UX Designer / Researcher (On-site)

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: UX Designer / Researcher (On-site)

Company: DXC Technology

Location: Arlington, Virginia, United States

Job Type: Full time

Category: UX/Product Design Operations

Date Posted: September 1, 2026

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

Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• Drive user-centered design and research initiatives for enterprise applications, focusing on enhancing user experience and streamlining workflows within PeopleSoft HCM.

• Conduct comprehensive user research, including interviews, usability testing, and task analysis, to identify user needs, pain points, and opportunities for improvement.

• Translate research findings into actionable design artifacts such as personas, journey maps, wireframes, mockups, and prototypes to communicate design solutions effectively.

• Collaborate closely with PeopleSoft developers, functional analysts, and product owners to ensure design feasibility and seamless implementation of user experience enhancements.

• Champion accessibility standards (Section 508, WCAG) throughout the design and development lifecycle, ensuring inclusive and equitable user experiences.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the job title is "UX Designer / Researcher," the core responsibilities and requirements, particularly the emphasis on PeopleSoft HCM and enterprise application design, place this role firmly within an operational context. The role requires not just design creativity but also a deep understanding of how to optimize complex, existing enterprise systems for end-users, making it a critical function within the broader IT operations and GTM support structure. The need for a Secret Security Clearance further indicates a role supporting government or defense-related operations, requiring robust security protocols and adherence to compliance.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Plan, execute, and synthesize findings from various user research methodologies, including interviews, contextual inquiries, observation, usability testing, surveys, and task analysis, to deeply understand user needs and behaviors within the PeopleSoft HCM environment.

• Develop and present comprehensive research outputs such as actionable recommendations, detailed personas, user journey maps, task flows, usability reports, and prioritized design opportunities to stakeholders.

• Design and iteratively refine user experiences for PeopleSoft HCM using Fluid UI concepts, encompassing homepages, tiles, navigation, responsive pages, search functionalities, forms, dashboards, and end-to-end workflows.

• Create and deliver essential design artifacts, including wireframes, mockups, interactive prototypes, and detailed interaction specifications, to clearly articulate proposed user experiences and design solutions.

• Foster strong collaborative relationships with PeopleSoft developers, functional analysts, product owners, testers, and business stakeholders to refine requirements, ensure design feasibility, and guarantee accurate implementation of designed experiences.

• Conduct thorough evaluations of existing PeopleSoft pages and workflows to identify areas for improvement in usability, consistency, efficiency, and accessibility, proposing solutions that minimize user effort and error rates.

• Perform iterative usability testing on concepts, prototypes, and implemented functionality, actively incorporating feedback into subsequent design iterations to optimize the user experience.

• Establish and maintain UX standards, reusable design patterns, comprehensive research repositories, and supporting documentation to ensure consistency and efficiency across PeopleSoft HCM projects.

• Proactively apply Section 508, WCAG, keyboard navigation, screen-reader compatibility, and other accessibility considerations throughout all research and design processes.

• Leverage user feedback, analytics data, help desk trends, and observed task performance to identify and prioritize high-impact UX improvements within the application.

• Actively participate in Agile/SAFe ceremonies, including backlog refinement, design reviews, demonstrations, acceptance discussions, and coordination with release schedules to ensure timely delivery of UX enhancements.

• Partner effectively with training, knowledge management, digital adoption, and help desk teams to ensure that recurring user issues and support needs directly inform and shape UX improvements.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities clearly indicate a role focused on optimizing existing enterprise software (PeopleSoft HCM) rather than greenfield product development. This is common in large organizations, especially those with long-term government contracts, where efficiency and user adoption of core systems are paramount for operational success. The emphasis on "evaluating existing pages," "improving usability," and "reducing user effort" highlights a strong focus on operational efficiency and user adoption, critical for revenue operations and GTM support functions that rely on these systems.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

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

Experience: A 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:

• Proven ability to plan and conduct user research using a variety of methods, including interviews, observation, usability testing, and task analysis.

• Demonstrated experience synthesizing research data into actionable insights and user-centered artifacts like personas, journey maps, and task flows.

• Strong interaction design skills, with the ability to create wireframes, mockups, prototypes, and detailed design specifications.

• Hands-on experience with modern UX design and prototyping tools such as Figma, Adobe XD, Sketch, Axure, or comparable software.

