Lead Graphic Artist and User Experience (UX) Designer

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Lead Graphic Artist and User Experience (UX) Designer

Company: STR

Location: Arlington, VA

Job Type: Full-Time

Category: Creative & Design / User Experience / Government & Defense Operations

Date Posted: March 06, 2026

Experience Level: 7+ Years Professional Experience

Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• Spearhead the design of intuitive user interfaces and compelling visual media for mission-critical software applications supporting national security objectives.

• Drive the end-to-end UX design process, from user research and wireframing to prototyping and high-fidelity UI design, ensuring user-centricity.

• Develop impactful graphic assets, including infographics, presentation visuals, and marketing materials, to effectively communicate complex data and mission outcomes to diverse stakeholders.

• Foster a collaborative environment by working closely with engineering and implementation teams to ensure design feasibility and successful integration within Agile/Scrum frameworks.

• Uphold and advance design systems and visual standards to ensure consistency and quality across all digital products and communication materials.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is positioned within STR's Intelligence Division, indicating a focus on national security and defense applications. The blend of UX design and graphic arts suggests a need for individuals adept at translating complex technical information into accessible and actionable visual formats for military and intelligence personnel. The emphasis on user-centric interfaces for "mission software applications" and the requirement for active TS/SCI clearances strongly point towards a role deeply integrated with government contracting and defense sector operations.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Design intuitive, user-centric interfaces for mission software applications, focusing on enhancing data interpretation and decision-making capabilities for military and intelligence personnel.

• Develop comprehensive UX deliverables, including wireframes, interactive prototypes, and high-fidelity UI designs, ensuring a seamless and effective user journey.

• Translate complex data sets, technical capabilities, and operational workflows into clear, understandable visual experiences and engaging digital media.

• Create high-impact infographics, briefing visuals, and presentation graphics to effectively communicate mission impact, strategic insights, and technical value to leadership, partners, and customers.

• Produce marketing and outreach assets, including visual media for demonstrations, trade shows, and stakeholder engagements, to articulate the value proposition of STR's solutions.

• Develop motion graphics, animations, and video media to enhance user engagement and convey dynamic information or product capabilities.

• Establish, maintain, and evolve robust design systems and visual standards to ensure brand consistency, user experience coherence, and efficient design iteration across projects.

• Conduct user research, including interviews and surveys, and perform usability testing to gather insights and validate design decisions, directly informing iterative improvements.

• Collaborate closely with software engineers, product managers, and implementation teams to ensure design feasibility, technical accuracy, and successful integration within development cycles.

• Present design concepts, research findings, and final deliverables to leadership, cross-functional teams, partners, and government customers, articulating design rationale and impact.

• Collect and synthesize requirements from customer end-users, translating their needs and operational challenges into effective design solutions.

• Actively contribute to Agile/Scrum product development teams, participating in sprint planning, reviews, and retrospectives, and providing design expertise within the development lifecycle.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a dual focus: deep UX product design for internal mission software and external-facing creative content production for marketing and stakeholder communication. This requires proficiency not only in UX tools but also in graphic design and potentially video/motion graphics, indicating a need for a versatile creative professional. The mention of "Agile/Scrum product development teams" signifies a requirement for adaptability and collaborative workflow within a fast-paced development environment common in defense contracting.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

• Bachelor’s degree in UX Design, Graphic Design, Human Computer Interaction (HCI), Visual Communications, or a closely related field.

Experience:

• A minimum of 7+ years of professional experience demonstrating a strong track record in both product UX design and graphic/visual design.

Required Skills:

• Portfolio: A strong, comprehensive portfolio showcasing both robust product UX design work and diverse visual media creation (infographics, presentations, marketing assets).

• UX Design Tools: Proficiency in industry-standard UX design and prototyping tools such as Figma, Sketch, Axure, or InVision.

• Graphic Design Tools: Expertise in Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign) for creating high-quality visual assets.

• Design Systems: Experience in establishing, utilizing, and maintaining design systems and style guides to ensure product consistency and scalability.

• User Research & Testing: Demonstrated ability to conduct user research, gather requirements, and perform usability testing to inform design decisions and iterate on solutions.

• Visual Design Principles: Deep understanding and application of core visual design principles, including layout, typography, color theory, visual hierarchy, and composition.

• Agile/Scrum Methodologies: Familiarity and experience working within Agile/Scrum development frameworks, collaborating with cross-functional teams.

• Communication & Presentation: Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to clearly articulate design concepts, rationale, and findings to technical and non-technical audiences.

• Collaboration: Proven ability to work effectively both independently and as part of a collaborative team, fostering positive working relationships.

