UX Researcher

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: UX Researcher

Company: Sprezzatura Management Consulting

Location: Remote, US

Job Type: Full Time

Category: User Experience Research / Government Consulting

Date Posted: 2026-09-01

Experience Level: 5+ years

Remote Status: Remote Solely

🚀 Role Summary

• Plan, conduct, and synthesize qualitative and quantitative research to understand user needs and behaviors related to the VA.gov Platform.

• Drive product strategy, roadmaps, and investment decisions through evidence-based insights derived from user research and data analysis.

• Own and manage the quarterly user satisfaction survey, tracking user sentiment and experience over time for internal engineering and product teams.

• Collaborate closely with cross-functional teams including Product Managers, Engineers, Designers, Analytics, Platform Support, and government stakeholders.

• Identify opportunities for improvement and recommend priorities for Platform products, services, tools, and processes.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the title is "UX Researcher," the core responsibilities and context strongly indicate a focus on understanding the internal developer and engineering experience with the VA.gov Platform, rather than external end-user experience. This nuance is critical for candidates to grasp. The role bridges user research principles with a focus on internal tooling and developer workflows within a government contracting environment.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Design and execute comprehensive research plans to understand how engineering and product teams utilize VA.gov Platform products, services, tools, and processes.

• Employ a range of qualitative research methods, including user interviews, usability studies, contextual inquiry, and workflow analysis, to gather in-depth insights.

• Conduct thorough studies of the end-to-end developer experience, from discovery and adoption to troubleshooting and support for Platform capabilities.

• Identify and articulate unmet user needs, recurring pain points, barriers to adoption, and potential areas for enhancement within Platform products and services.

• Evaluate the effectiveness of existing Platform capabilities and assess proposed improvements or new product developments through rigorous research.

• Develop detailed research plans, discussion guides, recruitment criteria, and study materials tailored to specific research objectives.

• Synthesize complex qualitative and quantitative research findings into clear, concise, and actionable recommendations for stakeholders.

• Lead the design, administration, analysis, and reporting of the VA.gov Platform's quarterly user satisfaction survey to gauge and track user sentiment.

• Establish and maintain a consistent measurement framework to enable the Platform team to monitor satisfaction and sentiment trends over extended periods.

• Analyze survey results segmented by user groups, products, services, or specific experience areas to uncover meaningful patterns and insights.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on "developer experience" and "internal users" suggests a specialized application of UX research principles. Candidates should be prepared to discuss how they adapt traditional UX methodologies to understand the needs of technical teams and internal product development lifecycles, rather than consumer-facing applications. The ownership of a quarterly survey is a significant responsibility, requiring strong survey design, statistical analysis, and reporting skills.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: Bachelor's Degree

Experience: 5+ years of experience as a UX Researcher.

Required Skills:

• Proven experience in conducting user experience research for digital products, software platforms, developer tools, or enterprise technology.

• Strong proficiency in qualitative research methodologies, including in-depth interviews, usability testing, contextual inquiry, and thematic analysis.

• Demonstrated experience in designing, administering, and analyzing user satisfaction surveys.

• Ability to synthesize complex qualitative and quantitative data into clear, actionable product recommendations.

• Skill in identifying patterns and deriving meaningful insights from large volumes of user feedback.

• Experience translating research findings into strategic recommendations that influence product roadmaps and prioritization.

• Solid understanding of human-centered design principles and user-centered product development processes.

• Proven ability to collaborate effectively with Product Managers, Designers, Engineers, and other technical stakeholders.

• Excellent written, verbal, facilitation, and presentation skills, with the ability to communicate findings to diverse audiences.

• Experience managing multiple concurrent research initiatives and balancing the needs of various stakeholders.

• Ability to obtain and maintain a Public Trust clearance. Preferred Skills:

• Experience researching for government platforms or in a government contracting environment.

• Familiarity with the VA.gov Platform or similar large-scale government digital services.

• Experience with A/B testing and experimental design for product improvements.

