demonstrated expertise in digital service design and delivery, including research that informs services from initial concept through launch and continuous improvement.
• Hands-on experience conducting usability and accessibility evaluations against recognized standards.
• Proven ability to translate research findings into actionable recommendations that have materially influenced product, service, or design decisions.
• Exceptional written, verbal, facilitation, and presentation skills, with the ability to communicate effectively with senior stakeholders.
• Strong analytical, critical-thinking, and problem-solving capabilities, combined with sound research judgment.
• Ability to operate effectively in fast-paced, mission-driven environments where research directly influences high-impact public services.
• Experience collaborating with multidisciplinary teams, including product, design, engineering, policy, and program management professionals.
• U.S. citizenship and willingness to complete a full background check are required due to federal contract requirements.
• Ability to meet eligibility requirements for a low-level government security investigation and access to sensitive information.
• Consulting or professional services experience, including managing client relationships and delivering research under fixed timelines, is preferred.
• Prior federal agency experience is highly desirable, particularly experience supporting agencies such as the CDC, IRS, or DHS.
• Familiarity with federal customer experience and accessibility policies, including Section 508 and OMB digital experience guidance, is preferred; DHS Trusted Tester experience is a plus.
• Experience working in Agile or Scrum environments and collaborating with product and engineering teams through sprint-based delivery is advantageous.
• Experience mentoring or leading research teams across multiple studies, agencies, or programs is preferred.
• Familiarity with human factors engineering standards and tools such as the System Usability Scale is a plus.
• Relevant professional certifications, such as NN/g UX Research certification, CCXP, or comparable UX, usability, or research credentials, are advantageous.

Benefits

• Annual salary of $110,000–$130,000 .
• Fully remote position within the United States.
• Top-tier health and dental coverage at 100% for employee coverage.
• Vision coverage and short- and long-term disability options.
• Flexible leave culture designed to support work-life balance and personal responsibilities.
• Floating holiday bank to recognize and celebrate days that are personally meaningful.
• Generous matching retirement contributions with no vesting period beginning in the third month of employment.
• Dedicated training and professional development budgets to expand expertise and skills.
• Paid time off for volunteering and community involvement.
• Opportunities to participate in employee-led affinity groups.
• Access to product and service discounts through a certified B Corp network.
• Mission-driven work focused on improving public services and creating meaningful impact for communities.
• Opportunity to grow into broader research and leadership responsibilities as the program develops.
• Contingent position: employment and start date are dependent on contract award, client approval, final staffing requirements, and completion of required background or access procedures.

How Jobgether works:

We use an AI-powered matching process to ensure your application is reviewed quickly, objectively, and fairly against the role's core requirements. Our system identifies the top-fitting candidates, and this shortlist is then shared directly with the hiring company. The final decision and next steps (interviews, assessments) are managed by their internal team.

We appreciate your interest and wish you the best!

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We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing responses and identifying potential inconsistencies or verification signals in application materials based on available information. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans. If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us.