Graphic Designer

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Graphic Designer

Company: Excelity

Location: Herndon, Virginia, United States

Job Type: Full-time

Category: Design / User Experience Operations

Date Posted: 2026-05-26T16:31:01

Experience Level: Mid-Level (2-5 years)

Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• This role is crucial for supporting a critical government customer mission, requiring a blend of creative design and technical understanding.

• The Graphic Designer will be instrumental in translating complex technical concepts into visually intuitive user experiences for high-profile, award-winning projects.

• A significant focus will be placed on UX design, user research, and the creation of user-centric deliverables that directly impact project success.

• The position demands strong collaboration skills to interface effectively with engineering teams, customers, and other design professionals to ensure seamless integration of UI/UX elements.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the title is "Graphic Designer," the responsibilities heavily emphasize User Experience (UX) Design, including user research, wireframing, and prototyping. This suggests the role is more accurately positioned within UX Design Operations or a hybrid Design/UX role, requiring a deep understanding of user-centered design principles and their application in technical environments. The "telecommute" location type listed alongside "on-site" in the AI data warrants clarification, but the description implies an on-site presence is required due to the clearance and customer interaction needs.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• UX Design & User Research: Conceive and conduct user research, including interviews and surveys, to deeply understand user needs and behaviors.

• Information Architecture & Wireframing: Translate research findings into actionable design artifacts such as sitemaps, user flows, and wireframes.

• Prototyping & Mockup Creation: Develop high-fidelity mockups and interactive prototypes that clearly illustrate intended user experiences and functionalities.

• User Interface (UI) Collaboration: Coordinate closely with graphic designers and engineering teams to establish design requirements and ensure the effective integration of user interface elements into the final product.

• Technical Deliverable Development: Contribute to the successful development of high-profile, complex technical deliverables that are core to the continued success of government projects.

• Cross-functional Communication: Act as a liaison between users, customers, and developers, ensuring clear communication and alignment on design vision and implementation.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities clearly indicate a strong UX focus. The mention of "sitemaps, user flows, customer journey maps, wireframes, mockups, and prototypes" points towards a role that bridges the gap between conceptualization and tangible user interfaces, a hallmark of UX design. The need to "coordinate with graphic designers as needed" suggests this role has a primary UX focus but may also involve some traditional graphic design tasks or oversight.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

Experience:

• A minimum of three (3) years of dedicated UX design experience is required.

• Proven ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously, demonstrating flexibility through revisions while maintaining meticulous attention to detail.

Required Skills:

• UX Design Software Proficiency: Expertise in standard UX design tools such as Sketch, OmniGraffle, Axure, InVision, UXPin, Balsamiq, or Framer.

• User Research Methodologies: Experience in conducting user research, interviews, and surveys.

• Information Architecture: Ability to create sitemaps and define user flows.

• Prototyping Skills: Experience in developing wireframes, mockups, and interactive prototypes.

• Problem-Solving: Aptitude for translating complex requirements into intuitive user experiences.

• Attention to Detail: Keen eye for detail in design and implementation.

• Independent Work Ethic: Ability to operate autonomously and drive projects forward.

Preferred Skills:

• Basic Web Development: Foundational knowledge of HTML5, CSS3, and JavaScript.

• Graphic Design Software: Familiarity with design and photo-editing software including Quark, InDesign, Illustrator, Photoshop, Acrobat, Director, Dreamweaver, FreeHand, 3ds Max, Fireworks, and Flash.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Basic Qualifications" are very specific to UX design tools and independent work, which is typical for mid-level UX roles in government contracting where autonomy is valued. The "Desired Skills" list a broad range of graphic design software, suggesting that while UX is primary, a broader design toolkit is a significant advantage, potentially for creating more polished final assets or understanding the broader design ecosystem.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• UX Case Studies: Showcase 2-3 detailed UX design case studies demonstrating your problem-solving process from research to final design.

• User Research Documentation: Include examples of user research findings, personas, or journey maps that informed your design decisions.

• Wireframes & Prototypes: Provide examples of wireframes and interactive prototypes that illustrate user flows and interface concepts.

