Job#: 3018241 Job Description: Human-Centered Design (HCD) ContractorLocation: Juno Beach, FL - Onsite
Contract Type: 6+ months
Pay: 40.hr - 50.hr
About the Role:We're looking for a Human-Centered Design (HCD) Experience Architect who blends strategic vision with hands-on execution. You'll help shape where our digital experiences are headed (roadmaps, strategic research, stakeholder alignment) while also driving the practical work that makes them delightful and usable (research synthesis, usability testing, design reviews).
You'll partner closely with business stakeholders, designers and software development teams to ensure user needs, business goals, and technical realities stay aligned. Some days that looks like leading research and shaping an experience roadmap; other days it's reviewing designs, running usability tests, or synthesizing findings so teams can act.
This role is best suited for someone who's confident in their craft, curious by nature, and comfortable navigating ambiguity without needing everything perfectly defined.
What You'll Do- Strategy & Direction
- Conduct ongoing user research to inform experience priorities and product direction.
- Develop and evolve personas, journey maps, and experience frameworks that guide decision-making.
- Support experience roadmaps by connecting user insight, business value, and delivery realities.
- Partner with stakeholders to align on vision, goals, and what "good" looks like.
- Execution & Delivery
- Plan and facilitate usability testing, design reviews, and feedback sessions.
- Conduct qualitative and quantitative research and synthesize insights into clear recommendations.
- Identify experience challenges, uncover root causes, and propose practical solutions.
- Contribute to discovery and research activities that support both near-term delivery and longer-term planning.
- Translate insights into artifacts and guidance that teams can actually use.
- Collaboration & Communication
- Work closely with business partners to understand needs, constraints, and success measures.
- Collaborate with software engineers to ensure experience intent is carried through implementation.
- Act as a connector between business, design, and development - reducing friction and increasing clarity.
- Present findings and recommendations in a way that's grounded, honest, and actionable.
- Emerging Tools & Ways of Working
- Explore and pilot new tools and workflows - including AI-enabled research or design support - to improve efficiency and quality.
- Stay curious about how AI may shape future user experiences, while applying sound human judgment.
What We're Looking For
- Experience & Skills
- Bachelor's degree in UX, Design, Human-Computer Interaction, Digital Strategy, Business, or a related field or equivalent professional experience demonstrating strong human-centered design practice.
- 3+ years of experience in UX, digital strategy, product design, or human-centered research roles.
- Solid grounding in Human-Centered Design principles, research methods, and experience synthesis.
- Experience supporting both strategic initiatives and hands-on delivery work.
- Comfortable working within cross-functional, delivery-oriented teams.
- Tools & Ways of Working
- Working proficiency with Figma for collaborative design and design reviews.
- Familiarity with Jira (or similar tools) and working within agile, sprint-based teams.
- Working knowledge of AI-powered tools used in design, research, or synthesis - and a willingness to experiment and learn as the space evolves.
- Personal Qualities
- Curious, thoughtful, and user-focused.
- Pragmatic - you know when to explore and when to move forward.
- Collaborative - you work well with both business and technical partners.
- Comfortable operating independently within a clearly defined problem space.
EEO Employer
Apex Systems is an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate or allow discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, or related medical conditions), age, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, genetic information, registered domestic partner status, marital status, disability, status as a crime victim, protected veteran status, political affiliation, union membership, or any other characteristic protected by law. Apex will consider qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with the requirements of applicable law. If you have visited our website in search of information on employment opportunities or to apply for a position, and you require an accommodation in using our website for a search or application, please contact our Employee Services Department at or .
Apex Systems is a world-class IT services company that serves thousands of clients across the globe. When you join Apex, you become part of a team that values innovation, collaboration, and continuous learning. We offer quality career resources, training, certifications, development opportunities, and a comprehensive benefits package. Our commitment to excellence is reflected in many awards, including ClearlyRated's Best of Staffing in Talent Satisfaction in the United States and Great Place to Work in the United Kingdom and Mexico. Apex uses a virtual recruiter as part of the application process. Click for more details.
Apex Benefits Overview: Apex offers a range of supplemental benefits, including medical, dental, vision, life, disability, and other insurance plans that offer an optional layer of financial protection. We offer an ESPP (employee stock purchase program) and a 401K program which allows you to contribute typically within 30 days of starting, with a company match after 12 months of tenure. Apex also offers a HSA (Health Savings Account on the HDHP plan), a SupportLinc Employee Assistance Program (EAP) with up to 8 free counseling sessions, a corporate discount savings program and other discounts. In terms of professional development, Apex hosts an on-demand training program, provides access to certification prep and a library of technical and leadership courses/books/seminars once you have 6+ months of tenure, and certification discounts and other perks to associations that include CompTIA and IIBA. Apex has a dedicated customer service team for our Consultants that can address questions around benefits and other resources, as well as a certified Career Coach. You can access a full list of our benefits, programs, support teams and resources within our 'Welcome Packet' as well, which an Apex team member can provide.