Human Centered Design SME

POSITION TITLE: Human Centered Design SME

LOCATION: Remote

CLEARANCE: Must be able to obtain a High-Risk Public Trust

COMPANY OVERVIEW

At APV, we’re more than a technology company — we’re a mission-driven powerhouse transforming organizations through advanced technology and human ingenuity. Our expertise spans AI/ML, data architecture, low-code/no-code development, Agile DevSecOps, and cloud services, delivering scalable and meaningful solutions.

In our Emerging Technology Lab, innovation drives progress. Our teams create intelligent chatbots, AI-powered assistants, robotic process automation (RPA), essay graders, and data analytics platforms. If you’re passionate about solving complex challenges and shaping the future, APV is the place for you. Since 2007, we’ve partnered with federal and state agencies to deliver IT, training, and consulting solutions that achieve mission-critical outcomes. Built on accountability, integrity, and quality, we go beyond expectations. With 70+ prime contracts and a proven record of client success, APV continues to grow — and we’re looking for exceptional talent to grow with us.

At APV, we Always Provide Value

POSITION SUMMARY

Seeking a mission-driven Human-Centered Design SME to support a large-scale federal healthcare technology program. This role provides leadership in user research, service design, accessibility, and user experience strategy for a product used daily by internal government teams to manage value-based care models, working on a SAFe Agile team with Program Increment (PI) planning. Accessibility is a first-class requirement here, not an afterthought.

DUTIES

• Lead user research, stakeholder interviews, surveys, workshops, and usability assessments.
• Develop user personas, journey maps, service blueprints, workflows, wireframes, and prototypes.
• Translate user research findings into actionable requirements, recommendations, and experience improvements.
• Conduct usability testing and evaluate solution effectiveness across multiple user groups.
• Support dashboard design, navigation structures, information architecture, and digital user experiences.
• Ensure compliance with Section 508 accessibility requirements and inclusive design practices.
• Develop training, adoption, communications, and change management materials supporting new capabilities.
• Run discovery research directly with government program staff, model teams, and analysts to understand real workflows before proposing solutions.
• Design interfaces, dashboards, and information architecture that make complex model, quality, and financial data usable by non-technical staff.
• Own Section 508 and WCAG 2.1 AA conformance across interfaces and documentation, including accessibility testing and remediation of existing content.
• Apply the U.S. Web Design System and federal digital service practices to establish reusable design patterns and a consistent component library.
• Measure adoption and usability after release, and feed findings back into the product backlog with clear, prioritized recommendations.

EDUCATION

Bachelor’s degree in Human-Computer Interaction, UX/Design, Psychology, Human Factors, Information Science, or a related discipline; equivalent relevant experience may be considered.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Minimum 7 years of relevant experience in human-centered design, UX research, service design, product design, or related disciplines.
• Demonstrated expertise in user research, journey mapping, personas, usability testing, prototyping, information architecture, interaction design, and translating user research into actionable product and service requirements.
• Ability to incorporate accessibility, inclusive design, and user feedback throughout the product lifecycle. Knowledge of Section 508 and applicable federal digital-service practices.
• Must be able to obtain and maintain a High-Risk Public Trust or equivalent federal client access. This role supports sensitive federal programs and involves elevated access to systems and data.
• Position requires the current ability to obtain and maintain required access without interruption in alignment with long-term program needs.
• Must be authorized to work in the United States without employer sponsorship now or in the future.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Experience with the U.S. Web Design System (USWDS), public-facing federal digital services, accessibility standards (WCAG 2.1 AA and Section 508 testing tools), designing data-heavy dashboard and analytics interfaces, and modern UX/HCD tools and methodologies.
• Prior work on federal health, Medicare, or value-based care programs is strongly preferred.

ABOUT APV

APV is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer. All qualified applicants are considered without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran status, or marital status.