UX Designer

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: UX Designer Company: Visionist, Inc. Location: Columbia, Maryland, United States Job Type: Full-Time Category: User Experience (UX) / Product Design Operations Date Posted: September 23, 2025 Experience Level: 7+ Years

🚀 Role Summary

• Design and optimize user experiences for complex mission technologies within the Intelligence Community, focusing on intuitive and effective user interfaces.
• Translate user research and feedback into actionable design improvements, enhancing the usability and effectiveness of analytic tools and software development portfolios.
• Collaborate closely with cross-functional teams, including developers, managers, and engineers, to ensure seamless integration of UX principles into the product lifecycle.
• Leverage a range of design tools and methodologies to create modern, user-centric solutions that address critical mission capability gaps.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is positioned within a government contracting environment, specifically supporting the Intelligence Community. The emphasis on "mission technologies" and "analytic tools" suggests a focus on enterprise-level applications requiring robust data visualization, complex workflow management, and adherence to strict security and usability standards. The mention of "PRIME contract" indicates a significant, long-term project.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Collaborate with cross-functional teams, including developers, managers, and engineers, to conceptualize and implement UX solutions for mission-critical technologies.
• Conduct thorough user research, including workflow analysis, to gather insights and translate findings into modern, intuitive, and user-friendly designs.
• Develop high-fidelity front-end mockups, wireframes, and interactive prototypes using tools such as Axure, PenPot, and the Adobe Creative Cloud Suite.
• Engage directly with end-users and subject matter experts (SMEs) to solicit feedback, conduct usability testing, and iterate on designs to enhance overall user experience and product adoption.
• Design and refine user interface (UI) elements, including navigation menus, tabs, widgets, and data visualizations, to ensure consistency and ease of use across multiple applications.
• Apply interactive and visual design best practices to elevate the user experience, focusing on efficiency, clarity, and accessibility for diverse user groups.
• Participate in professional development opportunities, such as Nielsen Norman Group (NN/g) and Section 508 training, to continuously improve UX skills and knowledge.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a blend of strategic UX thinking, hands-on design execution, and user advocacy. The emphasis on "translating findings into modern, intuitive designs" and "enhancing the user experience across multiple applications" indicates a need for a designer who can manage a portfolio of products and ensure a consistent, high-quality user journey.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

• Bachelor's degree in a technical discipline (e.g., Computer Science, Human-Computer Interaction, Information Technology, Graphic Design with a technical focus).
• Alternatively, a minimum of 12 years of relevant professional experience in UX design may substitute for a Bachelor's degree.

Experience:

• A minimum of 7 years of progressive experience in User Experience (UX) design, with a proven track record of delivering user-centered solutions.
• Demonstrated experience in user research, workflow analysis, wireframing, prototyping, and user interface design within complex technical environments.
• Hands-on experience with industry-standard UX design and prototyping tools such as Axure, PenPot, Figma, Sketch, or Adobe Creative Cloud Suite.
• Experience with user-focused workflows and methodologies, including user-centered design (UCD), design thinking, and agile development processes.

Required Skills:

• Expertise in User Experience (UX) design principles and best practices, with a strong portfolio showcasing end-to-end design process.
• Proficiency in creating detailed wireframes, mockups, and interactive prototypes to effectively communicate design concepts and user flows.
• Strong problem-solving abilities, with a capacity to analyze complex technical requirements and translate them into clear, visually intuitive designs.
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills, with the ability to articulate design decisions and engage effectively with technical and non-technical stakeholders.
• Familiarity with user interface (UI) design elements, visual design principles, and information architecture.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience or familiarity with analytic tools and platforms relevant to the Intelligence Community.
• Direct experience working with analysts, end-users, or mission subject matter experts (SMEs) in a government or defense sector context.
• Knowledge of Section 508 accessibility standards and best practices for designing accessible interfaces.
• Experience with graphic design principles and tools beyond pure UX prototyping, such as Adobe Photoshop or Illustrator.
• Understanding of systems engineering principles and how UX integrates into the broader software development lifecycle.

