Human-Centered Design Specialist IV - Research & Healthcare

About the role

Overview LMI is seeking a Human-Centered Design (HCD) Specialist IV - Research & Healthcare to support the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) portfolio. This role will serve as a key HCD researcher, stakeholder-engagement lead, and writer responsible for understanding complex VA programs and translating stakeholder and subject matter expert perspectives into clear, actionable HCD findings and recommendations. A primary responsibility of this position will be ownership of the Magnify Report, the formal HCD deliverable produced for each SBIR contract. The successful candidate will plan and conduct expert and stakeholder interviews, synthesize qualitative information, document program context and user needs, identify themes and opportunities, and develop clear, well-supported HCD narratives and recommendations. This position is particularly well suited for an HCD practitioner who is an exceptional interviewer and writer and who can quickly understand complex healthcare programs, establish credibility with subject matter experts, and transform large amounts of qualitative information into concise, meaningful, executive-ready deliverables. The role requires broader federal healthcare knowledge, with VA experience strongly preferred. Familiarity with behavioral health, mental health, suicide prevention, public health, or Veteran services is particularly valuable. LMI is a new breed of digital solutions provider dedicated to accelerating government impact with innovation and speed. Investing in technology and prototypes ahead of need, LMI brings commercial-grade platforms and mission-ready AI to federal agencies at commercial speed. Leveraging our mission-ready technology and solutions, proven expertise in federal deployment, and strategic relationships, we enhance outcomes for the government, efficiently and effectively. With a focus on agility and collaboration, LMI serves the defense, space, healthcare, and energy sectors—helping agencies navigate complexity and outpace change. Headquartered in Tysons, Virginia, LMI is committed to delivering impactful results that strengthen missions and drive lasting value. Responsibilities Magnify Report Ownership Lead development of the Magnify Report, the formal HCD deliverable for each assigned SBIR contract. Establish the research approach, stakeholder-engagement plan, interview strategy, synthesis method, and report development process. Develop complete, professionally written HCD reports that document program context, stakeholder perspectives, user needs, findings, themes, pain points, opportunities, and recommendations. Translate complex qualitative research into clear narratives and actionable insights for VA leaders, program teams, technical teams, and other stakeholders. Integrate interview findings, personas, journey maps, experience maps, workflows, supporting evidence, and other HCD artifacts into cohesive deliverables. Maintain traceability between research evidence, synthesized findings, and recommendations. Coordinate reviews with project leadership, subject matter experts, and stakeholders and incorporate feedback into final deliverables. Ensure reports are well structured, concise, accurate, professionally written, and appropriate for executive and client audiences. Stakeholder and Expert Interviews Identify and engage appropriate VA stakeholders, healthcare leaders, program representatives, subject matter experts, end users, and other participants. Develop interview protocols, discussion guides, research questions, and supporting materials. Lead expert interviews designed to understand VA programs, operating environments, policies, workflows, stakeholder needs, barriers, and opportunities. Establish rapport with stakeholders and facilitate productive discussions on complex or sensitive topics. Ask effective follow-up questions to uncover underlying needs, assumptions, dependencies, and pain points. Document interviews and maintain organized research records in accordance with applicable program, privacy, and research requirements. Distinguish stakeholder perspectives from validated findings and clearly communicate areas where additional research or validation is required. HCD Research and Synthesis Apply HCD discovery and qualitative research methods to understand stakeholder and user experiences. Analyze interview notes and qualitative information to identify patterns, themes, relationships, gaps, and opportunities. Develop personas, stakeholder maps, journey maps, experience maps, service blueprints, process maps, and related HCD artifacts where appropriate. Translate research findings into user needs, opportunity statements, design considerations, and recommendations. Identify differences in perspectives across stakeholder groups and document areas of alignment, tension, or uncertainty. Work with UI/UX designers, technical HCD specialists, program evaluators, analysts, and developers to ensure research insights inform downstream design and solution development. Healthcare and VA Program Research Develop a working understanding of assigned VA healthcare programs, stakeholders, organizational structures, policies, services, and operational environments. Conduct background and contextual research needed to prepare for interviews and accurately document program information. Work with healthcare and program subject matter experts to validate complex information before incorporating it into formal deliverables. Translate healthcare and program terminology into clear language that can be understood across technical, programmatic, and executive audiences. Recognize the sensitivity associated with behavioral health, mental health, suicide prevention, Veteran services, and related healthcare topics and engage stakeholders with professionalism and appropriate care. Writing and Documentation Serve as a primary HCD writer for formal deliverables, research summaries, findings, recommendations, briefing materials, and stakeholder documentation. Transform interview notes, research findings, and technical or healthcare information into concise and compelling written products. Develop executive summaries that communicate key findings, implications, and opportunities without losing important nuance. Edit and integrate input from multiple contributors into a consistent narrative and voice. Create clear presentations and briefing materials for VA and LMI leadership. Maintain organized HCD research repositories, supporting documentation, decision records, and source materials. Collaboration and HCD Practice Partner with HCD designers, UI/UX specialists, developers, analysts, evaluators, program managers, and healthcare subject matter experts. Facilitate research readouts, synthesis sessions, stakeholder workshops, and working sessions. Present findings and recommendations to client and internal audiences and respond effectively to questions and feedback. Work independently with limited oversight while maintaining alignment with project priorities, schedules, and deliverable requirements. Participate in LMI's HCD community of practice and contribute research methods, interview approaches, templates, writing practices, and lessons learned. Support multiple HCD efforts or SBIR activities when priorities require. Qualifications Required Bachelor's degree in Human-Centered Design, Psychology, Sociology, Anthropology, Public Health, Health Administration, Healthcare, Communications, Human-Computer Interaction, Design Research, or a related field. 5-7+ years of experience in human-centered design, qualitative research, user research, healthcare research, program research, consulting, or a related discipline. Experience supporting federal healthcare, public health, healthcare delivery, or other complex health-related programs. Demonstrated experience planning and conducting stakeholder, subject matter expert, or user interviews. Strong qualitative research and synthesis skills, including the ability to identify themes and translate findings into actionable insights. Exceptional professional writing, editing, and documentation skills. Demonstrated ability to develop formal reports, research deliverables, executive summaries, findings, recommendations, or comparable written products. Ability to quickly understand complex programs, organizational structures, workflows, and subject matter. Strong facilitation and stakeholder-engagement skills. Ability to communicate effectively with executives, subject matter experts, healthcare stakeholders, technical teams, and end users. Strong attention to detail and ability to maintain accuracy across complex documentation. Ability to independently manage research activities and deliverables with limited oversight. Ability to obtain and maintain a Public Trust clearance. Desired Master's degree in Human-Centered Design, Public Health, Health Administration, Psychology, Sociology, Anthropology, Human-Computer Interaction, Design Research, Communications, or a related field. Prior experience supporting the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs or Veterans Health Administration. Experience with suicide prevention, mental health, behavioral health, public health, or Veteran services. Experience conducting research with healthcare executives, clinicians, program leaders, Veterans, caregivers, or other healthcare stakeholder populations. Experience developing HCD, qualitative research, program evaluation, or government consulting reports. Experience developing personas, journey maps, stakeholder maps, service blueprints, or other HCD artifacts. Familiarity with federal healthcare policy, program operations, or digital-health environments. Experience supporting SBIR, innovation, prototype-development, or digital-modernization initiatives. Knowledge of accessibility, inclusive design, trauma-informed engagement, or research involving sensitive subject matter. Relevant HCD, UX research, public health, qualitative research, Agile, or facilitation cert