• Security Clearance: Active Top Secret (TS) security clearance required. Ability to obtain a Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI) clearance is mandatory, necessitating U.S. citizenship.

Preferred Skills:

• Motion Graphics/Animation: Experience with tools like Adobe After Effects for creating dynamic animations and motion graphics.

• Video Production/Editing: Proficiency in video editing software such as Adobe Premiere Pro or Final Cut Pro.

• Data Visualization: Expertise in designing effective data visualizations and dashboards for complex datasets.

• Defense/National Security Experience: Prior experience supporting defense, aerospace, or national security programs, understanding the unique user needs and operational contexts.

• Technical Illustration/3D Visualization: Skills in technical illustration or 3D visualization tools.

• Proposal/Marketing Graphics: Experience developing graphics for proposals, capture efforts, or marketing campaigns.

• Vendor Management: Experience managing subcontractors or creative vendors for specialized design tasks.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "7+ years" experience requirement, combined with the Bachelor's degree or equivalent, places this role at a senior or lead level. The explicit mention of an active TS clearance and the ability to obtain SCI clearance is a critical gate for this position, underscoring its sensitive nature within the national security sector. The portfolio requirement is paramount, demanding a demonstration of both product UX depth and creative visual versatility.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• UX Case Studies: Detailed case studies demonstrating the UX design process for at least two distinct software applications or complex digital products. Each case study should outline the problem, your role, research methodologies, design iterations (wireframes, prototypes), user testing insights, and final UI outcomes.

• Visual Media Examples: A curated selection of graphic design work, including infographics, presentation slides, marketing collateral, and branding elements, showcasing your ability to communicate complex information visually and effectively.

• Design System Contribution: Evidence of involvement in creating or contributing to design systems, style guides, or component libraries, illustrating your understanding of design consistency and scalability.

• Data Visualization Samples: If applicable, examples of data visualizations that effectively present complex data in an understandable and actionable format.

Process Documentation:

• Workflow Design: Ability to document and present user workflows, information architecture diagrams, and interaction design specifications.

• Design Rationale: Clear articulation of design decisions, supported by user research, usability testing feedback, and strategic objectives.

• Tool Proficiency Demonstration: The portfolio should implicitly or explicitly showcase proficiency in the required design tools (Figma, Adobe Creative Suite, etc.) through the quality and execution of the work presented.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a role blending UX and graphic design in a defense context, the portfolio must clearly delineate contributions to UX product design versus graphic/marketing assets. Case studies should highlight how designs solved specific user problems or improved operational efficiency, especially within complex data environments. Demonstrating an understanding of the sensitive nature of government data and user requirements will be crucial.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

• Full-Time Salary Range: $157,000 - $223,000 USD per year.

• Note on Salary: This range is based on external market data and will be influenced by factors such as the candidate's experience level, educational background, critical skills, security clearances held, and prevailing market conditions.

Benefits:

• Comprehensive health insurance (medical, dental, vision).

• Retirement savings plan with company match (e.g., 401k).

• Paid time off (vacation, sick leave, holidays).

• Professional development opportunities, including training, conferences, and certifications.

• Potential for performance-based bonuses or incentives.

• Life and disability insurance.

Working Hours:

• Standard full-time hours are typically 40 hours per week.

• While the role is on-site, there may be some flexibility in daily start/end times, subject to team and project needs.

• Occasional overtime may be required to meet project deadlines or support critical operations.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range provided is competitive for senior-level design and UX professionals in the Washington D.C. metropolitan area, especially within the defense contracting sector which often offers premium compensation due to clearance requirements and specialized skills. The note about salary being based on various factors is standard, but for this role, "security clearances" and "critical skills" will heavily influence the final offer.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Advanced Research and Development for Defense, Intelligence, and National Security. STR specializes in cyber, next-generation sensors, radar, sonar, communications, electronic warfare, and artificial intelligence algorithms and analytics.

Company Size: STR is a growing technology company with multiple locations. While specific employee numbers aren't detailed, the description implies a significant presence and ongoing expansion.

Founded: The founding date is not explicitly stated, but the company's focus on advanced R&D for national security suggests a history of innovation and adaptation in a specialized field.

Team Structure:

• Intelligence Division Focus: This role is specifically within the Intelligence Division, suggesting a dedicated team focused on supporting intelligence community needs.

• Cross-Functional Collaboration: The role emphasizes collaboration with engineers and implementation teams, indicating a matrixed or project-based team structure common in R&D environments.

• Reporting Structure: Likely reports to a Design Lead, Engineering Manager, or Program Manager within the Intelligence Division, with direct interaction with program stakeholders and potentially government customer representatives.

