UX Designer (5272)

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: UX Designer

Company: MetroStar

Location: Remote

Job Type: Full-Time

Category: User Experience Design / Operations Support

Date Posted: April 09, 2026

Experience Level: 5-10 Years

Remote Status: Fully Remote

🚀 Role Summary

• Design user-centered interfaces for AI-enabled financial compliance dashboards and analytics tools, focusing on translating complex technical workflows into actionable decision environments.

• Conduct user research, usability testing, and iterative prototyping to ensure intuitive, secure, and accessible user experiences for government stakeholders.

• Collaborate closely with cross-functional teams, including Full Stack Engineers, AI/ML Engineers, Data Engineers, and Financial Subject Matter Experts (SMEs), to ensure cohesive product delivery.

• Advocate for clarity, usability, and adoption of designed solutions within highly regulated operational environments, emphasizing human-centered design principles.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the title is "UX Designer," the core responsibilities and context (financial compliance, AI-enabled analytics, operational environments, collaboration with data/AI engineers) strongly indicate a role that provides essential operational support through user interface and experience design. This role is crucial for making complex data and AI outputs digestible and actionable for financial leaders and compliance validators, directly impacting operational efficiency and decision-making. It bridges the gap between advanced technology and end-user operational effectiveness.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Design and develop intuitive, user-centered interfaces for AI-enabled financial compliance dashboards and analytics platforms, ensuring high usability and accessibility.

• Translate complex financial and technical compliance workflows into low-friction, actionable user experiences that support informed decision-making.

• Conduct comprehensive user research, including interviews, surveys, and contextual inquiries, with government stakeholders to gather requirements and validate design decisions.

• Perform usability testing on prototypes and implemented designs, analyzing feedback to drive iterative improvements and optimize user workflows.

• Create detailed wireframes, high-fidelity mockups, and interactive prototypes that align with secure Department of War (DoW) environments and technical specifications.

• Partner effectively with Full Stack Engineers, AI/ML Engineers, Data Engineers, and Financial SMEs to ensure seamless integration of UX design with technical development and domain expertise.

• Champion user advocacy by promoting clarity, usability, and adoption of designed solutions across highly regulated operational environments.

• Contribute to the modernization of financial system compliance and audit workflows by delivering user-friendly and efficient digital solutions.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities clearly outline a deep involvement in the operational aspects of financial compliance. Designing "actionable decision environments" and translating "complex technical workflows" into "low-friction user experiences" are core to improving operational efficiency and effectiveness within a regulated government context. The emphasis on collaboration with data engineers and AI/ML engineers highlights the role's function in making sophisticated operational tools accessible.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

Experience:

• Minimum of 5 years of progressive experience in UI/UX design.

• Demonstrated experience designing for data-heavy dashboards, analytics platforms, or complex compliance systems.

• Proven ability to conduct user research and apply human-centered design methodologies throughout the design lifecycle.

Required Skills:

• UI/UX Design Expertise: Profound understanding of user interface and user experience design principles, with a strong portfolio showcasing modern web application design.

• Prototyping & Wireframing: Proficiency in creating wireframes, high-fidelity mockups, and interactive prototypes.

• User Research & Testing: Demonstrated ability to conduct user research, usability testing, and iterative design cycles.

• Design Tool Proficiency: Expertise with industry-standard design tools such as Figma, Adobe XD, or similar platforms.

• Data Visualization Understanding: Ability to design effective visualizations for complex data sets and analytics.

• Collaboration & Communication: Excellent ability to partner with cross-functional teams (Engineers, Data Scientists, SMEs) and communicate design rationale.

• Security Clearance: Active Secret clearance required, or the ability to obtain one.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience within government contracting or defense sectors.

• Familiarity with AI/ML concepts and how to design interfaces for AI-driven insights.

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

• Experience with agile development methodologies.

