Senior UX Researcher - Remote

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Senior UX Researcher

Company: ICF

Location: Reston, Virginia (Remote)

Job Type: Full-Time

Category: User Experience Research / Operations

Date Posted: May 05, 2026

Experience Level: Senior (5-10 years)

Remote Status: Fully Remote

🚀 Role Summary

• Spearhead user experience research initiatives for federal government clients, focusing on modernizing enterprise software applications and improving citizen services.

• Conduct comprehensive quantitative and qualitative research, including user interviews, surveys, persona development, and usability testing, to inform product and design decisions.

• Synthesize research findings into actionable insights and compelling narratives that advocate for end-user needs and drive product strategy.

• Collaborate closely with cross-functional teams, including designers, developers, and product managers, within an Agile framework to iterate on and validate UX solutions.

• Ensure adherence to accessibility standards (WCAG 2.0, Section 508) and research ethics, maintaining data integrity and participant privacy.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the title is Senior UX Researcher, the focus on "federal government clients," "enterprise software applications," and "optimizing product prototypes" strongly suggests a role that bridges UX research with operational efficiency and GTM strategy for government-facing products. This role will require understanding how UX impacts adoption, user satisfaction, and ultimately, the effectiveness of government services, which aligns with operational excellence. The required ability to "advocate for customer and user needs" and "collaborate on product designs" also points to a role that influences product roadmaps and Go-To-Market readiness from a user-centric perspective.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Develop and execute comprehensive UX research plans, including defining research questions, selecting appropriate methodologies (qualitative and quantitative), and establishing project timelines.

• Conduct user interviews, focus groups, surveys, and contextual inquiries to gather in-depth insights into user behaviors, needs, and pain points within federal government contexts.

• Design and moderate usability testing sessions for prototypes and live applications, identifying key areas for improvement in user workflows and interface design.

• Create detailed user personas, journey maps, and empathy maps to effectively communicate target user characteristics and experiences to cross-functional teams.

• Analyze and synthesize research data from various sources, including secondary research, to identify trends, patterns, and actionable insights that inform product development and UX strategy.

• Translate research findings into clear, concise, and compelling reports, presentations, and recommendations for stakeholders, including product managers, designers, and federal agency representatives.

• Champion user-centered design principles and advocate for user needs throughout the product development lifecycle, ensuring products are intuitive, accessible, and effective.

• Collaborate with UX/UI designers to iterate on designs based on research findings, conducting rapid testing and concept validation to refine solutions.

• Ensure research methodologies and deliverables comply with federal accessibility standards (WCAG 2.0 Level AA, Section 508) and ethical research practices, including informed consent and data privacy.

• Contribute to the UX vision and strategy for federal projects, aligning research efforts with client objectives and business goals.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on "optimizing product prototypes," "validating product and design decisions," and "delivering high quality experiences" for federal government clients indicates a strong connection to operational effectiveness. The ability to translate "insights into powerful stories" and "advocate for customer and user needs" directly supports GTM strategies by ensuring product-market fit and user adoption. The mention of specific federal agencies like HHS and CMS suggests a need to understand the operational workflows and regulatory environments of these entities.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

• Bachelor's degree in Psychology, Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), Human Factors, Cognitive Science, Sociology, Anthropology, or a related field.

Experience:

• Minimum of 5 years of professional UX research experience, with a proven track record of applying research methodologies to inform product design and strategy.

• 10+ years of overall professional experience is preferred, indicating a senior level of expertise and leadership potential.

Required Skills:

• Proficient in designing and conducting both quantitative and qualitative research studies (e.g., user interviews, surveys, usability testing, heuristic evaluations, A/B testing).

• Strong analytical and synthesis skills to translate complex data into actionable insights and clear, compelling narratives for diverse audiences.

• Experience developing user personas, journey maps, and other UX artifacts that effectively communicate user needs and behaviors.

• Deep understanding of usability principles, user-centered design methodologies, and human-computer interaction best practices.

• Familiarity with research ethics, including informed consent, participant privacy, and data protection protocols.

• Excellent written, visual, and verbal communication skills, with the ability to present findings and recommendations persuasively to stakeholders at all levels.

• Ability to work effectively within a cross-functional, distributed remote development team, collaborating in an Agile environment.

Preferred Skills:

• Knowledge of WCAG 2.0 Level AA and Section 508 compliance standards, and experience conducting accessibility audits or testing.

• Experience with rapid testing and concept validation methodologies.

• Familiarity with federal public trust clearance requirements and processes.

• Active or past clearance to work with the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) or the US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).

• Experience in federal IT modernization projects.

📝 Enhancement Note: The requirement for a portfolio with case studies demonstrating research process and deliverables is critical. For a Senior role, expect these case studies to highlight not just the research conducted but also the impact on product strategy, user adoption, and business outcomes. This aligns with the operational focus of demonstrating ROI and efficiency improvements.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A robust portfolio showcasing at least one comprehensive case study detailing your UX research process from inception to outcome.