Methodology:

• Data-Driven Design: The company's focus on AI algorithms and analytics suggests a strong emphasis on using data to inform decisions, including design choices.

• Agile/Scrum: The mention of contributing to Agile/Scrum product development teams confirms the use of iterative development methodologies.

• Collaborative Problem Solving: The company culture values collaborative problem-solving, particularly for challenging national security issues.

Company Website: www.str.us

📝 Enhancement Note: STR operates in a highly specialized and critical sector. The company culture likely prioritizes technical excellence, mission impact, and security. The "Intelligence Division" context implies working with classified information and highly sensitive projects, requiring a culture of discretion and adherence to strict protocols.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This position is designated as a "Lead Graphic Artist and User Experience (UX) Designer," signifying a senior-level role with leadership responsibilities in design strategy and execution. It requires not just individual contribution but also the ability to guide and influence design outcomes.

Reporting Structure: The role involves collaboration with engineers and implementation teams, and presentations to leadership, partners, and customers. This suggests a reporting line that interfaces with both technical development teams and program management, with a clear path for escalating design decisions and impacting project direction.

Operations Impact: The impact of this role is direct and significant. By creating intuitive interfaces and clear visual communications, the designer will enable military personnel and decision-makers to better interpret complex data, leading to improved situational awareness, faster decision-making, and ultimately, enhanced mission success and national security outcomes. The visual media produced will also be critical for conveying the value and capabilities of STR's advanced technologies to key stakeholders.

Growth Opportunities:

• Design Leadership: Potential to advance into a Design Manager or Lead Architect role, overseeing larger design initiatives or managing a team of designers within the Intelligence Division or across STR.

• Specialization: Opportunity to deepen expertise in specific areas such as data visualization, XR interface design, or advanced animation techniques, becoming a subject matter expert.

• Program Impact: Growing influence on program strategy and technology roadmaps by providing critical design insights and user advocacy for new R&D initiatives.

• Cross-Divisional Mobility: As STR grows, opportunities may arise to contribute to design efforts in other divisions, broadening experience across different technology domains.

• Continuing Education: Support for professional development, including certifications, advanced training, and attending industry conferences relevant to UX, graphic design, and defense technology.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Lead" title implies a natural progression from individual contributor to a role that influences design direction and potentially mentors junior designers. The national security context offers unique challenges and opportunities for growth, particularly in areas like human-machine teaming, data fusion visualization, and advanced human-computer interaction.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The role is based in STR's Arlington, VA office, which is described as a collaborative environment focused on tackling "hardest national security problems." This suggests a professional, secure, and potentially classified facility.

Office Location(s): Arlington, VA. This location is strategically situated within the Washington D.C. metropolitan area, offering proximity to government agencies, defense contractors, and industry partners.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Spaces: Expect a workspace designed to foster collaboration, with meeting rooms, potentially open-plan areas, and secure facilities for discussing sensitive projects.

• Technology-Rich Environment: Access to high-performance workstations, design software, and potentially specialized hardware required for defense-related R&D.

• Security Protocols: A work environment governed by strict security protocols due to the nature of the projects and the requirement for TS/SCI clearances.

Work Schedule:

• The standard work schedule is full-time, 40 hours per week, performed on-site.

• Flexibility may be available for daily start/end times, but adherence to project deadlines and team collaboration needs is paramount.

• The nature of national security work can sometimes involve urgent requirements or extended hours, particularly around critical project milestones or demonstrations.

📝 Enhancement Note: The on-site requirement in Arlington, VA, is critical. This location is a hub for defense and intelligence work, meaning candidates should be prepared for a professional, secure, and potentially classified work environment. The emphasis on "collaborative problem solving" suggests an office culture that values teamwork and open communication within secure parameters.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A recruiter or HR representative will likely review applications and resumes, focusing on clearance status, years of relevant experience, and alignment with core requirements.

• Technical Interview (UX Focus): A discussion with UX designers or engineering leads to assess your understanding of UX principles, design process, tool proficiency, and experience with user research and testing. This may involve a portfolio review of UX case studies.

• Technical Interview (Graphic Design Focus): A session with graphic design leads or marketing representatives to evaluate your visual design skills, portfolio, and experience with creating marketing collateral, infographics, and presentation graphics.

• Problem-Solving/Design Challenge: Candidates may be given a design challenge or a hypothetical problem related to mission software or data visualization to solve within a set timeframe. This assesses your approach to design problems, creativity, and ability to articulate solutions.

• Cross-Functional / Behavioral Interview: Discussions with engineers, program managers, or team leads to assess collaboration skills, communication style, ability to work in an Agile environment, and cultural fit within STR's Intelligence Division.

