Senior/Staff User Researcher (Defense & Security)

Skylight

14d • $150,000 - $203,000 • Remote

About The Position

At Skylight, user researchers play a critical role in planning, designing, and carrying out research activities with users to help teams gain a deep understanding of the people that use government services. This research informs policy, service, content, and interaction design so that government services work well for users and achieve policy intent.

Requirements

• Ability to align user research activities with organizational strategy and objectives
• Can correctly apply a wide-range of user research methods at different stages of the product life cycle
• Understand how to include all kinds of users in appropriate research activities to help teams deliver accessible services
• Can turn research data into clear findings that inform decisions
• Ability to help colleagues better understand the social and technological context for government services (e.g., how digital technology is changing user behavior)
• Possess an understanding of the different technologies and technical roles within a multidisciplinary team used to build and operate digital services
• Can apply user-centered design practices within the context of an agile, multidisciplinary team
• Ability to work effectively in a professional services environment (e.g., communicate with clients effectively)
• Passion for improving public outcomes through great government services
• A mindset and work approach that align with Skylight’s core values
• Ability to travel for work from time to time

Nice To Haves

• Prior experience working in the civic tech space
• Experience working in a remote-team environment

Responsibilities

• Develop research plans (e.g., what methods to use) in alignment with the strategic context of the project
• Find and connect with good user research participants
• Apply a mix of quantitative and qualitative user research techniques (e.g., user interviews, contextual inquiry) to gain a greater understanding of user needs
• Clearly communicate research findings with internal and external collaborators
• Translate research findings into service/product design hypotheses
• Employ usability testing to validate those hypotheses
• Guide the direction of the service/product and continually advocate for users
• Collaborate with others as part of a cross-functional team that includes product managers, product designers, engineers, and other functional specialists
• Maintain organized, well-written documentation throughout the research process

Benefits

• Medical insurance, dental insurance, vision insurance
• Short-term and long-term disability insurance
• Life and AD&D insurance
• Dependent care FSA, healthcare FSA, health savings account
• Dollar-for-dollar 401(k) match up to 10% of your salary with no vesting period
• Flexible paid time off policy (generally around 25 days per year), plus 11 paid federal holidays
• Up to 12 weeks paid time off for all eligible new birth, adoption, or foster parents
• Performance rewards, including annual salary increase, annual performance bonus, spot bonuses, and stock options
• Business development / sales bonuses
• Referral bonuses
• Annual $2,000 allowance for professional development
• Annual $750 allowance for tech-related purchases
• Annual swag budget of $100 to display your Skylight pride with some merchandise (hoodies, hats, and more)
• Dollar-for-dollar charity donation matching, up to $500 per year
• Flexible, remote-friendly work environment
• An environment that empowers you to unleash your superpowers for public good

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed