User Research Specialist

Description Join our team in a transformative project aimed at redesigning tools that enhance the efficiency of analytic research, writing, and dissemination. As a User Research Specialist, you will play a pivotal role by conducting in-depth user research and translating your findings into clear and actionable requirements to guide the design and development of our toolset. Your work will involve understanding the needs of users, informing product design, and ensuring our analytic systems align with real-world workflows and cognitive processes. Your expertise will help prevent mismatches between system design and user behavior, ultimately driving more effective investment in our technologies. We are looking for candidates who have a strong background in various user research methodologies, including contextual inquiry, ethnographic observation, and usability testing. You will create user personas, journey maps, and other research artifacts to clearly communicate insights and recommendations for improvement. Key Responsibilities and Duties Plan, conduct, and document comprehensive user research suitable for all project phases. Identify and recruit representative user participants, conduct research sessions, and document findings effectively. Develop and maintain research artifacts like user personas and workflow diagrams. Analyze behavioral data to uncover pain points and opportunities, synthesizing findings to inform actionable recommendations. Lead various research activities such as contextual inquiries, interviews, and usability testing. Required Qualifications Master's degree in a relevant field and 6+ years of user research experience, or a Bachelor's with 8+ years, or an Associate's with 10+ years. At least 3 years of empirical user research experience in software development. Expertise in Agile environments and familiarity with design tools like Figma or AdobeXD. Strong understanding of Human-Centered Design principles and UI/UX best practices. Proven ability to facilitate collaborative sessions effectively. Excellent verbal communication and presentation skills. Desired Qualifications Experience with the DA, Sponsor, or IC analytic components. If you thrive in a fast-paced, innovative environment and are driven to make an impact, we encourage you to apply to join us at Leidos. We value those who challenge the status quo and are committed to excellence. Pay Range: Pay Range $92,300.00 - $166,850.00 About Leidos Leidos is a leader in technology and industry, serving government and commercial clients with cutting-edge solutions. Headquartered in Reston, Virginia, Leidos employs 47,000 people globally and reported annual revenues of approximately $16.7 billion for the fiscal year ended January 3, 2025. Commitment to Non-Discrimination We welcome applicants from diverse backgrounds and are committed to equal opportunity in employment. All qualified applicants will receive consideration without any discrimination.

Created: 2026-03-06