• Visual Design Examples: Showcase examples of mockups and final UI designs, highlighting attention to detail and aesthetic quality, especially for technical interfaces.

• Impact Demonstration: Clearly articulate the impact of your designs, ideally with metrics or qualitative feedback on user experience improvements.

Process Documentation:

• Design Thinking Methodology: Demonstrate an understanding of and ability to apply design thinking principles throughout the project lifecycle.

• Agile/Iterative Design: Showcase experience working in agile environments, emphasizing iterative design and feedback incorporation.

• Collaboration Workflows: Illustrate how you collaborate with cross-functional teams (engineering, product management, other designers) to deliver integrated solutions.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a UX-focused role, a portfolio is paramount. The emphasis should be on showcasing the process and problem-solving rather than just final visuals. For government projects, demonstrating an understanding of technical constraints and the ability to design for complex systems is key.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

Benefits:

• Comprehensive Health Coverage: 100% coverage for Health, Dental, Vision, and Life Insurance plans.

• Financial Wellness: Flexible Spending Account (FSA) and a Safe Harbor 401(k) Retirement Plan with a generous 6% employer matching contribution.

• Work-Life Balance: Flexible work schedule, generous paid vacation, and paid holiday time.

• Disability Protection: Long and Short-term disability coverage.

• Professional Development: Reimbursement for professional and training development, including company-paid memberships to professional organizations.

Working Hours:

• Standard full-time hours are expected, likely around 40 hours per week. The role offers a flexible work schedule, allowing for some autonomy in structuring the workday, which is beneficial for deep work and focused design tasks.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range is an estimate based on market data for similar roles in the specified location and considering the high-demand TS/SCI with CI Poly clearance. The benefits package is comprehensive, particularly the 100% health coverage and 401(k) match, which are strong attractors in the government contracting space.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Technology Solutions & Government Contracting. Excelity provides innovative technology solutions, with a specific emphasis on supporting government customers with critical missions. This context implies a culture that values security, precision, and reliable delivery.

Company Size: Not specified, but likely mid-sized to large given the presence of established benefits and the nature of government contracts. This size often means structured processes but also opportunities for impact.

Founded: Not specified, but the company's website (excelity.io) suggests a focus on modern technology solutions.

Team Structure:

• Engineering & Design Collaboration: The role sits within a project team that includes engineering and likely product management. The designer will work closely with these groups.

• Customer Interface: Direct interaction with an exciting Government customer is a core component, necessitating clear communication and understanding of mission requirements.

• Cross-functional Design: Collaboration with other graphic designers is expected, suggesting a potential design team or shared resources.

Methodology:

• User-Centered Design: The core methodology revolves around understanding and serving the user's needs through research and iterative design.

• Agile Project Execution: Given the context of technical deliverables and award-winning projects, an agile or iterative development approach is highly probable.

• Technical Precision: The nature of government projects implies a strong emphasis on accuracy, security, and adherence to specifications.

Company Website: https://excelity.io/

📝 Enhancement Note: The company's focus on government contracting and "critical missions" implies a professional, results-oriented environment where security and reliability are paramount. The mention of "award-winning projects" suggests a high-performing team.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: Mid-Level UX Designer. This role is suitable for professionals with 2-5 years of experience who can work independently and contribute significantly to project design phases. It involves taking ownership of UX deliverables and collaborating effectively with technical teams.

Reporting Structure: The role likely reports to a Design Lead, Project Manager, or a functional manager within Excelity's technical services division. Direct interaction with the government customer is expected, but the primary reporting line will be internal.

Operations Impact: The designer's work directly influences the usability and effectiveness of critical technology solutions for a government customer. Successful UX design can lead to improved user adoption, increased efficiency, and enhanced mission success, directly impacting the client's objectives and Excelity's project outcomes.

Growth Opportunities:

• Specialization: Deepen expertise in specific UX areas like user research, interaction design, or information architecture.

• Leadership: Progress to Senior UX Designer or lead design on larger, more complex government projects.

• Cross-functional Skill Development: Enhance skills in related areas like UI design, front-end development basics, or project management within a government context.