• Knowledge of product analytics tools and their integration with qualitative research.

• Experience with survey platforms beyond basic administration (e.g., advanced statistical analysis).

• Understanding of DevSecOps principles and their impact on developer workflows.

📝 Enhancement Note: The requirement for a Public Trust clearance is a critical qualification. Candidates without the ability to obtain this clearance will not be considered. The "5+ years" experience is a baseline, and candidates with more extensive experience, particularly in complex enterprise or government environments, will be highly competitive. The mention of "developer experience" suggests that experience with B2B or technical user research is highly valuable.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Demonstrations of end-to-end research projects, from planning and execution to synthesis and recommendation.

• Case studies showcasing the application of qualitative research methods (interviews, usability tests, contextual inquiry) to solve complex user problems.

• Examples of how research insights have directly informed product strategy, feature development, or process improvements.

• Evidence of experience in designing, deploying, and analyzing user satisfaction surveys, including sample reports or dashboards.

• Documentation of your approach to synthesizing mixed-method data (qualitative, quantitative, analytics) to form comprehensive insights. Process Documentation:

• Showcase your process for developing research plans, including defining objectives, selecting methodologies, and outlining participant recruitment strategies.

• Provide examples of how you document and communicate research findings, emphasizing clarity, conciseness, and actionable recommendations for technical and non-technical audiences.

• Illustrate your workflow for managing research projects, including stakeholder alignment, timeline management, and quality assurance of research outputs.

• Demonstrate your approach to creating and maintaining measurement frameworks, particularly for tracking user sentiment and satisfaction over time.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a UX Researcher role, a robust portfolio is paramount. Candidates should prepare to present detailed case studies that clearly articulate the problem, their research process, the insights generated, and the impact of those insights on the product or service. For this specific role, highlighting research on internal tools, developer workflows, or complex platform ecosystems will be particularly impactful.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $110,000 - $140,000 annually.

• 📝 Enhancement Note: This salary range is provided as a base. Sprezzatura Management Consulting notes that the final salary will depend on factors including geographic work location (cost of living adjustments may apply), relevant experience, skills, education, internal equity, security clearance, and contract requirements. For remote roles within the US, it's common for companies to adjust ranges based on major cost-of-living hubs (e.g., NYC, SF) versus lower cost areas, though the exact methodology is not specified here. The range provided aligns with experienced UX Researcher roles in the US tech and consulting sectors, particularly those requiring specialized clearances.

Benefits:

• Comprehensive Medical, Dental, and Vision insurance plans.

• Health Savings Account (HSA) with a company contribution for eligible medical plans.

• Company-paid Life Insurance, Accidental Death & Dismemberment (AD&D) Insurance.

• Company-paid Short-term and Long-term Disability Insurance.

• Voluntary Accident, Hospital Indemnity, and Critical Care Insurance options.

• Voluntary Medical and Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs).

• Accrued Paid Time Off (PTO).

• Company Paid Holidays.

• 401(k) Retirement Plan with a company match.

Working Hours: Standard business hours are Monday through Friday. Occasional extended or weekend hours may be required based on operational needs. Reliable internet service is mandatory for effective telecommuting.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Management Consulting, Government Technology Solutions, Health IT, DevSecOps.

Company Size: Sprezzatura Management Consulting is a Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB). While an exact employee count isn't provided, SDVOSBs typically range from small teams to a few hundred employees, suggesting a potentially agile and focused environment.

Founded: The company's founding date is not explicitly stated, but its description suggests a focus on modernizing government services through technology.

Team Structure:

• The UX Researcher will likely be part of a larger consulting team or a dedicated product/platform support team within Sprezzatura, working closely with government clients at the VA.

• Collaboration will be a key aspect, involving direct interaction with Product Managers, Engineers, Designers, Analytics specialists, Platform Support personnel, and government stakeholders.

• The role reports into a project lead or a manager overseeing the VA.gov Platform support. Methodology:

• Sprezzatura emphasizes "operational excellence," "curiosity," and "measurable execution" in delivering digital solutions.