📝 Enhancement Note: The requirement for an active Secret clearance is a critical qualification for this role, indicating a need for immediate eligibility to work on sensitive government projects. The emphasis on "data-heavy dashboards" and "compliance systems" points towards a need for designers who can translate complex information into actionable operational insights, rather than just aesthetic interfaces.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Case Studies: A robust portfolio showcasing at least 3-5 comprehensive case studies demonstrating your end-to-end UX design process from problem definition to final solution.

• Problem-Solution Framing: Each case study should clearly articulate the user problem or operational challenge, your design process, and the measurable impact of your solutions.

• System Design Examples: Include examples of designing for complex systems, data-heavy dashboards, or analytics platforms, highlighting your ability to manage intricate information architecture.

• Tool Proficiency Demonstration: While not explicitly stated, the portfolio should implicitly or explicitly demonstrate proficiency with tools like Figma or Adobe XD through the quality and detail of the presented work.

• Impact & Metrics: Showcase how your designs have improved user efficiency, task completion rates, data comprehension, or other relevant operational metrics.

Process Documentation:

• Workflow Design: Demonstrate experience in mapping and optimizing user workflows for complex operational processes.

• User Research Integration: Evidence of how user research findings were translated into design decisions and iterative improvements.

• Prototyping & Testing Cycles: Examples of iterative design cycles involving prototyping and user testing to refine solutions.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a role supporting a financial compliance initiative, a portfolio must go beyond visual design. It needs to demonstrate a deep understanding of process optimization, user workflow efficiency, and how UX design directly contributes to operational effectiveness in regulated environments. Case studies should highlight the "why" behind design choices and their impact on user tasks and decision-making.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $82,000 – $100,000 USD per year

Benefits:

• Health Insurance: Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance plans.

• Retirement Savings: 401(k) retirement plan with a company match, aiding long-term financial planning.

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

• Family Support: Parental Leave and dependent care assistance programs.

• Flexibility: Flexible work arrangements, supporting remote work and adaptable schedules.

• Professional Development: Opportunities for continuous learning, including company-paid training and certifications.

• Wellness & Support: Employee assistance program (EAP) and wellness programs to support overall employee well-being.

• Performance Incentives: Potential for performance-based bonuses and referral bonuses.

Working Hours:

• Standard full-time commitment, typically 40 hours per week.

• Flexible work arrangements are available, supporting remote work and potentially adaptable daily schedules within operational needs.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range provided ($82,000 - $100,000) is for a UX Designer role with 5+ years of experience, requiring a Secret clearance, and working on complex government projects. This compensation is competitive for the US market for such specialized roles, considering the security requirements and the technical nature of the project. The benefits package is robust, offering standard but comprehensive support for employees, with a particular emphasis on professional development and flexible work arrangements aligning with remote work.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Technology Services, Government Contracting, Software & Design. MetroStar operates in the intersection of technology services and government contracting, focusing on delivering innovative solutions for federal agencies.

Company Size: MetroStar is a mid-sized company, likely employing between 201-500 employees based on typical company structures that can support specialized roles like this while maintaining a strong culture. This size often allows for a balance between structured processes and agile responsiveness.

Founded: MetroStar has a two-decade legacy, suggesting stability, established processes, and a mature understanding of its market and client needs.

Team Structure:

• Cross-Functional Pods: The UX Designer will likely be part of a cross-functional team or "pod" dedicated to the AI-enabled financial compliance initiative. This pod would include Full Stack Engineers, AI/ML Engineers, Data Engineers, Financial SMEs, and potentially a Project Manager or Product Owner.

• Reporting: The UX Designer will report to a UX Lead or a Design Manager, who may oversee multiple projects or teams. Direct reporting would also involve close collaboration with the AI/ML and Data Engineering leads for this specific initiative.

• Collaboration: Expect a highly collaborative environment where UX designers work hand-in-hand with technical and domain experts, ensuring that user experience is integrated from the foundational stages of development.

