Senior UX/UI Designer

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Senior UX/UI Designer Company: Steampunk Location: McLean, Virginia, United States Job Type: Other Category: User Experience (UX) / User Interface (UI) Design Date Posted: February 17, 2026 Experience Level: 5-10 Years Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• This role is for a Senior UX/UI Designer focused on applying human-centered design principles to solve complex user experience challenges within the government contracting sector.
• The position involves leading design initiatives from initial discovery and research through to final interface design and testing, ensuring client mission success.
• Candidates will act as the primary advocate for the user, translating their needs into practical and effective digital solutions.
• This is an on-site role requiring the ability to obtain a U.S. government Public Trust Security Clearance.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Other" employment type is unusual for a Senior UX/UI Designer role. Typically, this would be Full-time. Given the context of government contracting, it's possible this is a specific classification. The role is explicitly on-site, which is a critical detail for candidates.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Lead client engagements through Steampunk's proprietary Design Intelligence™ framework, integrating human-centered methodologies for user experience problem-solving.
• Plan and execute comprehensive UX initiatives, encompassing discovery, user research, prototyping, iterative design, visual design, usability testing, and accessibility testing.
• Serve as the primary voice of the customer, ensuring user needs, pain points, and opportunities are thoroughly understood and addressed in proposed solutions.
• Conduct client workshops and stakeholder interviews to identify pain points, define insights, validate hypotheses, and articulate a compelling vision for the user experience.
• Develop and utilize key UX artifacts such as journey maps, service blueprints, personas, ecosystem maps, and experience maps to inform design decisions.
• Translate user needs and research findings into actionable digital experiences that meet program and project objectives.
• Collaborate effectively within cross-functional teams, particularly within an Agile/Scrum environment, integrating research and design into technical sprints.
• Design intuitive, elegant, and accessible interfaces, employing a test-and-learn process to ensure continuous improvement.
• Ensure that all deliverables across various projects meet the highest standards of quality and user-centricity.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities emphasize a leadership and client-facing aspect, typical for a "Senior" role, particularly within a consulting framework like Steampunk's "Design Intelligence™". The focus on government clients and specific deliverables (journey maps, personas) highlights the need for structured and well-documented design processes.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: Degree or equivalent experience in Human-Centered Design (HCD), Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), or UX Design.

Experience: Minimum of 6 years of professional UX and UI design experience, with a proven track record of designing viable solutions for multi-platform digital products.

Required Skills:

• Ability to obtain a U.S. government Public Trust Security Clearance.
• Demonstrated experience in conducting primary and secondary user research, including user interviews, discovery and co-creation workshops, heuristic evaluations, and card sorting.
• Proven ability to apply research insights to create personas, journey maps, site maps, ecosystem maps, information architecture, and interface designs.
• Thorough knowledge and demonstrated experience in UI design, including wireframing, low and high-fidelity prototyping.
• Experience with moderated and unmoderated user testing, and accessibility testing.
• Knowledge and practical experience with Section 508 compliance requirements.
• Experience working within a Scrum team in an Agile delivery framework, including integrating research and design into technical sprints and contributing to user stories and story pointing.
• Proficiency in industry-standard design and prototyping tools such as Adobe Creative Suite, Sketch, Figma, and Zeplin.
• Ability to keep pace with evolving industry tools and best practices, making informed recommendations for optimal outcomes.
• Experience collaborating within a multi-disciplinary delivery team (e.g., service designers, technologists, data scientists, engineers, solution architects, change managers).
• Strong analytical skills coupled with a natural curiosity for problem-solving.
• Excellent written communication and presentation skills, with a collaborative nature.
• Experience working in a project-based environment.

Preferred Skills:

• Previous work experience in or with the federal government.
• Previous consulting experience.
• Experience working on a cross-functional Salesforce implementation team.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on specific research methods, UI deliverables, 508 compliance, and Agile/Scrum experience is critical for candidates targeting government projects. The mention of "multi-platform digital products" suggests a need for versatile design skills across web and potentially mobile applications. The "Bonus Points" indicate areas where candidates can significantly differentiate themselves.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A comprehensive portfolio showcasing a strong understanding of design ideology, methodologies, tools, and craft.
• Demonstrations of how you have applied human-centered design principles to solve real-world user experience challenges.
• Examples of user research artifacts (personas, journey maps) and their influence on design decisions.
• Case studies detailing the iterative design process, including wireframes, prototypes, and final UI designs.
• Evidence of usability and accessibility testing, and how feedback was incorporated to improve the user experience.

Process Documentation:

• Showcase your ability to document and articulate your design process clearly and effectively.
• Provide examples of how you have integrated design into Agile sprints, including contributions to user stories and story pointing.
• Demonstrate experience in translating user needs and technical constraints into implementable digital solutions.
• Include examples of how you have ensured 508 compliance in your design deliverables.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a Senior UX/UI Designer role, especially in government contracting, the portfolio is paramount. It needs to go beyond just showcasing visual design and demonstrate a deep understanding of the entire UX process, from discovery to delivery, with a strong emphasis on user advocacy and adherence to standards like Section 508.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $110,000 - $170,000 annually.

