Hybrid UX Researcher/ Designer

What You’ll Do 

As a Hybrid UX Researcher/Designer, you will drive user-centered insights while contributing to user experience design as needed. This role emphasizes user research and strategic problem-solving, with opportunities to engage in UX design to articulate and communicate design improvements. You will own the user research process while collaborating with cross-functional teams to deliver impactful, user-centered solutions. This position reports directly to the Head of Product Design at Slingshot Aerospace and is part of the larger Product Organization. 

Slingshot Aerospace cares deeply about our commitment to company values, mission, and purpose. The core competencies we will be looking to identify include: intellectual agility, ability to develop innovative solutions, leadership, performance-orientation, and industry expertise. 

Responsibilities  

• Execute all position responsibilities in alignment with Slingshot’s core values, mission, and purpose. 

• Lead and manage the user research process, from discovery and study design to synthesis and reporting, ensuring actionable insights are delivered. 

• Advocate for and support Slingshot’s design and research processes, methodologies, and best practices. 

• Support Slingshot’s design system and UX frameworks to efficiently address complex and abstract design challenges. 

• Collaborate with product, engineering, program, and marketing teams to inform and improve product development through research. 

• Translate research insights into design recommendations and assist with wireframes, user flows, and prototypes as needed. 

• Conduct usability testing, contextual inquiries, and other research activities to validate design solutions and user needs. 

• Synthesize research findings and subject matter expertise into actionable insights, creating simplicity from complexity. 

• Present research findings and design concepts clearly and persuasively to stakeholders, fostering a shared understanding of user needs. 

• Build and maintain strong cross-functional relationships with key teams, ensuring alignment and buy-in for research and design initiatives. 
• Perform other duties as assigned (less than 10% of responsibilities). 

Pre-Requisites 

• Must be eligible to obtain or maintain US Government Security Clearance, preference given for active TS Clearance.  

Minimum Requirements 

• 4+ years of experience in user research and UX design. 

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent practical experience in a relevant design or research-related field. 

• Strong understanding of user research methods, UX principles, and design-thinking methodologies. 

• Industry experience in 3D spatial design, may include software, aerospace, or 3D gaming 

Preferred Qualifications 

• Bachelor’s or advanced degree in Human-Computer Interaction (HCI) or a related field. 

• Experience using a variety of quantitative and qualitative research methodologies. 

• Proven record of product improvements based on customer research, as showcased in a portfolio. 

• Must submit a portfolio highlighting design craft and research impact. 

• Knowledge of accessibility standards and inclusive design practices. 

• Experience leveraging design systems. 

• Demonstrated experience designing for multiple device platforms. 

• Strong user experience design skills, including understanding touchpoints and creating solid design solutions. 

 Preferred Skills 

• Research and Design Skills: Proficiency in tools like Figma, Miro, or equivalent, as well as familiarity with usability testing platforms, survey tools, and research platforms such as Lyssna and User Interviews. 

• Industry Expertise: Experience in complex systems, data-heavy industries, or spatial data industries (e.g., aerospace, defense, 3D/2D design, or enterprise software). 

• Collaboration and Communication: Strong ability to collaborate across teams and communicate insights effectively. 

• Flexibility: Comfort shifting between research activities, documenting research findings comprehensively, rapid wireframing and high-fidelity prototyping.  

• Leadership: Proven ability to independently lead research projects and advocate for user needs. 

• Innovation: Exceptional problem-solving skills and the ability to synthesize diverse perspectives into cohesive strategies. 

*These skills are guidelines, not hard and fast rules. You don’t have to meet every qualification listed- if your skills are transferable and you meet the minimum requirements, we encourage you to apply.  

Location: Remote, United States  

Classification: Full-Time Exempt (professional exemption) 

Compensation Range: $129,000 to $185,000 USD

US-based Candidates: we are currently only able to hire residents of the following U.S. states: AZ, CA, CO, DC, FL, GA, HI, IL, IN, KS, MD, MA, MI, MN, MO, MT, NV, NJ, NM, NY, NC, OR, RI, TN, TX, UT, VT, VA, WA, WV, and WI. We are unable to consider candidates residing in other U.S. states at this time.

Internationally-based Candidates: we are currently only able to hire residents of the following locations: United Kingdom. We are unable to consider candidates residing in other countries at this time.

Equity, Diversity & Inclusion are key to our success. We are an Equal Opportunity Employer and our employees are people with different strengths, experiences and backgrounds, who share a passion for creating a safer, more connected world. Diversity not only includes race and gender identity, but also age, disability status, veteran status, sexual orientation, religion and many other parts of one’s identity. All of our employee’s points of view are key to our success, and we embrace individuality.