UX Designer / Researcher

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: UX Designer / Researcher

Company: Spatial Front, Inc. (SFI)

Location: Arlington, Virginia, US

Job Type: Full-time

Category: User Experience (UX) / Design Operations

Date Posted: September 08, 2026

Experience Level: Mid-Level (2-5 years)

Remote Status: Hybrid

🚀 Role Summary

• Drive user-centered design and research initiatives for critical enterprise applications, specifically PeopleSoft HCM.

• Translate complex user needs and pain points into intuitive and efficient user experiences through research synthesis and interaction design.

• Collaborate closely with cross-functional teams, including PeopleSoft functional and technical experts, to ensure seamless integration and implementation of UX improvements.

• Champion accessibility standards (Section 508, WCAG) and best practices to ensure inclusive design for all users.

• Contribute to a recognized top workplace, leveraging user feedback and data analytics to continuously enhance application usability and user satisfaction.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is positioned within a "Design Operations" or "UX Operations" framework, emphasizing the systematic application of UX principles within a large enterprise system. The focus on PeopleSoft HCM and its specific constraints suggests a need for practical, implementation-focused UX solutions rather than purely conceptual design. The company's recognition as a top workplace implies a positive and collaborative team environment.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Lead the planning and execution of comprehensive user research methodologies, including contextual inquiry, interviews, usability testing, surveys, and task analysis, to deeply understand user behaviors, needs, and pain points within the PeopleSoft HCM ecosystem.

• Synthesize research findings into actionable insights, personas, user journey maps, task flows, and prioritized design recommendations to inform the improvement of PeopleSoft Fluid pages, navigation, workflows, and overall user interactions.

• Design and iterate on PeopleSoft HCM user experiences, applying Fluid UI principles to enhance homepages, tiles, navigation menus, responsive pages, forms, dashboards, and end-to-end business processes.

• Develop detailed wireframes, mockups, interactive prototypes, and interaction specifications that clearly articulate proposed UX solutions and guide development efforts.

• Foster strong collaborative partnerships with PeopleSoft functional analysts, technical developers, product owners, quality assurance testers, and business stakeholders to refine requirements, ensure design feasibility, and oversee faithful implementation of UX designs.

• Conduct thorough evaluations of existing PeopleSoft pages and workflows to identify usability barriers, inconsistencies, inefficiencies, and accessibility issues, proposing data-driven improvements that reduce user effort and minimize errors.

• Perform iterative usability testing on design concepts, prototypes, and implemented features, incorporating feedback to drive continuous refinement and optimization of the user experience.

• Establish and maintain a robust set of UX standards, reusable design patterns, design guidance documents, research repositories, and supporting documentation to ensure consistency and scalability of UX practices across the PeopleSoft HCM platform.

• Proactively integrate Section 508, WCAG, keyboard navigation, screen reader compatibility, and other accessibility considerations into every stage of the research and design process, ensuring inclusive and equitable user experiences.

• Leverage user feedback, application analytics, help desk ticket trends, and observed task performance data to identify, prioritize, and address high-impact UX improvement opportunities.

• Actively participate in Agile/SAFe ceremonies, including backlog refinement, design reviews, sprint demonstrations, and acceptance discussions, ensuring close coordination with development and release schedules.

• Collaborate with training, knowledge management, digital adoption, and help desk teams to ensure that recurring user issues and support needs directly inform and influence UX design improvements, creating a feedback loop for continuous enhancement.

• Undertake additional duties as assigned, demonstrating flexibility and a commitment to project success.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a hands-on approach, requiring the candidate to not only design but also conduct research and collaborate deeply with technical teams. The emphasis on PeopleSoft HCM and its specific UI (Fluid UI, PeopleTools) indicates a need for specialized knowledge or a strong aptitude for learning enterprise application UX within specific technical constraints.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: Bachelor's degree in Human-Computer Interaction, UX Design, Human Factors, Psychology, Information Systems, Computer Science, Design, or a closely related field. Equivalent practical experience will also be considered.

Experience: Minimum of 3 years of hands-on experience in UX design, user research, interaction design, or human-centered design, specifically supporting enterprise applications or complex digital products.

Required Skills:

• Proficient in planning and executing user research methodologies such as interviews, contextual inquiry, observation, usability testing, surveys, and task analysis.

• Demonstrated ability to translate research findings into actionable insights, personas, journey maps, task flows, and prioritized design recommendations.