Methodology:

• Agile & Iterative: The project likely employs agile methodologies, emphasizing iterative design, development, and deployment cycles.

• Human-Centered Design: A strong focus on human-centered design principles will guide the process, ensuring that user needs and operational effectiveness are paramount.

• Data-Driven Decisions: Given the AI and analytics focus, design decisions will be informed by data from user research, testing, and system performance metrics.

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

📝 Enhancement Note: MetroStar's emphasis on being "obsessed with our people" and having a "passion for our people" suggests a culture that values employee development and well-being. For an operations-focused UX role, this means opportunities for learning, support for work-life balance (especially with remote flexibility), and a collaborative environment where contributions are recognized. The company's focus on government contracting implies a need for professionalism, adherence to security protocols, and a results-oriented approach.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is positioned as a mid-to-senior level UX Designer (5+ years experience). It’s a crucial contributor role within a specific, high-visibility program, requiring specialized skills in designing for complex, data-intensive, and regulated environments. The impact is directly on users operating within critical financial compliance workflows.

Reporting Structure: The UX Designer will report to a Design Manager or UX Lead, and will work closely within a dedicated project team. This structure allows for both mentorship and direct contribution to a specific mission-critical initiative, providing clear lines of communication and collaboration with technical and domain experts.

Operations Impact: The UX Designer's impact is significant in operational efficiency and effectiveness. By creating intuitive interfaces for AI-driven analytics and compliance tools, they enable financial leaders and validators to make faster, more accurate decisions, improve audit accuracy, reduce manual effort, and ensure adherence to stringent regulations. This role directly supports the modernization and operationalization of critical government functions.

Growth Opportunities:

• Specialization: Deepen expertise in UX for AI/ML applications, data visualization, and government compliance systems, becoming a go-to expert in these niche areas.

• Leadership: Potential to move into Lead UX Designer roles, managing project design efforts, mentoring junior designers, or taking on product ownership responsibilities within specific initiatives.

• Cross-Functional Mastery: Develop a strong understanding of AI/ML, data engineering, and financial compliance principles, enhancing versatility and ability to contribute to broader GTM or operational strategy discussions.

• Client-Facing Expertise: Enhance skills in client interaction, presentation, and stakeholder management within government contexts.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role offers a unique trajectory for a UX Designer interested in the intersection of technology, data, and operational impact within the government sector. The growth paths emphasize specialization in high-demand areas (AI/ML UX, GovTech) and leadership within mission-critical projects, aligning well with career ambitions in operations-adjacent design roles.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Fully Remote. This indicates a distributed workforce where collaboration and communication are primarily digital.

Office Location(s): While the role is remote, the requirement of an active Secret clearance implies that candidates are likely expected to be US-based and potentially able to work from home in a secure environment compliant with government requirements.

Workspace Context:

• Digital Collaboration: Expect a highly digitized workspace reliant on collaboration tools (e.g., Slack, Teams, Zoom), project management software, and design platforms.

• Security Focus: Work must be conducted in a secure environment compliant with DoW requirements for handling sensitive data and maintaining clearance integrity.

• Cross-Disciplinary Interaction: Opportunities for frequent interaction with engineers, data scientists, and financial experts, fostering a dynamic and intellectually stimulating environment.

Work Schedule:

• The standard 40-hour work week applies, with flexibility in daily scheduling due to the remote nature. Core hours may be established for team collaboration and meetings, but the overall structure allows for managing personal time effectively alongside project demands.

📝 Enhancement Note: The remote nature, coupled with the Secret clearance, suggests a need for disciplined self-management and a secure home office setup. The collaborative tools and cross-disciplinary interactions are key to ensuring that the UX design effectively supports the operational goals of the financial compliance initiative.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A recruiter or hiring manager will review applications and resumes, focusing on required experience, clearance status, and relevant skills.

