Senior Software Engineer (UX) (Remote from Washington)

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Senior Software Engineer (UX)
Company: Jobgether (on behalf of a partner company)
Location: Washington, District of Columbia, United States
Job Type: Full-time
Category: Software Engineering / User Experience (UX) / Data Analytics Platforms
Date Posted: December 15, 2025
Experience Level: 10+ Years Professional Experience
Remote Status: Fully Remote (Washington, DC based)

🚀 Role Summary

• Lead the end-to-end user experience (UX) lifecycle for complex software applications and data analytics platforms, from initial research and prototyping through to final implementation.
• Drive the design and delivery of intuitive, accessible, and high-performing user interfaces (UI) that enhance usability and effectiveness.
• Collaborate closely with cross-functional teams, including engineers, product owners, and stakeholders, to translate user needs and business requirements into exceptional user experiences.
• Leverage expertise in modern front-end technologies and data visualization tools to create impactful dashboards and interactive platforms.
• Foster a user-centered design culture through mentorship and the adoption of best practices in UX/UI architecture and design.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the role title is Senior Software Engineer (UX), the responsibilities and requirements heavily emphasize UX/UI design, prototyping, and data visualization within software and analytics platforms. This suggests a specialized role focused on the front-end user experience aspects of complex systems, likely within a government or enterprise context given the clearance and certification requirements. The "remote from Washington" constraint indicates candidates must reside in or be willing to relocate to Washington D.C. to meet potential requirements for remote work within a specific geographic area, possibly due to security or compliance.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Spearhead user research initiatives, including conducting UX interviews, surveys, and usability testing sessions to gather actionable insights and inform design decisions.
• Develop comprehensive user-centered design artifacts such as personas, user flows, scenarios, and user stories to clearly articulate complex data and user interactions.
• Design and create high-fidelity wireframes, mockups, dashboards, and interactive UI prototypes utilizing core front-end technologies like JavaScript, HTML, CSS, and React.
• Lead the creation and optimization of Kibana visualizations and dashboards, ensuring they are performant, maintainable, and adhere to accessibility best practices.
• Mentor junior team members and colleagues on UX principles, user-centered design methodologies, and effective UI/UX strategy implementation.
• Actively participate in the software development lifecycle, supporting the development, testing, documentation, and deployment of UI components and analytics features, with a focus on integration with CI/CD pipelines.
• Collaborate with product owners and engineering teams to translate complex requirements into clear, user-friendly interfaces and functional prototypes.
• Ensure compliance with security protocols and certifications, including DoD 8570 IAT II requirements and maintaining necessary security clearances.

📝 Enhancement Note: The primary responsibilities highlight a blend of deep UX design expertise and practical software engineering skills, particularly in front-end development and data visualization. The emphasis on "complex software applications and data analytics platforms" suggests the need for handling intricate datasets and user workflows. The mention of specific tools like Kibana, Elastic Stack, and React, alongside general front-end technologies, points to a hands-on role requiring technical proficiency.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent practical experience in a relevant field (e.g., Human-Computer Interaction, Computer Science, Graphic Design, Psychology).
• A related Master's degree may be considered in lieu of some professional experience.

Experience:

• A minimum of 12+ years of progressive professional experience in software engineering, UX design, or a closely related field.
• Alternatively, 10+ years of professional experience combined with a relevant Master's degree.
• Demonstrated track record of 5+ years in UX/UI architecture, design, and delivery, with a strong portfolio showcasing complex projects.
• Minimum of 3 years of hands-on experience designing, deploying, and optimizing dashboards and visualizations using the Elastic Stack (Elasticsearch, Logstash, Kibana, Beats).

