UX Research and Design

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: UX Researcher and Designer

Company: Bravo17 Digital

Location: Remote (Denver, CO; Atlanta, GA; Chicago, IL; Washington D.C.)

Job Type: Salaried Full-Time

Category: User Experience (UX) Research & Design

Date Posted: July 28, 2026

Experience Level: Entry to Mid-Level (0-4 years professional experience)

Remote Status: Fully Remote

🚀 Role Summary

• This role focuses on enhancing the user experience for federal agencies and the Department of War, requiring a deep understanding of agency missions and user needs.

• The UX Researcher/Designer will conduct user research, design intuitive interfaces, and collaborate with cross-functional teams to develop user-centered digital products.

• A key aspect involves translating complex government requirements and policy constraints into effective and usable design solutions.

• The position offers significant opportunities for professional growth and skill development within a mission-driven environment.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the title is "UX Research and Design," the description emphasizes a blend of research and foundational design skills, ideal for an entry-level to early-mid career professional in the UX field. The specific mention of "federal agencies and the Department of War" indicates a specialized domain requiring an understanding of government processes and security protocols. The "0-4 years of professional experience" range suggests that candidates with internships or significant academic projects demonstrating practical application of UX principles will be considered.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Conduct user research activities, including user interviews, surveys, quantitative analysis, and usability testing, to gather insights into user needs and behaviors within federal agency contexts.

• Analyze research data to develop user-centered artifacts such as user personas, journey maps, and user flow diagrams, informing design decisions.

• Create wireframes, mockups, and interactive prototypes to visualize design concepts and user flows, ensuring adherence to user-centered design principles.

• Support the creation of comprehensive research reports and compelling presentations for internal teams and external stakeholders, including senior federal officials.

• Collaborate effectively with product managers, engineers, and other cross-functional team members to translate user needs and business objectives into functional and engaging digital solutions.

• Learn and apply UX best practices, design standards, and accessibility guidelines to contribute to the development of high-quality, usable interfaces.

• Participate actively in design reviews and critiques, providing constructive feedback and articulating design rationale clearly and concisely.

• Stay abreast of industry trends, emerging UX methodologies, and best practices in digital design, particularly within the government and defense sectors.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities are structured to cover the full UX lifecycle from research to design and collaboration. The emphasis on "federal agencies and the Department of War" implies that understanding government missions, user populations (e.g., military personnel, civil servants), and regulatory environments will be crucial. The mention of "policy, in addition to all the industry standard responsibilities" suggests that candidates must be adept at navigating complex requirements and constraints.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), Psychology, Design, Computer Science, or a related field is preferred. Experience:

• 0-4 years of practical, hands-on experience in User Experience (UX) research and/or design. This can include internships, co-op positions, or significant project work.

• Experience working on projects with complex requirements or in regulated environments is a plus. Required Skills:

• Strong understanding of user-centered design (UCD) principles and methodologies.

• Basic knowledge of qualitative and quantitative user research techniques (e.g., interviews, surveys, usability testing).

• Proficiency with design and prototyping tools, specifically Figma, with an emphasis on good file setup hygiene and solid prototyping capabilities.

• Ability to create wireframes, mockups, and user interface designs.

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to articulate design decisions and research findings clearly.

• Strong problem-solving and analytical skills to interpret user data and identify design solutions.

• Ability to learn quickly, think critically, adapt to new challenges, and work independently with minimal oversight.

• Demonstrated ability to take ownership and initiative in a dynamic environment. Preferred Skills:

• Experience conducting user research and presenting findings to stakeholders.

• Familiarity with accessibility standards (e.g., WCAG) and inclusive design principles.

• Understanding of the UX/UI needs within federal or defense sectors.

• Experience with other design tools (e.g., Sketch, Adobe Creative Suite).

• Ability to effectively communicate design decisions with senior federal stakeholders.

• Portfolio demonstrating hands-on experience applying UX principles to real-world projects.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "0-4 years" experience level, coupled with the mention of "good file setup hygiene and solid prototyping skills" in Figma, suggests a need for foundational technical competence and a structured approach to design work, even at an entry-level. The specific requirement for a "Secret clearance" or willingness to obtain one is critical and should be a primary consideration for applicants.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A well-organized portfolio showcasing a minimum of 2-3 distinct UX projects.