📝 Enhancement Note: The requirement for a technical degree or equivalent experience, coupled with 7 years in UX design, positions this role for mid-to-senior level professionals. The preference for analyst/end-user experience and government sector familiarity is critical for candidates to highlight.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A comprehensive portfolio demonstrating a strong understanding of the UX design process, from initial research and conceptualization through to final design and iteration.
• Case studies that clearly articulate the problem statement, user research methodologies employed, design solutions developed, and the resulting impact or improvements achieved.
• Examples of interactive prototypes created using tools like Axure, PenPot, or similar, showcasing navigation, user flows, and key functionalities.
• Demonstration of proficiency in creating wireframes, user flows, site maps, and detailed UI mockups that convey design intent and technical feasibility.
• Evidence of applying user-centered design principles and incorporating user feedback to refine designs and enhance usability.

Process Documentation:

• Ability to document design processes, user research findings, and design rationale in a clear and organized manner.
• Familiarity with creating style guides, design systems, or UI component libraries to ensure design consistency and scalability across applications.
• Understanding of how to integrate UX design processes within Agile or other software development lifecycles.

📝 Enhancement Note: The portfolio is paramount for this role, especially given the emphasis on complex technical solutions. Candidates should prepare to walk through their design process and demonstrate how they've solved specific user problems, ideally with quantifiable outcomes where possible.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $115,000 - $180,000 Annually

Benefits:

• Employee Ownership: As a 100% employee-owned company, all employees have a stake in the company's success.
• Retirement: Competitive 15% retirement contribution, comprising a 5% 401K match and a 10% Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP).
• Paid Time Off: Generous 4 weeks (20 days) of paid time off that does not expire ("use or lose").
• Holidays: 12 paid federal holidays.
• Work-Life Balance: Flexible work hours, comp time, and overtime opportunities available.
• Parental Leave: 80 hours of paid parental leave, with an additional $8,000 supplemental payment for mothers.
• Health Insurance: Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision benefits for individuals and families. Employees who waive medical benefits receive an additional $4,160/year.
• Lifestyle Bonus: Annual $600 lifestyle bonus for use on fitness, technology, or HSA contributions.
• Performance Incentives: Annual merit increases and performance-based bonuses.
• Insurance: Term life insurance, short-term disability, and long-term disability coverage.

Working Hours:

• Standard full-time commitment, likely around 40 hours per week, with the flexibility of "flexible work hours" allowing for some autonomy in scheduling.
• Opportunities for overtime and comp time are available, which can be beneficial for managing project timelines or maximizing compensation.

📝 Enhancement Note: Visionist, Inc. offers a highly competitive benefits package, emphasizing employee ownership and substantial retirement contributions. The "flexible work hours" and "comp time/overtime" aspects are particularly attractive for operations professionals who may need to balance project demands with personal commitments. The salary range is competitive for a senior UX role in the Maryland tech corridor, particularly within the defense/intelligence sector.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Information Technology and Services, Government Contracting (Intelligence Community Support) Company Size: Small to Medium-sized Business (SMB) - Typically between 50-200 employees based on typical government contracting team structures and company growth. Founded: Over 14 years ago, suggesting a stable and experienced organization within its niche.

Team Structure:

• The UX Designer will likely be part of a dedicated engineering or software development team focused on a specific contract (PRIME contract).
• This team will include developers, potentially project managers or leads, and subject matter experts.
• The UX Designer will report to a UX Lead, Engineering Manager, or Project Manager, with close collaboration across various technical disciplines including systems engineering and graphic design.