• Strong interaction design skills, with experience creating wireframes, mockups, prototypes, and detailed design specifications.

• Experience with modern UX design and prototyping tools (e.g., Figma, Adobe XD, Sketch, Axure, or comparable).

• Proven ability to collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams, including technical developers, functional analysts, product owners, and business stakeholders.

• Understanding of and experience applying accessibility standards, including Section 508 and WCAG guidelines.

• Excellent communication, facilitation, and presentation skills, with the ability to articulate design rationale and influence stakeholders.

• U.S. Citizenship with an active Secret security clearance is mandatory. Preferred Skills:

• Hands-on experience with PeopleSoft HCM and its Fluid UI, including familiarity with enterprise workflows, navigation structures, common pages, and packaged application constraints.

• Working knowledge of PeopleTools and its technical implications on UX implementation, such as page/component structures, configuration, security, and responsive behaviors.

• Experience applying human-centered design methods within large-scale HCM, ERP, case management, or other complex enterprise environments.

• Experience utilizing user feedback, application analytics, and help desk data to identify usability problems and measure the impact of UX improvements.

• Experience establishing and maintaining reusable design patterns, UX standards, research repositories, or governance frameworks across multiple teams or projects.

• Experience working within Agile, SAFe, or similar iterative development methodologies.

• Familiarity with work-tracking tools such as Azure DevOps (ADO) or similar.

• Experience supporting federal or Department of Defense (DoD) enterprise systems.

• Professional certification in UX, human-centered design, accessibility, or a related field.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Required Skills" section strongly emphasizes the need for practical UX research and design capabilities, coupled with essential soft skills for stakeholder management. The "Preferred Skills" section highlights specialized knowledge in PeopleSoft HCM and PeopleTools, which would be a significant advantage. The mandatory security clearance and citizenship are critical requirements.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Showcase a minimum of 2-3 detailed case studies demonstrating end-to-end UX design and research projects, ideally for enterprise applications or complex systems.

• For each case study, clearly articulate the problem statement, your role and responsibilities, the research methodologies employed, key insights derived, design solutions proposed (including wireframes, prototypes, and final designs), and the measurable impact or outcomes achieved.

• Demonstrate proficiency in creating user personas, journey maps, and task flows that reflect a deep understanding of user needs and business objectives.

• Include examples of how accessibility considerations (Section 508, WCAG) were integrated into your design process and deliverables.

• Highlight your experience with modern UX design and prototyping tools, showcasing the deliverables produced using these tools. Process Documentation:

• Provide examples or descriptions of how you have documented UX processes, design rationale, research findings, and usability test results in previous roles.

• Illustrate your approach to creating and maintaining reusable design patterns, UX standards, or design systems, particularly within an enterprise context.

• Demonstrate your understanding of how to collaborate with development teams to ensure accurate implementation of designs, including the creation of detailed specifications or annotations.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a UX Designer/Researcher role, a strong portfolio is paramount. The emphasis should be on demonstrating the process behind the design, not just the final aesthetic. For this specific role, showcasing experience with enterprise applications like PeopleSoft and adherence to accessibility standards will be critical. The ability to articulate process and methodology is key for demonstrating operational rigor.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $90,000 - $130,000 annually.

Benefits:

• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance plans.

• Retirement savings plan with company match (e.g., 401(k)).

• Paid time off (PTO), including vacation, sick leave, and holidays.

• Opportunities for professional development, training, and certifications.

• Potential for performance-based bonuses or incentives.

• Supportive work environment recognized by national and local workplace awards.

Working Hours: Standard full-time work week, typically 40 hours. The hybrid work arrangement may offer flexibility in scheduling, with specific on-site days determined by contract and team needs.

📝 Enhancement Note: The provided salary range ($90,000 - $130,000 USD) is competitive for a mid-level UX Designer/Researcher in the Arlington, VA area, considering the required experience, specialized skills (PeopleSoft), and the need for a Secret clearance. Benefits are standard for a full-time position in the US tech/government contracting sector. The mention of hybrid work suggests a need for clear communication on expected in-office days.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Government Contracting / Information Technology Services. Spatial Front, Inc. (SFI) operates within the dynamic IT sector, providing technology solutions and services primarily to federal government clients. This industry demands high standards of security, reliability, and performance, often requiring adherence to specific government regulations and best practices.

