Job Description

Title:

Field UX Researcher

Belong. Connect. Grow. with KBR!

Around here, we define the future.
We share one goal: to improve the world responsibly as a company of innovators, thinkers, creators, explorers, volunteers, and dreamers.

Note: This position is contingent upon contract award, customer approval, and funding availability.

Clearance: Ability to obtain and maintain a government background check
Citizenship Requirement: Applicants must be U.S. Citizens or Permanent Residents
Travel: Up to 50-60% domestic travel

Preferred location is Sioux Falls, SD

Will consider Remote

About the Role

KBR is seeking a Senior UX Researcher to support mission‑critical Science & Space programs. In this role, you will uncover user needs, validate product decisions, and drive research‑backed insights that shape roadmap priorities and technical implementation.

You will work closely with highly specialized users—including scientists, engineers, and operations personnel—whose work underpins national infrastructure, space operations, and environmental monitoring. This role is ideal for someone who thrives in complex domains and wants to influence systems that have real national impact.

Why Join KBR?

Innovative, High‑Impact Work

Contribute to advanced systems powered by modern DevSecOps pipelines, cloud‑native architectures, containerization, automation, and real‑time data workflows supporting critical scientific missions.

Collaborative, Multidisciplinary Environment

Work alongside product managers, engineers, designers, scientists, and mission specialists in a culture that values iteration, innovation, and continuous improvement.

Meaningful Mission

Your insights directly influence systems that support satellite missions, national alert systems, geospatial analysis platforms, and other essential technologies.

Key Responsibilities

User Research & Discovery

  • Conduct mixed‑methods research (interviews, observations, surveys, usability studies, analytics review).
  • Perform on‑site fieldwork at scientific or federal facilities with minimal disruption to operations.
  • Apply both qualitative and quantitative approaches to uncover root problems and define user needs.
  • Develop research plans, scripts, and protocols aligned with product goals.

    • Analysis, Synthesis & Strategy

  • Translate findings into actionable insights, clear problem statements, workflows, and journey models.
  • Communicate insights that influence roadmap priorities and design direction.
  • Facilitate alignment across product, engineering, and stakeholder groups.

    • Design Collaboration & Validation

  • Partner with UI/UX designers on concept validation and iterative user testing.
  • Collaborate with engineering teams to implement analytics for continuous learning.
  • Conduct formative and summative usability tests to evaluate product solutions.

    • Advocacy & Leadership

  • Mentor junior researchers or designers.
  • Support development of research operations, experience metrics, and team best practices.
  • Promote user‑centered thinking across cross‑functional teams.

    • Required Qualifications

  • U.S. Citizen or Permanent Resident
  • Bachelor’s degree in human‑Centered Design, Psychology, Behavioral Science, IT, or related field
  • 6+ years of UX research or UX design experience in complex, large‑scale systems
  • Proficiency with research and design tools (Figma, Sketch, Adobe XD, InVision, Axure)
  • Experience with collaboration/versioning tools (Zeplin, Storybook, Abstract)
  • Strong understanding of Agile processes and integrating research into iterative workflows
  • Excellent communication, facilitation, presentation, and storytelling skills
  • Ability to rapidly understand technical domains and explain insights to diverse audiences
  • Demonstrated ability to balance user needs, business goals, and technical constraints
  • Portfolio showcasing research process, depth, and measurable impact

    • Desired Qualifications

  • Experience in scientific, government, aerospace, defense, or similarly complex technical domains
  • Familiarity with enterprise SaaS, responsive web apps, or cross‑platform systems
  • Working knowledge of HTML/CSS, JavaScript frameworks (e.g., Angular), REST APIs
  • Experience with data visualization tools (Power BI, Tableau, Python)
  • Experience with modern research platforms (e.g., Dovetail, UserTesting, Lookback, Maze)
  • Leadership experience in facilitation, mentoring, or guiding design direction

    • Join Us

    If you want to apply deep human‑centered research to systems that advance the nation’s scientific and space missions, we’d love to meet you. Your contributions will help deliver reliable, resilient, mission‑ready solutions that make a real impact.

    Basic Compensation:

    $75,500-113,200

    The offered rate will be based on contract affordability and the selected candidate's working location, knowledge, skills, and/or experience and in consideration of internal parity.

    At KBR, we are passionate about our people and our Zero Harm culture. These inform all that we do and are at the heart of our commitment to, and ongoing journey toward being a People First company. That commitment is central to our team of team’s philosophy and fosters an environment where everyone can Belong, Connect and Grow. We Deliver – Together.

    KBR Benefits​

    KBR offers a selection of competitive lifestyle benefits which could include 401K plan with company match, medical, dental, vision, life insurance, AD&D, flexible spending account, disability, paid time off, or flexible work schedule. We support career advancement through professional training and development.​

    Click here to learn more:

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    Belong, Connect and Grow at KBR

    At KBR, we are passionate about our people and our Zero Harm culture. These inform all that we do and are at the heart of our commitment to, and ongoing journey toward being a People First company. That commitment is central to our team of team’s philosophy and fosters an environment where everyone can Belong, Connect and Grow. We Deliver – Together. 

    KBR is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, national origin, veteran status, genetic information, union status and/or beliefs, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law.

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