Graphic Designer

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Graphic Designer

Company: CACI

Location: Fort Meade, Maryland, US

Job Type: Full-time

Category: Creative & Media / Communications

Date Posted: 2026-08-26

Experience Level: 5-10 Years

Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• Design, develop, and create innovative visual concepts to enhance the client's brand across all external and internal communications, including literature, print, web applications, and presentations.

• Translate complex technical data, policy documents, and strategic initiatives into clear, engaging, and highly accessible visual products.

• Ensure 100% compliance of all digital deliverables with Section 508 and ADA accessibility guidelines.

• Lead the design, typesetting, and formatting of high-profile agency deliverables, including reports and strategic briefings, while maintaining strict customer branding guidelines.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is critical for translating complex government information into accessible and visually appealing formats, requiring a strong understanding of both design principles and strict compliance standards, particularly Section 508 and ADA. The "Communications" job category, combined with the emphasis on technical data and policy documents, suggests a focus on clarity and impact for government stakeholders.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Section 508 Compliance: Ensure all digital deliverables (PDFs, presentations, web graphics) are fully compliant with Section 508 and ADA accessibility guidelines, including proper tagging, reading order, and alt text.

• Information & Data Architecture: Design complex infographics, technical diagrams, charts, and maps to make dense government data easily understandable for diverse audiences.

• Publication & Report Layout: Lead the design, typesetting, and formatting of high-profile agency deliverables, such as reports and strategic briefings, ensuring a professional and consistent aesthetic.

• Brand Stewardship: Maintain, enforce, and apply strict customer branding guidelines, including correct usage of official seals, logos, typography, and color palettes to ensure brand consistency.

• Multimedia Content Creation: Develop high-impact graphics for executive-level presentations, specifically utilizing Microsoft PowerPoint.

• Stakeholder Collaboration: Partner directly with Subject Matter Experts (SMEs), writers, and Public Affairs Officers to iterate on design concepts and finalize external-facing materials.

• Asset Management: Manage and maintain digital assets, adhering to copyright laws, public domain sourcing, and secure digital asset management practices.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a strong emphasis on compliance and accessibility (Section 508, ADA), which is paramount in government contracting. The need to translate "dense government data" into "easily understandable visual products" points to a core function of simplifying complex information for various stakeholders.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

• Bachelor’s degree in Graphic Design, Fine Arts, Visual Communications, or a related field. Experience:

• A minimum of 7 years of related professional design experience.

• 3+ years of professional design experience specifically within government contracting is preferred.

• Minimum of 5-10 years of cumulative professional experience, aligning with the AI-derived experience level. Required Skills:

• Advanced Proficiency in Adobe Creative Cloud: Expert-level skills in InDesign, Illustrator, Photoshop, and Acrobat Pro are essential for creating and editing visual assets.

• Microsoft Office Suite Mastery: Advanced proficiency in PowerPoint for executive presentations and Word for text integration.

• Section 508 Remediation: Proven experience using Adobe Acrobat Pro for Section 508 remediation, including tagging, reading order, and alt text verification.

• Data Visualization & Infographics: Strong ability to design complex infographics, technical diagrams, charts, and maps to convey complex data effectively.

• Publication & Typesetting: Expertise in publication design, typesetting, and formatting for reports and strategic documents.

• Brand Guideline Adherence: Ability to maintain and enforce strict customer branding guidelines, including logos, typography, and color palettes.

• Asset Management: Strong understanding of copyright laws, public domain sourcing, and secure digital asset management.

• Active TS/SCI POLY Clearance: A mandatory requirement for this role, indicating a need for high-level security clearance.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience with HTML/CSS or UI/UX design for government web portals.

• Prior experience working within the DoD/DoW design ecosystem.

📝 Enhancement Note: The requirement for an active TS/SCI with Polygraph clearance is a critical qualification that significantly narrows the candidate pool. The emphasis on specific Adobe Creative Cloud applications and Section 508 compliance tools indicates a need for specialized technical skills beyond general graphic design.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Data Visualization Case Studies: Showcase examples of complex data translated into clear, accessible infographics, charts, and diagrams. Highlight the problem, your design solution, and the impact of the visualization.

• Section 508 Compliant Deliverables: Include examples of digital documents (e.g., PDFs, presentations) that demonstrate adherence to Section 508 and ADA accessibility standards. Be prepared to discuss your remediation process.

• Publication Design Examples: Present layouts for reports, briefs, or publications, demonstrating strong typography, hierarchy, and overall design execution.

