Senior/Staff User Researcher

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Senior/Staff User Researcher

Company: Skylight

Location: United States

Job Type: Full-Time

Category: User Research & Design Operations

Date Posted: June 03, 2026

Experience Level: 5-10 Years

Remote Status: Fully Remote

🚀 Role Summary

• Lead and execute user research initiatives within a digital consultancy focused on improving government services through design and technology.

• Apply a comprehensive suite of quantitative and qualitative research methodologies to uncover user needs and inform policy, service, content, and interaction design.

• Translate research insights into actionable product and service design hypotheses, validating them through rigorous usability testing.

• Collaborate effectively with cross-functional, agile teams, including product managers, designers, and policy experts, to advocate for users and drive impactful solutions.

• Mentor junior researchers and contribute to raising the overall research bar within the organization, particularly in complex, sensitive government contexts.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role bridges the gap between user needs and complex government service delivery. The "Senior/Staff" designation indicates a need for leadership, strategic thinking, and the ability to mentor, implying a significant impact on research direction and team development. The focus on government agencies and sensitive data requires a nuanced understanding of privacy, security, and ethical research practices.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Develop detailed research plans, selecting appropriate qualitative and quantitative methods (e.g., user interviews, contextual inquiry, usability testing) aligned with project strategy and objectives.

• Identify, recruit, and engage diverse user research participants, navigating potential privacy and security constraints, particularly around sensitive federal tax information.

• Conduct thorough user research to gain a deep understanding of user needs, behaviors, and pain points in the context of government services.

• Synthesize research findings into clear, actionable insights and design hypotheses, which are then validated through usability testing.

• Communicate research outcomes effectively to internal teams and external clients, ensuring findings are understood and integrated into decision-making processes.

• Maintain organized, well-written documentation throughout the research lifecycle, serving as a knowledge base for project teams.

• Guide the strategic direction of services by advocating for user needs and contributing to product, design, and policy discussions.

• Mentor and coach other researchers, fostering skill development and best practices across the research function.

• Lead research efforts on cross-functional, agile teams, influencing product and design outcomes.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities emphasize a full-cycle research process, from planning and recruitment to synthesis and validation. The explicit mention of "federal tax information" and "privacy and security constraints" highlights a critical area of expertise required for this role, differentiating it from general UX research. The leadership and mentoring aspects are key for a Senior/Staff level.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: Bachelor's degree required; advanced degrees in HCI, psychology, sociology, or related fields are advantageous.

Experience: 5-10 years of progressive experience in user research, with a demonstrated ability to lead research initiatives and mentor other researchers. Experience in a professional services or consultancy environment is essential.

Required Skills:

• Proven ability to align user research activities with organizational strategy and project objectives.

• Expertise in applying a wide range of qualitative and quantitative user research methods across various stages of the product lifecycle.

• Strong understanding of how to recruit and include diverse user populations to ensure accessible service design.

• Skill in translating complex research data into clear, actionable findings that drive informed decisions.

• Demonstrated ability to lead research on cross-functional, agile teams and influence product, design, and policy direction.

• Experience setting research direction across multiple workstreams and mentoring other researchers (essential for Staff level).

• Excellent communication and collaboration skills, with experience working effectively with clients in a professional services setting.

• Passion for improving public outcomes through effective government services.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience researching services that handle sensitive personal data, such as tax, financial, or benefits information.

• Prior experience working within the civic tech space or on government-related projects.

• Experience working effectively in a remote team environment.

📝 Enhancement Note: The distinction between minimum and nice-to-have qualifications is crucial. The "Staff level" experience requirement for mentoring is a key differentiator. The emphasis on professional services and client communication suggests that strong soft skills and business acumen are as important as technical research skills.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Showcase 1-2 work samples that effectively demonstrate your expertise in user research, particularly in complex domains.

• Samples should highlight your ability to plan, execute, and synthesize research, and to translate findings into actionable design hypotheses.

• If applicable, include projects that demonstrate experience with sensitive data or government services.

• Ensure portfolio content clearly articulates your role, the research methodologies used, the challenges faced, and the impact of your work.

Process Documentation:

• Demonstrate proficiency in documenting research plans, methodologies, findings, and recommendations in a clear, organized, and accessible manner.

• Showcase your ability to create documentation that can inform product, service, and policy design decisions.

