UX Researcher

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: UX Researcher

Company: ECS Tech Inc

Location: Falls Church, Virginia, United States; Fairfax, Virginia, United States; Arlington, Virginia, United States

Job Type: Full-time

Category: User Experience (UX) Research / Human Factors

Date Posted: 2026-05-19

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

Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• Drive mission-aligned interface improvements for the War Data Platform (WDP) Core Integration by translating operational user behaviors and feedback into actionable design intelligence.

• Conduct user research activities supporting the design, engineering, and continuous improvement of WDP Core Integration UI/UX capabilities across Unclassified, Secret, and Top Secret environments.

• Bridge user research, data analytics, and Agile engineering to ensure intuitive and efficient interfaces for warfighters and decision-makers.

• Analyze qualitative and quantitative user feedback, platform engagement metrics, and behavioral analytics to identify usability gaps and friction points.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is specifically focused on a critical defense initiative (War Data Platform) within the U.S. Department of War, requiring a deep understanding of defense user workflows and high-security environments. The "AI-First strategy" mentioned indicates a forward-looking approach to technology integration.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Plan and execute structured user research studies, discovery interviews, task analyses, and usability evaluations to inform interface designs for Combatant Commands, Joint Staff elements, and senior decision-makers.

• Develop user personas, journey maps, workflow diagrams, and behavioral models that translate operational mission needs into actionable UI and UX engineering requirements.

• Analyze qualitative and quantitative user feedback, platform engagement metrics, heat map data, clickstream analytics, and survey results to identify usability gaps, friction points, and interface improvement opportunities.

• Produce research reports, findings summaries, and design recommendations that guide UI designers, front-end engineers, and platform architects in developing intuitive and mission-aligned interfaces.

• Facilitate recurring research sessions with cross-domain user groups to validate design concepts, refine prototypes, and align interface improvements with WDP Core Integration's enterprise architecture and data visualization standards.

• Collaborate with development teams during Agile sprints to integrate user-centered design principles into dashboards, navigation models, workspace layouts, and visualization components.

• Advance WDP Core Integration program value by enabling measurable improvements in task completion speed, user satisfaction, cognitive load reduction, and operational decision-support effectiveness across all enclaves.

• Perform other duties as assigned.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a full-cycle UX research process, from planning and execution to analysis and collaboration with engineering teams. Emphasis on "mission-aligned" and "cognitive demands of warfighter and decision-maker workflows" underscores the critical nature of this role in a defense context.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: While not explicitly stated, a Bachelor's or Master's degree in Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), Psychology, Cognitive Science, Anthropology, Sociology, Computer Science, or a related field is typically expected for UX Researcher roles, particularly in government contracting.

Experience: A minimum of 3 years of experience in UX research, human factors engineering, or a closely related discipline within a federal, defense, enterprise software, or government contracting environment. Demonstrated proficiency in planning and executing structured user research studies, usability evaluations, and persona-driven design activities for complex, multi-stakeholder platforms is essential.

Required Skills:

• Current Secret security clearance with the ability to obtain and maintain a Top Secret (TS) security clearance with Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI).

• Proficiency in planning and executing structured user research studies, discovery interviews, task analyses, and usability evaluations.

• Experience developing user personas, journey maps, workflow diagrams, and behavioral models.

• Ability to analyze qualitative and quantitative user feedback, platform engagement metrics, heat map data, clickstream analytics, and survey results.

• Skill in producing research reports, findings summaries, and design recommendations.

• Experience facilitating research sessions with cross-domain user groups and validating design concepts.

• Collaboration experience with development teams in Agile sprints.

• Strong problem-solving and decision-making capabilities.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience within the U.S. Department of War or similar defense organizations.

• Familiarity with data visualization standards and enterprise architecture within defense platforms.

• Experience with AI-driven platforms or strategies.

• Proficiency in tools for wireframing and prototyping complex systems.

• Understanding of Agile methodologies and their application in UX research.

• Experience in environments with varying security classification tiers (Unclassified, Secret, Top Secret).

📝 Enhancement Note: The security clearance requirement is paramount for this role. The experience listed emphasizes a practical, hands-on approach to UX research within a demanding government sector, requiring the ability to translate complex operational needs into design solutions.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A demonstrated portfolio showcasing the candidate’s UX research experience, problem-solving abilities, and deliverables such as research plans, user personas, journey maps, usability reports, and wireframes/prototypes.

• Case studies detailing how research insights led to specific product improvements and measurable outcomes.

• Examples of translating complex user needs into actionable design requirements for engineering teams.

Process Documentation:

• Experience in documenting research plans, methodologies, and findings in a clear, concise, and actionable manner.

• Ability to create workflow diagrams and service blueprints that illustrate user interactions and system processes.

