Human Centered Design (HCD) Lead

DCCA is a veteran-owned IT business specializing in providing innovative solutions to a variety of government agencies and commercial enterprises since 1982.  DCCA is proud to offer career growth opportunities and a competitive compensation and benefits package.  Visit our website at: www.dcca.com  

Human Centered Design Lead

Candidate must have or be willing to obtain a Public Trust Clearance

For over 40 years, DCCA has provided a broad range of IT services to government agencies and commercial enterprises, helping them to feel confident in their IT infrastructure. With DCCA, these organizations can be confident in the flexibility and skill of their IT partners, allowing them to upgrade their technology quickly and efficiently. Better yet, thanks to DCCA’s successful track record, clients can rest assured knowing DCCA can tackle any problem with ease, allowing them to focus on the work that matters.

Internally, DCCA prides itself on a culture built on integrity and inclusivity, allowing its employees to build lasting skills and relationships. As a veteran owned business, DCCA knows the importance of recruiting employees with a wide range of backgrounds, allowing for every problem to be approached by a diverse array of perspectives. Join us and be part of a team that has a people first mentality and a dedication to excellence.

Job Requirements:

DCCA is looking for an experienced HCD Lead with great leadership skills, a strong strategic thinker with a vision to help team design innovative solutions which lead to positive outcomes.

Required Skills:

·              Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Computer Science, Graphics/UX Design with at least 8 years of progressive experience in HCD, UX, or service design, with at least 3 years in a leadership role.

·              Demonstrated expertise in applying HCD methods across the entire design lifecycle — from research to delivery.

·              Proven ability to influence and collaborate with executive stakeholders.

·              Strong facilitation and storytelling skills for cross-functional alignment.

·              Experience in developing design roadmaps and service blueprints that align with business outcomes.

·              Capable of leading multi-disciplinary teams (designers, researchers).

·              Experience in agile or lean environments, integrating HCD within iterative delivery cycles.

·              Location - Remote

Primary Responsibilities:

·              Strong strategic thinking and systems thinking skills — ability to connect insights to business strategy and program goals

·              Proficiency with design and collaboration tools (e.g., Miro, Figma, Confluence, Mural, Jira)

·              Deep understanding of HCD and Design Thinking methodologies

·              Hands on experience in facilitating workshops and sessions with stakeholders for generating new ideas

·              Set HCD goals and establish measurable KPIs to demonstrate progress and ROI

·              Collaborate with team to identify improvement opportunities and prioritize initiatives

·              Translate business vision into design strategies that enhance user experiences

·              Foster a culture of experimentation and evidence-based design

·              Drive continuous discovery and feedback loops throughout product lifecycle

·              Work with product teams, business and system owners to ensure human-centered outcomes in implementation

·              Maintain HCD frameworks, toolkits and playbooks and spearhead HCD best practices across the organization’s division

The proposed salary range for this position in Maryland is 130,000 to 170,000. Final salary will be determined based on various factors. Our comprehensive benefit offerings include healthcare, retirement plan, paid disability and life insurance programs, employee assistance program, paid and unpaid leave programs, education assistance, and wellness initiatives.

At DCCA, we believe the key to providing our clients with unrivaled services starts with retaining top talent, something we’re able to do through our consistent commitment to building culture and comprehensive benefits.

Competitive Compensation: While salary at DCCA is determined by various factors, we are committed to making sure our salaries reflect the skill and expertise of our employees. In addition, each year we perform an annual salary review ensuring pay is equitable across both the company and industry at large.

Growth Opportunities: DCCA makes it a priority to help you grow and support your career advancement. From upskilling programs to recertification support, to professional development opportunities, we’re here to help you grow your career and create lasting relationships.

Emphasis on Inclusivity: DCCA’s culture emphasizes respect, equity, and opportunity and is supported by an array of business resource groups and other opportunities for connection.

Empowering Health: DCCA’s benefits which encompass healthcare, paid time off, and flexible 401(k) options encourage you to live a healthy and fulfilling life, both in and outside of work. Learn more about our total benefits package on our Benefits page.

Mission Focused Work: From the defense industry to health IT management, DCCA allows you to work on innovative projects whose outcomes improve people's lives and solve today’s IT problems. 

Equal Opportunity Employer including Disability/Vets