• Security Clearance Advancement: Maintain and potentially leverage the TS/SCI with CI Poly clearance for future high-level opportunities.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a UX role in government contracting, career progression often involves taking on more complex projects, leading design efforts, and potentially moving into management or specialized technical consulting roles. The security clearance is a significant asset for future growth.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The job type is listed as "TELECOMMUTE" but the description strongly implies an on-site presence is required due to the TS/SCI with CI Poly clearance and direct customer interaction. It's likely a hybrid model or primarily on-site role within a secure government facility.

Office Location(s): Herndon, Virginia, United States. This area is a hub for government contracting and technology firms.

Workspace Context:

• Secure Environment: The work will likely be performed in a secure government facility, adhering to strict security protocols.

• Collaborative Setting: Expect a dynamic environment with close collaboration among engineering teams, fellow designers, and government stakeholders.

• Technology Focused: Access to relevant design software and potentially specialized government systems will be provided.

Work Schedule: Full-time, with a flexible work schedule offered. This allows for some control over daily hours, which can be beneficial for deep work and managing project deadlines effectively.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "TELECOMMUTE" designation alongside the TS/SCI requirement is contradictory. It's highly probable that this role requires significant on-site presence due to the clearance and customer interaction, possibly with limited remote flexibility. Candidates should clarify this during the application process.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: HR or recruiter call to assess basic qualifications, clearance status, and salary expectations.

• Technical Interview: Conversation with hiring manager and/or engineering/design team members to evaluate UX design skills, software proficiency, and problem-solving abilities. Expect questions about your design process and past projects.

• Portfolio Review: A dedicated session where you will present selected UX case studies from your portfolio, explaining your approach, rationale, and outcomes. Be prepared to discuss challenges and solutions.

• Customer/Mission Alignment: Potentially a discussion focused on understanding the government customer's mission and how your design skills can contribute.

• Final Interview: May involve senior leadership or key stakeholders to assess cultural fit and overall suitability.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Focus on Process: For each case study, clearly outline the problem, your role, the research conducted, design decisions made (and why), iterations, and the final outcome.

• Quantify Impact: Wherever possible, use data or metrics to demonstrate the success of your designs (e.g., improved task completion rates, reduced errors, positive user feedback).

• Tailor to Role: Highlight projects that involved complex technical systems, user research, and collaboration with engineering teams, as these align directly with the job description.

• Showcase Tools: Be ready to discuss your proficiency with the required UX software (Sketch, Axure, InVision, etc.).

• Prepare for Technical Questions: Anticipate questions about UI/UX principles, accessibility standards, and your approach to designing for specific user groups.

Challenge Preparation:

• Design Exercise: You might be given a small design challenge or asked to critique an existing interface. Focus on applying your structured UX process.

• Problem-Solving Scenarios: Be ready to discuss how you would approach a vague problem statement or a complex user need. Emphasize your research and analytical skills.

📝 Enhancement Note: Given the government context, expect a thorough vetting process. The portfolio review will be critical, so ensure it clearly demonstrates your UX capabilities and your ability to translate complex needs into user-friendly interfaces.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary UX/Design Tools:

• Required: Sketch, OmniGraffle, Axure, InVision, UXPin, Balsamiq, Framer. Proficiency in at least one of these suites is essential.

• Preferred: Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, Acrobat, Fireworks, Dreamweaver, FreeHand), Quark, Director, Flash, 3ds Max. Familiarity with these graphic design tools is a plus.

Web Technologies (Basic):

Collaboration & Project Management:

• Expect to use standard enterprise collaboration tools (e.g., Slack, Microsoft Teams) and project management software (e.g., Jira, Asana) common in tech and government contracting environments.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on a wide range of UX software indicates that the company likely uses diverse tools across projects or teams. Demonstrating flexibility and a willingness to learn new tools will be advantageous.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Mission Focus: A strong commitment to supporting the government customer's critical mission is likely a core value.

• Excellence & Precision: Delivering high-quality, technically sound, and error-free work is paramount.

• Collaboration: Working effectively as part of a multidisciplinary team, including engineers and other designers, is essential.