Company Size: SFI is a growing company, recognized as a "Top Workplace" by USA Today and The Washington Post. This indicates a positive, employee-focused culture that values collaboration, professional development, and employee well-being, despite operating in a demanding sector.

Founded: While the founding date is not explicitly provided, the company's consistent recognition as a top workplace suggests a mature and stable operational framework.

Team Structure:

• The UX Designer/Researcher will likely be part of a dedicated UX/Design team or embedded within a larger project team supporting PeopleSoft HCM.

• Collaboration will be essential with PeopleSoft functional analysts, technical developers, project managers, and government customer stakeholders.

• The team structure is expected to be collaborative and Agile/SAFe-oriented, promoting cross-functional communication and shared responsibility. Methodology:

• SFI emphasizes a user-centered approach, as evidenced by the role's focus on research and design.

• Agile/SAFe methodologies are likely employed for project management and delivery, requiring adaptability and iterative progress.

• A strong emphasis on quality, security, and compliance is expected due to the government contracting environment.

Company Website: https://www.spatialfront.com/

📝 Enhancement Note: The company's accolades as a "Top Workplace" are significant indicators of a positive culture that likely supports professional growth and work-life balance. The government contracting environment implies a need for professionalism, adherence to security protocols, and potentially working with established, sometimes legacy, enterprise systems like PeopleSoft.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is classified as Mid-Level, requiring 3+ years of specialized experience. It involves hands-on execution of UX design and research tasks with a focus on improving a specific enterprise application. The role offers the opportunity to deepen expertise in enterprise UX, PeopleSoft systems, and government contracting environments.

Reporting Structure: The UX Designer/Researcher will likely report to a UX Lead, Design Manager, or a Project Manager within the SFI team responsible for the PeopleSoft HCM implementation or support. Collaboration will be extensive with PeopleSoft functional and technical teams.

Operations Impact: This role has a direct impact on the efficiency, usability, and user satisfaction of critical HR systems for federal government customers. By improving the PeopleSoft HCM experience, the UX Designer/Researcher will contribute to enhanced productivity, reduced errors, and better adoption of the system, ultimately supporting the mission objectives of government agencies.

Growth Opportunities:

• Specialization: Deepen expertise in PeopleSoft HCM UX, enterprise application design, and government sector user research.

• Advancement: Progress to Senior UX Designer/Researcher, UX Lead, or specialized roles focusing on accessibility, design systems, or product management within SFI.

• Skill Development: Gain experience in Agile/SAFe methodologies, advanced research techniques, and cross-functional team leadership.

• Certifications: Pursue relevant certifications in UX, accessibility, or project management.

📝 Enhancement Note: The growth path for a UX professional in a government contracting firm often involves specializing in complex enterprise systems and security-conscious environments. The "Top Workplace" recognition suggests opportunities for internal mobility and professional development that align with employee growth.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The role is described as "On-Site/Hybrid" in Crystal City, VA. This indicates a blend of in-office work for collaboration and potentially remote work for focused tasks. The specific balance will likely depend on contract requirements and team agreements.

Office Location(s): Crystal City, Arlington, VA (22202). This location is known for its proximity to government agencies and a thriving tech and professional services community. Access via public transportation (Metro) is generally good.

Workspace Context:

• The workspace is expected to be collaborative, fostering interaction with PeopleSoft functional and technical teams, as well as other UX professionals.

• Access to necessary design and research tools (Figma, Adobe XD, etc.) will be provided.

• The environment will likely be professional and adhere to security protocols typical of government contracting.

Work Schedule: A standard 40-hour work week is expected. The hybrid arrangement may offer some flexibility in work hours, but adherence to project deadlines and team collaboration needs will be paramount.

📝 Enhancement Note: The hybrid nature of the role is a key aspect. Candidates should be prepared for a mix of on-site and remote work, and understand that specific requirements might be driven by client needs or internal policies. Crystal City is a well-established business hub, offering good amenities and accessibility.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A recruiter or hiring manager will likely conduct an initial phone screen to assess basic qualifications, experience, and interest, including confirmation of U.S. citizenship and Secret clearance.

• Technical Interview / Portfolio Review: Candidates will typically present their portfolio to a panel of UX professionals and/or project stakeholders. This is a crucial step to evaluate design skills, research methodologies, problem-solving abilities, and communication effectiveness. Be prepared to walk through 2-3 detailed case studies.

