UX Researcher

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: UX Researcher

Company: SteerBridge

Location: Vienna, VA

Job Type: Full-time

Category: User Experience / Product Research

Date Posted: September 08, 2026

Experience Level: Mid-Level (3+ years)

Remote Status: Hybrid

🚀 Role Summary

• Conduct in-depth user research to understand complex operational workflows within defense aviation readiness and sustainment environments.

• Translate research findings into actionable insights that inform the design of user-centric product experiences for federal customers.

• Collaborate closely with cross-functional teams, including designers, engineers, data scientists, and domain experts, to ensure product solutions meet user needs.

• Develop interface concepts and workflow models that effectively support fleet readiness monitoring, maintenance planning, logistics coordination, and operational decision-making.

• Bridge the gap between research insights and tangible prototype concepts, demonstrating how solutions should function in high-consequence operational settings.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is positioned as a hybrid UX Researcher, requiring not only foundational research skills but also the ability to contribute to the ideation and conceptualization phase of product development. The emphasis on "moving from research insight to prototype concepts" and designing "interface concepts and workflow models" suggests a more hands-on, design-adjacent responsibility than a pure research role. The mention of "Medallion Architecture" indicates a need to understand data structuring principles within aviation analytics platforms and how to translate them into usable interfaces.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Conduct comprehensive user research using methodologies such as interviews, usability testing, surveys, and contextual inquiries within defense aviation operational environments.

• Analyze and synthesize research data to identify user pain points, needs, and opportunities for product improvement in areas like fleet readiness, maintenance, and logistics.

• Develop detailed user personas, journey maps, and workflow diagrams that accurately represent the operational context and user behaviors.

• Collaborate with product designers to translate research insights into wireframes, mockups, and interactive prototypes that address identified user needs.

• Present research findings and design recommendations clearly and persuasively to multidisciplinary teams and stakeholders, including non-technical audiences.

• Validate design concepts and prototypes through iterative user testing and gather feedback to refine product usability and effectiveness.

• Contribute to the strategic direction of the product by providing data-driven insights on user behavior and operational requirements.

• Ensure that the design of the platform, including its adherence to architectural patterns like Medallion Architecture, translates into clear, usable, and decision-ready experiences for operators.

📝 Enhancement Note: The core responsibilities are framed to emphasize the applied nature of the UX research, moving beyond pure analysis to active contribution in the design and conceptualization phase. This includes not just identifying problems but also actively participating in solution design and validation, particularly within the specific domain of defense aviation and its associated operational complexities.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: [While not explicitly stated, a Bachelor's or Master's degree in Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), Psychology, Sociology, Anthropology, Information Science, or a related field is typically expected for UX research roles. Specific degrees in aviation or defense-related fields may also be advantageous.]

Experience: 3+ years of experience in UX research, human factors, or applied product research, with a demonstrated ability to conduct research and translate findings into actionable product insights.

Required Skills:

• U.S. Citizenship: Mandatory requirement for this role.

• UX Research Methodologies: Strong command of qualitative and quantitative research techniques, including user interviews, usability testing, contextual inquiry, surveys, and heuristic evaluations.

• Research Synthesis: Proven ability to analyze complex research data and synthesize findings into clear, concise, and actionable user insights.

• Translating Complex Environments: Skill in understanding and articulating intricate operational workflows, particularly within government or enterprise software systems.

• Cross-functional Collaboration: Experience working effectively within multidisciplinary teams, including engineers, designers, data scientists, and product managers.

• Communication & Presentation: Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to present research findings and recommendations to diverse audiences.

• Enterprise/Government Software Experience: Familiarity with the unique challenges and user needs associated with complex enterprise or government software systems.

Preferred Skills:

• Aviation/Defense Domain Expertise: Prior experience with aviation, defense, logistics, or fleet management systems.

• Analytics/Decision-Support Platforms: Experience supporting the development or research for enterprise analytics or decision-support platforms.

• Data-Driven Interfaces: Familiarity with designing or researching interfaces such as dashboards, operational planning tools, or data visualization systems.

• Prototyping Tools: Experience with Figma or similar tools for creating interface concepts and prototypes.

• Understanding of Architectural Patterns: Familiarity with data architecture principles like Medallion Architecture, and how they impact user experience.