• Demonstrated application of user-centered design principles throughout the project lifecycle.

• Clear documentation of the research process, including methodologies used (e.g., interviews, usability testing, surveys).

• Examples of UX deliverables such as user personas, journey maps, wireframes, mockups, and interactive prototypes.

• Evidence of problem-solving and how user insights directly influenced design decisions and outcomes.

• For candidates with limited professional experience, academic projects, personal projects, or bootcamp capstone projects are acceptable. Process Documentation:

• Ability to document and articulate UX processes, including research plans, design methodologies, and testing procedures.

• Understanding of how to translate user feedback and data analysis into actionable design iterations.

• Experience with prototyping tools (Figma) to create interactive flows that can be tested with users.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a UX Researcher/Designer role, especially at the entry to mid-level, the portfolio is paramount. It should not only showcase design output but also the candidate's thought process, problem-solving skills, and understanding of UX methodologies. For this role, demonstrating an ability to adapt UX principles to complex, potentially regulated environments like federal agencies would be highly beneficial.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

• Based on the location (US-based remote), experience level (0-4 years), and industry (Government Digital Services), a competitive salary range is estimated between $70,000 - $100,000 per year. This estimate accounts for the specialized nature of working with federal agencies and the requirement for a Secret clearance, which often commands a premium. Benefits:

• Competitive compensation package.

• Comprehensive health and welfare benefits, likely including medical, dental, and vision insurance.

• Flexible ways of working, supporting a remote work environment.

• Generous paid time off (PTO) policies, including vacation days and sick leave.

• Parental leave benefits for new parents.

• Opportunities for professional development and training. Working Hours:

• Standard full-time hours, estimated at 40 hours per week.

• Flexibility in daily scheduling is common in remote roles, with core hours likely expected for team collaboration and meetings.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range is an estimation based on industry benchmarks for UX roles with 0-4 years of experience in the US, adjusted for the specific demands of government contracting and the need for a security clearance. Actual compensation will depend on candidate experience, specific location, and final negotiation. The benefits listed are standard for full-time employees in the tech and consulting sectors, particularly those serving government clients.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Government Digital Services / Technology Consulting. Bravo17 Digital specializes in providing digital services to federal agencies and the Department of War, focusing on improving user experiences for government-critical applications.

Company Size: Bravo17 is described as a "growing federal digital services firm." Given the context of "lean teams" and "high accountability," it's likely a small to medium-sized business (SMB), possibly in the range of 15-100 employees. This size often means greater visibility, direct impact, and less bureaucratic structure.

Founded: The founding date is not specified, but the company's focus on modern digital services for government suggests it is likely a relatively modern firm, possibly founded in the last 5-15 years to capitalize on the push for digital transformation in government.

Team Structure:

• The UX Researcher/Designer will likely be part of a small, agile team, potentially a dedicated UX/Product team or embedded within a project delivery team.

• Reporting structure is likely to a Senior UX Designer, a UX Lead, or a Project Manager with UX oversight.

• Cross-functional collaboration is key, involving close partnership with Product Managers, Engineers, and potentially government client stakeholders. Methodology:

• Bravo17 operates with "high accountability, lean teams, and a strong sense of ownership." This suggests a methodology that values efficiency, direct contribution, and proactive problem-solving.

• They likely employ agile or lean development practices, emphasizing iterative design and development.

• The focus on "mission-driven work" and "user-centered design" within federal and defense contexts implies a rigorous approach to research and design, balancing user needs with stringent policy, security, and regulatory requirements.

Company Website: bravo17digital.com

📝 Enhancement Note: The company culture emphasizes a proactive, ownership-driven approach, common in startups and fast-growing firms, especially those serving demanding clients like federal agencies. The "lean teams" and "high accountability" suggest that individuals will need to be self-starters and comfortable with autonomy. The "user-centered design" ethos, applied to government missions, indicates a thoughtful and data-driven approach to problem-solving.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is positioned as an entry to early-mid level position (0-4 years experience). It's an opportunity for individuals to build a strong foundation in UX research and design within a specialized and impactful sector.

