Staff UX Designer (Onsite in Denver Area)

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Staff UX Designer Company: Rocket Communications Location: Denver Area, Colorado, United States Job Type: Full Time Employment Category: User Experience (UX) Design / Product Design Date Posted: October 7, 2025 Experience Level: 8+ years (with degree) / 12+ years (without degree) Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• This role is pivotal in designing mission-critical applications and systems for space capabilities, requiring a blend of creativity and analytical prowess.
• The Staff UX Designer will be responsible for implementing an end-to-end UX process within a government program environment, addressing complex user experience challenges.
• A strong emphasis is placed on creating complex, user-centric designs using Figma, adhering rigorously to established design system and specification guidelines.
• The position demands exceptional communication skills for articulating design decisions and delivering clear, actionable design specifications to development teams.
• This role requires a candidate with proven experience working with Department of Defense (DoD), Intelligence (Intel), and/or Space applications, demonstrating a deep understanding of this specialized sector.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the original listing is for a UX Designer, the emphasis on "mission-critical applications," "government program environment," "DoD, Intel and/or Space applications," and the stringent security clearance requirements (Top Secret with SCI Eligibility) strongly suggest this role operates within the Government Contracting (GovCon) or Defense Technology sector, requiring a deep understanding of highly regulated and secure design processes. This is not a typical commercial UX role.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Lead the end-to-end UX design process for complex, mission-critical applications, translating user needs and business requirements into intuitive and effective user interfaces.
• Develop detailed user flows, wireframes, prototypes, and high-fidelity mockups using Figma, ensuring adherence to the company's design system and technical specifications.
• Collaborate closely with cross-functional teams, including product managers, engineers, and stakeholders, to gather requirements, present design concepts, and iterate on solutions.
• Conduct user research, usability testing, and analysis to inform design decisions and validate design effectiveness within government program contexts.
• Create and maintain comprehensive design specifications, style guides, and documentation to ensure clear communication and consistent implementation by development teams.
• Actively participate in design reviews, providing and receiving constructive feedback to uphold design quality and user experience standards.
• Build and maintain strong, collaborative relationships with clients and internal colleagues, fostering trust and ensuring design solutions align with stakeholder expectations.
• Contribute to the evolution and refinement of the company's design system and UX best practices, particularly within the unique landscape of government and defense applications.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities are framed to align with a senior or staff-level UX Designer role, emphasizing leadership in process implementation, complex design challenges, and cross-functional collaboration within a specialized government contracting environment.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

• A four-year degree in Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), Design, Computer Science, or a related field is required.
• Alternatively, candidates with 12+ years of relevant UX design experience without a degree will be considered.

Experience:

• Minimum of 8 years of professional UX design experience.
• Proven ability to implement an end-to-end UX design process within a government program environment.
• Demonstrated experience designing complex applications, particularly those for DoD, Intel, or Space sectors.

Required Skills:

• UX Design Expertise: Comprehensive knowledge of UX principles, methodologies, and best practices.
• Figma Proficiency: Advanced ability to create complex designs, prototypes, and design specifications using Figma.
• Design System Adherence: Skill in working within and contributing to established design systems and specification guidelines.
• Government/Defense Sector Experience: Hands-on experience with DoD, Intel, and/or Space applications, understanding their unique user needs and constraints.
• Communication & Collaboration: Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to articulate design decisions clearly and effectively to technical and non-technical audiences.
• Client Relationship Management: Proven ability to build and maintain strong relationships with clients and internal stakeholders.
• Security Clearance: Active Top Secret Clearance with SCI Eligibility is mandatory.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience with user research methodologies and usability testing in sensitive environments.
• Familiarity with agile development methodologies and working within government contracting cycles.
• Experience with interaction design for complex data visualization or command-and-control systems.
• Knowledge of accessibility standards and their application in specialized software.
• A strong understanding of the unique challenges and requirements of designing for national security applications.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "About You" section from the original description has been meticulously parsed to extract and categorize specific required and preferred skills, with an emphasis on the specialized nature of the government sector and the critical need for a security clearance.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• End-to-End Process Showcase: Demonstrate a complete UX design lifecycle from user research and ideation through to final design specifications and implementation support.
• Complex Application Case Studies: Present detailed case studies of complex applications designed, highlighting problem statements, design challenges, your specific contributions, and the outcomes achieved.
• Figma Design Examples: Include examples of sophisticated UI designs, interactive prototypes, and detailed design specifications created in Figma, showcasing your technical proficiency and adherence to design systems.
• Government/Defense Contextualization: Where possible, illustrate how your design process and outcomes were tailored to the specific requirements, constraints, and security considerations of government, defense, or intelligence projects.

