User Experience (UX) Field Researcher

SAIC; Maryland; On-site; USD 80,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

SAIC is seeking a UX Field Researcher to support a modernization program at Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD. You will bridge end-users and design/development teams to capture real-world user needs and translate them into intuitive software experiences.

Responsibilities include field studies across cloud and tactical edge environments, including DDIL, to ensure solutions meet operational demands and user expectations.

Qualifications

• Six (6+) years of progressive experience in UX research, human factors engineering, or a closely related field.
• Experience planning and executing field research in complex environments with tools like UserZoom, Dovetail, Optimal Workshop.

Responsibilities

• Plan and execute field research studies with operational end-users across multiple environments.
• Translate observed user behaviors into design insights, personas, and user stories.
• Advocate for end-users, embedding HSI principles in the SDLC.
• Evaluate platform usability against operational requirements and mission context.
• Support testing of tactical edge configurations in DDIL environments.
• Participate in product demonstrations and design reviews to provide rapid user-centered assessments.
• Collaborate with vendors and Government stakeholders to translate findings into design requirements.

Skills

UX research

Field research

Human factors

Usability testing

Agile SAFe

Data visualization

Military symbology

Stakeholder facilitation

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Human Factors Engineering

Master's Degree in UX/HCI

Tools

UserZoom

Dovetail

Optimal Workshop

Job description

Job ID 2615473

Location Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD, US

Date Posted 2026-08-11

Category Defense/Intel

Subcategory Intel Analyst

Schedule Full-Time

Shift Day Job

Travel Yes - 10% of the time

Minimum Clearance Required Secret

Clearance Level Must Be Able to Obtain TS/SCI

Potential for Remote Work ORA_ON_SITE

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.