Reporting Structure: The role reports to a more senior member of the UX team or a project lead. This structure provides mentorship and guidance while allowing the individual to take ownership of specific UX tasks and deliverables.

Operations Impact: The UX Researcher/Designer will have a direct impact on the usability and effectiveness of digital products used by federal agencies and the Department of War. This means influencing how critical missions are supported and how government employees or citizens interact with government services. The ability to translate complex requirements into user-friendly solutions will be crucial for project success.

Growth Opportunities:

• Skill Development: Deepen expertise in UX research methodologies (qualitative and quantitative) and design techniques (wireframing, prototyping, UI design). Gain experience in specific design tools like Figma and learn best practices for file management and prototyping.

• Domain Specialization: Develop a strong understanding of the federal government and defense sectors, user needs within these domains, and the unique constraints (policy, security, regulation) that shape design.

• Career Advancement: Progress to a Senior UX Researcher/Designer role, potentially specializing in research or design. Opportunities may also arise to lead small teams, mentor junior designers, or take on project management responsibilities within UX initiatives.

• Cross-functional Exposure: Gain experience working closely with product managers, engineers, and government stakeholders, building a holistic understanding of product development.

📝 Enhancement Note: The career path is clearly defined for growth within UX, with opportunities to specialize or move into leadership. The unique aspect here is the potential to become an expert in UX for government/defense, a niche that is both challenging and rewarding. The emphasis on "building something" suggests opportunities to contribute to the growth of the company's UX practice.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: This is a fully remote position. However, the company is looking to grow its presence in specific hubs (Atlanta, Chicago, Denver, Washington D.C.). Employees in these areas may have opportunities for in-person collaboration with local team members, suggesting a potential for hybrid work or co-working arrangements in the future for those located in these hubs.

Office Location(s): While the role is remote, the company is actively developing physical hubs in:

• Atlanta, Georgia, US

• Chicago, Illinois, US

• Denver, Colorado, US

• Washington D.C., US

Candidates located in or willing to relocate to these areas may benefit from local team engagement.

Workspace Context:

• The work environment is characterized by "high accountability, lean teams, and a strong sense of ownership." This fosters a collaborative yet independent atmosphere.

• As a remote role, candidates will need to establish their own productive home office setup.

• Access to standard digital collaboration tools (e.g., Slack, Zoom, project management software) will be essential for seamless team interaction.

• The company's focus on digital services for government means the work can be intellectually stimulating, requiring critical thinking and problem-solving in complex domains. Work Schedule:

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

• Remote work often allows for some flexibility in daily start and end times, provided that core collaboration hours are met and project deadlines are achieved. This flexibility can be beneficial for managing personal tasks alongside work responsibilities.

📝 Enhancement Note: The remote-first approach with targeted hub development indicates a modern, flexible work model. The emphasis on "lean teams" and "ownership" suggests a culture that values proactive contribution and efficient work practices, even in a remote setting. The mention of "engaging with local team members" in hub cities hints at potential future in-person meetups or team sessions, offering a blend of remote flexibility and in-person collaboration opportunities for those geographically aligned.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A brief call with HR or a recruiter to assess basic qualifications, interest in the role, and alignment with company culture.

• Technical Interview / Portfolio Review: This is a critical stage. Candidates will likely present their portfolio, discussing 1-2 key projects in detail. Expect questions about their UX process, research methodologies, design decisions, problem-solving approaches, and how they handled challenges.

• Hiring Manager Interview: A conversation with the hiring manager to delve deeper into experience, skills, cultural fit, and understanding of the company's mission.

• Team/Stakeholder Interview: Potentially a meeting with other team members (e.g., Product Managers, Engineers) to assess collaboration style and ability to work within a cross-functional team.

• Final Interview: May involve a case study or a more in-depth discussion about strategic thinking and long-term vision.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Storytelling: Structure your portfolio presentations as a narrative. Clearly define the problem, your role, the process you followed, the solutions you designed, and the impact of your work.

• Process Over Polish: While polished visuals are good, focus on demonstrating your thought process, research insights, and how you iterated on designs based on feedback and data. This is especially important for a UX Researcher/Designer role.

