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User Experience Researcher Jobs in Reston, VA (NOW HIRING)

Prysm Technology

UX/UI Designer

Herndon, VA · On-site

User Research Analysis Plan and conduct user research activities including interviews, usability ... Create service blueprints and end-to-end experience maps to align cross-functional teams. UI Design ...

Prysm Technology

UX/UI Designer

Herndon, VA · On-site

User Research & Analysis Plan and conduct user research activities including interviews, usability ... Create service blueprints and end-to-end experience maps to align cross-functional teams. UI Design ...

Maxar

UI-UX Designer

Mclean, VA

User Research & Analysis * Plan and conduct user research activities including interviews ... Lead UX and UI effortsfor complex, high-visibility applications. * Define,maintain, and evolve ...

Dlapiper

UX/UI Designer

Washington, DC · Hybrid

$41.20 - $65.52/hr

Conducts comprehensive UX research, usability testing, and website analytics data to gather insights on user friction points and behaviors, using this information to implement educated, data-driven ...

Capital One

Lead, User Intelligence Research

Mclean, VA · Hybrid

$168K/yr

Lead, User Intelligence Research Lead, User Intelligence Research Manager ( Individual contributor ... Summary: Capital One's Experience Design (XD) organization is focused on co-creating memorable ...

BDR Solutions LLC

UX Designer

Falls Church, VA · On-site

$95K - $100K/yr

Firm research and usability foundation. * Experience planning and conducting user research, user testing, A/B testing, rapid prototyping, heuristic analysis, usability and accessibility concerns.

BDR Solutions LLC

UX Designer

Falls Church, VA · On-site +1

$95K - $100K/yr

Firm research and usability foundation. * Experience planning and conducting user research, user testing, A/B testing, rapid prototyping, heuristic analysis, usability and accessibility concerns.

LMI

UX Designer

Tysons, VA

$78K - $130K/yr

Conduct user research activities such as surveys, interviews, workshops, and focus groups to ... Experience working within Agile development environments, including Agile sprints and iterative ...

System One

UX Designer

Washington, DC · On-site

Job Title: UX Designer Location: Washington, DC Type: Direct Hire Work Model: 3 days onsite ... Conduct user research (interviews, surveys, workshops, usability studies) with Soldiers, HR ...

LMI

UX Designer

Tysons, VA · On-site

$78K - $130K/yr

Conduct user research activities such as surveys, interviews, workshops, and focus groups to ... Experience working within Agile development environments, including Agile sprints and iterative ...

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All JobsUser Experience Researcher JobsUser Experience Researcher Jobs in Reston, VA

User Experience Researcher information

See Reston, VA salary details

$31.2K

$117.7K

$171.1K

How much do user experience researcher jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 20, 2026, the average yearly pay for user experience researcher in Reston, VA is $117,666.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $69,700.00 and $160,200.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a User Experience Researcher, and why are they important?

To thrive as a User Experience Researcher, you need a strong understanding of research methodologies, human-centered design principles, and often a background in psychology, HCI, or a related field. Familiarity with tools such as usability testing platforms, survey software, and data analysis tools like SPSS or Excel is typically required. Excellent communication, empathy, and analytical thinking help researchers connect with users and translate findings into actionable insights. These skills are crucial for creating user-friendly products that meet real user needs and drive business success.

What is the difference between User Experience Researcher vs UX Designer?

AspectUser Experience ResearcherUX Designer
Primary FocusGathering user insights, conducting research, understanding user needsDesigning user interfaces, creating wireframes, developing visual layouts
Skills & CredentialsResearch methods, data analysis, user interviews, surveysDesign tools, prototyping, visual design, user flows
Work EnvironmentResearch teams, usability labs, user testing sessionsDesign teams, collaboration with developers and product managers
GoalsIdentify user needs, inform design decisions, improve user satisfactionCreate engaging, intuitive interfaces that meet user needs

While both roles focus on enhancing user experience, the User Experience Researcher primarily conducts research to gather insights about users, whereas the UX Designer focuses on creating the visual and interactive aspects of products. Both roles often collaborate closely to ensure the final product aligns with user needs and expectations.

What is the salary of an UX researcher?

The salary of a User Experience Researcher typically ranges from $70,000 to $130,000 annually, depending on experience, location, and company size. Entry-level roles may start lower, while experienced researchers or those in senior positions can earn higher salaries, often with additional benefits and bonuses.

What does a UX researcher do?

A UX researcher studies how users interact with products or services to identify their needs, preferences, and pain points. They use methods like interviews, surveys, and usability testing to gather data, which helps design teams improve user experience and product effectiveness.

What are User Experience Researchers?

User Experience (UX) Researchers are professionals who study how users interact with products, services, or systems to understand their needs, behaviors, and challenges. They use a variety of qualitative and quantitative research methods, such as interviews, usability tests, and surveys, to gather insights about users. The findings from their research help design teams create more effective, user-friendly products. UX Researchers play a crucial role in ensuring that products meet user needs and provide a positive experience. Their work often involves close collaboration with designers, developers, and product managers.

What Does a User Experience Researcher Do?

