Product Design Lead - SECURE Center

About the Opportunity This job description is intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this classification. It is not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required of personnel so classified. JOB SUMMARY The Product Design Lead will report to the Chief Research Operations Officer and Director of the Northeast Region of the of the National Science Foundation’s (NSF) Safeguarding the Entire Community of the US Research Enterprise Center (SECURE Center). The NSF SECURE Center is led by the University of Washington. We are looking for a collaborative and research-oriented Design Lead to join the SECURE Northeast Regional Hub, located at Northeastern University. As mandated in the “CHIPS and Science Act of 2022,” the NSF SECURE Center, a collaboration between nine institutions of higher education, will apply a co-design approach to serve as a clearinghouse for information to empower the research community to identify and mitigate threats that pose risks to the U.S. research enterprise. The Product Design Lead will be responsible for (a) managing the regional co-design hub, (b) leading the planning and execution of design activities, and c) coordinating with other regional hubs. 1-year fixed term position, renewal based on available grant funding. MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS Education: Bachelor’s degree in fields such as Design, Human-Computer Interaction, Social Sciences, or Engineering Experience: 3-5 years in design, user experience, service design, or a related field, with a focus on design or participatory design methodologies. Background in user research, human-centered design, and/or product development Skills: Excellent facilitation and communication skills, with the ability to engage and inspire stakeholders at all levels Strong project management skills, including the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously Proficiency in design and prototyping tools (e.g., Adobe Creative Suite, Figma) Ability to translate complex ideas into actionable design responses Personal Attributes: Empathy and a deep understanding of user needs and behaviors Strong leadership and collaboration skills Creative thinker with a passion for innovation Self-motivated and able to work independently as well as part of a team Comfortable with uncertainty and ambiguity Preferred Job Qualifications Domain knowledge in research security, academia, or government Experience leading co-design initiatives and activities Experience with design and/or development in complex multistakeholder domains such as healthcare, education, policy, or cybersecurity. KEY RESPONSIBILITIES & ACCOUNTABILITIES User Research & Insights 20% Gather, analyze, and synthesize user insights and feedback to inform design requirements and co-design activities Ensure that user and stakeholder needs, pain points, and desires are deeply understood and integrated into the design of SECURE software products and services. Use qualitative and quantitative data to synthesize design recommendations, guide decision-making, and validate design concepts. Facilitation & Stakeholder Engagement 20% Organize and lead co-design workshops, ideation sessions, and collaborative events involving internal teams, stakeholders (research administrators, researchers, funders). Foster strong relationships with diverse stakeholders, ensuring their active participation and meaningful contribution throughout the design process. Project Management 20% Manage co-design projects from concept to completion, ensuring they are delivered on time, within scope, and on budget. Develop project plans, set milestones, and track progress, while maintaining flexibility to adapt to changing needs and feedback. Communicate project status, insights, and outcomes to stakeholders and senior leadership. Design & Development 20% Work closely with the National Co-Creation team leadership and other teams to translate co-design outcomes into actionable design specifications, prototypes, and final products. Oversee the iterative design process, ensuring that prototypes are tested with users and refined based on feedback. Ensure that the final design solutions align with strategic objectives. Continuous Improvement 20% Evaluate the effectiveness of co-design processes and make recommendations for continuous improvement. Share learnings and insights with the broader organization to promote a culture of innovation and collaboration. Position Type Research Additional Information Northeastern University considers factors such as candidate work experience, education and skills when extending an offer. Northeastern has a comprehensive benefits package for benefit eligible employees. This includes medical, vision, dental, paid time off, tuition assistance, wellness & life, retirement- as well as commuting & transportation. Visit https://hr.northeastern.edu/benefits/ for more information. All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply and will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, age, sex, sexual orientation, disability status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. Compensation Grade/Pay Type: 110S Expected Hiring Range: $76,335.00 - $107,823.75 With the pay range(s) shown above, the starting salary will depend on several factors, which may include your education, experience, location, knowledge and expertise, and skills as well as a pay comparison to similarly-situated employees already in the role. Salary ranges are reviewed regularly and are subject to change. Founded in 1898, Northeastern is a global research university and the recognized leader in experiential lifelong learning. Our approach of integrating real-world experience with education, research, and innovation empowers our students, faculty, alumni, and partners to create worldwide impact.    Our global university system provides our community and academic, government, and industry partners with unique opportunities to think locally and act globally. The system—which includes 14 campuses across the U.S., U.K., and Canada, 300,000-plus alumni, and 3,000 partners worldwide—serves as a platform for scaling ideas, talent, and solutions. The university’s residential campuses for undergraduate and graduate degrees are located in Boston, London, and Oakland, California. Our research and graduate campuses are in the Massachusetts communities of Burlington and Nahant; Arlington, Virginia; Charlotte, North Carolina; Miami; Portland, Maine; Seattle; Silicon Valley, California; Toronto; and Vancouver. Northeastern’s personalized, experiential undergraduate and graduate programs lead to degrees through the doctorate in 10 colleges and schools across our campuses. Learning emphasizes the intersection of data, technology, and human literacies, uniquely preparing graduates for careers of the future and lives of fulfillment and accomplishment. Our research enterprise, with an R1 Carnegie classification, is solutions oriented and spans the world. Our faculty scholars and students work in teams that cross not just disciplines, but also sectors—aligned around solving today’s highly interconnected global challenges and focused on transformative impact for humankind.