Methodology:

• The team likely employs Agile methodologies for software development, requiring UX designers to integrate seamlessly into sprint cycles and iterative development processes.
• Emphasis on user-centered design (UCD) principles, incorporating user feedback and research throughout the development lifecycle.
• Focus on data analysis to inform design decisions and measure the impact of UX improvements on user engagement and mission effectiveness.
• Proactive approach to workflow planning and optimization, aiming to streamline processes for both end-users and the development team.
• Adoption of automation and efficiency practices where applicable to enhance productivity and design quality.

Company Website: www.visionistinc.com

📝 Enhancement Note: Visionist, Inc. positions itself as an employee-owned company with a strong focus on its people, mission, and professional development. The culture is described as supportive, with opportunities for internal growth and a family-like atmosphere reinforced by social events. This is a key differentiator for candidates.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: Senior UX Designer. This role requires significant experience and autonomous contribution, indicating a senior-level position within the UX discipline.

Reporting Structure: The UX Designer will likely report to a UX Lead or a Project/Engineering Manager, working closely with software developers, systems engineers, and potentially graphic designers. Collaboration will be extensive across various technical functions under the PRIME contract.

Operations Impact: The UX Designer's impact is directly tied to the effectiveness and usability of critical analytic tools used by the Intelligence Community. By improving user experience, the role directly contributes to enhanced analyst productivity, faster decision-making, and ultimately, the success of national security missions. Optimizing workflows and translating complex data into intuitive interfaces has a tangible impact on operational efficiency and mission outcomes.

Growth Opportunities:

• Specialization: Potential to specialize further in areas like data visualization for complex datasets, advanced prototyping techniques, or user research methodologies within the intelligence domain.
• Leadership: Progression to Senior UX Designer, Lead UX Designer, or UX Manager roles, overseeing design projects and mentoring junior designers.
• Skill Development: Access to Nielsen Norman Group (NN/g) and Section 508 training provides formal development paths. The company's commitment to employee growth suggests opportunities for attending industry conferences, workshops, and pursuing certifications.
• Cross-Functional Expertise: Opportunity to gain deeper understanding of systems engineering, software development, and specific mission requirements, broadening overall technical acumen.

📝 Enhancement Note: The growth trajectory for a senior UX Designer in this environment is strong, especially with the company's emphasis on internal promotion and professional development. The specific training opportunities mentioned are valuable for career advancement in UX.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Hybrid work model, allowing up to 2 days of telework per week. The remaining days will be spent in the office at their HQ in Columbia, MD. This suggests a collaborative office environment designed for team interaction and project work.

Office Location(s): Columbia, Maryland, United States. This location is part of the Maryland tech corridor, a hub for government contracting and technology companies.

Workspace Context:

• The office environment is likely conducive to collaboration, with opportunities for in-person brainstorming sessions, design critiques, and team meetings.
• Access to standard office technology and software, including the specified UX design and prototyping tools, will be provided.
• The hybrid model allows for focused individual work at home and collaborative, interactive work in the office, catering to different aspects of the UX design process.
• The company culture emphasizes a "family-like" atmosphere, suggesting a friendly and supportive team dynamic in the office.

Work Schedule:

• Standard full-time workweek.
• The mention of "flexible work hours" allows for some autonomy in daily scheduling, which is beneficial for operations professionals managing project timelines and personal needs.