• Evidence of process improvement through research, such as refining research methodologies or participant recruitment strategies.

📝 Enhancement Note: The requirement for 1-2 work samples is specific. The advice to focus on skills and experience relevant to the job posting, and to provide access details, is practical. The emphasis on "impact" and "design hypotheses" points to a results-oriented approach to research documentation.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

• Senior User Researcher: $150,000 - $185,000 USD per year

• Staff User Researcher: $170,000 - $203,000 USD per year

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary ranges are explicitly provided for both Senior and Staff levels, reflecting the dual nature of the job title. These figures are competitive for senior-level research roles in the US tech and consulting sectors, especially for remote positions that may require specialized government clearance.

Benefits:

• Comprehensive health coverage: Medical, Dental, and Vision insurance.

• Robust income protection: Short-term and Long-term Disability Insurance, Life and AD&D Insurance.

• Financial wellness: Dependent Care FSA, Healthcare FSA, Health Savings Account (HSA).

• Retirement security: Dollar-for-dollar 401(k) match up to 10% of salary with no vesting period.

• Generous time off: Flexible Paid Time Off (approx. 25 days/year) plus 11 paid federal holidays.

• Family support: Up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave for new birth, adoption, or foster parents.

• Performance incentives: Annual salary increases, annual performance bonuses, spot bonuses, and stock options.

• Sales and referral incentives: Business development/sales bonuses and referral bonuses.

• Professional development: Annual $2,000 allowance for professional development and $750 for tech purchases.

• Perks: Annual $100 swag budget and dollar-for-dollar charity donation matching up to $500/year.

• Work environment: Flexible, remote-friendly culture that empowers employees for public good.

Working Hours: This is a full-time, exempt position. While a standard 40-hour work week is implied for exempt roles, the remote and flexible nature suggests potential for adaptability as long as project deliverables and client needs are met.

📝 Enhancement Note: The benefits package is exceptionally comprehensive, with a standout 401(k) match and generous professional development allowances, indicating a strong investment in employee well-being and growth. The "dollar-for-dollar 401(k) match with no vesting period" is a significant perk.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Technology / Digital Consultancy / Government Services. Skylight operates at the intersection of technology, design, and public service, aiming to modernize government operations.

Company Size: Skylight is a growing firm, indicated by the range of roles offered and the emphasis on career pathways. The specific size isn't provided, but the structure suggests a dynamic, mid-sized consultancy.

Founded: Skylight's founding date is not specified in the raw data, but its mission to "reinvent how all levels of government serve families" suggests a modern, forward-thinking organization committed to public interest technology.

Team Structure:

• Research teams are likely integrated within cross-functional project teams, working closely with designers, product managers, engineers, and policy advisors.

• The Senior/Staff User Researcher will likely report into a Research Lead, Design Director, or a senior operations/program management role, depending on the project structure.

Methodology:

• Data-driven decision-making is paramount, with user research findings serving as the foundation for service and product improvements.

• Agile methodologies are employed, requiring flexibility, iterative development, and continuous feedback loops.

• A strong emphasis is placed on understanding the unique constraints and opportunities within the public sector.

Company Website: https://skylight.digital

📝 Enhancement Note: Skylight's focus on government services is a key differentiator. This implies a culture that values impact, public service, and ethical considerations, alongside innovation and technical excellence. The "public interest technologists" framing is significant.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is positioned at a senior to staff level, indicating significant autonomy, responsibility, and potential for leadership. The Staff level, in particular, suggests a role that influences organizational strategy, mentors others extensively, and tackles the most complex research challenges.

Reporting Structure: The Senior/Staff User Researcher will likely report to a Research Lead, Design Director, or a senior program manager. They will work closely with project managers, product strategists, and designers on cross-functional teams.

Operations Impact: The core impact of this role is through enhancing the effectiveness, accessibility, and user-centricity of government services. By providing deep user insights, this researcher directly influences policy, service design, and technology implementation, leading to better public outcomes. This role contributes to the operational efficiency and public trust of government agencies.

Growth Opportunities:

• Leadership Advancement: Progress to lead research initiatives, manage research teams, or transition into broader product strategy roles.

• Specialization: Deepen expertise in specific government sectors (e.g., tax, benefits, healthcare) or research methodologies.

• Mentorship & Training: Develop leadership skills by mentoring junior researchers and contributing to the firm's research practice development.