• Security Clearance Verification: Thorough verification of active TS clearance and the process for SCI eligibility.

• Final Interview: Potentially with senior leadership to discuss strategic fit, leadership potential, and alignment with STR's mission.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Structure for Clarity: Organize your portfolio logically. Clearly delineate UX design case studies from graphic design or visual media projects.

• Showcase the Process: For UX case studies, emphasize your thought process: problem identification, user research, ideation, prototyping, testing, and iteration. Use visuals (wireframes, mockups, user flows) to illustrate each stage.

• Quantify Impact: Where possible, quantify the impact of your designs. Did your UX improvements reduce task completion time? Did your graphics increase engagement?

• Tailor to the Role: Highlight projects that best align with the responsibilities outlined, especially those involving complex data, mission software, or defense/intelligence contexts if available.

• High-Quality Visuals: Ensure all visuals are high-resolution and professionally presented. For graphic design work, showcase versatility in style and application.

• Be Prepared to Discuss: Be ready to walk through each project, explain your role, the challenges faced, and the decisions made.

Challenge Preparation:

• Familiarize Yourself with STR's Domain: Research STR's work in defense, intelligence, cyber, AI, and sensor technology. Understand the types of challenges their clients face.

• Practice Data Visualization: Brush up on principles of effective data visualization. Consider how complex datasets for intelligence or military operations might be best represented visually.

• UX Problem Solving: Be prepared to analyze a user problem, propose UX solutions, and justify your design choices based on user-centered principles.

• Presentation Skills: Practice presenting your work concisely and persuasively, adapting your explanation to different audiences (technical vs. non-technical).

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process will heavily scrutinize both technical design skills and the ability to operate within a secure, government-focused environment. The portfolio is critical; it must demonstrate practical application of design principles to solve real-world problems, particularly those relevant to national security and complex data environments.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• UX Design & Prototyping: Figma, Sketch, Axure, InVision. Proficiency in at least one of these is essential for UI design, wireframing, and prototyping. Figma is increasingly becoming an industry standard for collaborative design.

• Graphic Design: Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign) is a core requirement for creating high-quality visual assets, infographics, and marketing materials.

• Motion Graphics & Animation (Preferred): Adobe After Effects for creating dynamic visual elements, animations, and potentially explainer videos.

• Video Production/Editing (Preferred): Adobe Premiere Pro or Final Cut Pro for video content creation and editing, likely for marketing or demonstration purposes.

Analytics & Reporting:

CRM & Automation:

• Not directly applicable to this role's core design responsibilities, but awareness of how design integrates with product development workflows and potentially marketing automation tools could be advantageous.

📝 Enhancement Note: The technology stack emphasizes industry-standard tools for both UX and graphic design. Proficiency in Figma and the Adobe Creative Suite is non-negotiable. Experience with motion graphics and video editing is highly desirable, suggesting that STR seeks a versatile creative professional capable of producing a wide range of visual media.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Mission Focus: A strong dedication to supporting national security objectives and contributing to the success of critical defense and intelligence programs.

• Technical Excellence: A commitment to high standards in research, development, and design, pushing the boundaries of technology.

• Collaboration: Valuing teamwork, open communication, and the synergistic contribution of diverse skills and perspectives to solve complex problems.

• Integrity & Security: Upholding the highest standards of integrity, discretion, and adherence to security protocols, given the sensitive nature of the work.

• Innovation: Encouraging creative thinking and the development of novel solutions to meet evolving customer needs.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-Functional Integration: Close collaboration with engineers, product managers, and subject matter experts to ensure designs are technically feasible, functionally effective, and meet user requirements.

• Feedback-Driven: An environment that likely encourages constructive feedback loops, where designers are expected to both give and receive feedback to improve designs and processes.

• Agile Teamwork: Participating actively in Agile ceremonies, sharing progress, discussing challenges, and adapting designs based on team input and sprint goals.

• Stakeholder Engagement: Regularly presenting design concepts and progress to internal leadership, project stakeholders, and potentially government customers, fostering alignment and buy-in.

📝 Enhancement Note: The culture at STR, particularly within the Intelligence Division, will be heavily influenced by the national security sector. This means strong emphasis on security, reliability, and delivering tangible mission impact. The "growing technology company" aspect suggests a dynamic environment that balances established defense contracting norms with a forward-thinking, innovative approach.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Translating Complex Data: The primary challenge will be to effectively visualize and design interfaces for highly complex, abstract, or sensitive data sets common in intelligence and defense operations.

• User Needs in Sensitive Environments: Understanding and designing for the unique needs and constraints of military and intelligence end-users, who may operate under high-stress conditions or have specific operational requirements.

