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User Researcher Jobs in Baltimore, MD (NOW HIRING)

SAIC

User Experience (UX) Field Researcher

Aberdeen, MD · On-site

$80K - $120K/yr

Description SAIC is seeking an experienced UX Field Researcher to support a mission-critical modernization program delivering a modular, adaptable software suite of essential capabilities across ...

Allegis Group

Senior UX Researcher

Hanover, MD · On-site

Allegis Group is looking for a mixed-methods Senior UX Researcher with deep experience working in enterprise environments and leading high-impact research that informs product strategy, service ...

Allegis Group

Senior UX Researcher

Hanover, MD · On-site

Allegis Group is looking for a mixed-methods Senior UX Researcher with deep experience working in enterprise environments and leading high-impact research that informs product strategy, service ...

Allegis Group

Senior UX Researcher

Hanover, MD · On-site

Allegis Group is looking for a mixed-methods Senior UX Researcher with deep experience working in enterprise environments and leading high-impact research that informs product strategy, service ...

Front Door Defense

UX Designer

Columbia, MD · On-site

$120 - $150/hr

You will conduct user research with warfighters and mission operators to validate design decisions, ensuring that systems remain intuitive under operational stress and meet accreditation standards.

SAIC

UX Designer

Aberdeen, MD · On-site

$120K - $160K/yr

Translate user research findings, operational requirements, and mission context into intuitive interface designs that optimize task performance, reduce cognitive load, and minimize training ...

SAIC

UX Designer

Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD

$120K - $160K/yr

Translate user research findings, operational requirements, and mission context into intuitive interface designs that optimize task performance, reduce cognitive load, and minimize training ...

Motion Recruitment

UX Architect

Baltimore, MD · Hybrid

You'll partner closely with product, engineering, research, and content teams to design scalable ... Experience developing user stories, jobs-to-be-done, acceptance criteria, and business requirements

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User Researcher information

See Baltimore, MD salary details

$29.8K

$112.4K

$163.4K

How much do user researcher jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 4, 2026, the average yearly pay for user researcher in Baltimore, MD is $112,377.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $66,600.00 and $153,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a user researcher?

User Researchers are professionals who study how people interact with products, services, or systems to help organizations create user-friendly designs. They gather and analyze data about users’ needs, behaviors, and pain points through methods like interviews, surveys, usability tests, and observation. Their insights guide product teams in making informed design decisions, ensuring products are both functional and enjoyable to use. User Researchers often collaborate closely with designers, developers, and product managers throughout the development process.

What does a user researcher do?

As a user researcher, your responsibilities are to understand the needs of an end user and collect user experience, or UX, data related to a specific product or service. To collect data, you observe and test users’ behavior as they interact with a product or service, such as a website or an app. You may also set up focus groups to elicit responses from participants. Your other duties are to analyze your findings and make suggestions to, or collaborate with, designers and programmers to improve the product’s UX.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a user researcher, and why are they important?

To thrive as a User Researcher, you need a background in human-centered design, qualitative and quantitative research methods, and often a degree in psychology, HCI, or a related field. Familiarity with tools such as usability testing platforms, survey software, data analysis tools, and sometimes UX research certifications is common. Strong communication, empathy, and analytical thinking are vital soft skills for uncovering user needs and translating findings into actionable insights. These competencies ensure that digital products are designed to meet real user needs, ultimately driving user satisfaction and business success.

How does a user researcher typically collaborate with product and design teams during a project?

User Researchers play a key role in bridging the gap between users and the teams building products. They frequently work alongside product managers and designers, sharing insights from user interviews, usability tests, and surveys to inform design decisions. In agile environments, User Researchers often participate in sprint planning and review meetings, ensuring that user feedback is integrated at every stage of the development process. Effective collaboration requires clear communication and the ability to translate research findings into actionable recommendations, helping teams prioritize features and improvements that best meet user needs.

What is the difference between User Researcher vs UX Designer?

AspectUser ResearcherUX Designer
Required CredentialsBachelor's in Psychology, Human-Computer Interaction, or related fields; research experienceBachelor's in Design, Human-Computer Interaction, or related; design portfolio
Work EnvironmentResearch teams, product teams, user testing labsDesign teams, product teams, prototyping labs
Employer & Industry UsageTech companies, agencies, startupsTech companies, agencies, startups
Common Search & Comparison IntentUnderstanding research roles, skills, and responsibilitiesUnderstanding design roles, skills, and responsibilities

While both User Researchers and UX Designers focus on improving user experience, User Researchers primarily gather insights through research methods to inform product decisions. UX Designers create the visual and interactive aspects of products, translating research findings into design solutions. Both roles often collaborate closely but serve distinct functions within the product development process.