• Documentation of usability test results and recommendations for iterative design improvements.

• Examples of how research findings were integrated into product roadmaps or sprint planning.

📝 Enhancement Note: The portfolio is critical for demonstrating practical application of UX research skills. It should highlight an ability to not only conduct research but also to effectively communicate findings and influence design and development decisions, especially within a defense context where clarity and precision are vital.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: Based on the U.S. Department of Defense contracting environment in the Northern Virginia area, for a UX Researcher with 3+ years of experience and a Secret clearance (with the potential for TS/SCI), a competitive salary range would typically fall between $90,000 - $125,000 per year. This estimate accounts for the specialized skills required, the security clearance, and the cost of living in the Washington D.C. metropolitan area.

Benefits:

• Comprehensive health insurance (medical, dental, vision)

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

• Paid time off (vacation, sick leave, holidays)

• Life and disability insurance

• Professional development and training opportunities, including support for obtaining or maintaining security clearances and relevant certifications.

• Potential for bonuses or performance-based incentives.

• Access to advanced technology and tools for research and development.

Working Hours: 40 hours per week, typically standard business hours (e.g., 9 AM to 5 PM), with potential for some flexibility depending on project needs and Agile sprint cycles. On-site presence is required.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary estimate is based on industry benchmarks for UX Researchers in government contracting roles in the DC Metro area, factoring in the required security clearance and experience level. Benefits are typical for established government contractors.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Technology, Government Contracting, Defense Technology. ECS Tech Inc operates within the critical intersection of technology solutions and defense sector needs, providing advanced capabilities to government agencies.

Company Size: ECS Tech Inc is a significant player in the government contracting space. While specific numbers aren't provided, companies of this nature often employ hundreds to thousands of individuals, indicating a substantial organizational structure with established processes and a large client base.

Founded: ECS Federal was founded in 2003. This history suggests a mature organization with established expertise and long-standing relationships within the federal government and defense sectors.

Team Structure:

• The UX Researcher will likely be part of a dedicated UX/UI design or Human Factors team, or embedded within a larger Agile development team focused on the War Data Platform (WDP).

• Reporting structure will likely be to a UX Lead, Program Manager, or Engineering Director, depending on the team's organizational design.

Methodology:

• Agile development methodologies are explicitly mentioned, indicating a dynamic, iterative approach to software development and UX integration.

• Data-driven decision-making is central, with a strong emphasis on using research findings and analytics to guide design and development.

• A user-centered design philosophy is core to the role, ensuring that the WDP's interfaces are aligned with the needs and workflows of its primary users.

Company Website: ECS Tech Inc (Note: The provided URL was a job listing portal; this is the general company website)

📝 Enhancement Note: ECS Tech Inc's focus on government contracting, particularly defense, means the culture will likely emphasize security, mission accomplishment, and adherence to rigorous standards. The WDP initiative positions this role at the forefront of defense modernization.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is positioned as a Mid-Level UX Researcher. It requires a solid foundation of 3+ years of experience and the ability to work independently on research projects while also collaborating effectively within a team. The scope involves contributing directly to a major platform's user experience, impacting critical defense operations.

Reporting Structure: The UX Researcher will report to a lead within the WDP program, likely a UX Manager, Project Lead, or Engineering Director. This structure facilitates direct input into product development cycles and ensures research findings are integrated into planning.

Operations Impact: The UX Researcher's impact is direct and significant. By translating user needs into intuitive interfaces for the War Data Platform, they directly contribute to:

• Enhanced operational effectiveness for warfighters and decision-makers.

• Accelerated deployment of AI capabilities on the battlefield.

• Improved data accessibility and usability across classified environments.

• Reduced cognitive load and increased efficiency for critical tasks.

Growth Opportunities:

• Specialization: Deepen expertise in defense UX, human factors for complex systems, or AI-driven interface design.

• Advancement: Progress to Senior UX Researcher, UX Lead, or UX Manager roles within ECS Tech Inc, potentially overseeing research initiatives or teams.

• Skill Development: Gain experience with advanced analytics tools, AI integration in UX, and working across multiple security enclaves (Unclassified, Secret, TS/SCI).

• Leadership: Potentially lead research efforts for new defense technology initiatives.

• Clearance Progression: Opportunity to maintain and leverage TS/SCI clearance for future high-impact projects.

📝 Enhancement Note: The career path for a UX Researcher in this environment is strongly tied to specialized domain knowledge (defense, national security) and the ability to navigate complex technical and security requirements. Growth is often linked to increasing responsibility on high-stakes projects.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: This is an on-site role, requiring the UX Researcher to work from ECS Tech Inc's offices located in Falls Church, Fairfax, or Arlington, Virginia, potentially supporting activities at the Pentagon. The environment will likely be professional and secure, typical of government contracting firms.