• Excellent communication and facilitation skills, with a proven ability to articulate design rationale and collaborate effectively with both technical and non-technical stakeholders.

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

• Familiarity with Agile or SAFe delivery methodologies and participation in related ceremonies. Preferred Skills:

• Direct, hands-on experience with PeopleSoft HCM and its Fluid UI, including familiarity with enterprise workflows, navigation structures, pages, transactions, and the constraints of packaged applications.

• Working knowledge of PeopleTools and the technical considerations that impact UX implementation, such as page/component structures, configuration, security, and responsive design behavior.

• Experience applying human-centered design methods within large-scale Human Capital Management (HCM), Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP), case management, or other complex enterprise environments.

• Experience using user feedback, analytics data, help desk trends, or support metrics to identify usability problems and quantify the impact of UX improvements.

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

• Experience supporting federal or Department of Defense (DoD) enterprise systems, particularly in secured or highly controlled environments.

• Professional certification in UX, human-centered design, or accessibility is a plus.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Plus is a Hands-on experience with PeopleSoft HCM and PeopleSoft Fluid UI" requirement is critical. For operations roles, this signifies a need for practical expertise in a specific, complex enterprise system. Candidates should be prepared to demonstrate their familiarity with PeopleSoft's architecture, common user workflows, and the nuances of its Fluid UI. The emphasis on Section 508 and WCAG is also a significant qualifier, especially for roles supporting government clients.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

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

• For each case study, clearly articulate the problem statement, the research methodologies employed, your specific role and contributions, the design process, key challenges encountered, and the final solution.

• Quantify the impact of your design solutions where possible, using metrics related to usability improvements, efficiency gains, error reduction, or user satisfaction.

• Include examples of wireframes, interactive prototypes, and final design mockups, demonstrating your proficiency with relevant design tools (e.g., Figma, Adobe XD, Axure).

• Highlight experience with user research deliverables such as personas, journey maps, and usability test reports. Process Documentation:

• Demonstrate experience in documenting user flows, interaction specifications, and design guidelines for complex systems.

• Provide examples of how you have translated user research findings into structured design recommendations and prioritized action plans.

• Showcase an understanding of how to document accessibility compliance and integration with existing system architectures.

• Include evidence of creating or contributing to UX standards, pattern libraries, or research repositories that promote consistency and efficiency.

📝 Enhancement Note: For operations-focused roles, a portfolio is not just about aesthetics; it's about demonstrating the ability to solve complex problems, optimize processes, and drive measurable improvements. Candidates should emphasize case studies that highlight their analytical skills, their ability to work within technical constraints, and their impact on operational efficiency and user adoption. For a role involving PeopleSoft, showcasing experience with enterprise system optimization is key.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $73,400 - $136,300 per year.

Benefits:

• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance coverage.

• Employee wellness programs designed to support overall well-being.

• Life and disability insurance policies for financial security.

• Retirement savings plan to support long-term financial goals.

• Paid holidays, providing time off for national observances.

• Generous paid time off (PTO) for vacation, personal needs, and illness.

Working Hours: Standard full-time employment, typically around 40 hours per week. The role is on-site, requiring a consistent presence at the Arlington, VA location.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range provided is typical for a mid-level UX Designer/Researcher role in the Arlington, VA area, considering the specific skills and the requirement for a security clearance. The benefits package is standard for a large enterprise technology company like DXC Technology, offering a robust safety net and support for employees' financial and personal well-being. The "on-site five days a week as required by the contract" reinforces the work arrangement.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Information Technology and Services, with a significant focus on government and public sector solutions, as well as enterprise IT modernization. DXC Technology operates within a sector that demands high reliability, security, and efficiency.

Company Size: DXC Technology is a large, global enterprise, employing tens of thousands of people worldwide. This scale implies structured processes, established hierarchies, and opportunities for diverse career paths, but also a need for clear communication and efficient internal operations to maintain agility.

Founded: DXC Technology was formed in 2017 through the merger of DXC and CSC. This relatively recent formation under the DXC banner means it combines the legacies of two established IT service providers, potentially influencing its culture with a blend of established practices and new integrations.

Team Structure:

• The UX team likely operates within a larger IT or Digital Transformation division, supporting various enterprise applications and client projects.