• Quantify Impact: Where possible, use metrics to demonstrate the success of your designs or research findings (e.g., improved usability scores, increased task completion rates).

• Tailor to the Role: Highlight projects that demonstrate experience with complex requirements, user research, and design for diverse user groups, ideally with relevance to government or similar structured environments.

• Figma Proficiency: Be prepared to discuss your Figma workflow, including file organization, component usage, and prototyping capabilities.

Challenge Preparation:

• Be ready for potential design challenges or case studies that require you to analyze a problem, propose a UX approach, and sketch out initial concepts or research plans.

• Prepare to discuss how you would approach user research for a federal agency or the Department of War, considering potential user groups and constraints.

• Practice articulating your design decisions and rationale concisely, as you'll need to defend them with data and user-centered principles.

📝 Enhancement Note: Given the role's focus on federal agencies and the need for a security clearance, the interview process may include additional vetting steps. The portfolio review is paramount; candidates should be prepared to walk through their UX process, research findings, and design iterations in detail. Demonstrating an understanding of designing for complex, regulated environments will be a significant advantage.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Figma: Essential for wireframing, mockups, prototyping, and design collaboration. Candidates must demonstrate proficiency, including good file setup hygiene and solid prototyping skills.

• Prototyping Tools: While Figma is primary, familiarity with other prototyping tools could be beneficial.

• Design Systems: Understanding of or experience contributing to design systems would be a plus.

Analytics & Reporting:

• User Research Tools: Familiarity with tools for conducting surveys (e.g., SurveyMonkey, Google Forms), scheduling interviews, and potentially remote usability testing platforms (e.g., UserTesting.com, Lookback).

• Data Analysis Tools: Basic ability to analyze quantitative data from surveys or testing, potentially using spreadsheet software (Excel, Google Sheets) or basic statistical tools.

• Presentation Software: Proficiency in tools like PowerPoint or Google Slides for creating research reports and presentations.

CRM & Automation:

• Not directly applicable to this UX role, but awareness of how UX integrates with product management and development workflows is important. Collaboration & Project Management:

• Communication Platforms: Slack, Microsoft Teams, or similar for day-to-day communication.

• Video Conferencing: Zoom, Google Meet for meetings and remote collaboration.

• Project Management Tools: Familiarity with tools like Jira, Asana, Trello, or similar for tracking tasks and project progress.

📝 Enhancement Note: Figma is explicitly called out as a required tool. Proficiency here, including best practices for file management and advanced prototyping, is critical. The mention of "quantitative analysis" implies a need for basic data interpretation skills, likely within standard office productivity suites. The role requires strong digital collaboration tool proficiency due to its remote nature.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• User-Centricity: A deep commitment to understanding and advocating for the user's needs in all design and research efforts.

• Mission-Driven Impact: A strong dedication to contributing to meaningful work, particularly within the context of federal agencies and national security.

• Ownership & Initiative: Taking responsibility for tasks and proactively seeking solutions without needing constant direction.

• Quality & Usability: A relentless focus on delivering high-quality, usable, and accessible digital products, even within complex systems.

• Collaboration & Communication: Valuing open communication, constructive feedback, and teamwork across disciplines.

• Adaptability & Learning: Embracing new challenges, adapting to shifting priorities, and continuously seeking to improve skills and knowledge.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-functional Integration: Working closely with product managers and engineers to ensure design solutions are technically feasible, aligned with business goals, and meet user needs.

• Data-Informed Decision Making: Using research findings and user data to inform design decisions and present a strong rationale.

• Iterative Design Process: Participating in design reviews, receiving feedback, and iterating on designs based on critique and testing.

• Clear Communication: Articulating design concepts, research insights, and rationale clearly and concisely to diverse stakeholders, including senior federal officials.

📝 Enhancement Note: The company values align with a high-performance, mission-oriented culture. The emphasis on "building something" and operating "without excessive structure" suggests a culture that rewards proactivity and problem-solving. The specific mention of "senior federal stakeholders" implies that communication skills need to be professional and persuasive.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Navigating Complex Requirements: Designing for federal agencies involves understanding and adhering to strict policies, regulations, security protocols, and diverse user needs within mission-critical contexts.