• The company focuses on secure, scalable, and human-centered digital solutions, indicating a commitment to robust development and user-centric design processes.

• Data-driven decision-making and evidence-based insights are core to their approach, aligning with the UX Researcher's role in informing product strategy.

Company Website: https://www.sprezzmc.com/ (Based on domain_derived: sprezzmc.com)

📝 Enhancement Note: As an SDVOSB, Sprezzatura likely fosters a culture that values service, integrity, and a mission-driven approach. The focus on government transformation and "no buzzwords, just impact" suggests a pragmatic, results-oriented environment. The consulting nature means project-based work and client interaction are central.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role represents a mid-to-senior level UX Researcher position, requiring significant independent research planning and execution, as well as stakeholder management. The "5+ years" experience requirement solidifies this.

Reporting Structure: The UX Researcher will report to a project lead or manager within Sprezzatura, but will work daily with cross-functional teams at the VA, including Product Managers and Engineers, influencing their work through research insights.

Operations Impact: The UX Researcher's impact is direct and critical, informing the strategic direction and iterative improvements of the VA.gov Platform. By understanding user (internal developer/product team) needs, the role helps ensure the platform is effective, efficient, and meets the evolving requirements of those building on it, ultimately contributing to better government services.

Growth Opportunities:

• Specialization: Deepen expertise in researching developer experiences, platform ecosystems, or specific government IT domains.

• Leadership: Transition into a Senior UX Researcher role, lead research initiatives for larger projects, or mentor junior researchers.

• Consulting Acumen: Develop advanced client management and strategic consulting skills within the government sector.

• Domain Expertise: Become a subject matter expert in VA IT systems and processes, increasing value to clients.

• Process Improvement: Lead initiatives to refine and optimize research processes and methodologies within Sprezzatura or for client engagements.

📝 Enhancement Note: The opportunity to work on a significant government platform like VA.gov, coupled with a consulting firm that values impact, offers substantial growth potential. The requirement for a Public Trust clearance also opens doors to more sensitive and high-impact government projects.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: This is a fully remote position within the United States.

Office Location(s): Remote, US. While there are no physical offices specified for this role, Sprezzatura Management Consulting likely has a headquarters or operational base, but the work is performed remotely.

Workspace Context:

• The primary workspace will be a home office environment, requiring reliable internet connectivity and the ability to work independently.

• Collaboration will occur primarily through virtual channels (e.g., video conferencing, Slack, email), necessitating strong virtual communication and collaboration skills.

• Access to company-provided collaboration tools and potentially specialized software for research and project management will be available.

• The environment supports asynchronous work where possible but requires synchronous interaction for meetings, workshops, and team discussions.

Work Schedule: Standard business hours (Monday-Friday) are expected, with flexibility for focused individual work. Occasional extended hours or weekend work may be necessary to meet project deadlines or operational demands, particularly around survey deployment or critical research findings.

📝 Enhancement Note: The remote nature of the role requires self-discipline, strong time management, and proactive communication to stay connected with the team and stakeholders. The "occasional extended or weekend hours" is a common caveat in consulting and government contracting roles, especially when dealing with critical deadlines or client needs.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

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

• Hiring Manager Interview: A more in-depth discussion with the hiring manager focusing on your experience, research philosophy, and fit for the team and VA.gov Platform context. This is where your understanding of developer experience research will be key.

• Portfolio Review & Presentation: A dedicated session where you will present selected case studies from your portfolio. Expect to walk through your research process, insights, and impact. This is a critical stage to demonstrate your skills and ability to communicate effectively.

• Technical/Team Interview: This might involve a discussion with potential peers or team members, potentially including a problem-solving exercise or a deeper dive into specific research methodologies.

• Government Clearance Verification: Confirmation of your ability to obtain or maintain a Public Trust clearance.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select 2-3 projects that best showcase your experience with qualitative research, survey design/analysis, and synthesizing complex data for actionable recommendations, ideally related to platforms, tools, or enterprise technology.