📝 Enhancement Note: The requirements clearly delineate between mandatory and preferred qualifications, with U.S. Citizenship being a non-negotiable criterion. The emphasis on translating complex operational environments and experience with enterprise/government software highlights the specialized nature of this role. Preferred skills point towards candidates with domain-specific knowledge and practical design tool proficiency.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Demonstrated Research Process: Showcase a clear and structured approach to UX research, from problem definition and methodology selection to data analysis and insight generation.

• Case Studies of Impact: Present detailed case studies of past research projects, highlighting the problem, your research process, key findings, and the tangible impact of your insights on product design and user experience.

• User Insight Translation: Include examples demonstrating your ability to translate complex user needs and operational contexts into concrete design recommendations or validated concepts.

• Prototyping/Concept Examples: If available, include examples of interface concepts or workflow models you helped develop, showing how research informed their creation.

Process Documentation:

• Methodology Application: Document how you select and apply appropriate research methodologies based on project goals, constraints, and the nature of the operational environment.

• Synthesis and Insight Generation: Explain your process for synthesizing qualitative and quantitative data to extract meaningful and actionable insights relevant to product development.

• Collaboration and Feedback Integration: Illustrate how you collaborate with cross-functional teams throughout the research and design process, and how you integrate feedback.

• Impact Measurement: Where possible, demonstrate how your research contributed to measurable improvements in user satisfaction, task completion rates, or system usability.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a UX Researcher role, especially one that involves moving from insight to concept, a portfolio is crucial. The emphasis should be on demonstrating a robust research process, the ability to derive actionable insights, and how those insights directly influenced design decisions or product improvements. The inclusion of concept development further strengthens the portfolio.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $115,000 - $135,000 annually.

Benefits:

• Comprehensive Health Insurance

• Dental Insurance

• Vision Insurance

• Life Insurance

• 401(k) Retirement Plan with company matching contributions.

• Generous Paid Time Off (PTO) accrual.

• Paid Federal Holidays.

Working Hours: A standard 40-hour work week is implied. The "Hybrid" work arrangement suggests flexibility in how these hours are fulfilled, with a mix of on-site and remote work.

📝 Enhancement Note: The provided salary range is specific and competitive for a mid-level UX Researcher role in the Washington D.C. metropolitan area, considering the specialized nature of the work (defense aviation). The benefits package is standard for a technology company supporting government contracts, with a strong emphasis on health and retirement security. The mention of "Hybrid" work arrangement implies a structured approach to on-site days, likely for collaboration and team cohesion.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Technology, Government Contracting, Defense, Digital Transformation. SteerBridge operates at the intersection of modern technology and mission-focused solutions for the U.S. Government and private sector. They specialize in agile capabilities, leveraging emerging technologies to enhance operational effectiveness for their clients.

Company Size: The provided information does not specify company size. However, the mention of "cultivating talent" and "meaningful career pathways" suggests a growth-oriented company that values employee development.

Founded: The founding date is not explicitly provided. However, the company's focus on "modern technology" and "emerging technologies" indicates a forward-thinking organization.

Team Structure:

• Cross-functional Collaboration: The UX Researcher will be part of a multidisciplinary team that includes designers, engineers, data scientists, and domain experts. This indicates a collaborative environment where diverse skill sets converge to solve complex problems.

• Mission-Centric: The team operates with a strong focus on supporting "mission-critical Defense Aviation platform" and "mission success" for federal customers.

• Domain Expertise Integration: The structure likely emphasizes the integration of deep domain knowledge (aviation readiness, sustainment) with technical expertise (engineering, data science) and user experience principles.

Methodology:

• Agile Development: SteerBridge leverages "agile, commercial-grade capabilities," suggesting an agile development methodology is likely employed for product development.

• Data-Driven Decision Making: The company's focus on "accelerating operational effectiveness and drive measurable mission success," along with the mention of "data scientists" and "aviation analytics platforms," points to a data-driven approach.

• User-Centric Design: The core of this role is understanding user needs, indicating a strong emphasis on user-centric design principles within their development lifecycle.

• Architectural Best Practices: The mention of "Medallion Architecture" signifies a commitment to structured, validated, and operationalized data within their platforms, impacting how UX research and design are approached.