Office Location(s):

• Falls Church, Virginia: 5611 Columbia Pike, Falls Church, VA 22041

• Fairfax, Virginia: 2700 Prosperity Avenue, Fairfax, VA 22031

• Arlington, Virginia (Pentagon support): Pentagon, Arlington, VA 20310

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Environment: Expect to work closely with cross-functional teams, including designers, engineers, and product managers, in a dynamic Agile setting.

• Tools & Technology: Access to standard UX research tools, design software, and potentially specialized government-approved systems for data analysis and communication across classified networks.

• Team Interaction: Regular team meetings, sprint planning sessions, design reviews, and user feedback sessions will be integral to the daily workflow.

Work Schedule: Standard 40-hour work week, typically Monday through Friday, during business hours. Given the critical nature of defense projects and Agile sprints, occasional flexibility might be required to meet deadlines or accommodate user availability.

📝 Enhancement Note: The on-site requirement and specific locations, including potential work at the Pentagon, highlight the need for candidates who are comfortable and capable of working within secure, federal government environments.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: HR or Recruiter call to assess basic qualifications, clearance status, and interest.

• Technical Interview(s): Interviews with hiring manager and/or senior UX team members to evaluate UX research methodologies, problem-solving skills, and experience. This is where your portfolio will be key.

• Portfolio Review: A dedicated session where candidates present their work, explaining their process, challenges, solutions, and impact for 2-3 selected projects. Expect to discuss how you translated research into actionable insights.

• Behavioral/Situational Interview: Questions to assess cultural fit, teamwork, communication skills, and how you handle specific work scenarios (e.g., dealing with difficult stakeholders, managing conflicting feedback).

• Final Interview: Potentially with a senior leader or program manager to discuss overall fit and strategic alignment.

• Offer & Onboarding: Contingent upon successful security clearance verification and contract award.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select projects that best demonstrate your UX research process, problem-solving abilities, and impact, especially those relevant to complex systems or defense applications if possible.

• Tell a Story: For each project, clearly outline the problem, your role, the research methods used, your analysis, the insights gained, the design recommendations or solutions you proposed, and the resulting outcomes or impact. Use visuals effectively.

• Highlight Process: Emphasize how you conducted research, why you chose specific methods, and how you synthesized data. This is more important than just showing final designs.

• Quantify Impact: Whenever possible, present metrics to demonstrate the effectiveness of your research and recommendations (e.g., "improved task completion time by X%", "reduced user errors by Y%", "increased user satisfaction scores by Z%").

• Be Prepared for Questions: Anticipate questions about your decision-making, challenges faced, how you handled disagreements, and how you collaborated with cross-functional teams.

Challenge Preparation:

• Mock Research Scenarios: Be ready to discuss how you would approach a hypothetical research problem related to the War Data Platform or similar complex systems.

• Methodology Justification: Be prepared to defend your choice of research methods based on project goals, constraints, and user context.

• Data Synthesis: Practice articulating how you would synthesize both qualitative and quantitative data to derive actionable insights.

📝 Enhancement Note: The portfolio review is a critical gate. Candidates should prepare to walk through their UX process for selected projects, emphasizing problem-solving, data synthesis, and the tangible impact of their research on product development and user experience. Security clearance status will be a major factor throughout the process.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools (Likely utilized or expected):

• User Research Platforms: Tools for surveys, interviews, and usability testing (e.g., UserTesting.com, Maze, Lookback, Qualtrics, SurveyMonkey).

• Analytics & Behavioral Tools: For analyzing user data (e.g., Google Analytics, Adobe Analytics, Hotjar, Mixpanel, Amplitude).

• Wireframing & Prototyping Tools: For creating mockups and interactive prototypes (e.g., Figma, Sketch, Adobe XD, Axure RP).

• Collaboration Tools: For team communication and project management (e.g., Jira, Confluence, Slack, Microsoft Teams).

• Data Analysis Software: Potentially statistical software or spreadsheet tools for quantitative data (e.g., Excel, SPSS, R).

Analytics & Reporting:

• Proficiency in interpreting data from web analytics platforms.

• Ability to generate reports and present findings clearly, often using presentation software (e.g., PowerPoint, Google Slides).

CRM & Automation:

• While not a direct CRM role, understanding how user data flows from CRM or other enterprise systems into analytics platforms can be advantageous.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the specific stack isn't detailed, proficiency in standard UX research tools, analytics platforms, and collaborative software is expected. The ability to work with systems that handle sensitive data and operate across different security levels is crucial.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Mission Focus: A strong commitment to supporting the U.S. Department of War's mission and ensuring the effectiveness of defense operations through user-centered design.

• Integrity & Security: Upholding the highest standards of data security and ethical research practices, given the classified nature of the work.