• Portfolio Review & Technical Interview: Candidates will likely present their portfolio, discussing case studies and design processes. This will be followed by a technical interview focusing on UX methodologies, problem-solving, and collaboration skills. Expect questions related to designing for data-heavy applications and regulated environments.

• Team/Stakeholder Interviews: Interviews with potential team members (Engineers, SMEs) and key stakeholders to assess cultural fit, collaboration style, and ability to communicate complex ideas.

• Final Interview: A final interview with senior leadership to discuss overall fit, career aspirations, and confirm alignment with the project's mission.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Focus on Process: Clearly articulate your design process for each case study, emphasizing how you identified problems, conducted research, iterated on designs, and tested solutions.

• Highlight Operational Impact: For each project, quantify or clearly describe the impact of your design on user efficiency, task completion, or decision-making, especially in data-heavy or compliance contexts.

• Showcase Data Visualization: Include examples of how you've designed effective dashboards or visualized complex data sets.

• Demonstrate Collaboration: Be prepared to discuss how you collaborated with engineers, data scientists, and stakeholders.

• Tailor to the Role: Emphasize projects that involved complex systems, analytics, or regulated environments, mirroring the requirements of this position.

Challenge Preparation:

• Design Exercise: Be prepared for a take-home design challenge or a live design exercise, likely involving a scenario related to financial compliance or data analytics. Focus on applying human-centered design principles and clearly documenting your thought process.

• Problem-Solving Scenarios: Anticipate questions asking how you would approach designing for specific user challenges within a regulated, data-intensive environment.

• Communication Skills: Practice explaining your design decisions clearly and concisely, especially when discussing trade-offs or complex technical constraints.

📝 Enhancement Note: For this role, the portfolio review is critical. Candidates must demonstrate not just aesthetic skill but a strategic understanding of how UX contributes to operational efficiency, data interpretation, and compliance in a demanding government environment. Be ready to defend design choices with user research and data.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Design & Prototyping: Figma, Adobe XD, Sketch (or similar industry-standard tools). Proficiency is essential for creating wireframes, mockups, and interactive prototypes.

• Collaboration & Communication: Slack, Microsoft Teams, Zoom (or similar platforms for remote team interaction and video conferencing).

• Project Management: Jira, Asana, Trello (or similar tools for task tracking, workflow management, and sprint planning).

Analytics & Reporting:

• Data Visualization Tools: While the designer may not directly use these, familiarity with how data is presented in tools like Tableau, Power BI, or custom dashboards is beneficial for designing effective interfaces.

• Analytics Platforms: Understanding how user behavior is tracked and analyzed within platforms like Google Analytics or custom internal tools.

CRM & Automation:

• While not directly a CRM role, understanding how user data and interactions feed into broader systems is helpful. Familiarity with how financial data flows through compliance systems is a plus.

📝 Enhancement Note: Proficiency in Figma or Adobe XD is explicitly required. The emphasis on AI-enabled analytics and financial compliance suggests that familiarity with data visualization principles and tools will be highly advantageous, enabling the designer to create interfaces that effectively represent complex information.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• People-Centricity: MetroStar's core value of "A passion for our people. Value for our customers." indicates a culture that prioritizes employee growth, well-being, and supportive relationships, while ensuring client success.

• Excellence & Innovation: In a government contracting context, there's an implicit value placed on delivering high-quality, innovative solutions that meet rigorous standards and contribute to mission objectives.

• Integrity & Security: Given the Secret clearance requirement and work with the Department of War, integrity, trustworthiness, and strict adherence to security protocols are paramount.

• Collaboration: The success of complex technical projects relies heavily on effective teamwork, open communication, and mutual respect across diverse skill sets.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-Functional Integration: Expect a highly integrated approach where UX designers are not siloed but actively participate in team discussions from conception through deployment.

• Feedback-Driven: A culture that encourages open feedback loops, both giving and receiving, to foster continuous improvement in designs and processes.