Process Documentation:

• Workflow Design & Optimization: Evidence of your ability to map, analyze, and optimize user workflows for complex systems, ensuring efficiency and effectiveness.
• System Integration Understanding: Demonstrate awareness of how UX designs integrate with underlying systems and technical architectures, especially within government or highly secure environments.
• Specification Delivery: Showcase examples of how you have translated design concepts into clear, actionable design specifications that developers can efficiently implement.

📝 Enhancement Note: This section is tailored to a UX design role, focusing on the tangible outputs and process documentation that a candidate would be expected to present. The emphasis is on demonstrating practical application of UX principles within a complex, regulated environment.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $127,000 - $185,000 per year

Benefits:

• Comprehensive Health Coverage: Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance.
• Personalized Support: Dedicated Health Advocate.
• Expanded Coverage: Employer Sponsored and Voluntary Supplemental Benefits.
• Retirement Planning: 401k Retirement Savings Plan with Company Match.
• Financial Flexibility: Health and Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs).
• Time Off: Generous Paid Time Off (PTO) and Paid Holidays.
• Family Support: Paid Parental Leave.
• Professional Growth: Annual Professional Development Funds for continuous learning and skill enhancement.
• Commuting Support: Commuter Benefits.
• Well-being Resources: Employee Assistance Program (EAP) for confidential support.
• Employee Perks: Employee Discounts.
• Home Office Support: One-Time Remote Work Stipend for home office setup and Monthly Remote Work Stipend.

Working Hours:

• Standard full-time work commitment, typically 40 hours per week.
• While the role is onsite, the company offers stipends for remote work setup, suggesting a potential for hybrid flexibility or support for home office needs outside of core onsite requirements.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range and benefits are directly extracted from the provided text. The working hours are inferred as standard full-time, with a note on the remote stipends indicating potential for flexibility or home office support, though the role is explicitly stated as onsite.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Enterprise UX Design, Government Contracting (GovCon), Defense Technology, Space Technology. Company Size: Small company, allowing for significant individual impact and direct contribution to business success. Founded: Not specified in the provided data.

Team Structure:

• Operations Focus: The UX team operates within a small, specialized company structure, where individual contributions are highly visible and impactful on business outcomes.
• Reporting: While not explicitly detailed, a Staff UX Designer typically reports to a Design Lead, Director of UX, or a Program Manager, depending on the project structure within the GovCon framework.
• Collaboration: Expect close collaboration with product managers, engineers, and government clients, requiring strong interpersonal skills and the ability to navigate complex stakeholder landscapes.

Methodology:

• User-Centered Design: A core methodology focused on understanding user needs and translating them into effective, intuitive designs.
• Agile & Iterative: Likely employing agile development principles, with iterative design and development cycles to adapt to evolving project requirements.
• Data-Driven Decisions: Emphasis on using user research, usability testing, and analytics to inform design choices and measure impact.
• Security-Conscious Design: A critical aspect of the methodology will involve designing within strict security protocols and compliance standards inherent in government contracting.

Company Website: Rocket Communications (domain: rocketcom.com)

📝 Enhancement Note: Inferences are made about the company culture and methodology based on the industry (GovCon/Defense Tech), company size ("small company"), and the nature of the work (mission-critical applications, government programs). The emphasis is on impact, close collaboration, and security.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: Staff UX Designer represents a senior individual contributor role. This position signifies a high level of expertise, autonomy, and responsibility within the UX design discipline. Staff-level designers are expected to lead complex projects, mentor junior team members, and influence design strategy.

Reporting Structure:

• The Staff UX Designer will likely report to a Design Manager, Director of UX, or a Program Manager, given the project-based nature of government contracting.
• This role will involve close collaboration with engineering teams, product managers, and directly with government clients, requiring strong stakeholder management skills.

Operations Impact:

• The designs created will directly influence the usability and effectiveness of mission-critical applications used in sensitive government and space operations.
• Success in this role contributes significantly to client satisfaction, project success, and Rocket Communications' reputation within the defense and intelligence community.
• The role provides an opportunity to shape user experiences for applications that support national security objectives.

Growth Opportunities:

• Leadership in Design: Potential to move into Lead UX Designer or Principal UX Designer roles, taking on greater strategic responsibilities and leading larger design initiatives.
• Mentorship: Opportunity to mentor junior UX designers, developing leadership and coaching skills.
• Specialization: Deepen expertise in UX for highly complex, secure, or specialized domains (e.g., space systems, defense intelligence platforms).
• Program Management: Potential career path into program management or product management roles within the GovCon sector, leveraging deep understanding of user needs and technical constraints.
• Continuous Learning: Access to annual professional development funds supports continuous skill enhancement and staying current with evolving UX technologies and methodologies.

