Human Centered Design Lead

location_onUS - CO, Denverpayments$135,000 – $225,000/yrschedule2 days ago
trending_upExperience level:Lead
badgeEmployment:Full-time
schoolEducation:Bachelor’s degree
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Job description

Job Family:

Strategy & Transformation Consulting

Travel Required:

Up to 25%

Clearance Required:

Active Top Secret SCI (TS/SCI)

What You Will Do:

  • Lead Human-Centered Design Integration Across Protege Company

    • Establish and mature HCD standards, design systems, workflows, and scalable practices.
    • Embed user-centered methods (usability analysis, interaction design, service design, experience strategy) into ISG’s engineering and mission workflows.
    • Develop visual/interaction artifacts: wireframes, prototypes, design guides, UI style standards—aligned to how protege will support IC program elements.
    • Translate complex mission/technical concepts into intuitive, human-centered design outputs for internal and external stakeholders.

  • Lead and Mentor Multidisciplinary Teams
    • Guide designers, engineers, and cross-functional MPP contributors—mirroring the team‑leadership achievements (e.g., scaling HCD teams, coaching designers, delivering high-volume outputs).
    • Facilitate design thinking workshops, production reviews, requirement refinement sessions, and stakeholder engagement cycles.

  • Support Program Management & MPP Governance
    • Partner closely with ISG, Guidehouse, and IC Agency collaborators.
    • Contribute to reporting, portfolio visualization, metrics tracking, and design-system sustainability per MPP structures seen in files like MPP ISG.
    • Deliver Research‑Driven, Mission‑Aligned Solutions.
  • Conduct user research, stakeholder interviews, heuristic evaluations, and service design activities rooted in the human-centered engineering mission of Protege MPP.
  • Ensure all design outcomes support mission needs, Agency priorities, and protégé capability development.

What You Will Need:

  • An ACTIVE and MAINTAINED TOP SECRET with SCI (TS/SCI) Federal or DoD security clearance
  • Bachelor's degree
  • FIFTEEN (15) or more years' in UX, Human-Centered Design, experience strategy, or interaction design, with THREE (3) or more years' in senior or team-lead roles.
  • Experience building design systems, scalable workflows, or multi-channel design outputs.
  • Experience supporting defense, intelligence, or federal agencies.
  • Experience in user research, usability analysis, prototyping, wireframing, and design thinking facilitation.

What Would Be Nice To Have:

  • Masters in Fine Arts (MFA) degree
  • Experience building dashboards, metric systems, or portfolio visibility structures.
  • Familiarity with emerging creative/AI design tools for accelerating workflows.
  • Ability to design for immersive environments, mission-focused interfaces, or complex operational workflows.
  • Prior experience supporting protégé development or capability building within federal programs.
  • Ability to translate technical/engineering requirements into clear user experience strategies.
  • Strong communication skills and stakeholder engagement experience across mixed technical / design audiences.
The annual salary range for this position is $135,000.00-$225,000.00. Compensation decisions depend on a wide range of factors, including but not limited to skill sets, experience and training, security clearances, licensure and certifications, and other business and organizational needs.

What We Offer:

Guidehouse offers a comprehensive, total rewards package that includes competitive compensation and a flexible benefits package that reflects our commitment to creating a diverse and supportive workplace.

Benefits include:

  • Medical, Rx, Dental & Vision Insurance
  • Personal and Family Sick Time & Company Paid Holidays
  • Position may be eligible for a discretionary variable incentive bonus
  • Parental Leave and Adoption Assistance
  • 401(k) Retirement Plan
  • Basic Life & Supplemental Life
  • Health Savings Account, Dental/Vision & Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts
  • Short-Term & Long-Term Disability
  • Student Loan PayDown
  • Tuition Reimbursement, Personal Development & Learning Opportunities
  • Skills Development & Certifications
  • Employee Referral Program
  • Corporate Sponsored Events & Community Outreach
  • Emergency Back-Up Childcare Program
  • Mobility Stipend

About Guidehouse

Guidehouse is an Equal Opportunity Employer–Protected Veterans, Individuals with Disabilities or any other basis protected by law, ordinance, or regulation.

Guidehouse will consider for employment qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with the requirements of applicable law or ordinance including the Fair Chance Ordinance of Los Angeles and San Francisco.

If you have visited our website for information about employment opportunities, or to apply for a position, and you require an accommodation, please contact Guidehouse Recruiting at 1-571-633-1711 or via email at [email protected]. All information you provide will be kept confidential and will be used only to the extent required to provide needed reasonable accommodation.

All communication regarding recruitment for a Guidehouse position will be sent from Guidehouse email domains including @guidehouse.com or [email protected]. Correspondence received by an applicant from any other domain should be considered unauthorized and will not be honored by Guidehouse. Note that Guidehouse will never charge a fee or require a money transfer at any stage of the recruitment process and does not collect fees from educational institutions for participation in a recruitment event. Never provide your banking information to a third party purporting to need that information to proceed in the hiring process.

If any person or organization demands money related to a job opportunity with Guidehouse, please report the matter to Guidehouse’s Ethics Hotline. If you want to check the validity of correspondence you have received, please contact [email protected]. Guidehouse is not responsible for losses incurred (monetary or otherwise) from an applicant’s dealings with unauthorized third parties.

Guidehouse does not accept unsolicited resumes through or from search firms or staffing agencies. All unsolicited resumes will be considered the property of Guidehouse and Guidehouse will not be obligated to pay a placement fee.

Skills mentioned


IT Services, Technology Consulting
US - CO, Denver

At the heart of what we do is a culture of purpose-driven consulting that empowers us to tackle some of the most pressing challenges faced by both commercial and public sector clients. Guidehouse, a next-generation global consultancy, is committed to leveraging our vast expertise to help clients navigate complexities across diverse industries and geographies. Our teams are dedicated to innovating solutions that disrupt traditional consulting delivery models, thus fostering collaborations that create resilient and transformative outcomes. Founded in 2018 and with roots extending from PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP's public sector work, we have built a reputation for not only providing advisory, digital, and managed services but for genuinely impacting the sectors we serve, including national security, healthcare, energy, and infrastructure. With over 16,000 professionals, we are devoted to outwitting complexity and achieving meaningful change through integrity, inclusivity, and sustainability. Our commitment does not end with exceptional service delivery; we also prioritize social responsibility and strive to enhance the communities in which we operate. In essence, Guidehouse is not just guiding clients; we are pioneering paths for future innovation and success.

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