Forward Deployed UX Researcher

This is a fully remote position, open to applicants in California, +2 more states.

📋 Description

• Collaborate directly with clients on-site to gain insights into their mission and assess their approach to continuous readiness.

• Comprehend the tasks, challenges, needs, and obstacles faced by end-users in achieving their objectives.

• Transform research insights into actionable product strategies.

• Partner with engineers and data scientists deployed in the field to design and create AI-native solutions.

• Manage the discovery process from beginning to end, including formulating questions and delivering insights that guide product development.

• Define research scope, frame hypotheses, and convert findings into 0-to-1 product initiatives and prototypes.

• Perform contextual inquiries, interviews, usability sessions, and concept tests using functional prototypes.

• Evaluate, prioritize, and assist in addressing significant gaps in ongoing solution development.

• Rapidly synthesize findings, share insights early, and iterate effectively.

• Collaborate with platform researchers, designers, and product managers to differentiate customer-specific requirements from core product needs.

⛳️ Requirements

• U.S. Citizenship is mandatory.

• A Bachelor’s degree in Human-Computer Interaction, Psychology, Design, a related field, or equivalent hands-on experience.

• Experience in a startup or entrepreneurial context.

• Proven experience in conducting applied UX or product research in a professional environment, including study planning and independent synthesis of findings.

• Strong expertise in qualitative methods (interviews, contextual inquiries, usability testing) and comfort with mixed-method approaches.

• Ability to operate independently with minimal supervision and a strong enthusiasm for working in a fast-paced, challenging environment.

• Exceptional communication skills—capable of presenting a clear and persuasive narrative with research and influencing cross-functional partners.

• Experience in AI and Data Science (AIND) to create prototypes and validate them.

• A current U.S. security clearance, or the capacity to obtain one with Air’s sponsorship (preferred).

• Experience in researching complex, domain-specific, or enterprise software, preferably in defense, government, or other regulated environments (preferred).

• Familiarity with working within the parameters of a federally accredited software environment (preferred).

• Background in a customer-facing, consulting, or embedded role (preferred).

🏝️ Benefits

• Comprehensive health benefits.

• Opportunities for professional development and growth.

• Flexible work arrangements.

• Collaborative and innovative work environment.