Benefits:

• As an employee-owned company, Steampunk likely offers a comprehensive benefits package that may include:
• Health, Dental, and Vision Insurance
• Retirement Savings Plan (e.g., 401k) with potential company match
• Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP)
• Paid Time Off (PTO), Holidays, and Sick Leave
• Professional Development and Training opportunities
• Potential for bonuses or performance-based incentives

Working Hours: 40 hours per week.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range provided is specific and falls within the expected range for a Senior UX/UI Designer in the US, particularly in the Washington D.C. metropolitan area (McLean, VA). The mention of Steampunk being an "employee-owned company" strongly suggests the presence of an ESOP as a key benefit, in addition to standard offerings. The working hours are standard.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Federal Contracting, Technology Services, Human-Centered Design. Steampunk operates at the intersection of traditional government contracting and modern design thinking, aiming to disrupt the status quo in federal IT solutions. Company Size: Steampunk is an employee-owned company, suggesting a culture that values employee contribution and shared success. The exact employee count isn't provided, but they operate with a "startup mindset" within the federal sector. Founded: Not explicitly stated, but the company emphasizes its "time-tested approaches" and "startup mindset," indicating a blend of established practices and agile innovation.

Team Structure:

• The Senior UX Design Lead will be part of a multi-disciplinary delivery team, collaborating with service designers, technologists, data scientists, engineers, solution architects, and change managers.
• The role involves working within an Agile/Scrum framework, indicating a team structure that emphasizes iterative development and cross-functional collaboration.
• The company culture is described as "human-centered," with a passion for creating impactful, practical, and scalable solutions.

Methodology:

• Steampunk utilizes its proprietary "Design Intelligence™" framework, which incorporates human-centered methods to solve complex user experience challenges.
• The company emphasizes a "startup mindset" and "empowering our people to find creative solutions to intractable problems," suggesting an environment that encourages innovation and autonomy.
• Collaboration and client-focused, mission-driven excellence are core tenets.

Company Website: http://www.steampunk.com

📝 Enhancement Note: Steampunk positions itself as a unique player in federal contracting by merging design thinking with government solutions. The "employee-owned" aspect is a significant cultural differentiator, likely fostering a strong sense of ownership and commitment among employees. The "Design Intelligence™" framework is a key differentiator that candidates should understand.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is classified as Senior, indicating a level of expertise, autonomy, and responsibility beyond mid-level positions. It involves leading design efforts, guiding clients, and mentoring junior team members (though not explicitly stated, it's a common senior-level expectation).

Reporting Structure: The Senior UX Design Lead will likely report to a Design Director, Program Manager, or a senior leader within Steampunk's service delivery or design practice. They will collaborate closely with project managers and technical leads within Agile teams.

Operations Impact: The Senior UX/UI Designer's work directly impacts the success of government client missions by ensuring that digital solutions are intuitive, effective, and meet the needs of end-users. This role contributes to the overall quality and usability of products, leading to increased user adoption, efficiency, and mission achievement. Steampunk's focus on "Design Intelligence™" suggests that UX is seen as a strategic driver of client success.

Growth Opportunities:

• Leadership Development: Opportunity to lead design initiatives, mentor junior designers, and potentially manage design teams on larger projects.
• Skill Specialization: Deepen expertise in specific areas of UX/UI, such as accessibility, user research methodologies, or specific government sector domains.
• Client Relationship Management: Develop stronger client-facing skills and build expertise in guiding government agencies through design processes.
• Advancement within ESOP: As an employee-owner, growth can also be tied to the company's overall success and individual contributions to its value.
• Exposure to Diverse Projects: Work on a variety of federal projects, broadening experience across different agencies and mission areas.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Senior" title implies a path for growth into leadership roles, program management, or specialized design consulting. The ESOP structure offers a unique growth incentive tied to company performance. The emphasis on client work and government sector experience provides a specialized career trajectory.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The role is specified as "On-site," indicating a traditional office environment. Given the location in McLean, VA, this is likely a professional office setting typical for government contractors. Office Location(s): McLean, Virginia. This is a hub for government contracting and technology companies, offering proximity to federal agencies and a robust professional network.

Workspace Context:

• The environment is described as a "startup mindset" within a larger organization, suggesting a dynamic and collaborative atmosphere.
• Expect a team-oriented workspace where cross-functional collaboration is essential, especially within Agile sprints.
• Access to industry-standard design tools and technologies is expected.
• The culture encourages "empowering our people to find creative solutions," implying a supportive environment for innovation.

Work Schedule: Standard 40-hour work week. While the role is on-site, the "startup mindset" might imply some flexibility or a focus on results over strict adherence to hours, though this should be confirmed. The on-site nature requires consistent presence.

