User Researcher III

The User Researcher III collaborates with cross-functional teams and stakeholders to identify and address user research needs across projects and services. They lead the planning and execution of research efforts that generate actionable, data-driven insights to guide product and service design. The User Researcher III translates findings into strategies that improve user experience and organizational outcomes. They are experienced practitioners who operationalize research within complex environments, ensuring teams are equipped to design and deliver user-centered solutions.

The Impact You Will Create:

This project supports the modernization of a large-scale federal disclosure and data management platform. The work involves designing, developing, and maintaining a secure, cloud-based system that improves how information is submitted, processed, and accessed by the public. The team will leverage Agile, DevSecOps, and user-centered design practices to deliver scalable, high-impact digital services that enhance transparency, compliance, and accessibility. Efforts include building modern APIs and web interfaces, implementing Zero Trust security, automating testing and deployments, and driving continuous improvement through cloud-native and AI-enabled solutions.

Your Responsibilities in This Role:

• Build scalable user research solutions for multiple cross-functional teams.
• Support business development by contributing to research strategies for new opportunities.
• Coach and mentor others to develop research and professional skills.
• Grow the design and research community through leadership, mentorship, and knowledge sharing.
• Advise designers, researchers, and cross-functional team members on usability trends, methods, and best practices.
• Mentor and guide teams to adopt user-centered practices and embed them in agile workflows.
• Provide direction and feedback to other Designers and Researchers to improve the quality and consistency of work.
• Ensure cross-disciplinary collaboration and manage progress toward research and participant management goals.
• Advise teams and customers on adopting evidence-based approaches to defining requirements and delivering solutions.
• Build, maintain, and promote research repositories that improve knowledge management and organizational learning.
• Collaborate with Visual Designers to translate insights into visual artifacts and actionable design outputs.
• Analyze and synthesize qualitative and quantitative data to generate actionable insights and recommendations.
• Develop and execute detailed research plans with clear objectives and measurable outcomes.
• Uphold research ethics and privacy requirements, managing confidentiality and risk appropriately.
• Define and champion research processes and tools that improve how teams plan and execute user research.
• Advocate for inclusive research practices that ensure accessibility and representation across all users.
• Plan and facilitate participatory research activities, including interviews, usability testing, and observational studies.
• Collaborate with Designers, Engineers, Product Managers, and Product Owners to set research direction and metrics.

Skills and Qualifications We Require at Fearless:

At Fearless, we seek candidates who blend technical know-how with sharp problem-solving and advisory skills to drive real impact in the communities we serve. Here are the key qualifications for this role.

• Minimum of 7 years of experience
• Ability to possess a Public Trust
• Must possess a bachelor's degree
• Expertise in assessing design decisions and their long-term implications.
• Strong ability to make informed decisions amid complexity and risk.
• Proven communication and influencing skills to align user and business needs.
• Expertise in stakeholder management and relationship building.
• Experience recruiting and conducting research with public and government-sector users.
• Mastery of a wide variety of qualitative and quantitative research and synthesis methods.
• Deep understanding of behavioral analysis and statistical concepts.
• Strong presentation and storytelling skills with the ability to communicate findings visually and verbally.
• Knowledge of the social, policy, and technical contexts of government services.
• Advanced understanding of technologies used in the development and operation of digital government services.
• Experience with DesignOps and ResearchOps, including participant recruitment, knowledge management, and workflow optimization.
• Excellent attention to detail, organizational skills, and time management.
• Ability to think strategically, build relationships, and influence across teams.
• Experience with remote testing and digital research tools.
• Broad knowledge of service design, visual design, interaction design, content design, and/or user research.
• Experience working with government clients or in regulated environments.
• Advanced understanding of agile processes, including how to coach teams in agile research practices.
• Ability to identify opportunities to improve delivery outcomes through user research and organizational collaboration.

Physical Requirements:

• Ability to sit for extended periods while working on a computer or during meetings.
• Must be able to travel occasionally to client sites or company meetings.
• Ability to communicate effectively via phone, email, and in-person, requiring clear speech, listening, and written communication skills.
• Ability to move within an office environment, including reaching for files, using office equipment, and occasional light lifting (up to 10 pounds).

Life at Fearless

We're a digital integration consultancy on a mission to build a better tomorrow. At Fearless, we combine technology, people, and organizational development to solve meaningful problems. Through iterative development, we deliver smart, user-friendly solutions that make tech work better-for everyone.

But great tech is just part of the story. What really makes us Fearless is our Purple Culture.

What Makes Us Purple?

Being Purple means you:

• Are valued as a whole person-not just a job title
• Get matched with work that plays to your strengths and passions
• Are supported by coaches, not micromanagers
• Have the autonomy and clarity to make decisions and drive impact
• Join a community that celebrates equity, curiosity, and innovation
• Do work that matters-every day

We believe in flexibility, growth, and balance. Our benefits and culture are designed to support you in doing your best work-while making space for what matters to you outside of it.

We're proud to be an equal opportunity employer. At Fearless, we're building a workplace that welcomes and respects everyone-across race, gender, age, religion, identity, background, and ability.

Compensation at Fearless

Fearless is committed to providing a competitive compensation package that will meet your current and future needs. Our philosophy is aimed at rewarding team member contributions, supporting long-term financial growth and security, and overall well-being.

We believe in paying people fairly, so we've established a compensation model aimed to ensure everyone at Fearless - regardless of race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, disability, religion, age, nationality, or willingness/ability to negotiate - is consistently paid fairly based on alignment to the needs and requirements of the role.

The salary range for this position is:

Minimum Salary: $91,554

Salary Midpoint: $119,020

Maximum Salary: $146,486

Hiring Range for Role: $91,554 - 119,000

*For part-time roles, the salary will be pro-rated based on the full-time equivalent salary ranges listed above.

Benefits at Fearless

At Fearless, we take care of our team-because when you're supported, you can do your best work. We offer a flexible, family-friendly environment with benefits designed to support your health, growth, and life outside of work.

For Full-Time Team Members (Starting Day One):

• Flexible, life-friendly schedules
• 100% coverage for our medical HSA plan + HSA contributions
• Dental & vision covered 100% for you and your dependents
• Competitive premiums for HMO/PPO and dependent coverage
• 401(k) with 4% match & immediate vesting
• Paid Parental Leave and 12 weeks paid FMLA
• Generous PTO, 11 Federal Holidays, a Birthday Holiday, and Sick Leave
• Up to 15 days for Jury Duty and Bereavement Leave
• Education, wellness, and tech allowances
• Referral bonus: $6K-$12K for each successful referral
• Pet insurance & discount plans
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Legal support, life insurance, disability coverage

Part-Time & Interns:

• 8.75 days of safe & sick leave annually
• Eligible for our 401(k) plan with employer contributions

Reasonable Accommodations

Fearless is committed to providing reasonable accommodations for applicants and candidates with disabilities. If a reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, please contact the Human Resources Department at hr@fearless.tech.

So, What's Next?

We've refined our hiring approach to make sure every team member is a great fit for Fearless-and that we're a great fit for you, too. If there's alignment, we'll reach out to kick off the interview process. Depending on the role or project, your experience may vary slightly, but it typically includes:

Introductory Interview

You'll connect with a recruiter to:

• Build rapport and get to know each other
• Review your experience and skills
• Talk through salary expectations and role details
• Set expectations for the rest of the process

Skills + Business Fit Interview

This is where we dig deeper to:

• Review findings from any technical assessments
• Walk through situational and values-based questions
• Explore how your approach aligns with Fearless culture and project needs

Some roles may also include customer interviews based on specific project requirements in addition to background check and security clearance requirements.