Sr. UX Designer II (6433)

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Sr. UX Designer II (6433)

Company: MetroStar

Location: Tysons Corner, VA

Job Type: Full-Time

Category: User Experience (UX) Design / Product Design / GTM Operations Support

Date Posted: February 27, 2026

Experience Level: 7+ Years

Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• Lead the design and development of a core UI for a data brokerage solution, ensuring user-centered design principles are paramount for enhanced workflow and functionality.

• Drive user research, information architecture, persona development, and user workflow creation to inform the design of intuitive and effective digital experiences.

• Develop high-fidelity wireframes, mockups, and interactive prototypes, leveraging visual design expertise and industry-standard tools to translate concepts into tangible user interfaces.

• Collaborate closely with software development and data engineering teams to ensure seamless integration of design elements and deliver a product with a strong positive user experience, directly impacting GTM adoption.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the primary focus is UX Design, the role's emphasis on improving workflow, expanding functionality, and driving adoption of a "data brokerage solution" suggests a strong connection to Go-To-Market (GTM) operations. The creation of marketing materials to drive adoption further solidifies this link. Therefore, this role is categorized under UX Design with a significant GTM Operations Support component, requiring an understanding of how design impacts user adoption and ultimately, revenue generation.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Serve as the UI/UX Design Lead for a major IT/data modernization program, guiding the design vision and execution.

• Lead comprehensive user research initiatives to deeply understand user needs, pain points, and behaviors within the context of data brokerage.

• Develop and refine the front-end User Interface (UI) for a new data brokerage solution, focusing on usability, accessibility, and aesthetic appeal.

• Create compelling, externally facing marketing materials (decks, graphics) to effectively communicate the program's value proposition and drive adoption across the user community.

• Collaborate effectively within an Agile development process, actively participating in sprint planning, backlog grooming, and solution design discussions.

• Own the interface and interaction design for the data brokerage platform, ensuring a cohesive and engaging user experience.

• Conduct user experience strategy, improvement assessments, information architecture design, wireframing, and user research activities to continuously enhance the product.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibility to create marketing materials for program adoption is a key differentiator. This indicates the UX designer will play a role in the GTM strategy, translating technical features into user benefits that drive engagement and usage, which is critical for operations success.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

Experience:

• 7+ years of progressive experience in User Experience (UX) and User Interface (UI) design, with a strong track record of applying User-Centered Design (UCD) methodologies.

• Demonstrated experience leading design initiatives for complex software applications, ideally within data-intensive or IT modernization programs.

• Proven ability to collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams, including software developers, data engineers, product managers, and stakeholders.

Required Skills:

• Deep understanding of user-centered design (UCD) principles and methodologies, including user research, persona development, journey mapping, and usability testing.

• Exceptional conceptualization, visual design abilities, and a strong portfolio showcasing modern, usable, and inspiring interfaces.

• Proficiency in industry-standard design and prototyping tools such as Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator), Figma, Sketch, or similar.

• Strong grasp of responsive web design principles, typography, and color theory.

• Excellent communication, collaboration, and presentation skills, with the ability to articulate design decisions and user insights effectively.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience in designing solutions for data brokerage, data management, or similar data-intensive platforms.

• Ability to create compelling marketing collateral and graphics to support product adoption and external communication.

• Experience with user research methodologies and conducting usability testing sessions.

• Knowledge of accessibility standards (e.g., WCAG).

📝 Enhancement Note: The requirement for a Bachelor's degree and 7+ years of experience positions this as a senior-level role, implying a need for strategic thinking, leadership capabilities, and a deep understanding of design principles beyond just execution. The mention of "high level security clearance" is a critical qualification for government-contracting roles, common in IT modernization programs.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Demonstrate a strong understanding of user-centered design (UCD) methodologies through case studies that outline your process from problem identification to solution implementation.

• Showcase a range of design deliverables including wireframes, user flows, personas, mockups, and interactive prototypes, highlighting your ability to translate complex requirements into intuitive interfaces.

• Present examples of how you have improved user workflows, enhanced functionality, or increased user adoption through your design contributions.

• Include projects that illustrate your collaboration with development teams and how you've ensured design fidelity during implementation.

Process Documentation:

• Provide evidence of your ability to document design processes, including user research findings, design decisions, and rationale behind architectural choices.

• Showcase examples of how you have used design documentation to facilitate communication and alignment with stakeholders and development teams.

• Illustrate your approach to iterative design, including how you incorporate feedback from user testing and stakeholder reviews into your design process.