📝 Enhancement Note: The analysis focuses on the career trajectory and impact associated with a "Staff" level position, specifically within the context of government contracting and its unique growth paths.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: On-site role requiring daily presence at one of the company's designated office locations. Office Location(s): Centennial, CO or Aurora, CO. These locations are in the Denver metropolitan area, known for its significant presence in the aerospace and defense industries.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Hub: The office environment is designed to foster collaboration among designers, engineers, and project teams, facilitating real-time problem-solving and design iteration.
• Secure Infrastructure: Given the nature of the work and security clearance requirements, the workspace likely adheres to high-security standards, with access controls and potentially specialized IT infrastructure.
• Team Interaction: Daily onsite presence allows for direct interaction with colleagues, fostering team cohesion and efficient knowledge sharing within the operations and design teams.

Work Schedule:

• A standard full-time schedule (approximately 40 hours per week) is expected.
• While the role is onsite, the provision of remote work stipends suggests a company culture that values employee well-being and may offer some flexibility or support for home office setups, even for onsite roles.

📝 Enhancement Note: Specific details about the office environment and workspace are inferred based on the "onsite" requirement, the mentioned locations, and the industry context, which often implies secure and collaborative settings.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: An initial review of your application, resume, and portfolio to assess qualifications and experience, particularly regarding UX design principles, Figma proficiency, and government sector exposure.
• Portfolio Presentation & Technical Interview: A session where candidates present their portfolio, walking through case studies that demonstrate their end-to-end UX process, problem-solving skills, and impact. This will likely include technical questions about Figma, design systems, and UX methodologies.
• Behavioral & Cultural Fit Interview: An interview focused on assessing collaboration skills, communication style, client relationship building capabilities, and alignment with Rocket Communications' team culture.
• Security & Clearance Verification: Thorough verification of Top Secret Clearance with SCI Eligibility will be a critical part of the process.
• Final Interview/Offer: Potentially a final discussion with senior leadership or program managers before an offer is extended.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Structure Your Narrative: For each case study, clearly articulate the problem, your role and process, the design decisions made, the challenges faced, and the measurable outcomes or impact.
• Highlight Complexity: Emphasize projects involving complex applications or challenging user requirements, showcasing your ability to navigate intricate design problems.
• Demonstrate Figma Mastery: Showcase detailed Figma work, including interactive prototypes, comprehensive design specs, and how you've utilized or contributed to design systems.
• Address Government Context: If possible, explain how your design approach was adapted for government or defense-related projects, including any considerations for security or specific user groups.
• Be Prepared for Technical Deep Dives: Anticipate questions about your design choices, the rationale behind them, and how you would handle specific design challenges relevant to mission-critical systems.

Challenge Preparation:

• Design Exercise: You may be given a specific design challenge or scenario to solve within a time limit, requiring you to demonstrate your problem-solving and design thinking skills.
• Stakeholder Communication: Practice articulating your design rationale and defending your decisions to simulated stakeholders with varying technical backgrounds and priorities.
• Process Articulation: Be ready to discuss your preferred UX process and how you adapt it to different project needs and environments, particularly within the constraints of government programs.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview and portfolio review process is structured based on standard UX hiring practices, augmented with specific considerations for a Staff-level role and the government contracting environment, including the critical security clearance aspect.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Figma: The core design tool for wireframing, prototyping, and high-fidelity UI design. Proficiency is explicitly required for creating complex designs and meeting specification guidelines.
• Design System Management Tools: While not explicitly named, experience with or understanding of how to work with and contribute to design systems is essential. This may involve tools for component libraries, style guides, and pattern repositories.

Analytics & Reporting:

• User Research Platforms: Tools for conducting user interviews, surveys, and usability testing (e.g., UserTesting.com, Lookback, Qualtrics).
• Data Analysis Tools: Proficiency in analyzing user data from research and testing to inform design decisions. Specific tools may vary but a strong analytical mindset is key.

CRM & Automation:

• Project Management Software: Tools like Jira, Asana, or Trello are commonly used for managing design tasks, workflows, and collaboration with development teams, especially within agile environments.
• Collaboration Platforms: Tools such as Slack, Microsoft Teams, or Confluence for team communication, documentation, and knowledge sharing.

📝 Enhancement Note: The technology stack is primarily derived from the explicit mention of Figma and the inferred needs of a UX designer working on complex applications, including those for government programs.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• User-Centricity: A deep commitment to understanding and serving the needs of the end-user, ensuring applications are intuitive, effective, and efficient.
• Excellence in Design: A drive for high-quality design solutions that meet rigorous standards for functionality, usability, and aesthetics, especially in mission-critical contexts.
• Collaboration & Teamwork: A belief in the power of diverse perspectives and close collaboration across teams to achieve the best outcomes.
• Integrity & Trust: Essential values, particularly in the government contracting space, emphasizing honesty, reliability, and the secure handling of sensitive information.
• Problem-Solving: A proactive and analytical approach to identifying and solving complex challenges, turning obstacles into opportunities for innovation.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-Functional Integration: Expect a highly integrated approach where UX designers work hand-in-hand with product managers, engineers, and potentially clients throughout the design and development lifecycle.
• Open Communication: A culture that encourages open dialogue, constructive feedback, and transparent sharing of ideas and challenges.
• Client-Focused Partnership: Building strong, collaborative relationships with clients to ensure designs align with their strategic goals and operational requirements.