• Balancing Security and Usability: Ensuring that strict security requirements do not unduly compromise the usability and efficiency of the software and visual products.

• Rapid Technology Evolution: Keeping pace with rapidly advancing technologies in areas like AI, sensor technology, and cyber, and translating these into user-friendly interfaces and compelling visuals.

• Cross-Disciplinary Communication: Effectively communicating design ideas and rationale to diverse audiences, including engineers, analysts, and military personnel, who may have varying technical backgrounds.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Advanced UX/UI Techniques: Opportunities to delve into specialized areas like XR design, advanced data visualization, or human-computer interaction for complex systems.

• Industry-Specific Knowledge: Gaining deep insights into defense and intelligence operations, technologies, and user needs, becoming an expert in a critical sector.

• Leadership and Mentorship: Developing leadership skills through the "Lead" designation, potentially mentoring junior designers and contributing to design strategy.

• Professional Certifications & Training: Access to resources for formal training, certifications, and attending relevant conferences in UX, graphic design, and defense technology.

• Exposure to Cutting-Edge R&D: Working on projects at the forefront of technology development for national security, offering unique learning experiences.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges in this role are directly tied to its high-impact nature. Overcoming these challenges presents significant growth opportunities, allowing the candidate to develop highly specialized skills and expertise within a critical and evolving field.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• Design Process & Problem Solving: "Describe your approach to designing a user interface for a complex data analysis tool for intelligence analysts. What are the key considerations?" (Prepare to walk through your process from requirements gathering to final design, highlighting user research and data visualization strategies.)

• Collaboration & Stakeholder Management: "How do you handle design disagreements with engineers or product managers? Give an example of a time you had to advocate for a design decision." (Focus on your communication and negotiation skills, emphasizing collaboration and data-driven rationale.)

• Portfolio Deep Dive: Be ready to present 2-3 key projects from your portfolio, detailing your role, the problem solved, your design process, challenges, and outcomes. For UX projects, focus on user-centricity and problem-solving. For graphic design, focus on clarity, impact, and communication effectiveness.

Company & Culture Questions:

• Understanding STR's Mission: "What interests you about working for STR and specifically within the Intelligence Division?" (Research STR's work in defense, intelligence, AI, and cyber. Connect your skills and passion to their mission.)

• Team Dynamics: "How do you typically collaborate with engineers and other team members in an Agile environment?" (Highlight your experience in cross-functional teams and Agile practices.)

• Impact Measurement: "How do you measure the success of your designs, both for UX and graphic assets?" (Discuss metrics like task completion rates, user satisfaction, engagement, clarity of communication, and alignment with project goals.)

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Tell a Story: Frame each project as a narrative: the challenge, your role, your solution, and the results.

• Focus on Rationale: Clearly articulate why you made specific design decisions. Connect your choices back to user needs, business goals, or technical constraints.

• Visual Aids are Key: Use high-quality visuals (wireframes, mockups, prototypes, final graphics) to support your explanations. Annotate key elements.

• Demonstrate Versatility: If presenting both UX and graphic design work, showcase the breadth of your skills and your ability to adapt your style and approach to different project requirements.

• Be Concise: Respect the interviewer's time. Practice delivering your presentations efficiently, focusing on the most critical aspects of each project.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation should heavily emphasize the unique context of defense and intelligence work. Candidates should be prepared to discuss how they approach complex problems, handle sensitive information, and contribute to missions with significant national security implications. The portfolio is the cornerstone of the technical assessment.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this operations position:

• Submit your application through the provided link on Greenhouse.

• Resume Optimization: Tailor your resume to highlight your 7+ years of experience in both UX design and graphic arts. Emphasize achievements related to designing mission software, creating impactful visual communications, and working within Agile/Scrum environments. Ensure your security clearance status (Active TS) is clearly stated.

• Portfolio Preparation: Ensure your online portfolio is up-to-date, easily accessible, and clearly showcases your best work in UX case studies and visual media. Organize it to highlight projects relevant to complex data, user interfaces for specialized applications, and compelling graphic design.

• Interview Practice: Prepare to discuss your portfolio projects in detail, focusing on your design process, problem-solving skills, and the impact of your work. Practice answering behavioral and situational questions related to collaboration, handling feedback, and working in a defense/intelligence context.

• Company Research: Familiarize yourself with STR's mission, values, and recent work in defense, intelligence, and technology. Understand their focus areas like AI, cyber, and sensor technology to better articulate your interest and fit.

⚠️ Important Notice: This enhanced job description includes AI-generated insights and operations industry-standard assumptions. All details should be verified directly with the hiring organization before making application decisions.