UX Strategist – Experience Vision and Mission Alignment

Shadow Strategies • Columbia, MD

30d • $110,000 - $260,000

About The Position

This role bridges user experience, systems thinking, and mission objectives. As a UX Strategist, you’ll shape the vision for how complex systems should function from a user-centered perspective — not just at the screen level, but across workflows, data flows, and operational realities. You’ll work closely with product leads, engineers, researchers, and mission stakeholders to ensure that the right problems are being solved the right way. Some assignments include travel — meeting with mission users, conducting working sessions with stakeholders, or assessing in-field tools and processes. We’re building strategic design capability across levels and welcome applicants who think critically about both design and mission. At Shadow, strategy is lived, not laminated. UX isn’t just aesthetics — it’s how systems perform when real people rely on them. Our work often reshapes how teams operate, decide, and succeed. If you’re drawn to complexity, intent, and long-term impact, this is where your thinking belongs. If this role sounds like a fit, we encourage you to reach out — we’re actively shaping teams for upcoming work.

Requirements

• Think across systems, not just interfaces
• Translate user insight into strategic direction for design and delivery
• Help teams prioritize what matters — even when everything feels urgent
• Can frame decisions clearly for both designers and decision-makers
• Have experience in complex domains or environments where design maturity varies

Benefits

• Fully covered health insurance – medical, dental, vision
• Paid parental leave – 16 weeks if you give birth, 4 weeks if your partner does
• Flexible leave – designed to support real life, not restrict it
• 401(k) – for your future
• Short- and long-term disability – because life happens
• Annual health stipend – if you opt out of our insurance

What This Job Offers

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