Senior UX Researcher

COMPANY OVERVIEW XCEL Engineering, Inc. is an award-winning small business that provides trusted information technology, engineering, consulting and project management solutions and services to federal agencies and organizations. Originally founded in 1971 by professional engineers at the University of Tennessee, XCEL was acquired in 2003 by U.S. Army and Navy veterans and in 2023 became a MartinFed company. XCEL Engineering is a part of IT Lab Partners (ITLP) which was created to support a leading research facility in the East Tennessee region in recruiting the best and the brightest technical talent. Considering joining our impressive team today! JOB OVERVIEW Xcel Engineering is seeking a highly skilled and self-directed Senior UX Researcher to join our team. In this role, you will independently plan, execute, and synthesize complex qualitative and quantitative research to inform product strategy and design decisions. You will serve as a trusted research partner to product, design, and engineering teams, translating user insights into clear, actionable recommendations that improve user experience and business outcomes across our applications, websites, and services. ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS Independently plan, design, and execute end-to-end user research studies, from problem definition through synthesis and recommendations. Select and apply appropriate qualitative and quantitative research methods, including usability testing, interviews, surveys, diary studies, and mixed-method approaches. Analyze and synthesize complex datasets into clear, actionable insights that influence product direction, design decisions, and prioritization. Partner closely with UX designers, product managers, engineers, and other stakeholders to ensure research insights are effectively integrated into product development. Proactively advocate for user needs, balancing user insights with technical constraints and business goals. Present research findings and strategic recommendations to cross-functional stakeholders and leadership with clarity and confidence. Contribute to the evolution of research practices, standards, and documentation across the organization. Stay current on UX research trends, tools, methodologies, and emerging technologies, and apply them thoughtfully to your work. BASIC QUALIFICATIONS US Citizen with eligibility to obtain a security clearance. A BS degree in user experience, human-computer interaction, psychology, or a related field, with a minimum of five (5) to seven (7) years of aligned professional experience. Master's and PhD degree holders in the same fields are encouraged to apply: Master's degree holders should have a minimum of four (4) to six (6) years of relevant, aligned experience. PhD degree holders should have up to three (3) years of relevant, aligned applied research experience. Demonstrated ability to independently lead user research eDorts that inform UX and product decisions in software or application development contexts. Deep proficiency in qualitative and quantitative research methods, including study design, data collection, analysis, and synthesis. Strong analytical and critical thinking skills, with a proven ability to turn ambiguous problem spaces into clear research plans and insights. Excellent written, verbal, and visual communication skills, with experience presenting findings and recommendations to cross-functional teams and stakeholders. Experience working within agile or iterative product development environments. Working knowledge of UX design principles and familiarity with Figma is a plus. PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS & ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS Inside office environment. Working on a computer for long periods of time. May involve long period of sitting at a desk. The work environment is fast-paced and sometimes involves extreme deadline pressures. OTHER DUTIES This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice. Xcel Engineering is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regards to race, color, religion, religious creed, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, transgender, pregnancy, marital status, national origin, ancestry, citizenship status, age, disability, protected Veteran Status, genetics or any other characteristics protected by applicable federal, state or local law. If you are a qualified individual with a disability or disabled veteran, you have the right to request a reasonable accommodation if you are unable or limited in your ability to use or access Xcel Engineering's current openings as a result of your disability. You can request reasonable accommodations by calling 855.212.1810. Thank you for your interest in Xcel Engineering. All positions at Xcel Engineering, Inc. are contingent upon passing both a background check and drug screening prior to a start date and are subject to random drug screenings during the employment period. In addition, Xcel Engineering is an E-Verify employer. Job Posted by ApplicantPro