• Tell a Story: Structure your case studies with a clear narrative: the problem/challenge, your approach and methodology, key findings/insights, recommendations, and the impact or outcome.

• Quantify Impact: Whenever possible, highlight how your research led to measurable improvements or informed significant decisions. For this role, focus on how your insights improved developer efficiency, adoption, or satisfaction.

• Showcase Process: Be prepared to detail your research process, including how you developed research questions, recruited participants, chose methodologies, and synthesized data.

• Tailor to the Role: Emphasize any experience you have with internal tools, developer experience, or government platforms.

Challenge Preparation:

• Research Scenario: Be ready for a hypothetical research scenario related to understanding developer pain points or improving a platform feature. You might be asked to outline a research plan.

• Insight Generation: Practice articulating how you would derive actionable insights from a given set of qualitative data (e.g., interview transcripts, usability test feedback).

• Stakeholder Communication: Prepare to discuss how you would communicate challenging research findings or recommendations to a mixed audience of technical and non-technical stakeholders.

📝 Enhancement Note: The portfolio presentation is likely the most crucial part of the interview process. Candidates should practice presenting their work concisely and powerfully, focusing on demonstrating their thought process and the value they bring. The government context means thoroughness and clear documentation of processes will be highly valued.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Qualitative Research Tools: Interviewing software (e.g., Zoom, Google Meet), note-taking tools, potentially specialized qualitative analysis software (e.g., Dovetail, NVivo).

• Survey Platforms: Tools for designing, administering, and analyzing user satisfaction surveys (e.g., SurveyMonkey, Qualtrics, Google Forms, Typeform).

• Collaboration Tools: Video conferencing (e.g., Zoom, Microsoft Teams), instant messaging (e.g., Slack), project management tools (e.g., Jira, Asana, Trello).

• Documentation Tools: Word processors (e.g., Microsoft Word, Google Docs), presentation software (e.g., PowerPoint, Google Slides), and potentially wiki or knowledge base tools.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Data Synthesis Tools: Spreadsheet software (e.g., Excel, Google Sheets) for quantitative analysis and data aggregation.

• Visualization Tools: Presentation software or basic charting capabilities within survey/spreadsheet tools for reporting findings. Experience with dedicated BI tools like Tableau or Power BI would be a plus but not explicitly required.

CRM & Automation:

• Not directly applicable to the core UX Research function, but familiarity with how CRM or workflow automation tools impact user experience might be beneficial for understanding the broader ecosystem.

📝 Enhancement Note: While specific tool names aren't listed, the description implies a need for proficiency in standard UX research, survey, and collaboration software. The key is demonstrating the ability to use these tools effectively to gather, analyze, and communicate insights. Experience with tools common in government contracting environments (e.g., Jira, Confluence) could be an advantage.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Mission-Driven: A strong commitment to supporting government transformation and improving public services through technology.

• Operational Excellence: Focus on delivering high-quality, reliable, and efficient solutions.

• Human-Centered: Prioritizing the needs, behaviors, and satisfaction of users (in this case, internal development teams).

• Data-Driven: Basing decisions and recommendations on evidence and rigorous analysis.

• Curiosity & Impact: A drive to understand complex problems and deliver tangible, measurable outcomes.

• Integrity & Security: Upholding high standards of conduct and security, especially given the government context and clearance requirements.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-functional Integration: Expect close collaboration with diverse roles (PMs, Engineers, Designers) requiring strong communication and empathy.

• Evidence-Based Discussion: Research findings are used to drive constructive debates and decisions, rather than relying on opinions alone.

• Proactive Communication: Essential for remote work to ensure alignment, share progress, and solicit feedback.

• Iterative Improvement: A culture that embraces continuous learning and refinement of processes and products based on feedback and data.

📝 Enhancement Note: The company's SDVOSB status and focus on government transformation suggest a culture that values dedication, service, and a results-oriented mindset. The remote nature necessitates a culture of trust and accountability.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Understanding Complex Systems: Navigating and researching intricate government platforms like VA.gov and the associated internal processes can be challenging.