📝 Enhancement Note: A strong portfolio is critical for UX roles. For this senior position, it should not only showcase visual design skills but also strategic thinking, process rigor, and quantifiable impact on user adoption and product success, aligning with GTM objectives.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $128,000 - $165,000 per year

Benefits:

• Comprehensive Health, Dental, and Vision Insurance plans.

• 401(k) Retirement Plan with a company match, supporting long-term financial planning.

• Generous Paid Time Off (PTO) and paid Holidays for work-life balance.

• Parental Leave and Dependent Care support to assist with family needs.

• Flexible Work Arrangements available to accommodate diverse working styles.

• Opportunities for Professional Development, including training and certifications.

• Employee Assistance and Wellness Programs to support overall well-being.

Working Hours:

• Standard full-time role, likely around 40 hours per week. While on-site, there may be flexibility in daily start/end times, subject to team and project needs.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range is competitive for a Senior UX Designer role in the Tysons Corner, VA area, particularly for positions requiring security clearances. The benefits package is robust, indicating a commitment to employee well-being and professional growth, which is attractive to experienced professionals. The mention of performance-based bonuses and professional development aligns with the senior nature of the role and the company's focus on people.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Information Technology and Services, Government Contracting, Technology Consulting. MetroStar operates within a dynamic sector, often serving government agencies and large enterprises, which demands high standards of security, reliability, and innovation.

Company Size: The provided information suggests a medium to large-sized company, with a focus on building "best and brightest teams" over two decades. This implies a structured yet people-centric environment.

Founded: Founded over two decades ago, MetroStar has a long-standing history and established presence in the technology services market, indicating stability and a mature understanding of client needs and market trends.

Team Structure:

• The UX Designer will likely be part of a product development team focused on the data brokerage solution, potentially within a larger IT modernization program.

• This team will include software developers, data engineers, project managers, and potentially business analysts, requiring close collaboration.

Methodology:

• MetroStar emphasizes a "data-driven" approach and "user-centered design," aligning with modern technology development practices.

• The presence of an Agile process indicates iterative development, continuous feedback loops, and cross-functional teamwork.

• The company's mission, "A passion for our people. Value for our customers," suggests a culture that prioritizes employee well-being and client success, driving a service-oriented and collaborative atmosphere.

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

📝 Enhancement Note: MetroStar's emphasis on people and customer value, coupled with its long history, suggests a stable and supportive work environment. The company's focus on government contracting implies a need for strong process adherence, security awareness, and a dedication to mission-critical projects. The "passion for our people" slogan is a strong indicator of a positive internal culture.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This is a Sr. UX Designer II role, indicating a senior individual contributor position with potential for team leadership. The responsibilities suggest a significant impact on product strategy, user adoption, and the success of a major program, aligning with senior-level contributions in operations and GTM.

Reporting Structure: The candidate will likely report to a Design Lead, Program Manager, or Director of Product Development. They are also expected to lead a "small team," implying direct reports or project-level leadership within the UX discipline.

Operations Impact: The UX Designer's work is critical for the success of the data brokerage solution. By improving UI, workflow, and user experience, this role directly influences user adoption, efficiency, and the perceived value of the solution. This, in turn, impacts the program's success metrics and potentially revenue generation through increased usage and client satisfaction in a GTM context. The creation of marketing materials further highlights a direct contribution to adoption and GTM efforts.

Growth Opportunities:

• Leadership: Potential to grow into a Lead UX Designer or Design Manager role, overseeing larger teams and more complex projects.

• Specialization: Deepen expertise in specific areas like data visualization, complex system design, or user research methodologies.

• Cross-functional Advancement: Transition into Product Management or GTM Strategy roles by leveraging a deep understanding of user needs and product adoption drivers.

• Skill Development: Benefit from company-provided training and certifications, expanding technical and soft skills relevant to UX and operations.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "II" in the job title signifies a mid-to-senior level, suggesting that candidates should have a solid foundation and be ready to take on more complex challenges and mentorship. The growth opportunities are tied to both design leadership and broader product/GTM roles, offering a clear career path within MetroStar.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: This is an on-site role, suggesting a traditional office environment where collaboration and in-person interaction are valued. MetroStar likely provides modern office facilities designed for collaborative work.

Office Location(s): Tysons Corner, VA, is a well-established business hub with good accessibility to transportation and amenities. This location is known for hosting technology companies and government contractors.

Workspace Context:

• Expect a collaborative workspace designed to foster interaction between design, development, and data engineering teams.

• Access to modern design tools, software, and potentially dedicated usability testing facilities.

• Opportunities for regular team meetings, brainstorming sessions, and cross-functional design reviews to ensure alignment and innovation.

