Junior User Researcher Jobs in Washington (NOW HIRING)

This position is fully funded and ready for impact.

Location: Columbia, MD

Telework: TBD, subject to manager approval and tasking

Clearance Required: TS//SCI with Full Scope Polygraph

Salary Range: $100,000 to $135,000

At Shadow Strategies, you will join a culture defined by innovation, purpose, and meaningful impact. We seek Junior UX Designers who support the design and refinement of mission-critical national security systems by conducting user research, creating prototypes and interface designs, documenting user workflows, and improving usability through human-centered design practices. If you are inspired by complexity, motivated by clarity, and committed to excellence, we invite you to become part of something exceptional.

This role supports the design and refinement of mission-critical national security systems, making complex systems more intuitive and effective through user-centered solutions. You will design mockups, conduct user research, perform workflow analysis, create wireframes and prototypes, execute usability testing, and collaborate with technical teams to translate user needs into functional interface designs using human-centered design practices and UX methodologies. This capability helps align user needs, technical constraints, and mission requirements to deliver intuitive and effective systems.

• Document detailed user workflows, personas, tasks, and use cases
• Create interactive prototypes, wireframes, and interface specifications
• Conduct usability testing and translate insights into design improvements
• Design and conduct user research activities including surveys, interviews, and focus groups
• Collaborate with developers, engineers, and stakeholders to align designs with technical constraints and mission needs

• You have a foundational understanding of UX principles and human-centered design practices
• You are comfortable working through ambiguous requirements and incorporating feedback from multiple stakeholders
• You understand how user needs, workflows, and technical constraints influence design decisions
• You prefer clarity over cleverness and durable solutions over quick fixes
• You can communicate design rationale clearly and collaborate effectively across multidisciplinary teams

• Foundational understanding of UX principles and human-centered design
• Proficiency in Adobe Creative Cloud
• Experience collaborating with technical teams to build user-centered systems
• Proven ability to translate user needs into functional interface designs
• Experience conducting usability testing and iterating on feedback

• Experience designing for accessibility and Section 508 compliance
• Familiarity with IC or DoD user environments
• Certification in Human-Centered Computing, Human Factors, or related disciplines

Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Human-Centered Design, or a related field and 5 years of experience

OR 9 years of experience without a degree

Degrees must be obtained from an accredited college or university recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

Based in Columbia, MD Primarily in office with potential of up to 2 days telework per week in Columbia, MD Travel based on mission needs to engage operators, support research, facilitate working sessions, and brief stakeholders Multidisciplinary teams supporting mission systems in classified environments Junior contributors are trusted to work on their own, but have a variety of resources to lean on as they grow.

You will have what you need to do your best work:

• Fully covered health insurance for medical, dental, and vision
• Paid parental leave: 16 weeks if you give birth, 4 weeks if your partner does
• Flexible leave: 36 days total each year, including 25 days of PTO and 11 paid holidays
• 401(k) for your future
• Short-term and long-term disability
• Annual health stipend if you opt out of our insurance

The Extras? They’re Built In.

No points systems. No bean bags. Just clarity, autonomy, and a mission that matters.

Shadow invests in exceptional people because demanding work requires more than a paycheck. Our benefits are designed to provide meaningful support inside and outside the mission.

See our benefit plan at: https://www.shadowstrategies.io/benefits

Shadow Strategies is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to creating a workplace that values diversity and fosters inclusion. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, gender identity, and sexual orientation), national origin, age, disability, genetic information, or any other protected status in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local laws.

Salary is determined by various factors, including but not limited to location, the individual’s particular combination of education, knowledge, skills, competencies, and experience, as well as contract-specific affordability and organizational requirements.