User Research Contract Jobs in Colorado (NOW HIRING)

Lynker is seeking a detail-oriented UI/UX Front-End Engineer to support a long term contract with the Space Weather Prediction Center (SWPC) at the National Centers for Environmental Prediction (NCEP). SWPC operates 24/7, monitoring space weather conditions that impact national security, satellite operations, aviation, power grids, and emergency management. 

In this role, you will build and refine the front-end user interfaces, accessible designs, and visual features for both the primary operational site (spaceweather.gov) and the experimental testbed site (testbed.spaceweather.gov). Working alongside web application scientific developers, you will translate complex scientific data into clean, responsive, and intuitive web interfaces built on Drupal 10. 

This position plays a critical role in the research-to-operations (R2O) process by enabling the integration of new models, data sources, and processing workflows into operational test environments. The Ideal Web Developer selected will be located in the Boulder, CO, however the role could operate remotely for the right candidate. 

Duties of the UI/UX Front End Engineer selected will include the following:

• UI/UX & Drupal Engineering: Build, theme, and maintain scalable front-end components within Drupal 10, ensuring high-fidelity visual translation from design comps to responsive web environments. 

• Scientific Developer Collaboration: Partner closely with backend scientific developers to integrate UI components, interactive dashboards, and visual tools with underlying data streams and web services. 

• Design System & Component Architecture: Develop clean, modern, and reusable front-end assets using modern web standards (HTML5, CSS3/SASS, JavaScript/TypeScript) and Drupal theme frameworks. 

• User Experience & Accessibility: Craft accessible, mobile-first user flows for complex space weather maps, charts, and forecasts in alignment with federal Section 508 / WCAG standards. 

• Cross-Browser & Responsive Optimization: Test and optimize front-end interfaces across major browsers, devices, and viewports to ensure seamless visual consistency and performance. 

The UI/UX Front End Engineer selected should have the following:

• A Bachelor's Degree in Computer Science, Web Engineering, Interactive Design, or a related technical field (or equivalent experience) 

• Experience: 5+ years of dedicated web development and UI/UX front-end engineering experience. 

• CMS Expertise: Demonstrated experience custom-theming and building front-end components in Drupal 10 (Twig, custom layouts, Drupal render API). 

• Core Tech Stack Mastery: High proficiency in HTML5, CSS3/SASS, JavaScript (ES6+), and modern CSS layouts (Flexbox, CSS Grid). 

• High Design Fidelity: Strong eye for visual detail and commitment to producing polished, high-quality user interfaces. 

• Version Control: Proficiency with Git and standard collaborative development workflows. 

The Ideal Web Developer will have the following:

• Experience engineering data visualizations or mapping interfaces for scientific, meteorological, or geospatial applications (e.g., Leaflet, OpenLayers, Chart.js, or D3.js). 

• Hands-on experience with Federal Section 508 web accessibility compliance and testing tools. 

• Familiarity with containerized local development workflows (e.g., Docker, DDEV, or Lando). 

• Experience collaborating with scientific, engineering, or research teams in an Agile environment.  

About Lynker

Lynker is a growing, employee owned, small business, specializing in professional, scientific and technical services. Our continually expanding team combines scientific expertise with mature, results-driven processes and tools to achieve technically sound, cost effective solutions in hydrology/water sciences, geospatial analysis, information technology, resource management, conservation, and management and business process improvement.

We focus on putting the right people in the right place to be effective. And having the right people is critical for success. Our streamlined organization enables and empowers our talented professionals to tackle our customers' scientific and technical priorities - creatively and effectively.

Lynker offers a team-oriented work environment, and the opportunity to work in a culture of exceptionally skilled professionals who embrace sound science and creative solutions. Lynker's benefits include the following:

• Comprehensive healthcare for the employee at no monthly cost
• Healthcare benefit covers medical, prescription drug, dental, and vision
• Personal Time Off (PTO) Policy plus paid holidays
• Highly competitive compensation plan regularly calibrated against industry and location benchmarks
• 401(k) retirement plan with company-matching
• Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) - we're all company owners!
• Flexible spending accounts
• Employee assistance program (EAP)
• Short- and long-term disability insurance
• Life and accident insurance
• Tuition assistance/Training/Workforce improvement reimbursement per year
• Spot bonuses for exceptional performance
• Annual Employee Recognition Awards with bonuses
• Employee Referral Program
• Free centralized, self-directed Learning Management System to learn at your own pace
• Personalized career growth plans for every employee

Lynker is an E-Verify employer.

Lynker is an equal opportunity employer and makes all employment decisions based on merit, qualifications, and business needs. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, sexual orientation, or gender identity), national origin, age, disability, genetic information, marital status, veteran status, or any other legally protected status under federal, state, or local laws.