Required Skills:

• UX/UI Design Expertise: Proven ability in UX/UI architecture, design, prototyping, and usability testing for complex applications and data platforms.
• Front-End Development: Proficient in JavaScript, HTML, and CSS, with experience in modern frameworks like React.
• Data Visualization: Hands-on experience with the Elastic Stack, specifically designing and implementing Kibana dashboards and visualizations.
• Collaboration & Communication: Excellent written and verbal communication skills, essential for working effectively with geographically dispersed teams and diverse stakeholders.
• Documentation: Strong skills in documenting requirements, user stories, acceptance criteria, and test cases using tools like Jira and Confluence.
• Mentorship: Proven ability to mentor junior team members and promote user-centered design principles.
• Security Clearance: Must possess a DoD Secret clearance or be eligible to obtain an interim Secret clearance prior to the start date.
• Certifications: Must hold a Security+ certification or an equivalent DoD 8570 IAT II certification within 60 days of hire.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience with cloud environments, particularly AWS.
• Familiarity with DevOps/DevSecOps concepts and practices.
• Experience with containerization technologies such as Docker and Kubernetes.
• Experience working with geographically dispersed or virtual teams.
• Familiarity with Agile development methodologies.

📝 Enhancement Note: The experience requirements are substantial, indicating a need for seasoned professionals. The specific mention of "12+ years of professional experience, or 10 years with a related Master's degree" points to a senior-level role where significant practical application of skills is paramount. The dual requirement of UX/UI design experience and experience with the Elastic Stack is a key differentiator for this role, suggesting a niche focus on data visualization and analytics platform usability.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A robust portfolio showcasing a minimum of 5 years of UX/UI architecture, design, and delivery experience, with a strong emphasis on complex software applications and data analytics platforms.
• Specific case studies demonstrating the design and implementation of interactive dashboards and visualizations using the Elastic Stack (Kibana).
• Examples of user research methodologies employed, including usability testing, user interviews, and survey design, along with documented outcomes and iterative improvements.
• Prototypes and wireframes created using JavaScript, HTML, CSS, and React, illustrating your ability to translate complex data into intuitive user interfaces.
• Documentation samples (e.g., personas, user flows, user stories) that highlight your ability to clearly articulate user needs and system interactions for development teams.

Process Documentation:

• Evidence of creating and maintaining detailed documentation for UX/UI designs, user flows, and feature specifications using tools like Jira and Confluence.
• Examples of how you have supported the development, testing, and deployment of UI components, including integration with CI/CD pipelines.
• Demonstrations of how you have applied accessibility best practices in your design and visualization work.
• Documentation that reflects your experience in cross-functional collaboration, including how requirements were gathered, refined, and communicated.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a Senior Software Engineer (UX) role, a portfolio is critical. It should not only display visual design skills but also demonstrate a deep understanding of the UX lifecycle, user research methodologies, and the ability to translate complex requirements into functional and aesthetically pleasing interfaces. The specific requirement for Elastic Stack/Kibana experience means the portfolio should highlight projects where these tools were used effectively for data visualization and analytics.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

• Based on industry benchmarks for Senior Software Engineers with 10+ years of experience in Washington D.C. metropolitan area, especially those requiring DoD Secret clearance and specialized technical skills (UX/UI, Elastic Stack), the estimated annual salary range is $150,000 - $190,000. This range accounts for the seniority of the role, the required technical expertise, and the geographic location.

Benefits:

• Competitive salary and performance-based incentives, reflecting the senior level and critical nature of the role.
• Comprehensive healthcare, dental, and vision coverage for employees and eligible dependents.
• Flexible remote work arrangements, allowing for work from home within the Washington D.C. area.
• Opportunities for professional development, including training, certifications, and workshops.
• Mentorship programs designed to foster career growth and leadership skills.
• Access to modern technology and tools to support innovation and efficient workflow.
• An inclusive, collaborative, and dynamic work environment that values user-centered design and continuous improvement.
• Support for obtaining and maintaining required security clearances and certifications.

