Sr. Researcher / Designer

About the job

Civilla is seeking a Senior Designer who centers equity in their work and brings deep craft to complex problems. In this role, you will own multiple workstreams within a project, lead research and design from discovery through testing, and create innovative, simple design solutions that meet user needs. To advance Civilla's mission, you will work with our government partners to deliver products, services, and experiences that significantly impact and improve the lives of millions of people.

what you'll do

• Lead complex, end-to-end workstreams. Proactively manage dependencies across workstreams and ensure high quality delivery.  

• Design and lead research using a variety of qualitative and quantitative methods. Scope research, conduct interviews, analyze data, and conduct desk research to deliver impact.

• Create innovative, simple design solutions to ambiguous and multifaceted problems, demonstrating exceptional craft across research, service design, and systems thinking.

• Produce high-quality design work. Develop sketches, prototypes, journey maps, service blueprints, printed materials, digital interfaces, and communication artifacts that make ideas concrete and testable.

• Lead synthesis to produce systems-level patterns and frameworks. Scaffold and facilitate synthesis sessions within the team and with our partners to translate findings into insights that guide design solutions.

• Practice an approach to research and design that is rooted in equity, build meaningful relationships with the people most impacted by our work, and check personal biases and assumptions.

• Communicate and tell stories through written, verbal, and visual work. Develop presentations, reports, research summaries and exhibits that make findings relevant and actionable for our partners.

• Manage select partner relationships, including workers, community partners, and the people who use the services we design. Facilitate core team meetings with support from your Design Lead.

• Guide fellows and manage relationships with contractors, setting clear expectations and giving feedback on their work.

• Act as a resource for design guidance across the team—sharing methods, offering feedback, and raising the quality bar around you. 

• Contribute to efforts that support Civilla’s organizational culture, including team events, off-sites, and reflections.

what we're looking for

We believe in building diverse, complementary teams. You don’t need to check every box to be considered. If you see yourself in most of the following categories, but not all, we encourage you to apply.

• Mission-alignment - A passion for using your skills to partner with institutions to deliver long-term, systemic change and advocate for people who rely on public services.

• Project management - An understanding of how to scope and execute research and design strategy within a complex project. You can manage multiple workstreams at once, anticipate dependencies, adapt timelines, prioritize effectively, and work autonomously.

• Research experience - Experience using qualitative and quantitative methods to lead research, conduct interviews, and analyze data to deliver impact. You can scope a research approach for a complex problem and balance rigor with the exploration of new methods.

• Design guidance - Experience giving direction and feedback to fellows, contractors, or more junior teammates. You can set clear expectations, unblock people, and support others' growth without formal authority.

• Relationship management - Experience cultivating relationships with partners, community members, and the people most affected by the systems we work in. 

• Equity consciousness - An equity-centered approach to design and research. You have tools and a desire to engage in conversations about race, ability, gender, sexual orientation, equity and justice.

• Synthesis - The ability to translate research findings into actionable insights, patterns, and frameworks that enable our partners to make key strategic decisions. You can sit in ambiguity, assess trade-offs, and bring others along through the process.

• Communication and storytelling - Exceptional written, verbal, and visual communication skills. You can make research findings relevant and impactful for your team and our partners across formats including presentations, reports, research summaries, videos, and exhibits.

• Growth mindset -  You have an openness to learning, are committed to personal growth, and are proactive about seeking feedback.

design at Civilla

We believe design can mean many things depending on people’s exposure to and experience with it. At its core, it is the ability to conduct research to understand how people navigate a challenge, identify common patterns, and develop solutions that best meet peoples’ needs. 

We encourage you to apply even if you are not academically trained in design.

what we value

We’re seeking Sr. Researcher/Designers who align with Civilla’s principles and values. Our culture is rooted in twelve organizational principles and our work is grounded in a set of values that reflect our dedication to our mission:

• Optimism - We remain open to the immense potential of our institutions to do good.

• Curiosity - We continuously seek new inputs that can grow our context about what is possible.

• Empathy - We view human-to-human connection as the foundation of our work.

• All In - We regard showing up and seeing work through as essential for leading change.

compensation + benefits

• Cash compensation: The starting Researcher/Designer- level base pay range is $94,700-$1111,300 with up to 10% annual bonus for a maximum total cash compensation of $104,000 - $122,430.

• Retirement: 403(b) employer contribution of up to 10% annually.

• Health Insurance: A range of high-quality medical insurance plans to fit the needs of employees and their families, including vision and dental, as well as group-term life insurance, short-term disability, and long-term disability. 

• Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA): Flexible spending accounts to lower costs for health care and dependent care.

• Parental Leave: Sixteen weeks of full pay and benefits for births, adoptions, foster care, or court placements.

• Wellness Stipend: $600 annually to support employee wellness and health goals.

• Technology Stipend: $600 annually to support a high-quality work environment.

• Time off: 48 paid days off per year.

details

• Structure and Timing: This is a full-time position based in Detroit, Michigan that is scheduled to start Fall 2026
  

• Come as you are. Civilla is firmly committed to building a diverse team that is reflective of the communities we serve. We value your unique experiences and strongly encourage people of color, LGBTQ+ individuals, women, minorities, people with disabilities, system-impacted people, veterans, and people of all ages to apply.
  

• Civilla is an equal opportunity employer. Applicants will not be discriminated against because of race, color, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, religion, national origin, citizenship status, disability, ancestry, marital status, veteran status, medical condition or any protected category prohibited by local, state or federal laws.
  

• Sponsorship. Civilla cannot sponsor applicants for work visas or work visa transfers at this time.
  

• Background checks. Our contracts with the State of Michigan require that we perform background checks on all Civilla team members. If you are invited to the third interview for this position, we will request your consent to perform one. We will not be able to move forward with your candidacy if you are presently indicted by a government entity for the commission of any crime involving theft, dishonesty, fraud, or assault, or have been convicted of any of the following within the last three (3) years:

  • Fraud in connection with obtaining or performing a public contract;

  • Violation of federal or state antitrust statutes;

  • Commission of embezzlement, theft, forgery, bribery, falsification or destruction of records, making false statements, or receiving stolen property; and/or

  • Commission of assault.