More about User Researcher jobs

What are the most commonly searched types of User Researcher jobs in Baltimore, MD?

The most popular types of User Researcher jobs in Baltimore, MD are:

User Researcher jobs near you
Infographic showing various User Researcher job openings in Baltimore, MD as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 87% Full Time, 9% Part Time, and 4% Contract. Highlights an 71% Physical, 4% Hybrid, and 25% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $112,382 per year, or $54 per hour.

User Experience (UX) Field Researcher

SAIC

Aberdeen, MD • On-site

$80K - $120K/yr

Full-time

Posted 21 days ago

SAIC rating

7.8

Company rating: 7.8 out of 10

Based on 80 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

88th of 226 rated it services

Job description

Job Description
Description
SAIC is seeking an experienced UX Field Researcher to support a mission-critical modernization program delivering a modular, adaptable software suite of essential capabilities across multiple warfighting functions. In this role, you will serve as the critical link between operational end-users and design and development teams, capturing real-world user behaviors, needs, and pain points to drive intuitive, mission-effective software experiences.
This position operates across cloud and tactical edge environments, conducting field research and usability studies in both garrison and deployed settings, including Denied, Degraded, Intermittent, and Low Bandwidth (DDIL) environments, to ensure solutions are optimized for the unique demands of the operational user.
The work is to be performed at the customer site at Aberdeen Proving Ground (APG), MD.
This role is contingent upon award news in Fall 2026.
Key Responsibilities:
  • Plan and execute field research studies, contextual inquiries, and usability evaluations with operational end-users across multiple echelons, security domains, and mission environments
  • Translate observed user behaviors, workflows, and pain points into actionable design insights, personas, journey maps, and user stories that inform platform development priorities
  • Serve as the primary advocate for the end-user, ensuring Human System Integration (HSI) principles and UI/UX best practices are embedded throughout the software development lifecycle
  • Evaluate and validate platform usability including navigation, workflow efficiency, data visualization, symbology rendering, and overall user experience against operational requirements and mission context
  • Support testing and validation of tactical edge configurations, ensuring user experience requirements account for operations in DDIL environments including degraded connectivity and constrained hardware scenarios
  • Participate in product demonstrations, design reviews, and agile development cycles, providing rapid user-centered assessment of solution compliance and operational utility
  • Collaborate with vendors, partners, requirements analysts, and Government stakeholders to ensure user research findings are accurately captured, communicated, and translated into verifiable design requirements

Qualifications
Required Clearance:
  • Active Secret clearance required.
  • TS/SCI Preferred

Required Education:
  • Bachelor's Degree in Human Factors Engineering, Cognitive Science, Human-Computer Interaction, Psychology, Design, or a related discipline
  • OR Master's Degree preferred in Human Factors, UX Design, Cognitive Engineering, or a related technical or behavioral science field
Required Experience:
  • Six (6+) years of progressive experience in UX research, human factors engineering, or a closely related field, with a minimum of three (3) years supporting defense, military, or interagency programs at the operational or acquisition level
  • Demonstrated experience planning and executing field research, contextual inquiries, and usability studies in complex or operationally constrained environments, with proficiency in tools such as UserZoom, Dovetail, Optimal Workshop, or equivalent platforms
  • Experience working within agile development frameworks such as SAFe, Scrum, or Kanban, with the ability to deliver rapid, iterative research findings aligned to sprint cycles and development timelines
  • Familiarity with Human System Integration (HSI) standards, accessibility requirements, and the unique usability demands of classified and operationally constrained network environments
  • Experience conducting research across cloud-based and tactical edge platforms, including the ability to assess user experience under DDIL conditions and constrained hardware environments
  • Background in data visualization, military symbology, and workflow analysis with familiarity in targeting, collection management, and intelligence analysis operational contexts
  • Demonstrated ability to present research findings, facilitate design workshops, and influence senior military, civilian, and interagency stakeholders while driving consensus across design, technical, and operational teams in fast-paced, dynamic environments

Target salary range: $80,001 - $120,000. The estimate displayed represents the typical salary range for this position based on experience and other factors.
Overview
SAIC accepts applications on an ongoing basis and there is no deadline.
SAIC® is a premier mission integrator focused on advancing the power of technology and innovation to serve and protect our world. Our robust portfolio of offerings across the defense, space, intelligence, and civilian markets includes secure high-end solutions in mission IT, enterprise IT, engineering services, and professional services. We integrate emerging technology, rapidly and securely, into mission critical operations that modernize and enable critical national imperatives.
We are approximately 23,000 strong; driven by mission, united by purpose, and inspired by opportunities. SAIC is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Headquartered in Reston, Virginia, SAIC has annual revenues of approximately $7.3 billion. For more information, visit saic.com. For ongoing news, please visit our newsroom.

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