• Case studies should clearly articulate the research problem, methodologies employed, data analysis, key findings, and actionable recommendations.

• Demonstrations of how your research directly influenced product design decisions, user experience improvements, and contributed to project success or business objectives.

• Examples of deliverables such as user personas, journey maps, usability test reports, and research summaries.

Process Documentation:

• Ability to document research processes, methodologies, and findings in a clear, structured, and reproducible manner.

• Experience in outlining research plans, participant recruitment strategies, and data analysis frameworks.

• Documentation should reflect an understanding of research ethics and compliance with relevant standards (e.g., federal regulations, data privacy laws).

• Examples of how you have communicated research insights through various formats, including presentations, reports, and interactive dashboards.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a Senior UX Researcher role, the portfolio should emphasize strategic impact. Candidates should be prepared to discuss how their research contributed to operational efficiency, user adoption rates, and ultimately, the success of government programs or services. The ability to articulate the "why" behind research decisions and the "so what" of the findings will be crucial.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

Benefits:

• Comprehensive health insurance (medical, dental, vision) to support employee well-being.

• Retirement savings plan (e.g., 401k) with potential company match to aid long-term financial planning.

• Paid time off, including vacation, sick leave, and holidays, to promote work-life balance.

• Opportunities for professional development, training, and continuing education to enhance skills and career growth.

• Potential for bonuses or performance-based incentives, reflecting contributions to project success and company goals.

• Employee Assistance Program (EAP) offering confidential support for personal and work-related challenges.

Working Hours:

• Standard full-time work schedule, typically 40 hours per week.

• Flexibility in work hours may be available, with the expectation of core availability for team collaboration and client meetings, especially given the remote nature of the role.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range is competitive for a Senior UX Researcher in the US, particularly for roles supporting government contracts which often require specialized skills and clearances. The benefits package aligns with typical offerings for full-time employees in the professional services industry, emphasizing employee well-being and professional growth. The stated "Nationwide Remote Office (US99)" designation implies that while remote, there might be an administrative office or a focus on specific US regions for operational purposes.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry:

Company Size:

Founded:

Team Structure:

• The UX team at ICF is likely structured to support various client projects, often embedded within larger program teams. This means you'll work alongside project managers, UX/UI designers, developers, subject matter experts, and potentially business analysts.

• Reporting structure typically involves a direct manager within the UX/Research discipline, who may then report up to a director or vice president overseeing a practice area.

Methodology:

• ICF emphasizes a data-driven approach to problem-solving, leveraging analytics and research to inform strategy and execution.

• Workflow planning and optimization are key, particularly in government IT modernization projects, where efficiency and user adoption are critical for program success.

Company Website:

• https://careers.icf.com/us/en

📝 Enhancement Note: The company's focus on government clients and complex problem-solving means that operational efficiency, process adherence, and demonstrable impact are highly valued. For a UX Researcher, this translates to understanding how research directly contributes to program success, citizen satisfaction, and the effective delivery of public services.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level:

Reporting Structure:

Operations Impact:

Growth Opportunities:

• Operations Skill Advancement: Opportunities to deepen expertise in specialized research methods, accessibility standards, and apply these skills to a wider range of complex federal projects. This could include leading research for major digital transformation initiatives.

• Leadership Development: Potential to mentor junior researchers, lead research teams on larger projects, and contribute to the development of ICF's UX practice. This may involve taking on more strategic responsibilities, such as defining research best practices or contributing to business development efforts.

• Specialization Pathways: The role offers a chance to specialize further in areas like healthcare IT, human factors in government systems, or advanced quantitative research techniques, positioning the individual as a subject matter expert within ICF and the industry.

📝 Enhancement Note: The growth opportunities are framed around advancing within the UX research discipline while also contributing to the operational success of government programs. This dual focus on research expertise and operational impact is key for candidates looking to leverage their UX skills in a broader GTM and business context.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type:

Office Location(s):

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Environment: Despite being remote, the role emphasizes collaboration within a cross-functional, distributed team. This requires strong digital communication tools and practices, fostering a sense of teamwork and shared purpose across geographical boundaries.

• Operations Tools & Technology: Access to standard professional collaboration software (e.g., Slack, Microsoft Teams), project management tools (e.g., Jira, Asana), and specialized UX research platforms and analysis software will be provided or expected.

• Team Interaction: Regular virtual team meetings, stand-ups, and brainstorming sessions are integral to maintaining team cohesion and ensuring research insights are effectively shared and acted upon within the product development lifecycle.