• Brand Guideline Application: Provide examples where you've successfully applied and maintained strict branding guidelines for a client or organization.

Process Documentation:

• Workflow Design & Optimization: Be prepared to discuss your design process, from initial concept and client brief to final delivery, including how you incorporate feedback and ensure accuracy.

• Accessibility Implementation: Detail your methods for ensuring Section 508 and ADA compliance throughout the design and production process.

• Performance Analysis: While not directly a design output, be ready to discuss how your designs contribute to communication goals or mission objectives, and how you measure their effectiveness.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a role emphasizing compliance and complex data visualization in a government context, a portfolio must clearly demonstrate these specific capabilities. Candidates should be ready to articulate their design process, particularly how they integrate accessibility standards and handle sensitive government information.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $84,900 - $178,400 per year

Benefits:

• Comprehensive Healthcare: Medical, dental, and vision insurance plans.

• Wellness Programs: Resources and initiatives to support employee well-being.

• Financial Security: Competitive retirement savings plans (e.g., 401k) and other financial planning resources.

• Family Support: Benefits designed to assist employees and their families, potentially including parental leave or dependent care resources.

• Continuing Education: Opportunities for professional development, training, and tuition reimbursement to enhance skills and advance careers.

• Flexible Time Off: A unique flexible time off benefit, allowing employees autonomy in managing their personal time.

Working Hours:

• Full-time employment, typically around 40 hours per week. While specific hours may vary, the on-site nature suggests standard business hours.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range provided is broad, reflecting the potential variability based on factors like specific contract labor categories, prior experience, and location within the Fort Meade area. The emphasis on "flexible time off" is a notable benefit that could appeal to candidates seeking work-life balance.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Information Technology and Government Contracting. CACI provides IT solutions and services to the U.S. government, particularly in defense, intelligence, and national security sectors.

Company Size: Large Enterprise. CACI is a significant player in the government contracting space, indicating a structured environment with established processes and a large workforce.

Founded: 1962. CACI has a long history, suggesting stability, deep industry knowledge, and a well-established corporate culture.

Team Structure:

• Operations Focus: The role reports within a "Communications" job category, likely meaning the Graphic Designer will be part of a communications, public affairs, or a dedicated creative services team within a larger project or division.

• Reporting Structure: Likely reports to a Communications Manager, Creative Director, or a Project Lead who oversees client-facing deliverables.

• Cross-functional Collaboration: Will collaborate closely with Subject Matter Experts (SMEs), writers, analysts, Public Affairs Officers, and potentially project managers to translate technical and strategic information into visual content.

Methodology:

• Data-Driven Design: Emphasis on translating complex data accurately and clearly, requiring a methodical approach to information architecture and visualization.

• Compliance-Centric Workflows: Design processes must inherently integrate Section 508 and ADA compliance checks at multiple stages.

• Brand Consistency: Strict adherence to established brand guidelines is a core methodological requirement.

Company Website: https://www.caci.com/

📝 Enhancement Note: CACI's focus on national security and government IT services means the "Communications" department likely serves critical internal and external messaging needs, requiring high standards of accuracy, professionalism, and compliance. The company's long history suggests a stable, process-oriented environment.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: Mid-to-Senior Level Specialist. With 7+ years of experience required and a focus on specialized skills like Section 508 compliance and data visualization, this role is for an experienced professional. It's not an entry-level design position but a specialized contributor role.

Reporting Structure: The Graphic Designer will likely report to a manager within a Communications or Creative Services department, who in turn reports to higher leadership within a specific program or CACI's corporate structure. This implies working within established project management frameworks.

Operations Impact: The Graphic Designer's work directly impacts the clarity and effectiveness of critical government communications. By making complex technical data and strategic initiatives accessible, they contribute to informed decision-making, stakeholder understanding, and successful mission execution. Their role is vital in ensuring CACI effectively communicates its value and capabilities to government clients.

Growth Opportunities:

• Specialization Advancement: Deepen expertise in data visualization, accessibility standards, or specific government design ecosystems (e.g., DoD, Intelligence Community).

• Leadership Potential: Progress to a Senior Graphic Designer, Lead Designer, or Art Director role, potentially managing junior designers or leading creative projects.

• Cross-Functional Skill Development: Gain exposure to UI/UX design, web development principles, or project management through collaboration on various initiatives.

