Sr. Design Researcher - Health

HKS, Inc
$100,000.00 - $120,000.00 / yr
parental leave, sick time, long term disability, 401(k)
United States, Virginia, Reston
Mar 10, 2026
Overview: Develops and applies research and analytics to advance project goals, creating experiments, tools, reports, and publications while mentoring junior team members. Co-leads research studies with Research Lead, overseeing teams, assisting in data collection and analysis, producing deliverables such as presentations, workshops, and publications while promoting findings in peer-reviewed and mainstream channels. Demonstrates expertise in research methodologies, data analysis, and industry practices, fostering collaboration within project teams and actively supporting partnerships to promote design excellence. Responsibilities: Leads the design and execution of research studies and programs related to architectural design Co-leads research efforts with research and design teams to collect, analyze, synthesize, and translate data into actionable insights Co-leads the development and delivery of research tools, resources, and training to design teams through various firmwide platforms Co-leads the development of research collateral for deliverables, presentations, workshops, and business development, and communicates findings through peer-reviewed and mainstream channels Co-leads the submission and maintenance of Institutional Review Board (IRB) protocols as needed Mentors junior team members and fosters collaboration within research and design teams Cultivates partnerships with academic and industry partners to advance research initiatives Collaborates with other disciplines to incorporate information into design requirements and project documentation Participates in team meetings to discuss project, design, and technical issues and coordination with other disciplines Qualifications: Advanced degree in a design, technology, social science or other relevant field, preferably PhD Typically 7+ years of recent relevant experience in research Relevant accreditation preferred Intermediate knowledge and experience in the following skills preferred: research methodology, quantitative and qualitative data analysis, physical and digital prototyping, academic and industry writing Proficiency in MS Office Suite Proficiency in statistical software packages and Adobe Suite preferred Familiarity with AEC industry workflows and processes Familiarity with research grant submissions and financials preferred Strong organizational skills and the ability to work on multiple projects and meet deadlines with consistent quality Strong graphic, visualization and representation skills to clearly communicate design ideas Ability to communicate effectively and professionally, both verbally and in writing Ability to build and maintain positive client relationships Ability to solve problems and apply innovative solutions Ability to collaborate within teams and mentor others to foster growth Travel may be required Base Salary Range: $100K - $120K annually - Chicago, Denver, New York, Seattle, Washington DC locations only The estimate displayed represents the general base salary range of candidates hired in the hicago, Denver, New York, Seattle, Washington DC locations only. Factors that may be used to determine your actual salary may include internal equity, experience, education, specialty and training. HKS offers a comprehensive total compensation & benefits package with health, dental, and vision care coverage, 401(k) plans, life & AD&D insurance, short/long term disability plans, paid days off (sick leave, parental leave, vacation), and much more for benefits-eligible employees. To learn more about our benefits visit this page. If you currently work for HKS, please submit your application via the Internal Careers Portal. HKS is an EEO/AA Employer: M/F/Disabled/Veteran