Work Schedule:

• A standard 40-hour work week is expected, with flexibility in daily scheduling to accommodate different time zones and personal needs, provided core collaboration hours are met. This flexibility is beneficial for operations roles that may require focused analytical periods alongside real-time team interactions.

📝 Enhancement Note: The remote work environment requires self-discipline and strong communication skills, which are essential for any operations role focused on efficiency and remote team management. The ability to manage one's own workspace and schedule effectively is a key operational skill.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A recruiter will likely conduct an initial phone screen to assess general qualifications, experience, and interest in the role and ICF.

• Hiring Manager Interview: This interview will focus on your career history, specific UX research experience, and how it aligns with the requirements of the Senior UX Researcher role, particularly within the federal government context.

• Portfolio Review Presentation: A critical stage where you will present one or more case studies from your portfolio. Expect to walk through your research process, methodologies, findings, and the impact of your work. Be prepared to discuss challenges, decisions made, and the results achieved.

• Technical/Skills Interview: This may involve a deeper dive into specific research methodologies, tools, or a hypothetical problem-solving exercise related to UX research in a government IT setting.

• Team/Cultural Fit Interview: You'll likely meet with potential team members or stakeholders to assess your collaborative style, communication skills, and how well you'd integrate into the existing team dynamic.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Focus on Impact: For each case study, clearly articulate the business or operational problem you addressed, the user needs you uncovered, and the tangible results of your research (e.g., improved usability metrics, increased user satisfaction, contribution to successful project milestones, enhanced operational efficiency of a system).

• Process Clarity: Clearly outline your research process step-by-step, explaining the rationale behind your methodological choices. Use visuals where appropriate to illustrate your journey.

• Data Storytelling: Present your findings in a compelling narrative that highlights the "voice of the user" and connects insights directly to actionable recommendations. Quantify impact whenever possible.

• Tailor to ICF: Research ICF's work in the federal sector and healthcare IT. Frame your experience and portfolio examples in a way that demonstrates your understanding of their mission and the challenges they address.

• Accessibility Emphasis: Since accessibility is a key requirement, highlight any experience you have with WCAG or Section 508 compliance in your case studies.

Challenge Preparation:

• Hypothetical Research Scenario: Be ready to discuss how you would approach a UX research challenge for a specific federal government application or service. This might involve identifying research questions, proposing methodologies, and outlining potential deliverables.

• Ethical Considerations: Prepare to discuss how you handle ethical dilemmas in research, participant recruitment challenges, and ensuring data privacy, especially in sensitive government contexts.

• Collaboration Scenarios: Think about how you would collaborate with cross-functional teams on a remote basis, manage stakeholder expectations, and advocate for user needs when faced with competing priorities.

📝 Enhancement Note: The portfolio review is paramount. Candidates should select case studies that best demonstrate their ability to conduct rigorous research, derive actionable insights, and drive measurable improvements in user experience and operational outcomes, particularly within complex, regulated environments like the federal government.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Qualitative Research Platforms: Tools for remote interviews and usability testing (e.g., Zoom, Microsoft Teams, UserTesting.com, Lookback).

• Survey Tools: Platforms for creating and distributing surveys (e.g., SurveyMonkey, Qualtrics, Google Forms).

• Data Analysis Software: Tools for analyzing qualitative data (e.g., NVivo, Dovetail) and quantitative data (e.g., SPSS, R, Excel).

• Prototyping & Wireframing Tools: Familiarity with tools used by designers to create prototypes that will be tested (e.g., Figma, Sketch, Adobe XD).

• Collaboration Suites: Microsoft 365 or Google Workspace for document creation, sharing, and communication.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Presentation Software: PowerPoint, Google Slides, Keynote for creating compelling research reports and presentations.

• Data Visualization Tools: Potentially Tableau, Power BI, or advanced Excel for presenting quantitative findings.

• Project Management Tools: Jira, Asana, Trello for tracking research tasks and collaborating with development teams.

CRM & Automation:

• While not directly managing CRM or automation systems, understanding how user experience and data inputs from these systems impact user behavior is beneficial. Familiarity with how user feedback influences product development cycles is key.

📝 Enhancement Note: Proficiency in a range of UX research tools is expected. For this Senior role, the ability to select the right tool for the job and articulate the rationale behind those choices will be important. Understanding how research outputs integrate into broader operational workflows (e.g., informing product backlogs, improving customer support documentation) is also valuable.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Customer-Centricity: A deep commitment to understanding and advocating for the end-user, ensuring that products and services meet their needs effectively and efficiently.

• Data-Driven Decision Making: Reliance on research, analytics, and evidence to inform decisions, validate hypotheses, and measure impact.

• Collaboration: A strong emphasis on working effectively with cross-functional teams, sharing knowledge, and fostering a supportive team environment, particularly in a remote setting.

• Integrity and Ethics: Adherence to strict research ethics, data privacy standards, and professional conduct, especially crucial when working with sensitive government data and populations.