Working Hours:

• Standard full-time work week, typically 40 hours per week.
• Flexibility in scheduling may be available, consistent with team collaboration needs and project deadlines.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range is an estimate based on roles with similar experience levels, technical requirements (UX/UI, Elastic Stack), and location (Washington D.C.) that often include security clearance needs. These factors typically command a premium. The benefits package is comprehensive and highlights aspects particularly attractive to senior technical professionals seeking growth and work-life balance.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: The partner company operates within the technology sector, likely focusing on software development, data analytics, and potentially serving government or defense clients, given the DoD clearance and certification requirements. This implies a structured environment that values precision, security, and technical excellence. Company Size: Jobgether's client base varies, but the mention of a "partner company" and the specific requirements suggest a mid-to-large-sized organization capable of managing complex projects and security protocols. This size often means established processes but also opportunities for impact. Founded: Information on the founding date of the partner company is not provided. However, the presence of established processes, security clearances, and a structured approach to UX/UI design suggests a company with a history of delivering complex software solutions.

Team Structure:

• The UX team is likely integrated within a larger engineering or product development department, working in close proximity with software engineers, product managers, and potentially data scientists.
• Reporting structure will likely involve a lead UX designer, Engineering Manager, or Product Owner, with the Senior Software Engineer (UX) expected to provide technical leadership and mentorship.
• Cross-functional collaboration is a core component, requiring seamless interaction between UX specialists, front-end developers, back-end engineers, and business stakeholders to ensure cohesive product development.

Methodology:

• Data Analysis & Insights: Emphasis on using user research data, analytics platforms (like Elastic Stack), and user feedback to drive design decisions and measure product performance.
• Workflow Planning & Optimization: Designing and refining user workflows to enhance efficiency, reduce cognitive load, and improve overall user satisfaction.
• Automation & Efficiency: Leveraging CI/CD pipelines and modern development practices to streamline the deployment of UI components and features, ensuring rapid iteration and high-quality releases.

Company Website: https://jobgether.com/ (This is Jobgether's website; the partner company's website is not specified)

📝 Enhancement Note: The context suggests a professional services or product development company that may have significant government contracts or enterprise clients. The emphasis on security, structured processes, and detailed documentation is typical for such environments. The remote nature of the role implies a company adept at managing distributed teams and utilizing digital collaboration tools effectively.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is classified as Senior Software Engineer (UX), indicating a position of significant experience and technical leadership. Professionals at this level are expected to operate with a high degree of autonomy, contribute to strategic decision-making regarding UX/UI direction, and mentor less experienced team members. The scope includes influencing product design, improving user workflows, and ensuring the usability of complex systems.

Reporting Structure: The Senior Software Engineer (UX) will likely report to a Director of Engineering, VP of Product, or a Lead UX Architect. They will collaborate closely with Product Owners and Engineering Managers to align UX initiatives with business objectives and project timelines. This role involves a matrixed reporting structure, working across various project teams.

Operations Impact: The impact of this role is substantial, directly influencing the usability, adoption, and effectiveness of critical software applications and data analytics platforms. By ensuring intuitive user experiences and efficient data visualization, this role contributes to improved decision-making, increased operational efficiency, and enhanced user satisfaction within the organization and its end-users. The focus on performance and accessibility also ensures broader reach and compliance.

Growth Opportunities:

• Leadership Development: Opportunities to take on lead roles in UX projects, manage design sprints, and potentially transition into a UX management or architecture role.
• Skill Specialization: Deepen expertise in specific areas like advanced data visualization with Kibana, cloud-native UX design (AWS), or DevSecOps integration for UI components.
• Cross-Functional Exposure: Gain exposure to various aspects of the software development lifecycle and collaborate with diverse teams, broadening understanding of the entire product ecosystem.
• Industry Recognition: Contribute to projects that may lead to industry recognition or advancements in UX/UI for complex systems, especially within government or enterprise sectors.