• Strategic Influence: Gain opportunities to shape client engagements and contribute to Skylight's business development efforts by showcasing research expertise.

• Continuous Learning: Leverage the generous professional development budget for conferences, courses, and certifications relevant to UX research and public sector technology.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Staff" designation implies a thought leadership role, pushing the boundaries of research practice within the organization and potentially the industry. The career path is likely geared towards high-impact strategic contributions rather than pure individual contribution.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: This is a fully remote position, offering significant flexibility. While there are no physical offices to report to daily, the company culture fosters connection and collaboration.

Office Location(s): Remote work is permitted within the United States. Specific requirements may apply for roles supporting federal contracts, necessitating work within the U.S. (excluding territories).

Workspace Context:

• The remote environment requires strong self-discipline, proactive communication, and comfort with digital collaboration tools.

• Skylight provides a $750 annual allowance for tech-related purchases, supporting a productive home office setup.

• Opportunities for virtual team building and collaboration are crucial for maintaining team cohesion and culture.

Work Schedule: Full-time, exempt position. While core hours may exist for team collaboration, the remote nature typically allows for flexibility in structuring the workday, provided deadlines and client needs are met. This flexibility is beneficial for deep work required in research and analysis.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "fully remote" status combined with the "United States" location requirement is standard for many consultancies working with government clients, where citizenship and residency are often prerequisites. The tech allowance is a practical benefit for remote workers.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A recruiter will review your application and portfolio for alignment with the role requirements.

• Hiring Manager/Team Interview: Typically involves a deeper dive into your research experience, methodologies, and problem-solving approach. Expect questions about your experience with complex projects and government services.

• Portfolio Presentation/Case Study: You will likely be asked to present 1-2 work samples from your portfolio, detailing your process, challenges, insights, and impact. This is a critical step to assess your communication and strategic thinking.

• Cross-functional Panel Interview: This may involve meeting with designers, product managers, or engineers to assess collaboration skills and how you integrate research into agile workflows.

• Final Interview: This could be with a senior leader to discuss strategic fit, leadership potential, and cultural alignment.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select 1-2 samples that best showcase your experience relevant to government services, sensitive data, and complex problem-solving. Highlight your process, methodologies, and quantifiable impact.

• Tell a Story: Structure your presentation to clearly articulate the problem, your approach, key findings, design recommendations, and the ultimate outcome or impact of your research.

• Quantify Impact: Whenever possible, use data and metrics to demonstrate the effectiveness of your research and its contribution to project success or business goals.

• Address Constraints: Be prepared to discuss how you navigated challenges, particularly those related to privacy, security, or working with difficult-to-reach participant groups.

• Showcase Collaboration: Explain how you worked with cross-functional teams and stakeholders, and how you influenced decisions.

Challenge Preparation:

• Be ready to discuss how you would approach a hypothetical research problem related to a government service.

• Prepare to elaborate on your process for planning research, recruiting participants, conducting interviews, and synthesizing findings.

• Practice articulating your research findings and recommendations clearly and concisely, as if presenting to diverse stakeholders.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on portfolio presentation and case studies is standard for senior research roles. The advice to select samples relevant to government services and sensitive data is specific and actionable for this particular application.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• User Research Platforms: Tools for recruiting participants, scheduling interviews, and potentially conducting remote moderated or unmoderated research (e.g., UserTesting, Lookback, Dovetail).

• Collaboration Suites: Google Workspace (Docs, Sheets, Slides) or Microsoft 365 for documentation, presentations, and communication.

• Whiteboarding/Diagramming Tools: Miro, Mural, or similar for collaborative brainstorming, journey mapping, and affinity diagramming during synthesis.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Data Synthesis Tools: Dovetail, NVivo, or similar qualitative analysis software for organizing and coding research data.

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

CRM & Automation: While not directly used for research, understanding how research findings feed into CRM strategies or product roadmaps is beneficial. Familiarity with project management tools like Jira or Asana is also common in agile environments.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Tools & Technology Stack" section is inferred based on standard practices for user researchers in consultancy and agile environments. Specific proprietary tools for government work might exist but are not detailed here. The focus is on general research and collaboration tools.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values: Skylight's core values are central to its culture. Based on their mission and job description, these likely include:

• Public Service: A deep commitment to improving government services and making a positive impact on citizens' lives.