• Professional Development: Leverage CACI's emphasis on continuing education and professional growth to acquire new skills, certifications, or attend industry conferences.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Communications" category, coupled with the government contracting environment, suggests growth paths that might involve becoming a subject matter expert in specific compliance areas or leading design efforts for high-stakes government projects.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: On-site. This is a mandatory requirement, indicating a need for physical presence at the Fort Meade, MD location.

Office Location(s): Fort Meade, Maryland. This location is a major hub for U.S. intelligence agencies and military commands, suggesting a secure and professional work environment.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Environment: Expect to work closely with writers, SMEs, and potentially project managers, requiring strong communication and teamwork skills.

• Operations Tools & Technology: Access to a standard suite of design software (Adobe Creative Cloud, Microsoft Office), likely within a secure government-approved IT infrastructure.

• Operations Team Interaction: Regular interaction with internal teams responsible for content creation and client-facing materials. The environment is likely fast-paced, demanding accuracy and adherence to deadlines.

Work Schedule: Full-time, typically 40 hours per week, with standard business hours expected for an on-site role. The flexible time off benefit offers some personal schedule management, but core working hours will be dictated by project needs and team availability.

📝 Enhancement Note: The on-site requirement and Fort Meade location strongly suggest a secure environment, potentially with specific protocols for physical access and digital asset handling, common in defense and intelligence contracting.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: Review of resume and portfolio for essential qualifications, experience, and clearance.

• Technical Assessment/Portfolio Review: A dedicated session to review the candidate's portfolio, focusing on data visualization, publication design, and Section 508 compliance examples. Expect questions about design choices, process, and problem-solving.

• Skills-Based Interview: Questions assessing proficiency in Adobe Creative Cloud, Microsoft Office, and Section 508 remediation tools. Practical exercises or scenario-based questions may be used.

• Behavioral & Cultural Fit Interview: Questions assessing collaboration, communication, ability to work with SMEs, and alignment with CACI's values (integrity, trust, growth).

• Security Clearance Verification: Confirmation of active TS/SCI with Polygraph clearance.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate for Relevance: Prioritize work samples that directly showcase data visualization, infographic design, publication layout, and Section 508 compliance.

• Highlight Process: For each piece, be ready to discuss your design process, the challenges you faced, how you collaborated with stakeholders, and the outcome.

• Demonstrate Accessibility: Clearly label or explain how specific pieces meet Section 508/ADA standards. If possible, show before-and-after examples of remediation.

• Quantify Impact (if possible): While difficult in design, try to articulate how your visuals improved clarity, engagement, or understanding of complex information.

• Professional Presentation: Ensure your portfolio is well-organized, visually appealing, and easy to navigate, whether digital or physical.

Challenge Preparation:

• Mock Design Challenge: Be prepared for a small design task or scenario where you might need to quickly sketch out an infographic concept or propose a layout for a piece of technical data.

• Section 508 Scenario: Discuss how you would approach making a specific type of document (e.g., a complex report with tables and images) Section 508 compliant.

• Stakeholder Communication: Practice articulating design decisions and explaining technical concepts to non-designers.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process will heavily weigh the candidate's ability to demonstrate practical skills in data visualization and Section 508 compliance, as these are core to the role's responsibilities. A strong portfolio is paramount.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Adobe Creative Cloud:

  • InDesign: For layout and publication design.
  • Illustrator: For vector graphics, icons, and complex illustrations.
  • Photoshop: For image editing, manipulation, and web graphics.
  • Acrobat Pro: Essential for PDF creation, editing, and Section 508 remediation (tagging, accessibility checks).

• Microsoft Office Suite:

  • PowerPoint: For creating high-impact executive presentations.
  • Word: For text integration and document formatting.

Analytics & Reporting:

• While not a primary design tool, understanding how data is presented in reports and dashboards will be beneficial. Familiarity with common reporting formats is key. CRM & Automation:

• Not directly applicable to this role, but understanding how visual assets are requested or managed within project management systems might be relevant.

📝 Enhancement Note: The technology stack is heavily focused on industry-standard design software, with a crucial emphasis on Adobe Acrobat Pro for accessibility compliance. Proficiency in these tools is non-negotiable.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Integrity: Upholding honesty and ethical standards in all design work, especially with sensitive government information.

• Trust: Building trust with clients and colleagues through reliable, high-quality, and secure work.

• Innovation: Continuously seeking creative and effective ways to visualize complex information and enhance brand communication.

• Excellence: Committing to producing visually stunning, accurate, and compliant design deliverables.

