UX Researcher & Prototyper

Overview We're looking for a UX Researcher & Prototyper to join LIGER, an AI platform that helps government analysts work smarter with large language models. You'll be the research and rapid prototyping arm of a dedicated product trio (PM, design, engineering), bridging stakeholder input to design through fast iteration and user validation. This is a hands-on role. You'll spend your time talking to users, synthesizing feedback, and building functional prototypes using AI-powered coding tools (Cursor, Windsurf, Replit, Claude Code) that feed directly into Figma for the designer to execute. If you're looking for a role where you write reports that sit in a drawer, this isn't it. If you want to shape product direction through real user insight and rapid experimentation, keep reading. About This Team LIGER sits within LMI's Chief Technology Office. We're a small, high-visibility team building AI tools for federal agencies. The culture is more startup than traditional government contractor. We move fast, solve problems in design spikes rather than scheduled reviews, and care more about outcomes than process. That said, we're building for users who need reliability and trust, so craft and attention to detail matter. You'll report to the product manager and work daily with a designer and tight engineering team that's eager to collaborate. This is a greenfield opportunity to shape how we understand and build for our users. This is a 100% remote role with quarterly travel for in person team planning and collaboration events. 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 What You'll Do • Own user research for LIGER 2.0, a ground-up redesign of our product • Build rapid prototypes using vibe coding tools (Claude Code, Cursor, Windsurf, or Replit) to test concepts with stakeholders before committing design resources • Conduct stakeholder interviews and translate insights into actionable design direction • Create and maintain user personas, journey maps, and opportunity frameworks • Run baseline surveys and synthesize feedback to prioritize features • Coordinate user testing at release milestones and feed findings back into the product cycle • Own product analytics and usage dashboards to validate design decisions with data • Work directly with your PM and designer in fast, iterative cycles Qualifications What We're Looking For 2+ years of UX research experience, or a strong portfolio demonstrating research and prototyping work (fresh grads with solid books considered) Demonstrated experience with at least one AI-powered coding/prototyping tool (Claude Code, Cursor, Windsurf, Replit, or similar) Ability to translate research findings into tangible prototypes, not just decks Experience with user interviews, usability testing, and survey design Comfort with ambiguity and fast iteration; you've worked in environments where requirements evolve and speed matters Strong communication skills; you can present findings to technical and non-technical stakeholders without slides and ceremonies What Will Set You Apart Experience with continuous discovery practices (Teresa Torres framework or similar) Background in analytics tools and product metrics Experience working in a product trio model Familiarity with Figma and design systems Experience with government or enterprise users Apply tot his job