• Skills Assessment / Case Study: A practical exercise or case study might be assigned to assess your ability to apply UX principles to a specific problem, potentially related to PeopleSoft or a similar enterprise application.

• Team/Cultural Fit Interview: Interviews with potential team members and leadership to assess collaboration style, cultural alignment with SFI's "Top Workplace" values, and fit within the project team.

• Final Interview: Potentially with senior leadership or the client sponsor to discuss overall fit and strategic alignment.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Focus on Process: Clearly articulate your problem-solving process, from research to iteration. Show your thinking, not just the final polished screens.

• Quantify Impact: Whenever possible, use metrics to demonstrate the impact of your design decisions (e.g., reduced task completion time, improved satisfaction scores, decreased error rates).

• Tailor to the Role: Highlight projects that involved enterprise applications, complex workflows, or demonstrated strong accessibility considerations. Mentioning PeopleSoft experience, even if limited, is beneficial.

• Be Prepared for Questions: Anticipate questions about your design rationale, how you handle feedback, challenges you faced, and how you collaborated with technical teams.

• Accessibility Emphasis: Be ready to discuss how you incorporated Section 508 and WCAG standards in your work.

Challenge Preparation:

• If a case study is provided, thoroughly analyze the problem statement and user context.

• Think about how you would approach research, ideation, and design within the constraints of an enterprise system like PeopleSoft.

• Prepare to articulate your recommendations clearly and justify them with UX principles and potential data insights.

• Practice presenting your approach concisely and effectively within a given time limit.

📝 Enhancement Note: The portfolio review is the most critical stage for UX roles. Candidates must be prepared to thoroughly explain their process and demonstrate how they've solved real-world design problems, especially those involving complex systems and stringent requirements like accessibility and security.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• UX Design & Prototyping: Figma, Adobe XD, Sketch, Axure, or comparable tools. Proficiency in at least one is essential.

• User Research Platforms: Tools for conducting remote usability testing, surveys, and interviews (e.g., UserTesting.com, SurveyMonkey, Zoom/Teams).

• Collaboration & Project Management: Tools like Jira, Azure DevOps (ADO), Asana, Trello for Agile/SAFe workflow management and team collaboration.

• Documentation: Confluence, Google Workspace, Microsoft Office Suite for creating design specifications, research reports, and standard operating procedures.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Web/Application Analytics: Tools like Google Analytics, Adobe Analytics, or specific PeopleSoft analytics modules to understand user behavior and identify trends.

• Reporting Tools: Ability to generate reports from analytics platforms and present findings clearly.

CRM & Automation:

• PeopleSoft HCM: Deep understanding or ability to quickly learn the intricacies of PeopleSoft HCM and its user interface (Fluid UI).

• Integration Tools: While not directly designing integrations, understanding how UX impacts data flow and system interactions within PeopleSoft is beneficial.

📝 Enhancement Note: The primary focus will be on standard UX design and research tools. However, specific knowledge of PeopleSoft HCM and its associated PeopleTools is highly valued, indicating a need for candidates to either possess this or demonstrate a strong capacity to learn it quickly. Familiarity with Agile tools like Jira or ADO is also important.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• User-Centricity: A deep commitment to understanding and serving the end-user, ensuring that all design decisions are grounded in user needs and behaviors.

• Excellence & Quality: Striving for high standards in design, research, and implementation, particularly within the demanding context of government contracting.

• Collaboration: Fostering a team environment where open communication, knowledge sharing, and mutual support are encouraged across functional and technical disciplines.

• Integrity & Security: Upholding the highest ethical standards and adhering to strict security protocols, essential for working with sensitive government data.

• Continuous Improvement: Embracing a mindset of ongoing learning and adaptation, seeking opportunities to refine processes, enhance skills, and improve user experiences.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-functional Integration: Actively engaging with PeopleSoft functional analysts, developers, and business stakeholders to ensure holistic solutions.

• Iterative Design Process: Embracing feedback loops and iterative development cycles common in Agile/SAFe environments.

• Transparent Communication: Maintaining clear and consistent communication regarding design decisions, research findings, and project progress.

• Knowledge Sharing: Willingness to share insights, best practices, and lessons learned to elevate the collective UX capability within the organization.