• Collaboration: Valuing teamwork and open communication with designers, engineers, product managers, and stakeholders to achieve shared goals.

• Data-Driven Excellence: A belief in using empirical evidence and user insights to inform design decisions and drive continuous improvement.

• Adaptability: Embracing Agile methodologies and being responsive to evolving requirements and user feedback in a dynamic environment.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-Functional Integration: Seamless integration with development teams, actively participating in Agile ceremonies and providing user insights throughout the sprint cycle.

• Open Feedback Culture: Encouraging constructive feedback on research plans, findings, and design recommendations among team members.

• Knowledge Sharing: Proactively sharing research insights and best practices with colleagues to elevate the entire team's understanding of user needs and UX principles.

📝 Enhancement Note: The culture will likely reflect the values of the defense sector: professionalism, dedication to mission, adherence to process, and a strong emphasis on security and reliability. Collaboration is key to ensuring that research directly informs the development of critical platforms.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Navigating Security Classifications: Conducting research and sharing findings across Unclassified, Secret, and Top Secret environments requires strict adherence to protocols and potentially different methodologies for each.

• User Access & Representation: Gaining access to and effectively recruiting representative users from Combatant Commands, Joint Staff, and senior leadership can be challenging due to operational demands and security protocols.

• Translating Complex Requirements: Understanding and translating highly technical or operationally specific requirements into user-centered design principles for complex defense systems.

• Balancing Speed and Rigor: Delivering timely research insights within fast-paced Agile sprints while maintaining the rigor required for high-stakes defense applications.

• Demonstrating ROI: Quantifying the impact of UX research on mission effectiveness and operational outcomes, especially in a defense context where metrics may differ from commercial products.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Advanced UX Specialization: Deep dive into human factors for complex systems, AI/ML interface design, or data visualization for defense applications.

• Security Clearance Advancement: Opportunities to maintain and potentially upgrade security clearances (e.g., to TS/SCI) for access to more sensitive projects.

• Industry Conferences & Training: Participation in defense technology, UX, and human factors conferences.

• Mentorship: Learning from experienced professionals in defense contracting and UX research.

• Cross-Domain Exposure: Gaining exposure to various defense operational areas and user groups.

📝 Enhancement Note: The primary challenges stem from the secure, complex, and mission-critical nature of the defense environment. Growth opportunities are tied to mastering these complexities and advancing within specialized areas of UX research for national security.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you had to conduct user research in a highly regulated or secure environment. What were the unique challenges and how did you overcome them?" (Focus on security protocols, user access, and data handling).

• "How would you approach understanding the cognitive load and decision-making processes of a senior military leader using the War Data Platform?" (Emphasize methods for studying complex cognitive tasks and high-pressure environments).

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What do you know about ECS Tech Inc and its role in the defense sector?" (Research company mission, past projects, and values).

• "How do you see your UX research skills contributing to the success of a classified platform like the War Data Platform?" (Connect your experience to defense objectives and user needs).

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Project Selection: Choose 2-3 projects that best illustrate your research process, problem-solving, and impact, especially any related to complex systems, government, or data-intensive applications.

• Structure: For each project, follow a clear narrative: Problem/Goal -> Your Role -> Methodology -> Research Process & Insights -> Design Recommendations/Solutions -> Impact & Outcomes.

• Visuals: Use clear, concise visuals (screenshots, diagrams, personas, journey maps) to support your story. Ensure any sensitive information is redacted or generalized.

• Focus on Process: Be ready to explain why you chose certain research methods, how you synthesized data, and how your insights directly informed design decisions.

• Quantify Impact: If possible, present metrics that demonstrate the value of your work (e.g., efficiency gains, satisfaction improvements).

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation should heavily focus on demonstrating an understanding of the defense context, the ability to work with sensitive information, and a robust, data-driven UX research process that can deliver tangible mission impact.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this UX Researcher position:

• Submit your application through the provided link on the ADP job portal.

• Portfolio Customization: Tailor your resume and portfolio to highlight experience with defense clients, U.S. government contracting, or complex enterprise software. Emphasize your ability to conduct research in secure environments and translate operational needs into actionable design intelligence.

• Resume Optimization: Ensure your resume clearly lists your years of experience in UX research/human factors, specific methodologies used, and any experience with classified systems or security clearances. Quantify achievements where possible.

• Interview Preparation: Practice articulating your UX research process, focusing on projects that showcase problem-solving, data synthesis, and impact measurement. Be ready to discuss your experience with Agile methodologies and stakeholder communication.

• Company Research: Thoroughly research ECS Tech Inc, their mission in the defense sector, and the War Data Platform initiative. Understand the importance of AI in modern warfare and how UX research supports these advancements.

⚠️ 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. The contingent nature of the role upon contract award is a critical factor.