📝 Enhancement Note: Values and collaboration styles are inferred from the company's industry (GovCon/Defense Tech), the nature of its work (mission-critical applications), and the general expectations for a small, agile company.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Navigating Government Program Constraints: Designing within strict security protocols, legacy systems, and complex bureaucratic processes inherent in government contracting.
• Balancing User Needs with Technical/Security Requirements: Finding optimal design solutions that satisfy user requirements while adhering to stringent technical specifications and security mandates.
• Evolving Technology Landscape: Keeping pace with advancements in UX design tools, methodologies, and technologies, particularly those relevant to defense and space applications.
• Stakeholder Management: Effectively managing expectations and communicating design value to a diverse range of stakeholders with potentially competing priorities.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Advanced UX Techniques: Opportunity to deepen expertise in specialized areas of UX design relevant to complex systems and secure environments through hands-on project work.
• Industry Exposure: Gaining invaluable experience in the defense and space technology sectors, understanding unique user needs and operational challenges.
• Professional Development Funds: Access to annual funds for training, conferences, workshops, or certifications to enhance skills and knowledge.
• Mentorship and Leadership: Potential to grow into leadership roles, mentoring junior designers and contributing to the strategic direction of UX at Rocket Communications.

📝 Enhancement Note: Challenges and growth opportunities are identified by considering the specific context of the role: a Staff UX Designer in a small GovCon company working on sensitive applications.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• Impactful UX Process: "Describe an end-to-end UX process you've implemented for a complex government program. How did you adapt it to meet specific security or technical constraints, and what was the outcome?" (Focus on process adaptation and results.)
• Figma & Design Systems: "Walk us through a complex UI you designed in Figma. How did you ensure it adhered to established design system guidelines, and what were the key technical specifications you communicated to developers?" (Highlight Figma skills and specification clarity.)
• Problem Solving in Sensitive Environments: "Describe a time you faced a significant design challenge on a mission-critical application. How did you approach problem-solving, and what was your rationale for the chosen solution, considering the user and program requirements?" (Emphasize critical thinking and solution justification.)

Company & Culture Questions:

• Client Collaboration: "How do you build strong relationships with government clients and ensure their needs are met while also advocating for best UX practices?" (Assess relationship-building and advocacy skills.)
• Team Dynamics: "Given our small company size and focus on mission-critical systems, how do you envision contributing to our team's collaborative environment and overall success?" (Gauge cultural fit and proactive contribution.)
• Security Awareness: "How do you approach design considerations when working with sensitive data or within highly secure environments, and what is your understanding of the importance of Top Secret clearance and SCI eligibility for this role?" (Test awareness of security implications.)

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Narrative Arc: For each case study, clearly define the user problem, your specific role and contributions, the design process undertaken, key challenges, and the measurable impact or outcome.
• Figma Showcase: Be ready to share your screen and present interactive prototypes or detailed design specifications directly from Figma, explaining your design choices and technical documentation.
• Outcome-Oriented Metrics: Quantify the success of your designs whenever possible (e.g., improved task completion rates, reduced error rates, increased user satisfaction), even if estimations are required for government projects.
• Tailor to Mission-Critical: Frame your examples to highlight your ability to handle complexity, security, and the unique demands of designing for mission-critical applications.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview questions and portfolio advice are tailored to the Staff UX Designer role, emphasizing the specific requirements of working in a government contracting environment, including security clearances and complex application design.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this operations position:

• Submit your application through the provided Lever job portal link.
• Portfolio Customization: Ensure your portfolio prominently features case studies demonstrating your end-to-end UX process, complex application design experience, and proficiency in Figma. Tailor your selection to highlight projects relevant to government, defense, or intelligence applications if possible.
• Resume Optimization: Update your resume to clearly articulate your years of experience, specific UX skills (especially Figma), experience with government programs, and confirm your active Top Secret Clearance with SCI Eligibility. Use keywords such as "UX Design," "Figma," "End-to-End UX Process," "DoD," "Intel," "Space Applications," and "Top Secret Clearance."
• Interview Preparation: Practice articulating your design process, rationale, and the impact of your work. Be ready to present specific examples from your portfolio and discuss your experience in government program environments.
• Company Research: Familiarize yourself with Rocket Communications, their focus on enterprise UX for mission-critical systems, and the Denver area's role in the aerospace and defense sectors. Understand the implications of working for a small company and within the GovCon industry.

⚠️ 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.

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