A user experience researcher works in various industries to understand the interaction between a product or service and the targeted audience. In this position, your duties are to research user behavior, identify customers’ needs, and provide an analysis to improve the user experience (UX). You may use surveys, interviews, and other methods to test audience interaction and gather information. You then develop reports on how to improve a product or service to make it more user-friendly. Your responsibilities are to help a company understand what motivates consumers to choose a specific item or service and how to market these goods in a way that will increase sales.

Is AI replacing UX research?

AI tools are increasingly used to assist UX researchers by analyzing large data sets and identifying patterns, but they do not replace the need for human insight, empathy, and contextual understanding. UX research relies on qualitative methods like user interviews and usability testing that require human judgment, which AI cannot fully replicate. Therefore, AI serves as a complement rather than a replacement for UX researchers' skills and expertise.

Is it hard to find a job as an UX researcher?

Finding a job as a UX researcher can be competitive, but demand for user experience professionals is growing as companies prioritize user-centered design. Strong skills in research methods, data analysis, and familiarity with tools like usability testing and wireframing can improve job prospects, often requiring a portfolio or relevant certifications.

How do User Experience Researchers typically collaborate with designers and product managers throughout a product development cycle?

User Experience Researchers work closely with designers and product managers from the early ideation phase through to product launch. They conduct user studies to identify pain points and needs, then share actionable insights with the design team to inform wireframes and prototypes. Throughout development, they facilitate communication between stakeholders by presenting findings, leading workshops, and ensuring user feedback is integrated into product decisions. This cross-functional partnership helps create user-centric solutions and fosters continuous improvement.
More about User Experience Researcher jobs
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User Experience Researcher jobs near you
Infographic showing various User Experience Researcher job openings in Reston, VA as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 80% Full Time, and 20% Contract. Highlights an 20% In-person, 40% Hybrid, and 40% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $117,666 per year, or $56.6 per hour.
Senior User Experience (UX/UI) Designer (NSF)

Senior User Experience (UX/UI) Designer (NSF)

Ripple Effect

Rockville, MD • On-site

$44.50 - $51.17/hr

Part-time

Re-posted 29 days ago

Job description

General Information
  • Job Code: CIT-WB-04T
  • Location: Rockville, MD/Client site in Virginia
  • Telework: Ad Hoc at discretion of client.
  • Employee Type: On-Call/Part-time Ad-hoc
  • Salary Range: $44.50 - $51.17 per hour

Are you passionate about building web solutions that engage audiences and drive impact?
Ripple Effect is seeking a Senior User Experience (UX/UI) Designer to join the Ripple Effect team supporting internal projects as well as projects like the National Science Foundation (NSF) Web Team, which drafts and posts all external content on NSF.gov and manages internal content on the NSF Employee Portal. In this role, you will respond to publishing and editing requests from Ripple and/or client staff, creating webpages, news and event items, official funding and guidance documents, and other content using the Drupal Content Management System (CMS). Successful candidates will have user experience expertise for web design and be clear communicators.
Responsibilities Include:
  • Creating clear, compelling webpage layouts that conform to web design best practices, WCAG 2.0/Section 508 requirements, and federal plain language requirements.
  • Providing timely, high-quality customer support, handling requests and inquiries, resolving issues, and tracking all requests/inquiries within a ticketing system (built in ServiceNow and Microsoft Lists).
  • Conducting UX research, developing wireframes, prototypes, and task flows, and leading usability testing to guide user-centered design decisions.
  • Advise on web design best practices, including consistent and clear layouts, 508 compliances, and the use of visuals to enhance engagement and understanding.
  • Participate in special projects and perform other related duties as assigned.

Requirements
Minimum Education and Experience:
  • Bachelor's degree.
  • Six or more years of experience with user-experience research and web design, additional education substitutes for experience.

Basic Requirements:
  • Experience with the U.S. Web Design Systems and at least one Content Management System (CMS) (Drupal, etc.).
  • Advanced experience with creating and documenting information design concepts and solutions by various means, including developing wireframes, high-fidelity prototypes, and task flow diagrams.
  • Advanced experience with usability testing, including preparing test plans and associated wireframes/protypes, facilitating test sessions, analyzing data, and reporting and presenting results.
  • Advanced knowledge and experience of creating, managing, and supporting user experience and feedback activities, including surveys, and interviews.
  • Ability to recommend the best user experience possible while considering technical feasibility and business goals through professional communication that prioritizes customer satisfaction.

Skills That Set You Apart:
  • Intermediate experience with AI tools, including their limitations and risks, and how they can be applied to support project management tasks.
  • Prior experience supporting NSF or other federal health agency UX/UI Web Design projects.
  • Experience integrating 508 compliance and web content accessibility guidelines (WCAG) into web design projects and products.
  • Experience optimizing data visualizations to improve user experience with data dashboards, including Power BI

About Ripple Effect
Ripple Effect is an award-winning women-owned, 200-person company of communicators, scientists, researchers, and analysts. Established in 2003, and named as one of the "Best and Brightest Companies to Work For" since 2020, Ripple Effect has earned acclaim for delivering unparalleled consulting services and top-tier talent across federal, private, and non-profit sectors.
Benefits
At Ripple Effect, we reward our employees for their contributions to our mission. Our comprehensive total rewards package includes competitive pay, exceptional benefits, and a range of programs that support your work/life balance and personalized preferences.
Learn more about our benefits and culture here.

Apply