• Continuous Improvement: A drive to constantly refine processes, learn new methodologies, and improve the quality and impact of research deliverables.

Collaboration Style:

• Proactive Communication: Regularly engaging with team members and stakeholders to share updates, solicit feedback, and ensure alignment, especially in a remote work context.

• Cross-Functional Integration: Working closely with designers, developers, product managers, and clients to ensure research is integrated seamlessly into the product development lifecycle and informs strategic decisions.

• Feedback Exchange: Openness to receiving and providing constructive feedback to foster a learning environment and continuously improve research quality and team effectiveness.

• Knowledge Sharing: Actively participating in team discussions, sharing insights, and contributing to a collective understanding of user needs and best practices.

📝 Enhancement Note: The culture likely values a blend of rigorous analytical thinking and strong interpersonal skills, essential for advocating for users within a structured, often bureaucratic, government environment. The ability to translate complex findings into easily digestible insights for various stakeholders is a key cultural expectation.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Navigating Government Bureaucracy: Understanding and working within the complex procurement, security, and operational processes of federal agencies can be challenging. This requires patience, adaptability, and strong stakeholder management skills.

• Remote Collaboration: Maintaining strong team cohesion and effective communication across a distributed, remote team requires proactive effort and robust digital collaboration strategies.

• Balancing User Needs with Project Constraints: Advocating for optimal user experiences while adhering to strict project timelines, budgets, and technical limitations inherent in government IT projects.

• Data Access and Sensitivity: Working with potentially sensitive government data requires strict adherence to privacy regulations and security protocols, demanding meticulous attention to detail and ethical research practices.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Specialized Training: Opportunities to attend industry conferences, workshops, and pursue certifications in advanced UX research techniques, accessibility standards, or specific government IT domains.

• Mentorship Programs: Potential to be mentored by senior researchers or leaders within ICF, or to mentor junior team members, fostering leadership and knowledge transfer.

• Exposure to Diverse Projects: Working on a variety of federal projects allows for continuous learning and exposure to different challenges, technologies, and user populations, broadening expertise.

• Process Improvement Initiatives: Involvement in developing and refining ICF's UX research methodologies and best practices, contributing to the overall operational excellence of the UX practice.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges highlight the need for strong operational skills in navigating complex environments, managing remote teams, and balancing competing demands. The growth opportunities are geared towards enhancing both research expertise and strategic impact within government operations.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "How would you approach understanding the user needs for a new citizen-facing portal for [specific government agency, e.g., CMS]?" (Focus on research plan, methodologies, and stakeholder engagement).

• "Describe a time you had to advocate for a user insight that conflicted with stakeholder preferences. How did you handle it, and what was the outcome?" (Assess communication, persuasion, and stakeholder management skills).

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What interests you about working with federal government clients and specifically ICF's mission?" (Assess cultural fit and understanding of the sector).

• "How do you approach collaboration within a remote, cross-functional team, especially when working on complex government projects?" (Assess teamwork and communication in a distributed environment).

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure is Key: For each case study, clearly present the problem, your role, the methodology, key findings, the impact (quantified if possible), and lessons learned.

• Tell a Story: Engage your audience by framing your research as a narrative that highlights the user's journey and the problem you solved.

• Be Prepared for Deep Dives: Anticipate detailed questions about your methodology, data analysis, and decision-making process.

• Highlight Operational Relevance: Emphasize how your research contributed to operational improvements, user adoption, or the successful delivery of services.

• Showcase Accessibility Expertise: If applicable, highlight projects where you incorporated accessibility considerations and met relevant standards.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview questions will likely probe your ability to apply UX research principles within the specific constraints and objectives of government IT projects. Demonstrating an understanding of how UX research contributes to operational success, efficiency, and effective service delivery will be crucial.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Senior UX Researcher position:

• Submit your application through the ICF careers portal link provided.

• Tailor your resume: Highlight experience relevant to federal government projects, healthcare IT, UX research methodologies, accessibility standards (WCAG, Section 508), and Agile environments. Quantify achievements whenever possible.

• Prepare your portfolio: Select 2-3 strong case studies that best showcase your research process, impact, and ability to drive actionable insights. Ensure they demonstrate your experience with quantitative and qualitative research, user interviews, usability testing, and persona development.

• Practice your portfolio presentation: Rehearse walking through your case studies, focusing on clearly articulating the problem, your approach, findings, and the measurable impact of your research on product development and operational outcomes.

• Research ICF: Familiarize yourself with ICF's work in the federal sector, their mission, and their approach to technology and consulting. Understand their commitment to user-centered design and accessibility.

⚠️ Important Notice: This enhanced job description includes AI-generated insights and operations industry-standard assumptions. All details should be verified directly with the hiring organization before making application decisions.

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