• Reporting structure is likely hierarchical, with UX Designers/Researchers reporting to a UX Lead or Manager, who in turn may report to a Director of Digital Experience or similar.

• Cross-functional collaboration is essential, involving close partnerships with PeopleSoft functional analysts, developers, project managers, business stakeholders, and potentially client-side representatives, especially given the security clearance requirement. Methodology:

• Data-driven decision-making is crucial, with a strong emphasis on user research, analytics, and feedback to inform design and process improvements.

• Workflow planning and optimization are core to the role, particularly in refining existing enterprise systems like PeopleSoft HCM for better efficiency and usability.

• Automation and efficiency are likely key drivers, with a focus on streamlining user tasks and reducing manual effort through thoughtful UX design.

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

📝 Enhancement Note: The company's focus on government contracts and enterprise solutions implies a culture that values precision, compliance, and long-term partnership. For a UX professional, this means understanding that design decisions must often balance user needs with strict security, regulatory, and technical constraints. The "on-site, Cristal City, Arlington, VA" location is a key detail, suggesting proximity to government agencies or related contractors.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is positioned as a mid-level individual contributor, requiring a solid foundation in UX principles and practical experience with enterprise applications. It is a key role for maintaining and improving the usability and efficiency of critical business systems.

Reporting Structure: The UX Designer/Researcher will likely report to a UX Manager or Lead within the IT department or a dedicated UX team. They will work closely with cross-functional teams, including developers, business analysts, and product owners, requiring strong collaboration skills and the ability to influence without direct authority.

Operations Impact: The role's impact is directly tied to improving the efficiency, user adoption, and overall effectiveness of PeopleSoft HCM and related enterprise systems. By enhancing user experience, this position contributes to reduced training costs, fewer user errors, increased productivity, and improved data quality, all of which are critical for operational efficiency and achieving business objectives within DXC and its clients.

Growth Opportunities:

• Specialization: Deepen expertise in PeopleSoft HCM UX, enterprise application design, or accessibility, becoming a subject matter expert for the organization.

• Leadership: Progress to a Senior UX Designer/Researcher role, leading design efforts on larger projects, mentoring junior team members, or taking on UX Lead responsibilities.

• Cross-functional Mobility: Transition into related roles such as Product Management, Business Analysis, or UX Strategy, leveraging a strong understanding of user needs and system capabilities.

• Skill Development: Opportunities to gain certifications in UX, accessibility, or specific enterprise technologies, and to attend industry conferences for continuous learning.

📝 Enhancement Note: The career path for a UX professional in a large enterprise like DXC, especially one with government contracts, often involves specializing in specific enterprise platforms or focusing on compliance and accessibility. The ability to demonstrate tangible improvements in operational efficiency through UX design will be a key differentiator for career advancement.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The role is explicitly "On-site" in Arlington, VA. This suggests a traditional office environment where physical presence is required for collaboration, security, and contract compliance.

Office Location(s): Cristal City, Arlington, VA (VA023 - DXC Arlington, Wilson Blvd). This location is strategically situated in a business hub, likely offering good accessibility via public transportation and proximity to other government and corporate entities.

Workspace Context:

• The workspace will likely be a standard office setting, fostering in-person collaboration with team members and stakeholders.

• Access to necessary UX design and prototyping tools (Figma, Adobe XD, etc.) will be provided, alongside standard office technology and potentially secure network access required for government-related work.

• Opportunities for direct interaction with developers, analysts, and product owners will be frequent, facilitating a cohesive design and development process.

Work Schedule: The standard work schedule will be full-time, approximately 40 hours per week. While the role is on-site, the specific daily hours may offer some flexibility, typical of enterprise environments, but the primary focus is on consistent attendance and project delivery.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "on-site, Cristal City, Arlington, VA" and the requirement for a Secret Security Clearance are critical indicators of the work environment. This suggests a highly structured and secure setting, typical for roles supporting government clients. The emphasis on in-person collaboration is paramount for fulfilling contract requirements and maintaining effective communication channels in such environments.

📄 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 cultural fit, including confirming security clearance status.

• Technical Interview/Portfolio Review: Expect a detailed interview focusing on UX design principles, user research methodologies, and your portfolio. You will be asked to walk through specific case studies, explaining your process, decisions, and outcomes. Be prepared to discuss how you've applied these skills in enterprise environments and to complex systems like PeopleSoft.