• Proactive Communication: In a remote setting, proactive communication and transparency are key to maintaining alignment and ensuring smooth project execution.

📝 Enhancement Note: MetroStar's stated values, particularly "A passion for our people," suggest a supportive environment for professional development and work-life balance, which is crucial for a remote UX role. For this specific project, the values of integrity, security, and operational excellence will be deeply ingrained due to the nature of the work with a defense agency.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Translating Complexity: The primary challenge will be translating highly complex AI-driven financial analytics and compliance regulations into simple, intuitive user experiences.

• Secure Environment Constraints: Designing within strict security protocols and DoW guidelines can limit creative freedom but requires innovative problem-solving.

• Diverse Stakeholders: Balancing the needs and feedback from various stakeholders, including financial experts, compliance officers, and technical teams, can be demanding.

• Remote Collaboration: Maintaining strong team cohesion and effective communication in a fully remote setting requires deliberate effort and strong digital collaboration skills.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Specialized UX Skills: Gain deep expertise in designing for AI/ML, data visualization, and regulated government systems, which are high-demand skills.

• Industry Knowledge: Develop a strong understanding of financial compliance, audit processes, and defense sector operations.

• Mentorship: Opportunities to learn from experienced engineers, data scientists, and potentially senior UX professionals within MetroStar.

• Professional Certifications: Potential for support in obtaining relevant UX certifications or specialized training in areas like data visualization or government IT security.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges are directly tied to the unique nature of the project: complex data, AI integration, government security, and a remote setup. Growth opportunities are significant for those who can master these challenges, building a niche expertise highly valuable in both government and private sectors.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you had to design a user interface for a complex data-heavy application. What challenges did you face, and how did you overcome them?" (Focus on your process, problem-solving, and how you handled intricate data.)

• "How would you approach designing an AI-driven dashboard for financial compliance where users need to trust the system's outputs but also understand its limitations?" (Prepare to discuss transparency, explainability, and building user confidence in AI.)

Company & Culture Questions:

• "Why are you interested in working for MetroStar, and specifically on this AI-enabled financial compliance initiative?" (Research MetroStar's mission, values, and their work in government contracting.)

• "How do you stay current with UX design trends, especially concerning data visualization and AI interfaces?" (Demonstrate a commitment to continuous learning.)

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure Your Narrative: For each case study, clearly define the problem, your role, your process, the solution, and the impact. Use visuals effectively.

• Quantify Impact: Whenever possible, use metrics to demonstrate the success of your designs (e.g., "reduced task completion time by X%", "improved data accuracy by Y%").

• Explain Your "Why": Be prepared to articulate the rationale behind your design decisions, linking them back to user needs and business/operational goals.

• Highlight Collaboration: Discuss how you worked with engineers, SMEs, and other stakeholders.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interviewers will be looking for a candidate who can not only design but also understand the operational context, the critical nature of financial compliance, and the nuances of working with government clients and advanced technologies like AI. Emphasize your ability to translate complex requirements into user-friendly, secure, and effective interfaces.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this operations-support UX position:

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

• Portfolio Customization: Ensure your portfolio prominently features case studies showcasing your experience with data-heavy applications, dashboards, analytics platforms, or compliance systems. Tailor your case study selection to highlight relevant skills for this specific role.

• Resume Optimization: Update your resume to clearly list your years of experience, specific design tools (Figma, Adobe XD), UX methodologies used, and any experience with secure or regulated environments. Explicitly mention your active Secret clearance or ability to obtain one.

• Interview Preparation: Practice articulating your design process, problem-solving approach, and collaboration strategies. Prepare to discuss how your UX skills directly contribute to operational efficiency and effective decision-making in complex environments.

• Company Research: Thoroughly research MetroStar, focusing on their mission, values, and their work in government contracting. Understand the importance of the Department of War initiative you'd be supporting.

⚠️ 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.