UX Strategist and Researcher

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: UX Strategist and Researcher

Company: Booz Allen Hamilton

Location: Washington, DC, US

Job Type: Full-Time

Category: UX/Product Design Operations

Date Posted: 2026-10-02

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

Remote Status: Hybrid

🚀 Role Summary

• Lead user-centered research and experience strategy for advanced digital twin and Unity-based applications.

• Translate user goals, workflows, and pain points into clear experience direction for multidisciplinary teams.

• Collaborate with clients and stakeholders to define research objectives and ensure user insights drive product and design decisions.

• Produce core documentation including engagement plans and findings reports, maintaining continuity through design-development tracking.

• Mentor colleagues and contribute to the growth and maturity of the UX practice within a dynamic environment.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role requires a blend of strategic thinking, hands-on research, and strong communication skills, typical of a mid-level UX professional seeking to influence product development in a complex, client-facing environment. The emphasis on "managing upwards" and "influencing strategy" suggests a need for proactive engagement and clear articulation of UX value.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Plan and execute comprehensive user research methodologies, including discovery, interviews, usability tests, and field studies.

• Translate research findings into actionable artifacts such as personas, user stories, and user flows.

• Develop and present clear design recommendations for complex, enterprise-level applications, focusing on digital twins and Unity-based platforms.

• Facilitate cross-functional working sessions, stakeholder engagements, and design reviews to ensure alignment and user advocacy.

• Manage research projects from initiation to completion, ensuring timely delivery of documentation and insights in an Agile framework.

• Mentor junior UX team members and contribute to the development of best practices and standards within the UX practice.

• Identify and integrate AI tools appropriately to enhance UX research and design processes, while adhering to company policies.

• Ensure designs comply with accessibility and relevant industry standards (e.g., W3C, Section 508).

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a need for a proactive researcher who can not only conduct studies but also strategically influence product roadmaps and mentor others. The mention of "digital twins and Unity-based applications" points to a specialized domain requiring adaptability and potentially new skill development.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: Bachelor’s degree in Human-Computer Interaction, Psychology, Design, Computer Science, or a related field.

Experience:

• Minimum of 3 years of professional experience in UX research, product design, or a closely related field.

• Proven track record of conducting user research and translating insights into design recommendations for complex applications. Required Skills:

• Proficiency in planning and conducting various user research methods (discovery, interviews, usability tests, field studies).

• Expertise in translating research insights into user personas, user stories, and user flows.

• Strong command of the Figma ecosystem and its collaborative features.

• Demonstrated ability to communicate and collaborate effectively across cross-functional teams in an Agile environment.

• Experience with stakeholder engagement, working sessions, and design reviews.

• Ability to obtain a Secret security clearance.

• Analytical and problem-solving skills to address complex user experience challenges. Preferred Skills:

• Experience with Unity-based applications, including AR, VR, XR, digital twins, or simulations.

• Familiarity with spatial UX, data visualization techniques, and design systems.

• Experience mentoring junior team members or influencing team direction.

• Knowledge of accessibility and compliance standards (e.g., W3C, Section 508).

• Industry-recognized UX certifications (e.g., NN/g, HFI).

• Experience applying AI tools responsibly within UX workflows.

📝 Enhancement Note: The required skills emphasize foundational UX research and design competencies, particularly within the Figma and Agile environments. Preferred skills indicate areas where additional expertise will make a candidate stand out, especially in emerging technology domains like digital twins and AR/VR. The mandatory Secret clearance is a critical qualification.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Showcase a minimum of 2-3 comprehensive UX research projects that demonstrate your end-to-end process from discovery to design recommendations.

• Clearly articulate