Work Schedule: The role is full-time, likely with standard business hours (e.g., 9 AM to 5 PM EST). While on-site, there might be some flexibility in daily schedules, but core collaboration hours will be expected. The nature of government contracting may sometimes require dedication to meet project deadlines.

📝 Enhancement Note: An on-site role in Tysons Corner suggests a professional, potentially fast-paced environment common in the tech and government contracting sectors. The emphasis on collaboration implies that interpersonal skills and the ability to work effectively in a team setting are as important as technical UX skills.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A recruiter or HR representative will likely conduct an initial phone screen to assess basic qualifications, experience, and cultural fit.

• Hiring Manager Interview: A discussion with the hiring manager to delve deeper into your experience, design philosophy, and understanding of the role's responsibilities.

• Portfolio Presentation & Design Challenge: A crucial stage where you'll present your portfolio, showcasing relevant case studies and demonstrating your problem-solving abilities. This may include a practical design challenge or a deep dive into a previous project.

• Team/Stakeholder Interviews: Meetings with potential team members (developers, engineers) and stakeholders to assess collaboration skills and technical understanding.

• Final Interview: Potentially a conversation with senior leadership to discuss strategic alignment and overall fit.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select 3-4 of your most impactful projects that best demonstrate your experience in user-centered design, complex problem-solving, UI/workflow improvement, and collaboration. Prioritize projects relevant to data solutions or IT modernization if possible.

• Tell a Story: For each case study, clearly articulate the problem, your role, the process you followed (research, ideation, design, testing, iteration), the solutions you developed, and the measurable outcomes or impact. Quantify results whenever possible (e.g., increased user adoption by X%, reduced task completion time by Y%).

• Highlight Process: Emphasize your understanding and application of UCD methodologies. Show rough sketches, wireframes, user flows, and iterations to illustrate your thought process.

• Showcase Visual Design: Ensure your visual comps are polished and demonstrate a strong sense of aesthetics, typography, and branding.

• Prepare for Questions: Be ready to discuss your design decisions, trade-offs you made, how you handled feedback, and how you collaborated with engineers and stakeholders.

• Address GTM Impact: Be prepared to discuss how your design choices contributed to user adoption or influenced the overall success of a product or program, especially if you have examples of marketing material creation.

Challenge Preparation:

• Anticipate a design challenge that might involve improving an existing interface, designing a new feature for a data-related product, or solving a user workflow problem.

• Practice thinking aloud, clearly articulating your assumptions, research approach, design rationale, and potential solutions within a given timeframe.

• Be prepared to discuss your approach to collaboration and how you would integrate feedback from technical teams.

📝 Enhancement Note: The portfolio review is paramount for UX roles. For this senior position, emphasize leadership, strategic impact, and the ability to translate user needs into business value, particularly in the context of driving adoption for a data brokerage solution. The ability to create marketing materials is a unique aspect that candidates should highlight.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Design & Prototyping: Figma, Sketch, Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator), InVision, Axure RP (or similar advanced prototyping tools). Proficiency in at least one major design tool (Figma, Sketch) is essential.

• User Research & Testing: Tools for conducting surveys, interviews, and usability testing (e.g., UserTesting.com, Lookback, Maze).

• Collaboration & Project Management: Jira, Confluence, Asana, Trello (for Agile workflow management and documentation).

Analytics & Reporting:

• Familiarity with web analytics tools (e.g., Google Analytics, Adobe Analytics) to understand user behavior post-launch.

CRM & Automation:

• While not a primary UX tool, an understanding of how CRM systems (e.g., Salesforce) and marketing automation platforms function can provide context for user journeys and data integration needs.

📝 Enhancement Note: MetroStar expects proficiency in industry-standard design tools. The mention of "data brokerage solution" and "data engineering teams" implies that familiarity with data visualization principles or tools might be beneficial, though not explicitly required. The ability to integrate with Agile processes is also key.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• People-Centricity: A strong emphasis on "passion for our people" suggests a culture that values employee growth, well-being, and a supportive work environment.

• Customer Value: A commitment to delivering value to customers, which in this role translates to creating user-centric solutions that solve agency missions and drive adoption.

• Excellence & Innovation: Over two decades of building "best and brightest teams" points to a culture that strives for high quality, embraces innovation, and seeks to solve complex challenges.

• Collaboration: The need to work with development and data engineering teams, and the description of an "open and motivated team," highlights the importance of teamwork and cross-functional communication.

• Discipline: The mention of "disciplined in branding and design experience" suggests an appreciation for attention to detail and adherence to best practices.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-functional Integration: Expect to work closely with developers and data engineers, requiring clear communication and a shared understanding of project goals.