• Collaboration: Working effectively with diverse teams to achieve shared communication goals.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-functional Integration: The role requires close collaboration with writers, SMEs, and public affairs personnel, necessitating clear communication and the ability to translate feedback effectively.

• Process Review & Feedback: Openness to iterative design processes and incorporating feedback from various stakeholders to refine visual products.

• Knowledge Sharing: Contributing to a team environment by sharing design best practices, especially regarding accessibility and compliance.

📝 Enhancement Note: CACI's stated values of integrity, trust, and continuous growth are likely deeply embedded in their government contracting culture, emphasizing professionalism, reliability, and a commitment to mission success.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Translating Complexity: The primary challenge is making highly technical, dense, or abstract government information easily understandable and visually engaging for diverse audiences.

• Strict Compliance: Meeting stringent Section 508 and ADA accessibility mandates for all digital deliverables requires meticulous attention to detail and specialized skills.

• Brand Consistency: Maintaining strict adherence to government client branding guidelines, which can sometimes be rigid, while still producing creative designs.

• Secure Environment: Working within a government contracting environment often involves navigating security protocols for data handling and asset management.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Advanced Accessibility Training: Opportunities to deepen expertise in Section 508 and ADA compliance, potentially leading to certifications.

• Data Visualization Specialization: Further develop skills in advanced data visualization techniques and tools.

• UI/UX Fundamentals: Explore foundational UI/UX principles if interested in digital interface design for government web portals.

• Industry Best Practices: Stay updated on emerging design trends and technologies relevant to government communications and security.

• Mentorship: Benefit from working with experienced professionals within CACI's established teams.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges are directly tied to the specialized nature of government design work, requiring a blend of creativity, technical skill, and meticulous adherence to regulations. Growth opportunities focus on deepening these specialized skills.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• Design Process: "Walk me through your process for designing an infographic based on complex technical data. How do you ensure accuracy and accessibility?" (Focus on methodical steps, stakeholder input, and compliance checks.)

• Accessibility Challenges: "Describe a time you encountered significant challenges in making a design Section 508 compliant. How did you overcome them?" (Highlight problem-solving skills and specific remediation techniques.)

• Stakeholder Management: "How do you handle feedback from SMEs or clients who may not have a design background but have strong opinions on the visuals?" (Emphasize communication, explanation, and negotiation skills.)

• Brand Application: "How do you approach applying strict branding guidelines while still creating engaging visuals?" (Show understanding of balance between consistency and creativity.)

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What interests you about working for CACI, specifically in this graphic design role supporting government clients?" (Research CACI's mission and tailor your response.)

• "How do you align with CACI's values of integrity and trust in your design work?" (Connect your professional ethics to these values.)

• "Describe your experience working in a collaborative, team-oriented environment, especially with technical or policy-focused individuals." (Provide examples of successful cross-functional projects.) Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure: Organize your portfolio logically, perhaps by skill (e.g., Data Visualization, Publications, Accessibility) or by project type.

• Narrative: For each project, clearly state the objective, your role, the challenges, your design solution, the tools used, and the outcome. Specifically mention how you addressed compliance and branding.

• Demonstrate Accessibility: Be ready to open PDF examples in Acrobat Pro to show how you've tagged them or explain your process for alt text and reading order.

• Conciseness: Be prepared to present key portfolio pieces within a limited timeframe, focusing on the most impactful aspects.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation should heavily emphasize practical application of design skills to government-specific requirements like Section 508 compliance and data translation. Be ready to defend your design choices with logic and process.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this operations position:

• Submit your application through the CACI Careers portal via the provided link.

• Portfolio Customization: Tailor your resume and portfolio to highlight experience in data visualization, Section 508 compliance, and publication design. Ensure your portfolio showcases examples relevant to government or complex technical communication.

• Resume Optimization: Integrate keywords from the job description (e.g., "Section 508," "data visualization," "Adobe Creative Cloud," "TS/SCI POLY") naturally into your resume, focusing on quantifiable achievements where possible.

• Interview Preparation: Practice articulating your design process, discussing your experience with accessibility standards, and preparing specific examples from your portfolio that demonstrate your capabilities.

• Company Research: Thoroughly research CACI, its mission in national security, and its commitment to its values. Understand the significance of the Fort Meade location and the types of clients CACI serves.

⚠️ Important Notice: This enhanced job description includes AI-generated insights and operations industry-standard assumptions. All details, particularly regarding clearance requirements and specific technical tool usage, should be verified directly with the hiring organization before making application decisions.