• Skills Assessment/Design Challenge: A practical exercise may be given, either as a take-home assignment or an in-interview challenge, to assess your problem-solving abilities, design skills, and approach to a specific UX problem relevant to enterprise applications.

• Team/Stakeholder Interviews: Interviews with potential team members, including developers, analysts, and product owners, to evaluate collaboration style, communication skills, and ability to work within cross-functional teams.

• Final Interview: Potentially with a senior leader or hiring manager to confirm overall fit, discuss career aspirations, and finalize the offer.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Tailor to Enterprise: Emphasize projects that demonstrate experience with complex systems, workflow optimization, and adherence to design standards or constraints. Showcase how you've improved usability and efficiency in existing applications.

• Quantify Impact: Whenever possible, use metrics to demonstrate the success of your designs. This could include improvements in task completion rates, reductions in error messages, increased user satisfaction scores, or time savings.

• Showcase Research: Clearly present your user research process, including how you gathered insights, synthesized findings, and how those insights directly informed your design decisions.

• Explain Your Role: Be explicit about your individual contributions, especially in team-based projects.

• Accessibility Focus: If possible, include examples demonstrating your understanding and application of accessibility principles (Section 508, WCAG).

Challenge Preparation:

• Understand the Context: If given a design challenge, focus on understanding the specific user group, their goals, and any system constraints mentioned.

• Process Over Perfection: For design challenges, the interviewer is often more interested in your thought process, problem-solving approach, and how you articulate your decisions than a polished final deliverable.

• Think Enterprise: Consider how your proposed solutions would integrate with existing enterprise systems and workflows.

• Communicate Clearly: Practice explaining your design rationale and any trade-offs you considered.

📝 Enhancement Note: Given the government contract context, be prepared for rigorous vetting and a strong emphasis on process and compliance. The portfolio review will likely scrutinize not just design creativity but also the rigor of your research and your ability to deliver practical, implementable solutions within enterprise constraints.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• UX Design & Prototyping: Figma, Adobe XD, Sketch, Axure (proficiency in at least one required, familiarity with others beneficial).

• User Research: Tools for surveys (e.g., SurveyMonkey, Qualtrics), interview scheduling, and usability testing platforms (e.g., UserTesting.com, Lookback).

• Collaboration & Project Management: Jira, Confluence, Azure DevOps (ADO), Asana, Trello (for Agile/SAFe participation and workflow tracking).

Analytics & Reporting:

• Web Analytics: Google Analytics, Adobe Analytics (for understanding user behavior on web-based interfaces).

• Internal Tools: Potentially custom dashboards or reporting tools used to track system performance, user feedback trends, and help desk data.

CRM & Automation:

• CRM: While not a primary focus for this UX role, familiarity with enterprise CRMs (e.g., Salesforce) might be relevant if user journeys span across CRM and HR systems.

• Integration Tools: Understanding how different enterprise systems (like PeopleSoft HCM) integrate with other platforms is beneficial, though direct experience with integration tools may not be required.

📝 Enhancement Note: Proficiency in specific UX tools like Figma or Adobe XD is essential. However, for an enterprise role, understanding how these tools integrate with broader project management and collaboration platforms like Jira and Confluence is equally important. Experience with PeopleSoft's own development environment (PeopleTools) is a significant plus, indicating a deeper understanding of the platform's technical underpinnings.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• User-Centricity: A deep commitment to understanding and serving the end-user's needs, even within the constraints of enterprise systems.

• Efficiency & Optimization: A drive to improve processes, reduce friction, and maximize productivity through thoughtful design and system enhancements.

• Collaboration: A belief in the power of teamwork, working closely with developers, analysts, and stakeholders to achieve shared goals.

• Data-Driven Decisions: A reliance on research, analytics, and feedback to inform design choices and measure impact.

• Compliance & Security: An adherence to strict standards for accessibility (Section 508, WCAG) and data security, paramount in government-contracted environments.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-functional Integration: Active participation in cross-functional teams, ensuring UX considerations are integrated early and throughout the development lifecycle.

• Open Communication: A culture that encourages open dialogue, feedback exchange, and transparent communication about design decisions and project progress.