• Agile Methodology: Collaboration will likely occur within an Agile framework, involving regular stand-ups, sprint reviews, and shared problem-solving sessions.

• Feedback Culture: A willingness to give and receive constructive feedback is essential for iterative design and continuous improvement.

• Proactive Communication: Given the on-site requirement, regular in-person discussions and brainstorming sessions are likely to be a core part of the collaborative process.

📝 Enhancement Note: MetroStar's stated mission and values suggest a culture that balances employee welfare with client success. For a UX designer, this means an environment where user advocacy is valued, but also where practical considerations like development constraints and GTM objectives are integrated into the design process.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing User Needs with Technical Constraints: Effectively translating user requirements into a functional design that can be implemented by development and data engineering teams, especially within an Agile framework.

• Driving Adoption for a Data Solution: Designing a user experience that makes a complex data brokerage solution accessible and valuable to a diverse user base, and creating marketing materials that effectively communicate this value.

• Obtaining High-Level Security Clearance: Navigating the process for obtaining and maintaining a high-level security clearance, which can be time-consuming and requires adherence to strict protocols.

• Leading a Small Team: Mentoring and guiding junior designers or contributing to team strategy while managing individual design responsibilities.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Advance UX Leadership: Opportunities to hone leadership skills by mentoring junior designers and contributing to design strategy.

• Deepen Domain Expertise: Gain specialized knowledge in data brokerage, data management, IT modernization, and government contracting environments.

• Expand GTM Understanding: Learn how UX design directly influences product adoption and contributes to Go-To-Market strategies, particularly through the creation of marketing collateral.

• Professional Development: Access to company-sponsored training, workshops, and certifications to stay current with UX trends and tools.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges are typical for senior roles in complex projects, emphasizing the need for strong problem-solving, communication, and adaptability. The growth opportunities are aligned with advancing within both the UX discipline and broader product/GTM functions.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a complex data-driven product or system you've designed. What were the key challenges and how did your UX approach address them?" (Focus on process, user needs, and impact on data utilization).

• "How do you balance user needs with technical feasibility and business objectives, especially in an Agile environment?" (Highlight collaboration with developers and understanding of constraints).

• "Walk us through a project where you created user workflows or personas for a new system. What insights did you gain, and how did they shape the final design?" (Demonstrate UCD methodology and analytical skills).

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What do you know about MetroStar and our mission? How do you see your skills aligning with our 'passion for our people, value for our customers' philosophy?" (Research the company website, culture guide, and recent news).

• "Describe your experience working in a team environment, particularly with software developers and data engineers. What is your preferred collaboration style?" (Emphasize teamwork, communication, and Agile experience).

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure Your Narrative: For each case study, clearly present the problem, your role, the process, your solutions, and the outcomes. Use visual aids effectively.

• Highlight Impact: Quantify your achievements whenever possible. Discuss how your designs improved user experience, efficiency, or adoption.

• Explain Your Rationale: Be prepared to deeply explain the 'why' behind your design decisions, referencing user research, UCD principles, and business goals.

• Address the GTM Aspect: Be ready to discuss any experience you have creating user-facing content, marketing materials, or contributing to product adoption strategies, especially for technical products.

• Engage Your Audience: Make it a conversation. Ask clarifying questions and be open to feedback from the interviewers.

📝 Enhancement Note: Preparation should focus on demonstrating both strong UX design fundamentals and an understanding of how design contributes to broader business objectives like user adoption and GTM success. The ability to articulate a design process and its impact is crucial.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this operations-aligned UX position:

• Submit your resume and portfolio through the MetroStar careers page or the provided application link.

• Portfolio Customization: Tailor your portfolio to highlight projects demonstrating user-centered design, complex system design, workflow optimization, and ideally, experience with data-related products or IT modernization programs. Ensure your case studies clearly articulate your process and impact.

• Resume Optimization: Ensure your resume clearly outlines your 7+ years of UX/UI experience, proficiency with industry-standard design tools, and experience in Agile environments. Use keywords from the job description like "User-Centered Design," "Information Architecture," "Wireframes," "Prototypes," and "Agile."

• Interview Preparation: Practice articulating your design process, rationale, and the impact of your work. Prepare specific examples for behavioral questions related to collaboration, problem-solving, and leadership. Rehearse your portfolio presentation.

• Company Research: Thoroughly research MetroStar, its mission, values, and recent projects. Understand their focus on people, customer value, and their role in government contracting. Prepare thoughtful questions for the interviewers.

⚠️ 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. The requirement for a high-level security clearance is a critical factor for eligibility.