📝 Enhancement Note: The growth path for a Senior Software Engineer (UX) typically involves moving into more strategic design leadership, technical architecture, or management roles. The specific requirements for this position, especially the blend of UX and data analytics platform experience, create a unique opportunity for specialization and leadership within a niche but critical area.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: This is a fully remote position. The "remote from Washington" designation implies that while the work is remote, the candidate must reside within the Washington D.C. metropolitan area, potentially to comply with specific client requirements, security protocols, or for occasional team meetups. Office Location(s): While the role is remote, the primary operational focus or client base is likely within the Washington D.C. region. This could mean occasional requirements for in-person meetings or site visits, though the primary mode of work is remote.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Environment: The remote nature necessitates strong reliance on digital collaboration tools (e.g., Slack, Microsoft Teams, Zoom) for communication and team interaction. Regular virtual meetings, design reviews, and pair programming/design sessions will be common.
• Operations Tools & Technology: Access to a suite of modern development and design tools will be provided or expected. This includes IDEs, design software (Figma, Sketch, Adobe XD), prototyping tools, and the necessary cloud infrastructure and development environments.
• Team Interaction: Expect frequent interaction with a geographically dispersed team. This requires proactive communication, clear documentation, and active participation in virtual team activities and knowledge-sharing sessions.

Work Schedule:

• The standard work schedule is full-time, approximately 40 hours per week.
• While remote, maintaining consistent working hours aligned with the team's core hours (likely Eastern Time Zone) is important for collaboration and responsiveness. Some flexibility may be possible, subject to project demands and team agreements.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "remote from Washington" constraint is key. It's not just a fully remote role but one with a specific geographic anchor, which is common for roles requiring security clearances or proximity to government agencies in the Washington D.C. area. This implies the company might have a physical presence or significant client relationships there.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A preliminary review of your resume and portfolio by Jobgether's AI or recruitment team to assess basic qualifications and fit.
• Hiring Company Screening: A more in-depth interview with the hiring company's recruiter or hiring manager to discuss your experience, motivations, and alignment with the role's core responsibilities and culture.
• Technical/UX Interview: A detailed interview focusing on your UX/UI design process, technical skills (JavaScript, HTML, CSS, React), and experience with the Elastic Stack/Kibana. This may include a live coding or design exercise.
• Portfolio Presentation: A dedicated session where you will present your portfolio, walking through key case studies, explaining your design process, and demonstrating how you've solved complex UX challenges. Be prepared to discuss your contributions, the impact of your work, and how you handled specific technical or user-centric problems.
• Stakeholder/Team Interview: An interview with potential team members, product owners, or engineering leads to assess your collaboration style, communication skills, and cultural fit within the team.
• Final Interview & Offer: A final discussion with senior leadership to confirm fit and discuss compensation and benefits, followed by a formal offer.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select 3-5 of your strongest projects that best showcase your UX/UI design skills, front-end development capabilities, and specific experience with data visualization tools like Kibana. Prioritize projects that align with complex software applications and data analytics platforms.
• Tell a Story: For each project, clearly articulate the problem you were solving, your role and process, the solutions you designed, the technologies you used, and the measurable outcomes or impact (e.g., improved usability, increased user engagement, enhanced data clarity). Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) for structuring your explanations.
• Highlight Technical Proficiency: Explicitly detail your contributions with JavaScript, HTML, CSS, React, and especially your experience with Elasticsearch, Logstash, Kibana, and Beats. Demonstrate how you've used these tools to create effective and performant visualizations.
• Showcase Research & Iteration: Emphasize your user research methodologies, prototyping efforts, and how you incorporated feedback to iterate on designs. This demonstrates a user-centered approach.
• Prepare for Technical Deep Dives: Be ready to discuss the technical challenges you encountered and how you overcame them, especially concerning performance optimization and integration with development pipelines.