📝 Enhancement Note: The hybrid arrangement balances the need for focused design work with the benefits of in-person collaboration, which is often crucial for UX design processes involving team feedback and stakeholder alignment.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: Phone screen with a recruiter to assess basic qualifications, interest, and cultural fit.
• Technical Interview: Interview with a Visionist team at their HQ in Columbia, MD. This will likely involve a deep dive into the candidate's UX process, problem-solving skills, and experience with specific tools and methodologies.
• Portfolio Review: A critical component of the interview process where candidates will present their portfolio, walking through case studies and explaining their design decisions and impact.
• Cultural Fit Assessment: Evaluation of alignment with Visionist's employee-owned, supportive, and mission-driven culture.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Selectively: Choose 3-4 of your strongest, most relevant UX case studies that showcase your end-to-end process, problem-solving skills, and impact. Prioritize projects that involve complex systems or data visualization if possible.
• Structure Your Narrative: For each case study, clearly define the problem, your role, the process you followed (research, ideation, design, testing), the challenges faced, your solutions, and the outcomes or learnings. Use visuals liberally.
• Quantify Impact: Wherever possible, include metrics or data that demonstrate the success of your designs (e.g., improved task completion rates, reduced error rates, increased user satisfaction scores).
• Highlight Collaboration: Showcase how you worked with developers, engineers, and stakeholders. Explain how you incorporated feedback and navigated differing opinions.
• Demonstrate Tool Proficiency: Be ready to discuss your experience with Axure, PenPot, Adobe Creative Cloud, and other relevant UX tools.

Challenge Preparation:

• While not explicitly mentioned, be prepared for potential design challenges or whiteboarding exercises that test your problem-solving skills, design thinking, and ability to articulate your process on the spot.
• Practice explaining your design rationale clearly and concisely, focusing on how your solutions address user needs and business objectives.
• Research Visionist, Inc., their mission, and the types of technologies they support within the Intelligence Community to tailor your responses and demonstrate genuine interest.

📝 Enhancement Note: The streamlined interview process (recruiter screen, team interview) suggests efficiency. The portfolio review is clearly a central element, so candidates must be well-prepared to present their work effectively. The emphasis on "mission technologies" means demonstrating an understanding of user needs in a high-stakes environment is key.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Prototyping & Wireframing: Axure, PenPot (specifically mentioned), potentially Figma, Sketch, Adobe XD.
• Design Suite: Adobe Creative Cloud Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, possibly After Effects for motion design).
• User Research & Testing: Tools for usability testing, user interviews, and potentially survey platforms.

Analytics & Reporting:

• While not explicitly stated for UX, familiarity with analytics tools (e.g., Google Analytics, Adobe Analytics, or custom platform analytics) can be beneficial for understanding user behavior post-launch.
• Experience with data visualization tools might be advantageous for presenting research findings or user data.

CRM & Automation:

• Not directly relevant for this UX role, but understanding how UX integrates with broader CRM and marketing automation platforms could be a plus in some contexts.