Company Website: steerbridge.com

📝 Enhancement Note: SteerBridge positions itself as a technology firm with a strong mission focus, particularly for the U.S. Government. The culture appears to value expertise, innovation, and employee development, with a particular emphasis on supporting veterans. The team structure is inherently cross-functional, and the methodologies lean towards agile and data-driven approaches, informed by established architectural patterns.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This UX Researcher role is positioned at a Mid-Level. It requires significant foundational experience (3+ years) in UX research methodologies and the ability to work independently on research tasks. However, it also involves contributing to conceptualization and design, pushing beyond a purely analytical research function. The role demands an understanding of complex operational environments and the ability to translate these into user-centric solutions.

Reporting Structure: While not explicitly detailed, the UX Researcher will likely report to a UX Lead, Design Manager, or Product Management lead within a project team. They will collaborate closely with engineers, data scientists, and domain experts, indicating a matrixed reporting or project-based collaboration structure.

Operations Impact: The UX Researcher's work directly impacts the usability, effectiveness, and adoption of a mission-critical Defense Aviation platform. By ensuring the system supports fleet readiness, maintenance, and logistics, the researcher contributes to operational efficiency, decision-making accuracy, and ultimately, the success of critical defense missions. Their insights help bridge the gap between complex data architectures (like Medallion Architecture) and the practical needs of operators working in high-stakes environments.

Growth Opportunities:

• Specialization: Opportunity to deepen expertise in UX research within the defense aviation and government contracting sectors.

• Design Contribution: Potential to grow into roles that blend research with UX design and product strategy, especially in conceptualization and early-stage product development.

• Leadership: As experience grows, opportunities may arise to lead research initiatives, mentor junior researchers, or influence product roadmaps.

• Cross-functional Skill Development: Exposure to data science, engineering, and defense domain expertise can broaden skill sets and career applicability.

• Advanced Methodologies: Potential to explore and implement more advanced research techniques and contribute to defining research best practices within the company.

📝 Enhancement Note: The growth path for this role involves deepening domain expertise and potentially expanding into design strategy or product leadership. The company's focus on "meaningful career pathways" suggests a structured approach to development, with opportunities for continuous learning and skill enhancement in a specialized, high-impact sector.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: This is a Hybrid role, meaning a combination of working remotely and from the company's physical office. The specific office environment in Vienna, VA, is likely professional and geared towards collaboration for government contracting work.

Office Location(s): Vienna, VA. This location is within the Washington D.C. metropolitan area, a hub for government contracting and technology firms.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Spaces: The office environment likely includes meeting rooms and collaborative areas conducive to team discussions, brainstorming sessions, and working with designers and engineers.

• Technology Infrastructure: Access to necessary hardware, software, and secure network infrastructure appropriate for working with sensitive government data.

• Team Interaction: Opportunities for face-to-face interaction with colleagues, fostering team cohesion and facilitating spontaneous problem-solving and knowledge sharing, especially crucial for understanding complex operational contexts.

• Remote Work Flexibility: The hybrid model offers flexibility, allowing for focused individual work at home while leveraging in-office time for critical collaborative activities.

Work Schedule: The standard 40-hour work week is typical, with the hybrid arrangement allowing for some flexibility in daily scheduling. However, given the mission-critical nature of the defense aviation platform, adherence to project timelines and team availability will be paramount.

📝 Enhancement Note: The hybrid work environment in Vienna, VA, offers a blend of flexibility and collaborative opportunities. For operations roles like this, the ability to transition between focused remote work and in-person team interaction is key to both individual productivity and collective problem-solving, particularly when dealing with complex systems and stakeholder needs.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A brief call with a recruiter or hiring manager to assess basic qualifications, experience, and cultural fit.

• Technical Interview(s): In-depth discussions focusing on UX research methodologies, problem-solving skills, and experience with complex systems. Expect questions about your approach to research, how you handle challenging research scenarios, and your understanding of user-centered design principles.

• Portfolio Review: A dedicated session where you will present your portfolio, walking through 1-2 key case studies. Be prepared to discuss your process, the insights you derived, the impact of your work, and how you collaborated with teams.

• Team/Stakeholder Interviews: Meetings with potential colleagues (designers, engineers, data scientists) and stakeholders (e.g., product managers, potentially end-users or client representatives) to assess collaboration style, communication skills, and domain understanding.

• Final Interview: May involve senior leadership to discuss overall fit, strategic thinking, and alignment with company values.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Focus on Process and Impact: Clearly articulate your research process for each case study. Emphasize the why behind your decisions and the impact your research had on the product or business outcomes.

• Quantify Results: Whenever possible, use metrics to demonstrate the success of your work (e.g., improvements in task completion rates, reduction in errors, increased user satisfaction scores).