Challenge Preparation:

• Design Exercise: Expect a practical exercise that might involve designing a dashboard for a specific dataset or improving the UX of a given application flow. Focus on your process, rationale, and ability to articulate your design choices.
• Problem-Solving Scenarios: Prepare to discuss how you would approach common UX challenges in complex systems, such as handling large datasets, designing for different user personas, or ensuring accessibility compliance.
• Technical Questions: Brush up on JavaScript, React, HTML, CSS, and the fundamentals of the Elastic Stack. Be ready to discuss best practices for building scalable and performant UIs and visualizations.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process is likely rigorous, given the senior level and specialized requirements. A strong portfolio demonstrating both design prowess and technical execution, particularly with data visualization tools and front-end development, will be crucial. Candidates should be prepared to articulate their process and impact clearly.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Front-End Development: JavaScript, HTML, CSS, React.
• Data Visualization & Analytics: Elastic Stack (Elasticsearch, Logstash, Kibana, Beats) - specifically Kibana for dashboard creation and visualization.
• Design & Prototyping: Tools like Figma, Sketch, Adobe XD, or similar for wireframing, mockups, and interactive prototypes.
• Collaboration & Documentation: Jira, Confluence, Slack, Microsoft Teams, Zoom.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Elastic Stack: Core for analyzing data and generating insights, with Kibana as the primary front-end for reporting and visualization.
• Cloud Platforms: Experience with AWS (preferred) for deploying and managing applications and services.

CRM & Automation:

• CI/CD Pipelines: Experience integrating UI component development and deployment with Continuous Integration/Continuous Deployment pipelines.
• Containerization: Familiarity with Docker and Kubernetes for application deployment and orchestration.

📝 Enhancement Note: Proficiency with the Elastic Stack, particularly Kibana, is a non-negotiable requirement. Strong modern front-end skills (React, JavaScript) are also critical. Cloud experience, especially AWS, and familiarity with DevOps/DevSecOps practices are highly valued.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• User-Centricity: A deep commitment to understanding and serving user needs, ensuring that all designs are intuitive, accessible, and effective.
• Technical Excellence: A dedication to high-quality code, robust design, and efficient implementation, with a focus on performance and scalability.
• Collaboration & Transparency: Open communication, knowledge sharing, and a willingness to work closely with cross-functional teams to achieve common goals.
• Continuous Improvement: An ongoing drive to learn, adapt, and refine processes and designs based on feedback, data, and evolving industry best practices.
• Security & Compliance: Adherence to strict security protocols and regulatory requirements, particularly important given the DoD clearance and certification mandates.

Collaboration Style:

• Virtual Teamwork: Emphasis on proactive and clear communication through digital channels, with regular check-ins and virtual collaboration sessions.
• Feedback Exchange: A culture that encourages constructive feedback on designs and code, with a focus on iterative improvement.
• Knowledge Sharing: Active participation in team meetings, internal documentation, and potentially brown-bag sessions to share expertise on UX/UI, development, and data analytics.

📝 Enhancement Note: The culture likely balances innovation with a structured, security-conscious approach. The remote aspect necessitates a high degree of self-discipline and proactive communication from team members.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Bridging UX and Engineering: Effectively translating complex user needs and data into functional, performant UI components within a robust engineering framework.
• Remote Collaboration: Maintaining strong team cohesion, effective communication, and seamless workflow across a distributed team.
• Security Compliance: Navigating and adhering to stringent DoD security requirements and certification mandates while delivering user-centric solutions.
• Data Complexity: Designing intuitive interfaces for complex datasets and advanced analytics platforms that cater to diverse user skill levels.
• Keeping Pace with Technology: Continuously updating skills to keep pace with evolving front-end technologies, UX trends, and data visualization tools.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Advanced UX/UI Training: Opportunities to deepen expertise in areas like UX strategy, accessibility, interaction design for complex systems, or specialized design tools.
• Cloud & DevOps Certifications: Pursuing certifications in AWS or DevSecOps to enhance cloud infrastructure and deployment knowledge.
• Data Visualization Specialization: Becoming an expert in advanced Kibana features, custom visualizations, or integrating with other big data technologies.
• Mentorship & Leadership: Developing leadership skills through mentoring junior engineers and potentially leading design initiatives.
• Industry Conferences: Attending relevant conferences focused on UX, software engineering, or data analytics to stay abreast of industry trends and network.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges presented are typical for senior roles in complex technical environments, especially those with government ties. The growth opportunities are geared towards deepening technical expertise and developing leadership capabilities.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• UX Strategy: "Describe a time you had to design a user experience for a complex data analytics platform with multiple user personas. How did you approach understanding their needs and translating them into an intuitive interface?" (Prepare to discuss your process, tools, and specific design decisions for data-heavy applications.)
• Collaboration & Stakeholder Management: "How do you effectively collaborate with engineers and product owners who may have different priorities or technical perspectives? Provide an example of a challenging collaboration and how you navigated it." (Focus on your communication style, conflict resolution, and ability to build consensus.)
• Problem-Solving & Efficiency: "Imagine you've identified a significant usability issue in a critical dashboard. What steps would you take to diagnose the problem, propose a solution, and get it implemented, considering the need for rapid deployment and minimal disruption?" (Highlight your analytical approach, problem-solving methodology, and understanding of CI/CD processes.)