• Knowledge Sharing: Practices that promote sharing best practices, design patterns, and research findings across teams to foster continuous learning and improvement.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Secret Security Clearance" requirement is a strong indicator of the culture's emphasis on security, trust, and adherence to protocols. This implies a professional environment where diligence, discretion, and meticulous attention to detail are highly valued.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing User Needs with System Constraints: Designing for complex, often legacy, enterprise systems like PeopleSoft HCM requires creative solutions that respect technical limitations and existing infrastructure.

• Adhering to Strict Compliance Standards: Meeting rigorous accessibility requirements (Section 508, WCAG) and security protocols within government-contracted projects demands careful planning and execution.

• Influencing Stakeholders: Effectively communicating the value of UX and advocating for user-centered design within a potentially process-driven or technically-focused environment.

• Iterative Improvement on Existing Systems: Continuously identifying and implementing UX enhancements for established applications, which may have slower release cycles than new product development.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Deepen Enterprise UX Expertise: Gain specialized knowledge in designing for large-scale HRIS/HCM systems like PeopleSoft.

• Accessibility Specialization: Become an expert in Section 508 and WCAG compliance, a highly sought-after skill.

• Agile/SAFe Methodologies: Further develop skills in working within structured Agile or SAFe frameworks for enterprise project delivery.

• Mentorship: Opportunities to learn from experienced UX professionals and potentially mentor junior designers as you grow in the role.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges presented are typical for UX roles in large, established organizations, particularly those serving government clients. Focusing on how you approach these challenges and leverage them as growth opportunities will be key during interviews.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you had to balance user needs with significant technical or business constraints when designing an enterprise application. How did you approach it, and what was the outcome?" (Focus on your process, stakeholder management, and problem-solving).

• "How would you approach researching and designing improvements for a complex workflow within PeopleSoft HCM, given limited direct user access?" (Demonstrate your research creativity and ability to work with indirect data like analytics or help desk tickets).

• "Walk us through a project where you applied Section 508 or WCAG accessibility standards. What were the key considerations, and how did you ensure compliance?" (Highlight your understanding of accessibility principles and practical application). Company & Culture Questions:

• "What do you know about DXC Technology's work in the government sector, and how do you see UX contributing to that?" (Show research and alignment with the company's mission).

• "How do you typically collaborate with developers and business analysts on enterprise projects? Describe your ideal working relationship." (Assess your teamwork and communication skills).

• "How do you measure the success of your UX designs, especially in an operational context?" (Focus on metrics, ROI, and impact on efficiency). Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Storytelling: Structure your case studies as compelling narratives, highlighting the problem, your journey, the solution, and the impact.

• Visuals: Use clear, high-quality visuals of your wireframes, prototypes, and final designs. Don't just show static images; explain the functionality and user flow.

• Data & Metrics: Present any available quantitative data that demonstrates the effectiveness of your designs.

• Process Focus: Clearly articulate your UX process, from research to iteration, emphasizing your analytical and problem-solving skills.

• Conciseness: Be mindful of time. Practice your presentation to be thorough yet concise, focusing on the most impactful aspects of your work.

📝 Enhancement Note: Be prepared to discuss your experience with enterprise systems and government-related projects in detail. Emphasize your ability to deliver practical, compliant, and efficient UX solutions. The security clearance requirement suggests a need for a high degree of professionalism and trustworthiness in your interactions.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this operations position:

• Submit your application through the provided Workday portal link.

• Tailor your resume: Highlight keywords from the job description, such as "UX Designer," "User Researcher," "PeopleSoft HCM," "PeopleSoft Fluid UI," "Section 508," "WCAG," "Agile," and "Secret Security Clearance." Quantify achievements where possible (e.g., "Improved usability of X feature, resulting in a Y% reduction in user errors").

• Prepare your portfolio: Ensure it includes case studies that demonstrate your experience with enterprise applications, user research, and design problem-solving. Be ready to present 2-3 of your strongest projects, focusing on process, impact, and your specific role.

• Research DXC Technology: Understand their mission, especially their work in the public sector and government contracting. Familiarize yourself with their values and recent news.

• Practice your interview responses: Prepare for behavioral questions and technical deep dives, focusing on your experience with enterprise systems, user research methodologies, and accessibility standards. Be ready to articulate your design process and the impact of your work.

⚠️ 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.