Graphic Designer

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Graphic Designer

Company: General Dynamics Information Technology

Location: Springfield, Virginia, United States

Job Type: FULL_TIME

Category: Graphic Design / Data Visualization

Date Posted: 2025-06-10T00:00:00

Experience Level: 2+ years

Remote Status: On-site

🎨 Role Summary

• Design and create visual content, including reports, infographics, and flyers, for an intelligence customer.
• Visualize complex data and strategic information into clear, compelling graphics.
• Maintain and enhance a cohesive brand identity across various print and digital publications.
• Collaborate with leadership and data analytics teams to promote and enhance content effectiveness through visual design.

🖼️ Primary Responsibilities

• Create and edit visual content for high-level information conveyance, such as strategic plans and briefings.
• Elevate and standardize the design of print and digital publications, including annual reports, audit reports, outreach materials, and websites.
• Develop comprehensive layouts for visual communication products based on abstract ideas, complex data, and technical subject matter.
• Provide guidance on translating concepts into visual representations and developing layouts for review and approval.
• Interpret, analyze, organize, and transform statistical data and general descriptions into creative design solutions that meet customer objectives.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: Not explicitly stated, but a degree in Graphic Design, Visual Communications, or a related field is typically expected for this level and type of role.

Experience: 2+ years of relevant graphic design experience, with a strong portfolio showcasing data visualization and multimedia design work.

Required Skills:

• Advanced Graphic Design skills
• Data Visualization
• Multimedia design and production (working knowledge)
• Still Photography (working knowledge)
• Copy-editing (basic skills)

Preferred Skills:

• Video Production and Editing (working knowledge)
• Animation and Motion Graphics (working knowledge)
• Experience with design software relevant to the required skills (see Tools & Technology section).

🎨 Portfolio & Creative Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Include a diverse range of graphic design projects, specifically highlighting examples of data visualization and information design.
• Showcase examples of reports, infographics, and presentations that effectively communicate complex information.
• Demonstrate experience with creating visual content for both print and digital publications.
• If applicable, include examples of multimedia projects, video editing, or still photography work.

Process Documentation:

• For selected projects, provide case studies that detail your design process from concept to completion.
• Explain how you translated abstract ideas or complex data into visual representations.
• Describe your approach to working with subject matter experts or data analysts to inform your design decisions.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $60,174 - $72,450 per year. This range is provided by the employer and is based on experience, geographic location, and contractual requirements.

Benefits:

• 401K with company match for retirement planning.
• Comprehensive health and wellness packages, including medical, dental, and vision plan options.
• Paid time off, including vacation, sick time, personal time, and company holidays.
• Opportunities for professional growth, including paid education and certifications.
• Various insurance options, such as short and long-term disability, life, accidental death and dismemberment, personal accident, critical illness, and business travel insurance.

Working Hours: 40 scheduled weekly hours, likely standard business hours given the on-site and customer-site requirements.

🎯Team & Company Context

🏢 Company & Design Culture

Industry: IT Services and IT Consulting, specifically within the U.S. government, defense, and intelligence community.

Company Size: 10,001+ employees (General Dynamics Information Technology).

Founded: General Dynamics Information Technology is part of General Dynamics, a global aerospace and defense company with over half a century of history.

Team Structure:

• The role is part of a high-performing team of designers and communications specialists.
• Collaboration with leadership and data analytics teams is a key aspect of the role.
• Likely operates within a matrixed or project-based structure common in large government contracting firms.

Methodology:

• Focus on producing complex, customized visual communication products based on principles of graphic design, multimedia, and data visualization.
• Emphasis on interpreting and transforming information from various sources into creative design solutions.
• Requires understanding of multimedia production processes, including script development, filming, editing, animation, and motion graphics.

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

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Design Career Level: This role appears to be at an early-to-mid career level for a Graphic Designer, requiring 2+ years of relevant experience but not explicitly senior-level responsibilities like team leadership.

Reporting Structure: Likely reports to a Design Lead, Communications Manager, or Project Manager within the specific customer program team.

Design Impact: Design plays a crucial role in communicating high-level information, strategic plans, and complex data to key stakeholders within the intelligence community, directly supporting operational and strategic objectives.

Growth Opportunities:

• Opportunity to deepen expertise in data visualization and information design within a specialized domain.
• Potential to expand skills in multimedia production, including video and animation.
• Growth within GDIT could involve moving into more senior design roles, potentially leading design projects or mentoring junior designers.

🌐 Work Environment

Studio Type: On-site at the customer's facility in Springfield, VA. This suggests a secure and potentially structured work environment.

Office Location(s): USA VA Springfield - 7500 Geoint Dr (VAC138). This is a specific customer site location, indicating work will be performed directly for the intelligence customer.