• User-Centricity: Placing the needs and experiences of end-users at the forefront of all design and development decisions.

• Excellence: Striving for high-quality work, rigorous research, and impactful solutions.

• Collaboration: Working effectively in cross-functional teams and with clients to achieve shared goals.

• Innovation: Embracing new technologies and approaches to solve complex public sector challenges.

• Integrity: Operating with transparency, ethical conduct, and a strong sense of responsibility, especially when dealing with sensitive data.

Collaboration Style:

• Highly collaborative, with an emphasis on cross-functional teamwork within agile project structures.

• Researchers are expected to integrate seamlessly with product, design, engineering, and policy teams.

• Open communication and feedback are encouraged to foster continuous improvement and shared understanding.

📝 Enhancement Note: The company values are inferred from their mission statement and the emphasis on public good and user advocacy. These values shape how operations and research professionals are expected to work and make decisions.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Navigating Government Bureaucracy: Working within government agencies can involve complex procurement processes, stakeholder management, and long decision cycles.

• Sensitive Data Research: Conducting research with users who share highly sensitive information (e.g., tax, health, financial data) requires strict adherence to privacy regulations, ethical guidelines, and security protocols.

• Diverse User Needs: Government services cater to a broad spectrum of users with varying technical literacy, accessibility needs, and cultural backgrounds.

• Remote Collaboration: Maintaining strong team cohesion, effective communication, and deep collaboration in a fully remote setting requires intentional effort and robust tooling.

• Translating Research to Policy: Bridging the gap between user insights and policy-level decisions requires strong advocacy and communication skills.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Specialized Training: Access to annual professional development funds for courses, workshops, and conferences focused on advanced research methodologies, civic tech, or government-specific challenges.

• Mentorship: Opportunities to be mentored by senior leaders and to mentor junior team members, fostering leadership and coaching skills.

• Cross-Disciplinary Exposure: Working closely with designers, strategists, and policy experts provides exposure to different disciplines and broadens understanding of service delivery.

• Industry Engagement: Potential to present at conferences or contribute to industry discussions within the civic tech and UX research communities.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges are directly tied to the domain of government services and sensitive data, requiring specific strategies and skills to overcome. The growth opportunities leverage the company's investment in its employees.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you had to conduct research under strict privacy or security constraints. What steps did you take to ensure compliance and ethical conduct?"

• "How would you approach understanding the needs of a diverse user base for a government service, considering varying levels of digital literacy and accessibility requirements?"

• "Walk us through your process for developing a research plan for a complex government service project, from defining objectives to selecting methodologies."

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What attracts you to working with government agencies and improving public services?"

• "How do you align your work with organizational values, particularly in a mission-driven consultancy?"

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Focus on Impact: For each sample, clearly articulate the problem, your specific role and methods, key findings, and the tangible impact or outcomes of your research. Quantify results where possible.

• Demonstrate Process: Be prepared to walk through your end-to-end research process, from planning and recruitment to synthesis and reporting, highlighting critical decision points.

• Address Challenges: Discuss any significant challenges encountered (e.g., recruitment difficulties, stakeholder resistance) and how you overcame them.

• Tailor to Skylight: Emphasize any experience with government services, sensitive data, or civic tech. Connect your work to Skylight's mission of improving public services.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview questions are designed to probe critical skills for this role: research methodology, handling sensitive data, influencing stakeholders, and aligning with Skylight's mission. Portfolio presentation is a key assessment tool.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Senior/Staff User Researcher position:

• Submit your application through the provided Greenhouse link.

• Portfolio Customization: Select 1-2 work samples that best showcase your experience in user research, particularly with complex projects, government services, or sensitive data. Ensure these samples highlight your process, findings, and impact.

• Resume Optimization: Tailor your resume to emphasize your experience leading research initiatives, mentoring other researchers, working in professional services, and your passion for public sector impact. Incorporate keywords like "user research," "qualitative," "quantitative," "usability testing," "civic tech," and "government services."

• Interview Preparation: Practice articulating your research process, key project takeaways, and how you handle challenges. Prepare to present your portfolio samples clearly and concisely, focusing on impact and alignment with Skylight's mission. Research Skylight's values and recent work.

• Company Research: Thoroughly review Skylight's website, particularly their "Values," "Careers," and "Career Pathways" pages, to understand their approach to research, client work, and company culture.

⚠️ 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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