• Balancing Stakeholder Needs: Managing the diverse expectations and priorities of Product Managers, Engineers, government stakeholders, and potentially end-users.

• Measuring Impact in Government: Demonstrating the tangible ROI of UX research within a government contracting environment, which may have different metrics and timelines than the private sector.

• Maintaining Remote Collaboration: Ensuring effective communication and team cohesion in a fully remote setting, especially when dealing with sensitive government data or projects.

• Data Synthesis Complexity: Integrating various data sources (qualitative research, surveys, analytics, support tickets) into coherent insights.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Government IT Domain Expertise: Gaining deep knowledge of the VA's digital infrastructure and operational challenges.

• Advanced Research Techniques: Opportunities to refine skills in mixed-methods research, advanced survey design, and potentially experimental design.

• Client-Facing Consulting Skills: Developing expertise in presenting to and advising government clients.

• Process Optimization: Contributing to the refinement of research and development processes within Sprezzatura and for the VA.gov Platform.

• Clearance-Related Roles: The Public Trust clearance can pave the way for future roles requiring similar or higher-level clearances on other government projects.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges are typical for roles in government consulting and complex platform development. The growth opportunities are significant, particularly for those interested in making a direct impact on public services and advancing within the government contracting space.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you had to research a complex technical product or platform. What was your approach, and what were the key challenges?" (Focus on your process for understanding technical systems and developer needs.)

• "How would you approach designing a research study to understand why a specific feature on the VA.gov Platform has low adoption among internal teams?" (Demonstrate your ability to translate a business problem into a research plan.)

• "Walk me through a complex research finding you had to communicate to a non-technical executive. How did you ensure they understood the implications?" (Highlight your communication and stakeholder management skills.) Company & Culture Questions:

• "Why are you interested in working for Sprezzatura, particularly in a government consulting role?" (Research Sprezzatura's mission, SDVOSB status, and government focus.)

• "How do you approach continuous learning and staying updated on UX research best practices, especially in a remote environment?" (Show your commitment to professional development.)

• "Describe your experience working with Product Managers and Engineers. How do you ensure your research aligns with their goals and constraints?" (Emphasize collaboration and understanding of development lifecycles.) Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Focus on Impact: For each case study, clearly articulate the problem, your unique contribution, the insights you uncovered, and the resulting impact on the product, users, or business.

• Show, Don't Just Tell: Use visuals from your research (e.g., personas, journey maps, survey charts, key quotes) to illustrate your points.

• Be Prepared for Deep Dives: Anticipate questions about your methodology, data analysis, and how you handled challenges or unexpected findings.

• Connect to the Role: Explicitly link your past experiences and skills to the requirements and responsibilities of this specific UX Researcher position at Sprezzatura, particularly regarding the VA.gov Platform and developer experience.

• Practice Your Narrative: Rehearse your presentation to ensure it flows logically, stays within the allotted time, and highlights your most relevant achievements.

📝 Enhancement Note: Candidates should prepare to discuss their experience with the full research lifecycle, from planning and recruitment to synthesis and recommendation. Demonstrating an understanding of the unique challenges and opportunities within government IT and platform development will be a significant advantage.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this operations position:

• Submit your application through the provided ADP link.

• Tailor your resume: Highlight your 5+ years of UX research experience, specific qualitative and quantitative methodologies used, experience with digital products/platforms, and any experience with surveys or developer tools. Quantify achievements where possible.

• Prepare your portfolio: Select 2-3 strong case studies that showcase your research process, insights, and impact, particularly those related to complex platforms or internal tools. Be ready to present them clearly and concisely.

• Research Sprezzatura: Understand their mission as an SDVOSB, their focus on government transformation, and their commitment to impact.

• Practice your interview answers: Prepare for behavioral questions, methodology discussions, and scenario-based challenges, focusing on demonstrating your problem-solving skills and collaborative approach.

⚠️ 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.