📝 Enhancement Note: Proficiency in Axure and PenPot is explicitly called out, making these essential tools to highlight if you have experience with them. Strong command of the Adobe Creative Cloud suite is also a key requirement for creating mockups and visual assets. Familiarity with user research platforms is implied by the responsibilities.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Mission Focus: A strong commitment to supporting the Intelligence Community's mission and national security objectives.
• Employee Ownership: A core value that fosters a sense of shared responsibility, collaboration, and dedication to collective success.
• Innovation & Improvement: Encouragement to solve complex problems and continuously enhance user experiences and operational efficiency through design.
• Professional Development: Commitment to investing in employees' growth through training and skill enhancement opportunities.
• Collaboration: Emphasis on teamwork, open communication, and cross-functional partnerships to achieve project goals.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-functional Integration: Designers work closely with developers, engineers, and project managers, requiring strong communication and the ability to translate design concepts into technical requirements.
• Iterative Design Feedback: A culture of receiving and giving constructive feedback on designs to ensure the best possible outcomes.
• User-Centric Approach: All design decisions are driven by understanding and meeting the needs of the end-user and mission stakeholders.
• Knowledge Sharing: Encouraging the sharing of best practices, tool tips, and industry trends within the team and across the company.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "100% employee-owned" aspect is a significant cultural driver, promoting a strong sense of teamwork and shared purpose. This should be a key point for candidates to consider and potentially ask about during interviews.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Complex User Needs: Designing for intelligence community users often involves highly specialized workflows, complex data, and demanding operational environments, requiring deep user understanding.
• Security Requirements: Adherence to strict security protocols and clearance requirements (TS/SCI with polygraph) is non-negotiable and can influence design constraints.
• Balancing Innovation with Constraints: Finding the right balance between creating cutting-edge UX and adhering to established technical, security, and budgetary constraints.
• Hybrid Work Management: Effectively managing collaboration and design flow in a hybrid work environment, ensuring seamless communication and productivity across remote and in-office team members.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Formal Training: Nielsen Norman Group (NN/g) and Section 508 training offer structured learning in UX best practices and accessibility standards.
• On-the-Job Learning: Working on diverse mission-critical projects provides immense practical experience in specialized UX challenges.
• Mentorship: Opportunities to learn from experienced engineers, designers, and leadership within an employee-owned structure.
• Industry Exposure: Potential to attend relevant industry conferences or workshops focused on UX, government contracting, or specific technology domains.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges are inherent to working in the government contracting space, particularly with the Intelligence Community. Highlighting how a candidate can navigate these challenges and leverage the growth opportunities will be crucial for their application.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• User-Centric Design Philosophy: "Describe your approach to user-centered design. How do you ensure user needs are at the forefront of your design process, especially when dealing with complex technical requirements?" (Prepare examples of user research, persona development, and user journey mapping).
• Problem-Solving & Translation: "Walk us through a time you had to translate a complex technical problem or user requirement into a simple, intuitive design. What was your process, and what was the outcome?" (Focus on your problem-solving methodology and design rationale).
• Collaboration & Stakeholder Management: "How do you collaborate with developers and engineers to bring your designs to life? How do you handle disagreements or differing technical constraints?" (Emphasize communication, negotiation, and compromise skills).
• Tooling & Workflow: "You mention Axure and PenPot. Can you share a specific project where you heavily utilized these tools for prototyping and user flow definition? What were the advantages?" (Be ready to discuss specific features and how they aided your process).

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What interests you about Visionist, Inc. and our mission supporting the Intelligence Community?" (Research their website, particularly the "What We Do" section).
• "How do you see yourself fitting into an employee-owned company culture?" (Reflect on collaboration, shared success, and proactive contribution).
• "How do you stay updated on the latest UX trends and technologies, and how do you apply them?" (Showcase commitment to continuous learning).

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Storytelling: Frame your portfolio pieces as stories of problem-solving and impact. Start with the "why" and end with the "what happened next."
• Visual Clarity: Ensure your visuals (wireframes, mockups, prototypes) are clean, well-organized, and easy to understand. Use annotations to explain key design decisions.
• Process Emphasis: Clearly articulate each stage of your design process. Explain the rationale behind your choices at every step.
• Outcome Focus: Quantify the success of your designs whenever possible. If quantitative data isn't available, focus on qualitative feedback and user testimonials.
• Conciseness: Be mindful of time. Practice your presentation to ensure it's engaging and covers the most critical aspects efficiently. Be prepared for follow-up questions.

📝 Enhancement Note: Demonstrating an understanding of the unique challenges and mission context of the Intelligence Community will be crucial. Candidates should prepare to discuss how their UX skills directly contribute to mission success and operational efficiency.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this UX Designer position:

• Submit your application through the provided jobvite link.
• Portfolio Customization: Ensure your resume and portfolio are tailored to highlight experience with complex technical systems, user research, prototyping tools (especially Axure and PenPot), and any relevant government/intelligence community projects.
• Resume Optimization: Quantify your achievements with specific metrics where possible. Use keywords from the job description such as "UX Design," "Prototyping," "User Research," "Mission Technologies," and "Analytic Tools."
• Interview Preparation: Practice articulating your design process, problem-solving approach, and collaborative skills. Prepare to present your portfolio with clear narratives and impactful visuals.
• Company Research: thoroughly review Visionist, Inc.'s website, understand their mission, and be ready to articulate why you are a good fit for their employee-owned culture and the specific demands of this role.

⚠️ 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.