📝 Enhancement Note: SFI's recognition as a "Top Workplace" suggests a culture that values its employees and fosters a positive, collaborative environment. The values emphasized in this role will likely reflect a blend of user advocacy, professional rigor, and teamwork, essential for success in a government contracting setting.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Enterprise Application Constraints: Designing within the often rigid frameworks and established patterns of enterprise software like PeopleSoft HCM can be challenging, requiring creative problem-solving to achieve optimal UX.

• Balancing User Needs with Technical Feasibility: Effectively bridging the gap between ideal user experiences and the technical realities and constraints of the PeopleSoft platform.

• Stakeholder Management: Navigating diverse stakeholder expectations and priorities, particularly in a government client environment.

• Accessibility Compliance: Consistently ensuring adherence to Section 508 and WCAG standards across all design and implementation phases.

• Adapting to Evolving Requirements: Staying agile and responsive to changing project requirements and user feedback within an Agile/SAFe delivery model.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Deep Dive into PeopleSoft: Gaining extensive expertise in the PeopleSoft HCM application, its architecture, and user experience patterns.

• Advanced UX Techniques: Developing skills in specialized research methods, advanced prototyping, and potentially design systems.

• Government Sector UX: Understanding the unique user needs, security considerations, and compliance requirements specific to federal government clients.

• Agile/SAFe Mastery: Enhancing proficiency in Agile and SAFe methodologies for software development and project delivery.

• Mentorship: Opportunities to learn from experienced UX professionals and potentially mentor junior team members as experience grows.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges are typical for roles involving enterprise systems and government clients. The growth opportunities are significant for a UX professional looking to specialize and build a career in a stable, mission-driven sector.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you had to design for a complex enterprise application with significant technical constraints. How did you approach it, and what was the outcome?" (Focus on your process, problem-solving, and collaboration.)

• "How would you approach understanding the user needs for a specific PeopleSoft HCM module, such as payroll or benefits administration, given limited direct access to end-users initially?" (Focus on research planning, stakeholder interviews, and leveraging existing data.)

• "Walk me through a project where you successfully applied Section 508 or WCAG guidelines. What were the key considerations, and how did you ensure compliance?" (Demonstrate practical application of accessibility standards.)

• "Imagine you've identified a significant usability issue in an existing PeopleSoft workflow. How would you propose and advocate for a solution to stakeholders who may be resistant to change?" (Focus on data-driven persuasion, collaboration, and phased implementation.) Company & Culture Questions:

• "What do you know about Spatial Front, Inc., and why are you interested in working for a company recognized as a Top Workplace?" (Research SFI's mission, values, and recent awards.)

• "How do you see your UX philosophy aligning with the values of a government contracting firm that prioritizes security and reliability?" (Connect your user-centric approach with the firm's operational context.)

• "Describe your ideal team environment. How do you contribute to a collaborative and supportive workplace?" (Highlight your teamwork and communication skills.) Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure Your Narrative: For each case study, clearly outline the problem, your role, research, design process, solution, and impact.

• Show, Don't Just Tell: Use visuals (wireframes, mockups, prototypes) to illustrate your design thinking and solutions.

• Be Ready for Deep Dives: Expect questions about specific design choices, research methodologies, and trade-offs you made.

• Quantify Success: If possible, present metrics that demonstrate the positive impact of your work.

• Address Constraints: Be prepared to discuss how you worked within specific project or technical limitations.

📝 Enhancement Note: Preparation should focus on demonstrating not only design and research skills but also the ability to navigate complex enterprise systems and client environments. Highlighting experience with PeopleSoft, accessibility, and Agile methodologies will be key differentiators.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this UX Designer / Researcher position:

• Submit your application through the provided link on the Spatial Front, Inc. recruiting portal.

• Customize Your Resume: Tailor your resume to highlight experience with enterprise applications, user research methodologies, interaction design, accessibility standards (Section 508, WCAG), and proficiency with design tools like Figma or Adobe XD. Explicitly mention any PeopleSoft experience.

• Prepare Your Portfolio: Curate 2-3 strong case studies that showcase your end-to-end UX process, focusing on complex problems, research insights, design solutions, and measurable impact. Ensure accessibility is a visible theme.

• Practice Your Portfolio Presentation: Rehearse walking through your case studies, clearly explaining your rationale, challenges, and outcomes, anticipating questions from UX professionals and project stakeholders.

• Research Spatial Front, Inc.: Understand the company's mission, values, recent awards (USA Today, Washington Post Top Workplaces), and its role in government contracting. Be ready to articulate why you are a good fit for their 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.