Design Workspace Context:

• The work environment will likely be secure, requiring adherence to specific protocols for handling information and using equipment.
• Collaboration spaces may be available for team meetings and working with non-design stakeholders.
• Access to necessary design software and hardware will be provided, likely within a secure network environment.

Work Schedule: Full-time, 40 hours per week, on-site. Flexibility may be limited due to the nature of the customer's operations and security requirements.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Design Interview Process:

• Initial screening to assess basic qualifications and security clearance status.
• Portfolio review focusing on data visualization, information design, and potentially multimedia work.
• Technical interview to discuss design skills, software proficiency, and approach to complex design challenges.
• Behavioral interview to assess cultural fit, collaboration skills, and ability to work in a secure, government-focused environment.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Clearly label and describe projects that demonstrate your ability to visualize complex data and information.
• For each relevant project, provide context on the problem you solved, your design process, and the impact of your work.
• If including multimedia work, ensure it is easily accessible and clearly demonstrates your technical and creative skills.
• Be prepared to discuss how you handle feedback and collaborate with stakeholders who may not have design backgrounds.

Challenge Preparation:

• While not explicitly mentioned, be prepared for a potential design exercise or presentation during the interview process.
• This could involve visualizing a simple data set, redesigning an existing information graphic, or discussing your approach to a hypothetical design problem related to the intelligence domain.
• Practice articulating your design decisions and process clearly and concisely.

ATS Keywords: Graphic Design, Data Visualization, Multimedia Design, Information Design, Visual Communication, Adobe Creative Suite, Infographics, Reports, Briefings, Presentations, Print Design, Digital Design, Branding, Copy-editing, Video Production, Still Photography, Animation, Motion Graphics, TS/SCI Clearance, Government Contracting, Security Clearance, On-site, Springfield VA.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Design Tools:

• Proficiency in industry-standard graphic design software is essential. Given the focus on complex visuals and publications, tools like Adobe InDesign, Illustrator, and Photoshop are highly likely.
• Experience with data visualization tools or features within design software will be valuable.

Collaboration & Handoff:

• Tools for file sharing and version control within a secure network environment will be used.
• Experience with presentation software like Microsoft PowerPoint is crucial for creating briefings.

Research & Testing:

• While not a primary focus for this role, familiarity with tools used by data analysts or researchers may be beneficial for understanding source material.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Design Values:

• Emphasis on clarity and accuracy in visual communication, especially when dealing with complex or sensitive information.
• Value placed on transforming abstract ideas and data into understandable visual narratives.
• Likely a culture that values security, discretion, and adherence to established guidelines and standards.

Collaboration Style:

• Close collaboration with leadership, data analysts, and subject matter experts is required.
• Ability to effectively communicate design concepts and rationale to non-design stakeholders.
• Likely involves iterative feedback loops to ensure accuracy and meet customer requirements.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Design Challenges:

• Translating highly technical or abstract information into clear and engaging visual formats.
• Working within security constraints that may limit tool usage or collaboration methods.
• Meeting tight deadlines while maintaining high standards of accuracy and visual quality.
• Adapting design approaches to meet the specific needs and preferences of intelligence community customers.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Opportunity to become an expert in data visualization and information design within the intelligence domain.
• Potential to cross-train and develop advanced skills in multimedia production (video, animation).
• Exposure to complex subject matter that can broaden technical understanding.

💡 Interview Preparation

Design Process Questions:

• "Describe a time you had to visualize complex data. How did you approach it?" - Prepare a case study detailing your process for a data visualization project from your portfolio.
• "How do you ensure accuracy when designing with technical information?" - Discuss your methods for verifying information and collaborating with subject matter experts.
• "Walk me through your process for developing a comprehensive layout for a report or briefing." - Explain your workflow from understanding the content to final design.

Company Culture Questions:

• "What interests you about working with an intelligence customer?" - Research GDIT's work in this sector and express genuine interest in the mission.
• "How do you handle feedback from multiple stakeholders with varying levels of design understanding?" - Provide examples of successful collaboration and communication.
• "Are you comfortable working in a secure, on-site environment?" - Affirm your understanding and comfort with the work location and security requirements.

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Focus your presentation on projects demonstrating data visualization, information design, and potentially multimedia skills.
• For each project, briefly explain the context, your role, the challenge, your process, and the outcome or impact.
• Highlight your ability to translate complex information into clear visuals.
• Be prepared to discuss technical aspects and software used in your projects.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this design position:

• Submit your application through this link
• Tailor your resume to highlight your experience with graphic design, data visualization, multimedia, and any relevant security clearances or experience in government/secure environments.
• Prepare a design portfolio specifically curated to showcase your best work in data visualization, information design, and potentially multimedia, with detailed case studies.
• Practice discussing your design process, especially how you handle complex data and collaborate with non-design stakeholders.
• Research GDIT and its work within the intelligence community to demonstrate your understanding and interest in the role and company.