📝 Enhancement Note: McLean, VA, is a prime location for government contractors, suggesting a professional, fast-paced environment. The "startup mindset" combined with "on-site" work implies a collaborative office culture where innovation is encouraged within a structured project delivery framework.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A review of your resume and portfolio to assess qualifications and experience alignment.
• Portfolio Presentation: Candidates will likely be asked to present their portfolio, detailing specific projects, their role, process, and outcomes. Be prepared to discuss your design philosophy and how you approach user-centered design.
• Technical/Behavioral Interviews: Interviews with hiring managers and team members to assess technical skills, problem-solving abilities, collaboration style, and cultural fit. Expect questions related to UX methodologies, Agile, 508 compliance, and client management.
• Case Study/Design Challenge: Potentially a practical exercise or case study to evaluate your design thinking and problem-solving skills in a simulated scenario.
• Security Clearance: The process will involve obtaining a U.S. government Public Trust Security Clearance.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select 3-5 of your strongest, most relevant projects that demonstrate your end-to-end UX/UI process, particularly those with complex challenges or government/enterprise applications.
• Tell a Story: For each project, clearly articulate the problem, your role, the research conducted, design decisions made, the iterative process, and the impact or outcome. Use visuals effectively but focus on the narrative of your contribution.
• Highlight Methodology: Emphasize your understanding and application of human-centered design, user research techniques, and iterative design.
• Showcase Process: Include wireframes, user flows, prototypes, and final UI designs. Explain why you made certain design choices.
• Address Constraints: If applicable, discuss how you navigated technical, budget, or regulatory constraints (like Section 508).
• Quantify Impact: Wherever possible, use metrics or qualitative feedback to demonstrate the success of your designs.

Challenge Preparation:

• Understand the Framework: Familiarize yourself with Steampunk's "Design Intelligence™" and human-centered design principles.
• Government Context: Research common challenges and user needs within federal government digital services. Understand Section 508 compliance thoroughly.
• Agile/Scrum: Be ready to discuss how you integrate design into Agile sprints, write user stories, and collaborate with development teams.
• Problem-Solving: Practice breaking down complex problems into manageable steps and articulating your thought process.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process will heavily weigh the portfolio and the ability to articulate design strategy within a government context. Candidates should be prepared to demonstrate not just design skills but also client-facing acumen and an understanding of regulatory requirements like Section 508.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Design & Prototyping: Adobe Creative Suite, Sketch, Figma, Zeplin. Proficiency in at least one of these is essential, with Figma and Sketch being industry standards for collaborative design.
• User Research Tools: Experience with tools for conducting user interviews, surveys, and usability testing (e.g., UserTesting.com, Lookback, Qualtrics).
• Collaboration Tools: Familiarity with Agile project management tools (e.g., Jira, Confluence) and communication platforms (e.g., Slack, Microsoft Teams).

Analytics & Reporting:

• While not explicitly listed, understanding how to interpret user analytics (e.g., Google Analytics, Adobe Analytics) to inform design decisions is a strong asset.

CRM & Automation:

• Not directly relevant to the core UX/UI design function, but awareness of how user interfaces interact with backend systems or CRM data can be beneficial.

📝 Enhancement Note: The listed tools are standard for UX/UI designers. Proficiency in Figma and Sketch is highly recommended. Given the government client focus, familiarity with accessibility testing tools and potentially more robust enterprise-level design systems would be advantageous.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Human-Centered Design: A core value driving all design decisions, ensuring that user needs are paramount.
• Client-Focused, Mission-Driven Excellence: A commitment to delivering impactful solutions that help clients achieve their goals.
• Innovation & Problem-Solving: Encouraging creative thinking and finding novel solutions to complex challenges.
• Collaboration & Empowerment: Fostering a team environment where individuals are empowered and work together effectively.
• Quality & Practicality: Delivering solutions that are not only innovative but also impactful, practical, and scalable.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-functional Integration: Emphasis on working closely with technologists, data scientists, engineers, and change managers within Agile teams.
• Stakeholder Engagement: Active collaboration with government clients, understanding their missions and incorporating their feedback.
• Iterative & Feedback-Driven: A culture that embraces continuous improvement through testing, learning, and incorporating feedback from users and stakeholders.
• Knowledge Sharing: As an employee-owned company with a startup mindset, there's likely an encouragement of sharing best practices and learnings across teams.

📝 Enhancement Note: Steampunk's values clearly align with modern design thinking principles, emphasizing user advocacy and collaborative problem-solving. The "Change Agent" identity suggests a proactive approach to improving government services through design.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Navigating Government Bureaucracy: Working within federal agencies can involve complex procurement processes, long decision cycles, and established protocols.
• Translating Complex Requirements: Government missions can be intricate, requiring significant effort to understand and translate into user-friendly digital experiences.
• Balancing User Needs with Technical/Security Constraints: Ensuring user-centric designs are feasible within strict technical, security, and regulatory (e.g., 508 compliance) requirements.
• Driving Change in Traditional Environments: Introducing modern design thinking and human-centered practices into established government contracting landscapes.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Deep Dive into Government Sector: Gain specialized