• Ambiguity and Structure: Operating in a "growing" firm and with "minimal oversight" means candidates must be comfortable with ambiguity and capable of creating structure and clarity themselves.

• Balancing User Needs with Constraints: Finding elegant UX solutions that satisfy both user requirements and stringent government mandates.

• Remote Collaboration: Effectively collaborating and building strong relationships with team members and stakeholders in a fully remote environment.

• Security Clearance: The requirement for a Secret clearance can be a barrier for some candidates and requires a commitment to the application and maintenance process.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Specialized Domain Expertise: Becoming an expert in UX for government and defense sectors, a highly sought-after skill set.

• Advanced UX Skills: Deepening proficiency in user research, interaction design, information architecture, and usability testing.

• Tool Mastery: Becoming an expert in Figma and potentially other UX/UI tools.

• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Learning to effectively partner with product management, engineering, and government client teams.

• Leadership Potential: Opportunities to grow into senior roles, lead projects, and mentor junior team members within the growing UX practice.

📝 Enhancement Note: The primary challenges revolve around the unique demands of the government sector and the autonomous nature of a growing company. The growth opportunities are significant, offering a chance to build a specialized career path with strong demand.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• UX Strategy & Methodology: "How would you approach user research for a new digital service for the Department of War? What methodologies would you prioritize and why?" (Prepare to discuss your process, potential user groups, and how you'd adapt to government constraints.)

• Problem-Solving & Design Thinking: "Describe a time you had to design a solution for a complex problem with limited information. What was your process, and what was the outcome?" (Focus on demonstrating your structured thinking and ability to create clarity.)

• Collaboration & Stakeholder Management: "How do you ensure your designs meet the needs of both end-users and stakeholders with different priorities?" (Be ready to discuss communication strategies and how you handle conflicting requirements.)

Company & Culture Questions:

• Mission Alignment: "What interests you about working with federal agencies and the Department of War?" (Show genuine interest in mission-driven work and the impact of UX in these sectors.)

• Adaptability & Ownership: "Describe a time you had to operate with significant ambiguity or take initiative without being asked. What did you do?" (Provide examples demonstrating proactivity and comfort with independence.)

• Quality & Usability Focus: "How do you ensure the quality and usability of your designs, especially in complex systems?" (Discuss your approach to testing, iteration, and adherence to best practices.)

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Project Selection: Choose 1-2 projects that best showcase your UX research and design skills, especially those involving complex problem-solving or user-centered methodologies.

• Narrative Arc: Clearly outline the problem, your specific role and contributions, the research and design process, key decisions, challenges encountered, and the final outcome/impact.

• Visuals & Artifacts: Present wireframes, mockups, prototypes, and research artifacts clearly. Explain why you made certain design choices, referencing user research or design principles.

• Figma Demo: Be prepared to briefly demonstrate your Figma file hygiene and prototyping capabilities if asked.

• Conciseness: Practice your presentation to stay within the allotted time, focusing on impactful insights rather than getting lost in minor details.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation should heavily focus on demonstrating an understanding of UX principles within a government context. Candidates need to showcase their ability to navigate complexity, their proactive approach, and their strong communication skills, particularly when presenting their portfolio and defending design decisions.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this UX Researcher and Designer position:

• Submit your application through the provided link on the Bravo17 Digital careers page.

• Portfolio Customization: Ensure your resume and portfolio are tailored to highlight relevant UX research and design experience. Select projects that demonstrate your process, problem-solving skills, and ability to work with complex requirements.

• Resume Optimization: Clearly articulate your 0-4 years of experience, emphasizing skills like Figma proficiency, user research methodologies, wireframing, prototyping, and strong communication. Use keywords from the job description.

• Interview Preparation: Practice articulating your UX process and project case studies. Be ready to discuss how you would approach UX challenges within federal agencies and demonstrate your understanding of user-centered design principles.

• Company Research: Familiarize yourself with Bravo17 Digital's mission, values, and their work in the government digital services sector. Understand the importance of designing for federal and defense environments.

⚠️ 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.