• Tell a Story: Structure your case studies as narratives – introduce the problem, detail your approach, present your findings, explain your recommendations, and show the outcome.

• Tailor to the Role: Highlight experiences relevant to complex enterprise/government software, defense aviation, or data-driven platforms. Show how you can translate complex operational environments into actionable insights.

• Prepare for Design Questions: Since the role involves moving to prototype concepts, be ready to discuss how your research directly informed design decisions or how you contributed to conceptualization.

Challenge Preparation:

• Research Scenario: You might be given a hypothetical scenario related to the defense aviation platform and asked to outline a research plan. Focus on your methodology, target users, and key questions.

• Problem-Solving Exercise: A task could involve analyzing a user feedback snippet or a usability issue and proposing research-backed solutions.

• Design Concept Discussion: Be ready to discuss how research insights could translate into specific interface features or workflow improvements for the target platform.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process is designed to thoroughly assess both technical UX research skills and the ability to apply them in a complex, mission-critical domain. The portfolio review is a critical component, requiring candidates to demonstrate not just research execution but also strategic thinking and impact. The emphasis on translating insights to concepts suggests a more integrated role than traditional UX research.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• UX Research Tools: Proficiency in a range of qualitative and quantitative research tools for data collection and analysis. Examples include:

  • User Interview/Testing Platforms: Lookback, UserTesting.com, Maze, Zoom, Google Meet.
  • Survey Tools: SurveyMonkey, Qualtrics, Google Forms.
  • Analytics & Synthesis Tools: Dovetail, Miro, Mural, Excel/Google Sheets for data analysis and synthesis.

• Prototyping Tools: Experience with Figma is explicitly preferred, indicating its importance. Other relevant tools may include Sketch, Adobe XD, InVision.

• Collaboration Tools: Familiarity with tools like Jira, Confluence, Slack, Microsoft Teams for team communication and project management.

Analytics & Reporting:

• While not a primary focus for UX research, understanding how to interpret data from analytics platforms (e.g., Google Analytics, Amplitude, Pendo) to inform research questions or validate findings would be beneficial.

• Experience with data visualization tools (e.g., Tableau, Power BI) could be helpful for understanding how data is presented to users. CRM & Automation:

• Generally, CRM and automation tools are less directly relevant to UX research unless used for user segmentation or outreach for research participants. However, understanding how the product integrates with or supports CRM functions might be relevant depending on the platform's scope.

📝 Enhancement Note: The tech stack emphasizes core UX research and design tools. Figma is highlighted as a preferred tool, suggesting its widespread use within the design and product teams. Familiarity with collaboration and project management software is also essential for effective team integration in a hybrid environment.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Mission Focus: A strong commitment to supporting and advancing the missions of their U.S. Government and private sector clients. This means understanding the high stakes and critical nature of the work.

• Innovation & Excellence: SteerBridge emphasizes delivering "innovative, mission-focused solutions" and leveraging "emerging technologies." They aim for "agile, commercial-grade capabilities" and "measurable mission success."

• People-Centric & Career Development: The company actively "cultivates" talent and creates "meaningful career pathways," particularly for veterans. This suggests a supportive environment focused on employee growth and well-being.

• Data-Driven Approach: The integration of data scientists and the focus on "aviation analytics platforms" and "operational effectiveness" indicate a strong reliance on data for decision-making and performance measurement.

• User-Centricity: As evidenced by the UX Researcher role, there's a clear value placed on understanding and serving the end-user, ensuring that technology translates into usable and effective experiences.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-functional Integration: The role is embedded within a multidisciplinary team, requiring seamless collaboration between UX, engineering, data science, and domain experts.

• Agile and Iterative: Working within an agile framework implies a collaborative style that is iterative, involves frequent communication, and embraces feedback loops.

• Knowledge Sharing: A culture that encourages sharing insights and best practices across disciplines, especially critical for bridging the gap between complex technical architectures and user needs.

• Veteran-Friendly Environment: Given the emphasis on veterans, the culture likely values leadership, problem-solving, and a commitment to excellence often found in military backgrounds.

📝 Enhancement Note: SteerBridge's culture appears to be a blend of high-performance government contracting expectations with a strong emphasis on employee development and a mission-driven purpose. The collaborative style is essential for integrating diverse expertise to solve complex problems for defense clients.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Complexity of Operational Environment: Understanding and accurately representing the intricacies of defense aviation readiness and sustainment workflows, which are highly specialized and high-consequence.