Company & Culture Questions:

• Company Operations Culture: "Based on the job description, what do you perceive as the key cultural values of this organization, and how do you see your UX/UI expertise contributing to them?" (Research the company if possible, and connect your values like user-centricity, technical excellence, and collaboration to their likely priorities.)
• Team Dynamics: "How do you contribute to fostering a positive and productive remote team environment? What are your expectations for team interaction and knowledge sharing?" (Emphasize your proactive communication, willingness to mentor, and experience with virtual collaboration.)
• Impact Measurement: "How do you measure the success of your UX/UI designs, particularly in data analytics platforms? What metrics do you focus on, and how do you demonstrate ROI?" (Prepare to discuss metrics like task completion rates, user satisfaction scores, reduction in errors, and impact on data-driven decision-making.)

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure Your Narrative: For each selected project, begin with the "Why" (the problem/opportunity), move to the "How" (your approach, research, design), and conclude with the "What" (your solution and its impact/results).
• Quantify Your Impact: Whenever possible, use data and metrics to demonstrate the success of your designs. For example, "Reduced data analysis time by X%," or "Increased user adoption of the new dashboard by Y%."
• Showcase Technical Integration: Clearly articulate your role in integrating UX designs with front-end code (React, JavaScript) and data visualization tools (Kibana). Discuss any challenges related to implementation and how you overcame them.
• Explain Your Process: Walk through your design thinking, user research methods, prototyping tools, and iterative design process. Detail why you made specific design choices.
• Be Ready for Q&A: Anticipate questions about your design decisions, technical challenges, collaboration experiences, and how you handle constructive criticism.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation should focus on demonstrating a strong understanding of the UX lifecycle, technical proficiency with relevant tools (especially Elastic Stack), and the ability to articulate design decisions and their impact. Given the remote and potentially government-adjacent nature, strong communication and self-management skills are also key.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Senior Software Engineer (UX) position:

• Submit your application through the provided Jobgether portal link.
• Tailor Your Resume: Highlight your 10+ years of professional experience, specifically emphasizing your UX/UI architecture and design achievements, your experience with the Elastic Stack (Kibana), and any relevant technical skills (JavaScript, React, HTML, CSS). Quantify your accomplishments wherever possible.
• Curate Your Portfolio: Select 3-5 impactful projects that best showcase your expertise in designing complex software applications and data analytics platforms. Ensure these projects demonstrate your UX process, front-end development skills, and Kibana visualization experience.
• Prepare Your Portfolio Presentation: Practice walking through your selected portfolio pieces, focusing on storytelling, explaining your design process, quantifying results, and detailing your technical contributions. Be ready to discuss your experience with remote collaboration and security compliance.
• Research the Partner Company (if possible): While specific details might be limited, try to understand the general industry and potential client base of the partner company to tailor your responses and demonstrate genuine interest.

⚠️ 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 or Jobgether before making application decisions. The "remote from Washington" requirement means candidates must reside in or be willing to relocate to the Washington D.C. metropolitan area.