• Integrity & Security: Adherence to strict security protocols and ethical standards is non-negotiable.

• Innovation: While precision is key, there's also an expectation to bring innovative UX solutions to complex technical challenges.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-functional Integration: Expect a highly integrated approach where designers work hand-in-hand with engineers and product owners throughout the development lifecycle.

• Data-Driven Feedback: Collaboration will likely involve leveraging user research data and stakeholder feedback to refine designs.

• Clear Communication: Due to the critical nature of the work and government client interaction, communication will be direct, clear, and well-documented.

📝 Enhancement Note: The culture is likely to be professional and demanding, driven by the requirements of government clients and the need for secure, reliable technology solutions.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Translating Complex Technical Concepts: The primary challenge will be taking highly technical or abstract government requirements and translating them into intuitive, user-friendly interfaces.

• Navigating Government Requirements: Understanding and adhering to specific government standards, security protocols, and procurement processes can be complex.

• Balancing User Needs with Technical Constraints: Finding optimal UX solutions that meet user needs while respecting technical limitations and security mandates.

• Working Independently: The requirement to operate with little supervision means taking initiative and proactively managing your workload and design challenges.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Advanced UX Specialization: Opportunities to deepen expertise in areas like user research methodologies, interaction design patterns for complex systems, or usability testing for secure environments.

• Government Sector Expertise: Gain deep insight into the unique challenges and opportunities within the government contracting space.

• Cross-Disciplinary Learning: Work closely with engineers, potentially learning more about system architecture, data security, and development lifecycles.

• Professional Certifications: Reimbursement for training and certifications relevant to UX design, government contracting, or related technical fields.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges are typical for roles in government contracting, requiring adaptability and strong problem-solving skills. The growth opportunities are substantial for those looking to build a career in this specialized sector.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• Design Process: "Walk me through a complex UX project from start to finish. What was the problem, what was your approach, what tools did you use, and what was the outcome?" (Focus on research, iteration, and impact).

• Problem-Solving: "How would you approach designing an interface for [hypothetical complex government system]? What are the key considerations?" (Emphasize user needs, security, technical constraints).

• Collaboration: "Describe a time you had to collaborate with engineers who had different priorities or technical constraints. How did you reach a solution?"

• Tool Proficiency: "Which UX design tools are you most proficient with, and why do you prefer them for certain tasks?"

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What interests you about working for Excelity and supporting government missions?" (Show genuine interest in the company's work and the sector).

• "How do you stay updated on the latest UX trends and technologies?"

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Select Wisely: Choose 2-3 projects that best showcase your UX process, problem-solving skills, and ability to handle complexity.

• Tell a Story: Structure your presentation as a narrative, highlighting the challenge, your journey, and the resolution.

• Focus on Rationale: Explain why you made specific design decisions, linking them back to user research or project requirements.

• Be Prepared for Deep Dives: Anticipate detailed questions about your contributions, the tools used, and the challenges faced.

• Highlight Technical Collaboration: If possible, show how your designs integrated with technical development.

📝 Enhancement Note: Preparation should focus on demonstrating not just design skills, but also the ability to work within the structured and often sensitive environment of government contracting, coupled with strong independent work ethic.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Graphic Designer (UX Focus) position:

• Submit Your Resume: Ensure your resume clearly highlights your UX design experience, relevant software proficiency, and any experience with government projects or secure environments. Tailor it to include keywords from the job description.

• Prepare Your Portfolio: Curate a digital portfolio (PDF or website) that showcases 2-3 strong UX case studies demonstrating your process, research, wireframing, prototyping, and final design output.

• Practice Your Presentation: Rehearse presenting your portfolio case studies, focusing on clearly articulating your problem-solving approach, design rationale, and the impact of your work.

• Research Excelity: Understand the company's mission, values, and the types of technology solutions they provide, especially to government clients.

• Clarify Location Requirements: Be prepared to discuss the on-site versus remote work aspect, given the TS/SCI clearance requirement.

⚠️ Important Notice: This enhanced job description includes AI-generated insights and operations industry-standard assumptions. All details, particularly regarding the work environment and remote status, should be verified directly with the hiring organization during the application process.