• Bridging Technical and User Needs: Effectively translating complex architectural patterns (like Medallion Architecture) and data structures into intuitive and actionable user interfaces for operators.

• Balancing Research Rigor with Design Contribution: Moving beyond traditional research to actively contribute to prototype concepts and workflow models requires a blend of analytical and creative skills.

• Data Accessibility and Security: Navigating potential limitations or security protocols when accessing data or conducting research within a defense-related context.

• Stakeholder Alignment: Ensuring buy-in and alignment from diverse stakeholders (engineers, data scientists, federal customers) on research findings and proposed design solutions.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Domain Specialization: Deepen expertise in aviation logistics, fleet management, and defense operational requirements.

• Advanced UX Techniques: Opportunity to explore and implement advanced research methodologies and user-centered design patterns specific to complex enterprise systems.

• Cross-Disciplinary Learning: Gain exposure to data science principles, software engineering practices, and government acquisition processes.

• Product Strategy Input: Contribute to product roadmaps and strategic decision-making based on user insights and market understanding.

• Leadership Potential: Develop skills in leading research initiatives, mentoring junior team members, and influencing product direction.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges are inherent to working in a specialized, high-stakes domain. The growth opportunities are significant, focusing on deepening domain expertise, expanding UX capabilities into design strategy, and developing leadership potential within a company that values employee development.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you had to research a highly complex operational environment. What was your approach, and what were the key challenges in translating those needs into actionable insights?" (Focus on your methodology, synthesis process, and ability to simplify complexity.)

• "How do you collaborate with engineers and data scientists to ensure research findings are understood and effectively integrated into product development, especially when dealing with complex data architectures like Medallion Architecture?" (Highlight your communication skills, ability to speak to technical teams, and understanding of data structures.)

• "Walk us through a project where your research directly led to a significant change in a product's design or functionality. What was the problem, your solution, and the measurable impact?" (Prepare a strong case study demonstrating impact and your role.) Company & Culture Questions:

• "What interests you about SteerBridge's mission and our work with the U.S. Government?" (Research SteerBridge's mission, values, and recent projects. Connect your interest to their focus on innovation and mission success.)

• "How do you see your UX research skills contributing to a hybrid work environment and a multidisciplinary team focused on defense aviation?" (Emphasize your adaptability, collaboration skills, and ability to integrate into diverse teams.)

• "How do you stay updated on the latest UX research trends and best practices, particularly those relevant to enterprise or government software?" (Showcase your commitment to continuous learning and industry knowledge.) Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Select Relevant Case Studies: Choose 1-2 projects that best showcase your skills in complex environments, data-driven insights, and translating research into tangible design concepts or recommendations.

• Structure Your Narrative: For each case study, clearly define the problem, your role and process, the key insights, the proposed solutions/concepts, and the impact. Use visuals effectively.

• Highlight Collaboration: Explain how you worked with designers, engineers, and stakeholders.

• Focus on Impact: Quantify results whenever possible. If direct metrics aren't available, articulate the qualitative impact and how your work informed critical decisions.

• Be Prepared for Design Questions: Since the role involves moving to prototype concepts, be ready to discuss how your research informed design decisions or how you contributed to conceptualization.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation should focus on demonstrating a deep understanding of UX research methodologies, the ability to apply them in a specialized domain, and a collaborative mindset. The portfolio review is a key opportunity to showcase practical application and impact. Be ready to discuss how your research informs design concepts.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this operations position:

• Submit your application through the application link provided on the SteerBridge jobs portal.

• Customize Your Resume: Tailor your resume to highlight your experience in UX research, human factors, and applied product research. Emphasize your work with complex enterprise or government software systems, and any experience in aviation, defense, or logistics. Use keywords from the job description.

• Prepare Your Portfolio: Curate your portfolio to showcase 1-2 detailed case studies demonstrating your research process, ability to translate complex operational needs into insights, and contributions to design concepts or prototypes. Ensure it highlights your impact.

• Research SteerBridge: Understand the company's mission, values, and focus on delivering innovative solutions to the U.S. Government. Familiarize yourself with their approach to technology and employee development.

• Practice Interview Responses: Prepare answers to common UX research interview questions, focusing on your process, problem-solving skills, and collaborative abilities. Practice presenting your portfolio clearly and concisely.

⚠️ 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.